A86524:195
The covenant of grace opened
The covenant of grace opened: wherein these particulars are handled; viz. 1. What the covenant of grace is, 2. what the seals of the covenant are, 3. who are the parties and subjects fit to receive these seals. From all which particulars infants baptism is fully proved and vindicated. Being several sermons preached at Hartford in New-England. / By that reverend and faithful minister of the gospel, Mr Thomas Hooker.The covenant of grace opened: wherein these particulars are handled; viz. 1. What the covenant of grace is, 2. what the seales of the covenant are, 3. who are the parties and subjects fit to receive these seales. From all which particulars infants baptisme is fully proved and vindicated. Being severall sermons preached at Hartford in New-England. / By that reverend and faithfull minister of the gospel, Mr Thomas Hooker.
London: printed by G. Dawson, 1649
THE Covenant of Grace opened in several Sermons.THE Covenant of Grace opened in severall Sermons.
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.
1. It is false, for the Church is bound to give it to such, for the Church must judge of the persons fitness, or else she goes blindfold: the Church in her officers, and the rest must judge, and then she is in her way; they should pray the Lord to purge out the old leaven, that she may be a pure lump, and those that be unworthy, the congregation must remove them, but they must first judge them.
1. It is false, for the Church is bound to give it to such, for the Church must judge of the persons fitnes, or else she goes blindefold: the Church in her officers, and the rest must judge, and then she is in her way; they should pray the Lord to purge out the old leaven, that she may be a pure lump, and those that be unworthy, the congregation must remove them, but they must first judge th•m.
2. The judgement of the Church must pass• according to those things that come into view, according to experience and practice; as our Saviour saith, by their fruits you shall know them; it is the royalty of God to try the heart of man, but man is to see the working, as it appears outwardly, Matth. 7.16. By their fruits you shall know them; the sap is seen in the fruit of the tree, of things seen we judge, but secret things belong to God. Deutr. 29.29.
3. Those that are secret, that are received by the judgement of the Church, directed by a rule of discerning, the Church hath free and full warrant from God, if she go as far as she can, she hath full warrant from God to dispense the ordinances to them; suppose hypocrites be there, and such as be counterfeit, yet if she go as far as a rule will allow her, she is not bound to know the heart, but by the expressions in life and conversation, if there be nothing against them, she hath full warrant: men may abuse the ordinance; but she doth not abuse it, for it is her duty, Christ saith, he had chosen twelve, and one is a Devil, he knew it as God, that he was a Devil, and should betray him; he was acted by Satan, and he know it as God; yet