Christus in corde, or, The mystical union between Christ and believers considered in its…

As touching the Adult; Baptism is a seal of union not to all, but to Believers only. Bonaventure saith, that faith is necessary in all Sacraments,¹ especially in Baptism; Quoniam Baptismus est janua Sacramentorum, sicut fides est janua virtutum; because Baptism is the gate of Sacraments, as Faith is the gate of virtues: Baptism is the seal of the Covenant, therefore it appertains to those who by Faith are within it. It is clear in Scripture, that Faith is pre-required to Baptism; They that gladly received the word, were baptized, Acts 2.41. When they believed Philip, they were baptized, Acts 8.12. If thou believest with all thine heart, ⟨p. 205⟩thou mayest, saith Philip to the Eunuch, Act. 8.37. Anciently, before Baptism, Interrogatories were put unto the person to be baptized, and answers made by him in this manner; Renuncias Satanae? Renuncio. Credis in Christum? Credo. Dost thou renounce Satan? I renounce him. Dost thou believe in Christ? I believe. Hence Tertullian saith,² Anima non lavatione, sed responsione sancitur; the Soul is established not by washing but by answering. In the due use of Sacraments there must be an hand on both sides; manus Dei offerentis, the hand of God offering; and manus fidei accipientis, the hand of faith receiving; though a Sacrament hath its essential integrity, though there be a real offer on Gods part, yet without a receiving-Faith, there is Sacramentum sine re, a sign without Grace. Were Faith always present, the Grace as well as the Sign would ever be communicated; but Faith being absent, nothing but the mere Sign passes to the receiver. Hence the Scripture distinguisheth, touching Circumcision, between that in the flesh, and that in the heart, Rom. 2.28, 29. and touching Baptism, between the putting away the filth of the flesh, and the answer of a good conscience towards God, 1 Pet. 3.21