B20736:284
The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…
The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches walking in brotherly equality, or co-ordination, without subjection of one church to another measured and examined bight golden reed of the sanctuary, containing a full declaration of the church-way in all particulars / by Mr. J. Cotton ...The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches walking in brotherly equalitie, or co-ordination, without subjection of one church to another measured and examined bythe golden reed of the sanctuary, containing a full declaration of the church-way in all particulars / by Mr. J. Cotton ...
London: printed by Matthew Simmons, 1645
THE Way of the Churches of Christ in NEW-ENGLAND, Measured by the G… › Chapter 4 › Section 6
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.
SECT. VI.
IF these grounds may suffice to justify our non-admittance of all the Country-men promiscuously, that come over to us to the fellowship of the Lords Table, without further satisfaction, the same also (or some of them at least) may suffice to justify our non-admittance ⟨p. 81⟩of their infants unto Baptism. Infants cannot claim right unto Baptism, but in the right of one of their parents, or both: where neither of the Parents can claim right to the Lords Supper, there their infants cannot claim right to Baptism. And they cannot claim right to the Lords Supper, if it be so that we have not lawful liberty to administer the Lords Supper to the Parents, or to one of them at least, either for our want of due power over them, or through their want of Communion with the Church, (whereof the Sacrament is a seal) or by reason of some public offence which they lie under; (as hath been already opened). Surely though this third reason reach not Infants, yet the two former do, and prevent as their Parents of just claim of the Lords Supper, so them of due right of Baptism with us. For neither have we power over them, neither have they communion with any particular Church, being dismissed from the Church where they were baptized, and recommended to none.
IF these grounds may suffice to justifie our non-admittance of all the Country-men promiscuously, that come over to us to the fellowship of the Lords Table, without further satisfaction, the same also (or some of them at least) may suffice to justifie our non-admittance ⟨p. 81⟩of their infants unto Baptisme. Infants cannot claime right unto Baptisme, but in the right of one of their parents, or both: where neither of the Parents can claime right to the Lords Supper, there their infants cannot claime right to Baptisme. And they cannot claime right to the Lords Supper, if it be so that wee have not lawfull libertie to administer the Lords Supper to the Parents, or to one of them at least, either for our want of due power over them, or through their want of Communion with the Church, (whereof the Sacrament is a seale) or by reason of some publick offence which they lie under; (as hath been already opened). Surely though this third reason reach not Infants, yet the two former doe, and prevent as their Parents of just claime of the Lords Supper, so them of due right of Baptisme with us. For neither have wee power over them, neither have they communion with any particular Church, being dismissed from the Church where they were baptized, and recommended to none.