A30138:69
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.
Answ. There is more to be said in that case than in the other; for that is a part of that Worship which Christ hath Instituted for his Church, to be Conversant in as a Church; presenting them as such, with their Communion with their Head, and with one another as Members of him. The Cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? The Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ? For we being many are one Bread, and one Body; for we are all partakers of that one Bread, 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17. Wherefore this being a Duty incumbent on the Church, as a Church; and on every Member of that Body as such, they are obliged in that case more closely to deal with the Members, than in that wherein they are not SO concerned; and with which as such, they have NOTHING to do. No man baptizeth by virtue of his Office in the Church; no man is baptized by virtue of his Membership there.
But what if a man want Light in his Duty to the Poor? pag. 8.
Answ. If he doth, God must give it him; I mean to know his Duty as a Church-Member. Now I will add, But what if he that can give a shilling, giveth nothing? I suppose all that the Church can do in that case, is but to warn, to exhort, and charge him, and to show him his Duty; and if he neglect, to show him, That he that soweth ⟨p. 19⟩sparingly, shall not reap plentifully, 1 Cor. 9. 6. But to cut a man off for this, as you forwardly urge, pag. 8. would argue that Church (at least I think so) a little too bold with so high and weighty a censure. I plead not here for the Churl, but seek to allay your heat: And should it be granted that such deserve as you would have it, this makes no matter to the case in hand.