the_o right_a method_n for_o the_o prove_v of_o infant-baptism_n with_o some_o reflection_n on_o some_o late_a tract_n against_o infant-baptism_n by_o joseph_n whiston_n minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n london_n print_v for_o jonathan_n robinson_n at_o the_o golden-lion_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdcxc_o the_o right_a method_n for_o the_o prove_v of_o infant-baptism_n etc._n etc._n that_o sacred_a adagy_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o wise_a man_n prov._n 17.14_o be_v sad_o verify_v not_o only_o in_o temporal_a but_o in_o religious_a contention_n contention_n once_o begin_v be_v the_o object_n or_o subject_a matter_n what_o it_o will_v be_v seldom_o soon_o compose_v or_o suppress_v but_o often_o grow_v to_o great_a violence_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o those_o that_o be_v religious_a unsuppressible_a unless_o by_o the_o interposal_n of_o a_o divine_a hand_n one_o reason_n whereof_o be_v because_o the_o party_n litigant_fw-la act_n under_o the_o enforcement_n of_o conscience_n either_o regular_o guide_v by_o divine_a light_n or_o misguide_v by_o some_o mistake_v the_o understanding_n lie_v under_o it_o be_v the_o unquestionable_a duty_n of_o all_o christian_n especial_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o be_v christ_n steward_n entrust_v with_o the_o preservation_n as_o well_o as_o dispensation_n of_o his_o truth_n to_o the_o world_n to_o contend_v for_o it_o as_o well_o as_o preach_v it_o see_v judas_n 3_o now_o the_o litigant_fw-la party_n on_o both_o hand_n suppose_v at_o least_o pretend_v they_o be_v his_o truth_n they_o contend_v for_o neither_o be_v all_o contention_n of_o this_o kind_a absolute_o reprovable_a the_o sin_n usual_o be_v rather_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o management_n than_o in_o the_o contention_n themselves_o as_o absolute_o consider_v all_o truth_n as_o must_v be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n be_v not_o reveal_v so_o evident_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o to_o admit_v of_o no_o debate_n about_o they_o now_o till_o man_n discern_v what_o be_v truth_n it_o may_v be_v useful_a yea_o a_o duty_n to_o contend_v for_o what_o at_o present_a they_o apprehend_v to_o be_v so_o yet_o this_o must_v be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o much_o admiration_n as_o well_o as_o great_a lamentation_n that_o after_o a_o long_a ventilation_n of_o disputable_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n all_o sincere_a and_o intelligent_a christian_n who_o have_v receive_v any_o measure_n of_o that_o unction_n from_o the_o holy_a one_o whereby_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v put_v into_o their_o mind_n and_o write_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o be_v a_o inward_a principle_n and_o disposition_n be_v wrought_v in_o they_o incline_v they_o to_o a_o ready_a compliance_n with_o and_o submission_n to_o the_o whole_a reveal_v will_n of_o god_n shall_v not_o discern_v on_o which_o side_n truth_n lie_v so_o as_o to_o coalesce_v in_o the_o same_o judgement_n and_o practice_n shall_v we_o impute_v it_o to_o a_o obscurity_n in_o divine_a revelation_n that_o will_v be_v a_o reflection_n upon_o the_o knowledge_n wisdom_n or_o faithfulness_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n in_o who_o as_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o be_v hide_v all_o the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n and_o who_o as_o the_o same_o apostle_n assure_v we_o have_v be_v faithful_a in_o all_o his_o house_n the_o fault_n therefore_o must_v lie_v on_o the_o part_n of_o christian_n themselves_o for_o instance_n that_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o infant-baptism_n have_v be_v of_o a_o long_a time_n controvert_v in_o the_o church_n be_v know_v to_o all_o now_o whence_o it_o shall_v be_v that_o this_o controversy_n be_v not_o come_v to_o a_o issue_n consider_v what_o have_v be_v say_v on_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o part_n but_o fresh_a contention_n shall_v arise_v may_v just_o require_v the_o most_o sedate_n and_o serious_a enquiry_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o present_a enlarge_v upon_o it_o two_o thing_n i_o will_v only_o say_v first_o that_o on_o the_o part_n of_o those_o that_o have_v plead_v the_o cause_n of_o paedobaptism_n i_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o many_o mistake_v they_o have_v lie_v under_o both_o about_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o which_o they_o have_v due_o found_v their_o plea_n and_o about_o the_o benefit_n accrue_v to_o infant_n by_o their_o covenant_n interest_n and_o baptism_n do_v at_o the_o first_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n give_v rise_v to_o this_o controversy_n and_o have_v contribute_v not_o a_o little_a to_o the_o long_a continuance_n of_o it_o have_v the_o true_a tenor_n of_o abraham_n covenant_n be_v clear_o discover_v assert_v and_o establish_v by_o scripture-light_n and_o the_o full_a good_a and_o benefit_n accrue_v to_o infant_n from_o their_o interest_n therein_o and_o their_o baptism_n as_o the_o present_a token_n of_o it_o allow_v to_o they_o in_o a_o consistency_n with_o all_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o can_v but_o think_v that_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v if_o not_o whole_o obviate_v yet_o quick_o suppress_v among_o all_o sincere_a and_o intelligent_a christian_n to_o i_o it_o be_v past_a doubt_n that_o mistake_v on_o the_o part_n of_o paedobaptist_n have_v great_o promote_v the_o cause_n of_o antipaedobaptism_n this_o sufficient_o appear_v by_o some_o late_a tract_n by_o the_o man_n of_o that_o persuasion_n second_o on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o antipaedobaptist_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o i_o do_v hearty_o wish_v that_o if_o the_o lord_n have_v see_v it_o meet_v there_o have_v be_v a_o more_o equal_a dividend_n that_o those_o among_o they_o that_o be_v man_n of_o great_a part_n and_o ability_n have_v a_o great_a share_n with_o their_o brethren_n of_o low_a part_n and_o ability_n in_o their_o sincerity_n simplicity_n and_o love_n unto_o truth_n and_o those_o weak_a one_o have_v a_o great_a share_n with_o their_o brethren_n in_o those_o part_n and_o ability_n they_o have_v attain_v to_o some_o seem_v sufficient_o furnish_v with_o ability_n for_o the_o find_v out_o at_o least_o discern_a truth_n when_o set_v before_o they_o and_o yet_o by_o one_o mean_n or_o another_o comply_v not_o with_o it_o but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n do_v oppose_v it_o other_o have_v sufficient_a sincerity_n and_o love_n to_o truth_n to_o engage_v they_o to_o a_o compliance_n with_o it_o when_o discern_v but_o have_v not_o such_o acuteness_n of_o understanding_n nor_o solidity_n of_o judgement_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o find_v out_o or_o discern_v a_o truth_n that_o lie_v at_o all_o below_o the_o very_a surface_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o shall_v therefore_o that_o i_o may_v reduce_v this_o controversy_n into_o as_o narrow_a a_o compass_n and_o thereby_o lie_v the_o whole_a of_o it_o within_o the_o view_n of_o the_o short_a and_o narrowest-sighted_n as_o possible_o i_o may_v and_o also_o obviate_v all_o unnecessary_a digladiation_n or_o impertinence_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n or_o the_o other_o present_a as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o short_a scheme_n the_o method_n i_o have_v proceed_v in_o in_o the_o plea_n i_o have_v make_v on_o behalf_n of_o the_o covenant-interest_n and_o baptism_n of_o the_o infant-seed_n of_o believer_n and_o in_o which_o i_o judge_v it_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o whoever_o will_v successful_o plead_v the_o same_o cause_n do_v proceed_v and_o thus_o in_o the_o general_n i_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n to_o the_o plea_n i_o have_v make_v in_o that_o covenant_n enter_v with_o abraham_n record_v in_o gen._n 17.7_o for_o though_o there_o be_v much_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n strong_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n that_o the_o infant-seed_n of_o his_o people_n shall_v be_v by_o baptism_n solemn_o dedicate_v to_o he_o as_o joint_a confederate_n with_o their_o parent_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n be_v not_o so_o full_o and_o clear_o reveal_v therein_o as_o to_o admit_v of_o no_o debate_n about_o it_o will_v we_o have_v full_a satisfaction_n about_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n with_o reference_n to_o this_o practice_n we_o must_v enter_v at_o the_o revelation_n he_o have_v make_v thereof_o in_o the_o first_o establishment_n of_o that_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n yet_o let_v i_o add_v that_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o mistake_n in_o the_o recommender_n of_o a_o late_a tract_n pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o mr._n philip_n cary_n to_o the_o world_n when_o they_o say_v that_o some_o of_o the_o paedobaptist_n themselves_o do_v confess_v that_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o baptise_v of_o whole_a family_n from_o christ_n blessing_n little_a child_n and_o from_o 1_o cor._n 7.14_o have_v no_o weight_n in_o they_o i_o remember_v not_o that_o any_o have_v confess_v so_o much_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o have_v no_o reason_n so_o to_o do_v we_o only_o say_v that_o those_o and_o the_o like_a scripture_n as_o take_v
to_o all_o abraham_n natural_a seed_n mediate_o descend_v from_o he_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o can_v mere_o as_o his_o natural_a seed_n lay_v a_o just_a title_n to_o the_o covenant_n nor_o do_v the_o covenant_n secure_a to_o they_o any_o part_n of_o that_o good_a contain_v in_o it_o their_o parent_n fail_v to_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n do_v forfeit_v both_o their_o own_o and_o their_o child_n interest_n the_o like_a be_v still_o true_a under_o the_o new_a testament_n 4._o in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o same_o design_n the_o term_n of_o the_o covenant_n include_v both_o the_o stipulation_n or_o promise_n make_v on_o god_n part_n and_o the_o restipulation_n or_o duty_n require_v of_o those_o with_o who_o it_o be_v make_v and_o this_o stipulation_n on_o god_n part_n in_o the_o general_n consist_v in_o these_o two_o promise_n 1._o that_o he_o will_v be_v a_o god_n to_o they_o and_o 2._o that_o he_o will_v give_v they_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n include_v and_o principal_o intend_v the_o heavenly_a inheritance_n viz._n heaven_n itself_o so_o that_o whosoever_o god_n do_v enter_v this_o covenant_n with_o as_o he_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o they_o so_o to_o give_v they_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n either_o literal_a canaan_n or_o the_o heavenly_a inheritance_n typify_v thereby_o and_o hence_o these_o promise_n be_v make_v both_o to_o abraham_n and_o all_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n include_v both_o parent_n and_o child_n it_o sufficient_o appear_v that_o the_o good_a or_o the_o benefit_n and_o blessing_n accrue_v to_o infant_n by_o their_o covenant-interest_n be_v vast_o more_o than_o mere_o nominal_a as_o mr._n cary_n will_v still_o needs_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v but_o see_v my_o essay_n p._n 99_o to_o 163._o 2._o the_o restipulation_n on_o the_o part_n of_o those_o with_o who_o this_o covenant_n be_v enter_v in_o the_o general_n be_v that_o they_o keep_v the_o covenant_n so_o gen._n 17.9_o and_o for_o a_o more_o clear_a understanding_n of_o this_o and_o the_o improvement_n of_o it_o to_o the_o end_v mention_v these_o four_o thing_n must_v be_v careful_o observe_v 1._o that_o by_o keep_v the_o covenant_n be_v first_o intend_v the_o application_n of_o the_o token_n sign_n or_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o that_o as_o oblige_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o whole_a of_o what_o god_n require_v of_o those_o it_o be_v enter_v with_o token_n here_o we_o must_v not_o take_v abstract_o in_o itself_o but_o include_v its_o use_n and_o end_n and_o hence_o 2._o under_o this_o command_n to_o keep_v the_o covenant_n be_v require_v the_o performance_n of_o all_o that_o duty_n specify_v in_o the_o covenant_n according_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o subject_n of_o it_o 3._o that_o this_o command_n as_o more_o general_o lay_v down_o oblige_v all_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o covenant_n universal_o and_o answerable_o as_o it_o oblige_v parent_n so_o their_o seed_n as_o it_o oblige_v all_o they_o take_v into_o covenant_n under_o the_o first_o testament_n whether_o of_o abraham_n natural_a seed_n or_o proselyte_n always_o include_v parent_n and_o child_n so_o it_o still_o oblige_v abraham_n spiritual_a seed_n viz._n believer_n still_o include_v parent_n and_o child_n and_o hence_o 4._o we_o must_v necessary_o distinguish_v between_o this_o command_n as_o more_o general_o express_v and_o the_o designation_n of_o the_o token_n to_o be_v keep_v the_o command_n be_v absolute_a and_o extend_v to_o all_o abraham_n seed_n in_o their_o generation_n and_o be_v never_o repeal_v must_v needs_o extend_v to_o believer_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o that_o in_o their_o generation_n that_o be_v both_o parent_n and_o child_n so_o that_o though_o there_o have_v be_v a_o alteration_n in_o the_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n it_o be_v former_o circumcision_n but_o now_o baptism_n yet_o the_o command_n be_v the_o same_o that_o still_o abide_v in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o answerable_o here_o we_o have_v a_o express_a command_n for_o the_o baptism_n of_o the_o infant-seed_n of_o believer_n though_o not_o eo_fw-la nomine_fw-la as_o baptism_n yet_o as_o the_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o take_v the_o command_n abstract_o by_o itself_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o do_v not_o require_v circumcision_n eo_fw-la nomine_fw-la as_o circumcision_n but_o as_o the_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n god_n first_o give_v out_o a_o command_n to_o keep_v his_o covenant_n intend_v though_o not_o only_o yet_o primary_o the_o token_n of_o it_o and_o as_o so_o give_v out_o it_o oblige_v all_o abraham_n seed_n in_o their_o generation_n whether_o those_o under_o the_o first_o or_o believer_n under_o the_o second_o testament_n and_o then_o he_o specify_v what_o shall_v then_o be_v the_o token_n of_o it_o and_o that_o be_v circumcision_n but_o when_o our_o lord_n christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n he_o lay_v aside_o that_o token_n and_o intimate_v another_o which_o be_v baptism_n but_o the_o command_n to_o keep_v the_o covenant_n as_o abstract_o take_v abide_v in_o its_o force_n throughout_o all_o age_n this_o indeed_o our_o opposer_n seem_v unwilling_a to_o understand_v but_o let_v thing_n be_v serious_o and_o impartial_o weigh_v and_o truth_n will_v appear_v and_o prevail_v last_o in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o design_n the_o scripture_n must_v be_v thorough_o search_v and_o whatever_o be_v find_v in_o they_o for_o the_o further_a discovery_n and_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n relate_v to_o the_o practice_n under_o consideration_n must_v be_v take_v in_o and_o improve_v for_o this_o end_n and_o purpose_n the_o full_a mind_n and_o will_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n be_v not_o hold_v forth_o in_o a_o single_a scripture_n or_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o revelation_n of_o it_o lie_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o whole_a scripture_n and_o whoever_o will_v make_v a_o thorough_a and_o impartial_a search_n they_o will_v find_v much_o possible_o much_o more_o than_o yet_o have_v be_v bring_v to_o light_n clear_o manifest_v and_o assure_v we_o that_o this_o be_v indeed_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n viz._n that_o the_o infant-seed_n of_o believer_n as_o take_v into_o the_o same_o covenant_n with_o their_o parent_n shall_v be_v baptize_v those_o that_o see_v meet_v may_v peruse_v what_o i_o have_v write_v of_o this_o import_n in_o those_o small_a tract_n here_o refer_v to_o and_o to_o sum_v up_o all_o in_o brief_a if_o any_o man_n ask_v i_o what_o warrant_v i_o have_v to_o baptize_v the_o infant-seed_n of_o believer_n they_o may_v take_v it_o thus_o 1._o i_o find_v that_o that_o covenant_n record_v gen._n 17.7_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o very_a same_o covenant_n under_o which_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n ever_o since_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v this_o to_o i_o be_v pass_v all_o rational_a contradiction_n 2._o i_o find_v that_o god_n do_v establish_v this_o covenant_n between_o himself_o and_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n 3._o i_o find_v that_o in_o this_o clause_n their_a generation_n the_o infant-seed_n of_o abraham_n seed_n be_v and_o be_v universal_o include_v 4._o i_o find_v that_o this_o covenant_n as_o actual_o convey_v a_o present_a interest_n in_o and_o right_o to_o the_o good_a contain_v in_o it_o do_v only_o extend_v to_o abraham_n immediate_a seed_n whether_o those_o natural_o descend_v from_o he_o or_o those_o who_o become_v his_o seed_n by_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o answerable_o that_o all_o his_o mediate_a seed_n hold_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n not_o as_o his_o natural_a though_o many_o of_o they_o be_v so_o but_o as_o his_o spiritual_a seed_n as_o have_v personal_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n themselves_o and_o 5._o i_o find_v that_o this_o covenant_n be_v always_o enter_v with_o abraham_n seed_n whether_o natural_a or_o spiritual_a in_o their_o generation_n include_v their_o infant_n with_o the_o parent_n it_o be_v so_o during_o the_o first-testament-administration_n and_o answerable_o must_v needs_o be_v alike_o so_o under_o the_o new_a 6._o i_o find_v that_o god_n do_v express_o command_v that_o both_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n shall_v keep_v this_o covenant_n intend_v thereby_o though_o more_o yet_o first_o that_o they_o shall_v observe_v and_o apply_v the_o token_n of_o it_o as_o parent_n shall_v have_v it_o apply_v to_o themselves_o so_o that_o they_o shall_v take_v care_n that_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o their_o child_n as_o joint-heir_n of_o the_o promise_n with_o themselves_o 7._o i_o find_v that_o baptism_n be_v the_o present_a token_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o consequent_o be_v the_o token_n now_o to_o be_v apply_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o command_n oblige_v all_o abraham_n seed_n in_o their_o generation_n to_o keep_v the_o covenant_n
and_o last_o i_o find_v variety_n of_o other_o scripture_n full_o assure_v i_o that_o i_o do_v right_o understand_v his_o mind_n and_o will_v as_o thus_o reveal_v in_o his_o first_o establish_v this_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n and_o from_o the_o whole_a i_o will_v now_o ask_v where_o be_v those_o far-fetched_a consequence_n that_o our_o opposer_n talk_v of_o that_o we_o be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o infant-baptism_n let_v but_o abraham_n covenant_n be_v right_o understand_v take_v in_o all_o other_o scripture_n confirm_v the_o practice_n we_o plead_v for_o and_o here_o will_v be_v find_v no_o other_o consequence_n than_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o a_o right_a use_n and_o improvement_n of_o any_o command_n or_o promise_v whatsoever_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o what_o shall_v hinder_v then_o but_o that_o this_o controversy_n at_o last_o shall_v come_v to_o a_o period_n i_o have_v only_o further_a to_o touch_v in_o brief_a upon_o a_o sheet_n of_o paper_n late_o come_v forth_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o infant-baptism_n by_o a_o anonymous_n author_n the_o desire_n of_o some_o that_o i_o shall_v return_v a_o answer_n unto_o which_o have_v occasion_v the_o forego_n page_n who_o the_o author_n be_v i_o have_v as_o yet_o no_o intimation_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o if_o he_o be_v one_o that_o have_v assume_v the_o work_n of_o a_o teacher_n among_o the_o man_n of_o his_o persuasion_n he_o have_v do_v prudent_o in_o conceal_v his_o name_n but_o if_o he_o be_v a_o private_a member_n of_o any_o of_o their_o congregation_n as_o i_o suppose_v he_o may_v be_v he_o may_v have_v make_v himself_o know_v for_o who_o will_v expect_v from_o any_o more_o than_o they_o have_v receive_v or_o may_v just_o be_v expect_v to_o have_v attain_v to_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v and_o i_o hope_v be_v one_o of_o those_o for_o who_o i_o have_v hearty_o wish_v that_o they_o have_v a_o great_a share_n in_o those_o ability_n that_o some_o of_o that_o persuasion_n have_v attain_v to_o but_o be_v he_o who_o he_o will_v he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o baptism_n ought_v to_o be_v administer_v universal_o by_o dip_v or_o plunge_v the_o whole_a body_n under_o water_n 2._o that_o grow_v person_n profess_v their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n be_v the_o only_a true_a subject_n of_o baptism_n as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o shall_v say_v but_o little_a do_v not_o he_o or_o any_o other_o of_o his_o persuasion_n make_v that_o manner_n of_o baptise_v simple_a and_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o truth_n and_o validity_n of_o that_o ordinance_n and_o annul_v it_o when_o otherwise_o administer_v they_o shall_v meet_v with_o little_a opposition_n from_o i_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o baptism_n as_o so_o administer_v be_v true_a baptism_n and_o be_v at_o least_o sometime_o so_o administer_v in_o primitive_a time_n and_o a_o considerable_a time_n after_o but_o that_o our_o lord_n christ_n do_v indispensable_o require_v it_o to_o be_v so_o administer_v universal_o that_o i_o deny_v and_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o baptism_n administer_v either_o by_o pour_v water_n on_o or_o wash_v the_o face_n with_o water_n yea_o or_o sprinkle_v water_n upon_o the_o face_n suppose_v the_o right_a form_n of_o baptism_n to_o be_v observe_v be_v true_a baptism_n and_o valid_a to_o all_o its_o end_n and_o purpose_n and_o need_v not_o be_v repeat_v and_o i_o judge_v that_o our_o lord_n christ_n express_v baptism_n by_o a_o word_n that_o will_v admit_v of_o a_o different_a manner_n of_o administer_a it_o but_o for_o this_o i_o shall_v refer_v this_o good_a man_n and_o all_o other_o that_o desire_v satisfaction_n to_o my_o answer_n to_o mr._n danvers_n pag._n 143_o to_o the_o end_n all_o that_o he_o have_v add_v to_o what_o other_o have_v say_v be_v a_o observation_n he_o have_v make_v that_o in_o the_o dutch_a testament_n john_n the_o baptist_n be_v call_v john_n the_o dooper_n but_o of_o how_o little_a consideration_n that_o be_v be_v obvious_a unto_o all_o the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o be_v only_o this_o that_o one_o man_n or_o at_o least_o very_a few_o that_o translate_v the_o bible_n into_o dutch_a judge_v it_o best_o so_o to_o render_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o what_o signify_v the_o judgement_n of_o one_o or_o a_o few_o man_n suppose_v our_o english_a translator_n have_v render_v it_o john_n the_o washer_n as_o they_o may_v have_v do_v will_v this_o man_n have_v take_v their_o translation_n as_o a_o certain_a determination_n of_o this_o controversy_n but_o i_o shall_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o place_n mention_v as_o also_o to_o mr._n walker_n treatise_n of_o this_o subject_a the_o best_a that_o i_o judge_n be_v extant_a and_o if_o any_o be_v yet_o unsatisfied_a they_o have_v the_o liberty_n from_o i_o to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o light_n they_o have_v receive_v provide_v they_o do_v not_o plead_v the_o manner_n of_o administer_a that_o ordinance_n against_o the_o dueness_n of_o infant-baptism_n the_o manner_n of_o administer_a that_o ordinance_n concern_v not_o the_o subject_n of_o it_o whence_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a and_o absurd_a to_o plead_v the_o manner_n of_o administer_a baptism_n against_o our_o practice_n let_v the_o subject_n be_v determine_v and_o let_v every_o one_o act_n according_a to_o his_o own_o light_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o administer_a that_o ordinance_n but_o to_o proceed_v the_o other_o thing_n that_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v be_v that_o only_o grow_v person_n profess_v faith_n and_o repentance_n be_v the_o true_a subject_n of_o baptism_n and_o as_o for_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o say_v much_o those_o that_o will_v impartial_o peruse_v and_o weigh_v what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v they_o imitate_v the_o noble_a berean_o act_n 17._o will_v as_o i_o judge_v see_v it_o whole_o needless_a indeed_o for_o such_o as_o mr._n grantham_n who_o can_v see_v blessedness_n promise_v to_o the_o nation_n in_o that_o covenant_n gen._n 17.7_o i_o shall_v despair_v of_o their_o discern_v the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n contend_v about_o though_o appear_v in_o the_o clear_a noonlight_n of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o for_o those_o who_o have_v eye_n to_o see_v truth_n when_o bring_v to_o light_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o uncharitable_a to_o suppose_v that_o what_o this_o honest_a man_n have_v say_v will_v raise_v the_o least_o hesitation_n in_o their_o mind_n about_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o infant-seed_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o covenant_n or_o their_o right_n to_o baptism_n on_o the_o account_n of_o that_o their_o interest_n but_o yet_o let_v we_o take_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o what_o he_o have_v say_v to_o prove_v his_o assertion_n and_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v it_o three_o way_n 1._o from_o scripture_n 2._o by_o reason_n ground_v upon_o scripture_n 3._o from_o certain_a absurdity_n which_o he_o suppose_v will_v follow_v upon_o our_o practice_n 1._o for_o scripture_n and_o thus_o he_o will_v prove_v his_o assertion_n two_o way_n 1._o from_o the_o scripture_n record_v the_o baptism_n of_o grow_v person_n without_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o baptism_n of_o their_o infant_n and_o he_o instance_n in_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n baptist_n the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o philip._n to_o which_o i_o will_v say_v only_o two_o thing_n 1._o suppose_v that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v infant_n how_o do_v our_o author_n know_v but_o that_o they_o be_v baptize_v though_o the_o scripture_n record_v it_o not_o we_o find_v no_o record_n of_o the_o apostle_n baptism_n and_o yet_o undoubted_o they_o be_v baptize_v but_o 2._o suppose_v that_o they_o have_v infant_n and_o they_o be_v not_o baptise_a that_o do_v not_o at_o all_o prejudice_n the_o cause_n of_o paedobaptism_n for_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o all_o these_o except_v the_o eunuch_n who_o undoubted_o then_o have_v no_o infant_n at_o least_o with_o he_o who_o baptism_n we_o have_v now_o respect_v unto_o their_o infant_n as_o well_o as_o themselves_o have_v be_v before_o circumcise_a and_o the_o parent_n may_v and_o it_o be_v necessary_a they_o shall_v be_v baptize_v but_o their_o child_n may_v not_o neither_o be_v it_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v already_o the_o token_n of_o the_o covenant_n apply_v to_o they_o which_o as_o yet_o be_v not_o lay_v aside_o but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v so_o have_v their_o parent_n but_o to_o that_o i_o say_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o their_o parent_n shall_v be_v baptise_a as_o a_o obligation_n to_o and_o whereby_o they_o do_v in_o a_o special_a manner_n visible_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v that_o that_o very_a person_n viz._n jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o