A80622:265
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.
Neither did the Old Testament approve any in the Lords Covenant, but such as believed. But as hath been said, it is one thing to approve them in the Covenant, another thing to approve them to be in the Covenant. See it in a similitude, God did never approve either Saul or Jehu in the Kingdom of Israel; yet he did approve it that both of them should be admitted to the kingdom. So is it here, God did never approve Ismael in Abraham's house, nor Esau in Isaacs. And yet he approved it, that they should be in their Fathers houses, and also be admitted to the Covenant of their Fathers, and to the seal thereof, till their own profaneness cast them out.
Neither did the Old Testament approve any in the Lords Covenant, but such as believed. But as hath been said, it is one thing to approve them in the Covenant, another thing to approve them to be in the Covenant. See it in a similitude, God did never approve either Saul or Jehu in the Kingdome of Israel; yet hee did approve it that both of them should be admitted to the kingdome. So is it here, God did never approve Ismael in Abrahams house, nor Esau in Isaacs. And yet he approved it, that they should be in their Fathers houses, and also bee admitted to the Covenant of their Fathers, and to the seale thereof, till their own prophanenesse cast them out.
And therefore what though there be no other way of coming into the Covenant of grace, but only by Jesus Christ? And what though in Christ all the promises are confirmed, and made over only to such as believe? Yet nevertheless Christ hath opened a way for the coming of the Covenant and promises through himself, not only to such as believe, but also (for their sakes) to their children and households. In the Old Testament God prospered Ismael for Abraham's sake, Gen. 21.13, 17, 18, 19, 20. In the New Testament God visited with grace and salvation, the Families of Zacheus, and of the Jailer for the householders sake, Luke 19.9. Acts 16.31