A47399:159
[The axe laid to the root, or, One blow more at the foundation of…[The ax laid to the root, or, One blow more at the foundation of…
[The axe laid to the root, or, One blow more at the foundation of infant baptism and church-membership containing an exposition of that metaphorical text of Holy Scripture, Mat. 3, 10].[The ax laid to the root, or, One blow more at the foundation of infant baptism and church-membership containing an exposition of that metaphorical text of Holy Scripture, Mat. 3, 10].
London : Printed for the author, and are to be sold by John Harris, 1693
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.
1. That Principle which hinders the Progress of the Christian Religion, can be no Christian Doctrine; but the denying Baptism to Infants, hinders the Progress of the Christian Religion; therefore such a Principle can be no Christian Doctrine, this is Mr. Rothwell's main Argument, pag. 2, 3. to prove the Minor thus he argues, (viz.)
2. That Principle which makes the Covenant of Grace less beneficial and extensive than the Covenant of Works, hinders the Propagation of the Christian Religion: but the former Principle does so. Ergo,
To prove the Minor of this Argument, he adds another, viz. That Principle which allows not as great Immunities, Benefits and Privileges to the Covenant of Grace, as to the Covenant of Works, makes the Covenant of Grace less beneficial and extensive than the Covenant of Works; but the Principle that denies Baptism to Infants, does so, Ergo.
Answ. 1. This Gentleman calls these Rational Arguments; but I have nothing but his own word for it: but to proceed, he should have showed what those Immunities and Benefits were in the Covenant o• Works, which we by denying Infants Baptism, render the Privileges of the Covenant of Grace to be less than those were: but, do you not intimate hereby that Circumcision belonged to the Covenant of Works? and if so, in vain do you urge Circumcision as a Privilege; and also since the Covenant of Works is abrogated, what is there in your Arguments for the baptizing of Infants? For all Jewish Rites and Privileges may be forced upon the Christian World by this Argument of yours, or else we may say, the Privileges