A09383:850
A commentary or exposition, upon the five first chapters of the Epistle to the…A commentarie or exposition, vpon the fiue first chapters of the Epistle to the…
A commentary or exposition, upon the five first chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians: penned by the godly, learned, and judicial divine, Mr. W. Perkins. Now published for the benefit of the Church, and continued with a supplement upon the sixth chapter, by Rafe Cudworth Bachelor of DivinityA commentarie or exposition, vpon the fiue first chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians: penned by the godly, learned, and iudiciall diuine, Mr. W. Perkins. Now published for the benefit of the Church, and continued with a supplement vpon the sixt chapter, by Rafe Cudworth Bachelour of Diuinitie
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1604Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1604
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.
It may be objected, that we cannot tell, whether infants be indeed the children of God, or no: and if they be not children of God, we may not baptize them. Answer. The same may be said of men of years: for we know not whether they be indeed the children of. And therefore we may by the like reason exclude them from all sacraments. Again, we are to presume §5(in all likelihood) that infants of believing parents, are the children of God, because in their conception and birth, God begins to manifest his election: showing himself a God not only to the parents, but also to their seed.
It may be obiected, that we cannot tell, whether infants be indeede the children of God, or no: and if they be not children of God, we may not baptize them. Answer. The same may be said of men of yeares: for we knowe not whether they be indeede the children of. And therefore we may by the like reason exclude them from all sacraments. Againe, we are to presume §5(in all likelihood) that infants of beleeuing parents, are the children of God, because in their conception and birth, God begins to manifest his election: shewing himselfe a God not onely to the parents, but also to their seed.
Secondly, it is objected, that infants have no faith; and consequently, §10that baptism is unprofitable unto them. Ans. Some think, they have faith, as they have regeneration, that is, the inclination or seed of faith. Others say, that the faith of the parents is also the faith of their children: because the parents by their faith, receive the promise of God, both for themselves & §15their children: And thus to be borne in the Church of believing parents, is in stead of the profession of faith. To this second opinion I rather incline, because it is the ancient and received doctrine of the Church.