N00045:252
The church-membership of children, and their right to baptism, according to that holy and…The church-membership of children, and their right to baptisme, according to that holy and…
The church-membership of children, and their right to baptism, according to that holy and everlasting covenant of God, established between himself, and the faithful and their seed after them, in their generations: cleared up in a letter, sent unto a worthy friend of the author, and many years ago written touching that subject; / by Thomas Shepard, sometimes Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New-England. ; Published at the earnest request of many: for the consolidation and encouragement [sic], both of parents and children in the Lord. ; [Twelve lines of Scripture texts]The church-membership of children, and their right to baptisme, according to that holy and everlasting covenant of God, established between himself, and the faithfull and their seed after them, in their generations: cleared up in a letter, sent unto a worthy friend of the author, and many yeares agoe written touching that subject; / by Thomas Shepard, sometimes Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridg in New-England. ; Published at the earnest request of many: for the consolidation and encouragemenr [sic], both of parents and children in the Lord. ; [Twelve lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Samuel Green, 1663
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Object. 1. But here you say, that that examination 1 Cor 11. is required of all that be members, and that at all times▪, as well as at their first coming to the Lords Supper.
Object. 1. But here you say, that that examination 1 Cor 11. is required of all that be members, and that at all times▪, as well as at their first comming to the Lords Supper.
Answ. This examination is indeed required of all those members who should partake of the Lords Supper, but it is not required (as you seem to say) of every one to make him a member, so that none can be a member, but him that is able to examine himself; for Gods Covenant to work faith, and to give power to examine one's self afterward, may make some as truly members as those who are able to act & express their faith. Now I have proved that Gods Covenant is aforehand given to children: and to give them the seal of their first entrance into it many years after, is as vile a thing, as for them that are able, and fit to examine themselves, to have this Sacrament of the Lord, Supper denied, or delayed till many years after.
Answ. This examination is indeed required of all those members who should partake of the Lords Supper, but it is not required (as you seem to say) of every one to make him a member, so that none can be a member, but him that is able to examine himselfe; for Gods Covenant to work faith, and to give power to examine one's selfe afterward, may make some as truely members as those who are able to act & express their faith. Now I have proved that Gods Covenant is aforehand given to children: and to give them the seal of their first entrance into it many yeares after, is as vile a thing, as for them that are able, and fit to examine themselves, to have this Sacrament of the Lord, Supper denied, or delaied till many yeares after.