Church Membership of Children and their Right to Baptism, Preface – Poem 1
A PREFACE TO THE READER.
Christian Reader,
M…ght I have had mine own choice, and desires granted, some other should have performed the task of a Preface to the following Treatise of my precious and much Honoured Father; but being put upon it, by divers worthy friends, whom I knew not how to deny, I shall therefore humbly premise a word or two, in tenderness to the Truth, and out of unfained love to those especially of Christ's poor sheep (how ever feeble, or diseased) that either have been, or may be in danger of going astray from so great a Truth, as is the subject of the ensuing discourse: being sincerely desirous, that they may be restored, and from thence returned unto the Shepherd, and Bishop of our Soules, and may in nothing be made a prey to him, who is our great adversary, the Devil, who walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. For we should not be ignorant of his devices.
The enmity put by the Lord between the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent, Gen. 3.15. soon began to work, even in the infancy of the Church, in the family of our first Parents, as we see Gen. 4.8. by the Martyrdome of righteous Abel. No small portion of that fixed hatred, and hostility of the old Serpent, hath ever since been discovered against the young ones of Christs little flock. The multiplication of the Children of Israel, is the occasion why Pharaoh deals so wisely as we read; endeavouring first by the Midwives, secretly to destroy the male Children: and after that, more openly by an Edict, to drown them in his Egyptian waters; for which what ever his pretence might be, alleadged Exod. 1.10. yet no doubt (as Calvin on the place somewhat that way hint's) Satan had a design therein, to cut of the name and posteri…y of Abraham (who is the Father of all them that beleive, even of US all: the Father of many nation, Rom. 4.11, 16, 17.) and so to evacuate, and annihilate the promise of God, even that great promise of his everlasting Covenant, to be a God to him, and to his seed for ever, in their Generations. Hence also afterward we find this spite of the great accuser of the brethren, vented against these poor little ones, in the forbidding them Communion with the Church of God in that Worship which God had instituted, and which he had Commanded his People by the hand of Moses and Aaron, to observe, Exod. 10.3. let my People goe, that they may serve me, saith the Lord▪ but hardhearted Pharaoh seemes to scruple whether the young Children are a part of the Lord… People, as appears by his question verse 8. [But who are they that shall go…?] Moses pleads for the young, as well as the old; for the Sons, and the Daughters, verse 9. but Pharaoh is of another apprehension, and resolution, verse 10, 11. he will let the men goe and serve the Lord, but not the little ones. Again Haman the Agagite we find is not satisfied with the destruction of the old Generation of the Iewes, but the little Children of the Church also are expresly mentioned, and designed to the same condemnation, and Massacre with their Fathers Est…. 3.13.
And much more of the like nature might be alledged out of many records both ecclesiastical, and other, were it needfull: the satanicall delusions of those heretical Cataphrygians, and Pep…z…ans of o…d, who were wont to mingle the Eucharist with the blood of an Infant of a year old (of whom Austin speaks, Tom. 6. do haeresibus ad Quodvultde…m) are not unknown. Not here to insist on that Instance of Herods Infanticide, Mat. 2.16, 17. We need not so much wonder at Hazaels cruelty against the Children of Israel in sl…ying their young men with th… sword, and dashing their Children, and r…pping up their Women with Child, 2 King. 8.12. seing Satan hath many times prevailed with those who were Church-Members, and of long standing in the house of God even the pare… themselves, to murder and sacrifice their Infants and little ones, which were the Lords Children, and born unto the Lord, Ezek. 16, 20, 21. &c. Such an evil eye doth that great adversary of our comfort, and Salvation (seing himselfe shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven) bear against these little ones, whom Christ hath taken in to himselfe, and concerning whom our Saviour professeth, that of such is the Kingdome of God, Luke 18.16. So doth he envy to see them in the armes of Christ and blessed by him, and to have any room in his house, or so much as an externall visible interest in the Covenant, with the initiatory seal and livery thereof. Baptisme being the seal to all Christianity, 'tis Sathan's policy therefore to strike at that, that in cashiering it, he may have at All; Hereunto tend's his dealing with witches many times, (of which divers have spoken) in cau…ing them when they become first his Prosely…es, solemnly to renounce the Trinity (into the name of which they have been Baptised) especially their salvation by Christ, and saith Cooper, in his book entituled, the mysterie… of witchcraft discovered. Cap. 6. sec. 1. pag. 91. in token thereof to disclaim their Baptisme.
An ill office and work then surely are they imployed in, whose way and indeavours, shall center in the accomplishing of that which Satan hath been so busily, and with such malignity, for so many ages undertaking, and no great thanks will such receive for that labour from the Lord Jesus another day. If Christ was so much displeased, that his disciples rebuked those, who brought their children to him, Mark 10.14: And if the Apostle Peter received so severe a check as wee read Mat. 16.22, 23. for speaking that, which had a tendency to take the Lord Jesus off from …aying down the price of R…emption: how much more then will he be now displeased if (after such rebuke and warning given) any shall attempt to keep from him, and deprive him of, his Redeemed, whom he hath purchased by so dear a price? so many, I mean, of his purchased ones, as the number of the infants and children of Believers (de…d, and alive, and to be born,) amount's unto? why may we not believe, that an exceeding great multitude of the Sheep that shall be seen standing at the right ha…d of Iesus Christ in the day of Iudgment, shall be a company of these Lambs? As to withhold from Christ so great a part of his purchase (the labour of the Anabapt…st) must needs be no other then highly Antichristian; so to make good, and recover the interest of Christ in such, and the Glory which he obtaines by them, according to the enlarged grant of the charter of h…s new-Testament; the scope, and work of these few sheets) is a seruice pleasing unto Christ, who out of the mouthes of these ba…s, and suck…ngs even …, Mat. 21.15, 16. and so I trust will be acceptable to his People, who when as they must go down to the d…st and cannot keep alive their own Soules, yet may be hold their seed succeeding them in the service & worship of God, being …ccounted to th… Lord … …generation, Psal. 22.28, 29, 30, 31. ( … R…vet in locum) Schismatically to refuse to hold Ecclesiasticall Communion with so great a part of the Church of Christ, as the children of believers are, (in many places, the major part thereof) is a rigid and sinfull Separation, and gratifying the designe of the Papists (the greatest Separatists in the world) as by & by may be further seen.
And indeed the Lord (avenging the quarrel of his Covenant, wherin he hath alwayes been exceeding jealous) hath manifested not a little of his anger, and displeasure against those who have troubled these Baptismal waters of the Sanctuary; The awfull and tremendous passages of Providence recorded in several histories, concerning the original and progress of Anabaptisme: and relating to God's strange, judicial hand against so many of them that have been through-paced therin, in delivering them up to spiritual judgments, to believe lies; and to fall, step by step, into almost all sorts of heresies, and to the commission of the most abhorred impieties, and loathsome wickednesses, and outrages, against the Commands both of the first and second Table, (as Luther, Bullinger, Calvi… Beza, and others generally and abundantly testifie) they are very observable, and not to be passed over slightly; and may make every honest & serious heart to tremble when ever he finds himselfe inclining to that path: to this purpose, and concerning Anabaptism in this our age (beside many o…ther Authors I might cite) read only Baxter's Plain Scripture proof of Infants Church-membership, Pag. 138, 139, 140 —152. And as in the dawning of the reformation, begun by those Worthies of Christ in the last Centurie, Anabaptisme seem's to be the Tr…j in h…rse whereby so great confusion did befall that Israel, and was such a Remora to that Glorio…s work then begun in Germanie, and other Neighbouring Countries; so now in the further progresse of that reformation here in this our Israel▪ should Anabaptisme likewise (especially accompanied with Dona…isme it's wo…ded concubine) brood and become the instrument or medium of our miseries and confusions, possibly then experience (a flow, but many times a sure and severe instructer) may help some at length to see farther into the mystery of this iniquity, then now they do. For in truth it is not improbable, that the Man of sin seeing he could not openly & at once ruine the Reformed Churches in the dayes of those famous servants of Christ before exprest, did attempt secretly, and gradually to do is this way; viz. by first sending forth his Emissaries among the Churches, who might fill them with the Smoake of Anabaptisme, that so he might the more securely pass to and fro, being undiscerned in such a fog: whence what mischief was wrought, and what an hindrance those turbulent Anabaptists were to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in that age (for that was the first time of their swarming, as the most Judicious have observed) by vilifying, reproaching, and decrying the Ministry; crying up themselves as the most Godly, spirituall, and perfect; Iudging the Old-Testament to be but as an Almanack out of date; denying Scripture-Consequences giving false interpretations of Scripture, especially by Allegories wresting the same to their own destruction; makeing and fomenting schismes and factions in the Churches; denying the Magistrates coercive power in matters of Religion; making their own fanatick spirit the supream judge unto all kind of disorder, &c. the writings of the Godly Learned in those times do abundantly even to amazement inform us. And indeed the great consent and harmony between the main tenets of the Anabaptists, and Papists in this point, giues not a a little ground for holy jealousie too sadly to suspect at what backdoor it was that the Anabaptist first crept forth. And hence it is that in the controversies between the Protestants and the Papists, we shall generally, and abundantly find, the Papists denying the Ho… ness of the Infants of Beleivers before Baptisme; and how neer of kin this is to Anabaptisme the reader may easily guess: and in like manner denying that great truth (as is afterward shewed in this Treatise) viz. That the Covenant of God with Abraham under the Old-Testament, was the same for substance with what is now confirmed with us under the New-Testament, &c. which (tis known) the Anabaptists also generally assert: Let me therefore propound a few instances this way, wherby we may see what Patrons of Anabaptisme the Papists are, in regard of those Principles (I mean) and radicall errours wherin the Papists and An…baptists (although by divers of them, upon the account of a diverse interest) Symbolize and unite against the Orthodox, and speak herein, in a manner, the same thing (distinguishing alwaies between the Opinion, and the person; and between some that are deceived, in other points Orthodox and precious Christians; and others that are Deceivers.) The main pillars of Anabaptisme being no better then some of the Old rotten sl…ds and principles of Popery, fetcht at first from thence in all likelyhood, and so inclining thitherward again. The D…lect of the Anabaptist is generally (and too much by some) understood, and therefore I forbear quotations out of their own writings; possibly some may not have so much taken notice of the l…k… from the Papist, and therefore I shall briefly manifest the …a…e, by shewing where we shall find some of the chief of those Worthies that fought the Lords Battles against Antichrist, opposing, and confuting them both, therein: I will cite a few Particulars this way among many the like which m…ght be produced from severall other eminent Author…, Holy, burning, and shining lights in the churches of Christ, who have been the Lords Witnesses against the darkness of that Spirituall Egypt; and whose Testimonie in this matter concludes as strongly against the Anabaptists, having espoused those Antichristian notions so neerly to themselves.
1. In those words of the Covenant (I will be a God to thee and thy seed after thee) neither life eternall is promised nor remission of sins, but onelyonly a certain peculiar temporall protection: saith B…ll…rmine (agreeing therein with the Ana…aptist) against whom herein we find …bam…er pleading for us, Panstrat. tom. 4. Li…. 3 Cap. 3. Parag. 9, 10. &c. and …ive. on Gen. 17.11. Again, we read (saith Bellarmine, the great G…ah of the Papists) that God promised unto Abraham when he enjoyned him circumcision, earthly matters only, according to the letter: that is, the propagation of a posterity, and the Land of Palestine. read Ames opposing him; Bellarm. …. Tom. 3. Lib. 1 Chap. 4. Thes. 9.
2. Touching the perverse and Ca…abaptistic…ll intent and meaning of that expression of the Papists, viz. That Spirituall promises d…scend to us not by carnall generation (as they call it: the very Phrase of many Anabaptists, used in a way of de…ision of the Grace of God) but by Spirituall R…generation &c. (they are the w…rds of Bellarmine and other P…pists, c…ted & confuted by Am…s & others) read Ames his Answer thereto, B… Ener. …om. 3. Lib. 2. cap. 1. Thes. 5. (consonant to the Judgment of the O…thoac… ) viz. we acknowledg indeed Spirituall regeneration to be necessary to the solid participation of the promises; but that that Regeneration is part of the Promises, and belongs in a singular manner to the Children of Believers, the very forme of the Covenant manifestly declares. See likewise Chamier largely replying for us against Bellarmine, Stapleton, and others of the Papists. Pa…stra…. tom. 4 lib. 5. cap. 10. parag. 24, 25, 26, 27, &c:
3. The Sacraments of the old Law (or Testament saith Bellarmine… had no absolute promise of Grace annexed, & the promises annexed to thos… old Sacraments were fulfilled, although men did not believe. Read Ames against him. ibid. l. 1. cap. 4. the. 5, 7. Again, the Papists [saith Chemnit. hold; that God, by the Sacraments of the old Testament, which had eve… the word of promise annexed, did exhibite & conferr no grace to Believers which [saith he] is maifestly false; Circumcision alone [which, as he sheweth from Scripture, is called the S…al of the righteousness of Faith demonstrateth as much. And thereupon he sheweth the reason why the Papists so much urge that difference between the Sacraments of the old & new Testament, viz. because they endeavour by any manner of meanes to defend and stablish the opinion they have of their opus operatum. Chemnitij Exam. par. 2. de Sacram. sub canon. 2. What a forcible engine of the man of sin this is, and of what vast concernment as to his interest, I need not here express, and what arrows of Anabaptisme, drawn out of this very quiver, have been shot against the Orthodox in this point, is known unto not a few.
Moreover, as to the comparison in Scripture made between the Sacraments of the old and new Testament, that in 1 Cor. 10.1—4. (among several other Scriptures) is cited by Ames against Bellarmine where the Apostle speake's of our Fathers being Baptized in the Sea &c: thereby intimating our Sacraments to be the same for substance with theirs: or Sacramental signes and seales of one and the same sqiritual grace, so that the Covenant-mercies, or promises of spiritual good are the same to us as to them: Bellarmine opposeth this [as doth the Anabaptist] The Fathers [saith he] are said to eat the same meat not because ours and theirs was the same, but because they themselves, all of them did eat the same: but that meat and drinke were not sacraments; they had no promise anexed &c: Bell… enerv. tom. 3. l. 1. c. 4. th. 10. and Cham. panstrat. tom. 4. l. 3. c. 2.
4. The scripture no where call's Circumcision a seal [saith Bellarmine to Rom. 4.] unless it be in this place, where Abraham is spoken of, which is a manifest argument that Circumcision was a seal unto Abraham alone Ames. ibid. c. 1. th. 12. By this weapon also fetcht out of the armory of Antichrist, hath the Anabaptist not a little gratifyed the common adversary.
5. The Papists generally assert, That the Baptisme of John was not the same for substance with the Baptisme of Christ, nor had the same efficacy, as the Baptisme of Christ hath. Which tenet see confuted by Cartwright on the new Testament, Mat. 3.11. and by Ames Beller. …. t. 3. l. 2. c. 5. th. 1, 2. &c: and Rivet Cathol. orthod. tractat▪ 3. qu. a. and Chemnir. exam. part 2. de baptismo sub canon. 1. and Chamier panstrat. t. 4. l. 5. c. 12. still we see the harmony between the Papist and the Anabaptist. And hence we find likewise the Papist pleading for the rebaptizing of those who had received the Baptisme of John. Chamier ibid. cap. 13. paragr. 35. &c:
6. The Papists assert, that Laicks [as they call them, i. e. those that are not in Office in the Church] may in case administer Baptisme: yea that not onelyonly men but women may do it. Read Ames his confutation thereof, Bell. enerv. tom. 3. l. 2. cap. 2. and Rivet against Baily the Jesuit, Cathol. orthod. tractat. 3. qu. 7. add thereto Chamiers Panstr. tom. 4. l. 5. cap. 14. de legitimo Baptismi ministro. where, among other Passages, citing the thesis of Suarez the Iesuit, viz: that any body whosoever, that … speak, and wash, may be a sufficient Minister of Baptisme; whether he be man or woman; believer or unbeliever; baptised or not baptized, if so be he know how to wash, and utter the Words with a due mention, haec assertio (saith the Jesuit) est omnino certa, But saith Chamier in the name of the Orthodox, we teach the contrary, viz. that the right of conferring Baptisme belongs to those only who are publick Officers in the Church &c. which accordingly he there makes good against the Papists.
7 Baily the Iesuite (whom Rivet encountereth) to the Question between the Orthodox and the Papist; viz. Whether the Infants of believers are holy before Baptisme? he answereth roundly for them; NO. Rivet. Cath. Orthod. Tract. 3. q 3.
And touching that famous place controverted between our selves and the Anabap…sts, in regard of their wresting, and perverting the sence of that Scripture, 1 Cor. 7.14. [ …ls… w…r… your Children unclean, but now they are Holy] we may observe how they tread in ehe steps of the Papists that have gone before them therein, (as they likewiso do in that noted Scripture Col 2.11, 12. not allowing Baptisme to answer Circumcision according to the mind and meaning of the Holy-Ghost: wherein see Ames against them, Bel. Enerv. Tom. 3. l 1. Ca…. 4. Thes. 13. and Rivet in Gen. 17 Exercit: 88. Pag. 340. &c. Take a tast of that 1 Cor. 7. as followeth; Baily (the Jesuit) before Cited, ibid: quest. 3. laboureth thus to avoid the dint of that text, The Apostle (saith he) either speaks of a civil Sanctification before men, that the Infants should not be ILLEGITAMATE or BASTARDS: or else of an Instrumental Sanctification, because that one shall procure the Salvation of the other, &c. the like we find of Bellarmine's apprehention and Judgment of the sence of that Scripture; Such Children (saith he) are said to be not (unclean) that is, Infamous and BASTARDS: but (holy) that is, LEGITIMATE, and free from civil ignominie: Ames. Ibid. Lib. 2. C. 1. Thes. 6. The Rhemists also very perniciously abuse this Scripture (and are not therein, without their Antipaedobaptisticall followers) Blessed Cartwright excellently upon the place in his confutation of their annotations on the new-Testament, defend's this cause of Christ against their Popish glosses: It is (saith he) one thing (oftentimes in the Scripture) to be Sanctified, and another to be holy: as for you, you err in both: for when it is said, the unbelieving party is Sanctified by the believing, it is not only meant, as you say, that the Marriage is an occasion of the Sanctification to the infidel party, but that the use of the infidel party, in Marriage company, is Sanctified, or made holy and lawfull unto the believing party; as meat and drink is said to be Sanctified unto us by the word & Prayer, 1 Tim. 4.5. and as your Interpretation here is short, so in the exposition of the Holiness of the Children, which are begotten in this Matrimony, it is utterly false: and first it is to be observed, that the Apostle speaking of the Children, doth not (as you do) apply one word of them to both, saying that they are Sanctified, but saith that they are holy; which is more then he had spoken before of the infidel party: for although our meat, and drink be Sanctified unto us, and that the use of them is holy to those which are holy, yet the meats, and drinks themselves are not holy: if therefore you were short in the interpretation of Sanctified, you fail much more, in giving the same exposition unto the holiness of the children; for if the holiness here spoken of, be not in the children when they are begotten, and born of the Parents, but come unto them afterward by Baptisme and Faith; there groweth no sufficient comfort unto the faithfull party to continue in marriage with the Infidel, consid…ring that occasion of holiness might come otherw…se then by marriage: For that which is able to uphold the faithfull in comfort, and strength to abide in marriage with the infidel, is the knowledg that the Children begotten in that Marriage are in Covenant, and are Children of Gods favour, and grace, washed in Christs Bloud, and Sanctified by his Spirit: and if you will know what this Holyness of Children new-born is; the Apostle telleth you, Gal. 2.15. That it is [through the Covenant] to be a Iew by nature, or birth, and if you will yet further understand what the Holyness of Children is, the Apostle, in the same place, telleth you; that it is, not to be Sinners by Nature as those which are born of the Heathen, for as much as their sins who are in Covenant, are by Christ not reckoned unto them. And this Doctrine of the Holyness of the Children which are born of the Faithfull, if you could not attain unto, it is so sensibly s…t forth unto you, that unless together with the knowledg of the Truth, you are also bereaved of your common sence, you cannot be ignorant of it: for how can you but understand, that if the root be holy, the branch is holy, Rom. 11.16. and if the first fruits be holy, the whole crop is holy All which privilidges of Children new-born, sometime being proper to the Iewes, are now our priviledges, as well as theirs; sithence we are grown int… one body w…th them, Ephes. 2.15. and (being Burgesse… of the same Heavenly City that they are] must needs have the same infranchisement, and Prerogatives, t…t they have: not that every one which is …orn under the Covenant is holy, but t…t they are so to be taken of the Church, until the contrary do manifestly appear, &c.
By the premises we may see therefore whence [even from that MOTHER of harlots] probably this Illegitimate birth, this antichrist an fl…ud of Anab…t…me hath issued forth; yea and I also fear is l…ke to be …sed, and maintained …n it's course, unt…l God hath dried up those breast, and rive…s of spiritual Babylon, in the mean while, Calvins admonition touching Anabapt…sme, may not be unseasonable, meri ò debet nobis esse suspectum, quicquid à tali officina proa…erit. Opuscu…: …n Psychopannychia. Pag. 411. S. M.
There are some who though they graunt the Baptisme of some Children, yet utterly deny the continuance of that Covenant-mercy of God to their succeeding Generations, though the Church-society whereof they were Members be not dissolved, nor the surviveing posterity so much as deserve to be, by the Discipline of Christ in his Church excommunicated; This seems in truth to arise f…om their not acknowledging sufficiently, or not abiding by the true genuine grounds of the Baptisme of those whose right to Baptisme is acknowledged by them.
For the information (therefore) of the minds of the weak and stablishing their hearts in this Truth of God, according to the Scriptures, even in the Doctrine of P…dobaptisme (a Doctrine of so great concernment, and of so much comfort and incouragement, both to believing parents & their children not in life only but in death; whence it is that they only can be preserved against sorrowing when they fall asleep, as others do, which have no hope) This ensuing Treatise is at the earnest request of many worthy freinds to the Author of it (of blessed memory) now published, wherein we may see both; 1. The Membership of the Children of Church-Members proved to be of Divine institution, and likewise 2. (among other things] The continuance of the Membership of those Children, in particular Churches, when they are grown up, even until they are excōmunicated, unless there be a dissolution of the person by death, Instances hereof see in the p…eface to …e act of the Synod held a… Boston. 16…2 Touching B…ptism & Consociation of Churches.or of the Church-society: So that this latter is not a principle of Innovation, and Apostacy; but as it was the Judgment of the Author of this following Letter (as is therein to be seen and to manifest which was one speciall end of the Printing thereof) so was it the light which others have held forth, who in their time were Stars not of the smallest magnitude, whom we have here seen sometimes shining with him in Christs right hand, but are now set, and shining with that Sun of righteousness in another World.
That there is no cessation of the membership of a person in this or that particular Church (the Church whereof he i… a m…mber continuing in b…ing, together with the person himselfe) unles it be by meanes of a Church-act intervening, is a truth of no small importance; And therefore as for that notion which doth obtain with some; That in particular Churches of Christ, walking in the order of the Gospel, there are such as become Ecclesiastically Felones de se, that is such Church-members who by their scandalous sin, do become their own executioners Ecclesiastically, cutting themselves off from the Church, so as that they thereby become actually non-members, and that the Church hath no more power over them, either Ecclesiasticallly to admonish them, or Excommunicate them; this seem's unto me to be but an humane invention, and not of Divine institution, yea in truth destructive to the Order of the Gospel. And therefore to apply it, (as to members in full communion, so) to these Children of the Church whom we now speak of, is not of God; as may appear by these reasons following.
1. Because it is unscriptural. In matters of Gods worship, a negative argument is conclvsive; if that which is asserted; be not contained in the Scripture, expresly, or … the consequence therefrom, it is to be rejected. To the Law and by the Testimony.
The Scriptures alledged by som… …d thought to favour this notion of Felones de se, are only such as do but lay down before us the sinns of some Church-members, and do not speak of the foreign, (punishment or censure) as 'tis called, 2 Cor. 2.6. which in such cases is to be inflicted, and therefore are not ad rem: only that which seem's to have most weight in it, and to which therefore I shall breifly reply, is that in Acts 8.21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: Answer. I would not say that this text, propounded with reference the children of the Church that are not in full cōmunion, is not apposite, because the text speak's of a member in full communion: though to say so much is accounted by some a sufficient answer to such Scripture arguments, as conclude against felones de se, from Church-members that are in full Cōmunion (quatenus Church-members) to such Church members as are not in full communion: But yet having gained this fort; that what is in Scripture spoken of a member in full communion, is applicable (as farr as meer membership reachet…) to a member that is not in full cōmunion, we may now the more easily proceed in the after discourse. To this Scripture (then) …lledged for children of the Church not in full communion; by their sin, when adult, to become felones de se as above said, I answer:
1. That the objection from hence tend's as much to frustrate the Church act, or censure of excommunication upon members infull communion: and makes that ordinance of Christ vain, & needless to the parents in full cōmunion, as to these children. 2. These words of the Apostle Peter, were indeed a dreadfull admonition, and the Apostle being a Church Officer, did judg this sinner to deserve it for his simonie; so that he was not (granting the cessation of his membership) felo de se. 3. By [this matter] spoken of in the text, seem's most properly to be meant (not Church-membership, but) the power of giving the holy Ghost spoken of in the context, which power Simon Magus would have bought with money, and for which the Apostle rebukes him: and therefore his not having part or lot in that matter, is to be understood directly with relation to that Extraordinary power; the Apostle would have him k…ow, that he should not share in such a power or priviledge as that was: 4. I would ask whether, if a Member of a church be discovered not to have his heart right in the sight of God, but to be in the Gall of bitterness and bond of Iniquity, stand conv…ct of Simonie, and the wickedness be so grosly aggravated as this Scandal of Symon Magus was; I say whether the Church is not bound to bear witness against such an offender by inflicting some Church-Censure (properly so taken) upon him? if it be said …oe; then may it not be questioned, whether such a Church would not as well tolerate any other pollutions and defilements in it whatsoever? The wofull fruit whereof who is there that doth not easily perceive: On the other side if it be said yea, that the Church is to Censure and Authoritatively to put away from among themselves such a wicked person by excommunication, I then demand (if this notion of felo de se be right and sound) how they can excommunicate one, who is a non-Member before the Church can pass the sentence of excommunication against him? whether doth this Scripture Act. 8.21. give the Church power over him by it's Discipline to censure him, who already (as the objection speak's) hath cut himself off from being a Church-Member? or whether the Church hath any part in him who hath no part or lot in them, or in these matters?
2. Scripture Example lead's us, to what is contrary to this Felon… spoken of: witness, under the old-Testament, Ishmael's being cast out, by Abraham who was the chief Officer in that family Church▪ So the incestuous person under the New-Testament is not felo de s… though guilty of such a sin as was not so much as named among the Ge…iles, 1 Cor. 5.1. but there is a Church act intervening his sin and the cessation of his Memberly-Communion with that Church, viz a delivering him [foreign such a one] unto Satan. Hence as the Church of Ephesus is commended for not bearing with them which are evill, Rev. 2.2. so the Church of Th…a…ira is rebuked for suffering that woman Iezebel, verse. 20.
3. Because this notion of Felo de se takes away the use of a Ministerial Judge in the Church, in case of the offences, and Scandals of this or that particular Member of the Church, to determine of the same. Supposing a person could ecclesiastically cut himself off from the Church by his very act of sin, there would then he no room left for a competent Judg to enquire into the crime whereof he is accused, and to make particular application of the Rule to the case of the s…nning brother, and pass sentence according to the true desert, and nature of the offence. That God hath ordained a ministerial judge is plain, M…tth. 18.17. [if he neglect to hear the Church] the Church is to be heard; the phrase of our Saviour Christ implies judicial superiority on the Churches part, and the inferiority and subjection of a part or member to that whole, &c. but now this Felonie denieth this order which Christ hath established. Though a person deserve excommunication perhaps, yet it must appear that he do deserve it▪ neither doth his wickedness for which he deserves excōmunication, render him a non-Member till he be excommunicated; and hence in this case is very considerable what is asserted by that deservedly famous divine, Mr. Cotton, in his book intituled [the keyes of the kingdom of heaven] viz. Though the Iury have given up their judgment,Cap. 4. Pag. 14. and verdict, yet the Malefactor is not thereupon legally condemned, much less executed, but upon the sentence of the judge in l…ke sort here [saith he] though the Brethren of the Church do with one accord give up their vote and judgment for the censure of an offender, yet he is not thereby censured, till upon the Sentence of the Presbyterie.
4. Because the binding and loosing, mentioned, Mat. 16.19. the opening and shutting of the doors of the Church by the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven, belong to the same power or subject: hence therefore as none may intrude himselfe, or can regularly be admitted or let into this or that particular Church without a Church-act intervening, so none can be shut out, and deprived of that Membership therein (as abovesaid,) without an act of the same power intervening. Ejusdem potestatis est ligare, & solvere; claudere & aperire. Mr. Cottons keyes cap. 7. pag. 45.
5. Taken from Mat. 18.15, 16, 17, 18. Which command and institution, leaves Churches under a solemn obligation of duty, that when this offending Brother or Church-Member deserveth excommunication that censure be duly inflicted on him; so as that thereby (viz. the sentence or censure past against him, in case he will not hear the Church) he must be to the Church as an He▪ then Man, and a Publican. so that it is not a matter of ind…fferency, [to be observed or not to be observed] but after the steps taken [mentioned in verses 15, 16.] and the brother remain obstinate, 'tis Christ's Charge that then that publick process [verse 17.] be attended, whereby the offender become's ecclesiastically bound according to verse 18. Christ therefore requires a Church-act to intervene, as abovesaid, and so the offender is not felo de se.
6. Because a scandalous Member of a Church, by virtue of Christs Institution, Mat. 18.17. is to be accounted not as an Heathen and Publican, but stil a Church-Brother if he will hear the Church, this is clearly intimated in those words If he neglect to hear the Church) runing conditionally, which suppose, that if he will hear, he is not to be as an Heathen i. e. his Membership shall not cease notwithstanding the Scandalous sin Committed. Therefore by his wickedness and offence he is not felo de se.
7. Because this felonie objected tend's to render that Ordinance of Church-Censure and Adm…nition laid down Mat. 18.15. &c. vain and useless, for the felo de s…, by his sin becomeing a non-Member and so no Church-Brother, hence let a private Member of the Church go to tell him his fault, in the sence of the text, which is in order to more solemn Church-proceeding and Iudicature, in case he will not hear; or let the Church require him in th… name of Christ to hear, in such a Church-way as is there spoken of; he may tell them that he is no Brother of the Church, for he hath by his offence cut off himselfe, and therefore they have nothing to do with him: that that rule of Christ concernes only the Brother or the Church-Member, not one that is out of the Church, as he is, being felo de se, and therefore may say (according to 1 Cor. 5.12.) what have you to do to Iudge me that am without? If his sin be not yet great enough to render him felo de se, & he suspect that therefore the Church may have power over him & is going about to bind him on earth, so that (being thereupon also bound in heaven) he shall become bound from an orderly entrance in at the doores of other Sister-Churches, without Repentance first held forth to the acceptance of the Church which he offended; 'tis then but to commit another fault whereby he may be sure he shall be felo de se, and so he is beyond the Churches reach, and this frustrates Church-discipline, and renders vain that ordinance of Christ above mentioned.
8. To deny the intervening of this Church-act of Excommunication is to deny unto, and withold from a person deserving to be cast out of the Church, an ordinance, and meanes which may be for the saving of his soul, 1 Cor: 5.4, 5. It is not enough to say that the felo de se makes himself no member; and so the Church is freed from his communion which would pollute it, as fully as if he were excōmunicated; for God's meanes are not empty or vain meanes, and to think to reach the full end, but not in Gods way, and by observing his meanes ordained, is neither Christian wisdome, nor Gospel policy; yea to deny the application of this ordināce of excōmunication to the offending Brother is to deny a means for the Salvation of his Soule, and to deny a remedy for his Repentance, and the healing, and gaining of our Brother again.
9. Because the Holy Ghost command's the Church to Iudge them that are within, 1 Cor. 5.12▪ Do you not judge them that are within? All that are within, are subject to Ecclesiasticall judicature, and therefore cannot by Scripture-Warrant be felones de se.
10. Because this notion of felones de se evacuate's that power given of Rebukeing before all, 1 Tim. 5.20. which is to be done without partiality ▪ (whether they be young, or old, rich or poor &c.) ver. 21 and so likewise takes away that Authority given of reproving with all long-suffering, 2 Tim. 4.2. leaves no room for obedience to that command (2 Thes. 3.15.) of Admonishing the offender as a Brother &c. add thereto that this notion of the felo de se supposeth some disobedience in a Church-member of an open scandalous nature against which God hath not provided the remedy of spiritual revenge in an ecclesiastical way, contrary to that 2 Cor. 10.6, where the Apostle saith, we have in readiness to revenge all disobedience &c. that this is spoken of Church discipli…e is well cleared by that expression of worthy Mr. Cotton. viz. the Apostles revenge of D…sobedience by way of reproofe in preaching doth not follow the Peoples Obedience, Keyes Cha. 4 Pag. 15.but proceedeth whether the people obey it or no; it was therefore their revenge of disobedience by way of Censure in discipline &c.
11. The Notion of felo de se asserts the lawfulness of exclusion or sh…t…ing a Church-Member out of the kingdome of Heaven by none of the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven, viz. by the sin of this felon, or gives the managing of these keyes, in a case which concernes the whole to act in (for such is the non-Communion of a Member with the Church… into the hands solely of a private person: both wh…ch right reason doth plainly condemn.
12. Because were the sin of a Church-Member of as h…gh and heinous a nature as H…resie, nay (which is more) though the Brother of a Church should turn Heretick yet he is not immediately thereby a non-Member, or felo de se: he is not presently to be rejected: but a first and second Admonition must be applyed, and in case of incorrigibleness then follows the Ecclesiastical rejection spoken of, Tit. 3.10. he must be rejected, but according to Gods Order, even the order of the Gospel: for all things are to be done in order, 1 Cor. 14.40. so when the Apostle required the Corinthians to put away from among themselves that wicked person, it is to be understood of putting such away, and avoiding such, and withdrawing themselves from such, and haveing no company with such &c. All in due season, and all according to the order of Christ, even accord…ng to that rule of delivering such an one unto Sathan as is exprest, 1 Cor. 5 and suiting with that other command of Christ, Mat. 18. according as the nature of the offence is more or less heinous, proportionably is the admonition to be applyed, either in case the offence be at first private, but growes publick and notorious by the impenitency and obstinacy of the offender; or in case the offence be at first rise of it publick and notorious, still we have no allowance from Scripture to entertain or admit of the Opinion of this Ecclesiastical felonie.
Having thus finished this Discourse I shall now very briefly acquaint the Reader, in a word or two further, touching the following treatise, viz. that it was written by the Authors own hand: and not three months before the time of his Dissolution, and sent to one who, before the receipt thereof, was not so clear in the point of Infant-Baptisme but was hereby recovered, and stablished in the truth, and dyed in the same Faith as the letter did perswade him, (to use Mr. Fox his Phrase, in h…s Book of Martyrs, touching that excellent letter which Philpot, that Glorious Martyr, a little before his death also, wrote to a friend of h…s, that was then a Prisoner, upon this very subject of Infant-Baptisme▪ who was thereby converted from the errour of his way, as is there to be seen. A le…ter exceeding wel worth the reading & serious perusal by any, Act. mon. vol 3. Pag. 606—610. s. m.such especially as hesitate in this matter.) The Reader may please further to mind, that …his was not intended by the Reverend Author for the publ…ck view; but was only a private Answer sent to a speciall friend, for his particular satisfaction, relating to some doubts mentioned in a letter of his to my Father concerning this subject: Had he purposed to have Written, and Printed off his thoughts to the World touching this article of Baptisme I question not but he would have been more polite and curious; and the expectations of those who knew him throughly satisfied therein.
I would not detain the Reader by any further Preface of mine: and therefore to conclude; May this from one who is now in Heaven, unto such as may have too farr engaged against God's Covenant-meries toward his, and our poor Children, sent indeed in a special manner unto such; have a rich and effectual blessing from the Fat…er of lights … mercies; a better effect upon their hearts, then that famous Letter had of Elijah the Prophet, upon Jehoram to whom it was sent, 2 Chron. 21.12. (written, 'tis thought by divers, before his Tra…slation to Heaven, but concealed untill there was so fit a season for the presenting of it) May this Writing (I say) and in such a season also, have a better effect and fruit; even to bring them from the errour of their way, into the paths of Truth and peace, and settle them, and others, more and more therein; That is the sincere desire of the publisher thereof, who is
thin… to serve thee in our Lord Jesus. Thomas Shepard.
I. THOMAS SHEPARDIVS Anagr: Paradisus hostem?
HE…! Paradisus alit Sanctis infantibus hostem?
Q…os Baptizar… praecip… ipse Deus?
Q…os Deus ambabus, clemens, amplectitur ulnis,
Non sinet in gremio Tingur Ille suo?
Annon pro Sanctis Ecclesia (mater) habebit,
Quos sancti Sanctos vox ait esse Dei?
Hoc Deus av…ia…. Non sic Shepardius olim,
Non sic, quae moriens Scripta re…iquit, aiunt.
Non sic Doctores celebrat quos sanclior atas,
Anglia quos celebrat Prisca, simulque nova.
His u…nam Sanctis Deus ipse laboribus abnam
E superis, clemens, suppeditaret opem!
Quá sine, Doctores non ulli, scripta nec ulla,
Errores possunt carnificare malos.
Ius confirmabas puerorum, Christe, tuorum
A gremio vellent cum revocare t…o;
S…rgito, Lactentesque tuos defendito ab hoste
Q…i vellet lundes (—cunque) perire tuas.
Amen
Johannes Wilsonus senior.