The first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptism & communion of churchesThe first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptisme & communion of churches

Larger Catechism. These words we see are not far unlike to those in the Catechism before mentioned, and yet it were a Collection far from their meaning, to gather from these words, that none should have Baptism for their Children, except themselves were fit for the Lords Supper: Sure such an Apprehension was never taught nor intended by them; why then should it be thought to be Contained in the words of the aforesaid Catechism, or deducted from them" when as the words there, and in these Reverend Authors are so very like, even so very like, that the Collection or deduction mentioned is either sound and just from both, or from neither. 5 ly. If the Parents spoken of may notwithstanding their unfitness for that Ordinance of the Lords Supper, yet be truly said to be Converted to the Faith, and joined to the Church, then the appearance of Contradiction is at an end. Now for the one of these Qualifications, viz. That they be Converted to the Faith, if Faith be taken as it often is for the Doctrine of Faith, as Act. 6.7. Jud. 3. then it is evident that the Parents spoken of, are not destitute of this Faith, because it is required of them, that they understand the Doctrine of Faith, and publicly profess their Assent thereto; And if Faith be taken for the grace of Faith in the heart, why may they not be said to have Faith in this Sense also, seeing it is required of them, that besides their understanding the Doctrine of Faith, and their professing their Assent thereto, that they must also not be Scandalous in Life, but solemnly own the Covenant, and therein give up themselves and their Children to the Lord. And does not this imply some beginning of Faith? Can persons have all these Qualifications, and yet for all this be utterly destitute of the grace of Faith? It seems not suitable to Charity to judge so. And in as much as men have neither Faith, nor any thing that good is by Nature, therefore they that have it may be said to be converted to it, and so the Parents, the baptizing of whose Children is in Question, are not without the one of the Qualifications mentioned in the Catechism, viz. of being Converted to the Faith. And for the other, viz.

Larger Catechisme. These words we see are not farre unlike to those in the Catechisme before mentioned, and yet it were a Collection farr from their meaning, to gather from these words, that none should have Baptisme for their Children, except themselves were fit for the Lords Supper: Sure such an Apprehension was never taught nor intended by them; why then should it be thought to be Contained in the words of the aforesaid Catechisme, or deducted from them" when as the words there, and in these Reverend Authors are so very like, even so very like, that the Collection or deduction mentioned is either sound and just from both, or from neither. 5 ly. If the Parents spoken of may notwithstanding their unfitness for that Ordinance of the Lords Supper, yet be truly said to be Converted to the Faith, and joyned to the Church, then the appearance of Contradiction is at an end. Now for the one of these Qualifications, viz. That they be Converted to the Faith, if Faith be taken as it often is for the Doctrine of Faith, as