An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications…

And for the Dissenters in England, that they are in general of the same Judgment, I might prove from the Assembly of Divines Confession, Catechisms, and Directory; and from the Heads of Agreement assented to by the United Ministers, formerly distinguished by the Names of Presbyterian and Congregational; as also by a large Induction of particular Instances among Divines of every Denomination, would it not carry me to too great a Length. I find Mr. LOB. (in his True Dissenter) assuring us in general, "It is held by the Dissenters, that nothing less than the Profession of a saving Faith gives a Right to Baptism." Nor do I see, by their Writings of a later Date and most in Vogue, any just Grounds to suppose a general Change of Sentiments among them. I will mention two or three Moderns of distinguished Name. Dr. HARRIS (in his Self-Dedication) tells us, The Nature of the Lord's Supper plainly supposes Faith; and that none but real Christians have Right in the Sight of God; tho' a credible Profession entitles to it in the Sight of the Church, who can't know the Heart. And he declares it the same Faith, which qualifies the Adult, both for Baptism and for the Lord's Supper; there being the same common Nature to both Sacraments, and the latter only a recognizing the former.—The late Dr. WATTS (in his Holiness of Times, Places, and People) says, The Christian Church receives none but upon Profession of true Faith in Christ, and sincere Repentance; none but those who profess to be Members of the invisible Church, and in a Judgment of Charity are to be so esteemed. Our Entrance into it is appointed to be by a visible Profession of our being born of God, of real Faith in Christ, of true Repentance, and inward Holiness. -In fine, to name no more, Dr. DODDRIDGE (in his Family-Expositor, on Act. viii. 37.) supposes a credible Profession of their Faith in Christ required of the Adult in Apostolic Times, in Order to their being admitted to Baptism; even such (says he) as implied their cordially subjecting their Souls to the Gospel, and their being come to a Point, so as to give up themselves to Christ with all their Heart.

And for the Dissenters in England, that they are in general of the same Judgment, I might prove from the Assembly of Divines Confession, Catechisms, and Directory; and from the Heads of Agreement assented to by the United Ministers, formerly distinguish'd by the Names of Presbyterian and Congregational; as also by a large Induction of particular Instances among Divines of every Denomination, wou'd it not carry me to too great a Length. I find Mr. LOB. (in his True Dissenter) assuring us in general, "It is held by the Dissenters, that nothing less than the Profession of a saving Faith gives a Right to Baptism." Nor do I see, by their Writings of a later Date and most in Vogue, any just Grounds to suppose a general Change of Sentiments among them. I will mention two or three Moderns of distinguish'd Name. Dr. HARRIS (in his SelfDedication) tells us, The Nature of the Lord's Supper plainly supposes Faith; and that none but real Christians have Right in the Sight of God; tho' a credible Profession intitles to it in the Sight of the Church, who can't know the Heart. And he declares it the same Faith, which qualifies the Adult, both for Baptism and for the Lord's Supper; there being the same common Nature to both Sacraments, and the latter only a recognizing the former.—The late Dr. WATTS (in his Holiness of Times, Places, and People) says, The Christian Church receives none but upon Profession of true Faith in Christ, and sincere Repentance; none but those who profess to be Members of the invisible Church, and in a Judgment of Charity are to be so esteemed. Our Entrance into it is appointed to be by a visible Profession of our being born of God, of real Faith in Christ, of true Repentance, and inward Holiness. -In fine, to name no more, Dr. DODDRIDGE (in his Family-Expositor, on