Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 58. And that this is a way of working Grace in the same kind as Gods word and Sacraments do, is undeniable. For the word and Sacraments do work Grace but Morally, by propounding the object, and so objectively Teaching, Remembering, and Exciting, and thus working on the Understanding, Memory, and Will, and Affections. However the spirit may work within, its certain that the ordinances work no otherwise. And not only Protestants are agreed on this, but one would think that the Jesuits and all of their mind should be most of all for it. For faculties, they that will not confess any Physical determination of the but make all operations both of Word, Sacraments, and Spirit it self, to be but suasory or Moral, one would think should hold more tenaciously then others, that Sacraments work Grace but Morally. And if no Sacraments do more then objectively Teach and excite; and the Cross is appointed to do as much in this, then there is no difference between them to be found.

§. 58. And that this is a way of working Grace in the same kind as Gods word and Sacraments do, is undeniable. For the word and Sacraments do work Grace but Morally, by propounding the object, and so objectively Teaching, Remembring, and Exciting, and thus working on the Understanding, Memory, and Will, and Affections. However the spirit may work within, its certain that the ordinances work no otherwise. And not only Protestants are agreed on this, but one would think that the Jesuits and all of their mind should be most of all for it. For faculties, they that will not confess any Physical determination of the but make all operations both of Word, Sacraments, and Spirit it self, to be but suasory or Moral, one would think should hold more tenaciously then others, that Sacraments work Grace but Morally. And if no Sacraments do more then objectively Teach and excite; and the Cross is appointed to do as much in this, then there is no difference between them to be found.

§. 59. And then for Relative Grace, it is plain, that by the sign of the Cross as well as by Baptism, we are entered into a state of Christianity; and so it is an Investing Sacramental sign; It listeth us under the banner of Christ Crucified: And that is the very essential nature of the Sacrament of Baptism it self. As Listing investeth the soldier in his Relation, and consequently in his Privileges, so doth Baptism by Gods appointment; and Crossing is supposed by mans appointment, to invest men in the Relation of the soldiers of Jesus Christ.