better_a edification_n among_o the_o dissenter_n and_o therefore_o they_o may_v lawful_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o first_o what_o pure_a ordinance_n will_v man_n have_v than_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n own_o institution_n without_o any_o corrupt_a and_o sinful_a mixture_n to_o spoil_v their_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n the_o purity_n of_o divine_a administration_n must_v consist_v in_o their_o agreement_n with_o the_o institution_n that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o such_o defect_n or_o addition_n as_o alter_v their_o nature_n and_o destroy_v their_o virtue_n but_o he_o who_o think_v that_o the_o sacrament_n lose_v their_o efficacy_n unless_o they_o be_v administer_v in_o that_o way_n which_o he_o like_v best_o be_v guilty_a of_o gross_a superstition_n and_o attribute_n the_o virtue_n of_o sacrament_n to_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o administration_n not_o to_o their_o divine_a institution_n second_o the_o pretence_n of_o better_a edification_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n justify_v separation_n for_o this_o edification_n must_v be_v understand_v either_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o of_o particular_a christian_n now_o edification_n be_v build_v up_o and_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n consider_v as_o god_n house_n and_o temple_n this_o be_v the_o true_a scripture_n notion_n of_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o many_o text_n 1_o cor._n 3.9_o 10._o and_o 8.1_o and_o 14.5_o 12._o eph._n 2.21_o and_o 4.12_o 13_o 15_o 16._o matth._n 21.42_o act_n 4.11_o 2_o cor._n 10.8_o 12_o 19_o and_o 13.10_o now_o it_o be_v a_o odd_a way_n of_o build_v up_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n by_o divide_v and_o separate_v the_o part_n of_o it_o from_o each_o other_o as_o for_o the_o edification_n of_o particular_a person_n which_o be_v also_o speak_v of_o in_o scripture_n 1_o thess_n 5.11_o it_o be_v therefore_o call_v edification_n because_o it_o be_v a_o improvement_n of_o a_o man_n spiritual_a condition_n and_o it_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o make_v particular_a christian_n one_o spiritual_a house_n and_o temple_n by_o a_o firm_a close_a union_n and_o communion_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o every_o christian_n be_v edify_v as_o he_o grow_v up_o in_o all_o christian_a grace_n and_o virtue_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o indeed_o if_o our_o growth_n in_o grace_n be_v more_o owe_v to_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n than_o to_o the_o external_a administration_n as_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 3.6_o 7._o and_o if_o the_o spirit_n confine_v his_o influence_n to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v but_o one_o body_n and_o one_o spirit_n eph._n 4.4_o than_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v a_o very_a likely_a way_n for_o edification_n to_o cut_v ourselves_o off_o from_o the_o unity_n of_o christ_n body_n st._n judas_n v._o 19_o seem_v to_o tell_v we_o that_o true_a edification_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o common_a building_n but_o those_o who_o keep_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n build_v up_o themselves_o in_o their_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o pray_v in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o a_o man_n may_v with_o great_a assurance_n expect_v the_o blessing_n of_o god_n if_o he_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n than_o if_o he_o separate_v but_o i_o shall_v examine_v this_o pretence_n at_o large_a and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o any_o particular_a christian_a to_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o he_o think_v he_o can_v edify_v better_o among_o the_o dissenter_n this_o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o four_o argument_n 1._o because_o better_a edification_n can_v be_v have_v in_o separate_a meeting_n than_o in_o our_o church_n as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v first_o how_o fit_a our_o constitution_n be_v to_o edify_v man_n soul_n second_o that_o this_o constitution_n be_v well_o manage_v for_o edification_n first_o then_o that_o our_o constitution_n be_v fit_a to_o edify_v soul_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v four_o thing_n 1._o our_o creed_n contain_v all_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o we_o have_v no_o nice_a and_o obscure_a matter_n in_o they_o we_o believe_v all_o that_o the_o early_a christian_n in_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n think_v needful_a that_o be_v all_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v and_o this_o faith_n will_v sufficient_o and_o effectual_o edify_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n 2._o the_o necessity_n the_o church_n lay_v upon_o a_o good_a life_n and_o work_n the_o article_n of_o her_o creed_n when_o firm_o believe_v do_v plain_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n good_a she_o declare_v that_o without_o preparatory_a virtue_n the_o most_o zealous_a devotion_n be_v not_o please_v to_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v but_o show_v unless_o obedience_n follow_v such_o a_o faith_n she_o lay_v down_o as_o fundamental_a to_o salvation_n as_o produce_v excellent_a virtue_n and_o determine_v that_o without_o faith_n and_o good_a work_v no_o man_n shall_v see_v god_n her_o festival_n commemorate_v the_o virtue_n and_o recommend_v the_o example_n of_o excellent_a men._n her_o ceremony_n be_v decent_a her_o prayer_n be_v for_o holiness_n her_o discipline_n be_v to_o force_v and_o her_o homily_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o that_o piety_n which_o her_o whole_a constitution_n aim_v at_o she_o tell_v sinner_n plain_o that_o unless_o they_o repent_v they_o must_v perish_v and_o say_v that_o plain_a virtue_n be_v the_o ornament_n and_o soul_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o certain_o the_o civil_a interest_n of_o a_o nation_n be_v edify_v by_o such_o a_o church_n as_o teach_v man_n to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o several_a relation_n so_o exact_o 3._o she_o be_v fit_o constitute_v to_o excite_v true_a devotion_n because_o she_o give_v we_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o ourselves_o by_o describe_v his_o attribute_n and_o our_o want_n her_o prayer_n be_v grave_a and_o of_o a_o due_a length_n and_o she_o have_v proper_a prayer_n for_o most_o particular_a occasion_n she_o have_v office_n to_o quicken_v our_o affection_n and_o confirm_v our_o obedience_n the_o office_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n baptism_n and_o burial_n be_v extreme_o good_a in_o their_o kind_n bring_v but_o a_o honest_a mind_n and_o good_a affection_n to_o all_o these_o part_n of_o devotion_n and_o they_o will_v make_v the_o church_n a_o choir_n of_o angel_n 4._o her_o order_n and_o discipline_n be_v such_o that_o she_o make_v religion_n neither_o slovenly_a nor_o too_o gay_a wise_a and_o good_a man_n have_v judge_v all_o her_o ceremony_n to_o be_v decent_a and_o useful_a and_o they_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n and_o fit_a to_o make_v our_o service_n comely_a and_o true_o whilst_o we_o have_v body_n these_o outward_a help_n be_v very_o convenient_a if_o not_o necessary_a her_o government_n be_v so_o well_o temper_v that_o her_o member_n may_v not_o be_v dissolute_a nor_o her_o ruler_n insolent_a and_o if_o all_o vice_n be_v not_o chastise_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o unnecessary_a division_n have_v stop_v her_o discipline_n upon_o offender_n her_o government_n be_v apostolical_a primitive_a and_o universal_a none_o of_o her_o part_n or_o office_n give_v just_a cause_n for_o any_o to_o revolt_v from_o she_o but_o consider_v all_o thing_n she_o be_v the_o best_a constitute_v church_n in_o the_o world_n if_o therefore_o 14.3_o therefore_o heb._n 6.1_o 2_o pet._n 3.18_o rom._n 15.2_o 1_o cor._n 14.3_o edification_n be_v go_v on_o to_o perfection_n or_o grow_v in_o grace_n if_o it_o be_v do_v good_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n if_o it_o be_v to_o make_v plain_a the_o great_a thing_n in_o religion_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o man_n than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o this_o church_n second_o that_o our_o constitution_n be_v well_o manage_v for_o edification_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o pastor_n be_v not_o leave_v to_o their_o liberty_n but_o strict_o command_v under_o great_a temporal_a penalty_n to_o direct_v their_o flock_n to_o preserve_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n with_o substantial_a devotion_n which_o will_v to_o the_o purpose_n edify_v man_n soul_n and_o effectual_o save_v they_o 2._o that_o these_o command_n be_v obey_v by_o our_o pastor_n for_o this_o we_o appeal_v to_o good_a and_o wise_a man_n in_o our_o communion_n who_o have_v honesty_n and_o judgement_n enough_o to_o confess_v that_o they_o have_v find_v it_o true_a and_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v prejudice_v and_o want_v sincerity_n and_o knowledge_n to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n be_v uncharitable_a our_o protestant_a neighbour_n have_v commend_v our_o government_n condemn_v the_o separation_n magnify_v our_o pastor_n and_o wish_v they_o be_v under_o such_o a_o discipline_n and_o translate_v many_o of_o our_o man_n work_n to_o edify_v their_o people_n dissenter_n
all_o successive_a age_n of_o the_o world_n i_o desire_v they_o to_o consider_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o promise_n of_o such_o a_o gift_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o therefore_o no_o reason_n to_o expect_v the_o continuance_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v presumption_n to_o promise_v ourselves_o what_o god_n have_v not_o promise_v we_o for_o as_o for_o the_o spirit_n of_o supplication_n zac._n 12.10_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n or_o of_o inward_a piety_n and_o devotion_n but_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o promise_n in_o the_o new_a covenant_n be_v evident_a from_o what_o be_v acknowledge_v on_o all_o hand_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v many_o good_a christian_n who_o can_v never_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o inspiration_n for_o all_o good_a christian_n have_v a_o right_n to_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o i_o be_o very_o confident_a it_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o by_o all_o sober_a dissenter_n as_o a_o very_a rash_a and_o unjust_a censure_n to_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v a_o good_a christian_a who_o do_v not_o pray_v by_o immediate_a inspiration_n but_o be_v always_o fain_o to_o depend_v either_o on_o his_o own_o invention_n or_o a_o form_n 2._o that_o as_o there_o be_v no_o promise_n so_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o such_o immediate_a inspiration_n it_o be_v true_a the_o spirit_n will_v assist_v we_o in_o all_o necessary_a thing_n wherein_o our_o duty_n and_o spiritual_a life_n be_v concern_v but_o it_o be_v a_o unwarrantable_a presumption_n to_o expect_v a_o immediate_a inspiration_n in_o prayer_n because_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o it_o for_o 1._o as_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v already_o sufficient_o reveal_v it_o to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o as_o plain_o instruct_v we_o what_o we_o be_v to_o pray_v for_o as_o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o do_v by_o any_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o therefore_o to_o suppose_v after_o all_o a_o necessity_n of_o immediate_a inspiration_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o suppose_v that_o we_o have_v neither_o reason_n enough_o to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o plain_a word_n nor_o memory_n enough_o to_o retain_v it_o but_o say_v the_o dissenter_n we_o know_v not_o what_o to_o pray_v for_o as_o we_o ought_v but_o the_o spirit_n itself_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o with_o groan_n which_o can_v be_v utter_v rom._n 8.26_o and_o therefore_o we_o can_v in_o all_o case_n know_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n without_o immediate_a inspiration_n but_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o word_n relate_v not_o to_o the_o matter_n but_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o prayer_n what_o to_o pray_v for_o as_o we_o ought_v we_o know_v not_o that_o be_v we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o pray_v with_o that_o fervency_n and_o resignation_n which_o we_o ought_v unless_o the_o spirit_n assist_v we_o 2._o as_o for_o the_o word_n of_o prayer_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n they_o shall_v be_v immediate_o dictate_v to_o we_o since_o we_o may_v use_v form_n and_o those_o form_n with_o small_a addition_n may_v be_v adapt_v to_o all_o particular_a case_n and_o circumstance_n 3._o if_o prayer_n be_v inspire_a they_o be_v equal_a to_o scripture_n and_o be_v infallible_a and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o whatever_o god_n inspire_v must_v needs_o be_v so_o but_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a no_o sober_a dissenter_n will_v presume_v to_o say_v 4._o there_o be_v no_o sign_n of_o this_o immediate_a inspiration_n remain_v among_o we_o heretofore_o all_o inspiration_n be_v attest_v by_o miracle_n but_o the_o pretend_a inspiration_n of_o prayer_n have_v no_o miracle_n to_o warrant_v it_o whereas_o if_o the_o inspiration_n be_v continue_v it_o be_v requisite_a that_o proper_a sign_n shall_v be_v continue_v that_o so_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v that_o which_o be_v divine_a from_o that_o which_o be_v natural_a or_o diabolical_a if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o distinguish_v they_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o distinguish_v whether_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o inspiration_n be_v true_a or_o false_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o distinguish_v the_o inspiration_n itself_o whether_o it_o be_v divine_a or_o natural_a or_o diabolical_a for_o 1._o it_o be_v certain_a a_o man_n may_v pray_v agreeable_o to_o scripture_n by_o natural_a inspiration_n that_o be_v by_o a_o natural_a or_o accidental_a fervency_n of_o temper_n as_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o many_o instance_n and_o in_o this_o case_n how_o shall_v he_o know_v by_o scripture_n whether_o his_o present_a inspiration_n be_v natural_a or_o divine_a it_o will_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o god_n inspire_v good_a man_n with_o fervency_n in_o prayer_n and_o yet_o this_o fervency_n sometime_o proceed_v from_o temper_n of_o body_n and_o why_o do_v not_o the_o want_n of_o a_o sign_n to_o distinguish_v conclude_v against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o fervency_n as_o well_o as_o against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o word_n of_o prayer_n i_o answer_v that_o we_o have_v a_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v assistance_n for_o the_o fervency_n of_o our_o prayer_n but_o not_o for_o the_o matter_n or_o word_n of_o they_o beside_o we_o may_v easy_o distinguish_v whether_o the_o inspiration_n of_o fervency_n be_v natural_a or_o divine_a by_o our_o own_o sense_n if_o it_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o fix_a and_o constant_a devotion_n of_o soul_n it_o be_v divine_a but_o if_o it_o be_v only_o a_o sudden_a fit_a and_o leave_v we_o habitual_o indevout_a we_o have_v just_a reason_n to_o think_v it_o natural_a but_o we_o can_v distinguish_v by_o scripture_n between_o one_o and_o the_o other_o for_o both_o may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n and_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o have_v god_n mean_v to_o continue_v the_o gift_n of_o inspiration_n to_o we_o he_o will_v have_v leave_v we_o thus_o in_o the_o dark_a concern_v it_o without_o any_o certain_a sign_n to_o distinguish_v whether_o it_o be_v from_o his_o spirit_n or_o from_o a_o ill-affected_a spleen_n or_o a_o fever_n 2._o as_o for_o diabolical_a inspiration_n we_o have_v sundry_a instance_n such_o as_o wier_n hacket_n d._n george_n and_o john_n basilides_n duke_n of_o russia_n who_o have_v such_o gift_n of_o prayer_n as_o ravish_v the_o auditor_n and_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o most_o impartial_a seem_v to_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o make_v many_o think_v they_o immediate_o inspire_a by_o god_n now_o since_o by_o such_o inspiration_n the_o devil_n may_v sometime_o serve_v his_o own_o end_n by_o recommend_v false_a teacher_n etc._n etc._n we_o may_v reasonable_o suppose_v he_o do_v use_v that_o method_n and_o since_o he_o may_v inspire_v man_n with_o such_o matter_n of_o prayer_n as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n we_o can_v by_o scripture_n certain_o distinguish_v between_o his_o inspiration_n and_o that_o of_o the_o spirit_n but_o sure_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o think_v that_o if_o god_n have_v continue_v this_o gift_n of_o inspiration_n he_o will_v leave_v we_o without_o a_o sign_n to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o that_o which_o be_v diabolical_a and_o since_o there_o be_v no_o sign_n we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o think_v the_o gift_n be_v cease_v but_o far_o we_o have_v not_o only_o no_o certain_a sign_n of_o the_o divine_a inspiration_n of_o conceive_a prayer_n but_o many_o very_a certain_a one_o of_o the_o contrary_a i_o will_v instance_n in_o four_o 1._o the_o great_a impertinence_n nonsense_n and_o rudeness_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o that_o be_v sometime_o mingle_v with_o these_o extempore_o prayer_n and_o which_o we_o can_v attribute_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n without_o blasphemy_n 2._o that_o they_o be_v so_o general_o tincture_v with_o the_o particular_a opinion_n of_o those_o that_o offer_v they_o whether_o this_o be_v not_o so_o i_o appeal_v to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o then_o sure_o they_o be_v not_o inspire_a for_o either_o we_o must_v suppose_v this_o gift_n of_o inspiration_n to_o be_v consign_v to_o one_o party_n which_o will_v be_v to_o stint_v the_o spirit_n with_o a_o witness_n or_o else_o we_o must_v blasphemous_o say_v the_o spirit_n inspire_v contradiction_n and_o indite_v contrary_a prayer_n to_o man_n of_o opposite_a party_n 3._o another_o plain_a sign_n that_o conceive_v prayer_n be_v not_o inspire_a be_v that_o that_o which_o give_v they_o the_o reputation_n of_o be_v so_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o matter_n as_o the_o manner_n of_o express_v they_o as_o for_o the_o matter_n i_o suppose_v the_o dissenter_n will_v not_o deny_v but_o our_o form_n may_v equal_v at_o least_o if_o not_o excel_v their_o conceive_a prayer_n and_o therefore_o all_o the_o
3._o some_o be_v offend_v with_o our_o pray_n against_o sudden_a death_n but_o why_o shall_v we_o not_o by_o sudden_a death_n understand_v our_o be_v take_v out_o of_o this_o world_n when_o we_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o die_v for_o sometime_o a_o thing_n be_v say_v to_o be_v sudden_a to_o we_o when_o we_o be_v not_o prepare_v for_o it_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n can_v any_o good_a christian_a find_v fault_n with_o the_o petition_n but_o suppose_v that_o by_o sudden_a death_n we_o mean_v what_o be_v common_o understand_v by_o it_o that_o be_v a_o death_n of_o which_o a_o man_n have_v not_o the_o least_o warning_n by_o sickness_n be_v there_o not_o reason_n why_o even_o good_a man_n may_v desire_v not_o to_o die_v sudden_o may_v they_o not_o when_o they_o find_v themselves_o draw_v towards_o their_o end_n by_o their_o good_a instruction_n and_o admonition_n make_v impression_n upon_o their_o friend_n companion_n and_o relation_n to_o the_o better_n of_o they_o may_v not_o their_o counsel_n be_v then_o more_o effectual_a with_o they_o than_o ever_o they_o be_v before_o and_o be_v it_o not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v they_o will_v be_v so_o as_o for_o themselves_o may_v not_o the_o warning_n they_o have_v of_o approach_a death_n be_v improve_v to_o make_v they_o more_o sit_v to_o die_v than_o they_o be_v in_o their_o perfect_a health_n in_o a_o word_n he_o that_o think_v himself_o to_o have_v sufficient_o perfect_v holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o not_o to_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o those_o act_n of_o self-examination_n humiliation_n and_o devotion_n by_o which_o good_a man_n improve_v the_o warn_v of_o death_n which_o mortal_a sickness_n or_o extreme_a age_n give_v they_o let_v he_o suspend_v his_o act_n and_o refuse_v to_o join_v with_o we_o when_o we_o pray_v god_n to_o deliver_v we_o from_o sudden_a death·_fw-la 4._o some_o be_v offend_v that_o we_o pray_v to_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o christ_n holy_a incarnation_n etc._n etc._n by_o his_o agony_n and_o bloody_a sweat_n by_o his_o cross_n and_o passion_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o the_o come_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n some_o say_v this_o be_v swear_v other_o conjure_v and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o to_o these_o i_o answer_v that_o when_o we_o say_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o thy_o holy_a incarnation_n and_o by_o thy_o cross_n and_o passion_n etc._n etc._n good_a lord_n deliver_v we_o we_o implore_v christ_n who_o have_v already_o show_v such_o inestimable_a goodness_n towards_o we_o by_o take_v our_o nature_n into_o his_o divinity_n to_o die_v upon_o the_o cross_n to_o be_v bury_v to_o rise_v again_o to_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o there_o to_o intercede_v with_o the_o father_n for_o we_o and_o by_o send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o qualify_v the_o apostle_n for_o their_o great_a work_n of_o carry_v the_o word_n of_o salvation_n into_o the_o world_n i_o say_v we_o implore_v he_o who_o have_v already_o do_v such_o mighty_a thing_n for_o our_o salvation_n and_o we_o plead_v with_o he_o by_o that_o goodness_n which_o he_o have_v already_o give_v we_o such_o great_a demonstration_n of_o by_o those_o wonder_n of_o mercy_n that_o he_o have_v wrought_v for_o we_o that_o he_o will_v now_o go_v on_o to_o deliver_v we_o by_o his_o powerful_a grace_n from_o those_o evil_n which_o we_o pray_v against_o and_o this_o be_v so_o reasonable_a so_o devout_a and_o affectionate_a so_o humble_a and_o thankful_a a_o way_n of_o pray_v that_o i_o be_o sorry_a that_o any_o who_o call_v themselves_o believer_n shall_v be_v so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o understand_v it_o or_o so_o profane_a and_o unlike_a what_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v as_o to_o deride_v it_o to_o conclude_v i_o must_v confess_v that_o of_o all_o the_o prayer_n in_o our_o liturgy_n that_o be_v of_o humane_a composition_n i_o shall_v be_v most_o unwilling_a to_o part_v with_o the_o litany_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v what_o it_o be_v design_v to_o be_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n apt_a to_o excite_v our_o most_o intense_a and_o fervent_a desire_n of_o god_n grace_n and_o mercy_n the_o whole_a office_n be_v frame_v with_o respect_n both_o to_o matter_n and_o contrivance_n for_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o utmost_a devotion_n of_o good_a christian_n and_o for_o the_o warm_n of_o the_o cold_a heart_n by_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o in_o such_o a_o disposition_n it_o be_v most_o fit_a to_o express_v our_o charity_n by_o pray_v for_o other_o even_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n as_o distinct_o and_o particular_o as_o public_a prayer_n will_v bear_v chap._n v._o of_o infant-baptism_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o vindication_n of_o our_o office_n of_o baptism_n i_o think_v it_o be_v proper_a to_o justify_v infant-baptism_n which_o be_v practise_v by_o we_o and_o dislike_v by_o some_o of_o the_o dissenter_n and_o that_o my_o discourse_n concern_v infant-baptism_n may_v be_v the_o better_o understand_v i_o shall_v take_v the_o liberty_n of_o premise_v a_o few_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o original_a of_o the_o jewish_a church_n consider_v pure_o as_o a_o church_n be_v to_o be_v date_v from_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o abraham_n but_o that_o of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n from_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n by_o moses_n for_o that_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o commonwealth_n be_v distinct_a thing_n be_v plain_a because_o the_o apostle_n make_v this_o distinction_n rom._n 4.13_o gal._n 3.17_o and_o therefore_o 2._o the_o way_n to_o find_v out_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n upon_o which_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v found_v now_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o rom._n 4._o 9th_o to_o the_o 17_o and_o 9.6_o etc._n etc._n gal._n 3.5_o etc._n etc._n that_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n be_v a_o spiritual_a covenant_n make_v with_o he_o as_o the_o father_n of_o believer_n and_o with_o his_o posterity_n not_o as_o proceed_n from_o he_o by_o natural_a but_o by_o spiritual_a generation_n as_o heir_n of_o his_o faith_n hence_o say_v the_o apostle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o christian_n we_o be_v the_o circumcision_n which_o worship_n god_n in_o the_o spirit_n and_o have_v no_o confidence_n in_o the_o flesh_n phil._n 3.3_o and_o it_o be_v one_o god_n which_o shall_v justify_v the_o circumcision_n by_o faith_n and_o the_o uncircumcision_n through_o faith_n rom._n 3.30_o and_o if_o you_o be_v christ_n then_o be_v you_o abraham_n seed_n and_o heir_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n gal._n 3.29_o nay_o it_o will_v far_a appear_v that_o this_o covenant_n be_v make_v not_o with_o abraham_n natural_a but_o his_o spiritual_a offspring_n if_o we_o consider_v 3._o that_o the_o initiatory_a sacrament_n into_o it_o be_v circumcision_n for_o the_o covenant_n be_v call_v the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n act_v 7.8_o and_o circumcision_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n be_v call_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n rom._n 4.11_o faith_n or_o faithful_a obedience_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o that_o covenant_n which_o god_n require_v of_o the_o child_n of_o abraham_n and_o which_o they_o promise_v to_o perform_v it_o also_o signify_v the_o circumcision_n of_o the_o heart_n deut._n 10.16_o and_o 30.6_o rom._n 2.28_o 29._o 4._o as_o to_o the_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o covenant_n we_o have_v a_o very_a plain_a account_n at_o the_o institution_n of_o it_o gen._n 17._o from_o whence_o it_o appear_v first_o that_o the_o child_n of_o heathen_n be_v to_o be_v circumcise_a see_v exod._n 12.48_o 49._o which_o also_o prove_v that_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v not_o to_o his_o natural_a but_o to_o his_o spiritual_a child_n hence_o in_o all_o age_n great_a number_n of_o gentile_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o jewish_a church_n by_o circumcision_n second_o that_o person_n of_o all_o age_n be_v to_o be_v circumcise_a and_o that_o god_n be_v so_o far_o from_o exclude_v child_n from_o circumcision_n that_o he_o order_v that_o the_o circumcision_n of_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v defer_v beyond_o the_o 8_o day_n god_n be_v please_v to_o be_v so_o gracious_a as_o to_o choose_v the_o child_n with_o their_o parent_n and_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o holy_a upon_o their_o account_n this_o be_v ground_n enough_o for_o their_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n and_o for_o god_n to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o believer_n though_o they_o can_v not_o make_v open_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n the_o faith_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o father_n or_o the_o godfather_n and_o of_o the_o congregation_n under_o which_o he_o be_v circumcise_a be_v believe_v of_o old_a by_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o child_n as_o his_o own_o faith_n and_o consent_n see_v seld._n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la lib._n 2._o c._n 2._o de_fw-fr synedr_n lib._n 1._o