A trial of the new-church way in New-England and in old ... by that…A tryall of the nevv-church vvay in New-England and in old ... by that…

It is the privilege of Christians baptised themselves, and walking in the faith, that their children should have right to baptism in all true Churches in the world. It is the privilege of Christians lawfully and justly admitted to the Lords Supper in one visible Church, and walking in covenant with God, that they have right to this privilege in all Churches professing their entire faith, and you must show just and sound reasons from God of your judgement and practice in debarring their seed from baptism, and parents themselves from the Supper, or else (to use the words of a reverend Elder among you,¹ in a case of less importance, and not concerning so many) you will be found guilty of adding to the words, and making eleven Commandments, and setting up humane customs, and self-will against Gods appointment. For the Sacraments are given to the Church as a privilege peculiar thereunto, but you deny this privilege to the true visible members of the Church, (as your selves confess.) For if the Ministers be the Ministers of Christ, and their congregations the Churches of Christ, then known and approved Christians are members of the Church. In your opinion the members of the Jewish Church might be received unto baptism, upon confession of the Christian faith before they were entered into Church fellowship, and it is more then strange to us that you should not think the true visible members of the Churches of Christ to have as much title and interest to the Seals, as the members of the Jewish Church to the Sacrament of Baptism.

It is the priviledge of Christians baptised themselves, and walking in the faith, that their children should have right to baptisme in all true Churches in the world. It is the priviledge of Christians lawfully and justly admitted to the Lords Supper in one visible Church, and walking in covenant with God, that they have right to this priviledge in all Churches professing their intire faith, and you must shew just and sound reasons from God of your judgement and practice in debarring their seed from baptisme, and parents themselves from the Supper, or else (to use the words of a reverend Elder among you,¹ in a case of lesse importance, and not concerning so many) you will be found guilty of adding to the words, and making eleven Commandements, and setting up humane customes, and selfewill against Gods appointment. For the Sacraments are given to the Church as a priviledge peculiar thereunto, but you deny this priviledge to the true visible members of the Church, (as your selves confesse.) For if the Ministers be the Ministers of Christ, and their congregations the Churches of Christ, then knowne and approved Christians are members of the Church. In your opinion the members of the Jewish Church might be received unto baptisme, upon confession of the Christian faith before they were entred into Church fellowship, and it is more then strange to us that you should not thinke the true visible members of the Churches of Christ to have as much title and interest to the Seales, as the members of the Jewish Church to the Sacrament of Baptisme.