circumstance_v no_o little_a evil_n and_o danger_n in_o it_o for_o if_o you_o be_v mistake_v than_o you_o oppose_v a_o cause_n of_o divine_a grace_n which_o to_o do_v be_v sad_a since_o god_n look_v upon_o his_o grace_n as_o his_o glory_n eph._n 1.14_o as_o god_n holiness_n be_v dear_a to_o he_o and_o thence_o any_o way_n to_o oppose_v that_o be_v dangerous_a the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v concern_v his_o grace_n and_o if_o you_o be_v mistake_v you_o oppose_v a_o cause_n of_o god_n covenant_n now_o god_n covenant_n be_v marvellous_a dear_a unto_o he_o and_o no_o man_n can_v dash_v himself_o against_o a_o interest_n of_o the_o covenant_n without_o great_a hazard_n and_o if_o you_o be_v mistake_v you_o oppose_v a_o interest_n yea_o and_o a_o great_a interest_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n now_o that_o must_v needs_o displease_v the_o lord_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a tâ—at_a christ_n be_v never_o so_o angry_a as_o his_o own_o dear_a disciple_n as_o theâ—_n when_o â—hâ—y_o do_v rigid_o withhold_v somâ—_n that_o be_v child_n oâ—_n thâ—_n kingdom_n from_o be_v bring_v to_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mark_n 10_o 13_o 14_o why_o so_o even_o because_o his_o own_o interest_n be_v therein_o concern_v meâ—_n be_v soon_o mouâ—d_v when_o their_o own_o interest_n be_v strike_v at_o so_o be_v the_o holy_a heart_n of_o christ_n much_o move_v because_o when_o child_n â—eâ—e_v kâ—â—t_o from_o he_o his_o own_o interest_n be_v prejudice_v brethren_n if_o so_o it_o be_v that_o thâ—_n doctrine_n of_o the_o synod_n he_o truth_n you_o that_o oppose_v it_o do_v what_o in_o you_o be_v ope_v juâ—â—ce_fw-la a_o interest_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o so_o christ_n be_v not_o well_o please_v â—ith_n you_o for_o this_o thing_n there_o be_v not_o a_o more_o awful_a scripture_n in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o god_n theâ—_n that_o where_o it_o be_v say_v concern_v christ_n kingdom_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v fall_v on_o this_o stone_n shall_v be_v break_v mâ—â—â—_n 21.44_o brethren_n one_o word_n let_v i_o in_o the_o bowâ—s_n of_o the_o lord_n saâ—â—o_v you_o and_o i_o speak_v it_o not_o with_o a_o desire_n to_o grieve_v or_o â—ffend_v any_o of_o you_o but_o if_o my_o heart_n deceive_v i_o not_o loyâ—_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o you_o and_o to_o the_o succeed_a generation_n in_o new-england_n cause_v i_o to_o speak_v it_o it_o be_v only_o this_o oh_o tremble_v lest_o this_o very_a error_n of_o you_o prove_v the_o break_n and_o the_o ruin_n of_o your_o poor_a posterity_n they_o be_v solemn_a and_o weighty_a word_n and_o i_o must_v confess_v have_v always_o have_v a_o awful_a impression_n upon_o my_o conscience_n which_o the_o elder_n have_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o late_a synod_n book_n pag._n 12._o shall_v say_v they_o the_o church_n education_n of_o your_o child_n be_v by_o the_o want_n of_o your_o hearty_a concurrence_n render_v either_o infeasable_a or_o ineffectual_a shall_v they_o live_v as_o lamb_n in_o a_o large_a pasture_n for_o want_n of_o your_o agreement_n to_o own_v they_o of_o the_o flock_n we_o beseech_v you_o consider_v how_o uncomfortable_a the_o account_n hereof_o will_v be_v another_o day_n true_o when_o i_o think_v and_o i_o often_o think_v of_o it_o serious_o and_o sad_o with_o myself_o that_o in_o a_o plantation_n of_o religion_n for_o such_o new-england_n be_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o condition_n of_o infidel_n that_o the_o posterity_n of_o a_o people_n profess_v godliness_n yea_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a professor_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v in_o our_o age_n be_v as_o infidel_n even_o not_o so_o much_o as_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n or_o have_v the_o livery_n and_o character_n belong_v to_o christian_n upon_o they_o whereby_o such_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o infidel_n and_o pagan_a world_n what_o it_o have_v to_o other_o i_o know_v not_o but_o to_o i_o it_o have_v a_o most_o formidable_a appearance_n remember_v also_o that_o the_o light_n have_v be_v forth_o in_o which_o respect_n now_o for_o you_o to_o oppose_v the_o truth_n after_o that_o convince_v testimony_n have_v be_v give_v to_o it_o by_o the_o lord_n servant_n will_v be_v far_o more_o dangerous_a and_o provoke_a to_o the_o lord_n then_o in_o former_a time_n among_o we_o when_o these_o thing_n have_v not_o be_v so_o full_o inquire_v into_o as_o of_o late_a through_o the_o good_a hand_n of_o divine_a providence_n it_o have_v be_v a_o three_o word_n which_o i_o will_v say_v be_v study_v well_o the_o point_n of_o infant_n baptism_n acquaint_v yourselves_o with_o the_o scripture_n proof_n for_o that_o ordinance_n i_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o that_o have_v be_v no_o small_a confirmation_n to_o i_o this_o i_o find_v that_o there_o be_v haraly_a a_o argument_n produce_v against_o such_o enlargement_n as_o be_v by_o the_o synod_n assert_v but_o what_o the_o antipaedo-baptists_n wake_v use_n of_o to_o serve_v their_o tuâ—n_n also_o that_o the_o argument_n which_o do_v demonstrate_v paedobaptism_n in_o general_n do_v for_o the_o most_o part_n prove_v that_o baptism_n ought_v to_o be_v administer_v in_o the_o latitude_n which_o the_o synod_n plead_v for_o the_o last_o word_n which_o i_o shall_v say_v be_v this_o use_v all_o mean_n of_o god_n appoint_v that_o you_o may_v come_v to_o understand_v the_o truth_n in_o this_o matter_n there_o have_v be_v some_o to_o my_o knowledge_n and_o because_o i_o know_v there_o have_v be_v some_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v there_o may_v be_v many_o more_o than_o i_o know_v of_o that_o have_v exclaim_v much_o against_o the_o synod_n book_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o apostasy_n and_o impurity_n etc._n etc._n that_o yet_o upon_o examination_n have_v confess_v that_o they_o never_o read_v the_o book_n much_o less_o have_v they_o read_v other_o thing_n write_v in_o defence_n thereof_o and_o how_o far_o then_o have_v they_o be_v from_o read_v these_o thing_n with_o prayer_n and_o tear_n and_o humiliation_n before_o the_o lord_n oh_o if_o brethren_n will_v prove_v all_o thing_n and_o pray_v incessant_o over_o what_o they_o do_v and_o add_v deep_a humiliation_n to_o their_o prayer_n and_o depend_v upon_o christ_n for_o light_n we_o may_v hope_v that_o god_n will_v either_o discover_v his_o truth_n to_o they_o in_o the_o very_a thing_n they_o be_v search_v after_o or_o in_o some_o other_o matter_n better_o for_o they_o to_o know_v and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n help_v they_o to_o carry_v it_o with_o that_o christian_a moderation_n that_o become_v saint_n prov._n 2.3_o 4_o 5._o ezek._n 43.11_o phil._n 3.15_o 16._o as_o for_o the_o reason_n which_o have_v induce_v i_o to_o this_o ensue_a collection_n beside_o those_o general_a motive_n mention_v in_o the_o introduction_n the_o special_a consideration_n which_o have_v prevail_v with_o i_o be_v first_o that_o i_o may_v please_v god_n in_o obey_v the_o five_o commandment_n by_o vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o my_o father_n 2_o dly_a in_o that_o a_o special_a advantage_n have_v be_v put_v into_o my_o hand_n for_o this_o undertake_n by_o reason_n of_o my_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o manuscript_n of_o both_o my_o father_n i_o mean_v my_o father_n cotton_n and_o my_o father_n mather_n from_o whence_o these_o testimony_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n produce_v 3_o d_o my_o father_n when_o he_o be_v leave_v the_o world_n do_v commend_v it_o as_o his_o die_a counsel_n to_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v the_o good_a of_o the_o rise_a generation_n in_o this_o country_n and_o in_o special_a that_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n and_o when_o grow_v up_o and_o qualify_v as_o be_v in_o the_o late_a synod_n book_n express_v have_v baptism_n for_o their_o child_n what_o impression_n those_o word_n since_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o a_o father_n and_o of_o such_o a_o father_n and_o die_a word_n also_o have_v have_v upon_o my_o heart_n be_v know_v to_o the_o father_n of_o spirit_n who_o only_o search_v heart_n and_o converse_v with_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n nor_o be_o i_o able_a to_o utter_v it_o 4_o lie_v it_o be_v know_v unto_o those_o few_o in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o so_o obscure_a and_o inconsiderable_a a_o person_n as_o myself_o that_o i_o have_v of_o late_o be_v near_o unto_o death_n god_n have_v bring_v i_o back_o again_o as_o it_o be_v out_o of_o the_o grave_a i_o must_v needs_o have_v have_v many_o thought_n with_o myself_o what_o i_o shall_v do_v for_o god_n and_o for_o his_o people_n yea_o for_o his_o people_n who_o prayer_n have_v save_v my_o life_n now_o i_o will_v fain_o hope_v what_o be_v here_o do_v will_v be_v a_o service_n for_o christ_n and_o for_o these_o his_o church_n and_o for_o that_o generation_n whereof_o
unfit_a to_o partake_v in_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n etc._n etc._n he_o reply_v in_o these_o word_n though_o they_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o make_v such_o profession_n of_o visible_a faith_n as_o to_o admit_v they_o to_o the_o lord_n table_n yet_o they_o may_v make_v profession_n full_a enough_o to_o receive_v they_o to_o baptism_n or_o to_o the_o same_o estate_n isâ—mael_n stand_v in_o after_o circumcission_n and_o to_o one_o who_o complain_v of_o be_v in_o the_o dark_a about_o the_o truth_n assert_v in_o mr._n cotton_v print_v book_n concern_v the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n and_o that_o among_o other_o make_v this_o objection_n when_o say_v that_o scrupler_n a_o child_n come_v to_o know_v that_o his_o parent_n be_v no_o visible_a saint_n but_o appear_v to_o be_v contrary_a both_o in_o life_n and_o doctrine_n and_o the_o child_n have_v only_a word_n and_o water_n pour_v on_o they_o how_o come_v these_o person_n to_o have_v right_a to_o it_o the_o parent_n have_v no_o visible_a faith_n to_o act_v in_o that_o ordinance_n and_o their_o child_n likewise_o be_v uncapable_a to_o hold_v forth_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n before_o man_n he_o thus_o answer_v jeroboam_fw-la and_o his_o wife_n be_v neither_o of_o they_o visible_a saint_n in_o your_o sense_n but_o appear_v to_o be_v contrary_a both_o in_o life_n and_o doctrine_n yet_o the_o circumcision_n of_o their_o son_n be_v not_o in_o vain_a to_o he_o 1_o king_n 14.13_o in_o this_o case_n when_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o parent_n be_v want_v and_o yet_o they_o still_o live_v within_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o church_n though_o the_o church_n be_v corrupt_a and_o the_o parent_n also_o yet_o here_o the_o speech_n of_o the_o apostle_n take_v place_n what_o though_o some_o believe_v not_o shall_v their_o unbelief_n make_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_n god_n forbid_v rom._n 3._o 3_o 4._o now_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n who_o keep_v covenant_n and_o mercy_n to_o thousand_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o next_o parent_n and_o make_v good_a his_o covenant_n to_o the_o child_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o their_o former_a ancestor_n in_o elder_a age_n but_o against_o this_o sâ—me_n may_v object_v a_o passage_n in_o mr._n cotton_v book_n of_o the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n pag._n 81._o where_o it_o be_v say_v where_o neither_o of_o the_o parent_n can_v claim_v right_a to_o the_o lord_n supper_n their_o infant_n can_v claim_v right_o to_o baptism_n therefore_o it_o mâ—y_v seem_v that_o mr._n cotton_v judgement_n be_v not_o as_o haâ—h_v be_v now_o declare_v unto_o this_o let_v the_o judicious_a reâ—der_n attentive_o hear_v the_o answer_n which_o be_v 1._o in_o that_o very_a book_n of_o mr._n cotton_v there_o be_v sundry_a passage_n which_o plead_v for_o a_o enlargement_n of_o baptism_n further_o than_o to_o the_o immediate_a child_n of_o person_n in_o full_a communion_n even_o to_o the_o child_n of_o such_o parent_n who_o have_v such_o a_o faith_n as_o denominate_v they_o christian_n believer_n in_o opposition_n to_o pagan_a infidel_n yea_o if_o there_o be_v a_o christian_a sponsor_n for_o the_o child_n of_o a_o stranger_n or_o wicked_a man_n it_o may_v be_v baptize_v see_v the_o way_n pag_n 87._o 88_o 106_o 115._o 2_o that_o book_n of_o the_o way_n be_v print_v from_o a_o imperfect_a copy_n in_o which_o respect_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o if_o there_o be_v therein_o some_o passage_n contradictory_n to_o mr._n cotton_v know_v judgement_n 3._o mr._n coâ—ton_n himself_o be_v much_o trouble_v when_o he_o see_v that_o book_n come_v forth_o and_o be_v desirous_a that_o the_o reader_n shall_v understand_v that_o his_o judgement_n in_o such_o thing_n wherein_o the_o book_n of_o the_o way_n be_v discrepant_a from_o that_o of_o the_o key_n shall_v be_v seek_v for_o not_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o way_n but_o in_o that_o of_o the_o key_n and_o that_o no_o one_o may_v think_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v imaginary_a or_o conjectural_a only_a let_v we_o hear_v mr._n cotton_n speak_v in_o his_o own_o word_n in_o his_o print_a defence_n against_o the_o imputation_n of_o mr._n cawdrey_n write_v not_o long_o before_o his_o death_n and_o publish_v by_o doctor_n owen_n in_o which_o book_n pag._n 36._o 37_o 38_o 39_o the_o truth_n be_v say_v mr._n cotton_n that_o many_o year_n ago_o i_o be_v serious_o move_v by_o some_o of_o our_o brethren_n and_o fellow_n elder_n here_o to_o draw_v up_o a_o historical_a narration_n of_o our_o church_n way_n together_o with_o some_o familiar_a ground_n of_o the_o same_o brief_o in_o short_a time_n as_o god_n help_v i_o dispatch_v it_o which_o when_o our_o brethren_n have_v peruse_v it_o i_o see_v they_o do_v not_o close_o with_o it_o yet_o a_o brother_n go_v for_o england_n get_v some_o where_o a_o copy_n of_o it_o and_o present_v it_o to_o some_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n there_o and_o i_o afterward_o hear_v neither_o do_v they_o close_v with_o it_o and_o in_o particular_a not_o with_o that_o passage_n which_o be_v here_o recite_v which_o since_o appear_v more_o open_o by_o the_o asterisk_n put_v upon_o that_o passage_n and_o upon_o sundry_a other_o in_o the_o book_n but_o before_o i_o see_v that_o and_o have_v only_o hear_v that_o they_o do_v not_o full_o accord_v i_o hope_v that_o it_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o timely_a suppression_n rather_o than_o a_o impression_n for_o i_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o it_o for_o two_o or_o three_o year_n after_o mean_a while_n perceive_v that_o one_o main_a point_n of_o dissatisfaction_n be_v the_o authority_n give_v to_o the_o fraternity_n i_o consier_v more_o serious_o and_o distinct_o of_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o express_v my_o apprehension_n in_o that_o treatise_n of_o the_o key_n which_o our_o brethren_n here_o do_v well_o accept_v and_o so_o do_v the_o brethren_n of_o like_a judgement_n in_o england_n and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v please_v to_o arrest_v it_o with_o the_o preface_n that_o be_v now_o extant_a before_o it_o this_o be_v sundry_a year_n after_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o way_n have_v be_v finish_v and_o carry_v to_o england_n and_o as_o i_o hope_v suppress_v but_o it_o seem_v some_o brother_n there_o cause_v his_o copy_n which_o be_v indeed_o abrupt_a in_o the_o entrance_n and_o imperfect_a otherwise_o to_o be_v publish_v in_o print_n which_o when_o i_o see_v it_o trouble_v i_o not_o a_o little_a as_o know_v that_o the_o discrepant_a expression_n in_o the_o one_o and_o in_o the_o other_o may_v trouble_v friend_n and_o give_v advantage_n to_o adversary_n i_o suffer_v both_o to_o stand_v as_o they_o do_v especial_o see_v i_o can_v not_o help_v it_o the_o book_n of_o the_o way_n be_v publish_v without_o my_o consent_n and_o both_o the_o way_n and_o the_o key_n past_o my_o revoke_v so_o that_o if_o the_o reply_o find_v some_o discrepancy_n in_o one_o of_o these_o book_n from_o the_o other_o let_v he_o know_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o way_n in_o such_o few_o point_n wherein_o it_o differ_v from_o the_o key_n be_v not_o i_o when_o the_o key_n be_v publish_v much_o less_o when_o the_o way_n be_v publish_v which_o be_v many_o year_n after_o though_o it_o have_v be_v pen_v many_o year_n before_o thus_o much_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o mr._n cotton_v judgement_n concern_v the_o subject_a of_o baptism_n in_o the_o same_o year_n and_o in_o the_o same_o vessel_n with_o mr._n cotton_n come_v into_o this_o country_n that_o famous_a mr._n thomas_n hooker_n late_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o hartford_n upon_o connecticot_n now_o that_o in_o mr._n hooker_n judgement_n the_o child_n concern_v who_o the_o question_n be_v have_v a_o continue_v stand_v and_o membership_n in_o the_o visible_a church_n upon_o which_o hinge_n the_o controversy_n about_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o subject_a of_o baptism_n turn_v be_v evident_a from_o a_o passage_n in_o his_o most_o judicious_a and_o accurate_a survey_n of_o church_n discipline_n in_o which_o book_n pag._n 4â—_n be_v these_o word_n in_o some_o case_n say_v mr._n hooker_n a_o implicit_a covenant_n may_v be_v full_o sufficient_a as_o suppose_v a_o whole_a congregation_n shall_v consist_v of_o such_o who_o be_v child_n on_o to_o the_o parent_n now_o decease_v who_o be_v confederate_a their_o child_n be_v true_a member_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o profess_v of_o their_o father_n covenant_n though_o they_o shall_v not_o make_v any_o personal_a and_o vocal_a expression_n of_o their_o engagement_n as_o the_o father_n do_v also_o he_o lay_v it_o down_o for_o a_o maxim_n that_o faederati_fw-la sunt_fw-la baptizandi_fw-la prove_v by_o several_a argument_n that_o confederate_n be_v the_o proper_a subject_n of_o baptism_n see_v in_o the_o same_o book_n part_v
3._o pag._n 11._o 12._o now_o if_o they_o that_o be_v confederate_a and_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n have_v a_o right_n to_o baptism_n and_o if_o also_o the_o child_n in_o question_n be_v confederate_a and_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n both_o which_o be_v affirm_v by_o mr._n hooker_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o in_o his_o judgement_n the_o child_n in_o question_n have_v right_a to_o baptism_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o in_o the_o same_o vessel_n with_o mr._n cotton_n and_o mr._n hooker_n there_o come_v the_o godly_a learned_a mr._n samuel_n stone_n late_a teacher_n of_o the_o church_n in_o hartford_n concern_v who_o what_o his_o judgement_n be_v touch_v the_o now_o agitate_a controversy_n be_v know_v from_o his_o practice_n in_o the_o last_o year_n of_o his_o life_n and_o that_o his_o judgement_n be_v suitable_a to_o that_o practice_n many_o year_n before_o his_o decease_n appear_v from_o a_o letter_n of_o his_o write_v to_o the_o reverend_n mr._n mather_n of_o dorchester_n and_o bear_v date_n june_n 6._o 1650._o in_o which_o letter_n he_o thus_o express_v himself_o i_o conceive_v say_v mr._n stone_n that_o child_n of_o church_n member_n have_v right_a to_o church_n membership_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o father_n covenant_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o they_o be_v in_o abraham_n covenant_n they_o have_v membership_n by_o birth_n gal._n 2.15_o 2_o dly_a god_n be_v their_o god_n gen._n 17.7_o 3_o dly_a they_o be_v branch_n rom._n 11._o 4._o they_o be_v subject_n of_o christ_n visible_a kingdom_n ezek._n 37.25_o hence_o 1._o if_o they_o be_v present_v to_o a_o church_n and_o claim_v their_o interest_n they_o can_v be_v deny_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n 2._o hence_o there_o have_v be_v a_o sinful_a neglect_n in_o new-england_n of_o such_o child_n who_o have_v either_o not_o be_v present_v or_o not_o receive_v when_o they_o have_v claim_v their_o right_n i_o speak_v with_o mr._n warham_n and_o we_o question_v not_o the_o right_a of_o child_n but_o we_o conceive_v it_o will_v be_v comfortable_a to_o have_v some_o concurrence_n which_o be_v that_o we_o have_v wait_v for_o a_o long_a time_n and_o i_o think_v unless_o there_o may_v be_v some_o conference_n of_o elder_n this_o year_n in_o the_o bay_n about_o it_o that_o we_o may_v see_v some_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a our_o church_n will_v adventure_v to_o practice_n according_a to_o their_o judgement_n i._n e._n take_v in_o all_o such_o child_n as_o member_n i_o much_o desire_v that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o meeting_n of_o the_o elder_n this_o year_n that_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v consider_v and_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n these_o thing_n do_v sufficient_o manifest_v what_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o mr._n cotton_n mr._n hooker_n and_o mr._n stone_n who_o all_o three_o as_o be_v intimate_v come_v into_o new-england_n in_o the_o same_o vessel_n anno_fw-la 1633._o and_o they_o may_v just_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o first_o three_o of_o new-englands_n worthy_n in_o the_o year_n 1635._o god_n bring_v into_o this_o country_n three_o more_o of_o our_o worthy_n another_o triumvirate_n not_o unlike_o the_o former_a viz._n mr._n mather_n mr._n norton_n and_o mr._n shâ—pard_n who_o judgement_n touch_v the_o question_n before_o we_o that_o it_o do_v concur_v with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o late_a synod_n will_v appear_v from_o the_o sequel_n as_o for_o mr._n mather_n late_a teacher_n of_o the_o church_n in_o dorchester_n what_o the_o apprehension_n of_o that_o reverend_a man_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v the_o present_a controversy_n in_o his_o latter_a time_n be_v well_o know_v the_o ancient_n have_v a_o opinion_n that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d die_a word_n of_o worthy_a man_n be_v oracutous_a because_o the_o soul_n near_o its_o transmigration_n grow_v more_o divine_a be_v that_o notion_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o the_o die_a counsel_n of_o that_o bless_a man_n to_o his_o son_n be_v of_o weighty_a consideration_n and_o that_o mr._n mather_n do_v not_o take_v up_o his_o persuasion_n concern_v the_o enlargenent_n of_o baptism_n in_o his_o last_o year_n only_o but_o that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o judgement_n four_o and_o twenty_o year_n and_o more_o before_o his_o decease_n be_v evident_a from_o some_o manuscript_n of_o his_o left_a write_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n for_o that_o roverend_a author_n do_v in_o the_o year_n 1645_o prepare_v for_o the_o press_n a_o elaborate_a discourse_n which_o he_o entitle_v a_o plea_n for_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o new-england_n and_o in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o that_o discourse_n which_o contain_v positive_a ground_n from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o new-england_n there_o be_v this_o question_n propound_v quest_n when_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v in_o infaney_n by_o the_o covenant_n of_o their_o parent_n be_v come_v to_o age_n be_v not_o yet_o find_v fit_a to_o be_v receive_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n although_o they_o be_v matried_a and_o have_v child_n whether_o be_v those_o their_o child_n to_o be_v baptize_v or_o no._n the_o answer_n be_v in_o these_o word_n i_o propound_v to_o consideration_n this_o reason_n for_o the_o affirmative_a viz._n that_o the_o child_n of_o such_o parent_n ought_v to_o be_v baptize_v the_o reason_n be_v the_o parent_n as_o they_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o covenant_n so_o they_o still_o continue_v therein_o be_v neither_o cast_n out_o nor_o deserve_v so_o to_o be_v and_o if_o so_o why_o shall_v not_o their_o child_n be_v baptize_v for_o if_o the_o parent_n be_v in_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o child_n so_o likewise_o be_v not_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o covenant_n i_o will_v be_v a_o god_n to_o thou_o and_o to_o thy_o seed_n be_v not_o the_o text_n plain_a act._n 2.39_o the_o promise_n be_v to_o you_o and_o to_o your_o child_n and_o if_o these_o child_n be_v in_o the_o covenant_n why_o shall_v they_o not_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n sith_o they_o be_v partaker_n of_o that_o which_o be_v one_o main_a ground_n why_o other_o infant_n be_v admit_v thereto_o do_v it_o not_o seem_v unreasonable_a that_o these_o infant_n be_v partaker_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o baptism_n as_o well_o as_o other_o that_o nevertheless_o other_o shall_v be_v admit_v and_o these_o be_v refuse_v if_o other_o infant_n be_v admit_v to_o baptism_n upon_o some_o ground_n whereof_o these_o be_v not_o partaker_n than_o there_o may_v be_v reason_n to_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o these_o infant_n and_o other_o but_o if_o the_o ground_n &_o reason_n of_o admit_v other_o be_v common_a to_o these_o as_o well_o as_o to_o other_o it_o seem_v then_o to_o be_v reasonable_a that_o these_o as_o well_o as_o other_o shall_v share_v in_o the_o privilege_n if_o their_o parent_n be_v east_n out_o of_o the_o church_n by_o censure_n or_o fall_v away_o from_o the_o same_o by_o wilful_a apostasy_n and_o schism_n or_o deserve_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o by_o reason_n of_o scandal_n than_o there_o be_v more_o reason_n that_o their_o infant_n shall_v be_v exclude_v from_o the_o seal_n but_o since_o no_o such_o thing_n can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o parent_n of_o who_o we_o speak_v a_o good_a reason_n shall_v be_v give_v why_o their_o infant_n be_v debar_v for_o if_o it_o be_v say_v the_o parent_n be_v not_o confirm_v member_n nor_o have_v yet_o be_v find_v fit_a for_o the_o lord_n table_n i_o conceive_v this_o need_v not_o to_o hinder_v their_o infant_n from_o baptism_n so_o long_o as_o they_o i_o mean_v the_o parent_n do_v neither_o renounce_v the_o covenant_n nor_o do_v the_o church_n see_v just_a cause_n to_o cast_v they_o out_o from_o the_o same_o for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o parent_n fitness_n for_o the_o lord_n supper_n that_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o baptise_v their_o child_n but_o the_o parent_n and_o so_o their_o child_n be_v in_o the_o covenant_n this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v the_o main_a ground_n thereof_o and_o as_o long_o as_o this_o do_v continue_v not_o dissolve_v by_o any_o church_n censure_n against_o they_o nor_o by_o any_o scandalous_a sin_n of_o they_o so_o long_o the_o child_n may_v be_v baptize_v these_o word_n be_v to_o be_v see_v write_v with_o mr._n mather_n own_o hand_n anno_fw-la 1645._o now_o if_o six_o and_o twenty_o year_n ago_o in_o a_o book_n write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o church_n in_o new_a england_n write_v when_o this_o collection_n of_o testimony_n be_v first_o compose_v it_o be_v but_o 26_o year_n but_o now_o it_o be_v 29_o year_n since_o that_o book_n be_v write_v and_o in_o justification_n of_o tho_o way_n of-hese_a church_n it_o be_v true_a doctrine_n that_o person_n may_v have_v
right_a to_o baptism_n for_o their_o child_n and_o yet_o themselves_o not_o be_v fit_a for_o the_o lord_n table_n if_o six_o and_o twenty_o year_n ago_o this_o be_v write_v in_o a_o book_n who_o whole_a design_n be_v to_o justify_v the_o way_n of_o these_o church_n how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o present_a plead_n for_o such_o enlargement_n of_o baptism_n be_v any_o apostasy_n from_o primitive_a principle_n also_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v assert_v and_o urge_v by_o this_o reverend_a author_n in_o his_o model_n of_o church_n government_n present_v to_o the_o synod_n anno_fw-la 1647._o and_o in_o the_o year_n 1648._o and_o 1649._o he_o do_v frequent_o in_o his_o public_a ministry_n in_o dorchester_n thus_o instruct_v his_o people_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o sermon_n notes_n leave_v write_v propria_fw-la manu_fw-la and_o in_o the_o year_n 1653._o this_o question_n be_v full_o large_o and_o elaborate_o discuss_v by_o the_o same_o author_n also_o in_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o friend_n bear_v date_n 30_o 5_o month_n 1651._o he_o thus_o express_v himself_o for_o my_o part_n my_o thought_n have_v be_v this_o long_a time_n that_o our_o church_n in_o general_n do_v fall_v short_a in_o their_o practice_n of_o that_o which_o the_o rule_n require_v in_o this_o particular_a which_o i_o think_v aught_o to_o be_v thus_o viz._n that_o the_o child_n of_o church_n member_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o church_n by_o a_o act_n of_o their_o own_o when_o they_o be_v grow_v up_o to_o man_n and_o woman_n estate_n aught_o to_o be_v watch_v over_o as_o other_o member_n and_o to_o have_v their_o infant_n baptize_v but_o themselves_o not_o to_o be_v receive_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n nor_o to_o vote_v in_o the_o church_n till_o by_o the_o manifestation_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n they_o shall_v approve_v themselves_o to_o be_v fit_a for_o the_o same_o but_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o thus_o practise_v but_o be_v now_o consider_v of_o the_o matter_n and_o of_o send_v to_o other_o church_n for_o advice_n help_v we_o i_o pray_v you_o with_o your_o prayer_n that_o we_o may_v have_v grace_n to_o discern_v and_o do_v the_o lord_n mind_n and_o will_v herein_o so_o that_o in_o the_o year_n 1651._o it_o have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n be_v the_o judgement_n of_o this_o seer_n that_o some_o have_v right_a to_o baptism_n for_o their_o child_n that_o yet_o have_v not_o right_a to_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o themselves_o but_o against_o this_o testimony_n some_o may_v object_v a_o passage_n in_o mr._n mather_n print_v catechism_n pag._n 91._o this_o holy_a man_n be_v sensible_a that_o some_o do_v take_v advantage_n from_o a_o expression_n therein_o to_o impute_v unto_o he_o a_o change_n of_o judgement_n touch_v this_o question_n which_o have_v it_o be_v so_o indeed_o ad_fw-la meliora_fw-la transiâ—e_fw-la nullus_fw-la pudor_fw-la it_o be_v no_o dishonour_n to_o any_o man_n to_o change_v for_o the_o better_a but_o concern_v this_o question_n that_o reverend_a man_n alter_v not_o but_o be_v all_o along_o of_o the_o same_o apprehension_n wherefore_o know_v in_o his_o own_o heart_n that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o very_a same_o judgement_n when_o that_o catechism_n be_v write_v as_o in_o his_o last_o year_n he_o be_v of_o he_o therefore_o leave_v a_o manuscript_n in_o his_o study_n to_o clear_v himself_o from_o such_o a_o imputation_n which_o for_o his_o vindication_n we_o shall_v therefore_o here_o insert_v and_o publish_v the_o word_n be_v as_o follow_v this_o question_n who_o ought_v to_o be_v baptize_v be_v thus_o answer_v in_o a_o catechism_n viz._n man_n of_o year_n when_o once_o they_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n and_o join_v to_o the_o church_n and_o such_o infant_n who_o parent_n both_o or_o one_o of_o they_o be_v so_o convert_v and_o join_v the_o question_n therefore_o now_o be_v whether_o this_o answer_n if_o sound_n and_o true_a do_v infer_v that_o the_o child_n of_o person_n convert_v and_o join_v to_o the_o church_n be_v now_o adult_n and_o have_v child_n may_v not_o be_v so_o qualify_v as_o to_o have_v these_o their_o child_n baptise_a afore_o they_o who_o be_v now_o the_o parent_n be_v fit_a for_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o if_o he_o that_o answer_v the_o question_n in_o the_o catechism_n as_o above_o do_v think_v they_o may_v do_v not_o this_o infer_v a_o change_n in_o that_o man_n apprehension_n from_o what_o it_o former_o be_v answer_n it_o seem_v not_o at_o all_o to_o infer_v any_o such_o change_n 1._o because_o these_o apprehension_n be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o one_o another_o nor_o at_o all_o inconsistent_a for_o if_o a_o man_n say_v that_o the_o child_n last_o mention_v may_v be_v baptize_v this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o infer_v that_o man_n of_o year_n convert_v to_o the_o faith_n and_o join_v to_o the_o church_n may_v not_o be_v baptize_v nor_o that_o such_o infant_n may_v not_o be_v baptize_v who_o parent_n one_o or_o both_o be_v so_o convert_v and_o join_v nor_o if_o a_o man_n answer_v that_o such_o as_o the_o catechism_n speak_v of_o may_v be_v baptize_v do_v this_o infer_v that_o those_o other_o may_v not_o there_o be_v no_o colour_n sure_a no_o just_a ground_n for_o such_o consequence_n no_o more_o than_o if_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o such_o as_o be_v become_v believer_n by_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v be_v to_o be_v baptize_v which_o be_v a_o very_a truth_n act._n 2.41_o and_o 8.12_o 37._o and_o 18_o 8._o it_o can_v thence_o be_v prove_v that_o no_o infant_n be_v to_o be_v baptize_v as_o not_o be_v become_v believer_n at_o least_o not_o by_o that_o mean_n of_o hear_v preach_v this_o will_v in_o no_o sort_n follow_v from_o the_o other_o as_o if_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o such_o as_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n upon_o earth_n shall_v enter_v into_o heaven_n &_o that_o such_o as_o feed_v christ_n when_o hungry_a clothe_v he_o be_v naked_a shall_v be_v save_v in_o heaven_n which_o be_v very_o true_a matth._n 7.21_o and_o 25.34_o etc._n etc._n do_v this_o prove_v that_o little_a infant_n and_o the_o thief_n upon_o the_o cross_n must_v not_o be_v save_v because_o the_o one_o through_o imbecility_n of_o age_n and_o the_o other_o through_o want_n of_o opportunity_n do_v not_o perform_v the_o thing_n mention_v it_o do_v not_o prove_v it_o at_o all_o but_o that_o salvation_n in_o heaven_n may_v be_v the_o portion_n of_o these_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o other_o even_o so_o though_o such_o as_o the_o catechism_n speak_v of_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v it_o do_v noâ—_n thence_o follow_v but_o that_o the_o ordinance_n may_v be_v dispense_v to_o the_o infant_n of_o such_o member_n child_n as_o be_v mention_v and_o though_o it_o be_v dispense_v to_o such_o this_o be_v no_o denial_n but_o that_o such_o as_o the_o late_a catechism_n speak_v of_o may_v be_v baptize_v so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o contradiction_n between_o the_o thing_n allege_v but_o that_o both_o may_v be_v true_a and_o consist_v together_o 2_o dly_z it_o the_o word_n in_o the_o catechism_n have_v any_o exclusive_a particle_n in_o they_o there_o have_v be_v some_o more_o ground_n or_o colour_n for_o the_o inference_n as_o if_o the_o word_n have_v be_v thus_o only_o these_o or_o none_o but_o these_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_v but_o any_o such_o exclusive_a or_o negative_a particle_n there_o be_v none_o and_o therefore_o the_o collection_n or_o inference_n from_o they_o which_o be_v make_v be_v groundless_a 3_o the_o author_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a catechism_n which_o be_v print_v in_o the_o year_n 1650._o have_v sundry_a time_n before_o in_o the_o year_n 1646._o 1648._o 1649._o public_o deliver_v his_o judgement_n both_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o by_o write_v that_o such_o child_n of_o church_n member_n may_v have_v their_o infant_n baptize_v though_o themselves_o be_v not_o yet_o receive_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o so_o divers_a time_n again_o in_o the_o year_n follow_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o what_o be_v express_v in_o the_o say_a catechism_n shall_v be_v intend_v by_o he_o to_o have_v such_o a_o meaning_n as_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o himself_o have_v public_o deliver_v both_o before_o and_o after_o and_o that_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o several_a way_n 4_o lie_n other_o author_n of_o much_o worth_n for_o holiness_n and_o learning_n who_o never_o mean_v to_o deny_v baptism_n to_o such_o child_n of_o church_n member_n dear_o spoke_v of_o yet_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o question_n who_o ought_v to_o be_v baptise_v or_o to_o who_o be_v baptism_n to_o be_v administer_v have_v express_v themselves_o in_o term_n not_o far_o unlike_a to_o those_o in_o the_o aforesaid_a catechism_n mr._n ball_n word_n be_v these_o