N00149:170
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.
Argument 1. They that are not visibly or externally in Covenant with the Lord, have no right to Baptism, for Baptism being (as all men excepting Antipedo-Baptists do concurrently acknowledge) a Seal of the Covenant, they that have nothing to do with the Covenant, have no just title to plead for Baptism the Sea I thereof; But this is true concerning many who Call themselves Christians. E. G. Idolaters and such like, are not to be esteemed •he Lords Covenant People, Exod. 22. 7. Ezek. 23. 4. Hos. 1. 8. and 2. 2. upon this ground, Farel [a]and Calvin, as also our amous [b]Cartwright, and other Renowned non-Conformist, have maintained that the Children of papists (both the Parents, being such) ought not to be baptized. Baptism being the Every which belongs to Christians, manifest Anti-Christians of those that are the Devils Servants (as Idolaters are) cannot went it, but by usurpation, wherefore the Apostle saith, there can he no Communion between Christ and Belial, 2 Cor. 6. 15. Then surely the mark of Christ must not be set upon Belials i. e. Idolaters. [c]for oft in the Scripture Belial is as much as to say an Idol, and by the Children of Belivl, Idolaters are meant. So again, they that go on incorrigibly in a Course of Profaneness are not to be reputed as in Covenant with the Lord, for the proof of which that Script are is plain and full, Psal 50. 16, 17. Alas, there are many that pretend to be Christians, when as they are visibly & notoriously Covenant-breakers, they make no Conscience of keeping Covenant with men, and therefore we may be sure, they will not keep Covenant with God, but are unfit to Covenant either for themselves or for their Children. Now they that have nothing to do to take Gods Covenant into their mouths have nothing to do with Baptism the Seal of the Covenant.