A41334:192
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.
This then I presume is his true meaning: it was the practice of divers of us in N. E. at the first planting we did join our selves to this or that Church; afterwards when other Plantations were erected, for convenience of dwelling, (the former Plantations being too full) we would remove and dwell there, retaining still our membership in those churches to which we first joined, and by virtue of it having letters of recommendation, did partake of the Sacraments in those churches where we lived, and hence divers members lived many miles, twenty or sixty from their own churches, and from the inspection of those officers who had power to call them to account, and observe their Conversations, and yet would partake of the Sacraments six or eight years together in another Congregation: this indeed he opposed, in so much that when I came away the Elders would not suffer it any longer: this is but rational, and this I conceive is his true meaning.
This then I presume is his true meaning: it was the practice of divers of us in N. E. at the first planting we did joyne our selves to this or that Church; afterwards when other Plantations were erected, for conveniencie of dwelling, (the former Plantations being too full) we would remove and dwell there, retaining still our membership in those churches to which we first joyned, and by vertue of it having letters of recommendation, did partake of the Sacraments in those churches where we lived, and hence divers members lived many miles, twenty or sixty from their owne churches, and from the inspection of those officers who had power to call them to account, and observe their Conversations, and yet would partake of the Sacraments sixe or eight yeeres together in another Congregation: this indeed he opposed, in so much that when I came away the Elders would not suffer it any longer: this is but rationall, and this I conceive is his true meaning.
Here then as I said is all the question; whether or no if a godly man be member of no particular Church, and comes to demand baptism; may not I require him first, if you will have baptism, (being it is a church privilege, and christians ought to walk orderly,) then join to some particular church.