N00149:146
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.
Answ. 1. In case the persons concerning whom the Question is had never been admitted into the Church in their Infancies, yet being qualified as in the Proposition is expressed, they would become Members of the visible Church. Should an Indian or any other Infidel make a solemn Profession that he doth believe according to the Christian Faith, and this Profession not be contradicted by his life, and withal desire Baptism; yea, and submit himself to the Government of Christ in his Church, and Promise to be the Lords Servant; for ought we know such an one may be of the Invisible, but we are therefore sure that he is of the visible Church. Now all this is found in those Children whose interest we are pleading for.
Answ. 1. In case the persons concerning whom the Question is had never been admitted into the Church in their Infancies, yet being qualified as in the Proposition is expressed, they would become Members of the visible Church. Should an Indian or any other Infidel make a solemn Profession that he doth believe acaccording to the Christian Faith, and this Profession not be contradicted by his life, and withal desire Baptisme; yea, and submit himself to the Government of Christ in his Church, and Promise to be the Lords Servant; for ought we know such an one may be of the Invisible, but we are therefore sure that he is of the visible Church. Now all this is found in those Children whose interest we are pleading for.
2. Whereas its said that a Membership received in Infancy cannot continue but is always invalid and extinct, when the Infant cometh to be Adult, that assertion cannot be truth, as the following Arguments do manifest.
2. Whereas its said that a Membership received in Infancy cannot continue but is alwayes invalid and extinct, when the Infant cometh to be Adult, that assertion cannot be truth, as the following Arguments do manifest.