B20736:29
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
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.
PROPOS. 4.
We conceive it cannot seem unreasonable that in the same way by which particular godly persons do enter into the fellowship of the Liberty of those holy Ordinances which Christ hath appropriated ⟨p. 5⟩to his Church; in the same way it were meet that an whole company of Christians should enter into Church estate; for in entering of them into Church estate, the Lord calleth as well whole companies, as particular persons, to enjoy the like liberty of all his holy Ordinances; the enjoyment of like liberty requireth preparation thereunto by the like duty. In the times of John the Baptist, such as were received into Baptism, they did first make confession of their sins, and therewith of their repentance, and of their faith also in him who was to come after him, Matth. 3.6. Act. 19.4, 5. And in the times of the Apostles, Philip received the Eunuch unto Baptism, not until he had made profession of his Faith in Christ Jesus, Acts. 8.37. But now for as much as we all who are borne in Christian Churches, are baptized in our infancy, and such as are baptized infants, are not admitted to the Lords Table in well ordered Churches, till they have approved, and in their own persons publicly confirmed that profession of repentance and faith, which their parents, or others in their stead professed, and promised for them at their Baptism; it cannot be thought unreasonable, that such a company of godly Christians, having been baptized infants, should now make the like profession of their repentance, before they are admitted into Church estate, which others made in the Primitive times before Baptism, and all grown up to ripe years are wont publicly to make, (or at least ought to make) before their admittance to the Lords Supper. Besides when upon Peters confession of his faith in Christ Jesus, Christ said that upon that rock, or foundation, he would build his Church,