A80622:44
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.
Christ doth not say, that of Infants is the Kingdom of God, but of such (as Infants be:) that is, of such simple ones, so free from pride and malice.
Christ doth not say, that of Infants is the Kingdome of God, but of such (as Infants be:) that is, of such simple ones, so free from pride and malice.
Then he might as well have said, Suffer Doves and Lambs to come unto me: for of such (such simple and harmless ones) is the Kingdom of God. But that Christ speaketh of little children (as such) may appear further from the Text? In that he saith, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God, as a little child (to wit as a little child receiveth it, for so much the Grammar construction requireth) he shall in no wise enter therein. Now it cannot be said of Doves and Lambs, Whosoever receiveth not the Kingdom of God, as a Dove or a Lamb receiveth it, he shall in no wise enter into it. 2. Wherefore should Christ command little children to be brought unto him, and be so angry with his Disciples for rebuking them that brought them, if they were not at all capable of spiritual fellowship with Christ in his Kingdom, but only served to fetch a Similitude from their Simplicity and Innocency? Did he ever say, Suffer Doves and Lambs to come unto me: for of such is the Kingdom of God? 3. Why doth Christ put it for all one, for little children to come to him, and to be brought to him (as he doth Luke 18.15, 16.) but that he accepted the Act of Parents in bringing their children ⟨p. 8⟩to him, as all one with there Act of children in coming themselves to Christ Jesus? for Christ saith, Suffer little Children to come to me: and yet they came not to him but as their Parents brought them. 4. Christ his Imposition of hands upon them argueth their consecration unto God, not as Sacrifices of Bulls and Goats to be slain, (which was one use of laying on of hands Levit. 1.4.) nor to ordain them unto office, (which was another use) but as partakers of spiritual blessings, and of Adoption into the family of Israel, which was another use of laying on of hands.