A80622:375
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.
But two things let me here put you in mind of: first, that when the Elder brother, for his demerit is disinherited of his Birth-right (as Reuben sometime was) his preeminence of honour and double portion is divided amongst his younger brethren: no part of it is lost. So is it here. The Church of Israel being disinherited, all the spiritual privileges, all the honour and power which they enjoyed either in their Synagogue, or in their National Assemblies, is now set over to our Congregational Churches; and as for the outward Privileges, which the house of Israel enjoyed (as a worldly Kingdom and the power and glory thereof) they were no part of the privileges of their Church estate, but accessories and additaments thereunto. For in the Covenant of Abraham God spake nothing of a worldly kingdom, but of affliction for 400. years, Gen. 15.13. as therefore worldly power and glory, were cast in as accessory to the Church of the Old Testament, so they may be also in the New. If the Churches of the New Testament shall bind Kings in chains, as is prophesied Psal. 140.8. and execute upon them the judgement written, then surely Christian Churches shall have some Kings to be members of their body, else what have they to do to judge them that are without? the Apostle saith, Godliness hath the promises of this life as well as of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. What though Church power be not administered with worldly pomp? and what though all the children of the Church be equal in Church-Privileges? yet some or other of the children of the Church ate capable of great preeminence even in outward Privileges: They may be Princes in all Lands, Psal. 45.16. which though some understand of spiritual power, yet not so properly: for spiritual power is not princely in the earth. Besides, if civil Magistracy be lawful amongst men (which you deny not) some of the ⟨p. 106⟩children of the Church may be as fitly employed in such a principality, as Pagans. And surely the time shall come when according to the prophecy of Daniel (chapt. 7.27.) the Kingdom and the Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High.