A39697:277
Vindiciæ legis & fœderis
Vindiciæ legis & fœderis: or, A reply to Mr. Philip Cary's Solemn call Wherein he pretends to answer all the arguments of Mr. Allen, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Sydenham, Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Roberts, and Dr. Burthogge, for the right of believers infants to baptism, by proving the law at Sinai, and the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, were the very same with Adam's covenant of works, and that because the gospel-covenant is absolute. By John Flavel minister of the gospel in Dartmouth
London: printed for M. Wolton, 1690
A REPLY TO Mr. Philip Cary's Solemn Call. › Section 3 › Argument 5: Argument V.
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.
Your more wise and moderate Brethren in the place above cited, tell us, they are loath hereby to alienate their Affections or Conversations from any that fear the Lord, and are willing to participate of the Labours of those whom God hath endued with Abilities above themselves; Qualified and called to the Ministry of the Word; Desirous of Peace and not of renewed Contests hereabout. This is a Language of another Air. And if they be (as I dare not suspect but they are) sincere in that Profession, they dare not Comprobate such a desperate and unchristian censure as yours is: If they do, then we may easily guess what our Lot and Treatment shall be whenever Anabaptism get the Ascendent in England. We may expect as civil usage as is due to gross Idolaters, and no better. But I hope better things.
(7.) You say, that as these things are of highest concerment, so they ought to be our most serious Practice and endeavour, pag. 243. l. ult. Good Lord, whither hath Zeal for an Opinion Transported you! Our most serious Practice and endeavour, Sir! I thought the most serious Practice of a Minister had been to Preach Christ, and Salvation to the Souls of ⟨p. 130⟩Men; And not to Baptize. I am sure St. Paul reckoned so, Christ sent me not to Baptize, but to Preach. That is, Baptism is not my principal Work, or main business. And ver. 14th. he thanks God he had Baptized none of them, but Crispus and Gaius. I believe he never uttered such an expression about his other Work of Preaching Christ. And for all Christians, I thought, the securing of their Interest in Christ, living in the duties of communion with him, Watching their Hearts, and mortifying their corruptions, had been the Object matter of their most serious Practice, and Faithful endeavour; and not the Litigations about Baptism. But I hope these were only inconsiderate expressions, falling from your Pen whilst you were in a Paroxysm of Zeal, or a transport in the height of a conceited Triumph. But whatever was the cause, I am sure you ought to revoke and repent such Words.
(7.) You say, that as these things are of highest concerment, so they ought to be our most serious Practice and endeavour, pag. 243. l. ult. Good Lord, whither hath Zeal for an Opinion Transported you! Our most serious Practice and endeavour, Sir! I thought the most serious Practice of a Minister had been to Preach Christ, and Salvation to the Souls of