Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	day_n	law_n	sabbath_n	2,914	5	9.8028	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34433	The font uncover'd for infant-baptisme, or, An answer to the challenges of the Anabaptists of Stafford, never yet reply'd unto, though long since promised wherein the baptisme of all church-members infants is by plain Scripture-proof maintained to be the will of Jesus Christ, and many points about churches and their constitutions are occasionally handled / by William Cook, late minister of the Gospel at Ashby-Delazouch.	Cook, William, Minister of the gospel at Ashby-Delazouch.	1651 (1651)	Wing C6042; ESTC R1614	62,529	56

are so sacred that they cannot without high offence to his Majesty Deut. 4.1 great wrong to Gods people and extream danger to their own souls be denied by any to those to whom they belong God no lesse forbidding detracting from then adding to his word and so much the more dangerous is diminution in this case as it tends to darken the glorious grace of God in the times of the Gospel which times he hath reserved for the more full illustration thereof above former times 2. That those main priviledges which God granted ordinarily to persons in Covenant before Christ as That their children should be in Covenant and admitted to the seal of entrance thereinto should cease in the time of the Gospel is so unagreeable unto the wisdom and goodnesse of God which reserves his greatest and choicest blessings for the last times to be bestowed on his people so contrary to the nature of the Covenant of grace which under Evangelical dispensation is far more glorious and comfortable to the faithfull then under legall so contrary to the end of Christs coming which was to multiply increase and ratifie not cut off diminish or abolish blessings and priviledges to his Church and so contrary to the promises and prophecies concerning the glory of the Church in the times of the Gospel that he deserves to be abhorred of all that know God and Christ and his Covenant that should tell us of a great fall and diminution of priviledges in Evangelicall times compared with legall and yet can bring no pregnant and pertinent Scripture to prove a repeal of those priviledges 3. I grant that where God hath repealed priviledges of the Old Testament which whiles they continued unrepealed were priviledges yet cease to be so when greater answerable thereto yet more sutable to the Gospel-dispensation are vouchsafed in their place in the New Testament they in respect of that old administration are not to be accounted priviledges neither are priviledges in this case properly revoked but altered and inlarged when the old administration indeed is abrogated but the same spiritual blessing is given in a more comfortable manner under a new dispensation As when Christians 1 In stead of the Old Testament Scriptures in the Jews mother tongue which was the Jews priviledge have both Old and New Testament Scriptures translated into a known tongue 2 In stead of the Jews seventh-day-seventh-day-Sabbath Ioh. 19.36 2 Cor. 5.7 have the first day or Lords-day-Sabbath 3 In stead of the Passeover which to the Jews was a Type of Christ to come have Christ exhibited and now represented in the blessed Communion And 4 in stead of Circumcision have Baptism And 5 generally when Christians in stead of the old Legal dispensation of the Covenant of grace which the Jews had have the new Evangelical dispensation of the Covenant Here the same priviledges are continued with inlargement under a new and different garb or dresse 4. It 's granted also that when men have wilfully rejected priviledges and therefore God hath cast them off neither they nor theirs lying under that obstinacy may lay claim to obstinatly rejected priviledges as in the case of the body of the Jews and their seed at this day To the Minor 1. Gen 17.7 Exod 12.48 Ezek. 16.10 21. Mat. 2.15 Act. 3.25 It 's plain that from Abrahams time and so forward to the last of the Prophets yea to the time of our Saviour Christ unto which time Circumcision of children was in force the faithfull had interest in this priviledge that their children were in Covenant and had the seal of admission 2. It 's plain also Gen. 17 10 11 12 13. Rom. 4.11 Rom 3.1 2. Phil. 3.5 that this was a great priviledge or prerogative to the people of God and their children that they were in Covenant and had Circumcision which is called the sign of the Covenant yea the Covenant and the seal of the righteousnesse of faith As to be an Hebrew and Israelite was a great priviledge before Christs coming so to be circumcised 3. That God hath not recalled this grant of Beleevers children having right to the Covenant and seal of entrance it is evident for neither the Scriptures of Old or New Testament speak any such thing but rather the contrary heightning the priviledges of the Gospel above those of the Law but never depressing them Obj. But Circumcision is repealed and abrogated Ans 1. True Ob. in regard of the outward ceremony Ans 1 so the former dispensation of the Covenant of grace in regard of the Legal manner of administration Doth the Covenant it self therefore and duties and priviledges therefore which are essential and perpetual cease Womens going up to Jerusalem to the sacrifices and Passeover ceaseth Must not they therefore come to and partake of the Lords Supper The Church of the Jews which understood the Scriptures of the Old Testament without translation is cast off Must not Gods people now have the Scriptures in their mother language by translation because there is no direct expresse Scripture for that purpose The Jews Sabbath being the seventh day of the week with us called Saturday is abolished Must we not therefore have a Christian Sabbath or Lords day Nay rather we may well gather from the Jewish-beleeving womens priviledge to partake of the Passeover and sacrifices in the Old Testament the priviledge of Christian women to come to the Lords Table and from Jewish Beleevers liberty to have the Scriptures in a known tongue we may gather against the Papists the priviledge of Christian common people of the like nature though in a different way they by the Originall writing we by Translation and from the Jews Sabbath of the seventh day that being appointed by the moral Law we may gather our Christian Sabbath and so from the Jewish infants priviledge to have the seal of initiation into the Covenant and Church we may gather the like priviledge to belong to Christians Infants though in a different ceremony if we compare those priviledges of the Jews in the Old Testament with what is spoken in the New Testament concerning Gospel-priviledges that are analogicall and succedaneous to these legal priviledges and lay together other common grounds warranting unto them these priviledges though there be no expresse immediate particular command for womens partaking at the Lords Table nor for the common peoples enjoying vernaculous translations of the Scripture nor for the Christian Sabbath nor for the baptizing of Infants 2. I answer to this objection If it had been the pleasure of God and Christ that children should in the time of the Gospel lose their former interest in the Covenant and seal thereof and their priviledge of Church-membership as well as he would have Circumcision abolished he would have no lesse revealed that in the Scripture then this But he hath no where revealed either expressely or to be gathered by consequence that whereas untill Christs time Infants of Beleevers were in Covenant Gods children Church-members

should be circumcised at eight daies old did put a yoke on the neck of the disciples so that they are called disciples on whom they urged Circumcision but they urged Circumcision not only on grown Christians but also on their children Therefore their children are disciples 4. In Act. 21.4 5. verses Those of Tyre which are called disciples ver 4. whereof some were endued with the spirit of Prophecie indeed but all are not Prophets and warned Paul of the danger of going to Jerusalem 1 Cor. 12.29 seem to be comprehended under these three heads 1. Men or the husbands and fathers 2. Women 3. Their children who accompanied the Apostle to the sea-shore and most likely the Infants in their mothers arms are here intended who with their parents were taken along when they went to take their last farwell of the Apostle as well to expresse that dear affection and honour that they did owe to him as to obtain not only for themselves but also for their little ones the benefit of the last prayer wherein they were to join in presence with that faithfull Embassadour of Christ The presence of children and sucklings tending much to move the bowels of parents to crave and the Apostle to make affectionate prayers for those Saints and their children whom he should never see more Deut. 19.10 11 12. As Moses before his last farwell to the Israelites would have them stand before God with their little ones and enter into Covenant with him So these at their farwell-taking with the Apostle did present themselves before God with their little ones And as Ezra in that solemn humiliation sought of God a good way not only for the aged but also for the little ones So it seems these pious parents would have Paul to seek unto God for themselves and their little ones Ezr. 8.21 they no lesse belonging to God and being disciples now then in the time of Moses his law and therefore they enjoy the priviledge of disciples or persons in Covenant viz. communion with the Apostle and the other Saints in solemn prayer which undiscipled persons and aliens from the Covenant Ob. were never admitted to Ob. But the fathers are evidently distinguished by the names of disciples from their children therefore the children were not disciples Ans seeing the name of disciples is appropriated to the men only Ans If this reason were good the wives should be no disciples or beleevers for they are no lesse distinguished from the men to whom the name of disciples is appropriated then the children but no man will deny the wives to be disciples or beleevers for this distinction therefore neither the children 2. But the children and wives did equally partake in the priviledge of disciples viz. communion in the prayer with the Apostles and Saints as well as the men Therefore they were disciples as well as the men 5. They that are so to be received in Christs Name that Christ himself is received in them belong to Christ and are Christs disciples For to shew kindnesse or do service to any in Christs Name and because they belong to Christ and because they are disciples or in the name of disciples or because they are such as beleeve in Christ are all one in Scripture phrase as may appear by comparing these Scriptures Mat. 10.42 Mar. 9.41 42. But the little children of Beleevers or Church-members are so to be received in Christs Name that Christ himself is received in or with them Mat. 18.5 Mat. 18 5. Therefore they are Christs Disciples and belong to him So much concerning the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and hence I argue thus 1. Disciples according to Christs Commission laid down in Scripture are to be baptized But children of the faithfull even whilst Infants are disciples Therefore to be baptized 2. Whereas it is said Make disciples all Nations baptizing them hence I gather Children are not to be excluded 1. Because children are a very considerable and essential part of a Nation 2. As the Jewish Nation had been a Nation of disciples and an holy people so now in the time of the Gospel the Christian Nations were to become Gods people But the Jews were so a Nation of disciples and an holy people as that their children were taken with them into the Covenant 1 Pet. 8.9 and admitted to the seal of entrance so should these for Christians are called an holy Nation now as the Jews heretofore Hence I argue Discipled Nations or Nations made disciples and all their members and considerable integral parts no where excepted are to be baptized For the whole comprehends all the parts and the command that appoints all Nations to be baptized must needs take in the several parts of those Nations which are no where excepted But children of beleeving Nations are members and considerable integral parts of discipled Nations as being more in number for the most part then grown persons the hope of posterity in whom the parents live and by whom States Churches and families are continued being also more free from sin as uncapable of actual rebellion and provocation against God Num. 14.30 31. whom he is pleased sometimes to spare when he punisheth rebellious and Covenant-breaking parents and for whose sake sometimes he spareth flagitious parents neither are children in this Scripture or elswhere excluded out of Christs Commission Ion. 4.11 Therefore they are to be baptized 3. From the order of Christs Commission it may be gathered That discipling and baptizing goeth before teaching Mat. 28.19 20. Thus we reade Going therefore make disciples all Nations Baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost teaching them to keep all things whatsoever I have commanded you Indeed the Gospel was to be offered to Jews and Infidels and they exhorted to accept Christ and the Covenant of grace before they were baptized but Baptism was not to be deferred nor they rejected as no disciples untill they should have learned the whole Doctrine of Christianity and all the commands of Christ But whosoever on the preaching of the Gospel and offer of Christ should not subbornly refuse him but Idolatry being renounced were dedicated to the worship of God and Christ whether such as had power to dispose of themselves by themselves professedly consenting or such as were at the dispose and under the power of others and by their consent and authority given up to Christ they were to be admitted into Christs school acknowledged his disciples and baptized into his Name and afterward to be instructed in his doctrine and commands Hence I gather thus If Infants of Beleevers are not to be baptized it is because they are not capable of being taught Ministerially in the doctrines and commands of Christ for the present All the arguments of the Anabaptists may be referred to this head They say they cannot repent beleeve enter into Covenant c. Why because say they they are uncapable of

baptizing goes before saving Nay though Christ saith peremptorily He that beleeveth not shall be condemned you will not I think hence conclude that all Infants which you say cannot beleeve must necessarily perish in their Infancy though this might far more probably be concluded from the text then what you would conclude The words therefore are not to be taken so generally as to admit of no restriction but must be limited according to the subject-matter viz. that when professed infidels such as the Apostles were sent to are preached to they must be made disciples and beleeve and then be baptized and such as are quite out of Covenant and have no means of being taken into Covenant but by actual faith of their own must be condemned if they beleeve not 2. These Scriptures make much against you for while you urge them for your warrant you not only use no endeavours to go to the poor Nations and Heathens to preach the Gospel to Jews and Infidels as these Commissions require but are altogether unable for such a work For let me ask you Can you speak the tongues of all the people in the world of Indians Ethiopians Turks Scythians Jews c. Or can you work miracles which were so necessary for the laying of the foundation of Christianity amongst Infidels which power Christ promised to his Apostles to whom he directly gave this Commission and accordingly inabled them thereunto If you cannot do these boast no more of these Scriptures 3. Yea though you would insinuate that these Scriptures are much against our judgement and practice yet I hope it will appear anon that they are much for us Only let me first prevent an objection which is this Ob. If these Scriptures make not for the Anabaptists surely they cannot make for you The forenamed reasons hold as strongly against your selves as them for do you lay new foundations of Churches any more then they can you speak with all tongues and work miracles do you go amongst infidels to preach any more then they The difference of our judgement and practice from theirs Ans frees us from this objection which must necessarily press them For 1. Whereas they talk of constituting new Churches and so would lay a new foundation as if they were to deal with Jews and other Infidels We Ministers of Christ in this Nation and our brethren the Pastors and Teachers of Christian Churches in all other Nations build still on the old foundation laid by the Apostles and labour for the reformation increase and propagation of those Churches which were constituted by them or did flow from those first constituted Churches as branches from a stock so that we by virtue of these Commissions preach the word and baptize in all Nations where God is pleased to continue his truth not each one severally in all Nations but all of us distributively in several Churches and collectively in the whole visible Church each one looking to his proper charge and yielding mutual help upon occasion by which means the whole is provided for not inchoatively by way of founding or constituting but successively by way of edifying and propagating 2. Whereas we require of you to shew miracles speak strange languages because you profess on these Scripture grounds to constitute new Churches and lay the foundation of Christian Religion we have good reason for it sith miracles and tongues were necessary for this work to the Apostles and surely no lesse necessary for those that will undertake the same work now But seeing we build on the foundation laid by the Apostles labouring for the edification and propagation of the Churches constituted by them or at least which have by propagation flowed from those which they founded and seeing those Churches or that Church which we labour to edifie were first founded by them which had the gifts of languages and miracles and we teach a people that already professe Christ and are convinced of the truth of Christian Religion miracles are not necessary to us nor can be rationally required of us The same I may say of strange tongues 1 Cor. 15 2● of which the Apostle saith that they are a sign not to them ●hat beleeve but to them that beleeve not We therefore that preach to Christians Beleevers and Church-members need them not but you who pretend to constitute Churches look on those that are not dipped by you as Heathens Infidels and without Christendom should speak with tongues that you may convince these Infidels of the truth of your doctrine 3. You bring these Scriptures as directly and without deduction or consequence belonging to you we argue from them so as to apply them to our selves by deduction and consequence By this it appears how justly we make use of these Scriptures being Ministers of those Churches which by a continued flux have been propagated from those founded by the Apostles and so may humbly boast of Mat. 16.18 Mat. 28.20 and lay claim unto those promises Mat. 16.18 On this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it And Mat. 28.20 And to I am with you alway even to the end of the world which promises could not belong to the Apostles only for they continued not unto the end of the world in the work of the Ministry but to them and the Churches and Ministers which should succeed them For Christ promiseth to the Apostles that he will be with them in discipling baptizing teaching the things which he had commanded them unto the worlds end which work when the Apostles died they delivered up to succeeding Ministers I come now to shew how these places make for us 1. In Mat 28.19 That which you reade according to our Translation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teach is properly Make disciples or scholers Now not only aged persons which are come to discretion may be made scholers or disciples of Christ Isa 54.13 Ier. 31.34 Deut. 30.6 but also children 1. As God hath promised that in his Church where his Gospel and Covenant are dispensed he will teach his people from the least to the greatest all the Churches children shall be taught of God Gods Spirit shall not depart from their seed nor seeds seed c. 2. As they are with and by their parents devoted to God to be brought up in his School by outward instruction when capable and we know that little children which yet cannot learn being sent to school are called scholers Deut. 6.7 Eph. 6.4 2 Tim. 3.15 because they are in the school and intended for learning when capacity shall be given Thus children of Beleevers are from their infancy devoted to to Christs School to be brought in the nurture and information of the Lord and we know no age is uncapable of Gods teaching 3. It is said Act. 15. v. 1. compared with 10. that the false Apostles which urged Christians to be circumcised according to the law of Moses which we know was that children