circumcision_n be_v first_o institute_v to_o believe_v abraham_n i_o think_v it_o will_v have_v be_v unanswerable_a because_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o christ_n appear_v in_o such_o parent_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o profession_n and_o how_o such_o infant_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o stand_v in_o the_o place_n or_o partake_v of_o the_o privilege_n of_o abraham_n unless_o one_o of_o their_o parent_n stand_v in_o abraham_n room_n i_o see_v not_o but_o since_o the_o objection_n be_v make_v against_o such_o as_o only_o baptise_v such_o as_o have_v believe_v parent_n i_o must_v further_o answer_v the_o forecited_a scripture_n seem_v not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o oppose_v the_o truth_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o apostle_n be_v there_o speak_v to_o adult_v gentile_n and_o do_v assure_v they_o that_o though_o they_o be_v not_o the_o natural_a seed_n of_o abraham_n and_o so_o can_v not_o on_o that_o account_n lie_v claim_v to_o the_o promise_n either_o to_o themselves_o or_o child_n as_o they_o may_v have_v do_v have_v they_o be_v so_o and_o their_o conversation_n have_v be_v become_v the_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n yet_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o relation_n to_o christ_n or_o their_o believe_v in_o christ_n though_o not_o of_o abraham_n natural_a seed_n they_o shall_v partake_v of_o abraham_n privilege_n and_o as_o at_o the_o first_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n so_o when_o the_o gentile_n come_v to_o initiate_v the_o faith_n of_o abraham_n the_o promise_n shall_v be_v to_o they_o and_o their_o seed_n as_o it_o be_v to_o abraham_n now_o the_o promise_n at_o first_o reach_v unto_o abraham_n natural_a seed_n as_o be_v clear_a from_o gen._n 17.7,8,9,10_o now_o we_o can_v suppose_v the_o seal_n to_o be_v apply_v to_o any_o but_o such_o as_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o but_o such_o as_o be_v eight_o day_n old_a be_v circumcise_a therefore_o to_o such_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v for_o though_o i_o grant_v that_o all_o in_o abraham_n house_n be_v circumcise_a both_o old_a and_o young_a the_o adult_n be_v such_o as_o we_o may_v suppose_v be_v at_o least_o professor_n for_o it_o be_v say_v of_o abraham_n he_o will_v teach_v his_o house_n yet_o it_o be_v evident_a none_o be_v except_v if_o but_o eight_o day_n old_a so_o that_o this_o text_n strong_o confirm_v my_o argument_n for_o if_o upon_o our_o believe_v we_o come_v to_o be_v abraham_n seed_n and_o to_o partake_v of_o his_o blessedness_n as_o in_o gal._n 3.9_o than_o it_o follow_v by_o a_o undeniable_a consequence_n that_o as_o the_o promise_n at_o first_o be_v make_v to_o believe_v abraham_n and_o his_o natural_a seed_n so_o it_o must_v he_o continue_v to_o we_o believer_n and_o our_o seed_n or_o else_o we_o be_v not_o bless_v as_o abraham_n for_o it_o be_v no_o small_a part_n of_o his_o blessedness_n that_o the_o promise_v extend_v to_o his_o seed_n but_o to_o put_v all_o out_o of_o doubt_n if_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o a_o spiritual_a seed_n than_o it_o must_v be_v to_o such_o as_o we_o be_v sure_o be_v spiritual_a or_o to_o such_o as_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o hope_n be_v so_o if_o you_o say_v the_o former_a than_o we_o must_v baptise_v none_o either_o old_a or_o young_a because_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v we_o can-neve_a infallible_o tell_v who_o be_v spiritual_a it_o be_v only_o proper_a to_o god_n who_o be_v the_o father_n of_o spirit_n to_o know_v that_o but_o if_o you_o say_v the_o latter_a that_o be_v such_o as_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o hope_n be_v spiritual_a than_o the_o infant_n seed_n of_o believer_n must_v come_v in_o since_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o hope_v such_o be_v inward_o renew_v and_o if_o such_o as_o be_v renew_v and_o bear_v again_o by_o the_o spirit_n and_o have_v the_o image_n of_o god_n engrave_v on_o their_o heart_n may_v not_o be_v reckon_v for_o a_o spiritual_a seed_n i_o know_v not_o who_o must_v so_o that_o till_o my_o former_a argument_n be_v overthrow_v concern_v the_o necessity_n for_o infant_n to_o be_v regenerate_v and_o the_o good_a ground_n we_o have_v to_o hope_v some_o be_v so_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o they_o i_o say_v till_o then_o all_o that_o be_v here_o add_v be_v of_o no_o force_n object_n 5._o but_o we_o have_v no_o instance_n in_o scripture_n of_o any_o infant_n ever_o baptise_a therefore_o we_o have_v ground_n to_o think_v such_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v baptise_a for_o we_o can_v suppose_v the_o apostle_n be_v want_v in_o their_o duty_n in_o that_o case_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v though_o we_o have_v no_o express_a instance_n of_o any_o infant_n baptise_a yet_o we_o have_v some_o text_n that_o will_v i_o conceive_v infallible_o prove_v either_o that_o some_o than_o be_v baptise_a or_o at_o least_o now_o ought_v to_o be_v baptise_a it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o jailor_n act_v 16.33_o he_o be_v baptise_a he_o and_o all_o his_o straightway_o now_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o all_o his_o take_v in_o child_n and_o that_o some_o of_o these_o all_o be_v little_a child_n or_o at_o least_o so_o small_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o suppose_v they_o be_v able_a yet_o there_o be_v no_o express_a mention_n make_v that_o they_o do_v so_o before_o they_o be_v baptise_a it_o be_v say_v indeed_o he_o speak_v to_o they_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o we_o can_v from_o thence_o conclude_v they_o that_o hear_v believe_v it_o be_v say_v indeed_o after_o that_o he_o rejoice_v believe_v in_o god_n with_o all_o his_o house_n but_o this_o be_v after_o he_o and_o all_o his_o be_v baptise_a but_o there_o be_v one_o text_n more_o that_o will_v be_v as_o a_o sharp_a two-edged_a sword_n which_o will_v wound_v the_o anabaptist_n let_v they_o defend_v themselves_o with_o all_o the_o subtlety_n they_o can_v act_n 16.15_o of_o lydia_n and_o when_o she_o be_v baptise_a and_o her_o household_n etc._n etc._n now_o the_o enquiry_n be_v who_o this_o household_n be_v but_o let_v they_o be_v who_o they_o will_v yet_o the_o anabaptist_n will_v not_o reckon_v little_a child_n among_o they_o because_o none_o such_o be_v mention_v but_o if_o so_o then_o because_o neither_o husband_n servant_n nor_o kindred_n be_v mention_v therefore_o there_o be_v none_o and_o thus_o the_o anabaptist_n have_v by_o a_o art_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o reduce_v this_o household_n to_o just_a no_o body_n but_o lydia_n and_o herself_o but_o i_o will_v suppose_v and_o i_o can_v do_v no_o other_o that_o in_o this_o household_n there_o be_v more_o than_o lydia_n and_o first_o i_o will_v suppose_v some_o of_o they_o child_n as_o i_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o do_v from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n in_o scripture_n and_o i_o find_v some_o of_o the_o anabaptist_n do_v not_o deny_v this_o only_o say_v lydia_n be_v too_o old_a to_o have_v young_a child_n now_o if_o there_o be_v any_o young_a child_n in_o this_o household_n as_o we_o have_v ground_n to_o suppose_v than_o here_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n of_o such_o baptise_a but_o i_o will_v suppose_v those_o child_n of_o lydia_n as_o the_o anabaptist_n affirm_v to_o be_v grow_v up_o then_o i_o ask_v by_o what_o claim_v they_o be_v baptise_a now_o that_o her_o household_n be_v baptise_a the_o word_n express_o affirm_v if_o they_o say_v as_o they_o be_v professor_n i_o deny_v that_o and_o it_o lie_v on_o they_o to_o prove_v it_o there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n of_o their_o believe_v or_o any_o of_o they_o either_o before_o or_o after_o they_o be_v baptise_a and_o have_v they_o make_v any_o profession_n we_o have_v ground_n to_o think_v some_o mention_n will_v have_v be_v make_v of_o it_o but_o since_o the_o scripture_n be_v silent_a though_o the_o anabaptist_n shall_v never_o so_o bold_o affirm_v it_o yet_o i_o be_o confident_a scarce_o any_o but_o those_o of_o their_o own_o persuasion_n will_v in_o the_o least_o regard_n what_o they_o say_v if_o they_o be_v baptise_a as_o be_v relate_v to_o lydia_n though_o they_o make_v no_o profession_n themselves_o than_o this_o overthrow_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o anabaptist_n since_o here_o be_v some_o baptise_a that_o make_v no_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o also_o it_o give_v we_o the_o cause_n by_o a_o undeniable_a conclusion_n for_o if_o such_o child_n as_o be_v adult_n but_o no_o professor_n yet_o have_v a_o right_n to_o baptism_n on_o the_o account_n of_o their_o relation_n to_o a_o parent_n that_o do_v believe_v than_o it_o follow_v that_o what_o belong_v to_o any_o child_n mere_o as_o the_o child_n of_o such_o a_o parent_n
the_o ground_n of_o our_o hope_n of_o a_o inward_a change_n and_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o see_v the_o heart_n unrenew_v whatever_o profession_n such_o a_o one_o may_v make_v it_o will_v be_v a_o sin_n to_o baptise_v such_o a_o one_o so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v but_o good_a ground_n to_o hope_n they_o have_v faith_n be_v it_o by_o profession_n or_o otherwise_o it_o matter_n not_o if_o the_o objecter_n say_v it_o be_v his_o bare_a profession_n give_v a_o right_a than_o they_o give_v away_o the_o cause_n they_o have_v so_o contend_v for_o since_o faith_n and_o profession_n be_v not_o only_o distinct_a but_o separable_a if_o they_o say_v faith_n give_v they_o a_o right_n this_o make_v for_o i_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v if_o they_o say_v it_o be_v faith_n as_o profess_a and_o no_o otherway_n this_o be_v evidenly_a to_o lay_v more_o stress_n upon_o their_o profession_n than_o faith_n since_o whatever_o other_o ground_n we_o have_v to_o hope_v they_o have_v faith_n yet_o without_o a_o profession_n of_o that_o faith_n they_o must_v not_o be_v baptise_a object_n 3._o this_o make_v baptism_n a_o regenerate_a ordinance_n which_o be_v not_o a_o truth_n answ_n i_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v this_o a_o mere_a cavil_v and_o a_o wilful_a mistake_n of_o the_o objecter_n for_o my_o own_o part_n though_o i_o be_o for_o infant-baptism_n and_o be_o full_o persuade_v from_o scripture_n i_o have_v good_a reason_n so_o to_o be_v yet_o i_o must_v again_o declare_v i_o be_o far_o from_o approve_v of_o that_o popish_a doctrine_n that_o baptism_n conferr_v grace_n from_o any_o virtue_n in_o it_o though_o i_o can_v deny_v but_o god_n may_v work_v grace_n in_o some_o in_o that_o ordinance_n i_o believe_v some_o have_v grace_n that_o never_o be_v baptise_a and_o that_o some_o be_v baptise_a that_o never_o have_v grace_n both_o of_o adult_n as_o well_o as_o infant_n nor_o do_v our_o practice_n give_v the_o least_o countenance_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o ordinance_n regenerate_v nay_o it_o seem_v clear_o to_o hold_v forth_o the_o contrary_a since_o i_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o baptise_v to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v be_v regenerate_v but_o in_o hope_n they_o be_v already_o so_o there_o must_v first_o be_v a_o right_a before_o they_o partake_v of_o the_o seal_n but_o i_o expect_v some_o shall_v say_v to_o what_o end_n shall_v parent_n bring_v their_o child_n to_o this_o ordinance_n if_o they_o hope_v they_o be_v regenerate_v before_o answer_v if_o the_o objecter_n be_v a_o anabaptist_n i_o answer_v he_o to_o the_o same_o end_n they_o bring_v their_o adult_n who_o they_o own_o to_o be_v believer_n but_o if_o of_o another_o judgement_n i_o answer_v to_o the_o same_o end_n adult_n believer_n come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n after_o they_o be_v in_o christ_n and_o that_o which_o will_v serve_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o one_o may_v serve_v as_o a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o other_o there_o may_v be_v a_o necessity_n of_o do_v a_o thing_n in_o order_n to_o our_o avoid_v sin_n when_o there_o be_v not_o a_o necessity_n to_o do_v the_o same_o in_o order_n to_o avoid_v of_o hell_n for_o instance_n a_o saint_n be_v bind_v in_o his_o own_o person_n to_o fulfil_v the_o moral_a law_n perfect_o in_o order_n to_o his_o avoid_v sin_n but_o not_o in_o order_n to_o his_o avoid_v hell_n if_o he_o be_v who_o then_o can_v be_v save_v and_o if_o no_o other_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o because_o god_n will_v have_v it_o so_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o justify_v our_o practice_n but_o to_o this_o i_o add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la that_o as_o a_o grow_a person_n who_o have_v grace_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o prayer_n preach_v and_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o to_o strengthen_v his_o grace_n they_o be_v appoint_v to_o that_o end_n so_o though_o we_o be_v sure_a infant_n have_v such_o faith_n as_o we_o baptise_v yet_o we_o ought_v to_o baptise_v they_o for_o the_o strengthen_n of_o that_o faith_n and_o to_o look_v on_o it_o as_o our_o privilege_n as_o well_o as_o duty_n object_n 4._o if_o we_o may_v baptise_v infant_n on_o this_o ground_n than_o we_o may_v baptise_v the_o infant_n of_o unbelieve_a parent_n for_o we_o have_v the_o same_o ground_n to_o hope_v of_o they_o and_o further_o we_o find_v such_o be_v circumcise_a but_o you_o do_v not_o baptise_v such_o therefore_o you_o ought_v not_o to_o baptise_v other_o answ_n though_o i_o can_v deny_v but_o some_o such_o may_v be_v save_v and_o so_o consequent_o must_v have_v grace_n yet_o this_o no_o way_n weaken_v my_o argument_n lay_v down_o as_o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o another_o argument_n thus_o those_o to_o who_o god_n have_v make_v special_a promise_n of_o they_o we_o have_v special_a ground_n to_o hope_v but_o the_o infant_n seed_n of_o believer_n be_v such_o to_o who_o god_n have_v make_v special_a promise_n therefore_o of_o such_o we_o have_v special_a ground_n to_o hope_n the_o major_n be_v clear_a for_o though_o we_o can_v from_o hence_o infallible_o conclude_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o salvation_n of_o all_o such_o the_o promise_n respect_v the_o external_n as_o well_o as_o internal_a part_n of_o the_o covenant_n yet_o sure_o i_o be_o such_o promise_n give_v more_o ground_n to_o hope_n than_o where_o he_o have_v make_v none_o and_o for_o any_o to_o deny_v this_o be_v no_o better_a than_o to_o charge_n god_n with_o mock_v of_o his_o dear_a child_n since_o in_o their_o judgement_n all_o the_o promise_v god_n have_v make_v to_o their_o seed_n will_v not_o afford_v sufficient_a ground_n so_o much_o as_o to_o hope_v concern_v their_o future_a happiness_n and_o sure_o i_o be_o if_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o hope_v of_o they_o there_o be_v none_o of_o other_o and_o so_o all_o must_v in_o their_o judgement_n perish_v minor_a proposition_n but_o god_n have_v make_v special_a promise_n to_o the_o seed_n of_o believer_n first_o he_o have_v make_v promise_v unto_o such_o gen._n 17.7,8_o and_o i_o will_v establish_v my_o covenant_n between_o thou_o and_o i_o and_o thy_o seed_n after_o thou_o in_o their_o generation_n for_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n after_o thou_o so_o act_v 2.39_o for_o the_o promise_n be_v to_o you_o and_o to_o your_o child_n etc._n etc._n which_o promise_v be_v renew_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n after_o it_o be_v give_v to_o abraham_n prove_v it_o be_v no_o bare_a promise_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n as_o some_o vain_o suppose_v second_o i_o say_v special_a promise_n i_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v not_o make_v in_o common_a to_o the_o seed_n of_o unbeliever_n and_o i_o challenge_v any_o to_o show_v i_o one_o such_o promise_n make_v to_o they_o for_o though_o i_o can_v deny_v but_o some_o such_o may_v be_v save_v yet_o i_o see_v no_o more_o ground_n to_o hope_v of_o such_o die_a in_o infancy_n than_o of_o the_o infant_n of_o heathen_n there_o be_v no_o more_o promise_n to_o the_o former_a than_o the_o latter_a according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o my_o knowledge_n in_o scripture_n nor_o can_v we_o conclude_v as_o be_v object_v that_o because_o the_o seed_n of_o unbeliever_n as_o well_o as_o believer_n be_v circumcise_a suppose_v it_o so_o that_o therefore_o the_o seed_n of_o all_o both_o unbeliever_n as_o well_o as_o believer_n must_v be_v baptise_a no_o more_o than_o we_o can_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o woman_n to_o baptise_v because_o zipporah_n circumcise_a she_o son_n there_o be_v no_o fix_a officer_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o mr._n strong_a have_v observe_v to_o administer_v that_o ordinance_n and_o then_o no_o wonder_n if_o there_o be_v some_o maladministration_n as_o to_o the_o subject_a but_o suppose_v it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o in_o that_o day_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v it_o must_v be_v so_o now_o though_o baptism_n come_v in_o the_o room_n of_o circumcision_n for_o the_o same_o god_n that_o have_v power_n to_o change_v the_o seal_n may_v if_o he_o will_v change_n or_o limit_v the_o subject_a also_o but_o be_v object_v by_o some_o that_o the_o promise_n be_v not_o make_v to_o abraham_n natural_a seed_n but_o spiritual_a for_o it_o be_v say_v gal._n 3.29_o if_o you_o be_v christ_n then_o be_v you_o abraham_n be_v seed_n and_o heir_n according_a to_o promise_n and_o from_o hence_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o baptise_v the_o natural_a seed_n of_o believer_n as_o believer_n because_o the_o promise_n be_v not_o make_v to_o they_o as_o natural_a seed_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v have_v this_o objection_n be_v bring_v against_o the_o corrupt_a practice_n of_o such_o as_o baptise_v the_o infant_n of_o such_o parent_n as_o be_v open_o profane_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a