A59660:44
The church-membership of children, and their right to baptism according to that holy and…The church-membership of children, and their right to baptisme according to that holy and…
The church-membership of children, and their right to baptism according to that holy and everlasting covenant of God, established between Himself and the faithful ... cleared up in a letter, sent unto a worthy friend of the author ... / by Thomas Shepard ...The church-membership of children, and their right to baptisme according to that holy and everlasting covenant of God, established between Himself and the faithfull ... cleared up in a letter, sent unto a worthy friend of the author ... / by Thomas Shepard ...
Cambridge: printed by Samuel Green, 1663Cambridg: printed by Samuel Green, 1663
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
8. To deny the intervening of this Church-act of Excommunication is to deny unto, and withhold from a person deserving to be cast out of the Church, an ordinance, and means which may be for the saving of his soul, 1 Cor: 5.4, 5. It is not enough to say that the felo de se makes himself no member; and so the Church is freed from his communion which would pollute it, as fully as if he were excommunicated; for God's means are not empty or vain means, and to think to reach the full end, but not in Gods way, and by observing his means ordained, is neither Christian wisdom, nor Gospel policy; yea to deny the application of this ordinance of excommunication to the offending Brother is to deny a means for the Salvation of his Soul, and to deny a remedy for his Repentance, and the healing, and gaining of our Brother again.
8. To deny the intervening of this Church-act of Excommunication is to deny unto, and withold from a person deserving to be cast out of the Church, an ordinance, and meanes which may be for the saving of his soul, 1 Cor: 5.4, 5. It is not enough to say that the felo de se makes himself no member; and so the Church is freed from his communion which would pollute it, as fully as if he were excōmunicated; for God's meanes are not empty or vain meanes, and to think to reach the full end, but not in Gods way, and by observing his meanes ordained, is neither Christian wisdome, nor Gospel policy; yea to deny the application of this ordināce of excōmunication to the offending Brother is to deny a means for the Salvation of his Soule, and to deny a remedy for his Repentance, and the healing, and gaining of our Brother again.
9. Because the Holy Ghost command's the Church to Judge them that are within, 1 Cor. 5.12▪ Do you not judge them that are within? All that are within, are subject to Ecclesiastical judicature, and therefore cannot by Scripture-Warrant be felones de se.
9. Because the Holy Ghost command's the Church to Iudge them that are within,