A27054:315
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness of it, and the detection of false dividing terms / opened by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. II. It is evident in Scripture, that Christ sent his Apostles, and that he taught them what to preach, and particularly that he Matth. 28. 19, 20. said [Go and Disciple me all Nations, baptizing them ⟨p. 102⟩in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost] teaching them to observe all things whatever I commanded you.] And it is certain, that a Baptized person was then accounted a Christian, and Baptism was their Christening; and that this was the Church entrance, and visible symbol of a Christian and Church-member: And that all Christs Church hath so accounted of baptism to this day: and true Tradition is in no one point so full and constant as in this. And moreover the very nature of the thing it self declareth it. Is not he a Christian that believeth according to the sense of the institution, in God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and by a solemn Vow and Covenant devoteth himself to him as his God and Father, his Redeemer and Saviour, and his Sanctifier and Comforter, and the witness of Christ; and that hereupon hath right to justification, adoption, and the heavenly inheritance: Who is a Christian, if this be not?
§. 12. The sense of the Catholic Church is so notorious in this, that I think there is little disagreement about it. The Papists confess it: The Protestants confess it: See but Vossii Theses de Baptismo, and Davenant de Bapt. and especially Gatakers Animadversions on that of Davenant: All confess, that all the ancient Churches held, that to the duly qualified receiver, all sin was pardoned in baptism, and the person put into a state of life: And therefore was a member of the Church.
§. 12. The sense of the Catholick Church is so notorious in this, that I think there is little disagreement about it. The Papists confess it: The Protestants confess it: See but Vossii Theses de Baptismo, and Davenant de Bapt. and especially Gatakers Ammadversions on that of Davenant: All confess, that all the antient Churches held, that to the duly qualified receiver, all sin was pardoned in baptism, and the person put into a state of life: And therefore was a member of the Church.