Baptism and the Distinction of the Covenants

by Thomas Patient, Quinn R Mosier (Editor)

Baptism and the Distinction of the Covenants is the only surviving work from Thomas Patient, a signatory of the First London Baptist Confession of Faith (1644) and pastor in Dublin, Ireland. In this work, Patient refutes paedobaptism by arguing for a distinction between the covenant of circumcision and the covenant of life given to Abraham. Patient argues that the fundamental error of paedobaptists is in conflating these two covenants and maintaining a fleshly distinction in the covenant of life. The covenant of life is not made with the fleshly seed of believers, as coming out of their loins, but with all the spiritually elect in Christ who have repented of their sins and believed in the gospel.

212 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2022

Reviews

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent Baptist resource from the 17th century from a signatory of the First LBC (1644), and pastor in Dublin, Thomas Patient. I love what Baptist Heritage Press is putting out! I wonder where Patient falls in modern covenant theology discussions. Four stars because argumentation was hard to follow at times, though I am sure the old English had a lot to do with it. Currently re-reading the middle portion (Ch. 2, parts 1-3) on the Covenants of Life and Works of Abram to better understand better before my discussion with Eli and Ben.

Parts I found most helpful include: who may administer Baptism (someone who knows what it is and whose its subjects are), the interpretation of Galatians 4 with regards to the covenant of works and covenant of life, the insistence that repentance and faith must go hand in hand with Baptism (a key Reformation doctrine; repentance and faith being marks of true conversion), and the Baptist clarity that infant baptism is simply not prescribed, and thus sin (Lev. 10:1-3).

Will update with favorite quotes later.

[Eli Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stay Baptist, friends