A59660:64
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.
These things being clear, I the rather make mention of them, to undermine divers usual objections against the Membership, and Covenant-Interest of Children; as, that they have no saving Grace many times; and that they make no actual profession of any grace; and that many of them degenerate, and prove corrupt, and wicked &c. for suppose all these, yet God may take them into outward Covenant (which is sufficient to make them the Church-Seed, or Members of the Church) although he doth not receive them into inward Covenant, in bestowing upon them saving Grace, or Power to profess it, nay though they degenerate, and grow very corrupt afterward.
These things being clear, I the rather make mention of them, to undermine divers usual objections againts the Membership, and Covenant-Interest of Children; as, that they have no saving Grace many times; and that they make no actuall profession of any grace; and that many of them degenerate, and prove corrupt, and wicked &c. for suppose all these, yet God may take them into outward Covenant (which is sufficient to make them the Church-Seed, or Members of the Church) although he doth not receive them into inward Covenant, in bestowing upon them saving Grace, or Power to profess it, nay though they degenerate, and grow very corrupt afterward.
3. Because you may question what this outward Covenant is, to which the seals are annexed; and under which we shall prove, ⟨p. 3⟩Children are comprehended; and because the Knowledge of it is exceeding useful and very pleasant, I shall therefore give a short taste of it, as a light to our after-discourse, especially as it is considered in the largest extent of it. This outward covenant therefore consists chiefly of these three branches, or special promises:
3. Because you may question what this outward Covenant is, to which the seales are annexed; and under which we shall prove, ⟨p. 3⟩