The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

§. 4. And if Baptism be the common symbol of Christianity, and the common making of a visible Christian, then it must needs be the constitutive term or qualification sufficient to mens first Church-Union and Communion: which is commonly confessed.

§. 4. And if Baptism be the common symbol of Christianity, and the common making of a visible Christian, then it must needs be the constitutive term or qualification sufficient to mens first Church-Vnion and Communion: which is commonly confessed.

§. 5. If there be any place for contention here, it must be only about the validity of mens Received baptism: 1. As to the Minister and his part: 2. As to the mode and Ceremonies: 3. As to the qualification of the receiver or baptized.

§. 6. I. As to the first, though all be not agreed in point of Duty who should baptize, yet so great a number of the Christian world are agreed as to the validity of baptism received de necessitate medii, that the dissenters are so few as that we need not fear any great disagreement hereabout. The very Romanists maintain the validity not only of the Baptism received by heretics and wicked Priests, and silenced and suspended Priests, but also of Lay-men, yea of women: But de officio all are agreed that where it is possible a lawful Minister of Christ should do it. Only a few Anabaptists say that it must be only one that was baptized at age himself: And one or two Singularists (whether in ignorance or design I know not) think it the aptest medium to unchurch the Reformed Churches, that they have no true Priests for want of due succession of ordination, and consequently no true Sacraments, because God owneth no Acts but such as are commissioned or appointed by him; and consequently no Covenant; and consequently no Covenant-promise and benefits, of pardon, justification and salvation: But this is after at large to be detected and confuted.