yet_o though_o this_o be_v wickedness_n and_o disorder_n yet_o the_o church_n may_v proceed_v against_o they_o and_o so_o it_o may_v against_o their_o child_n who_o be_v bind_v to_o own_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o god_n and_o of_o god_n with_o they_o in_o their_o parent_n as_o well_o as_o any_o church-member_n be_v to_o own_o their_o own_o covenant_n by_o their_o own_o personal_a profession_n what_o disorder_n therefore_o will_v come_v in_o as_o you_o conceive_v this_o way_n will_v come_v in_o by_o your_o own_o way_n and_o what_o course_n you_o shall_v take_v to_o heal_v the_o one_o by_o the_o same_o you_o may_v heal_v the_o other_o object_n 3._o if_o child_n say_v you_o be_v member_n then_o their_o seed_n successive_o until_o they_o be_v either_o dissolve_v or_o excommunicate_v and_o if_o so_o then_o what_o church_n shall_v we_o have_v answ._n 1._o what_o church_n shall_v we_o have_v true_o not_o allway_o church_n of_o angel_n and_o faint_v but_o mix_v with_o many_o chaffy_a hypocrite_n and_o oft_o time_n profane_a person_n but_o still_o i_o say_v this_o objection_n hold_v as_o firm_a against_o gather_v church_n of_o visible_a profess_v believer_n for_o god_n be_v what_o church_n we_o may_v have_v of_o they_o even_o heap_n of_o hypocrite_n and_o profane_a person_n for_o i_o know_v not_o what_o can_v give_v we_o hope_v of_o their_o not_o apostatise_v but_o only_a god_n promise_v to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o they_o and_o to_o preserve_v they_o and_o true_o the_o same_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o their_o seed_n give_v i_o as_o much_o ground_n of_o faith_n to_o hope_v well_o of_o church_n râ—sing_v out_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o godly_a as_o of_o the_o profess_v parent_n themselves_o i_o know_v one_o may_v have_v more_o experimental_a charity_n concern_v some_o few_o profess_v the_o fear_n of_o god_n but_o my_o church-charity_n be_v equal_a about_o they_o especial_o consider_v that_o those_o who_o god_n receive_v into_o church_n covenant_n he_o do_v not_o only_o take_v they_o to_o be_v a_o people_n to_o he_o but_o to_o establish_v they_o to_o be_v such_o viz_o for_o time_n to_o come_v and_o hence_o god_n be_v say_v to_o establish_v his_o covenant_n with_o isaac_n not_o ishmael_n who_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v gen._n 17.19_o and_o god_n be_v say_v to_o gather_v they_o into_o covenant_n to_o establish_v they_o to_o be_v a_o people_n both_o young_a &_o old_a present_a posterity_n and_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v deut._n 29.11_o 15._o 2._o god_n be_v as_o holy_a and_o as_o exact_o require_v holiness_n from_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o well_o as_o from_o christian_a church_n now_o do_v you_o think_v that_o the_o covenant_n which_o then_o wrap_v up_o the_o jew_n child_n into_o church-membership_a be_v a_o highway_n of_o profaneness_n and_o unholyness_n in_o the_o member_n thereof_o &_o of_o defile_v &_o pollute_v god_n church_n or_o be_v it_o a_o way_n and_o mean_n of_o holiness_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o be_v profane_a to_o affirm_v the_o first_o be_v something_o blaphemous_a and_o very_o false_a for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v jer._n 13.11_o that_o as_o the_o girdle_n cleave_v to_o the_o loin_n of_o a_o man_n so_o he_o cause_v the_o whole_a house_n of_o israel_n not_o grow_v man_n only_o to_o cleave_v to_o he_o that_o they_o may_v be_v to_o he_o a_o people_n which_o be_v by_o covenant_n and_o for_o a_o name_n for_o a_o praise_n and_o for_o a_o glory_n god_n name_n glory_n praise_n be_v the_o end_n and_o the_o covenant_n be_v the_o mean_n hereunto_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o way_n or_o mean_n of_o unholyness_n in_o that_o church_n but_o if_o you_o say_v it_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o holiness_n why_o then_o shall_v we_o fear_v the_o pollute_a of_o church_n by_o the_o same_o covenant_n which_o we_o have_v prove_v wrap_v in_o our_o seed_n also_o indeed_o they_o do_v prove_v universal_o profane_a in_o the_o jewish_a church_n so_o they_o may_v in_o we_o but_o shall_v man_n wickedness_n in_o abuse_v god_n grace_n and_o forsake_v hâ—s_a covenant_n tie_v the_o hand_n or_o heart_n of_o god_n free_a grace_n from_o take_v such_o into_o covenant_n what_o â—â—oâ—gh_v some_o do_v not_o believe_v say_v thâ—_n apostle_n rom._n 3.3_o 4._o â—â—all_v their_o unbelief_n make_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n without_o effect_n god_n forbid_v 3._o suppose_v they_o do_v prove_v profane_a and_o corrupt_a church_n yet_o even_o then_o when_o they_o be_v corrupt_v they_o be_v such_o church_n where_o ordinary_o god_n gather_v out_o his_o elect_n and_o out_o of_o which_o till_o pure_a be_v gather_v or_o these_o whole_o reject_v there_o can_v be_v expect_v ordinary_o any_o salvation_n for_o so_o say_v our_o saviour_n salvation_n be_v of_o the_o jew_n john_n 4.22_o even_o in_o that_o very_a corrupt_a and_o worst_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n that_o ever_o it_o be_v in_o object_n 4._o if_o child_n be_v member_n than_o they_o must_v come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o you_o know_v no_o difference_n between_o member_n and_o member_n in_o point_n of_o privilege_n unless_o they_o be_v under_o some_o sin_n answ._n 1._o yes_o very_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a difference_n between_o member_n and_o member_n though_o profess_v believer_n in_o point_n of_o privilege_n though_o they_o lie_v under_o no_o sin_n for_o a_o man_n may_v speak_v and_o prophesy_v in_o the_o church_n not_o woman_n a_o company_n of_o man_n may_v make_v a_o church_n and_o so_o receive_v in_o and_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n but_o not_o woman_n though_o profess_v saint_n 2._o all_o grow_v man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v though_o profess_v believer_n to_o the_o lord_n supper_n my_o reason_n be_v a_o man_n may_v believe_v in_o christ_n and_o yet_o be_v very_o ignorant_a of_o the_o nature_n use_n and_o end_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n now_o such_o may_v be_v baptise_a as_o soon_o as_o ever_o faith_n appear_v mark_v 16.16_o but_o they_o may_v not_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n because_o they_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o they_o through_o their_o ignorance_n can_v discern_v the_o lord_n body_n i_o know_v no_o reason_n but_o ignorant_a person_n may_v be_v as_o well_o suspend_v from_o the_o use_n of_o this_o privilege_n though_o they_o be_v true_a believer_n for_o faith_n may_v consist_v with_o much_o ignorance_n as_o well_o as_o distract_a person_n who_o notwithstanding_o may_v be_v believer_n also_o 3._o if_o therefore_o child_n be_v able_a to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n they_o may_v then_o eat_v and_o herein_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n in_o this_o privilege_n between_o member_n and_o member_n 4._o child_n not_o be_v usual_o able_a to_o examine_v themselves_o nor_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n hence_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o use_n of_o â—â—is_n privilege_n and_o yet_o they_o may_v be_v such_o member_n as_o may_v enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o other_o privilege_n even_o that_o of_o baptism_n for_o baptism_n seal_v up_o our_o first_o entrance_n into_o the_o covenant_n this_o first_o entrance_n be_v not_o allway_o by_o personal_a profession_n of_o faith_n but_o by_o god_n promise_n of_o work_v or_o of_o vouchsafe_v the_o mean_n of_o work_v of_o it_o now_o child_n as_o be_v prove_v be_v under_o this_o covenant_n as_o we_o see_v all_o the_o posterity_n also_o of_o abraham_n be_v hence_o though_o child_n can_v profess_v faith_n nor_o actual_o examine_v themselves_o yet_o they_o may_v receive_v and_o must_v receive_v baptism_n be_v already_o under_o godâ—_n covenant_n but_o because_o the_o lord_n supper_n do_v not_o seal_v up_o this_o first_o entrance_n and_o first_o right_n to_o the_o covenant_n but_o our_o growth_n and_o fruition_n of_o the_o covenant_n hence_o this_o act_n on_o our_o part_n be_v require_v to_o participate_v in_o this_o which_o the_o apostle_n call_v self-examination_n and_o the_o act_n of_o takeing_n and_o eat_v christ_n and_o of_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n and_o of_o do_v this_o in_o remembrance_n of_o christ_n which_o every_o baptise_a person_n and_o church-member_n be_v not_o allway_o able_a to_o do_v a_o child_n may_v receive_v a_o promise_n aforehand_o of_o a_o rich_a estate_n give_v he_o and_o this_o promise_n seal_v up_o to_o he_o his_o father_n receive_v it_o for_o he_o but_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o the_o actual_a improvement_n and_o fruition_n of_o that_o estate_n until_o he_o be_v grow_v up_o understand_v himself_o and_o know_v how_o to_o do_v it_o so_o it_o be_v here_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n require_v ability_n 1._o to_o take_v christ_n as_o our_o own_o 2._o to_o eat_v christ_n that_o be_v to_o take_v fruition_n of_o he_o the_o which_o act_n of_o say_v
&c_n &c_n 4._o hereby_o they_o may_v not_o only_a hope_n and_o pray_v but_o be_v encourage_v to_o believe_v concern_v their_o child_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o who_o be_v in_o covenant_n among_o they_o that_o god_n will_v do_v they_o good_a as_o they_o conclude_v mercy_n to_o the_o remnant_n forgiuness_n of_o their_o sin_n with_o faith_n upon_o this_o ground_n thou_o will_v remember_v the_o truth_n to_o jacob_n and_o thy_o mercy_n to_o abraham_n swear_v unto_o our_o father_n in_o day_n of_o old_a micah_n 7.18_o 20._o this_o indeed_o be_v the_o child_n faith_n for_o themselves_o and_o their_o child_n but_o so_o it_o may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o parent_n faith_n and_o if_o we_o pray_v for_o our_o child_n why_o shall_v we_o doubt_v leave_v only_a secret_n to_o god_n if_o we_o see_v they_o die_v before_o they_o reject_v the_o gospel_n positive_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n for_o any_o man_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o child_n if_o he_o die_v or_o that_o god_n will_v not_o do_v good_a to_o his_o child_n in_o time_n if_o he_o live_v 5._o this_o stir_v up_o their_o heart_n to_o be_v the_o more_o sincere_o holy_a and_o keep_v in_o with_o god_n because_o of_o their_o child_n and_o to_o educate_v they_o with_o more_o care_n and_o watchfulness_n because_o they_o be_v the_o lord_n child_n as_o well_o as_o they_o they_o be_v not_o common_a but_o holy_a vessel_n and_o therefore_o let_v they_o see_v that_o they_o be_v not_o defile_v and_o hence_o we_o find_v that_o when_o god_n exhort's_n to_o any_o duty_n of_o holiness_n in_o scripture_n he_o oft_o make_v this_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o i_o be_o your_o god_n and_o hence_o god_n aggravate_v their_o sin_n in_o offer_v their_o child_n to_o molech_n ezek._n 16._o because_o they_o be_v his_o child_n that_o shall_v have_v be_v better_o use_v 3._o in_o respect_n of_o themselves_o the_o good_a be_v very_o great_a 1._o it_o be_v a_o special_a mean_n to_o prevent_v sin_n deut._n 29._o i_o make_v this_o covenant_n not_o only_o with_o he_o that_o be_v present_a but_o with_o your_o seed_n also_o who_o be_v not_o here_o verse_n 15_o let_v there_o shall_v be_v among_o you_o man_n or_o woman_n family_n or_o tribe_n who_o heart_n turn_v away_o from_o god_n and_o lest_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o root_n of_o gall_n and_o wormwood_n and_o indeed_o it_o mighty_o work_v on_o the_o heart_n to_o think_v shall_v i_o who_o god_n have_v choose_v to_o be_v his_o be_v my_o own_o or_o be_v the_o devil_n or_o be_v my_o lust_n &_o c_o 2._o it_o be_v a_o strong_a motive_n &_o engagement_n upon_o they_o to_o forsake_v sin_n even_o the_o uncircumcision_n and_o sin_n of_o their_o heart_n as_o be_v evident_a deut._n 10.15_o 16._o the_o lord_n have_v a_o delight_n to_o choose_v the_o seed_n of_o your_o father_n even_o you_o to_o be_v his_o people_n as_o it_o be_v this_o day_n what_o follow_v we_o therefore_o circumcise_v the_o foreskin_n of_o your_o heart_n and_o be_v no_o more_o stiff-necked_a 3._o it_o be_v a_o special_a help_n as_o to_o avert_v their_o heart_n from_o sin_n so_o to_o convert_v &_o turn_v they_o to_o god_n &_o to_o make_v they_o look_v towards_o god_n that_o he_o will_v turn_v they_o when_o perhaps_o they_o be_v without_o any_o hope_n in_o other_o respect_n of_o mercy_n or_o of_o be_v able_a by_o any_o mean_n they_o can_v use_v to_o turn_v themselves_o this_o be_v evident_a act_v 3.19_o with_o verse_n 25._o repent_v and_o be_v convert_v for_o you_o be_v the_o child_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o our_o father_n this_o draw_v their_o heart_n when_o they_o see_v how_o god_n call_v they_o to_o return_v jer._n 3.22_o come_v unto_o i_o you_o back_o slide_v child_n &c_n &c_n we_o câ—me_v unto_o thou_o for_o thou_o be_v the_o lord_n our_o god_n when_o backslide_v ephraim_n can_v not_o convert_v himself_o he_o cry_v unto_o god_n oh_o turn_v i_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v turn_v for_o thou_o be_v the_o lord_n my_o god_n jer._n 31.18_o which_o place_n can_v be_v mean_v of_o be_v their_o god_n only_o by_o internal_a covenant_n in_o give_v to_o they_o the_o special_a benefit_n of_o the_o covenant_n for_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o have_v remission_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n &c_n &c_n before_o they_o be_v turn_v or_o before_o faith_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o be_v a_o god_n in_o outward_a and_o external_a church-covenant_n which_o be_v no_o small_a motive_n and_o load_v one_o to_o believe_v and_o although_o many_o do_v not_o believe_v and_o will_v not_o be_v turn_v yet_o this_o covenant_n be_v a_o high_a privilege_n and_o great_a favour_n fit_a in_o itself_o to_o draw_v to_o god_n though_o many_o believe_v not_o and_o hence_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v great_a in_o have_v god_n oracle_n which_o contain_v god_n covenant_n commit_v to_o they_o though_o some_o believe_v noâ—_n which_o unbelief_n make_v not_o he_o say_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n i._n e._n god_n promise_n or_o covenant_n of_o none_o effect_n or_o a_o uneffectual_a and_o fruitless_a covenant_n for_o this_o word_n of_o god_n covenant_n shall_v take_v some_o effect_n among_o some_o such_o as_o be_v in_o it_o which_o therefore_o be_v a_o privilege_n though_o many_o perish_v as_o be_v evident_a rom._n 9.4_o 6._o 4._o it_o be_v a_o special_a mean_n of_o bind_v they_o fast_o to_o god_n when_o they_o be_v turn_v jer._n 13.11_o as_o the_o girdle_n cleave_v unto_o a_o man_n so_o have_v i_o cause_v the_o whole_a house_n of_o israel_n to_o cleave_v unto_o i_o that_o they_o may_v be_v for_o a_o name_n and_o glory_n deut._n 30.20_o thou_o shall_v cleave_v unto_o he_o because_o he_o be_v thy_o life_n and_o the_o length_n of_o thy_o day_n he_o be_v not_o their_o life_n spiritual_o and_o save_o for_o many_o thus_o exhort_v be_v dead_a and_o in_o their_o sin_n but_o federal_o or_o in_o outward_a covenant_n 5._o if_o they_o shall_v forsake_v and_o break_v loose_a from_o god_n and_o from_o the_o bond_n of_o his_o covenant_n and_o have_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v cast_v themselves_o out_o of_o covenant_n by_o their_o own_o perfidiousness_n &_o breach_n of_o covenant_n that_o one_o will_v think_v now_o there_o be_v no_o more_o hope_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o special_a mean_n to_o encourage_v their_o heart_n to_o return_v again_o even_o when_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v utter_o cast_v off_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v jer._n 3_o 1._o though_o thou_o have_v commit_v whoredom_n with_o many_o lover_n whereby_o the_o covenant_n be_v break_v yet_o return_v unto_o i_o so_o deut._n 4._o if_o when_o you_o be_v scatter_v among_o the_o nation_n and_o shall_v serve_v wood_n &_o stone_n and_o be_v in_o great_a tribulation_n if_o from_o thence_o thou_o seek_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n thou_o shall_v find_v he_o he_o will_v not_o forsake_v thou_o and_o what_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o viz._n his_o remembrance_n of_o the_o covenant_n with_o their_o father_n for_o so_o it_o be_v deut._n 4.27_o 28_o 29_o 30_o 31._o but_o i_o forbear_v to_o name_v more_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o which_o come_v by_o outward_a covenant_n to_o inchurch_v member_n 4._o in_o respect_n of_o other_o their_o good_a be_v very_o great_a for_o 1._o now_o they_o may_v enjoy_v the_o special_a watch_n and_o care_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n which_o otherwise_o they_o must_v want_v 2._o they_o hereby_o have_v the_o more_o fervent_a prayer_n of_o other_o for_o their_o good_a and_o hence_o rom._n 9.1_o 2_o 3._o we_o see_v how_o paul_n upon_o this_o ground_n have_v great_a zeal_n in_o his_o prayer_n for_o the_o jew_n not_o only_o because_o his_o countryman_n but_o especial_o because_o to_o they_o do_v belong_v the_o adoption_n and_o covenant_n &_o they_o have_v gracious_a father_n etc._n etc._n so_o psal_n 89.49_o lord_n remember_v thy_o former_a love_a kindness_n which_o be_v swear_v to_o david_n in_o truth_n and_o hence_o we_o see_v moses_n oft_o plead_v and_o prevail_v with_o god_n in_o prayer_n for_o the_o sin_v israelite_n viz._n oh_o remember_v abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacoâ—_n now_o i_o pray_v you_o lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o then_o see_v whether_o you_o have_v any_o cause_n to_o say_v what_o profit_n be_v there_o by_o covenant_n and_o church-membership_a of_o person_n not_o yet_o able_a to_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ_n quest._n 2._o you_o say_v when_o family_n be_v church_n all_o of_o the_o family_n be_v of_o the_o church_n and_o when_o a_o nation_n be_v a_o church_n all_o that_o be_v of_o that_o nation_n be_v of_o that_o church_n but_o now_o believer_n be_v matter_n of_o the_o church_n what_o if_o none_o be_v admit_v till_o
they_o can_v hold_v forth_o visible_a faith_n will_v not_o many_o of_o these_o thing_n be_v more_o clear_a answ._n in_o these_o word_n there_o be_v a_o threefold_a mistake_n 1._o that_o all_o of_o the_o family_n &_o nation_n in_o former_a time_n be_v of_o the_o church_n this_o 〈…〉_z for_o god_n never_o take_v â—â—y_a to_o be_v his_o church_n but_o 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v believer_n at_o 〈◊〉_d external_o in_o that_o nation_n i_o say_v believer_n which_o either_o be_v profess_v believer_n or_o promise_v believer_n such_o as_o by_o outward_a covenant_n shall_v have_v the_o mean_n to_o be_v make_v believer_n in_o y_o â—_o nation_n and_o hence_o you_o have_v hear_v that_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n stand_v by_o faith_n and_o be_v break_v of_o by_o unbelief_n and_o if_o any_o reject_v the_o covenant_n as_o ishmael_n and_o esau_n they_o be_v not_o of_o that_o church_n though_o they_o do_v and_o may_v dwell_v in_o y_z t_o nation_n as_o doubtless_o thousand_o do_v 2._o you_o think_v that_o visible_a personal_a faith_n only_o make_v the_o church_n and_o member_n of_o it_o which_o â—s_v a_o error_n as_o may_v appear_v from_o many_o thing_n already_o say_v for_o child_n may_v be_v in_o god_n account_n professor_n of_o y_o â—_o faith_n parental_o as_o well_o as_o personal_o i._n e._n in_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o parent_n as_o well_o as_o in_o their_o own_o and_o hence_o you_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o covenant_n god_n enter_v into_o with_o the_o parent_n of_o church-member_n personal_o the_o child_n be_v say_v to_o have_v that_o covenant_n make_v with_o they_o many_o hundred_o year_n 〈◊〉_d see_v for_o this_o purpose_n among_o hundred_o these_o few_o scripture_n haggaâ—_n 2.5_o in_o haggal_n time_n god_n be_v say_v to_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o they_o then_o when_o they_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n which_o be_v not_o personal_o but_o parental_o so_o hosea_n 12.4_o 5._o when_o god_n enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o jacob_n at_o bethel_n god_n be_v say_v to_o speak_v with_o we_o who_o live_v many_o year_n after_o and_o hence_o the_o child_n many_o year_n after_o challenge_v god_n covenant_n with_o they_o which_o be_v make_v with_o their_o father_n for_o they_o micah_n 7.19_o 20._o hence_o also_o those_o child_n be_v say_v to_o come_v to_o christ_n who_o be_v not_o able_a to_o come_v themselves_o but_o only_a be_v bring_v in_o the_o arm_n of_o other_o to_o christ._n it_o be_v a_o know_a thing_n among_o man_n that_o a_o father_n may_v receive_v a_o giâ—â—_n or_o legacy_n give_v to_o he_o and_o his_o heir_n and_o he_o and_o his_o heir_n be_v bind_v to_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o promise_v by_o which_o it_o be_v convey_v and_o that_o the_o child_n do_v this_o in_o his_o father_n 3._o you_o think_v that_o if_o man_n only_o grow_v up_o and_o able_a to_o profess_v faith_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o church_n than_o all_o thing_n will_v be_v more_o clear_a aboâ—â—_n child_n true_o i_o believe_v the_o quite_o contrary_a upon_o y_fw-es â—_o ground_n before_o lay_v dowâ—_n for_o 1._o hereby_o pollution_n of_o church_n shall_v not_o be_v avoid_v but_o rather_o introduce_v to_o excluâ—â—_n child_n from_o a_o holy-making_a covenant_n as_o we_o have_v prove_v 2._o hereby_o that_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o their_o covenant_n shall_v be_v lose_v not_o gain_v by_o exclude_v they_o out_o of_o covenant_n until_o they_o can_v personal_o profess_v and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n further_v not_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n and_o here_o let_v i_o conclude_v with_o the_o naked_a profession_n oâ—_n my_o faith_n to_o you_o in_o this_o point_n which_o be_v â—_o bulwark_n of_o defence_n against_o all_o that_o be_v say_v by_o anabaptist_n against_o baptise_v of_o infant_n 1._o that_o the_o child_n of_o profess_v believer_n be_v in_o the_o same_o covenant_n god_n make_v with_o abraham_n abraham_n be_v a_o father_n of_o many_o nation_n and_o not_o of_o one_o nation_n only_o and_o hence_o the_o same_o covenant_n make_v with_o he_o and_o the_o believe_a israel_n in_o that_o nation_n the_o saâ—â—_n covenant_n be_v make_v with_o all_o his_o believe_a seed_n in_o all_o other_o nation_n 2._o that_o baptism_n be_v a_o seal_n of_o our_o first_o entrance_n and_o admission_n into_o covenant_n and_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v immediate_o apply_v to_o child_n of_o believe_a parent_n as_o soon_o as_o euâ—â—â—hiâ—_n be_v in_o covenant_n and_o that_o be_v as_o soon_o as_o they_o become_v the_o visible_a seed_n 〈…〉_z faithful_a for_o so_o the_o covenant_n to_o abraham_n run_v i_o will_v be_v thy_o god_n and_o the_o god_n of_o thy_o seed_n not_o only_o his_o elect-seed_n but_o church-seed_n as_o have_v be_v show_v not_o only_o of_o his_o seed_n in_o that_o one_o nation_n but_o in_o all_o nation_n these_o two_o thing_n i_o cannâ—â—â—ell_v how_o to_o avoid_v the_o light_n of_o they_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o the_o ignorance_n of_o these_o make_v so_o many_o anabaptist_n as_o they_o be_v call_v and_o i_o never_o yet_o meet_v with_o any_o thiâ—â—_n write_v by_o they_o and_o much_o i_o have_v read_v that_o be_v of_o any_o considerable_a weight_n to_o overthrow_v these_o but_o i_o forget_v myself_o and_o trouble_v you_o my_o prayer_n be_v and_o shall_v be_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v gâ—ve_v you_o understanding_n in_o all_o these_o thing_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la preface_n page_n 4._o linâ—_n 20._o read_v wont_a p._n 6._o l._n 7._o r._n y_o it_o have_v fight_v p._n 7._o l._n 28._o r._n spiritâ—â—â—_n page_n 18._o liâ—â—_n 29._o for_o 〈◊〉_d r._n anâ—_n in_o y_fw-fr e_o book_n page_n 11._o line_n 34._o for_o now_o r._n be_v instance_n hereof_o see_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o â—â—e_z act_n of_o the_o synod_n hold_v aâ—_n boston_n 16â—2_n touch_v baptism_n &_o consociation_n of_o church_n cap._n 4._o pag._n 14._o key_n cha._n 4_o pag._n 15._o act._n mon._n vol_n 3._o pag._n 606_o 610._o s._n m._n argum_fw-la 1._o
because_o they_o be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o household_n but_o because_o they_o be_v godly_a or_o the_o child_n of_o such_o as_o be_v godly_a in_o the_o family_n for_o abraham_n servant_n and_o household_n be_v such_o as_o he_o can_v and_o do_v command_v to_o keep_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o so_o be_v obedient_a to_o god_n in_o he_o gen._n 18.19_o and_o we_o see_v they_o do_v obey_v and_o do_v receive_v that_o new_a strange_a &_o painful_a sign_n of_o circumcision_n about_o the_o nature_n and_o use_n of_o which_o no_o doubt_n he_o first_o instruct_v they_o and_o in_o the_o place_n you_o mention_n gen._n 35.4_o they_o give_v to_o jacob_n all_o man_n strange_a god_n &_o eatâ—â—ings_n to_o worship_n god_n more_o pure_o and_o its_o evident_a exod._n 12.45_o that_o every_o one_o in_o the_o family_n have_v not_o to_o do_v with_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o church_n &_o therefore_o now_o not_o of_o the_o church_n though_o of_o the_o family_n for_o a_o foreigner_n or_o hire_a servant_n be_v not_o to_o eat_v of_o the_o passover_n nor_o be_v every_o one_o who_o be_v buy_v with_o money_n to_o eat_v oft_o until_o they_o be_v circumcise_a ver_n 44._o nor_o be_v 〈◊〉_d such_o to_o be_v circumcise_v until_o they_o be_v willing_a &_o desireous_a to_o eat_v the_o passeover_n &_o that_o unto_o the_o lord_n then_o indeed_o they_o &_o they_o be_v first_o to_o be_v circumcise_a ver_n 4â—_n and_o although_o this_o be_v not_o express_o set_v down_o gen._n 17._o in_o abraham_n family_n yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o as_o one_o scripture_n give_v light_a unto_o another_o so_o this_o scripture_n in_o exo._n show_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o in_o these_o time_n if_o therefore_o the_o servant_n who_o be_v godly_a in_o the_o family_n be_v only_o to_o be_v circumcise_v and_o their_o child_n bear_v in_o the_o house_n with_o they_o than_o this_o example_n be_v no_o way_n lead_v to_o corrupt_a church_n as_o you_o fear_v it_o will_v but_o rather_o the_o contrary_a that_o if_o proseâ—â—te_a servant_n then_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n together_o with_o their_o seed_n much_o more_o be_v they_o receive_v now_o and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o defile_v the_o church_n then_o neither_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o they_o will_v do_v so_o now_o and_o i_o beseech_v you_o consider_v of_o it_o that_o god_n be_v then_o as_o careful_a of_o keep_v his_o church_n holy_a as_o in_o these_o day_n especial_o in_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o it_o as_o in_o this_o of_o abraham_n gen._n 17._o and_o hence_o god_n be_v as_o much_o provoke_v by_o their_o unholiness_n then_o as_o by_o any_o unholiness_n now_o 1_o pet._n 1_o 16._o suppose_v therefore_o as_o you_o imagine_v that_o all_o the_o household_n whether_o profane_a or_o holy_a be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o covenant_n and_o so_o to_o the_o seal_n of_o it_o do_v you_o think_v that_o this_o course_n of_o admit_v all_o profane_a person_n then_o will_v not_o make_v the_o lord_n soon_o weary_a of_o and_o angry_a with_o those_o family-churche_n as_o well_o as_o of_o national_a or_o congregational_a now_o upon_o the_o like_a supposition_n if_o therefore_o any_o servant_n bear_v in_o the_o house_n or_o hire_v be_v admit_v sure_o they_o be_v not_o such_o unholy_a one_o who_o the_o lord_n can_v not_o but_o be_v as_o much_o angry_a with_o then_o as_o now_o but_o they_o be_v godly_a and_o holy_a at_o least_o in_o outward_a profession_n upon_o which_o ground_n the_o lord_n command_v they_o to_o be_v circumcise_a i_o know_v there_o be_v some_o and_o very_o holy_a &_o learned_a also_o who_o think_v that_o if_o any_o godly_a man_n undertake_v to_o be_v aâ—_n a_o father_n to_o a_o adopt_a pagan_a or_o indian_a that_o such_o a_o one_o not_o grow_v up_o to_o year_n be_v from_o the_o example_n in_o gen._n 17._o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o â—eale_v of_o it_o and_o i_o confess_v i_o yet_o see_v no_o convict_a argument_n against_o it_o if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o some_o servant_n buy_v with_o abraham_n money_n be_v such_o and_o be_v under_o year_n but_o i_o see_v as_o yet_o no_o convict_a argument_n for_o this_o assertion_n from_o this_o example_n and_o therefore_o i_o stick_v to_o the_o former_a answer_n and_o see_v no_o reason_n from_o any_o rule_n of_o charity_n but_o to_o believe_v that_o all_o those_o in_o abraham_n family_n be_v either_o visible_o godly_a or_o the_o child_n of_o such_o to_o who_o circumcision_n belong_v and_o consequent_o may_v as_o well_o partake_v of_o church-membership_a as_o abraham_n himself_o which_o sort_n of_o servant_n in_o these_o day_n may_v as_o well_o be_v admit_v to_o church-membership_a without_o fear_n of_o defile_v the_o church_n as_o their_o master_n themselves_o object_n 2._o if_o child_n say_v you_o be_v member_n than_o all_o child_n good_a and_o bad_a must_v be_v receive_v as_o jacob_n and_o esaâ—_n &c_n &c_n answ._n why_o not_o for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o strength_n in_o this_o argument_n it_o hold_v as_o strong_o against_o the_o admission_n of_o profess_v visible_a believer_n where_o though_o all_o be_v external_o and_o federal_o holy_a yet_o some_o yea_o many_o yea_o the_o great_a part_n of_o such_o may_v be_v inward_o â—ad_v and_o as_o profane_v in_o their_o heart_n as_o esau_n and_o must_v we_o therefore_o refuse_v they_o to_o be_v church-member_n because_o many_o of_o they_o may_v be_v inward_o bad_a very_o there_o must_v then_o never_o be_v church_n of_o god_n in_o this_o world_n so_o it_o be_v among_o child_n they_o be_v all_o outward_o holy_a yet_o many_o of_o they_o may_v be_v inward_o unholy_a like_a esau_n must_v we_o not_o therefore_o accept_v they_o to_o membership_n it_o be_v a_o miserable_a mistake_n to_o think_v that_o inward_a real_a holiness_n be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o admission_n into_o church-membership_n as_o some_o anabaptist_n dispute_n but_o it_o be_v federal_a holiness_n whether_o external_o profess_v as_o in_o grow_v person_n or_o gracious_o promise_v unto_o their_o seed_n reply_v 1_o but_o you_o here_o reply_v if_o so_o than_o they_o be_v of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o be_v grow_v up_o and_o profane_a until_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o and_o to_o take_v in_o profane_a be_v sinful_a ezek._n 44._o answ._n it_o be_v very_o true_a for_o it_o be_v herein_o just_a as_o it_o be_v in_o admit_v profess_v believer_n they_o may_v prove_v profane_a and_o continue_v so_o in_o church-membership_a until_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o but_o be_v this_o therefore_o any_o ground_n to_o keep_v out_o those_o who_o be_v personal_o holy_a by_o their_o own_o profession_n no_o very_o why_o then_o shall_v such_o as_o be_v parental_o and_o federal_o holy_a be_v keep_v out_o from_o church-membership_n because_o they_o may_v prove_v profane_a and_o be_v profane_a must_v remain_v church-member_n till_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o reply_v 2_o but_o then_o you_o say_v they_o must_v be_v church-member_n though_o their_o parent_n themselves_o and_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v unwilling_a thereunto_o even_o as_o say_v you_o a_o man_n that_o marry_v a_o woman_n her_o child_n must_v be_v he_o and_o he_o be_v a_o father_n to_o they_o though_o he_o and_o she_o and_o they_o shall_v say_v â—e_n shall_v not_o be_v a_o father_n in_o law_n to_o they_o answ._n this_o similitude_n of_o marriage_n do_v neither_o prove_v nor_o illustrate_v the_o thing_n for_o the_o relation_n between_o father_n and_o such_o child_n be_v absolute_a &_o natural_a and_o hence_o continue_v though_o they_o say_v he_o shall_v not_o be_v their_o father_n and_o though_o he_o profess_v he_o will_v not_o but_o the_o relation_n found_v upon_o church-covenant_n between_o member_n and_o member_n be_v not_o natural_a not_o only_o and_o allway_o absolute_a but_o also_o conditional_a which_o condition_n not_o be_v â—ept_v the_o relation_n may_v be_v and_o be_v usual_o break_v for_o look_v as_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o so_o absolute_o god_n people_n but_o if_o they_o do_v in_o time_n reject_v the_o gospel_n they_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v off_o and_o indeed_o be_v so_o at_o this_o day_n rom._n 2.25_o hosea_n 2.2_o act_n 13.46_o â—1_n so_o it_o be_v with_o all_o gentile_a church_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o &_o as_o for_o that_o which_o you_o last_o say_v that_o they_o may_v refuse_v their_o parent_n covenant_n at_o age_n as_o well_o as_o own_o iâ—_n and_o so_o may_v member_n go_v out_o at_o pleasure_n which_o be_v disorder_n i_o answer_v that_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o such_o member_n as_o come_v in_o by_o personal_a profession_n for_o they_o may_v renounce_v their_o own_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o the_o church_n one_o may_v do_v so_o and_o so_o may_v twenty_o