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
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
example_n of_o christ_n who_o when_o little_a child_n be_v bring_v to_o he_o for_o prayer_n do_v not_o refuse_v but_o perform_v it_o and_o will_v that_o little_a child_n be_v bring_v to_o he_o and_o according_o we_o do_v dedicate_v our_o child_n to_o he_o from_o the_o womb_n according_a to_o our_o capacity_n 2._o little_a child_n be_v also_o by_o this_o mean_n i._n e._n of_o their_o parent_n conversion_n under_o the_o blessing_n of_o a_o early_a education_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o which_o mean_v through_o god_n blessing_n i_o have_v know_v some_o who_o be_v not_o sprinkle_v in_o infancy_n attain_v to_o more_o true_a knowledge_n of_o christianity_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n so_o far_o as_o man_n may_v judge_n at_o 7_o or_o 8_o year_n of_o age_n than_o multitude_n of_o those_o who_o be_v sprinkle_v in_o their_o infancy_n have_v attain_v at_o the_o age_n of_o 70_o or_o 80_o year_n 3._o our_o gracious_a god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o open_a declaration_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n belong_v to_o infant_n in_o which_o declaration_n he_o have_v not_o except_v so_o much_o as_o one_o of_o they_o this_o be_v more_o than_o circumcision_n and_o more_o clear_a than_o any_o thing_n before_o declare_v concern_v infant_n though_o there_o be_v evidence_n of_o god_n love_n to_o they_o before_o from_o all_o which_o you_o may_v see_v that_o god_n have_v leave_v we_o in_o the_o room_n of_o circumcision_n a_o far_o more_o excellent_a testimony_n of_o his_o save_a pleasure_n concern_v infant_n than_o that_o be_v or_o any_o legal_a rite_n whatsoever_o as_o for_o mr._n baxter_n argument_n which_o you_o borrow_v it_o be_v answer_v in_o what_o be_v say_v to_o your_o question_n howbeit_o i_o have_v more_o particular_o answer_v it_o in_o my_o examination_n of_o no_o less_o than_o five_o hundred_o query_n gather_v by_o one_o of_o his_o admirer_n out_o of_o his_o voluminous_a work_n all_o which_o have_v be_v redargue_v by_o a_o proportionable_a number_n of_o anti-query_n in_o which_o all_o his_o device_n for_o poedorantism_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n discover_v to_o be_v but_o the_o cunning_a craftiness_n of_o human_a subtlety_n or_o a_o copious_a brain_n of_o who_o book_n on_o this_o subject_a and_o dr._n hammonds_n also_o take_v thus_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o learned_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n now_o live_v i_o have_v see_v what_o my_o learned_a and_o worthy_a friend_n dr._n hammond_n mr._n baxter_n and_o other_o say_v in_o defence_n of_o infant_n baptism_n and_o must_v confess_v i_o do_v not_o a_o little_a wonder_n that_o man_n of_o so_o great_a part_n shall_v say_v so_o much_o to_o so_o little_a purpose_n for_o i_o have_v not_o yet_o see_v any_o thing_n like_o a_o argument_n for_o it_o dr._n barlow_v letter_n to_o mr._n tomb_n thus_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o your_o question_n see_v more_o in_o the_o last_o part._n one_o thing_n i_o take_v special_a notice_n of_o in_o your_o discourse_n of_o infant_n you_o tie_v up_o the_o salvation_n of_o all_o infant_n that_o shall_v be_v save_v to_o their_o have_a faith_n some_o way_n yea_o you_o say_v else_o they_o must_v all_o perish_v p._n 90._o and_o you_o allow_v faith_n to_o no_o more_o infant_n than_o be_v elect_v in_o your_o seem_v of_o election_n the_o rest_n of_o infant_n even_o of_o believe_v parent_n be_v reprobate_a and_o damn_a for_o all_o the_o noise_n which_o you_o make_v of_o their_o covenant-interest_n church-membership_n holiness_n etc._n etc._n miserable_a infant_n if_o there_o be_v none_o to_o plead_v your_o cause_n better_o than_o mr._n firmin_n have_v do_v it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o so_o much_o as_o one_o of_o you_o shall_v be_v save_v out_o of_o a_o thousand_o and_o whilst_o his_o book_n may_v cause_v many_o weak_a reader_n to_o think_v that_o circumcision_n do_v and_o that_o infant-baptism_n do_v great_a thing_n towards_o their_o saltion_n it_o be_v evident_a he_o can_v believe_v no_o such_o thing_n himself_o for_o if_o they_o be_v elect_v save_v they_o shall_v be_v though_o they_o be_v not_o baptize_v and_o for_o those_o infant_n which_o be_v reprobate_v damn_a they_o must_v be_v though_o they_o be_v baptize_v he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v baptism_n of_o infant_n to_o be_v of_o that_o concernment_n which_o you_o may_v imagine_v from_o some_o passage_n in_o he_o that_o he_o plain_o tell_v you_o p._n 20._o that_o he_o do_v not_o think_v that_o a_o sound_a believer_n die_v without_o baptism_n shall_v be_v damn_v and_o then_o how_o a_o innocent_a infant_n die_v without_o baptism_n shall_v be_v damn_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v imagine_v but_o by_o his_o favour_n if_o such_o a_o believer_n have_v opportunity_n to_o be_v baptize_v and_o neglect_v his_o baptism_n he_o will_v hardly_o pass_v for_o a_o sound_a believer_n in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n because_o in_o this_o thing_n he_o believe_v not_o his_o lord_n who_o tell_v he_o thus_o it_o become_v we_o to_o fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n mat._n 3._o 15._o deut._n 1._o 33._o act._n 3._o 22_o 23._o and_o i_o must_v in_o faithfulness_n tell_v mr._n firmin_n that_o such_o a_o sound_a believer_n i_o take_v he_o to_o be_v for_o after_o all_o the_o improvement_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o have_v make_v of_o his_o father_n covenant_n which_o will_v make_v a_o well_o man_n sick_a even_o to_o see_v what_o pitiful_a work_n he_o make_v with_o it_o pag._n 68_o 69_o 70_o 71._o for_o after_o all_o his_o shift_a from_o post_n to_o pillar_n he_o only_o get_v stomach_n to_o reject_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n against_o himself_o be_v not_o baptize_v with_o the_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n as_o some_o of_o the_o learned_a have_v do_v before_o he_o luk._n 7._o 30._o and_o see_v it_o be_v the_o know_a practice_n of_o infant-sprinklers_a to_o sprinkle_v they_o when_o they_o be_v fast_o asleep_a and_o it_o be_v odds_o but_o mr._n firmin_n be_v asleep_a when_o he_o be_v sprinkle_v and_o cross_v and_o therein_o these_o wonderful_a thing_n do_v which_o he_o talk_v of_o without_o scripture_n or_o reason_n to_o warrant_v his_o conceit_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v of_o he_o what_o ground_n any_o man_n have_v his_o parent_n or_o himself_o to_o baptise_v any_o person_n when_o they_o be_v asleep_o this_o be_v no_o idle_a enquiry_n but_o call_v for_o the_o consideration_n of_o all_o serious_a christian_n in_o these_o and_o the_o follow_a page_n you_o will_v find_v this_o to_o be_v mr._n firmin_n sense_n that_o the_o covenant_n as_o it_o concern_v infant_n have_v two_o part_n the_o inward_a and_o the_o outward_a that_o some_o infant_n have_v the_o outward_a part_n who_o be_v not_o concern_v in_o the_o inward_a part_n and_o that_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o infant_n can_v fall_v but_o the_o rest_n may_v and_o shall_v fall_v because_o they_o have_v not_o seminal_a faith_n and_o regeneration_n but_o only_o reputative_a faith._n and_o yet_o sure_a this_o be_v not_o the_o infant_n fault_n for_o it_o can_v not_o choose_v of_o what_o seed_n it_o shall_v be_v produce_v and_o what_o the_o seminal_a faith_n be_v i_o suppose_v mr._n firmin_n may_v know_v as_o much_o as_o those_o infant_n do_v who_o he_o suppose_v to_o have_v it_o dr._n hammond_n be_v a_o great_a man_n for_o infant-sprinkling_a yet_o he_o reject_v this_o fable_n of_o mr._n firmin_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o must_v confess_v that_o faith_n be_v so_o necessary_o found_v in_o understanding_n that_o he_o which_o have_v not_o understanding_n can_v have_v faith._n and_o dr._n taylor_n confess_v whether_o infant_n have_v faith_n be_v a_o question_n to_o be_v dispute_v by_o those_o who_o care_v not_o how_o much_o they_o affirm_v and_o how_o little_o thâ—y_v prove_v this_o damn_v all_o inâ—â—â—â—â—_n which_o have_v not_o faith_n i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o very_a damnable_a doctrine_n because_o it_o represent_v god_n to_o be_v so_o cruel_a as_o to_o make_v million_o 〈◊〉_d infant_n on_o purpose_n to_o send_v they_o to_o hell_n who_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n help_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d want_n of_o faith._n what_o man_n will_v kill_v his_o newborn_a child_n because_o it_o do_v not_o call_v he_o father_n as_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v bear_v and_o shall_v mortal_a man_n be_v more_o just_a than_o god_n shall_v man_n be_v more_o righteous_a than_o his_o maker_n i_o be_o ashamed_a of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o which_o as_o i_o be_o inform_v teach_v that_o infant_n be_v yell_v in_o hell_n yea_o that_o infant_n of_o a_o span_n long_o be_v yell_v in_o hell._n i_o be_o also_o ashamed_a of_o mr._n firmin_n conceit_n pag._n 90._o where_o from_o dr._n ames_n he_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v that_o a_o infant_n be_v as_o capable_a of_o a_o passive_a reception_n of_o
deny_v but_o when_o i_o behold_v the_o miserable_a shift_n you_o be_v put_v to_o to_o prove_v infant_n disciple_n according_a to_o christ_n commission_n matth._n 28._o 19_o i_o do_v with_o the_o great_a admiration_n bewail_v your_o unhappiness_n and_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o imagine_v that_o any_o wise_a man_n among_o you_o do_v real_o believe_v yourselves_o in_o what_o you_o say_v on_o that_o account_n and_o sure_o i_o be_o the_o papist_n have_v as_o strong_a a_o pretence_n from_o hoc_fw-la est_fw-la corpus_fw-la meum_fw-la for_o their_o transubstantiation_n as_o you_o have_v from_o matheteusaté_fw-fr for_o infant-discipleship_a and_o to_o speak_v free_o they_o be_v both_o incredible_a thing_n all_o sense_n and_o experience_n militate_v equal_o against_o both_o opinion_n if_o they_o be_v truth_n it_o must_v be_v because_o they_o be_v both_o miracle_n but_o then_o they_o want_v the_o character_n of_o true_a miracle_n for_o they_o be_v no_o way_n demonstrable_a that_o there_o be_v any_o miracle_n at_o all_o in_o either_o of_o they_o we_o be_v only_o tell_v that_o they_o be_v so_o i._n e._n that_o the_o bread_n in_o the_o eucharist_n be_v real_a flesh_n that_o the_o child_n in_o your_o rantism_n be_v bear_v again_o of_o water_n and_o spirit_n make_v a_o disciple_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n but_o no_o mortal_a man_n know_v any_o of_o these_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a and_o what_o be_v it_o that_o we_o may_v not_o believe_v if_o we_o must_v believe_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a purgatory_n fire_n etc._n etc._n will_v come_v upon_o we_o arm_v with_o our_o own_o argument_n if_o we_o admit_v the_o former_a and_o to_o conclude_v as_o to_o your_o first_o argument_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o say_v if_o your_o hearer_n can_v receive_v your_o dictate_v and_o ill-proved_a affirmation_n i_o know_v not_o but_o they_o may_v believe_v you_o in_o whatsoever_o you_o will_v be_v please_v to_o tell_v they_o what_o you_o say_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o infant-baptism_n i_o shall_v here_o consider_v in_o few_o word_n for_o since_o you_o insist_v only_o upon_o cyprian_n testimony_n who_o ground_n for_o infant-baptism_n you_o confess_v to_o be_v unsound_a i_o need_v say_v little_a here_o that_o which_o be_v build_v upon_o bad_a principle_n then_o by_o he_o and_o stand_v upon_o as_o unsound_a one_o now_o by_o you_o do_v gain_v nothing_o by_o either_o of_o you_o but_o will_v you_o know_v that_o it_o be_v plain_o grant_v by_o some_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o your_o way_n that_o there_o be_v neither_o precept_n nor_o practice_n in_o scripture_n for_o infant-baptism_n here_o it_o want_v the_o best_a antiquity_n nor_o any_o just_a evidence_n for_o it_o for_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ._n yet_o it_o come_v in_o upon_o a_o gross_a mistake_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o in_o what_o mr._n baxter_n and_o dr._n hammond_n have_v say_v for_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o look_v like_o a_o argument_n dr._n barlow_n this_o be_v enough_o at_o present_a part_n ii_o wherein_o be_v consider_v mr._n petto_n second_o argument_n which_o he_o deliver_v in_o these_o word_n if_o some_o infant_n be_v visible_o or_o external_o in_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o abraham_n then_o by_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v but_o some_o infant_n be_v visible_o or_o external_o in_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o abraham_n therefore_o by_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v before_o i_o answer_v this_o argument_n i_o shall_v consider_v a_o few_o thing_n and_o 1._o that_o as_o mr._n petto_n grant_v god_n make_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o abraham_n twenty_o four_o year_n before_o he_o give_v he_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n see_v gen._n 12._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o with_o 17._o 24._o so_o that_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n have_v no_o external_a sign_n as_o it_o be_v make_v with_o abraham_n gen._n 12._o but_o when_o god_n be_v please_v to_o add_v to_o this_o covenant_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n etc._n etc._n then_o it_o be_v that_o he_o give_v he_o the_o law_n of_o circumcision_n and_o these_o additional_a part_n i_o take_v to_o be_v most_o proper_o if_o not_o only_o that_o which_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n 2._o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o abraham_n be_v not_o the_o only_a person_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v under_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n at_o this_o time_n when_o god_n make_v covenant_n with_o abraham_n gen._n 17._o it_o be_v observe_v by_o some_o that_o salah_n live_v after_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n be_v make_v about_o 50_o year_n arphaxad_v live_v thirteen_o year_n after_o and_o that_o heber_n live_v till_o jacob_n be_v about_o twenty_o year_n old_a which_o be_v long_o after_o abraham_n die_v now_o these_o with_o melchisedeck_v if_o he_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o with_o many_o other_o among_o who_o be_v just_a lot_n be_v not_o only_o true_a worshipper_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o some_o of_o they_o superior_a to_o abraham_n himself_o for_o melchisedeck_v bless_v abraham_n be_v the_o king_n of_o salem_n and_o priest_n of_o the_o most_o high_a god._n 3._o and_o as_o neither_o these_o nor_o their_o posterity_n be_v liable_a to_o any_o loss_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n by_o their_o not_o be_v circumcise_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o abraham_n so_o neither_o job_n nor_o other_o worthy_a man_n that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n have_v any_o obligation_n to_o circumcision_n from_o whence_o it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o god_n intend_v not_o the_o sign_n of_o circumcision_n to_o belong_v to_o person_n as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o that_o it_o be_v appropriate_a for_o some_o great_a end_n respect_v a_o special_a preservation_n to_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n as_o of_o the_o kindred_n from_o who_o christ_n shall_v proceed_v and_o with_o who_o he_o will_v presence_n himself_o in_o a_o land_n of_o promise_n by_o a_o distinct_a way_n of_o worship_n from_o all_o nation_n who_o at_o that_o time_n be_v fall_v very_o fast_o into_o idolatry_n 4._o and_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o sign_n of_o circumcision_n be_v by_o god_n appointment_n to_o be_v affix_v to_o some_o to_o who_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v the_o least_o extent_n or_o at_o least_o they_o do_v forfeit_v all_o interest_n in_o it_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o ishmael_n and_o esau_n who_o prove_v very_o wicked_a and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v question_v whether_o the_o bondman_n or_o slave_n in_o israel_n have_v that_o ceremony_n as_o a_o badge_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n man_n may_v talk_v high_a of_o these_o thing_n and_o prove_v little_a or_o whether_o circumcision_n be_v a_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n to_o any_o person_n in_o the_o world_n save_v to_o abraham_n and_o in_o what_o sense_n it_o be_v so_o to_o he_o who_o have_v so_o many_o thing_n peculiar_a to_o he_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v demonstrate_v 5._o our_o practice_n in_o religious_a institutes_n be_v not_o to_o be_v gather_v from_o such_o uncertain_a conjecture_n but_o to_o stand_v upon_o the_o clear_a direction_n of_o the_o instituter_n or_o the_o practice_n of_o such_o as_o god_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o make_v precedent_n to_o we_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v in_o the_o law_n of_o circumcision_n and_o for_o we_o to_o take_v our_o rule_n thence_o for_o the_o subject_n of_o baptism_n be_v very_o childish_a and_o reflect_v dishonour_n upon_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o never_o send_v we_o to_o learn_v infant-baptism_n from_o infant-circumcision_n nor_o indeed_o have_v they_o teach_v it_o at_o all_o these_o thing_n premise_v i_o answer_v to_o the_o argument_n by_o these_o ensue_a distinction_n 1._o if_o by_o covenant_n mr._n p._n mean_v the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n as_o he_o do_v for_o he_o quote_v gen._n 7._o 9_o 10_o 11._o to_o prove_v his_o assumption_n and_o by_o some_o infant_n he_o mean_v the_o infant_n of_o christian_n as_o such_o as_o that_o be_v his_o meaning_n then_o i_o deny_v his_o minor._n 2._o or_o if_o by_o covenant_n he_o mean_v that_o covenant_n of_o grace_n gen._n 12._o distinct_a from_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n and_o by_o some_o infant_n be_v in_o this_o covenant_n external_o he_o mean_v infant_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o outward_a profession_n or_o practice_n of_o worship_n still_o i_o deny_v the_o minor_a for_o god_n by_o that_o covenant_n of_o grace_n gen._n 12._o never_o require_v the_o performance_n of_o such_o duty_n of_o infant_n 3._o if_o by_o covenant_n he_o mean_v the_o gracious_a pardon_n of_o