as_o they_o own_v he_o only_o for_o their_o god_n according_a to_o their_o covenant_n with_o he_o though_o otherwise_o they_o have_v great_a guilt_n upon_o they_o this_o still_o confirm_v what_o be_v say_v before_o that_o though_o the_o immorality_n of_o this_o people_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o be_v such_o in_o other_o respect_n as_o that_o all_o that_o they_o have_v do_v in_o covenant_v and_o in_o a_o partial_a performance_n of_o covenant_n can_v not_o give_v they_o the_o reputation_n of_o be_v member_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n yet_o their_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o partial_a performance_n of_o it_o in_o worship_v he_o only_o with_o a_o worship_n of_o his_o own_o appointment_n do_v denominate_v they_o in_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a respect_n to_o be_v his_o people_n and_o so_o his_o as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o by_o the_o way_n then_o if_o those_o of_o this_o church_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v style_v saint_n a_o holy_a people_n and_o the_o like_a upon_o other_o account_n and_o in_o other_o respect_n than_o their_o be_v real_o and_o inherent_o holy_a as_o i_o have_v show_v they_o be_v by_o inspire_a man_n than_o it_o can_v be_v conclude_v but_o that_o the_o people_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v so_o likewise_o when_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o epistle_n to_o they_o style_v they_o saint_n the_o sanctify_a in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o the_o like_a for_o the_o same_o epithet_n and_o appellation_n signify_v but_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o in_o the_o new_a in_o both_o they_o signify_v a_o people_n separate_v from_o the_o pagan_a unbelieve_a world_n unto_o god_n among_o who_o some_o be_v more_o so_o and_o some_o less_o some_o by_o external_a covenant_n and_o profession_n and_o some_o by_o that_o and_o much_o more_o to_o wit_n by_o the_o renovation_n of_o the_o whole_a inner_a man_n i_o the_o rather_o note_v this_o as_o i_o pass_v along_o because_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n lay_v so_o great_a a_o stress_n as_o they_o do_v upon_o st._n paul_n still_v the_o church_n to_o who_o he_o write_v saint_n for_o the_o prove_v as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o that_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v save_o sanctify_a be_v church-matter_n or_o to_o be_v admit_v as_o church-member_n except_o when_o it_o be_v do_v through_o mistake_n of_o they_o that_o admit_v they_o have_v take_v a_o brief_a survey_n how_o thing_n stand_v relate_v touch_v visible_a church-membership_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v how_o matter_n stand_v declare_v touch_v the_o same_o under_o the_o new_a and_o our_o inquiry_n must_v be_v whether_o person_n adult_n be_v by_o no_o other_o mean_n visible_a church-member_n unless_o they_o be_v reputative_o member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a or_o whether_o they_o do_v not_o become_v true_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n in_o scripture_n account_n by_o their_o voluntary_a covenant_v by_o baptism_n with_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n though_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v not_o enough_o in_o they_o to_o denominate_v they_o member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o it_o do_v not_o become_v those_o who_o admit_v man_n into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n and_o the_o baptismal_a covenant_n to_o think_v the_o best_a of_o they_o who_o be_v so_o admit_v and_o to_o hope_v they_o do_v it_o with_o a_o sincere_a mind_n when_o they_o therein_o give_v up_o themselves_o too_o god_n but_o whether_o their_o due_a admission_n thereto_o do_v depend_v upon_o such_o a_o judgement_n in_o those_o that_o admit_v they_o or_o whether_o such_o person_n may_v be_v refuse_v and_o not_o suffer_v to_o covenant_n with_o god_n in_o baptism_n and_o thereby_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n though_o they_o offer_v themselves_o thereto_o and_o desire_v it_o in_o case_n those_o who_o office_n and_o place_n it_o be_v to_o admit_v man_n thereto_o shall_v be_v unsatisfied_a touch_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o save_a conversion_n or_o regeneration_n or_o thus_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o man_n that_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n in_o baptism_n to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o sincere_a mind_n and_o with_o all_o his_o heart_n but_o whether_o this_o be_v require_v by_o way_n of_o condition_n without_o which_o it_o be_v neither_o lawful_a for_o the_o person_n himself_o to_o covenant_n with_o god_n nor_o for_o other_o to_o suffer_v he_o to_o do_v it_o if_o they_o suspect_v he_o will_v do_v it_o with_o such_o a_o frame_n of_o mind_n as_o be_v short_a of_o regeneration_n nor_o be_v the_o question_n whether_o a_o man_n may_v not_o be_v refuse_v admission_n into_o the_o church_n in_o case_n there_o be_v cause_n to_o suspect_v he_o to_o have_v a_o evil_a design_n in_o desire_v it_o to_o betray_v the_o christian_n to_o their_o enemy_n upon_o account_n of_o which_o suspicion_n its_o probable_a the_o disciple_n refuse_v saul_n join_v with_o they_o after_o his_o conversion_n though_o he_o desire_v it_o until_o they_o have_v receive_v better_a satisfaction_n concern_v he_o but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o such_o as_o have_v only_o some_o general_n and_o in_o distinct_a belief_n that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n by_o his_o death_n and_o that_o the_o way_n of_o christianity_n be_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n and_o do_v desire_v admission_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v further_o instruct_v in_o that_o way_n and_o in_o order_n thereto_o be_v willing_a to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o to_o be_v baptise_a i_o say_v the_o question_n be_v whether_o such_o may_v be_v suffer_v to_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n suppose_v they_o as_o yet_o to_o have_v no_o thorough_a save_a work_n of_o conversion_n wrought_v in_o they_o but_o only_o so_o much_o as_o may_v be_v hope_v be_v preparatory_a and_o dispository_n thereto_o but_o yet_o have_v something_o though_o not_o all_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o it_o and_o who_o profession_n be_v serious_a and_o sincere_a so_o far_o as_o it_o go_v as_o that_o be_v oppose_v to_o dissemble_v know_o and_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o may_v and_o that_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o covenant_n by_o baptism_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o their_o be_v saving_o regenerate_v and_o that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o own_v unregenerate_a man_n receive_v into_o the_o visible_a church_n by_o such_o covenant_n in_o baptism_n to_o be_v as_o well_o member_n of_o it_o as_o the_o regenerate_v i_o shall_v offer_v several_a thing_n 1._o and_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o this_o first_o as_o a_o foundation_n to_o build_v upon_o in_o this_o proof_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n unlawful_a in_o itself_o for_o some_o such_o as_o be_v not_o of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a by_o regenerate_a grace_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n to_o be_v his_o people_n nor_o be_v such_o a_o qualification_n enjoin_v as_o a_o necessary_a condition_n of_o do_v so_o when_o all_o the_o male_n at_o age_n in_o abraham_n house_n be_v command_v to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n by_o circumcision_n and_o when_o his_o seed_n after_o he_o be_v require_v to_o cause_v all_o the_o male-stranger_n buy_v with_o their_o money_n to_o do_v the_o like_a and_o when_o the_o proselyte_n from_o among_o the_o gentile_n be_v require_v to_o circumcise_v themselves_o and_o all_o their_o male_n and_o thereby_o to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n i_o say_v in_o all_o this_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o their_o be_v circumcise_a in_o heart_n enjoin_v as_o a_o condition_n of_o their_o so_o enter_v into_o covenant_n by_o circumcision_n the_o lord_n also_o command_v joshua_n to_o circumcise_v all_o the_o hebrew_n male_n that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n have_v be_v bear_v in_o the_o wilderness_n which_o be_v a_o enter_v they_o into_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o this_o without_o any_o condition_n of_o such_o qualification_n as_o will_v have_v make_v they_o of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a nay_o almighty_a god_n at_o another_o time_n command_v all_o israel_n man_n woman_n and_o child_n and_o the_o stranger_n in_o their_o camp_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o into_o his_o oath_n deut._n 29.10_o 11_o 12._o this_o command_n be_v absolute_a and_o peremptory_a also_o and_o without_o condition_n the_o lord_n do_v not_o in_o this_o nor_o in_o any_o of_o the_o other_o instance_n require_v man_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o he_o only_o upon_o this_o condition_n that_o they_o do_v already_o true_o fear_v he_o and_o sincere_o love_v he_o or_o otherwise_o to_o forbear_v no_o
be_v bear_v who_o shall_v arise_v and_o declare_v they_o to_o their_o child_n psal_n 78.5_o 6._o those_o prophecy_n forementioned_a concern_v nation_n be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n refer_v to_o time_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o event_n of_o they_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v will_v show_v that_o they_o foretell_v christian_a nation_n their_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n national_o or_o in_o the_o course_n of_o national_a government_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o event_n which_o answer_v to_o divine_a prediction_n be_v i_o think_v the_o best_a and_o most_o approve_a exposition_n of_o those_o prophecy_n when_o they_o be_v fulfil_v and_o the_o best_a measure_n which_o can_v be_v take_v for_o the_o understanding_n of_o they_o two_o thing_n then_o will_v be_v inquire_v into_o touch_v the_o event_n we_o speak_v of_o 1._o what_o and_o which_o they_o be_v which_o we_o may_v reasonable_o pitch_v upon_o for_o those_o event_n 2._o how_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v from_o some_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o those_o event_n of_o providence_n which_o we_o shall_v pitch_v upon_o be_v indeed_o of_o that_o sort_n and_o kind_n which_o the_o prophecy_n we_o speak_v of_o point_n we_o to_o i._o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o have_v very_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o those_o national_a reformation_n from_o paganism_n and_o judaisme_n and_o those_o national_a reformation_n from_o popery_n which_o have_v be_v make_v in_o the_o world_n since_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v first_o set_v on_o foot_n and_o which_o shall_v yet_o far_o be_v make_v be_v those_o very_a event_n or_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o they_o which_o the_o prophecy_n before_o specify_v point_v we_o to_o we_o can_v say_v that_o any_o reformation_n of_o either_o kind_n have_v be_v national_a until_o it_o have_v be_v back_v by_o national_a authority_n it_o be_v true_a there_o have_v be_v great_a multitude_n of_o man_n during_o the_o stand_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n as_o pagan_a that_o be_v recover_v from_o judaisme_n and_o paganism_n to_o christianity_n and_o there_o be_v many_o famous_a church_n of_o such_o but_o i_o think_v no_o one_o nation_n as_o such_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n in_o all_o that_o time_n though_o out_o of_o many_o kindred_n tongue_n and_o nation_n there_o be_v many_o very_o many_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n that_o be_v but_o nation_n then_o become_v national_o the_o lord_n when_o the_o christian_n in_o they_o be_v own_v as_o such_o and_o require_v to_o behave_v themselves_o as_o such_o by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n and_o roll_a power_n of_o those_o nation_n though_o there_o may_v possible_o be_v many_o in_o those_o nation_n at_o the_o same_o time_n which_o yet_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n 2._o but_o let_v we_o inquire_v in_o the_o second_o place_n what_o assurance_n we_o have_v from_o any_o of_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o those_o national_a reformation_n from_o paganism_n and_o popery_n that_o have_v be_v make_v in_o new_a testament_n time_n and_o which_o shall_v further_o be_v make_v in_o other_o nation_n be_v those_o event_n of_o providence_n which_o the_o prophecy_n touch_v national_a conversion_n point_n at_o and_o to_o this_o end_n let_v we_o observe_v first_o that_o at_o what_o time_n the_o supreme_a power_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n fall_v into_o christian_a hand_n and_o be_v employ_v for_o the_o destruction_n and_o root_n out_o pagan_a idolatry_n and_o for_o the_o set_n up_o and_o establish_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n throughout_o its_o dominion_n then_o it_o be_v that_o this_o kingdom_n or_o dominion_n become_v god_n kingdom_n in_o scripture_n account_n for_o to_o this_o great_a turn_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o most_o approve_a interpreter_n of_o the_o revelation_n do_v that_o joyful_a acclamation_n refer_v which_o we_o have_v set_v down_o in_o chap._n 12.10_o now_o be_v come_v salvation_n and_o strength_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o our_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o his_o christ_n at_o which_o time_n also_o the_o great_a dragon_n call_v the_o devil_n and_o satan_n be_v cast_v out_o and_o his_o angel_n with_o he_o ver_fw-la 9_o that_o be_v those_o ruler_n supreme_a and_o subordinate_a who_o have_v till_o then_o do_v his_o work_n in_o promote_a the_o interest_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n by_o support_v idolatry_n and_o persecute_v christian_n as_o it_o be_v say_v the_o devil_n shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o into_o prison_n rev._n 2.10_o but_o be_v not_o god_n kingdom_n come_v into_o the_o empire_n till_o now_o that_o the_o government_n be_v make_v christian_a by_o the_o emperor_n be_v a_o christian_n be_v there_o not_o many_o great_a and_o famous_a christian_a church_n within_o the_o empire_n while_o the_o government_n of_o it_o be_v pagan_a in_o respect_n of_o worship_n why_o yes_o there_o be_v why_o then_o be_v not_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o his_o christ_n say_v to_o be_v come_v till_o the_o government_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o constantine_n the_o emperor_n become_v christian_n why_o shall_v this_o song_n now_o be_v come_v salvation_n and_o strength_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o our_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o his_o christ_n be_v apply_v to_o this_o great_a turn_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o empire_n rather_o than_o to_o that_o when_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o gospel_n be_v first_o set_v on_o foot_n in_o it_o and_o many_o christian_a congregation_n erect_v there_o can_v no_o other_o reason_n hereof_o be_v give_v i_o conceive_v but_o that_o all_o the_o while_n the_o government_n of_o the_o empire_n in_o reference_n to_o religion_n be_v engage_v for_o the_o uphold_v of_o the_o visible_a kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n so_o far_o and_o in_o this_o respect_n it_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v his_o kingdom_n to_o be_v sure_a it_o can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o be_v god_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v employ_v against_o he_o but_o when_o the_o government_n of_o it_o become_v christian_n and_o engage_v itself_o in_o throw_v down_o the_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n the_o worship_n of_o false_a god_n and_o in_o set_v up_o and_o establish_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n then_o and_o from_o that_o time_n in_o this_o scripture_n account_n that_o kingdom_n or_o empire_n become_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o christ_n though_o many_o of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o continue_v still_o for_o a_o time_n at_o least_o idolater_n as_o to_o their_o profession_n and_o private_a practice_n so_o that_o when_o and_o so_o long_o as_o the_o government_n of_o the_o empire_n in_o its_o constitution_n in_o reference_n to_o religion_n continue_v idolatrous_a so_o long_o the_o empire_n itself_o be_v not_o own_v for_o god_n kingdom_n though_o there_o be_v many_o christian_a church_n in_o it_o but_o when_o once_o the_o government_n of_o it_o become_v christian_n it_o be_v then_o own_v for_o god_n kingdom_n though_o many_o of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o be_v no_o christian_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v &_o may_v natural_o be_v infer_v that_o in_o scripture_n notion_n kingdom_n be_v say_v to_o be_v god_n kingdom_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o national_a reformation_n from_o idolatry_n and_o false_a worship_n when_o ever_o it_o be_v make_v by_o the_o public_a government_n and_o authority_n of_o such_o nation_n but_o now_o after_o this_o reformation_n from_o paganism_n by_o the_o imperial_a authority_n and_o power_n in_o process_n of_o time_n therecame_v a_o fall_v away_o in_o the_o empire_n from_o the_o purity_n of_o christian_a worship_n unto_o a_o worship_n of_o a_o mix_a nature_n make_v up_o partly_o of_o a_o worship_n give_v to_o the_o true_a god_n and_o partly_o of_o a_o worship_n give_v unto_o creature_n which_o be_v due_a only_a unto_o god_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o prevail_a of_o the_o papal_a apostasy_n and_o the_o ten_o king_n mention_v rev._n 17._o into_o who_o hand_n the_o empire_n become_v divide_v give_v their_o power_n and_o strength_n unto_o the_o beast_n for_o the_o support_n of_o this_o impure_a worship_n and_o pagan-like_a superstition_n but_o after_o this_o have_v be_v do_v and_o continue_v in_o for_o several_a hundred_o of_o year_n several_a of_o those_o kingdom_n and_o principality_n which_o have_v before_o give_v their_o power_n and_o strength_n unto_o the_o beast_n fall_v off_o and_o reassume_v that_o power_n and_o strength_n and_o then_o devote_v it_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o reform_v their_o dominion_n from_o popery_n and_o in_o restore_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n throughout_o their_o dominion_n without_o any_o idolatrous_a mixture_n upon_o which_o great_a turn_n of_o affair_n those_o great_a
and_o his_o visible_a member_n in_o which_o covenant_n god_n on_o his_o part_n promise_v to_o be_v their_o god_n in_o christ_n to_o pardon_v they_o and_o to_o confer_v eternal_a life_n on_o they_o upon_o condition_n they_o take_v he_o only_o for_o their_o god_n and_o christ_n jesus_n for_o their_o lord_n and_o saviour_n by_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o obey_v he_o and_o man_n on_o their_o part_n covenant_n to_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o god_n covenant_n in_o take_v he_o for_o their_o god_n and_o christ_n for_o their_o lord_n and_o saviour_n by_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o obey_v he_o those_o word_n i_o will_v be_v to_o they_o a_o god_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v to_o i_o a_o people_n contain_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o salvation_n both_o on_o god_n part_n and_o man_n part_n heb._n 8.10_o the_o mutual_a covenant_n between_o god_n and_o his_o israel_n of_o old_a be_v thus_o describe_v thou_o have_v avouch_v this_o day_n the_o lord_n to_o be_v thy_o god_n and_o to_o walk_v in_o his_o way_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o statute_n and_o his_o commandment_n and_o his_o judgement_n and_o to_o hearken_v to_o his_o voice_n and_o the_o lord_n have_v avouch_v thou_o this_o day_n to_o be_v his_o peculiar_a people_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v thou_o and_o that_o thou_o shall_v keep_v all_o his_o commandment_n deut._n 26_o 17_o 18._o this_o mutual_a covenant_n be_v the_o copulative_a or_o bond_n by_o which_o the_o conjunction_n be_v make_v between_o the_o head_n and_o his_o member_n christ_n and_o his_o body_n the_o church_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o be_v to_o unite_v the_o party_n covenant_v and_o to_o convey_v a_o mutual_a interest_n in_o each_o other_o i_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o thou_o and_o thou_o become_v my_o say_v god_n ezek._n 16.8_o and_o this_o tie_n or_o knit_v together_o by_o covenant_n be_v call_v the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n ezek._n 20.37_o i_o may_v multiply_v place_n to_o show_v that_o man_n be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o scripture_n be_v by_o covenant_v with_o he_o to_o be_v his_o people_n thus_o jer._n 50.5_o come_v let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n never_o to_o be_v forget_v also_o isa_n 56.6_o the_o son_n of_o the_o stranger_n that_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n to_o serve_v he_o to_o love_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o be_v his_o servant_n every_o one_o that_o take_v hold_v of_o my_o covenant_n etc._n etc._n that_o this_o union_n be_v thus_o make_v by_o contract_n and_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n we_o may_v the_o rather_o believe_v and_o the_o more_o easy_o conceive_v because_o the_o holy_a scripture_n delight_v to_o resemble_v and_o illustrate_v the_o union_n between_o god_n and_o his_o people_n christ_n and_o his_o church_n by_o the_o union_n that_o be_v between_o man_n and_o their_o wife_n which_o be_v a_o union_n by_o mutual_a contract_n and_o covenant_v the_o one_o to_o take_v the_o woman_n for_o his_o wife_n the_o other_o to_o take_v the_o man_n for_o her_o husband_n with_o promise_n to_o deport_v themselves_o towards_o each_o other_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o mutual_a relation_n between_o they_o ephes_n 5.28_o isa_n 54.5_o jer._n 31.31_o hos_fw-la 2.19_o and_o those_o who_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o promise_n be_v say_v to_o be_v without_o god_n and_o without_o christ_n that_o be_v not_o relate_v to_o he_o nor_o he_o to_o they_o as_o his_o church_n and_o people_n ephes_n 2.12_o and_o here_o let_v it_o be_v observe_v and_o remember_v once_o for_o all_o that_o the_o same_o thing_n which_o unite_v man_n to_o christ_n unite_v they_o to_o those_o also_o who_o be_v already_o one_o with_o he_o by_o covenant_n union_n with_o the_o head_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o union_n with_o all_o those_o member_n which_o make_v the_o body_n of_o that_o head_n like_v as_o a_o man_n by_o become_v a_o covenant_n servant_n to_o a_o master_n become_v a_o member_n of_o that_o family_n and_o a_o fellow-servant_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o that_o master_n query_n iu._n how_o and_o when_o be_v the_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n enter_v into_o by_o which_o people_n be_v external_o unite_v to_o christ_n and_o visible_o make_v member_n of_o his_o church_n this_o covenant_v be_v transact_v when_o people_n be_v baptise_a for_o baptism_n be_v a_o sacred_a rite_n institute_v by_o christ_n by_o which_o the_o covenant_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v solemn_o enter_v into_o as_o for_o almighty_a god_n he_o have_v prevent_v man_n on_o his_o part_n in_o covenant_v with_o they_o and_o stand_v open_o declare_v in_o his_o word_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o all_o those_o to_o pardon_v and_o save_v they_o whoever_o they_o be_v that_o shall_v become_v a_o people_n unto_o he_o by_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o serve_v he_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o he_o have_v also_o authorize_v his_o minister_n to_o transact_v with_o man_n in_o his_o name_n according_a to_o that_o declaration_n by_o bring_v they_o into_o covenant_n with_o he_o by_o baptism_n and_o thereby_o to_o receive_v they_o into_o his_o church_n for_o to_o that_o end_n be_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n deliver_v to_o they_o viz._n to_o open_v the_o door_n and_o to_o let_v such_o into_o the_o church_n and_o this_o they_o do_v as_o steward_n of_o god_n house_n now_o whenever_o man_n take_v hold_v on_o this_o covenant_n of_o god_n and_o open_o and_o public_o covenant_n with_o he_o to_o become_v a_o people_n unto_o he_o and_o to_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o his_o covenant_n with_o they_o in_o order_n to_o the_o obtain_v the_o benefit_n promise_v on_o his_o part_n then_z and_z by_o that_o mean_n be_v their_o visible_a relation_n to_o god_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o his_o church_n constitute_v and_o make_v and_o all_o this_o a_o be_v visible_o baptise_a in_o his_o name_n do_v imply_v for_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o their_o be_v baptise_a into_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n mat._n 28.19_o not_o only_o that_o they_o be_v baptise_a in_o their_o name_n as_o that_o signify_v its_o be_v do_v by_o their_o authority_n but_o also_o into_o their_o name_n as_o that_o signify_v their_o be_v bring_v into_o a_o special_a relation_n to_o they_o as_o then_o god_n who_o they_o covenant_n to_o worship_n and_o serve_v and_o therefore_o from_o thenceforth_o they_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n into_o which_o they_o be_v baptise_a like_a as_o a_o wife_n be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o her_o husband_n from_o that_o very_a moment_n in_o which_o the_o marriage-covenant_n be_v complete_v isa_n 4.1_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o s._n paul_n say_v that_o as_o many_o as_o have_v be_v baptise_a into_o christ_n have_v put_v on_o christ_n gal._n 3.27_o for_o by_o that_o they_o put_v on_o his_o name_n and_o put_v on_o their_o relation_n to_o he_o for_o this_o visible_a membership_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o visible_a relation_n to_o christ_n the_o head_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o all_o those_o that_o be_v visy_o relate_v to_o he_o by_o baptism_n they_o be_v plant_v into_o christ_n rom._n 6._o which_o be_v another_o metaphor_n by_o which_o our_o external_n union_n with_o christ_n by_o baptism_n be_v signify_v and_o by_o it_o they_o be_v baptise_a into_o one_o body_n 1_o cor._n 12.13_o those_o word_n of_o st._n peter_n show_v likewise_o that_o there_o be_v a_o covenant_v with_o god_n in_o baptism_n when_o he_o say_v the_o like_a figure_n whereunto_o baptism_n do_v now_o save_v we_o not_o the_o put_v away_o the_o filth_n of_o the_o flesh_n but_o the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n towards_o god_n by_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 1_o pet._n 3.21_o i_o find_v that_o which_o be_v here_o translate_v the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n be_v render_v by_o other_o the_o promise_n or_o stipulation_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o by_o some_o the_o question_n or_o question_v of_o a_o good_a conscience_n now_o if_o the_o greek_a will_v bear_v or_o countenance_v these_o several_a reading_n answer_v stipulation_n question_v yet_o the_o matter_n may_v be_v thus_o well_o accommodate_v the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v a_o answer_n to_o somewhat_o propose_v or_o put_v questionwise_a to_o be_v resolve_v or_o answer_v to_o by_o they_o who_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a and_o that_o the_o answer_n to_o it_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o promise_n stipulation_n or_o covenant_n in_o reference_n to_o god_n as_o when_o it_o be_v propose_v or_o put_v questionwise_a to_o the_o party_n to_o be_v baptise_a whether_o he_o do_v believe_v jesus_n