of_o faith_n to_o all_o nation_n rom._n 16._o 26._o and_o that_o typical_a covenant_n of_o circumcision_n be_v make_v void_a and_o the_o gospel_n appoint_v no_o ceremony_n for_o infant_n yet_o assure_v they_o of_o heaven_n but_o make_v repentance_n and_o faith_n the_o two_o first_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o baptism_n the_o three_o principle_n in_o order_n to_o a_o due_a profession_n of_o gospel-worship_n in_o a_o churchway_n it_o be_v manifest_v that_o infant-baptism_n be_v a_o innovation_n and_o make_v a_o breach_n upon_o the_o sacred_a doctrine_n contain_v in_o st._n paul_n catechism_n as_o set_v down_o heb._n 6._o 1_o 2._o and_o therefore_o all_o good_a man_n shall_v labour_v that_o truth_n herein_o according_a to_o primitive_a crder_n may_v be_v restore_v nevertheless_o that_o infant_n even_o all_o of_o they_o die_v such_o have_v a_o undeniable_a right_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n to_o life_n and_o salvation_n i_o hope_v to_o make_v very_o evident_a both_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o right_a reason_n in_o the_o last_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n to_o which_o i_o now_o apply_v myself_o and_o though_o herein_o i_o shall_v not_o direct_o answer_v to_o mr._n petto_n yet_o i_o shall_v scarce_o fail_v to_o remove_v those_o thing_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v of_o any_o moment_n in_o his_o often_o and_o unnecessary_a repetition_n part_n iii_o in_o which_o infant_n interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n without_o baptism_n be_v assert_v and_o maintain_v it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o write_n of_o many_o paedobaptist_n both_o papist_n and_o protestant_n that_o they_o do_v hold_v either_o absolute_o that_o no_o unbaptised_a infant_n can_v be_v save_v or_o at_o least_o that_o their_o salvation_n be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o among_o those_o mr._n baxter_n and_o from_o he_o mr._n barret_n and_o now_o mr._n petto_n have_v not_o a_o little_a amuse_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n about_o this_o matter_n first_o mr._n baxter_n tell_v we_o and_o mr._n barret_n also_o that_o infant_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o seem_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n without_o baptism_n and_o second_o mr._n petto_n think_v they_o be_v cut_v out_o of_o the_o great_a charter_n of_o heaven_n these_o be_v his_o word_n it_o be_v the_o covenant-interest_n and_o baptism_n of_o the_o infant-seed_n only_o of_o visible_a believer_n that_o i_o plead_v for_o and_o there_o be_v such_o vast_a number_n even_o million_o of_o these_o that_o if_o man_n undue_o exclude_v and_o raze_v out_o the_o name_n of_o so_o many_o out_o of_o that_o great_a charter_n of_o heaven_n they_o will_v have_v a_o dreadful_a account_n to_o give_v thereof_o to_o god._n in_o answer_n to_o these_o childish_a fear_n and_o undue_a reflection_n upon_o we_o i_o shall_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o transcribe_v what_o i_o have_v former_o write_v upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v yet_o unanswered_a this_o new_a art_n of_o plead_v for_o infant-baptism_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o church-membership_a covenant-interest_n etc._n etc._n and_o not_o from_o the_o scripture_n direct_o but_o altogether_o by_o remote_a obscure_a and_o far-fetched_a consequence_n i_o say_v consider_v these_o subtlety_n of_o mr._n baxter_n and_o other_o i_o perceive_v the_o controversy_n to_o rise_v very_o high_a and_o question_n thereupon_o to_o be_v multiply_v insomuch_o that_o i_o have_v have_v for_o my_o share_n not_o less_o than_o five_o hundred_o of_o they_o send_v out_o by_o mr._n barret_n abovenamed_a which_o have_v be_v redargue_v in_o two_o book_n of_o antiquery_n hereupon_o i_o conceive_v it_o needful_a to_o consider_v this_o matter_n for_o i_o perceive_v very_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n engage_v on_o both_o side_n and_o as_o i_o believe_v much_o more_o strain_v in_o the_o point_n of_o church-membership_a or_o covenant-interest_n of_o infant_n than_o need_v by_o which_o the_o reader_n of_o the_o controversy_n as_o handle_v between_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n tomb_n shall_v soon_o fill_v their_o head_n with_o amazement_n than_o their_o heart_n with_o satisfaction_n in_o trace_v the_o several_a meander_n of_o their_o scholastic_a disputation_n and_o though_o i_o be_o abundant_o short_a of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o either_o of_o these_o champion_n yet_o stand_v to_o view_v till_o they_o engage_v i_o hope_v i_o have_v thereby_o be_v lead_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o a_o medium_fw-la which_o if_o well_o consider_v and_o improve_v will_v reconcile_v the_o difference_n about_o infant_n visible_a church-membership_a and_o covenant-interest_n and_o yet_o do_v not_o doubt_v at_o all_o that_o infant-baptism_n will_v be_v find_v unnecessary_a and_o unlawful_a to_o which_o purpose_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o once_o more_o this_o position_n that_o all_o infant_n as_o such_o be_v in_o a_o visible_a state_n of_o salvation_n by_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o so_o be_v of_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o god_n and_o can_v be_v put_v out_o of_o that_o bless_a state_n till_o by_o their_o voluntary_a departure_n from_o god_n by_o choose_v sinful_a way_n they_o destroy_v themselves_o and_o the_o better_a to_o convince_v my_o present_a adversary_n i_o will_v make_v my_o entrance_n hereunto_o by_o a_o passage_n out_o of_o mr._n baxter_n book_n of_o more_o prove_v etc._n etc._n pag._n 8._o where_o he_o say_v all_o mankind_n be_v bring_v by_o christ_n under_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o be_v not_o vain_a nor_o repeal_v by_o god_n but_o as_o their_o abuse_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n may_v cast_v they_o out_o for_o as_o a_o covenant_n of_o entire_a nature_n be_v make_v with_o all_o mankind_n in_o innocent_a adam_n so_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v make_v with_o all_o mankind_n in_o lapse_v adam_n gen._n 3._o 15._o in_o the_o promise_a seed_n and_o renew_v again_o with_o all_o mankind_n in_o noah_n now_o this_o doctrine_n be_v no_o more_o than_o plain_a truth_n we_o shall_v apply_v it_o to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n by_o show_v 1._o that_o this_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v a_o visible_a church-covenant_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v make_v with_o all_o mankind_n and_o take_v place_n in_o their_o infancy_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v never_o repeal_v by_o god._n 4._o that_o no_o infant_n do_v ever_o abuse_v the_o grace_n of_o this_o covenant_n and_o that_o therefore_o no_o infant_n be_v ever_o cast_v out_o of_o this_o covenant_n and_o then_o five_o they_o all_o stand_v visible_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_n or_o universal_a church_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o covenant_n however_o their_o parent_n do_v abuse_v or_o neglect_v it_o and_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v no_o die_a infant_n be_v damn_v but_o be_v all_o in_o a_o visible_a state_n of_o salvation_n these_o thing_n i_o hope_v to_o show_v to_o satisfaction_n demonstration_n 1._o that_o this_o covenant_n of_o grace_n first_o express_v gen._n 3._o 15._o be_v either_o a_o church-covenant_n or_o else_o there_o be_v no_o church-covenant_n in_o the_o world_n that_o we_o read_v of_o from_o adam_n to_o noah_n this_o be_v indeed_o all_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n during_o these_o time_n beside_o that_o covenant_n of_o entire_a nature_n make_v before_o the_o fall._n and_o that_o covenant_n of_o nature_n be_v break_v by_o adam_n and_o in_o he_o by_o all_o his_o posterity_n it_o be_v not_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n can_v not_o afford_v mean_n to_o justify_v the_o the_o offender_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god._n there_o must_v therefore_o be_v some_o superven_a act_n of_o grace_n or_o mercy_n from_o god_n else_o adam_n even_o whole_a mankind_n who_o be_v then_o in_o his_o loin_n must_v have_v stand_v under_o condemnation_n for_o ever_o see_v no_o man_n can_v redeem_v his_o brother_n nor_o give_v to_o god_n a_o ransom_n for_o he_o psal_n 49._o 7._o it_o be_v the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o christian_n that_o the_o visible_a church_n begin_v in_o adam_n and_o that_o his_o family_n be_v the_o church_n wherefore_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v then_o the_o church_n and_o that_o church-covenant_n be_v make_v with_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o be_v to_o proceed_v from_o adam_n and_o this_o covenant_n yet_o remain_v it_o follow_v against_o all_o contradiction_n that_o whole_a mankind_n consider_v as_o they_o come_v into_o the_o world_n in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o it_o be_v in_o that_o covenant_n and_o so_o in_o a_o visible_a state_n of_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o of_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o god._n but_o whereas_o many_o do_v apostatise_v from_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n covenant_n by_o corrupt_v his_o way_n gen._n 6._o 12._o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v eject_v and_o therefore_o be_v the_o profession_n of_o this_o bless_a covenant_n accommodate_v and_o appropriate_v to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o adult_n who_o have_v not_o sin_v themselves_o out_o of_o it_o but_o still_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o
innocent_a be_v eject_v with_o the_o guilty_a for_o this_o be_v god_n order_n it_o be_v he_o only_o that_o sin_v who_o he_o will_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n exod._n 32._o 32_o 33._o and_o therefore_o neither_o the_o method_n which_o god_n take_v with_o noah_n in_o settle_v the_o covenant_n of_o his_o grace_n nor_o yet_o that_o order_n which_o he_o observe_v with_o abraham_n gen._n 12._o be_v exclusive_a of_o any_o infant_n in_o the_o world_n as_o to_o the_o grace_n or_o mercy_n of_o eternal_a life_n no_o more_o than_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o by_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n in_o a_o far_o more_o excellent_a way_n for_o distinguish_v the_o precious_a from_o the_o vile_a be_v in_o any_o wise_a no_o not_o in_o the_o least_o iota_fw-la exclusive_a of_o any_o die_a infant_n of_o ill_a man_n but_o contrariwise_a the_o right_n of_o infant_n without_o except_v any_o of_o they_o be_v assert_v by_o christ_n in_o this_o last_o and_o most_o ample_a edition_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n show_v either_o by_o scripture_n or_o reason_n that_o god_n will_v shut_v out_o all_o the_o die_a infant_n of_o wicked_a man_n from_o life_n and_o salvation_n by_o christ_n no_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o of_o they_o for_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n be_v according_a to_o truth_n that_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n will_v do_v right_o that_o the_o condemn_a shall_v all_o be_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o deed_n do_v in_o the_o body_n but_o as_o for_o poor_a infant_n what_o evil_a have_v they_o do_v demonstration_n 2._o that_o this_o covenant_n be_v make_v with_o all_o mankind_n because_o it_o be_v make_v with_o adam_n without_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o the_o exclusion_n of_o any_o part_n of_o his_o posterity_n as_o they_o proceed_v from_o he_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n neither_o have_v god_n himself_o explain_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n to_o be_v exclusive_a of_o any_o but_o for_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o own_o iniquity_n and_o this_o be_v evident_a first_o in_o the_o case_n of_o cain_n who_o not_o be_v faithful_a in_o his_o offer_n be_v not_o accept_v yet_o god_n be_v please_v to_o tell_v he_o how_o he_o may_v be_v accept_v gen._n 4._o 7._o if_o thou_o do_v well_o shall_v thou_o not_o be_v accept_v it_o shall_v seem_v god_n never_o reject_v cain_n till_o now_o neither_o do_v he_o now_o delight_v to_o reject_v he_o but_o gracious_o expostulate_v with_o cain_n to_o convince_v he_o of_o his_o evil_n and_o assure_v he_o of_o acceptance_n if_o he_o do_v well_o if_o then_o cain_n have_v a_o interest_n in_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n who_o can_v we_o suppose_v to_o be_v shut_v out_o of_o it_o or_o how_o shall_v infant_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o his_o favour_n till_o they_o with_o cain_n shut_v themselves_o out_o of_o it_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n extend_v to_o those_o rebel_n in_o the_o old_a world_n because_o we_o read_v that_o the_o long-suffering_a of_o god_n wait_v in_o the_o day_n of_o noah_n upon_o they_o and_o he_o give_v they_o time_n of_o repentance_n and_o send_v a_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n even_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n among_o they_o heb._n 11._o 7._o 2_o pet._n 2._o 5._o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v christ_n go_v by_o his_o spirit_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o 1_o pet._n 3._o though_o none_o of_o they_o believe_v his_o word_n now_o such_o act_n on_o god_n part_n be_v great_a evidence_n of_o his_o graciousness_n towards_o man_n and_o show_v that_o he_o remember_v his_o covenant_n make_v in_o christ_n for_o they_o even_o for_o they_o that_o rebel_n against_o he_o and_o so_o perish_v and_o then_o how_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v gracious_a to_o poor_a infant_n who_o never_o rebel_v against_o he_o demonstration_n 3._o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n gen._n 3._o 15._o be_v never_o repeal_v by_o god._n for_o if_o it_o be_v there_o be_v now_o no_o covenant_n at_o all_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v repeal_v to_o one_o man_n but_o it_o must_v be_v repeal_v to_o all_o men._n it_o be_v true_a man_n may_v forfeit_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n hold_v forth_o in_o that_o covenant_n but_o the_o covenant_n can_v be_v repeal_v for_o then_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n of_o mercy_n for_o sinner_n christ_n our_o lord_n may_v as_o soon_o be_v make_v null_n as_o this_o covenant_n for_o what_o if_o some_o do_v apostatise_v shall_v this_o make_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n without_o effect_n god_n forbid_v when_o we_o continual_o see_v the_o covenant_n of_o god_n grace_n display_v make_v overture_n of_o kindness_n to_o sinner_n by_o beseech_v they_o to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n 2_o cor._n 5._o what_o shall_v we_o say_v have_v the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n this_o benefit_n by_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o shall_v poor_a innocent_a babe_n have_v no_o benefit_n by_o it_o be_v he_o not_o worse_o than_o the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n that_o be_v thus_o expose_v to_o damnation_n sure_o there_o be_v better_a thing_n with_o god_n for_o poor_a babe_n and_o chief_o in_o this_o he_o have_v not_o give_v parent_n power_n to_o make_v void_a the_o covenant_n of_o his_o grace_n with_o respect_n to_o their_o infant_n for_o he_o have_v say_v the_o son_n shall_v not_o bear_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o father_n the_o soul_n that_o sin_v it_o shall_v die_v demonstration_n 4._o no_o infant_n do_v ever_o abuse_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o they_o in_o adam_n therefore_o no_o infant_n be_v ever_o cast_v out_o of_o it_o although_o it_o be_v most_o true_a that_o original_a sin_n be_v come_v upon_o infant_n and_o death_n by_o sin_n yet_o this_o be_v as_o true_a that_o original_a sin_n be_v not_o commit_v against_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o therefore_o infant_n be_v not_o guilty_a of_o any_o sin_n commit_v against_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o consequent_o be_v not_o deprive_v of_o the_o benefit_n of_o it_o otherwise_o if_o the_o sin_n of_o subsequent_a parent_n shall_v make_v void_a the_o grace_n of_o the_o second_o covenant_n as_o the_o sin_n of_o adam_n make_v his_o posterity_n guilty_a of_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o first_o covenant_n we_o may_v then_o cry_v out_o who_o then_o can_v be_v save_v but_o therefore_o be_v our_o saviour_n the_o mediator_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o transgression_n which_o be_v under_o the_o first_o testament_n wherefore_o see_v infant_n stand_v acquit_v from_o the_o trespass_n commit_v by_o adam_n against_o the_o first_o testament_n or_o covenant_n and_o have_v not_o sin_v against_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o second_o testament_n they_o can_v come_v in_o the_o condemnation_n of_o hellish_a torment_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o make_v baptism_n as_o necessary_a for_o infant_n as_o any_o body_n do_v yet_o they_o have_v so_o much_o kindness_n as_o to_o condemn_v infant_n only_o to_o a_o state_n of_o loss_n but_o not_o of_o torment_n whilst_o those_o of_o calvin_n spirit_n do_v send_v they_o by_o their_o doctrine_n to_o yell_v among_o the_o damn_a in_o hell-fire_n sure_o this_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o will_v not_o call_v it_o so_o yet_o i_o will_v say_v those_o that_o reject_v that_o great_a salvation_n hold_v forth_o in_o the_o gospel_n be_v just_o condemn_v but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o infant_n demonstration_n 5._o that_o all_o die_a infant_n be_v member_n of_o that_o vast_a body_n of_o which_o christ_n be_v the_o saviour_n final_o and_o so_o of_o his_o church_n consider_v as_o universal_a be_v evident_a because_o they_o be_v in_o a_o visible_a state_n of_o salvation_n and_o i_o think_v no_o man_n will_v deny_v the_o catholic_n church_n to_o contain_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o save_v i_o have_v nothing_o more_o to_o do_v but_o to_o prove_v all_o infant_n in_o a_o visible_a state_n of_o salvation_n which_o shall_v be_v do_v more_o particular_o by_o answer_v such_o objection_n as_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o more_o especial_o from_o mr._n barret_n objection_n i._n i_o give_v you_o thanks_o for_o some_o thing_n before_o grant_v concern_v insant_n and_o i_o here_o promise_v more_o thanks_o if_o you_o will_v prove_v the_o same_o of_o all_o infant_n answ_n when_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o right_n which_o infant_n have_v to_o life_n by_o christ_n i_o intend_v it_o only_o of_o that_o right_o derive_v to_o they_o by_o the_o first_o edition_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n gen._n 3._o 15._o wherein_o they_o be_v equal_o concern_v and_o so_o have_v the_o same_o or_o equal_a right_n and_o i_o hope_v you_o can_v charge_v they_o with_o forfeit_v the_o grace_n of_o that_o covenant_n and_o then_o they_o can_v
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