not_o put_v this_o past_a controversy_n with_o most_o judicious_a christian_n i_o shall_v stand_v to_o prove_v all_o this_o by_o part_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v hence_o manifest_a 1._o that_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n must_v refuse_v no_o man_n that_o have_v the_o least_o degree_n of_o grace_n or_o make_v a_o credible_a profession_n of_o the_o least_o 2._o and_o that_o we_o must_v nor_o require_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o necessity_n such_o â—ipe_a or_o clear_a and_o judicious_a expression_n from_o the_o ignorant_a bashful_a or_o such_o as_o for_o want_v of_o use_n and_o good_a breed_n be_v unable_a to_o express_v their_o mind_n as_o we_o may_v from_o other_o if_o a_o man_n or_o woman_n be_v unable_a in_o good_a sense_n to_o express_v their_o faith_n in_o the_o very_a essential_o or_o to_o reveal_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n within_o they_o yet_o if_o upon_o our_o interrogation_n and_o help_v they_o they_o can_v do_v it_o in_o any_o intelligible_a manner_n so_o that_o we_o do_v but_o perceive_v that_o it_o be_v a_o sound_a profession_n in_o the_o essential_o which_o they_o mean_v though_o they_o can_v handsome_o utter_v it_o we_o may_v not_o reject_v any_o such_o as_o these_o 3._o note_v also_o that_o defect_n in_o knowledge_n must_v be_v indeed_o exceed_o gross_a where_o the_o person_n be_v willing_a to_o be_v teach_v and_o rule_v by_o christ_n and_o use_v his_o mean_n and_o thus_o seem_v to_o love_n god_n and_o holiness_n before_o they_o will_v warrant_v we_o to_o reject_v they_o shall_v the_o judgement_n of_o such_o person_n seem_v unacquainted_a with_o some_o fundamental_o about_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o like_a mystery_n i_o shall_v search_v they_o better_o and_o i_o shall_v plain_o tell_v they_o present_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o if_o they_o receive_v information_n i_o shall_v not_o reject_v a_o willing_a soul_n the_o very_a apostle_n of_o christ_n have_v the_o sacrament_n administer_v to_o they_o by_o himself_o when_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v and_o believe_v the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n i_o know_v that_o this_o will_v not_o warrant_v we_o to_o give_v such_o person_n the_o eucharist_n now_o because_o that_o those_o great_a truth_n be_v not_o then_o of_o such_o great_a necessity_n as_o after_o christ_n death_n and_o resurrection_n they_o do_v become_v as_o be_v not_o so_o full_o reveal_v nor_o the_o actual_a belief_n of_o they_o so_o peremptory_o impose_v but_o yet_o it_o show_v we_o this_o much_o that_o even_o in_o person_n admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n if_o there_o be_v but_o a_o belief_n in_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o point_n of_o absolute_a necessity_n though_o in_o rude_a and_o unperfect_a conception_n and_o a_o love_n to_o christ_n and_o a_o willingness_n to_o learn_v of_o he_o and_o obey_v he_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o lamentable_a ignorance_n may_v be_v bear_v with_o in_o those_o that_o have_v want_v either_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n and_o clear_a discovery_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o natural_a ripeness_n of_o understanding_n to_o receive_v it_o you_o see_v then_o that_o pastor_n be_v not_o arbitrary_a nor_o mere_o leave_v to_o their_o own_o will_n prop._n 9_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o minister_n people_n and_o magistrate_n have_v each_o a_o power_n of_o judge_v but_o different_a as_o they_o have_v different_a work_n 2._o when_o the_o question_n be_v to_o who_o the_o sacrament_n and_o other_o ordinance_n and_o church-relation_n and_o privilege_n be_v to_o be_v ministerial_o deliver_v as_o from_o christ_n and_o to_o who_o not_o here_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o judge_n and_o so_o be_v they_o when_o the_o question_n be_v who_o must_v we_o teach_v direct_v and_o persuade_v and_o in_o christ_n name_n command_v the_o people_n to_o avoid_v or_o to_o hold_v communion_n with_o for_o those_o two_o be_v our_o own_o work_n in_o the_o execution_n and_o if_o either_o magistrate_n people_n or_o any_o other_o must_v be_v judge_n where_o minister_n must_v execute_v and_o work_v then_o 1._o we_o have_v not_o that_o common_a judicium_fw-la discretionis_fw-la to_o guide_v our_o own_o action_n which_o be_v allow_v and_o necessary_a to_o every_o christian_a 2._o then_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o only_o degrade_v and_o make_v no_o ruler_n but_o be_v put_v into_o that_o slavery_n and_o subjection_n to_o they_o that_o be_v command_v to_o obey_v they_o which_o no_o pastor_n must_v desire_v the_o people_n or_o any_o one_o of_o they_o to_o be_v in_o for_o we_o must_v not_o deny_v they_o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n about_o their_o own_o action_n 3._o and_o by_o this_o course_n minister_n that_o be_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o body_n must_v not_o only_o be_v guide_v by_o other_o part_n but_o they_o must_v execute_v against_o their_o own_o knowledge_n and_o conscience_n when_o other_o man_n miss-judge_n 4._o and_o if_o so_o either_o god_n command_v we_o to_o sin_n when_o ever_o people_n or_o magistrate_n bid_v we_o which_o none_o dare_v say_v or_o else_o it_o be_v no_o sin_n when_o it_o do_v but_o get_v their_o vote_n and_o so_o we_o may_v warrantable_o do_v what_o the_o magistrate_n bid_v we_o as_o hobbs_n think_v or_o what_o the_o people_n bid_v we_o as_o other_o as_o unreasonable_o think_v as_o if_o it_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a excuse_n for_o i_o to_o say_v lord_n i_o do_v what_o the_o magistrate_n or_o the_o major_a vote_n of_o the_o people_n bid_v i_o though_o it_o be_v that_o which_o thou_o forbide_v 5._o if_o the_o people_n have_v no_o such_o power_n over_o one_o another_o than_o they_o have_v none_o over_o their_o ruler_n or_o guide_n but_o they_o have_v none_o such_o over_o one_o another_o indeed_o in_o order_n to_o unity_n a_o major_a vote_n may_v not_o effectual_o oblige_v but_o occasion_n a_o obligation_n but_o as_o to_o government_n let_v they_o show_v we_o if_o they_o can_v from_o scripture_n where_o the_o major_a vote_n of_o a_o church_n have_v the_o government_n of_o the_o lesser_a part_n or_o that_o the_o lesser_a may_v go_v against_o their_o own_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n mere_o because_o the_o great_a part_n require_v it_o this_o govern_v vote_n be_v as_o strange_a a_o thing_n to_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o pope_n be_v 6._o pastor_n or_o general_n unfixed_a minister_n may_v receive_v person_n into_o the_o universal_a church_n sometime_o without_o receive_v they_o into_o any_o particular_a church_n and_o what_o have_v any_o people_n there_o to_o do_v with_o the_o trial_n or_o approbation_n of_o their_o profession_n or_o qualification_n one_o can_v lay_v no_o more_o claim_n to_o it_o then_o another_o and_o sure_o all_o the_o world_n must_v not_o have_v the_o trial_n of_o they_o 7._o what_o people_n do_v philip_n advise_v with_o before_o he_o baptise_a the_o eunuch_n or_o who_o but_o philip_n alone_o be_v judge_v of_o his_o profession_n what_o vote_n approve_v of_o the_o 3000_o convert_v act_v 2_o or_o of_o paul_n act_v 9_o or_o of_o lydia_n or_o the_o gaoler_n act_v 16._o or_o any_o other_o that_o ever_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n in_o scripture_n time_n and_o what_o magistrate_n be_v the_o approver_n for_o 300_o year_n after_o christ_n no_o nor_o after_o 8._o if_o in_o this_o part_n of_o our_o office_n we_o must_v obey_v man_n against_o god_n whether_o magistrate_n or_o people_n then_o in_o other_o part_n and_o so_o if_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o church_n or_o magistrate_n forbid_v i_o to_o pray_v or_o preach_v against_o pride_n covetousness_n or_o drunkenness_n i_o must_v obey_v they_o that_o be_v i_o must_v obey_v man_n before_o god_n and_o please_v man_n and_o be_v no_o long_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n 9_o what_o can_v be_v more_o plain_o contrary_a to_o scripture_n then_o for_o the_o people_n by_o a_o major_a vote_n to_o rule_v those_o who_o god_n command_v to_o obey_v as_o their_o ruler_n heb._n 13._o 7._o &_o 17._o 24._o 1._o tim._n 5._o 17._o 1_o thes_n 5._o 12._o act_n 20_o etc._n etc._n object_n pastor_n have_v but_o a_o ministerial_a rule_v power_n answ_n who_o doubt_v of_o that_o but_o be_v a_o ministerial_a rule_n no_o rule_n no_o man_n on_o earth_n have_v more_o than_o a_o ministerial_a power_n for_o all_o be_v under_o god_n and_o the_o redeemer_n all_o judge_n justices_z and_o other_o officer_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n have_v but_o a_o ministerial_a rule_n as_o officer_n but_o be_v that_o no_o rule_n or_o shall_v the_o people_n therefore_o rule_v these_o ruler_n we_o be_v christ_n minister_n for_o the_o people_n we_o be_v there_o be_v final_o but_o have_v our_o power_n from_o christ_n only_o efficient_o if_o the_o people_n be_v the_o ruler_n who_o be_v the_o rule_v it_o be_v a_o strange_a society_n when_o the_o rule_v and_o rule_v part_n be_v the_o same_o
apprentice_n after_o this_o if_o the_o university_n give_v a_o man_n the_o degree_n of_o doctor_n of_o divinity_n or_o master_n of_o art_n that_o never_o take_v degree_n of_o bachelor_n of_o divinity_n or_o of_o art_n they_o can_v afterward_o call_v he_o back_o to_o take_v his_o bachelor_n degree_n if_o you_o have_v irregular_o admit_v the_o untried_a unapproved_a unconfirmed_a to_o the_o lord_n supper_n you_o have_v eminenter_fw-la though_o not_o formaliter_fw-la confirm_a and_o approve_v he_o though_o irregular_o of_o this_o more_o anon_o prop._n 19_o so_o exceed_v great_a and_o many_o be_v the_o mischief_n that_o have_v befall_v we_o by_o the_o neglect_n of_o a_o solemn_a meet_a transition_n from_o a_o infant_n into_o the_o adult_n church_n state_n and_o which_o undoubted_o will_v continue_v till_o this_o be_v remedy_v that_o all_o magistrate_n minister_n and_o people_n that_o dissemble_v not_o in_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n shall_v with_o speed_n and_o diligence_n attempt_v the_o cure_n let_v we_o here_o take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o case_n of_o our_o nation_n and_o congregation_n and_o then_o consider_v of_o the_o effect_n and_o consequent_n all_o the_o people_n of_o our_o parish_n except_o anabaptist_n do_v bring_v their_o child_n to_o be_v baptise_a which_o if_o it_o be_v faithful_o do_v be_v a_o happy_a mean_n of_o a_o early_a engagement_n unto_o christ_n and_o a_o happy_a entrance_n upon_o further_a mercy_n multitude_n of_o those_o know_v not_o what_o baptism_n be_v nor_o to_o what_o use_n and_o end_v it_o be_v appoint_v nor_o what_o benefit_n their_o child_n may_v receive_v by_o it_o i_o speak_v upon_o too_o sure_a and_o large_a experience_n nor_o do_v they_o know_v what_o christianity_n be_v nor_o who_o jesus_n christ_n be_v nor_o what_o it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v to_o do_v in_o baptism_n but_o there_o they_o make_v a_o promise_n customary_o as_o they_o be_v bid_v in_o word_n not_o understand_v that_o they_o will_v acquaint_v their_o child_n at_o age_n with_o the_o covenant_n there_o make_v which_o they_o never_o understand_v themselves_o and_o that_o they_o will_v educate_v they_o in_o godliness_n when_o they_o hate_v godliness_n at_o the_o heart_n and_o when_o they_o come_v home_o they_o perform_v their_o promise_n according_o they_o teach_v they_o nothing_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v but_o they_o give_v they_o up_o to_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o world_n which_o there_o in_o word_n they_o do_v renounce_v and_o they_o teach_v they_o by_o their_o daily_a example_n to_o curse_v and_o swear_v and_o rail_v and_o to_o be_v proud_a and_o covetous_a and_o voluptuous_a serve_v their_o belly_n in_o stead_n of_o god_n and_o hateful_a reproach_v a_o godly_a life_n instead_o of_o teach_v it_o their_o child_n these_o child_n be_v customary_o bring_v to_o the_o assembly_n where_o they_o hear_v the_o plain_a teach_n without_o understanding_n or_o regard_v it_o and_o grow_v harden_v under_o daily_a reproof_n and_o exhortation_n live_v as_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o some_o in_o gross_a ignorance_n and_o worldlyness_n without_o any_o sign_n of_o godliness_n further_o than_o to_o come_v to_o church_n some_o in_o drunkenness_n some_o in_o whoredom_n abundance_n in_o a_o malignant_a hatred_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n make_v they_o that_o use_v it_o the_o common_a scorn_n and_o take_v they_o for_o the_o hatefull_a person_n in_o the_o parish_n or_o country_n where_o they_o live_v for_o custom_n sake_n and_o to_o quiet_v their_o conscience_n in_o their_o sin_n they_o will_v come_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n if_o they_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o pastor_n and_o may_v have_v it_o in_o their_o mode_n and_o way_n and_o if_o a_o minister_n shall_v desire_v they_o to_o come_v to_o he_o first_o that_o he_o may_v understand_v their_o knowledge_n and_o profession_n they_o scorn_v it_o and_o ask_v he_o by_o what_o authority_n he_o will_v examine_v they_o and_o what_o proof_n he_o have_v that_o man_n must_v be_v examine_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o some_o self-conceited_a half-witted_a writer_n have_v teach_v they_o this_o lesson_n and_o make_v ministerial_a trial_n and_o approbationâ—odious_a to_o they_o but_o because_o they_o be_v once_o baptise_a and_o have_v since_o come_v to_o hear_v and_o join_v with_o we_o in_o the_o assembly_n therefore_o they_o think_v that_o they_o have_v right_a to_o all_o ordinance_n and_o be_v true_a christian_n and_o adult_a member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o also_o exempt_a from_o the_o government_n of_o the_o pastor_n that_o require_v they_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o own_o good_a in_o the_o bishop_n day_n some_o few_o of_o they_o be_v confirm_v in_o the_o country_n where_o i_o live_v about_o one_o of_o ten_o or_o twenty_o and_o what_o that_o be_v and_o how_o it_o be_v do_v i_o can_v tell_v you_o but_o what_o i_o once_o make_v trial_n of_o when_o i_o be_v a_o schoolboy_n about_o 15_o year_n of_o age_n the_o bishop_n come_v into_o the_o country_n many_o go_v in_o to_o he_o to_o be_v confirm_v we_o that_o be_v boy_n run_v out_o to_o see_v the_o bishop_n among_o the_o rest_n not_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o business_n when_o we_o come_v thither_o we_o meet_v about_o thirty_o or_o forty_o in_o all_o of_o our_o own_o stature_n and_o temper_n that_o have_v come_v for_o to_o be_v bishopt_v as_o than_o it_o be_v call_v the_o bishop_n examine_v we_o not_o at_o all_o in_o one_o article_n of_o the_o faith_n but_o in_o a_o churchyard_n in_o haste_n we_o be_v set_v in_o a_o rank_n and_o he_o pass_v hasty_o over_o we_o lay_v his_o hand_n on_o our_o head_n and_o say_v a_o few_o word_n which_o neither_o i_o nor_o any_o that_o i_o speak_v with_o understand_v so_o hasty_o be_v they_o utter_v and_o a_o very_a short_a prayer_n recite_v and_o there_o be_v a_o end_n but_o whethey_a we_o be_v christian_n or_o infidel_n or_o know_v so_o much_o as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n the_o bishop_n little_o know_v nor_o inquire_v and_o yet_o he_o be_v one_o of_o the_o best_a bishop_n esteem_v in_o england_n and_o though_o the_o canon_n require_v that_o the_o curate_n or_o minister_n send_v a_o certificate_n that_o child_n have_v learn_v the_o catechism_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n do_v but_o we_o run_v of_o our_o own_o accord_n to_o see_v the_o bishop_n only_o and_o almost_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o county_n have_v not_o this_o much_o this_o be_v the_o old_a careless_a practice_n of_o this_o excellent_a duty_n of_o confirmation_n some_o few_o perhaps_o half_a a_o parish_n in_o the_o best_a place_n will_v send_v their_o child_n to_o church_n to_o be_v catechize_v yet_o but_o even_o those_o few_o that_o learn_v the_o word_n for_o the_o most_o part_n understand_v not_o what_o they_o say_v and_o be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o the_o matter_n as_o if_o they_o never_o learn_v the_o word_n this_o be_v the_o common_a way_n by_o which_o our_o parish_n come_v to_o be_v church_n and_o our_o people_n to_o be_v christian_n suppose_v some_o to_o be_v mix_v among_o they_o that_o be_v more_o faithful_o devote_v to_o god_n in_o baptism_n and_o better_o educate_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n 2._o now_o let_v we_o see_v what_o be_v the_o real_a visible_a undeniable_a fruit_n of_o this_o defective_a sinful_a course_n because_o man_n build_v upon_o this_o fundamental_a falsehood_n that_o infant_n baptism_n upon_o the_o parent_n profession_n do_v give_v they_o right_o to_o the_o church-state_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n without_o any_o personal_a profession_n and_o covenant_v with_o god_n when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n which_o the_o church_n must_v have_v cognisance_n of_o and_o so_o they_o that_o enter_v somewhat_o more_o regular_o into_o a_o infant_n church_n state_n do_v become_v adult-member_n secret_o unobserved_o and_o no_o body_n well_o know_v how_o hereupon_o it_o follow_v 1._o that_o our_o church_n be_v lamentable_o corrupt_v and_o disease_v though_o they_o be_v true_a church_n and_o have_v life_n in_o they_o while_o they_o be_v make_v so_o like_o the_o unbelieving_a and_o ungodly_a world_n and_o the_o garden_n of_o christ_n be_v make_v too_o like_o the_o common_a wilderness_n for_o heathen_n and_o impious_a person_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o the_o unclean_a almost_o be_v the_o member_n of_o they_o where_o parish_n or_o parish-meeting_n be_v make_v convertible_a with_o church_n i_o will_v make_v the_o case_n neither_o worse_o nor_o better_a than_o it_o be_v till_o within_o these_o few_o year_n i_o know_v but_o very_o imperfect_o how_o it_o be_v and_o i_o think_v the_o case_n have_v be_v better_a with_o some_o and_o worse_o with_o other_o than_o i_o have_v find_v it_o upon_o trial_n and_o have_v i_o not_o set_v
be_v to_o rest_v in_o obedience_n to_o their_o pastor_n for_o that_o be_v undoubted_o their_o duty_n the_o work_n be_v the_o pastor_n and_o not_o they_o 2._o but_o if_o the_o case_n be_v plain_o contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n as_o if_o he_o will_v admit_v a_o impenitent_a drunkard_n fornicatour_n etc._n etc._n they_o must_v disow_v his_o sin_n that_o it_o lie_v not_o upon_o they_o and_o refuse_v private_a familiarity_n with_o that_o person_n but_o not_o withdraw_v from_o public_a ordinance_n because_o of_o his_o presence_n for_o when_o they_o have_v do_v their_o duty_n and_o rid_v themselves_o of_o the_o guilt_n by_o a_o dissent_n the_o person_n be_v to_o they_o as_o morral_o absent_a though_o local_o and_o physical_o present_a and_o the_o ordinance_n be_v not_o defile_v to_o they_o by_o his_o corporal_a presence_n but_o the_o guilt_n will_v lie_v on_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n otherwise_o all_o church_n shall_v be_v break_v in_o piece_n if_o the_o people_n must_v separate_v when_o every_o one_o that_o they_o be_v confident_a be_v unworthy_a be_v introduce_v and_o the_o govern_v will_v become_v the_o governor_n 3._o but_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o few_o that_o the_o pastor_n thus_o introduce_v against_o the_o certain_a word_n of_o god_n but_o so_o many_o and_o such_o as_o will_v corrupt_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o church_n ☞_o and_o make_v it_o a_o uncapable_a matter_n for_o the_o form_n and_o so_o to_o become_v another_o thing_n and_o destroy_v the_o very_a end_n of_o church-association_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o long_o a_o communion_n of_o saint_n then_o the_o people_n fear_v god_n be_v bind_v to_o stop_v this_o before_o it_o have_v quite_o corrupt_v the_o church_n by_o admonish_v the_o pastor_n and_o advise_v with_o neighbour_n church_n to_o admonish_v they_o and_o if_o that_o prevail_v not_o by_o reject_v they_o and_o if_o they_o can_v do_v so_o by_o reason_n of_o a_o major_a vote_n of_o uncapable_a person_n they_o ought_v to_o withdraw_v themselves_o and_o worship_n god_n in_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v true_o capable_a of_o the_o name_n and_o end_n revocare_fw-la and_o this_o be_v a_o lawful_a and_o necessary_a separation_n of_o which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n god_n be_v the_o cause_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o forsake_v of_o the_o rest_n the_o culpable_a cause_n be_v only_o in_o themselves_o i_o can_v easy_o prove_v all_o this_o but_o that_o i_o think_v it_o needless_a tediousness_n affair_n 4._o and_o indeed_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a measure_n if_o at_o the_o corrupt_a administration_n of_o a_o carnal_a or_o careless_a or_o erroneous_a pastor_n all_o the_o church_n must_v be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o give_v their_o estate_n by_o way_n of_o relief_n to_o every_o one_o that_o he_o will_v put_v the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o church_n member_n upon_o unworthy_o then_o may_v he_o force_v they_o to_o maintain_v all_o the_o beggar_n and_o rogue_n about_o they_o though_o they_o be_v infidel_n and_o impious_a man_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o common_a relief_n of_o the_o needy_a for_o that_o i_o know_v they_o owe_v to_o a_o infidel_n but_o of_o the_o special_a community_n which_o charity_n must_v make_v among_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v against_o all_o reason_n that_o a_o err_a or_o careless_a pastor_n shall_v thus_o command_v all_o the_o people_n estate_n by_o introduce_v such_o without_o their_o consent_n who_o they_o be_v bind_v thus_o to_o maintain_v 5._o yea_o indeed_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v in_o the_o saint_n a_o spirit_n of_o discern_v so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o church_n shall_v in_o their_o affection_n obey_v such_o a_o corrupt_a administratour_n by_o love_v all_o the_o notorious_a ungodly_a man_n as_o saint_n with_o the_o special_a love_n of_o brethren_n who_o he_o will_v careless_o or_o erroneous_o put_v in_o the_o place_n of_o saint_n i_o can_v possible_o love_v that_o man_n as_o a_o saint_n or_o disciple_n of_o christ_n that_o i_o be_o certain_a be_v his_o enemy_n and_o none_o such_o i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o though_o the_o people_n be_v not_o church-governors_n by_o a_o vote_n that_o be_v a_o great_a error_n yet_o they_o have_v a_o judgement_n of_o discern_v according_a to_o which_o they_o must_v obey_v or_o reject_v their_o pastors_n administration_n and_o he_o that_o deny_v this_o and_o will_v have_v they_o yield_v a_o absolute_a obedience_n without_o try_v choose_v and_o refuse_v will_v not_o only_o make_v the_o pastor_n to_o be_v of_o a_o papal_a strain_n but_o will_v give_v they_o a_o jesuitical_a obedience_n above_o what_o the_o moderate_a papist_n give_v the_o pope_n and_o therefore_o see_v that_o ad_fw-la finem_fw-la there_o be_v a_o necessity_n that_o the_o people_n consent_n or_o else_o they_o can_v obey_v nor_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o person_n therefore_o there_o be_v also_o the_o same_o necessity_n ad_fw-la finem_fw-la that_o they_o have_v satisfaction_n offer_v they_o and_o have_v either_o the_o cognisance_n of_o the_o profession_n and_o admission_n of_o the_o person_n or_o that_o they_o be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o fidelity_n of_o their_o pastor_n in_o administration_n and_o that_o he_o seek_v their_o consent_n or_o which_o be_v best_a that_o some_o choose_a person_n do_v represent_v they_o and_o be_v present_a at_o such_o profession_n with_o the_o pastor_n and_o the_o pastor_n and_o their_o own_o delegate_n together_o do_v acquaint_v the_o congregation_n of_o all_o that_o be_v admit_v and_o of_o their_o satisfactory_a prfession_n that_o they_o may_v hold_v communion_n with_o they_o this_o i_o speak_v of_o those_o which_o be_v very_o many_o that_o be_v fit_a for_o church-communion_n and_o yet_o through_o bashfulness_n or_o want_v of_o utterance_n be_v unable_a to_o make_v a_o public_a profession_n before_o all_o the_o choice_a christian_n that_o i_o have_v know_v have_v be_v such_o but_o those_o that_o be_v able_a shall_v rather_o in_o public_a make_v their_o own_o profession_n object_n but_o what_o if_o one_o part_n of_o the_o congregation_n approve_v of_o the_o person_n and_o profession_n and_o the_o other_o disallow_v it_o answ_n 1._o they_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o pastor_n 2._o and_o consult_v with_o the_o pastor_n of_o neighbour_n churchâ—â—_n in_o rule_n of_o great_a weight_n ae_v danger_n 3._o and_o the_o lesser_a part_n of_o the_o church_n in_o doubtful_a case_n and_o tolerable_a difference_n be_v to_o yield_v to_o the_o great_a part_n not_o as_o if_o a_o major_a vote_n have_v the_o government_n of_o the_o rest_n much_o less_o of_o their_o governor_n but_o in_o order_n to_o unity_n the_o few_o must_v submit_v quest_n but_o what_o if_o the_o people_n will_v have_v the_o pastor_n baptise_v confirm_v or_o introduce_v a_o open_a heretic_n or_o wicked_a person_n in_o his_o impenitency_n answ_n the_o pastor_n must_v obey_v god_n and_o refuse_v to_o obey_v they_o quest_n and_o what_o if_o the_o people_n think_v a_o man_n unfit_a who_o the_o pastor_n will_v approve_v and_o introduce_v answ_n 1._o he_o may_v admit_v he_o into_o the_o universal_a church_n notwithstanding_o their_o unjust_a refusal_n 2._o he_o have_v power_n to_o admit_v he_o into_o that_o particular_a church_n against_o their_o unjust_a dissent_n as_o he_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o administratour_n of_o the_o ordinance_n 3._o he_o have_v authority_n to_o persuade_v and_o command_v they_o from_o christ_n to_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o person_n and_o do_v their_o duty_n to_o he_o which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o they_o commit_v a_o double_a sin_n one_o of_o unjustice_n and_o uncharitableness_n in_o a_o causeless_a reject_v of_o a_o member_n of_o christ_n and_o another_o of_o disobedience_n against_o the_o five_o commandment_n 4._o but_o yet_o the_o pastor_n can_v force_v the_o people_n to_o obey_v their_o advice_n and_o command_v nor_o effectual_o procure_v it_o perhaps_o 5._o and_o therefore_o their_o forementioned_a power_n be_v not_o always_o to_o be_v exercise_v for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o use_v a_o mean_n that_o will_v rather_o hinder_v the_o end_n then_o attain_v to_o it_o and_o so_o be_v at_o that_o time_n no_o mean_n sometime_o the_o pastor_n may_v see_v just_a cause_n to_o exercise_v all_o this_o power_n and_o execute_v his_o part_n of_o church_n communion_n with_o the_o person_n in_o administer_a the_o ordinance_n to_o he_o and_o leave_v the_o people_n answerable_a to_o god_n for_o refuse_v their_o part_n but_o this_o be_v not_o a_o usual_a case_n usual_o if_o he_o see_v the_o people_n resolve_v against_o communion_n with_o that_o person_n how_o fit_a soever_o he_o be_v public_o to_o clear_v himself_o by_o disallow_v they_o in_o their_o sin_n and_o reprove_v they_o for_o it_o and_o leave_v the_o blame_n on_o they_o and_o then_o in_o prudence_n to_o forbear_v the_o intrude_a
do_v manifest_a who_o they_o esteem_v good_a christian_n and_o this_o the_o people_n very_o much_o look_v at_o 2._o the_o reputation_n of_o all_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v to_o be_v manifest_v in_o their_o agreement_n confession_n or_o declaration_n and_o practice_n 3._o the_o common_a consent_n of_o christian_a people_n which_o be_v to_o be_v manifest_v by_o their_o action_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o direction_n of_o their_o guide_n if_o magistrate_n minister_n and_o people_n do_v concur_v to_o repute_v all_o the_o infidel_n and_o utter_o ignorant_a wicked_a man_n among_o we_o to_o be_v christian_n how_o many_o thousand_o soul_n may_v this_o deceive_v and_o undo_v for_o ever_o whereas_o if_o magistrate_n minister_n and_o people_n that_o fear_n god_n will_v all_o agree_v accordng_v to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n to_o esteem_v none_o adult-christians_a but_o those_o that_o by_o a_o credible_a profession_n of_o christianity_n do_v seem_v to_o be_v such_o it_o will_v abundant_o help_v to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o misery_n and_o the_o need_n of_o christ_n and_o grace_n and_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o a_o change_n we_o see_v even_o among_o good_a man_n in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o particular_a sin_n how_o much_o common_a reputation_n do_v help_v to_o hinder_v the_o work_n upon_o their_o conscience_n among_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o the_o sea_n what_o conscience_n be_v trouble_v for_o these_o action_n or_o omission_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n which_o in_o england_n will_v much_o trouble_v man_n of_o the_o same_o temper_n in_o other_o thing_n among_o several_a sect_n it_o trouble_v they_o not_o free_o to_o revile_v the_o servant_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v against_o they_o because_o they_o find_v it_o rather_o go_v for_o commendable_a than_o much_o condemnable_a by_o those_o who_o they_o most_o esteem_v among_o the_o papist_n the_o believe_v in_o a_o vice-christ_n and_o the_o worship_v of_o his_o image_n and_o cross_n with_o divine_a worship_n and_o also_o the_o consecrate_a host_n and_o the_o condemn_v all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o do_v it_o not_o do_v go_v for_o virtue_n and_o christian_a practice_n though_o they_o be_v most_o heinous_a odious_a sin_n and_o what_o be_v it_o but_o common_a reputation_n of_o prince_n and_o priest_n and_o multitude_n of_o people_n that_o can_v make_v so_o many_o yea_o and_o such_o person_n as_o some_o of_o they_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o such_o sin_n as_o if_o they_o be_v a_o part_n yea_o a_o essential_a part_n of_o holiness_n and_o one_o generation_n to_o succeed_v another_o in_o they_o be_v these_o sin_n but_o common_o repute_v to_o be_v as_o odious_a as_o indeed_o they_o be_v what_o a_o change_n will_v it_o make_v on_o million_o of_o soul_n so_o that_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o see_v the_o power_n of_o reputation_n 3._o moreover_o this_o course_n will_v be_v a_o excellent_a help_n to_o the_o labour_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n for_o man_n salvation_n they_o will_v better_o understand_v and_o apply_v our_o sermon_n whereas_o now_o they_o lose_v the_o benefit_n by_o misapply_v they_o now_o we_o must_v labour_v all_o our_o life_n and_o with_o most_o in_o vain_a to_o make_v unbeliever_n and_o ungodly_a person_n understand_v what_o they_o be_v and_o no_o mean_n will_v serve_v to_o convince_v many_o people_n that_o they_o be_v not_o true_o christian_n that_o know_v not_o what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o christian_n or_o that_o hate_v it_o and_o fight_v against_o it_o when_o they_o all_o go_v together_o under_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n what_o ever_o comfort_v they_o hear_v offer_v to_o believer_n they_o take_v they_o to_o themselves_o or_o mistake_v they_o as_o offer_v to_o they_o and_o all_o the_o threaten_n that_o be_v utter_v against_o unbeliever_n they_o put_v by_o and_o think_v it_o be_v not_o they_o that_o they_o be_v speak_v against_o but_o if_o once_o we_o can_v but_o get_v man_n to_o stand_v in_o their_o own_o place_n and_o to_o know_v themselves_o how_o easy_o then_o will_v our_o message_n work_v i_o think_v the_o devil_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o keep_v one_o man_n of_o a_o hundred_o in_o his_o power_n if_o they_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o his_o power_n nor_o one_o of_o a_o hundred_o in_o a_o state_n of_o ungodliness_n and_o condemnation_n if_o they_o know_v that_o they_o be_v in_o such_o a_o state_n at_o least_o i_o be_o sure_a man_n will_v not_o so_o numerous_o nor_o easy_o run_v into_o hell_n when_o they_o know_v they_o be_v go_v into_o it_o as_o when_o they_o be_v confident_a that_o they_o be_v good_a christian_n and_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n 4._o if_o this_o foredescribed_a confirmation_n be_v practise_v it_o will_v more_o powerful_o oblige_v our_o people_n to_o christ_n than_o a_o secret_a slide_n into_o the_o number_n of_o adult-christians_a will_v do_v and_o doubtless_o solemn_a engagement_n and_o obligation_n have_v some_o force_n upon_o conscience_n to_o hold_v man_n to_o christ_n and_o restrain_v they_o from_o sin_n or_o else_o baptism_n itself_o will_v be_v much_o frustrate_a and_o the_o jew_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v so_o often_o call_v by_o moses_n joshua_n asa_n and_o other_o prince_n to_o renew_v their_o covenant_n with_o god_n but_o with_o we_o man_n feel_v no_o such_o bond_n upon_o they_o and_o many_o question_n whether_o they_o be_v bind_v at_o all_o by_o their_o parent_n promise_n for_o they_o in_o baptism_n 5._o the_o profit_v of_o our_o people_n will_v be_v much_o great_a in_o their_o own_o place_n when_o those_o that_o be_v not_o yet_o fit_a for_o adult-membership_a and_o privilege_n be_v keep_v in_o the_o place_n of_o catechuman_n or_o expectant_n every_o thing_n do_v thrive_v and_o prosper_v best_a in_o its_o own_o place_n if_o you_o tear_v they_o not_o out_o of_o the_o church_n womb_n till_o they_o be_v ready_a for_o the_o birth_n they_o will_v prosper_v there_o that_o else_o may_v perish_v your_o corn_n will_v best_o prosper_v in_o the_o cold_a earth_n where_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v dead_a and_o bury_v till_o the_o spring_a time_n shall_v come_v and_o you_o shall_v not_o violent_o unhose_v the_o ear_n till_o nature_n put_v they_o forth_o the_o first_o digestion_n must_v be_v wrought_v before_o the_o second_o and_o nature_n must_v have_v time_n allow_v it_o and_o the_o stomach_n must_v not_o too_o hasty_o let_v go_v the_o food_n if_o you_o will_v have_v good_a sanguification_n and_o nutrition_n follow_v man_n think_v they_o do_v a_o great_a kindness_n to_o gross_o ignorant_a or_o impious_a man_n to_o take_v they_o into_o the_o church_n before_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o station_n and_o the_o work_n or_o privilege_n thereto_o belong_v but_o alas_o they_o do_v but_o hurry_v they_o to_o perdition_n by_o thrust_v they_o out_o of_o the_o state_n where_o they_o may_v have_v thrive_v in_o preparation_n to_o a_o church-state_n into_o a_o state_n which_o will_v set_v they_o 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a_o discipline_n and_o when_o it_o be_v exercise_v upon_o few_o and_o we_o have_v not_o such_o multitude_n to_o sweep_v out_o of_o the_o church_n 7._o by_o this_o mean_n both_o church-associations_a and_o ordinance_n may_v attain_v their_o end_n and_o people_n will_v be_v capable_a of_o do_v the_o duty_n of_o christian_n to_o one_o another_o when_o other_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v it_o church_n member_n be_v bind_v to_o exhort_v one_o another_o daily_a while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n lest_o any_o be_v harden_v by_o the_o deceitfullness_n of_o sin_n heb._n 3._o 13._o and_o to_o teach_v and_o admonish_v one_o another_o col._n 3._o 16._o but_o before_o swine_n we_o must_v not_o cast_v such_o pearl_n nor_o give_v that_o which_o be_v holy_a to_o dog_n matth._n 7._o 6._o therefore_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o dog_n and_o
opinion_n right_a let_v it_o not_o so_o far_o dispossess_v you_o of_o charity_n and_o reason_n as_o to_o unchurch_n all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o think_v otherwise_o or_o to_o cast_v off_o communion_n with_o the_o godly_a that_o be_v not_o of_o your_o opinion_n as_o long_o as_o we_o come_v so_o near_o you_o as_o to_o take_v none_o into_o the_o number_n of_o adult_n church-member_n but_o those_o that_o be_v confirm_v or_o approve_v by_o christ_n minister_n upon_o their_o personal_a credible_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o holiness_n lay_v all_o this_o together_o and_o we_o may_v well_o conclude_v that_o this_o practice_n of_o ministerial_a approbation_n and_o confirmation_n or_o restoration_n of_o all_o that_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o number_n of_o adult-christians_a or_o visible_a church-member_n and_o to_o their_o privilege_n be_v so_o necessary_a and_o so_o admirable_o fit_v both_o for_o reformation_n and_o reconciliation_n of_o the_o episcopal_a presbyterian_a 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against_o by_o mistake_v man_n and_o yet_o we_o must_v not_o therefore_o cast_v they_o away_o nor_o be_v it_o the_o way_n to_o vindicate_v a_o truth_n or_o ordinance_n from_o reproach_n to_o disclaim_v it_o and_o so_o to_o reproach_v it_o actual_o ourselves_o nor_o be_v it_o the_o way_n to_o get_v advantage_n of_o a_o adversary_n to_o fly_v from_o he_o too_o far_o into_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a but_o rather_o to_o come_v as_o near_o he_o as_o the_o truth_n will_v give_v we_o leave_v and_o to_o the_o anabaptist_n objection_n we_o shall_v give_v they_o our_o reason_n against_o their_o way_n in_o a_o fit_a place_n and_o have_v already_o do_v it_o we_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n of_o old_a both_o with_o circumsion_n and_o without_o it_o deut._n 29._o do_v enter_v their_o child_n into_o covenant_n with_o god_n as_o well_o as_o themselves_o and_o if_o it_o be_v the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n that_o both_o infant_n and_o aged_n shall_v be_v enter_v and_o engage_v to_o he_o in_o covenant_n we_o will_v obey_v his_o word_n and_o do_v both_o though_o the_o anabaptist_n will_v do_v but_o the_o one_o he_o must_v have_v a_o hard_a face_n that_o will_v deny_v that_o it_o be_v once_o the_o duty_n of_o parent_n to_o offer_v their_o child_n to_o god_n and_o enter_v they_o into_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o when_o they_o have_v prove_v that_o this_o duty_n or_o power_n be_v recall_v which_o i_o never_o yet_o see_v do_v no_o not_o in_o mr._n tomb_n his_o last_o voluminous_a review_n than_o we_o will_v forbear_v it_o but_o till_o than_o it_o be_v not_o man_n talk_n and_o confident_a word_n that_o must_v make_v a_o tender_a conscience_n yield_v to_o omit_v so_o great_a and_o plain_a a_o duty_n or_o give_v up_o so_o great_a a_o mercy_n as_o this_o be_v i_o be_o sure_a that_o infant_n be_v then_o no_o more_o able_a to_o believe_v themselves_o nor_o enter_v themselves_o in_o covenant_n with_o god_n then_o now_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o parent_n by_o god_n appointment_n do_v it_o for_o they_o offering_z and_o engage_a they_o to_o god_n and_o that_o god_n hereupon_o be_v call_v their_o god_n and_o they_o his_o people_n and_o that_o usual_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v annex_v and_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o parent_n have_v as_o much_o natural_a interest_n in_o their_o child_n now_o as_o then_o and_o i_o never_o yet_o see_v where_o god_n have_v acquit_v we_o of_o this_o duty_n or_o withdraw_v this_o mercy_n from_o we_o and_o our_o seed_n object_n 2._o the_o proof_n which_o you_o bring_v for_o this_o confirmation_n be_v so_o obscure_a that_o it_o be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v general_o receive_v answ_n it_o be_v general_o receive_v in_o almost_o all_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n till_o late_o and_o as_o far_o as_o i_o plead_v for_o it_o it_o be_v yet_o doctrinal_o at_o least_o own_a and_o maintain_v even_o by_o those_o church_n that_o practical_o have_v disuse_v it_o of_o all_o the_o christian_n on_o earth_n i_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o thousand_o if_o not_o ten_o thousand_o for_o it_o doctrinal_o or_o dogmatical_o for_o one_o that_o be_v against_o it_o if_o we_o judge_v by_o the_o law_n confession_n and_o write_n of_o their_o guide_n though_o the_o greek_n i_o know_v do_v not_o own_o the_o popish_a confirmation_n nor_o have_v it_o not_o so_o formal_o as_o they_o shall_v and_o the_o papist_n have_v corrupt_v it_o by_o their_o abuse_n yet_o the_o thing_n in_o substance_n be_v own_v dogmatical_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o they_o must_v be_v very_o singular_a person_n that_o disowne_v it_o 2._o and_o i_o think_v the_o proof_n that_o have_v be_v give_v you_o be_v clear_a than_o you_o have_v for_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n for_o constant_a family_n prayer_n for_o infant_n baptism_n and_o many_o a_o holy_a duty_n which_o yet_o we_o have_v sufficient_a proof_n for_o what_o will_v you_o have_v plain_a be_v there_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o it_o whether_o a_o presonal_a profession_n and_o covenant_v with_o god_n be_v necessary_a to_o he_o that_o will_v be_v take_v into_o the_o number_n of_o adult_n christian_n and_o possess_v their_o privilege_n and_o communion_n or_o whether_o this_o profession_n must_v be_v approve_v by_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o know_v to_o they_o that_o must_v hold_v communion_n with_o he_o prove_v if_o you_o can_v that_o ever_o one_o man_n be_v admit_v among_o adult-christians_a to_o enjoy_v communion_n with_o they_o without_o such_o a_o personal_a profession_n you_o can_v prove_v it_o if_o infant-covenanting_a be_v enough_o for_o the_o adult_n than_o infidel_n be_v believer_n 3._o object_n but_o this_o will_v make_v minister_n to_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o church_n when_o no_o man_n can_v be_v take_v into_o the_o church_n or_o possess_v the_o privilege_n of_o a_o christian_a till_o he_o be_v approve_v by_o they_o this_o will_v put_v a_o tyrannical_a power_n into_o their_o hand_n answ_n 1._o such_o a_o tyrannical_a power_n as_o every_o physician_n have_v who_o may_v choose_v or_o refuse_v his_o patient_n or_o every_o schoolmaster_n have_v that_o may_v choose_v or_o refuse_v his_o scholar_n if_o he_o engage_v not_o himself_o to_o the_o contrary_a as_o plato_n zeno_n and_o every_o philosopher_n do_v in_o his_o school_n 2._o it_o be_v such_o a_o tyranny_n as_o christ_n have_v unquestionable_o set_v up_o and_o to_o accuse_v he_o of_o set_v up_o tyranny_n be_v a_o unkind_a part_n of_o they_o that_o look_v to_o be_v save_v by_o he_o 3._o it_o be_v a_o power_n that_o have_v constant_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o officer_n of_o christ_n and_o do_v not_o man_n smell_v out_o the_o tyranny_n of_o it_o till_o now_o what_o prince_n do_v govern_v the_o church_n door_n and_o judge_v who_o shall_v be_v admit_v from_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n till_o constantine_n day_n when_o the_o church_n be_v at_o the_o pure_a yea_o or_o ever_o after_o for_o many_o a_o hundred_o year_n do_v not_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o every_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n baptise_v those_o that_o they_o convetre_v and_o judge_v of_o they_o whether_o they_o be_v baptizable_a and_o do_v not_o the_o bishop_n confirm_v the_o baptise_a without_o consult_v another_o power_n half_o that_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n and_o more_o for_o some_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n be_v the_o adult_n and_o of_o these_o the_o pastor_n require_v a_o personal_a covenant_n and_o profession_n the_o other_o half_o be_v their_o infant_n and_o for_o they_o they_o require_v the_o parent_n profession_n and_o enter_v they_o into_o covenant_n but_o still_o the_o pastor_n be_v the_o judge_n who_o be_v the_o administer_v 4._o if_o you_o think_v it_o too_o much_o power_n for_o we_o i_o beseech_v you_o think_v it_o too_o much_o work_n for_o
ejus_fw-la salubriter_fw-la percipit_fw-la and_o say_v the_o synod_n of_o dort_n artic._n 1._o 8._o 17._o quandoquidem_fw-la de_fw-la voluntate_fw-la dei_fw-la ex_fw-la verbo_fw-la ipsius_fw-la nobis_fw-la est_fw-la judicandum_fw-la quod_fw-la testatur_fw-la liberos_fw-la fidelium_fw-la esse_fw-la sanctos_fw-la non_fw-la quidem_fw-la natura_fw-la sed_fw-la beneficiâ—_n faederis_fw-la gratuiti_fw-la in_fw-la quo_fw-la illi_fw-la cum_fw-la parentibus_fw-la comprehenduntur_fw-la pij_fw-la parent_n de_fw-la electione_n &_o salute_v suorum_fw-la liberorum_fw-la quos_fw-la deus_fw-la in_o infantia_fw-la ex_fw-la hac_fw-la vita_fw-la evocat_fw-la dubitare_fw-la non_fw-la debeâ—t_fw-la and_o if_o there_o be_v such_o certainty_n of_o the_o election_n and_o salvation_n of_o all_o such_o infant_n of_o the_o godly_a as_o aught_o to_o exclude_v all_o doubt_n sure_o the_o visible_a church-state_n of_o the_o adult_n also_o have_v some_o respect_n to_o save_a grace_n so_o far_o as_o that_o its_o credible_a fide_fw-la humanâ_fw-la that_o such_o have_v save_v faith_n and_o say_v mr_n fullwood_n append._n p._n 6._o i_o conceive_v that_o such_o a_o one_o personal_a profession_n in_o his_o general_n owâ—ing_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o usual_a attend_v god_n public_a worship_n do_v superadde_v a_o kind_n of_o new_a right_n and_o mingle_v it_o with_o such_o a_o person_n former_a right_n have_v by_o his_o birth_n privilege_n and_o if_o the_o new_a right_n be_v not_o a_o necessary_a right_n i_o think_v it_o will_v prove_v no_o right_n i_o will_v contend_v with_o no_o man_n whether_o the_o approve_a profession_n which_o i_o have_v plead_v for_o in_o this_o book_n be_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n with_o the_o ancient_n confirmation_n i_o have_v give_v you_o my_o thought_n of_o it_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o thing_n in_o question_n be_v our_o duty_n and_o the_o name_n not_o unfit_a and_o that_o its_o the_o same_o with_o the_o confirmation_n own_v by_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o particular_o with_o that_o establish_a and_o recommend_v in_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n here_o in_o england_n for_o the_o substance_n i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o this_o serious_a request_n to_o my_o brethren_n second_v with_o weighty_a reason_n even_o that_o they_o will_v take_v heed_n of_o both_o extreme_n in_o their_o judge_n of_o church-member_n and_o manage_v the_o discipline_n and_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n 1._o shall_v we_o be_v so_o loose_a as_o to_o cast_v out_o discipline_n or_o settle_v the_o church_n either_o with_o such_o material_n for_o quality_n or_o quantity_n as_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v uncapable_a of_o discipline_n we_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v it_o to_o christ_n and_o shall_v we_o make_v a_o new_a qualification_n of_o adult_n church-member_n even_o their_o infant-title-condition_n alone_o or_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o faith_n that_o be_v not_o save_v we_o shall_v come_v too_o near_o the_o make_n of_o a_o new_a baptism_n and_o church_n and_o true_o if_o we_o do_v but_o slubber_v over_o the_o business_n and_o to_o avoid_v offence_n or_o trouble_n to_o ourselves_o anabaptist_n shall_v take_v up_o with_o a_o profession_n utter_o incredible_a especial_o in_o these_o time_n when_o we_o have_v so_o much_o liberty_n and_o countenance_n from_o the_o magistrate_n for_o a_o full_a reformation_n we_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o injury_n to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o christian_a name_n and_o our_o people_n soul_n as_o be_v little_o consider_v by_o many_o that_o have_v their_o eye_n only_o on_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n but_o on_o one_o side_n 2._o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o we_o go_v so_o rigid_o and_o unrighteous_o to_o work_v as_o some_o man_n be_v bend_v to_o do_v we_o may_v accomplish_v those_o end_n that_o we_o be_v endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v and_o frustrate_v our_o own_o which_o we_o think_v to_o attain_v if_o we_o will_v reject_v the_o scripture-ancient-character_n or_o evidence_n of_o title_n to_o church-priviledge_n even_o a_o credible_a profession_n of_o christianity_n we_o shall_v confound_v ourselves_o and_o trouble_v the_o church_n and_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o a_o certain_a evidence_n and_o never_o know_v what_o ground_n to_o rest_v upon_o and_o we_o shall_v injure_v the_o soul_n of_o multitude_n of_o true_a believer_n and_o keep_v out_o those_o that_o christ_n will_v entertain_v for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o term_n beside_o take_v man_n profession_n by_o a_o humane_a faith_n on_o which_o we_o can_v admit_v person_n without_o exclude_v multitude_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v exclude_v i_o doubt_v many_o minister_n that_o have_v have_v a_o more_o ingenuous_a education_n themselves_o be_v not_o sufficient_o sensible_a of_o the_o great_a disadvantage_n that_o country_n people_n be_v under_o by_o their_o want_n of_o such_o education_n many_o that_o be_v breed_v where_o holy_a discourse_n be_v strange_a and_o never_o be_v use_v to_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n no_o nor_o to_o common_a urbanity_n of_o speech_n or_o behaviour_n may_v be_v bring_v to_o hearty_a sorrow_n for_o sin_n and_o desire_n after_o christ_n and_o grace_n long_o before_o they_o can_v express_v their_o knowledge_n or_o desire_n in_o any_o such_o manner_n as_o some_o man_n do_v expect_v many_o gracious_a soul_n as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v discern_v i_o have_v meet_v with_o that_o never_o be_v note_v for_o any_o thing_n extraordinary_a in_o religion_n though_o they_o live_v among_o such_o i_o have_v rather_o let_v in_o many_o that_o be_v unregenerate_a into_o the_o church_n then_o keep_v out_o one_o that_o be_v a_o true_a believer_n if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o remedy_n the_o lord_n jesus_n that_o die_v for_o they_o and_o send_v the_o ministry_n for_o they_o and_o will_v at_o last_o admit_v they_o into_o heaven_n will_v give_v we_o little_a thanks_o for_o exclude_v his_o weak_a member_n from_o the_o church_n and_o 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have_v
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the_o estate_n that_o he_o have_v title_n to_o but_o all_o this_o i_o have_v full_a express_v elsewhere_o and_o i_o have_v alte_o read_v mr_n tombes's_fw-fr last_o and_o large_a reply_n to_o part_v of_o my_o book_n and_o many_o other_o and_o must_v needs_o say_v that_o it_o leave_v i_o still_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n that_o the_o infant_n of_o his_o servant_n shall_v be_v dedicate_v to_o he_o in_o baptism_n and_o member_n of_o his_o visible_a church_n and_o though_o upon_o the_o review_n of_o my_o argument_n i_o find_v that_o i_o have_v use_v too_o many_o provoak_a word_n for_o which_o i_o be_o hearty_o sorry_a and_o desire_v pardon_n of_o god_n and_o he_o yet_o i_o must_v say_v that_o i_o be_o leave_v more_o confident_a than_o before_o that_o the_o cause_n be_v god_n which_o mr_n tomb_n oppose_v of_o which_o if_o god_n will_v i_o intend_v yet_o to_o give_v some_o further_a account_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o deal_v with_o this_o but_o as_o a_o 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of_o christ_n in_o distribution_n by_o give_v and_o receive_v and_o a_o endear_n holy_a love_n within_o these_o and_o many_o more_o privilege_n be_v proper_a to_o the_o adult_n that_o infant_n be_v not_o natural_o capable_a of_o these_o be_v as_o needless_a to_o prove_v as_o that_o they_o be_v infant_n and_o then_o that_o they_o be_v not_o moral_o capable_a be_v a_o inseparable_a consequent_a for_o though_o natural_a capacity_n may_v be_v without_o moral_a yet_o moral_n can_v be_v without_o natural_a in_o point_n of_o duty_n infant_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o the_o work_n as_o to_o hear_v pray_v praise_v etc._n etc._n beyond_o the_o natural_a capacity_n of_o their_o intellect_n and_o body_n and_o so_o in_o point_n of_o benefit_n we_o must_v have_v more_o sobriety_n then_o to_o suppose_v god_n to_o make_v over_o any_o benefit_n to_o they_o which_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o all_o this_o be_v plain_a prop._n 3._o the_o continuation_n of_o privilege_n receive_v in_o infancy_n be_v 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privilege_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o the_o title-condition_n of_o the_o church-membership_a and_o privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n so_o that_o if_o this_o new_a condition_n be_v not_o perform_v when_o man_n come_v to_o age_n their_o former_a title_n cease_v and_o there_o be_v no_o other_o that_o arise_v in_o his_o stead_n 1._o we_o be_v agree_v i_o think_v that_o our_o title_n cite_v which_o be_v fundamentum_fw-la juris_fw-la be_v god_n covenant_n 17._o grant_v or_o gift_n as_o it_o be_v his_o precept_n that_o constitute_v our_o duty_n so_o it_o be_v his_o promise_n or_o deed_n of_o gift_n which_o be_v our_o title_n to_o the_o benefit_n 2._o and_o we_o be_v agree_v i_o hope_v that_o this_o promise_n or_o grant_v from_o god_n be_v conditional_a for_o if_o church-membership_a and_o privilege_n he_o absolute_o give_v than_o it_o be_v to_o all_o or_o but_o to_o some_o not_o to_o all_o for_o then_o the_o church_n and_o the_o world_n be_v all_o one_o and_o than_o it_o be_v not_o ecclesia_fw-la caetus_fw-la evocatus_fw-la and_o then_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n have_v right_a which_o be_v thing_n that_o no_o christian_n i_o think_v will_v grant_v if_o it_o be_v but_o some_o that_o have_v title_n than_o there_o must_v be_v some_o note_n to_o know_v they_o by_o or_o else_o the_o some_o will_v be_v equal_a to_o all_o or_o to_o none_o and_o if_o they_o be_v mark_v out_o than_o it_o must_v be_v by_o name_n or_o by_o description_n not_o by_o name_n for_o we_o find_v the_o contrary_n scripture_n do_v not_o name_n all_o that_o have_v title_n to_o church_n privilege_n if_o it_o be_v by_o description_n it_o be_v either_o by_o mere_a physical_a or_o by_o moral_a qualification_n that_o they_o be_v describe_v the_o former_a none_o do_v imagine_v that_o i_o hear_v of_o if_o they_o be_v moral_a qualification_n then_o either_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v prerequisite_a to_o our_o right_n and_o privilege_n or_o not_o that_o they_o be_v prerequisite_a all_o must_v confess_v that_o read_v the_o promise_n and_o all_o do_v confess_v that_o they_o be_v prerequisite_a to_o all_o the_o follow_a privilege_n and_o if_o prerequisite_a then_o either_o as_o mean_n or_o no_o mean_n the_o late_a none_o can_v affirm_v without_o go_v against_o so_o much_o light_n as_o ordinary_a christian_n have_v still_o ready_a at_o hand_n to_o confute_v they_o with_o and_o if_o they_o be_v require_v as_o mean_n then_o either_o as_o cause_n or_o condition_n and_o i_o think_v you_o will_v soon_o yield_v they_o to_o be_v condition_n than_o cause_n though_o either_o concession_n suffice_v to_o the_o end_n that_o be_v before_o we_o but_o of_o this_o we_o need_v to_o say_v no_o more_o both_o because_o it_o be_v common_o confess_v and_o because_o that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o promise_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a be_v utter_v in_o conditional_a term_n nor_o be_v this_o either_o inconsistent_a with_o or_o any_o way_n unsuitable_a to_o a_o absolute_a decree_n for_o as_o a_o 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whether_o some_o of_o they_o have_v but_o low_a privilege_n be_v not_o here_o to_o be_v determine_v but_o in_o a_o fit_a place_n and_o therefore_o i_o determine_v not_o what_o privilege_n they_o be_v that_o will_v cease_v if_o our_o infant_n title_n cease_v but_o that_o according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o promise_n the_o continuance_n of_o they_o with_o the_o addition_n of_o the_o privilege_n proper_a to_o the_o adult_n be_v all_o lay_v upon_o a_o new_a condition_n 4._o note_v also_o that_o when_o i_o call_v it_o another_o or_o different_a condition_n i_o mean_v not_o that_o it_o be_v different_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o act_n but_o in_o the_o agent_n or_o subject_n it_o be_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o faith_n which_o at_o first_o be_v require_v in_o the_o parent_n for_o the_o child_n behoof_n and_o that_o afterward_o be_v require_v in_o ourselves_o but_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o infant_n title_n be_v but_o this_o that_o he_o be_v the_o child_n of_o a_o believer_n dedicate_v to_o god_n but_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o title_n of_o person_n at_o age_n be_v that_o they_o be_v themselves_o believer_n that_o have_v dedicate_v themselves_o too_o god_n the_o faith_n of_o the_o parent_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o infant_n title_n and_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o person_n himself_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o title_n of_o one_o at_o age._n that_o their_o own_o faith_n be_v not_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o infant_n title_n i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o prove_v for_o 1._o they_o be_v uncapable_a of_o believe_v without_o a_o miracle_n 2._o if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o some_o lutheran_n fond_o think_v yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o we_o be_v uncapable_a of_o discern_v by_o such_o a_o sign_n i_o think_v no_o minister_n that_o i_o know_v will_v judge_v what_o infant_n do_v themselves_o believe_v that_o he_o may_v baptise_v they_o 3._o and_o i_o think_v no_o man_n that_o look_v on_o the_o command_n or_o promise_v and_o the_o person_n of_o a_o infant_n 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of_o you_o in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n etc._n etc._n then_o they_o that_o glad_o receive_v his_o word_n be_v baptize_v act._n 10._o 44_o 47_o 48._o act._n 16._o 14_o 15._o &_o 30._o 32_o 33._o rom._n 10._o 12_o 13_o 14._o with_o many_o other_o text_n do_v put_v this_o out_o of_o doubt_n argument_n 2._o we_o be_v engage_v in_o our_o infant_n baptismal_a covenant_n to_o believe_v and_o repent_v when_o we_o come_v to_o age_n as_o a_o mean_n to_o our_o reception_n of_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o covenant_n proper_a to_o the_o adult_n therefore_o we_o must_v perform_v our_o covenant_n and_o use_v this_o mean_n if_o we_o will_v have_v the_o benefit_n arg._n 3._o if_o another_o condition_n be_v not_o of_o necessity_n to_o the_o age_a beside_o the_o condition_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o they_o in_o infancy_n than_o turk_n jew_n and_o heathen_n shall_v have_v right_a to_o church-membership_a and_o privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n but_o the_o consequent_a be_v notorious_o false_a therefore_o so_o be_v the_o antecedent_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequent_a be_v evident_a because_o a_o man_n that_o have_v believe_v parent_n may_v turn_v turk_n as_o be_v know_v in_o thousand_o of_o janissary_n or_o jew_n or_o pagan_a and_o therefore_o if_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o he_o be_v the_o child_n of_o a_o believer_n his_o title_n to_o church_n privilege_n will_v still_o continue_v and_o so_o among_o profess_a christian_n the_o child_n of_o a_o believer_n may_v turn_v heretic_n or_o notorious_o profane_a and_o scandalous_a and_o yet_o have_v title_n to_o church_n privilege_n if_o his_o first_o title_n still_o hold_v and_o a_o personal_a faith_n be_v not_o a_o necessary_a condition_n of_o his_o right_n add_v to_o these_o the_o many_o argument_n tend_v to_o confirm_v the_o point_n in_o hand_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o on_o another_o occasion_n in_o my_o dâ—sputations_n of_o right_a to_o sacrament_n but_o i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o spend_v more_o word_n to_o persuade_v any_o christian_n that_o our_o parent_n faith_n will_v not_o serve_v to_o give_v we_o title_n to_o the_o church_n privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n but_o we_o lose_v our_o right_n even_o to_o church-membership_a itself_o if_o when_o we_o come_v to_o age_n we_o add_v not_o a_o personal_a faith_n or_o profession_n at_o least_o of_o our_o own_o i_o only_o add_v that_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n so_o far_o past_a doubt_n that_o even_o the_o papist_n and_o the_o greekshave_n put_v it_o into_o their_o canon_n for_o the_o former_a you_o may_v find_v it_o in_o the_o decree_n part._n 3_o do_v 3._o pag._n mihi_fw-la 1241_o cite_v out_o of_o augustinin_n these_o word_n parvulus_fw-la qui_fw-la baptizatur_fw-la fiâ—ad_a anneâ—s_n rationales_fw-la veniens_fw-la non_fw-la crediderit_fw-la nec_fw-la ab_fw-la illicitis_fw-la abstinuerit_fw-la nihil_fw-la ei_fw-la prodest_fw-la quod_fw-la parvulus_fw-la accepit_fw-la that_o be_v a_o infant_n that_o be_v baptize_v if_o come_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n he_o do_v not_o believe_v nor_o abstain_v from_o thing_n unlawful_a that_o which_o he_o receive_v in_o infancy_n do_v profit_v he_o nothing_o and_o for_o the_o greek_n that_o this_o be_v according_a to_o their_o mind_n you_o may_v see_v in_o zonaras_n in_o comment_n in_o epist_n canon_n can._n 45._o cite_v ex_fw-la basilii_fw-la mag._n epist_n 2._o ad_fw-la amphiloch_n thus_o siquis_fw-la accâ—pto_fw-la nomine_fw-la christianismi_fw-la christum_fw-la contumeliâ_fw-la afficit_fw-la nulla_fw-la est_fw-la illi_fw-la appellationis_fw-la utilitas_fw-la that_o be_v if_o any_o one_o have_v receive_v the_o name_n of_o christianity_n shall_v repreach_v christ_n he_o have_v no_o profit_n by_o the_o name_n on_o which_o zonaras_n add_v qui_fw-la christo_fw-la credidit_fw-la &_o christianus_n appellatus_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la ex_fw-la divinis_fw-la precept_n be_v vitam_fw-la instituere_fw-la oportet_fw-la ut_fw-la hac_fw-la ratione_fw-la deus_fw-la per_fw-la ipsum_fw-la glorificetur_fw-la quemadmodum_fw-la illis_fw-la verbis_fw-la praecipitur_fw-la sic_fw-la luceat_fw-la lux_fw-la vestra_fw-la coram_fw-la hominibus_fw-la etc._n etc._n siquis_fw-la autem_fw-la nominatur_fw-la quidem_fw-la christianus_n deâ—_n vero_fw-la praecepta_fw-la transgreditur_fw-la contumeliam_fw-la irregat_fw-la christo_fw-la cujus_fw-la de_fw-la nomine_fw-la appellatur_fw-la nec_fw-la quicquam_fw-la ex_fw-la eâ_fw-la appellatione_fw-la utilitatis_fw-la trahit_fw-la that_o be_v see_v he_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o be_v call_v a_o christian_a aught_o to_o order_v his_o life_n by_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n that_o so_o god_n may_v be_v glorify_v by_o he_o according_a to_o that_o let_v your_o light_n so_o shine_v before_o man_n etc._n etc._n if_o any_o one_o that_o be_v call_v a_o christian_a shall_v transgress_v god_n command_n he_o bring_v a_o reproach_n on_o christ_n by_o who_o name_n he_o be_v call_v and_o he_o shall_v not_o receive_v the_o least_o profit_n by_o that_o title_n or_o name_n this_o be_v somewhat_o high_a than_o the_o point_n needs_o that_o i_o bring_v it_o for_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a thing_n if_o all_o other_o infidel_n shall_v be_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n except_o only_o the_o treacherous_a covenant-breaking_a infidel_n for_o such_o be_v all_o that_o be_v baptize_v in_o infancy_n prove_v no_o christian_n when_o they_o come_v to_o age._n as_o if_o persidiousness_n will_v give_v he_o right_o prop._n 5._o as_o a_o personal_a faith_n be_v the_o condition_n before_o god_n of_o title_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n so_o the_o profession_n of_o this_o faith_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o his_o right_n before_o the_o church_n and_o without_o this_o profession_n he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v as_o a_o adult_n member_n nor_o admit_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o such_o this_o proposition_n also_o as_o the_o sun_n reveal_v its_o self_n by_o its_o own_o light_n and_o therefore_o command_v
i_o to_o say_v but_o little_a for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o arg._n 1._o the_o church_n can_v judge_v of_o thing_n unknown_a non_fw-la entium_fw-la &_o non_fw-la apparentium_fw-la eadem_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la not_o to_o appear_v and_o not_o to_o be_v be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n we_o be_v not_o searcher_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v judge_v by_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o heart_n by_o outward_a sign_n arg._n 2._o if_o profession_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o necessary_a coram_fw-la ecclesiâ_fw-la to_o man_n church-membership_a and_o privilege_n than_o infidel_n and_o heathen_n will_v have_v right_o as_o be_v say_v in_o the_o former_a case_n and_o also_o the_o church_n and_o the_o world_n will_v be_v confound_v and_o the_o church_n will_v be_v no_o church_n but_o these_o be_v consequent_n that_o i_o hope_v no_o christian_n will_v have_v a_o favourable_a thought_n of_o and_o therefore_o they_o shall_v reject_v the_o antecedent_n arg._n 3._o it_o be_v a_o grant_v case_n among_o all_o christian_n that_o profession_n be_v thus_o necessary_a the_o apostle_n and_o ancient_a church_n admit_v none_o without_o it_o nor_o no_o more_o must_v we_o though_o all_o require_v not_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o profession_n yet_o that_o profession_n itself_o be_v the_o least_o that_o can_v be_v require_v of_o any_o man_n that_o lay_v claim_v to_o church_n privilege_n and_o ordinance_n proper_a to_o adult_v member_n this_o we_o be_v all_o agree_v in_o and_o therefore_o i_o need_v not_o add_v more_o proof_n where_o i_o find_v no_o controversy_n but_o yet_o as_o common_o as_o we_o be_v agree_v on_o this_o yet_o because_o it_o be_v the_o very_a point_n which_o most_o of_o the_o stress_n of_o our_o present_a disputation_n lie_v on_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o foresee_v what_o may_v possible_o be_v object_v by_o any_o new_a comer_n hereafter_o object_n perhaps_o some_o may_v say_v 1._o that_o we_o find_v no_o mention_n of_o profession_n require_v in_o scripture_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o peter_n receive_v a_o profession_n from_o those_o thousand_o who_o he_o so_o sudden_o baptise_a 3_o our_o church_n have_v be_v true_a church_n without_o such_o a_o profession_n personal_o and_o distinct_o make_v therefore_o it_o may_v be_v so_o still_o to_o these_o brief_o yet_o satisfactory_o 1._o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o abundant_a proof_n that_o a_o plain_a profession_n be_v make_v in_o those_o time_n by_o such_o as_o be_v baptize_v at_o age_n and_o so_o admit_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o ripeness_n and_o capacity_n into_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o special_a communion_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n at_o once_o to_o say_v much_o of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n or_o before_o christ_n will_v be_v but_o to_o interrupt_v you_o with_o less_o pertinent_a thing_n yet_o there_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o all_o the_o people_n be_v solemn_o engage_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n by_o moses_n more_o than_o once_o and_o that_o this_o be_v renew_v by_o joshua_n and_o other_o godly_a prince_n and_o that_o asa_n make_v the_o people_n not_o only_o enter_v into_o a_o covenant_n to_o seek_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n with_o all_o their_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o their_o soul_n but_o that_o whosoever_o will_v not_o seek_v he_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n whether_o small_a or_o great_a man_n or_o woman_n and_o they_o swear_v to_o the_o lord_n with_o a_o loud_a voice_n and_o with_o shouting_n and_o with_o trumpet_n and_o with_o cornet_n 2_o chron._n 15._o 12_o 13_o 14._o so_o follow_v prince_n call_v the_o people_n to_o this_o open_a covenant_v but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o to_o take_v the_o lord_n only_o to_o be_v their_o god_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o law_n be_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o a_o isarelite_n religion_n which_o they_o do_v not_o only_o open_o profess_v but_o excessive_o sometime_o glory_n in_o as_o circumcision_n seal_v the_o covenant_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v the_o covenant_n to_o infant_n and_o age_a whoever_o be_v circumcise_v so_o have_v they_o many_o sort_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o other_o worship_n in_o which_o they_o all_o be_v open_o to_o profess_v the_o same_o religion_n and_o covenant_n many_o purification_n also_o and_o sanctifying_n of_o the_o people_n they_o have_v and_o many_o figure_n of_o the_o covenant_n i_o be_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n etc._n etc._n thou_o shall_v have_v no_o other_o god_n before_o i_o etc._n etc._n be_v the_o tenor_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o every_o israelite_n express_o and_o by_o frequent_a act_n profess_v to_o consent_v to_o the_o law_n be_v call_v a_o covenant_n which_o all_o be_v to_o own_o and_o avouch_v the_o lord_n to_o be_v their_o god_n and_o themselves_o his_o people_n see_v deut._n 26._o 17_o 18._o &_o chap._n 29._o 10_o 11_o 14_o etc._n etc._n 2_o king_n 23._o 3._o 2_o chron._n 23._o 3_o 16._o &_o chap._n 29._o 10._o ezr._n 10._o 3._o neh._n 9_o 38._o psal_n 50._o 5._o ezek._n 20._o 37._o jer._n 50._o 5._o isa_n 56._o 4_o 5._o exod._n 34._o 27._o psal_n 103._o 18._o &_o 25._o 10._o &_o 18._o 10_o etc._n etc._n and_o yet_o i_o hope_v no_o chhistian_n will_v wish_v that_o we_o shall_v deal_v no_o more_o open_o and_o clear_o with_o god_n the_o church_n and_o ourselves_o in_o day_n of_o gospel_n light_a and_o worship_n than_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o do_v in_o their_o dark_a state_n under_o obscure_a type_n and_o shadow_n we_o find_v that_o when_o john_n baptist_n set_v up_o his_o ministry_n he_o cause_v the_o people_n to_o cenfess_v their_o sin_n matth._n 3._o 6._o and_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n god_n be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n 1_o joh._n 1._o 19_o and_o whereas_o some_o say_v that_o john_n baptise_a they_o that_o he_o call_v a_o generation_n of_o viper_n i_o answer_v 1._o we_o will_v believe_v that_o when_o they_o prove_v it_o it_o seem_v rather_o that_o he_o put_v they_o back_o 2._o if_o he_o do_v baptise_v they_o it_o be_v not_o till_o they_o confess_v their_o sin_n before_o that_o all_o do_v and_o it_o seem_v by_o his_o charge_n till_o they_o promise_v to_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n meet_v for_o repentance_n matth._n 3._o 8._o christ_n will_v not_o have_v so_o instruct_v nicodemus_n in_o the_o nature_n and_o necessity_n of_o regeneration_n before_o he_o be_v a_o disciple_n if_o a_o profess_a or_o apparent_a preparation_n have_v not_o be_v necessary_a nor_o will_v he_o ordinary_o have_v teach_v man_n the_o necessity_n of_o deny_v themselves_o and_o forsake_v all_o for_o a_o treasure_n in_o heaven_n with_o such_o like_a if_o they_o will_v be_v his_o disciple_n if_o the_o profession_n of_o so_o do_v have_v not_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o visible_a discipleship_n i_o grant_v that_o so_o full_a a_o profession_n be_v not_o make_v before_o christ_n resurrection_n as_o after_o for_o many_o article_n of_o our_o belief_n be_v afterward_o make_v necessary_a and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o what_o the_o weak_a christian_n do_v afterward_o believe_v but_o still_o the_o essential_o of_o faith_n then_o necessary_a in_o existence_n to_o man_n justification_n be_v necessary_a in_o profession_n â—â—_o man_n visible_a christianity_n or_o church-membership_a as_o to_o those_o acts._n 2._o 37._o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o make_v a_o open_a profession_n if_o you_o consider_v 1_o that_o they_o be_v open_o tell_v the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o must_v be_v baptize_v into_o if_o they_o do_v consent_v 2._o it_o be_v say_v they_o that_o glad_o receive_v that_o word_n be_v baptize_v 3._o it_o be_v certain_a therefore_o that_o they_o first_o testify_v their_o glad_a reception_n of_o the_o word_n 4._o we_o may_v not_o imagine_v that_o peter_n be_v god_n or_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o those_o thousand_o and_o therefore_o he_o must_v know_v it_o by_o their_o profession_n that_o they_o glad_o receive_v the_o word_n 5._o their_o own_o mouth_n cry_v out_o for_o advice_n in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n 6._o it_o have_v be_v absurd_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o attempt_v to_o baptize_v man_n that_o have_v not_o first_o profess_v their_o consent_n 7._o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o not_o the_o full_a historical_a narration_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v and_o do_v in_o such_o case_n but_o of_o so_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a 8._o the_o institution_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o ordinance_n tell_v we_o that_o baptism_n can_v not_o be_v administer_v without_o a_o profession_n to_o the_o adult_n for_o they_o be_v to_o be_v baptze_v into_o the_o name_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o be_v to_o profess_v that_o they_o believe_v in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n yea_o the_o very_a receive_n of_o
a_o infidel_n or_o one_o that_o profess_v not_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n baptism_n be_v say_v to_o save_v we_o 1_o pet._n 3._o 21._o and_o therefore_o they_o that_o will_v be_v baptise_a must_v profess_v the_o qualification_n necessary_a to_o the_o save_v the_o key_n be_v of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v put_v into_o the_o church_n hand_n and_o they_o that_o be_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n if_o the_o key_n do_v not_o err_v and_o therefore_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n must_v absolve_v none_o by_o baptism_n that_o do_v not_o by_o profession_n seem_v to_o be_v absolvable_a in_o heaven_n they_o must_v profess_v to_o have_v the_o old_a man_n crucify_a with_o christ_n that_o the_o body_n of_o sin_n may_v be_v destroy_v that_o henceforth_o they_o may_v not_o serve_v sin_n rom._n 6._o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8._o as_o many_o as_o have_v be_v baptise_a into_o christ_n have_v put_v on_o christ_n and_o be_v all_o one_o in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o be_v abraham_n seed_n and_o heir_n according_a to_o promise_v gal._n 3._o 27_o 28_o 29._o this_o speak_v the_o apostle_n of_o the_o probability_n ground_v on_o a_o credible_a profession_n and_o thereforeit_n be_v clear_a that_o the_o profession_n be_v presuppose_v that_o may_v support_v this_o charitable_a judgement_n our_o baptism_n be_v the_o solemnize_n of_o our_o marriage_n with_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v a_o new_a and_o strange_a kind_n of_o marriage_n where_o there_o be_v no_o profession_n of_o consent_n the_o baptise_a be_v in_o scripture_n call_v man_n wash_v sanctify_a justify_v etc._n etc._n 1_o cor._n 6._o 11._o 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o they_o be_v all_o call_v saint_n and_o church_n of_o saint_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o all_o christian_n be_v call_v sanctify_v one_o or_o saint_n therefore_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o profess_v themselves_o such_o but_o why_o shall_v i_o go_v any_o further_a in_o this_o when_o the_o main_a substance_n of_o my_o dispute_n of_o right_a to_o the_o sacrament_n prove_v it_o i_o entreat_v the_o reader_n that_o will_v have_v more_o to_o prove_v not_o only_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o profession_n but_o also_o of_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o save_v faith_n to_o peruse_v that_o book_n or_o at_o least_o the_o second_o disputation_n where_o be_v twenty_o argument_n for_o it_o and_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n there_o cite_v out_o of_o mr_n gataker_n collection_n see_v also_o dr_n hammonds_n many_o testimony_n to_o prove_v the_o use_n of_o the_o abrenuntiation_n paraene_n pag._n 18_o 19_o 20._o i_o love_v not_o needless_o to_o recite_v what_fw-mi other_o have_v already_o cite_v but_o he_o that_o know_v not_o that_o the_o universal_a church_n from_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n have_v baptize_v the_o adult_n upon_o a_o personal_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o vow_v or_o promise_v or_o covenant_n for_o obedience_n know_v little_a of_o what_o the_o church_n have_v practise_v and_o i_o hope_v few_o sober_a man_n will_v be_v find_v that_o will_v be_v so_o singular_a and_o self-conceited_a as_o to_o contradict_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o and_o set_v up_o their_o own_o private_a judgement_n against_o it_o and_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v we_o to_o a_o new_a way_n of_o church_n entrance_n and_o admission_n now_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n blame_v i_o not_o to_o be_v confident_a with_o you_o where_o i_o have_v so_o good_a ground_n as_o scripture_n and_o so_o good_a company_n as_o the_o primitive_a universal_a church_n to_o this_o let_v i_o add_v that_o most_o or_o too_o many_o that_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o adult_n member_n have_v violate_v their_o baptism-covenant_n and_o prove_v ungodly_a after_o baptism_n and_o that_o by_o open_a notorious_a scandal_n now_o scripture_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a ancient_a church_n direct_v we_o to_o require_v of_o these_o a_o open_a confession_n of_o sin_n for_o they_o need_v a_o absolution_n and_o not_o a_o mere_a confirmation_n it_o be_v past_o all_o controversy_n that_o such_o have_v both_o a_o open_a confession_n and_o profession_n to_o make_v yea_o how_o scrupulous_a the_o ancient_a church_n be_v of_o receive_v and_o absolve_v such_o violator_n of_o the_o baptismal_a covenant_n and_o on_o how_o severe_a term_n they_o do_v it_o be_v know_v to_o all_o that_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o those_o time_n i_o pray_v among_o other_o see_v what_o grotius_n discus_fw-la apol._n rivet_n pag._n 221_o 222._o cit_v from_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n pacimus_n hierom_n etc._n etc._n ad_fw-la pag._n 235._o n._n and_o as_o to_o the_o last_o objection_n that_o our_o church_n be_v true_a church_n when_o we_o make_v no_o particular_a profession_n i_o answer_v 1._o without_o some_o profession_n of_o true_a christianity_n our_o church_n can_v not_o have_v be_v true_a church_n and_o therefore_o against_o those_o that_o will_v prove_v 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approve_v of_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n the_o first_o be_v ground_v by_o almost_o all_o christian_n that_o i_o know_v of_o and_o therefore_o need_v not_o may_v word_n 1._o if_o every_o man_n shall_v be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o the_o soundness_n and_o validity_n of_o his_o own_o profession_n than_o heretic_n and_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n may_v all_o crowd_n into_o the_o church_n for_o when_o there_o be_v any_o outward_a advantage_n or_o other_o common_a motive_n to_o induce_v they_o to_o it_o they_o will_v all_o join_v with_o the_o church_n as_o if_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o heretic_n to_o intrude_v and_o who_o shall_v say_v to_o any_o of_o they_o why_o do_v you_o so_o if_o themselves_o be_v the_o only_a judge_n we_o meet_v daily_o among_o our_o own_o neighbour_n with_o abundance_n that_o know_v not_o whether_o christ_n be_v god_n or_o man_n nor_o who_o he_o be_v nor_o what_o he_o have_v do_v for_o we_o nor_o why_o he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o be_v ignorant_a of_o almost_o all_o the_o essential_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o with_o abundance_n more_o that_o live_v in_o common_a drunkenness_n scorn_v at_o holy_a duty_n and_o at_o a_o godly_a life_n and_o hate_v those_o that_o use_v it_o and_o give_v up_o themselves_o whole_o to_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o all_o these_o man_n be_v so_o confident_a of_o the_o soundness_n and_o validity_n of_o their_o own_o profession_n that_o they_o will_v hate_v that_o minister_n that_o shall_v make_v any_o question_n of_o their_o right_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n i_o speak_v not_o by_o hearsay_n or_o conjecture_v but_o by_o sad_a experience_n and_o if_o they_o be_v their_o own_o judge_n all_o these_o will_v be_v approve_v and_o admit_v and_o indeed_o what_o man_n will_v not_o be_v admit_v where_o christianity_n be_v in_o credit_n or_o have_v any_o worldly_a advantage_n so_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o will_v pluck_v up_o the_o hedge_n and_o lay_v open_a the_o vineyard_n of_o christ_n unto_o the_o wilderness_n for_o self-love_n be_v such_o a_o powerful_a blind_a thing_n that_o it_o will_v make_v every_o man_n almost_o especial_o of_o the_o worse_a sort_n approve_v of_o that_o which_o be_v their_o own_o 2._o if_o every_o man_n shall_v be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o his_o own_o profession_n and_o fitness_n for_o church_n privilege_n than_o there_o can_v be_v no_o communion_n of_o saint_n for_o all_o the_o most_o ignorant_a and_o impious_a person_n will_v intrude_v into_o our_o communion_n and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o communion_n not_o only_o of_o actual_a but_o of_o profess_a impious_a man_n but_o the_o consequent_a be_v intolerable_a as_o be_v contrary_a to_o a_o article_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o a_o principal_a part_n of_o christian_a practice_n 3._o if_o each_o man_n be_v the_o only_a judge_n of_o his_o own_o profession_n than_o there_o can_v be_v no_o exercise_n of_o church_n discipline_n nor_o keep_v or_o cast_v out_o the_o wicked_a but_o the_o consequent_a be_v unsufferable_a therefore_o 4._o if_o each_o man_n be_v the_o only_a judge_n of_o his_o own_o profession_n than_o the_o church_n be_v a_o unguided_a ungoverned_a society_n but_o the_o consequent_a be_v false_a therefore_o so_o be_v the_o antecedent_n 2._o and_o now_o i_o prove_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o minister_n to_o judge_v of_o and_o approve_v the_o profession_n of_o such_o as_o expect_v admission_n or_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n 1._o if_o person_n be_v not_o the_o sole_a judge_n themselves_o than_o it_o must_v belong_v to_o the_o minister_n to_o judge_v but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v before_o prove_v the_o consequence_n be_v prove_v thus_o it_o must_v belong_v either_o to_o the_o pastor_n or_o the_o magistrate_n only_o or_o the_o people_n only_o or_o to_o all_o or_o some_o of_o these_o conjunct_o not_o to_o the_o 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thus_o to_o judge_n and_o approve_v i_o have_v prove_v in_o another_o place_n and_o so_o have_v many_o other_o more_o at_o large_a that_o the_o key_n be_v be_v not_o give_v to_o peter_n or_o to_o the_o apostle_n as_o to_o private_a man_n for_o so_o they_o be_v not_o nor_o as_o to_o a_o church_n of_o private_a christian_n for_o so_o they_o be_v not_o nor_o the_o representative_n of_o any_o such_o nor_o yet_o as_o to_o apostle_n only_o for_o than_o they_o shall_v have_v belong_v to_o none_o but_o themselves_o the_o contrary_a whereof_o be_v certain_a nor_o as_o to_o fix_a diocesan_n bishop_n for_o such_o they_o be_v not_o and_o it_o be_v general_o grant_v that_o the_o key_n be_v belong_v also_o to_o presbyter_n either_o whole_o or_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o and_o particular_o that_o in_o question_n nor_o yet_o be_v the_o key_n be_v give_v they_o only_o as_o a_o synod_n or_o presbytery_n for_o peter_n be_v not_o such_o and_o this_o in_o question_n have_v ever_o be_v exercise_v by_o such_o minister_n arg._n 3._o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o lawful_a judge_n or_o approver_n of_o the_o profession_n of_o those_o that_o come_v into_o the_o church_n or_o demand_v the_o privilege_n of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n as_o be_v express_v 1_o thes_n 12._o act_n 2._o 28._o heb._n 13._o 7._o &_o 17._o 24._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o therefore_o arg._n 4._o those_o that_o be_v by_o office_n the_o steward_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n and_o ruler_n over_o his_o household_n to_o give_v they_o meat_n in_o due_a season_n which_o they_o must_v do_v as_o faithful_a and_o wise_a servant_n till_o their_o lord_n come_v be_v the_o man_n that_o must_v judge_v of_o and_o approve_v the_o qualification_n of_o those_o that_o come_v under_o their_o stewardship_n government_n and_o administration_n of_o these_o mystery_n but_o such_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o matth._n 24._o 45_o 46_o 47._o therefore_o arg._n 5._o to_o who_o it_o belong_v to_o receive_v man_n at_o age_n into_o the_o church_n to_o restore_v by_o absolution_n they_o that_o fall_v off_o and_o to_o administer_v christ_n ordinance_n to_o those_o that_o be_v within_o to_o they_o do_v it_o belong_v to_o try_v judge_n and_o approve_v of_o they_o that_o be_v to_o be_v thus_o receive_v absolve_v or_o that_o expect_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n but_o it_o belong_v to_o christ_n minister_n to_o receive_v man_n absolve_v they_o and_o administer_v the_o ordinance_n to_o they_o therefore_o the_o antecedent_n be_v common_o grant_v and_o plain_a in_o scripture_n the_o consequence_n have_v reason_n so_o evident_a as_o need_v no_o confirmation_n arg._n 6._o if_o all_o that_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n or_o that_o be_v restore_v by_o asolution_n or_o be_v state_v in_o a_o right_n to_o church_n privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n be_v therewithal_o engage_v into_o a_o mutual_a voluntary_a relation_n to_o christ_n minister_n then_o must_v their_o profession_n be_v judge_v of_o &_o approve_v by_o christ_n minister_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v certain_a therefore_o so_o be_v the_o consequent_a the_o antecedent_n be_v clear_a because_o 1._o all_o that_o enter_v into_o the_o universal_a church_n do_v enter_v under_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o thereby_o acknowledge_v their_o relation_n to_o they_o and_o authority_n to_o admit_v they_o 2._o because_o all_o such_o do_v engage_v themselves_o to_o be_v christ_n disciple_n and_o learn_v of_o he_o as_o their_o master_n not_o as_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o teach_v they_o personal_o but_o as_o teach_v they_o by_o his_o word_n spirit_n and_o minister_n conjunct_o say_v luke_o 10_o 16_o he_o that_o hear_v you_o hear_v i_o
fidei_fw-la plane_n instructi_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la de_fw-fr dei_fw-la magnitudine_fw-la &_o potestate_fw-la rebusque_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o evangeliis_fw-la continentur_fw-la uno_fw-la excepto_fw-la eucharistiae_fw-la mysterio_fw-la neque_fw-la baptizabantur_fw-la nisi_fw-la post_fw-la quam_fw-la ea_fw-la omne_fw-la se_fw-la credere_fw-la jurassent_fw-la quorum_fw-la fides_fw-la a_o fide_fw-la poenitentiae_fw-la incipiebat_fw-la etc._n etc._n et_fw-la in_o sequ_fw-la jucabant_fw-la in_o baptismo_fw-la solennibus_fw-la verbis_fw-la se_fw-la nunquam_fw-la cetera_fw-la peccaturos_fw-la deinde_fw-la renunciabant_fw-la diabolo_fw-it &_o pompis_fw-la ejus_fw-la denique_fw-la censurâ_fw-la si_fw-la peccarent_fw-la post_fw-la baptismum_fw-la coercebantur_fw-la so_o that_o man_n that_o be_v engage_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n must_v keep_v covenant_n or_o manifest_v themselves_o penitent_a for_o the_o violation_n of_o it_o before_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o further_a privilege_n there_o be_v a_o long_a time_n in_o which_o they_o grow_v up_o from_o a_o infant-state_n to_o a_o adult_n and_o how_o they_o live_v in_o that_o time_n must_v be_v inquire_v after_o 2._o otherwise_o the_o apostate_n will_v have_v equal_a acceptance_n and_o privilege_n with_o the_o faithful_a 3._o and_o so_o penitence_n and_o absolution_n will_v be_v exclude_v and_o confound_v with_o mere_a confirmation_n 4._o moreover_o the_o baptise_a be_v oblige_v to_o be_v responsible_a for_o their_o life_n be_v under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n minister_n and_o among_o his_o saint_n 5._o for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n and_o of_o the_o church_n and_o ordinance_n we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o preserve_v they_o from_o corruption_n which_o lie_v profession_n will_v introduce_v and_o therefore_o must_v not_o overlook_v or_o neglect_v such_o evidence_n as_o be_v within_o our_o reach_n 6._o else_o minister_n that_o be_v by_o office_n to_o judge_n of_o their_o profession_n will_v be_v unfaithful_a judge_n and_o forfeit_v their_o trust_n if_o they_o shall_v wilful_o neglect_v any_o evidence_n within_o their_o cognisance_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o judge_v but_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o the_o certainty_n of_o inward_a save_a grace_n that_o we_o must_v find_v out_o by_o man_n life_n for_o no_o man_n can_v have_v such_o certainty_n of_o another_o but_o only_o that_o their_o life_n be_v not_o such_o as_o null_a and_o invalidate_n and_o confute_v their_o profession_n and_o they_o live_v not_o in_o the_o perfidious_a violation_n of_o their_o baptismal_a covenant_n prop._n 15._o it_o be_v not_o of_o flat_a necessity_n that_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o expectant_a be_v make_v in_o the_o open_a congregation_n or_o before_o many_o in_o order_n to_o his_o confirmation_n and_o admittance_n prove_v 1._o it_o be_v not_o of_o necessity_n that_o convert_v infidel_n be_v admit_v by_o baptism_n into_o the_o state_n of_o adult-member_n upon_o a_o public_a profession_n in_o a_o congregation_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o of_o necessity_n that_o other_o be_v so_o admit_v in_o confirmation_n the_o antecedent_n be_v prove_v by_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o eunuch_n act_v 8._o who_o philip_n baptise_a in_o their_o way_n and_o the_o jailor_n and_o his_o household_n act_v 16._o baptzed_a in_o the_o night_n at_o home_n the_o consequence_n be_v prove_v by_o the_o propriety_n of_o reason_n and_o case_n 2._o if_o a_o man_n may_v by_o confirmation_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o number_n of_o adult_n christian_n in_o the_o church_n universal_a without_o be_v admit_v into_o a_o particular_a church_n than_o his_o profession_n and_o admission_n need_v not_o in_o that_o case_n to_o be_v before_o the_o congregation_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v true_a as_o i_o prove_v thus_o a_o man_n may_v by_o adult_n baptism_n be_v admit_v first_o into_o the_o universal_a church_n only_o as_o be_v the_o eunuch_n the_o jailer_z lydia_n sergius_n paulus_n and_o every_o first_o convert_n in_o any_o city_n where_o the_o apostle_n come_v therefore_o a_o man_n may_v by_o confirmation_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o adult_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n only_a for_o the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o and_o the_o former_a admit_v they_o into_o the_o same_o number_n the_o consequence_n of_o the_o major_n be_v plain_a for_o no_o one_o congregation_n more_o than_o another_o can_v claim_v the_o cognisance_n of_o the_o admission_n of_o a_o member_n into_o the_o universal_a church_n or_o confirm_v they_o in_o it_o 3._o scripture_n have_v no_o where_o make_v such_o public_a admission_n to_o be_v of_o constant_a necessity_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o so_o 4._o else_o none_o can_v be_v admit_v or_o confirm_v when_o persecution_n hinder_v church_n assembly_n 5._o the_o church_n be_v to_o believe_v and_o trust_v the_o pastor_n to_o who_o it_o do_v by_o office_n belong_v to_o try_v and_o admit_v they_o 6._o general_n unfixed_a minister_n may_v thus_o try_v approve_v and_o confirm_v who_o be_v not_o pastor_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n such_o as_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o other_o be_v therefore_o they_o be_v not_o always_o to_o do_v it_o before_o a_o particular_a church_n nor_o indeed_o do_v they_o always_o do_v so_o prop._n 16._o when_o a_o person_n be_v admit_v among_o the_o adult-member_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o universal_a his_o profession_n and_o admission_n must_v be_v either_o before_o the_o church_n or_o satisfactory_o make_v know_v to_o the_o church_n at_o least_o who_o must_v approve_v of_o it_o by_o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n in_o order_n to_o their_o communion_n with_o he_o and_o this_o among_o we_o be_v the_o ordinary_a case_n because_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o that_o have_v opportunity_n to_o join_v themselves_o to_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o it_o be_v in_o such_o church_n that_o communion_n in_o public_a worship_n and_o order_n must_v be_v have_v either_o stated_o or_o transient_o and_o temporary_o 1._o the_o solemnity_n itself_o of_o our_o transition_n into_o the_o number_n of_o adult-member_n and_o their_o communion_n be_v of_o very_o great_a advantage_n as_o i_o shall_v manifest_v more_o anon_o 2._o saint_n we_o that_o be_v common_o against_o the_o private_a admission_n of_o infant_n at_o least_o except_o in_o some_o urgent_a case_n have_v less_o reason_n to_o be_v for_o the_o private_a impetrarent_fw-la transition_n and_o admission_n of_o man_n among_o the_o adult_n and_o that_o into_o a_o particular_a govern_v church_n 3._o the_o whole_a society_n among_o who_o such_o a_o person_n be_v enter_v do_v owe_v he_o much_o duty_n and_o brotherly_a assistance_n they_o must_v love_v he_o with_o a_o special_a love_n they_o must_v live_v though_o not_o in_o a_o level_n yet_o in_o a_o charitable_a community_n with_o he_o not_o shut_v up_o the_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n from_o he_o when_o they_o see_v he_o in_o want_n but_o relieve_v he_o as_o if_o they_o suffer_v with_o he_o they_o be_v not_o only_o to_o love_v he_o and_o relieve_v he_o as_o a_o man_n but_o as_o one_o of_o christ_n little_a one_o or_o friend_n yea_o as_o his_o brethren_n yea_o as_o love_a and_o relieve_v christ_n in_o they_o matth._n 25._o 35._o to_o the_o end_n they_o must_v receive_v and_o relieve_v a_o disciple_n in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o disciple_n beside_o this_o they_o must_v have_v church-union_n and_o communion_n with_o he_o as_o one_o body_n and_o must_v pray_v for_o he_o and_o rejoice_v with_o he_o in_o god_n praise_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o watch_v over_o he_o and_o admonish_v and_o reprove_v he_o in_o sin_n for_o his_o recovery_n and_o avoid_v he_o if_o he_o walk_v disorderly_a and_o be_v impenitent_a in_o scandalous_a sin_n etc._n etc._n now_o 1._o no_o man_n can_v perform_v all_o this_o duty_n to_o a_o man_n that_o he_o know_v not_o to_o be_v thus_o relate_v to_o he_o if_o he_o know_v not_o that_o he_o owe_v he_o this_o duty_n any_o more_o than_o to_o any_o one_o else_o in_o the_o world_n how_o shall_v he_o pay_v it_o he_o to_o say_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o take_v all_o man_n that_o converse_n with_o we_o to_o be_v such_o be_v to_o say_v that_o christian_n must_v renounce_v their_o wit_n and_o turn_v the_o church_n into_o bedlam_n 2._o and_o as_o this_o prove_v that_o the_o church-member_n must_v be_v make_v know_v to_o one_o another_o so_o it_o prove_v that_o they_o must_v have_v a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n in_o receive_v they_o though_o the_o pastor_n have_v the_o judgement_n of_o govern_v direction_n for_o 1._o god_n have_v not_o leave_v the_o pastor_n at_o liberty_n to_o take_v in_o who_o they_o please_v but_o have_v describe_v what_o profession_n they_o shall_v accept_v or_o what_o person_n they_o shall_v admit_v and_o who_o they_o shall_v reject_v if_o therefore_o the_o pastor_n go_v against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n than_o this_o follow_v be_v the_o people_n duty_n 1._o if_o they_o know_v not_o the_o error_n or_o the_o case_n be_v doubtful_a they_o
any_o from_o whence_o they_o may_v fetch_v matter_n of_o reproach_n against_o the_o pastor_n and_o ordinance_n among_o we_o it_o 10._o another_o sort_n there_o be_v that_o be_v deep_o possess_v with_o a_o conceit_n that_o god_n have_v determine_v before_o we_o be_v bear_v whether_o we_o shall_v be_v save_v or_o not_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o strive_v for_o if_o we_o be_v predestinate_v we_o shall_v be_v save_v what_o ever_o we_o do_v and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o we_o shall_v not_o what_o ever_o we_o do_v and_o that_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o of_o ourselves_o nor_o have_v a_o good_a thought_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o if_o god_n will_v give_v it_o we_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o and_o the_o devil_n can_v prevail_v against_o he_o but_o if_o he_o will_v not_o give_v it_o we_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o seek_v it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o he_o that_o will_v nor_o in_o he_o that_o run_v but_o in_o god_n that_o show_v mercy_n and_o therefore_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o security_n and_o ungodliness_n because_o they_o can_v do_v nothing_o of_o themselves_o and_o thus_o by_o misunderstand_v some_o text_n of_o scripture_n and_o abuse_v some_o truth_n of_o god_n they_o be_v harden_v in_o ungodliness_n think_v that_o all_o be_v long_o of_o god_n and_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o promise_v reformation_n nor_o promise_v to_o use_v the_o mean_n because_o they_o say_v they_o can_v tell_v whether_o god_n will_v put_v it_o into_o their_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v all_o as_o he_o will_n 11._o beside_o these_o there_o be_v one_o or_o two_o honest_a ignorant_a professor_n that_o be_v turn_v anabaptist_n and_o join_v with_o the_o church_n of_o they_o in_o the_o next_o parish_n holiness_n 12._o and_o some_o papist_n be_v among_o we_o and_o whether_o only_a those_o that_o stay_v from_o the_o assembly_n i_o can_v say_v of_o these_o twelve_o sort_n of_o people_n signify_v this_o parish_n be_v compose_v which_o i_o therefore_o mention_n that_o the_o state_n of_o our_o parish_n may_v be_v true_o know_v while_o other_o be_v compare_v with_o this_o for_o every_o one_o have_v not_o have_v the_o opportunity_n which_o i_o have_v have_v to_o know_v all_o their_o people_n or_o the_o most_o and_o now_o if_o all_o these_o be_v fit_a to_o go_v for_o christian_n then_o must_v we_o make_v a_o new_a kind_n of_o christianity_n and_o a_o new_a gospel_n and_o a_o new_a christ_n and_o if_o all_o these_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v church-member_n than_o we_o must_v make_v a_o new_a kind_n of_o church_n and_o why_o then_o may_v not_o those_o be_v christian_n and_o church-member_n that_o never_o hear_v of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o many_o of_o these_o 2._o by_o this_o untried_a entrance_n of_o all_o sort_n into_o our_o church_n we_o bring_v a_o dishonour_n on_o the_o very_a christian_a name_n and_o so_o on_o the_o lord_n jesus_n himself_o and_o on_o his_o gospel_n and_o holy_a way_n christianity_n be_v not_o a_o matter_n of_o mere_a opinion_n christ_n come_v not_o into_o the_o world_n only_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o have_v high_a thought_n of_o he_o but_o to_o save_v his_o people_n from_o their_o sin_n and_o to_o destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o when_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v turn_v into_o a_o den_n of_o thief_n or_o a_o sty_n of_o swine_n what_o a_o great_a dishonour_n be_v it_o to_o the_o lord_n as_o if_o we_o will_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o his_o servant_n be_v no_o holy_a than_o other_o and_o differ_v but_o in_o a_o opinion_n from_o the_o world_n christ_n need_v not_o disciple_n and_o therefore_o will_v not_o take_v in_o all_o that_o refuse_v to_o come_v upon_o his_o term_n but_o have_v fix_v his_o term_n and_o will_v have_v only_o those_o that_o will_v yield_v to_o they_o though_o i_o abhor_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a that_o will_v make_v the_o church_n narrow_a than_o it_o be_v and_o pin_n it_o up_o in_o so_o small_a a_o number_n as_o will_v tempt_v man_n to_o doubt_v of_o christianity_n itself_o and_o teach_v man_n to_o exclude_v their_o brother_n mere_o because_o they_o be_v themselves_o uncharitable_a judge_n when_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o disprove_v their_o profession_n yet_o must_v i_o also_o detest_v this_o horrible_a dishonour_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o if_o his_o body_n be_v no_o better_a than_o the_o army_n of_o the_o devil_n 3._o and_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o heathen_n jew_n mahometan_n and_o all_o infidel_n be_v exceed_o hinder_v from_o believe_v in_o christ_n when_o they_o can_v say_v as_o the_o turk_n when_o man_n question_v their_o fidelity_n what_o do_v thou_o think_v i_o be_o a_o christian_n he_o that_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o religious_a affair_n know_v that_o common_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o draw_v man_n to_o any_o party_n be_v the_o like_n of_o the_o person_n and_o their_o practice_n from_o whence_o they_o grow_v to_o inquire_v with_o inclination_n into_o their_o doctrine_n the_o ancient_a christian_n that_o live_v before_o the_o day_n of_o constantine_n do_v bring_v christianity_n into_o reputation_n by_o their_o holiness_n and_o god_n be_v then_o more_o eminent_o see_v among_o they_o but_o when_o the_o countenance_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o worldly_a advantage_n have_v draw_v in_o all_o man_n to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o bishop_n do_v set_v the_o door_n too_o wide_o open_a christianity_n look_v like_o another_o thing_n and_o that_o inundation_n of_o wickedness_n overspread_v the_o church_n which_o salvian_n and_o so_o many_o more_o complain_v of_o our_o likely_a way_n to_o win_v the_o jew_n and_o all_o infidel_n to_o the_o church_n be_v by_o show_v they_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o church-member_n 4._o hereby_o also_o we_o confound_v the_o ancient_a order_n of_o catechuman_n or_o expectant_n with_o the_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o lay_v the_o church_n and_o the_o porch_n yea_o and_o the_o churchyard_n if_o not_o the_o commons_o all_o together_o by_o which_o also_o our_o preach_a and_o administration_n be_v confound_v so_o that_o whereas_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v their_o common_a sermon_n and_o some_o prayer_n which_o be_v fit_v to_o the_o unconvert_v or_o expectant_n and_o have_v also_o both_o doctrine_n prayer_n praise_n and_o other_o worship_n proper_a to_o the_o church_n especial_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n we_o must_v now_o speak_v to_o all_o and_o join_v with_o all_o and_o the_o church_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n must_v sing_v the_o same_o praise_n as_o if_o they_o be_v one_o body_n and_o god_n be_v not_o the_o god_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o order_n in_o the_o church_n he_o that_o put_v two_o sort_n of_o preach_v and_o doctrine_n into_o the_o apostle_n commission_n matth._n 28._o 19_o 20._o one_o for_o make_v disciple_n and_o another_o for_o the_o edify_a and_o guidance_n of_o disciple_n do_v never_o intend_v that_o these_o shall_v be_v confound_v 5._o and_o then_o by_o this_o mean_n the_o soul_n of_o million_o of_o poor_a people_n be_v deprive_v of_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o the_o ordinance_n and_o administration_n suitable_a to_o their_o state_n the_o beget_v word_n go_v before_o the_o feed_n strengthen_v word_n even_o before_o the_o milk_n for_o babe_n the_o lay_n of_o the_o foundation_n must_v go_v before_o our_o build_n thereon_o every_o one_o will_v thrive_v best_a in_o his_o own_o element_n and_o place_n a_o fish_n will_v not_o prosper_v on_o dry_a land_n nor_o a_o man_n under_o water_n the_o womb_n be_v the_o only_a place_n for_o the_o embryo_n and_o unborn_a child_n though_o not_o for_o those_o that_o have_v see_v the_o sun_n if_o you_o will_v break_v the_o shell_n before_o the_o chicken_n be_v hatch_v that_o you_o may_v hasten_v its_o production_n or_o honour_v it_o with_o a_o premature_n association_n with_o the_o rest_n that_o see_v the_o sun_n your_o foolish_a charity_n will_v be_v the_o death_n of_o it_o and_o so_o deal_v abundance_n of_o mistake_a zealot_n with_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n who_o cry_v out_o against_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o conscionable_a minister_n as_o if_o they_o be_v unchristn_v the_o people_n and_o undo_v the_o world_n because_o they_o will_v feed_v they_o with_o food_n convenient_a for_o they_o and_o will_v not_o be_v such_o hasty_a midwife_n as_o to_o cast_v the_o mother_n into_o her_o throw_n if_o not_o rip_v she_o up_o that_o she_o may_v have_v the_o child_n at_o her_o breast_n which_o shall_v yet_o be_v many_o day_n or_o month_n in_o the_o womb_n moreover_o they_o thus_o cause_v our_o people_n to_o lose_v all_o that_o benefit_n of_o preparation_n and_o solemn_a engagement_n to_o christ_n of_o which_o more_o anon_o among_o the_o benefit_n 6._o by_o this_o mean_n also_o
be_v excommunication_n to_o be_v defer_v as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v any_o hope_n by_o other_o mean_n but_o only_o till_o we_o have_v use_v other_o mean_n in_o vain_a for_o such_o a_o season_n as_o be_v meet_v that_o the_o end_n of_o discipline_n be_v not_o frustrate_a for_o else_o there_o shall_v never_o man_n be_v excommunicate_v for_o there_o be_v some_o hope_n that_o preach_v against_o his_o sin_n may_v do_v he_o good_a at_o last_o though_o he_o come_v drink_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n twenty_o year_n together_o you_o can_v say_v that_o his_o conversion_n be_v impossible_a and_o yet_o we_o must_v not_o hereupon_o defer_v the_o cast_n out_o of_o such_o a_o member_n but_o in_o his_o expectant_a state_n or_o among_o the_o catechuman_n we_o may_v bear_v with_o he_o lawful_o in_o his_o wickedness_n without_o exclude_v he_o from_o among_o our_o hearer_n and_o if_o he_o hear_v we_o seven_o year_n and_o seven_o in_o vain_a there_o be_v yet_o some_o hope_n of_o his_o conversion_n while_o he_o wait_v in_o his_o own_o place_n and_o way_n and_o yet_o i_o yield_v this_o much_o to_o the_o objectour_n free_o that_o when_o fit_a person_n be_v take_v into_o the_o church_n yea_o or_o unfit_a by_o negligence_n we_o must_v wait_v with_o all_o patience_n that_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o cut_v off_o must_v be_v the_o last_o remedy_n and_o that_o when_o it_o be_v necessary_a it_o must_v be_v use_v though_o we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o it_o will_v plunge_v the_o person_n occasional_o into_o a_o worse_a condition_n for_o the_o public_a end_n of_o discipline_n the_o credit_n of_o christianity_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o church_n and_o abundance_n more_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o good_a of_o that_o man_n soul_n and_o as_o paena_fw-la debetur_fw-la reipublicae_fw-la and_o we_o cut_v not_o off_o malefactor_n for_o their_o own_o good_a so_o much_o as_o the_o commonwealth_n which_o by_o their_o hurt_n must_v be_v promote_v so_o be_v it_o as_o to_o the_o church_n but_o this_o must_v be_v do_v but_o upon_o a_o few_o for_o example_n and_o therefore_o but_o few_o that_o will_v need_v this_o severity_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o our_o communion_n and_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o way_n to_o be_v of_o god_n that_o will_v bring_v such_o multitude_n into_o this_o miserable_a state_n object_n your_o very_a keep_v they_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o approve_v or_o confirm_v they_o will_v as_o much_o exasperate_v they_o answ_n it_o be_v no_o such_o matter_n much_o it_o may_v but_o not_o near_o so_o much_o as_o i_o certain_o know_v by_o experience_n those_o not_o admit_v hear_v with_o hope_n but_o to_o the_o reject_v i_o speak_v as_o almost_o hopeless_a except_o such_o as_o be_v fit_a to_o live_v under_o discipline_n on_o who_o it_o may_v have_v its_o due_a effect_n 9_o and_o by_o this_o admit_v all_o man_n without_o trial_n and_o confirmation_n to_o come_v unobserved_o into_o 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by_o this_o mean_n also_o it_o be_v that_o so_o many_o scruple_n be_v cast_v in_o our_o way_n about_o administration_n and_o reception_n of_o ordinance_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o minister_n and_o people_n in_o they_o be_v much_o abate_v 14._o and_o i_o doubt_v it_o be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o the_o conversion_n of_o many_o sect_n about_o we_o and_o of_o many_o ungodly_a one_o among_o we_o who_o if_o they_o see_v the_o primitive_a holiness_n of_o church_n may_v be_v draw_v in_o 15._o and_o it_o much_o corrupt_v the_o communion_n of_o saint_n and_o turn_v it_o to_o another_o thing_n when_o this_o holy_a communion_n be_v so_o much_o of_o our_o duty_n and_o our_o comfort_n and_o such_o a_o representation_n of_o heaven_n itself_o 16._o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o practical_a denial_n of_o some_o of_o the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o be_v well_o we_o say_v there_o that_o we_o believe_v the_o catholic_a church_n to_o be_v holy_a and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o communion_n of_o saint_n that_o be_v by_o the_o part_n of_o it_o to_o be_v exercise_v and_o shall_v we_o deny_v this_o in_o our_o work_n which_o in_o word_n we_o profess_v 17._o by_o this_o mean_n also_o we_o dishonour_v the_o work_n of_o reformation_n when_o we_o hinder_v the_o fruit_n of_o it_o that_o shall_v be_v visible_a to_o the_o world_n and_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o it_o lie_v but_o in_o a_o change_n of_o bare_a opinion_n they_o that_o see_v no_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o reform_a and_o the_o romanist_n in_o their_o life_n will_v think_v it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n which_o side_n they_o be_v join_v to_o it_o be_v note_v by_o some_o protestant_a writer_n that_o when_o luther_n oppose_v popery_n in_o germany_n abundance_n of_o the_o common_a licentious_a people_n that_o be_v weary_a of_o popish_a confession_n and_o penance_n do_v join_v with_o those_o that_o be_v true_o conscientious_a and_o dishonour_v the_o reformation_n by_o their_o life_n though_o they_o increase_v the_o number_n 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we_o to_o a_o dangerour_n separation_n from_o we_o and_o to_o fly_v from_o our_o church_n as_o if_o they_o will_v fall_v on_o their_o head_n and_o we_o too_o much_o harden_v those_o that_o be_v already_o separate_v and_o all_o because_o we_o will_v not_o yield_v to_o the_o heal_n of_o our_o own_o disease_n or_o will_v do_v little_a or_o nothing_o to_o procure_v it_o i_o know_v these_o man_n have_v no_o just_a ground_n for_o their_o hard_a conclusion_n and_o censure_n of_o we_o but_o we_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o give_v they_o this_o occasion_n and_o cast_v a_o stumbling-block_n in_o the_o way_n of_o so_o many_o precious_a soul_n to_o what_o be_v here_o brief_o thrust_v together_o if_o the_o reader_n will_v add_v the_o twelve_o reason_n in_o my_o christian_a concord_n pag._n 11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o and_o what_o be_v say_v in_o my_o book_n of_o right_a to_o sacrament_n where_o these_o matter_n or_o those_o that_o sustain_v they_o be_v handle_v more_o at_o large_a i_o suppose_v he_o may_v easy_o be_v convince_v that_o the_o former_a church-governor_n in_o england_n have_v be_v lamentable_o negligent_a and_o our_o church_n by_o their_o mean_n be_v much_o disorder_v and_o that_o the_o present_a minister_n shall_v be_v more_o forward_o and_o diligent_a and_o unanimous_a for_o the_o cure_n and_o that_o the_o magistrate_n if_o he_o love_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v speedy_o afford_v his_o help_n and_o all_o too_o little_a to_o remedy_v these_o great_a and_o many_o evil_n which_o we_o have_v let_v in_o by_o suffer_v such_o a_o loose_a unobserved_z transition_n from_o the_o state_n of_o infant_n church_n member_n or_o from_o apostasy_n into_o the_o number_n of_o adult-member_n without_o approve_a profession_n and_o confirmation_n prop._n 20._o so_o many_o and_o great_a be_v the_o benefit_n that_o will_v follow_v the_o general_a practice_n of_o this_o duty_n of_o try_v approve_v and_o confirm_v or_o absolve_v all_o those_o that_o 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this_o profession_n by_o a_o wicked_a life_n this_o will_v engage_v parent_n to_o teach_v their_o child_n and_o child_n themselves_o to_o learn_v what_o christianity_n be_v when_o they_o can_v have_v the_o name_n or_o the_o honour_n and_o the_o privilege_n of_o christian_n without_o some_o credible_a appearance_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o doubtless_o while_o christianity_n be_v in_o credit_n the_o same_o motive_n that_o now_o prevail_v with_o the_o multitude_n to_o seem_v christian_n and_o to_o desire_v the_o baptism_n of_o their_o child_n will_v continue_v then_o to_o make_v they_o desire_v to_o be_v number_v with_o christian_n when_o they_o be_v at_o age_n and_o so_o will_v provoke_v they_o to_o do_v that_o without_o which_o they_o know_v they_o can_v be_v esteem_v christian_n and_o as_o it_o be_v now_o a_o common_a thing_n to_o be_v baptize_v in_o infancy_n so_o will_v it_o be_v then_o a_o common_a thing_n for_o our_o young_a people_n to_o learn_v the_o principle_n of_o 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be_v public_o enact_v or_o declare_v that_o none_o be_v take_v into_o the_o number_n of_o adult_n christian_n nor_o admit_v to_o their_o privilege_n till_o they_o have_v make_v a_o approve_a profession_n of_o christianity_n and_o so_o be_v receive_v by_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o act_v by_o his_o minister_n it_o will_v set_v all_o that_o care_n for_o the_o name_n or_o hope_n or_o privilidge_n of_o christian_n to_o learn_v and_o be_v and_o do_v that_o which_o they_o know_v will_v be_v so_o require_v of_o they_o whereas_o as_o thing_n go_v now_o in_o most_o place_n they_o may_v bring_v their_o child_n to_o baptism_n without_o understand_v what_o baptism_n be_v and_o those_o child_n may_v slide_v into_o the_o state_n of_o the_o adult-christians_a and_o possess_v the_o name_n and_o place_n and_o outward_a communion_n and_o other_o honour_n and_o privilege_n of_o such_o without_o know_v whether_o christ_n be_v a_o man_n or_o a_o woman_n or_o who_o he_o be_v or_o what_o business_n he_o come_v about_o into_o the_o world_n and_o when_o no_o outward_a necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o church_n to_o know_v more_o or_o to_o seem_v better_a no_o wonder_n if_o so_o many_o heathen_n do_v sit_v among_o christian_n and_o if_o the_o multitude_n look_v not_o much_o after_o knowledge_n or_o godliness_n 2._o and_o moreover_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a great_a help_n to_o their_o conscience_n in_o order_n to_o the_o convince_a they_o of_o their_o sin_n and_o misery_n and_o of_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o that_o condition_n which_o multitude_n do_v now_o rest_v in_o and_o so_o to_o waken_v they_o to_o look_v after_o a_o safe_a state_n and_o to_o be_v what_o they_o must_v seem_v to_o be_v if_o they_o will_v be_v take_v to_o be_v christian_n it_o be_v a_o great_a help_n to_o the_o deceive_a of_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o ungodly_a to_o be_v current_o esteem_v christian_n when_o they_o be_v not_o and_o self-love_n be_v such_o a_o blind_a thing_n that_o a_o little_a help_n will_v go_v far_o with_o it_o in_o the_o promote_a of_o such_o deceit_n natural_o man_n be_v very_o easy_o bring_v to_o think_v well_o of_o themselves_o and_o hardly_o bring_v to_o confess_v their_o misery_n every_o man_n almost_o will_v easy_o confess_v himself_o a_o sinner_n and_o a_o very_a great_a sinner_n so_o you_o will_v but_o allow_v he_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n and_o a_o pardon_a sinner_n for_o this_o be_v a_o common_a confession_n and_o bring_v no_o very_a terrible_a conclusion_n and_o message_n to_o the_o soul_n but_o when_o a_o man_n must_v confess_v himself_o no_o true_a christian_n but_o unsanctified_a unpardoned_a and_o a_o slave_n of_o satan_n this_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o confess_v himself_o in_o a_o state_n of_o damnation_n in_o which_o if_o he_o die_v he_o be_v lose_v for_o ever_o and_o man_n be_v hardly_o draw_v to_o believe_v so_o terrible_a a_o conclusion_n when_o yet_o it_o be_v so_o necessary_a where_o it_o be_v true_a that_o we_o can_v scarce_o imagine_v how_o a_o man_n can_v be_v save_v without_o it_o he_o that_o know_v not_o himself_o to_o be_v out_o of_o his_o way_n will_v hardly_o be_v persuade_v to_o turn_v back_o and_o he_o that_o know_v not_o himself_o to_o be_v unpardoned_a will_v hardly_o value_v or_o seek_v a_o pardon_n and_o he_o that_o think_v he_o be_v sanctify_v and_o a_o true_a christian_a already_o will_v seek_v to_o be_v make_v what_o he_o take_v himself_o already_o to_o be_v and_o how_o much_o reputation_n do_v to_o help_v or_o hinder_v man_n even_o in_o self-judging_a be_v easy_o perceive_v now_o here_o be_v a_o threefold_a reputation_n of_o very_o great_a moment_n to_o concur_v either_o for_o man_n deception_n or_o conversion_n 1._o the_o reputation_n of_o prince_n and_o parliament_n and_o so_o of_o lawgiver_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o by_o their_o law_n
swine_n shall_v be_v keep_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o cast_v out_o if_o they_o be_v creep_v in_o nothing_o have_v more_o destroy_v that_o charitable_a community_n which_o shall_v be_v among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o love_a and_o relieve_v christ_n in_o church-member_n than_o the_o crowd_v of_o such_o into_o the_o place_n as_o indeed_o be_v satan_n member_n and_o appear_v not_o capable_a of_o that_o special_a love_n nor_o be_v capable_a of_o return_v it_o to_o other_o 8._o this_o will_v make_v easy_a the_o minister_n work_v and_o free_v he_o from_o abundance_n of_o hatred_n trouble_n and_o disadvantage_n when_o like_o a_o workman_n tool_n in_o his_o shop_n that_o all_o be_v in_o their_o place_n and_o so_o at_o hand_n when_o he_o shall_v use_v they_o so_o his_o hearer_n be_v in_o order_n and_o each_o one_o look_n but_o for_o his_o portion_n and_o none_o be_v snatch_v at_o our_o finger_n for_o the_o child_n bread_n that_o belong_v not_o to_o they_o and_o 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we_o and_o dream_v not_o that_o we_o have_v a_o work_n and_o not_o power_n to_o do_v it_o or_o discern_v what_o we_o do_v set_v other_o to_o do_v it_o that_o you_o can_v better_o trust_v 5._o who_o will_v you_o have_v trust_v with_o this_o power_n some_o body_n must_v have_v it_o i_o have_v prove_v to_o you_o full_o that_o every_o man_n must_v not_o be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o his_o own_o fitness_n for_o baptism_n or_o church_n privilege_n and_o that_o the_o people_n or_o magistrate_n be_v not_o the_o sole_a or_o chief_a judge_n and_o who_o shall_v it_o be_v but_o they_o to_o who_o it_o be_v commit_v by_o christ_n in_o their_o call_n to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n 6._o minister_n as_o i_o before_o show_v have_v no_o tyrannical_a or_o arbitrary_a power_n for_o christ_n have_v tie_v they_o by_o a_o law_n who_o to_o admit_v and_o who_o to_o reject_v and_o if_o they_o disobey_v this_o law_n the_o magistrate_n may_v correct_v they_o so_o that_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o 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argue_v confirmation_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o those_o that_o be_v baptise_a at_o full_a age_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o any_o if_o not_o to_o all_o answ_n i_o have_v give_v some_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v use_v with_o all_o that_o have_v opportunity_n after_o baptism_n but_o i_o have_v prove_v it_o more_o necessary_a to_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v in_o infancy_n and_o if_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o no_o other_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a at_o all_o because_o not_o to_o all_o 6._o object_n be_v it_o not_o better_o take_v up_o with_o a_o implicit_a profession_n and_o covenant_v then_o make_v so_o great_a a_o trouble_n to_o ourselves_o and_o disturbance_n among_o the_o people_n as_o this_o will_v make_v answ_n 1._o i_o think_v not_o only_o the_o face_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n but_o of_o our_o own_o may_v by_o this_o time_n have_v afford_v we_o satisfy_v experience_n what_o implicit_a faith_n and_o implicit_a 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church_n have_v as_o many_o disease_n as_o will_v consist_v with_o life_n and_o be_v 3._o a_o implicit_a profession_n make_v or_o prove_v man_n but_o implicitly_a christian_n such_o dumb_a uncertain_a sign_n do_v leave_v we_o in_o so_o great_a uncertainty_n of_o the_o thing_n signify_v that_o it_o seem_v but_o a_o very_a mock_n of_o god_n that_o will_v not_o be_v mock_v when_o we_o have_v opportunity_n for_o a_o open_a intelligible_a profession_n and_o will_v not_o use_v it_o or_o require_v it_o 4._o it_o be_v against_o nature_n for_o a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o tongue_n in_o his_o head_n to_o refuse_v to_o utter_v his_o mind_n any_o other_o wise_a then_o by_o dumb_a show_n and_o yet_o expect_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o
accept_v what_o be_v the_o tongue_n make_v for_o but_o to_o express_v the_o mind_n indeed_o if_o a_o man_n be_v dumb_a and_o can_v neither_o speak_v not_o write_v it_o be_v more_o tolerable_a to_o take_v a_o uncertain_a sign_n from_o such_o a_o man_n then_o from_o another_o that_o have_v the_o use_n of_o tongue_n or_o pen._n 5._o it_o be_v a_o very_a implicit_a deny_v of_o christ_n which_o many_o call_v a_o implicit_a profession_n if_o a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o tongue_n in_o his_o mouth_n shall_v refuse_v to_o profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o quarrel_n with_o the_o minister_n that_o call_v he_o to_o it_o and_o say_v we_o shall_v have_v no_o other_o profession_n from_o he_o then_o to_o come_v to_o church_n and_o put_v the_o bread_n and_o wine_n into_o his_o mouth_n and_o not_o to_o deny_v christ_n express_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o reasonable_a man_n whether_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o of_o a_o implicit_a deny_v christ_n in_o this_o refuse_v to_o confess_v he_o when_o they_o be_v call_v to_o it_o by_o their_o pastor_n who_o god_n have_v command_v they_o to_o obey_v and_o that_o in_o a_o case_n and_o season_n when_o all_o the_o church_n have_v require_v it_o or_o teach_v it_o to_o be_v due_a 6._o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o christianity_n for_o man_n to_o take_v up_o with_o implicit_a uncertain_a profession_n when_o we_o have_v opportunity_n of_o more_o open_a free_a profession_n he_o be_v not_o a_o master_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o and_o he_o will_v have_v no_o servant_n that_o will_v not_o confess_v he_o before_o man_n even_o in_o the_o hazard_n of_o life_n much_o more_o in_o day_n of_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o with_o the_o heart_n man_n must_v believe_v to_o righteousness_n so_o with_o the_o mouth_n confession_n be_v make_v unto_o salvation_n rom._n 10._o 10._o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o whisper_v or_o draw_v back_o in_o a_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o weight_n as_o this_o 7._o shall_v we_o thus_o teach_v our_o people_n to_o esteem_n christianity_n as_o a_o unobservable_a thing_n by_o no_o more_o observe_v it_o the_o solemnity_n of_o man_n transition_n into_o the_o adult-state_n of_o actual_a believer_n do_v make_v it_o more_o observable_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n and_o they_o will_v see_v that_o there_o be_v more_o in_o it_o then_o common_o be_v now_o esteem_v i_o find_v by_o experience_n that_o our_o people_n hate_v no_o preach_v more_o then_o difference_v preach_v which_o leave_v or_o shut_v they_o out_o from_o the_o number_n of_o the_o sanctify_a and_o set_v they_o as_o one_o the_o left-hand_a in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o judge_v they_o before_o the_o time_n but_o fain_o they_o will_v have_v ministry_n confound_v and_o jumble_v all_o together_o and_o then_o you_o may_v make_v they_o as_o great_a sinner_n as_o you_o will_v so_o you_o will_v make_v they_o no_o worse_o than_o the_o justify_v that_o be_v forgive_v and_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o so_o in_o practice_n they_o love_v no_o difference_v way_n but_o shall_v we_o so_o far_o gratify_v the_o devil_n and_o the_o flesh_n no_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o christ_n servant_n and_o the_o world_n as_o conspicuous_a as_o we_o can_v that_o the_o conscience_n of_o poor_a sinner_n may_v rather_o be_v waken_v then_o cheat_v by_o we_o and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v choose_v the_o most_o solemn_a transition_n and_o record_v the_o name_n of_o the_o confirm_a and_o let_v the_o people_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o public_a observation_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o faith_n and_o holiness_n while_o the_o covenant_n and_o profession_n of_o it_o be_v make_v so_o necessary_a 8._o that_o be_v the_o best_a mean_n that_o be_v fit_a to_o attain_v the_o end_n the_o end_n of_o a_o covenant_n be_v to_o oblige_v and_o the_o end_n of_o a_o profession_n to_o declare_v the_o mind_n and_o i_o pray_v you_o which_o be_v fit_a for_o these_o end_n a_o express_a profession_n and_o covenant_n or_o a_o dumb_a uncertain_a sign_n by_o come_v to_o church_n pay_v tithe_n etc._n etc._n 9_o such_o dumb_a profession_n be_v less_o tolerable_a now_o because_o we_o have_v many_o in_o our_o assembly_n that_o we_o know_v to_o be_v no_o christian_n i_o know_v of_o many_o that_o will_v hear_v that_o believe_v no_o life_n to_o come_v and_o secret_o make_v a_o scorn_n of_o christ_n and_o scripture_n and_o many_o more_o that_o know_v not_o what_o christianity_n be_v as_o be_v aforesaid_a now_o shall_v we_o take_v up_o with_o such_o sign_n of_o christianity_n as_o we_o see_v and_o know_v be_v common_o use_v by_o infidel_n when_o we_o may_v have_v better_o 10._o it_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o profession_n to_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n explicit_a for_o profiteri_fw-la be_v but_o palà m_fw-la vel_fw-la publicè_fw-la fateri_fw-la it_o be_v no_o profession_n if_o it_o be_v not_o or_o pretend_v not_o to_o be_v a_o expression_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v implicit_a and_o not_o express_v be_v so_o far_o to_o be_v against_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o profession_n in_o that_o measure_n as_o your_o profession_n be_v implicit_a as_o it_o be_v call_v and_o not_o express_v in_o that_o measure_n it_o be_v no_o profession_n at_o all_o object_n 7._o but_o when_o you_o have_v the_o most_o express_a covenant_n or_o profession_n you_o be_v not_o sure_a that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o that_o the_o man_n be_v a_o believer_n at_o the_o heart_n answ_n 1._o i_o be_o sure_a that_o it_o be_v true_o a_o profession_n that_o be_v a_o pretend_a sign_n of_o the_o mind_n thoâ—gh_o i_o be_o not_o sure_a that_o it_o be_v true_a profession_n that_o be_v a_o true_a infallible_a sign_n of_o the_o mind_n i_o can_v know_v the_o metaphysical_a though_o not_o the_o moral_a truth_n of_o it_o and_o then_o i_o can_v be_v sure_a that_o i_o do_v my_o duty_n and_o take_v up_o according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v his_o work_n to_o judge_v the_o heart_n immediate_o as_o be_v his_o prerogative_n to_o know_v it_o but_o it_o be_v my_o work_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o profession_n 2._o and_o what_o if_o i_o have_v no_o infallible_a certainty_n must_v i_o therefore_o throw_v up_o all_o and_o make_v the_o pastoral_a church-government_n to_o be_v void_a and_o cast_v open_v the_o vineyard_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o wilderness_n and_o not_o so_o much_o as_o require_v a_o credibility_n because_o we_o can_v have_v a_o infallibility_n this_o may_v not_o be_v object_n 8._o but_o this_o will_v encourage_v tbe_n anabaptist_n and_o congregational_a in_o their_o express_a covenanting_n by_o our_o come_n so_o near_o they_o answ_n 1._o i_o may_v better_o say_v you_o will_v make_v man_n anabaptist_n and_o drive_v they_o too_o far_o by_o your_o looseness_n and_o wilful_o shun_v plain_a duty_n how_o can_v weak_a professor_n be_v draw_v to_o think_v well_o of_o that_o party_n which_o they_o see_v do_v shun_v so_o needful_a a_o work_n of_o god_n 2._o love_n and_o peace_n will_v teach_v all_o christian_n to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o best_a for_o unity_n and_o heal_n of_o our_o breach_n to_o come_v as_o near_o dissent_v brethren_n as_o we_o may_v and_o noâ—_n to_o fly_v the_o further_a from_o they_o at_o least_o we_o may_v not_o run_v from_o truth_n and_o duty_n that_o we_o may_v be_v unlike_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n 3._o and_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v my_o duty_n to_o tell_v this_o aloud_o to_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o after_o long_o contest_v with_o the_o anabaptist_n and_o opposition_n of_o their_o way_n i_o be_o grow_v as_o i_o confident_o think_v to_o this_o discovery_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o suffer_v they_o among_o we_o that_o he_o have_v this_o great_a truth_n and_o duty_n to_o which_o he_o see_v it_o necessary_a to_o awake_v we_o the_o church_n have_v be_v so_o lamentable_o defile_v discipline_n make_v a_o impossible_a thing_n and_o man_n salvation_n grievous_o hinder_v by_o the_o common_a secret_n unobserved_a transition_n of_o all_o people_n into_o the_o name_n and_o number_n and_o privilege_n of_o adult-christians_a therefore_o do_v god_n permit_v these_o man_n to_o step_v too_o far_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o the_o noise_n may_v be_v the_o great_a and_o his_o call_n the_o more_o observable_a so_o that_o they_o be_v his_o messenger_n call_v aloud_o to_o england_n and_o all_o other_o christian_a church_n in_o europe_n to_o keep_v the_o door_n and_o repair_v the_o hedge_n and_o no_o more_o to_o take_v a_o infant-baptism_n and_o profession_n of_o our_o parent_n as_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o title_n of_o the_o adult_n to_o the_o name_n or_o place_n or_o privilege_n of_o
christian_n but_o to_o give_v they_o infant_n privilege_n upon_o the_o parent_n profession_n but_o to_o require_v of_o they_o a_o sober_a serious_a profession_n and_o covenant_v by_o themselves_o in_o own_v their_o baptismal_a covenant_n before_o we_o number_v they_o with_o adult-christians_a and_o that_o god_n have_v suffer_v the_o anabaptist_n to_o make_v such_o a_o stir_n among_o we_o will_v prove_v a_o mercy_n to_o we_o in_o the_o end_n if_o we_o have_v the_o wit_n and_o grace_n to_o learn_v this_o upon_o this_o troublesome_a occasion_n and_o then_o the_o reformation_n will_v do_v we_o more_o good_a then_o ever_o the_o anabaptist_n do_v we_o harm_n but_o if_o we_o will_v not_o learn_v nor_o obey_v god_n call_v we_o must_v yet_o look_v to_o be_v molest_v by_o they_o more_o or_o else_o to_o do_v and_o suffer_v worse_o object_n 9_o but_o if_o you_o will_v not_o take_v a_o non-renouncing_a of_o christ_n and_o infant_n baptism_n as_o sufficient_a without_o a_o personal_a covenant_n and_o profession_n you_o may_v on_o the_o same_o ground_n call_v man_n every_o week_n to_o such_o a_o profession_n because_o that_o the_o former_a profession_n show_v not_o what_o they_o afterward_o be_v but_o what_o then_o they_o be_v answ_n 1._o the_o case_n be_v quite_o another_o in_o your_o instance_n it_o be_v but_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o profession_n and_o condition_n that_o be_v requisite_a and_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o take_v it_o as_o continue_v while_o i_o have_v no_o evidence_n to_o question_v it_o and_o see_v the_o performance_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o belong_v to_o my_o cognisance_n but_o in_o my_o case_n the_o condition_n and_o the_o profession_n be_v not_o the_o same_o a_o new_a condition_n of_o right_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o adult_n which_o they_o have_v not_o at_o all_o in_o their_o infant_n baptism_n then_o they_o enter_v upon_o their_o parent_n faith_n or_o profession_n but_o at_o age_n they_o must_v necessary_o have_v a_o faith_n or_o profession_n of_o their_o own_o or_o else_o they_o actual_o cease_v to_o be_v christian_n 2._o and_o yet_o let_v i_o add_v that_o frequent_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o renew_v covenant_n with_o god_n have_v ever_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n both_o before_o christ_n incarnation_n and_o since_o and_o indeed_o the_o lord_n supper_n do_v import_v it_o and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o think_v it_o a_o very_a convenient_a edify_a course_n to_o have_v the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n every_o day_n repeat_v as_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o church_n and_o the_o people_n to_o stand_v up_o at_o it_o to_o signify_v their_o consent_n so_o be_v it_o you_o will_v not_o take_v up_o with_o this_o silent_a profession_n alone_o and_o exclude_v a_o more_o explicit_a one_o when_o it_o be_v requisite_a but_o this_o fit_o signify_v our_o stand_n to_o the_o first_o object_n 10._o but_o this_o will_v cast_v you_o upon_o the_o same_o difficulty_n which_o you_o object_n to_o the_o anabaptist_n you_o will_v not_o know_v at_o what_o age_n to_o take_v man_n for_o adult-christians_a answ_n 1._o we_o shall_v not_o accept_v they_o for_o their_o age_n but_o for_o their_o profession_n and_o we_o can_v easy_o tell_v when_o they_o offer_v themselves_o to_o trial_n and_o profession_n and_o desire_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o ancient_a church_n can_v tell_v when_o their_o catechuman_n be_v to_o be_v baptize_v 2._o and_o for_o the_o time_n when_o we_o must_v judge_v their_o infant_n church-state_n to_o cease_v if_o they_o own_v not_o the_o covenant_n personal_o we_o can_v set_v a_o certain_a year_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a but_o when_o their_o infancy_n cease_v than_o their_o infant-state_n cease_v that_o be_v when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o full_a or_o competent_a use_n of_o reason_n but_o then_o observe_v 1._o that_o if_o they_o be_v call_v at_o such_o a_o time_n to_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o own_o their_o covenant_n and_o refuse_v it_o than_o we_o must_v judge_v they_o refuser_n of_o christianity_n unless_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o refusal_n allow_v another_o judgement_n 2._o or_o if_o they_o will_v full_o neglect_v for_o a_o considerable_a space_n to_o own_o their_o baptismal_a covenant_n and_o to_o seek_v a_o stand_n among_o the_o adult-christians_a it_o be_v a_o strong_a presumption_n that_o they_o be_v backslider_n 3._o if_o they_o only_o suspend_v their_o personal_a profession_n at_o age_n we_o must_v only_o suspend_v our_o judgement_n till_o we_o have_v some_o light_n to_o discern_v the_o cause_n and_o can_v be_v sure_a that_o there_o be_v deserter_n or_o apostate_n 4._o but_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o they_o be_v nor_o to_o be_v number_v by_o the_o church_n among_o adult_n christian_n till_o they_o have_v produce_v the_o evidence_n of_o their_o title_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o credible_a personal_a profession_n so_o that_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o know_v when_o any_o such_o person_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v and_o public_o own_v as_o a_o actual_a believer_n though_o it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o discern_v of_o all_o before_o that_o time_n whether_o they_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v as_o desertour_n or_o not_o he_o that_o wilful_o neglect_v to_o come_v among_o the_o adult_n christian_n long_o after_o he_o have_v the_o full_a use_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v not_o with_o all_o at_o the_o same_o age_n be_v to_o be_v much_o suspect_v at_o least_o and_o common_o about_o 16_o or_o 17_o or_o 18_o year_n of_o age_n be_v the_o time_n when_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o expect_v that_o they_o shall_v seek_v the_o communion_n and_o privilidge_n of_o the_o adult_n for_o about_o that_o age_n they_o have_v a_o competent_a use_n of_o reason_n object_n 11._o but_o if_o you_o admit_v they_o into_o the_o church_n in_o infancy_n say_v the_o anabaptist_n you_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o excommunicate_v they_o all_o that_o prove_v ungodly_a when_o they_o come_v to_o age_n and_o not_o to_o let_v they_o silent_o pass_v out_o of_o the_o church_n again_o answ_n excommunication_n be_v either_o a_o exclude_v they_o from_o all_o relation_n of_o member_n to_o the_o catholic_a church_n or_o from_o the_o actual_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n or_o from_o both_o the_o former_a we_o can_v do_v but_o declarative_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o also_o adjoyne_v the_o charge_n of_o god_n for_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o sentence_n but_o those_o that_o be_v never_o personal_a professor_n of_o faith_n nor_o admit_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o adult-christians_a be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o common_a use_n of_o excommunication_n to_o remove_v those_o as_o unfit_a from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o adult_n that_o once_o be_v in_o it_o and_o forfeit_v that_o communion_n which_o can_v belong_v to_o they_o that_o never_o be_v in_o it_o and_o for_o our_o declare_v they_o desertour_n or_o apostate_n we_o may_v do_v it_o upon_o just_a occasion_n but_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v it_o public_o by_o all_o that_o be_v guilty_a this_o be_v not_o the_o excommunication_n that_o be_v so_o enjoin_v in_o the_o scripture_n where_o do_v you_o find_v that_o the_o church_n in_o scripture-time_n or_o after_o be_v wont_a to_o excommunicate_v apostate_n and_o yet_o apostate_n be_v former_o of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v those_o that_o hang_v on_o and_o pretend_v still_o to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n and_o intrude_v into_o the_o actual_a communion_n of_o it_o that_o we_o must_v cast_v out_o when_o they_o deserve_v it_o object_n 12._o but_o if_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v christian_n you_o must_v baptise_v they_o again_o if_o you_o will_v receive_v they_o answ_n no_o such_o matter_n the_o anabaptist_n themselves_o will_v not_o rebaptize_v a_o apostate_n when_o he_o return_v to_o the_o church_n he_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v by_o confession_n and_o absolution_n and_o not_o by_o baptism_n if_o a_o christian_a turn_n turk_n and_o afterward_o return_v he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v rebaptise_v object_n 13._o but_o by_o this_o mean_v you_o will_v unchristen_v the_o people_n and_o then_o they_o will_v be_v exasperate_v and_o turn_v heathen_n or_o hearken_v to_o any_o seducer_n that_o will_v mislead_v they_o answ_n 1._o no_o we_o will_v unchristen_v no_o man_n but_o do_v that_o honour_n to_o christianity_n and_o that_o right_a to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n as_o to_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o christian_n and_o infidel_n and_o that_o somewhat_o wide_o than_o the_o bare_a name_n he_o that_o be_v a_o christian_n shall_v be_v more_o encourage_v by_o this_o course_n and_o he_o that_o be_v not_o can_v be_v unchristened_a by_o we_o if_o man_n will_v not_o unchristen_v themselves_o they_o need_v not_o fear_v lest_o the_o just_a try_v and_o approve_v of_o their_o christianity_n shall_v unchristen_v they_o 2._o how_o little_a
penalty_n they_o will_v bear_v it_o at_o their_o hand_n and_o take_v it_o the_o better_a when_o we_o deal_v with_o they_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n require_v i_o hear_v it_o with_o my_o ear_n to_o the_o grief_n of_o my_o heart_n how_o some_o of_o my_o neighbour_n minister_n be_v speak_v against_o with_o bitterness_n by_o their_o people_n because_o they_o give_v not_o the_o lord_n supper_n to_o all_o even_o to_o the_o most_o ignorant_a and_o ungodly_a that_o refuse_v to_o be_v instruct_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o take_v themselves_o for_o any_o member_n of_o the_o minister_n charge_n and_o that_o which_o they_o say_v be_v that_o though_o bishop_n and_o common_a prayer_n be_v take_v down_o yet_o the_o give_v of_o the_o sacrament_n to_o all_o the_o parish_n be_v not_o take_v down_o and_o they_o that_o now_o submit_v so_o quiet_o to_o the_o disuse_n of_o many_o other_o thing_n because_o minister_n be_v punishable_a if_o they_o use_v they_o will_v also_o do_v the_o like_a in_o this_o case_n and_o yet_o if_o you_o be_v jealous_a that_o minister_n will_v go_v as_o far_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n in_o refuse_v the_o people_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v refuse_v though_o with_o one_o of_o a_o hundred_o there_o be_v little_a fear_n of_o that_o we_o be_v content_v that_o you_o look_v to_o we_o also_o in_o this_o to_o which_o end_n these_o two_o thing_n will_v be_v sufficient_a 1._o let_v the_o magistrate_n join_v with_o the_o pastor_n and_o delegate_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o meeting_n where_o church-affaire_n be_v transact_v that_o he_o may_v see_v what_o we_o do_v if_o there_o be_v no_o justice_n of_o peace_n in_o the_o parish_n let_v every_o church_n have_v a_o church-magistrate_n purposely_o choose_v by_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n or_o some_o agent_n on_o his_o behalf_n depute_v hereunto_o 2._o and_o let_v the_o magistrate_n agent_n acquaint_v the_o commissioner_n how_o thing_n be_v transact_v in_o case_n of_o complaint_n and_o let_v they_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o assistant_n minister_n correct_v we_o as_o we_o deserve_v if_o you_o shall_v imagine_v this_o to_o be_v necessary_a direct_v 4._o the_o magistrate_n shall_v promote_v encourage_v countenance_n yea_o command_v the_o pastor_n to_o association_n and_o brotherly_a correspondency_n for_o the_o more_o cautelous_a and_o vigorous_a and_o effectual_a management_n of_o these_o work_n and_o for_o the_o concatenation_n and_o communion_n of_o church_n and_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o each_o other_o affair_n that_o he_o that_o have_v communion_n in_o one_o church_n may_v by_o communicatory_a letter_n have_v communion_n in_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o that_o be_v cast_v or_o keep_v out_o of_o one_o may_v not_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o rest_n till_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o he_o be_v exclude_v unjust_o and_o those_o that_o join_v not_o so_o full_o as_o the_o rest_n may_v yet_o be_v provoke_v to_o own_o one_o another_o as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v that_o so_o we_o may_v maintain_v brotherly_a love_n with_o all_o that_o differ_v from_o we_o by_o tolerable_a defference_n and_o may_v own_v they_o as_o church_n though_o we_o can_v own_v their_o different_a opinion_n or_o way_n and_o may_v have_v such_o communion_n with_o they_o as_o we_o may_v and_o upon_o their_o letter_n may_v admit_v their_o member_n to_o our_o communion_n this_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v at_o least_o open_o provoke_v and_o encourage_v the_o church_n and_o pastor_n to_o see_v no_o man_n can_v doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n direct_v 5._o for_o the_o better_a promote_a of_o this_o necessary_a work_n i_o conceive_v it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a ready_a and_o unquestionable_a way_n for_o the_o magistrate_n to_o appoint_v a_o able_a godly_a moderate_a minister_n to_o be_v a_o visitor_n in_o each_o county_n or_o rather_o in_o each_o half_a or_o quarter_n of_o a_o county_n to_o see_v the_o church_n thus_o reform_v and_o prvoke_v the_o several_a pastor_n to_o their_o duty_n and_o assist_v they_o in_o it_o where_o there_o be_v need_n but_o not_o to_o have_v any_o episcopal_a power_n to_o punish_v or_o cast_v out_o any_o minister_n or_o excommunicate_v they_o suspend_v they_o or_o the_o like_a but_o let_v every_o visitor_n have_v a_o agent_n of_o the_o magistrate_n join_v with_o he_o arm_v with_o authority_n to_o convent_n the_o minister_n and_o examine_v witness_n and_o do_v what_o more_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n shall_v see_v meet_a so_o that_o still_o these_o two_o visitor_n go_v together_o but_o have_v not_o the_o same_o authority_n or_o work_n but_o let_v the_o minister_n only_o inquire_v direct_v exhort_v and_o give_v account_n and_o advice_n to_o the_o civil_a visitor_n and_o let_v the_o civil_a visitor_n have_v all_o the_o coercive_a power_n and_o let_v both_o of_o they_o transmit_v such_o cause_n as_o be_v exempt_a from_o their_o determination_n to_o the_o commissioner_n for_o eject_v scandalous_a miinister_n who_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o assistant_n minister_n may_v determine_v they_o these_o visiter_n do_v very_o much_o to_o the_o first_o and_o great_a reformation_n of_o scotland_n when_o popery_n have_v overrun_v all_o nor_o do_v they_o scruple_n the_o use_n of_o they_o for_o all_o that_o they_o be_v against_o prelacy_n direct_v 6._o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a and_o unquestionable_a part_n of_o the_o magistrate_n duty_n in_o order_n to_o the_o reformation_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o save_n of_o man_n soul_n ibid._n to_o see_v that_o dangerous_a seducer_n be_v restrain_v from_o infect_v and_o carry_v away_o the_o ignorant_a ungodly_a discontent_a people_n that_o be_v keep_v under_o ministerial_a teach_v as_o expectant_n i_o do_v not_o move_v to_o have_v man_n drive_v into_o our_o church_n nor_o do_v i_o move_v to_o have_v a_o unnecessary_a restraint_n lay_v upon_o man_n tongue_n or_o pen_n in_o case_n of_o tolerable_a difference_n among_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o case_n i_o only_o desire_v now_o that_o the_o dissent_v godly_a brethren_n will_v agree_v together_o to_o meddle_v with_o their_o difference_n no_o more_o than_o needs_o and_o to_o manage_v their_o disagreement_n with_o such_o caution_n and_o in_o such_o manner_n and_o season_n and_o measure_n as_o may_v least_o hinder_v their_o success_n in_o the_o common_a work_n viz._n the_o promote_a of_o the_o common_a fundamental_a verity_n and_o the_o convert_n and_o save_v of_o the_o ignorant_a and_o ungodly_a and_o get_v down_o the_o reign_a sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o then_o they_o will_v find_v 1._o that_o if_o there_o by_o any_o truth_n in_o the_o private_a opinion_n which_o they_o will_v propagate_v it_o will_v far_o easy_o be_v receive_v when_o the_o mind_n of_o their_o brethren_n be_v sedate_v and_o peaceable_a then_o when_o they_o be_v alarm_v to_o the_o conflict_n by_o unseasonable_a preach_n for_o the_o say_a opinion_n 2._o and_o that_o the_o error_n of_o this_o low_a nature_n among_o brethren_n which_o some_o fear_v a_o toleration_n of_o will_v soon_o die_v of_o themselves_o for_o want_n of_o fuel_n in_o such_o peaceable_a deportment_n then_o when_o the_o bellows_n of_o opposition_n contradiction_n reproach_n and_o violence_n be_v blow_v they_o up_o and_o put_v life_n continual_o into_o they_o for_o most_o divider_n be_v proud_a and_o selfish_a and_o must_v needs_o be_v note_v for_o somewhat_o extraordinary_a and_o you_o take_v the_o principal_a way_n to_o animate_v they_o when_o you_o make_v so_o much_o ado_n with_o they_o whereas_o a_o few_o year_n neglect_v and_o not_o observe_v they_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o man_n in_o the_o world_n unless_o when_o they_o impose_v a_o necessity_n on_o we_o will_v more_o happy_o extinguish_v they_o i_o speak_v but_o what_o i_o have_v see_v and_o try_v this_o therefore_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n of_o my_o present_a request_n that_o magistrate_n will_v use_v rigour_n and_o violence_n with_o godly_a man_n about_o tolerable_a difference_n which_o the_o power_n of_o great_a light_n and_o love_n in_o the_o contrary_n mind_v be_v the_o principal_a mean_n to_o reconcile_v but_o the_o thing_n request_v now_o of_o magistrate_n be_v that_o they_o will_v keep_v out_o the_o wolf_n while_o we_o be_v feed_v the_o sheep_n or_o help_v we_o in_o it_o that_o they_o suffer_v not_o damnable_a deceiver_n or_o any_o that_o plain_o go_v about_o to_o subvert_v man_n soul_n or_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n to_o fall_v in_o with_o our_o ignorant_a ungodly_a people_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o expectance_n and_o as_o i_o shall_v be_v ready_a against_o any_o libertine_n infidel_n or_o papist_n in_o the_o world_n to_o prove_v this_o to_o be_v in_o the_o magistrate_n power_n and_o his_o flat_a duty_n of_o which_o i_o hope_v no_o sober_a christian_n doubt_v so_o i_o shall_v
man_n be_v out_o of_o it_o and_o you_o may_v next_o question_n whether_o the_o devil_n be_v not_o a_o member_n that_o believe_v much_o more_o than_o he_o but_o when_o i_o say_v that_o infidelity_n impiety_n heresy_n do_v cut_v off_o or_o cast_v out_o i_o mean_v it_o but_o meritorious_o either_o these_o crime_n be_v private_a and_o unknown_a or_o provable_a if_o not_o provable_a than_o they_o merit_v this_o and_o more_o coram_fw-la deo_fw-la but_o not_o ecclesiâ_fw-la judice_fw-la that_o be_v though_o there_o be_v guilt_n or_o demerit_n yet_o we_o be_v no_o capable_a judge_n of_o it_o but_o if_o the_o crime_n be_v provable_a than_o it_o be_v either_o such_o as_o needs_o a_o judgement_n or_o not_o if_o it_o need_v a_o judgement_n the_o person_n be_v only_o the_o jurâ—_n cast_v out_o before_o the_o sentence_n which_o be_v terminus_fw-la diminuens_fw-la and_o be_v noâ—_n actual_a cast_v out_o and_o he_o be_v actual_o cast_v out_o by_o the_o sentence_n and_o the_o execution_n so_o that_o his_o sin_n cast_v he_o out_o meritorious_o the_o law_n obligatory_o the_o paflor_n of_o the_o church_n sentential_o and_o the_o whole_a church_n pastor_n and_o people_n executive_o in_o avoid_v he_o but_o if_o there_o need_v no_o judgement_n than_o he_o be_v excommunicate_v actual_o ipso_fw-la jure_fw-la by_o the_o law_n alone_o without_o a_o judge_n which_o may_v be_v in_o many_o a_o casâ—â—_n aâ—_n if_o he_o be_v a_o notorious_a infidel_n atheist_n blasphemer_n or_o notorious_o beyond_o all_o doubt_n and_o controversy_n one_o of_o those_o that_o the_o law_n command_v we_o to_o avoid_v we_o must_v execute_v this_o law_n though_o there_o be_v no_o sentence_n pronounce_v the_o want_n of_o a_o man_n sentence_n will_v not_o excuse_v we_o from_o obey_v god_n law_n and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o controversy_n through_o the_o notoriousness_n of_o the_o case_n there_o need_v no_o judge_n 6._o if_o birth-priviledge_n will_v serve_v alone_o for_o the_o adult_n to_o prove_v their_o title_n to_o the_o church-state_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n than_o no_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v of_o christian_a parents_n can_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o excommunication_n or_o just_o excommunicate_a for_o he_o be_v still_o a_o child_n of_o believe_a parent_n and_o no_o sin_n will_v make_v they_o otherwise_o and_o therefore_o if_o that_o be_v enough_o he_o have_v a_o good_a title_n still_o nay_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o he_o can_v apostatise_v for_o he_o can_v fall_v away_o from_o this_o but_o the_o consequence_n be_v absurd_a therefore_o so_o be_v the_o antecedent_n 7._o if_o infant_n title_n only_o be_v sufficient_a to_o the_o adult_n than_o no_o parent_n be_v necessary_o oblige_v to_o profess_v himself_o a_o christâ—aâ—_n or_o actual_a believer_n in_o order_n to_o prove_v the_o interest_n of_o his_o child_n to_o baptism_n nor_o any_o that_o offer_v he_o in_o the_o parent_n stead_n for_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o parent_n or_o susceptor_n say_v we_o be_v infant-member_n and_o baptise_a and_o therefore_o our_o child_n must_v be_v so_o but_o whether_o we_o be_v actual_a believer_n now_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o we_o tell_v you_o but_o the_o consequent_a be_v so_o absurd_a that_o whoever_o shall_v have_v offer_v a_o child_n to_o baptism_n on_o these_o term_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n or_o any_o church_n that_o i_o know_v of_o till_o very_o late_o will_v have_v be_v reject_v the_o acceptance_n and_o baptism_n of_o our_o infant_n be_v one_o of_o the_o privilege_n of_o believer_n but_o no_o one_o have_v right_a to_o this_o privilege_n that_o his_o child_n be_v thus_o accept_v into_o the_o church_n upon_o a_o bare_a infant-title_n without_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o personal_a actual_a â—aith_n therefore_o etc._n etc._n 8._o if_o the_o oppose_a doctrine_n shall_v hold_v good_a than_o all_o the_o world_n have_v right_a to_o church-communion_n or_o mâ—llions_o of_o infidel_n at_o least_o but_o the_o consequent_a be_v false_a therefore_o so_o be_v the_o antecedent_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v plain_a because_o noah_n be_v a_o church-member_n and_o all_o the_o world_n come_v out_o of_o his_o loin_n and_o the_o man_n of_o thracia_n bythinia_n and_o most_o of_o asia_n where_o mahomet_n be_v worship_v may_v say_v our_o ancestor_n be_v christian_n therefore_o the_o birth-priviledge_n still_o go_v down_o from_o generation_n to_o generation_n even_o to_o the_o thousand_o generation_n it_o must_v follow_v that_o the_o present_a generation_n of_o mahometan_n and_o other_o infidel_n be_v church-members_a still_o for_o they_o lose_v not_o their_o natural_a relation_n to_o their_o parent_n 9_o it_o will_v not_o prove_v a_o society_n of_o adult_n person_n to_o be_v a_o christian_a church_n if_o they_o have_v no_o more_o but_o their_o infant-condition_n therefore_o it_o will_v not_o prove_v a_o single_a person_n to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v a_o society_n a_o christian_a society_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v a_o person_n a_o christian_a person_n but_o i_o hope_v none_o will_v deny_v but_o that_o some_o kind_n of_o profession_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v or_o prove_v a_o company_n of_o man_n to_o be_v a_o christian_a church_n therefore_o some_o profession_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v or_o prove_v a_o man_n to_o be_v a_o church-member_n 10._o if_o infant-condition_n will_v suffice_v to_o the_o adult_n for_o church-membership_a and_o common_a privilege_n then_o will_v they_o serve_v for_o justification_n and_o salvation_n that_o be_v special_a privilege_n but_o the_o consequent_a be_v false_a therefore_o so_o be_v the_o antecedent_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v because_o though_o the_o benefit_n be_v various_a yet_o the_o covenant_n and_o condition_n be_v the_o same_o by_o which_o we_o have_v right_a to_o one_o and_o to_o the_o other_o it_o be_v the_o appearance_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n by_o profession_n before_o man_n that_o give_v title_n coram_fw-la ecclesiâ_fw-la who_o inward_a sincerity_n give_v right_a coram_fw-la deo_fw-la as_o be_v aforesaid_a and_o god_n give_v title_n to_o all_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n coram_fw-la deo_fw-la on_o the_o same_o condition_n and_o there_o be_v also_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n for_o if_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o prove_v our_o right_n to_o adult_v communion_n to_o praise_n god_n and_o have_v all_o his_o ordinance_n and_o help_n in_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n that_o we_o have_v christian_a parent_n then_o must_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o prove_v our_o title_n in_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o benefit_n the_o ancient_a father_n and_o church_n think_v that_o baptism_n do_v as_o certain_o give_v the_o infant_n right_o baptise_a a_o right_a to_o pardon_v of_o original_a sin_n and_o eternal_a life_n aâ—_n to_o outward_a church-priviledge_n and_o if_o the_o same_o covenant_n give_v both_o on_o the_o same_o condition_n than_o he_o that_o have_v the_o condition_n of_o one_o have_v of_o both_o i_o have_v prove_v in_o another_o disputation_n that_o god_n have_v not_o two_o covenant_n of_o grace_n on_o his_o part_n one_o of_o spiritual_a or_o inward_a mercy_n and_o another_o of_o outward_a ordinance_n and_o that_o he_o give_v not_o these_o inward_a benefit_n and_o the_o outward_a sign_n of_o they_o upon_o various_a condition_n but_o on_o the_o same_o 11._o faith_n or_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o in_o the_o adult_n be_v either_o necessary_a to_o church-communion_n or_o unnecessary_a if_o unnecessary_a than_o christian_n have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v in_o the_o church_n than_o heathen_n if_o necessary_a then_o either_o as_o a_o mere_a duty_n or_o as_o a_o condition_n or_o other_o mean_v not_o as_o a_o mere_a duty_n for_o then_o still_o the_o infidel_n shall_v be_v equal_o receive_v though_o not_o applaud_v it_o must_v be_v therefore_o necessary_a as_o a_o mean_n and_o the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o promise_n tell_v we_o what_o sort_n of_o mean_n it_o be_v that_o make_v faith_n to_o be_v its_o condition_n 12._o i_o will_v know_v of_o my_o adversary_n what_o he_o will_v do_v with_o the_o son_n of_o a_o believer_n that_o be_v unbaptise_v at_o 40._o or_o 50._o year_n of_o age_n will_v be_v baptise_v he_o without_o a_o profession_n of_o actual_a faith_n of_o his_o own_o or_o not_o if_o he_o will_v than_o he_o will_v make_v new_a fashion_a christian_n and_o church_n and_o may_v baptise_v all_o the_o posterity_n of_o the_o apostate_n or_o the_o ancient_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n that_o will_v consent_v yea_o he_o can_v not_o indeed_o baptise_v they_o for_o baptism_n essential_o contain_v a_o profession_n of_o consent_n unto_o the_o covenant_n which_o therefore_o other_o make_v for_o infant_n that_o have_v the_o dispose_n of_o they_o but_o if_o he_o will_v not_o baptise_v such_o without_o profession_n than_o it_o seem_v he_o take_v not_o their_o birth-priviledge_n to_o be_v a_o
sufficient_a condition_n of_o their_o title_n thereunto_o 13._o a_o covenant_n breaker_n can_v claim_v no_o right_n to_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o covenant_n suppose_v he_o to_o violate_v the_o main_a condition_n on_o which_o the_o benefit_n be_v suspend_v but_o all_o those_o at_o capable_a age_n that_o have_v nothing_o but_o their_o infant_n condition_n to_o show_v be_v covenant_n breaker_n therefore_o they_o have_v no_o right_n to_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o covenant_n they_o therefore_o be_v engage_v personal_o to_o believe_v in_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n we_o have_v cause_n therefore_o to_o see_v whether_o they_o have_v break_v or_o keep_v this_o covenant_n and_o if_o they_o have_v break_v it_o they_o can_v at_o present_a claim_n no_o title_n to_o the_o benefit_n 14._o he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o god_n be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o therefore_o those_o that_o profess_v not_o this_o belief_n can_v come_v to_o god_n and_o consequent_o not_o have_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n heb._n 11._o 5_o 6._o therefore_o without_o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o have_v right_a to_o just_a communion_n which_o be_v purposely_o for_o the_o please_a of_o god_n object_n but_o its_o say_a infant_n have_v faith_n that_o be_v a_o relative_n faith_n and_o a_o faderall_a faith_n as_o well_o as_o a_o relative_n faederall_a holiness_n their_o right_a be_v not_o only_o in_o their_o parent_n but_o in_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o their_o faith_n be_v in_o themselves_o and_o this_o continue_v with_o the_o age_a till_o heresy_n and_o schism_n cut_v it_o off_o answ_n call_v any_o thing_n under_o heaven_n by_o the_o name_n of_o faith_n so_o you_o will_v but_o explain_v your_o meaning_n and_o we_o will_v quarrel_v as_o little_a as_o may_v be_v with_o you_o about_o word_n but_o little_o know_v we_o what_o you_o mean_v by_o relative_n or_o faederall_a faith_n unless_o it_o be_v plain_o to_o be_v semen_fw-mi fidelium_fw-la the_o seed_n of_o believer_n that_o there_o be_v a_o relative_n and_o faederall_a holiness_n be_v scripture_n doctrine_n and_o good_a sense_n for_o the_o formal_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v a_o relation_n which_o common_o be_v express_v by_o the_o name_n of_o holiness_n and_o which_o in_o that_o phrase_n be_v employ_v but_o i_o remember_v not_o that_o scripture_n ever_o speak_v of_o a_o relative_n or_o faederall_a faith_n for_o i_o believe_v not_o that_o it_o be_v infant_n that_o christ_n call_v the_o little_a oâ—es_n that_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o faith_n be_v a_o act_n or_o habit_n you_o must_v mean_v some_o other_o species_n of_o faith_n which_o consist_v in_o relation_n i_o know_v it_o not_o nor_o will_v i_o use_v your_o language_n though_o i_o think_v it_o more_o tolerable_a to_o call_v the_o infant_n relative_o a_o believer_n then_o to_o say_v he_o have_v relative_n faith_n for_o in_o so_o say_v no_o more_o be_v mean_v but_o that_o he_o be_v a_o disciple_n of_o christ_n or_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o he_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o a_o believer_n in_o covenant_n but_o let_v this_o word_n of_o faederall_a relative_n faith_n be_v use_v by_o you_o as_o you_o please_v if_o the_o thing_n signify_v by_o it_o be_v any_o more_o than_o i_o have_v express_v you_o shall_v tell_v we_o what_o you_o mean_v if_o it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o to_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o a_o believer_n than_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o thiâ—_n continue_v when_o they_o come_v to_o age_n but_o it_o do_v they_o no_o good_a at_o age_n as_o to_o the_o continue_v of_o their_o title_n to_o church-membership_a before_o god_n without_o a_o faith_n of_o their_o own_o nor_o before_o the_o church_n without_o a_o profession_n of_o it_o that_o the_o infant_n himself_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o hâ—s_n own_o right_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o no_o man_n that_o i_o know_v make_v doubt_n of_o that_o believe_v he_o to_o have_v any_o right_n but_o the_o active_a main_a condition_n of_o that_o right_n be_v not_o to_o be_v perform_v by_o himself_o but_o by_o the_o parent_n and_o only_o the_o passive_a condition_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o that_o parent_n if_o he_o must_v be_v a_o believer_n seed_n it_o be_v the_o parent_n that_o must_v believe_v but_o that_o will_v not_o serve_v his_o turn_n at_o age_n if_o he_o do_v not_o also_o believe_v himself_o 15._o it_o be_v grant_v by_o the_o dissenter_n that_o the_o ignorant_a for_o all_o their_o infant_n title_n have_v no_o immediate_a right_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o we_o will_v not_o contend_v about_o name_n this_o satisfy_v we_o in_o the_o main_a it_o be_v not_o actual_a right_n if_o it_o be_v not_o immediate_a plenary_a right_n that_o which_o they_o call_v a_o remote_a right_n be_v proper_o no_o actual_a right_n but_o a_o term_n of_o diminution_n as_o to_o it_o when_o right_o have_v two_o condition_n you_o may_v call_v it_o right_n when_o the_o first_o and_o great_a be_v perform_v but_o actual_o it_o be_v none_o till_o all_o be_v perform_v for_o it_o be_v still_o but_o conditional_a while_o any_o part_n of_o the_o condition_n be_v unperformed_a say_v learned_a mr_n fullwood_n page_n 274._o the_o rule_n to_o give_v all_o their_o due_a be_v of_o indispensable_a obligation_n but_o see_v ignorant_a person_n have_v no_o such_o immediate_a right_n in_o the_o supper_n what_o injury_n or_o wrong_n be_v there_o do_v they_o object_n but_o ignorance_n do_v not_o whole_o cut_v a_o man_n off_o from_o the_o church_n for_o such_o a_o knowledge_n go_v not_o to_o the_o â—ssence_n of_o the_o church_n for_o â—â—s_o foâ—m_n be_v society_n or_o community_n answer_n 1._o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n faith_n that_o it_o exclude_v man_n meritorious_o from_o immediate_a right_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o adult_n 2._o ignorance_n qua_fw-la talis_fw-la material_o be_v no_o sin_n as_o in_o idiot_n paralytick_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o cut_v not_o off_o but_o ignorance_n in_o a_o subject_a where_o knowledge_n shall_v be_v find_v be_v culpable_a and_o complicate_v always_o with_o infidelity_n or_o not_o believe_v and_o therefore_o do_v declare_v the_o person_n to_o be_v matter_n uncapable_a if_o you_o choose_v to_o say_v it_o cut_v not_o off_o i_o easy_o can_v prove_v that_o it_o manifest_v that_o he_o be_v not_o in_o the_o invisible_a and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v esteem_v of_o the_o visible_a church_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o incapacity_n his_o former_a title_n cease_v for_o want_v of_o the_o condition_n of_o its_o continuation_n 3._o knowledge_n in_o the_o capable_a adult_n be_v a_o essential_a to_o the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n a_o church_n be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n as_o it_o be_v a_o society_n christianity_n be_v not_o essential_a to_o it_o and_o so_o not_o knowledge_n for_o there_o be_v society_n of_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n enough_o but_o as_o it_o be_v a_o christian_a society_n knowledge_n be_v essential_a to_o it_o and_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v a_o church_n it_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o field_n of_o wheat_n that_o there_o be_v wheat_n in_o it_o or_o to_o a_o heap_n of_o wheat_n that_o it_o be_v of_o wheat_n and_o yet_o not_o as_o a_o field_n or_o as_o a_o heap_n for_o there_o be_v heap_n of_o dirt_n also_o the_o aggregation_n of_o a_o number_n of_o individual_n make_v it_o a_o community_n and_o the_o form_n of_o the_o body_n aggregated_a as_o to_o the_o mutual_a relation_n of_o the_o part_n make_v it_o a_o body_n politic_a or_o society_n but_o the_o essential_a qualification_n of_o the_o individual_n viz_o christianity_n be_v essential_a to_o that_o society_n in_o specie_fw-la as_o a_o christian_a church_n and_o faith_n in_o the_o adult_n be_v essential_a to_o christianity_n and_o knowledge_n be_v essential_a to_o faith_n or_o inseparable_a from_o it_o object_n than_o one_o shall_v not_o take_v another_o to_o be_v a_o church-member_n till_o he_o be_v satisfy_v of_o his_o knowledge_n which_o be_v a_o strange_a thing_n answ_n not_o so_o strange_a as_o true_a suppose_v he_o a_o adult_n person_n capable_a of_o knowledge_n for_o he_o can_v be_v satisfy_v of_o his_o faith_n without_o be_v satisfy_v of_o knowledge_n nor_o of_o his_o christianity_n without_o his_o faith_n for_o we_o be_v yet_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o christian_a infidel_n but_o then_o consider_v what_o must_v be_v satisfactory_a to_o other_o man_n concern_v their_o brother_n knowledge_n it_o must_v satisfy_v they_o that_o he_o be_v by_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v to_o judge_v approve_v and_o annumerate_v with_o believer_n and_o that_o he_o
if_o wilful_o contrary_a they_o be_v a_o lie_n and_o god_n do_v not_o make_v a_o lie_n to_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o church-membership_a or_o privilege_n nor_o do_v he_o bind_v his_o minister_n or_o church_n to_o believe_v a_o know_a lie_n nothing_o but_o real_a or_o seem_a truth_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v habet_fw-la 2._o more_o particular_o the_o profession_n which_o we_o speak_v of_o must_v have_v these_o qualification_n 1._o it_o must_v be_v or_o seem_v to_o be_v understanding_n ignorant_n be_v non_fw-la est_fw-la consensus_fw-la if_o a_o parrot_n can_v say_v the_o creed_n it_o be_v not_o a_o credible_a profession_n of_o faith_n therefore_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v wont_n by_o catechist_n to_o prepare_v they_o to_o understand_v the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o profess_v this_o be_v past_a controversy_n i_o think_v no_o minister_n will_v take_v that_o man_n profession_n that_o seem_v not_o to_o understand_v what_o he_o say_v 2._o no_o profession_n be_v credible_a but_o that_o which_o be_v or_o seem_v to_o be_v serious_a he_o that_o speak_v in_o scorn_n or_o jest_n be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v as_o one_o that_o speak_v his_o mind_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o pass_v for_o a_o profession_n 3._o no_o profession_n be_v credible_a or_o sufficient_a but_o that_o which_o be_v or_o seem_v to_o be_v free_a and_o voluntary_a though_o some_o force_n or_o outward_a urgency_n in_o some_o case_n may_v help_v to_o incline_v the_o will_n yet_o will_v it_o must_v be_v or_o it_o be_v not_o a_o credible_a profession_n he_o that_o profess_v himself_o a_o christian_n when_o a_o sword_n or_o pistol_n be_v at_o his_o breast_n be_v not_o to_o be_v credit_v if_o he_o continue_v it_o not_o when_o he_o be_v free_a and_o also_o that_o which_o be_v do_v in_o a_o mere_a passion_n without_o deliberation_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v as_o the_o act_n of_o the_o man_n and_o a_o true_a expression_n of_o the_o bent_n of_o his_o mind_n unless_o he_o afterward_o stand_v to_o it_o upon_o deliberation_n 4._o it_o must_v be_v a_o profession_n not_o nullify_v by_o a_o contradiction_n in_o word_n or_o deed_n though_o their_o may_v a_o obscure_a contradiction_n not_o understand_v consist_v with_o it_o or_o a_o contradiction_n only_o in_o degree_n as_o lord_n i_o believe_v help_v thou_o my_o unbelief_n yet_o there_o must_v be_v no_o contradiction_n of_o the_o essential_o of_o our_o profession_n that_o nullifi_v it_o by_o show_v that_o we_o lie_v or_o speak_v against_o the_o bent_n of_o our_o heart_n if_o a_o minister_n can_v by_o contrary_a word_n or_o deed_n disprove_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o party_n he_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v it_o or_o accept_v it_o for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v without_o evidence_n of_o credibility_n much_o less_o against_o it_o i_o have_v give_v instance_n of_o this_o in_o the_o foresay_a disputation_n of_o sacracrament_n pag._n 10._o 5._o when_o by_o covenant-breaking_a and_o perfidiousness_n or_o often_o lie_v a_o man_n be_v become_v come_v incredible_a have_v forfeit_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o word_n with_o wise_a and_o charitable_a man_n this_o man_n must_v give_v we_o a_o practical_a as_o well_o as_o verbal_a profession_n before_o we_o can_v again_o admit_v he_o to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n for_o though_o we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v so_o strict_a as_o some_o old_a father_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v and_o the_o novation_n be_v that_o will_v not_o admit_v such_o penitent_n again_o into_o the_o church_n at_o all_o but_o leave_v they_o to_o god_n own_o judgement_n yet_o must_v we_o not_o go_v against_o reason_n and_o scripture_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v nor_o to_o cast_v by_o all_o order_n and_o discipline_n and_o prostitute_v god_n ordinance_n to_o the_o lust_n of_o man_n and_o make_v they_o a_o scorn_n or_o level_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n with_o the_o world_n the_o testimony_n cite_v by_o i_o on_o another_o occasion_n in_o the_o foresay_a disputation_n show_v the_o judgement_n of_o protestant_n in_o these_o point_n and_o somewhat_o of_o the_o judgement_n of_o antiquity_n i_o shall_v recite_v but_o those_o on_o the_o title_n page_n of_o the_o three_o disputation_n tertullian_n apologet._n cap._n 16._o sed_fw-la dices_fw-la etiam_fw-la de_fw-la nâ—stris_fw-la excedere_fw-la quosdam_fw-la à _fw-la regulis_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la desiâ—unt_fw-la tum_fw-la christiani_n haberi_fw-la penes_fw-la res_fw-la philosophi_fw-la verò_fw-la illi_fw-la cum_fw-la talibus_fw-la factis_fw-la in_fw-la nomine_fw-la &_o honore_fw-la sapientiae_fw-la perseverant_a that_o be_v but_o you_o will_v say_v that_o even_o of_o we_o some_o swarve_v from_o or_o forsake_v the_o rule_n of_o discipline_n answ_n they_o cease_v then_o to_o be_v count_v christian_n with_o we_o but_o your_o philosopher_n with_o such_o deed_n do_v keep_v the_o name_n and_o honour_n of_o wisdom_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o french_a professor_n at_o saumour_n you_o have_v in_o these_o word_n thes_n salmuriens_fw-la vol._n 3._o pag._n 39_o thes_n 39_o sacramenta_fw-la non_fw-la conferuntur_fw-la nisi_fw-la iis_fw-la qui_fw-la vel_fw-la findem_fw-la habent_fw-la vel_fw-la saltâ—m_fw-la eam_fw-la praese_fw-it ferant_fw-la adeò_fw-la ut_fw-la nullis_fw-la certis_fw-la argumentis_fw-la compertum_fw-la esse_fw-la possit_fw-la eam_fw-la esse_fw-la â—mentitam_fw-la that_o be_v sacrament_n be_v confer_v on_o none_o but_o these_o that_o either_o have_v faith_n or_o at_o least_o pretend_v or_o profess_v to_o have_v it_o so_o that_o it_o can_v by_o any_o certain_a argument_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v feign_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o scottish_a divine_n may_v be_v much_o discover_v in_o these_o two_o testimony_n follow_v gillespie_n aaron_n rod_n blossom_a pag._n 514._o i_o believe_v no_o conscientious_a minister_n will_v adventure_v to_o baptise_v one_o who_o have_v manifest_a and_o infallible_a sign_n of_o unregeneration_n sure_o we_o can_v be_v answerable_a to_o god_n if_o we_o shall_v minister_v baptism_n to_o a_o man_n who_o work_n and_o word_n do_v manifest_o declare_v he_o to_o be_v a_o unregenerate_v unconvert_v person_n and_o if_o we_o may_v not_o initiate_v such_o a_o one_o how_o shall_v we_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o lord_n table_n rutherford_n due_a right_n of_o presbytery_n pag._n 231._o n._n 2._o but_o say_v robinson_n most_o of_o england_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o first_o rudiment_n and_o foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v a_o church_n answ_n such_o be_v material_o not_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o have_v not_o a_o profession_n and_o be_v to_o be_v teach_v and_o if_o they_o will_v full_o remain_v in_o that_o darkness_n be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o if_o you_o will_v have_v the_o testimony_n of_o protestant_n you_o may_v read_v above_o threescore_o of_o they_o express_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v a_o profession_n of_o save_v faith_n that_o be_v prerequisite_a to_o to_o our_o right_n of_o sacrament_n cite_v in_o my_o forementioned_a disputation_n second_o to_o which_o i_o add_v 33._o more_o cite_v to_o a_o like_a purpose_n in_o my_o five_o disputation_n of_o sacrament_n and_o to_o these_o add_v the_o large_a testimony_n of_o davenant_n with_o his_o many_o argument_n on_o colos_n 1._o vers_fw-la 18._o too_o large_a to_o recite_v and_o for_o the_o late_a sort_n of_o episcopal_a divine_n that_o they_o also_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o i_o will_v satisfy_v you_o from_o a_o eminent_a man_n among_o they_o mr_n herbert_n thorndike_n in_o his_o discourse_n of_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n pag._n 31_o 32._o where_o he_o say_v and_o hereby_o we_o see_v how_o bind_v and_o lose_v sin_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o key_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v make_v a_o visible_a society_n by_o the_o power_n of_o hold_v assembly_n to_o which_o no_o man_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v till_o there_o be_v just_a presumption_n that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n that_o be_v above_o i_o shall_v add_v more_o from_o he_o anon_o somewhat_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o cite_v of_o the_o father_n judgement_n in_o this_o point_n and_o more_o anon_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o produce_v but_o in_o a_o point_n that_o we_o be_v agree_v on_o that_o be_v not_o every_o profession_n but_o only_o a_o credible_a profession_n of_o true_a christianity_n even_o of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n that_o must_v be_v take_v as_o satisfactory_a by_o the_o church_n i_o hope_v i_o may_v spare_v any_o further_a proof_n prop._n 7._o the_o profession_n of_o those_o that_o expect_v the_o church-sttate_a and_o privilege_n of_o the_o adult_n be_v to_o be_v try_v judge_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o office_n it_o be_v that_o this_o belong_v this_o proposition_n have_v two_o part_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o profession_n untried_a and_o unapprove_v that_o must_v serve_v the_o turn_n 2._o that_o the_o try_v and_o