N00149:150
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.
If it be a part of that Discipline which Christ hath appointed, then it must be applied to none but Church members, since the End and designs of discipline is as that great Divine [b]well expresseth it, Ad tollenda Scandala ex Ecclesia Dei, to remove Scandals out of the Church of •God, therefore persons that do no way belong to the Church of God are not Subjects capable thereof.
If it be a part of that Discipline which Christ hath appointed, then it must be applyed to none but Church members, since the End and designs of discipline is as that great Divine [b]well expresseth it, Ad tollenda Scandala ex Ecclesia Dei, to remove Scandals out of the Church of •God, therefore persons that do no way belong to the Church of God are not Subjects capable thereof.
- [b]Ames Medul. L. C. 37. Th. 1.
Argument 3. The Synods Reason taken from the Relation of Subjects and bond-Servants, stands unshaken and Irrefragable, not withstanding any thing that hitherto hath been said, to Invalidate it; they that are born the Subjects of such a Prince, do remain his Subjects, when they grow up to Adult Age, and shall the Children of Christians who are born and baptized the Subjects of Christ the King of Kings, Ezek. 37. 24, 25. cease to be his Subjects ⟨p. 59⟩when once they are grown to years of discretion? Is not this doctrine highly Anti-christian, yea, very Injurious to the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, which doth at once deprive Jesus Christ of the greatest part of his Adult Subjects, which he hath in the world? one that is born the Servant of such a Master, doth continue his Servant, after that he is become Adult. Now the Child of a Believer is born the Servant of God, therefore did David say, O Lord truly I am thy Servant, I am thy Servant, the Son of thy handmaid,