submit to the discipline of Baptism Thus I have proved Infant-baptism and Church-membership to be of divine Institution and therefore have a right to the Ordinance of Baptism by vertue of Christs command and the Apostles argumentative mandatory Exhortation and also their covenant interest 1. Therefore I challenge all our Opponents to prove that ever the children of believing parent were once denied the Ordinance of Baptism is our Saviours time or his Apostles 2. I also challenge them to prove by any one Text of Scripture that none but adult believerâ— were to be baptized 3. Let them give us but one single Instance among all those Housholds which were baptized that any one child was exempted 4. And lastly Let them prove that Infant-baptism is any where forbid in the holy Scripture But if they can do neither of these as I am sure they cannot where then is divine Right which they so highly boast of and so confidently laâ— claim unto Why it appears clearly to be on our side and not on theirs and the Reason for it is undeniable For nothing can be of divine Right that is repugnant to the holy Scriptures But to deny the Infant-seed of Believers to have an Interest in the Covenant or Promise of God which intitles them to Baptism is repugnant to the holy Scriptures and therefore cannot be of divine Right as is clear from Acts 2.38 39. 1 Cor. 7.14 and Gen. 17.7 5. Some of those that are against Infant-baptism have publickly and confidently asserted in print that the children of Turks and Heathens have as much priviledge as the children of believing Christians but Mr. D. seems to be of another mind if he had but held tightly to it for saith he in page 2. Many of those you call the outward priviledges of the covenant of Grace our children have as well as yours Pray note by the way Mr. D. saith we call these Priviledges so he doth not own them to be really so and yet at the same time he saith their children have them This is a contradiction in it self for it is to have and enjoy that which they hold is not in being 6. I will prove that the children of believers have a far greater priviledge than the children of Turks and Heathens 1. First of all when the ungodly World was drowned and all destroyed all those children whose parents were not in the covenant were destroyed with their parents not so much as one of them escaped Pray take notice I do not judge nor meddle with their future estate But holy Noah and all his Houshold were saved Heb. 11.7 not one of his children perished in the Flood because they were all in the Covenant of Grace 2. When Sodom and Gomorah were destroyed by Fire from Heaven all those children whose wicked parents were not in the covenant perished with them in that conflagration but righteous Lot who was in the Covenant of Grace was saved and all his own children 3. Where is the chapter or verse to be found in all the Book of God that doth declare that the children of Turks or Heathens are holy children as it doth the children of either believing father or mother in 1 Cor. 7.14 4. And lastly Where is it said in Scripture to Turks and Heathens while such that The promise is unto you and to your children as in Acts. 2.39 Thus you see I have proved That the children of Christian believers have a far greater priviledge than the children of Turks and Heathens by which I have utterly destroyed that carnal ignorant presumptious Assertion of theirs 6. Saith our Opponents What benefit is it for a child to be baptized To which I Answer thus So might proud carnal Reason and natural Affection much more have queried in the time of the Mosaick Law What good doth this smarting Ordinance do to our children Or what benefit is it for them to be circumcised at eight days old which the Apostles themselves counted to be an intolerable yoke which they were not able to beaâ— Acts 15.10 and yet in Rom. 3. he counts it a very great priviledge and advantage for saith he What advantage then hath the Jew or whâ—â— benefit is there in circumcision Much every way chiefly because that unto them were committed the oracles of God Here you see the Apostles Answer is very compatible to this Query but saith he farther For what if some did not believe shall their 〈◊〉 belief make the faith of God without effect Here you see those eight-day disciples were capable of receiving the Oracles of God or else they would not have been committed unto them 6. Saith Mr. D. in p. 3. The primitive Fathers for six hundred years after Christ had a far different Medium to prove Infant-baptism by viz. The necessity of it to salvation Your notion of covenant-right from Abraham and habitual faith is not to be found in their Writings To which I Answer We are not bound to sail by their Compass if the Fathers were mistaken must we be so too I can produce some that were mistaken in a paraelel case long before their time and some of Mr. D's own Opinion that have been mistaken also in this Point in our Time 1. Some of those Jews that were converted to the Christian Faith in the Apostles time who were Teachers of others Acts 15. And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren and said Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved Here those men laid a very great stress upon the very manner of circumcision it must not be after the manner of Abraham but Moses 2. I have heard of some even in our Time that are against Infant-baptism that have held the same thing in effect for say they No baptism no salvation and they hold That there is no Baptism but that of dipping which is to reprobate all those who are not for dipping in baptism and all their own children also that die before they are dipped which is to place an Ordinance in the room of Christ's Righteousness But my good Friend It is safer relying upon Thus saith the Lord than upon Thus say the Fathers 2. I shall in the second place prove that the mode of baptism is by sprinkling or pouring water on the subjects in baptism and this I shall do partly to satisfie my much esteemed friend Mr. B. D. who gave me a strict charge on the Royal Exchange so to do though I have been very large already on this subject in my Replication to Mr. B. K's Book 1. I shall begin and make some Observations from Acts 2. where we find a great number that were baptized at one time but we do not find that the Apostles did lay any Injunction upon them to change their Rayment to be baptized in 1. They did not command the men to strip themselves and put on other Garments proper for the Ordinance and then come and be baptized neither did they say unto the women and
maids Go and get ye Gowns made with lead in the lower end of the skirt thereof and shift ye and then come again to us and we will baptize every one of you 3. How could it be possible that so few as the Apostles were not exceeding Twelve in number if they were all there should be able to trip and dip three thousand men women and maids according to their Principle and practice in so short a time as but part of a day 2. I shall prove Baptism to be by Sprinkling c. from the Levitical Law and not by Immersion of Dipping 1. Negatively If there is nothing to be done in Gospel-Worship and Ordinances but what there must be an Example or Shadow from that Pattern which God shewed unto Moses in the Mount with all its Appendix that were then in force c. then baptism cannot be by dipping But nothing ought to be done in Gospel-Worship and Ordinances but what there must be an Example or Shadow for from that Pattern which God shewed unto Moses in the Mount with all its Appendix that were then in force such as Circumcision and Sacrifices which were then in being and long before the Ceremonial Law Therefore baptism cannot be by immersion or dipping under water because there is no manner of shadow or Example for that way of baptizing in all the Ceremonial Law nor its Appendix thereunto belonging Now for proof of which let us address our selves to the Scriptures gradually as we go along 1. In Heb. 10. For the law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things Pray mind the Law was but a shadow of good things to come and what these good things are I shall have occasion to declare by and by 2. I shall prove that baptism ought to be by sprinkling and pouring water on the subjects baptized 1. Thus If there be an Example or Shadow for sprinkling in baptism from that Pattern which God shewed unto Moses in the Mount then baptism is by sprinkling c. But there is an Example or Shadow of sprinkling c. from that Pattern which God shewed unto Moses in the Mount Therefore baptism is by sprinkling Now for the Proof of this I shall call in many Scriptures to testifie the truth of it and the first shall be that 1. In Heb. 8. For if he were on earth he should not be a priest seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle For see saith he that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mouâ—t Pray observe these all things that were then to be made according to the pattern shewn in the Mount were the Example and Shadow of the Heavenly thingâ— which is the same with that afore-mentioned Text A shadow of gâ—…d things to 〈◊〉 namely the Gospel-Ordinances and Worship which must be according to the pattern shewn by God to Moses in the Mount 2. The Apostle reproved the Hebrews that were reconciled to the Christian Religion for cleaving to and hankering after the abolished Ceremonial Law for he told them in effect that they robbed Christ of the Honour and Glory of his priestly Office for saith he unto them If he that was Christ were on earth he should not be a priest seeing there are priests that offer gifts according to the Law and then he proceeds to tell them that the Law was but an Example and Shadow of the Gospel-Ordinances and Worship those heavenly things and a shadow of good things to come not the very Image or Substance of the things 3. If there were no Example or Type for dipping in baptism then there can be no Antitype Therefore it cannot be baptism for there was nothing among all the Examples and Shadows of the Heavenly things that was any thing like dipping in baptism 4. But fourthly I will produce you a Cloud of Witnesses which all center in a Type for sprinkling in baptism 1. In Exod. 24. And Moses took the bloud and sprinkled it on the people and said Behold the bloud of the covenant which the Lord hath made with you Now was not this a lively Type or Seal of the Covenant namely Baptism for it signifieth the same thing as Baptism doth viz. Regeneration Sanctification and renewing Grace which cost Christ the price of his precious blood which is the blood of the covenant for he was given for a covenant to the people and therefore Moses said Behold the blood of the covenant which the Lord hath made with you and yet that blood in it self was but the blood of a beast 2. In Exod. 29. And thou shalt stay the ram and thou shalt take his blood and sprinkle it round about upon the altar 3. In Levit. 1. And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord and the priests Aarons sons shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 4. In Ezek. 36. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh Here is God's Promise to the Jews the Race of his old covenanted peculiar People predicted which is to be renewed and fulfilled in this latter day of the Gospel as in verses 6 7 8 9 10 11. compared with Rom. 11.25 26 27. First here in Ezek. is their baptism predicted viz. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you for as they were a baptized Church under the Law so they shall be again under the Gospel 1 Cor. 10.2 3 4. And that was also by sprinkling Secondly here is their Calling and Conversion predicted and promised viz. A new heart also will I give you c. 4. And lastly Pray mind these Scriptures for they are all for sprinkling Levit. 9.9 18. ch 4.6 17 18. ch 5.9 13. ch 8.11 24. ch 14. 7 8 9 16 51. Numb 19.18 19 20 21. â—2 Chroâ— 29.22 ch 30.16 Now what could all these sprinklings and pourings of blood and water be an Example and Shadow of if not of baptism Therefore I demand Two Things of our Opponents 1. If sprinkling in baptism be not the Antitype of all these sprinklings and pourings aforesaid Then I challenge them to find out and discover unto us some other Gospel-Ordinances wherein the subjects are all passive as those were of these Sprinklings under the Law that is more apposite to it than sprinkling in baptism is to the Examples and Shadows of the Heavenly things which were the good things that were come 2. Let them produce us a Type under the
Ceremonial Law for immersion or dipping in baptism otherwise let them cease from such an unwarrantable practice 2. In the Second place Let us observe how excellently the Apostles have conjoined and applyed those Heavenly things in the Gospel new Dispensation their proper center 1. In Heb. 9. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heiser sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh Here is Sprinkling and Sanctification joined together 2. In Heb. 10. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water Here is Sprinkling and Washing joined together 3. In Heb. 11. Through faith he kept the passever and sprinkling of blood Here is the Passover and Sprinkling of blood joined together the one a Type or Pattern of the Lords-supper and the other of Baptism the two Seals of the Covenant and both pointing to the Death and Sufferings of Jesus Christ the Essential Covenant and also Regeneration and Sanctification as Baptism and the Lords-supper most compatibly do 4. In Heb. 12. And to Jesus the mediatour of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling Here the Covenant of Grace under the new Dispensation of the Gospel and Sprinkling are joined together namely Baptism the Seal or Token thereof 5. And lastly Here is the Foundation of all these Sprinklings clearly explained by the Apostle St. Peter in these Words in 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Here is the Covenant and Sprinkling the blood of the Covenant joined together namely the blood of Christ And what God hath joined together let not proud carnal Reason part asunder Thus you see I have clearly proved from the Ceremonial Law That baptism is by sprinkling and pouring water on the subjects baptized for nothing can be the Antitype of all these Sprinklings but this Heavenly Thing namely the Sacrament of Water-baptism Therefore baptism cannot be by dipping because there is no Example or Pattern for it among all the Ceremonies for if it had been one of the Heavenly Things then there must have been a Pattern for it but there is none as I know of unless it be those two which are not of the Heavenly Things here mentioned but a Dispensation of Wrath from Heaven namely the drowning the old ungodly World and proud Pharaoh and all his Host they were all immersed or dipped and drowned Therefore dipping in baptism is of the Earth and but a humane Invention Now to bring things nearer home still Whaâ— did all these Sprinklings with blood and water signifie under the Mosaick Dispensation which are brought down into the New Testament and applied by the Apostle 1. As they were Examples and Patterns of Water-baptism so they pointed unto the same things as Water-baptism doth viz. Regeneration and Sanctification both which we have in John 3. Jesus answered Verily verily I say unto thee Excepâ— a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannâ—â— enter into the kingdom of God 2. Sprinkling under the Ceremonial Law is baptism under the Gospel for they both point at one and the same thing namely the Death and Sufferings of Jesus Christ without which there had been no Regeneration or Sanctification for without shedding of blood there could have been no Remission of sins 1. Sprinklings under the Law pointed forward to the Death of Christ to shew that he was to come and suffer 2. Baptism under the Gospel points upward to shew that Christ is come and hath suffered and is ascended though baptism was instituted before Christ's Sufferings just as things are spoken in the present Tense for the future as concerning Christ's birth and nativity in Isa 9.6 For unto us a child is born Christ came by water and blood 1 John 5.6 For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5.7 Therefore Christ called his own Sufferings his baptism That is calling the thing it self by the name of that which represents it And Christ was really circumcised and also baptized both which pourtrayed his Death and Sufferings Col. 2.13 14. Thus you see how the Ceremonial Law and the new Dispensation of the Gospel were related one to the other the Ceremonial Law was a Shadow of the Image of Christ in his Ordinances And in the Gospel-Ordinances those Heavenly Things the Image of Christ himself is held forth unto us Heb. 10. For the law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things 5. Those that are baptized by the Holy Ghost are not said to be dipped into the Holy Ghost but the Graces of the holy Spirit are poured out upon them and shed abroad in their Hearts Isa 44.3 Joel 2.28 Acts 2.18 Thus you may see that I have proved from the Ceremonial Law that baptism is by sprinkling and not by dipping 6. And lastly I shall add one Scripture more to corroborate that which hath been said touching the mode of baptism which is that famous Text in 1 Pet. 3. When once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was a preparing wherein few that is eight souls were saved by water The like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Here are several things of great note in this Text of Scripture 1. Here is the twofold patience of God first he waited patiently on the old ungodly World for their Repentance 2. His patience in waiting on Noah until he had prepared the Ark for the saving himself and his Houshold 3. Here is the fewness of the Number of these which were saved among the many Thousands of Families of the Earth viz. but eight persons and they were saved by water that which was a most dreadful dispensation of Gods Wrath to the old ungodly World was a dispensation of distinguishing Love and Grace unto Noah and his Family for the Text telleth us they were saved by water the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us 4. Here are two things enveloped in these words First As Noah's temporal preservation and deliverance in and by the Ark was typical of eternal Life and Salvation by Jesus Christ the Ark of Gods Covenant so is baptism also 5. None are eternally saved by nor for their being baptized no more than all were saved eternally that were in the Ark for if it were so then all would be saved that were are or shall be baptized for external holiness will not give them a Right to eternal Salvation nor foederal holiness neither though inherent holiness doth Pray mind the Apostles Words for saith he The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away
of the filth of the flesh that is external holiness but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ There is Internal Grace and Holiness Temporal salvation and deliverances are not a sure sign of Eternal salvation nor external purification or putting away the filth of the flesh without inward heart-purification by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ of which Noah's preservation was a true Type or sign and Water-baptism is no more 6. What analogy is there between Noah's preservation and dipping in baptism for the Text saith plainly that baptism maketh the like figure unto it To which I answer in the negative There is none at all it is altogether incongruous all that can be said of it is this namely It makes a true figure of Gods Wrath on the old drowned World for they were all immersed and destroyed 7. And lastly What analogy or congruity is there between Noah's preservation and sprinkling in baptism To which I answer in the affirmative There is a sweet harmonious Agreement between them for sprinkling in baptism is the like figure 1. As Noah's Preservation and his Family was a Mark and Token of Gods distinguishing Love and Grace unto them above all the rest of the World even so is Baptism now to all true Christian believers and their children which is the Figure thereof a Mark and Token of Gods distinguishing Love and Grace unto them above all other persons in the World for baptism is a sealing the Name of God upon them whereby they are externally received into the Family of Christ for whoso shall receive one such little child in Christs name receives Christ himself 2. As Noah and his Family were all in the Ark even so believers and their seed are all in the Covenant and therefore they all ought to have the Figure of Noah's Preservation administred unto them namely Water-baptism and that by sprinkling otherwise it cannot answer to the Figure of Noah's Preservation for he nor none of his Family went over-board into the water and were dipped but was sprinkled with the Rain from Heaven and with the water that did fly over into the Ark by the beating of the Waves against it even as it doth against a ship at sea in a stooâ— by which the Mariners are often sprinkled and know this my self experimentally but if any â— the Mariners are dipped in the sea they are commonly drowned 3. And lastly As the Waters in mercy bâ—â— up the Ark and saved Noah and his Family eveâ— so in judgment it drowned all the World besides for the Text saith that Noah was saved by wateâ— unto which baptism is annexed Thus I have pâ—ved that sprinkling in baptism is of Divine Institution and dipping for baptism but a human Invention 7. Saith Mr. D. Habitual Faith is not to be fâ—â— in the primitive Fathers Writings To which â— thus reply What is that to us I will put it to a fair and short Issue which shall be this Either Mr. D. must grant that all elect dying Infants have Habitual Faith otherwise he must totally deny Original sin which he please here is his choice for this is the genuine consequence of it withoâ— offering the least force or violence unto his Allegation 1. For First If all young Infants by nature are guilty of Adam's Transgression then they cannot be saved without Regeneration for there is no passing immediately out of the Kingdom and Dominion of Sin and Satan into the Kingdom of Glory for there is a great Gulf fixed between them Luke 16.26 And if they are not in the Ark of Gods preventing Grace to ferry then over they must perish for the only Road to the Kingdom of Glory lyeth through the Kingdom and Dominion of Gods free preventing Grace for all old and young that are saved Eph. 2.8 2. All young Infants by nature are guilty of Original Sin and depravation Psal 51. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me Rom. 3. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Therefore they must have Grace poured into their Souls to subdue and conquer that original depravation or they cannot be sanctified nor saved for we all received our very shape and first being in sin Therefore they must have Grace to unite them to Christ the lost Image of God by the Fall of Adam must be restored unto them and re-instamped upon them and Christ with all the Graces of his Spirit must be formed in them or God will never save them nor be reconciled unto them no more than he will to the Fallen Angels and this must be done by the Infusion of Gracious Habits into their Souls 1 John 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him This Seed of God is the Principles and Habits of Grace which is a Fruit of the Spirit but Grace in Act and Exercise is called the Fruit of the Spirit 3. Habitual Grace is sufficient by the powerful Agency of the Spirit to subdue and conquer original Depravation in regenerating and changing their state and making them Partakers of the Divine Nature by the application of the Righteousness and Merits of Jesus Christ for Justification and Sanctification by the aforesaid Habitual Grace instrumentally of which Faith is supream because without Faith it is impossible to please God 4. The salvation of all Gods Elect both old and young is begun carried on and finished by the Work of Christ without us and by the powerful Operation of his holy Spirit within us Christ ever lives to make Intercession at the Right hand of God for the Application of his Satisfaction to the Fathers Justice for us and his Spirit abideâ— in us to help our infirmities in making Inteâ—cession for us also with groanings which cannot 〈◊〉 uttered Rom. 8.26 27. And thus all Elect dying Infants are made meâ— to partake of the Inheritance with the Saints â—â—â—ight even as all Adult believers are for this 〈◊〉 the only way in which God doth justifie sanctifâ—â— and save all his chosen People both old and young and therefore it is emphatically called the Faiâ—â— of Gods Elect Titus 1.1 5. Wherefore if any dying Infants are any paâ—â— of Gods Elect as that they are then they mâ—â— have this Faith because it is peculiar to God Elect and to none else which is the Faith of the Operation of God and not by maturity of yeaâ—â— for he is the Author and the Finisher of it 〈◊〉 12.2 And it is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 We reverence be it spoken God may be compared 〈◊〉 a man that maketh a Watch with all the Whâ—â— and Pins and Members thereof but it may be 〈◊〉 doth not wind it up and set it a going as soon 〈◊〉 he hath made it but the Watch is a compleaâ— Watch notwithstanding though it should never 〈◊〉 set a going but it is ready to go whenever the Watch-maker please Even so God forms and
as Circumcision was the door of entrance to all the Members of the former even so Baptism is now the door of entrance to all the Members of the latter Thus you see all the Arguments to prove the contrary are confuted notwithstanding Mr. D's saying that the male children of Abraham's natural Posterity were only to be circumcised and his wondering that from this Covenant should be devolved a Right on the Gentile Church to baptize their Children both males and females is brought to nought 6. And lastly I shall humbly offer some Reasons why the male children were to be circumcised and not the females 1. It was to praefigurate the death and sufferings of Christ who was given for a Covenant of the People and was to be cut off and die for the Sins of his People Therefore as St. Paul saith in another case Was Paul crucified so say in this viz. Was a female to be crucified for the sins of the People I think there are none but will deny that 2. This also was the reason why the Paschal Lamb for Sacrifice must be a male of the flock without blemish and not a female which did likewise praefigurate Christ's Incarnation and Crucifiction For 1. He must be a man and not a woman 2. He must be a man without sin 3. He must be taken out of the flock of God namely the Tribe of Judah 4. And lastly He must be offered up without spot to God for the sins of his People 1 Cor. 5.7 Therefore for these Reasons the male children were circumcised and not the female But yet notwithstanding the female seed of Abraham were as much in the Covenant of Grace and shared as much in the Redeeming Love of Christ as ever the male children of Abraham did 3. The Token of the Covenant was and still is to be on the flesh because all flesh had corrupted its way therefore nothing short of the death and sufferings of Christ could appease the Wrath of God and reconcile him unto us and retrieve us from that lost and condemned state of sin and misery into which the Fall of Adam had involv'd us But Christs Deity did not suffer for it was impossible it was only the Humane Nature of Christ that suffered and was cut off but not for himself but for the sins of the People Dan. 9. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off There was the Antitype or end of Circumcision for he suffered both in body and soul Isa 53.11 His soul was made an offering for sin Thus I have proved That the female seed of Abraham were interessed in the Token of the Covenant as well as the males and so are all the seed of Believers now and have all a Right to the Ordinance of Water-baptism the successive Token of the Covenant of Grace For as Circumcision of the Heart and Baptism of the Holy Ghost both signifieth one and the same thing even so Circumcision in the Letter and Baptism with Water signifieth one and the same thing namely Regeneration and Sanctification by the death merits and Spirit of Christ 3. Mr. D. hath positively asserted That the Covenant God established with Abrahnm and his Seed was a Covenant of peculiarity viz. a Covenant made peculiarly with Abraham and 〈◊〉 Natural posterity but this I shall make appear to be a very gross mistake for several Reasons 1. Because it was not a new made Covenant with Abraham which never had a being before as appeareth by the very words in Gods Declaration to Abraham viz. for thus saith the Lord And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee c. Though it is true that it was new to Abraham and his seed because they were never in it before 2. This Covenant which God calls my covenant which he established with Abraham and his seed is the same which God made first with Adam and his seed after the Fall Gen. 3.15 and secondly it 's the same which God established with Noah and his seed after the Floud for God used the very same frame of Speech with Noah as he did with Abraham as you may see Gen. 9.9 And I behold I establish my covenant with you and with your seed after you That was with Noah and his Houshold and their Posterity Gen. 7.17 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee 1. Behold I establish my covenant c. 2. And I will establish my covenant c. What difference is there between these Two establishments of the Covenant Even none at all Then it must be one and the same Covenant nay God telleth us so for both to the one and to the other God calls it emphatically my covenant So it was not a Covenant made peculiarly to Abraham and his natural posterity 2. Let us address our selves to Gods frame of Speech concerning the Tokens of the one and of the other 1. In Gen. 9.12 And God said This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you That was Noah and his Houshold 2. In Gen. 17.11 And ye shall circumcise thâ— flesh of your fore-skin and it shall be a token of 〈◊〉 covenant betwixt me and you But it may be Objected What congruity or agreement is there between these two Tokens of the Covenant to the Rain-bow and Circumcision Why there is a very sweet agreement between them both 〈◊〉 in effect it 's one and the same for they are boâ—â— Tokens of God's Love and Grace primarily anâ— especially unto his own covenanting people 3. Persons may as well say That the Rain-bow is the Covenant as to say that Circumcision is the Covenant being both but Tokens thereof 4. The Covenant of Grace had its beginning at the Fall of Adam for had our First Parent stood in their primitive state of innocency theâ— would have been no room for the Exercise oâ— Grace and Mercy for misery in a sense may be said to beget Grace and Mercy for in Gen. 3. â— there came in all our misery and in verse 15 there came in Gods free preventing Grace aâ— Mercy which is his Darling Attribute for Mercy is his delight 5. The Covenant of Grace ran down in a â—neal Descent from Adam and his posterity 〈◊〉 Noah and his and took in Job Melchizedec Eliâ—â— and Abraham Isaac and Jacob Moses Davâ—â— and all the Patriarches and last of all it â—â—volved upon the Gospelized Gentiles and all thâ— posterity and this only is the Covenant of Grace for was it not great Grace that God should 〈◊〉 only spare Man when he first broke out into opeâ— Rebellion against him but found out a Ransoâ— for him 6. All those that are or have been or may be in the Covenant of Grace are not nor new may be in the Covenant of Redemption but aâ— that are in the Covenant of Redemption 〈◊〉 go through the Covenant of Grace to Glory 7. All the Elect of God are in the