salvation_n through_o the_o messiah_n but_o he_o oblige_v those_o in_o that_o covenant_n to_o keep_v it_o in_o the_o sign_n and_o that_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o do_v institute_v any_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n for_o parent_n which_o in_o the_o account_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o soon_o as_o he_o establish_v the_o covenant_n he_o do_v ordain_v it_o shall_v be_v put_v on_o the_o child_n also_o and_o as_o much_o command_v the_o wear_n of_o it_o by_o infant_n as_o by_o the_o adult_n so_o that_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o a_o covenant_n transaction_n for_o eternal_a life_n and_o salvation_n or_o in_o the_o first_o make_v of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o we_o be_v to_o begin_v our_o account_n where_o they_o do_v the_o obligation_n to_o keep_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n or_o to_o keep_v the_o covenant_n in_o the_o sign_n of_o it_o be_v lay_v on_o abraham_n for_o child_n and_o infant_n as_o well_o as_o for_o himself_o and_o other_o in_o age_n and_o that_o by_o special_a direction_n and_o now_o consider_v once_o again_o if_o there_o be_v no_o connexion_n between_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o obligation_n viz._n to_o be_v sign_v be_v not_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n the_o promise_n to_o abraham_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o he_o and_o to_o his_o seed_n after_o he_o in_o their_o generation_n and_o have_v not_o god_n say_v because_o i_o will_v be_v a_o god_n to_o thou_o and_o to_o thy_o seed_n therefore_o thou_o shall_v keep_v my_o covenant_n thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n so_o plain_o god_n have_v put_v together_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v on_o his_o part_n and_o the_o duty_n and_o obligation_n that_o lie_v on_o we_o and_o when_o god_n have_v join_v they_o and_o put_v they_o together_o what_o man_n or_o man_n shall_v dare_v to_o separate_v and_o put_v they_o asunder_o again_o whereas_o you_o say_v it_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n for_o substance_n that_o the_o old_a patriarch_n before_o abraham_n and_o that_o we_o the_o believe_a gentile_n as_o well_o as_o believe_v abraham_n himself_o do_v and_o do_v belong_v unto_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o invisible_a church_n but_o if_o we_o take_v a_o church_n visible_o and_o formal_o as_o now_o we_o be_v to_o take_v it_o when_o we_o do_v speak_v of_o church-membership_n namely_o for_o a_o corporation_n or_o visible_a society_n of_o holy_a man_n frame_v and_o form_v under_o certain_a special_a external_a and_o distinguish_a law_n and_o institution_n for_o spiritual_a end_n then_o i_o say_v so_o take_v it_o we_o do_v not_o read_v in_o holy_a scripture_n of_o any_o church_n any_o formal_a church_n any_o more_o than_o of_o a_o formal_a covenant_n before_o abraham_n it_o be_v in_o his_o family_n that_o it_o please_v god_n to_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o polity_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o form_n to_o himself_o a_o special_a corporation_n and_o society_n of_o man_n under_o visible_a and_o distinguish_a token_n and_o this_o be_v proper_o call_v a_o church_n for_o indeed_o a_o church_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o company_n of_o call_v one_o visible_o associate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v ab_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o church_n be_v term_v so_o from_o call_v now_o as_o in_o the_o account_n of_o holy_a scripture_n abraham_n and_o his_o family_n be_v the_o first_o that_o god_n transact_v with_o in_o way_n of_o covenant_n for_o grace_n and_o salvation_n through_o the_o messiah_n so_o in_o the_o same_o account_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o first_o visible_a gather_v church_n be_v in_o abraham_n family_n abraham_n be_v the_o first_o that_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v affirm_v to_o have_v call_v out_o from_o his_o own_o kindred_n and_o his_o own_o country_n to_o another_o that_o he_o know_v not_o which_o call_v of_o he_o from_o his_o own_o country_n to_o another_o that_o he_o know_v not_o be_v a_o figure_n and_o by_o our_o apostle_n be_v interpret_v to_o be_v so_o heb._n 11._o of_o the_o true_a spiritual_a calling_n of_o a_o christian_a which_o be_v a_o call_n out_o of_o and_o from_o the_o present_a evil_a world_n unto_o the_o heavenly_a country_n the_o new_a jerusalem_n that_o be_v above_o not_o but_o that_o before_o abraham_n there_o be_v righteous_a and_o good_a man_n who_o in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n divide_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o world_n man_n that_o live_v just_o and_o righteous_o and_o so_o be_v true_o call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o at_o least_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o intimate_v they_o do_v actual_o divide_v and_o separate_v from_o other_o into_o distinct_a society_n under_o any_o external_a and_o distinguish_a rite_n before_o abraham_n yes_o there_o be_v righteous_a and_o good_a man_n before_o abraham_n divide_v from_o the_o common_a in_o the_o piety_n sobriety_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o life_n there_o be_v son_n of_o god_n distinguish_v by_o their_o piety_n and_o righteousness_n from_o the_o son_n of_o man_n before_o the_o son_n of_o god_n take_v unto_o they_o the_o daughter_n of_o man_n the_o son_n of_o good_a man_n marry_v the_o daughter_n of_o bad_a but_o they_o be_v not_o actual_o divide_v into_o distinct_a society_n and_o corporation_n under_o distinguish_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n before_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v not_o a_o visible_a organical_a church_n before_o and_o if_o what_o i_o now_o assert_v be_v true_a as_o true_a it_o be_v for_o the_o holy_a scripture_n no_o where_o intimate_v not_o in_o the_o least_o any_o such_o formalization_n incorporation_n or_o distinguish_v association_n of_o righteous_a good_a man_n for_o spiritual_a and_o holy_a end_n before_o abraham_n then_o certain_o no_o reasonable_a man_n have_v any_o cause_n to_o admire_v that_o before_o abraham_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o sign_v i_o mean_v no_o use_n of_o any_o initiate_a rite_n and_o rite_n of_o matriculation_n or_o of_o enter_v into_o the_o spiritual_a corporation_n and_o society_n of_o the_o church_n for_o no_o matriculation_n no_o initiation_n into_o any_o corporation_n or_o society_n be_v to_o be_v conceive_v before_o the_o corporation_n and_o society_n itself_o be_v constitute_v and_o form_v nor_o can_v any_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o matriculation_n or_o initiation_n be_v conceive_v extant_a before_o matriculation_n and_o initiation_n itself_o be_v so_o no_o wonder_n then_o if_o no_o sign_v before_o abraham_n see_v no_o formal_a church_n before_o abraham_n but_o yet_o assoon_o as_o it_o please_v god_n in_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o ordain_v the_o incorporate_n of_o holy_a man_n into_o a_o visible_a society_n for_o holy_a and_o spiritual_a end_n by_o make_v a_o formal_a covenant_n with_o they_o and_o so_o distinguish_v and_o divide_v of_o they_o from_o other_o he_o be_v then_o please_v to_o assume_v into_o that_o society_n as_o member_n of_o it_o child_n as_o well_o as_o parent_n infant_n as_o well_o as_o adult_v one_o and_o to_o ordain_v that_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o their_o initiation_n and_o admission_n visible_o and_o external_o into_o the_o society_n of_o the_o righteous_a or_o into_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o and_o this_o in_o deep_a council_n the_o better_a to_o perpetuate_v his_o church_n so_o that_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n infant_n be_v admit_v unto_o membership_n in_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o nursery_n of_o the_o church_n what_o you_o next_o tell_v i_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v other_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n beside_o baptism_n for_o instance_n as_o circumcision_n of_o old_a i_o believe_v you_o mean_v the_o passover_n of_o old_a so_o the_o lord_n supper_n now_o of_o which_o infant_n be_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o covenant_n or_o any_o administration_n of_o it_o take_v to_o be_v proper_a subject_n this_n after_o what_o be_v say_v already_o be_v altogether_o impertinent_a â—_o for_o the_o sign_n we_o dispute_v about_o be_v that_o initiate_a sign_n only_o which_o be_v the_o rite_n of_o admit_v person_n into_o the_o visible_a organise_v society_n of_o the_o faithful_a a_o society_n afterward_o call_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n it_o be_v of_o this_o only_a that_o gen._n 17._o 9_o 10._o from_o which_o i_o argue_v can_v be_v understand_v and_o this_o baptism_n be_v as_o circumcision_n be_v nor_o be_v the_o passover_n ever_o such_o a_o sign_n nor_o be_v the_o lord_n supper_n one_o now_o ay!_o but_o if_o infant_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v initiate_v into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n by_o baptism_n then_o say_v you_o they_o can_v just_o be_v deny_v the_o proper_a mean_n of_o nourishment_n and_o growth_n
matter_n of_o fact_n indeed_o on_o this_o account_n i_o may_v have_v cite_v proper_o enough_o many_o hundred_o author_n as_o witness_n to_o confirm_v baptism_n to_o have_v be_v of_o old_a a_o jewish_a ceremony_n use_v in_o initiation_n of_o proselyte_n both_o male_a and_o female_a adult_n and_o infant_n but_o that_o be_v do_v abundant_o before_o by_o the_o learned_a dr._n hammond_n as_o i_o remember_v in_o a_o set_a discourse_n of_o baptism_n and_o incidental_o by_o mr._n ainsworth_n in_o his_o annotation_n on_o genesis_n 17_o and_o by_o many_o other_o and_o repetition_n be_v a_o dull_a thing_n the_o argument_n i_o go_v upon_o as_o i_o do_v manage_v it_o be_v not_o common_a and_o have_v little_a authority_n to_o make_v it_o good_a beside_o that_o of_o sound_a reason_n and_o good_a sense_n and_o that_o better_a of_o the_o harmony_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n into_o which_o right_o understand_v it_o do_v already_o open_v no_o small_a light_n and_o may_v do_v more_o if_o well_o improve_v to_o the_o question_n how_o i_o come_v to_o hit_v upon_o it_o i_o say_v i_o be_v concern_v to_o see_v a_o article_n of_o that_o importance_n which_o infant_n baptism_n by_o most_o be_v take_v to_o be_v of_o and_o indeed_o be_v of_o to_o hang_v on_o wire_n only_o and_o as_o some_o phrase_n it_o by_o geometry_n it_o must_v i_o think_v have_v sure_a and_o solid_a foundation_n and_o such_o i_o can_v not_o see_v it_o to_o be_v owner_n of_o unless_o it_o be_v inlay_v as_o i_o find_v it_o be_v in_o the_o very_a constitution_n of_o a_o institute_v church_n and_o in_o the_o harmony_n of_o scripture_n analogy_n of_o scripture_n be_v the_o sure_a basis_n of_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o reveal_v religion_n as_o analogy_n of_o nature_n be_v of_o truth_n in_o point_n of_o philosophy_n this_o argument_n i_o have_v so_o much_o speak_v to_o in_o the_o follow_a letter_n that_o i_o think_v there_o need_v no_o more_o to_o make_v it_o perfect_a and_o full_o convince_a but_o to_o add_v these_o few_o follow_a consideration_n first_o that_o baptism_n or_o wash_v be_v at_o first_o a_o jewish_a ceremony_n and_o that_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v baptise_a or_o wash_v with_o water_n at_o the_o door_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o congregation_n that_o the_o baptise_v of_o proselyte_n very_o probable_o be_v do_v in_o imitation_n of_o that_o and_o the_o other_o wash_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o to_o signify_v the_o cleanse_n of_o they_o from_o the_o defilement_n of_o gentilism_n and_o that_o the_o christian_a baptism_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o it_o have_v aspect_n to_o both_o these_o be_v also_o probable_a we_o gentile_n be_v by_o baptism_n sanctify_v unto_o god_n and_o make_v his_o priest_n which_o seem_v very_o clear_o to_o be_v employ_v by_o the_o apostle_n when_o he_o call_v baptism_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o laver_n wash_v our_o translator_n render_v of_o regeneration_n in_o allusion_n certain_o to_o the_o laver_n under_o the_o law_n which_o be_v set_v between_o the_o tent_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o the_o altar_n compare_v exod._n 40._o 6_o 12._o with_o tit._n 3._o 5._o again_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o as_o no_o alteration_n in_o the_o least_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o subject_a of_o circumcision_n be_v make_v by_o moses_n from_o the_o rule_n in_o the_o first_o institution_n under_o abraham_n so_o that_o under_o moses_n it_o be_v evident_a first_o that_o if_o a_o proselyte_n be_v master_n of_o a_o family_n the_o give_v of_o himself_o to_o god_n by_o circumcision_n will_v not_o suffice_v to_o qualify_v he_o for_o the_o passover_n except_o he_o give_v his_o family_n too_o and_o that_o all_o his_o male_n be_v circumcised_a god_n look_v not_o on_o he_o as_o a_o convert_n if_o he_o give_v not_o all_o his_o as_o well_o as_o himself_o exod._n 13._o 48_o 49._o and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a for_o that_o the_o proselyte_n be_v as_o the_o first-fruit_n of_o the_o gentile_n second_o that_o those_o stranger_n in_o the_o family_n of_o a_o jew_n who_o be_v the_o master_n own_o or_o his_o property_n be_v on_o his_o account_n admit_v to_o participate_v the_o passover_n for_o he_o be_v to_o give_v they_o unto_o god_n as_o have_v right_o and_o dominion_n in_o they_o and_o therefore_o may_v dispose_v of_o they_o for_o this_o only_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v buy_v with_o his_o money_n may_v eat_v the_o passover_n and_o the_o hire_a servant_n not_o namely_o that_o the_o former_a as_o be_v buy_v with_o his_o master_n money_n be_v his_o property_n his_o own_o and_o therefore_o give_v with_o himself_o to_o god_n and_o so_o receive_v god_n mark_n of_o circumcision_n and_o consequent_o become_v capable_a of_o the_o passover_n but_o the_o hire_a servant_n be_v not_o his_o master_n but_o his_o own_o man_n consequent_o can_v not_o without_o his_o own_o consent_n and_o free_a act_n be_v give_v and_o dispose_v of_o by_o his_o master_n but_o if_o he_o will_v voluntary_o be_v circumcised_a and_o so_o become_v partaker_n of_o the_o passover_n nothing_o let_v he_o though_o he_o be_v a_o hire_a servant_n no_o more_o than_o any_o other_o foreigner_n see_v for_o this_o exod._n 12._o 43_o 44_o 45._o the_o next_o main_a consideration_n i_o will_v wish_v to_o be_v reminded_a serious_o be_v that_o in_o the_o new-testament_n no_o new_a rule_n be_v give_v either_o by_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o or_o by_o his_o apostle_n and_o follower_n about_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o sign_n now_o be_v baptism_n and_o therefore_o certain_o it_o leave_v we_o to_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o old-testament_n and_o to_o conformable_a and_o constant_a practice_n in_o the_o jewish_a use_n of_o baptism_n in_o the_o admission_n of_o proselyte_n especial_o see_v the_o seed_n which_o seed_n believer_n be_v in_o christ_n be_v under_o the_o same_o general_a obligation_n to_o keep_v the_o covenant_n in_o the_o sign_n and_o by_o the_o very_a selfsame_a rule_n and_o direction_n which_o abraham_n have_v himself_o and_o then_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o think_v that_o as_o abraham_n be_v make_v to_o understand_v it_o in_o circumcision_n so_o we_o must_v understand_v it_o in_o baptism_n namely_o to_o take_v in_o infant_n as_o well_o as_o the_o adult_n this_o be_v the_o more_o probable_a because_o in_o the_o gospel-institution_n we_o find_v that_o baptism_n go_v by_o family_n and_o house_n as_o circumcision_n do_v both_o before_o the_o law_n and_o under_o it_o as_o also_o that_o in_o baptise_v of_o proselyte_n not_o only_o male_a and_o female_a but_o as_o i_o say_v adult_n and_o infant_n be_v admit_v in_o the_o last_o place_n it_o will_v be_v consider_v that_o in_o the_o first_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v circumcision_n though_o all_o infant_n be_v not_o take_v in_o direct_o and_o actual_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o be_v exclude_v from_o it_o as_o infant_n but_o only_o as_o female_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o sign_n be_v such_o that_o in_o the_o actual_a administration_n of_o it_o no_o female_a be_v a_o competent_a subject_n so_o that_o in_o the_o first_o sign_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o much_o as_o any_o adult_n person_n be_v take_v in_o so_o much_o those_o that_o be_v not_o adult_n even_o infant_n be_v take_v in_o also_o and_o if_o then_o the_o female_n be_v not_o actual_o sign_v so_o neither_o in_o the_o letter_n and_o by_o express_a denomination_n of_o they_o be_v they_o then_o take_v into_o the_o covenant_n for_o as_o the_o sign_n be_v direct_o give_v only_o to_o the_o male_n so_o the_o promise_n also_o in_o term_n be_v only_o to_o the_o male_n abraham_n and_o isaac_n but_o then_o as_o the_o female_n be_v include_v in_o the_o male_n in_o the_o covenant_n and_o promise_n which_o i_o think_v no_o body_n will_v deny_v so_o by_o like_a reason_n they_o be_v include_v also_o in_o the_o sign_n if_o any_o ask_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o female_n be_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o old-testament_n as_o much_o as_o the_o male_n and_o why_o at_o first_o they_o be_v not_o as_o it_o be_v by_o name_n take_v into_o covenant_n and_o so_o sign_v with_o the_o sign_n of_o it_o but_o include_v only_o in_o man_n and_o account_v as_o sign_v in_o they_o there_o may_v be_v many_o reason_n but_o among_o they_o two_o especial_o the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n be_v uniform_a in_o his_o work_n and_o that_o as_o in_o the_o first_o creation_n he_o make_v adam_n first_o who_o be_v then_o the_o whole_a kind_a and_o comprehend_v the_o woman_n in_o his_o rib_n and_o then_o afterward_o take_v the_o woman_n out_o of_o adam_n so_o in_o the_o restoration_n or_o new_a creation_n he_o will_v first_o by_o name_n begin_v with_o the_o
ground_n of_o their_o baptism_n but_o the_o parent_n be_v in_o covenant_n the_o ground_n of_o their_o holiness_n to_o be_v baptise_a be_v the_o child_n privilege_n but_o it_o be_v the_o parent_n be_v duty_n to_o baptise_v they_o and_o to_o put_v the_o name_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o in_o token_n that_o by_o their_o assignment_n they_o be_v his._n well_o but_o you_o find_v not_o any_o mention_n of_o infants-baptism_n in_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a time_n nor_o any_o positive_a and_o literal_a precept_n for_o it_o but_o do_v you_o find_v any_o mention_n that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o all_o of_o they_o be_v baptise_a with_o any_o or_o any_o of_o they_o with_o the_o baptism_n of_o christ_n or_o that_o woman_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o supper_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o any_o positive_a literal_a precept_n for_o either_o and_o yet_o i_o hope_v you_o believe_v both_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v baptise_a and_o that_o woman_n be_v not_o exclude_v from_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o if_o you_o do_v not_o find_v in_o so_o many_o literal_a expression_n that_o infant_n be_v then_o baptise_a you_o may_v find_v it_o in_o sufficient_a implication_n for_o you_o may_v find_v whole_a house_n of_o which_o ordinary_o infant_n be_v constituent_a part_n affirm_v to_o be_v so_o and_o that_o frequent_o and_o without_o any_o exception_n of_o infant_n which_o yet_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v make_v if_o it_o have_v be_v but_o for_o caution_n on_o supposal_n that_o it_o be_v so_o dangerous_a a_o thing_n as_o you_o will_v have_v it_o be_v think_v to_o understand_v they_o include_v beside_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n universal_o have_v have_v such_o a_o custom_n and_o for_o aught_o appear_v perpetual_o sure_o we_o be_v from_o immemorial_n time_n which_o be_v enough_o to_o prescribe_v from_o and_o you_o can_v but_o know_v what_o austin_n say_v in_o the_o case_n now_o sir_n upon_o the_o whole_a i_o pray_v consider_v that_o in_o all_o the_o scripture_n as_o there_o be_v no_o express_a and_o positive_a text_n that_o child_n must_v be_v baptise_a so_o there_o be_v no_o express_a and_o positive_a text_n that_o do_v forbid_v their_o baptise_v and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v only_a consequence_n to_o evidence_n either_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v baptise_a or_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o and_o let_v be_v weigh_v that_o antipedo-baptism_n make_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o a_o church_n vnius_fw-la aetatis_fw-la that_o it_o rob_v the_o parent_n of_o a_o sensible_a ground_n of_o hope_n for_o his_o child_n in_o case_n of_o decease_n in_o infancy_n which_o be_v that_o he_o have_v solemn_o give_v he_o to_o god_n and_o make_v he_o his_o care_n and_o it_o deprive_v the_o child_n of_o a_o solemn_a and_o powerful_a motive_n when_o he_o be_v of_o age_n to_o dedicate_v and_o give_v himself_o for_o this_o be_v a_o great_a one_o and_o this_o it_o deprive_v he_o of_o i_o be_o already_o solemn_o give_v to_o god_n in_o baptism_n by_o my_o parent_n who_o have_v right_o to_o give_v i_o i_o be_o his_o by_o their_o dedication_n and_o that_o public_o make_v and_o attest_v and_o therefore_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o become_v so_o by_o my_o own_o i_o be_o not_o my_o own_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v upon_o i_o i_o be_o mark_v for_o his_o and_o i_o must_v rob_v god_n of_o what_o be_v his_o own_o already_o by_o many_o right_n and_o particular_o by_o a_o solemn_a act_n of_o my_o parent_n if_o i_o now_o refuse_v my_o consent_n and_o do_v not_o also_o assign_v and_o dedicate_v and_o give_v myself_o too_o he_o and_o let_v it_o also_o be_v weigh_v that_o child_n be_v no_o more_o uncapable_a of_o baptism_n than_o they_o be_v of_o circumcision_n for_o if_o baptism_n be_v the_o sign_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n by_o faith_n so_o be_v circumcision_n if_o then_o all_o be_v not_o israel_n that_o be_v of_o israel_n so_o it_o be_v now_o all_o in_o christ_n be_v not_o christ_n if_o then_o circumcision_n which_o be_v of_o the_o father_n or_o a_o sign_n and_o token_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n be_v take_v and_o put_v unto_o the_o law_n baptism_n which_o be_v of_o john_n the_o last_o prophet_n and_o in_o use_n before_o john_n as_o a_o rite_n of_o initiate_a proselyte_n and_o administer_v both_o to_o male_n and_o female_a be_v take_v by_o christ_n and_o put_v to_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o faith_n be_v make_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o baptism_n believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o circumcision_n for_o abraham_n believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v account_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n and_o he_o receive_v the_o sign_n of_o circumcision_n the_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n by_o faith_n which_o he_o have_v be_v yet_o vncircumcize_v and_o if_o the_o child_n of_o abraham_n be_v holy_a we_o be_v not_o unclean_a in_o a_o word_n as_o heretofore_o there_o be_v jew_n outward_o and_o but_o visible_o as_o well_o as_o inward_o and_o real_o so_o now_o there_o be_v christian_n outward_o and_o but_o visible_o as_o well_o as_o inward_o and_o real_o and_o be_v not_o baptism_n itself_o as_o external_a and_o visible_a a_o thing_n as_o circumcision_n yes_o there_o be_v a_o baptism_n and_o regeneration_n of_o water_n which_o be_v external_a and_o visible_a to_o make_v christian_n visible_o and_o external_o as_o well_o as_o one_o of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v internal_a and_o invisible_a to_o make_v real_a and_o true_a christian_n the_o former_a that_o initiate_v into_o the_o external_n and_o visible_a church_n the_o latter_a into_o the_o true_a assembly_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v and_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o two_o baptism_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v confound_v than_o the_o baptism_n themselves_o thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o all_o the_o satisfaction_n that_o under_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o distractive_a and_o surprise_v accident_n i_o be_v capable_a of_o give_v and_o i_o have_v do_v it_o with_o the_o temper_n and_o moderation_n that_o become_v a_o seeker_n of_o truth_n without_o the_o common_a pomp_n of_o figure_n insolence_n and_o triumph_n a_o thing_n searce_v pardonable_a in_o the_o heat_n and_o fervency_n of_o a_o dispute_n but_o which_o do_v very_o ill_o become_v a_o writer_n and_o yet_o if_o i_o have_v use_v any_o warmness_n in_o the_o argument_n see_v it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o infant_n that_o can_v speak_v for_o themselves_o it_o have_v be_v somewhat_o excusable_a and_o the_o rather_o for_o that_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o zealous_a for_o they_o himself_o that_o when_o some_o it_o may_v be_v of_o your_o persuasion_n will_v not_o have_v have_v they_o bring_v unto_o he_o to_o be_v bless_v it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v much_o displease_v with_o them_o but_o i_o be_o not_o so_o with_o you_o for_o that_o occasion_n you_o have_v give_v of_o search_v out_o the_o truth_n to_o bowdon_n septemb_n 19_o 81._o jan._n 27._o 81._o dear_a sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n r._n b._n the_o second_o letter_n dear_a sir_n you_o of_o march_n 16_o come_v to_o hand_n the_o 20_o in_o which_o the_o declaration_n you_o begin_v with_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v your_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o matter_n in_o dispute_n between_o we_o be_v the_o same_o they_o be_v and_o that_o rather_o you_o be_v the_o more_o confirm_v do_v no_o whit_n surprise_v i_o i_o assure_v you_o i_o never_o have_v the_o vanity_n to_o hope_v to_o convince_v a_o man_n of_o your_o persuasion_n i_o be_v not_o the_o first_o aggressor_n i_o well_o know_v the_o confidence_n that_o go_v along_o with_o conceit_n of_o high_a administration_n and_o i_o also_o know_v that_o some_o die_v and_o tincture_n of_o mind_n of_o which_o i_o take_v and_o do_v take_v that_o of_o you_o to_o be_v one_o be_v as_o uncapable_a of_o be_v wash_v out_o as_o those_o in_o the_o skin_n of_o leopard_n and_o blackamoor_n after_o a_o smooth_v preface_n you_o proceed_v to_o as_o you_o call_v they_o sober_a and_o you_o hope_v inoffensive_a reflection_n which_o yet_o to_o deserve_v the_o epithet_n you_o give_v they_o must_v have_v be_v compose_v of_o ethic_n as_o well_o as_o of_o logic_n must_v have_v be_v reflection_n on_o argument_n only_o without_o any_o squint_v on_o person_n and_o must_v have_v consist_v of_o something_o else_o than_o of_o ambuscado_n of_o word_n of_o bold_a assertion_n without_o proof_n of_o evasion_n in_o stead_n of_o direct_a answer_n of_o partial_a repetition_n and_o of_o triumph_n before_o the_o victory_n these_o be_v the_o art_n and_o method_n of_o imposture_n use_v to_o deceive_v the_o vulgar_a but_o very_o improper_a in_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n and_o of_o no_o influence_n no_o operation_n in_o the_o least_o on_o