A47399:224
[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.
7thly, Because it was Repugnant to the End, and grand Design of John's Ministry, to receive and Baptise every body, even Men, Women, and Children, without distinction; his Ministry being most strict, and severe, (as 'tis acknowledged by all Men.) His Ministry of Preaching, and Baptising was held forth by the Prophet, in these Words, Mal. 4.1. The Day shall come, which shall burn as an Oven. He lays the Axe at the Root; he Preached no such easy way of making Men Christians, nor Church Members, as these Paedo-Baptists speak of; his Ministry seemed like to Fire; in him was the Spirit of Burning kindled, as Mr. Cotton, On the Covenant, observes; p. 21. The Lord also prepared his People by a Spirit of Burning, which, ⟨p. 41⟩as a Spirit of Bondage, he doth shed abroad into the Hearts of Men: This we read of Mal. 4.1. It is spoken of John the Baptist; which did burn as an Oven against the Scribes, and Pharisees, and left them neither the Root of Abraham's Covenant, nor the Branch of their own Good Works: He cutteth them off from the Covenant of Abraham, Mat. 3.9. Think not to say within your selves, we have Abraham to our father; and so, by cutting them off from the Root, he leaveth them no Ground to trust to.
7thly, Because it was Repugnant to the End, and grand Design of Iohn's Ministry, to receive and Basptise every body, even Men, Women, and Children, without distinction; his Ministry being most strict, and severe, (as 'tis acknowledged by all Men.) His Ministry of Preaching, and Baptising was held forth by the Prophet, in these Words, Mal. 4.1. The Day shall come, which shall burn as an Oven. He lays the Ax at the Root; he Preached no such easie way of making Men Christians, nor Church Members, as these Paedo-Baptists speak of; his Ministry seemed like to Fire; in him was the Spirit of Burning kindled, as Mr. Cotton, On the Covenant, observes; p. 21. The Lord also prepared his People by a Spirit of Burning, which, ⟨p. 41⟩as a Spirit of Bondage, he doth shed abroad into the Hearts of Men: This we read of