A80622:130
The grounds and ends of the baptism of the children of the faithful. Opened…The grounds and ends of the baptisme of the children of the faithfull. Opened…
The grounds and ends of the baptism of the children of the faithful. Opened in a familiar discourse by way of a dialogue, or brotherly conference. / By the learned and faithful minister of Christ, John Cotton, teacher of the Church of Boston in New-England.The grounds and ends of the baptisme of the children of the faithfull. Opened in a familiar discourse by way of a dialogue, or brotherly conference. / By the learned and faithfull minister of Christ, John Cotton, teacher of the Church of Boston in New-England.
London: printed by R.C. for Andrew Crooke, 1646
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.
Again, It is a very truth, which you falsely deny, to wit, an absolute conclusion (as you call it) of any persons to be in the Covenant, whether they have faith or not. For what think you of Isaac and Jacob, and all other elect infants borne of faithful parents: may not a man say, that all such are absolutely under the Covenant even before they believe? yea their very believing which in Gods appointed time is given to them, is it not the effect of the grace of the Covenant; and not the cause of it?
Againe, It is a very truth, which you falsly deny, to wit, an absolute conclusion (as you call it) of any persons to be in the Covenant, whether they have faith or not. For what think you of Isaac and Iacob, and all other elect infants borne of faithfull parents: may not a man say, that all such are absolutely under the Covenant even before they beleive? yea their very beleiving which in Gods appointed time is given to them, is it not the effect of the grace of the Covenant; and not the cause of it?
It is also another falsehood, to say, That the concluding it of persons (meaning of Infants who may want faith) to be in the Covenant of grace and life, doth keep the wicked from leaving his way, by promising him life.
It is also another falshood, to say, That the concluding it of persons (meaning of Infants who may want faith) to be in the Covenant of grace and life, doth keepe the wicked from leaving his way, by promising him life.
For we do not promise life to any by the Covenant, unless they be elect. And though they be elect, yet because it is unknown to them, and to us too, till they do repent and believe, we tell them they cannot partake in any saving benefit of the Covenant till they be regenerate and quickened by the Spirit, as Christ told Nicodemus.