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]
Increase Mather 1639–1723printed by Samuel Green, 1675
[4], 76 p. ; 22 cm. (4to) · 31k words · Evans 207 · Wing M1200
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.
But I argue […] wise, such persons as desire to be received into the Church by baptism, if they be profane and scandalous persons, ought not to be baptized, but refused baptism: therefore profane and Scandalous persons ought much less to be admitted to the Lords Supper. Likewise in pag. 515. he hath this passage, which methinks […] to be written in Letters of Gold. I believe (saith he) no […] Minister would adventure to baptize one ⟨p. 75⟩who hath manifest and Infallible Signs of unregeneration. Sure we cannot be Answerable to God, if we should minister Baptism to a man whose works and words do manifestly declare him to be an unregenerate unconverted person. And if we may not Initiate such an one, how shall we bring him to the Lords Table? Thus far Mr. Gelaspy.
But I argue 〈…〉 wise, such persons as desire to be received into the Church by baptisme, if they be prophane and scandalous persons, ought not to be baptized, but refused baptisme: therefore prophane and Scandalous persons ought much less to be admitted to the Lords Supper. Likewise in pag. 515. he hath this passage, which methinks 〈…〉 to be written in Letters of Gold. I believe (saith he) no 〈…〉 Minister would adventure to baptize one ⟨p. 75⟩who hath manifest and Infallible Signs of unregeneration. Sure we cannot be Answerable to God, if we should minister Baptisme to a man whose works and words do manifestly declare him to be an unregenerate unconverted person. And if we may not Initiate such an one, how shall we bring him to the Lords Table? Thus far Mr. Gelaspy.
To Conclude, it would be an happy thing, if in all Controversies of this nature, we could be of the same mind, and of the same Judgement; for so doth the Scripture require, 1 Cor. 1. 10
. Philz. 2. But that is rather to be wished for, and endeavoured after, then to be hoped, till that great and blessed day come, wherein there shall be one Lord and his Name one in all the Earth, one Sheepfold, & one Shepherd. When we are come unto a perfect may, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, we shall come unto that perfect unity of the Faith, which […] this world we attain not to, yet if the Lord help us, with a Spirit of wisdom and moderation, (although Truth must no• on any Terms be parted with, as Luther
said, let Heaven and Earth perish rather then the least Truth should be lost) we shall not Censure one another or be of different off nations, because of different Apprehensions in the Questions Controverted. And we had need, to be the more careful over our own hearts about this matter; for that, there are not waning solemn Instances, both in the present and former Ages of woeful Paroxysms, occasioned amongst good men by this very Question touching the Subject of Baptism. To mention only that which happened in the Church whereof Renowned Farel was the Pastor.
One that was a member therein did Apostatize to the Papists, after which the grand mother being of the true Church desired Baptism for her grand-Child. Farel considering that both the next Parents were Idolaters, & the Child still under their Education, refused (as well he might) to baptize the Child, but his […] baptizeth it, whereupon there happened an uncomfortable difference between them two, (& in the Church who yet were […] of them godly and learned me•, both of them studious of Reformation, both of them Suffers together for bearing […] to the Truth of the Gospel. So those famous […] & […] differed in judgement about the Subject of Baptism. These things should make us […] moderate in our notions, which also
⟨p. 76⟩
they that have a righteous Cause are wont to be as zealous for the Truth.
To Conclude, it would be an happy thing, if in all Controversies of this nature, we could be of the same mind, and of the same Iudgement; for so doth the Scripture require, 1 Cor. 1. 10. Philz. 2. But that is rather to be wished for, and endeavoured after, then to be hoped, till that great and blessed day come, wherein there shall be one Lord and his Name one in all the Earth, one Sheepfold, & one Shepherd. When we are come unto a perfect may, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, we shall come unto that perfect unity of the Faith, which 〈…〉 this world we attain not to, yet if the Lord help us, with a Spirit of wisdome and moderation, (although Truth must no• on any Terms be parted with, as Luther [f]said, let Heaven and Earth perish rather then the least Truth should be lost) we shall not Censure one another or be of different off nations, because of different Apprehensions in the Questions Controverted. And we had need, to be the more careful over our own hearts about this matter; for that, there are not waning solemn Instances, both in the present and former Ages of woful Paroxysmes, occasioned amongst good men by this very Question touching the Subject of Baptisme. To mention only that which happened in the Church whereof Renowned Farel was the Pastor. [g]One that was a member therein did Apostatize to the Papists, after which the grand mother being of the true Church desired Baptisme for her grand-Child. Farel considering that both the next Parents were Idolaters, & the Child still under their Education, refused (as well he might) to baptize the Child, but his 〈…〉 baptizeth it, whereupon there happned an uncomfortable difference between them two, (& in the Church who yet were 〈…〉 of them godly and learned me•, both of them studious of Reformation, both of them Sufferes together for bearing 〈…〉 to the Truth of the Gospel. So those famous 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 differed in judgement about the Subject of Baptisme. These things should make us 〈…〉 moderate in our notions, which also ⟨p. 76⟩they that have a righteous Cause are wont to be as zealous for the Truth.
[f]Ruat caelum […] mica writ tis pere it Luther in […]Ruat caelum 〈…〉 mica v•rit tis pere it Luther in 〈…〉
[g]lege inter Calvini […] •pit 147, 148, 149:lege inter Calvini 〈…〉•pit 147, 148, 149:
I shall finish with the Words of that famous African Synod fourteen hundred years ago, being come to the Conclusion, of the Controversy then under debate, concerning the Subject and time of Baptism they yet say, [h]Nominem Judicamus si diversum in bacre senserit, we Censure no man, albeit as to this Question, he be not altogether of our Judgement.
I shall finish with the Words of that famous African Synod fourteen hundred years agoe, being come to the Conclusion, of the Controversie then under debate, concerning the Subject and time of Baptisme they yet say, [h]Nominem Iudicamus si diversum in bacre senserit, we Censure no man, albeit as to this Question, he be not altogether of our Judgement.
Pag. 1. l. 22. There should have been a full point after called. p. 15. l. penult. l. Sanhedrin. p. 17. 26. r. Bitbilah. l. 37. r. faederalt p. 18. l. 13. r. with Ezra. p. 44. l. 10. r: Gere. l. 14. r. […] Gerurim. p. 49. l. 8. r. every art. p. 54. l. 24. r. Abissines. l. 36. r. geritur. p. 55. l. 14. r. Tertull de pe•itent p. 59. l. 16. for where r. when. p. 64. l. 18. for or r. of. p. 65. l. 35. r. between right. The Author not being able personally to attend the perusal of these Sheets, as they were printed off, there are other Errors, especially respecting punctations and Latin or Greek quotations, which the Intelligent Reader will perceive and candidly Interpret.
PAg. 1. l. 22. There should have been a full point after called. p. 15. l. penult. l. Sanhedrin. p. 17. 26. r. Bitbilah. l. 37. r. faederalt p. 18. l. 13. r. with Ezra. p. 44. l. 10. r: Gere. l. 14. r. 〈…〉 Gerurim. p. 49. l. 8. r. enery art. p. 54. l. 24. r. Abissines. l. 36. r. geritur. p. 55. l. 14. r. Tertull de pe•itent p. 59. l. 16. for where r. when. p. 64. l. 18. for or r. of. p. 65. l. 35. r. between right. The Author not being able personally to attend the perusal of these Sheets, as they were printed off, there are other Errors, especially respecting punctations and Latin or Greek quotations, which the Intelligent Reader will perceive and candidly Interpret.
New England
Minister of the Second Church in Boston and President of Harvard College.
