A Christian, Title page 1 – Dedication
A CHRISTIAN, SOBER & PLAIN EXERCITATION ON The two grand practicall Controverſies of theſe Times; INFANT-BAPTISM, AND SINGING OF PSALMS.
Wherein all the Scriptures on both ſides are recited, opened and argued, with brevity and tenderneſs: and whatever hath been largely diſcuſſed by others, briefly contracted in a ſpecial method for the edification of the SAINTS.
By Cuthbert Sidenham, Teacher to a Church of Chriſt in Newcaſtle upon Tine.
LONDON, Printed for Robert White, and are to be ſold by Francis Tyton at the three Daggers in Fleet-ſtreet, near the Inner-Temple-gate. 1653.
Are to be ſold by VVilliam London in Newcaſtle. 1653.
To his dear and honoured Brother, Mr. William Durant, my faithful Fellow-labourer in the Goſpel; And the Church of Chriſt, over whom the Holy Ghoſt hath made us Joynt-overſeers.
Dearly Beloved,
I Preſent you theſe firſt-fruits of my poor labours, as a pledge of my love, and teſtimony of my unfeigned deſires, and longings after your ſettlement, and comfort together. I am indeared to you in the bowels of Chriſt, and for his ſake ow my ſelf unto you: My higheſt ambition in this world is, to ſee you ſtabliſhed in truth, and flouriſhing in the glorious graces of the Goſpel. I have treated on theſe two ſubjects, becauſe I know they are the tempting errours of theſe Times, and have the faireſt gloſſes ſet on them, and have too much influence to diſturb the Peace and Order of Churches: The firſt eſpecially, which eats out mens affections, and creeps at the heart like a gangrene inſenſibly; an opinion which hath been always ominous, and of a wonderful ſtrange influence, accompanied with the moſt dangerous retinue of errours, ſince the firſt Embrio of it was brought forth; whether by a judgement of God, or from its natural and ſecret connexion with other principles of darkneſs, I will not determine; only God hath ſhewed ſome black characters on it in every Nation where it hath prevailed; though we cannot but ſay, many Saints are innocently under the power of it.
For the ſecond, I hope when mens hearts come in Tune, their voyces will likewiſe: The former denies more Fundamental Principles, as the Covenant in its extent, and ſubjects; the freeneſs of Grace; the riches of its workings in the New Teſtament; and contracts the Goſpel; leaving more Grace viſible in the Legal and Old Teſtament diſpenſation, then in the New.
I have only ſummed up what others expreſs more at large, with ſomething new, and never yet touched, that I know of: And as to the method, all is new, and made fit for your uſe, if Chriſt ſet it home on you. I have nothing elſe to add, but to tell you, you have been yet kept pure in the midſt of many Diſtractions, and the violence of deſperate Opinions: Take heed of plauſible errours that come painted to you with the name of the moſt glorious truths: Loſe not your glory at laſt; try and weigh every tittle that is propounded: It's my deſire you may have the glorious Title given to you the Bereans had, to be (foreign) men of better breeding then to take up any thing on truſt, though from the Apoſtles themſelves, untill you know how they were inſpired: Compare Scripture with Scripture; do not diſtract your ſelves in the Goſpel▪ lay truths together, they will ſhine in their proper glory: Part not ſo eaſily with antient enta l d priviledges: Have ſo much pity to your Children, as not to blot their names out of Heaven by your own hands, until God do it by ſoveraignty; do not bury them alive: Thoſe that know the riches of ſuch a priviledge, will not eaſily part with it upon ſuch poor terms as moſt propoſe. I plead for poor Infants; and it's but charity to ſpeak for thoſe whoſe tongues are tied. I intend brevity in this, as in all the following Diſcourſe. The Lord fill you with wiſdom and underſtanding, and give you to know what his perfect will is, and hearts to obey it: And thrive like Saints of the New Teſtament, that lie at Chriſts breaſts night and day. Theſe are the deſires of
Your unworthy Teacher, Cuthbert Sidenham.