Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 45. 4. If a man may be a true Christian without Baptism, and have Christ and pardon and Justification and eternal life without it; then may a man be a true Minister without Ordination. For no man can reasonably plead that Ordination is more necessary to a Minister then Baptism to a Christian. Even the Papists that make a Sacrament of it, and ascribe to it an indelible ⟨p. 163⟩Character, must needs set it somewhat lower then Baptism. Baptizing is commonly called our Christening, as that in some sort makes us Christians. And yet for all that the true use of Baptism is but to solemnize the Marriage between Christ and us, and to Invest and inaugurate them in a state of Christianity solemnly, that were indeed Christians before. And the Papists themselves confess that when a man first repenteth and believeth (with a faith formata Charitate) he is pardoned, and in a State of Salvation before Baptism, and shall be saved upon the mere Votum Baptismi, if in case of Necessity he die without it (Though the partial Proctors will damn the infants for want of Baptism, that never refused it, when they save the parents that have •ut the desire.) No doubt but Constantine, and many other, that upon mistake deferred their Baptism, were nevertheless Christians; and judged so by the Church both then and now. And yet to neglect it wilfully were no small sin. So if in our case, men want Ordination, they may be really Ministers, and their Ministrations Valid; but it is their very great sin, if their wilful neglect be the cause that they are not Ordained.

Sect. 45. 4. If a man may be a true Christian without Baptism, and have Christ and pardon and Justification and eternal life without it; then may a man be a true Minister without Ordination. For no man can reasonably plead that Ordination is more necessary to a Minister then Baptism to a Christian. Even the Papists that make a Sacrament of it, and ascribe to it an indelible ⟨p. 163⟩Character, must needs set it somewhat lower then Baptism. Baptizing is commonly called our Christening, as that in some sort makes us Christians. And yet for all that the true use of Baptism is but to solemnize the Marriage between Christ and us, and to Invest and inaugurate them in a state of Christianity solemnly, that were indeed Christians before. And the Papists themselves confess that when a man first repenteth and believeth (with a faith formata Charitate) he is pardoned, and in a State of Salvation before Baptism, and shall be saved upon the meer Votum Baptismi, if in case of Necessity he die without it (Though the partial Proctors will damn the infants for want of Baptism, that never refused it, when they save the parents that have ut the desire.) No doubt but Constantine, and many other, that upon mistake deferred their Baptism, were nevertheless Christians; and judged so by the Church both then and now. And yet to neglect it wilfully were no smal sin. So if in our case, men want Ordination, they may be really Ministers, and their Ministrations Valid; but it is their very great sin, if their wilfull neglect be the cause that they are not Ordained.