Concerning Baptism and Communion of Churches in New England, Errata
Errata.
p. 2. l. 11. for hands r. hand.
p. 4. l. 28. for then r. there.
p. 16. l. 24. Adde deus dicit.
p. 21. l. p. nult. r. parente.
p. 32. l. 32. for ſo 24. r. Hebr. 10.24
THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF NEW ENGLAND, Concerning the Subject of BAPTISM AND COMMUNION OF CHƲRCHES.
THere having been ſome who have thought that the Doctrine of the late Synod Book Concerning Baptiſm and the Communion or Conſociation of Churches is an Innovation and Apoſtacy from the firſt principles of New England. And inaſmuch as it may be a ſpecial Service for theſe Churches, both in preſent and in after times, that men ſhould know what the firſt Principles touching theſe Controverſies were, Conſidering alſo, that the Lords Servants and Meſſengers are much wronged when Apoſtacy is imputed to them, upon account of the Doctrine aforeſaid, and that it will be a thing very acceptable unto God (who is diſpleaſed and diſhonoured when his faithful ones are traduced) that his Servants ſhould be vindicated from ſuch injurious Aſperſions: upon theſe and the like Conſiderations, we ſhall endeavour (as in the Lords holy fear) to erquire what were the firſt Principles of New-England concerning the Subject of Baptiſm and Communion of Churches, and leave it to the Chriſtian world, and to Poſterity to judge who are the Apoſtates.
Now this may be done by ſhewing, what was the judgement of the firſt Fathers of this Country, touching the queſtions in Controverſy. And in this enſuing Coll…ction of Teſtimonies we ſhall not mention any of thoſe Reverend Elders that are yet ſurviving, nor all amongſt our deceaſed worthies, only ſome of the Chief of the Fathers of this Country.
And firſt, concerning Baptiſm, we ſhall begin with the Judgement of that man of God deſervedly famous in both Englands, viz. Mr. Iohn Cotton, late Teacher of the firſt Church in Boſton. And what the Apprehenſion of that Seer was, is manifeſt from a Letter which is to be ſeen written with his own hands in the name, and with the unanimous Conſent of the whole Church, which then was in this Boſton to the Church in Dorcheſter. Becauſe the Letter is of Ancient date, and ſo giveth a great light towards the clearing of the matter, which is before us, we ſhall therefore here inſert it, word for word as it is written with Mr. Cottons own hand, It is that which followeth.