Baxter - BX5202 B29 1689

Word, and the uncharitable not to come to that Holy rabic, left the Devil enter into them as he did into Judas , andfill them with all tin- righteoufnefs to the deftrudion of Body and Soul. L. But they that are forced to come, will be liker to take preparing Care, than if they be let alone. M. Look over the foregoing infiances : Will you make a- Law among Heathens that all ¡hall be baptized , that' this may draw them to believe ? Or will you Command all Students to Adminifter the Sacraments , that this may draw them to Study and be Ordained, &c. We diffivade you not from forcing all to Hear and Learn : But doyou think that it is fo eahe and fmall a Matter ro bring aMan to Repent and Believe, and give up his Heart and Life to Chrift , and prefer Heaven before Earth, and a holy Life before a fíe(hly and NA, orldly Life , as that it is but fay, Do it, or thou fhalt go to Fail. What need a Saviour, a fanóifying Spirit, a teaching Miniftry, &c. if it be fo eafìiy done at a Command ? Will the fear of a Jail make Men be- lieve the Gofpel; or LoveGod ? Oh how little loth this way favour of any true Knowledge of the State of Man, or what Faith or Sanotidcation is ? L. Wherein lyeth the Sinfulnefs offiich force ! M r. It feemeth to make a New Gofpel-Condition, or contrádic`f Chriffs.. Chrift faith, That none can be his Difci- ple, except he forfake all, and follow him : This Courfe faith, Thou (halt be Paved by Chrift, if thou hadft rather Communi- cate than lofe all and lie in Jail. The Sacrament is an Inveft- ing deliveringof Pardon and right to Chrift and Salvation ; And none but thole that delire them above all the World are capaLle of thefe.. And togive them to the forced and Unwilling is con- trary tö the Gofpel. 2. It kerns toput a Lie on Chrift, as if he had ever made any inch gift. ;. It tendeth to deceive poor Souls. 4- It forceth them on Sacriledge, Hypocrifie, Prophanation and Damnation. 5. It may diftradl thofe perlons with terror who are confci- ous of their unftnefs, or thofe Melancholy Chriftians that un- der Temptation tremble for fear oftaking their own : damna- tion. 6. It polluteth the Church, and confoundeth the Infidels, Ca- techumens and Fideles, 7. Ic

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