N00045:253
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.
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.
Object. 2. But you say, It's left to every ones conscience to examine himself, not that others should examine them, and consequently if▪ children be members, then it must be left upon their conscience.
Answ. We know in our own consciences that Children usually cannot examine themselves, now if the Elders & the Church are bound to see Christs rules observed by others, and if this examination be the rule that all must walk by who participate here, then they must not suffer such young ones, no nor persons grown up, and entered n by personal profession, to receive this seal, as they know are unable thus to do: I think if Churches should degenerate in these days, this course of Discipline should be attended (especially by the Elders) toward y of their members, which way soever they have entered, whether by their own, or by their parents covenant: And I have oft feared that there is some need already of it, even toward some who enter by their own covenant, and may have saith, but are miserably to seek in the nature, use, and ends of the Lords Supper, and consequently unfit to discern of Christ's body, and so to come to that Sacrament.