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…

1 The first institution of Baptism is not contained in that passage Math. 28. 19. but confirmed; For the seals of the New Testament were instituted by Christ before his death, and his disciples had baptized many which they could not do before the institution of the Sacrament.¹ Secondly we see not how you can apply that text to Preaching by office, which according to our exposition must be a dispensing of a fit portion of food to every one of the household. For it is plain the Apostles were sent forth to preach to every Creature or unto the world,² to convert men unto God, to make them disciples and not to preach unto disciples only,³ or members of the household. The Apostles certainly had authority, and preached by authority, ⟨p. 30⟩but they preached not to Infidels and Heathens, as to disciples or members of the Church,⁴ much less did they give a portion to them as to the household which is the preaching by office, which you acknowledge. Thirdly if under the power of the keys you comprehend preaching by office, dispensing the seals, casting out, and receiving again into the bosom of the Church we deny the power of the keys to belong to the Church or community of the faithful: we cannot find in Scripture that Christ ever granted such power to the faithful, as faithful joined together in Covenant in those passages which speak of this power,⁵ the execution of this authority is given to them to whom the authority is committed.

1 The first institution of Baptisme is not contained in that passage Math. 28. 19. but confirmed; For the seales of the New Testament were instituted by Christ before his death, and his disciples had baptized many which they could not doe before the institution of the Sacrament.