A30138:139
Differences in judgment about water-baptism, no bar to communion, or, To communicate with saints,…Differences in judgment about vvater-baptism, no bar to communion, or, To communicate with saints,…
Differences in judgment about water-baptism, no bar to communion, or, To communicate with saints, as saints, proved lawful in answer to a book written by the Baptists, and published by Mr. T.P. and Mr. W.K. entitled, Some serious reflections on that part of Mr. Bunyan's confession of faith, touching church-communion with unbaptized believers : wherein, their objections and arguments are answered, and the doctrine of communion still asserted and vindicated : here is also Mr. Henry's Jesse's judgment in the case, fully declaring the doctrine I have asserted / by John Bunyan.Differences in judgment about vvater-baptism, no bar to communion, or, To communicate with saints, as saints, proved lawful in answer to a book written by the Baptists, and published by Mr. T.P. and Mr. W.K. entituled, Some serious reflections on that part of Mr. Bunyan's confession of faith, touching church-communion with unbaptized believers : wherein, their objections and arguments are answered, and the doctrine of communion still asserted and vindicated : here is also Mr. Henry's Jesse's judgment in the case, fully declaring the doctrine I have asserted / by John Bunyan.
London: printed for John Wilkins, 1673
Differences in Judgment about Water-Baptism no Bar to Communion.
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.
But say you, He that despiseth his Birthright of Ordinances, our Church-privileges, will be found to be a profane Person, as Esau, in God's account.
But say you, He that despiseth his Birthright of Ordinances, our Church-priviledges, will be found to be a prophane Person, as Esau, in God's account.
Baptism is not the Privilege of a Church, as such. But what? are they all ESAU'S indeed? Must we go to Hell, and be damned for want of Faith in Water-baptism? ⟨p. 41⟩And take notice, I do not plead for a despising of Baptism, but a bearing with our Brother, that cannot do it for want of Light. The best of Baptism he hath, viz. the signification thereof; he wanteth only the outward show, which if he had, would not prove him a truly visible Saint; it would not tell me he had the Grace of God in his heart; it is no Characteristical note to another of my Sonship with God.
Baptism is not the Priviledge of a Church, as such. But what? are they all ESAU'S indeed? Must we go to Hell, and be damned for want of Faith in Water-baptism? ⟨p. 41⟩And take notice, I do not plead for a despising of Baptism, but a bearing with our Brother, that cannot do it for want of Light. The best of Baptism he hath, viz. the signification thereof; he wanteth only the outward shew, which if he had, would not prove him a truly visible Saint; it would not tell me he had the Grace of God in his heart; it is no Characteristical note to another of my Sonship with God.
But why did you not Answer these parts of my Argument? Why did you only cavil at words? which if they had been left out, the Argument yet stands good. He that is not baptized, if yet a true Believer, hath the Doctrine of Baptism; yea, he ought to have it before he be Convicted, it is his duty to be baptized, or else he playeth the Hypocrite. There is therefore no difference between that Believer that is, and he that is not yet baptized with Water; but only his going down into the Water, there to perform an outward Ceremony of the Substance which he hath already; which yet he is not Commanded to do with respect to Membership with the Church; but to obtain by that further understanding of his Privilege by Christ, which before he made Profession of, and that as a visible Believer.