A41334:130
A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious…
A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious question propounded viz. whether the ministers of England are bound by the word of God to baptise the children of all such parents, which say they believe in Jesus Christ, but are grossly ignorant, scandalous in their conversations, scoffers at godliness, and refuse to submit to church discipline ... : also, the question of Reverend Mr. Hooker concerning the baptism of infants : with a post-script to Reverend Mr. Blake / by G.I. Firmin ...A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious question propounded viz. whether the ministers of England are bound by the word of God to baptise the children of all such parents, which say they believe in Jesus Christ, but are grosly ignorant, scandalous in their conversations, scoffers at godliness, and refuse to submit to church dicipline ... : also, the question of Reverend Mr. Hooker concerning the baptisme of infants : with a post-script to Reverend Mr. Blake / by G.I. Firmin ...
London: printed by J.G., 1653
A SOBER REPLY TO A SOBER ANSWER, &c.A SOBER REPLY TO A SOBER ANSVVER, &c.
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.
Next, you say I take occasion to define a Church. A society of visible Saints joined togethers by way of covenant, &c. Here you observe two things 1. That I own no Catholic Church but a particular Congregation, nor any Members of a Church, but of such a Church; then you clime of a man being a Member only of the Catholic Church, and by virtue of that requires Baptism for his child:
Next, you say I take occasion to desine a Church. A society of visible Sains joyned togethers by way of covenant, &c. Here you observe two things 1. That I owne no Cathelique Church but a particular Congregation, nor any Members of a Church, but of such a Church; then you clime of a man being a Member onely of the Catholike Church, and by vertue of that requires Baptisme for his child:
[…] For a Catholic Church, yes I own it, neither do I know any understanding man deny it, but I doubt you forget one word, you mean Catholic visible Church: but if you had said so, yes in I own that also, ⟨p. 19⟩but whether it be one Organitall body, I saw some difficulties in that, and left in for further time to discover: the Congregational men for ought I can discern own it so as nothing, but Nor. and Ex part you and them in the conclusion in point of Discipline. I know for administering the Seals in another Congregation, which that notion brings in, there some Congregational men differ, and so for one Minister to excommunicate in another Congregation, that they will not own (nor do you but upon a call) they will go along with other Officers and assist them in clearing out things, and helping them what may be, only they will not put forth such power against such to whom they are no Officers. I trouble not these holy men, in that those who will differ with such men upon these points I think do not well. The other part doth not concern my question, neither am I so clear in it as I wish I were, I shall humbly propound my thoughts.
〈…〉 For a Catholike Church, yes I owne it, neither doe I know any understanding man deny it, but I doubt you forget one word, you meane Catholike visible Church: but if you had said so, yes in I owne that also,