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

§. 47. Some few brethren called Independents, think that none are members of the Church-Universal but those that are members of some particular Church: But it is but few of them, and they are mistaken: As Corporations are the most regular parts of the Kingdom, but not the whole Kingdom; so particular Churches are the most regular parts of the universal Church, but not the whole: as hath been proved by instances.

§. 48. Yea (though we need lay no stress on this) I doubt not but in cases of necessity an open profession of Christianity, and entering into the Covenant of God, doth make a man a Christian even without baptism it self. As if a Bible or good book or speech convert a man among Infidels where there is no one to baptize him: St. Peter saith, It is not the outward washing that saveth, but the answer of a good Conscience to God (in the holy Covenant.) And it is a dishonourable doctrine against God and Christianity to say that God layeth his love and mans salvation so much on a Ceremony, as to damn or deny an upright holy soul for want of it, or to give grace to none but by that Ceremony, though it be of Gods institution. I am sure St. Paul saith, Else were your Children unclean, but now are they holy, 1 Cor. 7. 14. And if Holy before baptism, (because the Parents are so and do devote them to God and God accepts them) then baptism doth but solemnize this dedication and invest them. It is the solemn Covenanting with God, that is the chief part of baptism, and is it which the ancient Churches meant, when they pleaded for the necessity of baptism to salvation; Though it is, no doubt, a duty, where it may be had; and the thing signified is necessary to salvation.

§. 48. Yea (though we need lay no stress on this) I doubt not but in cases of necessity an open profession of Christianity, and entring into the Covenant of God, doth make a man a Christian even without baptism it self. As if a Bible or good book or speech convert a man among Infidels where there is no one to baptize him: St. Peter saith, It is not the outward washing that saveth, but the answer of a good Conscience to God (in the holy Covenant.) And it is a dishonourable doctrine against God and Christianity to say that God layeth his love and mans salvation so much on a Ceremony, as to damn or deny an upright holy soul for want of it, or to give grace to none but by that Ceremony, though it be of Gods institution. I am sure St. Paul saith, Else were your Children unclean, but now are they holy,