positively reject the Gospel and that the membership of Children hath no tendency in it to pollute the Church any more now then under the Old Testament and that children are under Church discipline and that some persons Adult may be admitted to Baptisme and yet not to the Lords Supper c. The whole Letter being already published we shall not here insert it or any thing further concerning it only assure the Reader that the Letter it self even the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is still to be seen as it was written by Mr. Shepards own hand Also the same Author in his printed defence of the nine positions pag. 143. does maintain the Church membership of childâ—en and their Subjection to Discipline In the year after these mentioned viz. Anno 1636. here arrived two other of New-Englands Worthies Mr. Partriches and Mr. Rogers Concerning the Subject of Baptisme Namely Mr. Ralph Partrich and Mr. Nathaâ—â—el Rogers As for Mr. Partrich sometimes faithful Pastor of the Church in Duxberry in Plimouth Colony what his Judgement was touching the present controversy is to be seen from that Model of Church Discipline when was by him composed and presented to the Synod at Cambridg Anno 1648. and which is still extant under the hand writing of the Reverend Author in which Manuscript are these words The persons unto whom the Sacrament of Baptisme is dispensed and as we conceive ought to be are such as being of years and converted from their Sins to the Faith of Jesus Christ do joyn in Communion and Fellowship with a particular visible Church as also the children of such Parents or Parent as having laid hold of the Covenant of grace in the judgement of Charity are in a visible Covenant with his Church and all their Seed after them that cast not off the Covenant of God by some Scandalous and obstinate going on in Sin as may appear by Math. 28.19 and 1 Cor. 7.14 with Gen. 17 c. compared Thus for Mr. Partrich his Judgement Concerning Mr. Nathaniel Rogers late eminent Pastor of the Church of Ipswich in New-England that his Judgement did concur with the Doctrine of the late Synod touching Baptisme is certain from what himself did publickly teach some years before his Decease Also from a Letter of his written to the Reverend Mr. Richard Mather some years before Mr. Rogers went to his Rest which Letter still remains under the Authors own hand writing we shall therefore insert the substance of it which followeth Reverend and dear Sir I Received a Letter with a Book from you and do return you this Testimony of my most thankful acceptance of your kindness and good will both in your Letter and worthy Treatise of Justification which as yours are wont to be is nervous and this is compendious in a special manner and yet perspicuous I see my defect in Hen. Den's matters supplyed by your Diligence To the Question concerning the Children of Chuch members I have nothing to oppose and I wonder any should deny them to be members They are members in Censa Ecclesiastico God so calls them the Church is so to account thew and when they are Adulia aâ—atis though having done no personal act yet are to be judged members still until after due Calling upon they shall refuse or neglect to acknowledge and own the Covenant of their Parents and profess their belief of and Subjection to the Contents thereof which if they shall deny the Church may Cashier or disown them Now for practice I confess I account it a great default that we have made no more real distinction between these and others that they have been no more attended as the Lambs of the flock of Christ and whether it be not the cause of the corruption and woful defection of our youth disquiri permittimus We are this week to meet in the Church about it and I know nothing but we must speedily fall to practice If we in this shall be Leaders I pray beg wisdom from the Father of Lights and him who is our Wisdom as well as our Righ cousness I commit you to the blessed Communion of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus and rest Yours in him Cordially N. Rogers XI 18. 1652. These Testimonies are more then abundantly sufficient to evince that the first Fa hers of this Country were for that Enlargement of Baptisme which the late Synod Book pleads for And that therefore such a practice is no â—postacy from our Primitive Principles yet further Testimonies might be superadded unto these for Mr Hâ—nr Sm â—h sometimes Minister of the Word at Wethersfield on Connecticot In a Letter of his dated August 23. Anno 1647. which Letter was also written to Mr. Mather thus expresses himself we are at a Loss in our parts about members Children being received into Communion because it is undetermined in the extent of it at the Synod our thoughts here are that the promise made to the Seed of Confederates Gen. 17. takes in all Children of Confederating Parents whether baptized here or else where whether younger or Elder if they do either expressly or otherwayes may be Conceived in the Judgement of Charity to Consent thereunto Now because many have Children grown up which were born in England who would gladly express their Consent and desire to their Parents Covenant only we are loth to walk alone in the thing we could heartily wish we had the Concurrence of your Judgement c. Thus Mr. Smith Likewise Mr. Prudden late faithful Pastor of the Church in Milford in New-Haven Colon in New-England in a Letter to the same Reverend person which the last mentioned was sent unto does not only express his own thoughts but gives Reason for his belief concerning the Question under Agitation with whose Testimony we shall conclude And because his Letter is of Weighty and worthy Consideration Consideration albeit part of it as of that of Mr. Rogers is already published in the Preface to the Synod Book yet we shall here insert the substance of it which now follows Dear Brother I was glad at the receipt of your Letters but I am sorry to hear of such breaches in Churches and no way nor means found out and applyed for healing which I fear with you does strengthen the Presbyterian Objection against our Congregational way when the writings of some for our defence and our practice agree not in that particular I think with you that man to be much blessed whom God should make helpful in those things though as he ha's but little encouragement to attempt it so can he expect less thanks from man who possibly may have erred but loth to be judged so to have done Touching your own Exercises you are not alone in them the power of the Elders in preparing matters of offence and other things for the Church has been much questioned by some But me-thinks hat which Mr Hooker ha's written in the Case Survey pt 3d. pag. 33. should satisfy those who are not of a
THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF NEW-ENGLAND Concerning The Subject of Baptisme Communion of Churches Collected partly out of the Printed Books but chiefly out of the Original Manuscripts of the First and chiefe Fathers in the New-English Churches With the Judgment of Sundry Learned Divines of the Congregational Way in England Concerning the said Questions Published for the Benefit of those who are of the Rising Generation in New England By INCREASE MATHER Teacher of a Church in Boston in New-England Deut. 32.7 Remember the dayes of old Aske thy Father and he will shew thee thy Elders they will tell thee Psal 102.18 This shall be written for the Generation to come Nihil mihi Authoritatis assumo sed quae ab alijs dispersa velut in ordinem Epitomata Conscribo Veget. L. 1. C. 8. CAMBRIDGE Printed by Samuel Green 1671. To the Reader COncerning the ensuing Collection of Testimonies which are expressive of the Judgement of the first and chief of the Fathers in the New English Churches as also of sundry others that are Pillars amongst those of the true Congregational way about the Subject of Baptisme and the Communion of Churches if any should have Scruples about the truth thereof they may easily in part satisfy themselves by having recourse to the printed Books out of which these passages are faithfully excerped And as for those things which are as most of the subsequent Collection is taken from Manuscripts I have by me the Original Scripts only some few of them are in other hands who are ready to shew them unto such if any such there be as shall hesitate touching the Fidelity of this publication As to that matter therefore no more shall or needs to be said My designe at pr sent is only to Commend a few things to the serious and Christian Consideration of the Antisynodalian Brethren Brethren I was once of your perswasion and thence can with the more Love and Compassion speak unto you What the Arguments were which caused me to be of another mind is not here a place to relate but it shall be done if God permit elsewhere For the present let it suffice to be said that Study and Prayer and much Affliction hath brought me to be of another belief then once I was of touching the Controverted Questions And unto you that are still of the Antisynodalian perswasion I would in the bowels and love of Christ say these few things 1. Consider that it is possible that you may be mistaken in your Apprehensions Many things might be mertioned to you which ought to Cause an humble jealousy in you least so it should be Were there that only Consideration that so many Learned and gedly men are opposed it ought to Cause Trembling and an holy fear in you least your Notions should be Erroneous It is a Christian Speech and Spirit which blessed Burroughs hath in his Excellent Itenicum pag. 89. where he saith He that differs in his Judgement from gedly learned men had need to spend much Time in Prayer and Humiliation before the Lord There is a notable Expression of Basil cited in an Epistle of Luther to the Ministers of Norimberg who were at variance variance one from another He who will separate from his Brethren had need to Consider many things even to anxiety he had need break his sleep many nights and seek of God with many Tears the demonstration of the Truth Thus He. Remember that those you differ from were under greater Advantages and Probabilities to understand the Truth then can be said concerning your selves For that many of the members of the late Synod called to Answer the Questions concerning the Subject of Baptisme and Consociation of Churches besides their eminent Piety and inlarged understanding and Capacity in those respects to discern the Truth had bestowed much Time and pains in seeking and searching after the mind of God about these Questions cannot be denyed For the most part when godly learned men miss of the Truth it is in points which either they have not at all or not throughly and Impartially studied when as the Leaders in the Synod mentioned had most industriously and not without prayers and Tears laboured to know the will of the Lord concerning these Affairs of his house and Kingdome Nor is it to be forgotten how the Lord did in his Providence signally own that Assembly For at the Time of their second Sessions there was a sore and threatning drought on the Land whereupon that Synod set a day apart to seek the Lord by Fasting and Prayer and Immediately upon those Prayers did the Lord give Rain from Heaven whereby he did from Heaven own both his Servants and the work which they were about And therein likewise we may observe a divine Confutation of those Spirits who impute our droughts blastings c. to that Assembly or to the Doctrine by them asseried and propugned Remember also that there have been very worthy men amongst whom I who am Conscious to my self that I am the chief of Sinners am no way worthy to be mentioned who were against such Inlargement of Baptisme as the Synod pleads for yet upon second and wisest thoughts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have seen Cause to change their opinion This is true concerning some now at rest with Christ and sundry amongst whom as I said I reckon not my self yet surviving Yea it is true concerning some Judicious of the Congregational way in England as well as in New-England It is a good Observation which I remember Mr Cotton hath in his Letter to M. Williams pag. 12. where he argueth that the way of the Rigâ—â—â—epaâ—â—tion is not of God because those who in Simplicity and tenderness 〈◊〉 Conscience have been drawn into the error of that way yet when they have grown in grace they have also grown to discern the error of the Separation The same thing â—e may say in this Case some who did once Conscientiously and humbly according to their present light dissent from the late Synod yet as they have grown in wisdome and grace and ripeness for Heaven the Lord hath given them for to see that their Rigidity in this particular was a failing Moreover ii is a Rule as true as Ancient and Common that whatever Opinion doth drive the maintainers of it to any absurdities is to be suspected and rejected as erroneous It 's Everlastingly Certain that a false Conclusion can never be drawn out of true Premisses ex â—ero nil nisi verum Now some that with the highest Confidence have opposed the Doctrine of the Synod concerning the Subject of Baptisme to uphold their No ions have been forced to embrace such things as are very Irrational Alâ— these things being put together are enough to brâ—â—d an humble and an holy Jealousie over your own Apprehensions That then is the first word I would seriously and affectionately Commâ—nd to your Consideration The second word is this Consider that if you be mistaken your Error hath as things are
I am when I shall sleep with my Fathers There is also published herewith the Substance of a Letter written by Mr. Mitchel late faithful and famous Pastor of the Church in Cambridg Although I cannot say but that I was albeit he knew not that when that Letter was sent to me inclining to the same Apprehension about the Subject of Baptisme which at present I am of yet the Arguments therein suggested were I must Confess weighty and powerful Considerations with me and I believe will be so to others that duely weigh matters in the Ballance of the Sanctuary for which Cause principally I have thus exposed it to publick view Also I have partly done it honoris gratia that I might testify my deep respect to that blessed man concerning whom I may say as sometimes Bâ—za concerning Calvin Now Mitchel is dead life is less sweet and death will be less bitter unto me Once for all let me desire the Reader to take notice that I do not by this Collection concern my self in the defence of every Notion or Argument or Principle that is by any of those Worthies insisted on but my only design therein is to shew that such Inlargment of Baptisme and that Consociation of Churches which is in the Synod Book asserted is no Apostacy from the first Principles of New-England nor yet any declension from the Congregational way Now the Lord Jesus who hath promised that the Spirit of Truth shall come and shall guide into all Truth fulfil his good word even the Lord send out of his Light and his Truth and let them lead us Let him grant that there may be Peace and Truth in our dayes and not only so but that the Generation to come may praise the Lord that it may appear that his Righteousness is for ever and his Salvation from Generation to Generation Amen and A men This is the hearts desire and Prayer of him From my Study in Boston N.E. 1. of 3 d Moneth 1671. Who is less then the least of all Gods mercies and Saints Increase Mather Errata p. 2. l. 11. for hands r. hand p. 4. l. 28. for then r. there p. 16. l. 24. Adde deus dicit p. 21. l. p. nult r. parente p. 32. l. 32. for so 24. r. Hebr. 10.24 THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF NEW ENGLAND Concerning the Subject of BAPTISM AND COMMUNION OF CHVRCHES THere having been some who have thought that the Doctrine of the late Synod Book Concerning Baptism and the Communion or Consociation of Churches is an Innovation and Apostacy from the first principles of New England And inasmuch as it may be a special Service for these Churches both in present and in after times that men should know what the first Principles touching these Controversies were Considering also that the Lords Servants and Messengers are much wronged when Apostacy is imputed to them upon account of the Doctrine aforesaid and that it will be a thing very acceptable unto God who is displeased and dishonoured when his faithful ones are traduced that his Servants should be vindicated from such injurious Aspersions upon these and the like Considerations we shall endeavour as in the Lords holy fear to erquire what were the first Principles of New-England concerning the Subject of Baptism and Communion of Churches and leave it to the Christian world and to Posterity to judge who are the Apostates Now this may be done by shewing what was the judgement of the first Fathers of this Country touching the questions in Controversy And in this ensuing Collâ—ction of Testimonies we shall not mention any of those Reverend Elders that are yet surviving nor all amongst our deceased worthies only some of the Chief of the Fathers of this Country And first concerning Baptism we shall begin with the Judgement of that man of God deservedly famous in both Englands viz. Mr. Iohn Cotton late Teacher of the first Church in Boston And what the Apprehension of that Seer was is manifest from a Letter which is to be seen written with his own hands in the name and with the unanimous Consent of the whole Church which then was in this Boston to the Church in Dorchester Because the Letter is of Ancient date and so giveth a great light towards the clearing of the matter which is before us we shall therefore here insert it word for word as it is written with Mr. Cottons own hand It is that which followeth To our Reverend and Beloved Brethren the Elders with the rest of the Church of Dorchester Grace and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ our Saviour The Case of Conscience which you propounded to our Consideration to wit whether a Grand Father being a member of a Christian Church might claim Baptism to his Grand-Child whose next Parents be not received into Church Covenant ha's been deliberately treated of in our Church Assembled together publickly in the name of Christ And upon due and serious discourse about the point it seemed good unto us all with one accord and agreeable as we believe to the word of the Lord that the Grand-Father may lawfully claim that priviledge to his Grand-child baptized by right of the Grand-fathers Covenant be Committed to the Grand fathers education for as God in the Covenant of Grace undertaketh to be a God unto the Believer and his seed so by the Rule of Relatives the Tenour of the Covenant requireth that the Believer do undertake that himself and his Seed do give up themselves to become the people of the Lord which he cannot undertake in behalf of his Seed unless they be committed to his education 2. This other Caution also we conceive to be requisite that the Parents of the Child do not thereby take occasion to neglect the due and seasonable preparation of themselves for entrance into Covenant with God and his Church these Cautions premised and observed the Baptisme of the Grand-child by right of his Grand-fathers Covenant we believe to be warranted from the nature and tenour of the Covenant of Grace by this Reason where there is a Stipulation of the Covenant on Gods part and restipulation of the Covenant on mans part there may be an obsignation of the Covenant on both parts or in plainer words where there is an offer of the Covenant on Gods part and a receiving and undertaking of the Covenant on mans part there may be a sealing of it on both parts But here is an offer of the Covenant on Gods part Gen. 17.7 where God says that he will be a God to Abraham that is to the Believer and his Seed and by Seed is not there meant the next Seed only but Seeds Seed also to many Generations Isai 59.21 And here is likewise a receiving and undertaking of the Covenant on mans part seeing the Grand-father receiveth the Covenant by his faith and by the profession of his faith and by his desire of the Seal of the Covenant to strengthen his faith and he undertaketh also the
to the other Question about Communion and Consociation of Churches Now concerning that it is less needful to produce many Testimonies that there in the Synod Introduceth not any Innovation For some that dissented from the Answer to the first Question about Baptisme yet in this last concurred yea there was an unanimous and universal Assent to the Answer given to this second Question as the Author of the Antisynodalia Americanâ— does acknowledge where pag. 12. it is said in the second Question we do fully agree with the rest af the Synod in all the Propositions laid down about it together with the Proofs thereof we shall therefore amongst our New English Worthies only mention the Judgement of Mr. Cotton concerning this Question which what it is may be seen largly expressed in his Book of the Keyes pag. 54 c. And there are those that will remember that when that eminent Minister of Christ Mr. Mitchel was ordained Pastor of the Church in Cambridg Mr. Cotton giving in the Name of the Messengers of Churches the right hand of Fellowship seriously advised him to endeavour And that faithful man was ever mindful of that solemn Advice that that Ordinance of Consociation of Churches might be duly practised greatly bewailing the defect of these Churches as to that particular yea Mr. Cottons heart was much upon this thing in his latter time foreseeing that without it these Churches and the Congregational way could not stand He did therefore not long before his decease draw up some Propositions which are expressive of the way and manner of this Consociation pleaded for which because they are as being written by his hand they cannot but be of great weight and worth we shall therefore here insert and publish them Propositions Concerning Consociation and Communion of Churches tendred to the Elders and Brethren of the Church for their Consideration and acceptance according to God Proposition I. Every true Church of Christ viz. a particular Congregation furnished with a Presly ery and walking in the truth and peace of the Gospel hath received from the Lord Jesus full Power Ecclesiastical within it self both of Liberty to receive her own members to choose her own Officers and the like And also of Authority to Administer Sacraments Censure her own offenders and restore penitents Mat. 18 18 1 Cor 5. Acts 6.2 c. and 14 23. so as this Consociation and Communion of Churches ought not to hinder the exercise of this power but only by Counsel from the word to direct and strengthen their hands in the right Administration thereof upon all just occasions Proposition II. Althought the Apostles of Christ were Independent on each other and had equally the highest Power Ecclesiastical under Christ and were led with Infallible Assistance of the Spirit in the exercise thereof yet Paul with Barnabas and Titus went up to Jerusalem and that by Revelation not only to Confer and Consult with the Apostles about his doctrine left he had or should run in vain Gal 2.1 2. but also Consociated or made Agreement with them by mutual giving the right hand of Fellowship to dispose the Course of their Ministry and Provision for the poor that so they might procure the more free and effectual passage of the fruit of the Gospel and the work of their Ministry and therefore it may seem much rather not only lawful but also very profitable and needful for ordinary Elders and Churches though equal in Power wanting that Infallible Assistance of the Spirit to Comer and Consult and Consociate or agree together about all such weighty matters in which Counsel and Concurrences to avoid Suspition of prejudice and partiality and so to expedite the free passage of the Gospel in the hands of them all Proposition III. If when Peter gave offence at Antioch the Apostle Paul took Liberty to rebuke him before them all though he was his equal in place and power and that no doubt out of that duty of love and faithfulness which he owed unto him and to the truth Peter also submitting thereunto then it may well stand with the equality of Churches out of their duty of Love and Faithfulness to admonish each other in case of publick offence and submit to such admonition from the word in meckness of wisdom as to the will and Authority of Christ and to give such Satisfaction as the Rule doth require Proposition IV. Out of Question the Lord Iesus the boad King and Compassionate high Pâ—â—â—st and Saviour of his body the Church hath as great a Love and care of the purity Peace and Edisocation of whole Churches as of particular Saints as is evident by those Epistles sent to the Churches of Corinth Galatia and the seven Churches of Asia to heal the publick Errors diffentions and other Corruptions found in them and therefore câ—â—tainly he hath appointed and sanctified some sufficient meane to preserve their purity and peace to heal and help the evils and distempers of whole Churches as well as of particular Believers Now then since Apostles and other extraordinary Officers are ceased that had power in all Churches and only Love remaineth what other Ecclesiastical help is there left without infringing the power of particular Churches but the Exercise of brotherly Love mutual watchfulness Brotherly Care and Counsel which Elders and Churches ought therefore to practice towards each other in this way of Brotherly Communion and Assistance on all just occasions Proposition V. Upon these and other Scripture grounds and Examples and for the ends above said it is very meet and requisite according to our present practice that when any Company of Christians intend to unite themselves into the Fellowship of a Church or being in a Church state to elect and ordain any Elders over them that in due time they signify their intentions to the Neighbouring Churches walking in the order of the Gospel if such may be had desiring their presence Assistance and right hand of Fellowship that as a Church is a City set upon a Hill so the Acts thereof may not be as a Light put under a Bushel but may so shine forth to all other Churches beholding and approving their orderâ—y proceedings as they may the more readily give them the right hand of Fellowship and walk with more freedom of Spirit in Brotherly Love and Communion with them in the Lord. Proposition VI. In such matters of publick Censure wherein through the obscenity and difficulty thereof or otherwise there doth arise differences tending to dangerous Divisions and distractions in the Church or offence to other Churches In all such Caâ—es it is meet and requisite that the Church proceed advisâ—dâ—y with the Counsel and Concurrence of the Elder or Elders with other Judicious and impartial Brethâ—â—â— of other Churches clearing up from the Word what is the mind and will of Christ to be done Proposition VII Not only in matters of Censure but also in other Cases of Doctrine or practice wherein for want of Light or of the