A30138:332
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
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.
Answ. What provoked you to Print, will be best known at the Day of Judgment, whether your fear of losing your wordless Opinion, or my plain Answer to your Letter: the words in my Letter are, As for my Book, never defer its Answer till you speak with me, for I strive not for mastery but Truth. Though you did not desire to write, yet with us there was continual labour to rend us to pieces, and to prevent that, was my first Book written. And let who will take advantage, so the Truth of God, and the edification of my Brother be promoted.
Quest. 7. Whether your Principle and Practice is not equally against others as well as us, viz; Episcopal, Presbyterians, and Independents, who are also of our side, for our practice, (though ⟨p. 99⟩they differ with us about the subject of Baptism) Do you delight to have your hand against every man?
Answ. I own Water-baptism to be God's Ordinance, but I make no Idol of it. Where you call now the Episcopal to side with you, and also the Presbyterian, &c. you will not find them easily persuaded to conclude with you against me. They are against your manner of Dipping, as well as the Subject of Water-baptism; neither do you, for all you flatter them, agree together in all but the Subject. Do you allow their Sprinkling? Do you allow their signing with the Cross? Why then have you so stoutly, an hundred times over, condemned these things as Antichristian. I am not against every man, though by your abusive language you would set every one against me, but am for Union, Concord, and Communion with Saints, as Saints, and for that cause I wrote my Book.