An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications…

If any should here object, that when such Multitudes were converted from Judaism and Heathenism, and received into the Christian Church in so short a Season, it was impossible there should be Time for each one to say so much in his public Profession, as to be any credible Exhibition of true Godliness to the Church: I answer, This Objection will soon vanish, if we particularly consider how the Case was with those primitive Converts, and how they were dealt with by their Teachers. It was apparently the Manner of the first Preachers of the Gospel, when their Hearers were awakened and brought in good Earnest to enquire what they should do to be saved, then particularly to instruct them in the Way of Salvation, and explain to them what Qualifications must be in them, or what they must do in order to their being saved, agreeable to Christ's Direction. Mar. xvi. 15. 16. This we find was the Method they took with the Three Thousand in the second Chap. of Acts, ver.37,—40. And it seems, they were particular and full in it: They said much more to 'em than the Words recorded. 'Tis said ver.40. With many other Words did Peter testify and exhort. And this we find to be the Course Paul and Silas took with the Taylor, Chap. xvi. Who also gave more large and full Instructions than are rehearsed in the History. And when they had thus instructed them, they doubtless saw to it, either by themselves or some others who assisted them, that their Instructions were understood by them, before they proceeded to baptize them (for I suppose, none with whom I have to do in this Controversy, will maintain, from the Apostle's Example, that we ought not to insist on a good Degree of doctrinal Knowledge in the Way and Terms of Salvation, as requisite to the Admission of Members into the Church) And after they were satisfied that they well understood these Things, it took up no great Time to make a Profession of them, or to declare that they did or found in themselves those Things they had been told of as necessary to their Salvation. Be sure, after they had been well informed what saving Faith and Repentance were, it took up no more Time to profess that Faith and Repentance, than any other. In this Case not ⟨p. 55⟩only the Converts Words, but the Words of the Preacher, which they consented to, and in Effect made their own, are to be taken into their Profession.

If any should here object, that when such Multitudes were converted from Judaism and Heathenisim, and received into the Christian Church in so short a Season, it was impossible there should be Time for each one to say so much in his publick Profession, as to be any credible Exhibition of true Godliness to the Church: I answer, This Objection will soon vanish, if we particularly consider how the Case was with those primitive Converts, and how they were dealt with by their Teachers. It was apparently the Manner of the first Preachers of the Gospel, when their Hearers were awaken'd and brought in good Earnest to enquire what they should do to be saved, then particularly to instruct them in the Way of Salvation, and explain to them what Qualifications must be in them, or what they must do in order to their being saved, agreable to Christ's Direction.