A59660:65
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.
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⟩Children are comprehended; and because the Knowledg of it is exceeding usefull 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 speciall promises:
1. The Lord engageth himself to them, that they shall be called by his Name, or is Name shall be called upon them, as 'tis Isay. 63.19. They shall be called the Sons of God, Hos. 1.10. and the People of God, Deut. 29.12.13. Thou becamest mi•e, Ezek. 16.8. They may not be his Sons, and People really, and savingly, but God will Honour them outwardly (at least) with this name, and privilege: they shall bear his name, to be called so, and consequently to be accounted so by others, and to be reckoned as of the number of his visible Church, and People; just as one that Adopts a young Son, he tell's the Father if he carry it well toward him when he is grown up to years, he shall possess the inheritance it self, but yet in the mean while be shall have this favour to be called his son, and be of his family, and household, and so be reckoned among the number of his Sons: […] Rm. 9 4.