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Old
England
New
England
New
England
Together
with
Pastor
of
the
Church
of
Christ
at
Rom. 3.1 , 2. What advantage then hath the Jew ? or what profit is there of Circumcision ? Much every way : chiefly , because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God .
Gal. 3.27 , 28. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ , have put on Christ . There is neither Jew nor Greek , there is neither Bond nor Free , there is neither Male nor Female , for ye are all one in Christ Jesus .
Heb. 12.15 , 16. Looking diligently , lest any man fail of the grace of God , left any root of bitterness springing up , trouble you , and thereby many be defiled . Lest there be any fornicator , or profane person , as Esau , who for a morsel of meat sold his Birthright .
M.
J.
Hezekiah
Vsher
SVch
is
the
Infirmity
and
Corruption
of
Man
,
the
Malice
and
Subtilty
of
Satan
the
Enemy
of
Truth
,
Purity
,
and
Peace
,
and
the
holy
and
just
Dispensation
of
God
Permitting
and
Ordering
all
things
to
his
most
glorious
Ends
;
that
frequent
Experience
sheweth
how
hard
it
is
for
a
People
desirous
to
walk
in
all
the
wayes
of
God
,
to
steer
a
right
course
between
the
Gulf
of
Profaning
the
Ordinances
by
an
over-loose
Dispensation
thereof
,
on
the
one
hand
;
and
the
Rocks
of
Rigid
Separation
,
Anabaptism
,
and
the
like
,
on
the
other
hand
.
And
hence
it
may
seem
the
less
strange
,
that
(
notwithstanding
the
Eminent
Lights
we
have
had
,
holding
forth
yet
the
Practice
hereof
hath
not
obtained
in
many
of
our
Churches
.
That
this
Case
is
now
become
matter
of
publick
Dispute
between
the
late
and
some
though
it
be
cause
of
Humiliation
,
yet
we
desire
herein
to
submit
to
the
onely
wise
God
,
hoping
and
waiting
upon
Him
to
see
the
Improvement
thereof
for
good
,
and
for
the
further
clearing
up
unto
us
what
is
in
this
case
When
these
of
our
Brethren
came
to
our
hands
,
and
of
the
same
nature
was
here
Published
,
some
godly
and
wise
Christians
advised
the
to
let
them
●ass
in
silence
;
conceiving
that
they
would
not
so
take
with
the
People
,
as
to
hinder
the
Practice
of
and
that
a
would
occasion
further
Disputes
and
Contests
.
But
,
upon
serious
consideration
of
the
matter
by
divers
met
to
that
End
,
the
on
the
other
side
did
preponderate
.
Such
as
these
.
For
these
and
the
like
Reasons
,
it
was
thought
necessary
to
return
a
just
Answer
to
these
Books
,
published
in
Opposition
to
But
that
my
Brethren
should
have
any
eye
upon
my self
to
undertake
this
part
of
the
Work
To
Examine
,
and
make
Reply
to
these
was
very
farre
from
my
thoughts
.
Yet
when
I
could
by
no
Perswasions
and
Intreaties
prevail
with
them
,
to
Call
out
some
other
more
able
for
this
Work
(
whereof
we
had
choyce
)
I
considered
,
that
and
that
the
Lord
is
not
wont
to
deny
Assistance
to
such
as
he
calleth
forth
to
any
Service
;
yea
,
that
He
delighteth
to
In
hope
hereof
,
I
have
by
his
Grace
and
Help
run
through
these
in
my
plain
and
homely
manner
(
loving
alwayes
to
speak
to
vulgar
Capacities
)
wishing
heartily
it
had
been
done
by
some
better
hand
,
that
might
have
performed
it
more
throughly
.
This
onely
I
have
to
say
for
my self
,
That
I
have
not
willingly
declined
any
seeming
strength
of
Reason
,
nor
sought
by
Shifts
and
Evasions
to
darken
any
seeming
Light
of
Truth
held
forth
in
these
but
have
Candidly
(
according
to
my
measure
)
As
I
have
believed
,
so
have
I
spoken
:
As
I
finde
in
the
so
have
I
written
.
What
weaknesses
and
defects
may
be
discovered
by
a
more
judicious
Eye
,
I
hope
(
through
Grace
)
I
shall
be
willing
to
see
and
reform
upon
intimation
thereof
;
onely
let
no
Truth
herein
held
forth
,
be
the
less
esteemed
for
the
Infirmity
of
the
Instrument
.
I
shall
commit
this
Case
of
the
unto
that
God
,
who
of
his
rich
Grace
hath
undertaken
to
be
their
God
;
Beseeching
Him
to
make
his
Wayes
plain
before
the
face
of
his
People
,
and
to
improve
these
Disputes
to
common
Edification
,
according
to
the
good
pleasure
of
his
will
.
As
a
Lover
of
the
Truth
,
to
Publish
this
Treatise
without
any
Commission
from
the
Dissenting
Brethren
,
which
he
desireth
them
not
to
be
offended
with
:
That
the
persons
engaged
in
this
Dissent
,
had
much
rather
this
Treatise
were
suppressed
,
and
as
an
untimely
birth
to
have
been
buried
in
everlasting
darkness
.
Ill
consequences
that
might
follow
Esther
,
If
I
peris●
,
I
perish
.
The
s●a
Consequences
that
may
follow
;
The
trouble
of
the
Peace
of
the
Churches
hereby
The
Novelty
of
their
Opinion
Concurrence
of
all
other
Congregational
Churches
they
know
of
,
to
countenance
their
Cause
,
uns
asonably
The
course
Entertainment
of
their
Tenent
,
both
in
the
Synod
,
and
in
the
General
Court
,
where
they
expected
more
Patrons
then
did
appear
.
course
Entertainment
The
Subject
of
Baptism
course
Entertainment
course
Entertainment
Though
it
be
no
other
Doctrine
then
of
all
the
Congregational
Churches
in
and
also
in
Jurisdictions
;
yea
,
and
also
that
it
hath
been
the
Judgement
and
general
Practice
of
the
Churches
in
the
some
few
inconsiderable
excepted
,
for
thirty
years
.
general
Concurrence
And
also
That
this
case
hath
not
as
yet
been
considered
in
many
of
those
Churches
.
Doctrine
of
the
Synod
Hooker
,
whose
praise
is
in
the
Gospel
in
all
the
Churches
,
It
is
not
the
question
Whether
wicked
Members
,
while
they
are
sinfully
tolerated
in
the
Church
,
they
and
their
seed
may
partake
of
Priviledges
;
for
this
is
beyond
question
:
nor
do
I
know
,
or
ever
heard
it
denied
by
any
of
ours
.
That
Members
of
the
Church
admitted
in
minority
,
and
having
the
Covenant
sealed
by
Baptism
,
if
being
adult
,
they
hold
not
forth
saving
Faith
and
Repentance
to
the
judgement
of
the
Church
,
even
so
as
to
come
into
full
Communion
;
neither
they
nor
their
seed
may
partake
of
Priviledges
,
they
are
Self-m●rtherers
,
Discovenanted
of
God
,
and
are
not
so
much
as
Foederally
holy
,
so
soon
as
they
be
out
of
their
Non-age
That
yet
now
this
Tenent
is
laden
with
Reproaches
of
Antichristianism
and
Anabaptism
.
it
is
laden
with
such
Reproaches
?
the
Bay
Churches
with
a
sin
which
he
cannot
see
how
it
can
stand
with
peace
of
Conscience
,
in
leaving
their
former
practice
in
dispensing
the
Seals
,
and
taking
up
a
new
manner
thereof
;
yea
a
grievous
sin
,
in
depriving
so
many
Infants
of
Baptism
for
thirty
years
;
yea
,
of
the
same
nature
,
and
somewhat
worse
then
that
of
the
Phar●sees
,
disannulling
the
counsel
of
God
against
themselves
,
and
so
many
hundred
poor
Infants
whom
the
Kingdome
of
God
(
as
we
now
plead
)
belongs
unto
:
and
a
practical
Anabaptism
.
it
is
a
sin
in
them
that
cannot
stand
with
peace
of
Conscience
,
all
things
must
be
done
to
ca●fication
He
would
oppose
it
with
all
his
might
:
a
sin
that
cannot
stand
with
peace
of
Conscience
that
rejected
the
counsel
of
God
against
themselves
,
in
not
being
baptized
of
John
,
no
falling
from
our
former
practice
,
A
greater
sin
to
be
trembled
at
,
That
we
admitted
all
sorts
that
were
personally
in
Covenant
to
the
Lords
Supper
,
which
now
we
deny
to
many
,
except
after
Covenanting
they
make
it
manifest
,
that
they
are
able
to
examine
themselves
,
and
discern
the
Lords
Body
:
If
this
be
regular
,
then
the
other
is
irregular
,
and
brought
guiltiness
to
many
of
the
Body
and
Blood
of
Christ
,
and
was
eating
and
drinking
judgement
to
our selves
.
a
sin
to
be
trembled
at
to
bring
guiltiness
upon
many
of
the
Body
and
Blood
of
Christ
?
stedfastness
in
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
a
sin
to
be
trembled
at
,
Old
England
That
by
Publishing
this
Treatise
they
shall
disturb
the
peace
,
bought
at
a
great
rate
,
The
loss
of
Native
Land
,
Fathers
Houses
,
That
the
disturbers
of
the
peace
,
the
troublers
of
are
those
that
would
rob
them
of
their
possession
,
or
question
their
right
,
especially
having
enjoyed
them
so
long
before
this
pleaded-for
Conversion
of
New
England
Old
England
that
they
may
enjoy
the
Priviledges
of
the
House
that
would
rob
them
of
their
possession
,
and
disturb
the
peace
.
Self-murtherers
,
Discovenanted
of
God
,
if
the
Lord
have
not
wrought
Faith
and
Repentance
visibly
in
them
when
they
come
to
adult
age
,
and
profit
is
much
every
way
?
That
they
are
Innovators
that
the
most
learned
M●nisters
were
of
the
Synods
minde
.
large
Some
That
as
many
of
them
are
so
large
in
Judgement
,
as
to
soulder
with
Parish
Churches
.
inlarging
the
Church
to
the
Bounds
of
a
Parish
,
That
the
general
Judgement
of
the
learned
Elders
,
and
their
Practice
,
was
as
the
Dissenters
plead
;
but
now
divers
of
those
Elders
do
retreat
and
recant
.
An
Answer
to
Thirty
two
Questions
,
That
such
whose
Parents
are
not
Believers
and
sanct●fied
,
are
not
foederally
holy
;
Foederal
Holiness
or
Sanctity
being
limited
to
the
next
Parents
,
second
Proposition
fifth
particular
It
is
requisite
to
the
Membership
of
Children
,
that
the
next
Parents
,
one
or
both
,
be
in
Covenant
?
We
believe
that
all
Members
of
Churches
ought
to
be
Saints
,
and
faithful
in
Christ
Jesus
,
none
excepted
,
Members
of
the
visible
Church
,
according
to
Scripture
,
are
Confederate
visible
Believers
?
the
Paucity
of
the
Dissenters
,
in
comparison
of
the
many
able
,
learned
,
and
godly
Magistrates
and
Ministers
that
consented
That
divers
of
the
Elders
having
Preached
and
Practised
that
Doctrine
of
late
years
,
were
pre-engaged
:
and
it
is
strange
that
after
Vows
they
should
be
called
to
enquire
.
Paul
,
Barnabas
after
V●ws
to
enquire
after
Vows
to
enquire
That
divers
Messengers
being
no
Logicians
to
answer
Syllogisms
,
and
discern
Ambiguities
,
were
over-born
by
the
many
Opposers
.
That
the
corruption
of
man
most
inclineth
to
walk
in
the
broadest
way
,
though
the
straiter
way
be
never
so
clear
;
especially
when
persons
eminent
in
Place
,
Power
,
Learning
and
Piety
,
are
so
linked
together
?
Cha●●y
,
that
hopeth
all
things
,
Strictness
and
Zeal
kept
little
children
from
Christ
plack
up
the
Wheat
also
apt
to
judge
others
,
whom
God
hath
received
,
straiter
way
his
corruption
That
this
Discourse
may
seem
needless
,
seeing
all
other
Congregational
Churches
agree
with
them
,
that
they
know
of
Savoy
Meeting
there
needs
abundant
confirmation
:
for
no
doubt
this
temptation
will
spread
further
,
when
more
then
the
third
part
of
the
Stars
of
Heaven
here
are
swept
down
,
as
is
Prophesied
let
the
world
know
,
That
the
Lord
hath
still
a
few
Names
in
who
hold
fast
his
Name
,
and
are
stedfast
in
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
and
detest
the
Abominations
of
Antichrist
.
Consent
of
other
Churches
Not
onely
those
that
do
actually
profess
Faith
in
,
and
Obedience
unto
Christ
;
but
also
the
Infants
of
one
or
both
believing
Parents
,
are
to
be
Baptized
,
and
those
onely
.
Regular
Church-members
to
be
visible
Believers
:
Second
Position
,
Concerning
the
Church
,
All
such
as
profess
the
Faith
of
the
Gospel
,
and
Obedience
to
God
by
Christ
according
to
it
,
not
destroying
their
Profession
by
Errours
everting
the
Foundation
,
or
unholiness
of
Conversation
,
are
Members
of
the
visible
Church
.
they
profess
their
Assent
to
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
,
and
subjection
to
the
Rules
and
Discipline
of
Christ
;
they
give
up
themselves
to
God
,
own
the
Covenant
,
do
not
destroy
their
Profession
by
Errours
,
nor
unholiness
of
life
;
holding
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
,
and
not
being
scandalous
in
life
.
the
third
part
of
the
Stars
of
swept
down
A
few
Names
in
that
hold
fast
the
Name
of
God
,
and
are
stedfast
in
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
:
the
third
part
of
the
Stars
,
their
fall
from
Heaven
few
Names
remaining
that
hold
fast
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
?
Forsaking
former
P●actices
,
Recanting
of
Elders
,
New
Conversion
of
a
few
Names
holding
fast
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
more
then
a
third
part
of
the
Stars
,
New
England
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
Fall
from
Heaven
Calvin
,
Cartwright
,
Perkins
,
Ames
,
C●ton
,
Th●lip
,
Shepard
,
Ro●ers
,
Connectico●
,
Prudden
New-Haven
,
Partridge
swept
down
from
Heaven
few
Names
swept
down
from
Heaven
That
Infants
of
the
Church
are
to
be
Baptized
,
more
then
the
third
part
of
the
Stars
Rules
of
Charity
and
Gospel-Order
the
Subject
of
Baptism
an
Heretick
two
Admonitions
before
rejection
holding
fast
to
the
Order
of
the
Gospel
.
through
evil
Reports
Opinionists
,
Familists
,
Anabaptists
,
Quakers
,
The
Subject
of
Baptism
swept
down
from
Heaven
viz.
That
they
were
able
,
learned
and
godly
Eminent
in
Learning
and
Piety
little
thing
to
be
judged
of
men
,
That
the
Common-Prayer-Book
findeth
some
Advocates
in
who
can
finde
Stakes
and
Materials
to
edifie
Gods
People
in
a
Congregational
Church
(
as
is
said
.
)
(
As
is
said
;
stedfastness
in
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
To
the
General
Court
That
they
have
yielded
and
voted
with
the
rest
so
farre
,
that
rightly
considered
and
practised
,
it
would
silence
all
sad
Complaints
against
the
many
great
and
prevailing
corruptions
of
Youth
amongst
us
.
viz.
That
the
Infant-seed
of
the
Church
are
Members
of
the
same
Church
with
their
Parents
,
and
when
they
are
grown
up
,
are
personally
under
the
Watch
and
Government
of
the
Church
:
immediate
Members
for
the
destruction
of
the
flesh
,
and
saving
of
the
So●l
,
great
,
many
,
and
prevailing
corruptions
of
Youth
.
It
is
apparent
to
all
,
what
a
corrupt
mass
of
Vnbelievers
shall
by
this
change
throng
into
the
fellowship
of
Gods
People
,
and
the
children
of
strangers
,
uncircumcised
in
heart
,
shall
be
brought
into
Gods
Sanctuary
to
pollute
it
,
contrary
to
into
the
fellowship
of
Gods
People
?
there
is
the
whole
Churches
Communion
in
Baptism
,
as
well
as
in
the
Lords
Supper
,
the
fellowship
of
Gods
People
Admission
into
the
fellowship
of
Gods
People
,
The
Improvement
of
the
Ordinances
of
Christ
for
their
good
,
while
they
continue
in
that
fellowship
strangers
amongst
the
children
of
Israel
,
Tobiah
,
Neh
The
great
Deliverances
and
Wonders
that
the
Lord
hath
wrought
in
former
times
for
But
since
the
motion
of
this
Change
,
what
the
Lords
dealing
hath
been
and
still
is
,
we
leave
to
the
prudent
to
judge
:
We
may
glory
in
this
New
Light
,
but
we
fear
it
will
prove
but
glorying
in
our
shame
.
Popish
Cantons
It
is
a
pious
thought
to
attribute
the
disposition
of
every
Event
to
the
Providence
of
God
;
but
to
determine
to
what
ends
those
Events
are
directed
by
his
high
Wisdome
,
is
not
farre
from
Presumption
.
Men
are
so
straightly
and
religiously
wedded
to
their
own
Opinions
,
that
they
are
perswaded
God
loveth
and
favoureth
them
as
much
as
themselves
.
New
Light
that
will
turn
to
our
shame
?
is
a
Lamentation
,
and
shall
be
for
a
Lamentation
.
The
Order
of
this
Treatise
Baptism
is
a
Seal
of
the
Gospel
,
and
to
be
administred
according
to
Gospel-Rules
?
that
the
surest
way
to
end
Controversies
,
is
to
finde
out
how
it
was
in
the
beginning
?
Whether
adult
persons
to
be
joyned
to
the
Church
,
and
to
be
Baptized
,
should
hold
forth
Faith
and
Repentance
to
the
judgement
of
Charity
,
and
that
in
some
particular
visible
Church
?
Whether
the
Infant-seed
of
such
are
to
be
Baptized
?
Whether
the
Infant-seed
of
all
Church-members
ought
to
be
Baptized
?
What
it
is
that
Cuts
off
any
from
his
Membership
in
the
visible
Church
?
He
is
their
God
,
They
are
his
People
.
I
will
establish
my
Covenant
between
Me
and
Thee
,
and
thy
seed
after
thee
,
to
be
a
God
to
thee
,
and
to
thy
seed
after
thee
:
Their
little
ones
stood
before
the
Lord
their
God
,
to
enter
into
Covenant
with
the
Lord
their
God
,
to
be
established
a
people
to
himself
.
The
Promise
is
to
your
Children
.
Your
Children
are
holy
His
People
Their
God
Gods
People
,
His
Children
,
A
Royal
Priesthood
,
Holy
Nation
,
Saints
,
Saints
,
and
faithful
in
Christ
.
Golden
Candlesticks
for
the
edifying
of
the
Body
of
Christ
,
Fear
the
Lord
their
God
Walk
in
his
wayes
Love
him
with
all
their
hearts
,
keepeth
Covenant
and
Mercy
with
them
that
love
God
,
and
walk
with
God
in
faith
and
obedience
for
taking
his
Covenant
into
their
mouthes
,
Vncircumcised
,
Ethiopians
His
People
,
Saints
in
Covenant
with
him
,
Admitting
Members
into
the
Church
A
visible
Profession
of
Faith
and
Repentance
in
adult
persons
,
and
Foederal
Holiness
in
Infants
.
No
man
can
disallow
such
diligence
,
to
prevent
the
profaning
of
holy
things
,
and
lest
such
as
should
lie
hid
Regularly
admitted
count
them
as
Heathens
and
Publicans
,
Mat.
an
Heretick
may
have
two
Admonitions
before
rejection
,
Answer
to
the
main
Question●
Who
are
the
Subjects
of
Baptism
?
That
visible
Believers
and
Converts
in
full
Communion
with
an
instituted
Church
,
(
being
unbaptized
)
together
with
their
next
seed
in
minority
,
are
the
proper
and
immediate
Subjects
of
Baptism
,
as
to
the
receiving
of
it
.
Those
are
proper
and
immediate
Subjects
of
Baptism
,
to
whom
Christ
,
in
the
Gospel-institution
,
hath
appointed
it
.
But
visible
Believers
and
Converts
in
full
Communion
with
an
instituted
Church
,
are
the
persons
(
being
unbaptized
)
to
whom
Christ
,
in
the
Gospel-institution
of
Baptism
,
hath
appointed
it
.
Therefore
visible
Believers
That
the
is
express
Scripture
,
and
therefore
though
many
are
unwilling
it
should
be
true
,
and
will
cavill
against
it
,
it
will
be
found
true
at
the
Day
of
Judgement
,
Adding
to
it
Taking
from
it
Day
of
Judgement
That
full
communion
with
an
instituted
Church
is
requisite
to
the
Subject
of
Baptism
,
that
such
are
the
proper
Subjects
thereof
Full
Communion
Full
Communion
Baptized
,
and
added
to
the
Church
,
Vnion
with
the
Church
sealed
by
Baptism
Baptism
is
a
Seal
of
Vnion
with
the
Church
,
(
being
unbaptized
:
The
Subject
of
Baptism
whole
Subject
it self
of
Baptism
full
Communion
with
an
instituted
Church
,
being
unbaptized
.
full
Communion
with
an
instituted
Church
,
being
unbaptized
.
Though
those
in
were
not
in
full
Communion
actually
before
Baptism
,
yet
they
were
admitted
to
a
state
and
right
to
full
Communion
by
their
Baptism
,
which
these
Children
in
question
are
not
.
What
state
or
right
the
Baptized
are
partakers
of
,
as
a
consequent
fruit
of
Baptism
received
?
What
it
is
that
constitutes
a
person
to
be
a
fit
Subject
to
be
Baptized
?
Subject
of
Baptism
Who
are
the
proper
Subjects
of
Church-membership
?
Confederating
visible
Believers
,
and
their
seed
That
the
proper
Subject
of
Church-membership
,
is
a
person
in
full
communion
with
an
instituted
Church
One
that
is
under
the
Teaching
and
Rule
of
Church-Officers
,
which
are
the
fruits
of
Church-membership
received
:
we
are
Baptized
into
one
Body
.
a
state
and
right
About
persons
already
in
the
Church
,
and
Baptized
,
whether
in
such
,
the
ground
of
Baptizing
their
seed
,
be
Faith
and
Grace
made
visible
in
the
same
manner
,
their
Interest
in
the
Covenant
visible
Believers
and
converts
Whether
yet
(
so
long
as
they
continue
in
the
Church
)
their
Infant-seed
shall
not
be
Baptized
?
Right
to
Baptism
That
Covenant-Promise
which
God
made
with
You
are
the
children
of
the
Covenant
which
God
made
with
our
fathers
I
will
be
thy
God
,
and
the
God
of
thy
seed
in
their
generations
God
is
the
God
of
his
People
.
If
the
Covenant-promise
to
and
his
seed
,
be
a
ground
to
Repent
and
be
Baptizsed
in
the
Gospel-dispensation
,
then
it
is
the
Covenant
of
God
with
his
visible
Church
that
gives
right
to
Baptism
.
But
the
Covenant-promise
was
a
ground
to
Repent
and
be
Baptized
,
in
Gospel-dispensation
,
Therefore
it
is
the
Covenant
of
God
with
his
visible
Church
,
that
gives
right
to
Baptism
:
Richard
Mather
Well
agreeing
with
this
is
the
Answer
of
Reverend
Mr.
in
his
Catechism
full
communion
Visible
Church
viz.
That
the
Members
of
the
visible
Church
according
to
Scripture
,
are
confederate
visible
Believers
,
and
their
Infant-seed
:
That
by
visible
Believers
,
they
intend
true
Believers
to
the
judgement
of
charity
.
That
visible
Believers
,
and
their
Infant-seed
,
are
rightly
distinguished
.
wrapped
up
in
their
Parents
as
not
being
Believers
,
never
so
called
in
Scripture
.
How
can
they
believe
that
know
not
the
right
hand
from
the
left
?
They
have
no
Faith
actual
or
habitual
,
nor
can
have
,
without
a
Miracle
,
and
we
hold
Miracles
are
ceased
.
One
of
these
little
ones
that
believe
in
me
doth
believe
with
all
his
heart
,
Pricked
at
the
heart
,
Gladly
receive
the
Word
,
Many
are
called
,
but
few
chosen
.
Ananias
,
Simon
Magus
God
is
their
God
without
God
a
Seal
of
the
Righteousness
of
Faith
,
Baptized
into
Christ
Of
such
is
the
Kingdome
of
God
It
is
their
Parents
Faith
that
is
accepted
for
them
,
not
any
thing
in
their
own
persons
:
God
for
their
God
Heathens
and
Publicans
It
is
meet
I
should
think
thus
of
you
all
,
because
you
are
in
my
heart
.
Samuel
,
Timothy
●ount
them
as
Heathens
and
Publicans
.
That
though
they
be
Members
in
general
,
yet
Infant-seed
are
onely
foederally
holy
;
others
that
have
taken
hold
of
the
Covenant
,
are
sanctified
in
Christ
Jesus
,
These
have
a
Parental
and
partial
Right
,
nor
compleat
and
perfect
.
Thus
the
Lord
speaks
So
Dr.
distinction
into
Perfect
and
Imperfect
Foederal
Holiness
Sanctified
in
Christ
Jesus
Foederal
Holiness
They
are
in
Covenant
with
God
,
God
is
their
God
They
are
his
People
,
An
holy
People
to
himself
,
A
Royal
Priesthood
,
A
Chosen
Generation
,
Sanctified
in
Christ
Jesus
Saints
,
and
Faithful
in
Christ
Jesus
?
1
Cor.
holy
seed
1
Cor.
These
have
Parental
and
partial
Right
,
Parental
Right
a
partial
Right
God
loved
their
fathers
,
and
therefore
chose
their
seed
after
them
perfect
Members
them
out
of
Egypt
with
great
power
,
their
little
ones
established
to
be
a
People
to
God
,
Children
of
the
faithful
are
to
be
numbred
amongst
the
faithful
,
as
Members
of
the
Church
,
for
they
are
partakers
of
the
same
Covenant
,
and
also
of
the
same
Profession
with
their
Parents
:
yet
Infants
are
not
so
perfect
Members
of
the
Church
,
that
they
can
exercise
acts
of
Communion
,
or
be
admitted
to
partake
of
all
Priviledges
,
untill
the
increase
of
Faith
appeareth
;
but
from
those
things
that
pertain
to
the
beginning
of
Faith
,
and
entrance
into
the
Church
,
they
are
not
to
be
excluded
.
Imperfect
Members
acts
of
Communion
Infants
of
the
faithful
the
beginning
of
Faith
be
admitted
to
acts
of
Communion
,
as
the
increase
of
their
Faith
appeareth
:
to
come
to
them
by
their
Covenant
in
Infancy
.
But
Membership
is
a
word
of
Relation
,
and
therefore
cannot
admit
of
degrees
of
more
or
less
.
That
it
is
a
clear
exception
from
the
general
Rule
,
That
such
Relations
,
the
foundation
whereof
is
Quality
or
Action
,
do
admit
of
diversity
of
degrees
;
as
Similitude
is
a
Relation
grounded
on
some
Quality
;
one
thing
may
be
more
or
less
like
another
:
so
Calefaction
,
Degrees
of
more
or
less
In
both
which
respects
the
Membership
of
the
Infants
Faith
,
and
act
of
Confederation
being
grounded
on
the
Parents
Faith
,
is
rightly
distinguished
from
the
Membership
of
such
as
are
adult
,
which
is
grounded
on
their
own
Faith
and
Confederation
.
I
will
be
thy
God
,
and
the
God
of
thy
seed
:
Whose
next
Parents
are
in
Covenant
:
Parental
Covenant
and
Personal
with
presupposed
Faith
and
Repentance
:
the
former
they
count
insufficient
to
capacitate
the
next
seed
to
Baptism
.
actual
,
not
actual
;
personal
,
not
personal
Parental
Covenant
,
and
personal
;
immediate
,
and
mediate
;
perfect
,
and
imperfect
:
That
the
Parental
Covenant
cannot
capacitate
their
seed
to
Baptism
;
That
their
Membership
by
Parental
Covenant
lasts
no
longer
then
minority
,
The
personal
Covenant
of
such
,
makes
them
Members
;
is
the
Form
of
their
Membership
,
the
Law
and
Testimony
Parental
and
Personal
Covenant
Gods
Covenant
My
Covenant
The
little
ones
stood
to
enter
into
Covenant
with
the
Lord
their
God
.
I
entred
into
Covenant
with
thee
,
and
thou
becamest
mine
.
one
Body
many
Members
the
Seal
of
the
covenant
all
Baptized
into
one
Body
no
Schism
in
the
Body
Body
be
one
as
actual
and
personal
Members
not
actual
nor
personal
a
parental
covenant
I
am
not
actually
of
the
Body
,
there
is
but
one
Baptism
I
am
of
the
Body
personally
,
You
are
no
actual
Members
of
it
?
All
are
Baptized
into
Christ
,
and
are
all
one
in
Christ
.
personal
Covenant
The
Lord
our
God
made
a
covenant
with
us
in
Horeb.
The
Lord
made
not
this
covenant
with
our
fathers
,
but
with
us
;
even
us
,
who
are
all
of
us
here
alive
this
day
.
God
made
that
Covenant
with
them
,
even
with
their
own
persons
:
Parental
Covenant
Not
with
our
fathers
onely
with
them
not
with
us
as
wrapped
up
with
,
or
in
our
fathers
.
With
us
Even
with
us
With
us
that
are
now
alive
,
their
fathers
that
were
dead
Parental
Covenant
The
Covenant
of
their
fathers
of
the
Lord
God
of
their
fathers
,
I
will
not
abhor
them
But
I
will
for
their
sakes
remember
the
covenant
of
their
Ancestors
,
whom
I
brought
out
of
Egypt
:
Parental
Covenant
Parental
Covenant
it
cannot
capacitate
their
seed
to
Baptism
;
Is
not
sufficient
to
establish
their
seed
to
be
a
people
to
God
;
Will
not
reach
beyond
the
minority
of
their
seed
,
That
although
these
Distinctions
be
not
so
expresly
found
in
Scripture-phrase
,
yet
the
nature
of
the
subject
doth
admit
such
Distinctions
.
in
adjecto
A
Member
No
Member
Personal
Covenant
Gods
Covenant
Immediate
Members
,
Perfect
Parental
Covenant
cannot
capacitate
their
seed
for
Baptism
.
For
so
the
Covenant
should
be
intailed
to
a
thousand
generations
.
Parental
Covenant
An
everlasting
Covenant
to
be
a
God
to
their
seed
,
from
generation
to
generation
to
such
as
keep
his
Covenant
,
to
a
thousand
generations
,
had
the
Parental
Covenant
,
but
were
not
Established
thereby
.
Personal
Covenant
by
Profession
of
Faith
and
Repentance
,
The
immediate
Parents
Vnbelief
breaks
off
the
Covenant
from
their
seed
,
capacitate
their
seed
to
Baptism
Establish
a
People
rejecting
Christ
,
that
Seed
in
whom
all
were
to
be
blessed
.
Baptism
is
,
as
Circumcision
was
,
A
Seal
of
the
Righteousness
of
Faith
,
which
is
invisible
in
those
children
that
should
transmit
Baptism
.
a
Seal
of
the
Righteousness
of
Faith
:
restrains
Baptism
to
the
next
seed
of
such
Parents
as
manifest
Repentance
and
Effectual
calling
,
and
is
of
more
weight
then
any
Argument
from
far-fetched
and
uncertain
consequences
out
of
the
Old
Testament
.
That
the
Promise
or
Covenant
is
the
ground
of
Baptism
.
far-fetched
Consequences
from
the
Old
Testament
,
viz.
So
that
the
Priviledges
are
onely
continued
to
the
seed
of
the
next
Parents
,
that
continue
in
the
Covenant
,
and
are
not
broken
off
.
THat
the
Infant-seed
of
Confederate
visible
Believers
,
are
Members
of
the
same
Church
with
their
Parents
,
and
when
grown
up
,
are
personally
under
the
Watch
and
Government
of
that
Church
.
Reform
the
corruptions
of
Youth
The
whole
Cause
was
given
up
in
that
Proposition
when
it
is
said
,
They
are
personally
under
the
Watch
of
the
Church
;
the
meaning
is
not
,
that
they
have
an
actual
,
personal
,
and
immediate
Membership
,
which
is
proper
to
those
in
full
communion
,
but
onely
that
the
Church-watch
,
in
the
dispensation
of
it
,
should
reach
unto
their
persons
:
which
was
publickly
expressed
in
the
Meeting-house
by
us
.
Members
of
the
Church
Baptized
into
the
Body
of
Christ
,
They
are
personally
under
the
Watch
and
Government
of
the
Church
,
thus
to
reach
their
persons
reach
their
persons
By
Discipline
,
we
do
not
intend
Excommunication
,
which
is
proper
to
Offenders
in
full
communion
;
for
how
can
they
be
cast
out
of
full
communion
that
were
never
in
it
?
Let
him
be
as
an
Heathen
and
Publican
.
to
Satan
,
for
the
destruction
of
the
flesh
,
that
the
Spirit
may
be
saved
,
the
Church
may
disown
them
,
and
declare
them
to
be
no
Members
,
upon
their
deserting
of
the
Church
,
and
the
Covenant
of
their
fathers
,
by
such
a
Sentence
as
pronounced
to
the
power
of
giving
the
Holy
Ghost
pray
to
God
for
pardon
cast
out
Profession
of
Faith
own
the
Covenant
the
Lambs
of
Christs
Flock
a
Covenant
with
his
People
their
seed
Abundant
Means
of
their
Salvation
to
his
whole
Family-Church
daily
ordinary
Sacrifices
solemn
and
extraordinary
the
whole
Congregation
To
Israel
pertain
the
Adoption
,
the
Glory
,
and
the
Covenants
,
and
the
giving
of
the
Law
,
and
the
Service
of
God
,
and
the
Promises
,
Ministry
of
the
Word
Visible
Church
for
their
Salvation
Wonderfull
Patience
of
God
children
of
God
were
so
corrupt
,
to
destroy
all
flesh
an
hundred
and
twenty
years
Noah
a
Preacher
of
Righteousness
Judah
,
sending
his
Prophets
early
and
late
,
till
there
was
no
remedy
To
the
seven
Churches
of
Asia
,
Come
quickly
Compassion
and
Bowels
the
Lord
expresseth
himself
How
shall
I
give
thee
up
,
O
Ephraim
?
my
Repentings
are
kindled
together
O
Jerusalem
,
how
oft
would
I
have
gathered
thee
,
as
an
Hen
her
Chickens
?
Weepover
Jerusalem
,
saying
,
O
that
thou
hadst
known
at
least
in
this
thy
day
!
Brethrens
Way
the
Promise
doth
belong
To
be
their
God
His
People
Actual
personal
Members
Distinguish
them
out
of
the
Church
.
Church-watch
and
Discipline
Destroy
the
Flesh
,
and
Save
the
Soul
,
Saving
Faith
and
Grace
so
soon
as
they
come
to
adult
age
,
No
Members
Gods
Way
Way
of
these
Brethren
Way
of
God
.
The
Reasons
of
the
Synod
to
prove
their
Continuance
in
the
Church
.
Eight
Reasons
They
are
personally
under
the
Watch
and
Discipline
of
the
Church
,
viz.
That
Church-members
admitted
in
minority
,
understanding
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
,
and
publickly
professing
their
Assent
thereto
;
not
scandalous
in
life
,
and
solemnly
owning
the
Covenant
before
the
Church
,
wherein
they
give
up
themselves
and
children
to
the
Lord
,
and
subject
themselves
to
the
Government
of
Christ
in
the
Church
;
That
their
Membership
still
continueth
in
adult
age
,
and
ceaseth
not
with
their
Infancy
.
Reas. 1. Because in Scripture persons are broken off onely for notorious sins , or incorrigible impenitency and unbelief ; not for growing up to adult age , Rom 11.20 .
Not
simply
for
growing
up
,
but
for
such
accessaries
as
may
attend
adult
age
.
doth
not
say
onely
for
notorious
sins
,
Negative
unbelief
,
Neglecting
the
means
of
Grace
,
Not
Professing
the
Faith
,
and
the
fruits
thereof
,
may
give
cause
of
breaking
off
.
And
to
such
,
though
our
patience
and
expectation
ought
to
be
large
and
long
,
yet
it
may
be
tired
out
at
last
,
and
come
to
a
period
.
Patience
of
the
Church
be
tired
out
.
Negative
unbelief
Neglect
of
the
means
of
Grace
,
Not
professing
of
the
Faith
,
and
the
fruits
thereof
,
broken
off
Profess
the
Faith
,
and
the
fruits
thereof
,
giving
up
themselves
to
God
submitting
to
the
Government
of
Christ
in
his
Church
:
broken
off
Negative
unbelief
Neglect
of
the
means
of
Grace
,
Not
professing
of
the
Faith
Continuance
impen●tently
in
such
Neglects
,
after
due
means
,
with
due
patience
used
by
the
Church
,
Incorrigible
Impenitency
in
sin
wrapped
up
in
their
Parents
Foederal
Holiness
Not
onely
for
notorious
sins
Notorious
sins
Incorrigible
Impenitency
broken
off
Negative
unbelief
Reas. 2. The Jewish children circumcised , did not cease to be Members by growing up to adult age , but continued in the Church , and were bound to the Duties of Members , Deut. 26 . 2-10 . & 16 . 16-17 . Gal. 53.
The
circumcised
Jews
did
not
cease
to
be
Members
simply
for
growing
up
,
but
for
growing
out
of
kinde
.
They
became
degenerate
Plants
Children
of
the
Negroes
;
Bastard
Branches
to
be
cut
off
,
ceasing
to
be
Members
Word
of
the
Lord
to
Jerusalem
,
the
thirteenth
year
of
Josiah
His
People
in
the
dayes
of
Vzziah
King
of
Judah
,
and
Joash
the
son
of
Jeroboam
King
of
Israel
,
removed
Israel
out
of
his
sight
.
unfruitful
Branches
in
Christ
the
ceasing
of
Church-membership
in
adult
age
.
Prophesied
by
Baal
;
That
played
the
harlot
on
every
high
hill
,
A
degenerate
plant
Covetousness
and
Oppression
ceased
to
be
Members
in
adult
age
,
Entring
into
Covenant
Entring
into
a
new
Membership
Entring
into
Renewing
the
Covenant
Reas. 3. Those Relations of Bond-servants and Subjects , which the Scripture maketh use of to set forth the state of the children of the Church by , Levit. 25.41 , 42. Ezek. 37.25 . do not cease with Infancy , but continue in adult age , whereby they are engaged to duty when they are most fit for it . So here .
The
Relation
of
the
Son
of
the
Bond-woman
may
cease
in
adult
age
,
as
much
more
of
the
Bond-servant
cast
out
By
this
Reason
,
Moral
wickedness
should
not
cut
off
adult
Members
,
for
that
doth
not
cut
off
the
Relation
of
Bond-servants
.
Similitudes
run
on
all
four
serve
with
their
parents
unto
the
year
o●
Jubile
,
Because
they
are
my
Servants
,
saith
the
Lord
.
the
Servant
of
the
Lord
I
am
thy
Servant
,
the
Son
of
thine
Handmaid
,
Moral
Wickedness
Reas. 4. There is no ordinary way of cessation of Church-membership but by Death , Dismission , Excommunication , or Dissolution of the Society ; none of which is the case of the children in question .
This
is
to
be
understood
of
Members
in
full
communion
,
which
these
adult
children
are
not
.
Dissolution
of
the
Society
There
are
many
other
wayes
of
the
cessation
of
Church-members
;
they
may
Excommunicate
themselves
(
as
Mr.
The
Assembly
at
the
and
Dr.
affirm
.
)
Also
by
Withdrawing
;
sometimes
commanded
of
God
,
Also
by
Apostacy
By
Heresie
,
as
Arrians
,
Quakers
,
Excommunicate
themselves
Lawful
Withdrawing
Lawful
Withdrawing
Turning
away
from
such
Avoiding
those
Withdrawing
from
the
Church
it self
for
their
sakes
,
render
a
reason
thereof
Cain
,
Ishmael
,
Esau
Excommunicate
themselves
cast
out
by
the
Lord
.
A
Vagabond
and
Fugitive
in
the
earth
From
thy
face
shall
I
be
hid
,
when
he
would
have
inherited
the
Blessing
,
he
was
rejected
,
the
Sons
of
Abraham
by
Keturah
,
Excommunicated
themselves
Open
and
Obstinate
Hereticks
and
Aposta●es
:
B●nde
and
Loose
in
Heaven
,
what
is
Bound
and
Loosed
on
Earth
,
viz.
To
reduce
and
save
Offenders
,
To
purge
the
Church
To
vindicate
the
Name
and
Glory
of
God
,
in
bearing
fall
testimony
against
Scandals
,
You
have
approved
your selves
to
be
clear
in
this
matter
:
For
the
Example
and
Terrour
of
others
,
Arrian
,
Quaker
,
Turk
Acquit
the
Church
,
Vindicate
the
Name
and
Glory
of
God
,
in
bearing
full
testimony
against
such
Scandals
,
tend
to
the
Terrour
of
others
:
Withdraw
himself
,
Renounce
the
Church
,
Excommunicated
himself
It
is
sufficient
punishment
and
judgement
of
God
,
to
leave
a
man
so
to
Excommunicate
himself
.
Ans.
save
the
Offender
by
Excommunication
to
destroy
the
flesh
save
his
Soul
Forsaking
of
the
assembling
of
themselves
,
Going
out
cut
off
If
the
foot
saith
,
I
am
not
of
the
Body
,
is
it
therefore
not
of
the
Body
?
Reas. 5. These adult persons are Members or Non-members ; if Non-members , then a person admitted a Member , and sealed by Baptism , not cast out , nor deserving so to be , may ( the Church still remaining ) become a Non-member , out of the Church , and of the unclean world : which the Scripture acknowledgeth not .
Members
and
Non-members
are
not
opposites
,
but
with
taking
in
the
conditions
of
all
opposites
,
as
in
this
case
or
in
the
same
respect
)
they
may
be
Non-members
in
full
communion
,
and
yet
Members
in
Parental
Right
.
Whether
these
be
Members
in
full
Communion
?
Whether
that
Membership
which
was
sealed
up
unto
them
in
Baptism
,
doth
continue
in
adult
age
?
They
may
deserve
Censures
,
though
not
put
upon
them
.
deserved
Censures
they
may
deserve
Censures
THese
adult
persons
are
not
therefore
to
be
admitted
to
full
Communion
,
meerly
because
they
are
,
and
continue
Members
,
without
such
further
Qualifications
as
the
Word
of
God
requireth
thereunto
.
Whether
there
are
,
or
should
be
in
the
Church
,
such
persons
as
have
publickly
and
personally
Covenanted
,
that
are
not
in
full
Communion
?
Because
publick
and
personal
Covenanting
is
the
formality
of
a
Church-member
;
such
have
all
the
constituent
causes
,
and
so
all
the
consequences
of
the
Form
,
and
all
the
priviledges
of
that
Subject
,
which
in
this
case
is
full
Communion
.
Hence
the
Form
introduced
,
and
the
Covenant
personally
owned
,
doth
necessarily
imply
all
the
priviledges
belonging●th
reunto
.
Publick
and
Personal
Covenanting
is
not
the
Form
of
Church-membership
.
Seal
of
Baptism
set
thereto
Owning
of
the
Covenant
Form
of
their
Membership
Qualifications
as
the
Word
of
God
r●quireth
thereunto
.
Eat
judgement
to
himself
Because
those
that
were
admitted
by
personal
Covenant
in
the
Primitive
Church
,
continued
in
full
Communion
,
Owning
the
Covenant
Because
this
Doctrine
presupposeth
,
that
what
Knowledge
,
Faith
and
Repentance
is
required
in
adult
persons
coming
to
Baptism
,
is
not
sufficient
to
the
Lords
Supper
.
Examine
themselves
,
and
discern
the
Lords
Body
.
Against
the
Baptizing
of
In●ants
That
Infants
Baptized
may
partake
of
the
Lords
Supper
.
CHurch-members
who
were
admitted
in
minority
,
understanding
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
,
and
publickly
professing
their
Assent
thereto
;
not
scandalous
in
life
,
and
solemnly
owning
the
Covenant
before
the
Church
,
wherein
they
give
up
themselves
and
their
children
to
the
Lord
,
and
subject
themselves
to
the
Government
of
Christ
in
the
Church
,
their
children
are
to
be
Baptized
.
"
This
Proposition
doth
stumble
us
most
Because
,
there
being
three
Expressions
propounded
,
this
swerveth
further
then
the
other
from
the
Scripture
.
That
they
all
swerved
from
the
Scripture
,
which
swerved
most
from
it
swerveth
most
in
the
former
Expressions
it
was
required
,
they
should
understand
the
Grounds
of
Religion
;
here
,
no
more
then
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
:
So
that
they
may
be
ignorant
of
the
Doctrine
of
the
Moral
Law
,
and
so
have
no
knowledge
of
Sin
,
of
the
Duties
of
Holiness
,
Righteousness
,
Sabbaths
,
Doctrine
of
Faith
Grounds
of
Religion
strive
for
the
Faith
of
the
Gospel
,
He
had
kept
the
Faith
Contend
for
the
Faith
that
Faith
fi●●●y
Dreamers
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
the
Doctrine
of
the
Moral
Law
.
The
Doctrine
of
Faith
A
Declaration
of
their
Faith
and
Order
A
few
Names
that
are
stedfast
in
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
?
The
Doctrine
of
the
Moral
Law
,
The
Grounds
of
Religion
In
the
second
Expression
it
was
required
,
that
they
should
be
Examined
of
their
sense
of
their
need
of
Christ
,
and
desires
after
him
;
here
,
only
of
their
Assent
to
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
,
which
the
Devils
may
have
.
sense
of
their
need
of
Christ
,
and
desires
after
him
,
Assent
to
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
,
their
Continuance
in
the
visible
Church
?
The
former
required
,
that
they
should
give
Satisfaction
for
any
Offence
they
had
fallen
into
;
here
,
onely
that
they
are
not
Scandalous
in
life
.
The
former
,
Offences
,
comprehend
Original
Sin
,
or
any
other
committed
against
God
or
man
,
Scandal
in
lif●
,
noteth
onely
Notorious
sins
,
and
a
course
therein
.
Original
Sin
Offences
to
God
or
man
?
Be
not
many
masters
;
for
in
many
things
we
offend
all
:
Love
beareth
all
things
Bear
one
anothers
burthens
Forbearing
one
another
Woe
to
him
that
scandalizeth
one
of
these
little
ones
Not
to
be
scandalous
in
life
,
Satisfaction
for
Offences
that
are
fallen
into
.
In
the
former
was
said
,
They
should
own
the
Covenant
of
their
Parents
;
here
,
onely
the
Covenant
:
which
may
extend
to
Grandfathers
,
next
Parents
The
Covenant
of
their
Parents
These
things
thus
weighed
,
may
suffice
to
discover
,
whether
there
be
not
just
cause
for
us
to
deny
our
Consent
to
such
kinde
of
Members
as
these
.
Because
this
crosseth
the
two
former
Propositions
,
which
make
the
proper
Subjects
of
Baptism
,
Confederate
visible
Believers
and
their
seed
:
whereas
these
,
though
so
qualified
,
are
not
(
neither
Parents
nor
Children
)
visible
Believers
;
for
the
vilest
persons
may
have
these
,
yea
,
they
that
commit
the
sin
unto
Death
may
have
these
,
There
are
washed
Swine
Confederate
visible
Believers
their
God
His
People
,
His
Children
Righteousness
of
Faith
into
Christ
Own
this
God
,
Submit
to
his
Rules
,
The
vilest
persons
may
have
these
Not
scandalous
in
life
vile
persons
fall
away
visible
Believers
But
their
giving
up
of
themselves
and
their
children
to
God
,
implies
Faith
,
that
it
may
imply
Faith
,
but
in
persons
no
better
qualified
it
cannot
imply
it
.
There
is
a
giving
up
of
the
First-born
of
man
and
beast
to
God
,
That
in
such
persons
no
better
qualified
it
cannot
imply
Faith
,
hopeth
all
things
it
may
imply
i●
Jesus
Christ
is
the
Son
of
God
,
There
is
a
giving
up
of
the
First-born
of
man
and
beast
to
God
Where
there
is
no
Foederal
Holiness
,
there
is
no
right
to
Baptism
.
But
where
neither
Parent
is
a
Believer
,
there
is
no
Covenant-holiness
,
where
not
onely
one
of
the
Parents
must
be
in
Covenant
,
but
a
Believer
,
that
the
children
be
foederally
holy
.
Neither
is
it
rightly
Objected
,
That
a
Believer
is
opposed
there
to
an
Infidel
:
for
the
children
were
not
upon
their
ceasing
to
be
Infidels
,
Believers
:
So
that
themselves
were
Believers
,
or
their
children
foederally
holy
;
They
were
The
Church
of
God
Sanctified
in
Christ
Jesus
Faithfull
in
Christ
the
Parents
must
be
not
onely
in
Church-covenant
,
but
also
Believers
?
That
in
ceasing
to
be
Infidels
they
were
Believers
in
Ecclesiastical
account
,
Be
not
unequally
yoked
with
Vnbelievers
,
What
part
hath
a
Believer
with
an
Infidel
?
unequally
yoked
Lydia
and
her
house
were
Baptized
together
,
That
else
,
or
otherwise
were
your
children
unclean
,
cannot
be
meant
onely
of
Infidels
;
for
so
we
may
make
mad
work
of
Scripture
:
as
Jehovah
is
God
,
and
none
else
;
if
any
should
say
,
There
may
be
another
God
to
the
Gentiles
,
it
would
be
a
sad
Exception
:
So
Repent
,
or
I
will
come
against
thee
;
shall
another
Church
say
,
It
will
not
be
so
with
us
?
to
be
holy
the
holiness
of
the
Covenant
to
be
unclean
strangers
from
the
Covenant
without
God
in
the
world
There
is
no
God
else
There
may
be
another
God
to
the
Gentiles
Your
children
are
clean
else
unclean
sad
an
Exception
Jehovah
is
God
,
and
none
else
,
Yet
there
may
be
another
God
to
the
Gentiles
yet
belong
not
to
us
Your
children
are
holy
Not
so
,
but
onely
the
children
of
Members
in
full
Communion
are
holy
,
The
being
in
Covenant
doth
not
priviledge
to
Baptism
,
without
visible
Repentance
in
Parents
,
The
Jews
were
in
Covenant
,
and
pricked
to
the
heart
,
yet
they
were
openly
called
to
Repent
:
So
&c.
Rom.
Persons
regularly
admitted
,
and
continuing
in
the
Church
.
The
Covenant
is
limited
to
such
as
obey
God
,
and
therefore
the
Priviledges
of
the
Covenant
,
He
keepeth
Covenant
and
Mercy
to
them
that
love
him
.
the
saving
Benefits
of
the
Covenant
,
the
Outward
Priviledges
thereof
God
keepeth
Mercy
and
Covenant
to
them
that
love
him
?
You
have
been
rebellious
against
the
Lord
ever
since
I
knew
you
.
holy
seed
From
the
tenour
and
manner
of
the
Covenant
made
with
when
God
saw
his
heart
faithful
before
him
.
So
Walk
before
me
,
and
be
upright
,
and
I
will
be
a
God
to
thee
and
thy
seed
,
Love
him
,
Obey
him
,
Walk
uprightly
before
him
:
They
that
are
of
the
Faith
,
are
blessed
with
faithful
Abraham
:
Corinth
,
Galatia
Churches
of
Asia
Removed
their
Candlesticks
suffer
such
The
Covenant-Blessing
was
conveyed
with
Circumcision
successively
to
the
following
generations
.
We
must
consider
,
that
that
is
expressed
to
be
the
Blessing
of
that
should
come
upon
the
Gentiles
,
not
the
Covenant
of
as
Mr.
hath
judic●ously
noted
upon
the
place
.
Covenant
,
and
the
Blessing
thereof
,
is
confirmed
onely
to
those
that
walk
uprightly
with
God
,
as
Abraham
:
Ishmael
His
blessing
prevailed
above
the
blessing
of
his
Progenitors
.
Abraham
,
Isaac
Profaneness
he
was
rejected
Everlasting
Covenant
be
a
God
to
his
seed
af●er
him
in
their
generations
?
Covenant
of
Abraham
in
the
Gentile
Churches
.
It
will
be
said
,
God
promised
that
he
would
be
a
God
to
him
and
his
seed
in
their
generations
,
for
an
everlasting
Covenant
.
Is
it
that
all
the
carnall
seed
of
in
all
succeeding
generations
,
should
have
God
to
be
their
God
?
Then
the
Jews
are
not
yet
broken
off
;
contrary
to
This
seed
is
Onely
such
of
the
carnall
seed
with
whom
the
Covenant
was
established
,
by
walking
in
the
steps
of
His
spirituall
seed
,
who
are
onely
meant
in
that
Everlasting
covenant
.
the
Carnall
seed
A
Carnall
seed
To
deny
Baptism
to
them
The
holy
Seed
,
An
holy
Nation
,
Royall
Priesthood
,
Your
children
are
holy
Carnall
seed
an●holy
People
to
the
Lord
.
Carnall
seed
Spirituall
seed
Everlasting
Covenant
Walk
in
the
Faith
of
Abraham
,
It
is
irregular
to
receive
persons
with
no
better
Qualifications
into
Covenant
;
we
mean
,
Ignorant
,
unbelieving
,
and
impenitent
persons
,
into
Publick
and
Personal
Covenant
.
Church-covena●ters
must
be
visible
Saints
,
Faith
,
Repentance
and
Obedience
are
required
to
Covenant
with
God
.
It
is
a
palpable
untruth
for
an
Vnbeliever
to
engage
himself
to
keep
the
Lords
Covenant
,
whereof
Faith
is
the
condition
,
they
are
in
Covenant
Owning
of
the
Covenant
Ignorant
persons
Impenitent
sinners
,
and
Vnbelievers
God
hath
received
His
children
without
Scandall
give
up
themselves
to
God
,
Submit
to
his
Government
hate
instruction
consent
with
Thieves
partake
with
Adulterers
give
their
mouthes
to
evill
Faith
,
Repentance
and
Obedience
be
required
of
all
Covenanters
with
God
That
Practice
that
exposeth
the
Blood
of
Christ
to
contempt
,
Baptism
to
profanation
,
the
Church
to
pollution
,
is
not
to
be
admitted
.
But
the
Baptizing
of
the
children
of
such
as
are
not
visible
Believers
doth
all
this
.
Therefore
it
is
not
to
be
admitted
.
God
hath
received
Believers
,
Baptized
into
Christ
Because
these
adult
children
,
if
they
were
not
Baptized
themselves
,
might
not
be
Baptized
in
this
estate
,
and
therefore
cannot
intitle
their
seed
unto
it
.
A
man
must
stand
possessed
of
a
right
,
before
he
can
make
it
over
to
another
.
Acts
are
void
in
Law
.
Because
there
is
but
one
way
of
Entrance
into
the
Church
for
all
sorts
of
persons
,
which
way
is
not
here
mentioned
,
and
this
way
is
Christ
,
But
this
Proposition
holdeth
forth
no
personall
Entrance
by
Christ
:
if
they
be
gotten
some
other
way
,
they
are
Thieves
and
Robbers
.
The
danger
is
seen
in
him
that
had
not
on
the
Wedding-garment
,
the
Righteousness
of
Christ
:
which
being
so
pernicious
,
how
can
the
Church
be
blameless
in
bringing
them
this
way
by
Christ
Christ
the
Mediator
of
that
Covenant
?
Baptized
into
Christ
Scaled
up
to
them
in
Baptism
?
The
covenant
of
God
in
Christ
,
Solemnly
owned
by
them
,
wherein
they
give
up
themselves
to
God
,
and
submit
to
the
Government
of
Christ
in
the
Church
The
danger
of
wanting
the
Wedding-garment
,
danger
is
so
great
The
hireling
careth
not
for
the
sheep
.
Lambs
of
Christ
Fold
of
Christ
Looking
diligently
,
lest
any
fail
of
the
grace
of
God
,
lest
there
be
a
profane
person
,
as
who
for
a
morsell
of
meat
sold
his
Birthright
.
Precious
Birthright
Ten
Reasons
Their
Tenent
is
laden
with
Reproaches
of
Anabaptism
,
That
the
Covenant
of
God
with
and
his
seed
,
is
the
Gospel-covenant
,
and
doth
belong
to
the
Faithfull
and
their
seed
,
They
are
Members
in
generall
as
wrapped
up
in
their
Parents
Covenant
personal
Members
their
Minority
Ishmael
came
into
the
Church
by
Profession
of
Faith
as
an
adult
Member
at
thirteen
years
of
age
?
adult
age
hey
have
no
right
●o
Church-priviledges
.
Church-watch
and
Government
reach
them
,
but
by
their
Parents
,
Owning
of
the
Covenant
the
Form
of
their
Membership
That
to
Baptize
Infants
,
is
to
set
a
Seal
to
a
Blank
,
or
to
a
Covenant
of
no
use
to
them
.
That
the
Covenant
,
and
the
Priviledges
thereof
,
are
limited
to
those
that
with
walk
with
God
,
whose
heart
was
faithfull
;
who
love
God
,
and
keep
his
commandments
,
Therefore
Infants
wanting
that
Grace
have
no
right
to
the
Covenant
,
or
to
Baptism
the
Priviledge
of
it
?
Scandalous
sins
of
Church-members
in
the
Scripture
,
exposeth
the
Blood
of
Christ
to
contempt
,
Baptism
to
be
profaned
,
bringeth
pollution
into
the
Church
,
it
imparteth
the
Blood
of
the
Covenant
to
those
that
are
not
visible
Believers
,
sets
the
Seal
to
a
Blank
,
severeth
Baptism
from
the
stipulation
of
a
good
conscience
,
bringeth
the
uncircumcised
in
heart
into
the
Sanctuary
.
Infants
have
no
Faith
,
They
are
a
carnall
seed
,
Therefore
to
baptize
Infants
,
is
to
expose
the
Blood
of
Christ
to
contempt
,
We
do
not
require
Faith
and
Grace
in
the
Infants
,
but
in
the
Parents
onely
:
Disciples
,
Members
of
the
visible
Church
,
their
Persons
in
their
Parents
wear
out
a
Reproach
Arg. 1. These children are partakers of the main ground of baptizing any children whatsoever , and neither the parents nor the children do put in any barre to hinder it . This ground is the Interest in the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 , 9 , 10 , 11. Acts 2.39 Col. 2.10 , 11.
Faith
is
the
main
ground
of
Baptism
,
This
is
my
Covenant
which
ye
shall
keep
,
Every
Male-childe
shall
be
circumcised
:
It
shall
be
a
token
of
the
Covenant
between
me
and
you
.
The
Promise
is
to
you
and
your
children
.
the
Church-covenant
is
the
next
ground
of
the
dispensation
of
the
Seals
:
next
ground
More
particularly
the
Covenant
is
not
the
main
ground
of
Baptism
.
For
,
though
they
had
for
their
father
,
yet
's
Baptism
takes
away
that
Plea
,
and
calls
for
Repentance
Reply
.
John
a
People
prepared
for
the
Lord
.
We
must
distinguish
between
the
Covenant
of
Grace
,
and
the
Church-covenant
,
which
differ
very
much
:
for
the
Covenant
of
Grace
belongeth
onely
to
the
Elect
,
and
true
Believers
,
which
the
Church
cannot
infallibly
judge
who
they
are
.
But
the
Church-covenant
(
which
is
the
next
ground
of
the
dispensation
of
the
Seal●
)
requireth
mutuall
consent
of
them
that
are
admitted
into
communion
,
to
walk
with
God
according
to
the
Gospel
.
The
Covenant
of
Grace
is
made
to
the
children
in
the
Parents
,
but
is
established
onely
by
the
restipulation
of
Faith
and
Repentance
,
Thou
standest
by
Faith
.
to
the
Elect
and
true
Believers
made
with
the
childe
in
the
Parents
:
Elect
,
and
true
Believers
requrreth
mutuall
consent
to
walk
with
God
the
Church-covenant
is
the
next
ground
of
Baptism
the
Covenant
of
Grace
is
made
to
the
childe
in
the
Parents
,
the
establishment
is
upon
the
restipulation
of
Faith
:
Thou
standest
by
Faith
,
They
were
a
disobedient
and
gainsaying
people
.
contradicted
and
blasphemed
they
rejected
Christ
the
Corner
stone
:
viz.
Outwardly
I
will
be
thy
God
His
People
Their
God
Church-covenant
requires
they
should
walk
with
God
according
to
the
Gospel
That these in the fifth Proposition are still in Covenant , the Synod proveth , Because they were once in Covenant , and never cut off from it .
The
Lord
himself
discovenants
them
where
the
Lord
takes
away
their
Plea
of
the
Covenant
,
and
tells
them
they
have
the
Devil
for
their
Father
.
And
that
without
any
act
of
Church-discipline
,
They
may
reject
the
counsel
of
God
against
themselves
,
as
the
Pharisees
,
They
may
be
as
Mr.
There
are
other
grounds
of
breaking
off
the
Covenant
,
besides
notorious
sins
,
and
incorrigibleness
therein
;
as
,
Not
standing
by
Faith
,
Not
bringing
forth
f●uit
,
Not
doing
Righteousness
The
lost
sheep
of
the
house
of
Israe●
children
to
whom
Bread
did
belong
,
of
the
Devil
A
generation
of
Vipers
,
Lyars
,
Murtherers
,
without
Scandall
,
Submit
to
the
Government
of
Christ
,
rejected
the
counsel
of
God
against
themselves
,
Owning
Gods
Covenant
,
Giving
up
themselves
to
God
,
Submitting
themselves
to
Discipline
,
take
hold
of
the
Covenant
That
God
himself
doth
discovenant
,
or
cast
out
of
his
visible
Church
,
such
as
bring
not
forth
good
fruit
,
that
commit
sin
,
are
Lyars
,
and
that
without
any
act
of
Church-censure
.
saving
of
Offenders
Purging
of
his
Church
suffering
that
Leaven
Discovenanting
by
God
himself
viz.
To
heal
and
save
the
Sinner
:
The
children
of
the
Parents
in
question
are
either
child
on
of
the
Covenant
,
or
strangers
from
it
,
Holy
,
or
unclean
within
the
Church
,
or
without
,
such
as
have
God
for
their
God
,
or
without
God
in
the
world
,
But
he
that
considereth
the
terms
of
the
Proposition
,
will
not
affirm
the
latter
;
and
the
former
being
granted
,
inferreth
their
right
to
Baptism
.
The
Assumption
is
denied
,
because
the
children
in
question
discovenant
themselves
,
not
keeping
the
conditions
of
the
Covenant
;
Not
walking
with
God
,
Not
loving
God
,
as
they
that
forsake
the
Covenant
of
their
fathers
,
And
what
do
these
that
come
not
up
to
the
conditions
of
it
?
God
may
cast
off
for
sins
of
Omission
,
so
for
not
believing
in
God
.
viz.
Whether
,
and
how
these
Church-members
are
cut
off
from
their
Membership
in
the
visible
Church
?
God
Discovenanteth
them
They
Discovenant
themselve
Church-members
which
do
not
come
up
to
the
conditions
of
the
Covenant
,
To
walk
with
God
,
Love
God
,
keep
his
Commandments
,
Believe
in
God
,
do
Discovenant
themselves
.
But
th●se
Church-members
described
in
the
fifth
Proposition
,
do
not
walk
with
God
,
Love
God
,
Therefore
they
do
Discovenant
themselves
Walk
with
God
.
To
be
upright
,
To
love
God
,
Walk
with
God
,
Love
God
,
Believe
in
God
,
cast
out
The
Lord
keepeth
Covenant
and
Mercy
with
them
that
love
him
,
Holy
People
,
Royall
Nation
forsaking
the
Covenant
forsaking
of
the
Covenant
Walk
with
God
,
Love
God
,
Believe
in
God
with
a
visible
saving
Faith
?
they
went
and
served
other
gods
,
and
worshipped
them
,
the
Lord
rejected
from
being
King
,
Sins
of
Omission
Sins
of
Omission
farre-fetched
and
uncertain
Consequences
from
the
Old
Testament
.
That
these
Parents
in
the
fifth
Proposition
do
not
walk
with
God
,
according
to
the
conditions
of
the
Covenant
.
Walk
with
God
,
Love
Him
,
and
keep
His
Commandments
,
A
keeping
of
the
visible
Covenant
:
Profess
the
Faith
,
are
not
scandalous
in
life
,
give
up
themselves
to
God
,
submit
to
his
Rules
and
government
Obey
Moses
in
all
things
to
fear
him
,
and
keep
his
commandments
,
do
that
which
was
right
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
,
and
to
walk
in
his
wayes
,
Not
to
walk
in
the
wayes
of
the
Lord
,
they
walked
after
Baalim
,
In
the
wayes
of
Jeroboam
,
Self-Excommunication
,
Whether
any
Member
doth
Excommunicate
himself
by
any
act
that
is
not
Excommunicable
(
or
matter
of
Excommunication
)
by
the
Rule
of
Church-discipline
?
The
children
in
question
are
in
a
state
of
Neutrality
at
present
:
and
such
Christ
accounts
to
be
against
him
,
They
are
neither
hot
nor
cold
,
Reply
.
Mat.
for
Christ
Profess
the
Faith
of
Christ
Submit
to
his
government
He
that
is
not
against
us
,
is
for
us
.
A
golden
Candlestick
Stars
in
his
Right
hand
come
in
Arg. 3. From the evil consequences of the contrary Opinion : as , 1. To deny the Proposition , would be to straiten the grace of Christ in the Gospel-dispensation , and to make the Church in the New Testament times , in a worse case , relating to their children successively , then were the Jews of old .
This
doth
not
straiten
the
Gospel-dispensation
,
seeing
it
is
granted
to
be
extended
to
all
Nations
,
and
to
both
Sexes
,
which
was
not
of
old
.
Not
so
,
for
I
have
taken
in
many
adopted
children
:
Not
so
,
for
though
I
kept
my
Family
with
Pulse
before
,
I
now
give
them
much
better
fare
:
This
doth
no
more
straiten
the
grace
of
the
Covenant
,
then
the
keeping
of
Baptized
,
especially
covenanting
Parents
from
the
Lords
Supper
,
seeing
the
circumcised
Jews
were
not
debarred
from
the
passover
.
Gospel-times
are
in
many
respects
Times
of
Reformation
,
and
therefore
to
build
so
much
upon
the
largeness
of
Jewish
practices
,
is
a
great
sin
,
seeing
it
is
a
stretching
of
the
narrow
way
that
leads
to
life
,
to
be
as
wide
as
the
broad
way
that
leads
most
to
destruction
.
viz.
I
will
be
thy
God
,
and
the
God
of
thy
seed
after
thee
in
their
generations
,
This
is
a
stretching
of
the
narrow
way
of
life
,
to
be
as
broad
,
Abraham
in
their
generations
broad
way
to
d●struction
straitness
of
the
way
to
life
,
all
Nations
2d Consequence , To deny the Proposition , is to render the children of the Jews , when they shall be converted , in a worse condition then they were under the Legal-dispensation , contrary to Jer. 30.20 Ezek. 37.25 , 26.
This
is
denied
,
any
more
then
that
they
should
be
in
a
worse
state
if
they
shall
not
have
an
High-Priest
and
Temple-worship
,
when
they
shall
have
in
Christ
a
thousand-fold
more
:
So
here
is
like
reason
in
respect
of
His
abundant
grace
.
abundant
grace
This
doth
no
more
put
them
into
a
worser
state
,
then
transmitting
the
Covenant
now
onely
to
the
next
seed
,
which
before
was
transmitted
to
remote
Posterity
.
His
People
To
the
Scriptures
that
in
speaketh
of
their
return
from
speaketh
of
their
Calling
,
when
they
shall
be
all
righteous
,
and
nothing
shall
hinder
the
continuance
of
the
Covenant
,
David
their
King
,
whom
God
will
raise
up
to
them
the
latter
dayes
At
the
same
time
I
will
be
the
God
of
all
the
families
of
Israel
.
They
shall
be
all
righteous
,
no
stranger
shall
pass
through
them
nothing
shall
hinder
the
continuance
of
the
Covenant
:
Abrahams
seed
in
their
generations
continuance
of
the
Covenant
visible
Faith
and
Righteousness
reall
Faith
There
is
none
righteous
that
sinneth
not
,
3d Consequence . The deniall of the Proposition , denieth the initiatory Seal to such as are regularly in the Church and Covenant , to whom the Mosaicall dispensation , nay the first Institution in the Covenant of Abraham , appointed it to be applied , Gen. 17.9 , 10. Joh. 7.22 , 23.
This
is
a
begging
of
the
Question
:
The
children
in
question
do
not
stand
regularly
under
the
Church-covenant
;
the
contrary
is
plain
Whether
children
received
into
the
Church
,
and
Baptized
in
Infancy
,
and
being
grown
up
,
do
understand
the
Doctrine
of
Faith
,
publickly
Profess
their
Assent
thereto
,
are
not
scandalous
in
life
,
solemnly
own
the
Covenant
before
the
Church
,
wherein
they
give
up
themselves
to
God
,
and
submit
to
the
government
of
Christ
in
the
Church
;
Whether
such
do
not
stand
regularly
in
the
Church
:
Whether
the
Scriptures
named
do
plainly
prove
the
contrary
.
all
the
house
of
Israel
are
uncircumcised
in
heart
.
Discovenanting
them
the
Sword
.
uncircumcised
in
heart
walked
after
Baal
stand
not
regularly
in
the
Church
?
without
respect
of
persons
Circumcision
profited
if
they
kept
the
Law
,
the
Vncircumcision
that
kept
the
Law
,
was
counted
Circumcision
:
He
is
not
a
Jew
that
is
one
outwardly
.
inward
circumcision
of
the
heart
the
circumcision
is
made
uncircumcision
,
by
breaking
the
Law
the
uncircumcision
is
counted
for
circumcision
,
in
them
that
kept
the
Law
:
devout
Souldiers
inward
circumcision
having
its
praise
of
God
,
not
of
men
:
That
the
advantage
of
the
Jew
,
and
profit
of
circumcision
,
was
much
every
way
,
in
the
committing
the
Oracles
of
God
to
them
,
uncircumcised
hearts
viz.
Stealing
,
Adultery
,
Sacriledge
,
&c.
That
these
in
question
are
not
regularly
in
the
Church
,
bringing
in
the
heathen
strangers
an
Abomination
bring
in
an
Israelite
circumcised
in
flesh
,
not
in
heart
,
an
Abomination
strangers
uncircumcised
in
heart
and
flesh
,
as
being
holy
,
were
regularly
received
into
the
Church
,
and
do
not
deserve
to
be
cast
out
Way
of
our
Brethren
Way
of
God
far-fetched
Consequences
plain
Inconsequences
from
the
Old
Testament
.
4th Consequence . That to deny the Proposition , is to break Gods Covenant , by denying the initiatory Seal to those that are in Covenant , Gen 17 9 , 10 , 14.
To
refuse
to
Baptize
one
that
is
not
regularly
in
Covenant
,
is
not
to
break
it
.
Then
it
is
a
breach
like
the
great
Sea
,
to
deny
Communion
in
the
Lords
Supper
to
those
that
have
laid
hold
upon
the
Covenant
,
and
given
up
themselves
to
God
by
solemn
Profession
of
Faith
and
Repentance
,
which
is
now
strongly
pleaded
for
.
deny
Communion
in
the
Lords
Supper
to
such
,
pleaded
for
Solemn
Profession
of
Faith
and
Repentance
Examine
themselves
,
and
discern
the
Lords
body
,
scandalous
persons
Receive
them
to
the
Lords
Table
,
sufficient
to
continue
them
in
the
visible
Church
.
These
Parents
are
confederate
visible
Believers
in
some
degree
,
and
therefore
their
children
are
to
be
Baptized
.
The
Parents
in
question
are
not
such
,
if
we
speak
of
true
visible
Faith
,
which
is
required
lawfulness
of
eating
meats
unclean
by
the
Law
,
in
some
degree
Reas. 1. Charity may observe sundry things for it , but nothing evident against it .
This
is
said
and
denied
by
us
Children
of
the
faithful
,
qualified
but
as
the
persons
in
question
,
are
said
to
be
Faithful
,
Every
one
not
accused
of
Riot
,
to
be
concluded
to
be
of
the
Faith
,
is
not
the
Apostles
intent
,
nor
Orthodox
:
Faithfulness
is
taken
for
Fidelity
,
which
may
be
in
Morall
men
.
Not
given
to
Riot
Children
of
godly
Parents
Educated
in
the
Faith
Not
scandalous
Not
accused
of
Riot
Not
unruly
,
but
subject
to
Government
:
Faithfull
Children
Christian
Believers
Reas. 3. Children of the Covenant have frequently beginnings of grace wrought in them in younger years , as Scripture-examples and Experience sheweth . Hence this sort of persons shewing nothing to the contrary , are in charity , or in Ecclesiasticall reputation , visible Believers .
It
is
extraordinary
to
have
grace
in
Infancy
,
and
therefore
no
Rule
for
ordinary
Church-proceedings
.
younger
years
some
Church-members
of
this
sort
all
of
this
sort
adult
professors
some
have
grace
in
reality
all
that
sort
Many
are
called
,
Few
chosen
:
Reas. 4. These are regularly in the Church , and therefore visible Saints in the account of Scripture , which is the account of Truth , 1 Cor. 1.2 . & 14.33 .
The
children
in
question
are
not
regularly
in
the
Church
,
for
then
the
Parents
being
dead
,
the
children
surviving
should
make
a
Church
,
enjoy
Ordinances
,
chuse
Officers
,
which
is
denied
;
and
it
is
incredible
to
deny
them
that
power
when
their
Parents
are
alive
,
and
they
will
not
be
long
kept
from
putting
it
forth
,
though
they
may
for
a
while
.
viz.
That
all
the
Members
in
a
Church
should
be
so
taken
away
,
that
none
remain
but
such
as
these
children
.
make
a
Church
,
chuse
Officer●
,
which
will
be
denied
make
a
Church
Let
there
be
a
due
watchfulness
of
the
Church
over
these
children
to
fit
them
for
the
Lords
Table
,
and
either
the
Lord
,
in
the
faithfulness
of
his
Covenan●
,
will
sanctifie
their
hearts
to
prepare
them
for
it
;
or
else
he
will
leave
them
to
discover
their
hypocrisie
and
profaneness
in
the
sight
of
all
,
to
prevent
the
pollution
of
his
Table
,
and
the
corruption
of
Discipline
.
Blessing
of
Christ
not
being
kept
from
putting
forth
a
power
to
chuse
Officers
,
&c.
To
the
Scriptures
That
by
a
Church
of
Saints
primarily
,
the
better
part
of
Saints
are
understood
,
the
rest
Synecdochically
,
though
not
so
in
truth
,
yet
so
called
.
so
called
,
though
some
be
not
so
in
truth
,
in
truth
Heathens
and
Publicans
Reas. 5. Being in the Covenant , and Baptized , they have faith given them indefinitely in the Promise , and sealed to them in Baptism , Deut. 30.6 . which continueth valid , and is a valid Testimony for them , whil'st they do not reject it .
The
Promise
is
indefinite
,
not
universal
:
whence
the
Argument
must
be
,
Some
circumcised
or
baptized
ones
are
Believers
:
But
hese
in
question
are
circumcised
or
baptized
ones
:
Therefore
,
or
thus
,
The
Roman
Catholicks
are
baptized
:
Therefore
,
some
children
indefinite
Promise
indefinite
Promise
Heathens
and
Publicans
Roman
Catholicks
Confederate
visible
Believers
Regularly
Baptized
nothing
to
the
contrary
It
is
not
an
indefinite
Promise
there
,
because
it
is
certainly
made
good
to
such
as
return
with
their
Souls
,
An
indefinite
Promise
doth
not
capacitate
all
children
to
receive
the
Seals
.
visible
Believers
in
Ecclesiasticall
reputation
Arg. 5. The deniall of Baptism to these , hath a dangerous tendency to Irreligion and Apostacy , because it denieth the children of the Church to have any part in the Lord , Josh. 22.24 , 25 , 26.
That
thirty
or
fourty
years
experience
in
through
the
mercy
of
God
,
sheweth
the
contrary
.
To
the
Generall
Court
Many
,
Great
,
and
Prevailing
Corruptions
of
Youth
,
Experience
for
thirty
or
fourty
years
,
Irreligion
and
Apostacy
many
more
A
few
Names
in
that
hold
fast
the
Name
of
Christ
,
and
are
stedfast
in
the
Faith
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
and
do
not
own
so
great
an
Apostacy
of
Elders
and
People
,
Arg. 6. The persons in question are personall , immediate , and yet-continuing Members of the Church , and therefore their children are to be Baptized .
personal
membership
immediate
membership
If
the
meaning
be
,
that
the
Promise
to
their
believing
Parents
reacheth
them
,
and
that
they
are
wrapped
up
together
with
them
;
the
Assertion
is
granted
,
as
far
as
concerneth
the
seed
of
Confederating
Believers
in
their
minority
:
But
if
the
meaning
be
,
that
they
are
Members
by
their
own
Personall
act
,
then
it
is
denied
.
Members
wrapped
up
in
their
Parents
,
Members
by
their
own
Personall
act
,
They
are
Members
in
their
own
persons
,
by
the
Lords
actuall
entring
into
Covenant
with
their
persons
distinct
from
their
Parents
,
and
setting
the
Seal
of
the
Covenant
upon
their
persons
Proof 1. They are personally holy , 1 Cor. 7.14 . therefore Members in their own persons .
This
concerns
children
in
minority
,
or
the
seed
of
Believers
and
Members
in
full
Communion
,
and
therefore
it
reacheth
them
not
when
adult
and
grown
.
That
the
foederal
holiness
and
Charch-membership
of
the
church
seed
,
weareth
quite
out
with
their
infancy
or
minority
:
Proof 2. They are personally Baptized , the Seal of Membership is applied to their own persons , which being regularly done , is a divine testimony that they are in their own persons members of the Church .
So
are
the
Papists
in
and
are
they
personal
Members
?
The
were
circumcised
:
there
is
Baptism
regularly
done
regularly
done
in
regularly
applied
to
the
par
ratio
Baptism
regularly
done
not
regularly
done
there
is
like
reason
between
Baptism
in
and
the
Circumcision
of
the
Proof 3. They are personally under Discipline , and liable to Church-censures in their own persons . See Propos. 3.
This
is
granted
in
the
sense
given
before
;
yet
not
so
personal
,
as
to
have
right
to
all
Church-priviledges
,
as
is
confessed
by
all
.
actuall
enjoyment
of
some
Church-priviledges
right
unto
them
actuall
enjoyment
of
them
Such
increase
of
Faith
as
is
requisite
,
Medul.
Lib.
Proof 4. They are personally ( by means of the Covenant ) in a visible state of salvation . To say they are not Members in their own persons , but in their Parents , would be as if one should say , They are saved in their Parents , and not in their own persons .
It
is
granted
they
are
in
a
state
of
Salvation
,
and
nearer
the
Kingdome
of
Heaven
then
Heathens
are
:
but
they
are
not
visibly
at
present
in
a
state
of
Salvation
,
But
to
infer
,
That
if
they
be
not
Members
in
their
own
persons
,
but
in
their
Parents
,
then
they
shall
not
be
saved
in
their
own
persons
,
but
in
their
Parents
;
this
is
utterly
inconsequent
:
unless
in
should
be
said
,
that
all
,
and
onely
they
that
are
Members
in
their
own
persons
,
shall
be
saved
;
which
were
sad
and
Heterodox
.
a
state
of
Salvation
not
visibly
so
at
present
Salvation
is
of
the
Jews
little
ones
Of
such
is
the
Kingdome
of
Heaven
,
state
of
Salvation
this
Membership
Parents
onely
own
persons
visible
state
of
Salvation
Parents
onely
own
persons
in
their
Parents
in
their
own
persons
Gods
Covenant
made
with
their
seed
.
Proof 5. When they commit iniquity , they personally break the Covenane , and therefore they are personal members , Jer. 11.2 , 10. Eze. 16.
The
Covenant
there
spoken
of
is
the
Moral
Law
,
as
the
Texts
shew
;
which
any
man
never
in
,
or
cast
out
of
the
Church
,
may
break
.
A
breaking
of
the
Covenant
Moral
Law
viz.
T●
have
God
for
our
God
,
To
love
him
,
Fear
him
,
&
c.
?
The
Covenant
there
spoken
of
is
the
Moral
Law
,
which
such
as
were
never
in
,
or
cast
out
of
the
Church
,
may
break
.
Baptize
divers
Children
whose
Parents
they
receive
not
to
the
Lords
Table
,
Baptism
is
an
holy
Sacrament
,
in
which
a
person
professing
the
Christian
Faith
,
or
the
Infant-seed
of
such
,
is
Baptized
,
&c.
Sixth
Proposition
,
which
dependeth
upon
the
Fifth
,
Seventh
Proposition
It
is
cautelously
penned
Care
in
the
Application
thereof
,
with
what
Churches
we
have
Communion
.
second
Question
CONSOCIATION
OF
CHVRCHES
We
know
but
in
part
,
Believe
in
part
,
and
Prophesie
in
part
,
viz.
Whether
the
Persons
described
in
the
fifth
Proposition
be
regularly
Church-members
By
their
Self-Excommunication
,
By
Gods
Excommunication
,
are
able
to
make
the
man
of
God
fully
furnished
to
every
good
work
.