The Ax Laid to the Root, Parts I & II
Overview
Volume 1 contains two sermons on Matthew 3:10, expanding upon the metaphor and applying it to both infant baptism and church membership. Volume 2 contains the second part of Benjamin Keach’s work on Matthew 3:10. The text offers further exposition of the metaphor, a reply to a treatise on paedobaptism, and Keach’s reflections on the work of Joshua Exell.
Top Highlights
“Covenant-Dispensation; they had, he denies not, a Right to Jewish Church-Membership, and Legal Ordinances: But what of that, Now the Ax is laid to the Root of the Trees; that is, as Abraham was the Root, or common Covenanting-Father, as concerning the Flesh, out of which Root, all the Jews, his natural Off-spring, sprang; and, upon which Foundation, they and their natural Church-State was founded: Yet, now the Ax is laid to this Root, i.e. To this Covenant, i.e. The legal, or external Covenant made with Abraham; and down must the Building fall, when the Foundation is removed; down goes the Trees, when the Root (out of which they grew) is cut down.” (Volume 1, Page 4)
“‘The Seed of Abraham (saith he) is the Seed, not of the Flesh but of the Promise; and this Seed is first Christ, and then all that believe in Christ; for these are given to Abraham by Promise and Election of God: moreover, the Seed is not many (as Paul observeth) but one.” (Volume 1, Page 18)
“First, By the Root is meant, that which bears up the Branches, and on which the Tree and Branches stand and grow” (Volume 1, Page 4)
“By Trees are meant Men and Women, but chiefly the Seed of the Stock of Abraham, according to the Flesh” (Volume 1, Page 5)
“the Old Covenant; the Covenant of Grace is but one, and that never changeth.” (Volume 1, Page 11)
- Title: The Ax Laid to the Root, Parts I & II
- Author: Benjamin Keach
- Publisher: John Harris
- Print Publication Date: 1693
- Logos Release Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Infant baptism › Early works to 1800; Flavel, John, 1630?-1691
- Resource ID: LLS:BPTSTCVNTTHLGYAX
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-11T17:20:29Z