N00045:255
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. 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.
Answ. We know in our own consciences that Children usually cannot examine themselves, now if the Elders & the Church are boūd 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 yong ones, no nor persons grown up, and entred •n by personal profession, to receive this seal, as they know are unable thus to do: I think if Churches should degenerate in these dayes, this course of Discipline should be attended (especially by the Elders) toward ••y of their members, which way soever they have entred, 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.
Object. 5. If Children may be members, & yet not come to the Lords Supper; then it may come to pass that a whole Church may be a Church, and yet not have the Lords Supper, or ought not to have it.