A80622:141
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.
For though these follow one another, yet they require a far different state of the subject, unto whom this different grace is tendered. For if you speak of saving from sin (or justifying) Christ justifieth or saveth none from sin, but believers, or such at least, as have faith. But when he calleth men to believe or to repent, he cometh to them not as having faith or repentance, but as wanting both. And yet when he cometh to call them unto faith and repentance, he doth it out of respect of his Covenant with their Fathers, whose children they were: yea, and in this call of them, he cometh to give them repentance and forgiveness of sins, Acts 5.31. And in giving it to their Fathers, he promiseth also to give the same unto their children, Acts 16.31.
For though these follow one another, yet they require a farre different state of the subject, unto whom this different grace is tendered. For if you speake of saving from sin (or justifying) Christ justifieth or saveth none from sin, but believers, or such at least, as have faith. But when he calleth men to believe or to repent, he commeth to them not as having faith or repentance, but as wanting both. And yet when he commeth to call them unto faith and repentance, he doth it out of respect of his Covenant with their Fathers, whose children they were: yea, and in this call of them, hee commeth to give them repentance and forgivenesse of sinnes, Acts 5.31. And in giving it to their Fathers, he promiseth also to give the same unto their children, Acts 16.31.
Lastly, there is one thing alleged out of the context, which may seem pertinent to the purpose, if it were fitly applied. You truly allege that in Acts 2.41. It is said, As many as gladly received his word (or as you call it, glad tidings) they were baptized, or as you say, the same was sealed and confirmed unto them by baptism. But this will not prove that which you allege it for, that therefore it is manifest, that by the promise (