But is all the Fault in these culpable Non communicants, that they continue so? Truly, 'tis to be ••ared, that our Churches themselves are not a little to blame; for the paucity of them that are in Fellowship with us at the Holy Table. Is there no Duty incumbent on the Churches, towards the Children of such as are under their sacred Watch? The Continuation of Churches is Ordinarily to depend on the Addition of Members out of the Families already incorporated thereinto; ⟨p. 80⟩and not be as once the Roman Common-wealth was like to have been, The matter one age alone. It is an ill Omen to our Churches, if they must be supplied only from such as are Occasionally converted in them: and if they be not studious to preserve the Covenant of God in the Families once taken thereinto Wh• then is not more care taken about a Regular and Orderly CONFIRMATION of such as while-Infants were Baptised in our Churches? when our Children come to age, the Elders of the Churches may do well to send for them, and Examine them strictly concerning their Conversion to God, and their Inclinations to the Remembering and Renewing of their Baptismal Covenant. Those that are found having in them the •avoa•s of Regeneration, may be advised immediately to apply themselves unto our Churches for a confirmation of their Church-Membership, in a Full communion with them. Those that are found under a more discouraging and undesirable Character, may have particular Instructions and Awakenings bestowed upon them, which they may not look for the privileges of Adult-Members till they have hearkened unto Such a method as this maintained by our Churches, would perhaps fetch into our Fellowship, many Hundreds of devout persons, whose Modesty has hitherto concealed them from […]; and it would Excite and Quicken more to a due preparation for the holy things of the Lord Jesus
But is all the Fault in these culpable Non communicants, that they continue so? Truly, 'tis to be ••ared, that our Churches themselves are not a little to blame; for the paucity of them that are in Fellowship with us at the Holy Table. Is there no Duty incumbent on the Churches, towards the Children of such as are under their sacred Watch? The Continuation of Churches is Ordinarily to depend on the Addition of Members out of the Families already incorporated thereinto; ⟨p. 80⟩and not be as once the Roman Common-wealth was like to have been, The matter one age alone. It is an ill Omen to our Churches, if they must be supplyed only from such as are Occasionally converted in them: and if they be not studious to preserve the Covexant of God in the Families once taken thereinto Wh• then is not more care taken about a Regular and Orderly CONFIRMATION of such as whil-Infants were Baptised in our Churches? when our Children come to age, the Elders of the Churches may do well to send for them, and Examine them strictly concerning their Conversion to God, and their Inclinations to the Remembring and Renewing of their Baptismal Covenant. Those that are found having in them the •avoa•s of Regeneration, may be advised immediately to apply themselves unto our Churches for a confirmation of their Church-Membership, in a Full communion with them. Those that are found under a more discouraging and undesirable Character, may have particular Instructions and Awakenings bestowed upon them, which they may not look for the priviledges of Adult-Members till they have hearkened unto Such a method as this maintained by our Churches, would perhaps fetch into our Fellowship, many Hundreds of devout persons, whose Modesty has hitherto concealed them from 〈…〉; and it would Excite and Quicken more to a due preparation for the holy things of the Lord Jesus
