And though such may bring good grounds for baptizing of Infants , from severall places of Scripture ; yet they cannot bring good grounds to warrant any Churches to baptize , that are not seperated from Idolatry , and doe not cleave unto Christ in puritie , in his visible way of worship .

But those that are so seperated indeed , may [ very justly ] alledge Scripture to justifie what they do in things of this nature , for of all Churches and people in the world , they are the most holy and sincere , yea and cleave closest to the Rule . And they in baptizing their Infants , do that whereunto they are bound by the Covenant , which both they and their holy seed are under .

Whereas you say , the grounds are from severall places of Scripture , especially these five , which you promise to examine in order .

I answer ; I know not what five you meane , for you have not so plainly distinguished them , whereby wee may know how ( in your book ) to find them . But ( it may be ) you have not done it of set purpose , but through some over-sight ; for ( in pag. 3. li. 16. ) you speak of a second [ argument ] from [ places ] and ( in pag 3. lin. 39. ) you speak of a third [ argument ] ( from 1 Cor. 7.14 ) The fourth ( in pag. 12. lin. 40. ) is expressed to be the fourth Scripture . As ( in pag. 1. ) Act. 2.39 . is declared to be the first . But ( in pag. 18. lin. 2. ) you speake of a fifth [ argument . ]

Now by this your disorderly manner of proceeding , it appeares that you doe not performe what you promised ( in pag. 1. ) where you say , the grounds are from severall places of [ Scripture ] especially the [ five , ] which you there promise to examine in order .

THe first ( you say ) is that in Act. 2.39 . The promise is to you and your children . But this Text ( you say ) is to no purpose in the poynt .

To which I reply , that this your bare affirmation will not beare the least weight in the ballance of Gods Sanctuary : for this promise spoken of by Peter , is the promise of eternall life , and all those who are heires of this promise , are the right Subjects of Baptisme * * Act. 10.47 . . But the Infants of beleevers are heires of this promise ; for so the tener of the whole Scripture declareth : There is no place of Scripture which describeth the blessednesse of the parents , but it also includeth their Infants ; yea in this place Act. 2.39 . where beleevers children are mentioned , their Infants are meant . As shall be more clearly proved in answer to your next objections following . And this being prooved , it followeth that they are the right subjects of Baptisme .

But you say , it is not there said of Infants , but to your Children , not promises , but promise .

To which I reply , that this your Answer is of no weight , for Infants are Children as well being young as old , and this great promise of God , includeth promises : for though Gods great promise ( in generall ) be but one , yet in particular it is divers .

But seeing you say , it is worthy enquiry to know what is meant by you and your Children , I will ( by Gods assistance ) prove unto you , that it is meant of beleevers and their Infants . Consider therefore that the Apostle doth not onely distinguish them from their parents , by the title Children , and also from those afar off ; But he likewise declareth them to be those children to whom the promise appertaineth as well as to the parents themselves : which doth plainly shew that it ought not to be understood , as if it were spoken of [ all ] their Children ( both godly and wicked ) but of all those Children who doe not degenerate from the steps of their holy parents ; which sinne of Apostacie , ( or degeneration ) you cannot justly lay to the charge of beleevers Infants , who never sinned actually * * Mr. Spilsbury sayth , the word cōdemns none , but with respect to actuall sinne . See his Treat . of Bap. pag. 11 lin. 30. : It is a sure truth , that the sinnes of the parents being forgiven , the Lord will not impute the same unto their Infants * * Sinne remitted , is not imputed , unlesse it be acted again . . Originall sinne ( I say ) taketh no more hold on the Infants , then on their parents , and touching actuall sinne , they are as cleare as their parents * * Exod. 20.6 . . But the like cannot be said of [ all ] their children of ripe yeares * * Ezek. 18.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. .

Wherefore it plainly appeareth , that the promise is made generally to all the infants of the faithfull , howbeit not to all their Children , but onely to such as abide in the steps of their righteous parents , amongst which holy children , the infants of beleeving parents are not the smallest number .

Seeing then that the application of the promise of life and salvation , belongeth to the infants of beleeving parents , as really as to the parents themselves , or any other of their children . It is evident that they have right to Baptisme . Wherefore this text which you said , is to no purpose in the point , you may see to be of great weight concerning the point , and this will clearly appeare unto you ( I hope ) by that time you have weighed it well .

Consider , ( I pray you ) how that these converts upon the preaching of Peter , were pricked in their hearts , and said unto Peter and the other Apostles , Men and brethren , what shall wee doe ? When the Apostle Peter saw that they were come thus far , he bid them repent , which doth not argue but that they repented before ( for they were pricked in their hearts ) but now Peter urged them to manifest their repentance , and sheweth them how they should by faith rest upon the promise of God and he doth not limit it to [a] promise onely , but sayth [ The ] promise is to you and to your Children ( namely , ) the chiefest promise [ a remedy answerable to their disease * * Isa 61. 2● Act. 2 v●r . 2● . . ]

And though the promise was made unto them , and to their children , Ezek. 18 10.13 . yet if any of their children were a whoremonger , or Idolater , or a Rayl●r , or a drunkard , or the like ; the promise appertained not unto him . * * 1 Cor 6 9 , 10 , 11. Rev. 21 8. Therefore by Children , he doth not here intend all their Children , both good and bad ; for then impenitent persons and true Saints have share and share-like in the heavenly riches ; which were blasphemie * * Rev. 2.9 . so to affirme , that such Ismalites , or Edomites ( though the seed of Abraham according to the flesh ) should have right or interest to the promise or seale thereof ; but as this promise is holy , so it appertaineth and is to be applyed only to those who ought to be judged holy persons , * * Isa. 4.3 . in Covenant with God , having the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ imputed unto them : Now that the infants of beleeving parents are in Gods Covenant , and are made righteous by Jesus Christ , is proved ( in the answer * * Pag. 8. 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , &c. to your first part ) and may further appeare unto you by the former considerations , which I have here related , therefore let those premises there , and these here , be discreetly weighed , and then it will evidently appeare , that this promise mentioned ( in Act. 2.39 . ) appertaineth to the infants of beleeving parents , as well as to the parents themselves , though some of the Children of beleeving parents have no greater a share in this gracious promise then the infants of both unbeleeving parents .

Your next words are these ; A R Pag. 1. Pag. 2. In both these wee shall be satisfied if wee looke back into the former part of the Chapter , where when the gifts of the holy Ghost were given forth upon the 120. and they speaking in divers tongues , and the Jewes thereupon , some marveiling , some mocking , and saying , they were full of new wine , ver. 13. Peter hereupon stands up and speaks to the Jewes thus ; These men are not drunke as yee suppose , but this is that which is spoken by the Prophet Joel , that in the last day , ( sayth God ) I will powre out my Spirit upon all flesh , and your sons and daughters shall prophecie , &c. ver. 15 , 16 , 17. And immediately when he had thus spoken , he preached unto them Jesus Christ , whom they had murthered , and whom though dead and buried , yet God had raised up , and who b●ing by the right hand of God exalted , and having received of his Father the promise of the holy Ghost , had shed forth this which they did see and heare , ver. 33. As if Peter should have sayd to the Jewes thus ; Wee are not filled with Wine as yee suppose , but are filled with the Spirit , promised to our fathers long since , that should be powred forth in these our dayes , and that their sonnes and their daughters should prophecie , which is now fulfilled upon us their sonnes and daughters , and may be also powred out upon you and your Children , to make you all prophecie and speake with tongues as we doe : for you and your Children are all the sonnes and daughters of the Jewes , &c.

I answer . All which you have sayd here , is able to give no satisfaction , concerning the matter in hand ; for as much as ( though you have cited some verses which you thought would make for your advantage ) yet you have omitted , ver. 21. which is most materiall and pertinent to our present purpose . Moreover , you have not done well in taking upon you to be the Apostle Peters spokesman ( or interpreter of his meaning ) before you had minded his Speech better , then it appeareth you have done ; for we reade not that the Apostle Peter told them , that they and their Children should ( or might ) all propheci● , and sp●ake with tongues ( as he and some others did ) much lesse doth he yeeld such a fained reason ( to wit ) because they were the sonnes and daughters of the Jewes , &c. as you would import he did ; which doth not sound according to truth . But this indeed you ought to have minded that ( in the Text alledged ) there is something else of greater weight and consequence , then the bare prophe●ying or speaking with tongues * * See Act. 2 39. compared with ver. 21. , for whereas the Apostle saith , [ The ] promise ] he speaketh of that which is generall to every beleever , both young and old The truth of this appeareth from the expresse words of the holy Ghost ? Act 2 39. The promise is to [ you ] and to [ you Children ] and to [ ●ll ] that are afar off [ even as many as the Lord our God shall call ] But to speak with tongues and prophecie , is not common to every beleever . Therefore this promise ( which appertaineth generally to [ all ] Saints ) is something else then the bare prophecying , or speaking with tongues . Wee know that God can make open wicked men to prophecie , and the Beasts of the feild to speake with tongues , without giving them any promise of Eternall life [ as may appeare unto you by the storie of Balaam and his asse * * Numb . 22. & 23. & 24. & 31.8 . ] whom wee must not therefore ranke with the sonnes and daughters * * Jude 11. Rev. 2.14 . ( mentioned in Joel * * Joel . 2.28 . ) or with the holy Children ( mentioned in Act. 2.39 . ) for then by the same Rule , false Prophets , and unreasonable creatures must be baptized ; which to think would be very absurd . Wherefore it evidently appeareth , that this promise is a promise of something else then a bare prophecying , or speaking with tongues .

Consider ( I pray you ) that Eternall life is that which appertaineth to beleevers onely a a Joh. 3.36 . , and is distributed to every one of them b b Ioh. 6.35.51.54.57 , 58. Ioh. 10.28 , ●0 . , but so is not Prophecying , or speaking with tongues c c 1 Cor. 12.28 , 29 , 30. . This promise of Eternall life was made to Adam , and all the members of Gods visible Church then d d See Gen. 3. compared with Cap 4.16 . & Cap. 5. , and established with Abraham and his seed in their Generations e e Gen. 17.7 . ; and this heavenly and Evangelicall promise , is here repeated by Peter f f Act. 2.21 . , and applyed to all beleevers and their seed g g Ver. 39. .

And though wee should be furnished with the externall gifts of the holy Gh●st ; and evidently perceive the devills to be subject unto us , through the name of Christ , and see Sathan fall downe as lightning from heaven ; at the sight whereof we might have cause to rejoyce ! yet wee have more cause of joy , that our names are written in the Lambs book of life h h Luk. 10.17 , 18 , 19 , 20. .

This eternall life , is a life above all lives , and to be desired above all things in the world , and the promise of this eternall life , Peter applyeth to beleeving men , and women , and their holy seed . And though in the same promise is included divers things , which God distributeth unto some of his Saints , and not to other some , yet the chiefe thing promised is life and salvation through Jesus Christ ( whereof all Saints are partakers ) without which all the prophecies and tongues in the world will availe us nothing .

And though the infants of beleevers be not capable to prophecie , or speake with tongues , yet I doubt not but they are holy i i 1 Cor. 7.14 . . Jeremiah k k Ier. 1.5 . and John Baptist , were sanctified by the holy Spirit [ in the wombe l l Luke 1.15 . ] and seeing that beleevers have the like precious faith m m 2 Pet. 1.1 . , they have also the like precious priviledges n n Rev. 22.14 . 1 Cor. 12.12 , 13. Eph. 2.13 . & 3.6.8 . Rom 10.12 . .

Whereas you say , o o Pag. 2. lin. 24. So then by this time wee may see what is meant by the promise ( to wit ) the gift of the holy Ghost .

I answer ; It cannot appeare any thing at all the more for this your exposition , neither doth it yet appeare that you understand the meaning of the holy Ghost in this place ; for if you did , I thinke you could distinguish between the externall gifts of the holy Ghost , and the promise of eternall life . Consider therefore how that Peters application of the promise ] is a reason which he yeeldeth of his former speech ; and you ( saith he ) shall rec●ive the gift of the holy Ghost : [ for ] ( or because ) the promise is to you , and to your Childrens &c. What promise is that ? Even the promise of salvation and redemption , spoken of in Joel 2.32 . And it shall come to passe , that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord , shall be delivered : for in mount Zion , and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance , as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call . Compare with this the words of Peter . ●ct . 2.21.39 . and it will evidently appeare that this promise ( spoken of in Act. 2. ver. 39. ) is the promise of salvation . Joel sayth , And it shall come to passe , that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord , shall be delivered * * Ioel 2.32 . : And Peter rehearsing this promise ) sayth , ( Act. 2. ver. 21. ) And it shall come to passe , that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord , shall be saved . Act. 2.39 . Joel ( in application of the promise ) sayth ; For in mount Zion , Rom. 10.13 . and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance , as the Lord hath said , and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call Peter ( in application of the promise ) sayth , ( to those Converts which were pricked in their hearts and asked counsell of the Apostles what they should doe ) The promise ( sayth he ) is to you and to your Children , and to all that are afar off , even as many as the Lord our God shall call .

I beseech you , weigh the Sentences ; He doth not say ; Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord , shall prophecie and speak with tongues : This is not [ the ] medicine which was applyed to heale the wounded-broken-hearted-soules , converted at his Sermon : But he speaketh of that which is of a higher nature , he applyeth a more effectuall and speciall medicine unto them , a more singular cordiall : Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved . And this is that which the Apostle Paul so much insisteth upon , Rom. 10. where in the relation , interpretation , application , and prosecution of ( his text in ) Deut. 30.12 , 13 , 14. he sheweth wherein the weight of the Saints glory and happines consisteth , Rom. 10. ver. 6. Rom. 10. ver. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. The righteousnes of faith ( sayth he ) speaketh on this wise : Say not in thine heart , Who shall a●cend into heaven ? that is , to bring [ Christ downe ] from above : ver. 7. Or who shall descend into the deepe ? ( that is ) to bring [ up Christ . ] againe from the dead : ver. 8. But what sayth it ? The word is nigh thee even in thy mouth , and in thine heart , ( that is ) the word of faith which wee preach : ver. 9. That if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus , and shalt beleeve in thine heart , that God hath raised him from the dead , thou shalt be [ saved : ] ver. 10. For with the heart man beleeveth unto righteousnes , and with the mouth Confession is made unto [ salvation : ] ver. 11. For the Scripture sayth , Whosoever beleeveth on him [ shall not be ashamed : 1 Pet. 2.6 , 7. Isa. 28.16 . ] ver. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew , and the Greeke : for the same Lord over all is [ rich ] unto all that call upon him . And in ver. 13. he sheweth further wherein this riches consisteth ; For ( sayth he ) whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved .

In consideration of these things , we may safely conclude ; that the promise mentioned in Act. 2.39 . is the same promise mentioned in Joel 2.32 . & Act. 2.21 . & Rom. 10.13 . Even the promise of eternall life and salvation by Jesus Christ our Lord .

But peradventure it will seeme strange unto some , that the infants of beleevers should be thought to be in the state of salvation , or to have the righteousnes of faith , or to be confessors of Jesus Christ , or beleevers , or invocaters of his name , considering that they cannot manifest the same actually in their own persons . But wee ought to note , that all these things are theirs by imputation ; it is imputed unto them as if they had done the same in their own persons . Wherefore the Lord gave them the signe a a Gen. 17.11 . and seale b b Rom. 4.11 . of the righteousnesse of faith , which doth really demonstrate unto us , that the infants of beleevers , have the righteousnes of faith imputatively ; otherwise the Lord would not have given them such a signe , whereby to distinguish them from those who were not in Covenant with him , and had not this righteousnes upon them . And touching their confession of Christ , all the Jewes infants , as they grew up to be capable , were to confesse Christ ; according to this saying of the righteousnes of faith , which spake on this wise c c Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. ; Say not , who shall ascend into heaven , to bring Christ downe from above , &c. And seeing God usually giveth names unto persons according to their nature , state , and condition d d Gen. 22.28 . Rev. 3.12 . & 11.8 . , the infants of the beleeving Jewes having the name of Jewes rightly attributed unto them , they were Jewes ( that is , Confessors ) though they could not actually confesse : and the like may be sayd for their invocation ( or calling upon the name of God ; ) So it appeareth that the infants of the Jewes had such a holy state and condition upon them , that the visible imputation e e Heb. 7.9 , 10. of holy actions , was conferred upon them , though they could not act the same . And the very like may be said concerning the infants of beleeving parents now ; And seeing that salvation appertaineth to the infants of beleevers f f Luk. 18.15 , 16 , 17. , the righteousnes of faith is imputed unto them g g Mat. 16.16 . ; and therefore they ought to receive the signe and seale of the same righteousnes ; for we are to account that Jesus Christ ( our righteousnes ) is a Saviour [ in a speciall manner ] unto all those who ought to be judged righteous persons in Covenant with him ; and ought not to be accounted to have the guilt of originall sinne , but that they have it pardoned and done away through him .

But the infants of beleeving parents ought to be judged righteous persons in Covenant with Christ , and ought not to be esteemed to have the guilt of originall sinne ; but that they have it pardoned , and done away through him , ( as hath been proved before . )

Therefore wee are to account that Jesus Christ ( our righteousnes ) is a Saviour unto them in a speciall manner , See Mat. 1.21 . as well as to their parents .

It is certaine , that the rarest Saint in the world , though he professe and confesse never so much , yet he ( being one of Adams posteritie ) hath originall sinne from the houre of his birth , to the time of his death , yea and before his birth , he was conceived in sinne ; So David sayth of himselfe , Loe in iniquitie , ( was I painfully brought forth ) and in sin my mother conceived me , Psal. 51.5 . But herein consisteth the Saints happines , that all their sinnes are remitted h h Psal. 32.1 , 2. Rom. 4.6 . through Jesus Christ ; so that the Lord will not remember their sins , nor impute the same unto them ; he counteth them not guiltie ; he saveth his people from their sinnes ; therefore is he called Jesus * * Mat. 1.21 . ; So David sayth , that with Jehovah is bountifull mercy , and plentifull redemption . And he will redeem Israel out of all his iniquities . Psal. 130.7 , 8. Now whereas it is said , He shall save [ his people ] from their sinnes ; He will redeem [ Israel ] out of [ all ] his iniquities . Hereby is meant , all the sinnes of all his people ( in Covenant with him ) both young and old , both great and small . So David sayth , Psal. 115.12 , 13 , 14 , 15. The Lord hath been mindfull , of us , he will blesse us , he will blesse the house of Israel : He will blesse the house of Aaron : He will blesse them that feare the Lord ; both small and great . The Lord shall increase you more and more , you and your children . You are blessed of the Lord , which hath made Heaven and Earth . And so ( in Isa. 44.3 . ) the Lord sayth to Israel , I will powre my Spirit upon thy seed , and my blessing upon thine off-spring . And ( in Isa. 45.25 . ) In the Lord shall [ all ] the seed of Israel be justified , and shall glory . By [ all ] the seed of Israel , he doth not mean Apostates , for they are not counted for the seed k k Rom. 9.8 . ; but this justification , and glorifi●ation , is promised onely to those that abide in the Lord Jesus l l Joh. 15.4 , 5.6.10 . ; and so continue in his Church ; But the seed of the faithfull [ in their infancie : ] cannot justly be sayd to depart from Christ , to aberate from his Commandements ; to Apostate or degenerate from that heavenly state , wherein the Lord of his mercy hath planted them ; therefore they are ( as well in infancie as after ) to be accounted holy , ●p●●i●uall , and i● the new Covenant , in the very promise of Eternall life , and freed from the wrath of God and curses of the law , and under grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord ; therefore it is apparent , that the Lord imputeth them righteous though him ; so then they are righteous by imputation ; they are believers and Co●fessors imputatively , yea , and all the graces of God are theirs by imputation ; and this favour and benediction , is not onely extended to the infants of the beleeving Jewes m m Jer. 30.20 . , but also ●o the infants of the b●leeving Gentiles ; There is [ no d fference a a Rom. 10 12. ] ( sayth the Apostle Paul ) their riches are equall , they are all on in Christ b b Gal. 3.28 . ; God is their God , and Christ is their Saviour in a speciall manner ; He justifieth the circumcision and uncircumcision by his righteousnes c c Rom. 4.8 . ; This righteous servant justifieth many d d Isa. 53.11 . ; He pardoneth the iniquities of all that abide e e 1 Ioh. 3 , 5 , 6. in his Covenant .

And seeing that the beleeving Jewes , and the beleeving Gentiles , have equall priviledges f f Isa. 56. : As the infants of the beleeving J●wes were , and are in the Covenant of God with their parents g g Gen. 17.7 . Psal. 11. ● . ; so are the infants of beleeving Gentiles h h Exod. 12.48 . Rom. 11.12.15 , 16.17 20.23 , 24. ; for , Jesus Christ is the same to day as he was yesterday , and so is he for ever i i Heb. 13.8 . . God is the same God over all , and therefore rich unto all that call upon him * * Rom. 10 12 And seeing he is the same God , rich unto all that call upon him . Beleeving Gentiles have the same priviledges for their seed , as the beleeving Jewes had and have for their seed ; so that though their infants are all sinners k k Rom 5.12.13 , 14. &c. originally , yet by the free grace of God they are justifica l l Ver. 20.21 . ; their transgression is forgiven , and their sinne is covered , and therefore they are all blessed , both small and great m m Psal. 115.13 , buds n n Isa. 65.23 . and blossoms . Blessed o o Jer. 1. Psal. 22.10 , 11 & 71.6.17.18 . Mar. 10.13 14.15 , 16. Rev. 14. ●3 . Psal. 100.5 . 2 Sam 12.23 . in their conception ; blessed in their birth , blessed in their life , and blessed at their death ; remaining still [ in the Covenant , ] branches p p Psal. 80 . 1.1● of Gods holy Vine . In the Lord shall all this blessed seed of Israel be justified , and shall glory : Note , he doth not limit it to [ some ] onely , but extendeth it to [ all ] not one person of them is exempted ; for , though they be all sinners by nature , yet by grace they are saved , not of themselves , but it is the gift of God , who hath said , as he liveth , that he desireth not the de●th of a sinner ; neither shall the sonne die for the fathers iniquitie , but every one shall beare his own iniquitie q q Ezek. 18. . Shall every one beare his owne iniquitie ? Then the iniquitie of the righteous parents ( that is remitted ) is not visibly imputed to any of their children , [ in their infancie . ] Therefore those infants are to be accounted righteous ; For the m r●y of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting , upon them that feare him , and his righteousnes unto childrens children , to such as keep his Covenant , &c. Psal. 103.17 , 18.

For to say , that the sinne of the parent that is remitted , is imputed to his childe [ that never sinned actually , ] is an arguing that the sonne shall die for the father ; yea , and for the sinnes of the righteous father ! A flat contradiction both of the Scripture , and Reason it selfe .

But it may be , some will say , that the best beleevers on earth doe sin daily ; yea and that in their best actions ; Shall all these sinnes be remitted , and not be imputed , considering , that sinne is daily committed by them ?

Ans. If they sinne , they have an Advocate with the Father , Jesus Chr●st the righteous r r 1 Ioh. 2.1 , 2. ; and through him , the beleeving parents , who die d●i●y unto s●nne ; have their sinnes so quelled , and crushed , that there is no power in the same whereby to condemne them ; for as the Brazen Serpent was lifted up in the Wildernes , so is J●sus Christ lifted up for them s s Ioh. 3.14 , 15. , so that the fiery Messengers of Sathan , though they sting them , yet cannot destroy their soules ; and this being remitted to the par●nts , & to all beleevers , shall not be imputed to them ; because still upon the renewing of sinne , they renew their repentance , and so doe cut the cords of sinne , by godly sorrow t t 2 Cor 7.10 , 11. ; But a wicked person that is not penitent , hath the iniquities of his [ fathers ] imputed unto him ; and his mothers sinne is not blotted out ; all this is remembred with the Lord continually u u Psal. 109 14 , 15. , and laid upon the sinner that is not justified by Jesus Christ ; But the infants of beleevers ( as hath been observed before ) are from under the guilt of originall sinne ; their parents sinne is not imputed unto them ; but both the originall sinne and actuall sinne is fully remitted ; and the infants cannot be taxed with actuall sinne ; they are cleare , they never acted sinne . Wherefore by all this it appeareth that the Lord spake not in vaine , when he bid the parents ; choose life , that both they and their seed might live ; for though God visiteth the iniquities of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those that ●●te him , yet he sheweth mercy to thousands of those that love him and keep his Commandements * * Exod. 20.5 , 6 .