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A62868 Felo de se, or, Mr. Richard Baxter's self-destroying manifested in twenty arguments against infant-baptism / gathered out of his own writing, in his second disputation of right to sacraments by John Tombes. Tombes, John, 1603?-1676. 1659 (1659) Wing T1806; ESTC R33836 48,674 44

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shall take liberty to say It is this to one but not to another when the Scripture saith no such thing but speaks of the nature and use of it without distinction Else when it saith circumcision is a seal of the righteousness of faith we may say with the Anabaptists it was so to Abraham but not to all others And when the Lords Supper is said to be appointed for the remembrance of Christ we may say That is but to some and not to others when as the Text plainly speaks of the stated use of the ordinances to all 2 And in the type it is clear for it was not some onely but all that entered Noabs Ark that entered into a state of salvation from the Deluge therefore so it is here as to the commanded use 2. When baptism is said to save us it s plainly meant of the state of salvation that baptism entereth us into and not of baptism ex opere operato by the work done effecting our salvation And so baptism comprehendeth the state into which we are solemnly by it initiated As a woman that is maried to an Honourable man or a Souldier listed under an Honourable Commander is said to be honoured the one by mariage the other by listing Where antecedent consent is the foundation on both sides of the honourable relations and the subsequent state is the condition or state it self which is honourable but the solemn signation is but the expression of the former and passage to the later 3. Hereby it is apparent that though the answer of a good conscience be the principal thing intended and that saveth yet the external baptism is here included as the sign and solemnization so that when the Apostle saith not the putting away of the filth of the flesh he means not the bare outward act of washing alone or as such but baptism as it is entire having the thing professed on ou● part together with the professing sign 4. It is therefore but by way of signification obsignation and complemental exhibition that baptism saveth it being neither the fast or principal efficient or condition of it but is valued as it is conjunct with the principal causes and condition for the attainment of these ends 5. It is not a meer remote means leading towards a state of salvation that baptism is here affirmed to be but an enterance or means of entrance into that state of salvation it self As the heart-covenant or faith doth it principally so baptism signally and complementally This is plain 1. Because it is not said to help us towards a state of salvation but expresly to save 2. Because the type which is here mentioned viz. the Ark was such a means that all that entered into it for preservation from the Flood were actually saved from it All this laid together doth confirm both the antecedent and consequence of my Argument Calvins words on the Text signifie 1. that no baptized men are excluded from salvation but Hypocrites 2. That they that are excluded from salvation for all their baptism are such as did dep●ave and corrupt it and not justly use it Yet another Argument may hence be raised thus Argum. 2. If according to the institution the answer of a ●ood conscience must be joyned with baptism for the attaining of its end then we must admit none that profess not that answer of a good conscience But no Infant doth profess that answer of a good Conscience as is manifest by sense Therefore we must admit no Infant to baptism But the former is certain from the Text for baptism is said to save that is its appointed use yet not the external washing but the answer of a good conscience doth it therefore this is of necessary conjunction and without it baptism cannot attain its end but it is to be administred and received onely in order to the attainment of its end and therefore never in a way by which the end is apparently not attainable What this answer of a good conscience is we shall further enquire anon Both the common exp●sitions fully confirm the point which I maintain The assemblies Annot. recit both thus Hence by the answer of a good conscience we may understand that unfeigned faith whereof they made confession at their baptism and whereby their consciences were purified and whereby they received the remission of their sin c. Some understand by the answer of a good conscience that covenant whereinto they entered at their baptism the embracing whereof they testified by their unfeigned confession of their faith viz. such a faith as is aforesaid Pag. 160. Argum. 18. No one may be admitted to baptism who may not be addmitted a member of the Church of Christ No one may be admitted to be a member of the Church of Christ without the profession of a saving faith therefore no one may be admitted to baptism without the profession of a saving faith But no Infant doth profess saving faith as is manifest by sense therefore no Infant may be admitted to baptism I speak of such admission to Church membership as is in the power of the Ministers of Christ who have the Keys of his Kingdom to open and let in as well as to cast out The major is past question because baptism is our solemn entrance into the Church who were before entred by private consent and accepted by the covenant of God All the question is of the minor which I shall therefore prove 1. It is before proved that all the members of the Church must be such as are visibly solemnly or by profession sanctified from former sin cleansed justified persons of God the heirs of the promise c. But this cannot be without the profession of a saving faith therefore c. 2. This is also before proved where it was shewed that no other are Christians or Disciples 3. In Acts 2. 41 42. c. The many thousand that were added to the Church were such as gladly received the doctrine of saving faith and repentance and continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayer and so far contemned the world as to sell all and make it common And doubtless no man continued in those ways of doctrine fellowship prayer c. without the profession of saving faith and repentance for the very use of these is such a profession of which saith Calvin in Act. 2. 42. quaerimus ergo veram Christi ecclesiam Hic nobis ad vivum depicta est ●jus im●g● ac initium qui●em facit a doctrina quae veluti ecclesiae anima est not as barely heard but as professed and received nec quamlibet doctrinam nominat sed Apost●lorum hoc est quam per ipsorum nanus silius Dei tradiderat ergo ubicunque personat pura vox Eva●gelii ubi in ejus professione m●●nent homines ubi in ordinario ejus auditu ad profectum se exercent illic indubio est ecclesia c. Quare non temere