Selected quad for the lemma: sense_n
Text snippets containing the quad
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
A96326
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The right method for the proving of infant-baptism. With some reflections on some late tracts against infant-baptism. / By Joseph Whiston, Minister of the Gospel.
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Whiston, Joseph, d. 1690.
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1690
(1690)
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Wing W1695; ESTC R201364
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36,822
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72
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abstract_o by_o themselves_o do_v not_o make_v such_o a_o full_a clear_a and_o convince_a discovery_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n in_o this_o matter_n as_o to_o set_v this_o practice_n above_o all_o rational_a doubt_n there_o be_v undoubted_o much_o yea_o very_o much_o weight_n in_o they_o especial_o when_o add_v as_o a_o far_a confirmation_n of_o what_o be_v plead_v from_o this_o covenant_n and_o let_v any_o baptist_n pretend_v what_o they_o will_v they_o never_o have_v nor_o will_v be_v able_a to_o answer_v some_o of_o those_o argument_n mr._n baxter_n have_v urge_v from_o that_o 1_o cor._n 7.14_o but_o this_o i_o be_v say_v in_o order_n to_o a_o full_a establishment_n of_o this_o practice_n it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o a_o foundation_n be_v lay_v where_o i_o have_v lay_v it_o viz._n in_o the_o forementioned_a covenant_n but_o more_o particular_o that_o this_o foundation_n may_v be_v sure_o lay_v as_o i_o have_v do_v so_o all_o other_o engage_v in_o the_o same_o cause_n must_v do_v these_o five_o thing_n 1._o it_o must_v be_v solid_o prove_v that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n which_o the_o apostle_n tell_v be_v do_v away_o but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n that_o very_a covenant_n under_o which_o believer_n still_o be_v and_o i_o fear_v not_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o over-confidence_n in_o the_o mind_n or_o judgement_n of_o judicious_a and_o unbiased_a person_n if_o i_o say_v this_o be_v full_o do_v already_o see_v among_o other_o my_o answer_n to_o mr._n cox_n p._n 95_o to_o the_o 139._o with_o the_o place_n there_o refer_v unto_o where_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v these_o three_o position_n 1._o that_o god_n in_o those_o transaction_n with_o abraham_n record_v gen._n 12._o at_o the_o beginning_n do_v not_o make_v or_o establish_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o he_o my_o meaning_n be_v he_o do_v not_o then_o complete_a the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o he_o this_o i_o grant_v that_o god_n do_v then_o begin_v to_o deal_v with_o abraham_n with_o reference_n to_o his_o establish_v his_o covenant_n with_o he_o do_v as_o it_o be_v draw_v the_o first_o line_n of_o that_o covenent_n he_o intend_v afterward_o in_o a_o more_o formal_a express_a manner_n to_o enter_v with_o he_o hence_o the_o apostle_n peter_n tell_v the_o jew_n that_o they_o be_v the_o child_n of_o the_o covenant_n cite_v one_o promise_n then_o make_v to_o abraham_n act_v 3.26_o 2._o that_o the_o covenant_n record_v in_o gen._n 17.7_o be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n nor_o have_v any_o reference_n or_o relation_n thereunto_o 3._o that_o that_o covenant_n be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o same_o which_o believer_n be_v still_o under_o and_o will_v our_o opposer_n satisfy_v the_o world_n in_o their_o judgement_n and_o practice_n they_o ought_v to_o return_v solid_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o those_o argument_n plead_v in_o confirmation_n of_o each_o of_o those_o position_n their_o silence_n wherein_o render_v all_o their_o discourse_n utter_o insignificant_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o man_n of_o a_o competent_a understanding_n alas_o can_v they_o think_v a_o loose_a discourse_n however_o fill_v up_o with_o scripture-quotation_n can_v be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o such_o person_n so_o long_o as_o those_o argument_n remain_v unanswered_a and_o it_o seem_v strange_a to_o i_o that_o man_n of_o any_o judgement_n gravity_n or_o conscience_n shall_v recommend_v to_o the_o world_n any_o discourse_n so_o excessive_o defective_a in_o that_o regard_n in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o cause_n they_o plead_v it_o be_v evince_v and_o demonstrate_v past_o all_o rational_a contradiction_n that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n say_v to_o be_v do_v away_o but_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o most_o copious_a harangue_n of_o word_n how_o many_o scripture_n soever_o be_v allege_v therein_o signify_v nothing_o save_v only_o to_o show_v how_o tenacious_a man_n be_v of_o error_n and_o how_o they_o will_v wrest_v and_o pervert_v the_o scripture_n to_o confirm_v themselves_o and_o other_o therein_o when_o once_o embrace_v by_o they_o but_o it_o may_v be_v some_o will_v say_v there_o be_v two_o treatise_n the_o one_o of_o mr._n grantham_n the_o other_o of_o mr._n philip_n cary_n wherein_o there_o be_v several_a irrefragable_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a viz._n that_o that_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n to_o that_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v such_o book_n abroad_o but_o so_o long_o as_o those_o argument_n remain_v unanswered_a here_o be_v only_o the_o oppose_v of_o argument_n to_o argument_n and_o which_o be_v the_o most_o valid_a and_o demonstrative_a possible_o man_n of_o weak_a capacity_n be_v not_o able_a to_o determine_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n hence_o such_o method_n of_o procedure_n serve_v only_o to_o confirm_v those_o that_o be_v before_o resolve_v and_o puzzle_v weak_a conscientious_a christian_n that_o be_v sincere_o inquire_v after_o truth_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o the_o argument_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o be_v unanswerable_a be_v undoubted_a to_o i_o the_o sure-footing_a they_o have_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n assure_v i_o of_o that_o neither_o be_v the_o silence_n of_o our_o adversary_n after_o their_o so_o long_a presentation_n to_o public_a view_n any_o small_a addition_n to_o that_o assurance_n i_o shall_v now_o try_v whether_o those_o argument_n lay_v down_o by_o the_o two_o forementioned_a author_n be_v so_o or_o no._n to_o begin_v first_o with_o those_o lay_v down_o by_o mr._n grantham_n he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v two_o thing_n 1._o that_o circumcision_n be_v not_o a_o gospel-ordinance_n 2._o that_o that_o covenant_n record_v gen._n 17.7_o be_v not_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n for_o the_o 1._o what_o he_o mean_v by_o a_o gospel-ordinance_n be_v to_o i_o difficult_a to_o determine_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o declare_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o a_o gospel-ordinance_n and_o in_o brief_a i_o mean_v a_o ordinance_n or_o act_n of_o worship_n institute_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n have_v a_o immediate_a and_o direct_a respect_n thereunto_o for_o the_o confirmation_n obtain_v or_o convey_v the_o good_a therein_o promise_v now_o let_v we_o see_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o argument_n and_o they_o be_v these_o three_o 1._o that_o which_o can_v profit_v no_o man_n except_o he_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n be_v no_o gospel-ordinance_n but_o circumcision_n can_v profit_v no_o man_n except_o he_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n ergo_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o he_o cite_v rom._n 2.25_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o minor_a proposition_n before_o i_o answer_v to_o either_o part_n of_o his_o argument_n i_o must_v distinguish_v of_o these_o two_o term_n law_n and_o keep_v thus_o by_o law_n may_v be_v mean_v either_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o that_o take_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n as_o the_o law_n or_o covenant_n of_o work_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n reduce_v to_o a_o do_v this_o and_o live_v or_o 2._o that_o term_n law_n may_v intend_v the_o whole_a reveal_v will_n of_o god_n concern_v man_n duty_n and_o then_o under_o this_o term_n law_n we_o be_v to_o include_v both_o the_o moral_a ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a law_n and_o that_o in_o their_o utmost_a extent_n and_o latitude_n 2._o for_o that_o term_n keep_v it_o may_v be_v mean_v either_o of_o a_o perfect_a sinless_a keep_n so_o as_o the_o person_n so_o keep_v the_o law_n shall_v live_v therein_o according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n gal._n 3.12_o or_o 2._o it_o may_v be_v mean_v of_o a_o sincere_a and_o upright_o keep_v so_o as_o not_o willing_o or_o wilful_o to_o fail_v in_o do_v any_o thing_n require_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n so_o bid_v now_o if_o mr._n grantham_n take_v these_o term_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n which_o in_o case_n he_o do_v law_n here_o can_v only_o refer_v to_o or_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o that_o as_o a_o law_n of_o work_n see_v god_n never_o require_v of_o or_o expect_v from_o his_o people_n a_o perfect_a sinless_a obedience_n to_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n no_o nor_o to_o the_o moral_a law_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o that_o obedience_n he_o require_v of_o his_o people_n and_o then_o i_o deny_v the_o minor_a proposition_n and_o say_v those_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n prove_v it_o not_o and_o my_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o apostle_n there_o speak_v of_o the_o law_n as_o consider_v under_o another_o notion_n and_o of_o another_o manner_n of_o keep_v than_o be_v intend_v by_o mr._n grantham_n but_o 2._o if_o mr._n grantham_n understand_v these_o term_n law_n and_o keep_v in_o the_o latter_a sense_n than_o i_o deny_v the_o major_a proposition_n and_o affirm_v on_o the_o other_o
hand_n that_o that_o take_v it_o of_o circumcision_n in_o particular_a may_v be_v and_o be_v a_o gospel-ordinance_n which_o yet_o will_v not_o profit_v man_n except_o they_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n see_v it_o may_v and_o do_v profit_v they_o who_o do_v so_o keep_v the_o law_n thus_o the_o apostle_n affirm_v it_o do_v profit_v they_o that_o keep_v the_o law_n what_o be_v here_o say_v of_o circumcision_n may_v be_v alike_o say_v of_o baptism_n it_o profit_v not_o those_o that_o keep_v not_o the_o law_n in_o the_o latter_a sense_n beforementioned_a but_o as_o for_o those_o that_o do_v so_o keep_v the_o law_n it_o do_v profit_v they_o no_o ordinance_n will_v profit_v any_o man_n in_o case_n of_o their_o fail_v in_o that_o obedience_n indispensable_o require_v in_o the_o covenant_n they_o be_v under_o which_o be_v no_o argument_n at_o all_o that_o it_o be_v no_o gospel-ordinance_n gospel-ordinance_n will_v not_o profit_v man_n as_o of_o themselves_o in_o case_n they_o be_v hypocrite_n and_o do_v not_o walk_v up_o to_o that_o profession_n they_o make_v which_o be_v all_o that_o the_o apostle_n intend_v in_o that_o place_n 2._o his_o second_o argument_n be_v this_o if_o circumcision_n bind_v man_n to_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n than_o it_o be_v no_o gospel-ordinance_n etc._n etc._n before_o i_o return_v a_o answer_n to_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v premise_v that_o by_o law_n in_o gal._n 5.3_o which_o he_o cite_v to_o prove_v his_o assumption_n we_o be_v as_o i_o suppose_v be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n to_o understand_v the_o moysaicall_a law_n the_o law_n give_v by_o moses_n at_o mount_n sinai_n and_o that_o in_o the_o utmost_a latitude_n and_o extent_n of_o it_o now_o this_o law_n may_v be_v consider_v two_o way_n 1._o as_o give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n 2._o as_o after_o misinterpret_v and_o misunderstand_v by_o they_o 1._o as_o give_v by_o god_n it_o have_v only_o a_o subserviency_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o answerable_o as_o in_o it_o there_o be_v a_o revival_n of_o the_o law_n give_v to_o adam_n in_o innocency_n so_o there_o be_v various_a sacrifice_n and_o ceremonial_a observation_n anew_o institute_v that_o so_o the_o people_n see_v the_o exactness_n and_o severity_n of_o the_o law_n and_o find_v their_o own_o inability_n so_o to_o perform_v it_o as_o to_o live_v therein_o they_o may_v be_v engage_v to_o flee_v unto_o christ_n and_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n confirm_v as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v gal._n 3.17_o in_o he_o whereunto_o they_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o those_o other_o ceremonial_a observation_n hence_o the_o law_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v a_o schoolmaster_n to_o bring_v they_o unto_o christ_n gal._n 3.24_o whether_o we_o read_v as_o in_o our_o translation_n or_o only_o a_o schoolmaster_n unto_o christ_n it_o be_v all_o one_o see_v a_o schoolmaster_n it_o be_v now_o take_v the_o law_n as_o thus_o give_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o keep_v in_o the_o latter_a sense_n beforementioned_a i_o grant_v his_o assumption_n but_o deny_v the_o consequence_n in_o the_o major_a proposition_n and_o affirm_v that_o though_o circumcision_n do_v bind_v man_n to_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n during_o its_o continuance_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v and_o be_v a_o gospel-ordinance_n and_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n only_o intend_v this_o term_n law_n in_o this_o sense_n yet_o he_o may_v just_o argue_v against_o circumcision_n as_o lay_v they_o under_o this_o obligation_n to_o keep_v the_o law_n because_o there_o be_v now_o a_o change_n and_o alteration_n in_o the_o law_n the_o whole_a ceremonial_a law_n be_v abrogate_a and_o lay_v aside_o and_o for_o they_o to_o put_v themselves_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o keep_v a_o law_n that_o be_v now_o abrogate_a be_v sinful_a and_o will_v have_v deprive_v they_o of_o any_o benefit_n by_o christ_n though_o they_o oblige_v themselves_o to_o keep_v it_o in_o that_o sense_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o first_o testament_n be_v bind_v to_o keep_v it_o and_o their_o keep_n of_o it_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o profitable_a to_o themselves_o 2._o take_v the_o law_n as_o misinterpret_v and_o misunderstand_v by_o the_o jew_n viz._n as_o though_o it_o have_v be_v a_o law_n through_o their_o mere_a keep_n of_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v without_o the_o mediation_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o do_v so_o understand_v it_o than_o i_o deny_v the_o assumption_n and_o affirm_v that_o circumcision_n never_o bind_v any_o man_n so_o to_o keep_v the_o law_n and_o then_o the_o apostle_n in_o argue_v against_o circumcision_n deal_v with_o the_o galatian_n according_a to_o that_o false_a notion_n of_o the_o law_n they_o have_v imbibe_v from_o their_o false_a teacher_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o in_o case_n they_o be_v circumcise_v that_o be_v as_o oblige_v themselves_o to_o the_o law_n in_o the_o sense_n now_o mention_v they_o will_v be_v debtor_n to_o do_v the_o whole_a law_n not_o only_o upright_o and_o sincere_o but_o to_o do_v absolute_o all_o thing_n write_v therein_o see_v neither_o their_o sacrifice_n nor_o ceremonial_a observation_n appoint_v in_o that_o law_n will_v yield_v they_o any_o relief_n in_o case_n of_o their_o fail_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n write_v in_o the_o whole_a law_n and_o their_o return_v and_o adhere_v to_o the_o law_n in_o this_o sense_n will_v deprive_v they_o of_o any_o benefit_n by_o christ_n and_o thus_o i_o judge_v we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o apostle_n in_o that_o place_n so_o that_o take_v the_o apostle_n sense_n which_o way_n we_o will_v the_o argument_n be_v of_o no_o force_n take_v the_o sense_n the_o former_a way_n than_o the_o consequence_n be_v unsound_a if_o we_o take_v his_o sense_n the_o latter_a way_n the_o antecedent_n be_v false_a and_o a_o great_a absurdity_n can_v hardly_o be_v vent_v by_o man_n than_o to_o say_v that_o god_n ever_o design_v circumcision_n as_o a_o obligation_n unto_o the_o jew_n thus_o to_o keep_v the_o law_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o but_o 3._o his_o three_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o which_o be_v always_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o gospel_n a_o weak_a and_o beggarly_a element_n be_v never_o a_o gospel-ordinance_n but_o circumcision_n be_v such_o ergo_fw-la etc._n etc._n answ_n here_o i_o shall_v positive_o deny_v the_o consequence_n in_o the_o major_a proposition_n and_o affirm_v that_o that_o may_v be_v in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n say_v to_o be_v a_o weak_a and_o beggarly_a element_n which_o yet_o during_o the_o first-testament-administration_n may_v be_v a_o gospel-ordinance_n will_n mr._n g._n say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o gospel-ordinance_n yet_o all_o their_o ordinance_n come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o these_o weak_a and_o beggarly_a element_n take_v it_o of_o the_o passover_n sure_o that_o be_v a_o gospel-ordinance_n and_o yet_o one_o of_o these_o weak_a and_o beggarly_a element_n but_o to_o hasten_v as_o a_o close_a of_o this_o and_o to_o make_v way_n to_o what_o follow_v i_o shall_v offer_v this_o one_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o circumcision_n be_v a_o gospel-ordinance_n it_o be_v this_o if_o circumcision_n be_v the_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o as_o such_o a_o representation_n and_o seal_n to_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v apply_v of_o those_o great_a gospel-blessing_n righteousness_n interest_n in_o god_n and_o sanctification_n than_o it_o be_v a_o gospel-ordinance_n but_o the_o former_a be_v true_a therefore_o the_o latter_a i_o be_o aware_a mr._n g._n will_v deny_v the_o assumption_n but_o i_o prove_v it_o thus_o if_o that_o covenant_n gen._n 17.7_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o circumcision_n be_v the_o token_n of_o that_o covenant_n and_o as_o such_o a_o representation_n and_o seal_n to_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v apply_v of_o those_o forementioned_a gospel-blessing_n than_o it_o be_v a_o gospel-ordinance_n the_o minor_a or_o assumption_n in_o both_o argument_n consist_v in_o two_o branch_n both_o which_o i_o know_v will_v be_v deny_v but_o it_o be_v the_o former_a branch_n that_o at_o present_a fall_n under_o our_o consideration_n and_o suppose_v that_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v the_o latter_a will_n hardly_o meet_v with_o any_o opposition_n now_o that_o be_v already_o demonstrate_v i_o shall_v at_o present_a add_v no_o more_o only_o consider_v what_o mr._n g._n have_v say_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a that_o that_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o the_o old_a covenant_n or_o that_o covenant_n say_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v do_v away_o and_o this_o he_o say_v will_v appear_v three_o way_n 1._o from_o the_o recital_n of_o the_o covenant_n itself_o 2._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o circumcision_n and_o chief_o because_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o abraham_n and_o