A Persuasive to Full Communion with the Churches of Christ, Title page – Publishers advertisement
A PERSUASIVE TO FULL Communion, WITH THE Churches of Chriſt IN ALL GOSPEL-ORDINANCES AND PRIVILEDGES.
Containing An Eſſay for the Conviction and Reformation of ſuch Adult, or grown Perſons who live in the ſinful neglect of Baptiſm and the Supper of the Lord.
Together with An Account of the Manner of the Tranſition of Church-Members from their Infant to their Adult-ſtate, and regular Admiſſion to full Communion.
Written, For the help of ſuch as need Inſtruction in theſe ſpiritual Concerns, 1 Cor. 12.13. For by one Spirit are we all Baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
By the Late Reverend Mr. George Day, Miniſter of the Goſpel in London-ſtreet in Ratcliff, 1697.
London: Printed for Tho. Parkhurſt at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapſide, 1698.
The PREFACE.
THERE are ſome Circumſtances, that attend the Publication of the Enſuing Treatiſe, which may render this ſhort Preface, not only Excuſable; but, alſo in ſome reſpects Neceſſary, That the Readers may be acquainted with two Things. 1. Touching the Author, and the Coming forth, of this ſmall Piece. 2. Touching the Subject-matter handled in it. 1. As for the Author, the Late Reverend Mr. George Day, He was a well accompliſhed, and approved Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt, very Exemplary in his Holy Converſation, and abundant in his Miniſterial Labours, in which his Study, Diligence, and Fidelity were the more Conſpieuous, in regard of thoſe painful and weakening bodily Diſtempers, by which it pleaſed God, to Try, and Exerciſe him for many Years laſt paſt. As to the Publication of this Diſcourſe, which is now ſent abroad into the World, it was Compoſed, and fitted for the Preſs, by himſelf, That very Copy, which he delivered to the Book-ſeller, was ſent by him to ſeveral Miniſters to be peruſed. Among others, we whoſe Names are ſubſcribed to this Preface, had it in our Hands about a Year ago, and upon a deliberate Inſpection into the Matter, Method, and Manner of handling his Subject; have thought, it might be of good Ʋſe and Benefit to many, if it were made Publick, and certified him of our Opinion touching it. After this, it lay in his hands as Dormant. But about the End of November laſt, this Good Man finding himſelf to decline very ſenſibly, delivered his Copy to that Book-ſeller, who had been ſo long Inſtrumental, in divulging exceeding many Learned, Pious, Practical, Excellent Books. It was not long after committed to the Preſs, but before one quarter of it was Printed, it pleaſed the Lord to remove the Author out of this World, and to receive him into his Celeſtial Reſt and Glory, to the great Grief; undoubtedly, to the great Loſs of that Congregation, in which the Providence of God had ſet him to Labour, in the Word and Doctrine of the Goſpel. 2. Touching the little Book it ſelf. It hath ſeveral Properties, which may greatly recommend it to the peruſal of all, into whoſe hands the Providence of God ſhall bring it. For, it is very ſhort, and will not much Exerciſe the Patience of the Reader. It is very plain adapted to the Capacity of the Meaneſt Ʋnderſtandings. The Diſcourſe is managed in a very ſound, ſerious and profitable Manner. The Arguments made uſe of are clear, ſtrong, and nervous, and enforced with all the advantages of Zeal and Charity. The Perſons concerned to attend unto this Perſuaſive, are exceeding numerous. The ſubſerviency of it toward the promoting of the Glory of God, the Intereſt of Religion, and the welfare of Souls, is evident to every conſiderate, ſerious Perſon.
In this little Book, there is nothing that may diſcourage the Reader: No profound Speculations to amuſe him: Nor doubtful Diſputations to perplex him: But a ſerious Perſuaſive to incline him, to comply with the Command of Chriſt, in the performance of two plain, weighty and neceſſary Duties. To which no Parties among Chriſtians are obliged, by their Principles, to make any Oppoſition.
1. He perſuades the Adult, who are unbaptized to fit themſelves for, and then to ſeek after Baptiſm. It is true indeed, that the Author (in the Introduction) tells us, that the People called Quakers, do wholly reject both Baptiſm and the Lords Supper, as uſeleſs Ceremonies; and diſpute againſt them. But all they who acknowledge them to be Goſpel-Ordinances, muſt, according to their declared Principles, concur with our Author, to preſs all Adult, unbaptized Perſons to be Baptized. They who go under the Denomination of Anabaptiſts, may poſſibly, except againſt the Baptizing of Infants which he aſſerts. But they are as zealous as any other, to perſuade the Adult, who were not Baptized in their Infancy, to haſten to that Ordinance.
2. He perſuades Baptized grown Perſons to labour to be fit for, and then to communicate in the Lords Supper. This is acknowledged by all, to be their unqueſtionable Duty. So that in this Point, he can have no Adverſaries, whatever different Sentiments ſome may have about the due Qualifications of thoſe who are to approach to the Lord's Table.
Having given this account of the Author and his little Book, we have anſwered the Deſign of this Preface. And ſhall only add our Prayers, that the Lord would afford his Bleſſing, that the Book may attain the End, which the Author propounded to himſelf in his Writing of it.
William Bates,
George Hamond.
ERRATA.
To be Corrected, Page 46. line 22. for Bercelerius, read Bertelerius.
Books Printed for Tho. Parkhurſt at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapſide.
THere is Publiſht of Mr. George Days, The Communicants Inſtructor, or a Sacramental Catechiſm.
Mr. Days Funeral Sermon, Preached by the Reverend Mr. Sam. Slater; Printed for John Lawrence at the Angel in the Poultrey.
There is now Publiſhed Two ſcarce Books, The Fountain of Life Opened; or a Diſplay of Chriſt in his Eſſential and Mediatorial Glory: Containing Forty Two Sermons on various Texts. And alſo a Treatiſe of the Soul of Man. Both in 4to. By the late Reverend and Learned Mr. J. Flavel, Miniſter of the Goſpel at Dartmouth.
There is likewiſe newly Publiſhed, A Sermon Preached on the Late Day of Thankſgiving, Decemb. 2. 1697. By Mr. J. Howe, Miniſter of the Goſpel. To which is Prefix'd, Dr. Bates Congratulatory Speech to the King, Novemb. 22. 1697. In the Name of the Diſſenting Miniſters in and about London.
A Body of Practical Divinity in 176 Sermons, on the leſſer Catechiſm of the Aſſembly of Divines at Weſtminſter. By Tho. Watſon, formerly Miniſter at St. Stephens-Wallbrook, London.