N00149:139
A discourse concerning the subject of baptism wherein the present controversies, that are agitated…A discourse concerning the subject of baptisme wherein the present controversies, that are agitated…
A discourse concerning the subject of baptism wherein the present controversies, that are agitated in the New English churches are from Scripture and reason modestly enquired into / by Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Sixteen lines of quotations]A discourse concerning the subject of baptisme wherein the present controversies, that are agitated in the New English churches are from Scripture and reason modestly enquired into / by Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Sixteen lines of quotations]
printed by Samuel Green, 1675
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.
1. I do readily acknowledge, that as it is only a Justifying Faith which giveth right to Baptisme Coram Deo, so it is the profession or visibility of this Faith that giveth right thereunto Coram Ecclesiâ. Some have maintained that a Dogmatical Historical Faith, or a Faith of Assent to the Truth of the Gospel doth entitle to Baptism. But the common [k]Protestant Doctrine against the Papists speaketh otherwise. Though a man should believe all that the holy Scriptures say concerning God and Christ, yet if he doth not Consent with […], that this God shall be his God, and this Christ his Saviour, he hath not right to Baptism in the sight of God, or if he doth not profess such a Consent (which is Implied in the Proposition before us when it is said concerning the persons in Question that they gave up themselves to the Lord.) he cannot justly claim Baptism. In most Churches in the World men own the Creed (called the Apostles) before Baptism, now therein they say I believe [In] God, and not only I believe God, so, with a Faith of assent only in the understanding, […] to believe in God implieth a consent of the will choosing this God for my God & considering that in Baptism there is a profession of Repentance for past transgressions, and an engagement to walk in newness of life for time to come, Mark. 1, 4. 2 Pet. 1. 9. ⟨p. 53⟩And that it cometh in the room of Circumcision, which was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith, Rom. 4. 11. and that thereby remission of Sins is sealed, Act. 2. 38. which Remission is not promised to any Faith but justifying, Also that Baptism is said to save, 1 pet. 3. 21. and they that are Baptized are said to be in Christ, Gal. 3. 27. and to have Communion with Christ. in respect of his Death and Resurrection, Rom. 6. 4, 5.