N00149:10
A discourse concerning the subject of baptism wherein the present controversies, that are agitated…A discourse concerning the subject of baptisme wherein the present controversies, that are agitated…
A discourse concerning the subject of baptism wherein the present controversies, that are agitated in the New English churches are from Scripture and reason modestly enquired into / by Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Sixteen lines of quotations]A discourse concerning the subject of baptisme wherein the present controversies, that are agitated in the New English churches are from Scripture and reason modestly enquired into / by Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Sixteen lines of quotations]
printed by Samuel Green, 1675
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.
To the Reader.
Christian Reader
About four years since I was drawn (by what Arguments is there expressed (to the Composure of a Script, which is entitled, The first Principles of New-England, Concerning the Subject of Baptism, and Communion of Churches; wherein I promised [by Divine permission and Assistance] to give an Account of the Reasons which caused me to Concur with the late Synod Book, as to the Extent of the Subject of Baptism, God hath now given me to Accomplish those purposes, whereof the ensuing discourse is the product. Also I thought it not unseasonable to add something briefly on the other Question, concerning that promiscuous baptizing, which is by some pleaded for, that so I might bear witness to that which is indeed an Interest of Holiness, as well as to a Cause of Divine Grace. I have desired and [according to the measure of grace received] endeavoured to follow the Argument in hand, avoiding what I could prolix and verbose Excursions to things of another Concern, and such bitter invectives against Dissenters, •as Polemical writings are many times full of. The Judicious Reader will remember that this was written [Greek or Hebrew], in America; where I could not by any means come by the sight of some Books more fully discovering the practice of Antiquity respecting the controverted Question. Yet such as I had, I have spared no pains in evolving. Also what ever Books have been here published on this Subject, and the Manuscripts likewise [which are many] that any amongst our selves have written thereon; with sundry writings that have come to my hands out of Europe, all treating on this Argument; I have perused and considered, apud Conscientiam meam; and here give an account of my present persuasion together with the Reasons thereof. Now in as much as this Discourse is concerning the present truth; even in part the Truth