A47350:44
A sober discourse of right to church-communion
A sober discourse of right to church-communion wherein is proved by Scripture, the example of the primitive times, and the practice of all that have professed the Christian religion, that no unbaptized person may be regularly admitted to the Lords Supper / by W. Kiffin ...A sober discourse of right to church-communion wherein is proved by Scripture, the example of the primitive times, and the practice of all that have prosessed the Christian religion, that no unbaptized person may be regularly admitted to the Lords Supper / by W. Kiffin ...
London: printed by Geo. Larkin for Enoch Prosser, 1681
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.
2. This Opinion gives up a Cause and Truth that has been by judicious Pens well Defended both from Scripture and Antiquity, and which these Brethren themselves are convinced to be a Gospel Truth: for if it be once admitted that it is not necessary to Church-Communion, every Man of sense will infer, That our contentions for it were frivolous, our Separation Schismatical, and our Suffering the Penalties of Humane Laws, foolish: and consequently, we shall be exposed to the Reproaches of such as are (without this advantage) ready enough to Revile and Persecute us.
2. This Opinion gives up a Cause and Truth that has been by judicious Pens well Defended both from Scripture and Antiquity, and which these Brethren themselves are convinced to be a Gospel Truth: for if it be once admitted that it is not necessary to Church-Communion, every Man of sence will infer, That our contentions for it were frivolous, our Separation Schismatical, and our Suffering the Penalties of Humane Laws, foolish: and consequently, we shall be exposed to the Reproaches of such as are (without this advantage) ready enough to Revile and Persecute us.
3. This Opinion perverts or rather destroys Order: & flatly contradicts the Practice of the ⟨p. 17⟩Primitive Christians; It is said, Act 2.41. Then they that gladly received his Word were Baptized. Here is the right Gospel Order, First, they that gladly received the Word; that is, they that believed, and no other, were immediately Baptised, (that it was immediately, appears by the Adverb then) which was the second Work, and the same day (viz. after they believed and were Baptized) there were added unto them, (that is, received into Church-Fellowship, by Faith and Baptism) about Three thousand Souls. ver. 42. And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship (that is in the same Faith and Communion,) and in breaking of Bread and Prayers (that is in the enjoyment and Administration of Church Ordinances:) Is not here a famous Instance or President of their Practice, which answers those frequent and undecent Clamours of such, who