N00041:156
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.
"Reas. 4. There is no ordinary way of cessation of membership, but by Death, Dismission, Excommunication, or Dissolution of the Society: none of which is the case of the persons in question.
Reply. This enumeration is insufficient; there is another ordinary way of cessation of Membership, i. e. Desertion. Thus Esau's Membership ceased, and so may the Membership of others, though they abide in the place where the Church is; yet, if being adult, they regard not to join, with the Church by their personal and immediate Confederation, nor to fit themselves for it, these despise the Church of God. And, if that is sufficient to deprive those of all Church-privileges, who were before in personal and immediate Church-fellowship, when they forsake it, 1 Job. 2. 19. much more those who never had such Membership, nor have approved their Spiritual fitness for it, to the Churches charitable judgement, nor truly desire and endeavour so to do. What can the mediate Membership, which such had in Infancy, advantage them for continuing thereby still in Membership, when being adult, they live in the breach of that Covenant, whereby they were left under engagement in their Infancy unto service and subjection to Christ in the Church?
Reply. This enumeration is insufficient; there is another ordinary way of cessation of Membership, i. e. Desertion. Thus Esau's Membership ceased, and so may the Membership of others, though they abide in the place where the Church is; yet, if being adult, they regard not to joyn, with the Church by their personal and immediate Confederation, nor to fit themselves for it, these despise the Church of God. And, if that is sufficient to deprive those of all Church-priviledges, who were before in personal and immediate Church-fellowship, when they forsake it, 1 Job. 2. 19. much more those who never had such Membership, nor have approved their Spiritual fitness for it, to the Churches charitable judgement, nor truly desire and endeavour so to do. What can the mediate Membership, which such had in Infancy, advantage them for continuing thereby still in Membership, when being adult, they live in the breach of that Covenant, whereby they were left under engagement in their Infancy unto service and subjection to Christ in the Church?