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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
faith_n church_n true_a visible_a 19,269 5 9.3685 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A76157 Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the soveraigne powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and wellfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches. Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691. 1658 (1658) Wing B1232; Thomason E2111_1; ESTC R209487 172,368 411

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and_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v christ_n disciple_n no_o man_n know_v the_o heart_n of_o other_o and_o therefore_o know_v not_o who_o to_o love_v as_o christian_n infallible_o discern_v but_o the_o profession_n of_o save_v faith_n and_o holiness_n be_v then_o and_o ever_o the_o test_n of_o adult-member_n they_o take_v all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n as_o credible_o of_o the_o invisible_a though_o with_o different_a degree_n of_o credibility_n and_o according_o they_o love_v they_o all_o with_o a_o christian_a special_a love_n of_o the_o same_o species_n though_o with_o different_a degree_n of_o that_o love_n whereas_o this_o popish_a new_a find_v trick_n of_o make_v a_o new_a common_a sort_n of_o faith_n and_o visible_a membership_n that_o have_v no_o respect_n to_o save_a faith_n do_v teach_v all_o christian_n to_o love_v the_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n but_o with_o a_o common_a love_n and_o relieve_v and_o help_v they_o but_o with_o a_o common_a charity_n and_o so_o the_o device_n be_v to_o confine_v our_o special_a brotherly_a love_n and_o charity_n to_o a_o corner_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o a_o few_o who_o we_o will_v please_v to_o think_v to_o be_v godly_a i_o have_v oft_o marvel_v in_o observe_v some_o learned_a divine_n that_o bend_v that_o way_n that_o they_o think_v compassion_n and_o christian_a charity_n be_v on_o their_o side_n what_o charity_n can_v their_o doctrine_n glory_n of_o they_o will_v be_v so_o merciful_a to_o infidel_n that_o be_v uncapable_a of_o a_o church-state_n as_o to_o plead_v they_o into_o the_o church_n and_o when_o they_o be_v there_o they_o leave_v they_o under_o the_o curse_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o damnation_n in_o their_o own_o judgement_n teach_v we_o to_o judge_v uncharitable_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n in_o general_n for_o their_o sake_n and_o to_o look_v on_o they_o as_o without_o respect_n to_o any_o save_a grace_n and_o so_o without_o any_o special_a love_n a_o cold_a 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censure_n will_v i_o pluck_v up_o the_o tare_n upon_o any_o such_o term_n as_o will_v not_o stand_v with_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o wheat_n but_o rather_o let_v they_o grow_v together_o in_o my_o esteem_n in_o the_o church_n till_o the_o time_n of_o harvest_n and_o that_o i_o may_v think_v charitable_o of_o the_o church_n and_o walk_v charitable_o in_o and_o towards_o it_o therefore_o i_o will_v not_o have_v it_o consist_v of_o such_o notorious_a ungodly_a or_o heretical_a man_n as_o be_v uncapable_a object_n of_o christian_a brotherly_n love_n for_o heresy_n the_o foresay_a learned_a brother_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o cut_v man_n off_o from_o the_o church_n i_o say_v so_o to_o meritorious_o at_o least_o if_o by_o heresy_n be_v mean_v the_o exclusion_n of_o any_o essential_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o pag._n 199_o where_o he_o say_v the_o controversy_n may_v be_v easy_o end_v by_o part_a stake_n viz._n that_o some_o heresy_n which_o absolute_o deny_v some_o particular_a fundamental_a truth_n and_o take_v up_o some_o one_o or_o few_o stone_n thereof_o be_v consistent_a with_o church_n interest_n and_o other_o heresy_n which_o raise_v up_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o religion_n deny_v most_o or_o the_o most_o chief_a if_o not_o all_o of_o the_o article_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n be_v inconsistent_a therewith_o i_o must_v humble_o but_o very_o confident_o say_v that_o this_o answer_n will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n if_o by_o fundamental_o be_v mean_v as_o common_o the_o essential_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n than_o the_o absolute_a deny_v of_o any_o one_o article_n do_v prove_v that_o person_n to_o be_v no_o christian_a nor_o capable_a of_o a_o church_n state_n for_o the_o form_n be_v want_v where_o any_o essential_a part_n be_v want_v but_o if_o any_o thing_n else_o be_v mean_v by_o fundamental_o no_o man_n can_v decide_v the_o controversy_n by_o it_o till_o it_o be_v know_v what_o it_o be_v and_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o fasten_v it_o on_o any_o thing_n where_o the_o absolute_a denial_n of_o many_o point_n shall_v unchurch_n and_o the_o absolute_a denial_n of_o one_o or_o two_o point_n of_o the_o same_o rank_n and_o kind_a not_o do_v it_o say_v he_o p._n 198._o the_o jew_n hold_v that_o a_o heretical_a israelite_n have_v no_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o why_o but_o because_o communion_n suppose_v union_n and_o union_n with_o israel_n or_o the_o true_a church_n be_v lose_v with_o faith_n they_o also_o hold_v as_o selden_n note_v that_o a_o israelite_n turn_v a_o heretic_n i_o e._n deny_v any_o of_o the_o thirteen_o fundamental_a article_n to_o be_v as_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o a_o few_o line_n before_o he_o say_v that_o historical_a faith_n which_o have_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n for_o its_o object_n none_o do_v doubt_v to_o be_v a_o essential_a requisite_a to_o a_o true_a church-member_n yet_o that_o with_o i_o be_v a_o visible_a member_n that_o have_v not_o this_o much_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v essential_a no_o man_n doubt_v of_o it_o if_o they_o profess_v true_a faith_n though_o they_o be_v stark_a atheist_n at_o the_o heart_n and_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o historical_a faith_n i_o shall_v believe_v they_o till_o they_o nullify_v their_o own_o profession_n but_o if_o they_o profess_v not_o also_o to_o consent_v to_o have_v christ_n to_o be_v their_o saviour_n i_o shall_v not_o take_v it_o for_o a_o profession_n of_o christianity_n certain_a i_o be_o that_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n with_o one_o consent_n do_v look_v on_o the_o baptize_v general_o as_o pardon_v justify_v and_o adopt_v and_o therefore_o think_v that_o visible_a church-membership_a do_v imply_v a_o credibility_n at_o least_o of_o a_o state_n of_o save_a grace_n say_v cyprian_n epist_n 76._o magn._n in_o baptismo_fw-la unicuique_fw-la peccata_fw-la sua_fw-la remittuntur_fw-la and_o upon_o this_o supposition_n run_v the_o argument_n of_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n and_o firmilian_a epist_n ibid._n say_v augustine_n de_fw-fr catechizandis_fw-la rudibus_fw-la cap._n 26._o his_o dictis_fw-la interrogandus_fw-la est_fw-la a_fw-fr haec_fw-la credat_fw-la atque_fw-la observare_fw-la desideret_fw-la quod_fw-la cum_fw-la responderit_fw-la solemniter_fw-la utique_fw-la signandus_fw-la est_fw-la &_o ecclesiae_fw-la more_fw-it tractandus_fw-la obedience_n itself_o be_v promise_v and_o a_o consent_n to_o it_o profess_v before_o baptism_n then_o and_o ever_o since_o christian_a baptism_n be_v know_v idem_fw-la epistol_n 119._o ad_fw-la januar._n cap._n 2._o secundum_fw-la hanc_fw-la fidem_fw-la &_o spem_fw-la &_o dilectionem_fw-la quâ_fw-la caepimus_fw-la esse_fw-la sub_fw-la gratia_fw-la jam_fw-la commortui_fw-la sumus_fw-la cum_fw-la christo_fw-la &_o consepulti_fw-la per_fw-la baptismum_fw-la in_o morte_fw-la etc._n etc._n baptism_n then_o suppose_v credible_o faith_n hope_n and_o love_n idem_n epist_n 23._o have_v show_v why_o parent_n faith_n profit_v infant_n and_o yet_o their_o after-sin_n hurt_v they_o not_o sai_z cum_fw-la autem_fw-la homo_fw-la sapere_fw-la caeperit_n non_fw-la illud_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la repetit_fw-la sed_fw-la intelligit_fw-la ejusque_fw-la veritati_fw-la consonâ_fw-la etiam_fw-la voluntate_fw-la coaptabitur_fw-la hoc_fw-la quamdiu_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la n._n b._n valebit_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la ad_fw-la ejus_fw-la tutelam_fw-la adversus_fw-la contrarias_fw-la potestates_fw-la &_o tantum_fw-la valebit_fw-la utsi_fw-la ante_fw-la rationis_fw-la usum_fw-la ex_fw-la hac_fw-la vita_fw-la emigraverit_fw-la per_fw-la ipsum_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la charitate_fw-la ab_fw-la illa_fw-la condemnatione_fw-la quae_fw-la per_fw-la unum_fw-la hominem_fw-la intravit_fw-la in_o mundum_fw-la christiano_n adjutorio_fw-la liberetur_fw-la hoc_fw-la qui_fw-la non_fw-la credit_n &_o fieri_fw-la non_fw-la posse_fw-la arbitratur_fw-la profecto_fw-la infidelis_fw-la est_fw-la etsi_fw-la habeat_fw-la fidei_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la longeque_fw-la melior_fw-la est_fw-la ille_fw-la parvulus_fw-la qui_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la fidem_fw-la nondum_fw-la habeat_fw-la in_o cogitation_n non_fw-la ei_fw-la tamen_fw-la obicem_fw-la contrariae_fw-la cogitationis_fw-la opponit_fw-la undè_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la
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 ●●_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
of_o the_o person_n because_o no_o duty_n be_v at_o all_o time_n a_o duty_n to_o be_v perform_v and_o especial_o when_o the_o hurt_n that_o will_v follow_v upon_o it_o in_o the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n be_v like_a to_o be_v far_o great_a than_o the_o good_a if_o it_o be_v do_v 6._o but_o if_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v so_o corrupt_v as_o that_o the_o major_a vote_n do_v set_v against_o faith_n and_o godliness_n as_o such_o and_o so_o will_v not_o admit_v a_o sound_a member_n to_o be_v add_v to_o they_o the_o pastor_n with_o the_o minor_a part_n may_v after_o due_a admonition_n and_o patience_n as_o just_o reject_v the_o guilty_a and_o obstinate_a as_o if_o they_o be_v but_o one_o man_n and_o not_o a_o major_a part_n what_o be_v say_v of_o this_o case_n of_o admission_n hold_v also_o of_o rejection_n by_o excommunication_n and_o of_o other_o antecedent_n act_n of_o discipline_n 4._o last_o if_o excommunication_n must_v usual_o be_v do_v in_o public_a before_o the_o whole_a 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one_o so_o offend_v as_o that_o he_o be_v discharge_v or_o banish_v from_o communion_n of_o prayer_n and_o of_o the_o assembly_n and_o of_o all_o holy_a commerce_n or_o fellowship_n abundance_n more_o out_o of_o cyprian_a and_o other_o may_v be_v easy_o produce_v to_o prove_v that_o this_o which_o i_o have_v speak_v be_v the_o ancient_a interest_n of_o the_o people_n in_o these_o church-affaire_n yea_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o pastor_n yea_o and_o in_o reject_v unworthy_a pastor_n cyprian_a say_v they_o have_v a_o chief_a interest_n not_o by_o rule_v power_n but_o by_o a_o prudent_a exercise_n of_o obedience_n choose_v the_o good_a and_o refuse_v the_o evil_a self-preservation_n be_v natural_a to_o every_o body_n where_o it_o be_v not_o by_o evil_a mean_n and_o to_o the_o hurt_n of_o the_o public_a state_n it_o be_v hard_a if_o a_o natural_a body_n may_v not_o lawful_o refuse_v or_o cast_v up_o poison_n if_o a_o governor_n shall_v give_v it_o they_o god_n bind_v none_o to_o the_o perdition_n of_o their_o soul_n nor_o any_o holy_a society_n to_o destroy_v itself_o or_o suffer_v itself_o to_o be_v destroy_v or_o corrupt_v by_o other_o without_o the_o use_n of_o all_o just_a mean_n to_o resist_v the_o bane_n but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v desire_v the_o reader_n that_o will_v know_v the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n to_o peruse_v dr_n blondel_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la plebis_fw-la in_o regimine_fw-la ecclesiast_n adjoin_v to_o that_o excellent_a piece_n of_o grotius_n de_fw-fr imperio_fw-la summarum_fw-la pot●statum_fw-la circa_fw-la sacra_fw-la interest_n this_o much_o may_v satisfy_v you_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v usual_o a_o secret_a but_o a_o solemn_a transition_n from_o a_o infant-state_n of_o membership_n into_o a_o adult-state_n and_o that_o by_o a_o public_a profession_n or_o notification_n of_o it_o the_o particular_a church_n shall_v have_v satisfaction_n herein_o prop_n 17._o it_o be_v convenient_a though_o not_o of_o necessity_n that_o every_o church_n do_v keep_v a_o register_n of_o all_o that_o be_v admit_v thus_o into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o adult-member_n as_o we_o be_v wont_a to_o keep_v a_o register_n of_o the_o infant_n baptise_a so_o have_v we_o as_o much_o reason_n of_o the_o adult_n approve_a and_o confirm_v or_o restore_v corporation_n of_o old_a be_v wont_a to_o keep_v a_o book_n of_o the_o name_n of_o their_o burgess_n or_o citizen_n in_o respect_n to_o which_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v a_o book_n of_o life_n wherein_o he_o write_v man_n name_n and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o blot_v they_o speak_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n the_o church_n have_v great_a reason_n for_o this_o practice_n the_o business_n be_v of_o so_o great_a weight_n that_o we_o forget_v not_o who_o be_v of_o our_o communion_n which_o without_o a_o register_n in_o great_a congregation_n must_v needs_o be_v do_v if_o any_o be_v so_o vain_a as_o to_o demand_v a_o scripture_n proof_n of_o this_o let_v he_o first_o bring_v i_o a_o scripture-proofe_n that_o he_o may_v read_v with_o spectacle_n or_o write_v a_o sermon_n from_o the_o preacher_n mouth_n or_o use_v note_n in_o the_o pulpit_n or_o print_n etc._n etc._n and_o then_o i_o will_v give_v he_o proof_n of_o this_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n if_o this_o do_v not_o satisfy_v he_o he_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o disuse_n it_o prop._n 18._o those_o that_o be_v never_o thus_o ministerial_o and_o explicit_o approve_v confirm_a or_o absolve_v after_o a_o ungodly_a life_n but_o have_v be_v permit_v without_o it_o to_o join_v ordinary_o with_o the_o church_n in_o prayer_n and_o praise_n and_o have_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v approve_v and_o confirm_v eminent_o though_o not_o formal_o though_o in_o so_o do_v both_o the_o pastor_n and_o themselves_o do_v sin_n against_o god_n by_o the_o violation_n of_o his_o holy_a order_n so_o that_o such_o may_v be_v a_o true_a church_n 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neighbour_n hate_v they_o and_o revile_v they_o and_o to_o live_v as_o owl_n in_o the_o place_n where_o they_o live_v and_o to_o put_v themselves_o on_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o trouble_n sure_o it_o be_v a_o very_a self-displeasing_a thing_n to_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o man_n unless_o he_o be_v a_o monster_n to_o displease_v his_o neighbour_n and_o be_v hate_v and_o bait_v by_o they_o and_o it_o will_v provoke_v they_o not_o only_o to_o forbear_v all_o act_n of_o kindness_n or_o bounty_n but_o to_o deny_v they_o their_o due_a maintenance_n as_o far_o as_o ever_o they_o can_v and_o many_o if_o not_o most_v minister_n have_v no_o great_a mind_n to_o be_v so_o use_v nay_o have_v rather_o lose_v it_o then_o go_v to_o law_n for_o all_o their_o due_n the_o trouble_n and_o cost_n and_o odium_fw-la of_o it_o be_v so_o great_a so_o that_o our_o parliament_n have_v be_v too_o much_o afraid_a lest_o minister_n shall_v cease_v to_o be_v man_n or_o to_o be_v sinner_n and_o to_o be_v manpleaser_n and_o to_o indulge_v their_o flesh_n and_o lest_o we_o shall_v run_v into_o the_o fire_n and_o lie_v down_o among_o the_o thorn_n and_o choose_v a_o life_n of_o trouble_n and_o suffering_n 3._o and_o i_o think_v experience_n shall_v satisfy_v man_n of_o this_o do_v you_o not_o see_v how_o backward_o minister_n be_v to_o church-reformation_n and_o discipline_n in_o the_o exercise_n when_o they_o have_v be_v most_o forward_o for_o the_o power_n how_o little_a be_v yet_o do_v in_o it_o for_o all_o our_o liberty_n after_o all_o our_o prayer_n and_o petition_n and_o write_v for_o it_o do_v you_o find_v in_o most_o parish_n that_o minister_n be_v prone_a to_o overdo_v certain_o you_o do_v not_o 4._o do_v you_o not_o know_v that_o all_o the_o work_n of_o god_n be_v so_o much_o against_o nature_n and_o have_v such_o abundance_n of_o enemy_n and_o difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n that_o few_o man_n be_v like_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o over_n why_o be_v you_o not_o as_o careful_a to_o hinder_v man_n from_o overdo_v in_o sanctify_v the_o lord_n day_n in_o teach_v and_o pray_v with_o their_o family_n etc._n etc._n but_o because_o you_o see_v that_o few_o need_v your_o curb_n i_o be_o confident_a shall_v parliament_n do_v their_o best_a to_o drive_v on_o minister_n to_o such_o work_n as_o these_o and_o make_v law_n upon_o law_n to_o spur_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n they_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v one_o half_a of_o we_o nor_o the_o ten_o man_n to_o reach_v so_o far_o as_o christ_n have_v bind_v we_o no_o nor_o one_o man_n of_o we_o in_o all_o respect_n and_o yet_o i_o again_o say_v that_o if_o any_o rash_a man_n be_v overrigid_a and_o abuse_v their_o trust_n which_o be_v like_a to_o be_v those_o who_o maintenance_n no_o whit_n come_v from_o the_o people_n for_o in_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v more_o danger_n of_o the_o contrary_a we_o desire_v not_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v exempt_v from_o the_o magistrate_n minister_n or_o people_n due_a mean_n for_o their_o amendment_n but_o let_v the_o spur_n be_v most_o use_v see_v there_o be_v most_o need_n and_o let_v we_o see_v some_o severe_a law_n to_o drive_v we_o on_o to_o those_o duty_n that_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o all_o the_o world_n be_v so_o much_o against_o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o malaske_n which_o be_v to_o give_v some_o brief_a direction_n for_o the_o most_o effectual_a practice_n of_o this_o excellent_a needful_a work_n and_o i_o shall_v first_o speak_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o minister_n in_o order_n to_o it_o and_o 2._o of_o the_o people_n duty_n and_o last_o of_o the_o magistrate_n the_o duty_n of_o the_o pastor_n i_o judge_v to_o consist_v in_o these_o particular_n direct_v 1._o let_v the_o pastor_n in_o each_o country_n meet_v together_o and_o agree_v as_o one_o man_n in_o faithfulness_n and_o self-denial_n to_o do_v their_o duty_n that_o the_o most_o conscionable_a may_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o reproach_n of_o singularity_n because_o the_o rest_n betray_v they_o and_o the_o church_n and_o cause_n of_o christ_n by_o withdraw_v and_o leave_v the_o work_n undo_v so_o long_o have_v the_o church_n already_o suffer_v the_o neglect_n even_o of_o godly_a minister_n that_o in_o such_o a_o time_n of_o leave_n and_o help_v we_o still_o hold_v off_o and_o dare_v not_o venture_v on_o a_o little_a displeasure_n of_o the_o people_n when_o our_o ancestor_n venture_v on_o the_o flame_n i_o grieve_v to_o think_v what_o a_o shame_n it_o will_v be_v to_o our_o name_n and_o to_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o what_o a_o confusion_n it_o may_v bring_v upon_o our_o face_n before_o our_o righteous_a judge_n and_o it_o be_v a_o grief_n to_o i_o if_o i_o be_v sure_a of_o magistrate_n assistance_n that_o all_o our_o enemy_n shall_v say_v and_o that_o the_o history_n of_o this_o age_n shall_v tell_v posterity_n that_o the_o minister_n of_o england_n after_o fast_v prayer_n war_n and_o vow_v pretend_v for_o reformation_n will_v yet_o do_v little_a or_o nothing_o towards_o it_o but_o preach_v even_o in_o time_n of_o liberty_n and_o encouragement_n till_o the_o magistrate_n do_v it_o and_o that_o it_o must_v be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o magistrate_n after_o our_o unworthy_a lazy_a or_o treacherous_a desertion_n of_o it_o have_v we_o no_o more_o help_n than_o we_o have_v we_o may_v do_v much_o be_v we_o willing_a and_o unanimous_a direct_v 2._o let_v we_o take_v heed_n of_o extend_v these_o agreement_n to_o any_o unnecessary_a circumstance_n so_o as_o to_o lay_v the_o stress_n of_o the_o business_n on_o they_o or_o to_o make_v that_o necessary_a which_o be_v unnecessary_a but_o let_v we_o agree_v on_o the_o general_n certain_a point_n and_o leave_v particular_a man_n to_o their_o liberty_n in_o mode_n and_o circumstance_n not_o judge_v each_o other_o if_o we_o differ_v herein_o or_o if_o one_o be_v more_o or_o less_o strict_a than_o another_o in_o the_o execution_n direct_v 3._o let_v we_o yet_o all_o be_v very_o careful_a that_o in_o point_n of_o trial_n and_o judge_a man_n profession_n we_o avoid_v extreme_n on_o one_o side_n let_v we_o not_o be_v righteous_a overmuch_o by_o keep_v out_o any_o that_o make_v the_o most_o break_a intelligible_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o a_o godly_a life_n that_o may_v be_v take_v for_o credible_a and_o remember_v that_o we_o be_v not_o searcher_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o that_o charity_n judge_v not_o evil_a of_o any_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o better_a judgement_n and_o certain_o a_o humble_a soul_n that_o be_v conscious_a of_o its_o own_o infirmity_n and_o unworthiness_n will_v be_v very_o tender_a of_o condemn_v another_o without_o very_a satisfy_a evidence_n of_o this_o i_o refer_v you_o to_o my_o first_o dispute_n of_o right_a to_o sacrament_n on_o the_o other_o side_n let_v we_o take_v heed_n of_o turn_v this_o duty_n into_o a_o mere_a formality_n and_o make_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o mock_v the_o church_n and_o god_n let_v we_o not_o take_v up_o with_o a_o profession_n of_o any_o other_o kind_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o true_a christian_a save_v faith_n nor_o with_o any_o profession_n of_o this_o faith_n which_o we_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v to_o be_v incredible_a direct_v 4._o none_o of_o the_o age_a that_o have_v already_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n may_v be_v bring_v under_o confirmation_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n as_o we_o have_v before_o show_v but_o all_o that_o be_v yet_o never_o admit_v to_o this_o special_a part_n of_o communion_n nor_o have_v make_v any_o solemn_a approve_a profession_n shall_v yet_o be_v call_v to_o it_o be_v they_o young_a or_o old_a when_o they_o demand_v church-communion_n if_o you_o ask_v i_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v with_o the_o rest_n see_v they_o be_v admit_v irregular_o without_o any_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n i_o answer_v 1._o acquaint_v they_o plain_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o christianity_n and_o what_o a_o church_n be_v and_o what_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n and_o what_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o flock_n to_o god_n to_o he_o and_o themselves_o and_o one_o another_o 2._o then_o tell_v they_o that_o you_o resolve_v to_o proceed_v according_a to_o these_o rule_n in_o the_o government_n of_o your_o flock_n and_o to_o exercise_v this_o discipline_n tell_v they_o plain_o that_o they_o be_v not_o deceive_v both_o what_o be_v the_o benefit_n of_o a_o church-state_n and_o discipline_n and_o what_o be_v the_o difficulty_n that_o unprepared_a man_n be_v like_a to_o grudge_n at_o and_o how_o hardly_o they_o will_v take_v it_o to_o be_v follow_v and_o not_o suffer_v to_o rest_v in_o sin_n and_o open_o reprove_v and_o cast_v out_o with_o shame_n if_o they_o
profess_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o believer_n which_o can_v be_v without_o knowledge_n this_o must_v satisfy_v they_o till_o he_o nullify_v this_o evidence_n by_o a_o clean_a betray_n of_o his_o infidelity_n object_n but_o the_o scripture_n say_v not_o that_o ignorant_a person_n can_v be_v church-member_n or_o so_o much_o as_o that_o they_o ought_v mere_o for_o their_o ignorance_n to_o be_v excommunicate_a answ_n do_v not_o the_o scripture_n exclude_v visible_a unbeliever_n and_o take_v in_o only_o visible_a believer_n of_o the_o adult_n and_o make_v the_o church_n a_o society_n of_o believer_n separate_v from_o unbeliever_n such_o ignorance_n therefore_o as_o be_v essential_a to_o or_o inseparable_a from_o infidelity_n be_v in_o scripture_n make_v the_o very_a brand_n of_o they_o that_o be_v without_o exclude_v from_o the_o church_n if_o our_o gospel_n be_v hide_v it_o be_v hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v in_o who_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v the_o mind_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v not_o lest_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n 2_o cor._n 4._o 3_o 4._o that_o preach_v which_o disciple_v man_n mat._n 28._o 19_o do_v give_v they_o knowledge_n or_o else_o it_o can_v not_o give_v they_o faith_n for_o it_o open_v their_o eye_n and_o turn_v they_o from_o darkness_n to_o light_n etc._n etc._n act._n 26._o 18._o and_o sure_o we_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n col._n 1._o 14._o those_o that_o in_o time_n past_o be_v not_o a_o people_n but_o now_o be_v the_o people_n of_o the_o live_a god_n be_v call_v out_o of_o darkness_n into_o his_o marvellous_a light_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 9_o 10._o and_o what_o communion_n have_v light_a with_o darkness_n righteousness_n with_o unrighteousness_n christ_n with_o beliall_a the_o believer_n with_o the_o infidel_n 2_o cor._n 6._o 14_o 15_o 16._o object_n if_o knowledge_n as_o such_o be_v necessary_a to_o membership_n than_o none_o can_v be_v a_o member_n without_o it_o but_o that_o be_v not_o so_o answ_n 1._o knowledge_n as_o such_o be_v necessary_a no_o otherwise_o than_o faith_n as_o such_o and_o all_o one_o you_o may_v therefore_o as_o well_o plead_v thus_o against_o the_o necessity_n of_o faith_n 2._o and_o we_o grant_v that_o neither_o knowledge_n nor_o faith_n be_v necessary_a to_o uncapable_a subject_n that_o be_v in_o themselves_o you_o know_v faith_n in_o infant_n such_o as_o we_o call_v faith_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o their_o justification_n and_o yet_o will_v you_o say_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o adult_n the_o promise_n have_v make_v it_o necessary_a to_o the_o capable_a 3._o and_o we_o grant_v that_o neither_o knowledge_n nor_o faith_n justify_v or_o dogmatic_a be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o visible_a member_n that_o be_v mere_o such_o god_n only_o see_v the_o heart_n but_o yet_o the_o appearance_n or_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o essential_o of_o christianity_n be_v of_o necessity_n 4._o but_o though_o a_o personal_a faith_n or_o knowledge_n in_o truth_n or_o in_o profession_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o a_o infant_n either_o for_o membership_n or_o justification_n yet_o their_o parent_n faith_n or_o profession_n be_v necessary_a or_o else_o the_o promise_n be_v to_o more_o than_o believer_n and_o their_o seed_n quod_fw-la restat_fw-la probandum_fw-la object_n but_o a_o negative_a consent_n be_v sufficient_a to_o continue_v such_o in_o covenant_n as_o before_o be_v admit_v in_o infancy_n or_o at_o age_n and_o this_o negative_a consent_n be_v but_o non-actuall_a dissent_n or_o a_o non-renouncing_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o as_o positive_a consent_n so_o actual_a faith_n and_o knowledge_n be_v not_o necessary_a answ_n a_o dangerous_a doctrine_n a_o negative_a consent_n be_v no_o consent_n christ_n why_o then_o shall_v the_o ear_n of_o man_n be_v abuse_v by_o the_o ●ame_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o answer_v it_o a_o negative_a faith_n in_o english_a be_v infidelity_n or_o not_o believe_v be_v not_o this_o a_o delusory_a teach_n of_o the_o church_n to_o call_v unbelief_n by_o the_o name_n of_o negative_a faith_n or_o negative_a consent_n if_o a_o block_n a_o bruit_n or_o a_o subject_a otherwise_o natural_o uncapable_a be_v the_o subject_a then_o indeed_o it_o be_v inculpable_a and_o your_o negative_a consent_n or_o faith_n be_v proper_o but_o a_o negative_a dissent_n or_o unbelief_n but_o if_o a_o capable_a obliged_a person_n be_v the_o subject_a which_o be_v our_o case_n than_o your_o negative_a consent_n be_v in_o english_a privative_a not_o consent_v and_o privative_a unbelief_n or_o reject_v christ_n what_o a_o meanness_n be_v here_o to_o convey_v flat_a infidel_n into_o the_o church_n or_o continue_v they_o there_o under_o the_o cloak_n of_o a_o abusive_a name_n even_o by_o call_v a_o non-dissenting_a conjunct_a with_o their_o infidelity_n or_o not_o consent_v to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n by_o the_o name_n of_o negative_a consent_n be_v it_o a_o person_n that_o have_v enter_v at_o age_n yet_o if_o he_o have_v afterward_o but_o your_o negative_a consent_n which_o be_v neither_o to_o consent_v or_o dissent_n he_o be_v a_o apostate_n and_o if_o he_o refuse_v consent_n when_o call_v to_o it_o by_o his_o lawful_a governor_n he_o give_v occasion_n to_o be_v suspect_v of_o apostasy_n much_o more_o when_o he_o continue_v to_o refuse_v consent_n when_o so_o much_o of_o the_o life_n and_o practice_n of_o christianity_n consist_v in_o it_o and_o in_o the_o manifestation_n of_o it_o but_o especial_o when_o person_n be_v baptise_a in_o infancy_n and_o never_o yet_o profess_v a_o faith_n or_o consent_n of_o their_o own_o if_o that_o man_n that_o have_v no_o faith_n but_o his_o parent_n and_o his_o be_v a_o believer_n seed_n which_o you_o call_v faederall_a faith_n shall_v be_v continue_v at_o age_n a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o not-actuall_a dissent_v or_o renounce_v christ_n by_o express_a word_n then_o le_fw-fr we_o talk_v no_o more_o of_o a_o church_n nor_o abuse_v poor_a heathen_n and_o infidel_n so_o much_o as_o to_o question_v their_o salvation_n or_o let_v they_o below_o we_o but_o again_o i_o answer_v you_o that_o not_o consent_v be_v dissent_v in_o the_o inward_a act_n it_o be_v undoubted_a that_o he_o that_o for_o one_o year_n or_o month_n do_v not_o consent_n do_v certain_o dissent_v there_o be_v no_o middle_a state_n between_o believer_n and_o infidel_n consenter_n and_o refuser_n how_o shall_v they_o escape_v that_o neglect_n of_o so_o great_a salvation_n neglect_v and_o not_o consent_v in_o a_o capable_a invite_a subject_n be_v certain_a infidelity_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o external_a profession_n we_o must_v judge_v according_o he_o that_o will_v not_o confess_v christ_n even_o in_o a_o christian_a church_n and_o a_o peaceable_a age_n deserve_v not_o to_o be_v call_v a_o christian_a he_o that_o be_v not_o for_o he_o be_v against_o he_o object_n but_o god_n covenant-people_n under_o the_o law_n be_v not_o only_o admit_v without_o their_o voluntary_a consent_n or_o knowledge_n but_o command_v to_o renew_v their_o covenant_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o they_o that_o be_v absent_a and_o not_o in_o place_n to_o express_v consent_n be_v include_v in_o those_o that_o be_v present_a answ_n 1._o none_o but_o infant_n be_v admit_v without_o consent_n nor_o they_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o parent_n natural_a or_o civil_a that_o have_v the_o power_n of_o dispose_n of_o they_o 2._o those_o that_o be_v admit_v upon_o other_o consent_n be_v not_o continue_v at_o age_n without_o their_o own_o 3._o the_o covenant_n deut._n 29._o 11_o 12_o 15._o be_v no_o mutual_a covenant_n to_o the_o absent_a or_o unborn_a there_o mention_v but_o only_o a_o covenant_n offer_v to_o the_o nation_n and_o conditional_o make_v on_o god_n part_n as_o a_o promise_n to_o they_o and_o their_o posterity_n even_o to_o many_o generation_n but_o those_o unborn_a generation_n be_v not_o in_o covenant_n on_o their_o part_n as_o promiser_n in_o the_o stipulation_n object_n wickedness_n itself_o do_v not_o put_v a_o man_n out_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n for_o a_o man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v cut_v off_o but_o either_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la or_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la meritorious_o or_o effectual_o the_o former_a be_v improper_o call_v cut_v off_o be_v but_o the_o desert_n of_o it_o therefore_o if_o those_o baptize_v in_o infancy_n prove_v afterward_o wicked_a they_o be_v not_o thereby_o cut_v off_o answ_n 1._o such_o person_n as_o we_o have_v in_o question_n lose_v their_o right_n and_o title_n by_o a_o cessation_n for_o want_v of_o that_o personal_a condition_n which_o the_o covenant_n make_v necessary_a to_o its_o continuance_n so_o that_o we_o need_v not_o prove_v any_o other_o cut_v off_o 2._o if_o he_o
be_v but_o meritorious_o cut_v off_o it_o be_v the_o church_n duty_n to_o do_v it_o sentential_o and_o executive_o it_o be_v of_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o give_v to_o all_o their_o due_n 3._o it_o be_v grant_v that_o heresy_n cut_v off_o but_o how_o do_v heresy_n cut_v off_o any_o otherwise_o then_o meritorious_o if_o therefore_o wickedness_n do_v as_o much_o as_o heresy_n than_o thus_o far_o they_o be_v equal_a 4._o either_o wickedness_n signify_v some_o actual_a crime_n like_o david_n or_o peter_n when_o the_o church_n know_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v join_v with_o habitual_a impenitence_n or_o else_o it_o signify_v habitual_a state_v wickedness_n with_o impenitency_n the_o first_o sort_n require_v but_o a_o exclusion_n from_o actual_a church-communion_n call_v suspension_n by_o some_o as_o it_o be_v but_o actual_a sin_n that_o deserve_v it_o the_o second_o sort_n must_v have_v a_o exclusion_n from_o their_o state_n and_o church-relation_n as_o it_o be_v a_o state_n of_o impenitency_n that_o deserve_v it_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o excommunication_n leave_v a_o man_n in_o the_o church_n quoad_fw-la statum_n &_o relationem_fw-la but_o out_o of_o it_o quoad_fw-la actum_fw-la &_o usum_fw-la the_o the_o second_o sort_n leave_v he_o out_o of_o it_o both_o in_o state_n and_o act._n not_o that_o the_o excommunication_n put_v he_o out_o of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a for_o that_o he_o do_v first_o himself_n meritorious_o and_o so_o efficient_o even_o by_o the_o efficiency_n of_o his_o demerit_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n do_v it_o by_o its_o obligatory_a efficiency_n but_o when_o he_o have_v put_v himself_o out_o of_o the_o church_n invisible_a and_o plain_o declare_v this_o to_o the_o church_n by_o his_o impenitent_a course_n the_o church_n further_o declare_v it_o by_o their_o sentence_n and_o put_v he_o out_o of_o the_o church_n visible_a executive_o when_o he_o have_v before_o put_v out_o himself_o meritorious_o 5._o as_o i_o say_v before_o the_o person_n wickedness_n be_v either_o notorious_a and_o out_o of_o question_n as_o if_o a_o man_n be_v a_o open_a persecutor_n of_o godliness_n or_o daily_o blaspheme_v god_n in_o the_o open_a street_n or_o congregation_n and_o many_o low_a case_n or_o else_o it_o be_v controvertible_a need_v proof_n and_o not_o notorious_a in_o the_o latter_a case_n a_o wicked_a man_n be_v not_o actual_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n or_o cut_v off_o from_o it_o by_o his_o demerit_n till_o his_o fault_n be_v prove_v and_o sentence_n be_v pass_v but_o in_o the_o former_a case_n he_o be_v excommmunicate_fw-la ipso_fw-la jure_fw-la which_o be_v more_o than_o de_fw-mi jure_fw-la we_o call_v he_o excommunicate_a de_fw-fr jure_fw-la who_o ought_v to_o be_v excommucatenicate_a de_fw-fr facto_fw-la but_o we_o call_v he_o excommuni_fw-la ipso_fw-la jure_fw-la which_o be_v actual_o excommunicate_v by_o the_o law_n without_o any_o further_a sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n the_o law_n itself_o suffice_v to_o enable_v man_n to_o the_o execution_n so_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n command_v we_o to_o avoid_v and_o have_v no_o company_n with_o drunkard_n adulterer_n heretic_n etc._n etc._n if_o any_o be_v notorious_o such_o past_a doubt_n every_o man_n be_v oblige_v by_o this_o l●w_n to_o avoid_v they_o in_o their_o several_a capacity_n after_o the_o due_a admonition_n give_v they_o which_o the_o law_n require_v whether_o the_o pastor_n censure_v they_o or_o no_o but_o his_o censure_n lay_v on_o they_o a_o double_a obligation_n object_n if_o wickedness_n cut_v off_o a_o man_n excommunication_n can_v do_v it_o because_o it_o be_v do_v already_o answ_n if_o wickedness_n be_v not_o notorious_a do_v only_o cut_v he_o off_o meritorious_o and_o the_o jure_v only_o he_o be_v excommunicate_a then_o actual_a excommunication_n must_v do_v that_o which_o be_v not_o actual_o do_v but_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v but_o if_o by_o the_o notoriety_n of_o the_o crime_n he_o be_v cut_v off_o ipso_fw-la jure_fw-la the_o sentence_n yet_o may_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o add_v a_o second_o obligation_n to_o the_o first_o a_o traitor_n in_o actual_a prosecution_n of_o the_o sovereign_n seek_v his_o life_n be_v condemn_v ipso_fw-la jure_fw-la and_o any_o subject_a may_v kill_v he_o without_o sentence_n and_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v proclaim_v or_o sentence_v a_o traitor_n for_o all_o that_o object_n it_o be_v prove_v by_o some_o writer_n that_o such_o person_n as_o have_v neither_o grace_n indeed_o nor_o in_o show_n may_v yet_o have_v both_o a_o real_a and_o visible_a interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n and_o church_n and_o the_o argument_n for_o this_o be_v yet_o unanswered_a therefore_o person_n baptize_v in_o infancy_n be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o covenant_n at_o age_n though_o they_o never_o by_o profession_n make_v so_o much_o as_o a_o show_n of_o grace_n answ_n it_o be_v never_o prove_v by_o any_o writer_n nor_o ever_o will_v be_v that_o any_o person_n at_o age_n i_o and_o natural_a capacity_n ought_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n under_o the_o gospel_n no_o nor_o under_o the_o law_n neither_o without_o a_o show_n of_o grace_n even_o of_o faith_n by_o his_o profession_n of_o consent_n to_o the_o holy_a covenant_n it_o be_v the_o argument_n against_o they_o that_o remain_v unanswered_a but_o that_o all_o their_o argument_n that_o i_o remember_v be_v sufficient_o answer_v i_o shall_v take_v for_o grant_v till_o i_o see_v a_o reply_n and_o for_o they_o that_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o church_n membership_n of_o the_o adult_n consider_v without_o respect_n to_o save_a grace_n i_o shall_v regard_v they_o when_o they_o have_v prove_v either_o that_o faith_n and_o repentance_n be_v no_o save_a grace_n or_o that_o profession_n of_o faith_n have_v no_o respect_n to_o faith_n or_o that_o man_n may_v have_v title_n to_o church-membership_a without_o respect_n to_o profession_n of_o faith_n even_o of_o their_o parent_n if_o they_o be_v infant_n or_o their_o own_o if_o at_o age_n all_o these_o three_o point_n be_v yet_o unprove_v if_o any_o think_v the_o learned_a mr._n fullwood_n to_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n let_v they_o judge_n by_o his_o own_o word_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n cap._n 28._o pag._n 180._o say_v he_o church-membe●ship&c_a church-membe●ship&c_a church-membe●ship&c_a mark_v the_o parenthesis_n and_o in_o his_o epist_n propos_fw-fr 3._o &_o 4._o from_o the_o pr●mises_n it_o seem_v at_o least_o probable_a to_o i_o that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o have_v some_o kind_n of_o respect_n unto_o the_o save_a condition_n of_o the_o person_n she_o be_v about_o to_o admit_v into_o communion_n etc._n etc._n 4._o yet_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o more_o than_o a_o bare_a outward_a profession_n be_v requisite_a to_o give_v real_a interest_n in_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o the_o privilege_n thereof_o before_o god_n though_o no_o more_o be_v requisite_a to_o give_v visible_a interest_n before_o man_n etc._n etc._n and_o for_o immediate_a right_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n he_o say_v pag._n 270._o where_o there_o be_v want_n of_o knowledge_n whether_o natural_o or_o moral_o there_o we_o be_v sure_a the_o condition_n of_o right_n be_v want_v and_o consequent_o admission_n be_v to_o be_v deny_v when_o all_o be_v do_v and_o for_o the_o main_a design_n of_o this_o book_n he_o say_v append._n pag._n 1_o 2._o mention_v mr._n hanmer_n book_n some_o happy_o may_v be_v willing_a to_o surmise_v that_o our_o two_o proposition_n be_v irreconcilable_a and_o interpret_v i_o a_o enemy_n to_o that_o most_o ancient_a useful_a and_o desirable_a ordinance_n wherefore_o if_o i_o may_v possible_o prevent_v so_o scandalous_a a_o censure_n i_o shall_v not_o venture_v to_o hold_v my_o reader_n in_o so_o long_a suspense_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o page_n where_o confirmation_n be_v consider_v in_o the_o book_n nor_o yet_o bare_o to_o acknowledge_v my_o allowance_n of_o it_o under_o my_o hand_n but_o after_o my_o humble_a thanks_o hearty_o tender_v to_o our_o worthy_a author_n for_o his_o excellent_a pain_n in_o so_o seasonable_a a_o subject_n i_o do_v also_o presume_v earnest_o to_o beseech_v my_o reverend_a brother_n that_o what_o mr._n baxter_n have_v so_o smart_o press_v upon_o the_o ministry_n about_o it_o may_v be_v speedy_o and_o serious_o consider_v and_o undertake_v by_o we_o and_o many_o page_n after_o he_o add_v 7._o yea_o though_o after_o all_o due_a pain_n and_o endeavoure_v use_v we_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o reconcile_v our_o principle_n in_o every_o point_n yet_o if_o we_o can_v m●et_v in_o the_o same_o practice_n about_o confirmation_n though_o on_o some_o small_a differ_a ground_n why_o may_v not_o the_o church_n be_v happy_o edify_v and_o the_o peace_n thereof_o in_o a_o measure_n obtain_v by_o such_o a_o unity_n uniformity_n in_o practice_n white_a the_o person_n differ_v
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 benefici●_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 debe●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 ow●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 from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o communion_n of_o saint_n who_o have_v most_o need_v of_o they_o of_o any_o that_o have_v right_a to_o they_o for_o my_o part_n i_o desire_v not_o nor_o dare_v be_v guilty_a of_o that_o way_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n as_o shall_v grieve_v those_o that_o christ_n will_v not_o have_v grieve_v and_o exclude_v the_o weak_a and_o turn_v or_o keep_v out_o the_o infant_n in_o grace_n from_o the_o family_n of_o the_o lord_n a_o compassionate_a minister_n be_v like_a to_o christ_n that_o will_v not_o break_v the_o bruise_a reed_n how_o deal_v he_o with_o the_o woman_n take_v in_o adultery_n how_o tender_o excuse_v he_o the_o sluggishness_n of_o his_o disciple_n that_o can_v not_o watch_v and_o pray_v with_o he_o one_o hour_n in_o his_o last_o extremity_n with_o the_o spirit_n be_v willing_a but_o the_o flesh_n be_v weak_a when_o many_o now_o that_o think_v well_o of_o themselves_o will_v almost_o excommunicate_v man_n for_o as_o small_a a_o fault_n we_o know_v not_o in_o such_o case_n what_o spirit_n we_o be_v of_o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o i_o must_v confess_v brethren_n which_o i_o beseech_v you_o patient_o to_o hear_v these_o three_o thing_n very_o much_o stick_v upon_o my_o thought_n 1._o i_o can_v but_o observe_v how_o many_o eminent_a professor_n of_o piety_n have_v miscarry_v and_o grievous_o miscarry_v of_o late_a when_o some_o of_o low_a profession_n have_v stand_v fast_o and_o i_o think_v god_n suffer_v the_o fall_n of_o many_o of_o his_o own_o to_o let_v they_o know_v the_o frailty_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v compassionate_a to_o other_o and_o some_o censorious_a man_n heart_n may_v smite_v they_o if_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o their_o master_n let_v he_o that_o be_v faultless_a cast_v the_o first_o stone_n 2._o and_o it_o stick_v very_o much_o upon_o my_o thought_n how_o small_a a_o handful_n the_o censorious_a way_n will_v reduce_v the_o catholic_a church_n of_o christ_n to_o out_o when_o it_o be_v but_o about_o the_o six_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v at_o all_o baptise_a christian_n and_o scarce_o the_o six_o part_n of_o they_o that_o be_v protestant_n and_o of_o the_o protestant_n so_o few_o except_o in_o england_n that_o be_v so_o qualify_v for_o holiness_n as_o in_o your_o admission_n you_o expect_v and_o in_o england_n how_o small_a be_v the_o number_n that_o you_o will_v admit_v i_o be_o deep_o afraid_a lest_o you_o heinous_o injure_v the_o cause_n of_o christ_n by_o your_o excessive_a rigour_n and_o lest_o confine_v even_o the_o visible_a church_n into_o so_o exceed_v small_a a_o compass_n shall_v tempt_v man_n to_o infidelity_n for_o he_o that_o to_o day_n can_v believe_v that_o christ_n die_v not_o for_o one_o of_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o in_o the_o world_n may_v to_o morrow_n believe_v that_o he_o die_v for_o none_o at_o all_o i_o hope_v the_o little_a flock_n of_o the_o elect_n be_v not_o so_o little_a as_o some_o will_v have_v
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 will_v judge_v that_o he_o be_v either_o command_v then_o to_o believe_v or_o that_o his_o believe_v be_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o his_o infant_n title_n but_o that_o a_o personal_a believe_v be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o title_n of_o they_o at_o age_n be_v as_o far_o past_a doubt_n and_o it_o be_v prove_v thus_o arg._n 1._o the_o promise_n itself_o do_v express_o require_v a_o faith_n of_o our_o own_o of_o all_o the_o adult_n that_o will_v have_v part_n in_o the_o privilege_n therefore_o it_o be_v a_o faith_n of_o our_o own_o that_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o title_n mark_v 16_o 16._o he_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a shall_v be_v save_v and_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v act._n 8._o 36_o 37._o and_o the_o eunuch_n say_v see_v here_o be_v water_n what_o do_v hinder_v i_o to_o be_v baptize_v and_o philip_n say_v if_o thou_o believe_v with_o all_o thy_o heart_n thou_o may_v act._n 2._o 38_o 41._o repent_v and_o be_v baptize_v every_o one_o 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 d●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 fi●ad_a anne●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 acc●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 de●_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
baptism_n be_v a_o actual_a profession_n 9_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n have_v give_v we_o by_o infallible_a tradition_n as_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o order_n of_o baptism_n and_o in_o particular_a of_o a_o exprss_n profession_n and_o covenant_n then_o make_v as_o of_o any_o point_n that_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v receive_v by_o we_o 10._o and_o it_o be_v in_o those_o day_n a_o more_o notorious_a profession_n to_o be_v so_o baptise_a and_o to_o join_v in_o the_o holy_a assembly_n then_o now_o it_o be_v when_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n do_v hazard_v man_n liberty_n estate_n and_o life_n to_o be_v open_o then_o baptise_a upon_o covenant_v with_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o open_o join_v with_o a_o hate_a persecute_a sort_n of_o man_n be_v a_o eminent_a sort_n of_o profession_n it_o be_v also_o usual_o private_a in_o house_n as_o separate_v from_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o people_n and_o not_o in_o public_a place_n like_o we_o where_o man_n be_v just_o drive_v to_o come_v as_o leaner_n for_o instruction_n moreover_o it_o be_v say_v of_o all_o that_o be_v baptise_a be_v then_o at_o age_n that_o they_o first_o believe_v and_o how_o can_v the_o baptizer_n know_v that_o they_o believe_v but_o by_o their_o profession_n yea_o it_o be_v say_v of_o simon_n magus_n that_o he_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a which_o though_o he_o may_v real_o have_v some_o historical_a faith_n yet_o imply_v that_o he_o open_o profess_v more_o than_o he_o indeed_o have_v or_o else_o he_o have_v scarce_o be_v baptise_a which_o have_v cause_v interpreter_n to_o judge_v that_o by_o faith_n be_v mean_v a_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o if_o so_o then_o sure_a a_o profession_n be_v still_o necessary_a yea_o christ_n in_o his_o commission_n direct_v his_o apostle_n to_o make_v disciple_n and_o then_o baptise_v they_o promise_v that_o he_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a shall_v be_v save_v and_o who_o can_v tell_v whether_o a_o man_n be_v a_o disciple_n a_o believer_n or_o a_o infidel_n but_o by_o his_o profession_n how_o be_v it_o know_v but_o by_o their_o profession_n that_o the_o samaritan_n believe_v philip_n preach_v the_o thing_n concern_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n before_o they_o be_v baptise_a both_o man_n and_o woman_n act._n 8._o 12._o philip_n cause_v the_o eunuch_n to_o profess_v before_o he_o will_v baptise_v he_o that_o he_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n which_o upon_o his_o teach_v the_o rest_n do_v import_v the_o rest_n if_o it_o be_v not_o more_o full_o as_o be_v like_a profess_v act._n 8_o 37_o 38._o saul_n have_v more_o than_o a_o bare_a profession_n before_o baptism_n act_v 9_o 5_o 15_o 17._o cornelius_n and_o his_o company_n have_v a_o profession_n and_o more_o for_o they_o have_v the_o holy_a ghost_n pour_v on_o they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n and_o magnify_v god_n that_o use_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n impart_v more_o than_o the_o gift_n itself_o act_n 10._o 46._o yea_o the_o spirit_n bid_v peter_n go_v and_o not_o doubt_n act_v 11._o 12_o and_o it_o be_v such_o a_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o cause_v the_o apostle_n to_o conclude_v that_o god_n have_v grant_v the_o gentile_n repentance_n unto_o life_n act_v 11._o 18._o how_o be_v it_o know_v but_o by_o their_o profession_n act_n 11._o 21._o that_o that_o great_a number_n believe_v and_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v such_o as_o barnabas_n see_v vers_fw-la 23._o and_o when_o saul_n after_o his_o baptism_n assay_v to_o join_v himself_o to_o the_o disciple_n at_o jerusalem_n they_o so_o suspect_v he_o that_o they_o will_v not_o receive_v he_o till_o barnabas_n take_v he_o and_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o declare_v to_o they_o how_o god_n have_v deal_v with_o he_o and_o how_o bold_o at_o damascus_n he_o have_v preach_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n which_o show_v that_o they_o admit_v not_o man_n to_o their_o communion_n till_o their_o profession_n seem_v credible_a to_o they_o for_o no_o doubt_n but_o saul_n tell_v they_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v a_o believer_n before_o he_o be_v put_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o barnabas_n the_o convert_v gentile_n act_n 13._o 48._o show_v their_o belief_n and_o gladness_n and_o open_o glorify_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n how_o but_o by_o a_o profession_n do_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o great_a multitude_n at_o iconium_n both_o jew_n and_o greek_n be_v know_v to_o be_v believer_n act_n 14._o 1._o the_o same_o i_o may_v say_v of_o the_o jailor_n act_v 16._o who_o by_o work_n as_o well_o as_o word_n declare_v his_o conversion_n and_o the_o berean_o act_n 17._o 12._o and_o the_o athenian_n act_n 17._o 34._o and_o crispus_n with_o the_o corinthian_n act_n 18._o 8._o act_n 19_o 18._o the_o believe_a ephesian_n confess_v and_o show_v their_o deed_n and_o many_o of_o they_o burn_v as_o many_o of_o their_o book_n of_o ill_a art_n as_o come_v to_o fifty_o thousand_o piece_n of_o silver_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n that_o if_o thou_o confess_v with_o thy_o mouth_n the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o believe_v in_o thy_o heart_n that_o god_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a thou_o shall_v be_v save_v for_o with_o the_o heart_n man_n believe_v unto_o righteousness_n and_o with_o the_o mouth_n confession_n be_v make_v unto_o salvation_n he_o that_o bid_v we_o receive_v he_o that_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n but_o not_o to_o doubtful_a disputation_n imply_v that_o we_o must_v not_o receive_v they_o that_o profess_v not_o at_o least_o a_o weak_a faith_n heb._n 5._o &_o 6._o 1_o 2_o 3._o show_v that_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v first_o lay_v as_o the_o foundation_n before_o baptism_n and_o who_o receive_v those_o principle_n can_v not_o be_v know_v but_o by_o a_o profession_n to_o this_o let_v i_o add_v that_o poenitentiam_fw-la age●e_n be_v judge_v by_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n the_o repentance_n that_o be_v prerequisite_a to_o baptism_n and_o that_o be_v a_o manifest_v profess_a repentance_n god_n order_n be_v to_o the_o adult_n first_o to_o send_v preacher_n to_o proclaim_v the_o gospel_n and_o when_o by_o that_o man_n be_v bring_v so_o far_o as_o to_o profess_v or_o manifest_v that_o their_o eye_n be_v open_v and_o that_o they_o be_v turn_v from_o darkness_n to_o light_n and_o from_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n unto_o god_n then_o must_v they_o be_v baptise_a for_o the_o remission_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o inheritance_n among_o the_o sanctify_a by_o faith_n in_o christ_n act_v 26._o 17._o 18._o as_o their_o sin_n be_v not_o forgive_v they_o till_o they_o be_v convert_v mark_v 4._o 12._o so_o they_o must_v not_o be_v baptize_v for_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n till_o they_o profess_v themselves_o convert_v see_v to_o the_o church_n non_fw-fr esse_fw-la &_o non_fw-la apparere_fw-la be_v all_o one_o repentance_n towards_o god_n and_o faith_n towards_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o sum_n of_o that_o preach_v that_o make_v disciple_n act_n 20._o 21._o and_o therefore_o both_o these_o must_v by_o profession_n seem_v to_o be_v receive_v before_o any_o at_o age_n be_v baptise_a if_o as_o many_o as_o be_v baptise_a into_o christ_n be_v baptise_a into_o his_o death_n and_o be_v bury_v with_o he_o by_o baptism_n into_o his_o death_n that_o like_a as_o christ_n be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a so_o we_o also_o shall_v walk_v in_o newness_n of_o life_n rom._n 6._o 4_o 5._o then_o no_o doubt_n but_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a do_v first_o pro●ess_v this_o mortification_n and_o a_o consent_n to_o be_v bury_v and_o revive_v with_o christ_n and_o to_o live_v to_o he_o in_o newness_n of_o life_n for_o paul_n be_v never_o so_o much_o for_o the_o opus_fw-la operatum_fw-la above_o the_o papst_n as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o baptise_v of_o a_o infidel_n may_v effect_v these_o high_a and_o excellent_a thing_n and_o he_o that_o profess_v not_o faith_n nor_o ever_o do_v be_v to_o the_o church_n a_o infidel_n in_o our_o baptism_n we_o put_v off_o the_o body_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o flesh_n by_o the_o circumcision_n of_o christ_n be_v bury_v with_o he_o and_o rise_v with_o he_o through_o faith_n quicken_v with_o he_o and_o have_v all_o our_o trespass_n forgive_v col._n 3._o 11_o 12_o 13._o and_o will_v any_o man_n yea_o will_v paul_n ascribe_v all_o this_o to_o those_o that_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o profess_v the_o thing_n signify_v or_o the_o necessary_a condition_n will_v baptism_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o wise_a man_n do_v all_o this_o for_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 they_o no_o church_n we_o plead_v and_o just_o that_o a_o profession_n be_v make_v by_o they_o 2._o but_o i_o pray_v you_o mark_v that_o that_o will_v prove_v a_o church_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n which_o will_v not_o prove_v every_o person_n in_o the_o parish_n to_o be_v a_o true_a member_n of_o that_o church_n 3._o and_o he_o that_o think_v it_o enough_o that_o our_o church_n have_v a_o mere_a metaphysical_a verity_n such_o as_o bishop_n hall_n and_o multitude_n of_o learned_a protestant_n allow_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o be_v as_o good_a a_o friend_n to_o it_o as_o he_o be_v to_o his_o wife_n or_o child_n that_o will_v let_v they_o go_v naked_a yea_o and_o be_v content_v that_o they_o catch_v the_o plague_n or_o leprosy_n yea_o and_o plead_v for_o it_o too_o and_o all_o because_o they_o have_v still_o the_o truth_n of_o humane_a nature_n i_o know_v that_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v true_o be_v call_v a_o profession_n will_v in_o that_o point_n seem_v to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o the_o church_n but_o as_o it_o will_v not_o seem_v to_o prove_v the_o well-being_n so_o a_o obscure_a profession_n do_v but_o obscure_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o it_o which_o a_o open_a plain_a profession_n do_v more_o clear_o prove_v let_v we_o not_o befriend_v either_o the_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n or_o the_o separatist_n so_o much_o as_o to_o leave_v our_o church_n so_o open_a to_o their_o exception_n and_o so_o apt_a to_o cherish_v and_o befriend_v their_o ignorance_n and_o infidelity_n of_o the_o world_n if_o come_v to_o church_n and_o sit_v there_o be_v somewhat_o a_o probable_a argument_n that_o man_n do_v implicit_o believe_v as_o that_o church_n believe_v yet_o it_o be_v a_o very_a dark_a proof_n that_o they_o understand_v what_o the_o church_n believe_v especial_o when_o experience_n have_v acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o contrary_a of_o many_o of_o they_o but_o now_o i_o have_v say_v this_o much_o for_o a_o personal_a and_o plain_a profession_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o any_o man_n have_v against_o it_o the_o church_n through_o the_o great_a mercy_n of_o god_n have_v yet_o liberty_n to_o use_v it_o and_o we_o see_v how_o many_o thousand_o make_v a_o blind_a kind_n of_o show_n of_o christianity_n go_v from_o one_o public_a duty_n to_o another_o and_o know_v not_o what_o they_o do_v miscere_fw-la and_o be_v there_o not_o need_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v bring_v out_o into_o the_o open_a light_n and_o see_v their_o way_n if_o covenant_v with_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v the_o essence_n of_o our_o christianity_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n i_o desire_v you_o to_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v huddle_v up_o in_o the_o dark_a unless_o it_o be_v man_n design_n to_o hide_v the_o nature_n of_o christianity_n and_o keep_v people_n in_o destructive_a ignorance_n and_o delude_v their_o soul_n with_o a_o name_n and_o show_v of_o a_o religion_n which_o they_o understand_v not_o they_o will_v sure_o be_v willing_a that_o man_n shall_v know_v the_o covenant_n that_o they_o make_v and_o understand_v what_o they_o do_v before_o they_o enter_v into_o a_o marriage_n bond_n with_o christ_n if_o at_o age_n or_o own_o it_o if_o they_o have_v be_v enter_v in_o infancy_n why_o shall_v we_o choose_v darkness_n rather_o than_o light_n why_o shall_v a_o implicit_a covenant_n and_o profession_n be_v plead_v for_o when_o the_o be_v of_o a_o profession_n be_v palam_fw-la fateri_fw-la open_o to_o make_v know_v and_o when_o we_o know_v by_o sad_a experience_n that_o when_o we_o have_v all_o do_v the_o best_a we_o can_v to_o make_v our_o ignorant_a people_n understand_v we_o shall_v find_v enough_o ado_n to_o accomplish_v it_o ignorance_n have_v no_o need_n of_o friendship_n especial_o from_o minister_n it_o deserve_v none_o especial_o in_o so_o great_a
a_o point_n as_o the_o covenant_n that_o man_n make_v with_o christ_n we_o have_v ware_n that_o deserve_v the_o light_n and_o need_v not_o a_o dark_a shop_n we_o have_v a_o master_n that_o we_o need_v not_o be_v afraid_a or_o ashamed_a explicit_o and_o public_o to_o confess_v it_o beseem_v not_o so_o high_a and_o honourable_a a_o profession_n as_o that_o of_o a_o christian_a to_o be_v leap_v up_o in_o obscurity_n such_o a_o glorious_a state_n as_o sonship_n to_o god_n to_o be_v a_o heir_n of_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v enter_v into_o with_o great_a solemnity_n and_o own_v according_o at_o our_o first_o rational_a acceptance_n and_o acknowledgement_n king_n be_v crown_v more_o solemn_o then_o poor_a man_n take_v possession_n of_o their_o cottage_n christ_n will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o they_o before_o the_o angel_n that_o be_v ashamed_a of_o he_o before_o man_n and_o will_v confess_v they_o before_o his_o father_n that_o confess_v he_o before_o man_n christianity_n be_v not_o a_o game_n to_o be_v play_v under_o board_n why_o then_o shall_v any_o be_v against_o a_o open_a profess_v and_o covenant_v with_o christ_n if_o it_o be_v needful_a that_o we_o covenant_n certain_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o explicit_a covenant_n be_v the_o best_a and_o what_o will_v be_v his_o portion_n that_o have_v a_o male_a in_o his_o flock_n and_o offer_v the_o worst_a yea_o the_o halt_n and_o blind_a to_o god_n let_v we_o therefore_o deal_v as_o open_o and_o plain_o and_o understand_o in_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n as_o we_o can_v and_o not_o contrive_v it_o in_o the_o great_a darkness_n that_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o essence_n of_o a_o church_n nay_o let_v we_o not_o tempt_v man_n to_o unchurch_n we_o or_o separate_v from_o we_o by_o leave_v our_o cause_n to_o such_o argument_n as_o this_o such_o a_o man_n sit_v among_o other_o hearer_n in_o the_o congregation_n therefore_o he_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n lest_o they_o think_v it_o follow_v not_o therefore_o he_o seem_v to_o understand_v the_o christian_a faith_n much_o less_o he_o profess_v it_o especial_o when_o it_o be_v know_v that_o so_o many_o understand_v it_o not_o and_o that_o the_o papist_n in_o their_o write_n maintain_v it_o lawful_a quest_n for_o they_o to_o be_v present_a at_o our_o assembly_n and_o infidel_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o can_v hear_v any_o man_n and_o do_v come_v thither_o nehemiah_n cause_v the_o jewsto_n subscribe_v the_o covenant_n and_o seal_v it_o c._n 9_o v_o 38._o even_o under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v the_o character_n of_o visible_a saint_n to_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o god_n by_o sacrifice_n psal_n 50._o 5._o at_o least_o now_o god_n have_v cause_v we_o to_o pass_v under_o the_o rod._n let_v we_o yield_v to_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n ezek._n 20._o 37._o and_o let_v we_o as_o weep_a israel_n and_o judah_n seek_v the_o lord_n our_o god_n and_o ask_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n with_o our_o face_n thitherward_o say_v come_v and_o let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v forget_v jer._n 50_o 4_o 5._o let_v we_o take_v hold_n of_o his_o covenant_n and_o choose_v the_o thing_n that_o please_v he_o that_o he_o may_v bring_v we_o into_o his_o holy_a mountain_n and_o make_v we_o joyful_a in_o his_o house_n of_o prayer_n and_o our_o sacrifice_n may_v be_v accept_v on_o his_o altar_n isa_n 56._o 4_o 6_o 7._o be_v not_o these_o the_o day_n of_o which_o it_o be_v say_v isa_n 44._o 3_o 4_o 5._o i_o will_v pour_v water_n on_o he_o that_o be_v thirsty_a and_o flood_n upon_o the_o dry_a ground_n i_o will_v pour_v my_o spirit_n on_o thy_o seed_n and_o my_o blessing_n on_o thy_o offspring_n and_o they_o shall_v spring_v as_o among_o the_o grass_n as_o willow_n by_o the_o water_n course_n one_o shall_v say_v i_o be_o the_o lord_n and_o another_o shall_v call_v himself_o by_o the_o name_n of_o jacob_n and_o another_o shall_v subscribe_v with_o his_o hand_n unto_o the_o lord_n and_o surname_n himself_o by_o the_o name_n of_o israel_n i_o will_v have_v as_o little_o covenant_v for_o doubtful_a or_o needless_a or_o mutable_a thing_n in_o church_n or_o state_n as_o be_v possible_a but_o in_o the_o great_a thing_n of_o our_o salvation_n even_o the_o essence_n of_o christianity_n we_o can_v be_v bind_v too_o fast_o nor_o deal_v too_o understand_o and_o open_o with_o god_n prop._n 6._o it_o be_v not_o every_o kind_n of_o profession_n that_o be_v the_o condition_n or_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o adult_n member_n but_o such_o a_o profession_n as_o god_n have_v make_v necessaery_n by_o his_o express_a word_n and_o by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o object_n and_o the_o use_v and_o end_n to_o which_o be_v do_v require_v it_o the_o negative_a be_v not_o controvert_v among_o we_o if_o any_o be_v so_o quarrelsome_a or_o ignorant_a it_o be_v easy_o prove_v and_o i_o shall_v do_v it_o brief_o but_o satisfactory_o in_o the_o open_n of_o the_o affirmative_a i_o have_v prove_v in_o my_o first_o disputation_n of_o right_a to_o sacrament_n which_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n that_o will_v have_v further_a satisfaction_n to_o peruse_v the_o necessity_n of_o these_o follow_a qualification_n of_o this_o profession_n 1._o in_o general_n as_o to_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o must_v be_v a_o profession_n of_o true_a christianity_n and_o no_o less_o it_o must_v be_v a_o profession_n of_o our_o entertainment_n both_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o the_o good_a therein_o reveal_v and_o offer_v more_o particular_o it_o must_v be_v a_o profession_n that_o we_o believe_v in_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n as_o to_o the_o nature_n person_n and_o work_n which_o they_o have_v do_v or_o undertake_v for_o we_o yet_o more_o particular_o and_o explicit_o it_o must_v be_v a_o profession_n 1._o that_o we_o believe_v in_o god_n the_o father_n and_o so_o the_o pure_a deity_n as_o our_o creator_n sovereign_a and_o chief_a good_a who_o give_v we_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n by_o break_v of_o which_o we_o have_v lose_v ourselves_o and_o all_o our_o part_n in_o everlasting_a life_n 2._o that_o we_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n god_n and_o man_n that_o take_v our_o nature_n fulfil_v the_o law_n overcome_v the_o devil_n die_v as_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o our_o sin_n rise_v again_o and_o conquer_v death_n ascen_v into_o heaven_n where_o he_o be_v lord_n of_o all_o and_o the_o king_n prophet_n and_o priest_n of_o his_o church_n in_o glory_n with_o the_o father_n that_o he_o have_v offer_v himself_o with_o pardon_n and_o eternal_a life_n to_o all_o that_o will_v accept_v he_o on_o his_o term_n and_o that_o he_o will_v come_v again_o at_o last_o to_o raise_v we_o from_o death_n and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o justify_v his_o saint_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o eternal_a glory_n and_o cast_v the_o wicked_a into_o utter_a misery_n 3._o that_o we_o believe_v in_o god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o inspire_a the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n to_o deliver_v and_o confirm_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o who_o be_v the_o sanctifier_n of_o all_o that_o shall_v be_v save_v illuminate_v their_o understanding_n &_o change_v their_o heart_n and_o life_n humble_v they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o misery_n cause_v they_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n the_o remedy_n and_o hearty_o and_o thankful_o accept_v he_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o hearty_a love_n of_o god_n and_o a_o heavenly_a mind_n and_o a_o hatred_n of_o sin_n and_o love_n of_o holiness_n and_o turn_v the_o principal_a bent_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o life_n to_o the_o please_a of_o god_n and_o the_o attain_n of_o eternal_a life_n this_o much_o must_v be_v believe_v and_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o much_o must_v be_v somehow_v profess_v 2._o as_o to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o thing_n profess_v it_o must_v be_v not_o only_o the_o naked_a assent_n of_o the_o understanding_n but_o both_o this_o assent_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_a and_o a_o consent_n of_o the_o will_n to_o take_v god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n to_o the_o forementioned_a end_n in_o the_o forementioned_a relation_n and_o to_o give_v up_o ourselves_o unfeigned_o to_o he_o renounce_v the_o flesh_n the_o world_n and_o the_o devil_n 3._o as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o profession_n itself_o 1._o it_o must_v in_o general_n be_v credible_a for_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v incredible_a the_o word_n be_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o as_o such_o they_o be_v to_o be_v utter_v and_o receive_v if_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o mind_n they_o be_v false_a and_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 n●stris_fw-la excedere_fw-la quosdam_fw-la à_fw-la regulis_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la desi●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 salt●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 ●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
become_v not_o minister_n i_o think_v 2._o it_o be_v only_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v separate_v to_o the_o gospel_n and_o work_n of_o god_n do_v lay_v by_o all_o other_o business_n and_o give_v themselves_o whole_o to_o these_o thing_n gentleman_n much_o less_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o church_n can_v lay_v by_o their_o calling_n to_o attend_v this_o business_n of_o try_v and_o judge_v of_o man_n profession_n as_o minister_n must_v do_v if_o they_o will_v be_v faithful_a shall_v private_a member_n have_v so_o mu●h_a church_n govern_v work_n as_o some_o cut_n out_o for_o they_o and_o shall_v they_o bear_v such_o a_o burden_n as_o some_o will_v lay_v upon_o they_o under_o the_o name_n of_o power_n and_o privilege_n it_o will_v undo_v they_o soul_n or_o body_n or_o both_o they_o will_v find_v time_n little_a enough_o for_o it_o in_o some_o place_n if_o they_o all_o cast_v off_o their_o outward_a calling_n and_o 3._o the_o pastor_n only_o be_v capable_a because_o of_o unity_n for_o shall_v the_o people_n have_v this_o work_n as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o the_o multitude_n will_v hinder_v execution_n and_o they_o will_v turn_v all_o to_o wrangle_v 1._o such_o body_n move_v slow_o 2._o multitude_n with_o that_o divesity_n of_o part_n and_o mind_n that_o be_v among_o they_o will_v set_v they_o by_o the_o ear_n and_o the_o church_n will_v be_v almost_o always_o in_o a_o flame_n if_o every_o man_n that_o be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o faith_n on_o this_o or_o the_o like_a occasion_n must_v be_v try_v and_o judge_v by_o all_o some_o will_v approve_v and_o other_o will_v disapprove_v and_o reject_v in_o most_o or_o very_o many_o case_n whereas_o the_o pastor_n be_v single_a or_o not_o many_o and_o more_o experience_a and_o able_a and_o vacant_a for_o a_o full_a enquiry_n have_v less_o reason_n to_o be_v partial_a injurious_a or_o disagree_v arg._n 14._o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o the_o pastor_n of_o christ_n church_n in_o 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their_o government_n no_o doubt_n enter_v at_o first_o under_o their_o cond●ct_n philip_n be_v the_o judge_n of_o the_o eunuch_n profession_n act_v 8._o 37_o 38._o ananias_n be_v scrupulous_a of_o admit_v paul_n but_o as_o god_n himself_o approve_v of_o he_o to_o ananias_n act_n 9_o 13_o 14_o 15._o so_o a●anias_n also_o must_v ministerial_o approve_v he_o vers_n 17._o who_o judge_v of_o lidia_n profession_n and_o the_o jaylour_n act_n 16_o but_o the_o apostle_n or_o other_o minister_n of_o christ_n what_o need_v we_o instance_n any_o more_o when_o we_o all_o know_v that_o no_o convert_n enter_v at_o age_n into_o the_o church_n but_o under_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o minister_n of_o christ_n that_o do_v baptise_v he_o or_o appoint_v he_o to_o be_v baptise_a object_n but_o this_o be_v not_o our_o case_n for_o we_o be_v baptise_a in_o infancy_n and_o be_v in_o the_o church_n already_o answ_n you_o enter_v not_o into_o the_o number_n of_o adult_n and_o more_o perfect_a member_n in_o your_o infancy_n nor_o do_v you_o make_v any_o personal_a profession_n in_o your_o infancy_n that_o be_v yet_o to_o be_v do_v your_o parent_n profession_n will_v serve_v you_o no_o long_o than_o your_o infant_n state_n these_o be_v not_o in_o the_o gospel_n church_n before_o be_v at_o once_o baptise_a and_o enter_v thereby_o into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o adult_a member_n so_o will_v we_o do_v if_o we_o convert_v those_o that_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o heathen_n or_o infidel_n but_o though_o this_o be_v not_o your_o case_n in_o respect_n of_o baptism_n and_o a_o insant_fw-fr church-state_n yet_o this_o be_v your_o own_o case_n in_o regard_n of_o personal_a profession_n and_o adult_a church-state_n if_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n in_o scripture_n time_n admit_v none_o into_o a_o adult_n church-state_n and_o to_o the_o privilege_n of_o such_o but_o upon_o a_o personal_a profession_n approve_v by_o the_o say_a minister_n than_o neither_o must_v we_o do_v so_o now_o but_o the_o antecedent_n 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in_o christ_n infancy_n how_o shall_v he_o be_v baptise_a in_o infancy_n when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n as_o gospel-baptism_n or_o john_n baptism_n if_o you_o think_v baptism_n and_o profession_n or_o church-membership_a so_o inseparable_a that_o we_o must_v not_o require_v such_o a_o profession_n but_o in_o order_n to_o baptism_n 1._o you_o speak_v without_o proof_n 2._o you_o speak_v even_o contrary_a to_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n where_o in_o the_o wilderniss_n circumcision_n be_v separate_v from_o profession_n and_o church-membership_a both_o of_o infant_n and_o adult_n the_o late_a be_v without_o the_o former_a 3._o if_o we_o may_v be_v baptise_a in_o infancy_n without_o a_o personal_a profession_n than_o they_o be_v separable_a but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v prove_v in_o due_a place_n 4._o no_o man_n deny_v that_o i_o know_v of_o but_o that_o personal_a profession_n approve_v by_o the_o minister_n be_v necessary_a 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these_o thing_n be_v vain_a it_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o so_o many_o canon_n and_o so_o common_o know_v both_o by_o record_n and_o practice_n mr_n herbert_n thorndike_n in_o his_o forcited_a discourse_n of_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n be_v full_a upon_o it_o pag._n 32._o he_o say_v as_o the_o power_n of_o judge_v who_o be_v and_o who_o be_v not_o thus_o qualify_v presuppose_v a_o profession_n so_o that_o a_o instruction_n oblige_v the_o obedience_n of_o they_o which_o seek_v remission_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o confident_o assure_v it_o to_o they_o which_o conform_v themselves_o in_o a_o word_n because_o admit_v to_o and_o exclude_v from_o the_o church_n be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v a_o just_a and_o lawful_a presumption_n of_o admit_v to_o or_o exclude_v from_o heaven_n n._n b._n it_o be_v moral_o and_o legal_o the_o same_o act_n that_o entitle_v to_o heaven_n and_o to_o the_o church_n that_o make_v a_o heir_n of_o life_n everlasting_a and_o a_o 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1._o pag._n basil_n word_n and_o many_o more_o to_o the_o like_a purpose_n there_o recite_v i_o forbear_v and_o that_o a_o man_n baptize_v be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o be_v take_v for_o a_o christian_a if_o by_o word_n or_o deed_n he_o nullify_v that_o profession_n much_o more_o when_o he_o never_o make_v a_o personal_a profession_n when_o he_o be_v at_o age_n the_o ancient_n commonmon_o agree_v some_o i_o cite_v before_o tertullian_n again_o say_v apol._n cap._n 44._o speak_v of_o the_o jailor_n nemo_fw-la illic_fw-la christianus_n nisi_fw-la plane_n tantum_fw-la christianus_n aut_fw-la se_fw-la &_o aliud_fw-la jam_fw-la nox_fw-la christianus_n athenagoras_n in_o legat._n pro_fw-la christ_n pag._n 3._o nullus_fw-la christianus_n malus_fw-la est_fw-la nisi_fw-la haut_fw-fr professionem_fw-la simulaverit_fw-la damascene_fw-la orthodox_n fid_fw-we lib._n 4._o cap._n 11._o pag._n 303._o qui_fw-la enim_fw-la secundum_fw-la traditionem_fw-la catholicae_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la credit_n say_v communicate_v operibus_fw-la diabolo_fw-it infidelis_fw-la est_fw-la salvian_n de_fw-fr gubern_n lib._n 4._o in_o the_o begin_n nam_fw-la cum_fw-la hoc_fw-la sit_fw-la hominis_fw-la christiani_n fides_fw-la fideliter_fw-la christi_fw-la mandata_fw-la seruare_fw-la fit_a absque_fw-la dubio_fw-la ut_fw-la nec_fw-la fidem_fw-la habeat_fw-la qui_fw-la infidelis_fw-la est_fw-la nec_fw-la christum_fw-la credat_fw-la qui_fw-la christi_fw-la mandata_fw-la conculcat_fw-la ac_fw-la per_fw-la hoc_fw-la totum_fw-la in_o id_fw-la revolvitur_fw-la ut_fw-la qui_fw-la christiani_n nominis_fw-la opus_fw-la non_fw-la agit_fw-fr christianus_n non_fw-la esse_fw-la videa●ur_fw-la nomen_fw-la enim_fw-la sine_fw-la actu_fw-la atque_fw-la officio_fw-la svo_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la cyprian_a de_fw-fr dupl_n mart._n frustra_fw-la miscetur_fw-la caetui_fw-la sanctorum_fw-la in_fw-la templo_fw-la manufacto_fw-la si_fw-la submotus_fw-la est_fw-la ab_fw-la universo_fw-it corpore_fw-la mystico_fw-la 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the_o people_n to_o admonish_v they_o and_o disow_v their_o sin_n in_o sum_n as_o be_v aforesaid_a it_o be_v a_o credible_a profession_n of_o true_a christianity_n which_o they_o must_v accept_v and_o as_o that_o which_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v understanding_n and_o serious_a and_o voluntary_a and_o deliberate_a be_v not_o credible_a nor_o that_o which_o be_v nullify_v by_o verbal_n or_o actual_a contradiction_n nor_o that_o which_o be_v make_v by_o one_o that_o have_v forfeit_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o word_n so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o credible_a man_n profession_n be_v his_o title-condition_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n or_o that_o evidence_n of_o the_o condition_n that_o we_o must_v take_v up_o with_o and_o if_o a_o man_n produce_v the_o positive_a evidence_n of_o his_o title_n we_o must_v be_v able_a to_o disprove_v and_o invalidate_v it_o before_o we_o reject_v he_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o profession_n of_o true_a christanity_n which_o we_o can_v prove_v 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knowledge_n 2._o in_o a_o full_a measure_n of_o love_n agreeable_a to_o this_o knowledge_n 3._o in_o joy_n and_o peace_n and_o sweet_a consolation_n 4._o in_o establishment_n and_o corroboration_n and_o firm_a resolution_n for_o christ_n and_o everlasting_a life_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o which_o we_o must_v know_v that_o as_o the_o doctrine_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o convey_v the_o spirit_n so_o the_o spirit_n give_v be_v answerable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o administration_n that_o man_n be_v under_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a question_n whether_o adam_n in_o innocency_n have_v the_o spirit_n or_o not_o but_o as_o the_o administration_n according_a to_o the_o mere_a light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v eminent_o in_o scripture_n attribute_v to_o the_o
father_n so_o adam_n certain_o may_v be_v well_o say_v to_o have_v have_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o father_n to_o enable_v he_o with_o gift_n that_o be_v answerable_a to_o the_o law_n that_o he_o be_v under_o and_o the_o state_n that_o he_o be_v in_o but_o we_o can_v fit_o say_v that_o he_o have_v that_o which_o the_o scripture_n call_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o son_n as_o not_o be_v under_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o son_n but_o after_o the_o promise_n till_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o administration_n be_v mix_v of_o law_n and_o promise_n nature_n and_o grace_n as_o the_o dawn_n of_o the_o day_n before_o sun_n rise_v do_v partake_v of_o darkness_n and_o of_o light_n so_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v then_o give_v be_v answerable_a to_o the_o administration_n and_o doctrine_n and_o therefore_o as_o there_o be_v somewhat_o of_o the_o gospel_n in_o those_o time_n though_o yet_o god_n have_v not_o think_v it_o meet_v to_o call_v it_o at_o least_o usual_o by_o that_o 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and_o not_o common_a to_o the_o wicked_a as_o the_o papist_n dream_n because_o they_o find_v a_o uneffectual_a assent_n to_o be_v common_a but_o now_o as_o christ_n at_o his_o come_n do_v bring_v to_o the_o world_n a_o clear_a light_n and_o full_a revelation_n of_o himself_o and_o the_o mystery_n of_o redemption_n and_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o as_o the_o rise_a sun_n dispel_v the_o remnant_n of_o legal_a darkness_n and_o his_o doctrine_n be_v full_o call_v the_o gospel_n the_o testament_n of_o jesus_n christ_n so_o answerable_o he_o do_v by_o and_o with_o this_o doctrine_n give_v out_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o church_n as_o be_v eminent_o call_v the_o spirit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o carry_v we_o high_o than_o the_o first_o grace_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n to_o those_o full_a degree_n which_o be_v not_o ordinary_a no_o not_o to_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n and_o as_o this_o spirit_n of_o christ_n do_v extrinsecal_o shine_v in_o the_o glory_n of_o tongue_n and_o wondrous_a work_n while_o those_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o church_n and_o christ_n service_n so_o both_o then_o and_o ever_o after_o it_o do_v work_v but_o in_o various_a degree_n for_o the_o sanctify_a of_o believer_n and_o conform_v their_o heart_n and_o life_n to_o christ_n in_o his_o humiliation_n patience_n self-denial_n meekness_n contempt_n of_o the_o world_n obedience_n etc._n etc._n till_o at_o last_o we_o be_v conform_v to_o he_o in_o his_o glory_n iii_o i_o have_v clear_v the_o second_o point_n that_o there_o be_v a_o eminent_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o be_v expect_v after_o our_o first_o believe_v even_o such_o as_o cease_v not_o with_o miracle_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o three_o point_n which_o be_v that_o ministerial_a prayer_n with_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n be_v the_o scripture-way_n for_o the_o give_v of_o this_o eminent_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o this_o observe_v these_o thing_n 1._o how_o sacrament_n and_o invest_v sign_n confer_v grace_n 2._o how_o the_o spirit_n be_v give_v in_o baptism_n 3_o how_o far_o god_n have_v as_o it_o be_v tie_v himself_o to_o ordinance_n for_o confer_v grace_n 4._o what_o proof_n the_o scripture_n yield_v we_o of_o the_o proposition_n 5._o what_o aptitude_n there_o be_v in_o ministerial_a confirmation_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o these_o end_n 1._o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o sacrament_n be_v not_o appoint_v nor_o to_o be_v use_v according_a to_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o instituter_n for_o the_o confer_v of_o that_o grace_n which_o man_n have_v not_o in_o any_o degree_n already_o but_o they_o be_v 1._o partly_o a_o solemn_a investiture_n in_o that_o which_o before_o we_o have_v a_o fundamental_a right_n to_o as_o the_o li_n of_o a_o soldier_n or_o the_o solemnisation_n of_o marriage_n after_o a_o firm_a contract_n the_o crown_n of_o a_o king_n the_o deliver_v possession_n by_o a_o key_n a_o twig_n or_o turf_n the_o knight_v a_o man_n by_o a_o sword_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v as_o to_o relative_n benefit_n and_o right_o to_o phycal_a benefit_n 2._o and_o withal_o they_o be_v by_o actual_a excitation_n of_o grace_n to_o increase_v the_o inherent_a grace_n receive_v and_o so_o to_o give_v we_o more_o all_o this_o be_v evident_a in_o baptism_n itself_o where_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v both_o remission_n of_o sin_n with_o right_a to_o everlasting_a life_n and_o also_o a_o increase_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o adult_n and_o yet_o no_o man_n at_o age_n be_v to_o come_v to_o baptism_n to_o require_v it_o that_o be_v not_o a_o penitent_a believer_n already_o and_o consequent_o that_o have_v not_o the_o beginning_n of_o special_a save_v grace_n and_o somewhat_o of_o christ_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o title_n to_o forgiveness_n and_o everlasting_a life_n for_o he_o be_v under_o the_o promise_n that_o whoesoever_o believe_v shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o a_o papist_n will_v grant_v that_o the_o votum_fw-la baptismi_fw-la may_v serve_v to_o his_o salvation_n if_o he_o die_v without_o it_o and_o the_o case_n of_o infant_n be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o these_o mercy_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o state_n of_o life_n their_o parent_n must_v be_v believer_n before_o they_o dedicate_v they_o to_o god_n and_o consequent_o the_o child_n have_v the_o covenant_n right_a before_o it_o be_v seal_v and_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a in_o the_o papist_n to_o damn_v all_o infant_n for_o want_v of_o baptism_n and_o not_o the_o age_a and_o to_o make_v the_o votum_fw-la to_o serve_v for_o the_o parent_n and_o yet_o not_o for_o his_o child_n when_o yet_o the_o parent_n faith_n must_v serve_v to_o prove_v his_o title_n to_o baptism_n itself_o but_o to_o leave_v these_o corrupter_n and_o innovatour_n we_o see_v now_o what_o be_v to_o be_v expect_v by_o confirmation_n not_o that_o man_n that_o have_v no_o sign_n of_o corroborate_n grace_n shall_v come_v thither_o first_o to_o receive_v it_o but_o that_o such_o as_o appear_v initial_o resolve_v confirm_a and_o corroborate_v may_v be_v though_o not_o by_o a_o full_a and_o proper_a sacrament_n yet_o ministerial_o 1._o invest_v into_o the_o state_n of_o the_o confirm_a and_o their_o privilege_n which_o be_v a_o high_a form_n in_o the_o school_n of_o christ_n 2._o and_o may_v receive_v yet_o further_o confirmation_n and_o corroboration_n by_o god_n approbation_n and_o ordinance_n 2._o but_o have_v not_o baptism_n do_v all_o this_o already_o see_v we_o be_v baptise_a into_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o be_v our_o second_o point_n to_o be_v resolve_v i_o answer_v it_o be_v a_o great_a error_n to_o think_v that_o adult_n person_n that_o have_v nothing_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v demand_v baptism_n and_o that_o baptism_n do_v not_o give_v the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o give_v the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o relation_n and_o fundamental_a right_n and_o another_o thing_n to_o give_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o seal_v and_o increase_v the_o initial_a special_a grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o another_o thing_n to_o invest_v in_o a_o stablish_n degree_n and_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o baptism_n as_o such_o be_v appoint_v but_o for_o the_o two_o first_o that_o be_v 1._o as_o we_o must_v have_v some_o faith_n and_o repentance_n before_o a_o person_n at_o age_n may_v come_v to_o baptism_n and_o so_o must_v have_v fundamental_a right_n by_o promise_n to_o christ_n and_o pardon_v and_o life_n so_o this_o be_v seal_v in_o baptism_n and_o we_o be_v solemn_o invest_v in_o it_o and_o our_o grace_n excite_v for_o increase_v but_o it_o
of_o it_o but_o the_o papist_n plead_v the_o father_n for_o that_o which_o scripture_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o if_o ignatius_n ad_fw-la heronem_fw-la diaconum_fw-la be_v genuine_a there_o be_v this_o testimony_n nihil_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopis_fw-la operare_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la enim_fw-la sunt_fw-la tu_fw-la autem_fw-la diaconus_fw-la sacerdotum_fw-la illi_fw-la baptizant_fw-la sacrificant_a manus_fw-la imponunt_fw-la tu_fw-la autem_fw-la ipsis_fw-la ministra_fw-la i_o recite_v it_o out_o of_o usher_n '_o latin_a copy_n as_o suppose_v the_o most_o pure_a tertullian_n lib._n the_o proscript_n cap._n 36._o appeal_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n john_n in_o the_o african_a church_n mention_v as_o his_o faith_n that_o he_o teach_v one_o god_n the_o creator_n and_o jesus_n christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n and_o that_o he_o join_v the_o law_n and_o prophet_n with_o the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolic_a write_n and_o thence_o drink_v this_o faith_n and_o of_o his_o practice_n he_o say_v aquâ_fw-la signat_fw-la sancto_fw-la spiritu_fw-la vestit_fw-la euchristiâ_fw-la pascit_fw-la as_o three_o distinct_a ordinance_n lib._n de_fw-fr baptismo_fw-la cap._n 8._o have_v mention_v baptism_n and_o the_o unction_n join_v to_o that_o and_o not_o then_o to_o confirmation_n he_o add_v de_fw-fr hinc_fw-la manus_fw-la imponitur_fw-la per_fw-la benedictionem_fw-la advocans_fw-la &_o invitans_fw-la spiritum_fw-la sanctum_fw-la idem_fw-la de_fw-fr resur_n carn_n cap._n 8._o sed_fw-la &_o caro_fw-la abluitur_fw-la ut_fw-la anima_fw-la emaculetur_fw-la caro_fw-la unguitur_fw-la ut_fw-la anima_fw-la consecretur_fw-la caro_fw-la signatur_fw-la ut_fw-la &_o anima_fw-la muaiatur_fw-la caro_fw-la manus_fw-la impositione_n adumbratur_fw-la ut_fw-la &_o anima_fw-la spiritu_fw-la illuminetur_fw-la cyprian_a ad_fw-la stephan_n epist_n 72._o et_fw-la ad_fw-la jubaian_a be_v too_o much_o for_o it_o i_o will_v not_o trouble_v you_o in_o cite_v any_o writer_n since_o general_a counsel_n be_v in_o use_n because_o their_o testimony_n be_v enough_o he_o that_o will_v see_v such_o may_v read_v barronius_n ad_fw-la an._n 35._o at_o large_a so_o much_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o fitness_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o confirmation_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o my_o proposition_n viz._n that_o this_o ceremony_n be_v not_o of_o such_o necessity_n as_o that_o such_o as_o scruple_n it_o shall_v be_v deny_v liberty_n of_o forbear_v the_o reception_n of_o it_o if_o they_o submit_v to_o the_o ministerial_a trial_n and_o approbation_n of_o their_o profession_n and_o admission_n and_o reception_n to_o church_n privilege_n necessaria_fw-la for_o proof_n of_o this_o consider_v 1._o that_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o god_n any_o where_o institute_v this_o sign_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o necessity_n still_o without_o interruption_n to_o be_v use_v but_o only_o that_o by_o holy_a man_n it_o be_v apply_v as_o a_o convenient_a sign_n or_o gesture_n to_o the_o work_n in_o which_o they_o use_v it_o even_o as_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n in_o prayer_n be_v ordinary_o use_v as_o a_o fit_a gesture_n not_o wilful_o to_o be_v neglect_v without_o cause_n and_o yet_o not_o of_o flat_a necessity_n or_o as_o kneel_v in_o prayer_n be_v ordinary_o meet_v but_o not_o always_o necessary_a we_o find_v no_o more_o scripture_n for_o the_o one_o then_o for_o the_o other_o which_o indeed_o show_v on_o one_o side_n how_o causeless_o it_o be_v to_o question_v the_o lawfullness_n of_o it_o any_o more_o than_o of_o list_v up_o the_o the_o hand_n or_o kneel_v and_o yet_o how_o little_a reason_n there_o be_v on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o flat_a necessity_n 2._o as_o we_o find_v that_o kneel_v in_o prayer_n and_o lift_v up_o the_o hand_n be_v oft_o omit_v so_o we_o find_v that_o sometime_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v give_v before_o baptism_n or_o imposition_n of_o hand_n act_n 10._o and_o we_o find_v not_o that_o the_o apostle_n use_v it_o to_o all_o though_o i_o confess_v the_o negative_a argue_v be_v infirm_a yet_o it_o seem_v not_o probable_a that_o this_o be_v always_o do_v 3._o it_o be_v somewhat_o suspicious_a to_o find_v in_o martyr_n description_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n practice_n no_o mention_n of_o this_o nor_o any_o sacrament_n but_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n nor_o any_o of_o the_o roman_a ceremony_n and_o irenaeus_n and_o some_o other_o be_v silent_a in_o it_o 4._o god_n make_v no_o ceremony_n under_o the_o gospel_n so_o necessary_a except_o the_o two_o sacrament_n not_o lay_v so_o great_a a_o stress_n on_o they_o as_o under_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o interpret_v the_o gospel_n as_o lay_v man_n salvation_n or_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n on_o any_o ceremony_n unless_o we_o find_v it_o clear_o express_v 5._o for_o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v from_o scripture_n for_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o confirmation_n though_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o be_v prove_v past_o doubt_n yet_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o use_v it_o be_v liable_a to_o so_o many_o objection_n as_o that_o i_o must_v needs_o conclude_v that_o the_o gospel_n tenderness_n &_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o mutual_a infirmity_n and_o our_o care_n of_o tender_a conscience_n and_o of_o the_o church_n peace_n shall_v restrain_v all_o the_o son_n of_o piety_n and_o peace_n from_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o flat_a necessity_n and_o force_v they_o that_o scruple_n it_o to_o submit_v to_o it_o and_o now_o have_v say_v thus_o much_o of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o confirmation_n as_o ground_v on_o the_o apostle_n example_n i_o must_v again_o and_o again_o remember_v you_o that_o this_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n but_o ex_fw-la aebundanti_fw-la and_o that_o the_o cause_n that_o i_o be_o plead_v do_v not_o at_o all_o need_n it_o but_o that_o i_o do_v before_o most_o clear_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o position_n upon_o other_o ground_n upon_o which_o i_o shall_v proceed_v and_o have_v show_v the_o necessity_n of_o ministerial_a judge_n of_o man_n profession_n and_o the_o personal_a covenant_v of_o the_o adult_n and_o the_o lawfullness_n of_o impose_v hand_n therein_o i_o go_v on_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n prop._n 14._o though_o in_o receive_v adult_n person_n out_o of_o infidelity_n by_o baptism_n into_o the_o church_n a_o sudden_a profession_n without_o any_o stay_n to_o see_v their_o reformation_n may_v serve_v tu●n_o yet_o in_o the_o receive_n those_o that_o be_v baptise_a heretofore_o into_o the_o number_n of_o adult-member_n or_o to_o the_o privilege_n of_o such_o their_o life_n must_v be_v inquire_v after_o which_o must_v be_v such_o as_o do_v not_o confute_v their_o profession_n we_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o the_o convert_v be_v sudden_o baptise_a and_o they_o stay_v not_o for_o any_o reformation_n of_o life_n to_o go_v before_o indeed_o the_o ancient_a chrche_n aferwards_o keep_v their_o catechuman_n long_o in_o expectation_n but_o that_o be_v not_o to_o see_v their_o life_n first_o reform_v but_o that_o they_o may_v have_v time_n to_o teach_v they_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o they_o must_v know_v before_o they_o can_v be_v convert_v indeed_o the_o apostle_n do_v sudden_o baptise_v convert_v jew_n and_o proselyte_n suis_fw-fr because_o they_o have_v so_o much_o preparatory_a knowledge_n as_o that_o a_o short_a teach_n may_v acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n but_o the_o heathen_n must_v belong_v in_o learning_n so_o much_o as_o the_o jew_n know_v before_o conversion_n yet_o if_o the_o catechuman_n do_v fall_v into_o gross_a sin_n in_o time_n of_o their_o expectation_n and_o learning_n they_o be_v so_o much_o the_o long_o delay_v because_o it_o signify_v that_o their_o first_o profess_a desire_n of_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n upon_o christ_n term_n be_v not_o right_a but_o the_o baptise_a stand_n upon_o other_o term_n for_o 1._o they_o be_v already_o in_o covenant_n with_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o have_v renounce_v the_o flesh_n the_o world_n and_o the_o devil_n and_o promise_a obedience_n to_o god_n and_o to_o live_v according_a to_o their_o covenant_n and_o this_o the_o church_n have_v still_o require_v of_o they_o as_o i_o show_v out_o of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o other_o before_o 4._o dionysius_n or_o whoever_o else_o in_o lib_n the_o hierarch_n eccles_n say_v ipse_fw-la autem_fw-la se_fw-la omnino_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la tradentur_fw-la secuturum_fw-la esse_fw-la pollicetur_fw-la and_o exit_fw-la eo_fw-la praeterea_fw-la quaerit_fw-la num_fw-la ita_fw-la instituat_fw-la vivere_fw-la cum_fw-la promisit_fw-la asseverationibus_fw-la etc._n etc._n upon_o which_o say_v albaspinaeus_n quia_fw-la scilicet_fw-la fidem_fw-la christianam_fw-la christianumque_fw-la vivendi_fw-la genus_fw-la &_o mores_fw-la seize_z complexos_fw-la persequnturisque_fw-la jucabant_fw-la antequam_fw-la baptizarentur_fw-la in_o tertul._n de_fw-la paenit_fw-la pag._n 289._o &_o postea_fw-la non_fw-la accedebant_fw-la ad_fw-la baptismum_fw-la nisi_fw-la de_fw-la rebus_fw-la
the_o soul_n of_o our_o poor_a people_n be_v delude_v and_o they_o be_v make_v believe_v that_o they_o be_v christian_n when_o they_o be_v not_o and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n when_o it_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n etc._n as_o mr_n thorndicke_n say_v as_o aforecited_a no_o man_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o assembly_n or_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n 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 and_o admit_v to_o and_o exclude_v from_o the_o church_n be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v a_o just_a and_o lawful_a presumption_n of_o admit_v to_o or_o exclude_v from_o heaven_n it_o be_v moral_o and_o legal_o the_o same_o act_n that_o entitle_v to_o heaven_n and_o to_o the_o church_n that_o make_v a_o heir_n of_o life_n everlasting_a and_o a_o christian_a and_o if_o so_o than_o what_o great_a mischief_n can_v we_o do_v the_o soul_n of_o a_o ungodly_a man_n than_o so_o to_o delude_v he_o by_o our_o admit_v he_o into_o the_o church_n and_o make_v he_o believe_v he_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n when_o it_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n false_a faith_n and_o false_a hope_n be_v the_o thing_n that_o fill_v hell_n and_o be_v the_o common_a undo_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o that_o ever_o we_o can_v do_v be_v too_o little_a to_o cure_v it_o when_o i_o bend_v all_o my_o study_n and_o labour_n but_o to_o make_v a_o wicked_a man_n know_v that_o he_o be_v wicked_a i_o can_v procure_v it_o i_o can_v make_v he_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v a_o sinner_n but_o not_o that_o he_o be_v a_o unconvert_v ungodly_a sinner_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o condemnation_n o_o the_o power_n of_o blind_a self-love_n that_o will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o see_v themselves_o miserable_a when_o they_o see_v themselves_o sinful_a and_o all_o because_o they_o will_v not_o have_v it_o so_o when_o yet_o it_o be_v most_o visible_a to_o other_o and_o shall_v we_o all_o join_v to_o strengthen_v this_o potent_a enemy_n and_o lie_v this_o share_n and_o thrust_v man_n headlong_o into_o hell_n that_o be_v run_v downhill_o so_o fast_o already_o and_o all_o under_o pretence_n of_o charity_n and_o compassion_n 7._o we_o shall_v put_v they_o by_o this_o mean_n into_o a_o way_n not_o only_o of_o lose_v the_o fruit_n of_o ordinance_n but_o of_o misapply_v all_o to_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o deceit_n when_o we_o preach_v peace_n to_o the_o true_a believer_n the_o wicked_a will_v misapply_v it_o and_o say_v it_o belong_v to_o they_o when_o we_o speak_v against_o the_o unbeliever_n and_o ungodly_a they_o will_v think_v that_o this_o be_v not_o their_o part_n but_o bless_v themselves_o because_o they_o be_v christian_n in_o our_o praise_n they_o be_v tempt_v with_o the_o pharisee_fw-mi to_o thank_v god_n and_o perhaps_o for_o mercy_n which_o they_o never_o have_v as_o justification_n adoption_n sanctification_n etc._n etc._n the_o sacrament_n by_o misapplication_n will_v confirm_v they_o in_o presumption_n and_o thus_o as_o they_o enter_v by_o deceit_n among_o adult-believer_n so_o will_v they_o turn_v all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n to_o feed_v that_o deceit_n more_o effectual_a then_o among_o the_o expectant_n it_o will_v have_v be_v 8._o but_o the_o great_a mischief_n that_o trouble_v i_o to_o think_v of_o be_v this_o that_o by_o this_o hasten_a and_o admit_v all_o the_o unprepared_a into_o the_o number_n of_o adult-christians_a and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n we_o do_v either_o put_v a_o necessity_n upon_o ourselves_o to_o throw_v away_o church-discipline_n or_o else_o to_o be_v most_o probable_o the_o damnation_n of_o our_o people_n soul_n and_o make_v they_o desperate_a and_o almost_o past_a all_o hope_n or_o remedy_n i_o must_v confess_v that_o what_o i_o be_o say_v now_o i_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o till_o late_o that_o experience_n make_v i_o sensible_a while_o i_o meddle_v not_o with_o public_a reproof_n or_o censure_n i_o dispute_v of_o these_o thing_n without_o that_o experience_n which_o i_o now_o find_v be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a help_n to_o resolve_v such_o doubt_n which_o make_v i_o bold_a to_o tell_v the_o church_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o so_o much_o discipline_n as_o we_o be_v agree_v in_o be_v a_o likely_a way_n to_o bring_v we_o all_o to_o agreement_n in_o the_o rest_n than_o all_o our_o dispute_n will_v do_v without_o it_o and_o that_o i_o resolve_v hereafter_o to_o take_v that_o man_n for_o a_o incompetent_a judge_n and_o unmeet_a disputer_n about_o church-discipline_n that_o never_o exercise_v it_o or_o live_v where_o it_o be_v exercise_v and_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o suspect_v their_o judgement_n and_o be_v almost_o as_o loath_a to_o follow_v such_o as_o to_o follow_v a_o swimmer_n that_o never_o be_v before_o in_o the_o water_n or_o a_o pilot_n that_o be_v never_o before_o at_o sea_n or_o a_o soldier_n that_o never_o see_v war_n before_o but_o have_v only_o learn_v their_o skill_n by_o the_o book_n our_o case_n stand_v thus_o if_o we_o take_v all_o our_o parish_n according_a to_o the_o old_a church-constitution_n to_o be_v particular_a church_n and_o all_o the_o parishiones_fw-la to_o be_v member_n then_o either_o we_o must_v exercise_v the_o discipline_n which_o christ_n have_v command_v or_o not_o if_o not_o than_o we_o disobey_v our_o lord_n and_o master_n and_o own_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v utter_o uncapable_a of_o church-end_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o essence_n see_v that_o it_o be_v a_o relative_n be_v for_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o any_o unusual_a accident_n that_o we_o can_v exercise_v this_o discipline_n but_o from_o the_o very_a church_n constitution_n or_o incapacity_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o then_o 1._o we_o shall_v be_v traitor_n to_o christ_n under_o the_o name_n of_o pastor_n if_o we_o will_v wilful_o cast_v out_o his_o ministerial_a kingly_a government_n 2._o we_o shall_v betray_v the_o church_n to_o licentiousness_n and_o 3._o we_o shall_v set_v up_o a_o new_a churchway_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o which_o have_v be_v practise_v in_o all_o age_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n till_o impiety_n have_v overspread_v the_o christian_a world_n he_o that_o dare_v take_v on_o he_o to_o be_v a_o overseer_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o to_o oversee_v and_o rule_v it_o and_o dare_v settle_v on_o such_o a_o church-state_n as_o be_v uncapable_a of_o discipline_n be_v so_o perfidious_a to_o christ_n and_o venture_v so_o bold_o to_o make_v the_o church_n another_o thing_n that_o i_o be_o resolve_v not_o to_o be_v his_o follower_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v exercise_v the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n upon_o all_o in_o our_o ordinary_a parish_n what_o work_n shall_v we_o make_v i_o will_v tell_v you_o what_o work_n from_o so_o much_o experience_n as_o that_o no_o reason_v can_v any_o more_o persuade_v i_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_a than_o that_o wormwood_n be_v not_o bitter_a or_o snow_v not_o cold_a 1._o we_o shall_v have_v such_o a_o multitude_n to_o excommunicate_v or_o reject_v that_o it_o will_v make_v the_o sentence_n grow_v almost_o contemptible_a by_o the_o commonness_n 2._o we_o shall_v so_o extreme_o enrage_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o people_n that_o we_o shall_v go_v in_o continual_a danger_n of_o our_o life_n among_o so_o many_o that_o be_v public_o reprove_v and_o cast_v out_o it_o be_v two_o to_o one_o but_o some_o desperate_a villain_n will_v be_v study_v revenge_n but_o all_o this_o be_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o stick_v upon_o my_o heart_n be_v this_o it_o 3._o we_o shall_v be_v the_o cruel_a enemy_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o our_o poor_a people_n in_o the_o world_n and_o put_v they_o the_o very_o next_o step_n to_o hell_n for_o as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o have_v reject_v they_o and_o cast_v they_o under_o public_a shame_n they_o hate_v we_o to_o the_o heart_n and_o either_o will_v never_o hear_v we_o more_o or_o hear_v we_o with_o so_o much_o heart_a and_o malice_n or_o bitterness_n of_o spirit_n that_o they_o be_v never_o like_a to_o profit_v by_o we_o if_o you_o say_v that_o doubtless_o discipline_n will_v have_v better_a fruit_n if_o it_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n i_o answer_v 1._o it_o be_v no_o time_n now_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o question_v whether_o that_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n which_o scripture_n speak_v for_o so_o full_o and_o so_o plain_o and_o which_o the_o catholic_a church_n have_v so_o long_o practise_v and_o that_o with_o such_o severity_n as_o it_o have_v do_v 2._o i_o know_v the_o discipline_n be_v of_o excellent_a use_n and_o be_v likely_a to_o have_v excellent_a effect_n but_o upon_o who_o upon_o such_o as_o be_v fit_a to_o come_v under_o discipline_n and_o with_o
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 man_n be_v not_o draw_v to_o hate_v and_o rail_v at_o minister_n for_o not_o fullfil_v their_o desire_n 9_o by_o this_o mean_n also_o the_o ordinance_n will_v be_v more_o pure_o administer_v agreeable_o to_o their_o nature_n and_o the_o institution_n and_o so_o god_n will_v bless_v they_o more_o to_o his_o church_n and_o own_o his_o people_n with_o the_o full_a discovery_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o take_v pleasure_n in_o the_o assembly_n and_o service_n of_o his_o saint_n 10._o by_o this_o mean_n also_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o the_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o god_n will_v be_v abundant_o more_o sweet_a to_o his_o servant_n when_o we_o have_v it_o in_o the_o appoint_a way_n and_o it_o be_v not_o embitter_v to_o we_o by_o the_o pollution_n of_o infidel_n and_o notorious_a ungodly_a man_n though_o yet_o i_o know_v that_o in_o a_o negligent_a pollute_a church_n god_n servant_n may_v have_v their_o share_n of_o comfort_n in_o his_o ordinance_n when_o they_o have_v do_v their_o own_o duty_n for_o reformation_n without_o success_n 11._o by_o this_o mean_v the_o church_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v more_o honourable_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n who_o judge_n by_o the_o member_n and_o professor_n life_n before_o they_o can_v judge_v of_o the_o thing_n as_o in_o itself_o and_o as_o christ_n will_v be_v thus_o honour_v and_o the_o mouth_n of_o adversary_n of_o all_o sort_n stop_v so_o it_o will_v do_v much_o to_o further_o their_o conversion_n when_o they_o have_v such_o a_o help_n to_o see_v the_o beauty_n of_o the_o church_n and_o christian_n faith_n many_o more_o such_o benefit_n i_o will_v name_v but_o that_o you_o may_v gather_v some_o of_o they_o from_o what_o be_v say_v of_o the_o contrary_a incommodity_n only_o i_o add_v 13._o last_o it_o be_v a_o way_n that_o be_v admirable_o suit_v both_o to_o reformation_n and_o reconciliation_n to_o unity_n as_o well_o as_o purity_n which_o remove_v many_o of_o the_o impediment_n that_o else_o will_v trouble_v we_o in_o the_o way_n for_o as_o all_o wicked_a man_n will_v agree_v against_o it_o as_o they_o will_v against_o any_o holy_a practice_n so_o all_o party_n considerable_a among_o we_o do_v in_o their_o doctrine_n and_o profession_n own_o it_o and_o it_o will_v suit_v the_o principle_n or_o the_o end_v of_o all_o that_o fear_n god_n either_o whole_o of_o very_o far_o i_o shall_v here_o distinct_o show_v you_o 1._o that_o the_o episcopal_a 2._o presbyterian_o 3._o independent_n 4._o anabaptist_n 5._o yea_o and_o i_o may_v put_v in_o the_o papist_n themselves_z have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v against_o this_o practice_n but_o all_o of_o they_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o promote_v it_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o agreeable_a with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o our_o episcopal_a party_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v for_o it_o appear_z 1._o after_o by_o the_o rubric_n for_o confirmation_n in_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n which_o say_v as_o follow_v the_o curate_n of_o every_o parish_n or_o some_o other_o at_o his_o appointment_n shall_v diligent_o upon_o sunday_n and_o holiday_n half_o a_o hour_n before_o evening_n prayer_n open_o in_o the_o church_n instruct_v and_o examine_v so_o many_o child_n of_o his_o parish_n send_v unto_o he_o as_o the_o time_n will_v serve_v and_o as_o he_o shall_v think_v convenient_a in_o some_o part_n of_o this_o catechism_n and_o all_o father_n mother_n master_n and_o dame_n shall_v cause_v their_o child_n servant_n and_o prentice_n which_o have_v not_o learn_v their_o catechism_n come_v to_o the_o church_n at_o the_o time_n appoint_v and_o obedient_o to_o hear_v and_o be_v order_v by_o the_o curate_n until_o such_o time_n as_o they_o have_v learn_v all_o that_o be_v appoint_v here_o for_o they_o to_o learn_v and_o whensoever_o the_o bishop_n shall_v give_v knowledge_n for_o child_n to_o be_v bring_v before_o he_o to_o any_o convenient_a place_n for_o their_o confirmation_n then_o shall_v the_o curate_n of_o every_o parish_n either_o bring_v or_o send_v in_o writing_n the_o name_n of_o all_o those_o child_n of_o his_o parish_n which_o can_v say_v the_o article_n of_o the_o faith_n the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o also_o how_o many_o of_o they_o can_v answer_v to_o the_o other_o question_n contain_v in_o this_o catechism_n and_o there_o shall_v none_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n till_o such_o time_n as_o he_o can_v say_v the_o catechism_n and_o be_v confirm_v so_o that_o you_o see_v we_o must_v not_o admit_v any_o but_o the_o confirm_a to_o the_o sacrament_n and_o i_o suppose_v in_o common_a reason_n they_o will_v extend_v this_o to_o the_o age_a as_o well_o as_o unto_o child_n see_v ignorance_n in_o they_o be_v more_o intolerable_a and_o indeed_o the_o word_n themselves_o exclude_v the_o unconfirmed_a and_o that_o can_v say_v the_o catechism_n from_o the_o 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we_o have_v lay_v our_o hand_n on_o they_o to_o certify_v they_o by_o this_o sign_n of_o thy_o favour_n and_o gracious_a goodness_n towards_o they_o and_o sure_o they_o will_v not_o think_v to_o certify_v man_n that_o know_v not_o what_o christianity_n be_v or_o that_o live_v not_o christian_a life_n for_o this_o favour_n of_o god_n towards_o they_o mere_o because_o they_o say_v the_o word_n which_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v so_o that_o if_o they_o will_v but_o let_v man_n understand_v what_o they_o do_v and_o make_v good_a what_o be_v here_o express_v we_o be_v agree_v with_o they_o that_o stand_v for_o common-prayer_n that_o such_o as_o be_v unconfirmed_a be_v not_o admit_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o as_o for_o the_o person_n confirm_v i_o shall_v speak_v to_o that_o anon_o 2._o confirmatione_fw-la i_o will_v next_o speak_v of_o the_o papist_n
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and_o long-continued_a division_n of_o the_o church_n 3._o and_o to_o the_o congregational_a brethren_n i_o may_v bold_o say_v it_o be_v a_o practice_n so_o suitable_a to_o your_o own_o practice_n already_o though_o i_o think_v it_o be_v a_o more_o regular_a performance_n of_o it_o that_o i_o propound_v than_o most_o have_v use_v that_o in_o reason_n we_o may_v expect_v your_o approbation_n and_o concurrence_n perhaps_o you_o will_v fear_v that_o some_o of_o your_o brethren_n may_v slubber_v over_o the_o work_n and_o make_v but_o a_o ceremony_n of_o it_o but_o so_o may_v some_o of_o your_o own_o mind_n if_o they_o be_v personal_o remiss_a and_o negligent_a as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o perhaps_o other_o will_v fear_v lest_o you_o shall_v use_v it_o over_o rigorous_o and_o make_v it_o a_o pretence_n for_o exclude_v many_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v exclude_v but_o this_o will_v be_v according_a to_o the_o prudence_n and_o charity_n of_o particular_a pastor_n and_o be_v nothing_o to_o 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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 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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 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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
a_o little_a while_n and_o i_o shall_v set_v more_o by_o their_o judgement_n than_o now_o i_o do_v i_o red_a many_o a_o physician_n write_n before_o i_o be_v fit_a to_o attempt_v a_o cure_n it_o be_v a_o raw_a deceitful_a kind_n of_o knowledge_n in_o these_o practical_a affair_n that_o be_v not_o further_v by_o experience_n 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o ignorant_a ungodly_a people_n i_o shall_v say_v little_a of_o it_o because_o i_o suppose_v they_o be_v not_o like_a to_o read_v or_o regard_v what_o i_o say_v only_o in_o general_n it_o be_v their_o first_o duty_n to_o become_v true_o godly_a person_n and_o so_o to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n but_o upon_o supposition_n that_o they_o will_v not_o yet_o be_v such_o their_o next_o choice_n shall_v be_v to_o live_v in_o quiet_a submission_n to_o their_o teacher_n and_o patient_o stay_v among_o the_o catechuman_n and_o expectant_n till_o they_o be_v fit_a for_o a_o high_a place_n and_o privilege_n and_o with_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o motion_n and_o how_o it_o conduce_v to_o their_o good_a we_o shall_v labour_v to_o acquaint_v they_o and_o make_v they_o sensible_a of_o it_o that_o they_o may_v be_v patient_a in_o their_o station_n 3._o our_o last_o work_n be_v to_o tell_v you_o what_o be_v the_o magistrate_n part_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o this_o work_n and_o i_o shall_v urge_v they_o here_o to_o no_o great_a matter_n because_o they_o shall_v not_o say_v that_o we_o will_v either_o drive_v they_o in_o the_o dark_a upon_o questionable_a thing_n or_o put_v they_o upon_o that_o which_o any_o reason_n can_v call_v persecution_n or_o make_v they_o think_v that_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o by_o their_o sword_n and_o therefore_o whether_o they_o shall_v force_v people_n to_o be_v church-member_n or_o christian_n or_o to_o come_v under_o discipline_n be_v question_n that_o at_o this_o time_n i_o shall_v not_o meddle_v with_o but_o direct_v 1._o it_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o magistrate_n duty_n to_o cause_v the_o people_n that_o be_v yet_o unfit_a for_o church-communion_n saint_n to_o keep_v in_o their_o visible_a station_n and_o to_o behave_v themselves_o as_o expectant_n and_o submit_v to_o that_o instruction_n of_o their_o teacher_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o this_o end_v the_o magistrate_n shall_v by_o law_n and_o proclamation_n own_o this_o ministerial_a reformation_n alas_o how_o little_a know_v they_o what_o they_o do_v that_o have_v so_o long_o be_v jealous_a of_o we_o lest_o we_o will_v do_v too_o much_o and_o under_o pretence_n of_o discipline_n inflame_v or_o abuse_v they_o by_o severity_n when_o as_o it_o be_v a_o work_n that_o cast_v we_o on_o so_o much_o rage_n and_o hatred_n of_o rich_a and_o poor_a and_o call_v for_o such_o abundance_n of_o faith_n and_o zeal_n and_o diligence_n and_o self-denial_n when_o we_o have_v so_o little_a and_o be_v common_o like_o other_o man_n addict_v too_o much_o to_o man-pleasing_a and_o to_o save_v ourselves_o that_o if_o we_o have_v all_o the_o help_n that_o magistrate_n can_v give_v we_o it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o but_o we_o shall_v leave_n the_o most_o of_o this_o work_n undo_v preach_v be_v a_o very_a cheap_a and_o easy_a work_n in_o comparison_n of_o church-government_n they_o have_v take_v great_a pain_n to_o stop_v poor_a lazy_a short-winded_a man_n from_o run_v up_o the_o steep_a hill_n and_o carry_v the_o heavy_a burden_n and_o pass_v through_o the_o great_a suffering_n that_o in_o those_o prosperous_a time_n we_o can_v expect_v and_o indeed_o i_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a that_o for_o all_o the_o countenance_n of_o authority_n he_o that_o will_v faithful_o execute_v the_o pastoral_n oversight_n and_o discipline_n shall_v live_v a_o persecute_a life_n which_o by_o mere_a preach_v he_o may_v avoid_v therefore_o the_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o nation_n ought_v to_o make_v law_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v execute_v for_o the_o constrain_a of_o the_o gross_o ignorant_a and_o ungodly_a to_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v public_o and_o to_o submit_v to_o be_v private_o catechise_v and_o instruct_v by_o the_o minister_n and_o to_o command_v they_o patient_o to_o wait_v as_o learner_n in_o this_o condition_n till_o they_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v approve_v member_n of_o the_o church_n these_o carnal_a people_n look_v more_o at_o the_o sword_n and_o will_v of_o the_o magistrate_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n than_o other_o do_v because_o they_o understand_v no_o other_o argument_n and_o can_v favour_v nothing_o but_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o flesh_n do_v but_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o nation_n hear_v how_o they_o daily_o inquire_v what_o religion_n shall_v be_v own_v and_o settle_v by_o they_o they_o will_v sure_o think_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o lend_v they_o a_o little_a more_o of_o their_o help_n we_o desire_v you_o not_o to_o drive_v they_o to_o christianity_n nor_o to_o sacrament_n or_o church-communion_n only_o drive_v they_o to_o hear_v and_o learn_v and_o be_v instruct_v that_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n may_v do_v the_o rest_n surely_n none_o can_v reasonable_o suspect_v that_o this_o be_v against_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n unless_o the_o slavery_n of_o satan_n be_v their_o liberty_n and_o it_o be_v their_o liberty_n to_o be_v free_a from_o christ_n and_o righteousness_n and_o heaven_n it_o be_v hard_a to_o believe_v that_o governor_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n that_o will_v not_o do_v this_o much_o to_o help_v his_o subject_n to_o be_v christian_n direct_v 2._o and_o as_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v constrain_v such_o people_n to_o submit_v to_o be_v instruct_v so_o shall_v he_o constrain_v the_o minister_n to_o instruct_v they_o both_o by_o public_a preach_n and_o by_o private_a conference_n and_o catechise_v if_o they_o be_v able_a and_o if_o through_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o place_n one_o minister_n be_v not_o able_a to_o perform_v it_o there_o shall_v be_v so_o many_o maintain_v proportionable_o to_o the_o number_n and_o necessity_n of_o soul_n as_o may_v be_v able_a the_o reason_n why_o minister_n themselves_o shall_v be_v compel_v by_o penalty_n be_v 1._o first_o because_o some_o be_v so_o dull_a that_o they_o need_v the_o spur_n 2._o because_o our_o performance_n will_v be_v the_o less_o resist_v by_o the_o people_n when_o they_o know_v we_o be_v force_v by_o the_o magistrate_n 3._o because_o the_o magistrate_n judgement_n put_v much_o authority_n and_o honour_n on_o the_o work_n in_o the_o people_n eye_n compel_v we_o therefore_o as_o well_o as_o they_o direct_v 3._o the_o magistrate_n shall_v also_o impose_v a_o penalty_n upon_o all_o that_o undertake_v to_o be_v pastor_n of_o a_o church_n and_o administer_v the_o lord_n supper_n and_o yet_o will_v not_o make_v any_o necessary_a trial_n of_o the_o knowledge_n faith_n and_o live_v of_o those_o to_o who_o they_o do_v administer_v it_o nor_o exercise_v any_o church_n discipline_n on_o the_o scandalous_a but_o utter_o neglect_v that_o oversight_n and_o church-government_n which_o be_v as_o much_o a_o part_n of_o the_o pastoral_n work_n as_o public_a preach_n be_v they_o that_o will_v undertake_v to_o be_v pastor_n and_o meddle_v with_o sacrament_n must_v be_v compel_v to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o pastor_n and_o to_o dispense_v the_o sacrament_n in_o a_o tolerable_a order_n though_o yet_o we_o be_v not_o for_o compulsion_n in_o any_o doubtful_a point_n of_o lesser_a moment_n where_o a_o difference_n among_o the_o godly_a may_v be_v tolerate_v but_o that_o pastor_n shall_v act_v as_o no_o pastor_n and_o rector_n of_o the_o church_n be_v as_o no_o rector_n and_o shall_v cherish_v all_o ignorance_n infidelity_n and_o impiety_n and_o profane_a god_n ordinance_n and_o subvert_v the_o communion_n of_o saint_n and_o lay_v the_o garden_n of_o christ_n open_a to_o the_o common_a wilderness_n and_o thereby_o make_v all_o seem_v singular_a to_o the_o people_n that_o will_v not_o do_v as_o wicked_o as_o these_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v tolerate_v but_o the_o commissioner_n for_o eject_v scandalous_a minister_n with_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o assistant_n shall_v have_v power_n to_o correct_v they_o and_o in_o case_n of_o obstinate_a unreformedness_n to_o eject_v they_o not_o to_o silence_v they_o from_o preach_v to_o the_o catechuman_n or_o any_o but_o to_o prohibit_v they_o from_o the_o action_n proper_a to_o church_n ruler_n or_o pastor_n till_o they_o will_v perform_v they_o more_o agreeable_o to_o the_o scripture_n rule_n and_o this_o compulsion_n also_o of_o the_o minister_n we_o desire_v especial_o for_o the_o people_n sake_n who_o we_o be_v content_a shall_v be_v excuse_v themselves_o from_o any_o such_o penal_a law_n to_o restrain_v they_o from_o sacrament_n but_o when_o they_o know_v that_o minister_n be_v under_o such_o
two_o sort_n we_o know_v this_o to_o be_v true_a by_o 1_o papist_n that_o be_v for_o equivocation_n and_o mental_a reservation_n in_o their_o profession_n and_o oath_n or_o for_o the_o pope_n to_o dispense_v with_o they_o 2._o heathen_n and_o infidel_n that_o believe_v not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o sin_n or_o devil_n or_o hell_n or_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o care_v not_o what_o they_o swear_v and_o indeed_o these_o be_v the_o two_o sect_n that_o now_o be_v up_o and_o all_o other_o be_v like_a to_o fall_v into_o these_o alas_o by_o sad_a experience_n i_o speak_v it_o those_o that_o will_v open_o and_o to_o my_o face_n make_v a_o orthodox_n confession_n do_v secret_o harden_v many_o poor_a soul_n by_o make_v a_o scorn_n of_o scripture_n as_o a_o fable_n and_o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o heaven_n and_o hell_n and_o say_v all_o these_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o invention_n of_o man_n and_o that_o the_o k●ave-priests_n do_v persuade_v man_n that_o there_o be_v devil_n and_o hell_n as_o a_o bugbear_n to_o make_v they_o do_v what_o they_o will_v have_v they_o and_o all_o religion_n be_v but_o deceit_n such_o heathen_n be_v the_o predominant_a sect_n in_o many_o place_n and_o high_a in_o england_n than_o once_o i_o think_v to_o have_v see_v they_o and_o if_o all_o such_o perfidious_a infidel_n and_o jesuit_n shall_v have_v leave_n to_o blaspheme_n god_n christ_n and_o scripture_n because_o they_o once_o make_v a_o orthoeoxe_n profession_n then_o let_v hell_n be_v turn_v loose_a upon_o our_o people_n and_o the_o devil_n that_o be_v bind_v up_o from_o deceive_v the_o nation_n have_v a_o toleration_n from_o the_o magistrate_n to_o do_v his_o worst_a thus_o i_o have_v show_v that_o magistrate_n if_o they_o will_v may_v help_v the_o church_n without_o any_o danger_n of_o persecute_v the_o truth_n if_o they_o take_v not_o popery_n damnable_a heresy_n and_o heathenism_n for_o truth_n 1._o if_o the_o approver_n keep_v the_o door_n of_o toleration_n as_o well_o as_o of_o public_a maintenance_n and_o ministry_n 2._o if_o a_o church_n justice_n or_o civil_a agent_n do_v keep_v the_o church_n peace_n 3._o if_o the_o civil_a visitor_n do_v purposely_o take_v cognisance_n of_o the_o state_n of_o parish_n and_o see_v the_o law_n put_v in_o execution_n 4._o if_o the_o commissioner_n for_o ejection_n have_v power_n of_o judge_v all_o seducer_n and_o blaspheamer_n as_o well_o as_o the_o public_a minister_n and_o if_o these_o only_o have_v the_o coercive_a power_n but_o some_o able_a choose_v godly_a minister_n be_v join_v with_o they_o for_o advice_n and_o exhortation_n as_o magistrate_n and_o minister_n sit_v together_o before_o the_o day_n of_o william_n the_o conqueror_n joh._n 13._o 17._o if_o you_o know_v these_o thing_n happy_a be_v you_o if_o you_o do_v they_o luke_n 12._o 47._o and_o the_o servant_n which_o know_v his_o lord_n will_v and_o prepare_v not_o nor_o do_v according_a to_o his_o 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the_o end_n of_o adult_n communion_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o a_o proper_a plenary_a right_n to_o such_o communion_n for_o the_o right_n and_o relation_n be_v for_o these_o end_n if_o a_o natural_a incapacity_n may_v consist_v with_o a_o plenary_a title_n so_o can_v a_o moral_a no_o man_n can_v real_o possess_v and_o exercise_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o adult_n intrinsical_o without_o faith_n or_o extrinsecall_v without_o profession_n of_o faith_n therefore_o no_o man_n without_o faith_n or_o profession_n of_o faith_n can_v have_v a_o plenary_a right_n to_o that_o communion_n for_o a_o man_n to_o have_v a_o plenary_a right_n to_o praise_n god_n and_o celeberate_v with_o the_o church_n the_o memorial_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o participate_v of_o the_o redeemer_n and_o his_o benefit_n that_o believe_v not_o in_o he_o be_v a_o palpable_a absurdity_n 3._o if_o the_o mere_a title-condition_n of_o infant_n will_v serve_v in_o 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or_o nullify_v it_o for_o they_o can_v make_v themselves_o not_o to_o be_v the_o child_n of_o christian_a parent_n the_o foundation_n stand_v whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o and_o therefore_o so_o must_v the_o relation_n but_o if_o the_o relation_n or_o right_o do_v now_o depend_v upon_o their_o own_o will_n than_o our_o cause_n be_v grant_v for_o from_o their_o will_n then_o must_v the_o condition_n or_o evidence_n be_v feucht_v 2._o yea_o such_o person_n ordinary_o as_o we_o have_v now_o in_o question_n be_v actual_a apostate_n and_o be_v so_o to_o be_v take_v by_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v take_v as_o church-member_n have_v right_o to_o sacrament_n he_o that_o be_v engage_v to_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n in_o his_o infancy_n do_v make_v no_o profession_n of_o actual_a faith_n at_o full_a age_n be_v ordinary_o to_o be_v take_v for_o a_o apostate_n but_o such_o be_v the_o person_n in_o question_n i_o say_v ordinary_o because_o i_o 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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 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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 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but_o in_o light_a matter_n may_v wait_v upon_o the_o lord_n in_o this_o good_a service_n for_o the_o gre●t_a blessing_n of_o unanimity_n promise_v also_o object_n but_o he_o add_v the_o proviso_n that_o confirmation_n be_v not_o think_v to_o have_v any_o ingrediency_n into_o the_o nature_n or_o be_v of_o our_o membership_n and_o that_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o people_n be_v find_v such_o as_o will_v admit_v of_o such_o a_o change_n answ_n we_o shall_v easy_o grant_v that_o confirmation_n as_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a reception_n of_o the_o person_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n or_o without_o imposition_n in_o a_o purpose_a solemnity_n common_o know_v by_o that_o name_n be_v not_o of_o necessity_n to_o the_o be_v of_o our_o membership_n and_o that_o all_o those_o that_o be_v receive_v upon_o profession_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v church-member_n and_o that_o the_o ordinary_a use_n of_o christian_a assembly_n and_o exercise_n of_o worship_n be_v a_o profession_n though_o obscure_a and_o 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