so_o that_o the_o communication_n that_o god_n by_o this_o promise_n have_v oblige_v himself_o to_o make_v of_o himself_o to_o his_o people_n and_o these_o act_n for_o their_o good_a benefic_n and_o advantage_n that_o he_o by_o the_o same_o promise_n have_v oblige_v himself_o to_o be_v limit_v three_o way_n 1._o by_o his_o own_o infinite_a perfection_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o communicate_v his_o deity_n to_o they_o as_o the_o deity_n of_o the_o father_n be_v communicate_v to_o the_o son_n and_o the_o deity_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n to_o the_o spirit_n the_o infinity_n of_o the_o deity_n render_v it_o incommunicable_a to_o any_o be_v extrase_n without_o itself_o but_o for_o his_o act_n for_o the_o good_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o his_o people_n they_o receive_v no_o limitation_n from_o his_o perfection_n as_o absolute_o consider_v in_o themselves_o because_o they_o be_v all_o infinite_a in_o themselves_o and_o shall_v he_o act_v ad_fw-la ultimum_fw-la virium_fw-la no_o other_o bound_n or_o limit_n be_v assignable_a to_o they_o by_o the_o creature_n than_o their_o non_fw-la deification_n and_o therefore_o 2._o the_o communication_n of_o god_n to_o and_o his_o act_n for_o the_o good_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o his_o people_n be_v limit_v by_o the_o covenanant_n he_o have_v make_v with_o they_o and_o that_o both_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o good_a he_o will_v communicate_v to_o or_o do_v for_o they_o and_o also_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o term_n and_o condition_n upon_o which_o he_o will_v communicate_v that_o good_a to_o and_o do_v it_o for_o they_o hence_o no_o more_o good_a can_v be_v expect_v from_o god_n than_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o some_o promise_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o make_v either_o indefinite_o with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n in_o general_a or_o definite_o with_o particular_a and_o individual_a person_n though_o it_o be_v true_a the_o full_a good_a contain_v in_o some_o promise_n especial_o those_o relate_n to_o the_o life_n to_o come_v can_v be_v comprehend_v by_o any_o while_o in_o this_o life_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v christ_n shall_v come_v to_o be_v admire_v in_o they_o that_o believe_v 2_o thess_n 1.10_o the_o good_a they_o then_o receive_v from_o he_o exceed_v their_o present_a expectation_n but_o yet_o whatever_o good_a they_o do_v or_o then_o shall_v receive_v be_v contain_v in_o some_o promise_n the_o covenant_n be_v norma_fw-la judicii_fw-la both_o in_o respect_n of_o reward_v the_o righteous_a and_o punish_v the_o wicked_a and_o 2._o as_o the_o communication_n god_n make_v of_o himself_o to_o and_o his_o act_n for_o the_o good_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o his_o people_n be_v limit_v by_o the_o covenant_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o good_a communicate_v to_o and_o do_v for_o they_o so_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o term_n and_o condition_n upon_o which_o he_o do_v and_o will_v communicate_v himself_o to_o they_o and_o act_n for_o their_o good_a 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of_o the_o condition_n require_v in_o the_o covenant_n on_o man_n part_n hence_o i_o conceive_v it_o will_v necessary_o follow_v that_o as_o no_o particular_a person_n whether_o infant_n or_o adult_n have_v ana_n actual_a interest_n in_o this_o promise_n but_o such_o as_o either_o for_o or_o by_o who_o the_o fundamental_a condition_n require_v to_o a_o covenant-state_n be_v perform_v so_o this_o promise_v not_o specify_v any_o particular_a good_a it_o do_v not_o simple_o and_o absolute_o of_o itself_o confer_v or_o give_v a_o immediate_a right_n to_o any_o good_a contain_v in_o any_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o those_o that_o have_v a_o interest_n in_o it_o it_o only_a constitute_v a_o covenant-relation_n between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o thereby_o give_v they_o a_o mutual_a interest_n and_o propriety_n in_o each_o other_o and_o then_o oblige_v god_n to_o communicate_v himself_o to_o and_o act_n for_o the_o good_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o those_o that_o be_v under_o it_o or_o interest_v in_o it_o according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o whole_a covenant_n or_o the_o various_a promise_n contain_v therein_o so_o that_o though_o this_o promise_n do_v virtual_o include_v and_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a good_a of_o the_o covenant_n whether_o consist_v in_o spiritual_a or_o temporal_a blessing_n yet_o do_v not_o mere_o or_o absolute_o of_o itself_o confer_v or_o ensure_v the_o good_a of_o any_o one_o promise_v appertain_v to_o the_o covenant_n upon_o or_o to_o any_o individual_a or_o particular_a person_n whatsoever_o it_o secure_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o all_o the_o good_a contain_v in_o the_o several_a and_o various_a promise_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o those_o for_o or_o by_o who_o the_o condition_n or_o duty_n require_v therein_o be_v perform_v but_o do_v not_o absolute_o confer_v or_o ensure_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o good_a contain_v in_o any_o one_o promise_n and_o hence_o with_o submission_n to_o better_a judgement_n i_o conceive_v that_o the_o covenant-state_n of_o the_o imfant-seed_n of_o believer_n do_v not_o indispensible_o require_v any_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o their_o heart_n either_o for_o the_o dispose_n they_o to_o act_v or_o facilitate_v their_o act_n of_o grace_n as_o they_o become_v capable_a to_o do_v it_o or_o for_o the_o renovation_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o effect_v grace_n in_o they_o no_o such_o operation_n be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o their_o have_v or_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o a_o covenant-state_n see_v the_o condition_n of_o their_o covenant-state_n be_v without_o they_o and_o be_v their_o parent_n faith_n no_o such_o operation_n be_v include_v in_o or_o assure_v by_o this_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v a_o god_n to_o they_o nor_o as_o i_o conceive_v in_o that_o other_o concern_v their_o future_a salvation_n for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a regeneration_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o admission_n into_o and_o the_o actual_a possession_n of_o heaven_n yet_o that_o may_v be_v wrought_v in_o transitu_fw-la as_o the_o relic_n of_o indwelling_a sin_n be_v purge_v away_o in_o believer_n or_o at_o any_o time_n antecede_v when_o god_n see_v meet_v but_o of_o this_o more_o by_o and_o by_o and_o that_o this_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v a_o god_n to_o his_o people_n whether_o infant_n or_o adult_a believer_n do_v not_o of_o itself_o either_o immediate_o confer_v or_o for_o the_o future_a absolute_o ensure_v the_o good_a contain_v in_o any_o of_o the_o various_a promise_n of_o the_o covenant_n make_v to_o they_o and_o consequent_o only_o lay_v such_o a_o obligation_n upon_o god_n as_o be_v afore_o express_v i_o shall_v first_o prove_v by_o one_o more_o general_a argument_n and_o then_o clear_v it_o up_o in_o some_o particular_a instance_n arg._n whatever_o good_a be_v either_o confer_v or_o grant_v for_o the_o present_a or_o insure_v for_o the_o future_a by_o any_o promise_n as_o take_v absolute_o and_o by_o itself_o must_v be_v express_o hold_v forth_o or_o necessary_o employ_v in_o the_o term_n in_o which_o it_o be_v make_v or_o else_o must_v in_o some_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v intend_v in_o it_o but_o in_o this_o promise_n no_o particular_a good_a etc._n etc._n for_o the_o major_a proposition_n the_o enumeration_n be_v full_a and_o sufficient_a that_o can_v be_v gainsay_v for_o the_o minor_a the_o truth_n of_o that_o will_v appear_v in_o the_o particular_a branch_n of_o it_o first_o that_o no_o particular_a good_a contain_v in_o any_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v express_o hold_v forth_o in_o the_o term_n of_o this_o promise_n itself_o be_v obvious_a unto_o all_o god_n promise_v to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o any_o neither_o specify_v nor_o particular_o express_v any_o particular_a good_a he_o will_v vouchsafe_v to_o or_o bestow_v upon_o they_o it_o be_v only_o a_o more_o general_a assurance_n of_o some_o good_a
soon_o actual_o and_o explicit_o recognise_v the_o covenant_n and_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o god_n in_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o it_o and_o fear_n of_o that_o will_v render_v this_o consideration_n of_o little_a use_n to_o they_o that_o objection_n shall_v be_v answer_v by_o and_o by_o obj._n if_o it_o be_v yet_o say_v that_o what_o encouragement_n soever_o they_o have_v to_o believe_v and_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n yet_o they_o will_v soon_o find_v by_o experience_n their_o own_o inability_n to_o do_v it_o they_o will_v find_v they_o can_v do_v it_o without_o the_o special_a teach_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o what_o encouragement_n have_v they_o to_o hope_v for_o these_o teach_n and_o operation_n beyond_o what_o other_o have_v to_o that_o i_o add_v in_o a_o five_o encouragement_n that_o they_o have_v above_o other_o and_o that_o be_v this_o they_o stand_v near_o than_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n to_o and_o be_v the_o more_o especial_a object_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o save_a grace_n this_o i_o have_v speak_v so_o large_o to_o already_o that_o i_o need_v add_v no_o more_o but_o beside_o all_o those_o other_o encouragement_n they_o have_v to_o believe_v may_v be_v improve_v as_o a_o help_n to_o their_o hope_n for_o grace_n to_o enable_v they_o thereunto_o sure_o then_o find_v themselves_o in_o a_o state_n of_o peace_n with_o god_n remember_v what_o a_o mutual_a friendship_n and_o love_n there_o have_v be_v between_o god_n and_o their_o parent_n consider_v what_o he_o have_v already_o do_v for_o they_o as_o a_o signal_n signification_n of_o his_o good_a will_n towards_o they_o and_o have_v a_o particular_a promise_n to_o assure_v they_o in_o particular_a that_o as_o god_n at_o present_a be_v so_o he_o will_v continue_v to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o they_o unless_o by_o their_o voluntary_a reject_v the_o covenant_n they_o disannul_v that_o their_o interest_n may_v not_o only_o be_v choice_a encouragement_n to_o they_o to_o believe_v and_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n but_o to_o hope_v that_o god_n will_v ready_o vouchsafe_v they_o the_o teach_n and_o effectual_a operation_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o enable_v they_o so_o to_o do_v they_o wait_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o own_o way_n but_o to_o put_v a_o close_a to_o this_o second_o question_n we_o now_o see_v how_o great_a good_a what_o glorious_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n the_o seed_n of_o believer_n have_v by_o the_o application_n of_o the_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o they_o and_o from_o all_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o infant-baptism_n be_v a_o practice_n well_o worthy_a inquire_v into_o and_o contend_v for_o by_o all_o parent_n that_o have_v any_o respect_n to_o the_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a welfare_n of_o their_o child_n chap._n x._o the_o three_o grand_a question_n propose_v the_o duty_n of_o parent_n towards_o their_o child_n reduce_v to_o two_o head_n their_o duty_n to_o be_v perform_v immediate_o and_o direct_o towards_o they_o again_o reduce_v to_o two_o head_n what_o they_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v they_o in_o and_o about_o as_o also_o what_o mean_v they_o be_v to_o use_v for_o the_o render_n instruction_n give_v they_o open_v some_o rule_n for_o their_o right_a management_n of_o they_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n lay_v down_o their_o duty_n to_o be_v perform_v immediate_o towards_o god_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o their_o child_n show_v some_o motive_n to_o press_v they_o to_o a_o faithful_a performance_n of_o their_o duty_n urge_v quest_n 3._o what_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o parent_n towards_o their_o child_n as_o under_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o bear_v the_o token_n of_o it_o answ_n this_o and_o the_o next_o question_n be_v frequent_o and_o large_o treat_v of_o by_o other_o i_o shall_v speak_v the_o more_o spare_o to_o they_o for_o this_o question_n then_o the_o duty_n of_o parent_n be_v considerable_a two_o way_n 1._o first_o as_o to_o be_v perform_v immediate_o and_o direct_o towards_o their_o child_n 2._o second_o as_o to_o be_v perform_v more_o immediate_o towards_o god_n but_o with_o reference_n to_o and_o on_o the_o behalf_n of_o their_o child_n they_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o their_o child_n in_o the_o name_n and_o on_o the_o behalf_n of_o god_n and_o to_o deal_v with_o god_n with_o reference_n to_o and_o on_o the_o behalf_n of_o their_o child_n first_o for_o their_o duty_n immediate_o and_o direct_o respect_v their_o child_n the_o apostle_n summary_o comprehend_v it_o under_o these_o two_o term_n nurture_n and_o admonition_n and_o both_o must_v be_v of_o the_o lord_n eph._n 6.3_o and_o you_o father_n provoke_v not_o your_o child_n to_o wrath_n but_o bring_v they_o up_o in_o the_o nurture_n and_o admonition_n of_o the_o lord_n though_o the_o apostle_n here_o speak_v express_o only_a unto_o father_n yet_o mother_n be_v not_o exempt_v but_o include_v as_o they_o be_v alike_o interest_v in_o their_o child_n with_o their_o husband_n so_o they_o be_v to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a education_n of_o they_o and_o say_v the_o apostle_n bring_v up_o your_o child_n in_o or_o with_o the_o nurture_n and_o admonition_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o if_o the_o apostle_n shall_v say_v to_o your_o seed_v clothing_n and_o provide_v necessary_n for_o their_o body_n and_o a_o comfortable_a subsistence_n in_o this_o life_n add_v the_o nurture_n and_o admonition_n of_o the_o lord_n here_o i_o shall_v do_v two_o thing_n 1._o brief_o open_v their_o duty_n 2._o add_v some_o rule_n for_o a_o more_o successful_a performance_n of_o it_o 1._o for_o the_o first_o under_o these_o two_o term_n we_o be_v to_o comprehend_v two_o thing_n in_o the_o general_a 1._o first_o instruction_n 2._o second_o the_o use_n and_o application_n of_o all_o due_a and_o apt_a mean_n subserve_v or_o conduce_v to_o their_o embrace_n act_v and_o practise_v according_a to_o instruction_n give_v they_o loco_fw-la they_o hortatur_fw-la ut_fw-la eos_fw-la educent_fw-la cum_fw-la institutione_n &_o commonefactione_n domini_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la eos_fw-la instituant_fw-la &_o erudiant_fw-la in_o doctrinâ_fw-la christianâ_fw-la &_o subinde_fw-la piis_fw-la commonefactionibus_fw-la ad_fw-la officia_fw-la pietatis_fw-la forment_fw-la pisca_n in_o loco_fw-la so_o that_o the_o duty_n of_o parent_n towards_o their_o child_n consist_v in_o two_o thing_n in_o the_o general_a first_o in_o teach_v and_o instruct_v they_o and_o though_o they_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v they_o in_o their_o whole_a duty_n both_o towards_o god_n and_o man_n yet_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o five_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n to_o instruct_v they_o 1._o first_o they_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o be_v of_o god_n endeavour_v to_o convince_v they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a be_v who_o we_o call_v god_n who_o be_v the_o creator_n and_o governor_n of_o all_o thing_n from_o who_o themselves_o have_v original_o receive_v their_o being_n who_o they_o be_v and_o upon_o who_o they_o depend_v who_o they_o must_v worship_v and_o who_o will_v judge_v they_o at_o the_o last_o day_n and_o then_o reward_v they_o according_a as_o they_o have_v obey_v or_o disobey_v his_o command_n and_o as_o they_o be_v to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n so_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o substence_n and_o nature_n as_o reveal_v by_o his_o name_n title_n and_o property_n as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v it_o and_o we_o find_v child_n soon_o comply_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o not_o altogether_o unready_o entertain_v especial_o such_o notion_n of_o and_o about_o his_o nature_n as_o be_v discoverable_a by_o and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n and_o dictate_v of_o nature_n some_o have_v observe_v that_o all_o religion_n be_v ingraff_v upon_o the_o stock_n of_o nature_n god_n have_v leave_v somewhat_o of_o those_o original_a principle_n of_o religion_n implant_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n at_o his_o first_o creation_n which_o facilitate_v the_o reception_n of_o the_o first_o fundamental_a principle_n upon_o which_o all_o religion_n be_v build_v as_o a_o brand_n soon_o inkindle_v than_o the_o green_a wood_n that_o have_v never_o be_v in_o the_o fire_n hence_o parent_n be_v to_o begin_v with_o the_o revival_n of_o such_o principle_n and_o notion_n as_o be_v not_o utter_o obliterated_a and_o blot_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o such_o be_v these_o concern_v the_o be_v of_o god_n his_o nature_n and_o relation_n towards_o man_n as_o his_o creator_n and_o governor_n etc._n etc._n let_v but_o these_o principle_n and_o notion_n be_v thorough_o revive_v and_o more_o full_o fix_v and_o revete_v in_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o child_n it_o will_v great_o
those_o mean_n by_o and_o through_o which_o the_o soul_n have_v remission_n of_o sin_n peace_n which_o god_n and_o be_v bring_v to_o future_a salvation_n now_o child_n when_o they_o be_v instruct_v about_o this_o way_n and_o these_o mean_n they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o reflect_v upon_o their_o baptism_n and_o see_v how_o both_o be_v represent_v and_o illustrate_v thereby_o and_o by_o mean_n thereof_o they_o may_v come_v to_o more_o clear_a notion_n and_o conception_n of_o and_o about_o they_o instruction_n by_o sign_n be_v adapt_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o child_n indeed_o the_o sacrament_n be_v ordain_v in_o a_o compliance_n with_o the_o weakness_n of_o christian_n in_o general_n but_o 2._o which_o follow_v upon_o this_o by_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o baptism_n they_o will_v be_v keep_v under_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o indispensible_a necessity_n of_o the_o application_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n to_o they_o for_o their_o discharge_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n for_o their_o regeneration_n and_o renovation_n in_o order_n to_o the_o continue_v of_o their_o peace_n with_o god_n and_o actual_a enjoyment_n of_o future_a salvation_n and_o a_o threefold_a advantage_n will_v arise_v herefrom_o 1._o they_o will_v be_v put_v upon_o serious_a inquiry_n how_o it_o be_v with_o themselves_o whether_o they_o have_v the_o blood_n of_o christ_n so_o apply_v or_o no_o and_o whether_o they_o be_v so_o wash_v by_o regeneration_n and_o the_o renew_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o no_o 2._o how_o they_o may_v attain_v to_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o and_o be_v quicken_v up_o to_o a_o diligent_a use_n of_o those_o mean_n and_o prformance_n of_o those_o duty_n they_o be_v direct_v to_o subservient_fw-fr thereunto_o 3._o they_o will_v be_v keep_v from_o any_o attempt_n to_o establish_v a_o righteousness_n of_o their_o own_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o on_o the_o other_o from_o presumptuous_a confide_n in_o christ_n without_o a_o real_a work_n of_o regeneration_n and_o sanctification_n baptism_n preach_v to_o all_o the_o way_n of_o pardon_n peace_n with_o god_n and_o future_a salvation_n to_o be_v by_o wash_v by_o wash_v away_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o filth_n of_o sin_n by_o sanctification_n and_o this_o indeed_o be_v the_o use_n and_o improvement_n that_o all_o christian_n shall_v make_v of_o their_o baptism_n but_o 3._o they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o improve_v their_o baptism_n to_o engage_v provoke_v and_o stir_v up_o themselves_o to_o a_o closure_n in_o with_o the_o covenant_n and_o use_v of_o all_o mean_n conduce_v to_o their_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o grace_n and_o blessing_n of_o it_o as_o this_o be_v a_o special_a end_n of_o god_n in_o appoint_v the_o applicatio_fw-la of_o the_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o the_o seed_n of_o believer_n so_o they_o be_v especial_o to_o be_v teach_v to_o make_v that_o improvement_n of_o it_o and_o answerable_o they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o do_v it_o what_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o they_o to_o close_v in_o with_o the_o covenant_n and_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o god_n in_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o it_o arise_v from_o the_o appliscation_n of_o the_o token_n to_o they_o have_v be_v already_o declare_v and_o parent_n ought_v diligent_o to_o inform_v and_o instruct_v they_o in_o and_o about_o they_o which_o will_v they_o do_v and_o back_o those_o instruction_n with_o a_o due_a use_n of_o all_o the_o forementioned_a mean_n to_o render_v they_o effectual_a it_o may_v be_v rational_o expect_v they_o will_v have_v no_o little_a weight_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v no_o small_a part_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o believer_n as_o bring_v under_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n by_o the_o application_n of_o the_o token_n thereof_o unto_o they_o that_o they_o have_v such_o obligation_n upon_o they_o whereby_o to_o provoke_v and_o stir_v up_o themselves_o to_o a_o early_o seek_v after_o god_n and_o inquire_v after_o his_o way_n 4._o they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o improve_v their_o baptism_n for_o the_o help_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o hope_n and_o for_o their_o encouragement_n to_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o also_o to_o seek_v unto_o god_n for_o grace_n to_o enable_v they_o so_o to_o do_v what_o a_o help_v it_o may_v be_v to_o their_o faith_n and_o hope_n and_o what_o a_o encouragement_n to_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n they_o have_v thereby_o may_v be_v conclude_v from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v and_o i_o must_v still_o leave_v it_o to_o their_o parent_n to_o instruct_v they_o therein_o and_o shall_v hasten_v only_o before_o i_o put_v a_o close_a to_o the_o whole_a i_o shall_v brief_o touch_v upon_o one_o question_n which_o that_o i_o shall_v speak_v somewhat_o unto_o seem_v necessary_a and_o that_o be_v how_o long_o the_o covenant-state_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o believer_n and_o consequent_o their_o right_n to_o the_o sign_n and_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v continue_v to_o they_o as_o the_o seed_n of_o such_o parent_n when_o do_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n become_v incumbent_a upon_o themselves_o so_o as_o that_o upon_o their_o failure_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o their_o covenant-state_n be_v for_o feit_v answ_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v this_o be_v a_o question_n of_o no_o easy_a resolution_n neither_o be_v it_o meet_v upon_o several_a account_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v perfect_o determine_v the_o exact_a resolution_n of_o it_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o that_o day_n when_o all_o secret_n shall_v be_v make_v manifest_a and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o adventure_v far_o into_o it_o i_o shall_v only_o offer_v some_o more_o general_a thing_n to_o consideration_n which_o may_v sufficient_o obviate_v and_o prevent_v such_o doubt_n and_o fear_n that_o either_o parent_n or_o child_n be_v subject_a to_o concern_v their_o have_v forfeit_v their_o covenant-state_n as_o may_v obstruct_v their_o respective_a due_a improvement_n of_o it_o for_o the_o several_a use_n and_o end_v aforemention_v 1._o let_v the_o unsearchable_a riches_n of_o the_o goodness_n grace_n and_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n be_v consider_v the_o scripture_n every_o where_o speak_v of_o the_o goodness_n grace_n and_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n as_o investigable_a and_o incomprehensible_a by_o any_o humane_a understanding_n hence_o be_v such_o passage_n oh_o how_o great_a be_v thy_o goodness_n psal_n 31._o how_o precious_a be_v thy_o grace_n psal_n 36._o so_o god_n so_o love_v the_o world_n the_o love_n of_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v past_a knowledge_n and_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o unsearchable_a riches_n of_o this_o goodness_n grace_n and_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n it_o may_v be_v conclude_v at_o least_o comfortable_o hope_v that_o he_o have_v not_o be_v very_o straight_o or_o rigid_a if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v with_o the_o seed_n of_o his_o people_n and_o consequent_o have_v not_o him_v their_o stand_n under_o the_o covenant_n upon_o their_o parent_n account_v to_o the_o very_a first_o instant_n of_o their_o capability_n of_o any_o actual_a knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a thing_n or_o use_v of_o reason_n we_o may_v rational_o suppose_v he_o bathe_v allow_v they_o some_o time_n to_o attain_v to_o some_o distinct_a knowledge_n and_o to_o use_v their_o reason_n in_o close_v in_o with_o or_o reject_v the_o term_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o hence_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v exceed_v useful_a for_o parent_n to_o acquaint_v their_o child_n betimes_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n or_o if_o you_o will_v which_o be_v all_o one_o though_o that_o expression_n have_v be_v most_o unreasonable_o quarrel_v at_o by_o some_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v high_o useful_a to_o child_n to_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o and_o instruct_v in_o and_o about_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n into_o who_o hand_n the_o administration_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v put_v and_o here_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n of_o the_o usefulness_n of_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n with_o reference_n to_o thing_n more_o dark_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v not_o express_o reveal_v just_a when_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n become_v indispensible_o necessary_a to_o child_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o covenant-state_n but_o now_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n or_o of_o god_n in_o he_o as_o how_o unsearchable_a rich_a in_o goodness_n grace_n and_o love_n he_o be_v may_v much_o relieve_v both_o parent_n and_o child_n under_o those_o doubt_n and_o fear_v they_o be_v subject_a to_o about_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o their_o covenant-state_n they_o may_v conclude_v certain_o god_n have_v not_o be_v so_o rigid_a upon_o they_o as_o to_o limit_v their_o stand_n in_o it_o to_o so_o short_a a_o