N00045:273
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.
I see no reason for any man to doubt of the salvation of his child if he dyes, or that God will not do good to his child in time if he lives. 5. This stirs up their hearts to be the more sincerely holy, and keep in with God, because of their children; and to educate them with more care, and watchfulness, because they are the Lord's Children as well as theirs; they are not common, but holy vessels, and therefore let them see that they be not defiled; and hence we find, that when God exhort's to any duty of holiness in Scripture he oft makes this the ground of it [I am your God] and hence God aggravates their sin in offering their children to Molech, Ezek. 16. because they were his children, that should have been better used.
I see no reason for any man to doubt of the salvation of his child if he dyes, or that God will not do good to his child in time if he lives. 5. This stirrs up their hearts to be the more sincerely holy, and keep in with God, because of their children; and to educate them with more care, and watchfullness, because they are the Lord's Children as well as theirs; they are not common, but holy vessells, and therfore let them see that they be not defiled; and hence we find, that when God exhort's to any duty of holiness in Scripture he oft makes this the ground of it [I am your God] and hence God aggravates their sin in offering their children to Molech, Ezek. 16. because they were his children, that should have been better used.
3. In respect of themselves, the good is very great. 1. It is a special means to prevent sin, Deut. 29. I make this Covenant, not only with him that is present, but with your seed also, who are not here, verse 15. Lest there should be among you man, or woman, family, or tribe, whose heart turns away from God, and lest there should be a root of gall and wormwood: and indeed it mightily works on the heart to think; shall I whom God hath chosen to be his, be my own; or be the Devils, or be my lusts&c? 2. 'Tis a strong motive & engagement