A80622:138
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.
And besides, the Apostle in his next Sermon so expoundeth the Covenant, as given not only to them that are converted, and so brought on to believe: but to them who yet want faith and conversion. And therefore he saith, Acts 3.25, 26. Ye are the children of the Covenant unto whom God having raised up his Son Jesus, hath sent him to bless you, in converting (or turning away) every one of you from his iniquities. Their being in Covenant (who were the children of the faithful) was not the fruit of their own turning to God; but their turning to God is held forth by him as a blessing and fruit of their being in Covenant.
And besides, the Apostle in his next Sermon so expoundeth the Covenant, as given not onely to them that are converted, and so brought on to believe: but to them who yet want faith and conversion. And therefore he saith, Acts 3.25, 26. Ye are the children of the Covenant unto whom God having raised up his Son Jesus, hath sent him to blesse you, in converting (or turning away) every one of you from his iniquities. Their being in Covenant (who were the children of the faithfull) was not the fruit of their own turning to God; but their turning to God is held forth by him as a blessing and fruit of their being in Covenant.
3. This is fraudulent, that you hold forth the coming of Christ in the gospel to be for this end, to call upon men to repent and believe, and submit themselves to his State and government. Which though it be very true, yet it is like the fraudulent practice of Ananias and Sapphira, to pay part of the price, that they might more cunningly conceal the rest. So you in like manner, hold forth this end (which is indeed part of Christs coming in the gospel) the more closely to conceal another part of it, which is, to give faith and salvation to the children of believers, and accordingly to call their parents to submit their children and households, as well as themselves, to the state and government of the Lord Jesus. For why should Christ encourage children to come to him (