A30138:377
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.
Obj. But God is a God of Order, and hath ordained Order in all the Churches of Christ; and for to receive one that holds the Baptism he had in his Infancy, there is no Command nor Example for, and by the same Rule Children will be brought in to be Church-members?1
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Answ. That God is a God of Order, and and hath ordained Orders in all the Churches of Christ, is true; and that this is one of the Orders to receive him that is weak in the Faith, is as true. And though there be no Example or Command, in so many words, receive such an one that holds the Baptism he had in his infancy, nor to reject such a one; but there is a Command to receive him that is weak in the Faith, without limitation, and it is like this might not be a doubt in those days, and so not spoken of in particular.
Answ. That God is a God of Order, and and hath ordained Orders in all the Churches of Christ, is true; and that this is one of the Orders to receive him that is weak in the Faith, is as true. And though there be no Example or Command, in so many words, receive such an one that holds the Baptism he had in his infancy, nor to reject such a one; but there is a Command to receive him that is weak in the Faith, without limitation, and it is like this might not be a doubt in those dayes, and so not spoken of in particular.
But the Lord provides a remedy for all times, in the Text, Him that is weak in the Faith, receive you, for else receiving, would not be upon the account of Saintship; but upon ⟨p. 115⟩knowing, and doing all things according to Rule and Order, and that must be perfectly, else for to deny any thing, or to affirm too much is disorderly, and would hinder receiving: But the Lord deals not so with his People, but accounts LOVE the fulfilling of the Law, though they be ignorant in many things, both as to knowing, and doing; and receives them into Communion and Fellowship with himself, and would have others do the same also: And if he would have so much bearing in the Apostle's days, when they had infallible helps to expound Truths unto them, much more now, the Church hath been so long in the Wilderness and in Captivity, and not that his People should be driven away in the dark day, though they are sick and weak,