church_n among_o the_o jew_n now_o none_o will_v deny_v but_o that_o will-worship_n or_o add_v to_o god_n word_n and_o his_o service_n be_v as_o utter_o unlawful_a among_o they_o as_o among_o we_o christian_n yet_o the_o most_o religious_a among_o they_o use_v that_o as_o their_o bind_a duty_n and_o necessary_a to_o god_n service_n which_o have_v no_o original_n express_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o proof_n hereof_o we_o shall_v offer_v three_o thing_n to_o the_o reader_n consideration_n 1._o repair_v to_o synagogue_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o necessary_a part_n of_o god_n service_n 2._o the_o same_o be_v not_o ground_v on_o any_o express_a of_o scripture_n 3._o but_o consequential_o on_o several_a place_n prudential_o join_v together_o for_o the_o first_o it_o plain_o appear_v by_o christ_n constant_a practice_n luke_n 4._o 16._o and_o as_o his_o custom_n be_v he_o go_v into_o the_o synagogue_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n as_o sure_o as_o a_o seven_o day_n return_v every_o week_n so_o certain_o do_v our_o saviour_n visit_v the_o synagogue_n it_o be_v also_o evident_a by_o the_o continual_a custom_n of_o all_o pious_a jew_n act_n 15._o 21._o for_o moses_n of_o old_a time_n have_v in_o every_o city_n they_o that_o preach_v he_o be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath_n day_n to_o destroy_v these_o synagogue_n be_v account_v a_o wicked_a work_n witness_n god_n servant_n their_o passionate_a complaint_n psal_n 74._o 8._o and_o again_o to_o erect_v they_o be_v a_o acceptible_a act_n allege_v by_o the_o pharisee_n as_o a_o argument_n to_o endee_a the_o centurion_n unto_o our_o saviour_n mat._n 8._o he_o love_v our_o nation_n and_o have_v build_v we_o a_o synagogue_n last_o it_o be_v esteem_v a_o heavy_a punishment_n equivalent_a to_o our_o excommunication_n john_n 9_o 2d_o to_o be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n yet_o repair_v to_o synagogue_n or_o the_o erect_n of_o they_o be_v not_o found_v on_o any_o positive_a precept_n in_o god_n word_n indeed_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o afterward_o the_o temple_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n where_o all_o male_n be_v command_v to_o present_v themselves_o thrice_o a_o year_n namely_o at_o the_o passeover_n the_o feast_n of_o trumpet_n and_o tabernaclos_n but_o these_o synagogue_n which_o i_o may_v term_v chapel_n of_o ease_n to_o the_o mother-temple_n no_o write_v law_n oblige_v man_n either_o to_o the_o sound_n or_o frequent_v of_o they_o yet_o that_o the_o same_o be_v ground_v on_o rational_a deduction_n from_o scripture_n may_v infallible_o be_v evince_v the_o text_n say_v exod._n 20._o remember_v thou_o keep_v holy_a the_o sabbath_n day_n and_o reason_n dictate_v unto_o they_o first_o that_o people_n presence_n at_o public_a service_n be_v a_o principal_a part_n of_o sanctify_v the_o sabbath_n second_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o repair_v to_o the_o temple_n and_o return_v to_o their_o house_n such_o their_o distance_n betwixt_o they_o three_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a some_o room_n of_o receipt_n shall_v be_v provide_v sequester_v from_o common_a use_n wherein_o people_n shall_v meet_v together_o last_o another_o text_n affirm_v that_o the_o priest_n lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n it_o be_v proper_a for_o they_o and_o the_o levite_n disperse_v in_o all_o israel_n on_o the_o sabbath_n in_o the_o synagogue_n to_o read_v moses_n to_o the_o people_n thus_o we_o find_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o synagague_n not_o on_o the_o float_a sand_n of_o humane_a fancy_n but_o firm_a rock_n of_o god_n word_n though_o not_o direct_o yet_o by_o consequence_n collect_v from_o the_o same_o in_o a_o word_n as_o chamber_n and_o house_n be_v for_o man_n personal_a &_o family_a devotion_n every_o day_n or_o as_o oft_o as_o they_o please_v &_o as_o the_o temple_n be_v for_o the_o national_a service_n of_o the_o jew_n thrice_o every_o year_n so_o synagogue_n be_v interpose_v in_o the_o middle_n betwixt_o both_o for_o town_n and_o city_n to_o serve_v god_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n the_o whole_a nation_n meet_v thrice_o a_o year_n every_o city_n once_o a_o week_n as_o private_a person_n every_o day_n and_o as_o oft_o as_o they_o please_v suppose_v now_o that_o a_o priest_n among_o the_o jew_n shall_v press_v a_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o repair_v to_o the_o synagogue_n how_o may_v he_o have_v return_v this_o answer_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o antipedobaptists_a i_o will_v go_v up_o to_o the_o temple_n thrice_o every_o year_n and_o there_o i_o will_v not_o appear_v emptyhanded_a but_o i_o will_v not_o on_o the_o sabbath_n present_v myself_o in_o the_o synagogue_n which_o meeting_n be_v not_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la a_o mere_a civil_a institution_n groundless_a on_o god_n word_n show_v i_o a_o place_n of_o scripture_n enjoin_v my_o attendance_n in_o a_o synagogue_n and_o i_o will_v become_v your_o convert_n till_o which_o time_n i_o will_v not_o only_a myself_o refrain_v my_o appearance_n there_o but_o will_v also_o account_v it_o will-worship_n in_o all_o such_o as_o there_o assemble_v themselves_o i_o believe_v not_o one_o of_o our_o adversary_n in_o our_o present_a controversy_n which_o be_v ingenuous_a but_o will_v condemn_v such_o a_o recusant_n among_o the_o jew_n for_o refractory_a and_o obstinate_a yea_o they_o will_v conceive_v he_o if_o persist_v herein_o to_o deserve_v church-censure_n for_o his_o schismatical_a singularity_n yet_o give_v i_o leave_v with_o love_n grief_n and_o anger_n to_o say_v unto_o he_o as_o once_o nathan_n to_o david_n thou_o be_v the_o man_n in_o deny_v infant_n baptism_n which_o though_o not_o in_o so_o many_o word_n express_v be_v by_o necessary_a consequence_n infallible_o found_v on_o god_n word_n now_o although_o i_o free_o confess_v no_o literal_a precedent_n of_o pedo-baptism_n in_o scripture_n yet_o such_o a_o one_o therein_o be_v present_v unto_o we_o which_o although_o it_o will_v not_o confute_v our_o opposite_n it_o will_v confirm_v we_o in_o our_o judgement_n and_o though_o it_o be_v not_o able_a titus_n 1._o 9_o to_o convince_v the_o gainsayer_n yet_o it_o will_v strengthen_v we_o in_o the_o truth_n when_o the_o principal_a be_v know_v of_o himself_o to_o be_v sufficient_a any_o security_n with_o he_o will_v be_v accept_v and_o the_o follow_a instance_n may_v be_v cast_v in_o as_o over-weight_n to_o such_o mind_n who_o already_o have_v their_o full_a measure_n of_o persuasion_n in_o this_o point_n namely_o when_o it_o be_v say_v act_v 16._o 15._o lydia_n be_v baptise_a and_o her_o household_n and_o again_o act_v 16._o 33._o of_o the_o jailor_n be_v baptize_v he_o and_o all_o his_o straight_o way_n also_o 1_o cor._n 1._o 16._o i_o baptize_v also_o the_o household_n of_o stephanas_n for_o the_o jailor_n that_o child_n if_o he_o have_v any_o be_v comprise_v under_o the_o expression_n of_o all_o his_o be_v sufficient_o know_v by_o satan_n interpretation_n job_n 1._o 12._o of_o god_n commission_n behold_v all_o that_o he_o have_v be_v in_o thy_o power_n and_o god_n consent_v thereunto_o when_o permit_v he_o by_o virtue_n thereof_o to_o destroy_v all_o job_n child_n and_o whereas_o in_o the_o other_o two_o instance_n the_o baptise_v of_o whole_a household_n be_v express_v we_o must_v rational_o conceive_v that_o some_o infant_n be_v among_o they_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v tell_v the_o time_n when_o there_o be_v three_o household_n of_o young_a folk_n in_o the_o world_n and_o then_o but_o three_o household_n of_o young_a folk_n in_o the_o world_n namely_o the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o daughter_n in_o law_n in_o the_o ark_n and_o yet_o not_o one_o infant_n betwixt_o they_o all_o but_o this_o be_v a_o rare_a and_o mystical_a accident_n again_o to_o hold_v the_o balance_n even_o i_o can_v tell_v the_o time_n when_o in_o a_o large_a country_n every_o family_n offer_v a_o first-born_a namely_o in_o egypt_n exod._n 12._o 3._o there_o be_v not_o a_o house_n where_o there_o be_v not_o one_o dead_a which_o s._n austin_n account_v miraculous_a god_n purposely_o make_v every_o family_n fruitful_a that_o it_o may_v yield_v a_o fit_a object_n for_o his_o own_o justice_n but_o to_o wave_v these_o instance_n of_o extraordinary_a dispensation_n take_v three_o house_n together_o indifferent_o numerous_a such_o as_o those_o of_o lydia_n the_o jailor_n and_o stephanas_n must_v be_v presume_v to_o be_v consider_v the_o garb_n of_o that_o age_n wherein_o most_o of_o man_n movable_a wealth_n consist_v in_o man_n and_o maid_n servant_n with_o the_o child_n beget_v by_o they_o and_o it_o be_v utter_o improbable_a but_o some_o infant_n will_v be_v among_o they_o for_o a_o great_a family_n be_v like_a unto_o a_o orange_n tree_n which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n have_v bud_n and_o blossom_n and_o knob_n and_o green_a and_o half_a ripe_a and_o full_a ripe_a orange_n on_o it_o all_o together_o i_o mean_v
reductive_o circumcise_a it_o follow_v by_o who_o it_o be_v administer_v this_o general_o be_v the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n abraham_n circumcise_a isaac_n gen._n 21._o 4._o as_o for_o zipporahs_n circumcise_n her_o son_n exod_a 4._o 25._o in_o a_o case_n of_o extremity_n and_o her_o husband_n indisposition_n it_o be_v a_o irregular_a act_n not_o to_o be_v draw_v into_o precedent_n but_o to_o be_v recount_v among_o those_o which_o when_o perform_v be_v valid_a but_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v perform_v come_v we_o now_o to_o the_o time_n when_o eight_o day_n here_o i_o will_v not_o search_v with_o some_o for_o a_o secret_a sanctity_n in_o the_o number_n of_o eight_o as_o consist_v of_o seven_o the_o emblem_n of_o perfection_n with_o the_o addition_n of_o one_o that_o be_v entireness_n lest_o our_o curiosity_n reap_v what_o god_n wisdom_n never_o sow_v therein_o the_o plain_a reason_n be_v this_o before_o the_o eight_o day_n a_o child_n be_v not_o conceive_v to_o be_v consolidate_v flesh_n but_o till_o then_o in_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o mother_n and_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n when_o a_o bullock_n sheep_n or_o goat_n be_v bring_v forth_o levit._n 22._o 27._o then_o it_o shall_v be_v seven_o day_n under_o the_o dam_n and_o from_o the_o eight_o day_n and_o thenceforth_o it_o shall_v be_v accept_v for_o a_o offer_v make_v by_o fire_n unto_o the_o lord_n quest._n what_o become_v of_o the_o soul_n of_o such_o infant_n who_o die_v before_o the_o eight_o day_n and_o so_o want_v circumcision_n answ_n they_o want_v not_o circumcision_n for_o want_n be_v the_o absence_n of_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v have_v now_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o because_o no_o command_n for_o their_o circumcision_n before_o that_o time_n god_n the_o grand_a lawgiver_n though_o tie_v other_o be_v not_o tie_v himself_o to_o his_o law_n but_o can_v and_o no_o doubt_n do_v give_v spiritual_a grace_n to_o many_o infant_n chief_a if_o child_n of_o believe_a parent_n die_v in_o their_o nonage_n of_o their_o nonage_n before_o the_o eight_o day_n and_o incapacity_n of_o the_o sign_n of_o circumcision_n he_o who_o rom._n 4._o 17._o call_v thing_n which_o be_v not_o as_o if_o they_o be_v can_v call_v child_n which_o be_v but_o be_v not_o circumcise_v as_o if_o they_o be_v circumcise_v and_o although_o proper_o among_o man_n they_o be_v not_o name_v till_o the_o eight_o day_n luke_n 2._o 21._o yet_o such_o infant_n nameless_a on_o earth_n might_n phil._n 4._o 3._o have_v their_o name_n writteâ—_n in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n a_o instance_n we_o have_v hereof_o plain_a and_o pregnant_a to_o such_o who_o read_v the_o place_n without_o prejudice_n in_o david_n child_n 2_o sam._n 12._o 18._o and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n that_o the_o child_n die_v that_o be_v seven_o day_n à _fw-la nativitate_fw-la from_o the_o birth_n thereof_o as_o tremelius_fw-la expound_v it_o the_o more_o probable_o because_o no_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o any_o name_n impose_v upon_o it_o this_o child_n beside_o the_o natural_a stain_n of_o original_a corruption_n have_v also_o the_o personal_a blemish_n of_o adulterous_a extraction_n and_o yet_o how_o confident_a david_n be_v of_o the_o final_a happiness_n thereof_o appear_v by_o this_o expression_n vers_fw-la 22._o i_o shall_v go_v to_o he_o but_o he_o shall_v not_o return_v to_o i_o let_v none_o strangle_v the_o life_n of_o so_o comfortable_a a_o passage_n with_o too_o narrow_a a_o interpretation_n thereof_o as_o if_o nothing_o therein_o be_v import_v more_o than_o that_o david_n shall_v die_v as_o well_o as_o his_o child_n this_o have_v be_v but_o cold_a comfort_n unto_o he_o and_o will_v never_o have_v invite_v he_o to_o such_o cheerfulness_n of_o spirit_n so_o free_o to_o have_v refresh_v himself_o who_o joy_n be_v found_v on_o the_o comfortable_a assurance_n of_o his_o child_n final_a happiness_n and_o that_o one_o day_n they_o shall_v both_o meet_v in_o heaven_n together_o it_o remain_v that_o we_o treat_v of_o the_o punishment_n on_o the_o refuser_n of_o circumcision_n express_v in_o these_o word_n gen._n 17._o 14._o that_o soul_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o his_o people_n he_o have_v break_v my_o covenant_n a_o threaten_a capable_a of_o three_o several_a sense_n 1._o severe_a that_o be_v by_o the_o sword_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n they_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o visible_a congregation_n they_o shall_v most_o just_o as_o the_o blind_a man_n be_v injurious_o john_n 9_o 33._o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n not_o to_o be_v restore_v unto_o it_o without_o their_o solemn_a and_o sincere_a repentance_n parallel_v to_o s._n paul_n expression_n gal._n 5._o 12._o i_o will_v they_o be_v even_o cut_v off_o that_o trouble_n you_o though_o both_o phrase_n by_o some_o divine_n be_v expound_v in_o a_o sense_n 2._o severe_a that_o be_v the_o magistrate_n shall_v cut_v they_o off_o with_o the_o sword_n of_o justice_n and_o as_o capital_a offender_n they_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o this_o sense_n god_n have_v last_o use_v the_o same_o word_n gen._n 9_o 11._o neither_o shall_v all_o flesh_n be_v cut_v off_o any_o more_o that_o be_v their_o life_n shall_v no_o more_o be_v take_v away_o by_o a_o universal_a destruction_n 3._o severe_a that_o be_v they_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o righteous_a by_o a_o final_a perdition_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n in_o hell-fire_n these_o three_o interpretation_n do_v not_o cross_v but_o crown_v one_o another_o be_v no_o contradiction_n unto_o but_o a_o gradation_n one_o above_o another_o the_o refuser_n of_o circumcision_n first_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o by_o excommunication_n that_o not_o cause_v his_o amendment_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o by_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o pain_n and_o shame_n of_o temporal_a death_n not_o reclaim_v he_o he_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o with_o eternal_a damnation_n quest_n here_o be_v a_o heavy_a punishment_n indeed_o but_o who_o be_v the_o person_n on_o who_o it_o be_v to_o be_v inflict_v it_o be_v the_o disciple_n question_v to_o our_o saviour_n john_n 9_o 2._o who_o do_v sin_n this_o man_n or_o his_o parent_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v blind_a but_o here_o the_o question_n will_v be_v who_o shall_v be_v punish_v this_o child_n or_o his_o parent_n see_v betwixt_o both_o circumcision_n be_v neglect_v answ_n first_o negative_o sure_o not_o the_o child_n for_o it_o be_v say_v he_o have_v break_v my_o covenant_n the_o covenant_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v break_v on_o he_o but_o not_o by_o he_o be_v pure_o passive_a therein_o be_v the_o child_n sensible_a of_o the_o benefit_n by_o the_o have_v damage_n by_o the_o lose_n thereof_o and_o may_v it_o but_o borrow_v a_o tongue_n of_o the_o stander_n by_o never_o be_v rachel_n more_o impatient_a for_o child_n then_o this_o child_n will_v be_v importunate_a for_o circumcision_n give_v i_o circumcision_n or_o else_o i_o die_v now_o positive_o that_o the_o penalty_n fall_v not_o on_o the_o child_n but_o on_o the_o parent_n plain_o appear_v by_o god_n proceed_n exod._n 4._o 24._o when_o he_o seek_v to_o kill_v moses_n and_o not_o his_o child_n for_o be_v uncircumcised_a however_o if_o a_o child_n leave_v uncircumcised_a by_o his_o parent_n neglect_v afterward_o arrive_v at_o man_n estate_n and_o pertinacious_o persist_v in_o the_o contempt_n of_o circumcision_n he_o equal_o entitle_v himself_o to_o the_o fault_n and_o be_v also_o liable_a to_o the_o punishment_n in_o my_o text_n quest_n see_v so_o sharp_a and_o severe_a the_o penalty_n how_o come_v that_o suspension_n of_o circumcision_n full_a forty_o year_n in_o the_o wilderness_n josh_n 5._o 7_o to_o be_v connive_v at_o god_n not_o only_o not_o punish_v but_o for_o aught_o appear_v in_o scripture_n not_o so_o much_o as_o reprove_v the_o same_o answ_n in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o can_v approve_v the_o answer_n of_o s._n joshua_n hierom_n and_o other_o affirm_v that_o circumcision_n be_v give_v to_o difference_n and_o distinguish_v the_o jew_n from_o other_o nation_n and_o see_v no_o nation_n be_v near_o they_o during_o their_o travel_n in_o the_o desolate_a wilderness_n circumcision_n be_v therefore_o purposely_o omit_v for_o beside_o that_o sundry_a people_n and_o particular_o the_o amalekite_n dwell_v in_o the_o desert_n circumcision_n be_v principal_o ordain_v not_o to_o be_v a_o badge_n of_o distinction_n but_o a_o seal_n of_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o jew_n unto_o god_n more_n probable_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o because_o the_o jew_n during_o that_o forty_o year_n be_v always_o though_o not_o actual_o move_v dispose_v to_o move_v at_o a_o minute_n warning_n when_o ever_o they_o receive_v order_n from_o the_o remove_n of_o the_o pillar_n god_n the_o lawgiver_n dispense_v with_o they_o to_o defer_v circumcision_n till_o they_o be_v fix_v
how_o it_o come_v thither_o god_n know_v if_o we_o can_v perceive_v the_o manner_n of_o sin_n poison_n no_o wonder_n if_o we_o can_v conceive_v the_o method_n of_o grace_n antidote_n in_o infant_n soul_n let_v we_o allow_v heaven_n to_o be_v as_o incomprehensible_o miraculous_a in_o heal_v as_o hell_n have_v be_v insensible_o subtle_a in_o hurt_v the_o same_o and_o see_v god_n have_v express_v thus_o much_o that_o infant_n be_v call_v by_o he_o to_o be_v covenanter_n let_v we_o with_o humility_n and_o modesty_n believe_v they_o to_o be_v enable_v with_o a_o proportion_n of_o grace_n to_o discharge_v their_o covenant_n in_o relation_n though_o it_o transcend_v our_o capacity_n to_o clear_v all_o doubt_n and_o difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v multiply_v about_o the_o manner_n thereof_o in_o further_o clear_v this_o objection_n know_v that_o beside_o such_o grace_n which_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v in_o infant_n heart_n they_o have_v three_o thing_n else_o which_o assist_v they_o in_o this_o covenant_n 1._o their_o parent_n faith_n tender_v they_o to_o god_n 2._o god_n goodness_n accept_v the_o tender_a 3._o their_o own_o actual_a performance_n of_o the_o covenant_n if_o live_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n first_o their_o parent_n faith_n in_o tender_v they_o appliable_a to_o this_o purpose_n be_v that_o expression_n record_v by_o three_o of_o the_o evangelist_n bring_v in_o a_o bed_n by_o four_o who_o find_v no_o door_n in_o the_o side_n such_o the_o press_n of_o people_n make_v one_o in_o the_o roof_n of_o the_o house_n and_o let_v he_o down_o by_o cord_n into_o the_o room_n where_o our_o saviour_n be_v jesus_n see_v their_o faith_n matth._n 9_o 2._o when_o jesus_n see_v their_o faith_n mark_v 2._o 5._o and_o when_o he_o see_v their_o faith_n luke_n 5._o 20._o two_o thing_n herein_o be_v considerable_a first_o that_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o bearer_n be_v a_o motive_n and_o inducement_n to_o our_o saviour_n the_o more_o speedy_o with_o favour_n to_o reflect_v on_o this_o sick_a man_n second_o that_o the_o word_n their_o faith_n be_v take_v inclusive_o take_v in_o a_o five_o faith_n to_o the_o former_a four_o namely_o the_o faith_n of_o he_o who_o lie_v sick_a on_o the_o bed_n however_o here_o we_o see_v that_o the_o behest_n of_o friend_n concur_v to_o the_o expedit_v of_o his_o cure_n and_o though_o let_v down_o but_o by_o four_o cord_n he_o be_v lift_v up_o into_o christ_n favour_n with_o a_o fivefold_a cable_n of_o faith_n which_o can_v be_v break_v near_a be_v the_o relation_n betwixt_o parent_n and_o child_n than_o friend_n and_o friend_n when_o therefore_o a_o pious_a father_n mother_n or_o best_o then_o when_o both_o shall_v with_o the_o arm_n of_o their_o faith_n offer_v a_o infant_n who_o indeed_o be_v a_o part_n of_o themselves_o to_o god_n in_o circumcision_n this_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o main_a motive_n through_o god_n mercy_n and_o no_o otherwise_o to_o induce_v he_o gracious_o to_o behold_v the_o present_a tender_v unto_o he_o thus_o the_o faith_n of_o abraham_n and_o sarah_n advantage_v isaac_n into_o god_n love_n the_o faith_n of_o isaac_n and_o rebeccah_n recommend_v and_o prefer_v jacob_n at_o his_o circumcision_n into_o god_n favour_n second_o at_o circumcision_n the_o child_n weakness_n to_o covenant_n be_v assist_v by_o god_n acceptance_n thereof_o that_o be_v well_o speak_v which_o be_v well_o take_v how_o simple_a and_o slender_a soever_o a_o child_n performance_n be_v at_o circumcision_n how_o low_a and_o little_a soever_o his_o faith_n be_v god_n stoop_v such_o his_o gracious_a condescension_n to_o take_v it_o up_o he_o make_v as_o i_o may_v say_v a_o long_a arm_n to_o reach_v a_o short_a one_o and_o so_o both_o meet_v together_o last_o this_o strengthen_v the_o covenant_n then_o make_v by_o the_o child_n that_o afterward_o if_o arrive_v at_o year_n of_o discretion_n he_o public_o ratify_v and_o confirm_v the_o same_o with_o his_o own_o actual_a faith_n evidence_v to_o other_o in_o his_o pious_a conversation_n man_n use_v to_o say_v of_o plato_n his_o scholar_n that_o their_o master_n precept_n do_v freeze_v in_o they_o till_o they_o be_v about_o fifty_o year_n old_a and_o then_o begin_v to_o thaw_v in_o they_o till_o the_o day_n of_o their_o death_n mean_v that_o the_o good_a counsel_n he_o give_v they_o make_v no_o visible_a impression_n on_o the_o amendment_n of_o their_o manner_n till_o the_o heat_n of_o their_o youth_n be_v overpast_v and_o they_o come_v to_o their_o reduce_v age_n circumcision_n may_v be_v say_v to_o freeze_v in_o infant_n as_o to_o any_o eminent_a outward_a effect_n thereof_o during_o their_o minority_n the_o vigour_n and_o virtue_n thereof_o be_v dormant_a and_o seem_o dead_a in_o they_o but_o when_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n than_o it_o raise_v and_o rouze_v itself_o namely_o when_o the_o party_n make_v good_a the_o covenant_n make_v by_o he_o before_o and_o then_o the_o strength_n of_o that_o sacrament_n have_v a_o powerful_a influence_n on_o their_o soul_n all_o the_o day_n of_o their_o life_n and_o although_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o iteration_n of_o outward_a circumcision_n which_o do_v once_o be_v do_v for_o ever_o yet_o inward_o to_o circumcise_v their_o soul_n be_v the_o daily_a task_n of_o all_o devout_a jew_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v our_o constant_a employment_n and_o a_o word_n or_o two_o brief_o of_o the_o nature_n thereof_o chap._n vi_o circumcision_n consider_v as_o a_o sign_n and_o what_o mystery_n be_v signify_v therein_o the_o principal_a mystery_n couch_v under_o circumcision_n as_o a_o sign_n be_v reducible_a to_o seven_o particular_n 1._o that_o our_o carnal_a corruption_n may_v be_v spare_v 2._o can_v be_v cure_v 3._o must_v not_o be_v cover_v 4._o must_v be_v cut_v off_o 5._o this_o cut_n off_o must_v be_v timely_a 6._o must_v be_v total_a 7._o will_v be_v painful_a 1._o may_v be_v spare_v listen_v not_o to_o the_o suggestion_n of_o satan_n persuade_v we_o that_o sin_n by_o long_a custom_n be_v grow_v so_o essential_a to_o our_o soul_n as_o if_o our_o mind_n shall_v be_v maim_v and_o faculty_n thereof_o be_v cripple_v shall_v corruption_n be_v take_v from_o we_o wherefore_o lay_v aside_o sai_z james_z 1._o 21._o all_o filthiness_n and_o superfluity_n of_o naughtiness_n not_o that_o we_o may_v still_o retain_v in_o our_o heart_n so_o much_o wickedness_n as_o shall_v fill_v they_o only_o part_v with_o that_o which_o run_v over_o but_o all_o natural_a filthiness_n be_v superfluity_n it_o may_v be_v spare_v 2._o it_o can_v be_v cur_v what_o be_v capable_a of_o cure_n must_v have_v some_o soundness_n though_o more_o sickness_n therein_o for_o nature_n distress_v but_o not_o whole_o destroy_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o art_n which_o must_v have_v a_o sound_a bottom_n or_o foundation_n to_o work_v upon_o if_o therefore_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n good_a in_o our_o natural_a corruption_n there_o be_v some_o hope_n of_o amendment_n in_o the_o rest_n but_o what_o say_v s._n paul_n rom._n 7._o 18._o for_o i_o know_v that_o in_o i_o that_o be_v in_o my_o flesh_n dwell_v no_o good_a thing_n it_o can_v be_v cure_v 3._o it_o must_v not_o be_v cover_v the_o only_a way_n to_o make_v god_n hide_v his_o face_n from_o our_o sin_n be_v for_o we_o to_o open_v and_o not_o to_o hide_v our_o sin_n from_o he_o 4._o must_v be_v cut_v off_o dream_v not_o of_o cure_v a_o gangrean_a with_o a_o lenitive_a plaster_n hophni_n and_o phinehas_n be_v too_o incorrigible_a to_o be_v amend_v with_o a_o few_o fair_a word_n say_v not_o to_o thy_o corruption_n as_o eli_n to_o they_o 1_o sam._n 2._o 23._o why_o do_v thou_o such_o thing_n nay_o my_o corruption_n it_o be_v no_o good_a report_n i_o hear_v of_o thou_o etc._n etc._n all_o this_o be_v useless_a no_o way_n but_o one_o cut_v it_o off_o 5._o the_o cut_v off_o must_v be_v timely_o abel_n sacrifice_n have_v 3._o excellent_a quality_n of_o what_o be_v first_o 4._o fat_a and_o 4._o faithful_a our_o service_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o be_v early_o defer_v it_o not_o above_o eight_o day_n that_o be_v do_v it_o as_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v do-able_a without_o danger_n indeed_o the_o long_a circumcision_n be_v delay_v the_o great_a will_v be_v the_o pain_n thereof_o witness_v the_o shechemite_n circumcise_v in_o their_o full_a strength_n gen._n 24._o 25._o and_o disable_v by_o the_o arrear_n of_o their_o pain_n to_o defend_v themselves_o though_o three_o day_n after_o too_o blame_v they_o who_o put_v off_o the_o circumcision_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o on_o frivolous_a pretence_n defer_v their_o repentance_n we_o read_v of_o 625_o thomas_n bourchier_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n that_o the_o pope_n dispense_v with_o he_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o state_n avocation_n and_o other_o impediment_n to_o perform_v his_o prayer_n