Chap.; r . The Old and New Covenant. b27 cerning our felves, but a they truft themfelves, ( and we beleeve on undeceiving evidences) tat they are Chriss, let them o,`' them- felves thinkthtsagain,th.t u they are Chrifis , even fo are weChrifls) and farther conclude their Baptifme here a meer nullity, and no more then an application of a little common water, They whole Baptifme is valid are baptized into one body, I Car. T2. 13. and therefore in a baptized effate, cannot be out of fellowfhip with that Bodie. The late Confeffion of Faith agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines ( not excepted againft in that particular by our brethren that I know ) define Baptifm to be a Sacrament of the new l-efla nent,ordiined by 7efiu (brill, not onely for the admit= fion of the party baptized into the vifible Church , but, &c. Admif- lion into Church- memberfhip they lay down as a thing netter doubted, which reverend Matter Cotton feeems to affirm likewife, and I know no Orthodox Writer that queftions, affoon as any were difcipled through the Ads of the Apofties, according to Chrifts commiffion,Matth.28. r 9.they were thus received. I have often marvailed what men mean, when they fpeak of admilfi- on of members into Churches, when the parties of whom they fpeak have equal( right with themfelves to Memberfhip,Tiave they any other, or better right then title to the Covenant, and admit - lion by the Seal of Baptifm ? if they have, let them produce it, and then fubmit it to Scripture trial(. I know none other that will abide the tefte; If they confeffe Baptifme to be an admilii- :'.on, then their title is as good that were thus before admitted, as theirs that give them admiflion. Their plea in both is one, I birth of Chriftian Parents,and Baptifm. For thofe that they paffe by (either forbearing to give them admittance defiring , or that through fcruple cannot joyn themfelves, not feeing warrant for 33 fuch a way,varying from the way of all the Churches of the Saints heretofore) what -do they judge of them, as men without, and unworthy of their Communion ? Then they ieave them without hope, without God in the world, Epb. 2. 12. yea they put them i into an incapacity,according to Gods ordinary way,of falvation, Ac`1s 2.47. There were added to the Church daily fuch ..a fhowld be laved. All were not faved that were added, nor raved in the judgement of charity, (that is a comment as ftrarige as new) but all were added that would enter themfelves into falvation- way and none refufed; which they might do out of affet} ion G g 2 or
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