reference_n to_o that_o time_n renew_v the_o old_a charter_n of_o abrâ—hams_n cevenant_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o they_o in_o which_o promâ—…_n he_o include_v their_o child_n they_o be_v also_o together_o wâ—…_n their_o parent_n scatter_v among_o the_o heathen_a and_o to_o be_v gather_v under_o christ_n as_o their_o prince_n and_o head_n which_o gather_v and_o conversion_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v by_o virtue_n of_o tâ—…_n covenant_n make_v with_o their_o father_n so_o that_o the_o childâ—…_n belong_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o covenant_n belong_v to_o thâ—…_n before_o they_o actual_o believe_v seven_o consider_v the_o great_a absurdity_n and_o evil_a consequence_n which_o must_v needs_o follow_v from_o the_o deny_v 〈◊〉_d believer_n infant_n visible_a right_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o graâ—…_n and_o their_o visible_a church-membership_a 1._o it_o excluâ—…_n they_o all_o from_o the_o ordinary_a way_n and_o mean_n of_o salvationâ—…_n be_v neither_o in_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n out_o of_o whiâ—…_n ordinary_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n nor_o in_o the_o covenant_n 〈◊〉_d grace_n so_o much_o as_o external_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n visible_a â—…pensation_n in_o this_o case_n what_o ordinary_a mean_n be_v leave_v 〈◊〉_d their_o salvation_n the_o promise_n of_o god_n we_o know_v be_v maâ—…_n to_o the_o church_n and_o god_n have_v appoint_v and_o order_v 〈◊〉_d spiritual_a good_a thing_n to_o be_v convey_v to_o we_o and_o we_o iâ—…_n covenant_n way_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o covenant_n 1_o sam._n â—…_n 5._o ephes_n 3.8,9_o isai_n 42_o 6._o isai_n 49.6.7,8_o zach._n â—…_n 11._o christ_n himself_o be_v the_o mediator_n of_o the_o new_a covenâ—…_n 〈◊〉_d testament_n heb._n 9.15_o heb._n 12.24_o if_o therefore_o beâ—…ers_v infant_n have_v no_o visible_a interest_n in_o this_o covenant_n 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v no_o visible_a interest_n in_o christ_n as_o mediator_n for_o 〈◊〉_d be_v mediator_n of_o no_o other_o covenant_n but_o this_o the_o business_n â—…ich_fw-mi he_o transact_v as_o mediator_n be_v to_o confirm_v this_o covenant_n 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o the_o behalf_n of_o all_o those_o for_o who_o he_o be_v mediator_n 〈◊〉_d 9.24_o rom._n 15_o 8._o nor_o can_v any_o partake_v of_o the_o spiâ—…_n of_o god_n and_o influence_n thereof_o but_o by_o and_o from_o the_o â—…enant_n of_o grace_n 2_o pet._n 1.4_o nor_o of_o a_o glorious_a reâ—…ection_n and_o bless_a estate_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o covenant_n â—…ll_v be_v their_o god_n luk._n 20_o 36.37,38_o heb._n 11.16_o act_n 26.6.7_o now_o if_o this_o sort_n of_o person_n i_o mean_v the_o â—…cies_n of_o infant_n be_v exclude_v from_o a_o visible_a interest_n in_o 〈◊〉_d covenant_n and_o promise_n true_o then_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a 〈◊〉_d nor_o mean_n leave_v for_o their_o salvation_n 2._o if_o only_a adult_n 〈◊〉_d gentile_n who_o actual_o believe_v and_o be_v convert_v â—…ade_v nigh_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n in_o respect_n of_o coveâ—…t_n and_o ecclesiastical_a holiness_n it_o will_v argue_v that_o that_o sort_n 〈◊〉_d person_n only_o be_v actual_o stranger_n before_o and_o not_o 〈◊〉_d seed_n with_o they_o whether_o individual_o or_o specifiâ—…y_o consider_v eph._n 2.11_o 12,13_o nay_o this_o suppose_v 〈◊〉_d christ_n take_v down_o the_o partition_n wall_n as_o it_o stand_v only_o â—…een_v grow_v jew_n and_o adult_a gentile_n but_o as_o for_o the_o â—…dren_n of_o believe_a gentile_n it_o argue_v that_o either_o there_o 〈◊〉_d no_o such_o partition_n wall_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o infant_n 〈◊〉_d the_o jew_n or_o that_o it_o remain_v untaken_v down_o to_o this_o day_n 〈◊〉_d thus_o to_o suppose_v what_o be_v it_o else_o but_o a_o vain_a imagination_n â—…rary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 3._o to_o deny_v the_o covenant-â—…st_a of_o believer_n infant_n impli_v that_o there_o be_v two_o â—…ct_a covenant_n of_o grace_n beside_o the_o subservient_fw-fr coveâ—…_n on_o mount_n sinai_n one_o covenant_n make_v with_o the_o faith-â—…d_a their_o seed_n of_o old_a another_o with_o we_o exclude_v our_o 〈◊〉_d seed_n and_o these_o two_o covenant_n essential_o different_a 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o other_o but_o this_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v â—…ist_v be_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n both_o â—…er_o the_o old_a and_o new_a administration_n thereof_o the_o new_a 〈◊〉_d of_o seal_v the_o covenant_n by_o baptism_n when_o first_o instiâ—…d_v be_v precise_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o jew_n god_n peoâ—…_n old_a joh._n 1.33_o matth._n 3.1_o john_n 4.1_o compare_v with_o matth._n 10.5.6_o to_o show_v we_o that_o no_o other_o covenâ—…_n in_o substance_n be_v now_o seal_v by_o baptism_n than_o what_o be_v maâ—…_n former_o with_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n luk._n 1_o 5â—_n 55,68.69,70,71,72,73_o acts._n 2.38,39_o now_o if_o 〈◊〉_d be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o covenant_n in_o substance_n it_o will_v tâ—…_n unavoidable_o follow_v that_o either_o the_o infant_n of_o the_o jeâ—…_n be_v not_o in_o god_n covenant_n together_o with_o their_o pareâ—…_n whereas_o it_o be_v evident_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v or_o tâ—…_n their_o be_v in_o covenant_n be_v mere_o ceremonial_a and_o tyâ—…cal_a and_o so_o be_v abolish_v but_o grant_v that_o the_o way_n of_o sealâ—…_n the_o covenant_n to_o they_o be_v ceremonial_a yet_o what_o ceremâ—…_n can_v there_o be_v in_o this_o great_a promise_n i_o will_v be_v a_o god_n 〈◊〉_d thou_o and_o to_o thy_o seed_n after_o thou_o in_o their_o generation_n doâ—…less_v this_o contain_v a_o principal_a substantial_a part_n of_o 〈◊〉_d covenant_n itself_o or_o else_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o infantâ—…_n believe_v gentile_n be_v now_o in_o god_n covenant_n and_o member_n of_o his_o visible_a church_n together_o with_o their_o pareâ—…_n the_o covenant_n be_v still_o one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o substaâ—…_n 4._o if_o the_o infant_n of_o believer_n now_o have_v no_o visible_a righâ—…_n the_o covenant_n and_o church_n of_o god_n will_v not_o god_fw-we heâ—…_n be_v make_v a_o respecter_n of_o person_n look_v at_o the_o jew_n 〈◊〉_d their_o child_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o beâ—…_n in_o covenant_n with_o he_o but_o not_o so_o regard_v the_o infantâ—…_n the_o covenant_a believe_a gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d testament_n and_o whereas_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o all_o 〈◊〉_d family_n of_o his_o people_n jer._n 31.1_o according_a to_o this_o â—…nion_n he_o be_v not_o a_o god_n in_o covenant_n to_o any_o more_o than_o partâ—…lar_a person_n actual_o believe_v and_o profess_v their_o faith_n 〈◊〉_d not_o so_o much_o as_o by_o outward_a ecclesiastical_a administratioâ—…_n the_o child_n of_o his_o people_n which_o be_v the_o choice_a part_n 〈◊〉_d p_o open_fw-mi of_o their_o family_n whereby_o the_o lord_n god_n buildetâ—…_n their_o family_n 5._o this_o will_v also_o abolish_v and_o take_v 〈◊〉_d that_o distinction_n which_o all_o along_o have_v be_v observe_v in_o 〈◊〉_d throughout_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o by_o this_o meanâ—_n 〈◊〉_d seed_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o serpent_n in_o the_o yâ—…lings_n and_o branch_n thereof_o will_v be_v mingle_v and_o confoâ—…ed_v together_o there_o will_v be_v no_o distinction_n of_o the_o sâ—…_n god_n and_o of_o man_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o isaac_n and_o ishmael_n iâ—…_n infant_n part_n thereof_o no_o church_n distinction_n of_o chilâ—…_n clean_a and_o unclean_a which_o the_o bless_a apostle_n count_v a_o absurd_a thing_n 1_o cor._n 7.14_o else_o your_o child_n be_v unclean_a i._n e._n like_o the_o child_n of_o pagan_n and_o infidel_n in_o no_o better_a case_n than_o they_o but_o now_o they_o be_v holy_a all_o man_n child_n by_o nature_n be_v child_n of_o wrath_n one_o as_o well_o as_o another_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o take_v away_o the_o distinction_n between_o infant_n and_o infant_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o covenant-interest_n and_o church-membership_a than_o they_o be_v mingle_v and_o confound_v together_o i_o mean_v the_o infant_n of_o turk_n pagan_n and_o christian_n one_o as_o well_o as_o another_o as_o have_v their_o actual_a stand_n in_o the_o visible_a kingdom_n of_o satan_n consider_v i_o humble_o beseech_v you_o in_o the_o bowel_n of_o christ_n what_o have_v be_v serious_o write_v unto_o you_o and_o the_o lord_n give_v you_o much_o of_o that_o wisdom_n which_o be_v pure_a and_o peaceable_a easy_a to_o be_v entreat_v and_o without_o partiality_n i_o will_v now_o condude_v this_o paper_n with_o two_o or_o three_o inference_n or_o confectary_n which_o may_v be_v genuine_o deduce_v from_o the_o forego_n consideration_n first_o hence_o we_o have_v cause_n great_o to_o admire_v the_o riches_n of_o god_n grace_n in_o the_o covenant_n as_o extend_v not_o only_o â—o_o we_o but_o to_o our_o child_n also_o o_o the_o tender_a mercy_n and_o compassion_n of_o god_n towards_o our_o little_a babe_n o_o what_o hoâ—our_n have_v god_n put_v upon_o his_o saint_n thus_o to_o entayl_n the_o visible_a administration_n of_o his_o grace_n on_o they_o and_o they_o he_o have_v â—ot_n so_o deal_v with_o pagan_n and_o unbeliever_n what_o advantage_n â—ath_v visible_a believer_n and_o their_o infant_n above_o other_o much_o â—…ery_a way_n to_o they_o be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n â—hey_n have_v visible_a right_n to_o and_o interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n rom._n 3.1.2,3_o as_o the_o infant-children_n â—f_o heathen_a and_o wicked_a man_n do_v visible_o belong_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n so_o the_o infant-children_n of_o the_o godly_a do_v visible_o â—elong_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n luk._n 18.16_o ii_o let_v believer_n therefore_o due_o and_o constant_o plead_v and_o â—…prove_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o new_a dispensation_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d only_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o their_o little_a one_o for_o as_o the_o covenant_n be_v hold_v forth_o in_o scripture_n in_o this_o large_a and_o comprehensive_a manner_n so_o according_o we_o shall_v plead_v it_o with_o god_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o prayer_n and_o if_o chriâ—…ans_n will_v believe_v more_o and_o dispute_v less_o idoubt_v not_o but_o it_o will_v contribute_v much_o to_o the_o silence_v of_o this_o and_o thâ—…_n controversy_n among_o the_o saint_n lord_n thou_o have_v make_v a_o gâ—…cious_a covenant_n not_o only_o with_o i_o but_o with_o my_o poor_a babâ—…_n remember_v thy_o promise_n and_o make_v it_o effectual_a to_o their_o soâ—…_n let_v they_o not_o only_o partake_v of_o the_o outward_a administration_n 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o inward_a save_a grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n although_o 〈◊〉_d house_n be_v not_o so_o with_o god_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v yet_o lord_n remâ—…ber_v thy_o gracious_a covenant_n for_o i_o and_o i_o iii_o christian_a parent_n shall_v be_v hence_o encourage_v to_o 〈◊〉_d vote_v their_o child_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o educate_v &_o train_v tâ—…_n up_o in_o the_o fear_n and_o nurture_n of_o the_o lord_n eph._n 6.4_o see_v 〈◊〉_d be_v take_v into_o christ_n school_n and_o family_n and_o be_v own_a 〈◊〉_d he_o as_o member_n of_o his_o visible_a kingdom_n o_o let_v not_o parâ—…_n suffer_v their_o child_n to_o take_v god_n name_n in_o vain_a to_o proâ—…_n the_o lord_n day_n to_o abuse_v and_o revile_v his_o servant_n i_o know_v sâ—…_n the_o lord_n that_o abraham_n will_v command_v his_o child_n and_o 〈◊〉_d household_n after_o he_o to_o keep_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n gen._n 18_o â—…_n choose_v you_o this_o day_n say_v joshua_n who_o you_o will_v serve_v but_o aâ—…_n i_o and_o my_o house_n we_o will_v serve_v the_o lord_n jos_n 24.15_o 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v our_o resolution_n and_o according_o we_o shall_v teâ—…_n our_o child_n the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o instruct_v they_o concâ—…ing_v the_o nature_n property_n privilege_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o â—…venant_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o feal_v thereof_o baptism_n and_o the_o lâ—…_n supper_n as_o the_o jew_n instruct_v their_o child_n touch_v 〈◊〉_d institution_n use_n and_o end_n of_o the_o passover_n exod_n 13.14_o iu._n and_o last_o we_o shall_v hence_o be_v admonish_v to_o â—…ware_v of_o and_o avoid_v those_o doctrine_n that_o straiten_v and_o cut_v sâ—…_n the_o saint_n privilege_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n adminiâ—…tion_n and_o exclude_v and_o shut_v out_o our_o infant_n from_o a_o visiblâ—â—…terest_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o so_o leave_v we_o withoâ—…â—ny_v visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n from_o god_n reveal_v will_v iâ—…_n scripture_n touch_v their_o salvation_n if_o they_o happen_v tâ—…_n in_o their_o infancy_n for_o what_o visible_a ground_n of_o hope_n can_v tâ—…_n be_v in_o reference_n to_o they_o if_o they_o have_v no_o visible_a right_a tâ—…_n covenant_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n but_o bless_v be_v the_o namâ—…_n the_o lord_n who_o have_v not_o leave_v we_o without_o visible_a ground_n of_o 〈◊〉_d touch_v our_o poor_a infant_n nor_o shall_v we_o mourn_v for_o 〈◊〉_d so_o die_a as_o those_o mourn_n that_o be_v without_o hope_n finis_fw-la
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