N00041:133
Another essay for investigation of the truth, in answer to two questions, concerning I.…
Another essay for investigation of the truth, in answer to two questions, concerning I. The subject of baptism. II. The consociation of churches. / By John Davenport B. of D. and Pastor of the Church of Christ, at New-Haven, in New-England. ; [Twenty-four lines of quotations]
printed by Samuel Green and Marmaduke Johnson, 1663
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.
Answ. Their unfitness for such an holy Fellowship, as Christian Churches are, being so manifest, how can it be rationally expected that they who submit not themselves to the Yoke of Family-Government, will orderly submit themselves to Christs▪ Yoke in Church-censures? But, as the admission of such is without due regard to their Spiritual fitness; so the application of Church-censures to them, will be disregarded and slighted by them. The Churches will have trouble enough with them, and ⟨p. 35⟩dishonour, and infection, and disturbance by them, without any acceptance with God, who will say, Who hath required these things at your hands! and without any blessed fruit, either to the Church, or to such Mere Members. For, God limits his Blessing to his own Appointments. When Uzzah put forth his hand to take hold of the Ark of God (for the Oxen shook it) the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he made a breach upon Uzzah, 2 Sam. 6. 6,7,8. because they sought not the Lord in the due order, 1 Chron. 15. 2,13. The application is easy. I proceed to examine their sixth Argument.
Answ. Their unfitness for such an holy Fellowship, as Christian Churches are, being so manifest, how can it be rationally expected that they who submit not themselves to the Yoke of Family-Government, will orderly submit themselves to Christs▪ Yoke in Church-censures? But, as the admission of such is without due regard to their Spiritual fitness; so the application of Church-censures to them, will be disregarded and slighted by them. The Churches will have trouble enough with them, and ⟨p. 35⟩dishonour, and infection, and disturbance by them, without any acceptance with God, who will say, Who hath required these things at your hands! and without any blessed fruit, either to the Church, or to such Meer Members. For, God limits his Blessing to his own Appointments. When Uzzah put forth his hand to take hold of the Ark of God (for the Oxen shook it) the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he made a breach upon Uzzah,