affirm_v antipedobaptisme_n to_o make_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n a_o church_n unius_fw-la aetatis_fw-la you_o mistake_v my_o meaning_n when_o you_o take_v it_o to_o have_v be_v that_o your_o opinion_n be_v but_o a_o novelty_n though_o that_o be_v true_a too_o and_o that_o see_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n can_v be_v without_o a_o true_a baptism_n and_o true_a baptism_n in_o your_o sense_n of_o anabaptism_n have_v be_v not_o much_o above_o a_o age_n or_o century_n particular_o since_o the_o time_n of_o muncer_n who_o munster_n call_v monetarius_fw-la lest_o he_o shall_v be_v think_v of_o kin_n to_o he_o and_o since_o john_n of_o leyden_n and_o knipperdolling_n that_o therefore_o before_o the_o arise_v of_o these_o new_a light_n the_o true_a church_n for_o many_o hundred_o year_n have_v no_o existence_n and_o be_v for_o to_o do_v myself_o right_a and_o you_o no_o wrong_n i_o mean_v it_o not_o in_o use_v that_o expression_n i_o allude_v in_o it_o to_o l._n florus_n who_o speak_v of_o the_o roman_n in_o their_o civil_a original_a under_o romulus_n while_o yet_o they_o have_v no_o woman_n and_o so_o no_o hope_n of_o posterity_n say_v res_fw-la erat_fw-la unius_fw-la aetatis_fw-la populus_fw-la virorum_fw-la and_o i_o intimate_v by_o it_o that_o antipedobaptisme_n by_o grub_v up_o of_o infant_n and_o throw_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n do_v indeed_o destroy_v the_o nursery_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o in_o one_o age_n after_o the_o extinction_n of_o the_o old_a stock_n do_v put_v it_o in_o no_o small_a hazard_n of_o be_v utter_o extirp_v and_o now_o have_v this_o occasion_n i_o dare_v in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o hint_n almost_o appeal_v unto_o your_o own_o experience_n if_o of_o the_o child_n of_o person_n of_o your_o persuasion_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o your_o own_o knowledge_n that_o be_v adult_n and_o come_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n and_o be_v not_o baptise_a in_o their_o infancy_n by_o some_o relation_n or_o friend_n one_o almost_o in_o ten_o be_v any_o wise_a baptise_a and_o so_o enter_v into_o any_o church_n either_o you_o or_o we_o for_o grow_v up_o dislike_v of_o your_o opinion_n for_o the_o most_o part_n do_v keep_v they_o from_o you_o and_o shame_v of_o be_v baptise_a in_o age_n a_o thing_n disuse_v and_o as_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n common_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o make_v talk_v and_o gaze_v keep_v they_o from_o we_o and_o thus_o be_v in_o no_o church_n be_v visible_o in_o the_o state_n of_o heathen_n in_o your_o next_o remark_n when_o i_o make_v the_o denial_n of_o infant_n baptism_n a_o rob_v parent_n of_o a_o sensible_a ground_n of_o hope_n for_o their_o child_n in_o case_n of_o the_o decease_n of_o any_o of_o they_o in_o infancy_n you_o do_v i_o manifest_a injustice_n to_o insinuate_v a_o meaning_n of_o opus_fw-la operatum_fw-la a_o thing_n as_o far_o from_o my_o intention_n as_o word_n but_o i_o have_v sufficient_o express_v my_o sentiment_n in_o that_o particular_a in_o the_o paragraph_n reflect_v on_o to_o those_o that_o be_v considerate_a and_o candid_a and_o therefore_o there_o remain_v no_o more_o to_o be_v say_v of_o it_o now_o but_o as_o to_o what_o you_o offer_v in_o the_o last_o place_n concern_v the_o powerful_a motive_n to_o dedicate_v himself_o to_o god_n which_o i_o say_v antipedobaptisme_n deprive_v a_o child_n of_o namely_o that_o for_o your_o part_n you_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o great_a hindrance_n to_o he_o than_o baptism_n since_o he_o be_v hereby_o induce_v to_o reckon_v himself_o already_o a_o good_a christian_a and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n as_o have_v have_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n already_o apply_v to_o he_o in_o his_o infant_n state_n without_o look_v after_o the_o new_a birth_n and_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o mystery_n of_o spiritual_a regeneration_n etc._n etc._n i_o profess_v i_o be_v astonish_v to_o read_v it_o both_o for_o the_o scandal_n and_o offence_n it_o can_v but_o administer_v to_o those_o of_o a_o contrary_a persuasion_n as_o also_o for_o the_o ill_a reflection_n which_o with_o too_o much_o colour_n it_o may_v be_v interpret_v to_o imply_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n of_o god_n who_o both_o before_o the_o law_n and_o under_o the_o law_n be_v please_v to_o institute_n the_o sign_v of_o child_n with_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o doubtless_o have_v it_o be_v a_o impediment_n and_o hindrance_n to_o their_o regeneration_n and_o to_o salvation_n much_o more_o if_o a_o most_o powerful_a one_o he_o in_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o clemency_n as_o well_o as_o wisdom_n and_o conduct_n will_v never_o have_v do_v and_o do_v you_o indeed_o think_v that_o the_o circumcision_n of_o child_n instead_o of_o be_v a_o furtherance_n to_o the_o work_n of_o regeneration_n in_o they_o be_v true_o a_o hindrance_n to_o it_o and_o that_o that_o which_o god_n intend_v for_o a_o mean_n of_o conservation_n and_o perpetuation_n of_o his_o church_n be_v real_o and_o in_o effect_n a_o way_n to_o destroy_v it_o where_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o almighty_n god_n if_o he_o know_v not_o what_o mean_n be_v proper_a towards_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o creature_n and_o where_o his_o goodness_n if_o he_o ordain_v what_o he_o know_v improper_a it_o be_v certain_a if_o baptism_n by_o be_v put_v on_o child_n in_o their_o infancy_n in_o token_n of_o their_o be_v give_v to_o god_n in_o covenant_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o hindrance_n to_o their_o regeneration_n circumcision_n which_o be_v put_v on_o child_n in_o infancy_n and_o in_o token_n of_o their_o be_v give_v to_o god_n in_o covenant_n can_v be_v no_o furtherance_n and_o consequent_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o all_o other_o most_o improper_a to_o continue_v the_o church_n and_o so_o a_o mean_n equal_o unworthy_a both_o of_o divine_a prudence_n and_o wisdom_n and_o of_o his_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n thus_o i_o have_v finish_v my_o defence_n of_o the_o argument_n for_o infant_n baptism_n from_o gen._n 17_o and_o i_o think_v have_v answer_v all_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v oppose_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o see_v i_o know_v not_o but_o you_o may_v have_v more_o i_o now_o offer_v that_o if_o you_o have_v any_o thing_n else_o of_o any_o moment_n to_o object_n either_o against_o the_o argument_n itself_o or_o against_o what_o be_v offer_v now_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o if_o you_o propose_v it_o so_o it_o be_v without_o unnecessary_a digression_n into_o common_a place_n and_o without_o popular_a trappings_o and_o it_o be_v with_o the_o candour_n and_o sincerity_n and_o with_o the_o modesty_n and_o temper_n that_o become_v a_o lover_n and_o seeker_n of_o truth_n i_o shall_v answer_v it_o cheerful_o and_o therein_o give_v another_o instance_n how_o much_o i_o be_o bowdon_n april_n one_a 1682._o dear_a sir_n your_o true_a friend_n r._n b._n the_o three_o letter_n dear_a sir_n your_o letter_n of_o the_o 29_o of_o september_n in_o answer_n to_o that_o i_o send_v you_o the_o 21_o of_o april_n though_o put_v into_o so_o good_a and_o safe_a a_o hand_n come_v not_o to_o i_o before_o this_o 14_o of_o october_n and_o then_o open_a happy_o it_o have_v occasion_n to_o call_v in_o on_o friend_n and_o many_o time_n the_o far_a way_n about_o be_v near_a home_n however_o though_o late_o come_v i_o do_v assure_v you_o it_o be_v welcome_a for_o i_o learn_v by_o it_o that_o the_o controversy_n long_o depend_v and_o which_o i_o fear_v will_v be_v eternal_a be_v not_o likely_a to_o continue_v much_o long_o and_o that_o after_o all_o the_o exclamation_n of_o evident_a and_o most_o evident_a of_o plain_a and_o most_o plain_a of_o scriptural_a of_o solid_a of_o substantial_a and_o cogent_n which_o you_o make_v on_o what_o you_o say_v and_o of_o chimera_n of_o repugnant_a to_o scripture_n of_o doubtful_a consequency_n and_o ambiguous_a uncertainty_n of_o violence_n to_o the_o text_n of_o corruption_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o addition_n to_o it_o on_o what_o i_o prove_v the_o whole_a now_o be_v to_o determine_v on_o two_o issue_n the_o one_o relate_v to_o the_o duty_n enjoin_v gen._n 17._o 9_o the_o other_o to_o the_o subject_a of_o that_o duty_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o seed_n and_o what_o by_o keep_v the_o covenant_n as_o to_o the_o first_o issue_n which_o concern_v the_o subject_a of_o the_o duty_n for_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o that_o i_o have_v abundant_o evince_v in_o my_o last_o letter_n and_o yet_o you_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o that_o by_o seed_n in_o the_o 9th_o verse_n must_v be_v understand_v the_o spiritual_a as_o well_o as_o the_o carnal_a seed_n and_o that_o because_o the_o same_o seed_n be_v mean_v in_o the_o 9th_o verse_n that_o be_v in_o the_o seven_o and_o 8_o verse_n the_o same_o subject_n in_o the_o general_a
ground_n of_o their_o baptism_n but_o the_o parent_n be_v in_o covenant_n the_o ground_n of_o their_o holiness_n to_o be_v baptise_a be_v the_o child_n privilege_n but_o it_o be_v the_o parent_n be_v duty_n to_o baptise_v they_o and_o to_o put_v the_o name_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o in_o token_n that_o by_o their_o assignment_n they_o be_v his._n well_o but_o you_o find_v not_o any_o mention_n of_o infants-baptism_n in_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a time_n nor_o any_o positive_a and_o literal_a precept_n for_o it_o but_o do_v you_o find_v any_o mention_n that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o all_o of_o they_o be_v baptise_a with_o any_o or_o any_o of_o they_o with_o the_o baptism_n of_o christ_n or_o that_o woman_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o supper_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o any_o positive_a literal_a precept_n for_o either_o and_o yet_o i_o hope_v you_o believe_v both_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v baptise_a and_o that_o woman_n be_v not_o exclude_v from_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o if_o you_o do_v not_o find_v in_o so_o many_o literal_a expression_n that_o infant_n be_v then_o baptise_a you_o may_v find_v it_o in_o sufficient_a implication_n for_o you_o may_v find_v whole_a house_n of_o which_o ordinary_o infant_n be_v constituent_a part_n affirm_v to_o be_v so_o and_o that_o frequent_o and_o without_o any_o exception_n of_o infant_n which_o yet_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v make_v if_o it_o have_v be_v but_o for_o caution_n on_o supposal_n that_o it_o be_v so_o dangerous_a a_o thing_n as_o you_o will_v have_v it_o be_v think_v to_o understand_v they_o include_v beside_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n universal_o have_v have_v such_o a_o custom_n and_o for_o aught_o appear_v perpetual_o sure_o we_o be_v from_o immemorial_n time_n which_o be_v enough_o to_o prescribe_v from_o and_o you_o can_v but_o know_v what_o austin_n say_v in_o the_o case_n now_o sir_n upon_o the_o whole_a i_o pray_v consider_v that_o in_o all_o the_o scripture_n as_o there_o be_v no_o express_a and_o positive_a text_n that_o child_n must_v be_v baptise_a so_o there_o be_v no_o express_a and_o positive_a text_n that_o do_v forbid_v their_o baptise_v and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v only_a consequence_n to_o evidence_n either_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v baptise_a or_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o and_o let_v be_v weigh_v that_o antipedo-baptism_n make_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o a_o church_n vnius_fw-la aetatis_fw-la that_o it_o rob_v the_o parent_n of_o a_o sensible_a ground_n of_o hope_n for_o his_o child_n in_o case_n of_o decease_n in_o infancy_n which_o be_v that_o he_o have_v solemn_o give_v he_o to_o god_n and_o make_v he_o his_o care_n and_o it_o deprive_v the_o child_n of_o a_o solemn_a and_o powerful_a motive_n when_o he_o be_v of_o age_n to_o dedicate_v and_o give_v himself_o for_o this_o be_v a_o great_a one_o and_o this_o it_o deprive_v he_o of_o i_o be_o already_o solemn_o give_v to_o god_n in_o baptism_n by_o my_o parent_n who_o have_v right_o to_o give_v i_o i_o be_o his_o by_o their_o dedication_n and_o that_o public_o make_v and_o attest_v and_o therefore_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o become_v so_o by_o my_o own_o i_o be_o not_o my_o own_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v upon_o i_o i_o be_o mark_v for_o his_o and_o i_o must_v rob_v god_n of_o what_o be_v his_o own_o already_o by_o many_o right_n and_o particular_o by_o a_o solemn_a act_n of_o my_o parent_n if_o i_o now_o refuse_v my_o consent_n and_o do_v not_o also_o assign_v and_o dedicate_v and_o give_v myself_o too_o he_o and_o let_v it_o also_o be_v weigh_v that_o child_n be_v no_o more_o uncapable_a of_o baptism_n than_o they_o be_v of_o circumcision_n for_o if_o baptism_n be_v the_o sign_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n by_o faith_n so_o be_v circumcision_n if_o then_o all_o be_v not_o israel_n that_o be_v of_o israel_n so_o it_o be_v now_o all_o in_o christ_n be_v not_o christ_n if_o then_o circumcision_n which_o be_v of_o the_o father_n or_o a_o sign_n and_o token_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n be_v take_v and_o put_v unto_o the_o law_n baptism_n which_o be_v of_o john_n the_o last_o prophet_n and_o in_o use_n before_o john_n as_o a_o rite_n of_o initiate_a proselyte_n and_o administer_v both_o to_o male_n and_o female_a be_v take_v by_o christ_n and_o put_v to_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o faith_n be_v make_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o baptism_n believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o circumcision_n for_o abraham_n believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v account_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n and_o he_o receive_v the_o sign_n of_o circumcision_n the_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n by_o faith_n which_o he_o have_v be_v yet_o vncircumcize_v and_o if_o the_o child_n of_o abraham_n be_v holy_a we_o be_v not_o unclean_a in_o a_o word_n as_o heretofore_o there_o be_v jew_n outward_o and_o but_o visible_o as_o well_o as_o inward_o and_o real_o so_o now_o there_o be_v christian_n outward_o and_o but_o visible_o as_o well_o as_o inward_o and_o real_o and_o be_v not_o baptism_n itself_o as_o external_a and_o visible_a a_o thing_n as_o circumcision_n yes_o there_o be_v a_o baptism_n and_o regeneration_n of_o water_n which_o be_v external_a and_o visible_a to_o make_v christian_n visible_o and_o external_o as_o well_o as_o one_o of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v internal_a and_o invisible_a to_o make_v real_a and_o true_a christian_n the_o former_a that_o initiate_v into_o the_o external_n and_o visible_a church_n the_o latter_a into_o the_o true_a assembly_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v and_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o two_o baptism_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v confound_v than_o the_o baptism_n themselves_o thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o all_o the_o satisfaction_n that_o under_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o distractive_a and_o surprise_v accident_n i_o be_v capable_a of_o give_v and_o i_o have_v do_v it_o with_o the_o temper_n and_o moderation_n that_o become_v a_o seeker_n of_o truth_n without_o the_o common_a pomp_n of_o figure_n insolence_n and_o triumph_n a_o thing_n searce_v pardonable_a in_o the_o heat_n and_o fervency_n of_o a_o dispute_n but_o which_o do_v very_o ill_o become_v a_o writer_n and_o yet_o if_o i_o have_v use_v any_o warmness_n in_o the_o argument_n see_v it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o infant_n that_o can_v speak_v for_o themselves_o it_o have_v be_v somewhat_o excusable_a and_o the_o rather_o for_o that_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o zealous_a for_o they_o himself_o that_o when_o some_o it_o may_v be_v of_o your_o persuasion_n will_v not_o have_v have_v they_o bring_v unto_o he_o to_o be_v bless_v it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v much_o displease_v with_o them_o but_o i_o be_o not_o so_o with_o you_o for_o that_o occasion_n you_o have_v give_v of_o search_v out_o the_o truth_n to_o bowdon_n septemb_n 19_o 81._o jan._n 27._o 81._o dear_a sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n r._n b._n the_o second_o letter_n dear_a sir_n you_o of_o march_n 16_o come_v to_o hand_n the_o 20_o in_o which_o the_o declaration_n you_o begin_v with_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v your_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o matter_n in_o dispute_n between_o we_o be_v the_o same_o they_o be_v and_o that_o rather_o you_o be_v the_o more_o confirm_v do_v no_o whit_n surprise_v i_o i_o assure_v you_o i_o never_o have_v the_o vanity_n to_o hope_v to_o convince_v a_o man_n of_o your_o persuasion_n i_o be_v not_o the_o first_o aggressor_n i_o well_o know_v the_o confidence_n that_o go_v along_o with_o conceit_n of_o high_a administration_n and_o i_o also_o know_v that_o some_o die_v and_o tincture_n of_o mind_n of_o which_o i_o take_v and_o do_v take_v that_o of_o you_o to_o be_v one_o be_v as_o uncapable_a of_o be_v wash_v out_o as_o those_o in_o the_o skin_n of_o leopard_n and_o blackamoor_n after_o a_o smooth_v preface_n you_o proceed_v to_o as_o you_o call_v they_o sober_a and_o you_o hope_v inoffensive_a reflection_n which_o yet_o to_o deserve_v the_o epithet_n you_o give_v they_o must_v have_v be_v compose_v of_o ethic_n as_o well_o as_o of_o logic_n must_v have_v be_v reflection_n on_o argument_n only_o without_o any_o squint_v on_o person_n and_o must_v have_v consist_v of_o something_o else_o than_o of_o ambuscado_n of_o word_n of_o bold_a assertion_n without_o proof_n of_o evasion_n in_o stead_n of_o direct_a answer_n of_o partial_a repetition_n and_o of_o triumph_n before_o the_o victory_n these_o be_v the_o art_n and_o method_n of_o imposture_n use_v to_o deceive_v the_o vulgar_a but_o very_o improper_a in_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n and_o of_o no_o influence_n no_o operation_n in_o the_o least_o on_o
salvation_n through_o the_o messiah_n but_o he_o oblige_v those_o in_o that_o covenant_n to_o keep_v it_o in_o the_o sign_n and_o that_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o do_v institute_v any_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n for_o parent_n which_o in_o the_o account_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o soon_o as_o he_o establish_v the_o covenant_n he_o do_v ordain_v it_o shall_v be_v put_v on_o the_o child_n also_o and_o as_o much_o command_v the_o wear_n of_o it_o by_o infant_n as_o by_o the_o adult_n so_o that_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o a_o covenant_n transaction_n for_o eternal_a life_n and_o salvation_n or_o in_o the_o first_o make_v of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o we_o be_v to_o begin_v our_o account_n where_o they_o do_v the_o obligation_n to_o keep_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n or_o to_o keep_v the_o covenant_n in_o the_o sign_n of_o it_o be_v lay_v on_o abraham_n for_o child_n and_o infant_n as_o well_o as_o for_o himself_o and_o other_o in_o age_n and_o that_o by_o special_a direction_n and_o now_o consider_v once_o again_o if_o there_o be_v no_o connexion_n between_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o obligation_n viz._n to_o be_v sign_v be_v not_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n the_o promise_n to_o abraham_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o he_o and_o to_o his_o seed_n after_o he_o in_o their_o generation_n and_o have_v not_o god_n say_v because_o i_o will_v be_v a_o god_n to_o thou_o and_o to_o thy_o seed_n therefore_o thou_o shall_v keep_v my_o covenant_n thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n so_o plain_o god_n have_v put_v together_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v on_o his_o part_n and_o the_o duty_n and_o obligation_n that_o lie_v on_o we_o and_o when_o god_n have_v join_v they_o and_o put_v they_o together_o what_o man_n or_o man_n shall_v dare_v to_o separate_v and_o put_v they_o asunder_o again_o whereas_o you_o say_v it_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n for_o substance_n that_o the_o old_a patriarch_n before_o abraham_n and_o that_o we_o the_o believe_a gentile_n as_o well_o as_o believe_v abraham_n himself_o do_v and_o do_v belong_v unto_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o invisible_a church_n but_o if_o we_o take_v a_o church_n visible_o and_o formal_o as_o now_o we_o be_v to_o take_v it_o when_o we_o do_v speak_v of_o church-membership_n namely_o for_o a_o corporation_n or_o visible_a society_n of_o holy_a man_n frame_v and_o form_v under_o certain_a special_a external_a and_o distinguish_a law_n and_o institution_n for_o spiritual_a end_n then_o i_o say_v so_o take_v it_o we_o do_v not_o read_v in_o holy_a scripture_n of_o any_o church_n any_o formal_a church_n any_o more_o than_o of_o a_o formal_a covenant_n before_o abraham_n it_o be_v in_o his_o family_n that_o it_o please_v god_n to_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o polity_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o form_n to_o himself_o a_o special_a corporation_n and_o society_n of_o man_n under_o visible_a and_o distinguish_a token_n and_o this_o be_v proper_o call_v a_o church_n for_o indeed_o a_o church_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o company_n of_o call_v one_o visible_o associate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v ab_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o church_n be_v term_v so_o from_o call_v now_o as_o in_o the_o account_n of_o holy_a scripture_n abraham_n and_o his_o family_n be_v the_o first_o that_o god_n transact_v with_o in_o way_n of_o covenant_n for_o grace_n and_o salvation_n through_o the_o messiah_n so_o in_o the_o same_o account_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o first_o visible_a gather_v church_n be_v in_o abraham_n family_n abraham_n be_v the_o first_o that_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v affirm_v to_o have_v call_v out_o from_o his_o own_o kindred_n and_o his_o own_o country_n to_o another_o that_o he_o know_v not_o which_o call_v of_o he_o from_o his_o own_o country_n to_o another_o that_o he_o know_v not_o be_v a_o figure_n and_o by_o our_o apostle_n be_v interpret_v to_o be_v so_o heb._n 11._o of_o the_o true_a spiritual_a calling_n of_o a_o christian_a which_o be_v a_o call_n out_o of_o and_o from_o the_o present_a evil_a world_n unto_o the_o heavenly_a country_n the_o new_a jerusalem_n that_o be_v above_o not_o but_o that_o before_o abraham_n there_o be_v righteous_a and_o good_a man_n who_o in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n divide_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o world_n man_n that_o live_v just_o and_o righteous_o and_o so_o be_v true_o call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o at_o least_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o intimate_v they_o do_v actual_o divide_v and_o separate_v from_o other_o into_o distinct_a society_n under_o any_o external_a and_o distinguish_a rite_n before_o abraham_n yes_o there_o be_v righteous_a and_o good_a man_n before_o abraham_n divide_v from_o the_o common_a in_o the_o piety_n sobriety_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o life_n there_o be_v son_n of_o god_n distinguish_v by_o their_o piety_n and_o righteousness_n from_o the_o son_n of_o man_n before_o the_o son_n of_o god_n take_v unto_o they_o the_o daughter_n of_o man_n the_o son_n of_o good_a man_n marry_v the_o daughter_n of_o bad_a but_o they_o be_v not_o actual_o divide_v into_o distinct_a society_n and_o corporation_n under_o distinguish_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n before_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v not_o a_o visible_a organical_a church_n before_o and_o if_o what_o i_o now_o assert_v be_v true_a as_o true_a it_o be_v for_o the_o holy_a scripture_n no_o where_o intimate_v not_o in_o the_o least_o any_o such_o formalization_n incorporation_n or_o distinguish_v association_n of_o righteous_a good_a man_n for_o spiritual_a and_o holy_a end_n before_o abraham_n then_o certain_o no_o reasonable_a man_n have_v any_o cause_n to_o admire_v that_o before_o abraham_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o sign_v i_o mean_v no_o use_n of_o any_o initiate_a rite_n and_o rite_n of_o matriculation_n or_o of_o enter_v into_o the_o spiritual_a corporation_n and_o society_n of_o the_o church_n for_o no_o matriculation_n no_o initiation_n into_o any_o corporation_n or_o society_n be_v to_o be_v conceive_v before_o the_o corporation_n and_o society_n itself_o be_v constitute_v and_o form_v nor_o can_v any_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o matriculation_n or_o initiation_n be_v conceive_v extant_a before_o matriculation_n and_o initiation_n itself_o be_v so_o no_o wonder_n then_o if_o no_o sign_v before_o abraham_n see_v no_o formal_a church_n before_o abraham_n but_o yet_o assoon_o as_o it_o please_v god_n in_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o ordain_v the_o incorporate_n of_o holy_a man_n into_o a_o visible_a society_n for_o holy_a and_o spiritual_a end_n by_o make_v a_o formal_a covenant_n with_o they_o and_o so_o distinguish_v and_o divide_v of_o they_o from_o other_o he_o be_v then_o please_v to_o assume_v into_o that_o society_n as_o member_n of_o it_o child_n as_o well_o as_o parent_n infant_n as_o well_o as_o adult_v one_o and_o to_o ordain_v that_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o their_o initiation_n and_o admission_n visible_o and_o external_o into_o the_o society_n of_o the_o righteous_a or_o into_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o and_o this_o in_o deep_a council_n the_o better_a to_o perpetuate_v his_o church_n so_o that_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n infant_n be_v admit_v unto_o membership_n in_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o nursery_n of_o the_o church_n what_o you_o next_o tell_v i_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v other_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n beside_o baptism_n for_o instance_n as_o circumcision_n of_o old_a i_o believe_v you_o mean_v the_o passover_n of_o old_a so_o the_o lord_n supper_n now_o of_o which_o infant_n be_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o covenant_n or_o any_o administration_n of_o it_o take_v to_o be_v proper_a subject_n this_n after_o what_o be_v say_v already_o be_v altogether_o impertinent_a â—_o for_o the_o sign_n we_o dispute_v about_o be_v that_o initiate_a sign_n only_o which_o be_v the_o rite_n of_o admit_v person_n into_o the_o visible_a organise_v society_n of_o the_o faithful_a a_o society_n afterward_o call_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n it_o be_v of_o this_o only_a that_o gen._n 17._o 9_o 10._o from_o which_o i_o argue_v can_v be_v understand_v and_o this_o baptism_n be_v as_o circumcision_n be_v nor_o be_v the_o passover_n ever_o such_o a_o sign_n nor_o be_v the_o lord_n supper_n one_o now_o ay!_o but_o if_o infant_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v initiate_v into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n by_o baptism_n then_o say_v you_o they_o can_v just_o be_v deny_v the_o proper_a mean_n of_o nourishment_n and_o growth_n