abstract_o by_o themselves_o do_v not_o make_v such_o a_o full_a clear_a and_o convince_a discovery_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n in_o this_o matter_n as_o to_o set_v this_o practice_n above_o all_o rational_a doubt_n there_o be_v undoubted_o much_o yea_o very_o much_o weight_n in_o they_o especial_o when_o add_v as_o a_o far_a confirmation_n of_o what_o be_v plead_v from_o this_o covenant_n and_o let_v any_o baptist_n pretend_v what_o they_o will_v they_o never_o have_v nor_o will_v be_v able_a to_o answer_v some_o of_o those_o argument_n mr._n baxter_n have_v urge_v from_o that_o 1_o cor._n 7.14_o but_o this_o i_o be_v say_v in_o order_n to_o a_o full_a establishment_n of_o this_o practice_n it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o a_o foundation_n be_v lay_v where_o i_o have_v lay_v it_o viz._n in_o the_o forementioned_a covenant_n but_o more_o particular_o that_o this_o foundation_n may_v be_v sure_o lay_v as_o i_o have_v do_v so_o all_o other_o engage_v in_o the_o same_o cause_n must_v do_v these_o five_o thing_n 1._o it_o must_v be_v solid_o prove_v that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n which_o the_o apostle_n tell_v be_v do_v away_o but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n that_o very_a covenant_n under_o which_o believer_n still_o be_v and_o i_o fear_v not_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o over-confidence_n in_o the_o mind_n or_o judgement_n of_o judicious_a and_o unbiased_a person_n if_o i_o say_v this_o be_v full_o do_v already_o see_v among_o other_o my_o answer_n to_o mr._n cox_n p._n 95_o to_o the_o 139._o with_o the_o place_n there_o refer_v unto_o where_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v these_o three_o position_n 1._o that_o god_n in_o those_o transaction_n with_o abraham_n record_v gen._n 12._o at_o the_o beginning_n do_v not_o make_v or_o establish_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o he_o my_o meaning_n be_v he_o do_v not_o then_o complete_a the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o he_o this_o i_o grant_v that_o god_n do_v then_o begin_v to_o deal_v with_o abraham_n with_o reference_n to_o his_o establish_v his_o covenant_n with_o he_o do_v as_o it_o be_v draw_v the_o first_o line_n of_o that_o covenent_n he_o intend_v afterward_o in_o a_o more_o formal_a express_a manner_n to_o enter_v with_o he_o hence_o the_o apostle_n peter_n tell_v the_o jew_n that_o they_o be_v the_o child_n of_o the_o covenant_n cite_v one_o promise_n then_o make_v to_o abraham_n act_v 3.26_o 2._o that_o the_o covenant_n record_v in_o gen._n 17.7_o be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n nor_o have_v any_o reference_n or_o relation_n thereunto_o 3._o that_o that_o covenant_n be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o same_o which_o believer_n be_v still_o under_o and_o will_v our_o opposer_n satisfy_v the_o world_n in_o their_o judgement_n and_o practice_n they_o ought_v to_o return_v solid_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o those_o argument_n plead_v in_o confirmation_n of_o each_o of_o those_o position_n their_o silence_n wherein_o render_v all_o their_o discourse_n utter_o insignificant_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o man_n of_o a_o competent_a understanding_n alas_o can_v they_o think_v a_o loose_a discourse_n however_o fill_v up_o with_o scripture-quotation_n can_v be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o such_o person_n so_o long_o as_o those_o argument_n remain_v unanswered_a and_o it_o seem_v strange_a to_o i_o that_o man_n of_o any_o judgement_n gravity_n or_o conscience_n shall_v recommend_v to_o the_o world_n any_o discourse_n so_o excessive_o defective_a in_o that_o regard_n in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o cause_n they_o plead_v it_o be_v evince_v and_o demonstrate_v past_o all_o rational_a contradiction_n that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n say_v to_o be_v do_v away_o but_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o most_o copious_a harangue_n of_o word_n how_o many_o scripture_n soever_o be_v allege_v therein_o signify_v nothing_o save_v only_o to_o show_v how_o tenacious_a man_n be_v of_o error_n and_o how_o they_o will_v wrest_v and_o pervert_v the_o scripture_n to_o confirm_v themselves_o and_o other_o therein_o when_o once_o embrace_v by_o they_o but_o it_o may_v be_v some_o will_v say_v there_o be_v two_o treatise_n the_o one_o of_o mr._n grantham_n the_o other_o of_o mr._n philip_n cary_n wherein_o there_o be_v several_a irrefragable_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a viz._n that_o that_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n to_o that_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v such_o book_n abroad_o but_o so_o long_o as_o those_o argument_n remain_v unanswered_a here_o be_v only_o the_o oppose_v of_o argument_n to_o argument_n and_o which_o be_v the_o most_o valid_a and_o demonstrative_a possible_o man_n of_o weak_a capacity_n be_v not_o able_a to_o determine_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n hence_o such_o method_n of_o procedure_n serve_v only_o to_o confirm_v those_o that_o be_v before_o resolve_v and_o puzzle_v weak_a conscientious_a christian_n that_o be_v sincere_o inquire_v after_o truth_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o the_o argument_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o be_v unanswerable_a be_v undoubted_a to_o i_o the_o sure-footing_a they_o have_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n assure_v i_o of_o that_o neither_o be_v the_o silence_n of_o our_o adversary_n after_o their_o so_o long_a presentation_n to_o public_a view_n any_o small_a addition_n to_o that_o assurance_n i_o shall_v now_o try_v whether_o those_o argument_n lay_v down_o by_o the_o two_o forementioned_a author_n be_v so_o or_o no._n to_o begin_v first_o with_o those_o lay_v down_o by_o mr._n grantham_n he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v two_o thing_n 1._o that_o circumcision_n be_v not_o a_o gospel-ordinance_n 2._o that_o that_o covenant_n record_v gen._n 17.7_o be_v not_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n for_o the_o 1._o what_o he_o mean_v by_o a_o gospel-ordinance_n be_v to_o i_o difficult_a to_o determine_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o declare_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o a_o gospel-ordinance_n and_o in_o brief_a i_o mean_v a_o ordinance_n or_o act_n of_o worship_n institute_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n have_v a_o immediate_a and_o direct_a respect_n thereunto_o for_o the_o confirmation_n obtain_v or_o convey_v the_o good_a therein_o promise_v now_o let_v we_o see_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o argument_n and_o they_o be_v these_o three_o 1._o that_o which_o can_v profit_v no_o man_n except_o he_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n be_v no_o gospel-ordinance_n but_o circumcision_n can_v profit_v no_o man_n except_o he_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n ergo_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o he_o cite_v rom._n 2.25_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o minor_a proposition_n before_o i_o answer_v to_o either_o part_n of_o his_o argument_n i_o must_v distinguish_v of_o these_o two_o term_n law_n and_o keep_v thus_o by_o law_n may_v be_v mean_v either_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o that_o take_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n as_o the_o law_n or_o covenant_n of_o work_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n reduce_v to_o a_o do_v this_o and_o live_v or_o 2._o that_o term_n law_n may_v intend_v the_o whole_a reveal_v will_n of_o god_n concern_v man_n duty_n and_o then_o under_o this_o term_n law_n we_o be_v to_o include_v both_o the_o moral_a ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a law_n and_o that_o in_o their_o utmost_a extent_n and_o latitude_n 2._o for_o that_o term_n keep_v it_o may_v be_v mean_v either_o of_o a_o perfect_a sinless_a keep_n so_o as_o the_o person_n so_o keep_v the_o law_n shall_v live_v therein_o according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n gal._n 3.12_o or_o 2._o it_o may_v be_v mean_v of_o a_o sincere_a and_o upright_o keep_v so_o as_o not_o willing_o or_o wilful_o to_o fail_v in_o do_v any_o thing_n require_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n so_o bid_v now_o if_o mr._n grantham_n take_v these_o term_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n which_o in_o case_n he_o do_v law_n here_o can_v only_o refer_v to_o or_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o that_o as_o a_o law_n of_o work_n see_v god_n never_o require_v of_o or_o expect_v from_o his_o people_n a_o perfect_a sinless_a obedience_n to_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n no_o nor_o to_o the_o moral_a law_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o that_o obedience_n he_o require_v of_o his_o people_n and_o then_o i_o deny_v the_o minor_a proposition_n and_o say_v those_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n prove_v it_o not_o and_o my_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o apostle_n there_o speak_v of_o the_o law_n as_o consider_v under_o another_o notion_n and_o of_o another_o manner_n of_o keep_v than_o be_v intend_v by_o mr._n grantham_n but_o 2._o if_o mr._n grantham_n understand_v these_o term_n law_n and_o keep_v in_o the_o latter_a sense_n than_o i_o deny_v the_o major_a proposition_n and_o affirm_v on_o the_o other_o
he_o drive_v at_o be_v this_o there_o be_v some_o in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o be_v not_o circumcise_v nor_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o be_v circumcise_v now_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o will_v only_o demand_v of_o mr._n g._n whether_o he_o be_v sure_a the_o covenant_n now_o enter_v with_o abraham_n be_v so_o far_o promulgate_v as_o that_o the_o person_n he_o talk_v of_o have_v knowledge_n of_o it_o or_o suppose_v they_o have_v some_o notice_n of_o it_o whether_o their_o duty_n to_o be_v circumcise_v be_v make_v know_v unto_o they_o either_o of_o these_o thing_n be_v grant_v how_o their_o not_o be_v circumcise_v shall_v intimate_v that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n nor_o circumcision_n a_o gospel-ordinance_n be_v as_o much_o above_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n to_o apprehend_v as_o the_o former_a i_o will_v commend_v to_o mr._n g._n the_o case_n of_o cornelius_n in_o act_n 10._o the_o latter_a end_n there_o be_v only_o one_o thing_n more_o that_o i_o will_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o mr._n g_n discourse_n and_o thus_o he_o argue_v against_o that_o covenant_n its_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n from_o the_o date_n of_o the_o promise_n but_o i_o have_v return_v so_o satisfactory_a a_o answer_n to_o that_o in_o my_o answer_n to_o mr._n cox_n that_o i_o shall_v and_o no_o more_o see_v p._n 97_o and_o so_o on_o i_o shall_v now_o come_v to_o what_o mr._n cary_n have_v say_v in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o same_o design_n namely_o to_o prove_v that_o that_o covenant_n gen._n 17.7_o be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o it_o be_v the_o old_a covenant_n or_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n only_o i_o shall_v premise_v that_o at_o present_a i_o design_v not_o a_o full_a answer_n of_o his_o book_n that_o i_o have_v already_o do_v in_o my_o answer_n to_o mr._n cox_n neither_o do_v i_o know_v how_o i_o can_v more_o effectual_o answer_v his_o book_n than_o by_o lay_v down_o and_o prove_v those_o three_o proposition_n there_o lay_v down_o and_o prove_v i_o shall_v now_o only_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o be_v argumentative_a in_o his_o book_n and_o consider_v the_o commendation_n it_o have_v by_o five_o as_o i_o suppose_v of_o the_o chief_a of_o that_o persuasion_n and_o a_o commendatory_a epistle_n by_o a_o six_o i_o may_v just_o expect_v something_o extraordinary_a and_o i_o shall_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o my_o expectation_n be_v somewhat_o high_a but_o if_o ever_o that_o proverb_n partur_fw-la montes_n be_v verify_v it_o be_v here_o alas_o what_o do_v i_o meet_v with_o but_o ridiculus_fw-la must_n for_o i_o have_v yet_o observe_v but_o two_o argument_n syllogistical_o frame_v by_o which_o he_o attempt_v the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o notion_n and_o the_o very_a recital_n of_o they_o may_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o unbiased_a person_n be_v a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o they_o there_o first_o be_v in_o his_o p._n 120._o and_o it_o be_v this_o if_o that_o covenant_n he_o mean_v that_o record_v in_o gen._n 17._o be_v as_o much_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o that_o covenant_n of_o mount_n sinai_n and_o that_o covenant_n mention_v deut._n 29.9_o nay_o as_o much_o as_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o adam_n before_o his_o fall_n than_o it_o be_v not_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o it_o be_v as_o much_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o either_o of_o the_o covenant_n beforementioned_a be_v therefore_o etc._n etc._n a_o lusty_a argument_n if_o it_o will_v stand_v but_o true_o i_o may_v with_o sorrow_n say_v as_o the_o apostle_n of_o some_o that_o will_v be_v teacher_n of_o the_o law_n there_o be_v some_o that_o will_v be_v teacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n neither_o know_v what_o they_o say_v nor_o whereof_o they_o affirm_v but_o to_o the_o argument_n i_o positive_o deny_v the_o minor_a proposition_n as_o that_o concern_v the_o covenant_n make_v with_o adam_n and_o that_o enter_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n at_o mount_n sinai_n as_o for_o that_o covenant_n mention_v deut._n 29._o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o this_o in_o genesis_n both_o which_o i_o affirm_v to_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o mr._n cary_n attempt_v to_o prove_v his_o minor_a thus_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v as_o much_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o that_o enter_v with_o the_o people_n at_o mount_n sinai_n yea_o as_o that_o make_v with_o adam_n in_o innocency_n because_o although_o god_n promise_v to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n yet_o it_o be_v upon_o condition_n of_o obedience_n with_o a_o answerable_a threaten_v but_o can_v mr._n cary_n or_o any_o other_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n think_v that_o the_o bare_a require_v of_o obedience_n in_o any_o covenant_n or_o threaten_v of_o judgement_n in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n make_v it_o present_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n be_v it_o not_o express_o say_v that_o our_o lord_n christ_n be_v the_o author_n of_o salvation_n to_o all_o that_o obey_v he_o and_o do_v he_o not_o say_v according_a to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n yea_o and_o be_v not_o faith_n itself_o a_o act_n of_o obedience_n and_o yet_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n mr._n g._n express_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v and_o if_o i_o do_v not_o mistake_v so_o do_v mr._n cary_n also_o and_o for_o threaten_n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o if_o we_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n we_o shall_v die_v rom._n 8.13_o yea_o do_v not_o our_o lord_n christ_n give_v we_o the_o sum_n of_o the_o gospel-covenant_n in_o his_o commission_n to_o his_o apostle_n mark_v 16._o and_o yet_o do_v he_o not_o say_v he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v but_o not_o to_o waste_v time_n mr._n cary_n must_v know_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a require_v of_o obedience_n nor_o yet_o the_o denounce_v threaten_n that_o make_v a_o covenant_n a_o covenant_n of_o work_n but_o the_o command_a a_o perfect_a sinless_a obedience_n to_o all_o that_o be_v write_v therein_o and_o threaten_a death_n unto_o all_o in_o case_n of_o the_o least_o failure_n in_o such_o a_o obedience_n and_o therefore_o to_o proceed_v he_o 2._o argument_n which_o be_v of_o a_o like_a validity_n with_o this_o we_o have_v p._n 204._o and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o covenant_n in_o which_o faith_n be_v not_o reckon_v to_o abraham_n for_o righteousness_n can_v never_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o faith_n of_o grace_n i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v and_o this_o argument_n he_o take_v to_o be_v irresistible_a strange_a confidence_n and_o not_o to_o spend_v time_n in_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o his_o proof_n that_o speak_v of_o circumcision_n when_o his_o argument_n speak_v of_o the_o covenant_n and_o sure_o there_o be_v a_o wide_a difference_n between_o the_o covenant_n and_o circumcision_n the_o token_n of_o it_o so_o that_o this_o argument_n of_o itself_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n for_o want_v of_o proof_n but_o yet_o let_v i_o ask_v this_o one_o question_n of_o mr._n cary_n and_o that_o be_v whether_o faith_n be_v reckon_v to_o abraham_n for_o righteousness_n by_o a_o mere_a act_n of_o sovereign_a grace_n without_o respect_n have_v to_o any_o covenant_n he_o be_v then_o under_o or_o be_v it_o reckon_v to_o he_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o promise_n of_o any_o covenant_n that_o he_o be_v then_o under_o if_o he_o say_v the_o former_a then_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v how_o his_o have_v his_o faith_n reckon_v unto_o he_o for_o righteousness_n by_o such_o a_o act_n of_o sovereign_a grace_n shall_v be_v a_o argument_n that_o this_o covenant_n after_o enter_v with_o he_o be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o man_n understanding_n to_o apprehend_v but_o if_o he_o say_v the_o latter_a than_o i_o shall_v affirm_v that_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o same_o for_o substance_n with_o this_o now_o enter_v with_o he_o only_o before_o less_o complete_a but_o now_o full_o complete_v and_o how_o the_o institution_n of_o circumcision_n can_v either_o cast_v abraham_n out_o of_o it_o or_o alter_v the_o tenure_n of_o the_o covenant_n so_o as_o that_o before_o he_o have_v faith_n reckon_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o promise_v contain_v in_o it_o but_o after_o neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v faith_n alike_o reckon_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o promise_n be_v as_o much_o above_o the_o understanding_n of_o man_n as_o the_o former_a we_o will_v suppose_v a_o heathen_a or_o a_o pagan_a convert_v and_o enable_v to_o believe_v now_o upon_o his_o very_a first_o conversion_n and_o believe_v he_o have_v his_o faith_n reckon_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n but_o afterward_o this_o man_n be_v baptize_v shall_v we_o now_o say_v
that_o the_o covenant_n he_o be_v receive_v into_o and_o of_o which_o baptism_n be_v a_o sign_n or_o seal_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n because_o he_o have_v his_o faith_n reckon_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n before_o his_o baptism_n or_o while_n in_o a_o unbaptised_a condition_n how_o absurd_a will_v that_o be_v so_o that_o this_o argument_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v irresistible_a that_o it_o have_v not_o the_o least_o weight_n in_o it_o but_o to_o proceed_v have_v remove_v out_o of_o our_o way_n these_o feeble_a argumentation_n whereby_o these_o two_o author_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o that_o covenant_n gen._n 17.7_o be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n the_o direct_a contrary_a whereunto_o i_o have_v affirm_v whereby_o the_o argument_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o my_o assertion_n may_v be_v render_v somewhat_o doubtful_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o person_n of_o weak_a capacity_n see_v proposition_n lie_v so_o diametrical_o opposite_a the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o can_v both_o be_v true_a i_o doubt_v not_o those_o argument_n lay_v down_o by_o i_o will_v be_v see_v in_o their_o full_a force_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v return_v to_o my_o first_o design_n which_o be_v as_o i_o have_v say_v to_o direct_v to_o the_o lay_v a_o sure_a foundation_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o infant-baptism_n in_o this_o covenant_n establish_v between_o god_n and_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n 2._o the_o second_o thing_n then_o to_o be_v do_v be_v to_o determine_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a subject_n of_o this_o covenant_n the_o first_o as_o i_o have_v say_v be_v convince_o to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o very_a same_o covenant_n under_o which_o believer_n still_o be_v 2._o the_o second_o thing_n i_o now_o say_v be_v to_o determine_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a subject_n of_o it_o and_o that_o they_o be_v and_o be_v abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o covenant_n do_v assure_v we_o for_o so_o the_o covenant_n run_v i_o will_v establish_v my_o covenant_n between_o i_o and_o thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n after_o thou_o in_o their_o generation_n here_o let_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o say_v i_o will_v establish_v my_o covenant_n between_o i_o and_o thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n in_o thy_o generation_n but_o between_o the_o and_o thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n to_o be_v a_o god_n unto_o thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n now_o the_o question_n be_v who_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o abraham_n seed_n and_o who_o be_v intend_v and_o include_v in_o that_o phrase_n their_o generation_n for_o the_o first_o i_o answer_v that_o by_o abraham_n seed_n we_o be_v undoubted_o to_o understand_v all_o that_o be_v scripture_n bear_v that_o denomination_n of_o his_o seed_n and_o these_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o his_o natural_a seed_n and_o 2._o his_o spiritual_a seed_n all_o those_o who_o through_o their_o take_n hold_v of_o and_o reception_n into_o this_o covenant_n be_v or_o be_v adopt_v into_o his_o family_n as_o the_o proselyte_n under_o the_o first_o testament_n and_o believer_n under_o the_o new_a as_o for_o believer_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o at_o present_a we_o be_v only_o concern_v in_o that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v account_v as_o abraham_n seed_n be_v express_o according_a to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n rom._n 4.16_o gal._n 3.29_o now_o i_o say_v this_o covenant_n god_n promise_v to_o establish_v between_o himself_o and_o abraham_n and_o all_o his_o seed_n whether_o natural_a or_o spiritual_a here_o be_v no_o exception_n of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o kind_n of_o his_o seed_n but_o the_o word_n be_v absolute_a i_o will_v establish_v my_o covenant_n between_o i_o and_o thou_o and_o thy_o seed_n after_o thou_o in_o their_o generation_n and_o when_o god_n make_v no_o exception_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v none_o 2._o but_o who_o be_v intend_v and_o include_v in_o this_o clause_n their_a generation_n who_o be_v these_o generation_n of_o abraham_n seed_n to_o that_o i_o say_v they_o be_v the_o natural_a infant_n or_o natural_a seed_n of_o abraham_n seed_n and_o that_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o infant-seed_n natural_o descend_v from_o this_o seed_n of_o abraham_n i_o have_v as_o i_o hope_v sufficient_o prove_v former_o and_o have_v as_o yet_o meet_v with_o no_o contradiction_n and_o indeed_o unless_o we_o include_v the_o infant-seed_n of_o abraham_n seed_n in_o that_o clause_n their_o generation_n there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n assign_v of_o god_n add_v it_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v interpret_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n in_o a_o consistency_n with_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n in_o his_o covenant_n but_o 3._o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o end_v mention_v be_v to_o settle_v and_o establish_v the_o true_a tenor_n of_o this_o covenant_n as_o here_o establish_v between_o god_n and_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n and_o for_o this_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o this_o covenant_n as_o here_o establish_v may_v be_v consider_v two_o way_n 1._o as_o have_v a_o more_o general_a respect_n to_o all_o abraham_n seed_n 2._o as_o have_v a_o peculiar_a and_o special_a respect_n to_o those_o who_o heretofore_o do_v or_o yet_o do_v stand_v immediate_o relate_v to_o he_o as_o his_o seed_n such_o be_v the_o child_n immediate_o descend_v from_o his_o own_o loin_n as_o isaac_n ishmael_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o be_v his_o spiritual_a seed_n viz._n believer_n they_o stand_v in_o as_o a_o immediate_a relation_n to_o abraham_n as_o his_o seed_n immediate_o descend_v from_o his_o own_o loin_n do_v and_o the_o covenant_n as_o establish_v with_o these_o give_v they_o a_o present_a actual_a right_n to_o and_o interest_n in_o the_o good_a promise_v in_o it_o and_o for_o the_o more_o clear_a understanding_n the_o true_a tenor_n of_o this_o covenant_n these_o three_o thing_n must_v be_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o covenant_n be_v and_o be_v establish_v between_o god_n and_o all_o these_o his_o immediate_a seed_n universal_o one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o that_o it_o be_v so_o establish_v between_o god_n and_o abraham_n natural_a seed_n i_o have_v full_o prove_v and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o establish_v between_o god_n and_o his_o spiritual_a seed_n will_v certain_o be_v ready_o grant_v by_o all_o that_o lay_v claim_v to_o this_o spiritual_a relation_n unto_o abraham_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v and_o be_v establish_v between_o god_n and_o every_o one_o of_o these_o that_o be_v or_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n in_o their_o generation_n include_v as_o i_o say_v their_o infant-seed_n with_o their_o parent_n between_o god_n and_o whosoever_o this_o covenant_n have_v be_v establish_v it_o always_o have_v be_v and_o be_v establish_v between_o he_o and_o they_o in_o their_o generation_n this_o be_v according_a to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o the_o covenant_n so_o that_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v grant_v as_o i_o judge_v it_o be_v pass_v all_o rational_a contradiction_n prove_v that_o in_o that_o clause_n their_a generation_n the_o natural_a infant_n of_o abraham_n seed_n be_v include_v it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o all_o the_o infant-seed_n of_o believer_n be_v as_o such_o in_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o answerable_o have_v a_o present_a right_n and_o title_n to_o the_o good_a promise_v in_o it_o 3._o that_o this_o covenant_n indispensable_o require_v a_o personal_a acceptation_n of_o and_o closure_n with_o it_o by_o all_o between_o god_n and_o who_o it_o have_v be_v or_o be_v establish_v as_o for_o grow_v person_n their_o first_o admission_n into_o it_o do_v indispensable_o require_v it_o as_o for_o infant_n whether_o natural_o descend_v from_o abraham_n or_o from_o his_o seed_n such_o a_o personal_a acceptation_n of_o and_o a_o closure_n with_o it_o always_o have_v be_v and_o be_v indispensable_o require_v upon_o their_o come_n to_o year_n of_o discretion_n and_o thereby_o they_o do_v and_o do_v become_v abraham_n spiritual_a seed_n and_o as_o such_o convey_v covenant-interest_n to_o their_o seed_n and_o from_o these_o three_o thing_n we_o may_v infer_v these_o two_o collorary_n 1._o that_o all_o abraham_n natural_a posterity_n immediate_o or_o mediate_o descend_v from_o he_o do_v as_o grow_v up_o to_o year_n of_o discretion_n hold_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n and_o right_o to_o the_o good_a promise_v not_o as_o his_o natural_a seed_n but_o as_o his_o spiritual_a seed_n and_o the_o like_a must_v be_v say_v of_o believer_n seed_n i_o mean_v of_o such_o who_o have_v their_o covenat-interest_n continue_v to_o they_o 2._o that_o however_o the_o covenant_n may_v have_v a_o more_o general_a respect_n