Ursin Non est decurrendum ad figuram ubi nulla est ratio cur non retineatur sententia propria none excluded for house in scripture phrase signifieth children throughout the Book of God I have read it again as to this point of baptism and could never find in all the Book of God where the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 house or household is used Mat. 24 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He made him Steward over his houshold The word is altered for here he speak of servants and children excluded but rather always included servants being but the appendix of the house Gen 16.2 It may be I may be built by her saith Sarah of Hagar that is have children by her Forâ—an inquit aedificabor ex ed. LXX 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Son usurpatur pro procreatione susceptione educatione liberorum qui ex parentitibus quasi extruuntur quibuo familiae tanquam domus aedificaâ—â—â— ou filiâ—â—â—difidifioij pator fundamenti instar se habeat ita quidem ut qui non habeat liberos quasi destructus sit Schindl Sic Plaut in Most Act. 1. Novarum esse aedium arbitror similom ego hominem quando hic natus est Et paulò post Parentos fabri liberum fundamenrum substruunt liberorum Vt ex eâ liberos consequar Gen. 18.19 He will command his household after him that is childrens children for Esau and Iacob were 15 years old before Abraham's death Gen. 45.17 18. Pharaoh enjoyns Ioseph to bid his brethren bring their households with them which being explained in the next verse is extended to their little ones 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 According to their bodies that is the number of their persons Gen. 47.12 Ioseph nourished all his fathers household even to the little ones 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lepi hattaph usque ad os parvuli genuinus videtur esse sensus quòd omnes a maximo ad minimum paverit Vatablus Exod. 1.21 God built the midwives an house Heb. â—â—â—em them in the masculine gender for those midwives were couragious midwives that is he gave them children because they spared the children of the Israelites Deut. 25.9 So let it be done to the man that will not build up his brothers house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui noluerit suscitare semen fratri suo raise up seed to his brother In this sense Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel Ruth 4.11 Psal 115.12 13. By the house of Aaron he means both small and great Psal 113.9 He makes the barren dwell in houses that is fruitful mothers of children See Gen. 30.30 35.2 50.8 Exod. 12.3 Josh 7.14 2 Sam. 17.23 23.5 1 Kin. 14.13 2 Kin. 9.7 20.16 1 Chron. 17.16 Psal 68.6 Add to all these the several texts in the new Testament where in this word house or household children are always included Thus Act. 10.2 47 48. 11.14 the whole household of Cornelius is baptized The whole household of Lydia Act. 16.15 they of her household are baptized upon her account without any declaration of their faith and repentance onely because they were of her family Act. 16.31 The Jailor and his house Observe he first makes mention of his being baptized then of his faith Act. 16.33.34 Crispus and his household 18.8 Stephanus and his household 1 Cor. 1.16 The household of Aristobulus and the household of Narcissus Rom. 16.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which must be meant of their children which came out of their loins as the word imports Thus 1 Tim. 3.4 One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for those of his own house that is children not servants he is worse than an infidel Gal. 6.10 Do good to all especially the household of faith and must there be no respect had to the orphans and fatherless children of such those doubtless we ought in a special manner to provide for as being included in the household of faith Thus Act. 4. the believers had all things common and did not their children share with them doubtless they were not excluded Gen. 50.8 All the house of Joseph and his fathers house went up to bury his father onely their little ones they left in Goshen It 's observable that the little ones are included for the exception is of the same kind in the word house here excepted because of their unfitness for travel but in all the places before mentioned there is not the least word hinted why little ones should be excluded From all which places observe 1. The language of the scriptures holds forth children to be the houshold by consequence the subjects of baptism Let them shew any one place where children are excluded if they can for Exod. 12. includes children though infants were excluded because uncapable V. 15. Lydia baptizata est filii domus ejus 2. Observe the Syriac so renders that word house or household which was the known language of those times and of great repute throughout the Churches of God 3. Of the Jailor it 's said he and all of him 1. that were of him Act. 16.33 Baptizatus est ipse filii domus ejus omnes comp v. 32. cum omnibus filiis domus suae as in the Syriac Of Samaria it 's said Act. 8.8 12. all of them from the least to the greatest that is yong and old were baptized both men and women for children are included in the men in scripture phrase as Jacob saith Gen. 34.36 I being but few in number they shall gather themselves together against me and destroy me Ezek. 9.6 Slay both maids and little children but come not near any man on whom is the mark in his forehead Grace written in the heart by the man Christ Jesus who hath his inkhorn by his side shines in the forehead of babes and others Eccl. 8.1 When Moses demanded of Pharaoh to let Israel go he meant children as well as the elder people as he afterwards explaineth himself and shall we be more cruel than Pharaoh to grant libertie to such as are adult but keep poor infants in bondage Thus Joh. 6.10 Mar. 6.44 compared with Mat. 14.15 1 Cor. 10.1 All our fathers were baptized into Moses in fathers children are included and thus I understand Act. 15.1 Vnless ye brethren be circumcised that is you and your children you cannot be saved as Paul explains it Act. 21.21 25. Thus Heb. 9. It 's appointed for all men once to dy and are not children here also intended So that we see plainly that by a Synecdoche children are included in their parents 4. The promise or Covenant is made to the parent in the behalf of the children Act. 16. Believe thou In omni numero divinitus inflituto liberi sub patriâ— nomine censentur Accommodat illis viz. infantibus mater Ecclesia aliorum
that Moses was so desirous to see that good land that goodly Mountain and Lebanon his mouth runs over he was so taken with it repeating it again and again which prayer the Lord heard as in reference to the end sc to see the land but not in the way and means as he desired Go up to Mount Pisgah and view the land saith the Lord to many a saint yea and to many a reprobate that shall never set foot upon that blessed land 6. Hence it was that they were so ambitious to have their bones carried out of other lands into that land Thus Jacob and Joseph 7. Upon this account it was that Esau was branded with a black coal of infamy to all eternity That he rejected this land that so as oft as he heard his name he might remember upon what terms he sold his birth-right Esau who is Edom Gen. 36.1 8. Edom v. 19. who is Edom and why so because that for a little red-red that is red pottage he sold his birth-right his interest in the promises ordinances heaven Christ whose land that was and when he had sold it he went away from the presence of the Lord to Mount Seir being not at all troubled for what he had done sc that he had discovenanted himself and his 8. Gal. 4. Mount Sinai in Arabia Why should Paul make mention of the situation of that Mountain when as there was none of the Galatians as might be supposed ignorant of it but that there did lie a mystery in the situation of Sinai to wit that it was without the * Foedus de quo nunc agitur modum legis complectitur finem illius nimirum Evangelium Christi locus hujus foederis notabilis est in terra Moab vel in parte haereditatis vel in aditu haereditariae terrae Canaan igitur in ingressu terrae de fine hujus habitationis terrenae admonentur duci ipsos ad praestolationem redemptionis ne vel limitem ipsum sine fide â—alvantes inquinarent Cocceius borders of the promised land which did shadow out that heavenly Country to which we are brought not by the old covenant of works but by the new Covenant of grace of that Covenant of works as it was taken by the carnal Israelites doth the Apostle speak of in Gal. 4. But in Deut. 29.1 you have another Covenant made with Israel in the land of Moab besides the Covenant which he made with them in Horeb. See Deut. 32.8 9. The giving of this land is made a sign of Gods love to Jacob Mal. 1.2 I have loved thee saith the Lord yet ye say Wherein hast thou loved us Was not Esau Jacob ' s brother yet I loved Jacob and hated Esau Mali â—dumaei è sedibus suis ejecti nunquam redituri Glass Mal. 1.1 2. If the giving of the land had not been a sign of his love the Apostle had not alledged those two examples to purpose Rom. 9. Which was to shew who were the Children of God and who not for Canaanaeae privatio etiam rejectionis a salute symbolum Arg. 3. Circumcision was a seal of the rightousness of faith either had or offered Rom. 4. It was a seal of the rightousness of faith with Infants that believe not that look what rightousness the faith of a believer layd hold on Circumcision was a seal of that rightousness Rom. 4.11 Therefore a seal of life tendered to the seed of Abraham For what it was to Abraham the same was it to all his seed that did lay hold on this Covenant If any failed and fell short thereof their destruction was of themselves because they sought rightousness by the works of the Law and not by faith in this Covenant of grace We must not pry into the decrees of God to find out the reasons of eternal election and reprobation Secret things belong to God things revealed to us and to our Children Deut 29 last But if we look into the execution of that decree of reprobation we shall find the ground of it from our selves who wilfully reject the offers and tenders of grace Rom. 9.32 Fourthly It is one and the same Covenant Gen. 17.7 and throughout this is mentioned 13 times in that chapter So Psal 105.8 The Covenant he made with Abraham and Isaac and confirmed the same to Jacob for a law v. 10. Gen. 17.2 to the 7. There are promises more particularly applied to Abraham in which all his seed did share For what ever promises are made to any are made directly or indirectly to the whole body being all yea and amen in Christ and therefore collaterally may be applied to us as That God would multiply his seed both natural and spiritual and make him a father of many nations as the Apostle interprets that Text Rom. 4 and do not we share in that promise Gen. 7.7 19. I will be thy God and the God of thy seed I will establish my Covenant between me thee and thy seed after thee He speaks of it as one and the same Covenant throughout and not as two Covenants as some fondly do imagin Fifthly That women are enabled to conceive bear and bring forth and that their children are provided for 't is of grace 1. Women if believers are saved by grace in child-bearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. in it as a way though dangerous by it as a means to further their salvation 2. Children are given by grace to the rightous Gen. 33.5 These are the Children which God of his grace hath given me So the multiplying of Children is an act of grace 1 Chron. 28.23 Deut. 33.24 Let Asher be blessed with Children Act. 7.8 He gave him the Covenant of Circumcision and so Abraham begat Isaac yea so great a mercie is it that it engaged the heart of Enoch to walk with God 300 years after he begat Methusalah Gen. 5.22 Thus Abraham walked with God after he received the promise for the multiplying of his seed Gen. 13. which is to be understood literally Deut. 10. last as well as spiritually 3. The provision the Lord maketh for such Children Iisdem nutrimur ex quibus constamus is a fruit of the Covenant of grace for God is the God of the whole man as our Savior reasoneth therefore not onely of the soul but of the body also who by Covenant binds himself to provide for both How sweet is it to a gracious soul to see all things dispensed to him not onely by a providence but also by promise and to see the Throne of God compassed about with the rainbow of his Covenant for so I understand it Rev. 4.3 So that all his dispensations did pass through this rainbow whether they be afflictions which to the rightous are an appendix to the Covenant 2 Sam. 7. or temporal spiritual and eternal mercies all these come swimming to us in the bloud of Christ Sixtly It had been little comfort to Abraham and his seed to have had onely a temporal portion sealed
invalid Secondly This was never watered by God nor ever will therefore not of Gods planting For 1. Their ministerie as they call it who disclaim the office I would not for all the gold of the East and West Indies I had no better fruit of my labors to shew than some of them have Barn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Perdix congregat non parit congregat ova alterius aâ—â—s illisque incubat ac si sua essent sed ubi fuerint exclusi pulli deserunt enim quasâ— cognoscentes quod ea illos non pepererit suae matri sâ—se adjunâ—unt Alij cuculus qui non diu in regione aliqua commoratur ideo non nidificat sed occupat ova alterius avis ijs incubat quando excluduntur pulli non senâ—â—tur eum sed deserunt Schindl Non fortunat deus labores eorum qui non sunt ordinati quanquam salutaria quaedam afferunt tamen non aedificant Luth. tom 4. Omnium Provinciaâ—um prima Brittania pubâ—â—citus nomen Christi recepit Bellar. cap. 2 is not usually blessed by God for the conversion of poor sinners many indeed are perverted by them few or none converted that ever I heard of But as many call their neighbors bees to their own hives which as they say thrive not with them or as the partridge or cuckow gathereth yong ones which she hath not hatched even so do they gather members out of other Churches in whose conversion they were not at all instrumental Therefore I do not believe they were commissionated by Christ to preach the Gospel seeing usually his presence doth not accompany them in their undertakings How doth Paul prove that he was sent to the Gentiles as likewise Peter to the Jews Gal. 2.8 but by the efficacie of his ministerie for faith the Apostle he that wrought effectually by Peter to the circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles This was excellently typified by Aarons wither'd rod the budding whereof was an emblem of the success of his ministerie by which the Lord did clearly manifest that Aaron was a saint of the Lord set apart to that office to serve in the tabernacle though Moses was an holier man than he 2. Their spirits run out after this way putting a greater stress upon it than upon any other Ordinance Many are zealous onely in this indifferent in other matters of greater concernment but Phisitians say Vniversalia sunt bona universals are good whereas to be hot in one part and cold in another is a bad symptom of a distempered bodie now where man layeth a greater weight upon any institution of Christ than himself hath laid it 's just with God so to leave them as that they should find little or nothing in it much more when it is but an humane invention which perisheth in the using Col. 2.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eat not tast not touch not the words should be so rendered all which perish in the using and leaveth no impression behind it as all mens imaginations do 3. This is the inlet those grand errors in the world They seldom stick at the denyal of infants baptism Nulla est veterum haeresium quae nâ—n videantur his authoribus repuliulare Melan. Anabaptista indoctus Soeinianus Socinianus doctus Anabaptista Hornb not which accidentally follow but which properly and naturally flow from those principles as a just hand of God upon that way For do we not dayly see that such denie the trinitie the personalitie of the Son and the holy Ghost saying as they of old There are several manifestations of God one in Moses another in Christ and another in himself And do they not cry down the Sabbath because not so clearly held forth in the new Testament Num. 26.10 And they viz. Dathan and Abiram became a sign to give warning to all for the future that they usurp not the Priests office The like you have in Jude v. 11. they perished in the gainsaying of Core It seems there were such in the Apostles time that cryed Are not all the people of God holy as the former did do they not cry down the ministerie or at cast the office of the ministeâ—ie saying Whoever will â—hough the lowest of the people may consecrate himâ—elf and administer the seals â—hough God hath signally appeared in all ages espeâ—ially of late in England against all those that rose â—p against Levi. Deut. 33.11 Strike through the â—oyns of them that rise against him and of them that â—ate him that they rise not again This prophesie or prayer will be of force till the worlds end for the prayers of the saints dyed in the bloud of Christ are of eternal efficacie there being a necessitie incumbent on God that the prayers of the sâ—ints be made good Act. 1.16 comp with Psal 109.8 though put up many hundred years before Yea do they not unchurch all the Churches in the world making rebaptization essential to a Church yea necessary to salvation â—arther adding That God hath no Church union or communion with any Church in the world that is not rebaptized I might mention many more gross errors which flow from the principles of Antipaedobaptists onely let me tell you some have confessed That when they have been inclining to that way they have found their hearts sitting loose from all former owned principles of truth and as the first matter fit to receive any form impression or error whatsoever though formerly loathed and detested 4. That way seldom thrives but when it is countenanced and made much of especially by the higher powers whereas truth on the other hand hath flourished most under persecution I. G. 5. Do they not abaâ—e in their graces having lost that heat and zeal that formerly they had if they examin themselves I fear they will experience this truth that their bow is not bent as formerly their spirits more feeble and the things which remain in some readie to die Rev. 2.2 For when they departed from God then God departed from them Mat. 2.9 It 's observed that one executed for murther in thâ— citie of London confessed Mark 9.30 No man that worketh a miracle in my name can lightly speak evil of me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suddenly Nemo reponse fit turpissimus That from the time of his going under water he sensibly found God departing from him I. G 6. Yea do they not ofttimes having cast off this Ordinance of baptism cast off all and losing one lose all I wish we had not cause to lament for our superordinanc'd men that are aâ—ove ordinances but below pietie who first suckt in this error from them and then were as rasa tabula as white paper on which you may write what you please Austin writing upon John tells us a story of a certain man that was of an opinion that God did not make the flie but the devil saith one If the devil made the flies then the devil made the worms
THE SVMME Of diverse SERMONS Preached in Dublin Before the L. Deputie Fleetwood and the Commissioners of Parliament for the Affairs of IRELAND Wherein the doctrine of Infant-baptism is asserted and the main Objections of Mr Tombs Mr Fisher Mr Blackwood and others Answered ¶ By SAMUEL WINTER D. D. Provost of Trinitie Colledge near DUBLIN Neh. 9 8. Thou foundest his heart faithful before thee and enteredst into Covenant with him to give his seed the land of Canaan Psal 25.14 His secret is with them that fear him to make them know the Covenant Isa 65. They are the seed of the blessed of the Lord and their off-spring with them Ez 16.60 Nevertheless I will remember my Covenant with thee in the days of thy youth and I will establish unto thee an everlasting Covenant Act. 1.14 Cum Vxoribus liberis Tanto magis pro infantibus loqui debemus quanio minus ipsi pro se loqui possunt Augustin Quod universa tenet Ecclesia nec concilijs institutum sed semper retentum id non nisi authoritate apostolicâ traditum rectissimè creditur Idem DVBLIN Printed by William Bladen Anno Dom. 1656. EX sanctificato alteto â—exu sanctos procreari ait ex seminis praerogativa Tert. in 1 Cor. 7. Gal. 3.28 Neither male nor Female In Judaismo magnum erat privilegium virilis sexus is solus foederis signum corpore gerens Grot. At c. Major difficultas in componendis dissidiis animorum quà m in componenda controversia Zan. Quoniam non noviliteraturam introibo in potentias Domini Vulgata veâ—sio Psal 71.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Heb. 6.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 16.15 Baptizata est ipsa filii domus ejus She was baptized and the children of her house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 33. Et eâdem horâ baptizatus est ipse filii domus ejus omnes And the same hour he was baptized and all the children of his house To their Excellencies CHARLS FLEETWOOD Lord Deputie of Ireland AND THE Lord HENRY CROMWEL Commander in chief of the Forces in Ireland My Lords IT was a saying of Luther Let me hear ill as a malefactor c. Modo impii silentii non arguar so that I be not accused of sinful silence The doctrine of Antipaedobaptism was preached in many places in IRELAND and I again and again challenged to dispute this point therefore I resolved to give place to none such no not for an hour it being urged as a thing so necessary to salvation by many that the truth of the Gospel might continue with us as Paul speaks of Circumcision Gal. 2. but did publickly disown that way and practice which though watered by the foot of man as Aegypt yet was never watered by the dew of heaven as Canaan accordingly I found blessed be his glorious grace who delighteth to breath in such poor worms as I am more of Gods presence in the publick dispensing of that Ordinance of infant baptism assuring me by his spirit that he would own it and bless it to the babes than ever I did in all my days these eight and twenty years since I entered into the Ministry to which I was called from my childhood and assured I should win many souls This I speak in humility of spirit as knowing my self to be the chief of sinners not to magnifie my self but to magnifie mine Office as Paul doth in the first and second Chapters to the Galatians Paul knew that if those teachers could enervate his authoritie and make his calling void his doctrine would be slighted and made of none effect therefore he labors to prove by many Arguments that he was called from heaven to the Ministry especially by the good success the Lord gave I was saith he sent to the Gentiles as Peter to the Jews for he that wâ—ought effectually by Peter to the circumcision was mighty in me towards the Gentiles Gal. 2.7.8 In these lines I look at Christ as standing by and overlooking what I am doing who well knows with how many prayers and tears I have looked upon the several texts mentioned in this Treatise for I often think what would Christ say to such a text if he were to preach on such a subject or will Christ own this or that truth another day begging of the father of lights from whom every good giving and perfect gift doth come that he would lead me into all truth and not suffer me to build upon his foundation wood hay and stubble least the day should discover it and I suffer loss either of my labor or crown making it less massie and weighty not having so many pearls in it another day And I am assured that those prayers shall not prove abortive for the prayers of the saints dyed in the bloud of Christ are of eternal efficacie there being a necessity and tie lying upon Jehova that they should be fulfilled in due time Acts 1.16 However if Christ take pleasure in me here I am if not let him do with me what seemeth good in his sight I have not affected enamel'd phrases and words of mans wisdom which perhaps are expected from one in my capacity but with as much plainness as I could I have held forth the truth as it is in Jesus The riches of Greece did not consist in words said Demosthenes of old Therefore I had rather say Ossum than Os with Austin least I should not be understood Cibus simplex est optimus the plainest meats nourish most We say of a diamond Quicquid absconditur perditur for truth is like to Adam never so glorious as when it 's naked Therefore saith the Apostle we use plainness of speech 2 Cor. 3.12 If any be offended I say Praestat ut scandalum admittatur quam ut veritas amittatur And with Seneca Mallem boni viri famam perdere quam conscientiam For we are set for the defence of the Gospel and the appertenances thereof Phil. 1.17 and therefore may not with hold our testimonie from the present truth i. the truth of this age though never so much opposed what ever the event may be I have without gall or bitterness to any as I hope managed this controversie truthing it in love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4 for truth needs not passion desirous to weep and bleed over such souls who are contrary minded over whom Christ hath bled as Paul speaks Phil. 3.18 If at any time God will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive alive at his will However though many will not own this disgraced truth I am assured that Christ will own it another day and then truth will be truth in the mean time put it in the open field and let it work out it self which doubtless it will for all truth is from the spirit which onely is able to make way for it in the
hearts of the sons of men and to batter down those strong holds even those royal forts of the imagination and will that stand out in opposition to the truths of Iesus My dearest Lords I ow no less than my self to you for that tender love you have ever expressed to me therefore having nothing else to give worthy of your acceptance I give my self to you Many have given more but none ever left less to himself and as a token of mine endeared affections to your Honors I humbly present this plain discourse to your Honors patronage being the first fruits of my labours and leave it in the hand of the spirit to bring it hâ—me to the souls of all into whose hands it may come assuring my self I have a friend within them the spirit I mean if they be Christs that will eccho to and close with the spirit that is without But if I prevale not with those that are otherwise minded as I have little hope seeing God doth not usually recall such but suffers them to go on in the error of their way my earnest prayer to God shall be Father forgive them for they know not what they say and they do they know not what My Lords Your Honors humble Servant Samuel Winter The Table Act. 2.38 OBserve The former duty viz. Repent is in the second person the later in the third person admitting of a greater latitude Let every one of you that is you and yours be baptized Doctrine That the baptizing of infants of believers is according to the institution of Jesus Christ Baptism is a washing so the word in greek signifies Thus the word in the hebrew 2 King 5. Ittibal erchatz Nonne lavabo in iis Targ. Thus the word is used in the Arabic Ethiopian and Syriac tongue First Argument pag. 18. Is taken from the command of Christ Mat. 18. Go disciple all Nations By nations is meant men women and children according to the manner of the Jews which was to baptize the children of Jews and Proselytes as well as others pag. 19. Sed et nunc qui ex gentibus circumcisis ad Judaismum veniunt ab ipsis baptizantur et hujus baptiâ—mi Judaici meminit Scholiastes ad Juvenalem Intellectu facilè est ablutionem hanc fuisse inter vetera instituta orta ut arbitror post magnum diluvium in memoriam purgati mundi Grot. in Mat. 3. That children are called Disciples see page 20. Act. 21.21 25. Mat. 21.15 compared with Luk. 10.37 Where children are called disciples Mat. 27.57 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was disciple to him Second Arg. Children are incovenanted therefore are to be sealed with the initial seal of the Covenant pag. 23. Gen. 17.9 Thou shalt keep my Covenant therefore Which words extend to us in the new Testament for annexing the seal of baptism as well as to Abraham his posterity for annexing the seal of Circumcision for that is mentioned afterward as in that of the Sabbath 4 Command which though applyed to the Jew yet it is to be extended to us in the new Testament I do not say that the promise or Covenant simply considered is a ground to us to annex the seal but this I say That a promise laid for the foundation of a duty is equivalent with an express command Thus the Apostle Act. 2.37 comp Gen. 17 9. pag. 28. That children are incovenanted see a cloud of witnesses pag. 34. Esay 65.23 They are the seed of the blessed of the Lord and their offspring with them The promise made to Abraham I will be thy God and the God of thy seed belongs to believers and their seed Act. 13.33 Rom. 2.29 Is he not the God of the Gentiles also See pag. 48. 11 Arguments That the Covenant made with Abraham was a Covenant of Grace see 18 Arguments pag. 57. 2 Cor. 6. ult applied to the Corinthâ—ans The old and new Covenant how distinguished pag. 77. Diverse Objections answered pag. 62. That children feel not the fruit of this Covenant the fault is not in God but in themselves in that they do not keep the condition of the Covenant namely to receive Christ by faith Perk. Non evertitur dei fides perfidiâ hominum Cal. in Rom. 3.4 The Covenant of Grace is conditional page 89. whereof baptism is a seal therefore Divines say The external Covenant or rather the external part thereof may be broken but the internal cannot And whereas I admit of conditions in the Covenant of grace I mean not by conditions such as are 1. the foundation of the Covenant Or 2. as by some are construed to be sc the impulsive cause inducing and inclining the Lord to enter into this Covenant with us Or 3. such as are to be performed by us of our own power Or 4. such as are meritorious and do destroy the nature of grace But such as Christ hath freely undertaken to work in the elect being generally propounded to all on the terms of the Gospel which if accepted render them and theirs visibly under the Covenant of which baptism is the seal Therefore I say The Arminians may take as much advantage from the invitations of God to faith and repentance as from the conditions tendered to the sons of men Fidem poni ut conditionem salutem quidem antecedentem sed electionem ipsam consequentem nunquam à nostris negatum fuit summâ vero cum religione traditum Ames Though the condition of the Covenant of grace as to man in himself is impossible yet through the power of Gods grace it 's made possible and easie Deut. 30. Hujus promissionis evangelicae antecedens sive annexa conditio poterat multorum animos deterrere ac potius omnium si legis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in carne nostrâ ut necesse est expendissent cujus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inde à principio sermonis hujus conditionem Moses expresserat dicens Nondum dedit vobis Jehovah mentem ad cognoscendum Nè igitur impossibilem conditionem propositam sibi à deo fuisse quererentur commoditatem istius Moses his verbis explicat Nam praeceptum quod ego praecipio tibi c. q. d. Hactenus proposui tibi partem priorem foederis ut obsequaris deo sed quia altera quaeque pars foederis est tibi necessaria ut deus tuus quasi novo foedere quod tamen reipsa unum est suis partibus erga te defungatur cum tu ipse non possis et circumcidens cor tuum inscribat ei legem suam foedus suum ad obedientiam fidei Par. lib. 2. p. 16. No man of Coniah's seed did sit upon the throne of David as King for ever pag. 91. In the old Testament the Priests were to distinguish and separate between the holy and profane Ezek. 22. â—6 So the word badal is used Gen. 1.3 He separated pag 95. Our Churches denied by the Anabaptists to be true Churches and that Christ hath any Church communion with us pag.