original_a sin_n to_o some_o infant_n only_o or_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n die_v such_o and_o by_o some_o infant_n he_o mean_v that_o some_o few_o of_o they_o only_o be_v visible_o in_o that_o estate_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n in_o a_o visible_a state_n of_o damnation_n to_o hell_n torment_v still_o i_o deny_v his_o minor._n for_o god_n have_v not_o say_v and_o therefore_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o say_v it_o that_o so_o much_o as_o one_o poor_a infant_n shall_v be_v damn_v but_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o that_o he_o have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o the_o death_n of_o the_o wicked_a but_o rather_o that_o they_o turn_v and_o live_v and_o have_v assure_v we_o that_o the_o son_n shall_v not_o bear_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o father_n which_o can_v only_o be_v true_a in_o respect_n of_o damnation_n for_o all_o infant_n do_v bear_v the_o sin_n of_o their_o father_n adam_n and_o sometime_o in_o temporal_a punishment_n they_o bear_v the_o sin_n of_o their_o immediate_a parent_n 4._o if_o his_o argument_n be_v so_o good_a nature_a as_o to_o allow_v infant_n indefinite_o to_o be_v in_o a_o visible_a state_n of_o salvation_n viz._n a_o declare_v right_o to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o their_o dear_a saviour_n have_v testify_v they_o have_v yet_o i_o will_v deny_v the_o consequence_n of_o his_o major_n because_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n consider_v as_o abstract_v from_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n never_o require_v the_o application_n of_o any_o ceremony_n to_o infant_n as_o a_o pledge_n of_o it_o either_o before_o the_o law_n or_o as_o it_o be_v now_o establish_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o gospel_n oeconomy_n so_o that_o his_o conclusion_n be_v far_o from_o truth_n which_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o by_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n some_o infant_n be_v to_o be_v baptize_v now_o let_v we_o examine_v his_o proof_n 1._o he_o begin_v pag._n 7._o with_o gen._n 17._o which_o speak_v not_o one_o word_n of_o baptism_n and_o himself_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o next_o page_n that_o the_o covenant_n in_o gospel-time_n can_v be_v keep_v by_o circumcision_n for_o that_o say_v he_o be_v abrogate_a and_o cease_v to_o be_v the_o token_n of_o it_o so_o that_o gen._n 17._o can_v be_v no_o proof_n for_o his_o minor._n but_o he_o quote_v act._n 2._o 38_o 39_o and_o heb._n 10._o 16_o 17._o and_o this_o he_o say_v be_v a_o full_a command_n to_o baptise_v all_o in_o covenant_n now_o but_o for_o answer_n consider_v that_o no_o more_o be_v command_v in_o this_o place_n to_o be_v baptize_v than_o be_v first_o command_v to_o repent_v nor_o no_o more_o be_v baptize_v than_o glad_o receive_v the_o word_n and_o the_o promise_n be_v express_o of_o the_o pour_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o all_o parent_n and_o child_n as_o god_n shall_v call_v they_o but_o no_o command_n nor_o promise_n respect_v baptism_n and_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n before_o the_o lord_n shall_v call_v they_o whether_o parent_n or_o child_n again_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o you_o and_o to_o your_o child_n be_v not_o applicable_a to_o child_n in_o infancy_n but_o to_o a_o succession_n or_o posterity_n qualify_v for_o the_o thing_n require_v and_o promise_v that_o text_n he_o bring_v out_o of_o heb._n 10._o tell_v we_o that_o god_n will_v write_v his_o law_n in_o the_o mind_n and_o put_v they_o in_o the_o inner_a part_n of_o his_o people_n under_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o that_o he_o will_v remember_v their_o iniquity_n no_o more_o this_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o infant_n who_o as_o they_o have_v no_o iniquity_n for_o god_n to_o remember_v but_o only_o original_a sin_n for_o he_o to_o pardon_v as_o to_o the_o condemn_a nature_n of_o it_o so_o he_o never_o do_v remember_v their_o iniquity_n nor_o need_v they_o any_o law_n to_o be_v write_v in_o their_o heart_n during_o infancy_n for_o they_o can_v understand_v none_o and_o god_n speak_v not_o with_o they_o about_o the_o observation_n of_o his_o law_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o deut._n 11._o 2._o the_o second_o commandment_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v infant-baptism_n but_o mr._n p._n shall_v know_v it_o do_v not_o command_v any_o particular_a form_n of_o worship_n at_o all_o only_o this_o be_v true_a what_o god_n have_v elsewhere_o institute_v and_o never_o repeal_v the_o second_o commandment_n may_v serve_v to_o enforce_v the_o performance_n of_o such_o thing_n but_o here_o he_o beg_v the_o principle_n which_o he_o can_v prove_v no_o not_o by_o gen._n 17._o let_v we_o hear_v the_o most_o learned_a of_o his_o way_n i_o mean_v in_o point_n of_o infant-sprinkling_a speak_v their_o judgement_n and_o these_o be_v their_o word_n 377._o that_o promise_n gen._n 17._o 7._o concern_v literal_o peculiar_a protection_n and_o worldly_a felicity_n not_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o everlasting_a life_n and_o another_o tell_v we_o to_o argue_v from_o circumcision_n to_o infant-baptism_n be_v a_o cunning_a argument_n by_o which_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o female_n be_v not_o antid_v to_o be_v baptize_v mr._n p._n tell_v we_o there_o be_v no_o warrant_n to_o delay_v the_o application_n of_o baptism_n and_o i_o grant_v it_o but_o then_o he_o shall_v consider_v that_o where_o there_o be_v no_o authority_n nor_o capacity_n to_o dispense_v baptism_n there_o be_v no_o delay_n and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o infant_n nor_o do_v their_o be_v under_o the_o merciful_a covenant_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n oblige_v they_o to_o duty_n in_o infancy_n because_o they_o can_v perform_v none_o and_o therefore_o your_o argue_v from_o foederati_fw-la to_o their_o being_n signati_fw-la be_v better_a rhyme_n than_o reason_n for_o if_o you_o follow_v that_o consequence_n it_o will_v unavoidable_o bring_v infant_n to_o the_o lord_n table_n where_o you_o will_v not_o be_v please_v with_o they_o and_o pray_v consider_v what_o multitude_n be_v foederati_fw-la before_o and_o in_o and_o after_o abraham_n time_n who_o yet_o in_o your_o own_o judgement_n be_v not_o signati_fw-la such_o be_v the_o patriarch_n beforementioned_a and_o those_o under_o their_o conduct_n such_o be_v the_o thousand_o of_o male_n who_o die_v before_o the_o eight_o day_n in_o israel_n such_o be_v all_o the_o female_n who_o alone_o be_v one_o half_a of_o abraham_n seed_n all_o these_o be_v foederati_fw-la yet_o be_v none_o of_o they_o signati_fw-la what_o you_o be_v please_v here_o to_o add_v of_o some_o that_o can_v and_o some_o that_o can_v fall_v away_o as_o it_o be_v impertinent_a so_o i_o think_v it_o far_o better_a for_o man_n to_o cease_v such_o idle_a dispute_n and_o to_o exhort_v one_o another_o daily_a to_o take_v heed_n that_o they_o do_v not_o fall_v away_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o far_o from_o think_v that_o any_o man_n can_v stand_v by_o his_o own_o strength_n or_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o religion_n as_o he_o ought_v without_o the_o help_n of_o god_n i_o likewise_o grant_v that_o god_n do_v much_o more_o for_o some_o than_o he_o do_v for_o all_o men._n yet_o all_o this_o give_v we_o no_o occasion_n or_o authority_n to_o tell_v any_o person_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o fall_v so_o as_o to_o perish_v and_o if_o we_o may_v not_o tell_v another_o man_n this_o confident_a story_n it_o be_v bad_a venture_v to_o tell_v ourselves_o that_o we_o can_v fall_v so_o i_o think_v it_o be_v only_o proper_a to_o say_v of_o god_n he_o can_v lie_v and_o then_o it_o follow_v all_o man_n may_v lie_v and_o this_o lie_n may_v be_v their_o ruin_n for_o aught_o they_o know_v rev._n 21._o 27._o i_o will_v not_o dispute_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o state_n attainable_a in_o this_o world_n in_o which_o man_n shall_v certain_o be_v save_v i_o doubt_v it_o not_o but_o when_o man_n have_v get_v to_o that_o degree_n be_v so_o hard_a to_o be_v demonstrate_v that_o i_o take_v he_o for_o no_o wise_a man_n that_o will_v affirm_v it_o of_o himself_o or_o any_o other_o in_o particular_a it_o remain_v therefore_o the_o best_a way_n in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v as_o paul_n do_v 1_o cor._n 9_o 27._o beat_v down_o the_o body_n and_o bring_v it_o into_o subjection_n lest_o while_o we_o preach_v to_o other_o we_o become_v castaways_a and_o if_o any_o confident_a gentleman_n shall_v here_o tell_v i_o the_o word_n only_o intend_v reprovable_a i_o will_v make_v bold_a to_o tell_v he_o he_o do_v neither_o understand_v the_o greek_a nor_o his_o own_o heart_n much_o better_a than_o i_o do_v and_o that_o be_v not_o very_o perfect_o i_o will_v assure_v he_o i_o have_v do_v with_o mr._n petto_n two_o main_a argument_n we_o will_v now_o consider_v his_o auxiliary_n mr._n petto_n be_v three_o argument_n pag._n 39_o some_o infant_n be_v visible_o christ_n and_o so_o
presumption_n no_o proof_n or_o mr._n petto_n argument_n for_o infant_n baptism_n consider_v and_o answer_v and_o infant_n interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n without_o baptism_n assert_v and_o maintain_v whereunto_o be_v prefix_v a_o answer_n to_o two_o question_n propound_v by_o mr._n firmin_n about_o infant_n church-membership_a and_o baptism_n by_o thomas_n grantham_n the_o earth_n also_o be_v defile_v under_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o because_o they_o have_v transgress_v the_o law_n change_v the_o ordinance_n break_v the_o everlasting_a covenant_n isa_n 24._o 5._o now_o i_o praise_v you_o brethren_n that_o you_o remember_v i_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o keep_v the_o ordinance_n as_o i_o deliver_v they_o to_o you_o 1_o cor._n 11._o 2._o london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1687._o to_o the_o reader_n it_o appear_v by_o mr._n pett_n epistle_n to_o the_o reader_n that_o he_o take_v hold_v of_o a_o very_a slight_a occasion_n to_o write_v against_o the_o baptise_a believer_n it_o be_v because_o one_o without_o acquaint_v he_o with_o it_o come_v over_o to_o their_o communion_n i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v be_v more_o patient_a under_o so_o small_a a_o trial_n and_o thereby_o save_v i_o this_o labour_n which_o whether_o it_o will_v end_v here_o i_o know_v not_o that_o may_v be_v as_o he_o please_v i_o hold_v it_o no_o convenient_a time_n for_o dissenter_n to_o write_v one_o against_o another_o friendly_a conference_n may_v do_v much_o better_o but_o i_o have_v find_v man_n of_o mr._n pett_n principle_n very_o averse_a to_o that_o when_o it_o have_v be_v offer_v i_o have_v not_o answer_v each_o particular_a page_n in_o mr._n pett_n book_n for_o that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v very_o often_o repeat_v i_o have_v chief_o deal_v with_o his_o two_o main_a argument_n on_o which_o his_o whole_a discourse_n depend_v what_o he_o say_v about_o the_o mode_n of_o sprinkle_v i_o have_v not_o meddle_v with_o nor_o be_v it_o needful_a for_o we_o see_v that_o general_o such_o as_o be_v serious_o convince_v of_o their_o duty_n in_o the_o case_n of_o baptism_n will_v not_o if_o they_o may_v receive_v it_o but_o in_o the_o way_n of_o immersion_n they_o be_v present_o apprehensive_a that_o no_o way_n can_v be_v so_o safe_a for_o they_o as_o to_o follow_v christ_n himself_o who_o its_o certain_a be_v baptize_v so_o for_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o the_o learned_a that_o mark_v 1._o 9_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v be_v true_o read_v and_o be_v dip_v of_o john_n into_o jordan_n this_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n baptism_n be_v sufficient_a to_o decide_v this_o controversy_n about_o the_o manner_n of_o baptism_n if_o the_o high_a and_o most_o perfect_a example_n that_o ever_o be_v be_v of_o any_o force_n at_o all_o what_o i_o have_v offer_v on_o behalf_n of_o infant_n interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n may_v perhaps_o seem_v too_o full_a of_o charity_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o mr._n petto_n and_o some_o other_o but_o if_o that_o offend_v thou_o do_v but_o consider_v from_o who_o this_o doctrine_n of_o infant_n damnation_n have_v proceed_v it_o be_v either_o of_o god_n or_o man._n i_o have_v search_v the_o scripture_n but_o can_v never_o find_v his_o word_n that_o be_v truth_n itself_o declare_v such_o a_o dreadful_a sentence_n against_o any_o one_o infant_n much_o less_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o die_a infant_n be_v damn_v can_v man_n be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o die_a infant_n the_o controversy_n about_o baptise_v they_o will_v come_v to_o a_o end_n for_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v ever_o learn_v it_o come_v into_o the_o world_n upon_o this_o mistake_n that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v save_v without_o it_o and_o though_o mr._n petto_n seem_v to_o dislike_v cyprian_n judgement_n herein_o yet_o what_o do_v he_o say_v less_o himself_o in_o p._n 1._o where_o he_o insinuate_v that_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n exclude_v million_o out_o of_o the_o great_a charter_n of_o heaven_n but_o this_o may_v perhaps_o be_v find_v their_o fault_n who_o exclude_v all_o but_o the_o infant_n of_o such_o as_o they_o count_v believer_n when_o the_o reckon_n come_v to_o be_v true_o state_v i_o never_o see_v mr._n firmin_n be_v book_n till_o i_o have_v answer_v mr._n petto_n and_o at_o the_o request_n of_o some_o as_o also_o for_o that_o his_o question_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v serious_a and_o considerable_a i_o think_v it_o needful_a to_o give_v a_o serious_a and_o christian_a answer_n to_o they_o which_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v do_v and_o as_o i_o must_v commend_v christian_n in_o their_o enquiry_n what_o evidence_n of_o god_n love_n we_o have_v concern_v infant_n and_o therein_o be_v a_o enquirer_n as_o much_o as_o any_o have_v child_n of_o my_o own_o so_o i_o think_v it_o needful_a to_o caution_n myself_o and_o other_o that_o we_o set_v not_o up_o our_o own_o device_n for_o such_o evidence_n lest_o our_o hope_n be_v thereby_o lessen_v see_v our_o impose_v that_o upon_o infant_n which_o god_n have_v not_o require_v at_o our_o hand_n be_v no_o sign_n of_o his_o love_n to_o they_o at_o all_o tho._n grantham_n the_o preface_n contain_v brief_a answer_n to_o two_o question_n propound_v by_o mr._n giles_n firmin_n in_o his_o book_n call_v the_o plea_n of_o the_o child_n of_o believe_a parent_n because_o mr._n firmin_n question_n bear_v date_n four_o year_n before_o mr._n petto_n argument_n i_o will_v give_v they_o precedence_n in_o my_o answer_v they_o their_o book_n be_v much_o of_o one_o quality_n save_v that_o mr._n firmin_n abound_v with_o more_o unhandsome_a reflection_n upon_o many_o in_o which_o kind_n of_o deal_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o give_v retaliation_n but_o that_o be_v not_o commendable_a what_o he_o write_v against_o mr._n danvers_n i_o leave_v to_o he_o to_o vindicate_v himself_o as_o he_o have_v do_v against_o other_o and_o that_o very_a well_o either_o by_o justify_v his_o authority_n or_o rectify_v such_o over-fights_a as_o may_v easy_o befall_v the_o most_o accurate_a writer_n in_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o quotation_n and_o which_o i_o be_o persuade_v will_v much_o satisfy_v mr._n firmin_n himself_o will_v he_o impartial_o read_v the_o controversy_n mr._n firmin_n be_v a_o wise_a man_n than_o to_o engage_v close_o in_o the_o question_n about_o the_o divine_a authority_n for_o infant-baptism_n maintain_v his_o fight_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n save_v that_o he_o play_v a_o little_a with_o some_o argument_n rather_o of_o other_o man_n devise_v than_o his_o own_o he_o at_o last_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a strength_n of_o his_o discourse_n in_o two_o question_n and_o only_a desire_n some_o answer_n to_o they_o from_o those_o who_o he_o be_v please_v constant_o to_o call_v anabaptist_n i_o know_v no_o such_o creature_n yet_o i_o know_v that_o he_o mean_v those_o christian_n who_o according_a to_o god_n word_n heb._n 6._o 1_o 2._o make_v baptism_n the_o three_o not_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n in_o which_o order_n the_o first_o and_o best_a of_o gospel-churche_n receive_v it_o even_o that_o which_o be_v found_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o ministry_n and_o which_o be_v therefore_o the_o mother_n of_o all_o church_n christian_n in_o which_o church_n consist_v of_o believe_a jew_n their_o child_n have_v as_o clear_v a_o interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o any_o can_v pretend_v to_o and_o as_o great_a privilege_n in_o the_o church_n christian_n as_o be_v or_o be_v needful_a for_o any_o and_o yet_o whoever_o read_v the_o plantation_n and_o progress_n of_o that_o church_n or_o the_o epistle_n which_o be_v write_v to_o they_o on_o the_o occasion_n of_o some_o decay_n which_o afterward_o befall_v they_o shall_v never_o find_v so_o much_o as_o one_o infant_n baptize_v in_o that_o church_n nor_o indeed_o in_o any_o other_o during_o the_o apostle_n day_n which_o consideration_n alone_o be_v enough_o to_o cause_v a_o modest_a enquirer_n to_o question_v the_o legality_n of_o infant-baptism_n mr._n firmin_n have_v get_v infant-baptism_n into_o a_o very_a little_a corner_n it_o belong_v only_o to_o child_n of_o believe_a parent_n in_o a_o independent_a or_o presbyterian_a sense_n so_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n call_v christendom_n will_v have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o and_o he_o make_v it_o very_o insignificant_a to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o these_o two_o for_o pag._n 33._o he_o do_v not_o make_v god_n to_o be_v indeed_o their_o god_n till_o with_o his_o call_n he_o give_v they_o faith_n to_o answer_v his_o call._n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n i_o suppose_v why_o they_o deny_v these_o so_o pretend_o holy_a infant_n who_o they_o sprinkle_v any_o privilege_n in_o their_o church_n at_o the_o lord_n table_n till_o
they_o covenant_n again_o which_o be_v common_o 20_o 30_o or_o 40_o year_n after_o they_o have_v sprinkle_v they_o for_o which_o strange_a practice_n they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o tittle_n in_o god_n word_n to_o warrant_v it_o and_o where_o then_o they_o can_v find_v a_o rule_n for_o this_o practice_n i_o know_v not_o i_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o mr._n firmin_n question_n be_v take_v by_o some_o to_o be_v unanswerable_a let_v we_o therefore_o view_v they_o in_o his_o word_n verbatim_o the_o first_o be_v thus_o mr._n firmin_n quest_n i._o since_o god_n be_v so_o gracious_a to_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n and_o it_o do_v then_o consist_v with_o his_o wisdom_n to_o constitute_v his_o church_n of_o parent_n and_o child_n while_o the_o parent_n do_v believe_v in_o the_o messiah_n to_o come_v why_o may_v it_o not_o consist_v with_o his_o grace_n to_o continue_v that_o covenant_n and_o with_o his_o wisdom_n still_o to_o constitute_v his_o gospel-church_n of_o parent_n and_o child_n the_o jew_n now_o believe_v in_o christ_n come_v answer_n you_o must_v allow_v that_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o restrain_v to_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n but_o do_v belong_v to_o many_o at_o that_o time_n both_o parent_n and_o child_n many_o holy_a patriarch_n be_v then_o live_v and_o some_o outlive_v abraham_n himself_o and_o yet_o none_o of_o these_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n as_o make_v with_o abraham_n gen._n 17._o but_o only_a in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o make_v with_o adam_n and_o noah_n which_o have_v now_o continue_v more_o than_o 2000_o year_n during_o all_o which_o time_n no_o infant_n be_v concern_v either_o in_o circumcision_n or_o baptism_n and_o yet_o be_v as_o much_o of_o the_o church_n as_o be_v needful_a for_o their_o salvation_n and_o hence_o a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o answer_v your_o question_n by_o ask_v you_o another_o thus_o since_o god_n be_v so_o gracious_a to_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o adam_n and_o noah_n and_o their_o seed_n and_o it_o do_v then_o consist_v with_o his_o wisdom_n to_o constitute_v his_o church_n of_o parent_n to_o practice_v his_o ordinance_n and_o of_o their_o child_n to_o partake_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o eternal_a life_n without_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o ordinance_n in_o their_o infancy_n for_o more_o than_o 2000_o year_n before_o christ_n come_v why_o may_v it_o not_o confist_n with_o his_o grace_n to_o continue_v that_o covenant_n of_o grace_n make_v with_o adam_n noah_n and_o abraham_n himself_o 24_o year_n before_o he_o be_v circumcise_v and_o with_o his_o wisdom_n still_o to_o constitute_v his_o gospel-church_n of_o parent_n to_o practice_v his_o ordinance_n and_o of_o their_o child_n to_o partake_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o eternal_a life_n without_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o his_o ordinance_n in_o their_o infancy_n since_o christ_n be_v come_v especial_o consider_v that_o christ_n himself_o do_v not_o appoint_v those_o very_a infant_n who_o be_v bring_v to_o he_o to_o have_v his_o ordinance_n impose_v upon_o they_o if_o mr._n firmin_n be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o this_o reply_n then_o let_v i_o tell_v he_o it_o become_v no_o man_n no_o not_o mr._n firmin_n himself_o to_o propound_v such_o a_o unlearned_a question_n which_o be_v guilty_a of_o no_o more_o reason_n than_o this_o since_o god_n be_v so_o gracious_a and_o it_o do_v consist_v with_o his_o wisdom_n to_o give_v abraham_n a_o command_n to_o offer_v up_o his_o belove_a son_n as_o a_o sign_n of_o christ_n to_o come_v why_o may_v it_o not_o consist_v with_o his_o grace_n and_o wisdom_n for_o we_o of_o our_o own_o head_n without_o any_o command_n from_o god_n to_o offer_v up_o every_o one_o his_o dear_a child_n in_o remembrance_n that_o christ_n be_v come_v sir_n what_o may_v or_o may_v not_o consist_v with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o relation_n to_o his_o church-constitution_n and_o our_o serve_v he_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v not_o be_v conclude_v from_o the_o likeness_n which_o we_o fancy_v to_o be_v between_o his_o former_a institution_n and_o our_o own_o or_o other_o invention_n but_o from_o such_o direction_n as_o he_o have_v give_v we_o by_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o teach_v we_o all_o thing_n john_n 4._o both_o concern_v ourselves_o and_o concern_v our_o infant_n and_o we_o do_v therefore_o know_v that_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o constitute_v his_o gospel-church_n so_o as_o to_o impose_v gospel-ordinance_n upon_o infant_n although_o he_o do_v impose_v legal_a ordinance_n upon_o they_o because_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n have_v reveal_v no_o such_o thing_n to_o his_o apostle_n nor_o they_o to_o we_o and_o like_v as_o you_o know_v it_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o bring_v little_a child_n so_o into_o the_o church_n as_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o lord_n table_n because_o god_n have_v require_v faith_n and_o humiliation_n in_o every_o one_o that_o come_v to_o that_o holy_a manducation_n so_o we_o do_v know_v it_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o bring_v infant_n so_o into_o his_o church_n as_o to_o partake_v of_o holy_a baptism_n because_o repentance_n whereby_o sin_n be_v forsake_v and_o faith_n to_o believe_v god_n promise_n be_v require_v by_o he_o of_o those_o that_o he_o require_v to_o be_v baptize_v you_o see_v then_o that_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v infant_n to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o to_o obtain_v salvation_n with_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v save_v although_o we_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v in_o the_o church_n in_o your_o sense_n but_o let_v we_o hear_v your_o second_o question_n mr._n firmin_n quest_n ii_o if_o god_n have_v repeal_v his_o covenant_n with_o the_o believe_a jew_n seed_n turn_v their_o child_n out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o deny_v they_o baptism_n though_o the_o jew_n true_o believe_v in_o christ_n come_v what_o have_v god_n leave_v in_o the_o room_n of_o these_o that_o carry_v any_o show_n of_o his_o blessing_n or_o good_a will_n towards_o their_o child_n during_o their_o infant-state_n answer_n the_o word_n covenant_n and_o church_n as_o use_v by_o mr._n firmin_n be_v ambiguous_a i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o abraham_n nor_o isaac_n neither_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n till_o they_o be_v circumcise_v it_o be_v evident_a abraham_n seed_n be_v in_o covenant_n before_o they_o be_v eight_o day_n old_a even_o as_o it_o be_v a_o peculiar_a visible_a church-covenant_n else_o all_o that_o be_v uncircumcised_a for_o forty_o year_n in_o the_o wilderness_n be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o covenant_n mr._n firmin_n himself_o believe_v that_o infant_n be_v in_o the_o covenant_n and_o in_o the_o church_n also_o before_o they_o be_v sprinkle_v by_o he_o for_o this_o be_v the_o minor_a of_o one_o of_o his_o argument_n p._n 103._o but_o child_n of_o believe_a parent_n be_v church_n member_n and_o this_o before_o you_o sprinkle_v they_o now_o sir_n if_o your_o doctrine_n be_v true_a than_o it_o be_v not_o our_o wait_v for_o a_o fit_a time_n to_o baptize_v our_o child_n which_o turn_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n nor_o do_v god_n for_o our_o so_o do_v turn_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n any_o whit_n more_o than_o your_o wait_v a_o fit_a time_n and_o you_o make_v it_o perhaps_o twenty_o thirty_o or_o forty_o year_n for_o your_o bring_v your_o child_n to_o the_o lord_n table_n turn_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n indeed_o if_o they_o live_v to_o year_n and_o choose_v sinful_a way_n they_o then_o turn_v themselves_o out_o of_o that_o relation_n they_o have_v to_o god_n and_o his_o people_n in_o their_o infancy_n by_o virtue_n of_o god_n gracious_a covenant_n and_o they_o thus_o turn_v his_o mercy_n into_o jndgment_n shall_v perish_v whether_o you_o or_o we_o the_o case_n be_v equal_a i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o to_o a_o wise_a man._n yet_o i_o add_v that_o the_o believe_a jew_n and_o their_o infant_n also_o be_v now_o make_v free_a from_o the_o jewish_a church-state_n gal._n 5._o 1._o but_o neither_o they_o nor_o their_o infant_n be_v deprive_v of_o any_o place_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v needful_a for_o they_o in_o their_o respective_a capacity_n yet_o the_o parent_n have_v many_o duty_n upon_o they_o which_o the_o infant_n have_v not_o and_o of_o these_o the_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n be_v one_o they_o have_v also_o privilege_n which_o the_o infant_n have_v not_o of_o which_o the_o lord_n table_n be_v one_o yet_o the_o little_a child_n have_v these_o privilege_n which_o the_o child_n of_o unbeliever_n have_v not_o first_o to_o be_v devote_v to_o god_n by_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n warrant_v therein_o by_o the_o