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
but_o also_o with_o reference_n to_o their_o child_n eyâ—…g_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o comprehend_v both_o themselves_o and_o their_o infant-seed_n and_o accordingâ—…_n they_o have_v improve_v and_o plead_v the_o covenant_n â—ith_o god_n when_o they_o have_v make_v their_o address_n to_o he_o this_o godly_a parent_n have_v former_o do_v and_o this_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v still_o for_o the_o proof_n and_o confirmation_n of_o this_o point_n take_v a_o few_o instance_n out_o of_o scripture_n 1_o we_o find_v david_n 2_o sam_n 23.5_o plead_v god_n covenant_n make_v with_o he_o not_o only_o for_o himself_o but_o for_o his_o house_n and_o child_n though_o my_o house_n say_v he_o be_v not_o so_o with_o god_n yet_o he_o have_v make_v with_o i_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n it_o be_v usual_a in_o scripture_n when_o household_n be_v speak_v of_o to_o intend_v the_o child_n though_o they_o be_v not_o particular_o mention_v gen._n 30.30_o gen._n 45.11,18,19_o exod._n 4.1_o 2_o sam._n 27.3_o prov._n 31.15_o luk._n 12.42_o yea_o the_o child_n be_v chief_o intend_v by_o the_o household_n 1_o sam._n 20.15_o 2_o sam._n 9.9_o 1_o king_n 17.12.13.15_o psal_n 127.1.3_o prov._n 12.7_o isai_n 31.2_o hos_fw-la 1.4_o hab._n 2.9,10_o 1_o tim_n 3,4,5_o and_o 1_o tim._n 5.4,8,14_o compare_v with_o 2_o tim._n 1.16_o child_n be_v the_o ordinary_a instrument_n to_o continue_v and_o uphold_v the_o house_n as_o in_o natural_a and_o civil_a so_o in_o religious_a and_o ecclesiastical_a respect_n and_o hence_o they_o be_v builden_a of_o the_o house_n both_o way_n as_o the_o hebrew_n radix_fw-la signify_v from_o which_o the_o word_n use_v for_o son_n and_o daughter_n be_v derive_v and_o hence_o also_o we_o have_v that_o phrase_n of_o god_n build_v the_o woman_n house_n exod._n 1.21_o and_o here_o in_o this_o instance_n of_o david_n that_o godly_a man_n where_o he_o say_v although_o my_o house_n be_v not_o so_o with_o god_n yet_o etc._n etc._n he_o exercise_v faith_n in_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v a_o gracious_a covenant_n with_o respect_n unto_o his_o house_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v all_o his_o salvation_n and_o all_o his_o desire_n not_o only_o touch_v himself_o but_o his_o house_n and_o child_n also_o when_o he_o reflect_v upon_o the_o great_a disorder_n and_o miscarriage_n which_o be_v among_o they_o 2._o to_o go_v up_o far_o highâ—…_n 〈◊〉_d high_a than_o david_n time_n our_o great_a grandmother_n eve_n also_o do_v thus_o eye_n and_o improve_v the_o gracious_a promise_n of_o god_n as_o make_v not_o only_o with_o reference_n to_o adam_n and_o she_o but_o to_o their_o infant-church_n seed_n abel_n be_v slay_v and_o cain_n have_v reject_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o promise_n when_o her_o infant_n seth_n be_v bear_v she_o believe_v that_o god_n have_v for_o his_o coveâ—ant's_n sake_n look_v gracious_o upon_o she_o in_o that_o inâ—ant_n of_o she_o and_o she_o call_v his_o name_n seth_n for_o say_v â—…e_a god_n have_v appoint_v i_o another_o seed_n instead_o â—f_a abel_n who_o cain_n slay_v gen._n 4_o 25._o this_o she_o speak_v â—f_v he_o not_o as_o a_o mere_a natural_a child_n bear_v according_o to_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n but_o as_o of_o a_o covenant_n â—nd_v church-seed_n and_o therefore_o she_o compare_v he_o â—o_o abel_n and_o not_o to_o cain_n and_o call_v he_o by_o such_o a_o â—…me_n as_o signify_v her_o faith_n touch_v the_o covenantâ—ate_n and_o interest_n of_o this_o infant_n nor_o do_v she_o thereâ—…_n fail_v of_o her_o faith_n and_o hope_v as_o appear_v vers_fw-la 26._o â—_o this_o be_v likewise_o the_o practice_n of_o other_o parent_n member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n lamech_v when_o noah_n be_v bear_v look_v to_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n â—…ve_v his_o infant_n the_o name_n of_o noah_n gen._n 5.28.29_o â—…lieving_v that_o that_o child_n shall_v be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o â—…ot_n to_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n though_o the_o â—…rrupt_v wicked_a world_n shall_v be_v destroy_v 4._o â—…s_n for_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a there_o 〈◊〉_d no_o question_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o he_o exercise_v â—…th_n in_o god_n covenant_n both_o for_o himself_o and_o his_o â—…d_n the_o covenant_n be_v express_o renew_v with_o 〈◊〉_d and_o his_o infant-seed_n gen._n 17.7,8_o etc._n etc._n which_o â—…s_v a_o everlasting_a gracious_a covenant_n and_o this_o â—…venant_n do_v comfort_n and_o support_v abraham_n in_o reâ—…ence_n to_o his_o posterity_n and_o make_v he_o put_v up_o that_o â—…ly_a wish_n and_o prayer_n mention_v for_o 18._o o_o that_o ishmael_n may_v live_v in_o thy_o sight_n but_o yet_o long_o before_o abraham_n be_v bear_v this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n even_o in_o dark_a time_n when_o the_o covenant_n and_o promise_n be_v not_o so_o clear_o reveal_v and_o much_o more_o ought_v it_o to_o be_v our_o practice_n now_o 5._o it_o be_v further_a evident_a that_o the_o saint_n of_o old_a do_v exercise_v faith_n touch_v the_o foederal_n estate_n or_o covenant-interest_n of_o their_o child_n by_o compare_v psal_n 102.25,26,27,28_o with_o heb_fw-mi 1.10,11,12_o which_o refer_v to_o jesus_n christ_n the_o surety_n and_o mediator_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o who_o they_o plead_v with_o god_n and_o expect_v a_o blessing_n from_o he_o for_o their_o child_n and_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o god_n gracious_a covenant_n nor_o be_v it_o mere_o a_o temporal_a vanish_v good_a to_o their_o child_n which_o they_o look_v for_o and_o expect_v but_o thaâ—_n their_o child_n may_v be_v establish_v before_o goâ—_n in_o the_o spiritual_a blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n aâ—_n you_o may_v see_v in_o that_o psalm_n 102._o verse_n 25_o 26_o 27_o 28._o compare_v together_o and_o there_o be_v the_o liâ—…_n ground_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o the_o covenant_n touch_v our_o infant_n now_o under_o tâ—…_n new_a testament_n administration_n for_o the_o full_a satisfaction_n herein_o i_o will_v lâ—…_n down_o these_o five_o proposition_n propos_fw-fr 1._o that_o child_n be_v so_o comprehendâ—…_n and_o involve_v in_o their_o parent_n by_o the_o dispenâ—…tion_n of_o god_n that_o the_o parent_n act_n be_v count_v tâ—…_n child_n act_n and_o the_o parent_n neglect_v thâ—…_n neglect_n as_o we_o may_v plain_o see_v in_o the_o case_n of_o câ—…cumcision_n that_o soul_n shall_v be_v cut_v â—ff_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d circumcise_a for_o he_o have_v break_v my_o covenant_n saâ—…_n the_o lord_n gen._n 17.14_o and_o yet_o the_o infant_n himself_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o a_o personal_a neglect_n and_o though_o our_o saviour_n require_v personal_a faith_n in_o grow_v one_o as_o to_o their_o own_o bodily_a cure_n yet_o as_o for_o their_o child_n it_o be_v accept_v when_o their_o parent_n believe_v on_o their_o behalf_n john_n 4.50,51_o mark_v 9_o v._o 12._o to_o 18._o matth._n 15_o 22._o to_o 29._o not_o that_o the_o parent_n faith_n be_v meritorious_a only_o this_o we_o say_v that_o upon_o a_o believer_n accept_v the_o covenant_n for_o himself_o and_o his_o seed_n there_o do_v result_v in_o the_o sense_n former_o express_v not_o only_o a_o personal_a right_n to_o a_o man_n self_n but_o a_o parental_a right_n also_o to_o his_o child_n so_o as_o to_o render_v they_o capable_a of_o some_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n propos_fw-fr 2._o that_o this_o be_v one_o part_n or_o branch_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v to_o be_v preach_v in_o the_o extent_n and_o latitude_n of_o it_o namely_o that_o the_o infant_n of_o believer_n be_v confoederates_n in_o and_o with_o their_o parent_n be_v take_v into_o one_o and_o the_o same_o covenant_n together_o with_o their_o parent_n what_o be_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n i_o pray_v you_o but_o good_a news_n glad_a tiding_n a_o joyful_a message_n and_o be_v it_o not_o good_a news_n that_o god_n have_v make_v a_o gracious_a covenant_n with_o we_o and_o our_o child_n and_o that_o god_n own_v and_o have_v respect_v not_o only_o to_o we_o but_o also_o to_o our_o little_a one_o as_o when_o one_o convey_v or_o make_v over_o a_o house_n or_o a_o piece_n of_o land_n to_o a_o man_n and_o the_o heir_n of_o his_o body_n it_o be_v a_o far_o great_a privilege_n and_o more_o acceptable_a to_o the_o grantee_n than_o if_o it_o be_v only_o make_v over_o to_o the_o man_n himself_o and_o in_o this_o latitude_n and_o extent_n the_o gospel_n or_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v eye_v and_o improve_v by_o the_o faithful_a from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v show_v and_o so_o it_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o pure_a time_n of_o the_o gospel_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n when_o the_o power_n of_o antichrist_n be_v destroy_v and_o when_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n be_v become_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n rev._n 11.15_o when_o nation_n shall_v flow_v into_o