promise_n in_o god_n word_n for_o their_o salvation_n for_o we_o find_v not_o any_o promise_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o those_o person_n that_o be_v without_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n 3_o if_o any_o shall_v object_v that_o god_n have_v mercy_n on_o who_o he_o will_v have_v mercy_n rom._n 9.18_o and_o our_o child_n may_v be_v elect_v for_o aught_o we_o know_v and_o consequent_o save_v this_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o still_o i_o demand_v what_o visible_a ground_n of_o hope_v you_o have_v in_o reference_n to_o your_o infant_n if_o they_o die_v in_o their_o infancy_n more_o than_o wicked_a man_n have_v thus_o it_o may_v be_v say_v touch_v the_o child_n of_o jew_n turk_n heathen_n some_o of_o they_o may_v belong_v to_o the_o election_n of_o grace_n the_o child_n of_o the_o most_o wicked_a man_n may_v be_v elect_v for_o aught_o we_o know_v but_o we_o speak_v now_o of_o a_o reveal_v declare_v interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n nor_o be_v god_n favour_n to_o believe_v parent_n themselves_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o christian_a hope_n touch_v their_o infant_n but_o as_o it_o be_v bottom_v upon_o the_o covenant_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n make_v with_o they_o and_o their_o seed_n gen._n 17.7_o quest_n but_o where_o have_v godly_a parent_n visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n may_v you_o say_v touch_v the_o salvation_n of_o their_o child_n that_o die_v in_o infancy_n i_o answer_v 1_o god_n have_v assure_v we_o in_o his_o word_n that_o he_o will_v be_v merciful_a to_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o godly_a and_o that_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o wicked_a on_o who_o he_o will_v visit_v the_o sin_n of_o their_o father_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o righteous_a be_v bless_v that_o their_o child_n be_v the_o heritage_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o womb_n be_v his_o reward_n psal_n 127.3,4,5_o here_o be_v visible_a ground_n of_o christian_a hope_n in_o reference_n to_o our_o child_n if_o they_o die_v in_o infancy_n or_o live_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n unless_o they_o profane_o reject_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o jshmael_n and_o esan_n do_v and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o visible_a professor_n that_o be_v baptize_v at_o year_n of_o discretion_n for_o if_o they_o apostatise_v from_o god_n as_o many_o have_v do_v the_o lord_n will_v cast_v they_o off_o and_o reject_v they_o 2_o we_o have_v also_o visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n touch_v the_o salvation_n of_o our_o infant_n from_o christ_n tender_a and_o love_a carriage_n towards_o infant_n when_o he_o be_v upon_o earth_n he_o take_v up_o infant_n in_o his_o arm_n embrace_v and_o bless_v they_o sharp_o rebuke_v his_o disciple_n for_o their_o churlishness_n towards_o they_o and_o declare_v that_o of_o such_o be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n luk_n 18.15,16_o o_o the_o tender_a compassion_n and_o bowel_n of_o our_o sweet_a saviour_n he_o that_o be_v a_o infant_n himself_o be_v the_o head_n and_o mediator_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v sanctify_v the_o state_n and_o age_n of_o infancy_n peter_n also_o tell_v we_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n that_o the_o promise_n be_v to_o we_o and_o to_o our_o child_n acts._n 2.38,39_o and_o the_o apostle_n paul_n say_v that_o the_o child_n of_o a_o believer_n be_v holy_a 1_o cor._n 7.14_o and_o doubtless_o the_o new_a testament_n administration_n which_o we_o live_v under_o be_v as_o free_v merciful_a and_o gracious_a or_o rather_o more_o free_a and_o merciful_a in_o reference_n to_o believer_n and_o their_o infant_n than_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v and_o be_v not_o here_o visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n god_n be_v love_v itself_o and_o often_o compare_v his_o love_n to_o the_o love_n and_o pity_n of_o a_o tender-hearted_a father_n or_o mother_n towards_o the_o child_n numb_a 11.12_o isai_n 49.15_o psal_n 103.13_o 1_o thess_n 2.7_o 3_o we_o find_v that_o some_o infant_n be_v sanctify_v in_o and_o from_o the_o womb_n as_o jeremiah_n and_o john_n baptist_n and_o child_n be_v as_o capable_a of_o regeneration_n and_o salvation_n as_o grow_v person_n we_o be_v as_o passive_a in_o our_o regeneration_n or_o first_o implantation_n into_o christ_n as_o a_o little_a child_n and_o must_v receive_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o a_o little_a child_n we_o find_v also_o promise_v of_o salvation_n in_o scripture_n make_v to_o household_n acts._n 16.34_o etc._n etc._n and_o christ_n say_v to_o zacheus_n this_o day_n be_v salvation_n come_v to_o this_o house_n forasmuch_o as_o thou_o be_v a_o son_n of_o abraham_n luk._n 19.9_o and_o we_o be_v sure_o that_o infant_n be_v a_o good_a considerable_a part_n of_o the_o household_n 4_o the_o apostle_n paul_n will_v not_o have_v believer_n mourn_v excessive_o for_o their_o dead_a friend_n as_o those_o that_o be_v without_o hope_n 1_o thess_n 4.13_o be_v it_o their_o child_n that_o die_v in_o infancy_n or_o any_o other_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o the_o dead_a in_o general_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o include_v the_o species_n of_o infant_n parent_n be_v more_o apt_a to_o grieve_v and_o mourn_v for_o their_o child_n than_o for_o any_o other_o and_o here_o paul_n speak_v of_o the_o hope_n of_o their_o glorious_a resurrection_n for_o who_o they_o mourn_v but_o now_o if_o our_o infant_n do_v not_o visible_o belong_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o church_n of_o god_n we_o can_v have_v a_o well_o ground_a hope_n touch_v their_o salvation_n but_o shall_v mourn_v for_o they_o as_o without_o hope_n if_o they_o die_v in_o infancy_n 5_o david_n comfort_v himself_o touch_v his_o dead_a child_n 2._o sam._n 12.23_o that_o he_o shall_v go_v to_o he_o though_o the_o child_n be_v not_o beget_v in_o lawful_a matrimony_n now_o the_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o david_n shall_v be_v bury_v with_o the_o child_n for_o what_o ground_n of_o comfort_n do_v this_o afford_v but_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v eternal_o happy_a with_o the_o child_n in_o glory_n and_o doubtless_o the_o like_a or_o great_a ground_n of_o hope_n every_o faithful_a parent_n have_v for_o his_o child_n beget_v in_o lawful_a matrimony_n who_o die_v in_o their_o infancy_n we_o shall_v likewise_o remember_v that_o child_n do_v appear_v and_o join_v with_o their_o parent_n in_o stand_a church_n ordinance_n as_o solemn_a fast_n and_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n 2_o chron._n 20.13_o deut._n 29,10_o the_o child_n that_o suck_v the_o breast_n be_v to_o be_v gather_v to_o the_o solemn_a fast_o joel_n 2.16_o which_o do_v further_a evince_n and_o prove_v the_o visible_a church-membership_a and_o covenant-interest_n of_o believer_n infant_n and_o that_o there_o be_v strong_a ground_n of_o hope_n that_o god_n will_v bless_v they_o and_o bless_v these_o ordinance_n to_o they_o and_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o out_o brethren_n that_o the_o child_n of_o the_o godly_a do_v visible_o belong_v to_o the_o covenant_n &_o church_n of_o god_n and_o that_o we_o have_v visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n concern_v they_o there_o will_v be_v a_o end_n of_o the_o controversy_n about_o infant-baptism_n among_o judicious_a and_o sober_a christian_n see_v baptism_n which_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o of_o church-membership_a do_v belong_v to_o all_o they_o that_o be_v visible_o in_o the_o covenant_n and_o church_n of_o god_n for_o if_o they_o have_v visible_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v the_o great_a than_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v the_o visible_a seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v the_o lesser_a i_o speak_v now_o of_o baptism_n which_o be_v the_o first_o seal_n of_o regeneration_n wherein_o we_o be_v mere_o passive_a for_o as_o touch_v the_o other_o sacrament_n it_o be_v require_v that_o every_o man_n shall_v examine_v himself_o before_o he_o partake_v of_o it_o 1_o cor._n 11.28_o though_o we_o say_v and_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o infant_n of_o believer_n be_v church-member_n in_o respect_n of_o god_n covenant_n and_o grant_n and_o aught_o to_o receive_v the_o seal_n of_o their_o admission_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o such_o complete_a member_n in_o all_o respect_n as_o to_o capacitate_v they_o for_o â—ll_a church_n ordinance_n and_o privilege_n together_o â—ith_v their_o godly_a parent_n till_o such_o time_n as_o they_o themselves_o profess_v their_o faith_n in_o the_o covenant_n â—nd_v promise_n of_o god_n and_o engage_v themselves_o to_o god_n in_o their_o own_o person_n when_o they_o come_v to_o ripe_a â—ears_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o three_o consideration_n the_o four_o consideration_n be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v the_o â—uty_n and_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o believe_a paâ—ents_n from_o time_n to_o time_n as_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n â—o_o take_v hold_v on_o the_o covenant_n and_o to_o exercise_v faith_n 〈◊〉_d the_o covenant_n not_o only_o with_o reference_n to_o themselves_o
find_v one_o word_n or_o sylâ—…ble_a in_o the_o scripture_n that_o make_v for_o the_o repeal_n â—…d_v abrogation_n of_o the_o covenant-right_a and_o church-membership_a of_o believer_n child_n 3._o christ_n come_v not_o to_o put_v believer_n and_o their_o child_n in_o a_o worse_a condition_n than_o they_o be_v before_o â—e_z that_o will_v not_o accuse_v the_o woman_n take_v in_o adultery_n but_o ask_v she_o where_o her_o accuser_n â—ere_z john_n 8.10.11_o will_v he_o who_o be_v so_o comâ—…ssionate_a and_o tender-hearted_a cast_v all_o infant_n â—…t_v of_o his_o visible_a kingdom_n without_o accusation_n doubtless_o it_o be_v a_o far_o worse_a condition_n to_o be_v out_o of_o â—…e_a visible_a church_n of_o god_n than_o in_o it_o for_o orâ—…narily_o what_o god_n may_v do_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a â—…y_n i_o question_v not_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n to_o be_v have_v â—…tin_n the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v the_o family_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n â—…_n tim._n 3.15_o and_o the_o lord_n be_v say_v to_o add_v to_o the_o church_n such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v act_v 2.47_o and_o they_o that_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o christ_n visible_a kingdom_n be_v say_v to_o be_v alien_n and_o stranger_n from_o thâ—_n commonwealth_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o covenant_n 〈◊〉_d promise_n have_v no_o hope_n and_o without_o god_n in_o thâ—_n world_n ephes_n 2.12_o 4._o the_o kingdom_n of_o thâ—…_n world_n shall_v become_v the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o lord_n anâ—_n of_o his_o christ_n rev._n 11.15_o which_o undoubted_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n in_o respect_n of_o visible_a church-membership_a ordinanceâ—…_n and_o privilege_n and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v we_o otherwiâ—…_n think_v but_o that_o this_o kingdom_n will_v include_v anâ—_n take_v in_o the_o species_n of_o infant_n as_o member_n thereof_o it_o be_v also_o prophesy_v dan._n 2.34.35_o thaâ—_n the_o little_a stone_n cut_v out_o without_o hand_n which_o 〈◊〉_d mean_v of_o the_o visible_a kingdom_n of_o christ_n though_o it_o be_v small_a at_o first_o yet_o in_o the_o late_a day_n it_o shall_v become_v a_o great_a mountain_n and_o fill_v the_o whole_a earth_n which_o certain_o will_v comprehend_v the_o infant_n 〈◊〉_d believer_n yea_o and_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v re-ingrafteâ—_a into_o the_o olive_n tree_n their_o child_n shall_v be_v re-iâ—grafted_n with_o they_o and_o shall_v be_v as_o aforetime_o roâ—_n 11.24.25_o jer._n 30.20_o by_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o covenant_n interest_n anâ—_n church-membership_a of_o infant_n be_v not_o abrogated_a 5._o if_o the_o child_n of_o believer_n now_o shall_v 〈◊〉_d exclude_v from_o visible_a church-membership_a anâ—_n interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n they_o will_v be_v in_o â—_o worse_o condition_n than_o the_o very_a child_n of_o tâ—…_n gentiles_n be_v before_o the_o come_n of_o chriâ—…_n for_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n if_o aâ—…_n gentile_n or_o stranger_n do_v accept_v the_o covenant_n and_o own_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n not_o only_o he_o but_o his_o child_n also_o be_v admit_v member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o reckon_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o kingdom_n of_o god_n but_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n if_o now_o the_o parent_n accept_v the_o covenant_n he_o himself_o indeed_o shall_v be_v admit_v but_o his_o infant-seed_n shall_v not_o be_v admit_v to_o a_o visible_a member-ship_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o we_o be_v in_o a_o worse_a case_n in_o this_o respect_n than_o the_o gentile_a proselyte_n be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n 6._o the_o lord_n have_v say_v exod._n 20._o that_o he_o will_v show_v mercy_n to_o thousand_o of_o they_o that_o love_n and_o obey_v he_o which_o certain_o extend_v to_o the_o child_n of_o the_o faithful_a so_o far_o as_o to_o admit_v and_o entitle_v they_o to_o a_o visible_a member-ship_n of_o his_o church_n do_v god_n take_v care_n of_o ox_n be_v the_o very_a hair_n of_o our_o head_n number_v by_o he_o and_o will_v he_o not_o think_v you_o visible_o own_o and_o bless_v the_o poor_a infant_n of_o his_o people_n who_o be_v so_o dear_a to_o he_o 7._o there_o be_v gospel_n prophecy_n and_o promise_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o child_n and_o seed_n of_o the_o godly_a the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o righteous_a be_v bless_v psal_n 37.26_o i_o will_v pour_v out_o my_o spirit_n say_v the_o lord_n upon_o thy_o seed_n and_o my_o blessing_n upon_o thy_o offspring_n and_o they_o shall_v spring_v up_o as_o among_o the_o grass_n isaiah_n 44.3,4_o the_o lord_n speak_v of_o his_o people_n in_o gospel_n time_n say_v that_o he_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o and_o their_o seed_n shall_v be_v know_v among_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o offspring_n among_o the_o people_n all_o that_o see_v they_o shall_v acknowledge_v they_o that_o they_o be_v the_o seed_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v bless_v isaiah_n 61.8.9_o and_o again_o chapter_n 65.17,18,19,20_o the_o the_o lord_n say_v there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o a_o infant_n of_o day_n nor_o a_o old_a man_n that_o have_v not_o fill_v his_o day_n for_o the_o child_n shall_v die_v a_o hundred_o year_n old_a but_o the_o sinner_n be_v a_o hundred_o year_n old_a shall_v be_v accurse_v and_o verse_n 23._o these_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o bless_a of_o the_o lord_n and_o their_o offspring_n with_o they_o it_o be_v also_o prophesy_v isai_n 49.22_o of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n how_o god_n will_v lift_v up_o his_o hand_n to_o the_o gentile_n and_o set_v up_o his_o standard_n to_o the_o people_n and_o they_o shall_v bring_v their_o son_n in_o their_o arm_n and_o their_o daughter_n shall_v be_v carry_v on_o their_o shoulder_n and_o be_v it_o not_o evident_a from_o these_o and_o the_o like_a prophetical_a expression_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o there_o be_v external_a visible_a privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o gospel_n of_o christ_n belong_v to_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o godly_a which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o other_o three_o let_v we_o consider_v that_o whosoever_o deny_v the_o visible_a church-membership_a and_o covenant-interest_n of_o believer_n infant_n and_o hold_v that_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n do_v not_o visible_o belong_v to_o such_o infant_n leaf_n parent_n without_o any_o visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n touch_v the_o justification_n and_o salvation_n of_o their_o child_n that_o die_v in_o infancy_n i_o say_v visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n as_o for_o god_n eternal_a election_n or_o the_o will_n of_o his_o purpose_n this_o be_v a_o secret_a thing_n and_o secret_a thing_n belong_v to_o god_n but_o reveal_v thing_n belong_v to_o we_o and_o our_o child_n deut._n 29.29_o if_o we_o hold_v not_o that_o the_o species_n of_o infant_n do_v visible_o belong_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o church_n of_o god_n it_o will_v then_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n concern_v they_o no_o man_n woman_n or_o child_n do_v or_o can_v appear_v to_o we_o to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n and_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n unless_o it_o be_v declare_v by_o god_n in_o his_o word_n or_o else_o by_o the_o visible_a profession_n and_o conversation_n of_o the_o party_n that_o he_o or_o she_o belong_v to_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o three_o thing_n may_v be_v note_v 1_o that_o sound_a hope_n and_o charity_n be_v regulate_v and_o guide_v by_o judgement_n they_o must_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n and_o our_o judgement_n must_v have_v some_o scripture_n evidence_n to_o proceed_v on_o or_o else_o it_o be_v but_o rash_a and_o blind_a now_o where_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o outward_a appearance_n or_o visibility_n of_o church-membership_a there_o be_v no_o evidence_n for_o we_o to_o build_v upon_o and_o consequent_o no_o right_a judgement_n or_o well_o ground_v hope_n if_o therefore_o the_o infant_n of_o believer_n do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o visible_o and_o external_o belong_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o kingdom_n of_o god_n than_o they_o be_v not_o visible_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a ground_n of_o our_o hope_n touch_v their_o salvation_n 2_o our_o hope_n must_v rely_v on_o a_o word_n of_o promise_n or_o else_o it_o be_v but_o vain_a hope_n it_o must_v have_v a_o word_n from_o god_n to_o bottom_n upon_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o these_o scripture_n rom._n 15.4.13_o eph._n 2.12_o 2_o thess_n 2.16_o 1_o tim._n 1.1_o heb._n 6.18,19_o 1_o pet._n 3.15_o rom._n 4.18.20_o now_o take_v away_o the_o visible_a church-membership_a and_o covenant-interest_n of_o believer_n infant_n and_o there_o be_v no_o