A76157:581
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the sovereign powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and welfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the soveraigne powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and wellfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.
London: printed by A.M. for Nevil Simmons book-seller, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. But though a personal Faith, or Knowledge, in truth or in profession, be not necessary to an Infant, either for Membership or Justification, yet their Parents Faith or Profession is necessary: or else the promise is to more, then Believers and their Seed, quod restat probandum.
4. But though a personall Faith, or Knowledg, in truth or in profession, be not necessary to an Infant, either for Membership or Justification, yet their Parents Faith or Profession is necessary: or else the promise is to more, then Believers and their Seed, quod restat probandum.
Object. But a Negative consent is sufficient, to continue such in Covenant, as before were admitted in Infancy, or at age: And this Negative consent, is but non-actuall dissent, or a non-renouncing of the Gospel: And therefore, as Positive consent, so actual Faith and Knowledge, are not necessary.
Object. But a Negative consent is sufficient, to continue such in Covenant, as before were admitted in Infancy, or at age: And this Negative consent, is but non-actuall dissent, or a non-renouncing of the Gospell: And therefore, as Posi•ive consent, so actuall Faith and Knowledge, are not necessary.
Answ. A dangerous doctrine! A negative consent is no consent.1 Why then should the ears of men be abused by the •ame, when there is nothing to answer it? A Negative Faith, in english is Infidelity, or not believing. Is not this a delusory teaching of the Church, to call unbelief by the name of Negative Faith, or Negative Consent? If a block, a brute, or a Subject otherwise Naturally uncapable, be the Subject; then indeed it is inculpable, and your Negative Consent or Faith, is properly but a Negative dissent, or unbelief. But if a capable