all_o countenance_n their_o be_v baptize_v because_o it_o be_v not_o where_o command_v i_o answer_v that_o if_o this_o be_v all_o than_o the_o case_n be_v change_v and_o the_o objection_n be_v not_o that_o infant_n be_v exclude_v but_o that_o their_o baptism_n be_v not_o where_o command_v i_o be_v only_o now_o to_o prove_v that_o nothing_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o sacrament_n do_v necessary_o exclude_v they_o infant_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o favour_n do_v i_o think_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o how_o far_o a_o particular_a command_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v add_v to_o this_o capacity_n be_v another_o question_n that_o shall_v be_v consider_v in_o its_o place_n 2._o i_o may_v possible_o be_v ask_v how_o i_o reconcile_v this_o doctrine_n to_o our_o church-catechism_n which_o teach_v that_o faith_n and_o repentance_n be_v require_v of_o person_n to_o be_v baptise_a indeed_o i_o think_v the_o answer_n be_v easy_a for_o the_o catechism_n speak_v first_o indefinite_o without_o any_o respect_n to_o adult_n or_o infant_n as_o christ_n have_v do_v in_o matt._n 28._o and_o declare_v what_o in_o general_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o consequent_o not_o of_o this_o sacrament_n only_o but_o of_o our_o salvation_n also_o and_o these_o be_v faith_n and_o repentance_n which_o every_o one_o that_o enter_v into_o this_o covenant_n when_o they_o come_v to_o age_n be_v oblige_v to_o but_o it_o no_o where_o declare_v that_o actual_a faith_n and_o actual_a repentance_n be_v universal_o necessary_a to_o all_o person_n whatever_o that_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o this_o sacrament_n no_o it_o declare_v the_o contrary_a that_o though_o infant_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o tender_a age_n can_v perform_v these_o condition_n yet_o they_o be_v baptize_v not_o upon_o their_o surety_n faith_n or_o believe_v by_o proxy_n but_o upon_o the_o expectation_n ground_v on_o their_o engagement_n that_o the_o child_n shall_v be_v teach_v and_o exhort_v to_o perform_v they_o afterward_o and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v agreeable_a to_o what_o i_o have_v here_o maintain_v 3._o it_o may_v possible_o be_v object_v that_o if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v true_a it_o will_v from_o hence_o follow_v that_o the_o infant-children_n of_o turk_n jew_n and_o pagan_n may_v be_v as_o capable_a of_o baptism_n as_o the_o child_n of_o believer_n because_o they_o be_v innocent_a as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o have_v their_o original_a gild_n as_o well_o expiate_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n i_o answer_v infant_n as_o to_o covenant_n and_o privilege_n be_v repute_v in_o the_o same_o estate_n and_o right_o with_o their_o parent_n and_o that_o because_o be_v under_o their_o tuition_n be_v presume_v they_o will_v have_v the_o same_o principle_n and_o persuasion_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o child_n of_o unbeliever_n on_o this_o account_n may_v in_o some_o sense_n be_v say_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o their_o parent_n infidelity_n as_o they_o be_v like_a to_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o it_o for_o this_o reason_n they_o be_v deny_v baptism_n otherwise_o they_o be_v capable_a and_o may_v be_v admit_v wherever_o there_o be_v sufficient_a satisfaction_n give_v to_o the_o church_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v educate_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o be_v not_o admit_v now_o be_v only_o on_o this_o account_n because_o it_o will_v be_v preposterous_a to_o admit_v child_n into_o a_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v never_o likely_a to_o be_v instruct_v and_o educate_v in_o afterward_o but_o i_o say_v can_v the_o church_n be_v assure_v that_o they_o will_v be_v instruct_v and_o educate_v in_o that_o faith_n they_o also_o may_v be_v baptize_v and_o nothing_o in_o our_o saviour_n commission_n necessary_o exclude_v they_o 4._o and_o last_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o this_o doctrine_n make_v the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n unnecessary_a in_o that_o if_o they_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o favour_n before_o baptism_n they_o can_v profit_v nothing_o by_o be_v baptize_v i_o answer_v i_o do_v not_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o their_o salvation_n but_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o not_o at_o all_o disagreeable_a to_o christ_n institution_n and_o therefore_o no_o just_a cause_n of_o the_o separation_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n which_o be_v all_o that_o i_o now_o contend_v for_o chap._n iii_o the_o three_o objection_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unwarrantable_a and_o unlawful_a practice_n to_o baptize_v infant_n because_o there_o be_v you_o say_v no_o precept_n nor_o command_n nor_o authority_n for_o it_o in_o all_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v the_o sheet-anchor_n on_o which_o you_o lay_v the_o great_a stress_n for_o when_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v by_o god_n own_o authority_n and_o example_n that_o the_o natural_a incapacity_n of_o infant_n be_v no_o necessary_a bar_n to_o exclude_v they_o from_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n you_o reply_v all_o this_o be_v nothing_o because_o there_o be_v a_o express_a and_o positive_a command_n for_o circumcise_n infant_n but_o there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o for_o baptise_v they_o and_o when_o we_o argue_v that_o faith_n and_o repentance_n be_v make_v as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n as_o they_o be_v to_o baptism_n and_o consequent_o do_v no_o more_o exclude_v infant_n from_o this_o sacrament_n than_o from_o salvation_n you_o plead_v that_o though_o they_o be_v capable_a and_o within_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n yet_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v baptise_a because_o it_o be_v not_o command_v in_o christianity_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o express_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o here_o you_o load_v we_o with_o heavy_a charge_n of_o pretend_v to_o take_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o our_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o yet_o to_o keep_v unscriptural_a ordinance_n and_o do_v that_o which_o the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n speak_v not_o one_o word_n of_o from_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n so_o that_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v guilty_a of_o add_v to_o the_o divine_a law_n of_o god_n in_o the_o most_o weighty_a matter_n of_o christianity_n without_o his_o authority_n teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o men._n this_o be_v a_o severe_a charge_n of_o which_o if_o we_o be_v indeed_o guilty_a it_o must_v needs_o be_v heavy_a upon_o we_o at_o the_o last_o great_a day_n and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o better_o prepare_v then_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v fair_o what_o we_o have_v to_o allege_v in_o our_o defence_n now_o first_o this_o argument_n may_v easy_o be_v turn_v upon_o you_o the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n you_o say_v be_v no_o gospel-ordinance_n it_o be_v not_o command_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v unlawful_a i_o reply_v it_o be_v no_o where_n forbid_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o unlawful_a and_o this_o argument_n of_o no_o prohibition_n be_v of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a force_n here_o in_o that_o god_n all_o along_o in_o both_o the_o former_a covenant_n of_o abraham_n and_o moses_n have_v command_v infant_n to_o be_v admit_v and_o seal_v by_o the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v ordain_v for_o the_o confirmation_n thereof_o when_o he_o change_v the_o ordinance_n and_o institute_v baptism_n to_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o his_o covenant_n it_o be_v then_o proper_a to_o have_v declare_v if_o infant_n that_o be_v fit_a subject_n to_o receive_v the_o seal_n of_o it_o before_o shall_v now_o be_v exclude_v for_o his_o have_v give_v no_o express_a prohibition_n go_v a_o great_a way_n to_o vindicate_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o this_o paactice_n in_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o show_v his_o pleasure_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v continue_v to_o have_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o they_o have_v have_v before_o for_o if_o ever_o prohibition_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v to_o declare_v a_o thing_n unlawful_a it_o be_v to_o the_o abolish_n a_o practice_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o establish_v and_o receive_v i_o mean_v the_o admit_v infant_n into_o covenant_n with_o he_o 2._o but_o second_o we_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n for_o this_o practice_n in_o two_o respect_n 1._o the_o authority_n of_o his_o own_o example_n 2._o of_o his_o command_n in_o his_o reveal_v word_n and_o law_n 1._o we_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n example_n for_o our_o warrant_n in_o this_o practice_n and_o as_o mr._n keach_n i_o remember_v confess_v page_n 35_o 36_o that_o a_o apostolical_a practice_n or_o a_o gospel-precedent_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o a_o gospel-precept_n so_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v be_v allow_v that_o a_o divine_a precedent_n from_o the_o example_n of_o god_n be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n also_o when_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o circumstance_n be_v
a_o vindication_n of_o infant_n baptism_n from_o the_o four_o chief_a objection_n bring_v against_o it_o viz_o i._o from_o the_o natural_a incapacity_n of_o infant_n ii_o from_o their_o not_o actual_o believe_v iii_o from_o the_o want_n of_o a_o express_a command_n to_o baptise_v they_o iv_o from_o the_o want_n of_o scripture-precedent_n for_o it_o in_o a_o letter_n to_o mr._n ****_o by_o john_n turner_n a._n m._n lecturer_n of_o christchurch_n london_n london_n print_v for_o john_n wyatt_n at_o the_o rose_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n m_o dc_o xcix_o a_o vindication_n of_o infant_n baptism_n etc._n etc._n sir_n it_o be_v now_o some_o considerable_a time_n since_o you_o and_o i_o occasional_o revive_v some_o former_a discourse_n that_o have_v pass_v between_o we_o about_o the_o difference_n in_o our_o persuasion_n you_o desire_v to_o see_v my_o argument_n and_o to_o consider_v they_o at_o your_o leisure_n i_o have_v now_o comply_v with_o that_o request_n but_o see_v it_o necessary_a before_o i_o can_v do_v so_o to_o enlarge_v and_o illustrate_v they_o a_o little_a that_o they_o may_v come_v close_o to_o many_o of_o those_o scruple_n which_o i_o find_v sometime_o allege_v in_o these_o controversy_n if_o i_o give_v this_o as_o one_o reason_n of_o my_o not_o comply_v soon_o with_o your_o desire_n though_o i_o have_v other_o reason_n for_o this_o delay_n yet_o you_o be_v sensible_a how_o just_a a_o excuse_n i_o have_v in_o the_o few_o minute_n i_o can_v spare_v from_o the_o constant_a engagement_n of_o my_o daily_a business_n you_o will_v perhaps_o ask_v why_o i_o now_o send_v you_o this_o in_o print_n which_o i_o once_o seem_v to_o be_v averse_a to_o but_o when_o i_o find_v you_o call_v in_o mr._n a_o to_o answer_v my_o argument_n from_o the_o 1_o cor._n 7._o 14._o i_o apprehend_v the_o debate_n may_v not_o continue_v between_o you_o and_o i_o alone_o and_o therefore_o think_v it_o better_a to_o submit_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o world_n than_o to_o part_v with_o my_o paper_n into_o private_a hand_n where_o the_o design_n of_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v i_o have_v careful_o avoid_v all_o undue_a reflection_n upon_o either_o person_n or_o party_n hope_v thereby_o that_o i_o shall_v make_v no_o man_n my_o enemy_n by_o a_o candid_a defence_n of_o what_o i_o firm_o believe_v to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o be_v desirous_a whatever_o difference_n there_o may_v be_v in_o our_o persuasion_n to_o observe_v strict_o all_o rule_n of_o christian_a charity_n love_n and_o friendship_n i_o will_v detain_v you_o no_o long_o in_o the_o way_n of_o preface_n but_o beg_v you_o fair_o to_o consider_v the_o follow_a argument_n chap._n i._n the_o most_o considerable_a objection_n that_o i_o have_v yet_o meet_v with_o against_o the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n be_v these_o four_o i._o it_o be_v plead_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a practice_n in_o that_o infant_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o covenant_n into_o which_o they_o be_v admit_v by_o it_o ii_o that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o you_o say_v require_v person_n to_o be_v first_o instruct_v before_o baptise_a thereby_o exclude_v infant_n as_o incapable_a of_o that_o antecedent_n instruction_n iii_o that_o it_o be_v a_o unwarrantable_a and_o unlawful_a practice_n in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n nor_o command_n nor_o authority_n for_o it_o in_o all_o the_o word_n of_o god._n iu._n and_o last_o that_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o make_v of_o such_o practice_n in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n now_o if_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o none_o of_o these_o objection_n have_v any_o just_a force_n in_o they_o this_o i_o think_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o vindicate_v the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o retain_v this_o ancient_a and_o pious_a practice_n 1._o the_o first_o objection_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a practice_n in_o that_o infant_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o want_n of_o which_o knowledge_n and_o the_o incapacity_n thereupon_o be_v think_v to_o make_v their_o baptism_n unreasonable_a and_o absurd_a but_o if_o all_o other_o objection_n have_v no_o more_o force_n than_o this_o they_o will_v admit_v of_o a_o very_a quick_a dispatch_n 1._o in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o disagreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n for_o infant_n to_o be_v bind_v in_o covenant_n to_o the_o future_a performance_n of_o condition_n which_o they_o at_o present_a know_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o nor_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o perform_v till_o they_o come_v to_o age._n this_o be_v common_a among_o man_n and_o practise_v almost_o every_o day_n every_o will_n and_o every_o conditional_a settlement_n of_o a_o estate_n on_o heir_n be_v a_o covenant_n and_o every_o contract_n that_o a_o guardian_n make_v for_o a_o minor_a be_v make_v in_o that_o infant_n be_v name_n and_o he_o be_v bind_v by_o it_o and_o real_o enjoin_v the_o benefit_n of_o it_o in_o expectation_n of_o a_o future_a performance_n of_o the_o condition_n by_o he_o and_o baptism_n be_v only_o the_o seal_n of_o a_o covenant_n or_o contract_n between_o god_n and_o man_n why_o then_o shall_v it_o be_v think_v strange_a or_o incredible_a that_o god_n shall_v thus_o deal_v with_o we_o in_o a_o dispensation_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n 2._o if_o the_o incapacity_n of_o infant_n be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n a_o necessary_a bar_n it_o must_v be_v a_o universal_a and_o indispensable_a one_o and_o must_v exclude_v infant_n from_o all_o covenant_n with_o god_n whatever_o whether_o of_o work_n or_o of_o grace_n whether_o by_o the_o law_n or_o by_o the_o gospel_n for_o what_o arise_v absolute_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n must_v needs_o be_v universal_a and_o perpetual_a and_o must_v have_v always_o the_o same_o influence_n but_o that_o the_o incapacity_n of_o infant_n be_v not_o a_o universal_a and_o perpetual_a bar_n to_o all_o covenant_n our_o adversary_n themselves_o i_o hope_v will_v grant_v in_o that_o infant_n be_v admit_v into_o a_o covenant_n with_o god_n under_o the_o law_n if_o then_o god_n admit_v infant_n into_o a_o covenant_n under_o the_o law_n he_o may_v do_v so_o under_o the_o gospel_n too_o if_o he_o please_v and_o if_o god_n may_v do_v so_o it_o can_v be_v neither_o improper_a nor_o unreasonable_a nor_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n absurd_a the_o difference_n in_o the_o condition_n or_o substance_n of_o the_o covenant_n make_v nothing_o in_o the_o case_n the_o one_o be_v law_n the_o other_o gospel_n the_o one_o of_o work_n and_o the_o other_o of_o grace_n be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n because_o infant_n be_v equal_o incapable_a of_o understanding_n both_o and_o where_o the_o whole_a stress_n lie_v in_o the_o incapacity_n of_o the_o subject_a it_o must_v have_v as_o much_o force_n in_o the_o one_o as_o in_o the_o other_o if_o it_o be_v say_v god_n may_v admit_v they_o but_o do_v not_o this_o be_v run_v beforehand_o to_o a_o new_a objection_n that_o shall_v be_v consider_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n the_o only_a thing_n now_o in_o debate_n be_v whether_o the_o natural_a incapacity_n of_o infancy_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o necessary_a bar_n if_o it_o be_v this_o must_v be_v allege_v as_o a_o universal_a obstacle_n to_o all_o covenant_n as_o well_o as_o to_o this_o we_o plain_o see_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o universal_a obstacle_n because_o god_n have_v admit_v they_o into_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o bind_v they_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o condition_n by_o that_o covenant_n therefore_o this_o objection_n be_v of_o no_o force_n in_o that_o it_o do_v not_o necessary_o conclude_v 85._o mr._n keach_n p._n 85._o this_o indeed_o some_o of_o your_o persuasion_n seem_v to_o grant_v if_o then_o the_o incapacity_n of_o infant_n be_v not_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n a_o necessary_a and_o universal_a bar_n to_o all_o covenant_n in_o general_a i_o be_o to_o inquire_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o christian_a covenant_n peculiarly_a that_o exclude_v they_o from_o thence_o chap._n ii_o the_o second_o objection_n be_v that_o infant_n as_o incapable_a of_o understand_v the_o covenant_n and_o believe_v and_o repent_v be_v by_o our_o saviour_n institution_n prohibit_v and_o exclude_v from_o baptism_n for_o say_v you_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o make_v disciple_n by_o instruction_n before_o they_o be_v to_o baptise_v they_o matt._n 28._o 19_o go_v teach_v all_o nation_n and_o then_o baptise_v they_o and_o mark_v 16._o 15_o 16._o he_o that_o beleive_v and_o be_v baptize_v shall_v be_v save_v this_o say_v you_o be_v the_o great_a charter_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o require_v person_n that_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v to_o be_v first_o make_v
disciple_n by_o instruction_n and_o believe_v do_v in_o so_o do_v exclude_v all_o that_o can_v be_v teach_v and_o believe_v i_o answer_v in_o this_o commission_n christ_n have_v a_o more_o peculiar_a regard_n to_o the_o person_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n be_v first_o and_o more_o immediate_o send_v who_o be_v indeed_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o therefore_o he_o mention_n such_o qualification_n antecedent_n to_o baptism_n as_o in_o reason_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n be_v indispensable_o necessary_a consider_v the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n at_o that_o time_n man_n be_v almost_o universal_o revolt_v into_o idolatry_n ignorance_n superstition_n profaneness_n and_o other_o great_a iniquity_n and_o with_o these_o qualification_n it_o be_v not_o fit_a they_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n these_o be_v therefore_o first_o to_o be_v convert_v and_o reclaim_v and_o then_o baptise_a and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a work_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v here_o commissioned_n now_o if_o from_o hence_o you_o argue_v that_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v baptize_v but_o those_o only_o who_o be_v thus_o teach_v and_o make_v disciple_n by_o actual_a belief_n i_o must_v beg_v leave_n to_o ask_v how_o you_o reconcile_v your_o belief_n of_o infant_n salvation_n with_o these_o text_n for_o they_o as_o much_o exclude_v infant_n from_o salvation_n as_o from_o baptism_n i_o do_v not_o ask_v how_o infant_n shall_v be_v save_v for_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o you_o will_v say_v secret_a thing_n belong_v to_o god_n but_o i_o ask_v how_o you_o who_o do_v believe_v and_o confess_v that_o infant_n may_v and_o shall_v be_v save_v do_v reconcile_v that_o opinion_n with_o these_o text_n and_o particular_o with_o that_o of_o st._n mark_n which_o do_v by_o the_o same_o consequence_n prove_v that_o infant_n can_v be_v save_v as_o that_o infant_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v baptize_v for_o observe_v the_o argument_n christ_n say_v matt._n 28._o 19_o go_v make_v disciple_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o baptize_v they_o and_o mark_v 16._o 15_o 16._o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n he_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v shall_v be_v save_v and_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v from_o whence_o you_o argue_v thus_o none_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v but_o those_o who_o be_v first_o make_v disciple_n by_o believe_v but_o infant_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o believe_v therefore_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v baptise_a now_o in_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n one_o may_v argue_v thus_o that_o infant_n shall_v not_o be_v save_v he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v infant_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o believe_v ergo_fw-la infant_n must_v all_o be_v damn_v this_o be_v just_a the_o same_o way_n of_o argue_v without_o any_o difference_n at_o all_o how_o will_v you_o answer_v this_o will_v you_o set_v up_o for_o this_o piece_v of_o cruelty_n that_o all_o infant_n be_v damn_v if_o not_o you_o must_v say_v here_o as_o we_o do_v concern_v baptism_n that_o these_o text_n be_v improper_o and_o impertinent_o allege_v in_o the_o case_n of_o infant_n because_o they_o be_v never_o intend_v to_o extend_v to_o they_o otherwise_o they_o will_v as_o certain_o conclude_v against_o the_o salvation_n of_o infant_n as_o against_o the_o baptism_n of_o they_o in_o that_o faith_n and_o repentance_n be_v as_o necessary_a to_o the_o one_o as_o to_o the_o other_o the_o matter_n then_o in_o short_a be_v this_o man_n and_o woman_n be_v first_o of_o all_o to_o be_v make_v disciple_n by_o a_o save_v faith_n the_o case_n of_o child_n be_v a_o distinct_a case_n to_o be_v consider_v afterward_o when_o their_o parent_n have_v be_v first_o convert_v and_o though_o believe_v be_v necessary_a in_o the_o parent_n to_o be_v before_o their_o baptism_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o their_o infant_n be_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o sacrament_n because_o they_o can_v not_o actual_o believe_v but_o you_o will_v reply_v be_v not_o faith_n then_o necessary_o require_v of_o person_n to_o be_v baptize_v i_o answer_v where_o the_o apostle_n find_v infidelity_n and_o iniquity_n they_o be_v necessary_o to_o preach_v faith_n and_o repentance_n before_o they_o baptize_v but_o the_o scripture_n intimate_v that_o the_o innocence_n of_o harmless_a babe_n who_o original_a gild_n be_v do_v away_o by_o christ_n and_o who_o never_o offend_v he_o by_o any_o actual_a transgression_n be_v as_o please_v to_o god_n and_o as_o agreeable_a a_o qualification_n for_o the_o admission_n into_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n and_o seal_v that_o covenant_n by_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n as_o either_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o actual_a believer_n or_o the_o repentance_n of_o the_o penitent_a christ_n have_v say_v of_o we_o all_o that_o unless_o we_o become_v as_o little_a child_n mat._n 18._o 3._o that_o be_v for_o their_o lovely_a innocence_n we_o shall_v in_o no_o wise_n enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n i_o do_v not_o argue_v whether_o he_o speak_v this_o with_o a_o particular_a respect_n to_o the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n or_o no._n i_o urge_v not_o that_o but_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o qualification_n that_o recommend_v we_o to_o god_n favour_n and_o mercy_n and_o christ_n do_v here_o declare_v that_o their_o innocence_n be_v as_o grateful_a to_o he_o as_o any_o man_n faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v exclude_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o now_o maintain_v i_o think_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o this_o sacrament_n baptism_n as_o i_o understand_v it_o be_v a_o seal_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o that_o covenant_n which_o god_n have_v make_v with_o mankind_n in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o covenant_n be_v on_o god_n part_n a_o free_a promise_n and_o engagement_n to_o grant_v mercy_n and_o salvation_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n to_o all_o who_o actual_a sin_n do_v not_o render_v they_o incapable_a of_o and_o exclude_v they_o from_o it_o from_o whence_o i_o argue_v thus_o those_o that_o be_v not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o actual_a sin_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v admit_v into_o this_o covenant_n and_o thereby_o entitle_v to_o the_o promise_n for_o nothing_o but_o sin_n make_v we_o at_o first_o obnoxious_a to_o death_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o gild_n of_o sin_n can_v exclude_v we_o from_o eternal_a life_n and_o those_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o covenant_n and_o entitle_v to_o the_o promise_n be_v capable_a of_o that_o sacrament_n which_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o it_o this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o good_a conclusion_n infant_n therefore_o though_o by_o nature_n bear_v in_o sin_n yet_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n i_o do_v say_v by_o baptism_n but_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v capable_a of_o admission_n into_o the_o covenant_n by_o baptism_n which_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o it_o though_o they_o do_v not_o actual_o believe_v for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v so_o judicious_o declare_v that_o infant_n baptize_v and_o die_v before_o they_o commit_v any_o actual_a transgression_n be_v undoubted_o save_v for_o die_v in_o a_o state_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o have_v the_o promise_v of_o god_n confirm_v by_o this_o seal_n they_o be_v safe_a have_v not_o by_o any_o actual_a violation_n of_o the_o covenant_n forfeit_v the_o claim_n this_o can_v but_o think_v a_o reasonable_a way_n of_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o sacrament_n and_o covenant_n and_o if_o it_o be_v these_o text_n do_v not_o exclude_v infant_n either_o direct_o or_o by_o consequence_n and_o methinks_v it_o savour_v of_o rashness_n and_o inconsideration_n to_o think_v that_o because_o god_n have_v require_v faith_n and_o repentance_n of_o man_n in_o a_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o under_o the_o power_n of_o abominable_a lust_n and_o consequent_o altogether_o unfit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o covenant_n till_o they_o abjure_v their_o idolatry_n and_o abandon_v their_o vice_n that_o therefore_o innocent_a babe_n who_o never_o offend_v shall_v not_o be_v admit_v through_o want_n of_o the_o same_o qualification_n the_o different_a circumstance_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o person_n be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o the_o same_o qualification_n be_v not_o necessary_o require_v in_o both_o but_o i_o foresee_v some_o objection_n which_o i_o will_v brief_o consider_v and_o then_o proceed_v 1._o it_o be_v plead_v that_o capacity_n give_v no_o right_a you_o may_v have_v a_o mapacity_n to_o be_v a_o justice_n of_o peace_n but_o must_v have_v a_o commission_n before_o you_o ought_v to_o act_v as_o such_o and_o though_o the_o innocence_n of_o babe_n be_v thus_o acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o he_o do_v for_o christ_n sake_n save_v they_o yet_o this_o will_v not_o at_o