Another essay for investigation of the truth, in answer to two questions, concerning I.…

The vigilancy and faithful care and endeavour of Church Elders, and Family-Rulers, to fit them for regular Church-fellowship, in the using of all suitable means, with fervent Prayer to God in Jesus Christ for his blessing upon the same, leaving the issue to his All-disposing wisdom, who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will; according whereunto, he with-holdeth from, and addeth unto the Church whom he will, Acts 5. 13. & 2. 47. Nor can I but marvel how it comes to pass, that they who seem to approve Mr. Cottons Treatise of the Holiness of Church-Members, (which indeed is worthy to be highly approved) do act as they do, in setting up such a Mere Membership of adult persons (as hath no agreement with his description) who are far from personal holiness: The young people of this Country, yea, the children of Church-members generally, as well as others, being commonly known to be Profane, Vain, Licentious, Vicious, Disobedient to Parents, Unfaithful to Masters, Stubborn, Proud, Self-willed, and yet these shall be accepted into immediate personal Membership, whereby they become Covenanters for themselves and theirs; to whom the Lord justly saith as in Psa. 50 16, to 23. What hast thou to do to take my Covenant into thy mouth?

The vigilancy and faithful care and endeavour of Church Elders, and Family-Rulers, to fit them for regular Church-fellowship, in the using of all suitable means, with fervent Prayer to God in Jesus Christ for his blessing upon the same, leaving the issue to his All-disposing wisdome, who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will; according whereunto, he with-holdeth from, and addeth unto the Church whom he will, Acts 5. 13. & 2. 47. Nor can I but marvel how it comes to pass, that they who seem to approve Mr. Cottons Treatise of the Holiness of Church-Members, (which indeed is worthy to be highly approved) do act as they do, in setting up such a Meer Membership of adult persons (as hath no agreement with his description) who are far from personal holiness: The young people of this Countrey, yea, the children of Church-members generally, as well as others, being commonly known to be Profane, Vain, Licentious, Vicious, Disobedient to Parents, Unfaithful to Masters, Stubborn, Proud, Self-willed, and yet these shall be accepted into immediate personal Membership, whereby they become Covenanters for themselves and theirs; to whom the Lord justly saith as in