A86524:78
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.
5. Now to the special, the subjects capable, and they are men of years, and children: First, What makes men of years capable: Secondly, What does make Children capable of this seal of incision; that is my main scope. The Lord Christ hath different seals, he looks to the entertainment of his servants, he suites his own end, and then he provides for them, that is, the supper of the Lord: Baptism is the entrance into his family, there is much more to be looked at, to make a person capable of the supper of the Lord; a man must be able to examine himself, he must not only have grace, but growth of grace: he must have so much perfection in grace, as to search his own heart, and he must be able to discern the Lords body, or else, he is guilty of the body and blood of Christ: so as there is more required in this, for there must be a growth: But Baptism is our entrance, and the lowest degree of grace will serve here in the judgement of charity.
5. Now to the speciall, the subjects capable, and they are men of years, and children: First, What makes men of years capable: Secondly, What does make Children capable of this seal of incission; that is my main scope. The Lord Christ hath different seals, he looks to the entertainment of his servants, he suites his own end, and then he provides for them, that is, the supper of the Lord: Baptisme is the entrance into his family, there is much more to be looked at, to make a person capable of the supper of the Lord; a man must be able to examine himself, he must not onely have grace, but growth of grace: he must have so much perfection in grace, as to search his own heart, and he must be able to discern the Lords body, or else, he is guilty of the body and blood of Christ: so as there is more required in this, for there must be a growth: But Baptisme is our entrance, and the lowest degree of grace will serve here in the judgement of charity.
1. I will show how it must be dispensed to men of years; what must be in them to make them capable, and I shall be short here; because the difficulty lies not here. What makes them capable, and how it is to be discerned, we must consider it in three things, according to the word I speak of, men of years; because if any black-Mores, or of other nations should come and offer themselves, they must be thus admitted.