There have been instances, within my knowledge, in which one or both of the parents of a child have yielded to some untoward influences, and have withheld the child from being baptized. While I cannot, and would not, interpret certain events connected with this omission, on the part of some from whom better things might have been expected, nothing has ever impressed me more than the dealings of God with such parents. I have been made to think by such coincidences, more than once or twice, of Moses in the inn. It will not be amiss to say, that those who are neglecting to bring their children for baptism, within a suitable time, unless providentially hindered, will do well to examine their feelings and motives, with that quickened conscience, which the solemn providences of God toward them may be intended to excite. He is "a jealous God;" and he keepeth covenant "to a thousand generations."
Chapter Sixth.
Testimony of the Christian Fathers
HOUSEHOLD BAPTISMS.—"PÆDOBAPTIST CONCESSIONS."—THOMAS SHEPARD'S VIEWS. BAPTISM OF HIS CHILD. THE FATHER'S RECORD.—GREAT INFLUENCE OF THE FAMILY RELATION IN HEATHENISM AND PAGANISM.—THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF AMERICA.—DISSUASIVE FROM ALTERCATION.—QUESTIONS TO A MINISTER ON HIS PRACTICE IN BAPTISMS.—LIBERALITY.—PAUL AN EXAMPLE.
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.—Ps. 90.
The Lamb hath but one bride, the one church of all times.—Anon.
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.—The Apostle Paul.
Schoolmen must war with schoolmen, text with text.
The first's the Chaldee paraphrase; the next
The Septuagint; opinion thwarts opinion;
The Papist holds the first, the last the Arminian;
And then the Councils must be called to advise,
What this of Lateran says, and that of Nice;
The slightly-studied fathers must be prayed,
Although in small acquaintance, into aid;
When, daring venture, oft, too far into 't,
They, Pharaoh like, are drowned, both horse and foot.