Anti-pædobaptism, or, The third part being a full review of the dispute concerning infant baptism : in which the arguments for infant baptism from the covenant and initial seal, infants visible church membership, antiquity of infant baptism are refelled [sic] : and the writings of Mr. Stephen Marshal, Mr. Richard Baxter ... and others are examined, and many points about the covenants, and seals and other truths of weight are handled / by John Tombes. Tombes, John, 1603?-1676. 1657 Approx. 3748 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 548 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A62864 Wing T1800 ESTC R28882 10772302 ocm 10772302 45795 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. 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Baptists -- Controversial literature. 2004-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-01 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-02 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-02 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Anti-Paedobaptism : OR THE THIRD PART . BEING , A full REVIEW of the Dispute concerning Infant-Baptism . IN WHICH , The Arguments for Infant-Baptism from the Covenant and Initial Seal , Infants Visible Church-membership , Antiquity of Infant-Baptism , are refelled . AND The Writings of Mr. Stephen Marshal , Mr. Richard Baxter , Mr. John Geree , Mr. Thomas Blake , Mr. Thomas Cobbet , Dr. Nathaniel Homes , Mr. John Drew , Mr. Josiah Church , Mr. William Lyford , Dr. Daniel Featley , Mr. John Brinsley , Mr. Cuthbert Sidenham , Mr. William Carter , Mr. Samuel Rutherford , Mr. John Crag , Dr. Henry Hammond , Mr. John Cotton , Mr. Thomas Fuller , Mr. John Stalham , Mr. Thomas Hall , and others , are examined ; And many points about the Covenants , and Seals , and other Truths of weight , are handled : By JOHN TOMBES . B D. ISA. 5.20 . Wo unto them that call evill good and good evill , that put darkness for light and light for darkness , that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter . LONDON , Printed by E. AISOP , over against the Upper Pump in Grubstreet . 1657. TO THE PARLIAMENT OF THE Commonwealth of England , Scotland , and Ireland . HAving presented the two former Parts of this Review to His Highness , and His Council ; I take boldness to tender this to your Honours , as those who are intrusted with the affairs of these Nations ( in which are many Churches of Christ , whose safety , and welfare doth much depend under Christ on your wisedome , and uprightness ) that it may serve to justifie your Honours in allowing those who agree with me in the ●oint herein discussed liberty , employment , and maintainance alike with dissenters . Wherein your equity and wisedome is very conspicuous and laudable , notwithstanding the clamours and practises of those our opposites , who would have the ship of this Commonwealth so ordered , that the power of it should all incline to one side to the endangering of the whole . 'T is true the asserting of this truth hath heretofore been unhappily managed , partly by reason of the conjunction of some errours very dangerous in the Assertors of this truth , and partly by reason of the violence of spirit in them and their opposites , which have occasioned hard Lawes against them , and great hatred towards them . Nor do I know any likelihood but that still not onely about this , but also about any other point in difference , when one party seeks to oppress the other there will be much unquietness , unless Governours become moderatours between them . In the Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament , Ordered to be printed 4. Martii 1647. I read these words . The name of Anabaptism hath indeed contracted much odium , by reason of the extravagant opinions and practises of some of that name in Germany , tending to the disturbance of the Government and peace of all States : which opinions and practices we abhor and detest . But for their opinion against the Baptism of Infants , it is onely a difference about a circumstance of time in the administration of an Ordinance , wherein in former ages as well as this , learned men have differed both in opinion and practice : And though wee could wish that all men could satisfie themselves , and joyn with us in our judgment and practise in this point : yet herein wee held it fit that men should bee convinced by the Word of God with gentleness and reason , and not beaten out of it by force and violence : And yet May 2. 1648. there was an Ordinance which made it punishable with imprisonment , to affirm that the Baptism of Infants is unlawfull , or that Infants Baptism is void , and that such persons are to be baptized again . Notwithstanding which , it is to be acknowledged with all thankfulness to His Higness and your Honours , that we enjoy our Peace and Liberty as Dissenters do ; which they who value not , forget the goodness of God , and make forfeiture of their own good . For those who so do , I plead not , but for that Truth and Practise which is delivered and appointed by Christ , which should be encouraged not suppressed by Governours . For this I am moved to appear out of Conscience of my duty to Christ , commiseration of them who have been condemned and injured for avouching my position , and my engagement by solemn Covenant enjoyned by Parliament , to endeavour Reformation in Doctrine and Worship according to Gods Word ; And do humbly present it to your Honours , craving that if any Lawes do remain in force against it they may be repealed ; And that while we walk according to the rule of Christ , Liberty , Peace , Encouragement may be granted to us as to others who have joyned in the Common Cause , which will be a motive to us the more affectionately to pray for your Honours prosperous and happy proceedings in repairing the Breaches , and building up this Commonwealth whereto you are advanced , and for which I am Your Honours Humble and Devoted Servant : JOHN TOMBES . TO The christian Reader . THough all personal Pleas and Narrations are suspected to be partial , and are usually judged to have something of ostentation , or dissembling , o● some such inordinate affection which may abate their credit and esteem , yet the practises of opponents in Controversies , and the great prejudice to the Truth , and person opposed they create thereby , and the difficulty for persons who are not actors in such contentions to understand the truth without them make them necessary . Doubtless if such pleas were not necessary , the Apostle Paul would not have thought his course justifiable , who hath written one Epistle , to wit , the second to the Corinthians , almost wholly Apologetical for himself , that the misunderstanding of himself and wayes might not be advantage to Seducers for hindering the success of his preaching . It is true my credit and esteem is nothing comparable to the Apostles , the Church and Truth of God may stand , though I be buried in perpetual silence : yet sith I am a Preacher of the Gospel as Paul was ( absit verbo invidia ) and my labours therein as I hope not altogether without fruit , and sith the Lord seems to me to have set me , though in a lower Sphere , for defence of that One Baptism which Paul mentions Ephes. 4.5 . as one of the chief points of Christianity , and Heb. 6.2 . is counted as a foundation point . I assure my self Paul's practise doth justifie mine , and that I should be wanting not onely to mine own credit , but also to that truth which is dearer then my credit , if I should pass by with silence those misrepresentations whereby both are abused , and the mindes of men alienated from them . Which is the more necessary , because of the great repute which my Antagonists have in this generation , and their confident speeches , and their incessant endeavours upon all occasions in Pulpits , Presses , Disputes , Conferences , to represent the way I avouch as dangerous , my self as instrumental to an evil designe of perverting and dividing the Churches of God , unto which the proneness of men to uphold an Errour inveterate , and speciously pretended to be approved and blessed by God , and the contrary opinion accursed , besides the advantages it hath for their carnal ease , and for the begetting of a favourable opinion of themselves and their children ( which are more to most then demonstrations out of Gods word ) do gain an easie assent . And though I am not out of hope that those who have opposed the truth I assert with impetuous zeal , will be ( especially the most tender conscienced , who examine their wayes , and review their doctrines ) awakened and see and confess their errour , yet I fear the obloquy , and perhaps detriment in repute and outward estate and peace , which m●n either are likely or doubt they may incur by owning the truth I hold forth , or the seeming inconsistency of the reformation I seek to promote , with the peace of the Churches of God , will divert the thoughts of many from an exact consideration , and an equall judgement of what I shall write , either of my self or the matter under debate . What was wont to be opposed against the reformation of Popish and Prelatical corruptions , shall we go against all antiquity ? Be wiser then our Fathers ? condemn all the Churches ? make rents in the Church ? and such like objections , though they be upon examination but vain , yet like Gorgons head they are apt to turn men into stones , and to make men not see what they do or might see , and to be insensible of the evil of that practise , which otherwise their Consciences would be affrighted with . And truely though it be the wise and just contrivance of Divine prov●dence , and congruous to his end , that the vanity of all things under the Sun might appear , yet is it an humane irregularity , that not onely for evil labour , but also for all travel and every right work a man is envied , malign●d , or disliked of his neighbour , Eccl. 4.4 . chiefly when it crosseth self ends and conceits . Nor is it incident onely to the prophane and unbelievers , to dislike and oppose such acts as are rightly done , but also to the godly , until their mistakes are discovered to them . The building of the Altar of Ed , Josh. 22.12 . was likely to have been an occasion of war beetween the rest of the Congregation of Israel and some Tribes ▪ till the intention of the builders was cleared to Phinehas ; and Peter's going in to Cornelius , Act. 11.2 . occasioned contention with him , though it were from God , till his warrant was shewed . Paul knew that his promoting the collection for the poor Saints at Jerusalem might be distasted of the best , and therefore he prayes that his service which he had for Jerusalem might be accepted of the Saints , Rom. 15.31 . Even holy upright men have their weaknesses , passions , mis-prisions , prejudices , which oft times hinder a right understanding of tenents and actions of Christian Brethren , and thereby no small contentions arise . God would have us discern thereby humane imperfection , and keep our spirits humble and heedfull how we manage the rightest actions . Surely no action is more necessary then the discovery of truth in the things of God , nor should any endeavours be more acceptable to holy persons , then such as tend thereto , yea though there should be imperfection in actings and defect in the success . Yet too much experience hath shewed that such attempts meet with much opposition , and are ill entertained even by those who are or seem friends to truth . It is unnecessary to give instances : in the Scripture Acts 15.2 , &c. in the Ecclesiastical Story there are so many as verifie it beyond all contradiction . If there were no other example but what hath befaln me about the point in this writing discussed , yet it were sufficient to verifie what I said of the difficulty to gain entertainment of that truth against which men are prepossessed , and of the ill usage of them that in a due manner endeavour to cleer it . That Infant Baptism was not according to Gods will , I thought might be made manifest by the silence of it in Scripture , and the Writings of the two first Ages , and by shewing how it was counted but an Ecclesiastical humane tradition unwritten , induced upon such reasons by the Leaders of the Churches in after ages as are now judged erroneous ; and how false and dangerous the grounds are on which it is made a Divine institution , to wit , an imagined Covenant of grace to a Believer and his seed natural , the nature of Sacraments to be seals of the Covenant of grace , the inference of duties about positive rites of the new Testament from analogy with abrogated Ceremonies of the old , the command of Circumcision to have been in the extent of it commensurate to and derived from the Covenant with Abraham Gen. 17. as the adequate reason , the succession of Baptism into the room and use of Circumcision ; all which or most of them , are so contrary to the Scripture and Protestant doctrine , as that I presumed they would quickly have been discerned by those who are acquainted with the controversies of Divines , and sought reformation in Discipline , and removal of humane inventions in Gods worship , and had entered into a solemn oath and Covenant to that end . And for my way of manifesting my doubts first to the Ministers of London , and then to the Committee of the Assembly then sitting at Westminster , and after to a prime man in it in the years 1643 , 1644. and what opposition I found is so manifest in my two Treatises and Apology published 1645 , 1646. as that it were but actum agere to say any more thereof . Which I hoped would have taken off such prejudices , as my Antagonists writings had raised against my writings and person , that I might securely apply my self to review the Dispute , w●thout hearing of any more personal objections . But when I found the like usage continued by Mr. Robert Baily of Glasgow in Scotland , I published an Addition to the Apology 1652. though it were framed before , and sent in a letter Manuscript to him . Yet the hottest charge was behinde . After my necessitated removal from the Temple in London to Bewdley in Worcestershire , anno 1646. it happened that a publike Dispute was between Mr. Richard Baxter of Kidderminster near to Bewdley and my self , at Bewdley Jan. 1. 1649. which how it was occasioned , managed , injuriously divulged , may be perceived by the writings on both sides ; his Epistle before the first Edition of the Saints Everlasting rest , his Book of Baptism , Praefestinantis Morator , and my Antidote printed 1650. and Pr●cursor , anno 1652. By Mr. Baxters book of Baptism , my self , doctrine , answers , practise have been so unwo●thily dealt with , as that they have been painted out in deformed shapes quite besides their true feature , and thereby exposed to the unrighteous censures and contempt of so many , that Mr. Blake in his Preface to his Vind. faederis thought he might without controul say , Mr. Tombes is generally lookt upon low enough under hatches . It is indeed too manifest that upon the publishing of Mr. Baxters Book of Baptism , which was often printed and very much dispersed , floods of reproaches were cast on me and those who are of my judgement in that point , triumphant boastings of that book as the Mawl of Anabaptism , a most excellent piece , a lasting monument , &c. which had laid me flat on my back , with many the like vaunts in print and colloquies . Nor did mens loose tongues and pens stay here , but many insolent speeches were vented , trampling upon me and the Cause with me as Captives subdued by that mighty hand ; my actions were censured , my abilities disparaged , yea people possessed with conceits as if I and those of my judgement were accursed of God , left over to a spirit of delusion , a hardened heart ; Magistrates were provoked to make Lawes against us , as intollerable authors and fomentors of the errors , heresies , and divisions now in the Land ; the rage and violence of common people shewed it self against the practise of Baptism enjoyned by Christ , people were deterred from hearing us , Schollers from reading our Writings , ancient acquaintance alienated , liberty formerly allowed to preach in publike places restrained , those that by Baptism were added to Communion withdrawn from society , yea violent cours●s taken to hinder Wives , children , servants from associating with them that were baptized , and that which was in former ages the onely Baptism , and highly honoured by the ancient Writers with titles of dignity exceedingly debased and derided , insomuch that in many parts of this Land , I have been taken at best for a self-conceited man , affecting novelty and singularity , of a dangerous spirit , a ring leader of a sect of giddy men adversaries to unity , discipline , opening a door to all fanatique conceits , whose end would prove wicked , with many more imputations , which neither my books nor known conversation afore and since the wars , my labours and imployment in places not obscure , the confessed holiness , orth●doxy , unblameableness of those Churches over which I had any inspection , or with whom I associated could so acquit us ▪ but that either our wound is uncured or a skar rem●ins . Mr. Blake in his Preface to his Vind. faed . saith thus of me . And indeed I think it a special providence that he should thus appear with a shew of learning , a volumn of words , a rhapsody of Authors ▪ getting a name to be the strongest sword and buckler that was ever left up in this Cause , to draw the eyes of his party towards him , and then fall so flat , able to make good nothing ; so that men far from censorious vanity well able to judge ( upon serious perusal of his works and converse with him ) do conclude , that it is not possible but he goes against the dictates of his own conscience ; so that these it seems count me for an autocri● or self-condemned heretick . What other imputations Mr. Blake casts on me , may be seen here Sect. 26. And what Mr. Firmin , Mr. Gattaker , and Mr. S●mon Ford , Sect. 53. Besides what Mr. John Goodwin , Mr. Wood , and many more have judged of mine and Mr. Baxters writings . After Mr. Baxter Mr. John Crag would needs take up the cudgels and play his part in this matter , which how he hath done may be seen by our writings , compared chiefly here sect . 87 , &c. Books after books have been published from England and Scotland , by Dr. Hammond , Mr. Carter , Mr. Rutherford , Mr. Fuller , Dr. Savage in Latin , and others for Infant-baptism ; besides Sermons in the Pulpit , and determinations in the Universities at most solemn times . Yea upon occasion of a meer accident at Oxford in July 1652. I have been baited in the Weekly News●books , and I have just cause to conceive that by clancular Letters , conferences , consultations , not onely my doctrine hath been decried , my writings vilified , my way represented as pernicious that people might not know the truth , but also my station undermined , and my silencing endeavoured ; and which is of all other the most grievous to me , the fruit of my labours in the Gospel of Christ not a little hindered : so that whereas Mr. Baxter would have in his Gildas Silvianus all Ministers tied to confer with the people in private ▪ by his misrepresenting of me , the people ( whom I would gladly teach ) are deterred from hearing me in publike , and conferring with me in private . Yea notwithstanding the Quakers have been so often opposed by me , and my doctrine as contrary to theirs as light to darkness , by reason of Mr. Baxters imputing the rise of Quakerism to Anabaptism , as he terms it ( which how ●ar he chargeth on me may be seen by his Questions to me set down here sect . 63. ) one Blashfield a bookseller in Lempster hath openly reviled me at the close of my Sermon while I was in the Pulpit Decemb. 26. 1656. though I then refuted the Quakers , and told me , if there were no Anabaptist there would be no Quaker ; and somewhat afore Mr. Farmer a preacher in Bristol making a relation of James Naylors riding into Bristol , prints a passage in a private letter , which he with much ado signifies to mee was written by Mr. Robert Breton of Pembridge in Herefordshire but four miles from me , in which I am charged to say , that in a Sermon which I disavow in my writings upon the report at table of a man of this Town , who ( what ever his qualities be ) being pressed twice by me , once before some of the most intelligent and indifferent men here , another time before all or the most part of the Governours of this Town , to deal plainly whether I did speak those words which Mr. Farmer hath printed doth refuse to do it , shuffles in his answers , and will neither affirm nor deny it . Such dealings as these from men reputed godly , preachers of the Gospel , some of them fellow-sufferers for the common cause of reformation , and by the same Covenant engaged to it , do make me amazed to see what strange courses the intemperate zeal of Paedobaptists carries them , discerning thereby what a malignity of spirit they have towards me , who have so far as I can remember done no such thing to them , nor have been wanting in any good office I could do for them with a good conscience , but willing to joyn with godly dissenters in the common Cause of Christ. Nor do I finde any relenting in Mr. Baxter , but as he shews his spirit in his letters printed here sect . 53 , 63. so by his preaching at Bowdley May 4 ▪ 1656. in which he gave ten frivolous reasons for his practise of Infant-baptism , for the confirming of his party who opposed my preaching there at that time , and since , and by the late passages in most of his writings , and in his last book of Conversion p. 109. I finde him still the same he was . No doubt ( saith he ) but God doth pardon original sin to multitude of infants by the bloud of Christ , through the Covenant of grace which is made to the faithfull and their seed , and this pardon bestowed by the Covenant is sealed by baptism which more solemnly conferreth it . It is most probable that God doth also make some change on the hearts of infants , secretly giving some seed of inward grace before or in their baptism . And p. 299. he hath this fool●sh passage . Others withdraw upon pretence we are unbaptized , to which end they must coin a new baptism , or else they are at a loss . And their arguing with 〈◊〉 will be much like the Papists , in the point of Transubstantiation , which requireth that men renounce their sense and say , that they see not that which they se● , and feel not or tast not that which indeed they feel and tast , and then they may come to be in the right ; and so we must beleeve that we see none baptized in our Churches , nor hear it , nor know of any such thing , and then we may come to be a Church : As if the arguing were that there is nothing which Paedobaptists call baptism in their Churches , not , there is nothing that may bee truely called Christian baptism according to Christs institution , and then p. 300. after his fashion when he wants arguments , he adds . Oh if it were the will of God that we could have as clear light in some other weighty points as we have in Scripture for the baptism of the children of beleevers , how much would it do to quiet the understandings of many that are willing to know ! I dare not say it is a wonder to me to finde such passages in Mr. Baxter , but having examined his book of baptism , his ten reasons for his practise of Infant baptism delivered in Bewdley Chappel May 4. 1656. His Letters to me 1655. set down here sect . 53 , &c. I cannot but bemoan the sad condition , first of Ministers and people who are carried away with such shallow disputings , and confident speeches as Mr. Baxter hath used in these writings . 2. Of my self , and all who go about to cleer truth , that they be necessi●ated to stir up such a nest of Wasps and Hornets ▪ as these have shewed themselves to be who have opposed me , if th●y do never so brotherly and fairly and regularly declare their judgments contrary to the common received tenents . Yet I must confess two things have somewhat refreshed mee against the hard censures of those whom Mr. Blake mentions and the rest , the one that His Highness , and Council and the Parliament since ( as I am informed ) confirming the Ordinance for approbation of publique Preachers seem to have better though●s of me in putting that trust on me , th● other that ( to mention no other ) two of the ablest acutest and well read Divines and accurate Dispu●an●s , which I have known the University of Oxford in my time to have bred , and who have been thought sit for the Divinity Chair , have had far other conceits of my writings then these have had , the one not long after the publishing of my Examen , expressing his rejoycing to see so accurate and scholastical a discussing of the point , which he found not in the Assembly , wishing he had known of it afore the publishing of it that he might have prefixed an Epistle , yet wishing it had been written in Latin , as foreseeing that the publishing it in English was likely to beget me more trouble , then it would have done if printed in Latin ; the other who since that wrote thus to me . I am a friend to your person ( whom I have known ( though not known to you ) this 31. years ) and to your opinion too ( as to the main of it ) for I beleeve and know , that there is neither precept nor practise in Scripture for Paedobaptism ▪ nor any just evidence for it for about two hundred years after Christ. The first who bears witness to Infant baptism prastised in the Church is Tertullian ▪ but so as he expres●●d slik●s and condemnes it as an unwarrantable and irrational custom● : and Naxianzen a good while after him ( in his Oration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) dislikes it too , and would not have infants brought to baptism till they were of some age and able to answer for themselves . Sure I am that in the Primitive times they were first to be Catechumini , ●f then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illuminati , or baptizati , and that not onely children 〈◊〉 Pagans ▪ or Pagans converted , but children of Christian parents , Na●ianzen ( though a Bishops son ) being not baptized till he was about 30. years of age , as appears in his life , and the like is evident of some others· The truth is , I beleeve P●dobaptism did ( how or by whom I know not ) come in in the 2d . Century and in the 3d. and 4th . began to be practised ( though not generally ) and defended as lawfull from that text ( grosly misunderstood ) Jo. 3.5 . Vpon the like gross mistake of Jo. 6.53 . they did for many Centuries ( both in the Greek and Latin Church ) communicate infants and give them the Lords Supper , and I confess they might do both as well as either : But although they baptized some infants and thought it lawfull so to do , yet Augustin was the first that ever said it was necessary inde durus pater infantum . I have read what my learned and worthy friend Dr. Hammond , Mr. Baxter and others say in defence of it , and ( I confess ) I wonder not a little that men of such great parts should say so much to so little purpose , for I have not yet seen any thing like an argument for it . Nor is it a small case to me that I finde after all Mr. Baxters shamefull and vain arguings against the truth , and injurious dealings with me and the baptized Christians , with whom I hold Communion , that yet at last , though quite besides his intentions , he hath so befriended our cause as to lend us twenty good arguments against Infant baptism , in his 2d . disputation of right to Sacraments , in the close of the 16th . saying thus p. 156. I conclude that all examples of baptism in Scripture do mention onely the administration of it to the professors of saving faith : and the precepts give us no other direction . And I provoke Mr. Blake ( as far as is seemly for me to do ) to name one precept for baptizing any other , and make it good if he can . I know what he will pretend , that he intended th●s onely against Mr. Blakes opinion of baptizing upon a dogmatical faith and he means what he argues onely in the case of adult persons . But that doth not avoid his own arguments against himself , though he otherwise intended ; nor will his evasion serve till he prove , that there is a different precept or example for baptizing Infants from that of baptizing adult persons , or that any are to be accounted beleevers or disciples by their parents o● , as his term is , proparents profession , which will never be done by him . I will not say as Mr. Blake saith some have said of me , that it is not possible but he goes against the dictates of his own conscience : But this I dare boldly say , that Mr. Baxter hath strongly disputed against Inf●nt Baptism in the place forenamed , pag. 53. asserting and proving Arg. 1. We must not baptize any who profess not true repentance , pag. 62. Arg. 2. We must baptize no man that first professeth not to bel●eve in God , ● . 68. Argum. 3. It 's the very nature or appointed use of the external part of Baptism it self ( yea essential to it ) to signifie and profess the saving faith and repentance of the baptized , pag. 710. arg . 4. we must baptize none that profess not their consent to enter themselves presently into the Covenant of grace with God in Christ , p. 79. arg . 5. we must not baptize any without the profession of that faith and repentance which are made the condition of remission of sins ; the rest have speeches to like purpose , in which though he puts in sometimes [ and their seed ] yet his proofs do all overthrow that his own addition , and tear off his patch which he hath printed to his argumen● , and as fully militate against his book of baptism as Mr. Blakes tenet ; so that to me it seems that by Divine providence without his intention , una eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit : Nor do I think but that if conscientious Christians chiefly Schollers , would read over that second disputation , they would be satisfied that infants ought not to be baptized but themselves , and that Mr. Baxter hath cheated the world by his book of baptism , and shewed himself therein an inconsiderate writer . But however this fall out , it is a great rejoycing to my soul , that God hath so long preserved my life and strength though now declining , to finish this part of the Review also , and to see that part of it printed which is in answer to Mr. Baxters second main argument in his book of baptism , about his pretended ordinance of infants visible Church-membership and its repeal , which some have given out as unanswerable , because this answer hath been so long in publishing ; not considering that besides the not knowing of his minde about it till 1655. I have been necessitated to answer many others , and together with my constant labours , some other employments extraordinary with domestick distractions , necessity of respect to my bodily strength , want of help of books in some points , of learned men to whom I might have recourse , of an amanuensis , and chiefly the difficulty of getting it printed by reason of the great charge , which this book amounts to , and yet is not so readily put off as other smaller writings , and such as sute more with the minde of Readers , of whom few seem to search after truth impartially , especially in controversies of this kinde . In this which is done my witness is in heaven how faithfully and sincerely I have dealt , which makes me slight the unrighteous censures of those Mr. Blake mentions , of Mr. Baxter , Mr. Firmin Mr. Gattaker , Mr. Ford , Mr. Crag and the rest . And for Mr. John Goodwin who so much magnifies Mr. Baxters book , I wish he and Mr. Horn his second would read this writing , which I take to be a sufficient answer , with the two fore-parts of this Review , to what is said by Mr. Baxter and themselves in the point of Infant-baptism . As for the point of Schism or Separation which Mr. Baxter , and he charge Anabaptists with , I take my self no further concerned then mine own fact , which if they can prove to have been unbrotherly or unrighteous , I hope God wil so frame my heart as to testifie my repentance : if not , I advise them to take heed of rash judging , and all their followers of following them in that sin . If the objection be still set on foot , That those that are , as they term us , Anabaptists , do fall into many false opinions , prove Quake●s &c. I wish them better to examine reports of us , then Mr. Farmer , Mr. Breton , and others have done of me afore they spread them , and to look into the state of the societies of their own judgement , who if they be not guilty of such fallings , I shall rejoyce with them , and hope they will learn to pitty and endeavour to restore those who are fallen in the spirit of meekness ; if they be , that they will remember that it should be no more objected to us then to themselves . For my own part , I hope I shall not abet any such errour , nor do I know of any such errours or miscarriages in the Churches to which I have associated which are not opposed and censured by us : Nor do I think it equal we should be charged with that errour or miscarriage which we condemn . And I make bold to admonish Paedobaptists in the Lord , that they take heed of those practises which tend to the disquieting , defaming , hindering their brethren in the work of Christ because of the supposed errour , as they term it , of Anabaptism , lest they happily fight against God , and wrong their brethren , remembring that he that doth wrong shall receive for , the wrong he hath done , and there is no respect of persons with God , Col. 3.25 . And to the end they may search their own consciences , and rightly judge of themselves , I presume they may do well to lay to heart th●se following qu●stions . 1. Whether it be not a manifest perverting of the Gospel of Christ , to maintain that the Covenant of Gospel grace is made to each beleever and his seed . 2. Whether it be not against the Gospel to maintain , that the command of Circumcision Gen. 17. doth any way bind Christian beleevers now in their practise ? 3. Whether it be nor against the Gospel to entitle p●rsons to the Church visible Christian by their natural generation of beleevers ? 4. Whether it be not a manifest will-worship to practise the positive Rite of Infant-Baptism as Gods worship , which is confest to have neither precept nor example in the New Testament ? 5. Whether it be not a profanation of Baptism to use it otherwise then Christ appointed ? 6. Whether by justifying Infant Baptism , the relinquish●ng of many Popish and Prelatical ceremonies which have as much of reason , tradition , authority of the Church as it , be not condemned ? 7. Whether it be not an oppression , and exercising of dominion over mens consciences , to tie them to acknowledge Sacraments to be in their nature seals of the Covenant of grace which the Scripture terms not so , nor can be proved plainly from it , and to impose on them the practise of Infant baptism under pain of guilt of sin which Christ never appo●nt●d ? 8. Whether it be not manifest hypocrisie to oppose the Cross , Surplice , &c. and to be zealous for Infant baptism ? 9. Whether they who justifie Infant baptism and oppose baptism of Believers at age confessed to be according to the institution of Christ and primitive practise , are not partial in Gods Law and may expect to be made contemptible before all the people ? 10. Whether they who do so , do not break the solemn Covenant of endeavouring reformation according to Gods word ? 11. How they that say they baptize infants into the Name of Christ , who sprinkle or powr onely some water on them , without any profession of the infant can be acquitted from saying falsly ? 12. By what rule those who are acknowledged visible Church-members in infancy c●n be denied the Lords Supper ? 13. Whether it be not a signe that Paedobaptism is not according to rule , when there are so many differences about the title to it between Papists and Protestants , and the ablest Protestants themselves ? 14. How they can make good the regularity of Church-consti●ution , and the ordination of Elders , who have no other baptism but that in infancy ? 15. How they can be free from the guilt of hardening souls in deadly presumption , who avouch the Christianity of infants by natural birth , and Infant baptism which is the great plea of ignorant and profane persons on which they rest ? 16. Whether it be not a signe of injustice and want of love to truth , or adherence to a party , in them that will read and hear what one party saith for Infant baptism , and refuse to read or he●r what the oppos●●s say , though they bring the plain institution of Christ and his Apostles practise for them ? 17. Whether it be not an unrighteous course to charge the miscariages of persons either dead or strangers , on that doctrine or practise which countenanceth not them , or to persons who are no way abettors of them becaus of agreement in one opinion ? 18. Whether division or Schism is not chiefly to be imputed to those who violently oppose & inveigh against their Brethren for holding & practising that which they conceive themselves bound to do by the plain command of Christ which their opposites do acknowledge ? 19. Whether such as impose Infan baptism on their Brethren who hold the faith and baptism confess●d to be from Christ , and deal rigorously with them for not owning i● , do not as the Papists , who impose with cruelty their own addi●ions o● those who otherwise are not denied to hold th● true faith a●d pract●s● ? 20. Whether such pretenc●s as are made for Infant baptism , and the imagined evil of Anabaptism , can be a sufficient plea for baptism , and the imagined evil of Anabaptism can be a su●f●cient plea for any truly godly person to neglect that baptism which Christ hath so strictly commanded Mat. 28.19 . Mar. 16.16 . & the Apostles constantly practised ? And sith Mr. Baxter hath with so much earnestness ministred so many interrogatories to me , I shall take the boldness to advise him to consider his own ways . 1. In giving such a title to his book of Pl●in Scripture proof of Infants baptism , when there is not one text in all his Book which speaks plainly or obscurely for it , yea it 's confessed by himself , that it is not plainly determined in Scripture , p. 3. and is so dark in Scripture that the controversie is become hard p. 301. 2. In his abusing so many texts of Scripture as he ha●h done , chiefly the institution of Bap●ism Matth. 28 19. for infant Baptism , as if they were disciples appointed there to be baptized , which is sufficiently refuted by himself in many places of Baptism , p. 299 , 300. of the right to Sacraments from p. 91 , to 96. 3. In coyning a new title to Baptism by the profession of parents or pro parents , of which the Scripture is altogether silent . 4. In his devising ●n ordinanc● of infants visible membership in the Christian Church , of which there is no foot step in all the Bible . 5. In his many years clamorous abuses , and some kind of violent persecutions of my self and others of my judgement for not acknowledging these figments of his , but promoting reformation of Baptism according to our duty . 6. In his unbrotherly printing my answers I made in the dispute at Bewdley Jan. 1. 1649. without so much as acquainting me with it though living near him . 7. In blazing it abroad that he had driven me to gross absurdities , which yet he hath not in his answer to the 17. sect . of of my praecursor or elsewhere shewed to be so . 8. In his light passing over my urging his own words against infant baptism , about Christs institution Mat. 28.19 . in my praecurs . p. 66. in his Praefest . morat . sect . 16. which is noted in the 2d . Part of the Review , p. 66 , 67. which sure being from Christs institution , deserved better consideration . 9. In condemning our rejection of infant Baptism , though but an humane tradition , on no better grounds then Papists build many of their ceremonies which he condemns , in asserting the Covenant of grace to the faithfull and their seed , which in disputes against Arminians is commonly denied by Contraremonstrants . 10 ▪ In his many false accusations of me as a sect master disturber of the Church , which he cannot prove , in his scornfull expressions in the dispute and his books , in his injurious insinuations of me , as if I were blinded or hardened , occasioned the rise of Quakerism and other errours , thereby indirectly creating odium to me and to the truth , and which is worst of all , weakning my hands in the work of Christ , and particularly in taking off my quondam hearers at Bewdley from hearing me , or permitting me there to preach in publike . None of which , nor any of the rest of his evil suggestions of me or the people baptized there or elsewhere , I pray God may be laid to his charge . I have no more to add , but to commend the reading of this and the other parts of the Review to thy care , hoping that as the differences between the Cis-Jordan and Trans-Jordan Israelites , and Peter and the circumcised Christians were composed by right in●elligence of their actions , so it may be in this , and that God will awaken the eyes of those who have opposed the truth I assert , with devices of an anti-Evangelical Covenant of grace to Believers and their seed , a Law and Ord●nance of infants visible Church membership no where extant , of baptizing infants according to the Jewish pattern of baptizing Proselytes , of an additional promise of casting elect children on elect parents ordinarily , of a command in force now , Gen. 17.9 . of Baptisms succession to Circumcision and fetching a rule from it , of baptisms confer●ing Grace , &c. will discern their errour , and embrace that light which they have hitherto shut out , and laying aside their vain disputes about the baptizing of Infants of not Churchmembers , profane , excommunicate parents , or proparents and such like , endeavour to restore that one Baptism which with that one faith once delivered to the Saints , may bring the Churches of God to a right constitution and holy unity and order , and without which a right reformation covenanted will not be , and that go●ly pa●ents of tender consciences will take heed of bringing infants to baptism whereby it is profaned , and discern that it is their own duty to be baptized in the name of Christ , and that the use of baptism is , as Mr. Baxter confesseth p. 68 Of right to Sacraments , yea essential to it to signifie and profess the saving faith and repentance of the baptized ( which sh●ws infants are not baptized , sith th●y do not that which is essential to baptism and that which is essential must be in all ) and not to look upon it as their childrens priviledge , but as it was by Christ appointed , by it engage themselves to follow the Lord JESUS ; which is the prayer of Thy loving Brother and real Servant in Christ ; JOHN TOMBES . The Contents . Sect. 1. THe second argument against infant Baptism that it is will worship is confirmed . Sect. 2. Dr. Homes his arguments to prove infant Baptism from Gen 17. are examined . Sect. 3. Mr. Drews argument for infant Baptism from Gen. 17. is examined , and it is shewed that there is not the same reason of infant Baptism as of infant Circumcision . Sect. 4. The Covenant Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. was a mixt covenant . Sect. 5. Acts 2.38 , 39. proves not either the identity of covenant now with that to Abraham Gen. 17.7 . as it comprehends his natural seed , nor the connexion between i● and ●aptizability . Sect. 6. The argument of Mr. Josia● Church in his Divine warrant for infant baptism , ●om their being judged in the promise of propriety in God is answered . Sect. 7. Bare judgement of charity concerning a persons interest in the promise is not a warrant to baptize . Sect. 8. Acts 2.38 , 39. proves that interest in the promise intitles not to baptism without repentance . Sect. 9. Infants are not proved by Mr. Church to bee of the visible Church Christian. Sect. 10. Infants capacity of some respects different from discipleship intitles them not to baptism . Sect. 11. The agreements between circumcision and baptism do not justifie infant baptism , and the validity of sealing infants with an initial seal is shewed to be null . Sect. 12. Dr. Featley his argument for infant Baptism from the Covenant is examined . Sect. 13. The arguments of Mr. William Lyford from the Covenant for infant baptism are answered . Sect. 14. The arguments of Mr. Stalham , Mr. Brinsley , Mr. Hall , and a nameless Author from the Covenant for infant Baptism are examined . Sect. 15. The dispute of Mr. John Geree about the extent of the Gospel Covenant to prove thence infant Baptism is examined , and it is shewed that interest in the covenant did not intitle to circumcision ; nor is it proved it doth now to baptism . Sect. 16. That the Gospel covenant is not extended to infants of believers as such . Sect. 17. Mr. Cottons , the Assembly's , and London Ministers way of arguing for infant Baptism from the Covenant and Circumcision is recited , and the method of the future progress in the Review expressed . Sect. 18. Mr. Marshals reply to the first section of the 3d. Part of my Examen about the connexion between the Covenant and seal is reviewed . Sect. 19. Mr. Blakes exceptions against my speeches in the point about the connexion between the Covenant and initial seal are refelled . Sect. 20 The exceptions which in the first part of my Review or Antipaedobaptism sect . 5. are made against the proof of connexion between the Covenant and initial seal , are confirmed against Mr. Blake vind . faed . ch . 42. sect . 3. Sect. 21. The ten exceptions of the first part of my Review●gainst ●gainst Paedobaptists exposition and allegation of Acts 2.38 , 39. for the connexion between the Covenant and seal , are vindicated from Mr. Blakes answer vindic . f●d . ch . 37 , 43. Sect. 22. Animadversions on ch . 2. part . 1 ▪ of Mr. Thomas Cobbet his Just vindication touching the explication of Acts 2.38 , 39. in which his exposition is shewed to be vain , and mine justified . Sect. 23. The arguments drawn from Acts 2.38 , 39. against the connexion between Covenant interest , and Baptism right , and infant Baptism are vindicated from Mr. Cobbets answers . Sect. 24. Mr. Sidenham's notes on Acts 2.39 . in his Exercitation ch . 5. are considered . Sect. 25. Mr. Marshals reply to my Examen about his first connclusion is reviewed , and the Covenant Gen. 17. still maintained to be mixt , and that Gentile self-justitiaries , though reputed Christians , are not termed Abraham's seed , nor Gal. 4.29 . proves it , and that the distinction of outward and inward Covenant is not right . Sect. 26. The mixture of the Covenant as by me asserted , is vindicated from Mr. Blakes exceptions vind . faed . ch . 26. Sect. 27. The four first chapters of Mr. Sidenham's Exercitation are examined , and his vanity in his conceits about consequences proving infant baptism , the purity of the Covenant Gen. 17. infants of believers being Abrahams seed and in Covenant is shewed . Sect. 28. It is proved from Luk. 1.54 , 55. & 19.9 . Joh 8.39 . Rom. 4.11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. Gal. 3.7 , 1● , 29. & 4.28 . Rom 9.6 , 7 , 8. Matth 3.9 . that the seed of Abraham to whom the pro●ise as Evangelical is made Gen. 17 7. are onely true believers o● elect persons . Sect. 29. The allega●ion of Rom. 9 6.7 , 8. Matth. 3.7 , 8 , 9. to prove that the seed to which the promise Gen. 17.7 . as Evangelical belong● are true believers or the elect onely is vindicated from Mr. Blakes answer vindic faed . ch . 36. and Mr. Sidenhams E●ercitation ch . 6. Sect. 30. Of the meaning of Mr. Marshals second conclusion , the ambiguity of which is shewed . Sect. 31. Of the novelty and vanity of Mr. Marshals and others doctrine about sacraments being seals of the Covenant of grace , and the several sealings of them . Sect. 32. The exceptions in my Examen part . 4. sect . 5. against Mr. Marshals speeches about the Covenant and conditional sealing , are made good against Mr. Marshal and M● Blake . Sect. 33. That it is no error , as Mr. Baxter calls it ; but a truth , that the Covenant of grace is made onely to the elect . Sect. 34. Mr. Baxter hath not proved that the absolute promise or Covenant is not it that is sealed in baptism . Sect. 35. My speech about Gods sealing to none but believers , is cleered from Mr. Baxters objections . Sect. 36. Christianity is not by birth , nor the Church as civil corporations , Mr. Marshals equivocation in the use of the term [ Covenant of grace . ] Sect. ●7 . That the promise Gen. 17.7 . proves not an external priviledge of visible Churchmembership and initial seal to infants of Gentile believers , as Mr. Marshal asserts . Sect. 38. Animadversions on the 3d. ch . of the first part of Mr. Thomas Cobbets Just vindic . sect . 1 , 2 , 3. about Gen. 17. whereby his positions about Church Covenant and external priviledges of the Covenant of grace are refe●led . Sect. 39. Animadversions on sect . 4th . of the same chapter , whereby the conceits of Mr. Cobbet about external being in the Covenant of grace , are shewed to be vain . Sect. 40. Animadversions on sect . 5. of the same ch . shewing that Mr. Cobbets supposed visible interest in Gods Covenant is not the rule of baptizing . Sect. 41. Animadversions on the 6th . sect . of the same ch . shewing that Christ is not head of any unsound members , nor parents profession unites children to Christ so as to entitle them to baptism . Sect. 42. Animadversions on sect . 7●h . of the same ch . shewing that the body of the Jewish Church , even the worst of them , was not under the Covenant of grace in respect of external interest therein . Sect. 43. That the Covenant at Mount Sinai was a Covenant of works and not of Evangelical grace , and that the Jewish Church and state were but one body . Sect. 44. Animadversions on the 9th . sect . of the same ch . in which the Covenant interest external and Ecclesiastical of infan●s of inchurched believers , is pretended not proved to be Gospel , and his allegations of Deut. 30.6 , &c. Gen. 17.8 . Luk. 19.9 . Deut. 29.10 , &c. Ezek. 16.1 , &c. Gen. 9.25 , 26. and other places are examined . Sect. 45. Mr. Cobbets answers to objections against his 7th . concl . part . 1. c. 3. sect . 9. of his Just vindic . are considered , and Mr. Blakes tener concerning the general nature of a Covenant that it i● a mutual agreement . Sect. 46. The 27 , 28 , 29. chapters of Mr. Blakes vind . faed . are examined , and it is shewed that he hath not proved the Covenant of grace in Gospel times to admit or to be made to any but the elect regenerate . Sect. 47. Mr. Blakes vindic . faed . ch . 34. concerning the stating the question of the birth ▪ privil●●ge of the issue of believers is examined , and his objections against my stating it removed . Sect. 48. The 35th , and 37th . chapters of Mr. Blakes vindic . faed . are examined , and his arguments concluding the natural issue of believers to be taken into covenant are answered . Sect. 49. The 4th . ch . of Mr. Baxters part . 1. of plain Script . proof , &c. is examined , his conceits about infants visible Churchmembership and their admission considered , and sundry animadversions made on that chapter . Sect. 50. The 5. ch . of Mr. Brs. plain scrip &c. p. 1. is examined , and the texts Gal. 4.1 , &c. Mat. 28.19 . cleered so as to prove infants now no visible churchmembers . Sect. 51. The arguments from altering of the Jewish Church constitution and call , the ceasing of the High Priest , &c. to prove infants now no visible Churchmembers , are made good against Mr. Baxters 5. ch . plain , &c. part . 1. Sect. 52. It is proved that infants were not reckoned to the visible Church Christian in the primitive times , nor are now . Sect. 53 . Letters between me and Mr. Baxter are set down , concerning the Law and Ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , which he as●●rt● , whereby the point is stated . Sect. 54. Infants were visible Churchmembers onely in the Congregation of Israel . Sect. 55. Infants of the Jews were not visible Churchmembers by promise or precept , as Mr. Baxter teacheth . Sect. 56. That the people and thereby the infants of the Hebrews were made visible Churchmembers by a transeunt fact , is made good against Mr. Baxters exceptions . Sect. 57. Mr Baxters Law of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed is not proved from Gen. 1.26 , 27 , 28. or Gen. 3.15 . Sect. 58. Infants visible Churchmembership is not proved by the Law of Nature . Sect. 59. The sayings of Adam , Eve , Noah , concerning Cain , Seth , Shem , the term [ sons of God , Gen. 6.2 . ] prove not Mr. Baxters Law of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed . Sect. 60. Mr. Baxters Law of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , is not proved from Gen. 12. or 17. or 22. Sect. 61. Covenants , promises and speeches in the Old Testament of Israel , the righteous , prove not Mr Baxters Law of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed . Sect. 62. Mr. Baxters 9th . and 10th . questions about the repealableness and repeal of his imagined Law of infants visible Churchmembership , and his 8. additionals are answered Sect. 63. Mr. Baxters ten calumniatory questions and the conclusion of his Letter are answered . §ect . 64. My answer in the Dispute and sermon to the argument of Mr. Baxter of Baptism part . 1. ch . 6. about the nonrepeal of infants Churchmembership because neither in justice nor in mercy is vindicated . §ect . 65. Mr. Baxters arguments from Matth. 23.37 . Revel . 11.15 . for infants visible Churchmembership ch , 12 , 13. are answered . §ect . 66. Mr Baxters 9th , 10th , 11th , concerning infants better condition in the N. T. in his 14th , 15 , 16th , chapters part . 1. of Baptism , to prove their visible Churchmembership are answered . §ect . 67. Mr. Baxters argument ch . 17. part . 1. of baptism , from Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. is answered , and my answers vindicated . §ect . 68. Neither from Rom. 4.11 . nor by other teason , hath Mr. Baxter proved ch . 18.19 . part . 1. of baptism , that infant Churchmembership was partly na●ural , partly grounded on the Law of grace and faith . §ect . 69. Mr. Baxter ch . 20. by his 15th . argument from infants being once members of the universal visible Church , hath not proved their visible Churchmembership unrepealed . §ect . 70. Mr. Baxters 16th . and 17th . arguments from the promise of mercy Exod . 20.6 . and of blessing Psal. 37.26 . are answered . Sect. 71. Mr. Baxters 18th . argument from the priori●y of infants Church-membership before Circumcision , his 19th . from Gods mercy , his ●0th . from blessing and cursing Deut. 28. are answered . Sect. 72. Mr. Baxters 21. argument from the absurdity of my doctrine making all infants members of the Devils visible Kingdome is answered . Sect. 73. Mr. Baxters 22. argument ch . ●7 . that my doctrine leaves no ground of hope of salvation of infants dying is answered . Sect. 74. Mr. Baxters allega●ions p. 76 , 77 , 78. shew not a stronger ground of hope of infants salvation so dying then mine , his 23d . argument ch . 28. his 25 th . ch . 30. are answered . §ect . 75. My arguments to prove the ingraffing Rom. 11.17 . ●o be into the invisible Church by giving faith , are vindicated from Mr. Blakes exceptions vindic . faed . ch . 38. and Mr. Sidenhams Exercit. ch . 8 , 9. Sect. 76. My sense of matrimonial holiness 1 Cor. 7.14 . is vindicated from Mr. Blakes exceptions vindic . faed . ch 39. and Mr. Sidenhams Exercit. ch . 7. Sect. 77. Mr. William Carters attempt of proving the Christian Sabbath from Heb. 4.7 , 9 , 10. is shewed to be successeless , and so useless for proof of infant baptism . Sect. 78. Mr. Carters exposition of Gen. 22.16 , 17 , 18. as if God promised to make every believer a blessing , so as to cast ordinarily elect children on elect parents is refuted . Sect. 79. Neither did Circumcision seal Mr. Carters additional promise , nor was Abraham thence termed father of believers . §ect . 80. Mr. Carters conceit as if Gen. 17.9 . were a command in force to Abrahams spiritual seed in the N. T. is shewed to be vain . §ect . 81. The succession of Baptism to Circumcision , and their identity for substance to us is shewed to be unproved by Mr. Carter , Mr. Marshal , Mr. Church , Dr. Homes , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Fuller , Mr. Cobbet , from Col. 2.11 , 12. or elsewhere . §ect . 82. Notwithstanding Mr. Carters allegations of Acts 2.38 , 39. 1 Cor. 7.14 . Rom. 11.16 , 24. Mark 10.14 . Acts 15.10 . Matth. 28.19 . the N. T. appears to be silent about Mr. Carters additional promise and infants baptism . §ect . 8● . Interest in the Covenant gave not title to Circumcision as Mr. Marshal in his 4th . concl would have it . §ect . 84. The enlargement of our priviledges proves not infant baptism as Mr. Marshal in his 5th . concl . would have it . §ect . 85. Mr. Cobbets dictates Just. vindic . part . 2. ch . 1. touching childrens baptismal right are examined and refelled . §ect . 86 The 13th . and 14th . chapters of the first part of Mr. Rutherfords book of the Covenant are examined , and found to make nothing for infant baptism . §ect . 87. The disasters in Germany and our present distractions sprung not from Anabaptism as Mr. Crag saith . §ect . 88. Austins saying about Apostolical traditions is not to be rested upon , nor his testimony about the antiquity of infant baptism . §ect . 89. The testimonies of the Ancient writers of the Greek Church concerning infant baptism are examined and my exception● made good against Mr. Crag , Dr. Hammond , Dr. Homes , Mr. Marshal . Sect. 90. The arguments to prove infant baptism an innovation in the Greek Churches Exam. p. 9. are made good against Mr. Marshal , and Dr. Homes . Sect. 91. The testimonies of Tertullian for infant baptism , and Dr. Hammonds interpretation of ch . 39. de Animâ , are examined with 1 Cor. 7.14 . Sect. 92. Dr. Hammonds imagined evidence from [ hath been sanctified ] for his sense of the forepart of 1 Cor. 7.14 . nullified , and my opinion of enallage of tense vindicated . Sect. 93. Dr. Hammonds rendring [ by 1 Cor. 7.14 ▪ ] is refelled , and my ●endring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 [ to ] justified . Sect. 94. It is shewed that Dr. Hammond hath no proof from 1 Cor. 7.16 . for his sense of the forepart of v. 14. nor will his sense of holy for baptized agree with the Apostles argument , though his sense of the forepart of the verse were granted . Sect. 95. Dr. Hammonds reasons from the terms holy and unclean for his sense of baptized or not baptized are refelled . Sect. 96. The Jewish custome of baptism for initiation was not the pattern of Christian baptism , as Dr. Hammond would have it . Sect. 97. Matth. 28.19 . infants are excluded from being subjects of baptism notwithstanding Dr. Hammonds pretensions . Sect. 98. The testimonies of Cy●rian , Augustin , and other Latin Fathers for infant baptism , are shewed to have come from their mist●kes , and the evidences why the antiquity of infant baptism should not be deemed such as is pretended , are vindicated . Sect. 99. Mr. Crags objections about my nine untruths , his discourse about rebaptizing are refelled . Sect. 100. The Arguments of Mr. Crag for infant baptism are re-examined . ERRATA . Pag ; 2. l , 17. r , he premiseth . p , 3. l , 18. r , 44. p , 7. l , 7. r , nor is ; l , 39. r , 2. p , 4. l , 39. r , mere . p , 20. l , 3. r , motive ; l , 10. r , they are vain . p , 22. l , 12. r , not onely . p , 23. l , 30. r , yea ▪ p , 25. l , 6. r , commenders ; l , 10. r , opinion ; l , 25. r , probability ; l , 28. r , disputation ; l , 35. r , external . p , 29. l , 8. r , 13. l , 9. r , 7. l , 46. r , speci . p , 39. l. 16. r. 2.17 . p , 40. l , 31. r , peculiar ; l , 46. r , 7. p , 41. l , 45. r , seal . p , 55. l , 11. r , conveys . p , 62. l , 43. r , ejection . p , 67. l , 12. r , not sealed . p , 70. l , 34 , 35. the lines are misplaced p , 75. l , 22. r , and not still be admitted to the like initiating Sacrament . p , 81. l , 29. r , erant . p , 86. l. ●6 . r , own . p , 94. l , 36. r , persecuted ; l , 43. r , some . p , 100. l , 4. r. 43 p , 108. l , 2. r find . p , 113. l , 18. r , fiction ; l , 30. r , wont . p 114. l , 2. r , invisible : p , 115. l , 3. r swerved . p , 108. l , 3. r , then ; l , 13 , 17. r , apposite . p , 120. l , 10. r , par . p , 121. l , 4. r , he tels . p , 123. l , 8. r , Baxter . p , 124. l , 31. r , app●site . p , 126. l , 21. r , remission of sins . p , 109. l , 25. r , incognitum , p , 141. l , ●3 . r , number . p , 146. l , 1. r , eyed . p , 148. l , 3 r , mislike ; l , 5. r apposite . p , 150. l , 2. r , meant by ; l , 17. r , comprehended . p , 15● . l , 22. r , dichotomie . p , 158. l , 26. r , branches , d ▪ and. p , 159. l , 23. d , or the inward . p , 160. l , 15. d , not . p , 166. l , 46. r , they , l , 48. r , unbaptizable . p , 171. l , 37. r , belong . p , 172. l , 5. r , of this . p , 173. l , 16. r , seed , which ; l , 22. r , because And as . p , 177. l , 1. r , that knows . p , 178. l , 44 , 45. r , doth not agree : p , 183. l , 38. r , regenerate : p , 185. l , 5. r , Rom. 3.1 . p , 186. l , 9. r , now : p , 184. l , 22. r , visible : p , 197. l , 35. r , type : p , 204. l , 1● . r , is not : p , 209. l , 44 ▪ r , Abrohamites antecedently : p , 213. l. 36. r , pentance neither have ours ; l , 43 , r , nor is : p , 215. l , 21. r , L. C. l , 24. r , e.g. p , 221. l , 42. r , mediation : p , 222. l , 4. r , revelation ; l , 30. r , of science or : l , 33 , r ▪ an act ; l , 47 , r , contenting : p , 223. l , 7. r , types of Christ ; l , 28. r , hath not ; l , 34. r , in this ; l , 40. r , alluded : p , 224. l. 19. r , me to : p , 226. l , 37. d ▪ not : p , 228. l , 6. r , vent ; l , 33 , 34. r , syncretism : p , 229. l , 4. d , not ; l , 5. r , derive ; l , 35. r , to be a seal be : p , 230. l , 20. r , term ; l , 44. r , Jews : p , 23. r. l , 20. r , he had : r , 232. l , 5. r , our ; l , 12. r , passing ; l , 30. r , if it ▪ p , 234. l , 5. r , 15. p , 237. l , 48. r , P ▪ p , 238. l , 7. r , in my ; l , 14. r , reviewed : p , ●39 . l , 8. r. flings : p , 240. l , 15. d , not ; l , 17. r , and seals ; l , 33. r , cerning : p , 241. l , 7. r , first grace ; l , 13. r , what sense : p , 244. l , 2● . r , contradistinguisheth : p , ●45 . l , 33. d , not ▪ l , 47. r , asserting : p , 246. l , 20. r , as . p , 249. l , 10. r , there , l , 39. r , and not : p , 250. l , 35. r , charged : p , 252. l , 20. r , & Ward . p , 254 , l , 1. r , 〈◊〉 : p , 256. l , 32. r , 28. l , 41 , 43. r , all at age p , 257. l , 8. r , my ; l , 14. r , instance , l , 4● . r , stony : p , 258. l , 37. r , futility : p , 261. l , 1. r , it were ; l , 4. d , to ; l , 39. r , sealing : p , 268. l , 29. r , ly ; l , 42. r , that ▪ l , 43. d , I : p , ●72 . l , 1. r , reason i● ; l , ●9 . r , and the : p , 273. l , 23. r , art : p , ●75 . l , 37. r , external : p , 276 l , 45. d , not : p , 277. l , 37. r , during the ; l , 44 , 45. d , in the right administration of it : p , 278. l , 12. r , no where ; l , 47. r , elect allusive : p , 279. l , 2. r , afore . l , 15. r , contain ; l , 17. r , it proper to Israel : p , 280. l , 35. r , but that such are to be ; l , 37. r , act is a ; l , 39. r , they are : p , 281. l , 20 r , were : p , 282. l 46. r , without that ; l , 47. r , John : p , 283. l , 44. r , professor : p , 28● . l , 36. r. or : p , 286 l. 19. d , and ; l , 26. r , yea under yet were : p , 287. l 7. r , was ; l , 13 r , that which , l , 20. r , visible interest : p , 293. l , ult . r , noting p , 294. l , 24. r , unto : p , 295. l , 38. r , winding : p , 300. l , 9. r , expected : p , 301. l , 24. r , no transgressors : p , 310. l , 12. r , know not : p , 311. l , 3. r , of grace : p , 317. l , 46. r , come : p ▪ 329. l , 8. r , meer professor : p , 330. l , 16 ▪ r , is a seal to the Gentiles that believe of the righteousness of faith though they be never circumcised ; l , 26. r , were such ; l , 27. d , were : p , 332. l , 40. r , are : p , 334. l , 3. r , inference ; l , 37. r , exilia : p , 335. l , 7. r , assert ; l , 47. r , whence ; l , 13. r , tenet : p , 341 , l , 36. r , condition . At Yy the figures are wrong by reason of the use of two Pres●es ; for after 344. sect . 46. is p , 245. ag●in : p , 245. l. 14. r , of which ▪ p , 256. l , 4. r , vasorum : p , ●61 . l , 48. r , desert : p , 269. l , 31. r , ever : p , 283. l , 6. r , to : p , 284. l , 33. r , nor : p , 292. mis●printed 284. l , 38. r , unto what : p , 297. l , 6. r , indefinitely : p , 304. l , 28. r , special : p , 318. l , 25. r , desertion : p , 323. l , 8. r , mere : p , 382. l , 23. r , cause : p , 387. l , 22. r , of all : p , 398. l , 6. r , he is : p , 401. l , 37. r , many : p , 403. l , 20. r , use no : p. 407. l , 19. r , churchmembers : p , 501. l , 43. r , on condition : p , 503. l , penult . r , righteousness : p , 509. l , 9. r , can : p , 510. l , 47. r , not : p. 557. l , 18. r , it was . p , 559. l , 18. r. who hath . p , 561. l , 28. r , is not . p , 597. l , 34. r , sarcastical . p , 608. l , 23. r , an . p , 613. l , 43. r , might well . p , 621. l , 9. r , there . p , 647. l , 12. r , import . p , 653. l , 10. r , concrete . p , 678. l , 7. r , deny . p , 684. l , 46. r , sanction . p , 702. l. 36. r , did not . p , 703. l , 11. r , were not . p , 705. l , 42. r ▪ benefit . p , 721. l , 8. d , not . p , 725. l , 14. r , the time . p , 727. l , 24. r , is . p , 735. l , 11. r , there . p , 745. l , 11. r , formally . p , 752. l , 43. r , there . p , 756 ▪ l , 7. r , Janua . p , 783. l , 27. r , there were . p , 798. l , 7. r , ambigua . p , 799. l , 10. d , of . p , 803. l , 38. r , not . p , 816. l , 44. r , one parent was . p , 822. l , 7. d , be . p , 825. l , 7. r , which it was ; l , 23. r , na●i . p , 830. l , 18. r , and also . p , 834. l , 47. r , inference which . p , 844. l , 19. r , of the Chair . p , ●48 . l , 1● . r , 23. p , 850. l , 16. r , ca●achresis . p , 851. l , 2. d , in ; l , 10. r , form ▪ p , 852. l , 46. r , pu● . p , 853. l , 31. r , comprehend . p , 854. l , 40. r , or not . p , 877. l , 29. r , not ●s . p , 883. l , 2. r , denegandam . p , 885. l , 7. r , desert . p , 889. l , 4. r , conten● . Books published by the Author . CHrists Commination against Scandalizers , on Luk. 17.1 , 2. Printed for Richard Royston , at the sign of the Angel in Ivy Lane , London . Jehovah ●ireh , o● , Gods Providence in delivering the Godly ; in two Sermons on 2 Pet. 2.9 . on occasion of preserving Bristol from a plot to deliver it to Prince Rupert , March 7. 1642. Printed for Michael Sparks at the Blew Bible in Green Arbour , London . Fermentum Pharis●orum , or , the Leaven of Pharisaical will-worship ; in a Sermon on Matth. 15.9 . Printed for Andrew Crook at the Green Dragon in Pauls Church-yard , London . Anthropolatria , or the sin of glorying in men ; on 1 Cor. 3.21 . Printed for John Bellamy , at the three Golden Lions in Cornhil , London . Two Treatis●s concerning Infant Baptism , to wit ▪ an Exercitation , and Examen of Mr. Stephen Marshals Sermon ; Printed for George Whittington , and to be sold at the Blackmore at Fleet-b●idge London by W. Larnar . An Apology for the two Treatises , printed for G. Calvert at the Black spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls , London . An Antidote against the venome of a passage of Mr. Richard Baxter , Printed for Thomas Brewster at the three Bibles at the West end of Pauls , London . An addition to the Apology in a Letter to Mr. Robert Baillee of Scotland : Printed by Henry Hills , next door to the sign of the Peacock in Aldersgate-street , London . Pracursor , or a Fore-runner to the Review : Printed for the same . Antipaedobaptism , or the First Part of the full Review of the Dispute concerning Infan● Baptism : Printed for Henry Crips and Lodowick Lloyd in Popes-head Alley near Lumbard-street , London . A Plea for Antipaedobaptists , against Mr. John Craggs Dispute and Sermon at Abergavenny : Printed for Henry Hills above named . Antipaedobaptism , or the Second Part of the full Review of the Dispute concerning Infant Baptism : Printed for the same . Joannis Tombes Be●dleiensis refutatio positionis Dris . Henrici Savage Londini : typi● Henrici Hills . Antipaedobaptism , or the the Third Part of the full Review of the Dispute concerning Infant Baptism : London , printed for Henry Hills above named . FINIS . Anti-paedobaptism : OR , The third part of the full Review of the Dispute concerning Infant-Baptism , refuting the proof of it from Circumcision and the Covenant . SECT . I. The second Argument against Infant-Baptism , that it is will-worship , is confirmed . HAving proceeded so far in the Review of the dispute concerning Infant-baptism , as to vindicate the Texts , Rom. 11.17 . Act. 2 38 , 39. 1 Cor. 7.14 . from such glosses as tend to wrest them to the maintenance of it , and to make good my first Argument against it , from the institution of Christ , Mat. 28.19 . Mark. 16.16 . The Apostles and primitive Evangelists practice and sayings , in two parts of the Review already printed , I go on to the finishing of the rest of the forementioned Review . My second Argument against Infant-baptism is thus formed , That which is will-worship is not agreeable to the will of God , nor according to the rule of baptizing : But the ordinary Baptizing of Infants , though by a lawful Minister , is will-worship . Ergo. The Major is proved , 1. From Col. 2.13 . where will-worship is disallowed by the Apostle , and so generally Commentators and other Authors account will-worship a sin . Doctor Lakes defence about the Sabbath , Thes. 2. Ye know that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did never please God ; yet Doctor Hammond in his Treatise of will-worship , will have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or will-worship , to be understood in the better sense . But against it are the fra●● of the Apostles words , and the drift of them , which is to blame them for being subject to ordinances after the doctrines and commandments of men , as not agreeing with a Christians co-dying with Christ ; And he saith , Such things have a shew of wisdom : and verse 18. he that promiseth that none do beguile them of thei● reward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , willing in humility , or as our Translators , in a voluntary humility . I may not now divert from the present business to examine Doctor Hammonds Allegations , there being enough in that Text to prove , service as done to God , invented by men , and practised after their commands , without Gods appointment , not to be after Gods will : and I take Doctor Hammond to be well answered by Mr. Cawdrey . 2. However the Major is plainly proved from Christs words , Mat. 15.9 . In vain do they worship me , teaching for doctrine mens precepts ; which proves that worship which is taught after mens precepts ( which is the same with will-worship in my proposition ) is in vain , and therefore not agreeable to the will of God. But I need not say any more about it , sith my Antagonists do most of them except against will-worship as a sin . The Minor is proved thus , That which is worship not appointed by God , is will-worship : But the ordinary baptizing of Infants of Believers , Churched or unchurched , though by a lawful Minister , is worship not appointed by God. Ergo. The Major is confirmed from the very definition of will-worship , which is , A worship of God nor appointed by him , but taken up according to the command of man , out of Mat. 15.9 . The Minor is proved , by demanding a Scripture wherein God appointed Infant-baptism . In answer hereto , in conference with me , it was once denied that Infant-baptism was used as a worship of God : But if so , then it is no holy thing , no Sacrament , no profaneness to contemn it , no matter if a Midwife do it , with many more of the like absurdities . Master Blake in his answer to my letter ch . 13. pag. 92. Vindic. foed . ch . 44. denies Infant-Communion , Bell-baptism , to be will-worship , he makes will-worship then when men devise an Ordinance , but not when it is onely an abuse , profanation , misapplication of an instituted worship to a wrong subject . And Master Marshall page 195. of his Defence , would put me to prove , that all things belonging to Christian worship , even in the circumstances of it , even the ages and sexes of the persons to whom the Ordinances are to be applyed , must be expressely set down in the N. T. pag. 196. There is no absolute necessity , that every circumstance of an Ordinance , or the several sexes or ages to whom an Ordinance ought to be applied , must be set down in precept , or Apostolical example equivalent to a precept , found in the N.T. pag. 205. The point about Infant-baptism toucheth but a circumstance of age . In which speeches Mr. M. seems to make Infant-baptism but an arbitrary circumstance ; and if so , then much injury was in the first use of his Sermon , in which he made the denial of Infant-baptism , odious , as if it were as bad or worse than the facts of Herod , and Hazael in slaying Infants ; then much guilt of oppression lies on them that have denied place in the Ministery , scourged , imprisoned , fined , banished , put to death men for opposing , or not owning Infant-baptism ; and very unrighteous have been their declamations , who in Pulpits and elsewhere have inveighed against them as Hereticks , Sectaries , &c. censured their opinion as intolerable , as Maresius qu. 6. their practice as Sacrilege , as Master Blake vindic . foed . ch . 4. If Master M. do indeed think the point of Infant-baptism to touch but a circumstance of age , and that it needs no divine institution , then it is an indifferent ceremony with him , such as the power of the Church may appoint , and if so , it is no otherwise blameable to omit it , than it is to omit any other Church-constitution . But the truth is , it is false which he saith , That the matter toucheth onely a circumstance of age : for indeed it toucheth the qualification of the person to be Baptized ; and the very end and use of Baptism ( which are the essentials of it , as it is a Sacrament ) which is , that the person Baptized , do thereby testifie his profession of Repentance and Faith in Christ , and covenant to be his , as appears by the very phrase used , of being Baptized into the name of the Trinity , Mat. 28.19 . compared with 1 Cor. 1.13 . as I have proved before , Part 2. Sect. 5. And were it a circumstance onely of age , yet it being determined by Christ , who are to be baptized , to wit , Disciples and Belie●●●s , it is an arrogant presumption to alter it . Rightly saith Chamie● Panstr . tom . 4● lib. 8. c. 4. Sect. 32. quae non sunt institutae circumstantiae habeto sane sibi Ecclesia , ut tempus locumque celebrandi , & si quae sunt similia . At quae instituta sunt ea ne moveto . As for M. Blakes speech , that a misapplication of 〈◊〉 instituted ordinance to a wrong subject , is an abuse or profanation of it , but not will-worship , 1. It is not right . For though every misapplication to a wrong subject of an instituted ordinance be not will-worship , yet a misapplication to a wrong subject of an instituted ordinance is a will-worship , when not onely the rite it self is made worship of God , but also the application of it to that subject , though it be but mens invention , yea and such a one as alters the end and use of the ordinance ▪ as is in infant baptism , bell-baptism , altar-baptism , infant-Communion , Prayer , sacrifice , vows , keeping solemn feasts , offering incense , building altars , were instituted ordinances , yet Jeroboams sacrificing and keeping a feast at another time than God appointed , Ahaz his forming an altar after the pattern of that at Damascus , Nadab and Abihu their offering strange fire , prayer to Saints , for the dead , vowes to Saints , monastick profession after such a rule , keeping of holy dayes to Saints , and many other things among Pagans , and Papists , are : condemned as will-worship . Generally Protestants , even the Assembly in their Conffession of faith , chap. 29. art . 4. make the lifting up , reserving the elements in the Eucharist , Contrary to Matth. 15.9 . and chap. 21. they say , the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself , and so limited to his own revealed will , that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men , or suggestions of Satan , under any visible representations , or any other way not prescribed in the Holy●scripture ; yea the non-conformists have gone further in so censuring the three ceremonies , cross at baptism , kneeling at the Lords Supper , the wearing the Surplice in holy ministrations , to be will-worship , as the Abridgement of the Lincolnshire Ministers petition , and other writings shew , and D. Morton in his Defence , and D. Burges in his Rejoynder to the reply , chap. 2. and elsewhere , acquit them onely from will-worship , in that they placed not holiness in them , made them not necessary parts of worship , which I presume M. Blake will not say of Infant-baptism , the denial of which he counts , though vainly , to be sacrilege , Vindic. foed . chap. 40. And sure baptisms were instituted ordinances among the Jews , Heb. 9.10 . yet our Lord Christ applies the Prophets censure of will-worship , Isai. 29.13 . against the Pharises placing holiness and fear of God in their washings of hands and other things so often and in the manner they used . Mark. 7.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. Secondly , were it granted , that it is not properly will-worship to misapply an instituted ordinance to a wrong subject , yet if it be an abuse or profanation , the matter is no whit mended with M. Blake , if I put in my argument instead of the term ( will-worship ) the term ( profanation or abuse ) I presume Paedobaptists will not justify a profanation or abuse , which Infant-baptism is acknowledged to be if it be not after Gods appointment or Christs institution . Wherefore M. M. and the most of the paedobaptists , not trusting to these evasions seek for an appointment of Infant-baptism in the institution of Infant-circumcision , Gen. 17. Yet M. Baxter in his p●●in Scripture proof , part . 1. chap. 4. &c. declines the command of Circumcision for proof of Infant-baptism , and imagins an ordinance of their visible Church-membership , distinct from the ordinance of Circumcision , unrepealed , out of which he endeavours to prove Infant-baptism , though he no where that I know shew us where that ordinance is , notwithstanding in my Praecursor and elsewhere he hath been often pressed to shew it , which book of M. B. taking so much , that a third edition is printed , I had hoped paedobaptists would have stuck to his way , and declined the other way of analogy of the Command of Circumcision . But I see latter books , as M. Sidenham , M. Fuller , and others , still insisting on the hypothesis concerning the covenants and the seal , and Baptisms succession to Circumcision , &c. M. Gataker in his Latin treatise against D. Ward about the force and efficacy of Infant-baptism , though by his Epistle ▪ it appears he had seen M. Baxters books , yet p. 16. he speaks thus to D. Ward . I would you had specially designed the Command concerning the baptizing the infants of believers , which you mean. For although from the analogy of Circumcision , and the nature of this very sacrament , as it is destined to initiation , the comprehension of infants in the Covenant of grace &c. I deservedly believe both the Antient Church to have used , and the Church at this day justly to use Infant-baptism , yet hitherto I have found no speciall Command concerning this thing . I wish he had formed and confirmed his proof for Infant-baptism from the Analogy of Circumcision , &c. so antient , learned a man , and so accurate in Controversies , me thinks should have yielded some better proof for Infant-baptism than others have don , or have forborn calling them novel sectaries who with so much endeavour oppugn Infant-baptism ( which is the expression in his Epistle to the Reader ) and with-held his hand from subscribing to that attestation wherein the Four positions of my Examen were censured as erroneous and pernicious . But not meeting with any other proof than this , I shall keep on in the Review of the dispute , and examine the pretended institution of Infant-baptism out of the Old Testament , taking in some texts of the New , and first Examine the way of proof by analogy of Circumcision , which seems to have been the Assemblies way , and then M. Bs. more refined way , as is imagined , desiring the Reader to take notice of what was before disputed in the Second Section of the second part of this Review , to prove that consequences drawn from analogy between meer positive rites of the Old and New Testament to prove a duty in the use of them , without particular institution , are not good . SECT . II. Dr. Homes his arguments to prove Infant-baptism from Gen. 17. are Examined . Two wayes I finde Consequences framed , one in arguments formed syllogistically , the other in certain Conclusions or hypotheses from whence it is conceived they may deduce Infant-baptism . I begin with the former way . I had formed the argument from Gen. 17.7 . &c. three wayes , in my Exercit. Sect. 1 , 2 , 3. and that without disadvantage to my Antagonists , notwithstanding D. Homes his exceptions . But I am content to view the forms D. Homes sets down , as more agreeable to their minde . In his Animadversion on my Exerc. chap. 2. pag. 6. he saith , Our first form of argument from Gen. 17.7 . &c. is this . Where there is a Command for a thing never remanded on contramanded , there the thing is still in force . But there is a Command for signing the infants of a believer with the sign of the Covenant of grace , Gen. 17.7 , 9. never yet remanded or contramanded : therefore the signing believers children with the sign of the Covenant of grace ( namely baptism now ) is still in force . To which I answer , 1. The conclusion is not of the thing in question , which is not of the children of believers , but of the Infant-children of believers , as it was in the Minor , now a person of 20. years of age is a believers child , as well as one of two dayes old . 2. In the Minor ( the sign of the Covenant of grace Commanded ) is understood , either of the sign of the Covenant of grace expressed in the Conclusion , to wit , Baptism , and if so , it is denied that there is any such Command , Gen. 17.7 , 9. to sign with the sign of the Covenant of grace believers infants , there 's no Command but of circumcising the manchild of eight dayes old , not a tittle of baptism : or else of a sign of the Covenant of grace there expressed , and if so , the Minor is denied , that the Command for signing the Infants of a believer with the sign of the Covenant of grace , Gen. 17.7 , 9. was never yet remanded or contramanded . It was expressely contramanded Acts 15.28 . Gal. 5.1 , 2 , 3. If in the Conclusion by ( the sign of the Covenant of grace ) be meant as the words ( namely baptism now ) import , the rite of Christian Baptism , and in the Minor it be meant of the Command of Circumcision , then there is a fault of the syllogism in the form , it consisting of four terms . If in the Minor i● be meant of the sign of the Covenant indefinite , which is neither Baptism nor Circumcision , I deny there is such a Command , Gen. 17.7 , 9. and the syllogism hath also fourth terms . Two other forms he hath pag. 9. 2. Form of argument from Gen. 17. is this . To whom the Covenant in force runs in the same tenour in the New Testament as in the Old , to them the application of the first sign or seal of the New Testament may be applied ▪ as well as the first of the Old Testament : But this tenour of the Covenant of grace still in force , is as true , and doth as truely run to a believing Gentile , I am thy God and the God of thy seed , as it did to Abraham the Father of believing Gentiles , Rom. 4. Gal. 3. Ergo , the first seal of the Covenant may be applied to believers children , now in the New Testament as well as in the Old to Abrahams . The Major is plain in Gen. 17. the tenor of the Covenant , and the application of the first seal , are Knit into a dependence one upon another . I am the God of thee , and thy seed , V. 7 , 8. Therefore thou shalt circumcise every male , V. 9. &c. The Minor is unquestioned of any that I know . Answer 1. The thing to be concluded was , that Baptism may be applied , but baptism and the first seal of the Covenant I do not take to be all one . Baptism or Circumcision I do no where finde in Scripture called the seal of the Covenant , much less the first seal , and why the blood of Christ , or the spirit of Christ , or the oath of God may not be called the first seal of the Covenant as well as these , I know not ; again the Conclusion was to be ( may be applied to infant-children of believers ) where as the conclusion is ( may be applyed to believers children ) And the thing to be concluded was simply ( baptism may be applied to Infants of believers ) whereas it is propounded comparatively ( now in the New Testament as well as in the Old to Abraham ) now baptism was not applied to Abraham , and therefore the Conclusion may be granted ( baptism may be applied to infants of believers now as well as to Abraham ) that is , just never a whit , sith it was never applied to Abraham . 2. But besides , if the phrases ( to whom the Covenant in force runs &c. ) in the Major , and in the Minor , ( doth as truely run to a believing Gentile ) ( as the words carry it ) be meant onely of the believer , and in the Major ( the application to them ) be meant onely of the believing Gentile as in the Minor , then there are more than three term● in the syllogism , ( applied to believers children ) beeing not at all in either of the premises . But if it be put in the Major ( may be applied to them and their Infants ) and in the Minor ( to a believing Gentile and his Infant children ) I deny both Major and Minor. Nor the Major proved from Gen. 17.7 , 8 , 9. as in my Answer to M. Bailee , Sect. 3. in my Ample disquisition Sect 5. is made manifest , by shewing the nullity of the pretended connexion between the Covenant and the seal ; The term ( therefore ) Gen. 17.9 . ) may be read ( and ) and it hath not reference to the promise onely , V. 7. but to the rest of the promises , V 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. or rather to the whole Covenant , and the making of it , and it imports not a right by vertue of the Covenant , but a motive inforcing a Command , and this command being of circumcising the male onely of 8. dayes old , shewes there is not a connexion between the Covenant and Seal , sith then it would belong to the female and male of the seventh day , they being in Covenant as well as the male of the eighth . The Minor he takes as unquestioned , But I deny it , till I finde it better proved than yet I have done . I omit the uncoutheness of the Phrase ( to them the application of the first sign may be applied ) and leave the D. to make good sense of it , which I cannot do . His 3. form of Argument from Gen. 17. is , Where there is the same reason of a precept , there may be the same practice : But the promise which is the reason of the precept runs in the New Testament ( as flowing from Gen. 17. ) to believers and their children , The promise is to you and your children , Acts. 2.39 . Ergo. Answer . What is the Conclusion he would prove he leavs to be gathered . It should be , Infants of believers are to be baptized . But then the predicate in the Conclusion would be found in neither of the Premisses . For the precept Gen. 17.9 . is onely that male Infants of 8. days old of Abrahams house should be Circumcised . But a little after he puts this as the Conclusion , that the same reason on which the administration of circumcision was grounded , the administration of baptism was grounded . Which I grant true in this sense , that as the reason why Circumcision was administred to Infants was the Command of God , so the reason why Baptism is to be administred to believers , is the Command of Christ. But the D. would have it thus , that as infants were to be Circumcised by vertue of the promise , Gen. 17.7 . so Infants of believers are to be Baptized by vertue of the same promise repeated Acts 1.39 . concerning which , to omit the monstrosity of his syllogism , in which there are more than 4 terms , and neither the Predicate nor Subject in the Conclusion , Major or Minor , his speeches are without proof or trueth . For 1. it is not true , where there is the same reason of a precept there may be the same practice . For Levit. 19.5 , 9 , 10 , 19 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30. are precepts concerning Mosaical ceremonies or observances , as of offering a sacrifice , of peace offerings , not reaping the corners of the field , not sowing the field with mingled seed , not wearing a garment of linnen and woollen , not eating fruit of trees planted till the fourth yeer , not eating any thing with the blood , not rounding the corners of the head , reverencing the Sanctuary , to wit , the tabernacle or Temple , and these with other moral precepts mixed among them in the same Chapter , have in sundry of those verses , and the beginning and end of the Chapter , this as the common reason , I am the Lord , and yet we are not by the same reason tied to all the practices . 2. He doth not prove that the promise , Acts 2.39 . is the same with the promise , Gen. 17.7 . It is more likely to be either the promise , Act. 2.17 , 33 , 38. or Act. 2.30 . or Act. 3.25 . which were eminent promises , and related to the covenant of grace . 3. He doth not prove that ( to you , Act. 2.39 . ) is ( to you believers and to your children ) that is , the Infants of believers as such : It doth not appear they were then believers when these words were spoken . 4. Nor is there a word that shews the promise was to them or their children , whether called or no. 5. Nor is it proved that the promise to Abraham and his seed , Gen. 17.7 . was the onely reason of the precept , vers . 9 , 10. 6. If it were so proved , it is not proved , nor ever can be , that it was the formal adequate reason , why an Infant was circumcised . 7. Nor is there the least hint in the words , Act. 3.38 , 39. that the reason why a person hath right to be Baptized , is barely the being of the promise to that person , or Gen. 17.7 , 9 , 10. any hint that the promise barely of it self , did either give right to Circumcision , or oblige to the duty , but in both places it is brought as a motive to excite to that duty , which the precept alone was the formal reason of , and in the former as well of Repentance as of being Baptized . So that when the Doctor hath formed his arguments , they are but mishapen things , having many ambiguities of speech , little or no proof for what he saith . And notwithstanding the Doctors cavils , I yet think the arguments from Gen. 17. were better formed by me in my Exercitation for Paedobaptists advantage , than by the Doctor in his Animadversions : But perhaps we may finde the Arguments better formed elsewhere . SECT . III. Master Drew's Argument for Infant-baptism from Gen. 17. is examined , and it is shewed , there is not the same reason of Infant-Baptism , as of Infant-Circumcision . MAster John Drew is one of those to whose writings Master Baxter refers me , and is said by the Author of the lawfulness of obeying the present government , to have written with sharp reasons and mild language . Let 's see how he hath disputed pag. 23. of his serious address ; Where there is the same reason of a precept or command enjoyning any practice continued , there may and must be the same practice continued : But the reason of the command for signing Infants of Covenanters with the first signe or seal of the Covenant under the Old Testament continues still in force for that practice under the New Testament . Therefore now that command is in force to all persons in Covenant , as it was then . Answ. The command in force then to all persons in Covenant , is expressed by himself in the words before , pag. 22.23 . the command of Circumcision , Gen. 17.11 , 12. when he saith ( All the Infants of those in Covenant with God were signed with the first signe or seal of the Covenant then instituted and commanded by the Lord , which was Circumcision ) so that if he mean , as his words are , this is his meaning in his conclusion ( that command which is Gen. 17.11 , 1● . to Circumcise the flesh of the foreskin of Abrahams males of eight dayes old , is now in force to all persons in Covenant , as well as it was then ) which neither hath nor can have any other sense ( taking words as they are used by other men ) but that still all in Covenant with God , are bound by th● command , Gen. 17.11 , 12. to Circumcise their male children of eight dayes old ; which is to maintain that which the Apostles have abro●●ted , Act. 15. to intangle us with the yoak of bondage , which the Apost●e saith , would make Christ unprofitable to us , Gal. 5.1 , 2 , 3. But it will be said , he means not the command of Circumcision , but the command of signing with the first sign or seal of the Covenant . Ans. If he means so , he rather juggles than disputes . For the words speak of the command , which is Gen. 17.11 , 12. and that is no other than of Circumcision ; no such command of signing Infants of Covenanters with the first signe or seal of the Covenant in the Old Testament , besides that of Circumcision , is either there or any where else that I know of ; if there be let it be shewed . But this is the manner of Paedobaptists , in their disputes to imagine a command of sealing , as they call it , with the first seal , the Infants of Covenanters abstractively or distinctly from Circumcision in the Old Testament , Gen. 17. which is indeed a meer fiction , with which they mock their auditors and readers , who unwarily take what they say without examination . Now this were an answer sufficient to this argument ; yet because this mans reasoning is so commended , let 's view his proofes . For proof of the Major thus he writes . For when God giveth the reason of any command , that reason is the ground of the command ; and till that reason ceaseth , he is very bold with God , that dare exempt himself from the practice . And again , If the first proposition be denied , viz , where there is the same reason of a precept continued , there must be the same practice , then every man may set himself free from any command of God , and who can say unto him , what doest thou ? For the Lord commands nothing without a reason , if there be no reason exprest , the reason of his will is implyed , which is as cogent and binding as all reasons in the world , till he makes it appear that it ceaseth . This is very clear . Answ. The reason of a Command may be understood , either of the reason why Cod commands a thing , or the reason why we are bound to observe that command . The reason why God commands is various , sometimes one thing , sometimes another , sometimes expressed , sometimes concealed . And sometimes the same reason is given of very various commands , as I said before ( I am the Lord your God ) is Levit. 19. the promiscuous reason of moral and ceremonial and judicial commands ; yea that the very reason which 1 Pet. 1.14 , 15 , 16. is given for the command to be obedient children , not fashioning themselves according to their lusts in their ignorance , but to be holy in all manner of conversation , is cit●d from Levit. 11.44 , 45. and is the very reason why he forbids the Israelits to eat certain meats , or to touch certain things unclean by the Law. And therefore by Master Drew's reasoning ( the reason of the precept not ceasing ) we are bound still to the precept , Levit. 11. of abstaining from meats unclean by the Law , and from touching things legally defiling . But though there may be many motives to do it the rather , yet the onely formal adequate reciprocal reason why we are bound to observe any thing , is the command of our Lord revealed to us . besides which , we are to look no further , nor are we to neglect it , till by some declaration of his will , it appears we are discharged . Thus Abraham was bound to offer his son Isaac on the Altar , because of Gods command , without knowing any other reason ; yea though he had known the reason from the end to be fulfilled , yet he had not been discharged till God signified it by the Angel , that he should not slay him . Now then to Master Drews argument . I● he understand the reason of the precept in the first sense his major is false ; the reason why God gave a precept may continue , and yet the practice is not to continue , as Levit. 11 ▪ 44 , 45. On the otherside the reason of a precept may not reach , and yet the precept reach ; as though God brought not us out of Egypt , which is the reason of the command , Deut. 5.6 , 7. yet the command pertains to us , and vers . 15. It is said , Remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt , therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day . Where I presume Master Drew will say the command reacheth us , though the reason of it do not . And as for his inference , That if it be denied , where there is the same reason of a precept there must be the same practice , then every man may set himself free from any command of God , it is true , if by the same reason of a precept , he understand the reason of a precept in the second sense , for the reason why we are bound to observe his precept , to wit , the declaration of Gods will it should continue : but if he understand it in the first sense , for that reason which God gives , why he declared his will , and bound us to observe it , though it continue . yet the precepr may not be in force , nor on the other side doth the precept alwayes cease to binde , though that reason cease , as is proved before . Now that reason of the precept Gen. 17.11 , 12. which is vers . 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. is a reason of the first sort , and not of the latter . And indeed in more positive rites which are by institution the precept continues not in force , however rhe reason God used to inforce it , remaine , except the institution be continued . Rightly Pareus comm . in Gen. 8.20 . to an Objection , That sacrifices are to be continued , because the cause is perpetual , Answereth , The perpetual cause of a thing necessarily co-hering with the thing , as a Cause continued with its effect , makes the same perpetual . But the said causes or ends do not so co-here with the sacrifies of the Ancients , but onely by appointment , that is divine ordination , which was that those sacrifices should be the confirmation of the faith of the fathers , and a signification of gratitude , unto the coming of the Messiah , &c. The like may be said of the ends of Circumcision , and the occasion of appointing it . But let us view Master Drew's proof of the Minor , The reason ( saith he ) of the command for signing Infants of Believers under the Law , with the first signe or seal of the Covenant , was this promise , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , as is evident , Gen. 17.7 , 8. compared with the 9.10 . and 11. verses , where this promise of God , and the application of the first seal are knit into a dependence one upon another : I will establish my Covenant between me and thee , &c. to be a God unto thee and thy seed after thee ; therefore thou shalt Circumcise every male , as a token of the Covenant , vers 11. But this same reason of the command continues in force under the Gospel ; God doth as truely say to every Believing Gentile now , I am thy God and the God of thy seed , as he did to Abraham the Father of believing Gentiles , so he is called Rom. 4.11 . Therefore I may conclude , that Believers under the Gospel , have the same command for signing their Infants with the first seal of the Covenant of promise ( which now is baptism ) as Abraham had to signe his under the Law with the first signe , &c. which then was Circumcision ; and now Sirs , if the blessing of Abraham be come upon you , and if you be heirs according to the promise , you may easily finde a command for Baptizing your Infant seed . Answ. If Master Drew would prove what is to be proved , he should prove that the proper formal reason obliging to the duty of Circumcision , Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11. was the promise , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed after thee . But that is false . For the formal reason being put , the thing is put without any other thing , and it being not put , the thing is not put , though other things be put . But if the promise had been put , yet Abraham had not been obliged to Circumcise , unless a command were put , and the command being put , Abraham was bound to Circumcise , though God had made no promise . Therefore , though the promise might be a motive to do it , yet as Master Mars●all truely confesseth , Defence of his Sermon pag. 182. the formal reason of the Jews being Circumcised was the command ; and therefore till Master Drew shew we have the same command to Baptize Infants , as Abraham had to Circumcise Infants , he can never shew we have the same or equal reason for Infant-baptism , as was for Infant-circumcision . But Master Drew thinks to prove his Minor from Gen. 17.7 , 8. compared with the 9 , 10 , 11. vers . Where it is evident ( saith he ) this promise of God , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , and the application of the first seal , are knit into a dependence one upon another . But he doth but dictate without any cleer explication , or thorough consideration of what he saith . For 1. He doth not plainly tell us , that the dependence he imagines to be one upon another of the application of the first seal and the promise , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , is upon that promise alone , and not upon the other promises , vers . 4 , 5 , 6 , 8. And if he do so mean , yet he brings nothing to p●ove it , and it ●s unequal he should expect we should take it on his word , sith if we gather any thing from the placing of the words , the reason of the command , vers . 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. may as well be from the promise of giving him and his seed the land o● Canaan , vers . 8. as the promise , vers . 7. 2. Whereas the promise vers . 7. hath diverse senses , one , so as to be meant of Abraham as a natural father , and his seed according to the flesh , another , of Abraham as a spiritual father , and his spiritual seed , he neither brings a word , nor do I think can , why the reason of the Command , vers . 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. should be from the promise made to Abraham as a spiritual father , and to his spiritual seed ( which alone is for his purpose to bring Gentile-believers children to be in the promise ) rather than to Abraham as a natural Father and to his natural seed , especially those of them that were to inherit the land of Canaan : yea it is manifest , that if the dependence were , as he saith , it is to be interpreted of Abrahams seed by nature , sith the command there was given to the natural seed of Abraham only , and them that joyned to them . 3. Nor doth Mr. Drew shew what dependence one upon another they are knit into , whether contingent or necessary , or if necessary , in what degree of necessity , Whether , de omni per se or quatenus ipsum . This last seems to be most likely , and the dependence this , To whomsoever that promise is made , that person is to have the first seal ; and whosoever is to have the first seal , to that person the promise is made . But this were evidently false . For it appears from v. 19. that the promise was not made to Ishmael , and yet he was to have the first seal , & others of Abrahams house had not the promise who were to be signed with Circumcision , and the females had the promise made to them , and yet were not to be signed . If it be said they were vertually signed , it serves not Master Drew's turn , who asserts a dependence of the promise and actual signing in the person federate . 4. Nor doth he shew from what term or words his imagined dependence is evident . The onely term I know , he or any other gathers the supposed dependence from , is vers . 9. ( therefore ) But in the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the most usual sense is , And thou , noting a further addition to his speech , not an illation of one thing from another . And so the Tigurines read & tu , And thou , Pareus Tu autum , But thou , Piscator , Tu vero , Thou verily . So that the evidence is very small , which is from so uncertain a light . 5. Nor doth he nor can he shew from the comparing Gen. 17.7 , 8. with 9 , 10 , 11. any dependence of application of any other first signe , than Circumcision upon the promise there . The Command of an indfinite first seal , there or elswhere to believers Infants , is a meer figment . 6. That dependence which is implyed by the term ( therfore ) is not at all such as intimates a right competent to Infants , but a duty enjoyned to parents , which Infants are nor capable of . And therefore if any see a command for Baptizing of Infants in that place , it is but a parallax , or decep●io visus , a mistake of sight , as in him that thinks he sees two Suns or two Moons at once . The Minor also in his Argument is to be proved . SECT . IV. The Covenant , Genesis 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. was a mixt Covenant . BUt afore ●e comes to prove it , he brings in an objection , Gods Covenant with Abraham , was not a pure Gospel-Covenant , as appears , say they , by his promising Abraham temporal things , Gen. 17.8 . therefore we may not argue from thence to the Covenant of Grace . It is true , both in my Exercitation , and in my Examen , Part 3. Sect. 2. and else where , I deny the Covenant made with Ahraham , Gen. 17. to be a pure Gospel-Covenant , and aver it to be mixt , and shew how it is mixt , to wit , of promises not belonging to every one with whom the New Covenant of the Gospel is made , but respecting peculiarly Abrahams house , and the policy of Israel , and that the promises Evangelical are delivered , Gen. 17. in words expressing proper benefits to Abraham and his natural seed , though in the more inward sense of the Holy Ghost , Evangelical promises were meant , and therefore it may be well doubted , whether that Covenant may be termed simply Evangelical : Yea the Scripture where it speaks of this Covenant , often mentions no other promise , but of the Land of Canaan , as Exod. 6.4 . Psal. 105.8 , 9 , 10 , 11. 1 Chron. 16.17 , 18. Act. 7.5 . Where Stephen mentions Gods promise to Abraham , he mentions that of the land of Canaan ; and vers . 8. calls the promise of Canaan , the Covenant of Circumsion . Wherefore Cameron in his Thescs of the threefold Covenant of God , Thesi. 78. saith , That Circumcision did primarily separate Abrahams seed from other Nations , sealed the earthly promise , it signified sanctification secondarily . Whence I inferre , that when Paedobaptists speak of Circumcision as if it were a Seal of the Covenant of Grace onely , and from it gather Rules and Conclusions concerning the Ordinance of Baptism , in the New Testament , as if the Reason of Circumcising Infants were from nothing proper to the policy or Nation of Israel , but onely out of the respect it had to the promise of Evangelical grace , they do but mislead the people , and speak their own conceits , and not the Language and minde of the Scripture . To this Master Drew saith , I answer , The Scripture no where calls that Covenant a mixt Covenant , but on the contrary , notwithstanding any civil promises of temporal things , it is held forth as pure a Covenant of Grace as may be ; the Apostle tells us plainly that this Covenant was confirmed of God in Christ , Gal. 3.17 . which I think is enough to make it a pure Gospel-Covenant . Christ was never the Testator of any Covenant , but that of Grace : outward things as appurtenances altered not the Covenant , nor made it mixt at all , unless that Covenant we live under be mixt too , for outward things are promised to believers under the Gospel , Rom. 8.32 . 1 Cor. 3.22 , 23. 1 Tim. 4.8 . Besides , this Covenant with Abraham is called a Covenant of justification , Rom. 4.2 , 3. of Grace , vers . 4. of Faith , vers . 13. and I am perswaded , that Abraham had not been called the Father of the Faithful , if Believers had stood in a different Covenant towards God , with that in which he stood ; as for differences in the manner of administring and dispensing that Covenant , they matter nothing , if there be no difference in those Evangelical promises , which make it a Covenant of Grace ; but no man is able to make this appear ; therefore this exception weakens not our proposition , nor the Argument at all . I reply , if it be true which I allege , that the Covenant , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , was a mixt Covenant , as I shew in the places forecited , and that Circumcision injoyned , vers . 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. had reference as a signe or token not onely to that promise ( I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed ) but also to the promises which peculiarly respect the house of Abraham , and policy of Israel , which cannot be understood to belong to every believer , as vers . 7. to be the father of many Nations , to be exceeding fruitful , that God would make Nations of him , and Kings should come out of him ; that he would give unto him and his seed after him the Land wherein he was a stranger , all the Land of Canaan for an everlasting possession ; Then it follows , that the reason of the command , vers . 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. is not onely from the promise vers . 7. but those other promises , and the application of the first seal are knit into a dependence one upon another , as well as that vers . 7. and then if the argument be good , The Infants of those to whom the promise is , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , are to have the first seal , because of the dependence there , it will follow , he to whom God gives the Land of Canaan for a possession , he out of whom God brings Nations and Kings , he is likewise to be sealed with the first seal , sith there is as much dependence in the text , of Circumcision on the promises vers . 4 , 5 , 6 , 8. as on the promise vers . 7. so that if this reasoning of Master Drew's be good ; for my part I see not but that the Turk , possessour now of Canaan , may be intitled to Baptism by the same reason he produceth for Infant-baptism of Believers children . Now whereas he saith , That the Scripture no where calls that Covenant mixt , I grant it , and it is true also , that it no where calls it a pure Gospel-covenant , nor Circumcision a seal of the Covenant of Grace , or the first seal ; yet , the thing I mean by it being proved out of those texts forenamed , there is no reason to except against the expression . Nor can it be true , that the Covenant Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. is held forth as pure a Covenant of Grace as may be , if the promises are of sundry things not assured to Believers in the Covenant of the New Testament . Which is most evident : for no Believer hath now a promise of the possession of the Land of Canaan , but rather an assurance of persecution , no promise of such greatness , as to be the progenitor of Kings and Nations , but rather of obscurity and debasement . A pure Gospel Covenant containing many promises , is rare in the Old Testament , except where he foretells us he would make a new Covenant . God made a Covenant with David , Psal. 89.3 , &c. Nor do I deny it was a Gospel-covenant , yet therein are promises peculiar to his house , as vers . 30 , 31 , 32 , 33. yea the promises which were Evangelical in the furthest intent and aim , were domestical in the first place , and the most open expressions . Nor is it a whit against the mixture of Abrahams Covenant which I avouch , That the Apostle tells us plainly that this Covenant was confirmed of God in Christ , Gal. 3.17 . And that Christ was never the Testator of any Covenant but that of Grace . For the word is in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendered in Christum by the Tigurines , into or unto Christ , or as Master Dickson renders it , respectu Christi , in respect of Christ , That is , as in his paraphrase , with relation to Christ , or as Diodati , whose foundation was Christ , not as the Testator , but as the party concerning whom the Testament was made , or as the executor by whom the things promised were performed . Now in either of these senses it is easie to conceive how the pro●ise might be in Christ , or unto Christ , and yet the Covenant not a pure Gospel-covenant . He might be either a Legatee , or an Executor in that Testament which contained not onely Evangelical blessings of justification , &c. which were common to all true Believers , but also outward blessings , which few or no Believers had in the New Testament . I see not any inconvenience in it to say that the Testament was confirmed in Christ , in respect of the promises , so far as they were Evangelical , and yet to say there were promises in the same which were not such , nor they 〈◊〉 in Christ , though in the same Covenant . And whereas he calls outward things appertenances , I conceive the promises of outward things , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 8. are as truely parts of the Covenant as the promise , vers . 7. Yea in the p●●ces foretold , the promise of Canaan hath the title of the covenant . And those promises , though they alter not the Covenant , yet they must needs make a mixture in the covenant , for by reason of them the covenant contains promises of diverse sorts . And for that which is said , That now under the Gospel , outward things are promised to Believers : I grant it , yet it is nothing against the mixture in the covenant , Gen. 17. which I assert : For those promises are not the p●omise of Canaan , to be progenitor of Kings , which are not made to every Believer , but of a different sort . Whence I infer , that there was a mixture in the covenant , Gen. 17. which is not in the New Testament , and the reference of circumcision to that covenant , might be and was in respect of those domestick promises , as well or more then of the Gospel promises as such . Nor do I finde Rom. 4.2 , 3 , 4. any mention of the covenant , Gen , 17. much less is it there , which Master Drew saith , That it is called the covenant of justification and of grace . It is true Abraham is there said to be justified by Grace , yet no mention of the covenant , and the text there cited , is Gen. 15.6 . not Gen. 17. And though Rom. 4.13 . it be said , The promise to Abraham and his seed , that he should be heir of the world , was not by the law , but by the righteousness of saith ; yet it neither calls the covenant the covenant of faith ; nor doth it assert that the covenant , Gen. 17. contained no other promise but what was Evangelical or common to all Believers of Jews and Gentiles . Neither do I , nor need I say , that Believers stood in a different covenant towards God with that in which Abraham stood . I am perswaded as Mr. Drew , that Believers now are justified by the same covenant that Abraham was justified by , to wit , that in Abraham all Nations of the earth should be blessed , Gal. 3.8 . & Rom. 4.13 . A father of many Nations have I made thee . I onely say , that the covenant Gen. 17. contained promises which were proper to the Jews , together with the Evangelical promises . And to make those promises no parts of the covenant , but onely the manner of administring and dispensing the covenant , because the Holy Ghost alludes to them as figures and types of spiritual things , is not right . For even the promise , vers . 7. was in the like manner typical , Abrahams natural seed inheriting , shadowing the Israel of God , true believers , and then by this reason the promise , I will be a God to thy seed , should be no part of the covenant , but belong to the manner of administring and dispensing the Covenant . The like may be said of the rest of the promises , they all shadowed out spiritual benefits , and so there should be no parts of the covenant , and consequently no covenant at all , but a manner of administring and dispensing of I know not what covenant . But the speeches vers . 4 , 5 , 6 , 8. do contain promises , as well as vers . 7. and either I am uncapable to understand the meaning of terms , or else promises are parts , yea substantial or essential , or integral parts of a covenant , the description of a covenant , being a collective of promises , and the Scripture , what Gal. 3.15 . is called a covenant or testament , calls vers . 16. promises . And therefore ro make the promises Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 8. not to be parts , but appurtenances to the covenant , or the manner of administring and dispensing it , hath in my apprehension , neither truth nor congruous sense . Now if they be part of the covenant , as hath been made appear , and circumcision had its appointment by reason of them , as well as the promise , vers . 7. it matters much to weaken Master Drew's proposition and argument , though there be no difference in those Evangelical promises which make it a covenant of grace between Abrahams covenant and ours . Master Drew proceeds . SECT . V. Acts 2.38 , 39. Proves not either the identity of Covenant now with that to Abraham , Gen. 17.7 . as it comprehends his natural seed , nor the connexion between it and Baptizability . NOw to go on to the proof of our second proposition in the argument , which is , that the reason of the command for signing , &c. even this promise I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , continues in full force under the Gospel , I refer you to that Scripture Acts 2.39 . to make it good . The promise is unto you and to your children . What promise ? Why this must needs relate to a former engagement , yea and too made unto them to whom the Apostle Peter spake , viz. Jews , and I know not to what engagement this can have reference , if not unto Gods promise made to Abraham , of being his God and the God of his seed after him . Certainly he is one of those that are blinde , and yet have eyes , who sees not from this text , that this very promise is in force and appliable to Believers under the Gospel , and if this stand good , then the command for signing our Infants with the first signe of the covenant of grace , viz. Baptism , stands good too , for this promise is the reason which God gives of his precept ; God will own a Believers children , therefore he will have them markt for his . Answ. I grant the promise I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , doth still continue in force , God is still the God of Abrahams seed , that is his spiritual seed , elect persons , and true Believers ; and he will be again the God of Abrahams natural seed when the natural branches or posterity of Abraham , the root , shall be grafted in again . But I deny that which Master Drew means , and in the page before expressed , that God doth as truely say to every believing Gentile now , I am thy God , and the God of thy seed , as he did to Abraham the father of the faithful ; yea or that ever God meant by that promise to assure Spiritual or Evangelical blessings to all and every of Abrahams natural posterity , the Apostle determining and proving the contrary , Rom. 9 6 7 , 8 , &c. and restraining that promise in the Evangelical sense onely to the children of Abraham , which were elect by God. Nor is there a word , Act. 2.39 . to make it good in Master Drew's sense . For , 1. Master Drew proves not that the promise Act. 2.39 . must needs be the promise Gen. 17.7 . I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed . His argument is , It must needs relate to a former engagement to the Jews , and therefore to that Gen. 17.7 . But this is to argue a genere ad speciem affirmative , it relats to a former engagement therfore to this , which Logicians deny to be good proof . But saith he , I know not what engagement this can have reference to , if not unto the promise Gen. 17.7 . I answer , though he know not , and so may be one of those , that are blind and yet have eyes , ( which he chargeth on his opposits ) yet others see other promises , namely that to David of raising up Christ to sit on his throne mentioned Acts 2.30 . or the promise of the Holy Gost mentioned V. 33. or the promise of blessing mentioned Acts 3.25 . Any of which may be the Promise meant Acts 2.39 . more probably then that Gen. 17.7 . 2. Where it is said ( The promise is to you ) if we either consider the scope of the Apostle or other parrallel texts Acts 3.26 . Acts 13.32 , 33. ( the promise is ) is as much as to say , the promise made to David Acts 2.30 . or to Abarham Acts 3.25 . is fulfilled in raising up Christ , or the Promise of the spirit is fulfilled in the shedding forth of its gifts , ( of which Promise mentioned V. 17.18 . Piscator and others understand it ) and that for you , that is for your good blessing , and your children and all that are afarr off as many as the Lord our God shall call , not as M. Drew means , there is a promise of being a God to you and every one of your children continually to be fulfilled as soon as ever they are in being . 3. It is false which M. Drew presupposeth as if the meaning were ( the Promise is to you ) that is ( the Promise of being your God is to you believers and to your children ) that is to all your Infant children , as children of believers whether Jews or Gentiles . For 1. that speech is made to the Jews ( as M. Drews own words seem to import ( onely and their children , and not to Gentiles and their children 2. It is false that when it is said ( the Promise is to you ) the meaning is to you as believers . For neither were they then believers , as I prove in my Ample disquisit : Sect 5. nor is it certain whether some of them were ever believers , the occasion and scope seems to intimate rather that they were considered there as persons who had crucified Christ 3. Neither is it true that the Promise is to their children , that is to their infant children as their children , M. Gataker discept : de bapt : Infant : vi . & 〈◊〉 . pag. 12. saith thus , To the obtaining the promise as well repentance as partaking of baptism at least in this place is exacted ; so that hence the promise of remission of sins cannot be proved to be made to Infants when they are entered by baptism , unless also they repent . 4 nor do I know how it can be true , which M. Drew sayes , in any sense for his purpose , that God hath promised to every believing Gentile now to be the God of his seed as he did to Abraham , by which he would expound the words Acts 23.9 . the promise is to your children . For in respect of spiritual blessings accompanying salvation it is not true , every believers child is not elect , in the Covenant of saving grace , a child of the resurrection , nor in respect of outward Ecclesiastical privileges . Neither did God Promise Circumcision to every child of Abraham , not to the males under 8. dayes old nor to the females , nor hath it any colour to interpret I will be the God of thy seed , that is they shall be circumcised , much less that God promised to every Gentile believers child he should be Baptized or have right to Baptism , sure not to professed unbelievers , to abortives or still born Infants . For my part with all M. Drews light I cannot understand how according to M. Drews exposition the promise Gen. 17.7 . is inforce and applyable to believers under the Gospel as he saith . Nor do I conceive it true which he ads . If this stand good then the Command for signing our Infants with the first sign of the Covenant of grace viz. Baptism stands good to ; For were it granted that it were true , that God doth as truly say to every believing Gentile now , I am thy God and the God of thy seed as he did to Abraham the Father of believing Gentiles , yet there is not a word in that text or any other to prove that therefore every believers Infant child is to be baptized , it being false that the Covenant of grace doth of it selfe intitle to Baptism as I have proved in my Examen part . 3. S. 1. in my letter to M. Baile or Additions to my Appology Sect. 3. in the Ample disquisition Sect. 5. where also it is proved that though the promise Acts 2.39 . be alleged why they should be baptized V. 38. yet not as the reason of their right to Baptism as M. Drew makes it , but as a motive encouraging them to it as their duty , and in performing of it first to move then to repent and then to be baptized . The reason , is not as M. Drew makes it . The promise is to you and and your children therefore it is their and your right to be baptized , and the minister ought to do it to you and your Infants ; but this , the promise is to you and your children , therefore you and they ought and may be encouraged to repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for remission of sins : nor is there a word in the text or elsewhere to prove that dictate of M. Drew , God will own believers children , therefore he will have them markt for his , even in infancy by baptism , more truely saith M. Gataker discept : Infant . de bapt ▪ infant . vi . & E●f●c . pag. 9. Acts 2.38 , 39. is nothing found concerning Infants to be baptized , In that they are Commanded to repent and to be baptized unto the remission of sins , it is altogether like to that saying of the Lord Christ , he that believeth and shall be baptized shall attain salvation Matth. 16.16 . But M. Drew thinks to take off the exceptions that are laid against the witness which this place brings to prove the birth priviledge of believers children under the Gospel . The first exception is that the promise is of extraordinary gifts of the spirit , and he answers . This doth not sute with the promise made Gen. 17.7 : which was to be performed to Abrahams children , and yet they had not those gifts . But 1. this Answer goes upon his mistake that the promise Acts 2.39 . must be that Gen. 17.7 . 2. he supposeth that the promise Acts 2.39 . must be understood so as to be made good to Abrahams seed afore Christ : But if so , it were false in his sense , for all Abrahams seed had not the birth priviledge of the first seale not the females any of them , nor any of the males till the eight day . 2. He saith , it cannot be true of extrao●dinary gifts , sith then all believing Jews must have those gifts , which they had not , and all believers might pray for them . To which I say if the promise be so understood , you shall all have sueh gifts . I acknowledg it were not true Exam. part . 3. Sect 6. But in this sense it may be true even of those gifts , the promise of sending the spirit in extraordinary gifts is fulfilled to you and your children and all that are afarr off even as many as the Lord our God shall call , that is for their and your benefit , in that by those gifts the Apostles were inabled to publish and propagate the Gospel , which is a benefit to all that are called . The Second exception is that the words ( as many as the Lord our God shall call ) expound the Apostle meaning , which is this , their children should receive the promise if the Lord called them , To it he answers 1. that this particle ( even ) with that which follows ( whom the Lord our God shall call ) has relation to the next foregoing sentence viz. those that are afarr off for the explanation of that not unto this sentence ( to you and your children ) so that the Apostle speaks thus , The promise is made to you and your children for the present , and when the Lord shall call those that are a far off and strangers to the Covenant of promise , they and their children shall be heirs to the promise as well as you and your children are now . To which I reply , M. Drew gives no reason , why the limitation should be ment onely of those afar off , and not also of them and their children 2. nor doth he answer the reason given to the contrary , that the speech were not true , if it be so expounded as that the sense be , that God would be a God to those Jews he then spake to , though they were not called to the knowledge and belief of Christ , and so salvation by another then Christ contrary to the same Apostles words Acts 4 12. To me saith M. Gataker discept . debapt . Inf. viz. and e●fic . pag. 253. the Covenant of grace Act· 2.39 . seems onely to be with them that have embraced the Gospel . Now if the words ( as many as the Lord our God shall call ) must limit the words ( to you and all that are afar off ) it is incongruous to the use of speaking not to apply it to ( your children ) in the middle . Yea without the limitation it would not be true that God hath promised to be a God to their or any others children . For God is not a God to any but those he calls either outwardly or inwardly at least . 3. His Paraphrase ( when the Lord our God shall call those that are afar off , they and their children shall be heirs to the promise as well as your children are now ) is an intolerable abuse of adding that of which there is not a word in the text , which doth not mention at all the children of them that are afar off though called . 2. saith M. Drew if the Appostle had meant to apply the promise onely to those who should be called of God to believe , then it had been needless to have made any mention at all of children . To which I reply there was great reason why he should mention their children with them , because they had wished Matth. 27.25 . Christs blood on them and their children . To take away the horrour of soule , and fear of the curse on them and their children caused by the conscience of their crucifying Christ and imprecation to them and their children , and not to assure them of such a poor empty Eclesiastical outward priviledge as paedobaptists imagine to belong to believers infants , was that speech of the Apostle intended in like fort as Joseph did in the like Gen. 45.3 , 4. &c. Gen. 50.20 . For this end was sutable to the occasion of their question Ver. 36.37 . and to the Apostles answer , and it seems probable tthe Apostle saith ( to you and your children ) but not , to all that are afar off and their children , because those afar off had not wished Christs blood on them and theirs as the other had done . 3. Saith M. Drew , it utterly overthrows the Apostles scope which is to shew the Jews shall be bettered rather then worsted by believing in Christ , which they would hardly believe should he have left their children ( who were alwayes till now reckoned in Covenant with them ) in as poor a condition as the most barbarous heathens in the world , which had been a bad argument to bring in the Jews , cold comfort to hear that their children should be made as much aliens to the Common-wealth of Israel by their Fathes embracing the Gospel , as the very Pagans . Surely this would stave off the Jews from Christ rather then bring them on . To which I reply , The Apostles scope is plain to direct them what to do being oppressed with the horrour of their sin in crucifying Christ and wishing his blood on them and their children , and Ver. 39. is a notice to them to repent and be baptized in the name of Christ. To imagine the Jews then either thought of a priviledge for their children answerable to circumcision , or that Peters scope was to satisfy them about it , is such a toy as is fit for children rather then men of understanding . It had been alike comfort unto the Jews at that time to tell them of their Infants right to baptism as for a man to tell an arraigned malefactor , expecting to be condemned and hanged , that his little child had a new Coat given him , vain words and bug-bears fit to affright children with , of a childs being out of the Covenant for defect of tittle to baptism , of being in worse case then the Jews , in as poor a condition as the most barbarous heathens in the world , aliens to the Common-wealth of Israel , debarred a priviledge the deprivation of which would have staved off the Jews from Christ. Children may be in covenant as much as the Jews , no whit worsted in their condition in a better condition , then barbarious heathen infidels , though title to baptism be not aserted to their infants . If by ( the commonwealth of Israel ) the Jewish civil or Eclesiastical estate , be understood those that Peter spake to , must expect to be alienated from it if they would be Christians . They knew Christ was cast out , and might know he had told them it would be so with his disciples . If by ( the Common-wealth of Israel ) be meant ( the true Christian Church ) the defect of Infant-baptism neither expressly nor by consequence made them aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel . Such conceits arise from paedobaptists mistaken suppositions . Nor can I imagine but that had the Jews understood that their children were in that condition , worsted for want of a priviledge equal to their circumcision they would have been glad to accept of Christ to take away that horrour that then lay on their Spirits . The third exception is , that it is not said the promise is to the Gentiles and their children ; now if this be not made good the argument fals , because we are Gentiles by nature . To which he answers 1. If believing Gentils live under the same Covenant that Abraham and his seed did ( which has been proved ) then though they were none of his seed , t is safer to apply the whole promise to them , I am thy God and the God of thy seed , then to cut off and circumcise the tenor of the Covenant , and to say unto believers now , God onely is your God , not the God of your children ; is not this to make a main and substantial alteration in the Covenant ? and to rob believers of one of the most precious comforts they have by promise , even Gods owning their seed . Which they cannot be assured of as the Jews were , without the children be admitted to the first sign or seal of the Covenant , which is baptism now under the Gospel , as I shall prove by its succeeding circumcision by and by . To which I reply , The Covenant Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. is mixt and in respect of the temporal promises believing Gentiles live not under the Covenant made to Abraham Gen. 17.7 . but in respect of the spiritual part , that is , they are justified and saved now , or God is a God to them as they are Abrahams seed Gal. 3.29 . But neither did God promise to be a God in respect of Gospel grace , to Abrahams natural seed as such , the contrary is delivered Rom. 9.7 , 8. nor now to any believers seed as such , but the elect whether believers or unbelievers children , as is proved at large by me Exam. part . 3. Sect. 4. not by denying the Covenant of grace to be made with a believer & his natural seed do we cut off or circumcise the tenor of the Covenant , or make any alteration , much less a main and substantial alteration in the Covenant , the Apostle expressly determining , and whole Juries of the ablest Protestant writers even paedobaptists expounding Rom. 9.8 . as resolving , that the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . to be a God to Abraham and his seed , was not made to all Abrahams natural seed , no not to the circumcised , not to Ishmael and Esau , but to the elect onely , and therefore there is no safety to apply the whole promise , I am thy God and the God of thy seed , to every sincere believer and his child , it being expressly contradictory to Rom. 9.8 . which determines some onely to be children of the promise . And yet we need not say as M. Drew injuriously makes us say , God onely is your God , not the God of your children , but onely this : you may assure your selves that he is your God , for ye are believers and so Abrahams seed ; and ye may hope by reason of general indefinite promises and frequent experiences that God will be a God to your children . But God hath not promised that he will be certainly a God to every , or any one of your children definitely , but is at liberty to shew mercy to your children , or to an infidels , as it shall please him . And this you must be contented with , sith God afforded no more to Abraham himself , when he had made Isaac the child of the promise and not Ishmael , nor to Isaac when he loved Iacob and hated Esau. It is fit you should remember God to be no debtor to you , that he is the potter , ye and yours are the clay , and accordingly acquiess in his will blessing him for his love to you which is the most precious comfort you have by promise , and not being anxious concerning your children . Nor is there any truth in it that either the Jews were assured that God would own their seed , that is , be their God , nor that by being admitted to circumcision they had that assurance , nor that without admission to baptism we cannot be assured of our children that GOD owns them , nor that baptism succeeds circumcision , or if it did , such assurance as Mr. Drew speaks of cannot be inferred thence . So that all this passage is but a fardel of mistakes . Le ts consider the next . 2. saith M. Drew , Are not Gentiles the seed of Abraham ? Then I would fain be resolved in this whether Christ took upon him onely the nature of the Jews , or of the Jews and Gentiles both ? If only of Jews , how must the Gentiles be saved ? If of both , then how you will construe this text Heb. 2.16 . He took upon him the seed of Abraham , if you will not allow the Gentiles by any means to be Abrahams seed . Answer . I grant believing Gentils are Abrahams spiritual seed descending from him as the Father of the faithfull by imitating his faith . And as for M. Drews frivolus or captious question , which goes upon a supposition as if Christ might take on him the nature of the Jews only , & that the nature of the Jews were one and the Gentils another , I tell him ( though I think such a Dr. might have resolved himself ) for his resolution that Christ took on him the nature of both , that is the same specifical essence or kinde of being , that both had , to wit the being of a man common a like to Jews and Gentiles , meaning by nature his individual , and numerical Existence , which is all one with that , our Lord sprang out of Judah Heb. 7.14 . not from Levi , or from Lot , and yet the Gentils are saved by his name , he dying and arising again both for Jews and Gentils . And for the Construction of Heb. 2.16 . thought there are learned men that expound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus , he takes hold or helpeth the seed of Abraham , that is believers of Gentils as well as Jews , yet I think the meaning there to be no more but this , that he took on him or received the nature of man by a natural descent from Abraham 1. because the seed of Abraham is opposed to Angels , and therefore Abrahams seed signifies the nature of man contradistinct to Angels . 2. because the author saith ver . 17. thence he ought to be like to his brethren , to be a mercifull high Priest , which comes not from his helping believers , but his assumption of the humane nature , whith fits him to be like to men and to be a mercifull high Priest. And therefore I like best the reading of our transtators in the text , not that in margin . And thus haye I answered M. Drews douty question in which he would so fain be resolved . But what is this to prove that Acts 2.39 . the promise is not yet to the Gentils , that are called but also to their children I see not , it being neither proved that Acts 2.39 . the promise is the promise Gen. 17.7 . I will be a God to thee and thy seed , ot that the children of Gentils called , are in that respect Abrahams seed . M. Drew adds , But yet further 3. T is plain in the Gospel that faith maketh a believer the child of Abraham ; yea and a surer heir to the promise , I will be thy God and the God of thy seed , then carnal descent from Abrahams Loyns doth . Abraham had 2. seeds one descending from Ishmael and onother from Isaac ; all that came from Abraham were not children Rom. 9.7 . But in Isaac shall thy seed be called . Isaac was his special seed , and typed out his believing seed under the Gospel , for ver . 8. they which are the children of the flesh , these are not ( that is not in so peculiar a manner ) the children of God as the believing seed , for the children of the promise are the seed , the seed by way of eminencie , that is the prime seed . and Mark I pray you how the same Apostle explaines and applyes this to our purpose Gal. 4.28 , 29. The Galatians were Gentils , but being believers , we saith the Apostle , as Isaac was , are the children of promise , and so the special seed of Abraham : the Galatians were no more of Abrahams natural seed then we are , but by faith they became his prime seed , and heirs apparent to all the promises as Isaac was , who is said in the next ver . to be born after the spirit as well as Gospel believers are . And , sirs , shall we make the Covenant curtail and narrow to Abrahams prime seed and halve the promises to them when they are full and large to his worser seed ? The Appostle will not suffer this Gal. 3.29 . If ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed , and heirs according to the promise , which surely must needs be according to the full extent of that promise made unto our Father Abraham ; for if it be not ours so fully as it was his , then we are not heirs according to the promise ; if our seed be exempted it fals much short of what was said to him , I will be thy God and the God of thy seed . And mark , friends , I beseech you , that was Gospel which was preached to Abraham Gal. 3.8 . In thee shall all Nations be blessed ; not onely his natural seed , that was but one Nation ; but all that were of the faith shall be blessed , as children of what nation soever ver . 7. For faith was imputed to Abraham in uncircumcision Rom. 4.10 , 11. to this end that he might be the Father of all them that believe though not circumcised . And truely I wonder since the G●spel is so clear that believers are Abrahams children that any man dare rob them of any comfort or priviledge wherewithall he was invested by that promise to which they are more sure heirs then any of his natural seed , as I think is made plain to the easiest of your capacities . Answer . the thing to be proved is that to the natural seed of Gentile believers God hath promised to be a God. To prove which divers places are brought which do manifestly refute it . That of Ro. 9.7 , 8. determines that all the natural children of Abraham were not the seed to whom God had promised to be God , but that in Isaac his seed should be called . And the same is determined Gal. 4.28 . that Isaac was the child of the promise and not the son of the bondwoman , and that no child of any man is a child of the promise but he that is born after the Spirit . And Gal. 3.29 . is meant of those onely that are the sons of God by faith in Christ ver . 26. and from the Gospel mentioned Gal. 3.8 . in thee shall all nations be blessed , he infers ver . 9. onely of believers , so then they that are of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham . And Rom. 4.10.11 . Abraham is said to be the Father of believers , or as it is ver . 12. those that walk in the steps of the faith of our Father Abraham which he had yet being uncircumcised . Wherefore I may much more justly wonder that learned Protestants who so commonly say , that elect persons onely are in the Covenant of grace from Rom. 9.7 , 8. when they dispute against Arminians , should yet have the face to avouch that every believers yea though but by profession a believers natural child whether elect or a believer or not , is in the Covenant of grace made to Abraham Gen. 17.7 . when they dispute for paedobaptism , though by such doctrine they make the word of God to fall , it being not true of Ishmael , Esau , and thousands of others of both of Abrahams and other believers seed , God hath not nor will be a God to them . T is true believing Gentils are heirs of the promise made to Abraham of blessing or justification by faith as he had , but it is false , every believer is heir of every priviledg . Abraham had ; none besides him is Father of the faithfull as Abraham , or hath Gods promise to his natural seed as Abraham had to his spiritual , yea or to his natural . None hath the promise that in his seed all nations of the earth should be blessed Acts 3.25 . nor any that his posterity should be graffed in again as it is assured to Abrahams seed Rom. 11.28 , 29. The imagined priviledge that God would be the God of his naturall seed was never promised to Abrahams natural posterity , as such . Yet it is false , that a believers child is a more sure heir of the promise then any of Abrahams natural seed . For though God hath not promised to be a God to all Abrahams posterity , yet he hath to some , which I know not that he hath done to any believing Gentils natural child . M. D. doth but Calumniate by insinuating as if we curtaild the promise , robbed believing parents of any comfort or privilege wherewith Abraham was invested by that promise Gen. 17.7 . perverting the text as if when God said he would be a God to Abraham , by Abraham were meant every believer , and when he saith he will be a God to Abrahams seed , it were meant of every belivers natural seed whether believers or not . About which he and other paedobaptists , particularly the Assembly at Westminster in the Directory about baptism do but abuse people , and lead fond parents , who swallow down Preachers sayings without Scripture proof into a fools paradise , by telling them that the promise is made to a believer and his seed , that God will be a God to a believer , and his child , and that Infants of believers dying in their Infancy , are saved by the parents faith , and by this there is assurance of their salvation . But Master Drew once more urgheth Rom. 11 , 17. that the term graffing , shews believing Gentils come in with their seed , or twigs that grow from them , else surely they cannot be said to be graffed in as the Jews were cut off , But I have so fully proved the ingraffing to be by giving faith according to election , and that none but elect persons are ingraffed according to the Apostles meaning , and that ingraffing is into the invisible Church in my Ample disquisition , being the first part of this Review in the ten first Sections , that I think it unnecessary to say any more to what Master Drew here speaks . And for what he saith , If believers Infants were taken in under the legal administration , and left out in the Gospel-administration , the covenant dispensation under the Gospel is more uncomfortable th●n that under the Law , it is but a vain speech , as if the circumcision of Infants were such a matter of comfort , that the having of no priveledge under the Gospel did recompense the loss of it without Infant-baptism , as if Infant-baptism were of so great comfort to parents , that without it other comfort concerning their children were nullified , whereas these things arise upon mistakes , as if Baptism were administred according to a persons interest in the covenant , and circumcision was so , and that the denying Infants Baptism , is putting them out of Covenant , which is but ungrounded talk , as shall be further shewed in that which follows . Yea when the Paedobaptists answer the Papists , who would have the work of outward Baptism to take away original sin from the Infant-baptized , they say onely that it seals the covenant , but doth not seal the fruit of the covenant , but upon condition of Faith and Repentance ; so that the Infant hath no benefit by the covenant , or the seal without Faith or Election ; and so much benefit hath any unbeliever or his Infant ; yea the unbeliever hath more advantage then the Infant , for the unbeliever hath the moral use of the sealing of any baptized person , which the Infant hath not . When they talk of the covenant to Infants of believers they say it is but condicionally that they do believe that God will be their God , and in the same manner the covenant belongs to all men in the world , to unbelievers and their Infants , and when they speak of the benefit of Baptism , they say it onely seals the covenant , not the persons partaking the fruit of it ( excepting he be an elect person dying in Infancy ) which yet he may have without the seal ) till he believe , yet he hath not the moral use and comfort of it till he understand and believe , at which time the Baptism in Infancy is altogether unknown to him . So that indeed the comfort which Paedobaptists give to parents , is either the same I give , without Infant-baptism , or , if parents did examin it , it would be found delusory . What Master Drew speaks about Baptisms succession to circumsion , and his imagined full proof from thence for Infant-baptism , I shall put off till I review the Dispute about Master Ms. third Concl. This is enough to satisfie that Master Drew's reasons are blunt and not sharp as was supposed . SECT . VI. The Arguments of Master Josias Church in his Divine warrant for Infant-baptism , from their being judged in the promise , is answered . THere is another writing of Master Josiah Church , intituled , The Divine warrant of Infant-baptism , of which I passed a censure in the first part of this Review Sect. 21. and I might let it pass , being as the commanders of it say , Dogmatical rather then Polemical , and leave it to those that affect such superficial writings . Yet because Master Roberts and Master Geree have commended it , and Master Baxter pag. 6. of his Plain Scripture proof , puts it among the chief books , of which he saith , If any of the men of Bewdly have taken up the union of Antipaedobaptism , and have not read and studied him with others , and been able to confute them , he hath discovered a seared conscience ( which is a most unreasonable and uncharitable censure ) to shew the folly and vanity of Master Baxters and others conceit , I shall give the Reader some taste of his overly handling the point . His first Argument is thus , The Infants of Christians are righty judged in the promise of propriety in God , therefore they may be Baptized . To it I answer , 1. The antecedent is ambiguous , not expressing what propriety in God he means , whether of justification , regeneration , and salvation , or of outward protection & prosperity among men or Ecclesiastical privilege , nor where that promise is which he calls promise of propriety in God , nor whether he means it of all Infants of Christians , or some , and if of some of which he means it , and of which not ; nor of what sort of Christians , whether such as are Christians onely by profession , or really such in Gods account ; nor with what judgement he means , whether of charity or verity , probably or certainty ; nor upon what evidence they are with any of these sorts of judgement rightly judged in the promise of propriety in God. So that I finde nothing but Sophistry in this dispensation , the antecedent being perhaps true in some sense , in some false : and therefore it is but wast labour to refute it , or answer his proofs , till that he distinctly set down what he asserts , and how his proofs suite with his assertion . Yet I shall cast away some animadversions on this writing , least my silence be disadvantage to the cause I maintain . That which I conceive he means , is this , All the Infants of Christians by visible profession , are rightly judged by a judgement of charity , though not of certainty to be included in the promise of propriety in God , in regard of eternal adoption and priviledge expressed in those words ▪ Gen. 17.7 . I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , therefore they may be Baptized . Of which Argument , I deny both the antecedent and the consequence . The antecedent he takes upon him to prove by ten Arguments . 1. The Infants of the Jews ( so long as they continued visible professors ) were rightly judged to be in the promise of propriety in God , for it was sealed to them by the initial Sacrament no less then to actual professors , Gen. 17.7 , 12. Ergo Answ. Did not Master Church affect new phrasifying , which serves onely to puzzle in plain words , he had said , To the Jews Infants· the promise was made of being God to them , therefore the Infants of Christians are rightly to be in that promise : Of which , neither is the antecedent true universally taken , but contradicted by Paul , Rom. 9.7 , 8. where he expresly denies the promise ( I will be the God of thy seed ) to be true of Abrahams natural seed universally taken : Nor if it had been true , doth it follow that what was promised to Abrahams seed , is true of every true Believers , muchless of the seed of every meer visible professor of Christian faith , who are neithet themselves , nor their children in any Scripture sense Abrahams seed : nor is the proof of any weight , That the promise of propriety in God was sealed to the Jews Infants by the initial Sacrament , no less then to actual professors , therefore the Jews Infant were rightly judged to be in the promise of propriety in God. For this reason in plain terms is no more then this , the Jews Infants were to be circumcised , Ergo they were rightly judged to be in the promise of propriety in God , that is that God would be their God , which rests upon these false suppositions , that God had promised to be God to those whom he commanded to be circumcised , and that the promise of being their God was the formal reason of their being circumcised , that when God promised to be a God of to Gentiles , he meant it of external adoption and priviledges . The consequence he would prove by four Argument . 2. The promise of propriety in God was not a specialty , therefore the Infaints of Christians being certainly no less in the promise then were the Infants of Jews aforetime , they are rightly judged to be in it as they were . Where the conclusion is altered , which was to be proved ( therefore if the Infants of the Jews were rightly judged to be in the promise of propriety in God , then the Infants of Christians are rightly judged to be in that promise ) and instead thereof , that which should have been the antecedent ( the Infants of Christians are certainly no less in the promise then were the Jews Infants aforetime ) is made the chief part of the conclusion , and in stead of the right antecedent , this ambiguous antecedent is put ( that promise of proriety in God was not a specialty ) which he says he would prove by seven arguments , but sets not down which branch of the promise was not a specialty , whether that ( I will be thy God ) or that ( I will be the God of thy seed ) nor in what sense it was not a specialty , nor doth his speech ( that it was not a specialty ) appear equipollent to that he should have proved ( The Infants of Christians are certainly no less in the promise then were the Jews dnfants aforetime ) but he dictates so ambiguously and indistinctly , that more labour will be necessary to understand him then to refute him . He tells us , the promise of propriety in God , was not peculiar to Abraham , and visible professors , and Abrahams natural seed ; where he supposeth , that the promise ( I will he thy God , and the God of thy seed ) was true of meer visible professors , and Abrahams natural seed ; which is most false and contrary to Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. Luk. 20.36 , 37 , 38. He brings the words Exod. 12.48 , 49 the stranger was as our home-born , and there was one law for both ( which are spoken meerly of allowance for them to eat the Passeover with them ) to prove a like propriety of the Infants of visible professors of the Gentiles in the promise of propriety in God , Gen. 17.7 . He brings Gal. 4.28 . which was spoken onely of true Believers born after the Spirit , to prove visible professors and their Infants to be judged in the promise of propriety in God. He saith , Isaac was in the promise as an Infant of Believing parent , whereas Paul saith no , for then Ishmael and Esau had been in the promise , but by special calling or election , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 9. He applies those texts Gal. 3.14 . Rom. 11.17 . Rom. 15.8 , 9. Gen. 17 ▪ 5 , 7. to prove a promise to every Gentile visible professour of faith and their Infants , which are onely verified in the sense the Apostle useth them , of true Believers as Abraham was , who are justified as he was . He allegeth that which the Apostle Rom. 11.28 . saith , The children are beloved for the Fathers , as it were meant of Infants of every Gentile visible professor , which is spoken onely of the elect Israelites , and the ancient Patriarchs Abraham , &c. That which is said , Psal. 138. 1 , 3. of children of him that fears God , sitting round about his table like Olive plants ▪ to prove visible professors and their partaking in the promise of propriety in God. He saith , The former part of that promise ( I will be a God to thee , Gen. 17.7 . is undeniably common to all Believers , which in truth is undeniably proper t Abraham , not simply as a Believer , but either as a natural Father , or Father o Believers according to the spiritual part of the promise . He saith , Christians are in this dispensation as Jews were in the former , they are called as they were , an holy Nation , a peculiar people , a royal priesthood , 1 Pet. 2 9. Tit , 2.14 . And every Nation receiving the faith as the Nation of the Jews did , and in which there is a national agreement in doctrine , worship , and discipline , as was in the Nation of the Jews , is to be accounted to the Lord in every age , Psal. 22.30 . even Egypt and Assyria with Israel , Isa. 19.21 . and many call Abraham Father ( who obtained the Fatherhood of many Nations , Gen. 17.5 . ) and may be accounted a national Church no less hen that Nation was , whereby those speeches 1 Pet. 2.9 . T it 2.14 . Gen. 17.5 . as expounded , Rom. 4.17 . which are meant onely of the elect and true Believers of every Nation are applied to a national Church like the Jews consisting of a great part of either ignorant persons that know little or nothing of Christianity , or persecutors of godliness , profanely despising the word , and hating the godly . He applies that Mat. 18.10 . little ones , who are said vers . 6. to believe in Christ , and the offending of whom hath so great a penalty , to little one in age . He applies Jer. 30.20 . which is spoken of the Jews upon their return from captivity , as appears vers . 18.21 . concerning their prosperity in Canaan to the restitution of their Infants to an initial seal at the calling of them to the Christian faith whereas if it were so meant , the Prophet should foretell that the Jews children at their calling to Christ should be as a foretime , that is , should be circumcised as they were before the Prophets time , not ba●tized . More things there are liable to exception in his arguments whereof what pertains to the text , Act. 2.39 . Rom. 11.17 . 1. Cor. 7.14 . is sufficiently discussed in ●y Ample dsquisition of those texts . That which concerns the reasons that God promiseth mercy to thousands , and such like arguments , being urged more fully by Master B. I shall answer when I meet with them in his book . His arguments pag. 18. to prove his Consequence , The Infants of Chaistians are rightly judged in the promise of propriety in God , therefore they are to be baptized , are insufficient . The first is from circumcision of Infants , to which hath been often answered , That was done by vertue of the Command , not by vertue of the promise and therefore without the like Command the like promise ( if it were granted ) would not prove the like , practice . What is said of John Baptists , and the Apostles , not denying baptism to any whom they judged to be in the promise , seems to intimate , that they baptized men because they judged them to be in the promise : But there is not a word thereof in any of the Evangelists , but their comming to John confessing their sins , glorifying God in embracing his Counsel , professing faith , as the reason of their admission to baptism . To his second reason , Being in the promise , is the reason rendered by the Apostles for the receiving of baptism , Acts 2.38 , 39. Therefore they that are rightly judged in it may be baptized , I answer 1. He says not truely , that being in the promise is the onely reason mentioned by the Apostle for baptism ; for repentance is put as a prerequisite . 2. The Apostle doth not speak of the promise as Master Church means that he judged that they and their children were rightly judged as visible professors in the promise of propriety in God , for they were not then such : But that the promise of raising up Christ was fulfilled for them upon their repentance and baptism , or their calling , and this is made not the reason of right to receive , or warrant to the Minister to baptize them , but as a motive to their duty of repenting and being baptized , and encouragement to hope for remission notwithstanding their crucifying Christ and imprecation on themselvs , and theirs , Matth. 27.25 . SECT . VII . Bare judgement of charity concerning a persons interest in the promise is not a warrant to baptize . PAg. 19. Mr. Church brings in an objection thus , The judgement of charity that any are in promise is not a sufficient reason for administring baptism to them : there must be shews of grace for more certainty , To which he thus answers : shews of grace and actual profession are a reason for baptizing only as they are ground for the judgment of charity , that the parties to be baptized are in the promise ; for else if the Devil should take a humane shape , and make a verbal profession ( though he were known to be a Devil ) he must be baptized . I reply , Mr. Church here starts a question , by what judgment a Minister is to proceed in admitting a person to baptism . Concerning which I suppose it will not be denied . 1. That a Minister being but as an officer under Christ in baptizing , is to baptize according to his Lords will. For that is the property of a servant . 2. That the will of the Lord is most manifest in the institution or appointment of Christ ; which is without question declared by the words of Christ , Matth. 28.19 . Mark. 16.15 , 16. explained by the Apostles and other approved Ministers thereof , command and practice mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles . 3. That true believers and disciples of Christ are appointed to be baptized , and that they have true right before God. 4. That such believers and disciples as are appointed to be baptized , are Disciples of all nations , not of Angelical but humane nature ; and therefore we have no warrant to baptize either good Angels or Devils taking humane shape and making shews of repentance or faith if known to be Divils or Angels . All the difference is , with what judgment and upon what evidence a Minister is to baptize , I conceive 1. upon extraordinary revelation from God a Minister is to baptize an Infant declared to be a Disciple , as I say in my Examen p. 4. S. 3. 2. According to ordinary rule he ought to baptize none but Disciples by profession , which profession ought to be free , sober , serious and intelligent . For discerning of which he is to use ministerial prudence , though he be not able to search the heart , and after the use of ministeral prudence therein , he is prudently to judge of the truth of his faith and discipleship . Wherein he ought to judge according to the rule of charity 1 Cor. 3.17 . which believeth all things , hopeth all things , and yet heed what Solomon saith Prov. 14.15 . The simple believeth every word : but the prudent man looketh well to his going . And our Lord Christ Luke 12.43 . having said as it was conceived of a Minister , Who then is that faithfull and wise steward , whom his Lord shall make ruler over his houshold , to give them their portion of meat in due season ? it is requisite that the judgment of a Minister upon which he baptizeth should have both ingredients , prudents & charity , charity alone is not sufficient . For 1. If Charity be used without prudence , there may be a mockery of the Ordinance , and it profaned . 2. If the rule be a judgment of charity alone , then supposing the Minister be defective in his charity the person is to be debarred , who is otherwise fit to be baptized . But about this I conceive there is little or no difference between me and the paedobaptists . Mr. M. in one place , to wit , in his defence pag. 78. intimates that I am conceived to incline to the looser way of baptizing any that would make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. And in another place pag. 233. he maks it all my pleading that because we cannot know that all Infants of believers have the inward grace , we may not therefore baptize them . From the former I vindicated my self in my Apology Sect. 17. and from the latter Sect. 10. But the difference is what qualification it is that may be evidence to a Minister , whereby to judge prudently a person to be capable of baptism . They that hold all Infants are to be baptized that are offered , they make no scruple , nor do they make much scruple that hold all Infants that are in a chosen nation , which I have refuted Exam. part . 3. Sect. 13. others baptize onely the children of inchurched members , of which I shall speake in Examining Mr. Cobbets conclusions . There are , that from the Generality of promises and election running through the Loyns of believers , will have all the children of believers to be in Covenant and elect in the parcels though not in the lump , and M● . Church his opinion comes near it , that we have ground from a judgment of charity that the parties to be baptized are in the promise to baptize them . But against this I argue . 1. That is to be the rule of judging a persons baptizability which is made the condition of a person to be baptized in the holy Scripture . But no where in it is this made the condition of being baptized , that he be elect and in the Covenant . 2. The Scripture doth no where say that the election of God runs for the most part through the Loyns of believers . And though there are promise , of blessing to the righteous and their seed , yet these are indefinite both for the kinde of blessing , and the person , and these promises are made onely to the truly righteous , and not to them , who are only such in appearance . Wherfore there can be no certainty for a judgment of prudence to rest upon , to determin of any whether they are elect or not , in the Covenant of grace or not , spiritually considering that God hath declared Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 18 , 24. That he ties not himself to believers children . Now all judgment is to be suspended of that which is not revealed , The secret things belong to the Lord our God , Deut. 29.29 . 3. For Infants of believers there is no ground for a judgment of charity , because they do nothing to shew whether they are in the Covenant or no. And if it be revealed by God that they are all or some in Covenant then we know it by a judgment of faith believing Gods revelation , and so it is not a probable judgment of charity , but a certain judgment of verity , which directs in this . 4. If a probable judgment of charity that a person is elect and in covenant be the rule to direct in baptizing , then suppose a salvage in new England or elsewhere seeming to be affected in the the time of preaching should be judged in charity to an elect person in covenant he ought to be baptized by the Minister so judging afore he owns Christ by profession . It is promised that the Israelits shall be graffed in again , and all Israel saved , Rom. 11.24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28. and we may charitably judg it will be shortly , shall we baptize any of them or their Infants upon this charitable judgment of their election and being in Covenant afore profession ? 5. If a charitable judgement of election and being in covenant had been the rule to baptize , then sure John the Baptist , and the baptizers appointed , had somewhere propounded that question , or made inquiry into that thing , but it was not so , they required repentance Acts 2.38 . inquired into the faith of the baptized . 6. if this had been the direction ( baptize those that are elect or in Covenant ) had been a blind derection unfit for men to follow , and so our Lord should have imperfectly instructed his Apostls and others , or rather have mocked them , putting them to do a business not feasiable by them . But this is not to be said of Christ , especially the rule being so plain to baptize believers and Disciples by profession . As for Mr. Chuch his conceit , that shews of grace and actual profession are a reason for baptizing onely as they are a ground for the judgment of charity that the paties to be baptized are in the promise ▪ I deny it . For the rule is not ( baptize persons in the Covenant ) but ( Disciples or believers of all nations . ) To that of the Devils making a verbal profession , I have answered before . That which he saith that the judgment of charity ( meaning that they were in Covenant ) was the rule by which John Baptist and the Apostles walked in baptizing is not true , for they baptized upon their profession which they certainly knew . And though they had no infallable knowledge of the individuals election or being in Covenant , but baptized hypocrits not a few , yet they had an infallible knowledge of individuals confessing sins , brofessing repentancc and faith , for they heard them , and this was their rule , not the conjectural knowledg of a persons interest in the Covenant or election of grace . SECT . VIII . Acts 2.38 , 39. proves that interest in the promise intitles not to baptism without repentance . MR. Church brings in a Second objection , which is in effect what I allege Exam. pag. 62. a right to Evangelical promises is not the adequat reason of baptism , for the Jews were in the promise Acts 2.38 , 39. yet not baptized without preceeding repentance . To which he answers thus , A visible right to the promise either by shews of grace ( as in those of riper years ) or by the meaning a species in the promise without restriction , of which the parties to be baptized are individuals ( as the Infants of visible professors are ) is a sufficient reason for baptism . To which I reply . If visible right ro the promise by shews of grace be a sufficient reason for baptism , then the rule I set down for admitting to baptism is yeilded to be aright . But for the new made rule of Mr. Church it is but an humane ivention without Scripture warrans . He supposeth the Infants of visible professors to be in the promise without restruction , and the promise I conceive he means is ( I will be thy God and the God of thy seed Gen. 17.7 . ) But it is most false that that promise is made to any meer visible professors , but to Abraham , not to any true believers natural seed , much less to any meer visible professors natural seed , but onely to A●rahams seed , who are onely elect and true believers of the Gentils according to the spiritual part of it , as is proved before . Yet were it granted that not onely the Species , but also the individuals were named expressly in the Covenant , I should deny they were to be baptized according to ordinary rule till they were known Disciples and believers . The Jewish people are in covenant Rom. 11.24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28. and yet not to be baptized till they believe , and Peter Acts 2.38 , 39. requires repentance for baptism , of whom he sayth , the promise is to you . But he tels me , The learned and rational of the Anabaptists confess that if it could appear to them that an Infant is in the Covenant they would not doubt of the baptism of it , I answer , whatever others do , yet I disclaim that confession . I have granted sundry times as Examen part . Sect 15. part . 3. Sect. 3. that regenerate , justified , adopted persons born into the world who have the inward grace are not to be debarred baptism , if it be known by special revelation , for they are then known Disciples and believers . But I never said this of an Infant in Covenant . For an Infant may be in Covenant even then when he is unregenerate ( being in covenant ) nothing no more then having the promise made to him , which may be afore he is born , and therefore I should not yeld that of being in covenant , which I would do of actual regeneration . But Mr. Church makes some shew of answering the argument from Acts 2.38 , 39. He tels us those Jews rejecting and crucifying Christ and Atheistically mocking ●at Gospel truths , ceased to have a visible right to the promise , untill they regained it by repentance . Answer Mr. Church pag. 18. saith being in the promise is the reason rendred by the appostle for the receiving of baptism Acts 2.38 , 39. therefore they that are rightly judged in it may be baptized . pag. 20. Being in the promise is the onely reason mentioned by the Apostle for baptism . Doth not thus plainly assert that the Jews then were righly judged by Peter to be in the promise , and their right thereby to batism ? How then is it true which here he saith they ceased to have a visible right to the promise till they raigned repentance ? But it is not once onely that this Author is off and on , saying and unsaying at a little distance . Here he requires a visible right in the promise regained by repentance , a little before he saith the species being named without restriction in the promise as a sufficient reason of baptism . However I take his confession that notwithstanding what he said pag. 5.6 , 7. from Acts 2.38.39 . of the promise to them and their children , and thence inferring their Infants tittle to baptism , as being the children of visible professors , to whom God had promised to be a God and to their seed , yet here he saith they ceased to have a visible right to the promise until they regained it by repentance , which the Apostle supposeth they then had not , even then when he said , The promise is to you and your children : For he exhorteth to it as a thing to be done . But Mr. Church flutters like a bird in a net , seeking some evation from this objection , though all in vain . He tels us they were a mixt company to whom the Apostles spake Acts 2.8 , 11. and not all Jews , for they were of divers languages ; and that they were adulti . But what is this to the avoyding the objection , that notwithstanding it is said the promise is to you , yet they were not intitled to baptism without repentance . He then discourseth , that repentance was in them onely in fieri before their baptism ▪ and that the Apostle accepted of probabilities of it and baptized them ; For in that distance from his preaching , and their baptizing , so many could not have repentance visible by its fruits and discernable , and thence would gather , if such hainous sinners were baptized upon probability of repentance , therefore Infants of Christians guilty of no actual sin may be baptized unto repentance . To which I reply , 1. It is expressly said ver . 41. they that gladly received the word were baptized , therefore there were visible fruits of repentance and faith discerned by the Apostles and other Disciples , who were many and could confer with them in that space of time , and baptize them in that day , though their conversion was easily discernable without distinct conference with each . 2. His argument is not worth a rush , notwithstanding Cyprians words to back it , to prove Infant-baptism . For it goes upon this frivolous supposition , that Infants because they have no actual sin may be baptized , though they shew no repentance , much rather then hainous and great transgressors upon probability of repentance . As if lesser sinners might be baptized upon no testimony of repentance , because greater sinners are baptized upon probability of repentance , which if true , the more civil and orderly persons , though pharisaically minded , as if they needed no repentance , have much more right to baptism , then publicans confessing their sins because but probably penitent . 3. All this is nothing to answer the objection , but to strengthen it , that notwithstanding the promise was to them , yet they were not to be baptized till their repentance , either in facto esse , or in fieri , either visible in fruits or at least probably conceived , of which neither is to be said of Infants . Yet Mr. Church is not ashamed to conclude thus . Being in the promise is the onely reason mentioned by the Appostle for baptism , ( whereas repentance is undeniably prerequired ) and that if any disable the reason he imputes not a little weakness to the Apostles and their converts ; wheras he that disables the inference from being rightly judged in the promise to right of baptism , doth vindicate the Apostle from weakness , which paedobaptists do by their exposition and inference thence blemish him with , and cast the blame of weakness onely on Mr. Church and such inconsiderate expounders and disputers as he is . I had not thought to have said so much of so poor a piece as that book is ; yet lest any say it is not answered I add . SECT . IX . Infants are not proved by Mr. Church , to be of the visible Church Christian. HIs second Argument is , Infants of Christians are rightly judged to be of the Church with Christians of riper years , therefore they may be baptized . To which I say , His words are ambiguous , it being uncertain whether he means the Antecedent of the visible or invisible Church , of all infants of Christians , or some ; but conceiving it meant of all , and of the visible Church of Christians , I deny the Antecedent . And for his ten Arguments , not one proveth it . The Medium of the first is the Antecedent of the former Argument , to which I have answered before , denying that all the infants of Christians are rightly judged to be in the promise of propriety in God , expressed Gen. 17.7 . in those words , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed . But I deny the consequence also , that if it were true , that all the infants of Christians are rightly judged in the Promise of Propriety in God , therefore they are rightly judged to be of the visible Church : nor is it proved by that which he allegeth , ( For they onely are aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel , which are strangers from the covenant , Ephes. 2.12 . ) For if it did prove , that all that are strangers from the covenant of Promise are aliens from the visible Church of Christians , yet it proves not , that all who are in the covenant are in the visible Church ; but the very truth is , neither the one nor the other is proved from that place ; for this only is asserted there , that the Ephesians who were Gentiles in the flesh , who are called uncircumcision , by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made with hands , no Proselytes were in the time of their infidelity & Idol-service , then without the policy of Israel and the covenants of Promise : but it doth not follow that every one that was then uncircumcised in the flesh , and out of the policy of Israel , meaning the outward policy , was stranger from the Promise of Propriety in God , meaning of it of saving Propriety ; for Cornelius , Acts 10. was a stranger from the policy of Israel , being no citizen , but unclean , as being a Gentile , uncircumcised , yet then he feared God , God heard his prayers , accepted his alms , &c. much less now that every one that is rightly judged to be in the Promise of Propriety in God is of the visible Church , or every one that is rightly judged of the visible Church , is rightly judged to have the Promise of Propriety in God. His next Argument is , Infants of Christians are rightly called the Lords children , for his manner hath been to call the children of his people his children . In the old world some were called the sons of God , as children of his people , Gen. 6.2 , 3. And the infants of the Israelites were called by him , his children born to him , Ezek. 16.20 , 21. and their lawfull seed , a seed of God. And the Jews were accounted to him great and small in every age untill the breaking off ; and the same was prophesied of the Gentiles , when they shall be converted , and of the Jews when they shall be grafted in again : and the Psalmist calls himself the Lords servant , as he was the son of his handmaid : therefore such infants are rightly judged to be of the Church , which is the House of God. Answ. Not one of these Texts proves the Church-membership of Christians infants . The term Sons of God , Gen. 6.2 , 3. is attributed to persons before the Floud , and those not infants , but such as took them wives of all that they chose , which could not be said of infants ; nor are they said to be Sons of God , because children of believers , but because they professed the true worship of God , Dei filios professione Christ. Cartwright Eborac . Annot. in locum , Such as descending from Seth and Enoch professed the true worship of the true God , New Annot. I omit the opinions of Josephus , Aquila , and many of the Ancients , recited by Mr. Gataker against Pfochenius , cap. 13. and the other of the Chaldee Paraphrase , R. Solomon , Symmachus , that they are called Sons of God , because Sons of Potentates or Judges , of which Mr. Cartwright ubi supra , and that of others Sons of God , that is , eminent men , because I think the other is more right : however they are not called Sons of God , that is , visible Church-members by their descent , but by their profession , which is not to be said of infants . It is true Ezek. 16.28 , 21. the children of Israel are said to be born to God , that is , of right as their Land was the Lords Land , Hos. 9.3 . and this did aggravate their sin , that those that were of right his were sacrificed to Idols : now this was by reason of that peculiar interest which God had in that people , vers . 8. But that what is said of the sons of the Jews is true of all the infants of believers , or that this is enough to entitle the infants of Christians to visible Church-membership , and the initial seal , as they call it , is yet to be proved . Of Mal. 2.14 , 15. I have spoken sufficiently in the first part of this Review , Sect. 13.26 . of the Ample Disquisition : to which I add that in the second Edition of the New Annot. these words are added suitable to my Exposition of a legitimate seed ; All other seed is spurious , not a lawfull seed ; nor such fathers are lawfull fathers , who so pervert the order and Ordinance of Matrimony , God puts his mark of infamy upon the seed it self , Deut. 23.2 . which shews that with Calvin that Authour understood , by a Seed of God , a legitimate seed . That which is said Psalm 22.30 . A seed shall serve him , it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation , hath no shew of any thing for infants visible Church-membership : it cannot be expounded of infants while such : for how can it be said , They shall serve the Lord ? But it notes onely a continuance of the Church promised in a people , who should when some decease , stand up after them to serve the Lord. The impertinency of that Jer. 30.20 . is shewed before . As little to the purpose is that Psalm 116.16 . He doth not say , he was the Lords Servant as he was the son of his handmaid ; and it was to express his mean condition or humility , as Mary , Luke 1.48 . not his privilege , and his subjection to God , not his right he could clame from God ; yet if there were any privilege imported in this title ( son of thine hand-maid ) Mr. Church must prove it to be Church-membership , and that not proper to him as a Jew , but common to all Christians ere it will serve his turn , which he cannot do . Enough is said before in the Ample Disquition , to prove that 1 Cor. 7.14 . children are not denominated holy , because they appertain to the Church . The remnant to be called holy , Isai 4.3 . are either such Jews as in the captivity escaped alive , who should be holy in respect of their worship , not serving Idols , but the living God , or such converted believers in the Christian Church as should be written in the Book of Life , which makes nothing to infants Church-membership . The Church is not called the circumcision , Rom. 3.30 . & 15.8 . but the Jewish people . The Christians infants are not rightly judged to be of the Church Christian , because the Hebrews children were of the Church Jewish , God now not taking one whole Nation for his Church , but Disciples of Christ in all Nations . Abraham is said , Rom. 4.11 . to have received the sign of circumsion a seal of the righteousness of faith , which he had yet being uncircumcised ; but that any other mans circumcision was so to him , much less that every infants circumcision was such to them , I reade not : sure the tenour of the words imports no more than this , that Abrahams circumcision in his own person was an assurance to all believers though themselves uncircumcised of righteousness by faith to be imputed to them also . What Divines though of never so great esteem thence infer of the nature of circumcision , that it is a seal of the righteousness of faith , of all Sacraments , that it is their nature to be seals of the covenant of grace , that to whom the covenant belongs to them the seal belongs , and consequently to infants , are but their mistakes , not the Doctrine of the Text. Of Mark 10.14 enough is said before . Of infants may be the Kingdom of God , yet they not in the visible Church . The speech ( out of the Church is no salvation ) is true of the invisible Church of the elect , and is so expounded by Dr. Morton Apol. Cath. and others ; of the visible it is not true ; Rahab had been saved though she had never been joyned to the visible Church of the Jews . What I said , that it is uncertain whether the infants brought to Christ , Mark 10.14 . were the infants of Christian disciples or believers , is true ; for it is not said , their Parents brought them , and though it be probable they that brought them believed on Christ , yet it is uncertain whether they believed him to be the Christ , or some eminent Prophet , as Matth. 16.14 . Luke 7.16 . The Daughter of the Syrophoenician was called a Dog , Matth. 15.26 . not because she was not a believers childe , but because a Gentiles childe , not an Israelitess . Though Di●t . 30.6 . Isai 44.3 . Circumcision of the heart and the spirit be promised to the seed of the godly , yet it is not promised to any but the elect , as the fuller promise , Isai. 54.13 . is expounded by Christ himself , John 6.45 . and therefore not as Mr. Church saith , to children , as they are the children of Gods People , if ( as ) be taken reduplicatively ; for then all the children of Gods People should have the spirit promised . Nor is the spirit promised to them in their infancy , and yet if it were , till they shew it , we have no warrant to take them for visible Church-members , or to baptize them without special revelation . It is largely proved above that Acts 15.10 . no infant is called a Disciple . There may be hope of infants salvation , they may be of the body of Christ , though they be not of the visible Church . Our infants and our selves though believers are yet Heathens , that is , of the Nations by birth , and had been reputed Dogs as well as the Woman of Canaans childe , Matth. 15.26 . if we had then lived : but in the sense as it is now used , and as it was a Title of infamy and rejection , Matth. 18.17 we are not to be called Heathens , that is , infidels , and whose society is to be shunned ; nor our infants , who are neither infidels nor believers , they being not capable of faith in that state ordinarily : as in Logick they say , a Whelp till the ninth day is neither blinde nor seeing , there being a middle of abnegation of either extreme , by reason of the incapacity of the subjects , so we may say our infants are neither infidels nor believers . What Mr. Church allegeth out of Rev. 22.15 . serves onely to beget hatred towards Antipaedobaptists : for ( without ) there is meant of being without the city or heavenly Jerusalem , vers . 14. and Dogs , there are ranked with Sorcerers , and whoremongers , and murderers , and idolaters , and such like ; neither of which needs be said of infants ; though we say , they are not visible members in the Christian Church , and that they are not yet believers . Christ an infant was head of the Church , yet visibly he appeared not the head of the Church , till he was manifested to be so . Infants may be members of Christ the head invisibly , but not visibly till they shew faith . SECT . X. Infants capacity of some respects different from discipleship , entitles them not to Baptism . IN the third Argument is not much more than was said before , and is answered . Jews infants were meet for circumcision , because of the command to them ; ours not meet for Baptism , because we have no command or example : it is true Matth. 18.22 . A little childe is made a Pattern to those that are saved , in respect of humility or freedom from ambition : but it doth not thence follow that this meer negation of ambition doth qualifie them for Baptism , unto which , actual Discipleship or Profession is ordinarily necessary . Christ admittted to him , and blessed little children , Mark 10.13 . but did not appoint to baptize them , which it is likely he would , if he had judged them meet for it . If Parents may enter into covenant for their children , and dedicate them by solemn vow , as Hannah did , ( of which there is cause of doubt whether now it is to be done as then ) yet it follows not they are to be baptized , sith Baptism is to be the persons own engagement , not anothers for him : yea if this reason be good each Parent may baptize its own childe , though a woman , sith Hannah could dedicate her childe by vow to God : If Israel be holiness to the Lord , Jer. 2.3 . yet it follows not believing Gentiles infants are meet for Baptism , Joel 2.16 . the children that suck the breast are required to fast : if this prove them meet for Baptism , by like reason should the Ninivites children and cattle be meet too , Jonah 3.5 , 7 , 8. The Psalmist was cast on God from his mothers belly , Psal. 22.10 . not by dedication to God , but by special providence , as vers . 9. shews . Infants of Christians , it is rightly judged may have in them the principal things signified by Baptism , but not that they have them till they shew it . If Mr. Church could make it good that God undertakes for what is wanting in the infants of his people through infancy , as he doth for what is wanting in his people through infirmity , he should say somewhat to purpose : but I am out of hope to finde any good proofs from him , but trifling dictates and impertinent allegations , Psalm 119.122 . is a Prayer , wherein the Psalmist prays God , to be surety for him for good , that is , says the New Annot. to put himself between him and his enemies , as if he were his Pledg : it is no undertaking he will , and if it be , it is nothing for his infants , surely not to supply what is wanting in them by reason of infancy for Baptism ; He will circumcise the hearts of his peoples children , Deut. 30.6 . but this is meant of their elect children onely , and not necessarily to be performed in infancy . Christs promise Matth. 18.19 . is upon condition of agreement by two or three to ask in his Name , nor is it said for them and theirs , however not without subordination to his secret purpose , and other limitations . That of Isai 22.24 , is rightly expounded in the New Annot. by learned Mr. Gataker , All his kindred and allies with their issue as well small as great shall partake of Eliakims honour , in one imployment or other : so that this with the other Texts , might as well prove a man in the Moon , as that which Mr. Church infers , Therefore such infants are judged meet for Baptism . His next , that Christians infants have righteousness by imputation , Rom. 5.19 . as they have guilt by imputation , is true onely of the elect , but makes them not meet for Baptism till they are called . What he says , Shews of grace are not necessary to the judging infants of Christians meet for Baptism , is said without proof ; the contrary is proved before . All his Reasons he brings to prove it , serve as well to prove them not necessary that a person be judged meet for the Lords Supper . Infants may be rightly judged to have original sin in them without shews , because the Scripture says so , but tells us of none meet for Baptism , but disciples and believers . The Israelites infants did as much eat the Lords Supper , as were baptized , 1 Cor. 10.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. If the Text proves the one , it proves the other . Baptism is called Baptism unto repentance , Matth. 3.11 . as well as Baptism of repentance , It is well it is confessed that Johns Baptism was called the Baptism of repentance ; but it is true also that it is often so called Mark 1.4 . Luke 3.3 . Acts 13.24 . & 19.4 . and but once unto repentance : and it might have been observed which Beza notes on Matth. 3.11 . that it might be there read ( at repentance , or when they repent ) as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Matth. 12.41 . is rendered , ( at the preaching of Jonah ) however if it be read ( unto repentance ) the meaning is to the same effect , that when he baptized them they professed repentance for the present , and for the future . In answer to the Objection , infants by like reason should have the Lords Supper , he tells us , that the ceremonies are different , in the one the person is to be active , in the other passive : but the Scripture says not so , but requires Baptism as a duty , and thereto profession of faith as a prerequisite . He saith , Baptism is the Sacrament of entrance into the church , the other of progress ; but this proves the rather that infants should have the Lords Supper , sith they are to grow and make progress after their entrance . What he saith , it cannot be given to infants , is false : for they can take Bread and Wine , and it was given them six hundred years together , as many both Protestants and Papists confess . What he saith Argument 4. pag. 30. Sealing the covenant by an initial Sacrament to infants of Gods people aforetime was not peculiar to that church-state , is manifestly false : for that sealing was no other than circumcision , which if it were not proper to the Jewish Church-state , nothing was . It is frivolous which Mr. Church says , The commission to baptize must be expounded by the command to circumcise . What is said about the antiquity of infant-baptism is elsewhere answered , Exam. part . 1. Apol. Sect. 15 , 16. Praecursor Sect. 3. Dionysius Areopagita is a spurious Authour , as whole Juries of Protestants and Papists confess . Salmasius saith in his Letter to Colvius , pag. 179. that he is no elder than the fith age , pag. 441. it is certain that he wrote about the fith age . There 's plainer proof for Episcopacy being in use nearer the Apostles days than for Paedobaptism : it is no intolerable presumption but a certain truth in them that assert , that infant-baptism is not so ancient as is pretended , as now taught is a late innovation . In his fifth Arg. he undertakes to shew , Infants have great profit by Baptism , but either asserts a meer Title , or a Profit which they have not by their Baptism , or that which they may have without it . It is not true , that there is the like profit to infants by baptism as by circumcision ; for the one is appointed and not the other , and there is no penalty for omitting infant-baptism as for neglecting infant-circumcision , nor any promise or privilege assigned to infant-baptism as to infant-circumcision . SECT . XI . The Agreements between Circumcision and Baptism , do not justifie Infant-baptism , and the validity of sealing Infants with an initial seal now , is shewed to be null . HIs sixth and last Argument runs thus , The promise was sealed by the initial Sacrament aforetime to infants of visible Professors , seeking it for them both Jews and Gentile , therefore it may be sealed to the infants of Christians by the initial Sacrament . The Antecedent he proves not , it is in effect no more than the infants of Jews and Proselytes were circumcised , onely Mr. Church useth the affected Phraseology of Paedobaptists to call that sealing the Promise by the initial Sacrament , which is no more than circumcision , which it is false did seal , or assure to every circumcised person the Promise of propriety in God , or any other Promise made in the covenant with Abraham , Gen. 17. And he says , It was sealed to infants of visible Professors ; intimating it was done to them by reason of their Profession , and not to others ; whereas the infants of any in his house , whether born in Abrahams house , or bought with his money , who were not of his seed , but a strangers children , were by command to be circumcised . He puts in his conclusion ( our Baptism ) for ( sealing by the initial Sacrament ) But to let pass these stale Paralogisms ; he takes on him to prove the consequence by six Arguments . The first is , The principal Promise is not made void . He means that Gen. 17.7 . but gives no reason why that should be the principal Promise , and not that v. 4. But I grant that Promise Gen. 17.7 . meant of Abrahams seed by faith is not made void . He thence concludes , Therefore it may be sealed to the infants of Christians by the initial Sacrament in this dispensation ; which is not a proof of the consequence , but of the conclusion of the former Argument ; nor is there any force in this inference : for though the Promise were still in force as then , yet it is not a sufficient reason to baptize an infant , the command being not to baptize persons in covenant , but disciples of Christ. In his second he tells us , Sealing that Promise by an initial Sacrament to infants of Gods people ( which was the substance of circumcision , and a distinct thing from it ) did not of right cease with the Jewish church-state ; for it was not peculiar to that church as a national church ; for that Promise was sealed to infants by the initial Sacrament long before the existence of a national church , and to Infants of strangers which were not of that nation Gen. 27.2 . Sealing the promise by an initial Sacrament is principally in reference to the Catholik church . For shews of grace are sufficient to it , though● the parties have not joyned themselves to any particulor church Acts 18.36 , 37. and 10 47. and one that cannot be rightly judged to be of the catholick church cannot have the promise sealed to him by an initial Sacrament , though he be a member of a particular church . Answer . That which Mr. church saith ( sealing that promise by an initial Sacrament to Infants of Gods people was the substance of circumcision and a distinct thing from it ▪ ) is many waies faulty in respect of falsehood , and obscurity . For 1. the substance of circumcision as a type or shadow is Christ exhibited , as the Apostle Col. 3.7 . not the promise of God to every Infant of a believer by profession 2. as circumcision was asign or taken of the covenant made with Abraham ; and it is true the promise Gen. 17.7 . was the thing signified by it , but not onely that part , I will be the God of thy seed , but also the other , I will be thy God , yea and all the rest of the promises as ver . 4. thou shalt be a father of many nations , fruitfulness , descent of Kings ver . 6. inheritance of Canaan ver . 8. yet how the promises or the sealing of them should be the substance of circumcision I do not understand . Circumcision was a ceremony consisting of an action and a relation . Circumcision as an action hath no other substance or essence but the cutting off the little skin , as a relation , the signifying , or sealing is the very relation , but it is a trifling speech to say , paternity is the substance of paternity , if the promises sealed be meant to be the substance yet no Logicians I know so speak , to call the object of sight the substance of sight , the thing signified the substance of the sign . Faith is Heb. 11.1 . said to be the substance of things hoped for , but there the act is said to be the substance of the object , not the object the substance of the act , & so the covenant should not be the substance of circumcision , but circumcision , the substance of the covenant . 3. It is more unintelligible to me , how sealing the promise by an initial Sacrament to Infants of Gods people was the substance of circumcision and yet a distinct thing . For , first , if he mean that it was the substance of circumcision as a relation , that is the essence of it ( in which sense only I know how to understand his speech ) then sure it was the very same and no distinct thing , the essence being not a distinct thing from the essentiate , the thing defined and definition are not two distinct things , though the notion be formally distinct ; if he mean that sealing that promise by an initial Sacrament should be the Genus to circumcision , yet so it should not be a distinct thing , the Genus and species are not distinct really but formally , Quae formaliter distinguunter non habent se ut res et . res Kick. ●ist . log . lib. 1. part . 2. cap , 5. nor was there any other sealing that promise by an initial Sacrament then by circumcision , and therefore no real distinction , all the distinction was meerly notional or verbal , circumcision being one word , and sealing with the initial seal at that time another , yet both expressing the same thing . If any imagine a sealing with an initial seal then that was not circumcision let him shew what it is and were commanded : Mr. Church himself pag. 41. calls circumcision the initial Sacrament aforetime . 2. Sealing the promise by an initial Sacramment is said to be the substance of circumcision , yet pag. 41. he saith it was a distinct thing from sealing the promise , and only a ceremony for that time . Wherin sundry inconsistences seem to be 1. that sealing the promise by an initial seal should be the substance of circumcision , & yet circumcision a distinct thing from it . Is the substance of a being a distinct thing from it ? the substance of a man a distinct thing from a man ? 2. that Sealing the promise should be the substance of circumcision , and yet circumcision onely a ceremony for that time . Is that a ceremony to a thing which is the substance of it ? 3. that circumcision doth cease yet not that sealing the promise by that initial Sacrament which was no other then circumcision . Let him that can read these riddles , I am no such Ocdipus as to unfold them . But let Mr. Church use what gibberish he please I know no other initial Sacrament then that of circumcision mentioned in the old Testament , nor any sealing then commanded but it , and if it cease , then all the ruls about it cease to bind , and so are no rule to us now . But saith he pag. 41. The sealing of promise is not ceased , far seals are added in dispensation to the covenant . To which I reply . A thing is said to cease either of right or of fact which was of right to be or had being before but not now . There was no sealing by an initial seal aforetime that had being of right or of fact aforetime but circumcision , which Mr. Church saith was the initial seal aforetime , therefore circumcision ceasing , sealing with the initial seal aforetime ceased , there being no other foretime . But saith Mr. Church it is not ceased , for seals are added in this dispensation to the covenant , he means doubtless baptism and the Lords Supper , and by seals other seals , and so his reason is sealing of the promise by an initial Sacrament which was aforetime is not ceased , because other seals are added , which is as if one should say , the night is not past because the sun is risen , the reason is good to the contrary , there are other seals added , therefore the sealing with the initial seal , aforetime is ceased . But , saith he , it did not of right cease with the Jewish church state : For it was not peculiar too that church as a national church . Answer . If circumcision were not perticular to the Jewish Church-state I know nothing peculiar to it . And if it were not peculiar to that church as a national church why was the nation peculiarly called the circumcision , and other people the uncircumcision Rom. 3.30 . And for that which is alledged , that promise was scaled to Infants by the initial Sacrament long before the existence of a national church and to Infants of strangers which were not of that nation , I conceive neither is true . For circumcision was not till Abrahams nation were a Church . For he had before that time taught them the way of the Lord Gen. 18. ●9 . and they worshipped the true God , as appears by the many altars he built to Jehovah ▪ And though Abrahams house was but a small nation , yet it was a nation . And though Infants of strangers were circumcised , yet it was not without in corporation into that nation , so that they were of that nation if not by birth , yet as proselytes added thereto ; nevertheless if it had been before the existence of the national church of the Jews , it might cease with that church-state , as the distinction of clean and unclean beasts was before Abrahams dayes , as appears by Gen. 17.2 . and yet that distinction ceased with the Jewish Church state . As for his second reason it is of no force . For when he saith , Sealing the promise by an initial Sacrament is principally in reference to the Catholike Church ▪ he means it , I conceive , of baptism , else Acts 8.36 , 37. & 10.47 . are cited to no purpose . But there is no colour of consequence in Mr. Churches reason , thus framed , Baptism joined men to the Universal Church , therefore Circumcision was not peculiar to the Jewish Church-state , or that it ceased not with the Jewish Church-state . As for his other assertion , That [ one that cannot be rightly judged to be of the Catholick Church , cannot have the promise rightly sealed to him by an initial Sacrament , though he be a Member of a particular Church , ] it being of no weight to the present Argument , I shall not so fitly meddle with it till I come to answer the 20. ch . of Mr. Bs. first part of Plain Scripture proof , &c. As for his third Argument , it proves not the Consequence . [ For though faith and repentance be required of some afore circumcision ] yet it was not required of infants afore circumcision . But afore baptism it is required of all Mat. 28.19 . Mark 16.16 . Acts 2.38 . & 8.36 , 37 , 38. To the fourth , I say though [ infants now are capable of the promise as the Jews infants were , ] and that [ they could bear baptism as well as the Jews infants could circumcision , yet without a like command ( which cannot be found ) they are not to be baptized as the other were to be circumcised . As for the fifth Argument , it is false , That [ baptism is as appliable to infants as circumcision was ; for there is not the like command , without which though it were , that no more action were required in the subject to be baptized then in the subject to be circumcised ( which is false , as appears from Matt. 28.19 . Mark 16 16. Acts 2.38 . Acts 8.36 , 37 , 38. ) and though it were that the parities were more between them then they are , yet they make no rule for baptism without a command or institution . But it is false which he saith , that baptism is the same Sacrament with Circumcision And as for the twelve parities , brought by Mr. Church , some are doubtful , as the first [ that they are both initial Sacraments of the Covenant of grace ] in some sense with some limitations it may be true , but in other , even in that sense it is commonly taken , it is not true ; to wit , that the essence of them consists therein , and that they are so to all rightly circumcised or baptized . The second is likewise ambiguous , in some sense true , in some false . Those that might not be rightly judged to be in the promise might be circumcised , however it be concerning baptism . And those that may be rightly accounted to be of the Church , meaning the invisible , yet are not therefore to be baptized . The third likewise is doubtful by reason of the different waies of being accounted to the Church , and the doubt whether a person be to be accounted of the Church afore baptism or after . The Words Acts 2.41.47 . seem to prove that they are added to the Church after baptism . Neither is the fourth or fifth certain . For women ordinarily entred into the Church aforetime without circumcision , and did eat the Passeover . The eighth is not true of every circumcised persons circumcision , nor of every baptized persons baptism , that it is an external seat of the righteousness of faith . In the tenth something is untrue . For in the new Dispensation ( as the phrase is ) are not both temporal and spiritual promises sealed as well as in the former , if he mean it of the same temporal promises , we have better promises Heb. 8.6 but not the ●ame , not the promise of the land of Canaan , of greatness , prosperity , &c. but rather a prediction of persecution , if we will live Godly in Christ Jesus . Christians have Christ , and all other things by that part of the Covenant made with Abraham , which is spiritual , but not by that part which is proper to the Israelites . In the eleventh Mr. Church seems to be out in his computation about the beginning of baptism , and end of Circumcision . He saith [ Circumcision of right ended when baptism began to be an initial Sacrament , and that was not surely till Iohn began to baptize , which was not till the fifteenth year of Tiberius , as is plain from Luke 3.1 , 2. now mark his reason , For Christs Circumcision was the period of it . Now if Christs circumcision was the period of it , then it did cease almost thirty years before baptism began to be an initial Sacrament , Christ being circumcised in the Reign of Augustus . But whence doth he gather that Circumcision of right ended , when Baptism began to be an initial Sacrament ? For my part I find no such thing in Scripture . If our Lords words Iohn 7.22 , 23. do not prove it was then in force , yet those speeches of the Apostle Ephes. 2.14 , 15 , 16. of abolishing the Law of Commandments in Ordinances , and slaying the enmity by his Cross , and Col. 2.14 . of blotting out the hand-writing of Ordinances , which was against us , and took it away nailing it to his Cross , do determine that Circumcision did of right continue until Christs death , and so some years after , baptism began to be a Sacrament initial . The usual Doctrine is , that the Ceremonies of the Law became dead with Christ , deadly after the open promulgation of the Gospel , and calling of the Gentiles , Diodati annot . on Matth. 27.51 . And this breach was a sign that by the death of Christ all Mosaical Ceremonies were annihilated . But Mr. Church tells us , Circumcision ceased to be needful when Iohn began to baptize , for the Law is said to continue but untill John , Luke 16.16 . To which I answer , I know not why Circumcision should not be as needful as the Pass over , which our Saviour himself observed Luke 22.15 . and offering the gift to the Priest that Moses commanded , Matth. 8.4 . I presume the command of Circumcision was in force till after Christs death as well as the command of the Passeover , seventh day Sabbath and other things . As for Mr. Church his reason if it were good , That circumcision was needless when Iohn began to baptise , because it is said the law was untill Iohn , by the same reason he might say ▪ all the rest of the Law , yea and the Prophets were needless , when Iohn began to baptize . But the meaning is , the Ministery of the Law and Prophets continued , till Iohn , or as it is Matth. 11.13 . all the Prophets and the Law prophecied until Iohn , that is , declared Christs comming as future , and when Iohn began then the Kingdom of God began to be preached , and therefore Mark 1.1 , 2. The beginning of the Gospel of Iesus Christ the Son of God is said to be upon Iohns preaching ; for then the Messiah was named as present , Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the World , John. 1.29 . Lastly saith Mr. Church [ the Apostle plainly teacheth that Baptism is the same Sacrament to Christians that Circumcision was to Gods people aforetime Col. 2.11.12 . arguing against the continuance of Circumcision : in this Dispensation he uses two Arguments , which argue no less . For 1. Christ being come ( who was the body of the old shadows ) they of right ceased . 2. That baptism was now the sign of our Mortification , for which circumcision served aforetime . ] To which I answer , neither doth the Apostle plainly , that is , in express terms , teach Col. 2.11 , 12. what ever Mr. Church , or Mr. Calvin say , That baptism is the same Sacrament to Christians that circumcision was to Gods people aforetime , nor do his reasons prove it . For by the same reason we might say it of putting away of leaven out of their houses , and keeping the Passeover with unleavened bread : baptism is the same Sacrament to Christians that the feast of unleavened bread was to Gods people aforetime . For 1. Christ being come ( who was the body of the old shadows ) they of right ceased . 2. That baptism is now the sign of Mortification , for which keeping the feast with unleavened bread served aforetime , 1 Cor. 5.7 , 8. But were all these parities between circumcision and baptism , which Master Church mentions , right , yet they prove not his Conclusion , That the initial sacrament in this dispensation is as appliable to infants of Christians as the initial sacrament aforetime was to infants of Gods people . For if not all these , yet as many other parities may be reckoned , at least according to Paedobaptists Hypotheses , between baptism and the Passeover , as , that they are both Sacraments of the Covenant of grace , both ceremonies to be used about those that might rightly be judged in the promise , and accounted of the Church , the ordinary way of communion in the Church , not allowed to those without , engaging to observancy of the Covenant according to the several administrations , signs of mortification , external seals of the righteousness of faith distinguishing Gods people from infidels , to cease at Christs comming , &c. and yet I suppose Mr. Church will not have them the same Sacrament . Yea as many disparities between circumcision and baptism may be reckoned as Mr. Church reckons parities , as that the one was a shadow of Christ to come , not the other ; the one a token of the mixt covenant made to Abraham , which was of promises peculiar to the Jews , not the other ; the one a domestick action to be done in the house , the other an Ecclesiastick belonging to the Church ; the one to be done by the parents in that respect , not so the other ; the one with cutting off a part , not the other ; the one with drawing blood , not the other ; the one to males onely , the other to females also ; the one to be on the eighth day whatever it were , the other not limitted to any precise day ; the one made a visible impression on the body , and that permanent , not so the other ; the one to be done with an artificial and sharp , the other with a natural and not wounding instrument ; the one to all males belonging to the house of Abraham even infants , but not to others though Godly , except they joined themselves to that family : the other to believers or disciples of all nations ; the one engaging to keep Moses his Law , not so the other . But be the disparities or parities what they will , the only rule in these meer positive rites is the institution or command : so that were the Sacraments ( as they are called ) the same in kind , use , analogy , or what other way they may be deemed the same , yet without a rule of command or example intimating such a command , we are not bound to do the like in the one , as we do in the other . As for the sixth Argument , That nothing can be soundly collected from the scriptures against infant-baptism ; the contrary hath appeared above in the second part of this Review Sect 5. &c. what he grants that it may be soundly gathered that all of riper years should be discipled before baptism from the commission Matth. 28.19 . doth also prove , that they had no Commission to baptize any but discipled persons , and so none but those of riper years , not infants unless there be shewed some other Commission : which is not to be found in the Scripture , but only in corrupt tradition of antiquity , and the Jewish arguings of latter Divines , and is not yet found any other then will-worship . To all which Mr. Church further brings answer is made before , the vindicating of my objections will most fitly come in the reply to Masters Marshalls Defence , to which I shall hasten after the dispatch of some few other Authors . SECT . XII . Doctor Featley his argument for Infant-baptism from the Covenant , is examined . MR. Rutherford is another of the Authors , whose writing Mr. Baxter tells , yet remains to be answered . But I know not any writing of his in which he doth directly dispute against Anti-paedobaptists . I confess I have met with a dispute against those of the Congregational way of Discipline in his Peaceable and temperate Plea , c. 12. q. 12. for denying baptism to those infants whose next parent is not a known believer in some gathered Church , who yet do hold and practise baptism of such infants , whose next parent is a Church-member . But that dispute going only against them , and upon his grounds denied and refuted by me elsewhere , it were out of my way to answer what he saith there . If there be any other writing of his , I presume some one or other of the Antagonists I refute , have the strength of it : yet I intend if such a one do occurre to me , to give account of it as I shall find meet . Mr. Robert Baillee is another to whose writing Mr. B. points me . But his first Argument I have already enervated in the Addition to my Apology in my letter to him , and answering his three first criminations , especially the third , and have shewed , sect . 1. that he doth but calumniate , when he charges us to affirm , That no infants have any place in the Covenant of grace , or any Gospel promises till they be called by the word , and by an actual faith have embraced the Gospel . What other arguments he brings are answered either in answering Others that bring the same , or it s intended shall be answered in fit place . There are many others who have written of this argument in the English tongue , each of which forms his Argument from the Covenant to the initial seal , from infant circumcision to infant-baptism , with some difference in terms , or phrasifying , though in effect all of them are reduced into the three forms in the 1 , 2 , 3. sect . of my Exercitation , and rest on these false principles , that interest in the Covenant of grace was the adequate reason of a persons title to circumcision , and is the adequate reason of a persons title to baptism , and that there is the like reason of baptizing infants of believers , as of circumcising infants of Abraham by virtue of the like interest in the Covenant , though there be not the like command for the one as for the other , nevertheless that it may not be said I have neglected any thing conceived worth answering , or to have slighted any of their labours , I shall briefly answer the Arguments of such as have come to my hands , and then more largely answer Mr. Geree , Mr. Marshall , Mr. Cobbet , Mr. Blake , Mr. Baxter , who have opposed my writings , taking in others by the way , as I see fit . Dr. Featley is one that hath been a Leader of the Prelatical party , and is judged by them to have proved Paedobaptism learnedly . His dispute is in his Dipper d●pt , p. 46. arg . 5. thus . [ All they who are comprized within the Covenant , and are no where prohibited to receive the seal thereof , may and ought to receive it : But children are comprized within the Covenant of faith , whereof circumcision was a seal , Rom. 4.11 . and now baptism is , Ergo children may and ought to receive Baptism . Of the Major or first Proposition there can be no doubt ; for it is unjust to deprive a Man of the confirmation of that to which he hath a true right or title . And for the Minor or Assumption , it is as cleer , for so are the words of the Covenant Gen. 17.17 . I will establish my Covenant between me and thee , and thy seed after thee . ] Against which I except , first , That the Syllogism is many waies faulty ; 1. That he puts in the Conclusion [ children ] as all one with infants . 2. That in the Conclusion there is this term not exprest in the Major [ may and ought to receive baptism ] for that which is in the Major [ may and ought to receive the seal of the Covenant ] is not all one with [ may and ought to receive baptism ] baptism and seal of the Covenant being not equipollent , besides Circumcision , passeover , Lords Supper , the Ephesians are said to be sealed with the holy spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 . nor is the term [ seal of the Covenant ] applyed to Sacraments any other than a novel expression , neither used in Scripture , nor the Antients . Rom. 4.11 . doth not term circumcision ( much less other Sacraments as they are called ) a seal of the Covenant of faith , as the Doctor misallegeth it , but a seal of the Righteousness of faith , which he had being yet uncircumcised . Whence it appears that it was a Seal of what he had , not of a covenant concerning what he was to have : and this is said onely of Abrahams circumcision , with such an observing of particularizing circumstances , as shew it to be appropriated to Abrahams circumcision , what ever is said of circumcisions being a seal of the righteousness of faith , however Divines dictate to the contrary , and therefore what the Doctor addes in the Minor ( which multiplies the terms in the Syllogism ) [ and now baptism is ] asserting thereby baptism to be a Seal of the Covenant of faith , is said without proof , though I should not stick to grant it in this sense , that to the true believer his baptism assures righteousness according to Gods Covenant , and the true believer by baptism gives testimony or assurance of his faith according to his Covenant , as being unwilling to wrangle about terms if we agree in the meaning . But in the sense Paedobaptists use it , as containing the nature of a Sacrament , I shall reject it in that which followes . 3. Against the Doctors omission of some words in the Minor , [ and are no where prohibited to receive the seal therof ] which were in the Major . 4. That the term [ and are no where prohibited to receive the seal thereof ] is ambiguous . For it may be understood either of an express prohibition in forbidding terms , or a prohibition by consequence . It is granted in so many express words , infants are not prohibited to receive baptism , no nor the Lords Supper , yet they are by good consequence to be denied both , in as much as both are disagreeing from the institution and practice of those rites in the new Testament . Wherefore to the Doctors argument , I except against the form of it , as containing more then three terms , the predicate in the conclusion not being in the Major , part of the medium in the major being left out in the Minor. And if it be thus formed [ all they who are comprized within the covenant of faith , and are no where prohibited to receive the seal thereof , may and ought to be baptized : But infants of believers are comprized , &c. Ergo. ] I deny the Major if meant of Gods covenant to us , or promise either of faith or righteousness to infants by it , as the alleging Gen. 17.7 . imports the Doctor meant . But grant it of those who are comprized within the Covenant of faith by their covenanting to be believers , in which sense I deny the Minor , that children , that is infant-children are comprized in the Covenant of faith by their covenanting to be believers ; yea and if the proposition be universal , all children , or all infant-children of believers are comprized in Gods covenant of faith or promise that he will give them faith or righteousness by faith , I deny it . Nor is the Major proved by the Doctor . For it is no unjust thing to deny baptism to a person to whom it is not appointed ; now baptism is appointed to disciples or believers , not to whom God promiseth to give faith or righteousness by faith . Besides were it true that God had so promised it and confirmation of it were due ; yet without institution confirmation by baptism were not due ; God hath other waies to confirm it , as by his Oath Heb. 6.17 . the blood of his Son , 1 Cor. 11.25 . his Spirit , 2 Cor. 1.22 . A man that is bound to pass an estate , and to seal it , may not be bound to a further Confirmation by fine and recovery . Besides its no injustice not to confirm ones right who doth not claim and prove it . But this infants do not . And for the Minor , the words Gen. 17 7. have nothing about the second part of the proposition , nor do indeed prove any to be comprized in that promise , but Abraham and his seed , of which sort none of Gentile-believers children are , but those that are true believers as he was , or elect by God to adoption of children . The objection the Doctor brings in is not rightly framed , nor do I deny the answer the Doctor gives is sufficient to overthrow it as so formed . But what the Doctor dictates , That all true believers and their children are to be reckoned among children of the promise , is contradictory to the Apostles determination Rom. 9.7 , 8. as the Apostle is expounded by Dr. Featly himself in the New Annot. on Rom. 9.8 . in which he thus speaks , not all they who are carnally born of Abraham by the course of nature are the children of God to whom the promise of grace was made ; but the children of promise , that is , those who were born by vertue of the promise , those who by Gods special grace were adopted ( as Isaac by a special , and singular promise was begot by Abraham ) they only are accounted for that seed mentioned in the Covenant , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed . SECT . XIII . The Arguments of Mr. William Lyford , from the Covenant for infant-baptism are examined . MR. William Lyford in his Apology for Infant-baptism page 33. thus disputes . All that are taken into the Covenant of grace ought to receive the initial sign [ what ever the sign be that God shall chuse ] and that according to the commandment of God , and our Lord Jesus Christ. But infants are taken into Covenant with their parents , as is proved ; therefore by the Commandment of the Lord they ought to receive the sign which God hath enjoined to be used , and that sign is baptism . To which I answer , by denying the Major , and for his proof out of Gen. 17.7 , 12. I deny , 1. That there is any command for any other initial sign but Circumcision . 2. That circumcision is there appointed to all who are taken into the Covenant of grace , not to Lot , Melchisedeck , Job or their children , not to the females of Abrahams house , not to the males under eight daies old , not to the Proselytes of the gate as Cornelius was . 3. That the adequate reason why any was to be circumcised was interest in the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . but the command only . For both Ishmael who was not in the covenant was to be circumcised because of the command , and as hath been shewed , others in the covenant were not to be circumcised through defect of the command . Nor is the Minor true , if understood of all the infants of believers , or any of them as their infants , nor is there a word to prove it Gen. 17.7 . which is onely a promise to Abrahams seed , and they of the Gentiles are only true believers or elect persons . But perhaps Mr. Lyford mends the matter in the next form , which is this pag. 34. If infants have a right to the covenant and the initial sign therof , then it is a wrong to deny it to them . But infants have a right to the Covenant and the initial sign thereof , both by Gods original grant , Gen. 17.11.14 . and by Christs confirmation of that Covenant made to their Fathers , Rom. 15 8. therefore it is a wrong to deny it them . The Covenant under which we are , is the Gospel Covenant , made long since with us Englishmen and our infant-seed , with a command of giving them the sign , which at first was circumcision , and now baptism by the same Divine authority enjoined and commanded to be given without any exception of any within the Covenant . I answer by denying the Minor , and to the proof by denying that Gen. 17.11 , 14. there is command of any other initial sign than Circumcision , or that circumcision is commanded to all that had a right to the Covenant , or that the Gospel Covenant was made long since with us Englishmen , and our seed as our seed , or that there was in that of circumcision any command to us to baptize infants , or that Divine authority hath commanded baptism to be given without any exception of any within the Covenant . But I affirm he hath commanded only to baptize those in the Covenant who are disciples or believers . But Mr. Lyford adds further p. 37. All those to whom the blessings and promises in the Covenant do belong , t them also belongs baptism , the sign thereof ( by the doctrine of St. Peter , and of Jesus Christ himself ) But to infants of believing parents , the blessings and promises of the Covenant do belong before actual faith , therefore by the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost in Scripture , such infants ought to be baptized before actual faith . The Major or first part of this Argument is the very reason of the Text. The Minor proposition , viz. that the blessings and promises of the Covenant do belong to infants before actual faith is proved by these reasons . 1. By the express words of Peter , which say , the promise is to your children . 2. By the express words of our Saviour , of such is the Kingdom of Heaven . 3. By example of Isaac and Jacob , they were children of the promise before actuall faith , and had applied unto them the seal of the righteousness of faith . 4. Some infants dying are saved , they are members of Christs Kingdom , therefore the blessing of the covenant , viz. regeneration and remission of sins through the blood of Christ do also belong to them . To which I answer , blessings of the covenant are of sundry sorts , such as certainly accompanie salvation , regeneration , justification , adoption , or such as are common to reprobates , as to have teachers , example , and acquaintance with the godly , &c. Both these may belong to them in present possession or assurance for the future : when they belong to them in present possession , it is either discernibly or indiscernibly . Actual faith may be in the exercise or habit . Infants of believers are elect or non-elect . It is true all those to whom the blessings of the Covenant which accompany salvation belong in present possession discernibly , to them also belongs baptism : but so the Minor is false , understood of all infants of believers : they belong not to all , but only to the elect , nor them certainly in present possession , much less discernibly during infancy : or if it be discernible , then they have actual faith , and so the Minor is not true , that to infants of believing parents the saving blessings of the covenant do belong in possession discernibly before actual faith . If it be meant of the blessings of the Covenant in future assurance only the Major is false . Nor is it true that the Major is the very reason of the text Act. 2.38 , 39. It is false that this is Peters reasoning , therefore does the sign belong to Peters hearers because the promise did first belong to them . For the term [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ] does not infer a right which they might claim , but imports a motive to duties , and of these duties first to repentance , and then baptism : so that if from thence a right be concluded , they must conclude as well a right to repentance in the first place , and then to baptism . Nor is it true that Acts 10.47 , 48. the Apostles discourse is reduced to M. Lyfords form of argument , or saies as he saies , They that receive the same grace are capable , yea have right to the same sign , but infants are capable of the same grace , therefore of right they are to have the same sign , i. e. the Sacrament of baptism . For although the Major be granted of actual possession of the spirit and magnifying God , yet it is not true only of the promise thereof . But the Minor [ infants are capable of the same grace ] alters the term , which is in the Major thus [ they have received the same grace ] and so Mr. Lyford syllogism hath four terms . Nor doth the Apostle say , they that are capable of the same grace are to be baptized as well as we , but , none can forbid water to baptize them that had received the Holy Ghost , and so were manifestly actual believers as well as themselves , though they were of the Gentiles : which when it appears in infants I should yield they are to be baptized , but not meerly because of the promise or capacity of grace , for the promise agrees to Jews children elect , and capacity of grace to Turks children , and therfore if either or both these did intitle to baptism , the infant-children of such might be baptized . And for his proofs of the Minor , it is false , that to infants of believing parents the blessings and promises of the covenant do belong before actual faith , is proved by the express words of Peter . For though he say , the promise is to your children , yet he doth not say , to you as believers , or to your children in infancy as the children of believers , nor before actual faith , Yea the words [ as many as the Lord our God shall call ] do require actual faith afore the possession of the blessings of the promise : Nor is this any miserable shift : nor is it true , that those words are quite a new thing clearly relating to another sort of people , than his present hearers , and not to them , for that expression limits all the Subjects , and is put after all joined by copulative particles , and therefore is to be conceived to limit all of them . Nor is the speech true of any of them without that limitation . Nor is it true which Mr. Lyford saies , That the words do not exegetically expound to which of his hearers children the promise did belong . For they are a manifest limitation excluding some and including others . And what he saith , that Peter saies [ this promise does belong to them that are afar off , and their children , as well as to you and your children ] is manifestly false . But of this text I have spoken in the first part of this Review , sect . 5. more fully . To his second proof , I say it is false , that the express words of our Saviour ( of such is the Kingdome of Heaven ) prove his Minor. For [ of such ] is not all one with [ infants of believing parents ] nor when it is said [ of such is the Kingdome of heaven ] is it all one with this [ the blessings and promises of the Covenant do belong to them afore actual faith ] the Kingdom of heaven is not said to be of them , because their parents were believers , its uncertain whether they were so or no ; and if they were , another reason may and ought to be conceived of their interest in the Kingdome of heaven , to wit Christs special and effectual blessing : nor is it said the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them in actual possession ; and if it were so meant , and yet they were not appointed to be baptized ( as it appears by the Evangelists they were not ) it is a good presumption , Christ would not have infants , notwithstanding their interest in the Kingdom of heaven , to be baptized till they became believers by profession , and knew what their engagement is th●●eby . To his third , it is true , Isaac and Jacob were children of the promise before actual faith , yea before they were born , and therefore if the interest in the Covenant had been a sufficient reason of Circumcision , they should have been circumcised afore the eighth day , which because they were not , it is an argument , that not the Covenant , but the Command intitled them to Circumcision . To the fourth , I never denied , that to some infants the covenant belongs ; nor that they are saved , regenerated in infancy , but I deny , that this is true of all infants of believers . For the very instances brought prove the contrary , that though Isaac and Jacob were children of the promise , yet Ishmael and Esau begotten by believing parents were not , who yet were to be circumcised : nor is any a childe of the promise because he is the child of a believer , but because he is elect of God. As for Mr. Lyfords answer to the Objection in conference with him , it is indeed no answer . For he that objects that the blessings of the Covenant , belong to elect infants , not to all , and therefore under that pretence all in general are not to be baptized , doth not by that speech grant , that baptism belongs to one infant , or to any because elect , but only shews the insufficiency of the adversaries proof for that practice : As for those who deny baptism to all because they are infants , I know not who they be , the reason why it is denyed them is not because they are infants , but because in infancy they appear not to be disciples , or believers in Christ , who only by the command are appointed to be baptized ; and I agree with Mr. Lyford , That the Sacraments do belong to the elect not as elect , but as visible members and Professors ( and that upon this account Simon Magus was baptized , though Mr. Lyford is mistaken in saying Peter baptized Simon Magus , which was done by Philip ) whereby Mr. Lyford doth indeed overthrow his dispute . For if the Sacraments belong to the Elect as visible Members and Professors , then to all and onely visible members and Professours . For what belongs to any quatenus ipsum as such , belongs to all and onely such universally and reciprocally , and so if he will stand to his own words , though children be in the Covenant or elect , yet till they be visible members and Professors they are not to be baptized , which doth plainly refute his own Argument , viz. the Major of his own syllogism : nor need we by our reason know whether a person be elected that we may baptize him , but whether he be a visible member and Professor . SECT . XIV . The Arguments of Mr. Stalham , Mr. Brinsley , Mr. Hall , and a nameless Author , from the Covenant for infant-baptism , are examined . MR. Stalham in the Conference at Terling page 4. argued thus , They who are included in the substance of the Gospel covenant are not to be excluded from the seal of the Covenant . But infants are included in the substance of the Gospel covenant , and therefore not to be excluded from the seal of the Gospel Covenant . But in this Argument the Conclusion is not of baptism in particular , and so concludes not what was to be concluded , and sith circumcision according to him was a seal of the Gospel covenant , it might be true of it and so granted . Yet the Major if universal is not true , no not of circumcision . For women and infant-males afore the eigth day were excluded from the seal of the Covenant , though they were included in the substance of the Gospel covenant , s his phrasiology is , nor hath he a word in all the conference to prove his Maor ; and for his Minor , setting aside his phrasifying , if this be his meaning ; All the infants of believers , or the infants of believers , in as much as they are their children , have the substance of the Gospel-Covenant , that is the promise , Gen. 17.7 . as it is a Gospel promise made to them , it is false and contrary to Romans 9.7 , 8. nor is there any thing in the conference there brought that proves it . Mr. John Brinsley of Paedobapt . page 11.32 . makes this his first and grand argument for the baptism of infants . If children of believing parents be within the Covenant , then they may be baptized , But they are within the covenant , Ergo. The Major he takes as granted , though I deny it as being most false . The Minor he would prove , 1. From Acts 2.39 . where he makes the promise to be of remission of sins , but that belongs only to the penitent believer , and therefore proves not that it belongs to the infant of a believer , without repentance and faith . 2. In that they were in the old Testament in the Covenant . But he himself page 33. saith , All infants of believing parents are in the outward visible covenant . As for the covenant it self , to speak properly and strictly , it depends upon Gods election . Neither doth it belong to any but those who are elected . What juggling then doth he use to tell us that they are in covenant , and that the promise belongeth to them without any difference of elect and non-elect ; and p. 11. he saith , To whomsoever the covenant it self belongeth , to them belongeth this seal of the Covenant . And so his Minor must be , but the Covenant it self belongs to infants of believers : and yet to say , the covenant it self , doth not belong to any but those who are elected , but the outward visible covenant to all . But what this outward visible covenant is , he tells us not . I cannot understand any other than Circumcision , for that was the outward visible covenant in the old Testament , and then his Minor asserts infants are in Covenant as they were in covenant in the old Testament , that is , they are to be circumcised . Besides what interfering is there in Paedobaptists ? Mr. Stalham saith , they are included in the substance of the Gospel covenant , Mr ▪ Brinsley saith , the Covenant it self ( and then surely not the substance of the Gospel covenant ) belongs not to any but elect , but the outward visible covenant , that is a new nothing , belongs to them all . And thus people are cheated by these Doctors . 3. In that they are federally holy , 1. Cor. 7.14 . but of it enough already in the first part of the Review . So much for Mr. Brinsley , one of Mr. Halls Champions . Let us see what Master Thomas Hall himself in his Font Guarded page 9. argues ; To whomsoever the covenant it self belongs , to them also belongs the seal of the Covenant ; But the covenant belongs to Believers and their children : Ergo the seal of the Covenant belongs to them also . Answ. If Mr. Hall mean in the Minor , that the Covenant it self belongs to all the children of believers , then he contradicts Mr. Brinsley ( out of whom he saith in his Epistle to him and Mr. Blake he gathered his weeds ) who saith , it belongs only to the Elect , and if he mean it only of the elect , then he can conclude onely concerning the elect ; if he mean the outward visible covenant , than it is either circumcision , and then he asserts circumcision to belong still to infants ; or he means baptism , and then his Minor and Conclusion is all one , and his Argument a meer inept tautology , unless he mean some other new nothing . And indeed this Argument of Mr. Hall is like the rest concluding of the seal of the covenant indefinitely when he should conclude of baptism , using in the Major and Minor the term [ the covenant belongs ] but not explaining what covenant , to whom or how it belongs , using children for infants , so that there is nothing but equivocation in his Speeches . And for his propositions in the sense they are commonly taken , neither Major nor Minor is true , nor is the Major proved though he say it is clear . For though he that hath right to a temporal inheritance hath right likewise to the seal● and deeds that do convey that inheritance to him , yet in Law it is not necessary that there be a sealing to each inheritour by himself . A man may have a deed sealed for him to another as a Feoffee in trust , as is usual in the Case of young Orphans , to one man is conveyed the estate of many . So that besides the frivolousness of this conceit to make the term [ seal of the Covenant ] of the Essence of baptism , though it be but a metaphor not found in Scripture , and thence , and the use in civil Negotiations , to make a rule for the service of God ; yet were this kind of proof allowed , the Major is not true , that to whomsoever the covenant it self belongs to them als● belongs the seal of the Covenant , meaning it in their own persons . For a Feoffee in trust may have the Estates of many conveyed to him , and so the parent by this reason may be baptized for the child . And for the other reason it is also insufficient , Abrahams posterity being in covenant receive the sign of Circumcision the seal of the Covenant , for the seal of the Covenant is as large as the Covenant it self . But neither is it true that the Seal of the Covenant in Abrahams posterity was as large as the Covenant it self , the women being in Covenant and yet not to be sealed in their own persons : nor if it were true doth it prove the Proposition . For if it were so by vertue of a particular command , then it follows not that if it were so then it must be so now without the like command . Nor is the Minor proved from Gen. 17.7 , 10 , 11. Acts 2.38 , 39. For in the one is affirmed only that God will be a God to Abraham and his seed , which is not all one with every believer and his seed ; in the other , whatever the promise be and howsoever Peter meant it was to them and their children , yet it is not said to you believers , and to your children as the children of believers , for then he had spoken false they being not then believers , and therefore it proves not that the covenant belongs to Believers and their children . This is enough to shew the vanity of Mr. Halls disputing . For the rest of his Book , he being a gatherer out of others , as he saith , and in most things he should argue , referring us as an Index to their writings , I think it best to rid my hands of him , and to deal with his Authors he points to . There were sent to me by some friends these two following Arguments in manuscript , as judged by some unanswerable . The first thus . What privilege the proselyted Gentiles had who joined themselves to Abrahams Family in reference to their infant seed in the Ordinance of Circumcision , the like privilege the Christian Gentiles in the New Testament have in reference to their infant-seed in the Ordinance of baptism . But the Proselyted Gentiles had this privilege , that when they were circumcised their children were circumcised in their infancy . Ergo the Christian Gentiles have the same privilege that their children should be baptized in their infancy . To which I answer , letting pass the exception to the quaternity of terms , and conceiving [ what privilege ] is put for [ whatsoever privilege universally ] without which the argument would be all of particulars , and so the Syllogism naught ; I deny the Major , and my reason is , because were it a privilege or not , what was done in the use of circumcision by vertue of an express command , is not to be done in the use of baptism , without the like command . If it were , the Apostles did ill in not baptizing a whole Nation old and young together , and we do ill in keeping away the young ones of believers baptized from the Lords supper , when being circumcised they were not debarred from the Passover . The other argument is in these words . To whom the outward visible covenant of God manifestly belongs , to them in the daies of the Gospel , the initiating ordinance , viz. baptism belongs . But unto the infant-seed of believers the external visible Covenant of God doth manifestly belong . Ergo to the infant-seed of believers in the daies of the Gospel the initiating Ordinance , viz. baptism belongs . To which I answer , what outward visible covenant he means , except baptism , I know not . If he speak as Mr. M. speaks , and some others , I have shewed in my Apology sect . 10. that by it is meant the outward administration of the Covenant , which is no other now but baptism . Now if this be the meaning of the Author , the Major contains a trifling tautology , in effect this , They that are to be baptized , are to be baptized , and the Minor and Conclusion being all one , the Minor is to be denied , and the argument hissed out of Schools as a ridiculous foppery . SECT . XV. The dispute of Mr. John Geree about the extent of the Gospel covenant to prove thence infant-baptism , is examined , and it is shewed , that interest in the Covenant did not intitle to circumcision , nor is it proved it doth now to Baptism . BUt Mr. John Geree Vindic. Paedobap . p. 6. would seem to dispute more accurately and after a syllogism which doth but repeat the conclusion in a new phrase , he disputes thus . To whom the Gospel covenant is extended in the Churches of Christians to them the Sacrament of initiation appointed for that administration of the Covenant doth belong . To children of believing Christians , the Gospel covenant is extended in the Christian Churches , Ergo , to them the Sacrament of initiation doth belong . To which I answer , Mr. Geree in this syllogism hath altered the term in his prosyllogism , it was in that [ the sacrament of initiation instituted for Christian Churches ] here it is [ the Sacrament of initiation appointed for that administration of the Covenant ] and wherein he supposeth ; 1. The sacrament appointed for that administration of the Covenant . 2. The Sacrament of initiation appointed for the administration of the Covenant all one with the Sacrament of initiation instituted for the Christian Churches , and from thence would derive a rule for baptism . But that being a phrase not used in Scripture , nor perhaps deducible from it , and at best ambiguous , it serves for no proof , and therefore serves only to mislead those understandings which are apt to be caught with such chaff . That the phrase is not used in Scripture , will not I suppose be denied , no where is baptism called either a Sacrament or a Sacrament of initiation , or said to be appointed for that administration of the Covenant , nor is it deducible from thence . For there is no place that I find , that makes this the proper and immediate use of baptism to be the administration of the Covenant , so that thereby either the making of the Covenant , or the conferring or assuring to the baptized the benefits of the covenant should be the next end of it self intended therein . The immediate and proper use of it is to be a sign that the person baptized repents of his sins , and renounceth specially his Gentile defilements , communion with Satan , and engageth himself to be Christs disciple ; Yet I deny not but that by consequent in the manner of doing it by dipping or plunging under water , it minds us of Christs death ▪ burial and rising again , and testifyeth our salvation by him , and so in a remote manner assures to us the benefits of the Covenant of grace . But in this manner it is the administration of election as well as the Covenant , and is an administration of the Covenant only to elect persons , and true believers , for it assures salvation onely to them , not to all that are baptized , and therefore in this respect none but they can have title to it . So that if from hence , that baptism is the administration of the Covenant , a title be derived for infants to be baptized , it can intitle none but those to whom it administers the Covenant , which are only the elect or true believers . But the ambiguity of the expression is much more fallacious . For 1. when it is said , it is appointed for the administration of the Covenant , the expressions sometimes are , as if it were the administration it self , calling it the new administration , as I shew in my Apology , sect . 10. Mr. Geree here p. 10. baptism is a seal of a new administration , and then it is all one as to say the administration of the Covenant is appointed for the administration of the Covenant , which is either non-sense , or at least in●ptly spoken . 2. When they say [ it is the administration of the Covenant ] do they mean the outward or inward Covenant ? The latter I presume they will not say , for then baptism should be an administration of the things promised therin , regenerarion , remission of sins , and if so , then it administers them in a natural way , and so it should in manner of a natural agent regenerate , &c. which is to confer grace ex opere operato , or in a moral way ; but baptism can administer regeneration , remission of sins , &c. no other moral way but by assuring , or perswading , or the like , what ever way it be conceived it administers not the covenant to an infant in infancy , nor to any but the elect : now if it do not administer the covenant to any but such , then it is not baptism but to such , if baptism be in its nature the administration of the Covenant of Grace . If they mean baptism is the administration of the outward covenant , I am yet to learn what the outward covenant is , except they mean the outward administration , which is no other then baptism , as I shew Apology s. 10. and what is this then but to say , that baptism is the administration , or appointed for the administration of baptism ? 3. When they say , it is the administration of the Covenant , do they mean the Covenant or promise of the baptized to God , or Gods promise to the baptized ? If the former , then it is no more but this , that baptism is the administration , that is the signification of the baptized his engagement to be Christs disciple , which is indeed the best sense of it , but then it will not fit them , for so it is not in infants , for they signifie no profession or engagement of theirs by it . If the later , then by baptism God doth promise man ; but that 's not true , his promise is in the Word before baptism , or he signifies his promise formerly made , & this can derive no title to the persons to whom the promise is made , for the signifying that promise as past is as useful for others , either baptized or unbaptized , as the then baptized , and not at all of use or avail to infants , who cannot apprehend the signification ; or he assures the benefits of the Covenant , and that can be only to elect or true believers ; or that he contains them by it , and so it gives grace , ex opere operato . 4. The Covenant of grace is , I take it the Covenant of saving grace , opposite to the Covenant of works , the promise of justification by faith in contradistinction to the Law , Gal 3.18 . This covenant was made mixtly , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. purely Heb. 8.10 , 11 , 12. They should tell us whether they mean the one , or the other , or both . The former they seem to mean when they make baptism to succeed Circumcision , and to seal the same Covenant that it did . But then baptism should not be the new administration but belong to the old . And if it seal that Covenant then it assures the Land of Canaan , and greatness in it . But it seems they mean that it seals only the promise , I will be thy God and the God of thy seed , so Mr. Geree here , we find in the administration of the Gospel covenant to Abraham and his seed . But if so , 1. Then it seals only a part of the Covenant that circumcision did , and so succeeds not in it's use , nor is there a reason given , but their own conceit , why it should seal one part , and not another . 2. If it seal or administer the Gospel-covenant , then it administers not this promise [ that God will be a God to a believer , and his natural seed as such ] For that is neither Gospel nor at all to be found , Gen. 17.7 . 3. In that promise was foretold Christ to come of Abraham , and this was Gospel Gal. 3.16 . But this is not administred by baptism , which signifies Christ already come . 4. In the spiritual sense it was made to Abrahams seed by faith , Gal. 3.29 . Rom. 4.11 , 12. But they are only the elect ; Rom. 9.7 , 8. and then it is an administration of that Gospel covenant onely to elect persons , and true Believers . 5. There 's ambiguity also in the term [ the Gospel covenant is extended ] The Gospel covenant is , The just shall live by faith , that God will be a God to Abrahams seed by faith . But Mr. Geree imagines a Gospel covenant , which is but a fiction , that God hath promised to be a God to the natural posterity of every believing Gentile . 6. For the extent of it how it is extended is ambiguous . For he cannot say it is extended in respect of the Gospel promise of righteousness and life to all the children of believers , it was not extended Ishmael to and Esau. Therefore he acknowledgeth it to be extended in the reality of it onely to the Elect , onely it is to be charitably presumed that they are elect , and therefore they are to be taken for persons in covenant till they discover the contrary . But he shews no rule of Scripture for such a Construction of the promise : sure such a construction was unknown to Paul , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. when he expounded that very promise , Gen. 17.7 . nor doth such a construction agree with the words , sith when God saith , I will be a God to thee and thy seed , the meaning according to M. Geree should then be [ I will be a God to thee , that is , every believer , and to thy seed , that is every believers natural seed which are elect in reality , and to those that are not elect in charitable presumption of the Minister of baptism , till comming to years they discover the contrary ] now what a non-sence exposition is this , to expound [ thee ] meant of Abraham by [ every believing Gentile ] and by [ thy seed ] which is meant of Abrahams seed onely either natural or spiritual by faith to understand [ every believers natural seed ] and when it is said , God will be a God to them , that he will be a God only to some in reality , which is to make God to promise what he doth not perform , and to others , that men shall think he will be a God to them , which would be too poor a matter to be meant in that expression , and therein God should not promise what he will be or do , but what men shall think , which would be false , for it is not made good , or that they may charitably so presume of them , but in this sense it is not a promise at all , but a meer permission to men to think charitably of them , which I suppose they are as well bound to do of unbelievers children till they discover the contrary , and so no privilege to the believers children . And yet this too must be limitted to a certain time till they come to years and discover the contrary , and therefore by seed must be understood onely the infant-seed , when they came to years , there 's neither promise nor permission for men to think so charitably of them . And yet herein there is nothing but abuse of terms . For charitable presumption must have some ground , which is to be from some thing we perceive done to judge well of what we see not according to the rule 1 Cor. 13.7 . Charity believeth all things , but in infants acts there 's nothing that may be such a ground , but to the contrary they opposing their baptism by their crying , &c. If it be said , the promise is a ground , I answer , Mr. Geree confesseth the promise is not in reality but to the elect , nor to the elect till they believe , and therefore there is no ground from the promise till it be known the persons be elect or believers . But it will be said , we know nothing to the contrary . To which I reply , nor do we know any thing to the contrary , but that unbelieving Jews children are elect , and in the Covenant , and yet it s not charitably presumed of them , so as to count them in the Covenant , and to judge them admissible to baptism . I think sith we perceive nothing of believers infants acts that may distinguish them from unbelievers , that we should rather suspend our thoughts of Gods election and covenant to them till they shew of what spirit they are , which is meet for an administrator of baptism , who as a wise Steward should give to every one his portion in due season , Luke 12.42 . rather then have such a fond imagination of what God hath concealed . And if it be true which Mr. Geree saith in his Vindic. Vindic. p. 42. That many of the Assembly intended the words in the Directory for baptism [ The promise is made to believers and their seed ] in Master Gerees sense , they have reason to be ashamed that they have so much abused the World with such a toy . Yea but have they not a promise on which to ground this charitable presumption ? I answer , surely the Jews have a more express promise , Ro. 11.26 , 27. for their posterity then any believer now living hath for his children , and therefore if that be all the ground of baptizing believers infants , there 's a like ground for baptizing Jews infants though parents be unbelieving , and they have wrong that it is not done , where it may . But shall we make no difference between the children of believers and unbelievers ? I answer , we are to conceive with a judgement of probability for the present that they are elect , and with a quieting hope for the future that they will be believers . 1. Because of Gods general indefinite promises . 2. Because by reason of the means of the knowledge of the Gospel which they have in their education , and living where the Gospel is taught , they are in a nearer possibility then others to be believers . 3. Because experience shews that God often doth continue godliness in religious families , though it often fall out otherwise . But that such an extension of the Gospel-covenant as Mr. Geree makes to the children of believing Christians , should entitle to baptism , is without all rule . And to his Syllogism , though it might be denied in respect of the form , by reason of the ambiguity of terms ; yet I answer , by denying the Major in his sense , which I conceive is this , They to whom the Gospel Covenant is extended according to the charitable presumption of the Minister without the persons shewing by any act that he is in Covenant , to them the Sacrament of initiation to wit baptism doth belong , and shall examine his proof both of Major and Minor. The Major , saith he , I prove by that of Peter Acts 10.47 . when they had received the Holy Ghost , which was but an evidence of Gods receiving them into the Gospel covenant , Peter saith , can any forbid water that these should not be baptized , who are in covenant with God as well as we ? They have the word or promise , which is the greater ; who can inhibite the sign which is the less ? To this I answer , the proof rests on this , That the allegation of Peter that they had received the Holy Ghost , was brought for an evidence that God had received them into the Gospel Covenant , and so it may be said to the same purpose , who can forbid water that these should not be baptized who are in covenant with God as well as we ? But this is false . For their receiving the Holy Ghost is brought not to prove only that God had made his covenant of grace to them , but to prove that they were actual believers , as their works did shew upon hearing the word of faith , for saith he v. 46. they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God , & ch . 11.17 . if God hath given them the like gift as unto us that believe on the Lord J●sus Christ , who was I that I could forbid God ? And v. 18. it is said , when they heard these things they held their peace and glorifyed God , saying , then hath God also granted to the Gentiles repentance unto life . Whence it appears that they were penitent believers , and this is proved by their acts ; and therefore to be admitted to baptism , and not barely because the Gospel covenant was extended to them , much less because the Gospel covenant was extended to some of that sort , and to those particular persons onely upon a charitable presumption , that Gods promise did belong to them for the future without any shew of repentance or faith at the present . It is false that we may say , that when by any other principle in Scripture any are demonstrated to be in the Gospel covenant , who can forbid water that these should not be baptized , who are in covenant with God as well as we ? For though God should reveal that this or that person were elect , and that his Covenant did belong to him for the future , yet he were not to be baptized , till God revealed that he were a believer or disciple . For if so , than if God did reveal concerning any , as he did of Isaac and Jacob , that he were a child of the promise , though yet unborn in the Mothers womb , he were to be baptized , which is absurd . None are to be baptized afore born , therefore any principle whatsoever in Scripture demonstrating a person to be in the Gospel covenant is not sufficient to intitle to baptism , much less such an uncertain doubtful guess , called charitable presumption , that he is in the Covenant , as is without any particular declaration of Scripture , or other revelation from God concerning the person , or any shew of his that he is Gods child , which yet Mr Geree makes a sufficient warrant to baptize , nor is his reason of any force , for we might in like manner say , They have the election of God , which is the greater , who can inhibit the sign which is the less ? It is not whether that which they have is greater , much less that which is conjectured , or hoped they have , which is the rule to baptize , but the manifest having of that qualification of faith or discipleship , which is prerequired to baptism according to the institution and primitive practice of it . But Mr. Geree hath more to prove his Major . Besides , saith he , we find in the administration of the Gospel covenant to Abraham and his seed , whom God had thereby separated then to be his church , and evidenced it by an outward seal : there was so near a relation between the Covenant and Circumcision the Sacrament of initiation , whereby men were externally separated from the world , that circumcision was called the covenant , and the token of the Covenant , Gen. 17.10 , 11. to shew us how the seal did follow the Covenant ; and therefore when any were aggregated into the Jewish Church and taken into the Communion of the Covenant made with Abraham , they were initiated into that administration of the Covenant by the Sacrament of Circumcision . To which I answer , letting pass his Phraseology , this reason goes upon these suppositions . 1. That by Circumcision God had administred his Covenant to Abraham and his seed , and separated them to be his Church , and evidenced it by Circumcision , and that the seal did follow the Covenant , when any were taken into Covenant they were circumcised , and therefore it must be so in baptism But if he mean that to as many as God appointed to be circumcised he administred the covenant of grace ( which sense alone serves his turn ) it is not true . Ishmael was circumcised , yet the Covenant not administred to him , nor he separated to be of his Church , not this evidenced by an outward seal , but the contrary declared concerning him afore his Circumcision , Gen. 17.18 , 19 , 20 , 21. and he in the event cast out , and so the seal did not follow so the Covenant , but that it was imparted to them to whom the Covenant was not made , and not imparted to them to whom it did belong , as v. g to the females , nor were the Pros●lytes all taken into Communion of the Covenant made with Abraham , though they were taken into the Communion of the policy of Israel : nor 〈◊〉 the calling circumcision the covenant or a token of the Covenant ( which are all one ) Gen. 17.10 , 11. prove that all that were circumcised had the Covenant made to them : but this that Circumcision was a memorial that such a covenant was made with Abraham , and God would perform it . 2. That it must be in baptism as it was in circumcision . But for proof of that there 's not a word brought by Mr. G. and what others bring is examined in its place . M. G. goes on thus . Now for your exceptions against the connexion which we put between the Gospel-covenant , and the Sacrament of initiation annext to it , in any administration they will cleerly be wiped away ; for what though ( as you say ) the Covenant made with Abraham were not a pure Gospel covenant , but had some external additaments ? yet a Gospel covenant it was , and for substance the same with ours Gal. 3.8 . The Gospel was preached before to Abraham ; and as circumcision was the seal of initiation under that administration ; so is baptism under the Christian administration ; neither is the Gospel covenant now so pure as to exclude all temporal promises . For godliness even under the Gosspel , hath the promises of this life , and that which is to come , 1 Tim. 4.8 . Answ. The distinction of a pure and a mixt covenant was brought in by me to shew that Paedobaptists do but mislead people when in their writings and sermons they express themselves as if they would have men conceive that the Covenant with Abraham , Gen. 17. is all one with the Covenant of grace , and so that there is the same reason of baptizing infants because of the Gospel covenant , as there was of circumcising infants , because of the Covenant made with Abraham , Gen. 17. Now how doth Mr. Geree wipe this away ? He tells his Reader , That I say , the covenant made with Abraham was not a pure Gospel Covenant , but had some external additaments . But neither do I so speak in my Exercit. pag. 2. nor Exam. part . 3. s. 2. nor any where else I know . I say the promises were mixt Exercit. pag. 2. Exam. part . 3. s. 2. now promises are not external additaments to the covenant , but integral parts , the covenant being nothing but a promise , or an aggregate of promises : yea I prove that the peculiar promise to Abrahams natural posterity inheriting of the Land of Canaan , &c. is frequently called by the name of the Covenant , Psal. 105.8 , 9 , 10 , 11. Nehem. 9.8 , &c. And for what he saith , That the covenant made with Abraham was a Gospel covenant ; this is true according to the more infolded and hidden sense of the spirit , but not according to the outward face and obvious construction of the words , which in the first meaning spake of things proper to Abrahams natural posterity , though the Holy Ghost had a further aim in those expressions . And whereas , he saith , The covenant made with Abraham was for substance the same with ours , Gal. 3.8 . Though that promise mentioned Gal. 3.8 . be no in the Covenant Gen. 17. to which Circumcision was annexed , but that Gent 12.3 . and the term [ substance ] be ambiguous , yet I grant the Covenant made with Abraham according to those Gospel promises , which in the hidden meaning declared justification by faith , as the new covenant sealed with Christs blood doth , is the same in substance , meaning by it , the intent , purport and meaning of the Holy Ghost , though not in words or expressions ; yet I deny that it was every way or in every respect in substance the same . For the promise , according to that sense in which they contain domestique or civil promises proper to Abrahams natural posterity were of the substance of the covenant , and for the confirming of them , circumcision was instituted of God , as well as for them in priority of order before the assuring of those Evangelical benefits . And for what Mr. Geree saith , That the Gospel is not so pure now as to exclude all temporal promises , it is true ; yet the Gospel doth not promise as the Covenan● Gen. 17. the inheritance of the land of Canaan with rest , plenty , prosperity and greatness therein , but on the contrary such temporal blessings as are with persecution Mark 10.30 . and do rather consist in inward comfort and content than in outward enjoyment of any earthly commodity : which proves that the Gospel promise for temporal things is clean different from that made to Abraham Gen. 17. concerning temporal benefits to his posterity . Mr. Geree addes . Neither are the differences mentioned by you ( page 4. of your Exercit. or elsewhere ) to be between Circumcision and baptism any whit material to put a difference between the parties to be sealed by them in reference to our present controversy ; sith notwithstanding these differences they agree in this main general ; That the one was the Sacrament of initiation to all that were to be sealed under one administration of the covenant , the other in the other , which is enough to my purpose . To which I say , the disparities between circumcision and baptism , are brought by me to invalidate the argument made by Paedobaptists to prove the succession of the one , into the place , room and use of the other , from the parities between them , which allegation to that end is made good before against Mr. Church , sect . 11. Those differences which I allege Exercit. p. 4. tend to demonstrate that there is not the same reason of circumcision and baptism in signing the Evangelical covenant , nor may there be an argument drawn from the administration of the one to the like administring of the other : which differences are very material to that end the different end and use of a thing , being the most apt reason for altering the application of it , As Mr. Rutherford , Divine right of Church Government , ch 6. q. 2. page 276 , 277 , 278. answering Era●tus , saith of the Sea , Cloud , Mannah , Water , because they had a mixt use , they were appointed to all , yet it follows not now the Sacrament of the Lords Supper must be given to wicked men . So by the very same reason , sith circumcision had a mixt use to signify political as well as Evangelical promises , to confirm the promise of Christ to come , and did belong to the Church , not oecumenical , but oeconomical or national , which baptism did not , therefore circumcision might belong to infants , and yet not baptism . And letting pass his phrase of administration of the Covenant , of which is enough said before , though the agreement , which he calls , The main general , be yielded him ; that they are both sacraments of initiation , yet unless the same special rule of command , or example primitive be brought for the one as the other , infant-baptism cannot be proved from infant-circumcision . Mr. Geree further tells me . But you add further p. 4. of your Exercit. that some were circumcised to whom no promise in the Covenant made with Abraham did belong ; as Ishmael , of whom God had said his Covenant was not to be established with him . I answer , it is said indeed Gen. 17.21 . my Covenant will I establish with Isaac . But by covenant there is not meant that covenant , which we stand in to God , in regard of our persons , for our own personal benefit : but the covenant of special prerogative , that Christ should come of , and the Church should remain in his posterity . Therefore notwithstanding that exception , Ishmael when circumcised , might be , and was a member of the visible Church in Abrahams family , and in regard of his person within the external administration of the Covenant with Abraham , and so in the judgement of charity no alien from the covenant of grace , but under it . This I might confirm by the opinion of some Hebrew Doctors , wherein they are followed by many , that the petition of Abraham for Ishmael Gen. 17.18 . was not onely for natural , but for spiritual blessings , and what he begged God granted , v. 20. But I clear it thus ; God establisht his Covenant with Abraham and Isaac , not with Melchisedeck nor Lot ; shall we therefore expunge them out of the Covenant of grace ? how absurd were that ? we only see their posterity enjoied not that privilege which God vouchsafed Abraham in Isaac and his seed . And therefore no more can be truly or rationally gathered from that place of Genesi touching Ishmael . Answ. That which in my Exercit. page 4. I gathered from the instances of Ishmael , Esau , the strangers and others of Abrahams house their circumcision , and the non-circumcision of females , males under eight daies old , Melchisedeck , Lot , Job , the non-admission to baptism of circumcised Jews in covenant till they professed repentance and faith in Christ were . That the right to Evangelical promises , was not the adequate reason of circumcising these or those , but Gods precept , as is exprest Gen. 17.23 . Gen. 21.4 . 2. That those terms are not convertible [ federate and to be signed ] which overthrows the chief Hypotheses , upon which the Paedobaptists argument from infant-circumcision for infant-baptism rests . For they all conclude thus , The reason why infants were circumcised , was that they were in covenant , therefore by like reason infants being in covenant should be baptized . Now if the reason of infants being circumcised , were not their being in covenant , but only the command , then there is not a like reason for infant-baptism , though they were in the Covenant , unless there were the like command . Now let us see what Mr. Geree saith to my first i●stance of Ishmael . I alleged that Ishmael was circumcised , though no promise in the Covenant made with Abraham , did belong to him , and that Abraham knew , therefore the reason of his circumcision ( and the same is the reason of others ) was not his being in covenant , but only Gods command to Abraham . The antecedent is proved from the words Gen. 17.21 . which are exclusive . And besides I alleged Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 9. Gal. 4.29 , 30. where expresly Ishmael is denied to be a child of the promise , or to be born after the promise . And I might have added Heb. 11.9 . where Isaac and Jacob are distinguishingly reckoned as heirs of the same promise with Abraham , not Ishmael and Esau. Now what saith Mr. Geree to this ? He ●aith , The Covenant there is not meant that Covenant which we stand in to God in regard of our persons for our own personal benefit : but the Covenant of special prerogative to Isaac , that Christ should come of , and the Church should remain in his posterity . But this is false , 1. For it was that covenant that made Isaac heir of the promise , which the Apostle Rom. 9.7 , 8 , 9. reckons as much as to be an elect person , it was the same covenant which was mentioned v. 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. which Mr. Geree , and other Paedobaptists call the covenant of grace , and usually make the interest in it the reason of circumcision , and was sealed by it , and That it was the same Covenant is apparent from v. 19. now then it was a covenant of personal benefit , if it derive grace to the person , or any other personal benefit . If it were only the Covenant containing the special prerogative mentioned , then it was not the covenant sealed to any but Isaac , not to any of the rest of Abrahams house that were circumcised . 2. It is insufficient . For it shews not that to Ishmael any promise , either Evangelical or Political in the Covenant made with Abraham , did belong , though he were circumcised , which he should have done , if he would have answered to the objection , and have vindicated his argument from it : As for his inference , Therefore notwithstanding that exception , Ishmael when circumcised might be , and was a member of the visible Church in Abrahams family and in regard of his person , within the external administration of the Covenant with Abraham , and so in the judgement of charity no alien from the covenant of grace , but under it . I answer . I know not what it is to be under the external administration of the Covenant with Abraham , except it be to be circumcised ; and therefore I count this speech , that Ishmael when circumcised might be within the external administration of the Covenant with Abraham , to be an inept tautology , as if he had said , Ishmael when circumcised might be circumcised . But were his speaking right , yet it is impertinent . For the thing he should have shewed was not , that Ishmael notwithstanding that exception was a visible Church-member , within the external administration of the Covenant with Abraham , or in the judgement of charity no alien from the covenant of grace , but that any of the promises in the Covenant made with Abraham Gen. 17. did belong to him , and so that he was circumcised because of his interest in the covenant . Yet how Abraham could in judgement of charity judge him no alien from the Covenant of grace , but under it , whom God so plainly excepted out of that Covenant , which Paedobaptists themselves take to be the Covenant of grace , I see not . It is true that God heard the petition of Abraham for Ishmael Gen. 17.18 . but that God granted him spiritual blessings doth not appear , but the contrary v. 20. where the blessings granted upon Abrahams Petition for him are recited . However it is clear that he did exempt him from the covenant v. 21. and therefore he was not circumcised by vertue of his interest in the Covenant , nor did his circumcision seal that interest . As for what Mr. Geree saith , no more can be truly gathered from thence then what may be said of Melchisedec , or Lot , it is not true . For though it s not said expressely that God established his covenant with them , yet they are reckoned among the righteous ; and so in the Covenant of grace . But for Ishmael when Abraham begged for him , God answers how far he would grant for him , and then addes adversatively . But my covenant will I establish with Isaac , that is not with Ishmael , which can be no other then the covenant before mentioned , v. 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. which thing was further manifested by Gods ratifying Sarahs desire of Ishmaels election Gen. 21.10 , 12. where he is excluded from Abrahams seed , from which the Apostle argueth Ishmael not to have been a child of the promise , nor elect , nor born after the Spirit ; but reprobate , a persecutor , born after the flesh . And therefore in my Exercit. I cited those texts , which Mr. Geree did ill to omit , sith they served for my purpose to prove that Ishmael had no part in the Covenant made with Abraham . To the instance of Esau , Mr. Geree tels me , The case of Esau was but as that of Ishmael , and others that were of Israel , but were not Israel : they were under the external administration of the Covenant , though not really within the covenant of grace . This distinction you your self acknowledge in the fourscore and sixteenth page of your answer , when you say , it is one thing to be under the outward administration , another thing to be under the covenant of grace . It s true these are distinct , but those that are under the outward administration are to be reputed under the covenant of Grace , and thence were to be sealed ; thus was it with Esau ; for that sentence , the elder shall serve the younger , Gen. 25.23 . could sound no higher in Isaac's apprehension then that difference which was put between Ishmael and Isaac . To which I reply , If Ishmael were not really within the covenant of grace then Mr. Geree yields what I proved before , that the promise of the Covenant of grace did not belong to him ; and if it were so , then Ishmael and Esau were circumcised , though no promise in the covenant Gen. 17.2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. did belong to them , and because this was revealed to Abraham and Isaac they were not reputed under the covenant of grace and thence to be sealed as Mr. Geree saith . Nor is it likely but Isaac did apprehend concerning Esau by the Oracle Gen. 25.23 . that none of the promises in the covenant made with Abraham , Gen. 17.2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. did belong to him . However God appointing circumcision to these to whom he intended no interest in the covenant it follows , he made not interest in the covenant the adequate reason of each persons circumcision , but his own institution . To the instance of strangers in Abrahams family , he answers ; By Gods own testimony Abraham would keep none in his family , but such as were outwardly conformable to the waies of God , Gen. 18.19 . and so were in the state of Proselytes and interessed in the Gospel covenant . Answ. Whether Abraham did or might keep any infidel in his family was considered by me in the first part of this Review , s. 37. But for the text , Gen. 18.19 . it doth not testify , that Abraham would keep none in his family , but such as were outwardly conformable to Gods waies , but that he would command them to keep Gods waies , and shall keep the way of Jehovah ; but this being spoken indefinitely is equipollent onely to a particular , as appears in Ishmael and Esau and others . But were this granted they were so conformable and were so proselytes and were in some sort interessed in the benefit of the Gospel covenant , yet it follows not that any promise in that covenant did belong to them , much less that such interest was the reason of their being circumcised . As for Mr. Gs. useful observation , that circumcision was not annext to the Covenant only because it was a mixt covenant , sith it was appliable to the Proselyte Gentiles , and their seed , that were not onely without , but uncapable of interest in the land of Canaan ; I know not what use there is of it for his purpose ; it goes upon a mistake that circumcision was to be to none , but who had interest in the covenant Gen. 17. which I have refuted . The Gentile proselytes were to be circumcised because of the command , though it were not known that each , or any proselyte , or his seed , had interest in the Covenant . As for Mr. Gs. reason of his obsevation , it should seem by it he meant otherwise than he expressed , to wit , Circumcision was not annext to the Covenant only because of the temporal promises , which I grant , and yet hold the Covenant , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. a mixt Covenant , and that persons were to be circumcised to whom no promise in the covenant made with Abraham did belong . Mr. G. go●s on . To the other part of my exception against the connexion between the seal and covenant , as they speak , that many were not to be circumcised , to whom all or most of the promises of the Covenant did belong , as the females comming from Abraham , he saith . For females we answer , That God under that administration was pleased ( in reference to some things pointed at by the seal ) to appoint a sign of which women were not capable ; so were they particularly excluded from being sealed with the Sacrament of initiation under that administration . To which I reply , 1. That women are not capable of circumcision is contradicted by those that say , that at this day in some parts of the world women are circumcised . Aethiopes Christiani mares octavo ab ortu die circumcidunt , & feminis etiam aliquid amputatur , ut Abrahami et aliorum sanctorum patrum exemplo ardentius in similis sanctitatis studium incitentur . Quarto deinde a circumcisione die mares , octavo autem foeminae salutaribus aquis expiantur , & Eucharistiam ●o die infantes initiati in mica panis assumunt . Osorius lib. 9. rerum ab Emmanuele gest . Zuinger . theat . vit . Hum. vol. 27. l 3. tit . bapt . pag. 4172. Osiander Epit. Hist. Eccl. Cent. 12. l. 4. c. 4. Anno Christi 1187. Jacobitae baptismo & ciriumcisione utuntur circumcidentes masculos & femellas . Hornbeck . Append. ad disp . de bap . ve . thes . 8. Solebant Aethiopes cum baptismo etiam circumcidere baptizatum , mas an femina esset circumcidebatur . Doctor Field of the Church 3. book chap. 1. Speaking of the Jacobites in Syria , Sixtly , they use circumcision even of both Sexes , and of the Habassines , They are also circumcised both male and female . The same hath Heylin in his Geography , describing Syria and Ethiopia , and before him ( if my memory deceive me not ) Brerewood in his Enquiry of Religions . So that it is but a just of Mr. Blake , that women could no more be circumcised than barb'd , if these authors be of any credit . But were it true that women were not circumcised because uncapable , yet would God doubtless have appointed such a sign as they were capable of , if it were true that all that were in covenant must be signed . But if it be true which Mr. G. confesseth , That the females , though in covenant were particularly excluded from being sealed with the sacrament of initiation under that administration , then the connexion between the seal initial and the covenant , is not proved from circumcision . And as for that he saies , That in reference to some things pointed at by the seal ▪ God under that administration was pleased to appoint a sign of which women were not capable ; it is a plain confession , that God appointed circumcision for an end not common to believers at all times , or to such as were in the covenant of grace , but proper to the posterity of Abraham ; and therefore though the covenant were granted to be the reason of circumcision , yet it follows not all must be baptized barely from the covenant of grace , because they were circumcised by reason of interest in it , sith this was not true , and as Mr. Geree confesseth , Circumcision was appointed in reference to some things proper to that time . But he hopes to salve the matter thus : So , actually they were not circumcised , yet were they reputed as circumcised , as appears both by the place alleged by Mr. M. Exod. 12.48 . and where the house of Israel is said to be circumcised , and also by that of Samsons parents , being displeased that he should take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines Judges 14.3 . For unless the Israelitish women were reputedly circumcised in the males , circumcision could make no difference between wife and wife ; yea our Saviour should be born of the uncircumcised . To which I answer : To be reputed as circumcised , may be understood thus , they were mentioned as circumcised , and this sense is false ; for then it should be an errour , sith they were not circumcised : nor is in the text Exod. 12.48 . any thing to that purpose ; for the speech , no uncircumcised person shall eat the passeover , is to be limitted by the matter , of them that ought to be circumcised , and that Judge 14.3 . of taking a wife of or from the Philistines uncircumcised , as if thereby were intimated that an Israelitess woman was reputed as circumcised , or that our Saviour should be born of the uncircumcised , if women were not reputed as uncircumcised , proves it not . For the terms [ ciecumcised and uncircumcised ] are spoken of the people , who are said to be circumcised from the chief part , not from all parts . I remember not where the whole house of Israel is said to be circumcised , but to be uncircumcised in heart , Jeremy 9.26 . yet were there such a place , it must be understood of all that were to be circumcised . Or else the meaning is , they were reputed as circumcised , that is , they were admitted to the passeover if their males were circumcised , notwithstanding they were not in their proper persons circumcised , which sense is true . But then it serves not the turn to avoid the force of the instance brought to shew there is not a necessary connexion between interest in the covenant , and the persons right to the initial Seal , in his own person , which Mr. G : must prove to make good his Major . For he would have infant-females actually baptized , because in covenant ; and his proof is , They that were in covenant were circumcised , which must be meant of all in covenant , and of actual circumcision in their own persons , or else it can prove but a particular of some , and their virtual baptism , to wit , female infants . But Mr. G. thinks to prevent this objection . And whereas you object , that you may as well say , that children are virtually baptized in their parents , I deny it , because you have not the like proof for the one , as we have for the other . Besides women that are said to be virtually and reputatively circumcised in the males , were not actually to be circumcised at all : they were excluded , which you do not , nor cannot say of infants ; when they are grown up you confess they may and ought to be baptized . Answ. That which I said , was only by way of inference upon Paedobaptists suppositions ; if virtual circumcision were all that might be claimed by virtue of the covenant it would not help Paedobaptists who would from the covenant prove a right of actual circumcision to infants , whereas by their own confession it onely proves necessarily a virtual ; and if so , how can it prove necessarily by their own principles any more than a virtual baptizing of infants ? The same medium that doth not prove as necessary actual circumcision in the one , cannot prove as necessary actual baptism in the other . Now the force of this objection is not at all weakned by his reply . For my words were not concerning the fitness of the expression , that the one was as fit as the other , but that I might grant a virtual baptism to infants without detriment to my cause , if they assert no more from the covenant , but a virtual circumcision . But had I said [ you may as well say ] ( which yet I find not in my writings , but , we might grant , we may say Examen page 37. by like , perhaps greater reason it may be said Exercit. p. 4. ) the speech might have been right notwithstanding Mr. Gerees exceptions , for there is no more proof for the use of this speech , that females may be said to be virtually circumcised in the males , then for this , infants may be said to be virtually baptized in their parents , neither being used in Scripture , and reason being as much for the one as the other . And though those that were infants when grown , being believers , are to be baptized , yet infants during their infancy are by more full evidence excluded from actual baptism , then females were from actual circumcision . Mr. G. proceeds thus . For your second instance of infants dying afore they were eight daies old ; I answer that they were particularly tyed to that day , whether for the Theological reason Levit. 12.2 , 3. or for the Physical reason , that God would not suffer an incision to be made on the flesh of a tender infant ; or till the seventh , that is ▪ the Critical day was over ; or whether to typifie the resurrection , we cannot determine ; but till that day they were expresly excluded ; yet therefore it remains clear that all that were within that administration of the Covenant , that were not expresly excluded , were circumcised , which is enough for my purpose . And so unless you can bring a rule that no infant of Christians shall have the Sacrament of initiation till 18 years or so , that instance of infants not being circumcised dying before the 8. day , is too short to reach up . Answ. It is not enough for Mr. Gs. purpose , which was to prove , the seal did follow the covenant , and when any were aggregated into the Jewish church and taken into the communion of the covenant made with Abraham they were initiated into that administration of the Covenant by the Sacrament of Circumcision , unless he can prove that all that were in covenant , and in the Jewish Church were circumcised . But his own grant , That some in the Covenant , and Jewish Church , as females and males under eight daies old , were expresly excluded , overthrows his own position , and is enough for my purpose to prove , that all in the covenant were not circumcised . The reason why males afore the eighth day were not circumcised , whatever it were , is nothing for Mr. Gs. advantage , but against him , sith it doth more fully shew that God would not have them circumcised . Nor need I bring a rule that no infant of Christians shall have the Sacrament of initiation till eighteen years , or so , which goes upon his mistake , as if the instance I gave were as a proof of the time of baptism , it being brought only to shew a reason of my denial of his assertion , that the seal did follow the covenant . It is enough for me , that I prove ( as I have done in the second part of the Review s. 5. &c. ) that the rule is , that persons are not to be baptized till they be disciples or believers , and that infants are not such . Mr. G. addes . Your third instances are of Adam , Abel , Noah page 36. of your answer , and Melchisedec , Lot , Job , pag. 4. Exercit. I answer either those were before the administration begun with Abraham , and so before the institution of seals , or such of them that were with or after him , either they join not themselves to that administration , and so were not to be sealed no more then the Proselytes of the Gate , or if they did unite to the Church in Abrahams family , then it is apparent they might lay claim to circumcision , as other proselytes did . And so indeed it is averred of Iob , that he was circumcised , by the Author of the book of true circumcision ▪ which is ascrrbed to Hierom , cited by Iunius in his animadversion on Bellarmine , Controv. 4. l. 3. cap. 16. Not. 13. Answ. Master Geree doth make shew of answering my allegation , but doth indeed confirm my proof , that sith Abel , Noah , Melchisedec , Lot , and many Proselytes of the gate were in the Covenant of grace , yet had not any initial sign or seal , as M. Geree calls it , to seal the Covenant , and some sealed after an initial seal was instituted though in the Covenant of grace , therefore there is not such a connexion between the Covenant , and the initial seal , that therefore a man must have the seal initial because he is in the covenant of grace , and that it was not from interest in the Covenant of grace , that persons were circumcised , but Gods special command upon such reasons as seemed best to him , but is not a reason for us to imitate in another ordinance without the like command . If one Author conceive Iob was circumcised , many do conceive otherwise , and there are more probable reasons he was not ; sith there 's no mention of his circumcision , or his observing any of the rites of the Law , or of any acquaintance he had with Israel , or any thing else that might induce us to believe he had communion with the policy of Israel . Master Geree saith further ; And wheras you say , Lastly , that the Jews comprehended in covenant and circumcised could not be baptized without faith and repentance . I answer , the reason is evident ; because baptism was a seal of a new administration ; and therefore they must join to that administration of the covenant as well as be in covenant , before they could be baptized . Answ. I am beholding to Mr. Geree , who as before had given the reason why Melchisedeck , Lot , Iob , were not circumcised , though in Covenant because of their not joining themselves to that administration , or their not uniting to the Church in Abrahams family : so here again he doth not only grant what I allege , but gives a reason of it also , and such as quite overthrows his dispute . For if it were true that the Jews that were in covenant were not to be ●aptiz●d without faith and repentance , then being in covenant is not a sufficient reason of an infants being baptized without faith and repentance , and if baptism were a seal of a new administration , then it must have a new rule , and so the old rule of circumcision is no direction to us about baptism , if Lot , the Proselytes of the gate , though in covenant , were not to be circumcised without joining to that administration , or the Church in Abrahams family , then right to circumcision was not from interest in the covenant common to all believers , but something proper to that Church-state , or administration , which is now voided : if therefore the Jews in covenant and circumcised must profess repentance and faith afore they were baptized , because they must join to the new administration of the covenant , then according to Mr. Gerees own confession , according to the new administration of the Covenant , faith and repentance are required of them that join to that administration of the Covenant . And therefore whereas Mr. Geree addes , we may therefore conclude , that those that are under the Gospel-covenant in any administration of it , have right to the seal of initiation under that administration ; unless they be particularly excluded by God himself , and so the major is firmly proved ; I may truly say , it is firmly proved that they that are under the Gospel-covenant in any administration of it , yet have not right to the seal of initiation under that administration , barely from the Covenant without a command , and that God himself hath excluded infants from baptism by Mr. Gerees own concession , without faith and repentance , and that in all this arguing Mr. G. hath dictated much and proved nothing . Let 's see whether he speed better about proving the Minor. SECT . XVI . That the Gospel-Covenant is not extended to infants of believers , as such . NOw the Minor , saith he , that children are under the Gospel-Covenant in the Christian administration of it , that we prove by the Scriptures mentioned , as first , Gen. 17.7 . I will establish my Covenant between me and thee , and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant to be a God unto thee and thy seed after thee . To comprehend the meaning of this place we are to consider . What the privilege is that is here promised : 2. what the extent of it is . First for the privilege it self , as Calvin hath well observed by vertue of this promise , the Church was settled in Abrahams family , and it was separated from the rest of the World , as light from darkness . And the people of Israel ( Abrahams posterity ) was the house and sheepfold of God ; And other nations like wild beasts ranging about without in the wilderness of the World. And by this privilege the dignity of adoption-belonged to all the Israelites in common , Rom. 9.4 . To whom pertaineth the adoption . And so , though by nature they were no better than others ; yet by reason of this promise they had a birth-privilege , whereby they were separated from others , which is apparently held forth , Gal. 2.15 . We who are Jews by nature , not sinners of the Gentiles ; as Mr. Blake hath truly observed ; And sith you grant the Jews a birth-privilege , as p. 106. and p. 78. of your Answer , you needed not have quarrelled with this plain proof . But now among those that had this outward privilege of common adoption ( to be reputed children when the Gentiles were reputed as Dogs , Matth. 15.26 . ) there were some that were separated by the secret election of God , and really made partakers of sanctifying and saving grace , and so not only adopted outwardly , and reputatively , but also really ; in comparison of whom the other Israelites are sometimes spoken of , as no sons of Abraham , Rom. 9.6 , 7. Though externally they were the children of the Kingdom , and in reference to the Gentiles they are so stiled , Matthew 8.11 , 12. So then the privilege is , that he would be a God to all in regard of external denomination , and external privileges of a Church , and to the elect in regard of spiritual adoption , grace and glory . Answ. It is true , I granted page 78. of my Examen , that the Jews had a birth-privilege ; yet denyed it to be from the Covenant of grace according to the substance of it , as Mr. M. speaks , but that special love God bare to Abrahams posterity . Nor do I deny that the people of Israel , till broken off , were in common estimation Gods children , children of the Kingdom , nor Dogs , nor unclean as the Gentiles , and that these titles did belong to all by external denomination , really to the elect . Nor do I much gainsay that by vertue of the promise , I will be a God to the seed of Abraham , the Church was settled in Abrahams family , though it doth not appear to me that the Apostle did so expound this promise , but expresly contradistinguisheth the children of the promise , to the children of the flesh , Rom. 9.8 . And his doctrine there is plain , that the elect are they only to whom the promise , I will be the God of thy seed , Gen. 17.7 . was made : yea Exercit. page 2 , 3. I expound the promise , as in respect of some peculiar blessings , belonging to Abrahams natural seed . Nor did I quarrel with Mr. Blake for proving from Gal. 2 , 15. a birth-privilege belonging to the Jews , but excepted against him for that he contended to have the seed of believing Gentile-parents under the Gospel to be under the first member of the division in the text , to wit , Jews by nature : which exception I have made good in my Postscript to my Apology S. 9. which I intend to vindicate from Master Blakes Reply , Vindic. foed . cha . 35. in that which followes . But then what doth this advantage to prove Mr. Gs. Minor. To children ( meaning all or else his conclusion can be but particular ) of believing Christians the Gospel-covenant is extended in the Christian Churches ? Is this the Gospel-covenant to make a people only reputatively and outwardly , but not really adopted : Is this that which circumcision did seal ? Is this the covenant of grace which the seal is to follow ? What kind of juggling is there with these men ? They contend the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . to be the same with the Covenant of grace for substance , and that they make to consist in saving graces , the temporal benefits they refer to the administration that then was , they will not have it called a mixt covenant , and this covenant of grace they will have to be sealed by circumcision out of Rom. 4.11 . and they say this was made to believers and their seed , and thence they have salvation if they die in infancy , and without this there is no ground of hope of the salvation of any infant deceased ; and they argue they are to have the seal , because they are in covenant , which if they understand not of that covenant , of which that ordinance is the seal , what colour is there to derive thence a title unto that seal on them who have interest in another covenant , which it doth not seal ? Their argument is , He hath right to the Conveyance , who hath right to the Land : but these men who dare not assert that the covenant of saving grace belongs to all believers natural children , yet will have them all to have right to baptism which seals saving graces , though perhaps a very few , and those all unknown persons have right to that Covenant , onely because a promise of outward and reputative adoption , though not saving graces belongs to all . Besides what ground hath Mr. G. to call this promise the Gospel-covenant ? Rom. 1.16 , 17. Gal. 3.8 , 9 , &c. the Gospel-covenant is , The just shall live by faith : it is that which contains promise of sanctification , remission of sins , &c. Hebrews , 8 ▪ 10 , 11 , 12. & 10.16 , 17. Matthew 26.28 . The everlasting covenant that hath the sure mercies of David , Isaiah 55.3 . Acts 13.34 , 38 , 39. Hebrews 13.20 . and of which Jesus is the Surety or Mediator , Hebrews 7.22 . & 12.24 . what a mockage then is this of people to tell them the Covenant of grace is made to their children , and the Cospel-covenant is extended to them : and that God hath promised to be their God ▪ and that they are confederate with their parents , and yet in fine all that they dare assert is , God hath promised to the seed of believers an external , reputative adoption , though not real : such chaff they catch their auditors with . But is this promise that God will settle his Church in Abrahams family , and separate them from the rest of the World , as light from darkness , as Mr. G. expresly makes it , indeed the Gospel-Covenant ? I dare freely say , it is Jewish , Anti-evangelical , directly opposite to the Gospel-covenant . For the Gospel-covenant is , That God would bless all Nations in Abraham through faith , Gal. 3.8 , 9. Gentiles as well as Jews , yea the Gentile-believers instead of the Jews broken off by unbelief . If then this be the Gospel covenant , I will be the God of thy seed ; that is , in Mr. Gs. sense , I will separate Abrahams family from the rest of the world to be my Church , then the Church under the Gospel covenant is not Catholick contrary to the article of the Creed , and so the Gospel-covenant continues the middle wall of partition . But perhaps Master Geree , helps the matter in that which followeth . For the second thing , saith he , the extent of this privilege ( though there were something in it peculiar to Abraham ) yet was it not limitted to him alone , but those that were of Abraham inherited his promise to have God their God , and the God of their seed . As what was said to Joshua , Josh. 1.5 I will not leave thee nor forsake thee , was not bounded to his person , but applicable to all conscientious Israelites ; yea to all Christians in Gods way and work , as the Apostle applieth it Heb. 13.5 . So this privilege or the Covenant to have God the God of their seed , is to be applyed to all Israelites , yea to all of any nation that have his faith and tread in his steps : they that do the work of Abraham may claim the promises of Abraham , that be ordinary and essential parts of the Covenant . Answ. Mr. G. Will have the promise [ I will be a God to thy seed ] to promise the settling of the Church in Abrahams family separated from the rest of the World as light from darkness ; if this be so , how can it be a promise to another nation , that their children should be adopted outwardly and reputatively ? For ▪ if by this promise Abrahams natural posterity have a privilege whereby they are sethis promise is common to other nations with them . But saith he , The promise parated from all other nations , surely it s no better than a contradiction to say to Joshua , Iosh. 1.5 . was not bounded to his person , Heb. 13.5 . which I grant ; nor do I doubt , but promises made to Abraham , David , Joshua , &c do belong to all true believers , where the holy Ghost doth so expound them , and where the promise is of a thing which other Scriptures do clear to belong to them . But there is no such thing in the promise of Gen. 17.7 . Master Geree brings nothing but his own assertion to prove it , nor do I know any thing brought by any else , but what the Author of the little book , intitled , Infants baptism proved lawful by Scripture , printed Anno 1644. hath , Who thus argued , That which was promised to Abraham , as a believer , is promised to every believer . But God promised to be a God to Abraham , and his seed as a believer : Ergo : To which I answered , if [ as ] be taken reduplicatively so as that the meaning be under that formal consideration , to him being a believer , and to every one being a believer , as to him , I deny the Major ; it was not made to him as a believer , simply under that consideration , but though it were made upon his faith , as a motive of making that covenant with him , yet not under that formal consideration simply as a believer , so as that the covenant should be said to be made to every believer , as to him . As in like manner , though Peter Matthew 16 18 19 had the promise of building the Church , and the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven , and of binding and loosing , conferred on him by reason of his confession of Christ , verse 16 , yet every one that confesseth Christ as he did , hath not that that promise : If any ask how it was made to Abraham ? I answer , so far as concerns the spiritual part , it is cleer from Romans 4 11 12 16 18 , that it was made to him as Father of believers , and in that construction , though it belong to Gentiles , yet it belongs onely to believing elect Gentiles , Romans 9 7 8 Galatians 3 29 , or to Christ , whether personal or mystical , verse 16. But that it belongs not in that sense , no not to all or any , either of Jews or Gentiles , who are not elect , is apparent from Romans 9 7 8 , no meer formal professor can lay claim to it . As for the promise of outward privileges , as to be of the visible Church , to have the Ordinances of Gods worship , so the promise is made to Abraham as a natural Father of his inheriting posterity by Isaac , and to that seed by Isaac which was to inherit in Abrahams family : and to that natural seed which God would bring out of Egypt , and settle in Canaan , and this was but unto the time of reformation , as it is termed , Heb. chap. 9. vers . 10. Now that those words , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , should be expounded thus , I will be the God of every Gentile believer , either in profession or reality , that his natural posterity should be Gods visible Church , or visible Church-members , hath not the least intimation in Scripture , but much against it , nor can be brought by any shew of right construction to be the meaning . For I would know under which term of these [ thee , or thy seed ] every such natural childe , even an infant shauld be meant ; under [ thy seed ] they must say , but the Scripture placeth believers themselves , and those only reall believers under that term , as is proved before , and other places speak to like purpose , John 8.39 . Matth. 3.9 . Luke 19.9 . therefore without addition to the text , believers natural seed are not there placed . Nor were the promise true in Mr. Gerees sense . For God doth not make good the promise in that sense to every believer and his natural seed , many Gentile believers have had their children persecutors , not visible Church-members , and may have still ; yea in that sense which Mr. Geree himself expounds it , it was only verified of the natural posterity of Abraham , yet not of every particular child of his , but of the nation till Christs comming . As for the dictate of Mr. G. they that do the works of Abraham , may claim the promises of Abraham , that be ordinary and essential parts of the covenant , it intimates some promises of the covenant to be essential , some not , some ordinary , some extraordinary parts of the covenant . But these are new distinctions , with which I meet not elsewhere , nor know I how to understand what promises he makes ordinary , nor what extraordinary , what essential parts of the covenant , what not . That Covenant being but once made in my conceit , therefore had all the promises of the same sort , whether ordinary or extraordinary , and a covenant being an aggregate of promises , contains the promises as the matter , and the making together as the form , which are the essential parts of the Covenant , there 's no promise but being the matter of the covenant is an essential part , or rather all the promises together are the matter , and each promise is an integral part of the whole number of promises . And therfore his speech is not easie to be understood . I grant that they who are of the faith of Abraham , may claim the promise of Justification , and other saving blessings . But for visible Church-membership of natural posterity , or other domestique promises made to Abraham , neither the natural posterity of Abraham , nor the truest believing Gentile , can lay a just claim to them , but that notwithstanding that promise , God is free to make their children or the children of Gentile , or Jew Infidels his people , his visible church , and to settle his worship with them . Mr. Geree writes thus , and that this privilege of having God to be the God of our seed , was not personal , and peculiar to Abraham , but propagated to his seed , may hence appear , because the same in effect is promised to other godly Jews , which is here promised to Abraham , Deut. 30.6 . And the Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart , and the heart of thy seed . Answ. The promise to Abraham , according to Mr. Gs. exposition , was , That he would be a God to all in regard of external denomination , and external privilege of a Church , and to the elect in regard of spiritual adoption grace and glory . Sure this is not the same in effect with that , Deut. 30.6 . which is nothing of external privileges of a Church , but of circumcising their hearts , and the heart of their seed , to love the Lord their God with all their heart , and with all their soul , that they might live : which can be true only of the elect . Besides , it is promised to them at their return from captivity , and upon their returning to the Lord , and obeying his voice according to all that he commanded them that day , they and their children , with all their heart , and all their soul , v. 2. which sure cannot be ordinarily applied to them in their infancy , and therefore this text is very impertinently alleged to prove an external privilege to infants of meer reputed believers , even in their infancy . Mr. Baxter himself in his Friendly accommodation with Mr. Bedford p. 361. hath these words . The text seems plainly to speak of [ their seed ] not in their infant-state , but in their adult , Deut. 30. For first , verse 2. the condition of the promise is expresly required , not only of the parent , but of the children themselves by name . 2. And that condition is the personal performance of the same acts , which are required of the parents , viz. to return to the Lord , and obey his voice with all their heart and soul. 3. The circumcision of the heart promised , is so annexed to the act , that it appeareth to be meant only of those that were capable of the act , ver . 6. The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart , and the heart of thy seed , to love the Lord thy God ; so that it is not meant of those that are uncapable of so loving . Mr. G. yet adds . And thus much that place , Act. 2.39 . doth hold forth and contribute to infant-baptism , to shew that children are comprehended in the Covenant with their fathers , and both these last promises being of Evangelical privileges they must needs be communicable to all under the Gospel-covenant ; so then it remains that God still is in covenant with every believer , and his seed . Answ. That Acts 2.39 . neither shews that children ( of believers ) are comprehended ( universally and necessarily ) with their parents , nor contributes ought to infant-baptism , is shewed in the forepart of this Review s. 5. and notwithstanding any thing said by Mr. Geree it yet remains to be proved , that God is in Covenant with every believer and his seed . The rest of that section of Mr. Geree , is about my expounding Mr. Ms. second conclusion , which I shall review as far as is meet when I come to it . I have dispatched at last the answering those that argue syllogistically from the covenant , and seal for infant-baptism . But most go another way by laying down conclusions , and framing hypotheses , and I proceed to take a view of their writings . SECT . XVII . Mr. Cottons , The Assemblies , and London Ministers way of arguing for Infant-baptism from the Covenant and Circumcision , is recited , and the methode of the future progress in the Review , expressed . MR. John Cotton in his Dialogue , ch . 3. goes this way , and expresseth himself in four things , That 1. God made a covenant of grace with Abraham , and his seed , Gen. 17.7 . 2. Gave him a commandment to receive the sign of circumcision the seal of the covenant of grace , to him and his seed , Gen. ●7 . 9 , 10. 3. The Lord hath given that Covenant of grace which was then to Abraham and his seed , now to believers and our seed . 4. And hath given us baptism in the room of circumcision . The Assembly at Westminster in their confession of faith , chap 25. art . 2. assert , That the visible Church consists of all the children of those that profess the true Religion , and cite to prove it , 1 Cor. 7.14 . Acts 2.39 . Ezekiel 16.20 , 21. Rom. 11.16 . Gen. 3.15 . and 17.7 . of these , one of the Texts , to wit , Gen. 3.15 . I meet not with in the writings of the defenders of infant-baptism , to my remembrance , except once in Mr. Baxter to prove a conditional covenant made with all Adams posterity . I do not imagine what use that Text is of to prove infants of those that profess the true Religion to be visible Church-members . Whether the seed of the woman be meant of all men , or by excellency of Christ , or of true believers ( which are all the senses I conceive ) yet how from any of these should be gathered that infants of professours of the true Religion , as such , and not as of humane kinde , should be meant by the seed of the woman , or that the bruising of the Serpents head should prove , infants of them that profess the true Religion to be visible Church-members is a riddle , which I cannot yet resolve . Ch. 28. art . 4. they say , Infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized , and in the margin cite , Gen. 17.7.9 . with Gal. 3.9.14 . Col. 2.11 , 12. & A●ts 2.38.39 . & Rom. 4.11 , 12. 1 Cor. 7.14 . Mat. 28.19 . Mark 10.13 , 14 , 15 , 16. Luke 18.15 . what they would gather from these texts may be ghessed from the Directory about baptism , where they direct the Minister to teach the people , That baptism is a seal of the covenant of grace , of our ingrafting into Christ , &c. That the promise is made to believers and their seed , and that the seed and posterity of the faithful , born within the Church , have by their birth-interest in the Covenant , and right to the seal of it , and to the outward privileges of the Church under the Gospel , no less then the children of Abraham in the time of the old Testament , the covenant of grace for substance being the same , and the grace of God , and consolation of believers more plentiful then before , that the Son of God admitted little children into his presence , embracing them , and blessing them , saying , For of such is the Kingdom of God ; that children by baptism , are solemnly received into the bosome of the visible Church , that they are Christians , and federally holy before baptism , and therefore are they baptized . Most of which propositions are ambiguous , few of them true , or have any proof from the texts alleged in the Confession ; and if they were all true ( setting aside one or two which express the conclusion in a different phrase ) they would not infer the Conclusion . The first proposition is ambiguous , it being doubtful in what sense baptism is said to be a seal of the Covenant of grace , whether in a borrowed or proper sense , so as it be the definition or genus of it , or onely an adjunct of it , or whether it seal the making of the Covenant , or the performing of it , or the thing covenanted , what they mean by the covenant of grace , which is that covenant ; whether it seal all or a part of it , whether it seal Gods covenanting to us , or our covenanting to God. Nor is there any proof for it from Rom. 4.11 . which neither speaks of baptism , nor of any ones Circumcision but Abrahams , nor saith of his Circumcision , that it was the seal of the Covenant of grace , as they , it is likely , mean. The next proposition is so ambiguous , that Mr. M. and Mr. G. are driven to devise senses which the words will not bear to make it true , as I shew in my Apology , s. 9. The words seem to bear this sense , That the promise of Justification , adoption , &c. is made to believers and their seed . But so it is apparently false , contradicted by the Apostle Rom. 9.7 , 8. and by other texts , nor is it proved from Gen. 17.7 . compared with Gal. 3.9.14 . Acts 2.39 . or any other of their texts , yea in that sense it is disclaimed by Master Marshall , and Master Geree . The next is ambiguous also . For how the seed of the faithful may be said to be born within the Church , or what interest in the covenant , and right to the seal of it , and what outward privileges they have by their birth , or what outward privileges they have in like measure as the children of Abraham , is as uncertain as the rest , and how any of the texts prove it , is uncertain . Surely Gal. 3.9.14 . speaks only of the privileges of Justification and Sanctification , which Abrahams children by faith , and no other , not every believers posterity or natural seed have , nor is there a word Gen. 17.7 . of any privilege to our natural seed as such . The next too is doubtful , it being uncertain what they mean by the substance of the Covenant , what they make accidental in it , and what substantial ; nor is it easie to conceive what they mean when they say , the grace of God and consolation of believers is more plentiful then before , or how any of the texts prove it , or what this is to their purpose , that the enlargement of a believers comfort intitles his child to baptism , nor what is meant when it is said , That children by baptism are received into the bosom of the visible Church , and yet after withheld from the Lords Supper without any Ecclesiastical censure , nor do I know how they mean or prove them to be Christians , or federally holy afore baptism . For my part , in those propositions I deprehend little truth or plain sense ; but that the Directory in that part is a meer riddle , fitter for Schollars to study than for teaching of the people . The London Ministers ( of whom it is likely a considerable part were of the Assembly ) in their Jus Divinum regim . Eccl. page 32. speak thus . So infants of Christian parents under the New Testament are commanded to be baptized by consequence , for that the infants of Gods people in the old Testament were commanded to be circumcised , Gen. 17. For the privileges of believers under the New Testament , are as large as the privileges of believers under the old Testament , and the children of believers under the New Testament are federally holy , and within the covenant of God as well as the children of believers under the old Testament , Gen. 17. compared with Rom. 11.16 . 1 Cor. 7.14 . And what objections can be made from infants incapacity now against their baptism , might as well then have been made against their being circumcised . And why children should once be admitted to the like initiating Sacrament ( the Lord of the Covenant , and Sacrament no where forbidding them ) there can be no just ground . And baptism succeeds in the room of Circumcision , Col. 2.11 , 12. concerning which I say , there 's no proof from Gen. 17. compared with Rom. 11.16 . 1 Cor. 7.14 . to prove the children of believers federaly holy as they would , nor is there any proof from Col. 2.11 , 12. to prove the succession of baptism in the room of circumcision . And though infants have not a natural incapacity to be dipped in water , yet they have a natural incapacity to profess faith in Christ , which is now required to baptism though not required to circumcision . And there is an objection that may be made against infant-baptism , to wit , the want of a command , which could not be objected against infant male circumcision : and this is a just ground to exclude infants from baptism , yea the very same ground they give for excluding them the communion , and the very same ground which Paedobaptists do continually , in books and Sermons urge against Popish and Prelatical ceremonies . But forasmuch as Mr. M. did direct his Defence of infant-baptism to the Assembly , and Mr. Pryn in his suspension suspended , p. 21. seems to have taken his book to be approved by the Assembly , and he is of any I meet with in print likeliest to have produced their strength , and for other reasons , therefore I conceive my self bound to examine his defence in the third part of it , referring the Reader to what of that or any other is already dispatched , taking in somewhat of Master Blakes , and some others by the way , and then to examine such parts of Mr. Cobbets Iust Vindication , as are not yet examined so far as I find necessary , and at last examine so much of Mr. Bs. dispute about his second argument as is not yet dispatched . SECT . XVIII . Mr. Marshalls reply to the first section of the third part of my Examen about the connexion between the Covenant , and seal , is reviewed . MR. M. in his Sermon page 8. thus disputed , My first Argument is this ; The infants of believing parents are foederati , therefore they must be signati . They are within the Covenant of grace ; Therefore are to partake of the seal of the Covenant . To this I answered by denying both the antecedent and the consequence : and first I disputed against the consequence , Exam. part . 3. s. 1. Mr. M. in his Reply would have the Reader to consider my advantage from the much silence in the Scripture to make my work have a specious probability , that the like specious plea might be made against the justification of infants , especially if his dispute should be carried as mine is , altogether in the way of making exceptions against arguments , but not positively affirming any thing . Thus what others have counted my vertue , and have commended , beyond what it is fit for me to express , Mr. M. unjustly seeks to draw into suspition , as if there were sophistry and guile in it , as he did in other things , as I shew in my Apology . But me thinks a considerate Reader should take this to be the course of a diffident man. If there be much silence in Scripture about infants , why do Mr. M. and others avouch their baptism ; with so much peremptoriness . If their justification could be no better proved then their baptism , it would be no article of my faith . My disputation is carried in that way which is used by Disputants that examine writings Scholastically , wherein it is defective Mr. M. should shew . That I made exceptions against arguments was agreeable to my work , being to answer as Mr. M. was to prove : no man is to expect regularly any more of a Respondent . Yet that I positively affirm nothing is an untruth with a witness : yea in many points where it was not necessary I positively set down my tenet and my proofs , and answer objections to the contrary . The resolving questions about baptism how it should be , could not reasonably be expected in my Examen . 2. Mr. M. takes on him to prove his consequence by mine own principles , to wit , that I yield that such as are regenerate , sanctified , &c. may be baptized , which he saith is in plain English , that such as are covenanters ought not to be denyed the initial seal of the covenant . But I do not think the speeches the same , either in plain English , or Mr. Ms. own English , or mine . Not in plain English. In plain English a Covenanter is one that makes a promise . Is a Scottish Covenanter any other then one that makes a promise or subscribes to the Covenant ? But a person regenerate or sanctified may make no promise , nor do I think when Mr. M. calls infants federate , or in the Covenant of grace , he means they make a promise , but that a promise is made to them . Nor in Mr. Ms. own English. For when he saith , they are in covenant , he means , infants are in some sense under the covenant of grace in respect of the outward administration and Church privileges , which is not all one as to be regenerate , sanctifyed , &c. nor in my English. For the being in covenant which I grant , gives a title to baptism , is meant of their present state , so as that not only the promise is made to them , what God will do for them afterwards , but for the present they are actually sanctified , regenerate , believers , disciples , as mine own words , cited by Mr. M. shew ; So that Mr. M. doth but abuse me , and the Reader , endeavouring to possesse him with this conceit , as if his consequence were proved by mine own principles . But Master Marshall not trusting to this , answers , more particularly : 1. I grant with you that there is no necessary dependance between a promise and a seal , the addition of a seal to a promise is of free grace as well as the promise it self . Which if true , then there 's no necessary connexion between the Covenant and Seal , and so this proposition is not true . All that have the promise are to be sealed . For if it be true it is in some degree of necessity , to wit , de omni . As for his reason , it is frivolous ; there is no necessary dependance , because both are of free grace . For those things that are of free grace have a necessary dependence as , to be predestinate , called , justified , glorifyed . But he means , the nature of the terms makes not a necessary connexion between them . If that be his meaning , Mr. Baillee his Collegue is deserted , who would infer a necessary connexion from the nature of the terms , which I have refuted in my Addition to my Apology , S. 3 . But Mr. M. addes . Nor 2. did I ever think , that by Gods revealed will this proposition was true in all ages of the Church . All Covenanters must be sealed , I carried it no higher than Abrahams time , when God first added this new mercy to his Church , vouchsafing a seal to the Covenant . Answ. If this be true , then there is nothing moral and perpetual in seals , as they call them , of the Covenant . For such thing are from the beginning , and belong to Gentiles as well as Jews , and therefore it is in vain to derive infants sealing barely from the Covenant of grace . For sith that , as Mr. Ms. first Conclusion speaks , for substance hath alwaies been one , and the same both to the Jews and Gentiles , if there were a connexion between it , and the seal it should have been as well before Abrahams time as since . But he thinks in his third answer to make good the connexion , when he saith , And 3. from Abrahams time , and so forward I say it was Gods will , that such as are in Covenant should be sealed with the initial seal of the Covenant , supposing them only capable of the seal , and no special bar put in against them by God himself . To which I answer . He saith after , if you please to state the general Proposition as you needs must , That all who since Abrahams time are foederati , or Covenanters with God , must by Gods own appointment receive the seal of admission into covenant , unless they be either uncapable of it , or are exempted by a particular dispensation . So that one of these two propositions is that which makes up his Enthymeme an entire syllogism , and his syllogism must stand in one or other of these forms . From Abrahams time all such as are in covenant should be sealed with the initial seal of the covenant , supposing them onely capable of the seal , and no special bar put in against them by God himself . But all the infants of believing parents are in covenant , and they are capable of the seal , and there is no special bar put in against them by God himself . Ergo , They should be sealed . Or thus ; All who since Abrahams time are foederati , or Covenanters with God , must , by Gods own appointment receive the seal of admission into covenant , unless they be either uncapable of it , or are exempted by a particular dispensation . All infants of believers since Abrahams time , are foederati or covenanters with God , neither uncapable of the seal , nor exempted by a particular dispensation : Ergo , all infants of believers since Abrahams time , must , by Gods own appointment , receive the seal of admission into covenant . To which I answer , Mr. M. tells me , I must needs state thus the general Proposition . But it is a pretty art he hath , as elsewhere to call that my Minor which was his own not mine ; so here to say , I must needs state the general Proposition thus , which is of his own framing . However , he is not wronged , that it is thus framed . Let us then view it , and try whether ( except in that of circumcision ) there be any truth , sense or consideratenesse in it . As for circumcision , if it be meant onely of it , then the Conclusion can be of it only , and as the truth is , his argument concludes only that infants of believers are to be circumcised . 1. I had in my Examen noted a fault in his Argument in his Sermon , in that his Conclusion was of a sign of the Covenant indefinite , and not of baptism only , whereas the Lords Supper is also a sign of the Covenant , which he would not have delivered to infants . And to it he answers , That he clearly in his Sermon shewed this Proposition to be only meant of the initial sign , and not of the other . But this doth not excuse his fault , who taking upon him to prove infant-baptism , concludes another thing in the argument , though he might perhaps , some pages of , where the Reader looks not for an explication of his argument , limit his speech to the initial seal . And for what he tells me , he is sure that I who durst baptize an infant known to me to be regenerate , durst not give the other Sacrament to it , there being self examination and ability to discern the Lords body prerequired to the one , not to the other ; I told him in my Apology s. 10. I durst do the one as I durst do the other , and that self examination and ability to discern the Lords body is as well required to baptism , as the Lords Supper , Acts 2.38 . & 8.37 . Rom. 6.3 , 4. But were it , that I durst not do the one as the other , yet this would not help Mr. M. who would prove the title to the initial seal , by that proof of interest in the Covenant , which will conclude as well title to the after , as the initial seal . For the proof is usually the seal must follow the covenant ; which if true , then not only the initial , but also the after-seal must follow it . But waving this , is the fault mended in his Defence ? doth he conclude definitely of baptism here ? nay notwithstanding he was warned , yet chorda semper oberrat eadem , he still runs into the same fault , concluding in both forms of an initial seal indefinitely , not definitely of baptism , and therefore may be interpreted to conclude of circumcision as well as of baptism , yea rather his assertion ( if there be any good sense of it ) is of the circumcising then baptizing of infants , sith all his proof is about the initial sign of circumcision , and the limitations he puts into the Major are , that it may be true of circumcision . But this is not all the fault in his new forms : notwithstanding I complained in my Examen sect . 3. of his ambiguities , which I shewed in my Apology s. 9 , 10. and Postscript s. 6. yet as if either he could not , or would not , speak distinctly , he retains the same fault in his Defence . Whereas I conceive the covenant of grace now contains only the promise of saving grace , he saith p 90. The Covenant of grace contains not onely saving grace , but the administration of it also in outward ordinances and Church privileges ; but shews not where , nor in which covenant of grace there are promises of the administration of saving grace in outward ordinances and Church privileges . It is true , circumcision is called the Covenant , Gen. 17.13 . by a Metonymia as Mr. M. confesseth page 32 but not because it was contained in the Covenant : it is not Metonymia continentis pro contento , but signati pro signo : now that the sign should be said to be contained in the covenant , is scarse good sense ; sure it is not meet to be used in disputes . And therefore whoever useth the covenant of grace for any other than the covenant of saving grace , or saith it contains any other than promises of saving grace , seems to affect ambiguities unmeet for dispute , as not willing to be understood . Again page 92. he expresseth the covenant of grace he means to be that Gen. 17.7 . and he cannot but know it to have diverse meanings ; one that God will be a God to Abraham , and his spiritual seed , which he confesseth pag. 102. to be the elect , when he saith , Secondly by the word [ seed ] was meant the children of the promise the elect , Rom. 9.8 . and in this sense it is denyed by him , that God hath made a promise of saving grace to the natural seed of believers , and so they are not in this covenant in this sense . Yet the Directory when it speaks of baptism , as the seal of the covenant , means it in this sense , as the words before recited shew , for what else can be meant when they distinguish between interest in the covenant , and right to the seal of it , and the ou●ward privileges of the Church under the Gospel . And Rom. 4.11 . is alleged in the Confession of Faith , for the proof of this , that it is the seal of the Covenant of grace ; now that text speaks of being a seal of the righteousness of faith , which is a saving grace , and in the Confession of faith , ch . 7. art . 3. and in the greater Catechism , they make the Covenant of grace to offer life and salvation by Christ , to promise faith , and to be made with Christ , and in him with all the elect , as his seed ; and so the Argument from the Covenant of grace to the Seal , must mean it thus , or else it is frivolous . For if the Seal must follow the Covenant ; it must follow the Covenant which is sealed by it , which is only the promise of saving grace , there being no shew of consequence in it , infants of believers have not the covenant of saving grace , but of outward Ordinances and Church privileges , therefore they are to be sealed with that seal , which seals only saving graces . And yet methinks they should not have avouched as the Directory doth , that the posterity of the faithful have by their birth interest in that Covenant , considering how the Ap●stle determines Rom. 9.8 . the children of the flesh may not be the children of God , nor the seed , nor children of the promise . Another ense of the promise , Gen. 17.7 . is , I will be a God to Abraham , and his natural seed by Isaac and Jacob : But in this sense it is proper only to the Jewes , and the argument is as frivolous : God promised to be a God to the Jews , therefore infant-Gentiles who have nothing to do with that promise , must have baptism , which is no seal or token of that promise at all . If Mr. M. would have done something to his purpose , he should have shewed , not as he doth p. 106 , 107 , &c. in many words quite besides the business , how the Covenant is taken strictly and largely , and how they may be said to be in covenant in some sense , who have a visible right , without saving grace , but have shewed in which words there is any promise that may infer right to Gentile-believers infants to be baptized , Gen. 17.7 . or how he can prove what he saith , page 103. That baptism seals that promise in which God engageth himself to be the God of believing Christians , and their seed ? I would fain know in what words , in respect of what blessings and gifts , and in what manner or upon what terms God thus engageth himself . The Apostle saith Gal. 3.16 . To Abraham and his seed were the promises made . I no where find they were made to a Gentile believer and his seed . The like playing with ambiguities is in the use of the phrases , foederate , in Covenant , being under the Covenant , being in Covenant ▪ Covenanters . When he saith , Infants of believers are foederati or Covenanters with God , or enter into Covenant , according to the plain meaning of the word , they should be asserted to be such as make a promise to God. For what is a Covenanter but one that makes a promise ? how do men enter into covenant , but by some act testifying assent to a promise ? now in this sense I should grant his Major , and deny his Minor , which in this sense is against sense . For when did any hear or see , or otherwise perceive an infant of a believer make a promise to God , or by any act of his , shew his assent to own God for his God. In the other form he saith , All such as are in the Covenant should be sealed , and that expression seems to have this sense , That God by his act of promise as his words are page 103. engageth himself to be the God of believing Christians , and their seed , which his words import , page 92. where having said , All such as are in the Covenant should be sealed , to prove it he allegeth , Gen. 17.7 , 9 , 10 , 14. Where the very ground why God would have them sealed is because of the Covenant , I will establish my Covenant between me and thee , and thy seed after thee , &c. So that the sense of his argument should be thus , All they who are in covenant , that is , to whom God hath promised to be their God , they should be sealed , &c. But all infants of believing , even Gentile parents , are in Covenant , that is , God hath promised to be their God : Ergo. Of which I would deny both Major and Minor the minor being expresly contrary to Ro. 9.8 . though it were understood of true believers , and most certainly false of believers only in profession , to whom , especially th●se of the G●ntiles , God never promised to be God , much less to their natural seed ; yet the minor must be true of them , or else this argument proves not they are to be baptized , which is their practise . But seeing the Argument for infant-baptism will not hold in these senses of the promise , Gen. 17.7 . ( though the first sense be that which they give of that promise , when they dispute against Arminians , and apply it to the elect onely , as the words of many shew , cited in my Examen part . 3. S. 4. in my Praecursor S. 10. Mr. M. himself so expounds it with Mr. Bayn pag. 102. of his Defence ) therefore Mr. M. hath another sense to which he flies . He talks of an outward and an inward Covenant , page 120. and page 112. he tells us , That he means all the infants of believers are in the outward Covenant , that is , they are to be reputed as in the Covenant , in respect of the outward administration , outward Ordinances and Church-privileges , which when it comes to application is meant of no other than baptism now , and circumcision heretofore , and therefore as I shew in my Apology S. 10. the Major proposition is meerly nugatory in this sense ; All that are in the Covenant , that is , that are to have the initial seal should be sealed with the initial seal , which were true , but ridiculous . And in truth I may ( how ever it be censured ) apply to the discourse in this argument , be it Mr. Ms. or the Assemblies , the Poets words , Parturiunt montes , nasc●tur ridiculus mus . And yet there is more shuffling in this thing . Mr. M. to make some shew of answering my instances of women and males under eight daies old , not being circumcised , though in covenant , limits his Major in the first form thus [ supposing them onely capable of the seal , and no special bar put in against them ] in the other form thus [ unless they be either uncapable of it , or are exempted by particular dispensation ] By the Bar , he means Gods prohibition , as these words , page 93. shew , God forbad them to have the seal till they were eight daies old . But a prohibition and a dispensation are not all one : a Prohibition is of a thing , that may not be done ; a dispensation supposeth the thing is to be done , yet frees the person from doing it in some cases for some time . But letting pass this exception against the expressions , I would know how God put a bar , or forbad infants under eight daies old to be circumcised . I know no other but this , that God appointed the eighth day for them to be circumcised . Now if this be a forbidding to circumcise before ( as I acknowledge it is , and so do many Protestant Divines , as Parcus Comment . in Gen. 17.11 . Errant masculi in foedere abjutero , &c. anticipare vero signum nec licebat , nec opus erat ) then that is forbidden , which is otherwise than God appointed : and sith our Lord Christ hath not appointed any to be baptized till they be disciples , he hath prohibited any to be baptized till they be disciples , and so , what ever the London Ministers say in their words above recited , there is just ground even a prohibition , against baptizing infants . And so the Minor of Mr. Ms. argument is not true . Upon all this debate I profess I find so much inconsiderateness , or confusedness , or non-sense , or untruth , or trifling , if not juggling in Mr. Ms. arguing , that I must vary my answer , as I find his meaning sometimes denying the Syllogism as being tautological , and not having three terms , or which is all one , any medium to prove his Conclusion by , but only repeating the Conclusion in different phrases , and those some of them new minted gibberish or non-sense , sometimes the Major , sometimes the Minor , sometimes both . However , sith it is my task , I shall view what he saith . Page 92. he saith thus , Which is apparent in the very first institution of an initial seal Gen. 17.7 , 9 , 10 , 14. Where the very ground why God would have them sealed is because of the Covenant , I will establish my Covenant between me and thee , and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee , and thy seed after thee : thou shalt keep my Covenant therefore : and this is my Covenant which ye shall keep ; every man-child among you shall be circumcised , and afterward in the fourteenth , the seal is by a metonymia called the Covenant , for that it is apparent , not only that God commanded them who were in covenant to be circumcised , but that they should therefore be circumcised because of the Covenant , or in token of the Covenant between God and them ; and he that rejected or neglected the seal , is said not only to break Gods commandment , but his Covenant . So that because the initial seal was added to the Covenant , and such as received it received it as an evidence of the Covenant , or because they were in Covenant ▪ I therefore concluded , that by Gods own will , such as enter into Covenant ought to receive the seal , supposing still they were capable of it . So that to lay circumcision upon Gods command , and the Covenant of grace too , are well consistent together ; for the command is the cause of the existence of the duty , but the Covenant of grace is the motive to it . Answ. Here is all Mr. Ms. strength to prove his Major , that it was Gods will that such as are in Covenant from Abrahams time , and so forward , should be sealed with the initial seal of the Covenant , which he after alters thus . Such as enter into Covenant ought to receive the seal . But there is nothing but confusedness and impertinency in all this passage . 1. He tells us , There is the institution of an initial seal Gen. 17.7 , 9 , 10 , 14. which he must understand of an initial seal in general or indefinite , or else it reacheth not to baptism , and so it is impertinently alleged . But it is palpably false that there is in those words any other initial seal instituted then circumcision , and I dare boldly say , it is a meer dotage to maintain that in those words there is any rule about baptism or any other ordinance of God then circumcision . The very words are , thou shalt keep my Covenant , and this covenant is demonstrated to be male-circumcision and no other , of which the time and part are precisely set down . 2. He should prove that all that were in covenant had title to the initial seal or right ; but his Conclusion is of their duty , not of their title . Now it cannot be said to be infants duty ; the command was not given to them , nor doth Mr. M. I think , assert it as their duty , but as their privilege ; and yet all that the text inferreth , or Mr. M. concludes from it , concerns the connexion between the duty of circumcising , which belongs not to infants , and the covenant , not between the Privilege of circumcision passively taken , which belongs to infants and the Covenant , which is another impertinency . 3. Be it granted that the proposition to be proved is of duty in parents or Ministers , yet he is necessitated to grant the command was the cause of the existence of the duty , and more plainly page 182. The formal reason of their being circumcised , was the command of God : which if true , there 's no duty without the command , whatever interest there might be in the Covenant : and therefore the proposition is true , all that enter into Covenant ought to receive the seal if it be commanded , not otherwise : and so neither infant-circumcision nor infant-baptism can be proved from the bare interest in the covenant , without a particular command for each of them . 4. He saith , the Covenant of grace was the motive , page 182. the Covenant of grace , or their Church-state was the motive to it , and the thing it related to . But he tells us not to whom it was a motive . A motive is an impulsive cause , whereby a person is perswaded or induced to do a thing . But it was not the motive to infants , for they conceived not of it . His words [ the very ground why God would have them sealed , is because of the Covenant ] do intimate , that he means the covenant was the motive to God to give the command . But what it makes to his purpose I do not conceive . For though that were the motive to God , yet Gods motive is not the rule of the duty , but his command to us ; nor the evidence of our privilege , but his declaration of his Will. But be it a motive to Abraham , yet it was but a motive for the more full engagement of him to that which without that motive he had been to do by reason of the Command , nor any further evidence of privilege then was imported by other Declaration of Gods will. 5. Though Circumcision did relate to the Covenant , and it was received as an evidence of the Covenant , yet this proves not that it was received by each person , because he was in covenant , nor that the being in Covenant was the rule of the using that rite , that they which were in Covenant should have it , and they that were not in Covenant , should not have it , which is the thing to be proved , but is certainly false , as I have by many instances shewed . 6. If all this were granted , yet that this rule did reach further then the use of circumcision is not proved here : and what is brought elsewhere shall be shewed in it's place to be much short of proving any such general rule about an initial seal , as is here by Mr. M. averred . But let us see what his proof amounts to about circumcision . 1. He urgeth , That circumcision is called a token of the Covenant ; But this proves no more then this , that the use of Circumcision was to be a sign God made such a Covenant , and would fulfill it : not that every one that was in Covenant was to be circumcised , or that every one that was to be circumcised was in covenant . 2. That it is termed the Covenant . But this proves no more than the former , sith it is acknowledged to be so called only by a metonymia , of putting the thing signifyed for the sign . 3. The particle [ therfore ] is thus urged : God not only commanded them who were in covenant , 〈◊〉 b● circumcised , but that they should [ therfore ] be circumcised because of the covenant , or in token of the Covenant between God & them ; But 1. The particle [ therfore ] though it be in our last translation , yet in the Hebrew it is only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and may be rendered , And thou , or , But thou , as by the Tig●● : it is & 〈◊〉 , by Parcus , tu autem , Piscator , tu verò . 2. Let it be read [ therefore ] and the inference be from the Covenant ; yet that the inference is from the promise in the seventh verse onely , and not from the eighth verse , which is next , or the rest of the promises , v. 4 , 5 , 6 , cannot be shewed . 3. Let these things be granted : yet that it imports this rule to be taken from the Covenant , those who are in Covenant are to be circumcised , not others , hath no colour of proof , nor any shew of truth in it , sith it is clear in the case of Ishmael to whom that promise di● not belong nor any in that covenant , yet he was to be circumcised , and others were not to be circumcised , to whom the promises were made . 4. He urgeth thus : And he that rejected or neglected the seal is said not only to break Gods commandment , but his Covenant : so that because the initial seal was added to the Covenant , and such as received it , received it as an evidence of the Covenant , or because they were in covenant . To which I reply . Two waies a man may be said to break Gods covenant : one by breaking the command , which was in reference to the Covenant , or enjoyned in testimony of it ; and if this be his sense , then Mr. Ms. speech is trifling , when he saith , he that rejected or neglected the seal , is said not only to break Gods commandment , but his Covenant , sit being all one to break the command and the covenant . The other sense is ; he hath broken my covenant , that is , as Piscat . sch . on Gen. 17.14 as much as is in him , by depriving himself of the grace of God , promised in the Covenant . For otherwise the incredulity of man doth not make void the faith of God , Rom. 3.3 . But take it either way , it proves not that which was to be proved , that the rule about circumcising persons was their interest in the Covenant . All that follows on this is , that the observance of circumcision was strictly enjoined under this penalty , that otherwise they should be cut off from Gods people , and so deprived of the benefit of the Covenant signified ; but this doth not prove that every one circumcised was in the Covenant , and should have the benefit of the Covenant . So that though it be granted which Mr. M. saies , That to lay Circumcision upon Gods command , and the Covenant of grace too , are well consistent together ; Yet his Major is not proved , That it was Gods Will that such as are in Covenant from Abrahams time , and so forward , should be sealed with the initial seal of the Covenant , supposing them only capable of the seal , and no special bar put in against them by God himself . Nor is Mr. M. more happy in answering my exceptions . Whereas you allege , saith he , concerning Melchisedec , Lot , Job ; we find no such thing , that they either received this seal of Circumcision or were tyed to it . I reply , it s very hard for you to prove that Melchisedeck was then alive : and had he been alive , he was of an higher Order , and above that Paedagogy . Answ. I grant it cannot be demonstratively proved , that he was alive : yet it being probable he was , who not many years before met Abraham , though he were in Covenant , yet being not appointed to be circumcised , it overthrows the proposition by which Mr. Ms. Enthymeme was to be proved , That all that are foederati , must be signati . Yea Mr. Ms. answer here , That he was above that Paedagogy , doth plainly intimate that circumcision was peculiar to that Paedagogy , and so the rule about circumcision not obligatory to Christian Gentiles , to whom that Paedagogy is abolished , and who have a Priest of an higher Order , to wit , that of Melchisedec . As for Lot , he denies not that he then lived , but saith , That no Scripture saith he was not circumcised , which he saith of Job also , whose time is uncertain , by reason of th● Scripture-silence , though probably he was of Esaus posterity . But in matters of fact , à non Scripto ad non factum non valet consequentia . Nevertheless for Lot , it seems to me very unlikely he should be circumcised living then in Sodom , not in Abrahams house , and no mention made of him , when Abraham circumcised his own house , and Lots posterity being after uncircumcised Jerem. 9.26 . And for Job , what time soever he lived , it is likely he was an Edomite ; who are reckoned for uncircumcised Ier. 9.26 . and there are no passages that give any intimation of his acquaintance with Israel . But if these serve not the turn , the example of Cornelius undeniably uncircumcised , and not blamed for want of it , though undoubtedly in the Covenant of grace , being one that feared God with all his house , and his prayers and alms heard , therefore he was not to be circumcised though in the Covenant of grace , nor all that enter into Covenant ought to be sealed with the initial seal , though capable , and no bar put in against them by God. I instanced in male infants of Jews under eight daies old , who were not to be circumcised , though in Covenant . Mr. M. answers , To that of infants there was a peculiar exemption of them by God himself ; whether for any typical reason , or in regard they were not fit in nature to undergo so sharp a pain , as was to be endured in Circumcision before the seventh and Critical day was past , or whether for any other cause , I dispute not ; it is sufficient , God forbad them to have the seal till they were eight daies old . Answ. This is a grant of the objection , and overthrows the proposition of Mr. M. in his Sermon ; All that are in Covenant are to be sealed . And the forbidding , being onely by not appointing it , the proposition can be t●ue onely in this sense ; All those in Covenant are to be circumcised , to whom it is appointed , and no other ; But infants are in Covenant , and to them it is appointed to be sealed with the initial seal in the New Testament : Ergo. Wherein I should grant the Major , and deny the Minor , and infer that without appointment interest in the Covenant did not make capable , no not of Circumcision , though it 's likely infants might have born it in the end of the seventh day as well as on the eighth . I alleged that no females in Abrahams family , though in Covenant , were to be circumcised . To this Mr. M. answers . For the women , they were not Subjectum capax circumcisionis , there was in them a natural impediment against it , therefore could it not be enjoined them : and suppose some men amongst them , or some who turned proselytes to them , had not had a praep●tium ( as some sort of Eunuchs ) this Ordinance had not reached them ; whether the wisdom of God purposely chose a sign that women might not be capable of receiving it , for some typical use , as some conjecture , it is sufficient they were not capable of it , and were exempted from it by God himself . Answ. If it be true , which many Authors relate , that the Habassines , and Iacobites do at this day , circumcise females ; then it is not true , they were uncapable of it by reason of natural impediment . But if it be true which Mr. M. saith , yet Gods chosing a sign of which they were not capable , and that for a typical use , when he might have chosen one as baptism , of which both s●xes were capable , it is an evidence , That it was not the Will of God since Abrahams time , and so forward , that all in Covenant should be sealed with the initial seal , which was Mr. Ms. proposition . Nor do his two limitations added in his Defence help him . For if incapacity and non-appointment be a sufficient exemption from the initial seal , yea a prohibition of it , then his proposition is but what I contend for , that those in covenant to whom God appoints it and no other , are to have the initial seal ; which is as much as I would evince , that it is not bare interest in the Covenant without institution or appointment that gives right to a person to claim either circumcision or baptism , nor warrants a baptizer to admit a person to baptism . And therefore though it were yielded that all infants of believers were in covenant , yet they have not right to either initial seal without a command , or institution concerning each rite . As for Mr. Ms. general proposition as he states it , as it advantageth it him not for the reason last given , so it may be granted , if he mean by exemption or particular dispensation the non-appointment of it . For then I am sure infants of believers are exempted from baptism till they be proved disciples of Christ , or believers by profession ; which if it could be proved , we need not fetch it from circumcision and the Covenant . From which they that deduce infant-baptism , do but in vain weary themselves and others , as they that seek to draw water out of a pumice stone . But there is some more in Mr. M. about womens circumcision , which I must not omit . Mr. M. in his Sermon had answered , that women were circumcised virtually in the M●les . To which I answered , that a virtual circumcision was not enough to make good his argument : For then his Syllogism must have four terms , thus . They that are in Covenant must be sealed actually in their now persons , or virtually in others . But infants of believers are in the Covenant , therefore they are to be sealed . If the Conclusion be meant of actual sealing in their own persons then there are four terms , and more in the Conclusion then in the premisses . But if it be meant disjunctively , they are to be sealed actually or virtually : then it is less than is to be proved , his business being to prove that they were to be sealed actually . For a virtual sealing is less than Mr. M. would have , and might be granted without any detriment to the cause of Anti-paedobaptism . To this Mr M. makes no answer at all , but chargeth me with a scoff where there was none , tells me it is like refuting Bellarmine with , Thou liest : whereas I did shew wherein his answer was insufficient , and that by putting his Syllogism into form , according to his own meaning , and then shewing how it would not conclude what he should prove . And to this in his Defence he makes no answer , but tells us , what his plain meaning was , which is nothing to the present point : he should have shewed how , with that exposition or limitation his argument would prove actual sealing of infants in their own persons . But to slight a reason and speak nothing to it , is not to answer , but to shift . But I also said , to speak exactly , women were not circumcised virtually in the Males : For that supposeth they might receive it in their own persons , wheras it had been a sin in them to be circumcised , God not appointing it : which is confirmed by the like , it would be sin for the male to be circumcised afore the eighth day , sith it was not appointed : which may now be confirmed by Mr. Ms. words , that God forbad them to have the seal till they were eight daies old . To this saith Mr. M. But first give me leave to observe by the way how you pinch me with a point of Law , that no man can be said virtually to have that by his Proxy or Atturney , which he might not actually receive himself in his own person . I question whether this be good Law ; but I am confident it is bad Divinity ; sure we sinned virtually in Adam , yet we could not actually , though the sin of Adam be ours by imputation . The Sun is virtually hot , yet Philosophers say , it 's not actually . And the Jews of old offered to God such things by the hands of the Priests , who were their Proxies in that work , which they might not offer in their own persons , yea and received such things by the hand of the High Priest ( who bare their names in the most holy place ) which they might not receive in their own persons immediately : and the Saints now in this world do virtually and quoad effectum juris , receive some such privileges in Christ their Advocate , who in their right is at Gods right hand , which here they are not capable of receiving immediatrly in their own persons . Answ. My words were not as Mr. M. recited them , but thus . He is said virtually to have a thing by another , as by a Proxy or Atturney , that might receive it by himself ; yet quoad effectum juris , according to the effect of Law another's receiving it is , as if he had received it . In which I understand by [ having a thing ] that having a thing which is by possession of it , as a benefit , privilege , commodity , and by [ might receive it ] without any prohibition in Law , and that he receives it not in his own person , is onely from some temporary impediment , as minority , absence or the like . And this according to that skill I have in such terms , I conceive still to be the meaning of them . Nor do Mr. Ms. instances take me any whit off from it , being without fear of being chargeable with bad Law or Divinity . For our sinning in Adam is not receiving something as a benefit : the Suns heat is natural , not by vertue of any Political Law , it is not having as a proxy or atturney for another ; the High Priests offering for the people was an action in their stead , not receiving a benefit for them , and what they received for the people which they might not receive in their own persons immediately was not by reason of any prohibition , but from some other cause , nor were they in imparting it , the peoples Proxies or Atturneys , but Gods : were it an answer from God or any other thing they received for them , if God had immediately communicated it to them , it had not been their sin . And the like may be said of what Christ receives for us as our Advocate . But the circumcising of women had been a sin forbidden , according to Mr. Marshalls and others doctrine before recited , they were prohibited to be circumcised , it being limitted to the males on the 8. day . Mr. M. addes . I also obiter desire you to remember this expression of yours , that it had been a sin for a child to have been circumcised after the eight day was past , and try how you will reconcile this with another opinion of yours delivered elsewhere ; viz. That Circumcision might be administred oftner then once ; surely those other times must be after the 8. day . Answ. Where I deliver this , that Circumcision might be administred oftner than once , I remember not , except in my Examen , page 118. However I conceive no necessity of Circumcision or baptism above once , yet I profess my self unsatisfyed in this , that there is either a command that a person be but once circumcised , or a person once onely baptized . And my reason of the speech is from hence . 1 Cor. 7.18 . the Apostle saith , Is one called circumcised , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Let him not be drawn up , that is , let him not draw up his foreskin : we translate it , Let him not become uncircumcised . Whence it may be perceived , that some Jews had an art to draw up their fore-skin . Now in such a case , while the Law stood in force , I conceive he was bound to be circumcised again , because it was to abide in his flesh , Gen. 17.13 . Nor do my words at all contradict this , when I say more fully then Mr. M. recites them ; It had been a sin for a child to be circumcised afore , or after the eigth day in them that altered or swerved from the appointment of God : where I make the sin not to be the doing of it , on the eighth day , and then doing it again ( though I deny not but unnecessarily to do it after the eight day had been sin , that day being determined for it ) but not doing it that day which God appointed by those that altered or swerved from that appointment unnecessarily : which in the case mentioned , and any other of the like , might be done after the eighth day . But M. M. will confirm his proofs , that the women were circumcised in the men . My first , saith he to me , was , that the whole house of Israel are in the Scripture said to be circumcised . You answer , that by the whole house of Israel must not be meant all , but the Major part . But Sir do you imagine that any of your judicious Readers can be satisfyed with this answer , when ( you know well enough ) that the Circumcision is put for the Church and people of God in opposition to the uncircumcised , that is , all the rest of the World who were not the people of God. When Peter was to go to the circumcision , and Paul to the Gentiles to preach the Gospel ; does not circumcision include the women Jews as much as the men , in opposition to Gentiles , as well as the word Gentiles includes women Gentiles as well as the men , to whom Paul was sent ? Gal. 2.8 , 9. Surely it must needs be granted , that not only the Major or nobler part , but the whole nation of the Jews both men and women , are there meant by circumcision , which could not have been , if in some sense they were not to be accounted circumcised . Answ. My Answer might satisfie any judicious Reader , specially if the texts had been fairly set down by Mr. M. wherein I shew all Israel , and all the house of Israel must be understood Synecdochically , 1 Sam. 7.3 . Acts 2.36 . Acts 13.24 . And if in the term [ circumcision ] be not a Synecdoche of the whole for the part ; not onely every individual in Israel must be in some sense accounted circumcised , but be actually circumcised also in their own persons . Nor against such a Synecdoche doth it make , that circumcision stands in opposition to the uncircumcised , which is meant of every individual . For neither is it true , when the uncircumcised are mentioned , it is meant of every individual , there being many of those nations that were circumcised ; and if it were true , yet the opposition doth not prove every individual Jew circumcised , any more then when they are called the holy Nation in opposition to the Gentiles : as when it was said , Israel was holiness to the Lord , Jerem. 2.3 . every Israelite or Jew must be counted holy in some sense : but the terms are attributed Synecdochically . And for the other instance , I grant circumcision must include Gal. 2.8 . women as well as men , because Peter was to go to them : but this proves not that women were in some sense accounted circumcised in the males , but that they are part of the nation which were called the Circumcision Synecdochically , because of the males . And for the term Gentiles , there must be in like manner a Synecdoche conceived of the whole for a part , else he should be sent to preach to infant males as well as women of years . Secondly , saith Mr. M. I argued thus , no uncircumcised might eat the Passoever ; Ergo their women might not have eaten it , if in some sense they had not been circumcised . Your answer is , This is to be limitted pro subjecta ma●eria , none that ought to be circumcised might eat the Passeover , unless they were circumcised . But this answer is altogether insufficient . For where is this distinction of yours found or founded in the word of God ? other Distinctions about eating the Passeover are cleerly found : the clean might eat it , the unclean might not eat it , the circumcised might , the uncircumcised might not : But of your limitation there is altum silentium . Answ. Mr. Ms. conclusion is , That in some sense women were circumcised , and before in some sense they were counted circumcised , neither of which is the same with this [ they were circumcised virtually in the males , or the males were circumcised in their stead as their Proxy or Atturney . ] 2. My answer was right , and to his Demand , where it is found in the word of God ? I answer by another demand , where is his limitation found in Gods word , that women might eat the Passeover , because they were in some sense accounted circumcised ? Sure the words are , Exod. 12.48 . No uncircumcised person shall eat thereof , not as Mr. M. none but those that are counted in some sense circumcised may eat thereof : If there be in Scripture that which doth necessitate to a limitation of that speech , my limitation is as well in Scripture as his is : yea my limitation is plain and easie , whereas his limitation is liable to this objection , that when Gods Law requires persons to be circumcised that they might eat the Passeover , if Mr , Ms. limitation or explication be good , it should require no more but this , that persons in some sense should be accounted circumcised . For so Mr. M. understands the Law , and then , though the males were not actually circumcised , but virtually , in some sense , so accounted they might eat it , without breach of the Law , which absurdity doth not follow on my limitation , but follows inevitably on Mr. Ms. 2. Saith Mr. M. I demand further , where is there any command or institution for women to eat the Passeover ( more than for women now to eat the Lords Supper ) unless it be founded upon circumcision ? yet in practice we know they did eat it ? and if they eat it not as circumcised persons , tell me by what right they did it . Answ. I have proved Examen part . 3. S. 12. pag. 112. Postscript to my Apology S. 11. that 1 Cor. 11.28 . & 10.17 . and 12.13 . Acts 20.7 . are express precept and example for womens receiving the Lords Supper . And for eating the Paseover , there is an expresse precept , That all the Congregation of Israel shall keep it , Exod 12.47 . in which women were meant , and they were to eat according to the number of the Souls v. 4. and no leaven was to be in their habitation , v. 20. therfore either women must eat the Passeover , or else they must not eat bread : so that we need not go to circumcision for womens eating the Passeover . Yea , if we use no other way than that of Mr. M. it will not be proved that women ought to eat it . For Exodus 12.48 . no mention is made of any circumcised who are to eat it , but males ; and though it be said , no uncircumcised might eat , yet it is not said , all circumcised must eat , much less they that are only in some sense counted circumcised . But Mr. M. seeks to make his advantage of this point thus . If you say they were included in the Houshold Exod. 12.3 , 4. every houshold was to eat the Paschal Lamb , and there was no exception of women ; I reply , first grant but the same consequence , that when we read so frequently in the New T. that whole housholds were baptized , and no exception of children , that therefore all the children in those housholds were baptized , and this Controversy is quickly ended . Answ. If it were granted that we had no other way to prove women were to eat the Paschal Lamb ( which yet we need not , as I have shewed ) but from Exod. 12.3 , 4. in that every houshold was to eat the Lamb , and there was no exception of Women , yet the consequence were not good ; whole housholds were baptized , therefore infants , because not expresly excepted . For as Exod. 12.3 , 4 infants are excepted from being required to eat the Lamb , though not in express words , yet because the thing to be done was not such as could agree to infants of a few daies old , suppose eight or nine . So where Act. 16.15 , 33. and 18.8 . 1 Cor. 1.16 . the houshold is said to be baptized , besides this , that no infants are expressed , in the same chapter or elsewhere , the speech is plainly interpreted to be meant of those that heard the word , and believed , as Acts the eleventh chapter , and fourteenth verse , and ch . 16. v. 32 , 34. and 18.8 . 1 Cor. 16.15 . as if the holy Ghost had of purpose prevented this misconstruction and frivolous consequence of Paedobaptists . But saith Mr. M. I add further , it is not said the whole houshold shall eat it , for all uncircumcised persons were forbidden to eat it , and none but circumcised persons had warrant to eat it . Answ. It is said , Exod. 12.4 . they shall eat the Lamb according to the number of Souls , i. e. hominum Pisc. Schol. in locum , every man according to his eating , which is a plain precept for women to eat who could eat . Yea further , saith Mr. M. suppose some words in the institution should reach the Jewish women , yet how doth it reach the women Gentiles who should prove Proselytes to them ? For Exodus chapter 12. verse 48 , 49. there is order taken for the male stranger , let all his males be circumcised , and then let him come near and keep it , but there is not any word that takes order for the strangers females . Answer . It is said verse fourty seven , That all the Congregation of Israel shall keep it , and the Proselytes of Righteousnesse , women as well as men were of that Congregation , and verse fourty nine , it is said , One Law shall be to him that is homeborn , and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you : if then the Law appointed the Israelitish women to eat , the same law appointed the Proselyte Women to eat . So that notwithstanding Mr. Ms. vain hope , my exception against the consequence of his Argument , They are foederati ; Therefore they are to be signati , stand good and it is not yet proved , that bare interest in the Covenant Genesis 17. or the Covenant of grace did intitle to Circumcision , much less to baptism , which were enough to overthrow his first argument . But sith it is my task , I will now go on to the rest of his Dispute , taking in by the way Master Blakes third section of the 42. chapter of his Vindic . foederis . SECT . XIX . Mr. Blakes exceptions against my Speeches in the point about the connexion between the Covenant , and initial seal , are refelled . MR. Blake asserts a reality of connexion between the Covenant and initial seal , and first he meddles with my Examen , and then with my Anti-paedobaptism . To my objection that the Proposition is not true , that all that were federate in Abrahams family , were to be signed , for neither Males afore the eighth day , nor females were to be circumcised , besides his avouching Master Marshall● answer as sufficient , which is reviewed before , he saith , Is there no connexion between them , because he that receives into Covenant and appoints the seal , hath prescribed a time when it shall be applyed ? To which I say , it proves that there is not a connexion between being federate , and to be signed , to make this Proposition true , All that are federate are to be signed , barely in that they are federate . For they are federate the first , second , third , fourth , fifth , sixth , seventh day , as well as the eighth , yet not to be signed , whereas if there was such a connexion between them according to Gods will , that the one being put , the other is to be put , they would be to be signed as soon as ever they are federate . And if it be Gods will that they should be signed , but not till the appointed time after , I might say that though infants were federate , yet they were not to be signed with baptism till Gods appointed time , which is not till they be disciples , and so infant baptism is not proved from their being in Covenant , the Major Proposition , All that are in Covenant are to be signed , being true only with this limitation , in the appointed time , which is not for baptism till they be Disciples . And whereas in answer to my objection , that if infants have right to the seal by being in covenant , then they have right to the Lords Supper , he answers . 1. That in baptism there is no more of necessity than to be passive . This is false , for baptism is enjoined as a duty , and such as is to have repentance and faith antecedent Mark chap. 16.16 . Acts the 2. chap. 38. Acts chap. 8. verse 37. 2. He grants that infants have true title to the Lords Supper , jus ad rem , not jus in re , a right to it , yet by reason of infancy have their actual interest suspended . But 1. still Mr. Blake speaks of the Lords Supper , and of baptism , as of privileges meerly , whereas the Scripture speaks of each as a duty as well as a privilege . 2. By the same distinction an answer is given to him concerning infants baptism , that though they have the right to it , yet by reason of infancy , the actual interest of it is to be suspended , they being no more able to profess the faith , till they be grown to some riper age then a Cradle King to rule a Kingdome . So that Mr. Blakes answers yield more exceptions against Mr. Ms. argument , confirm it not at al , but shew how we may grant his Major , and yet so limit it that it will be too short of proving baptism of federate persons in infancy : and these passages of Master Blake appear to be Cavils and not An●wers . He next sets upon the fifth section of the first part of my Review , and excepts , 1. That I shew not where to find Mr. Baillees words . But if he had looked into my Letter mentioned , he had found them quickly in the third section . 2. That I denyed the Metaphor of a seal to be rightly made , the genus of a rite , as of baptism , to which he replies in his flirting fashion . We shall expect another letter to shew Saint Pauls definition , Rom. 4.11 . to be alike light ( who runs upon the same errour , if an errour ) when he saies that Circumcision is a sign and seal , there is the genus and the differentia lies in these words to distinguish it from other signs , and seals of the righteousness of faith . The nature of a Sacrament stands in a figure , and the whole efficacy of it in the use . And how else then should the nature and use of it be held out ? To which I answer , Paul doth not give a definition , Rom. 4.11 . of circumcision , much less doth he define a Sacrament in general . Every Definition is reciprocal with the thing defined , but Mr. Bl. I presume will not say ; every circumcision is a seal of the righteousness of faith , and every seal of the righteousness of faith is circumcision . Besides individuals are not wont to be defined , but what is there said is said of the singular circumcision of Abraham , and no other . The title given to Abrahams circumcision doth but shew what the use of it was to him , not what was the constant nature , and use of it on and to others . Which appears from the particularizing circumstances so exactly noted by the Apostle , to wit , the times of his justification and circumcision , which do shew that it was appropriated to Abrahams circumcision , on his own body , what he there said of Circumcision . There is no more reason to make this the definition of Circumcision [ the seal of the righteousness of faith ] then to make that [ 1 Tim 6.10 . the root of all evil ] the definition of the love of money , or that [ Heb. 6.16 . the end of all strife ] the definition of an oath , or that [ v. 19. the anchor of the soul firm and stable ] the definition of hope , or that [ Heb. 11.1 . the evidence of things not seen ] the definition of faith A seal cannot be the genus of it , being a Metaphor , for a Metaphor shews not what it is , but what it is like . Circumcision is an action as it is from the agent , as in the subject a passion . The relation that comes to it is not from its nature , but by institution , and is the end of it , rather than the genus , rather for what it is , than what it is . A seal is an artificial body compound of a substance and figure , which cannot be said of Circumcision . What Mr. Bl. saith , that the nature of a Sacrament stands in a figure , cannot be true of such a figure as is in a Seal , for so baptism , the Passeover , the Lords Supper should be no Sacrament sith they do not make any figure on the body , nor of figure of speech , for so a Sacrament should not be a visible sign , but an audible . I grant the use of it is to resemble by a visible sign some other thing , as the breaking bread , Christs body broken , and in that sense it may be called a figure as Augustine called the bread the figure of Christs body . But the use belongs to the difference to distinguish it from the same action or passion used to another purpose , not to the genus . And yet sign and seal of the righteousnesse of faith , cannot be the difference to distinguish a Sacrament from the preaching of the Gospel , for the preaching of the Gospel by word or writing is a sign or seal of the righteousness of faith . What is said Rom. 4.11 . that Abraham received the sign of circumcision , the seal of the righteousness of faith , is not all one with this [ a seal of the Covenant of grace ] For it is added [ which he had yet , being uncircumcised ] and therefore was a sign not of a promise or covenant , concerning a thing to be done , but of a thing accomplished or already done . I see not how Rom. 4.11 . either the general nature of a Sacrament , or the special nature of circumcision may be said to be defined . Nor do I conceive it true which Mr. Bl. saith , the whole efficacy of a Sacrament is in the use : I suppose baptism , and the Lords Supper have their efficacy in comforting , moving to holiness , love , &c. after the use . The nature and use of a Sacrament may be otherwise held out then Mr. Bl. doth , which I now omit . It is sufficient at present to shew the emptiness of Mr. Bls. dictates . And for my rejecting of the common use of the terms of seals of the Covenant , and initial seals as Synonymous to sacraments and baptism , especially in disputes wherein proper terms should be used , I have given sufficient reason from the abuses of Paedobaptists inferring errours from a late devised term , and imposing on mens consciences : yet I profess , if baptism were granted to be a seal or initial seal , that I think that it would not follow , that it hath that relation to the Covenant ; that infants in Covenant must not be denied it , but that it is a frivolous argument , infants are in covenant , therefore they must have the initial seal of the Covenant : for which if I had no other reason , yet that one of Mr. Bl. that though a person be in Covenant , and have right to the seal , yet he is not to have it till the appointed time , it were sufficient to justifie my censure . Mr. Bl. excepts against my speech , that to have the promise , and to be a disciple or believer , are not all one , for he conceives to have a promise in Scripture phrase is to possesse it , as those Jews after the flesh did possess , Rom. 9.4 ▪ And how to possesse a promise without faith , he doth not yet understand . Whereto I reply , that I find the term [ promise ] used in Scripture sometimes metonymically for the thing promised , , as Luke●4 ●4 . 49 . when Christ saith , I send the promise of the Father upon you , he means the Holy Ghost promised , and it is true in this sense , to have a promise is to possesse it . But in proper acception the term [ promise ] notes the act of the person promising , as Gal. 3.16 . to Abraham and his seed were the promises made , or spoken . So likewise v. 17 , 18. And in this sense he hath a promise , who hath not possession of the thing promised , and thus we usually say , I have not yet such an office , revenue , estate , &c. but I have a promise of it . In which sense I took it , and so it is true , that in this sense , a man may have the promise , and not be a believer or disciple as yet . And thus I conceive it taken in all the three places in the new Testament 2 Cor. 7.1 . 1 Tim. 4.8 . Heb. 7.6 . and in this sense a person may have a promise afore he is a believer . Mr. Blake further excepts against me : That 1. I make these terms all one , to have a promise , and to be a child of the promise . 2. That I make a child of the promise , Rom. 9.8 . to be all one with to be an elect person , as Isaac and Jacob , v. 10 , 11 , 12. were children of the promise , to whom the promise was made before they were born . But Mr. Blake saith , That to have a promise , and to be a child of promise , are two different things in Scripture ; yet shews not the difference between them . In that expression Rom. 9.8 . the child of the promise ( according to the usuall Hebraisms , Child of light , Child of wrath , Son of perdition , which note the person who is the subject or object of those several terms attributed ) is a person of whom , or for whom , the promise is made , and so it is all one with [ to have the promise . ] But saith M. Bl. if the child of the promise were all one with to be elect , then ( according to me ) all the Jews according to the flesh were elect persons ; they had the promises , yea those that were actors in Christs death Acts 2.39 . which he must needs yield to be an absurdity . To which I reply , I do not conceive how this is true according to me , that if children of the promise be all elect , all the Jews according to the flesh were elect persons . Sure I no where make all the Jews according to the flesh children of the promise . Yea the text Rom. 9.8 . is so express against it , that the children of the flesh , are denied to be children of Gods , that is , children of the promise , which the words shew to be equipollent . Yea it is the express determination , v. 6. that all that are of Israel , to wit , by natural generation , are not Israel , to whom the promise was made ; nor all children ( that is , of God , and of the promise ) who are the seed of Abraham , v. 7. But that no other were children of the promise , though the seed natural of Abraham and Isaac : but elect persons , the Apostle doth not onely assert , but prove it in Esau and Jacob , v. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. It is true , Rom. 9.4 . it is said the promises were the Israelites : but whatever the promises there meant were , whether of spiritual or corporal good things , yet it follows not that of every Israelite were the promises any more than that of every Israelite , v. 5. was Christ according to the flesh . Nor Acts 2.39 . is it said that all the Jews according to the flesh had the promises . But that the promise was to them , their children and all afar off , whom God should call : the promise is attributed to none but the called of God. The generality of Anti-Arminian Protestants make children of the promise to be all one with the elect , Rom. 9.8 . some I allege in my Exam. part . 3. sect . 4. some more in my Praecursor , and more I meet with in my reading . It is not true which Mr. Bl. saith , that Isaac being born by promise , all his posterity originally were of the same birth , for the Apostle concludes the contrary of Esau , Rom. 9.10 , 11 , 12. The text Gal. 4.28 . is rightly brought to shew that all Jews according to the flesh , are not the children of the promise , but as Mr. Dioson , we , that is believing Christians , who were born after the spirit , and presented by them that were born after the flesh , v. 29. that is , by the unbelieving Jew , who stuck to the legal covenant . Nor need we say , that all the visible Churches of Galatia were born after the spirit , but onely that the true believers in them were so . Nor is there a word of any privileges inferiour to justification , as the series of the text shews , and many learned Protestants cleerly express . That which Master Blake saith , he will maintain , that every one in Covenant is a believer , a disciple , that believers are same formally , such as in act assent to Gospel revelations ; some virtually , such as have the privileges of professing believers , that infants in Covenant are virtually believers , in that they are honoured with the privileges of believers , and that this distinction the Scripture warrants , are all vain dictates , there being not one Scripture that ever calls any a believer from a privilege , but from the act of assent or profession of faith , nor is there the least colour for it out of Scripture to call infants in covenant believers without their own act of assent or profession of faith , and therefore I let pass these speeches of M. Bl. as idle unproved talk , of which his book is full . Mr. Bl. excepts against my speech , some not yet born , some not yet called are in the covenant , have the promise of grace made to them . I have read ( saith he ) of a covenant entered with those that at the instant time of the making of the Covenant were present , and with those that were not present , Deut. 29.15 . with men of years , and them with their little ones , Deut. 29.11 . But I read not of a covenant actually made with any unborn . Answ. My expression [ are in Covenant ] I confess that I remember not used in the Scripture , yet it is usual in the writings of Paedobaptists , who usually say , infants are in the Covenant of grace with their parents . The Assemblies larger Catechism avoucheth infants of parents , professing faith in Christ within the Covenant . Mr. M. in his Sermon p. 8.15 , &c. And this expression of theirs I knew not how to conceive they meant otherwise then thus , Infants have Gods promise of grace made to them , or for them , as in the Directory , the promise is made to believers and their seed . For infants said to be in the covenant must be so by some act either their own , or the administrators , or Gods. Not by any act of their own , for they do nothing to that effect ; not by the administrator of baptisms act , for he doth nothing but baptize , and if his act be bringing into Covenant then bringing into covenant is all one with baptizing , and if an infidels child be baptized it is in Covenant . Besides Paedobaptists assert they are within the Covenant afore they are baptized , as the Directory saith , they are foederally holy before baptism It remains then that it is by Gods promise . Now surely Gods promise to Abraham , and his seed Gen. 17.7 . which is usually made the promise whereby infants of believers are in covenant , was many thousand years since , 430. years before the law , Gal. 3.16.17 . Therefore even according to the usual language of Paedobaptists infants of believers are in Covenant afore they are born : which Mr. Bl. had no cause to carp at ( as he doth ) but that it is almost all his art , especially when I had to prevent it , so distinctly added to shew my meaning [ have the promise of grace made to them ] If Mr. Bl. have any other way whereby infants are in the covenant , as the parents vow , or profession , or suretie for them , according to it ; I suppose , infants may be said to be in covenant afore they are born , sith such vows , profession and promises may be made for them afore they are born Let 's consider what M. B saith . He tels us , he reads not of a covenant actually made with any unborn . And as I conceive by his Appendix to his Vindic. foederis , as an addition to his first chapter , his reason is , because he conceives that it is of the general nature of a covenant properly so called , that there be a mutual contract and agreement , which I shall examine when I consider Mr. Cobbers part . 1. c. 3. sect . 9. of his Iust Vindic. For present , if this be true , neither can a Covenant be actually made with an infant born , sith an infant born can no more contract , or agree , or consent , then one unborn . Nevertheless I conceive , there is a covenant actually made with persons unborn Gen. 9.12 . where God saith , This is the token of the Covenant which I make between me and you , and every living creature , that is , with you , for perpetual generations : which doth express a covenant actually made with every living creature of all flesh for perpetual generations , therefore for thousands of persons unborn . Yea where he saith , he readeth of a Covenant entered into with those that were not present , Deut. 29.15 . he reads of a covenant made with persons unborn , as Piscator , Ainsworth , Iackson , Grotius , the New Annot. The notes out of the Arch-bishop of Yorks Library , &c. do conceive , and reason proves it : sith that covenant was made only with Israel , not with any other people then existent , but there was none of all Israel then born , which was not there that day , as appears from v. 10. therfore those that were not there with them that day , can be no other then persons unborn , and so Mr. Blake saith not true , that he hath not read of a covenant actually made with any unborn . But were it granted that by them that were not present were meant persons existent then , there is no reason why a covenant may not as well be said to be actually made with the unborn as with the absent , who do not express any actual consent or agreement . Surely if it be true that the Covenant of grace was made with Christ afore the world for all the elect , or in the beginning of time , Gen. 3.15 . or at his death or resurrection , as many Divines speak , and sundry texts seem to intimate , Gal. 3.16 . 1 Cor. 11.25 . Tit. 1.2 . 2 Tim. 1.9 . Joh. 6.38 , 39 , 40. Iohn 10.15 , 17 , 18 , 29 , 30. Iob. 17.9 , 10 , 20 , 24. Isa. 53.11 , 12. Psal. 2.7 , 8. Heb. 1.5 , 6. Heb. 10.7 , 15 , 16. Heb. 8.6 . Heb. 13.20 . it must of necessity be made with many persons unborn . But Mr. Blake adds . Mr. Tombs seems here to make the Covenant and election to be one and the same , as by this passage , so by that which follows ; but these Scripture still distinguishes . To which I say , it is true that I make the elect and those that are in the Covenant of grace one and the same , but neither in that passage or any other , do I make the covenant and election to be one and the same , as Mr. Blake mistakes me . He saith further ; We find promises and prophecies , as to the taking into Covenant in time to come , Ezek. 20.37 . but not any such respective to election . To which I say , the prophecy of taking into Covenant , Ierem. 31.33 , 34. is respective to election , or else God promises to write his Laws in their hearts , and not to remember their sins who are not elect . He goes on . All the promises of call of the Gentiles is to bring them into the privileges of glory , formerly proper to the Jews . To be in covenant was their great privilege : And this is not conferred on the Gentiles before all time , but done in time , Isaiah 42.6 . when he brings them light , then he brings them into Covenant . To which I say , The Jews privileges were some of them ( as those Rom. 9.4 , 5. ) such as God never promised to the Gentiles to bring them to , he never promised to make any entire nation little ones , servants , &c. to be his visible Church . But God promised to the Gentiles the saving privileges of justification , adoption , regeneration , eternal life , Ephes. 3.5 , 6. and this was onely to true believers or elect persons , verse . 11 , 12. And these were in Covenant in respect of Gods act of promise before they were in being , in which sense alone infants may be said to be in the covenant of grace ; but in respect of the conferring of the things promised and the possession of them by faith , so neither they then were in Covenant Ephes. 2.12 . nor are infants now . He adds , That text Rom. 11.26 , 27 , is too notoriously abused ; a prophecy of their future call into covenant , is made a proof that they are already in covenant , upon that account we may make the resurrection ( if not past , as the antient Hereticks Hymen●us and Phile●us affirmed , 2 Tim. 2.18 . yet ) at least present . There is like promise of the resurrection of the dead , as there is of the call of the Jews into Covenant , and resembled to the resurrection , as Ezek. 37. so also Rom. 11.15 . If by vertue of the text alleged they be already in covenant , by virtue of like Texts the dead are already raised . Answ. Had Mr. Bl. either heeded my words , or been willing to give them any fair interpretation , he had forborn this censure , in which he doth too notoriously abuse me . I said , the Jews , Rom. 11.26 , 27. not yet born , or not yet called are in the Covenant , have the promise of grace made to them , which later words I put in on purpose to shew in what sense I said they were in covenant , to wit , in that they had the promise of grace made to them ( in which sense I took the Paedobaptists to mean , that infants are in the covenant of grace , nor do I yet know how they can mean otherwise ) and this is proved plainly from Rom. 11.26 , 27. That God hath promised to save all Israel , to turn away ungodliness from Iacob , and saith , this is his covenant unto them , when he shall take away their sins . I say not they are in covenant in respect of the things promised as already possessed , but that they are in covenant in respect of Gods act of promise , they have promise of that which they shall have when they are called , as I often express my self : which being rightly understood , the cavil of Mr. Bl. vanisheth of it self , for though the resurrection be not past , because of a promise of it , yet the term Covenant being the same with a promise they may be said to be in Covenant in respect of a promise made to them , who yet enjoy not the thing promised . Which is confirmed even from the common allegation of Paedobaptists , who say , that by virtue of the promise , Gen. 17.7 . to be a God to Abraham and his seed , infants of believers are in the covenant , which can be true only in respect of the promise made , which is as much before they are born as after . To this Mr. Bl. answers , 1. That this can be an argument barely ad hominem ; seeing though we affirm , yet he denies any such Covenant . I reply : 1. That it is true that I deny that Gen. 17.7 . there is a covenant made to believers and their seed , but I deny not the Covenant to be to Abraham and his seed , nor do I deny elect infants to be therein comprehended , and that afore they are born . 2. If it be only an argument barely ad hominem , yet it is sufficient , till the tenet on which it proceeds be disclaimed by them , which Mr. Bl. hath not yet the heart to do . But he answers , 2. I say , as they were in being , so they were also in covenant , not actually , but potentially , which is nothing to Master Tombes his purpose . I reply . To be potentially in Covenant may be meant either in respect of possession of the things promised , and so I grant they were in covenant onely potentially , or in respect of the making of the Covenant , and so they were in covenant actually , that is , the promise was made to them , and this is enough for my purpose to prove a person may be in covenant unborn , in which sense onely infants are in covenant , and therefore if infants thus being in covenant make them visible Church-members , and give right to their baptism , by the same reason unborn or uncalled infidels have right to baptism . Mr. Bl. page 386. saith , he willingly closeth with me , where I say , that the judgement of charity is no rule to a Minister whom to baptize ; nor do I dissent from what he saith , if his meaning be as the words seem , I as well know when any man is in covenant , as he knows when he is a believer : when any man doth avouch himself to be one of the people of God , as he knows when they professe to believe . I do confesse that by the same knowledge whereby any man is known , and so far as he is known to be a believer , he is known so far to be in covenant ; he that avoucheth himself to be one of Gods people , and that professeth to believe is in appearance , and to be taken as in covenant , and a believer . But how doth Mr. Bl. know that this or that infant is in covenant and to be baptized ? not by Gods promise , for there is no such promise of any Gentile believer , that all his infants , or any one in particular shall be his people , either by regenerating grace , or outward ordinance : not by profession of believing or avouching himself to be one of the people of God , for no infant doth , or can without miracle do it ; therefore it must be by a judgement of charity ( which Mr. Bl. agrees with me to be no rule to a Minister whom to baptize ) or no way . And consequently were it granted ( which is not ) that being in covenant in respect of Gods promise of being a God to some infants of believers did give a title to baptism , yet no Minister could upon this ground baptize this or that particular infant , nor any infant now existent , sith he neither doth nor can know without special revelation , that God hath made this promise or covenant to it . What he addes , And it appears when it is brought home , this is all his ground of challenge of baptism of persons in covenant , because their interest in covenant is not manifest , is not right . For I assert first , that bare interest in the Covenant , that is , as I have often said , this thing , that God hath promised to be his God , doth not of it self intitle a person to baptism , sith God hath made this promise to thousands yet unborn , and of those that are born to thousands yet uncalled , perhaps Jews , yet professed unbelievers , whom no man can say rightly to have title to baptism . 2. That if it were granted this interest in the covenant did intitle to baptism , yet no Minister can by this rule justify his baptizing of an infant , sith he neither hath , nor can have , ordinarily , knowledge , that the infant he baptizeth hath this interest in the Covenant . What he saith of me , that I seem to make election and interest in covenant commensurate ; All elect are interessed in covenant , and all interessed in Covenant are elect ; I do grant it , being understood of the covenant of Evangelical grace , of regeneration , justification , &c. in respect of Gods promise of it , and I have often shewed that both Paul , Rom. 9.8 . and many of the soundest Protestant Divines say the same . But what he addes of me ; And elect infants ( as he hath more then once acknowledged ) might be baptized in case their election were known , is Mr. Bls. mistake of me , who do no where say , that they may be baptized in case their election were made known , but that infants born might be baptized in case their regeneration , faith , sanctification were made known . Whereas a person not yet begotten , may be known to be elect , but not to be regenerated , or made a believer . And by my tenet there is a bar against baptizing of infants , in that they want title to baptism ; and if they have title , we want knowledge of it . As for Paedobaptists tenent I profess , I do not know what they count a bar against baptizing of infants according to their tenent , there being such uncertainty in their tenents , some holding all are to be baptized in case of danger of death , some all born in a Christian nation , some , all who are in families of persons professing the Christian faith , though the parents were infidels ; some , onely the children of Church-members after the way they call Congregational ; some judging of the interest in the covenant by a judgement of charity ; some by a judgement of certainty . What my tenet is , I have shewed already . Though I conceive that Christs words , Mat. 19.14 . did import that the infants were elect , yet I do not say , that Christ was displeased with the disciples for being ignorant of their election and justification , and for that reason not admitting them to be blessed by him , but for that knowing Christ was the great prophet , who was sent to bless , they did hinder those that were brought to be blessed from access to him . As for Mr. Bls. question , who say that the covenant of grace without any other command is a command to baptize infants , I think Mr. Stephens said it when he made a convertibility between the word of promise , and the word of command ; and whereas Mr. Bl. saith , if Christ had never given a command for it , neither old nor young ought to have been baptized , it is true ; nor in my speech of his , and Mr. Stephens tenet did I mean when I said [ without any other command ] to exclude the institution of baptism , but it being supposed to be instituted by Christ , Paedobaptists do frequently prove a command to baptise infants by vertue of being in covenant , without any particular command of baptizing them , or any other description that comprehends them , as Mr. Marshalls first argument in his Sermon , Mr. Bls. second argument , Vindic. foed . chap. 43. sect . 1. s●●w . Mr. Geree calls denying infant-baptism , A defalking the Covenant , and Mr. Bl. himself maintains the third speech , that the command to baptize disciples is all one as to command to baptize persons in covenant , when he saith , p. 335. every disciple is in covenant , and everyone in covenant is a disciple And for his Arguments asserting that infants are of Christs disciples what I have met with either are answered already in the second part of this Review , or will be answered in this part ( i● God permit ) my conceit being still more confirmed by fuller examination of them , that they are very frivolous . SECT . XX. The exceptions which in the first part of my Review , sect . 5. are made against the proof of connexion between the covenant and initial seal , are confirmed against Mr. Blake , vindic . foed . 42. ch . sect . 3. Mr. Bl. proceeds to vindicate the proofs for the reality of connexion between the Covenant and initial seal from Gen. 17. and Acts 2.38 , 39. from my Answers . And to my answer that the particle rendered [ therefore Gen. 17.9 . ] may be rendered [ and , or , but thou ] he saith , 1. we have no reason but that it may be an illative as well as a copulative ; and being an illative particle , he hath no exception against the strength of it . Whereto I reply : There need be no reason given , why it should be read [ and or but ] and not [ therefore ] but this , that either of those are the usual acceptions of the particle , that [ and ] is the most frequent use of it , that it may well be so in that place , and that learned interpreters do so render it . Which being not denyed , there is no strength in that proof which is made barely from the term [ therefore Gen. 17.9 . ] to infer that to them belongeth the initial seal , whether of the Jewish or the Christian Church , who have interest or title to the Covenant of grace . For he that will prove from it , must assert that it must be rendered [ therefore ] for a certain conclusion cannot be inferred from an uncertain medium . Whereas Mr : Bl. only asserts , it may be an illative as well as a copulative particle , and not that it must be , he intimates a grant of what I answer , that it may be a copulative as well as an illative particle , What he adds , that it being an illative particle , I have no exception against the strength of it , is manifestly untrue , sith I added three more exceptions against the proof of that proposition from thence . But Master Blake proves the same from verse 10. taking in Acts 7.8 . and would have me at more leisure find answer to this argument . That which God himself calls by the name of a covenant ought not to be separated from it : but God calls circumcision by the name of a covenant ; Ergo they ought not to be separated . To which I answer , First , if the Conclusion be good , then circumcision and the Covenant ought not to be separated ; but the covenant according to Master Marshall , Master Blake , &c. remains the same ; therfore according to Master Blake circumcision ought to remain still to our children , they being in covenant . Secondly , If the Conclusion were good , then the females and males afore the eight day being in covenant must be circumcised : Thirdly , The conclusion is neither of those propositions , which were to be proved , to wit , 1. That the reason why Abrahams infants were to be circumcised , was their interest in the Covenant ▪ For though it were granted that circumcision and the covenant ought not to be separated , yet it proves not the reason of this conjunction to be from interest in the covenant , sith it may be , yea , is indeed to be deduced from the command . 2. To them belongeth the initial seal , whether of the Jewish or Christian Church , who have interest or title to the Covenant of grace . For the Conclusion of Mr. Bl. doth not say any thing at all concerning the initial seal of the Christian Church , but only of circumcision . Fourthly , To his Syllogism I answer , 1. That God calls circumcision the Covenant only by a metonymia of the thing signified for the sign . 2. That [ ought not to be separated from it ] may be understood of every person that hath interest in the covenant , or of every person to whom it is commanded , and when it is not dispensed with : in the former sense I deny the major , it is not true , that what God himself calls by the name of a covenant ought not to be separated from it , or that Gods calling any sign the Covenant , proves that all in covenant are to have that sign on them . For neither was it true of circumcision , sith neither were males afore the eight day or females in covenant , nor any in the wilderness to be circumcised , God either not commanding it , or dispensing with the observation of it ; nor is it true of any other sign called the Covenant ( if there be any ) without Gods command undispensed with . Mr. Blake saith further , 2. Let him consider the relation in which the Apostle puts this Sacrament of circumcision to the covenant Rom. 4.11 . an instituted appointed sign and seal is not to be divided from that which it signifies , and seal is not to be divided from that which it signifies and seals ; circumcision was an instituted appointed sign and seal of the covenant ; therefore it is not to be divided from it . Answ. 1. Neither doth the Apostle , Rom. 4.11 . make circumcision the sign and seal of the Covenant mentioned Gen. 17. nor of any covenant to be kept for the time to come , but of a benefit Abraham had before obtained Gen. 15.6 . to wit , righteousness by faith , being yet uncircumcised , nor is any ones circumcision besides Abrahams , on his own person , called , the seal of the righteousness of faith . 2. The Conclusion is , neither of the Propositions to be proved , that the reason why Abrahams infants were to be circumcised , was their interest in the covenant , that to them belongeth the initial seal , whether of the Jewish , or the Christian Church , who have interest or title to the Covenant of grace . 3. The Major proposition is true in this sense , an instituted appointed sign and seal , is not to be divided in our conceit of it , from that object or thing which it signifies or seals . But in this sense the Conclusion would be true only of an intellectual division from the object , which is nothing to the purpose . That sense in which it would be to his purpose is this , An instituted appointed sign and seal , is not to be divided , that is , not to be withheld or denied to any person or subject , who hath by promise or possession interest in the thing signifyed and sealed by that sign . But in this sense it is false , for circumcision was not to be to any female , to whom yet the promise of Canaan signified by it , belonged ; Nor indeed doth any such sign belong to any person meerly from interest in the thing signified , but from the command and will of the Appointer . I said if [ therefore Gen. 17.9 . ] were allowed to be the best reading , yet that the inference , v. 9. should be made from the promise only , v. 7. and not as well , if not rather from the promise , verse 8. I find no sufficient reason given . To this Master Blake replies , This reference engageth me , 1. in a contradiction to my self , Exercit. page 3. the promise of the Gospel was confirmed to Abraham by the sign of Circumcision , and that the covenant made with Abraham Gen. 17. was a mixt covenant . 2. In a contradiction to the Apostle , who makes circumcision a sign and seal , not alone of the land of Canaan , but of the righteousness of faith . Answ. Either I have lost all my skill in Logick , or else there is not the least colour of this charge , but Mr. Blake writes as one that scribles any thing that comes first into his fancy . A contradiction is of two propositions opposite in quantity and quality , the one universal , the other particular ; the one affirmative , the other negative , my propositions are . If it were granted that [ therfore Gen. 17.9 . ] is the best reading ; yet that the inference verse 9. should be made from the promise onely , verse 7. and not as well , if not rather from the promise verse 8. I find no sufficient reason given ; the promise of the Gospel was confirmed to Abraham by the sign of Circumcision , the Covenant Gen. 17. was a mixt covenant made up of spiritual and temporal mercies : The Apostle Rom. 4.11 . saith Abraham received the sign of Circumcision a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised . If Master Blake shew in these propositions I will not say contradiction onely the greatest of oppositions , but any contrariety at all , let me be taken for a heedless Scribler ; if not , let Master Blake bear the blame . His other words [ all that know the nature of Covenants , and use of seals know that the seal ratifies all that the Covenant contains . But the Covenant ( Master Tombs being judge ) contained not barely the promise of the land of Canaan , and therefore the reference must carry it further than the Land of Canaan ] what are they but a grant of my exception , that the reference Gen. 17.9 . must be not onely to the promise verse 7. as if infants were circumcised meerly because of the promise , I will be a God to thee , and to thy seed , but also to the promise verse 8. and that they were circumcised also because of that promise of the Land of Canaan , which belongs not to us , and therefore the reason of circumcision of infants from the Covenant Gen. 17. can be no rule to us to whom some of those promises belong not . If the seal ratifies all that the covenant contains , then it ratifies the promise of the Land of Canaan , and in respect of that it was to Abrahams infants , which not belonging to our infants the reason of circumcising infants , if it be taken from the covenant , it will not pertain to our infants to whom that promise belongs not . I said , if it were yielded that the inference were made peculiarly from the promise , verse 7. to be a God to Abraham and his seed ; it must be proved , that every believers infant-child is Abrahams seed , afore it be proved the promise belongs to them . To this Master Blake saith , It must either be proved that they are Abrahams children , or ●ave the privilege of the children of Abraham , which from Genesis 9.27 . Rom. 11.17 . is sufficiently proved , especially being confirmed by those texts that carry the covenant in Gospel times to the issue . Answ. What privilege of the children of Abraham he should mean , except the promise , I will be a God to them , which should belong to every believers infant child , I understand not . The privilege of circumcision , or visible Church-membership in the Christian Church is neither inferred from the promise Gen. 17.7 . nor from Genesis 9.27 . Rom. 11.17 . nor is there one text that carries the Covenant in Gospel times , I mean that covenant of which Christ is Mediator , mentioned Heb. 8.10 . Heb. 10.16 . ( besides which I know no covenant in Gospel times ) to the issue , that is , all the natural infant-issue of every believer , and that neither those texts mentioned , nor any other produced by Mr. Bl. Mr. M. Mr. Cobbet , or any other prove it , will be shewed in that which follows . For present my speech is right , the promise is not , I will be a God to thee , and to thy seed , and to him that hath the privilege of thy children . This is Master Blakes addition to the Text. And therefore no man can prove the promise belongs to the infant-child of a believer , till he be proved to be Abrahams seed : Whatsoever privilege of Abrahams children , any child may have , yet from that promise none can claim privilege , but Abraham and his seed , sith the promise is made to no other , and therefore no child of ours can claim an interest in that promise till he be Abrahams seed , which Master Blakes shift doth no whit avoid . To my exception , that the Covenant was not made to every child of Abraham , he saith , Though it were true , yet it would nor serve my purpose , provided , that we in Gospel times are under the same covenant as was Isaac ; if some of Abrahams children were left out , that concerns not us , so that we are taken in . But I reply , sure if it were true , it were much to my purpose to shew the insufficiency of the Paedobaptists inference , from Gen. 17.7 . that every child of a Gentile believer is not in covenant by vertue of that promise , if it be true that the Covenant was not made to every child of Abraham . No Paedobaptist hitherto that I know hath had the face to avouch that our children by vertue of that promise are more in covenant than Abraham children ; Master Bl. himself saith , To make the inference good from Gen. 17.7 . that believers children by virtue of that promise have title to the initial seal , it must either be proved that they are Abrahams children , or have the privilege of Abrahams children ; If then the covenant was not made to every child of Abraham , then every child of Abraham had not the privilege by the covenant , and then if it were granted that our children by that covenant had the privilege of Abrahams child , yet it could not be proved thence , that every child of ours hath the privilege of the Covenant , sith every child of Abraham had it not . Nor doth Mr. Bls. proviso at all help him . For 1. it being granted , that we in Gospel-times are under the same covenant as was Isaac , and that we are taken in , ( though without the limitations , first of the covenant onely , as it contains promises of saving grace ; secondly , onely of true believers before God , I deny it ) yet it follows not that our children are taken in . 2. Nor if it were true , that our children are taken in , doth it follow that all our children are taken in , by vertue of that promise Gen. 17.7 . sith neither all Abrahams children , nor all Isaacs children were taken in by it , Esau being expressly excluded , Rom. 9 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. and elsewhere , nor doth God stile himself the God of Esau as he did of Jacob. But Mr. Blake saith , my instance from Gen. 17.19 . Heb. 11.9 . is very weak to prove , that the Covenant was not made to every child of Abraham , Ishmael himself was in Covenant , though not established in covenant ( as God there , and verse 21. promised concerning Isaac ) nor his seed never received , appears not alone by the sign and seal which he received vers . 23. which yet is sufficient ( for God to seal to a blank is very strange ; to sign a covenant to a man never in Covenant ) but also from Gal. 4.30 . what saith the Scripture ? cast out the bond-woman , and her son , for the son of the bond woman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman A man cast out of Covenant , was before casting out in Covenant ; ejection supposes admission , unless we will give way to Mr Tombs his dream of ejection by non-admission . He was cast out after the time of the solemnity of his admission by circumcision , as may be seen , Gen. 22. Answ. The Apostle Rom. 9. answering the objection , that if the Jews were rejected from being the children of God then the promise falls , or takes not effect , which God made to Abraham and his seed to be a God to them , answers verse 7 , 8 , 9 , in these express words , neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children , but in Isaac shall thy seed be called , That is , they which are children of the flesh , these are not the children of God : but the children of the promise , are counted for the seed : For this ●is the word of promise , at this time will I come , and Sarah shall have a Son. Which words if they do not affirm , that the promise or covenant , Gen. 17.7 . was not made to all Abrahams seed , and particularly that it was not made to Ishmael , I cannot perceive any pertinency in the Apostles speech to the answering the objection made , nor know how to understand his words , nor do I remember that I ever met with an interpreter , which did not thence conceive , that the Apostle in those words did assert , that the promise or covenant was not made to Ishmael . Some I have produced Exam. part 3. S. 4. so conceiving , and many more might be alleged if it were necessary . But the words of God to Abraham , Gen. 17.19 , 20 , 21. do sufficiently prove , that the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . was not made to Ishmael , and therefore he was not in Covenant by Gods act of promise . For when Abraham upon Gods promise concerning Sarah and her son , ver . 15 , 16. had laughed verse 17. and petitioned for Ishmael , verse 18. God answers verse 19. by repeating his promise concerning Isaac , and saith , he would establish his Covenant with him for an everlasting Covenant , and with his seed after him , verse 20. Then tells him he heard him concerning Ishmael , and recites what he would do for him ; which expresseth how far he had heard his petition . And then follows verse 21. But my Covenant will I establish with Isaac , which b●ing adversative hath this plain sense , that he would do that for Ishmael which he had expressed , verse 20. But he would establish his Covenant , that is , confirm and perform what he had promised before verse 7 , 8. in Isaac not in Ishmael ; he promised not to be a God to Abraham and his seed , by Ishmael in their generations , nor to give them the Land of Canaan . As for what Master Blake saith , that Ishmael himself was in Covenant , though not established in Covenant ; it seems to intimate that he conceives , that God made the Covenant to him , but did not establish it . But sure God makes no Covenant with any which he doth not establish ; if he did , he should not be true . Nor is there any such emphasis in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , I will establish , which doth intimate , that the Covenant was made to Ishmael , but established , that is , confirmed , and to be certainly performed onely to Isaac , for the phrase used elsewhere , Gen. 9.9 , 11. doth express no more than is meant v. 12. this is the token of the Covenant I make between , me and you . As for Master Blakes proof that Ishmael was in Covenant , because he was circumcised , Gen. 17.23 . it rests upon these unproved false suppositions . 1. That circumcision was appointed to men because they were in covenant with God. 2. That God did by circumcision sign the covenant to him that was circumcised· 3. That every one that was appointed by God to be circumcised was in covenant . As for the speech that God doth not seal to a blank , it is a speech the Scripture useth not , and it having various senses may be true in some sense , in other false . A blank is such a paper as hath no writing in it , or wherein there is some empty space left to write more in , whether persons names , or promises , or other matter . By Gods sealing Mr. Bl. means the using of Circumcision , baptism , the Passeover , the Lords Supper , according to Gods appointment . That which he conceives to be sealed thereby is the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . which he makes all one with the Covenant of grace , and by proving every Sacrament to be a Seal of the Covenant of grace , from Rom. 4.11 . his meaning should be , that God seals in the administrators right use of every Sacrament to every person , that he is in Covenant , that he hath the righteousness of faith , else God should seal to a blank . But in that sense I do aver it to be most true , that God doth seal to a blank , that is , that many thousands had circumcision , the Passeover , baptism , and the Lords supper , according to Gods institution and appointment , who were never in Covenant with God , nor did God seal , that is , assure to them their interest in the Covenant , Genesis 17. or the Covenant of Grace in Gospel times , or the righteousness of faith . But in this sense I grant it to be true that God doth not seal to a blank , that is , when he appoints any sign or seal of a Covenant , he doth not appoint it a sign and seal of a Covenant that hath no promises , or wherein the persons to whom , and the promises are not sufficiently exprest , yet he doth command that sign to be used upon persons to whom is no promise in that covenant , as well as those to whom it is made , yea the using it on one person may seal to thousands , who are not to have it on their own persons , as the circumcising of Abraham himself was a seal of the righteousness of faith to all believers of the Gentiles , who were not to be circumcised . And if every ones Circumcision should seal to him , the righteousness of faith , then circumcision should by Gods appointment seal that which is not true , which is not to be said of God. Nor doth Mr. Blake prove from Galatians 4.30 . that Ishmael was first in Covenant , because he was after cast out ; for the casting out is not appointed to be out of the Covenant , for that Abraham could not do , to whom this speech is directed , it is God that puts in and out of his Covenant , but the casting out is out of Abrahams family , which was to be done by Abraham . If it be replyed , that this was a sign of casting out of Covenant , and therefore supposed he was in Covenant , I answer so it was a sign of casting out of the inheritance , out of the righteousness of faith , out of the Kingdom of heaven , which yet neither he , nor those whom he typified , and so were cast out with him , ever had . What he calls my dream of ejection by non-admission , doth but shew Mr. Blakes own oscitancy . For Matthew 8.12 . it is said , the children of the Kingdome , that is , the Jews shall be cast out , to wit , of the Kingdom of heaven , where Abraham , and Isaac , and Jacob sit down , into outer darknesse ; and yet those children of the Kingdom , were never in the Kingdom of heaven , nor ever should be . Ishmaels casting out after the time of the Solemnity of his admission by circumcision , doth not prove he was in covenant before . Neither circumcision , nor baptism , doth admit men into covenant with God. If they did , then administrators could put men in and out of Covenant with God ; but that is Gods prerogative , not in mans power . Even according to Paedobaptists suppositions , persons are first to be in Covenant afore they are to be baptized , therfore baptism doth not admit them into Covenant . Master Blake addes ; For that of Hebrews 11.9 . it is a mystery , what he will make of it , unlesse he will conclude , that because Abraham sojourned in the Land of promise , that therefore none were in Covenant , that were not taken into that Land , so Moses and Aaron will be found out of Covenant . To which I reply . The mystery might have been unveiled , if Mr. Blake had heeded that the Author of that Epistle calls onely Isaac and Jacob of those that dwelt with Abraham in tents , heirs with him of the same promise , therefore Ishmael and Esau were not heirs with him of the same promise , though he dwelt in tents with them , and consequently were not in the Covenant , or had not the Covenant or promise of Abraham made to them . Upon those words of mine ; As for a visible Church-seed of Abraham , that is neither his seed by nature , nor by saving faith , nor by excellency , in whom the nations of the Earth should be blessed , to wit , Christ , I know none such in Scripture , though some men have fancied such a kind of Church-seed , as it is called . Master Blake thus animadverts . I know not how saving faith comes in , when a faith of profession will serve the turn . Abrahams seed had circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of faith , when their parents had no more than a faith of profession . To which I reply , a meer faith of profession will not serve turn to make any Gentile to be rightly according to the Scripture termed Abrahams seed . None of them in Scripture are counted Abrahams seed , but either true believers before God , or elect persons . No where doth the Scripture say , that the Circumcision which any of Abrahams seed had was as a seal of the righteousness of faith to them , when their parents were true believers , much less when their parents had no more than a faith of profession . Mr. Blakes talk , that all that which my three former exceptions gainsaid is made good , is but vain , as the rest of his arguing . Let us here see what he addes further . I had said , Lastly , were all these things yielded , yet the proposition could not be made good from hence , sith the inference is not concerning title or right of infants to the initial seal , as if the Covenant or promise of it self , did give that , but the inference is concerning Abrahams duty , that therefore he should be the more ingaged to circumcise his posterity . Hereupon Mr. Blake tells me , I should rather have left this to my adversaries for the strengthening of their proposition , than have made use of it my self for refutation of it . It was Abrahams duty to give them according to Gods command the initial seal ▪ in this Master Tombs and we are agreed ; whether it will thence follow that they had right and title to it , or without right , let the Reader determine . Answ. The Adversaries propositions to be refuted were , first , That the reason why Abrahams infants were to be circumcised , was their interest in the Covenant , which they would gather from Gen. 17.7 , and 9. put together ; secondly , That to them belongeth the initial seal , whether of the Jewish or Christian Church , who have interest or title to the Covenant of grace . But if the inference be not of title or right in the persons to be circumcised , but of duty in the administrator , and the propositions be of title or right from the Covenant , and not of duty , the adversaries propositions are not rightly gathered from that inference , which is not concerning right or title but duty . As for Master Blakes jeer rather than answer , it is unworthy a serious sober man. For my speech did not intimate that the infants were circumcised without right or title , but that the inference , Gen. 17.9 . was of duty , not of title or right , and that what title the infants had to circumcision it was not , as Paedobaptists suppose , from the interest in the Covenant which the circumcised had , but the command of God to the circumciser , and therefore there is not any connexion between interest in the Covenant and title or right to the initial seal without the command , nor this proposition true . All they who are in Covenant are to be sealed with the initial seal , unless this limitation be added , when it is commanded . Now if this limitation be put , then , though the infants of believers were granted to be in Covenant , yet they are not to be baptized , till over and besides their being in Covenant a command for their baptism be shewed , which hath not been yet , nor I think ever will be . There are some more of Mr. Blakes jeers or flirts rather than sober and serlous answers yet remaining . To what I said , that Abraham was engaged to circumcise only those that are males , and not afore eight daies , and not onely those that were from himself , but also all in his house , whose children soever they were , which apparently shews that the giving circumcision was not commensurate to the persons interest in the Covenant , but it was to be given to persons as well out of Covenant as in , if of Abrahams house , and not to all that were in the Covenant , to wit , females : which doth cleerly prove that right to the initial seal , as it is called , of circumcision did not belong to persons by vertue of the Covenant , but by force of the command , Mr. Blake in his flirting fashion thus speaks . If he can prove that Abraham kept Idolaters in his house , professedly worshipping a false God , and gave Circumcision to them in that faith and way of worship ; it would prove that a man might have the seal , and not be in Covenant . And it will prove a man might have the seal , and not be in covenant , though I cannot prove any Idolater in Abrahams house , if I can prove there were or might be infants or young persons who were children of Idolaters , for such were not in covenant as the seed of believers , or by their own profession . But , saith he , it would not prove that he might be in covenant , and be denied the seal . True , but this that infant-males under eight daies old , and females in covenant might be denyed the seal , would prove it . And then , saith Mr. Bl. infant-baptism might be of easier proof . Though they were not in Covenant , though they were not holy , yet they might be baptized . I reply , I grant that persons in Covenant might be denyed Circumcision , but think infant-baptism never a whit the easier proved . I ft-circumcision is commanded of all in Abrahams house , whether in covenant or no , but baptism to none because he is in covenant , or holy , but because a disciple , which is not true of any infant ordinarily . But , saith Master Blake , I will not yield so much ; I do not believe that Abraham carried circumcision beyond the line of the Covenant , and that he had those in his house which were aliens from God ; seeing I find that testimony of the Lord concerning him , Genesis chap. 18. verse 19. and find that resolution of Joshua , Joshua chap. 24. verse 14 , 15. I believe Abraham catechized all he took in as Heathens , and did not circumcise them as Heathens . Answ. I believe he did not circumcise them as Heathens , but as his own bought with his money , and of his house , and if he bought any infants , or young children ( which was then , and hath been since usual , where men and women are sold as slaves ) he did circumcise infant or young males of heathen Idolaters . For the command of God was he should , and yet those infant or young males of heathen Idolaters could not be catechized , nor were in Covenant , either by their own profession , or their parents right , or any promise of God to them ; and therefore circumcision in that case must be carried beyond the line of the Covenant . To what I added of Master Marshalls Confession , That he granted the formal reason of the Jews , being circumcised , was the command , and the covenant he makes only a motive , Defence page 182. Master Blake speaks thus . I wonder what need there is of an argument to force such a Confession . The reason I say , why Jews were circumcised , and Christians baptized , is the command ; were there a thousand Covenants and no institution of a sign or seal , such a sign or seal , there could have been no circumcision , no baptism . The command is the ground , and the Covenant is the Directory to whom application is to be made : we say , all in Covenant are entituled to the seal for admission ; but we presuppose an institution . I reply , If the formal reason why the Jews were circumcised were the Command , and the Covenant onely the motive , then the command was the differencing reason ; for the form distinguisheth , and the formal reason is the reason which differenceth . Motives are not directions what to do , but commands , the same motive may be to contrary commands . The Command is the Directory to whom application is to be made both of circumcision and baptism . The command doth express not only the act to be done , but also the persons to whom . The Covenant is no Directory to whom circumcision , or baptism is to be applyed . The whole Covenant of Circumcision is expressed , Genesis 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. But there is not a word who are to be circumcised , but after . There is not the least hint in the institution of baptism , Matthew chap. 28. verse 19. Mark chap. 16. verse 15. of any Covenant God makes to man. To imagine God commanded circumcision and baptism , and yet not to tell who are to be baptized or circumcised but from the Covenant , which no man knoweth to whom it belongs , is to imagine God gives a blind command , which no wise Master would do . It is not true , all in covenant are entitled to the seal for admission , for then females , males under eight daies old , believers out of Abrahams house , Proselytes of the gate had been entitled to Circumcision , for they were in Covenant as well as those who were to be circumcised . And it is as certain on the other side that Ishmael , Esau , the infants of strangers bought by Abraham , with his money , were to be circumcised , though they were not in Covenant , and therefore I inferre it as certain , that being in covenant or interest in the covenant , or having the promises of the Covenant , Genesis 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. or the new Covenant in Christs blood Heb. 8.10 , 11 , 12. and 10.16 , 17. or any other Evangelical Covenant , all , or some of them made to a person did not intitle a person to circumcision , nor doth now to baptism , nor can be without the command or institution of Christ , or primitive example , a rule , Directory or sufficient warrant for any to baptize a person , nor acquit him from profaning and abusing baptism , and therefore there is no such reality of connexion between the Covenant and seal , that this proposition is thereby proved true , All in Covenant are intitled to the seal for admission : or this false , some of those who are not in covenant are intitled to the seal ( as they call it ) for admission : and Master Blakes censure of my exceptions as frivolous trifles shews his weaknesse in disputes , there being very little in his arguings or answers but flirts , quips , dictates and impertinencies . What he addes of my grants discovers the like vanity ; For though I say that believers , and disciples are to be baptized , not barely on their faith and knowledge , but upon the Command to baptize such , yet how it follows which Mr. Blake saith , so that the command is with reference to the Covenant , with reference to the interest in the Covenant , is to me a meer inconsequence , unless he imagine the command and Covenant all one , which to assert were ridiculous . And who will believe that I attribute as much to the Covenant respective to this seal , when I say Examen page the seventieth eight , That the common privilege of Circumcision belonging to the Jews , did not arise from the Covenant of grace , according to the substance of it , but according to the administration that then was , as Master Marshall to the Command , when he said , The Command was the formal reason of the Jews being circumcised . When I do not at all make circumcision to arise from the Covenant as any reason of the duty , much less the formal reason of it , but as from the occasion of it , whereas Master M. makes the command , the very formal reason of the existence of the duty . SECT . XXI . The ten Exceptions of the first part of my Review against Paedobaptists exposition and allegation of Acts 2.38 , 39. for the connexion between Covenant and seal are vindicated from Master Blakes answer , Vindic. Foederis , ch . 37 , 43. MR. Blake addes some snatches against my ten exceptions to Paedobaptists exposition of Acts 2.38 , 39. To the first which was , that the promise is not proved to be that Genesis 17.7 . and Acts 3.25 . Acts 2.30 . lead us to some other , he saith , when a promise is mentioned and a seal , any man but he will presently understand that promise , which is ratified by such a Seal . To which I reply . Where is there mention of a seal ? or of a promise sealed or to be sealed as he speaks ? If there were , is there no other promise to be ratified by such a Seal but that ? Did circumcision seal no other promise but that ? Doth the Scripture give the least hint of sealing that promise , Gen. 17.7 . understood as Paedobaptists expound it , that God would be a God to every believer , and to his seed , in respect at least of visible Church-membership , yea though he be a believer onely by profession ? They use to tell us that Circumcision seals the righteousness of faith , from Rom. 4.11 . But to seal this and to seal the promise , Gen. 17.7 . ( as Paedobaptists do rack rather than expound the words ) are as much different as are the payment of Gold , and lead . Have not learned men expounded the promise , some of that mentioned , ver . 38. of the gift of the holy Ghost , some of other promises ? why then doth Master Blake so ineptly intimate me to be singular in my conceit ? why doth he so falsely insinuate that no more than bare words can be found for my exposition ; when I bring two texts to confirm it , and Mr. Bl. saith not a word to infirm my alleging them ? what he refers me to in his 37. ch . and Mr. Cobbet shall be examined in its place . To the second , which was that [ the promise is Acts 2.39 ] is expounded , 1. of a promise of a thing to come , whereas it may seem rather from Acts 13.32 , 33. to be meant of a promise already fulfilled . 2. That the thing to come promised was some outward privilege to be conferred on them and their children . Mr. Blake saith , yet he quotes no man for this exposition of a thing to come , but on the contrary quotes Mr. Cobbet in the margin against it . It is meant of a present right ; for as yet they were not broken off from the olive , nor Gentiles graffed in . Answ. 1. That Paedobaptists do understand the words Acts 2.39 . of a promise of some thing to come appears , 1. in that many of them make it the same with this , I will be a God to a believer , and his seed . So Master Marshall Defence page 126. Mr. Drew ubi supra , Mr. Blake out of Calvin , Vindic. foederis page 270. and others . Now a promise that he will be a God to them is a promise of a thing to come . 2. In that they disclaim the supplement [ is fulfilled ] as Mr. Cobbet Just. Vindic. part 1. ch . 2. sect . 3. and usually , as Beza , the English Directory , Mr. Blake and others expound it , the promise is made , which proves it is , according to them , meant of something to come , not of a thing past , for if it were it should be a promise fulfilled . Mr. Cobbet , it is true , saith , the promise in praesenti is to you in respect of external right ; but then he must needs mean it , that the promise was in praesenti made of external right to come , or else he must mean it of a promise fulfilled , which he denies . And for the other , that Paedobaptists do expound it of outward privilege to be conferred on them , and their children , besides Mr. Cobbets words cited , and other in the same section ; Mr. Hudson Vindic. page 223. saith , This promise Acts 2.39 . is that external covenant to which baptism doth belong , and the Ashford Disputants for Infants-baptism , grant , That the promise of the eternal inheritance , life and salvation is not made , much less made good to any upon terms of the parents faith , but upon our own personal belief , and obedience , but the promise of outward privileges , and of right to participation of Ordinances as to be baptized , and inchurcht , this belongs to children upon their parents faith , and in this last sense it is , that Peter saies the promise is to you and your children , &c. i. e. you and yours have the privilege of right to baptism . To my third exception , that [ to you ] is taken , as if it were meant of those persons to whom he spake , as then believers , and under that formal consideration , Mr. Blake saith , I do not interprete it of any present explicit faith in Christ as the Messiah ; but now this conviction , that so evidently appeared , did evidence them to be in an hopeful way , and with that Scribe not to be far from the Kingdom of God , and therefore he takes his opportunity , and presseth it on to come into the way of believers in Christ Jesus . Answ. This grant is sufficient , first , to justify my exception , secondly , to overthrow Mr. Blakes , and other Paedobaptists inference from this text , 1. That in this text the Covenant in New Testament times is held out in this latitude to believers and their seed , Vindic. foed . chap. 37. For if they had not any present , explicit faith in Christ as the Messiah , then they were not believers . 2. That this speech [ the promise is to you , and to your children ] is equipollent to this promise [ I will be a God to believers and their seed ] for if they were not then believers , it had been false if the Apostle had said as they would have him , the promise that God will be a God to believers and their seed , is in praesenti to you and your children , when they were not believers . To my fourth Exception , that [ your children ] is expounded of their infant-children ; yea it is carried as if of them onely , he saith , to this is sufficient spoken , ch . 37. I shall therefore look back to that chapter , page 270. he saith , Acts 2.39 . an effectual call cannot be mean● ( which the Apostle calls a call according to purpose ) proper onely to the elect , so the visible seal would be limitted to invisible members . But this is not true , for then the being of the promise would be limitted to them , not baptism . It is false which Master Blake supposeth , that baptism is limitted to them to whom the promise is , and that the being of the promise to a person intitles to his baptism . He saith ; it is a call unto such a Church-state as the whole ●●tion of the Jews did then enjoy as the first-born in the family . To which I reply , The whole Nation of the Jews enjoyed a Church-state , by which they were joyned in one national society under an high Priest , and other Priest offering sacrifice ; at the Temple , whither the Church-members were to bring their gifts , and to observe the Levitical rites . It is a dotage with a witness to conceive that Peter meant Acts 2.39 . that the promise was to them or those afar off , whom God should call to this Church-state . It is certain that the calling of the Jewes and Gentiles , by the Gospel was to remove them out of that society , and Church-state , as appears by v. 40. nor did the Apostles ever associate the Christians to the Jews as Proselytes to them , nor did they ever draw them into any such Church-state , as the Jews had to take in a whole Nation , City , or Family , comprehending Infants into the Christian church , but onely so many as believed as v. 41.42 , &c. shew : yea to call them to such a Church-state as the Jewes had , had been to call them not to baptism , but to circumcision and the observation of Moses Law. The call of God , Acts 2.39 . is no other then what is mentioned in the new Testament to be Saints , to his Kingdom and Glory , to the fellowship of his sonne by his word and spirit , or one of them at least , yea the promise being meant of Christ , which Master Blake doth not deny , as will appear in that which followes , it can be expounded onely of those that are effectually called , sith to them onely Christ belongs : on the other side to understand it of a call unto such a Church-state as the whole nation of the Jewes did then enjoy , is to limit the promise to Jewish proselytes , or to national Christian Churches , which is a wild conceit , unfit for a serious and sober Divine . But Master Blake goeth on from whence this Argument may be drawn , those to whom the Covenant of Promise appertains have a right to baptism , But the Covenant of Promise appertains to men in a Church-state and Condition and to their Children . The Major cannot be denied by any that will not make themselves the Apostles opposites . The Minor proposition is now onely to be considered , that the Covenant of promise to men in a Church-state and Condition is in that latitude as to comprize their Children , For which the words of the Apostle are full and clear . To you is the promise made , and to your Children , on which Calvin rightly comments . Peter observes ( saith he ) a due order when he assignes the first place of honour to the Jewes , that it takes in Children , it depends on the word of promise Gen. 17.7 . I will be thy God and the God of thy seed , where God joynes children with their parents in the priviledge of Adoption , where Adoption is taken in the Apostles sense , Rom. 9.5 . to the inheritance of privileges belonging to all Church-members , as he after explains himself . Ans. The Major is ambiguous , and in some sense it is true , and in some sense false . It is true in this sense , Those to whom the Covenant of Promise by their beleiving , and Covenanting to be Christs Disciples , appertains , have a right to baptism . But in this sense ( in which Master Blake seems to understand it , for he comprehends Infants in the Covenant ) Those to whom the Covenant of Promise by Gods Acts of Promise , whether of saving Grace or Church-privileges , appertains without their personal believing or covenanting , have a right to baptism , it is false . Nor is the Contradictory thereto opposit to any thing the Apostle saith , who doth indeed exhort to repentance and baptism , but doth not from the promise without each persons repentance ascribe a right to baptism to any parent or child , the promise is not urged by him to declare a right to baptism of it self without repentance , but to encourage to repentance and baptism into the Name of Christ as their duty . The Minor also is ambiguous , it being uncertain what he means by the Covenant of Promise , whether the Covenant whereby the persons promise to God , or God to them ; and if of this latter , whether the Covenant wherein God promiseth to them , be of saving-graces , or of Church-priviledges ; if he mean it of the former , & understand it universally , it is manifestly false , contrary to Scripture and experience ; whether the Church-state be in respect of the visible or invisible Church , there is no such promise of God , that if the Parent be in a Church-state or condition , so as to be elect , or true beleiver , much less if he be onely in the visible Church , that his child , as his child , shall be in the Covenant of saving grace , have Christ , his Spirit , remission of sins , and life everlasting by him . Nor is it true of the promise of Church-priviledges , that God will take the child of him who is in a Church-state and condition for a visible Church-member , capable of the initial seat , ( because he is his child ) without the childs personal faith and repentance . Nor do I know of any Covenant of Promise now under the Gospel of such outward Church-priviledges , but take it to be a faction of Paedobaptists ; nor is there in the Apostles words any thing to prove the Minor. For neither doth the text say , the promise is that , Gen. 17.7 . nor that it is made , but onely [ is ] nor doth say , it is to you as in a Church-state and condition , and to your children as the children of men in a Church-state and condition . And for Calvins words neither are they plain for Mr. Bls. purpose , nor if they were , should I take them for an oracle , but should expect better proof then his or Master Bls. sayings . As for the Adoption , Rom. 9.5 . it is clear from the text , and confessed by Master Rutherford , Due right of Presbytery ch . 4. Sect. 4. pag. 192. to have been a prerogative of the Jewes , as was the giving of the Law , the descent of Christ , &c. and therefore it is untruly suggested by Master Blake to be an inheritance of priviledges belonging to all Church-members , or that the Apostle doth after so explain himself ; and Master Blake continues his want of dictating without proofe . He next takes on him to answer objections . One is , that the children are the same with sons and daughters mentioned , v. 17. from Joel 2.28 . and consequently the promise is of the spirit of prophecy , and appertaining to none but those of age and capacity for prophecy . To which he answers , 1. That the promise cannot be that extraordinary gift of the Holy Ghost in that visibie way , because it is enlarged to all the Lord shall call : but all these have not the Holy Ghost in that extraordinary way , nor any promise of it . I confess , this answer is good against those that expound the words thus , the promise of the gift of prophecy , Joel 2.28 . is to you and your children , and to all afar off , as the subjects to whom this gift is promised ; for then it would not be true , sith all had not that gift , 1 Cor. 12.28 . yet it may be true in this sense . The promise of the gift of the Spirit in that visible way , is fulfilled to you and your children , and all afar off called by God , as the persons who had benefit by it , and so were the Finis cui of those gifts promised as having the benefit of them , though not the subjects in whom they were . 2. Saith Master Blake , however the promise be extended , yet that promise is on condition of their baptism , and is an encouragement to baptism , and in that latitude as they had formerly known the command of circumcision . To which I say , 1. If the promise be interpreted so as to belong to all that are believers , and call on the Name of the Lord , as here followes , then the promise is to the elect onely , and the call into the visible Church , which Master Blake before denied . 2. Though extraordinary gifts were given after baptism often , yet they were given also before , Acts 10.44 , &c. and therefore I doubt it is not true which Master Blake saith , that promise of extraordinary gifts is on condition of their baptism , nor doth the text assert it . 3 , As the promise is an encouragement to baptism , so it is to repentance , which is first required afore baptism by the Apostle . 4. There is not a word in the text , Acts 2.38 , 39. which yields a proofe of any of those positions which Master Bl. so importunely obtrudes , 1. That baptism is there urged as a sign and seal of the promise . 2. That they were encouraged to baptism in that latitude as they had formerly known the command of Circumcision . 3 , That the Scripture delivereth , and the Apostle urgeth the promise as to men and their posterity , to them and theirs , so as that God promiseth to be a God in Covenant to his and their seed . 4. That the Apostle holds this out to draw them on to this seal of the Covenant , to accept baptism on the same terms that Abraham did circumcision . But Master Blake his chiefest opposition about this text is against me , and therefore he bends himself against the fourth Section of my Exercit. And first . he excepts against my words , that the promise made ( which reading I then followed , but since like rather the supplement [ fulfilled ] is the sending of Jesus Christ and blessing by him , as is expounded , Acts 3.25 , 26. Acts 13.32 . Rom. 15.8 , 9. Thus I answer , it is true that Jesus Christ is the most eminent mercy promised , and may be called the promise virtualiter , being the ground of all promises , and therefore some Interpreters have mentioned the gift of Christ on this occasion . But it is plain that Gods Covenant and this gift are to be distinguished ; Christ is promised in priority to the Jew , before the Gentile ; The Jew then is taken into Covenant before this gift of Christ can be of them expected : It is therefore the covenant it self ( entred with parent and child , root and branch ) that is here meant , as Calvin in the words before observes , from which the giving of Christ in the flesh followes . And therefore Diodati fully pitches upon the true sense of it , seeing as you are Abrahams children , you are within the Covenant , you ought to acknowledge Christ to be the head and foundation of the covenant . The covenant I will be thy God and the God of thy seed is here meant , which from Abraham had been the Jewes priviledge , Rom. 9. To which I reply , If Christ may be called the promise virtually , then it is no obscuring the text , to interpret the being of the promise to them of the sending of Jesus Christ and blessing by him , nor doth this hinder the distinguishing of Gods covenant and this gift , or the promising of Christ to the Jew before the Gentile , or the Jewes taking into covenant before this gift of Christ can be expected of them , or that the giving of Christ in the flesh followed the covenant it self entered with parent and child , root and branch , meaning Abraham and his seed , as the Apostle , Gal. 3.16 . understands it ; and therefore in all this there is nothing brought by Master Blake , which makes void my interpretation , but confirms it rather . But for such a covenant as Master Blake imagines of Gods being God to every believer and his infant child , in respect of Church-membership in the Church visible of Christians , and other outward Church-priviledges , I find no word in all the Scripture . And for Diodati his words , if he so meant what he speaks of their being in covenant , because they were Abrahams children by natural descent , he answered from the sense of the place ; but Master Blake hath more to say to me . I had said , the limitation , as many as the Lord our God shall call , shewes that the promise belongs to them , not simply as Jewes , but as called of God , which is more expresly affirmed , Acts 3.26 . To this Master Blake answers , I wonder how it came into Master T. his head to call this application a limitation ; it plainly enough speaks his boldness in dealing with the Scriptures ; had the Apostle said , to you is the promise made , and to your seed , in case God shall give you a call , he had spoke to Master T. his purpose : but saying , to you and to as many as the Lord your God shall call , it plainly shewes that he does not limit , but amplifie the mercy , extending it not barely to the Jewes ( who in present by reason of fruition of ordinances were a people near to the Lord , Psal. 148.14 . but also to the Gentiles , who , Ephes. 2.17 . were afarre off . To which I reply , A limitation of a proposition is the determining of it according to what the predicate agrees to the subject , or doth not agree , as Keckerm . syst . Log. l. 2. sect . 1. c. 4. And thus do the words [ as many as the Lord ( not as Master Blake , your , but ) our God shall call ] limit the copulative proposition [ the promise is to you and to your children , and to all that are afar off ] determining to which of each of these , and in what respect the promise is to them . And to take away Master Blakes wonderment ( the fruit of ignorance , and often of folly ) which he and his brother Baxter do often express about me , that they may describe me as some strange example of Gods judgment in blasting my intellectuals , I will tell him how it came into my head to call those words a limitation of the proposition . First , the placing of the words at the end of the proposition , did give me occasion to take them for a limitation . Secondly , the term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as many as ] is a limitting term , appropriating the thing said to those subjects forenamed , who were so qualified as to be called by the Lord. Thirdly , ( which was the prime inducement ) I conceived the speech of Peter had not been true without that limitation , And this I long since told Master M. in my Exam. part . 3. Sect. 6. pag. 60. If the promise be of saving graces , if of Christ sent , if of the outward ordinances of baptism , &c. if of the Holy Ghost in extraordinary gifts , it is none of these wayes true without that limitation . For neither God promised saving graces , nor outward ordinances , nor extraordinary gifts , nor sent Christ to them , their children , or all that are afar off without calling them , and every of them . And but that Master Bls. Master Bs. and such like wonderers heedlesness and peevishness are no strange thing to me , I should wonder that Master Blake should no better heed my words in my Examen , nor Diodati his words ( who , he saith , fully pitches upon the true sense of it ) which in his Annot. on Acts. 2.39 . are these , shall call , namely by his Gospel . So he doth restrain the Israelites to whom the promises are directed onely to those , who by Gods gift believe in Christ ; see Rom. 9.8 . Gal. 4.28 . which had Master Blake faithfully set down in stead of some other words I find in him , his Reader might have discerned how false it is , that the promise is to an infant child of a believer , as his child , without calling ; and have discerned that it is not my device onely , but that which others before me apprehended , and so no more boldness in my dealing with the Scriptures then was meet , and the Apostles words to have this plain sense , the promise is to you , being called of God ; and to your children , being called of God ; and to all afar off , being called of God ; and to no other , And to requite Master Blake , I may more truly say , It 's a wonder how it came into Master Blakes head to call this limitation an amplification . For though the words [ to all that are afar off ] contain an amplification of the mercy either to the posterity of the Jewes , or to those in the dispersion , or to the Gentiles ( of which I will not now dispute ) yet the words [ as many as the Lord our God shall call ] are a plain limitation of his speech , as I have proved . But Master Blake addes of me , 2. In that he saith , this promise belongs to them not simply as Jewes , but as called , is a full contradiction ; A Jew uncalled ( at this time before the Kingdome was taken from them ) is as much as a convert unconverted , or a Gentile disciple undiscipled : In case he think to come off by limiting it to an effectuall call , the Scripture by himself quoted doth evidently contradict it ; Christ came to give them that effectuall calling , and not onely to those that were thus called . Ans. Master Blakes charge of contradictions is as frivolous as his wonderment . Master Blakes conceit of a calling into such a Church-state , as the whole nation of the Jewes did then enjoy , is but a dream of his own , for which he hath not one Scripture nor other proofe . The calling is to communion with Christ , and an effectuall calling , else the proposition were not true ; nor is there any contradiction in any of the places by me quoted , to this exposition , the promise of Christ is fulfilled for the remission of your sins , and your childrens , and all that are afar off , as many as the Lord our God shall effectually call , and no other ; nor hath Master Blake shewed any . For though Christ came to give effectual calling , yet it is true also , he came to give remission onely to those that were thus called ; nor is there any opposition , much less contradiction in those speeches . Master Blake goes on . He yet said , Peter doth exhort to repentance and baptism together , and in the first place perswades to repentance , then to baptism , which shewes repentance to be in order before baptism . To which he answers , not by denying it , but by giving a reason of it , because they had crucified Christ , &c. To which I reply , this grant shewes that they had not right to baptism without repentance , though the promise were to them , they were in the Church-state of the Jewes , &c. and consequently Master Blakes proposition false . Those to whom the Covenant of promise appertains ( in his sense ) have a right to baptism . What he addes , And yet he shewes that they and their seed are under the promise of God , and puts them into a way in acceptation of Christ in the Gospel-tender , in his present way of administration , to be continued his people still in Covenant , and that ( as is plainly enough signified ) that they might enjoy it in their former latitude to them and to their children ; that the Jewes ( even those that had not yet embraced Christ ) were not yet dispossest of the promise , but stood as a people of God in visible covenant , and their children , in the sense in which Master Blake means is false ; and yet were it true , it is against Master Blakes proposition , sith notwithstanding this being in covenant , yet were they not admitted or to be admitted to baptism without repentance . He addes , Master T. hath yet this evasion , and saith , the text speak● not expresly of infants , but of children indefinitely ; and if infants be not children , we will be content that they be cast out of covenant , and will hold no plea for their Church-membership and baptism . Ans. As infants are children , so are men and women of twenty , or more years old , and therefore the term ( children ) unless it be proved to be taken universally or particularly of infants , the Covenant-state ( as they call it ) though we should grant such an estate there meant , would not be thence concluded . And yet infants were to be circumcised not simply because they were Abrahams seed , nor because in Covenant , but by reason of Gods command . And though a woman and disciple be not Synonyma , yet women being numbred among disciples , it is an express example of womens coming together to break bread , which mentions the disciples breaking bread ; nor was I at all put to it , much less hard put to it , when this came in for an answer . For without this an answer was given before to the Argument , and this was added as an over-plus , and so was that which Master Blake nibbles at in that which followes . I had said the text speaks not of the children of the Gentiles at all , ( of whom we are ) but of the children of the Jews ; and therefore if that promise be extended to infants , which doth not appear , the promise is to be expounded so as to note something peculiar to the Jewes infants . To this Master Blake thus saith , If the Gospel held out any such transcending priviledges appertaining to the seed of the Jewes above the Gentiles , Master T. may do well to produce a text for it , otherwise we shall take it for granted from Saint Paul , that there is none at all , that there is neither Greek , nor Jew , circumcision nor uncircumcision , Barbarian nor Scythian , bond nor free . To which I reply , there is no need I should shew any such priviledge held out in the Gospel to the Jewes seed above the Gentiles , but that Master Blake should shew such priviledge as he speaks of , to the Jewes seed held out in the Gospel . But this I say , if he will have the text , Acts. 2.39 . to be for his purpose , he must shew that the children of the Gentiles ( of whom there is not a word ) are mentioned as those to whom the promise is as well as the children of the Jewes , which he thus attempts . And when the Apostle addes , to those that are afar off , even as many as the Lord shall call , he plainly means the Gentiles , as appears , comparing Ephes. 2. And though I take not the boldness to adde to the words , and to their children , as Master T. challenges Doctor H. yet it is clear , that the same is understood there in reference to the children of the Gentiles , that is exprest before to the children of the Jewes . If any shall grant an inheritance to Titius and his heirs for ever , and to Caius , every one will understand that the heirs of Caius are meant as well as the heirs of Titius , especially if it can be proved out of the grant it self , that the priviledge conveyed to Caius , is as ample as that to Titius . We can prove the priviledges granted to the Gentiles in the Gospel to be equal to those granted to the Jewes ; when the Jewes children are under the promise with their Parents , the children of believing Gentiles cannot be excluded . To which I reply , that it appeared not plainly to Beza , Annot. in locum , that by those afar off , Acts 2.39 . are meant the Gentiles , but rather the posterity of the Jewes , which should be in after Generations , or those in the dispersion , among the Gentiles . For it seemes unlikely that Peter did then consider or declare the calling of the Gentiles , who was so averse from preaching to Cornelius , Asts 10. or that it would have been born with them , when even the brethren expostulated with him for that fact , Acts. 11.3 . nor do I think 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts. 2.39 . the same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes. 2.13 . this latter noting manifestly remoteness from God in respect of knowledge and communion , the former remoteness from them to whom he spake , either in descent or distance of place . However were it resolved that the Gentiles are meant , Acts. 2.39 . as many Interpreters conceive , yet it is too much boldness to adde to the text [ and to their children ] and not much less in Master Bl. that it is understood , when there is neither word in the text , nor defect of sense without it , nor any ancient copy , which necessitate that addition or supplement . And for Master Blakes case in law , it is not opposite . For , Acts 2.39 . there is no mention of a grant to them and their heirs for ever , but only a promise to them and their children , which there is no necessity , nor I think intention in Peter in those words to extend to any other then were then existent . But if it were opposite , yet so far as I know their mindes , either by such experience in law-cases , o● converse with Lawyers , ( with whom I sometimes lived ) I presume they would say otherwise then Master Blake , that a grant of an inheritance to Titius and his heirs for ever , and to Caius , without mentioning his heirs , is not a grant to the heirs of Caius , no not though it could be proved the priviledge conveyed to Caius is as ample as that to Titius . As for what Master Blake tells us , he and others can prove of the priviledges of the Gentiles granted in the Gospel equal to the Jewes , I yield it , if meant of believing Jewes and Gentiles , and saving spititual blessings in Christ , according to that , Ephes. 3.6 . But meant ( as Master Blake would have it ) of visible Church-membership , and the initial seal , I take it to be a vain brag , neither he nor any other having yet proved it , or that the Jewes or Gentiles children are or were universally under the pronise of the Covenant of Grace , which is Evangelical , with their believing Parents , and by reason of their faith , I know no more about Acts 2.38 , 39. in that ch . to be answered . I return to his answer to my exceptions ch . 43. pag. 393. he thus dictates after his fashion , Children as theirs whether they be called or no , is ( he knowes with us ) a contradiction ; children are called in their Parents call , and we say they are in covenant , the promise is made to them , they are visible Church-members till they reject the covenant , and deny their membership . To which I say , I know many things to be taken for truths and contradictions with Paedobaptists , which were neither truths , nor contradictions : but this conceit that [ Jewes children uncalled , as calling is meant , Acts 2.39 . ] is a contradiction . I had not so mean an opinion of Master Blakes and other Paedobaptists intellectuals , as to imagine they would own it , till Master Blake vented this foppery , which how vain it is was shewed above . In like manner I was secure of ever meeting with such a foolery as this of Master Blake , children are called in their Parents call , till I read the like in his brother Baxters vain-mocktitled-book plain Script . proof , &c. ch . 3. that he that converteth the Parent , maketh both him and his infants disciples : to which I have said somewhat in my Review , part . 2. sect . 12. And for the other speech that they are in covenant , the promise is made to them , they are visible Church-members till they reject the Covenant , and deny their membership , it contains sundry inconsistencies with Paedobaptists hypotheses . For first , they say , the children of believers are in covenant , and visible Church-members as theirs ▪ children as theirs , whether they be called or no is ( he knowes with us ) a contradiction , saith Master Blake here . If so , then they are in ●ovenant , and visible Church-members while theirs , Quatenus ipsum includes de omni & semper . But they are so when they reject the covenant , the relation to their parents ceaseth not then ; therefore neither their Church-membership , if the hypothesis be true . Secondly , they suppose the visible Church-membership of believers children , is by vertue of Gods promise to be their God , Gen. 17.7 . and this promise requires no other condition but the parents faith , no condition from the 〈◊〉 for then it could not agree to infants ; therefore if the parent be a believer 〈◊〉 the Child be not a visible Church-member , God keeps not his promise which he hath made , according to their hypotheses , and so they do make God a lyar , which is blasphemy . Thirdly , they magnifie the priviledge of infants visible Churchmembership , they enveigh against anti-Paedobaptists , as robbing them thereof , and parents of their comforts , though they grant the Parents as much ground of hope for them , as the Paedobaptists grounds can truly give them ; and for reality of priviledge , setting aside an empty title and rite as to them in infancy , they grant them visible Church-membership , when they profess the faith , which in respect of Church-communion Paedobaptists themselves grant them , not before ; but mock both Parents and children , telling them they are in covenant , and visible Church-members by their parents faith without their own , yet denying them Church-communion , which is due to every visible Church-member , without their own personal avouching the faith ; besides , their injurious dealing with them in their mock-baptism of them , when it is not due , nor does them any good , and denying baptism to them , yea , persecuting them for seeking it after when it is due , and might do them much good by engaging them to Christ , and thereupon assure Christ to be theirs . My fifth exception Master Blake passeth over as fore-spoken to , ch . 37. which hath answer before , and my sixth as falling in with my tenth , where I shall overtake him . To my seventh , wherein I excepted against Master Stephens for holding the command [ Be baptized every one of you ] in a covenant-sense as he calls it to be , as if he had said , Be baptized you and your children , which I said to be a new devised non-sense , such as we have no Dictionary yet to interpret words by . To this saith Master Blake , I am sure here is a non-sense device , to talk of Dictionaries ; does Calepin or Scapula , Rider or Thomasius help us to compare covenant and seal , promises and Sacraments ? I reply , that speech is non-sense , in which the words used to signifie that which the speaker would signifie by them , do not in the use of them so signifie . But this speech [ Be baptized every one of you ] doth not in the use of the words signifie [ be baptized you and your children ] therefore that speech so used in that which Master Stephens calls Covenant-sense is non-sense . This appears by Dictionaries , in none of which [ every one of you ] is as much as [ you and your children ] Therefore that speech in that sense is a new devised non-sense . As for Master Blakes words , either they are non-sense , or as bad . For first , to talk of Dictionaries is not a device , an action of the mind ; but a speech , an action of the tongue or hand ; and therefore it is non-sense to call it so . Secondly , to talk of Dictionaries is not non-sense ; for then all speech of Dictionaries should be non-sense , and so all the verses before . R●ders and others Dictionaries should be non-sense . But to speak of Dictonaries otherwise then the words signifie , so as the meaning cannot be perceived by them , which he cannot say of my speech of Dictionaries . As for Master Blakes question , it is frivolous , as much of the rest of his writing here is . For though Dictionaries do not help us to compare covenant and seal , promises and Sacraments , yet they do help us to know the sense of words , and discover to us the non-sense of words used otherwise then their signification is . Master Blake himself in the 43. ch . sect . 2. refers me to the Dictionary about the word Pax. To my eighth exception that there is not a word of any scruple in the text , as some have imagined , if we be baptized our selves , and not our children , they will be in worse case then in the former dispensation , in which they had the seal of the covenant ; nor is it likely that they were sollicitous about such an imaginary poor priviledge of their children . He saith , I am of his minde , that there was no such scruple in their heads . Master T. his unhappy conceit of casting the seed out of the Covenant was not then in being , though I think the reason he gives is little to purpose , yet I say , this scruple raised by Anti-paedobaptists , and heightened by Master T. as in many other , so in this text is removed . Ans. My exception then stands good against those who make that scruple the occasion of Peters mentioning their children . And for my reason , Master Blake had done better to give a reason of his censure , then barely to say he thinks it to little purpose . It is his calumny that I have any conceit of casting the seed out of the covenant , and his conceit that the scruple mentioned is in this text removed , hath been shewed to be but his dream . My ninth exception was that Paedobaptists make [ for v. 39. ] to infer a right to baptism , whereas it infers onely a duty , which is proved in that [ v. 38. baptized ] is in the Imperative Mood . To this saith Master Blake , Master T. does grossely abuse his judgment in this way of refutation , as though the right in which they stood , could be no Topick , from which in a moral way the Apostle might perswade them to baptism ; when Shecaniah perswaded Ezra to the reformation of the marriage of strange wives in these words : Arise , for the matter belongeth to thee , Ezra 10.4 . here was a motive in the moral way to call upon him to do it , and an argument inferred , that it lay upon Ezra as a duty by command from God to set upon it . And to my reason he saith , he hath quite forgotten , that the words holding out their right are in the Indicative Mood . For the promise is to you and your children . And here is a notable correction of the Apostle , he should have said , if this had been his meaning , you must be baptized ; and he sai●s , Arise , and be baptized . Ans. Sure I am Master Blake doth most grossely abuse me , in insinuating as if by my refutation , the right in which they stood could be no Topick , from which in a moral way the Apostle might perswade them to baptism , when I proved that the Apostle did not from v. 39. infer a right to baptism , which in a legal way they might claim , but a duty , to which in a moral way he perswades . And therefore he shootes wide from the mark , when he goes about to prove that a right may be a motive in a moral way to a duty . And yet as if he could write nothing to the point , his own allegation , Ezra 10.4 . is not to his own purpose , the motive as himself alledgeth , it being not a right to a privilege ; but a command from God. The like roving talk is in his answer to my reason . For whereas I alleged that verse 38. a right is not inferred from verse 39. but a duty , because [ be baptized , v. 38. ] is not in the Indicative , but the Imperative Mood , tels me the term [ is v. 39. ] is in the Indicative Mood , which is nothing to my objection , but like as in the contention between two deaf men in Sir Thomas Mores epigram , he that was charged with theft answered , his mother was at home . The like random talk is in his insinuation of my notable correction of the Apostle , who corrected not the Apostle , but shewed the Paedobaptists conceit incongruous to the Apostles words ; He himself seems ( I think out of heedlesness ) to correct the Apostle , when he speaks thus , And he ●aies , Arise and be baptized , which are not Peters words , Acts. 2.38 . but the words of Ananias to Saul , Acts. 22.16 . My tenth exception was , usually Paedobaptists in their paraphrases put not in any thing to answer [ repent , v. 38. ] which is true , though Master Stephens be alleged in my sixth exception , as paraphrasing it by covenant , for your selves and your children , Master Blake grants the Apostle presseth to a duty , and such as was to have repentance precedent in his then hearers : If so , then he doth not infer a right to bap●ism barely from their interest in the promise . What he saith , right and duty very well stand together , and that the Apostle fitly makes use of their interest as a motive , I deny not . It is true , the Apostle mentioned more to whom the promise was then , he then perswaded to repent , for he mentions the promise as pertaining to the absent , or unborn ; but he perswades none to be baptized but the penitent , nor mentions any to whom the promise was , but the called of God. To my Argument from the precedency of repentance to baptism , Acts. 2.38 . against infant-baptism , he answers as before , ch . 37. to which I have replyed before . As for Master Stephens his paraphrase avowed by Master Blake as the Apostles meaning , that if the Jewes who had crucified Christ , would receive him as the particular Messiah , the same promise should still continue to them and their children in the new dispensation , it is far from the Apostles minde . For the Apostle doth not make the eontinuance of the promise as the benefit consequent on their receiving Christ , and the receiving of Christ the condition of continuance of the promise : but the being of the promise is alleged as a thing already existent , nor is there any likelyhood that the Apostle Peter would urge them to so hard duties as repentance , receiving Christ by so slender a reason as the continuance of the promise of visible Church-membership and baptism to them and their infant children , yea , the text it self shewes that the things by which he would perswade them to receive Christ , were the assurance of remission of sins , and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost , and the alleging the promise , v 39 is to take away the great objection against these great benefits from their crucifying of Christ ▪ and their imprecation on them and their children , Matth. 27.25 . If then Master Stephens build his word of command to baptize father and child , on that paraphrase , he builds on a foundation which will not hold . Master Blake addes ; To this the word repent refers , as may be made plain . But what he means by this assertion I do not well understand , it being ambiguous , what he means by [ this ] whether the paraphrase of Master Stephens , that the same promise should still continue to them and their children in the new dispensation , if they would receive Jesus as the particular Messiah , or the word of command to baptize father and child , and in like manner what kind of reference he means , whether as a medium to prove it , or as a motive to it . If he mean the same with that which his allegations seem to tend to , his meaning is , that the promise of visible Church-state , was to the Jewes as they had been formerly , if they did receive Christ , and the term [ repent ] refers to it as the motive . Now though I grant that the promise , Acts. 2.39 . is alleged as a motive in a moral way to repentance v ▪ 38. yet I deny such a promise to be meant , v. 39. as Mr. Bl. and Mr. Stephens fancy . Nor do any of Mr. Blakes allegatione prove it . For Acts 3.25 . doth not speak of such a covenant as Master Blake means , but of that Evangelical covenant wherein God promised Christ and saving blessings by him . Nor are the Jews there termed children of the Covenant onely , but also of the Prophets . Now the Prophets there are the same with all the Prophets , v. 24. and those Jewes to whom , Peter spake , were no otherwise their children , then in that they had been raised up of , and sent to that nation in their predecessors times , and they are in like manner called children of the Covenant , because they were the posterity of those ancestors , specially Abraham , to whom that Covenant was made . But this doth not prove that they were then Gods visible people , that the Covenant of visible Church-state did belong to them and their children , or that such a covenant is meant , Acts 2.39 . What Master Blake allegeth from Matth. 8.12 . Matth. 21.43 . that they were in danger to be cast off , doth prove rather the contrary , thet the nation or body of the Jewish people who had rejected Christ , were not in covenant with God ; and although those particular persons , Acts 2.37 . to whom Peter spake , v. 38 , 39. were more awakened then others , yet they could not be then said to be in the covenant of visible Church-state , being not then believers in Christ. What Master Blake allegeth and infers from Matth. 21.31 , 32. Luke 7.29 , 30. I assent to , but know not what it make● for his purpose . Yea , me thinks his calling baptism to which Peter exhorted , entrance into a new covenant-way , crosseth Master Stephens paraphrase of continuing the same promise to them and their children . In his third allegation he misreports me , as if I excluded all consideration of right in the Jewes and their children from those words which are , Acts 2.39 . Whereas that which I said was this , that from the promise , Acts 2.39 . ( what ever right be imported by it ) Peter doth not infer their being baptized as a right or privilege , accruing to them in manner of a legal title and claim , but as a duty to which he perswades in a moral way . What good interpretation I give of those words , v. 39. suitable to Peters exhortation ; I have set down , Exam. pag. 61. Review part . 1. pag. 41. and elsewhere Master Blake , if he could , should have overthrown it . Master Cobbets exception is answered in the next section . Mr. Bl. hath been oft told that the children are mentioned Acts 2.39 . because of the imprecation , Matth. 27.25 . That the words , Acts 2.38 , 39. are carried in that way , that interest in Covenant and Covenant-Seals in Mr. Bls sense formerly ran , is supposed , but not proved by him . That the Jews yet persisting in their adherence to Moses , not embracing Christ , should be in covenant and have thereby a right to baptism , is such a dotage as me thinks Master Blake should disclaim . That the words of the text , Acts 2.39 . hold out such a covenant-right , as Master Blake imagins , in Scripture-language , according to the grand charter of heaven , I will be thy God and the God of thy seed , is said , but not proved by Master Blake . Whether my exceptions against the Paedobaptists exposition of Acts 2.38 , 39. or Master Blakes answers are frivolous shifts the intelligent Reader will perceive . My Antipaedobaptism is enough to refute Master John Goodwins charge , and my censure of his interpretations others have made good . As for the text Master Blake mindes me of , Job 38.2 . it may appear from my writings to be more pertinently applyable to himself , then me . Had ever any man shewed me so much confused scribling , so many irrational unproved dictates , so many impertinent allegations in my w●itings as I and Master Blake have shewed in his , I would have silenced my self from writing any more , except a retractation of my former bookes . SECT . XXII . Animadversions on ch . 2. part . 1. of Master Thomas Cobbet his just vindication touching the explication of Acts 2.38 , 39. in which his exposition is shewed to be vain and mine justified . TWo points the Paedobaptists do endeavour to confirm from Acts 2.38 , 39. 1. That the children of believers are in the Covenant . 2. That this being in covenant gives them right to baptism . This latter point is that which I am yet upon , for which how insufficient that text is hath been shewed in answer to Master Blake . My intent was in this place to have said no more of this text till I came to examine Master Ms. 2. Concl. But sith Master Blake tels me Master Cobbet hath , p. 23. said that which utterly overthrowes my exposition , I shall examine what he saith , Just vindic . ch . 2. , part . 1. Sect. 3. He argues thus against my exposition . First , the promise is to you , that is , fulfilled to you accordingly as made to Abraham , for sending of Christ , &c. there wants Scripture-proof , to make this sense of the promise , is to you , ( i. e. ) is fulfilled to you , nor yet doth that in Acts 3.25 , 26. ye are the children of the promise , &c. prove this sense . Ans ▪ My sense of the words is this . The promise of raising up of Christ is now fulfilled to you , that is , for your benefit in the remission of your sins and blessing you , being called of God , and in like manner to your childeen , and to all that are afar off This to be the sense I gather , 1. From Scriptures which seem to me to speak suitably thereto . The first is Peters speech in the same ch . v. 30. of David . Therefore being a Prophet , and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him , that of the fruit of his loynes he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne , &c. Hence I argue . It is most likely that Peter ; v. 39. meant a promise mentioned before , and known to them to whom he spake . Not the promise of the miraculous gift of the Holy Ghost , for reasons to be presently expressed ; therefore the promise mentioned , v. 30 , 31 , 32. The second is Acts 3.18 , 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26. whence I argue . It is most likely that sense is best which hath most consonancy with the speech of the same Author to the same persons , to the same purpose , on the like occasion . But the words , Acts 3.18 , 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26. are such , and my sense of Acts 2.38 , 39. hath most consonancy with those words . For in that speech he exhorts to repentance , v. 19. because that was fulfilled which was foretold by the Prophets , to wit , Christs resurrection ; and v. 25. the covenant mentioned is that of blessing all the kinreds of the earth in Abrahams seed , that is , Christ. And that this was fulfilled , v. 26. in raising up Christ , and this was first to them , to wit , for their benefit , by blessing and converting them : which hath much consonancy with my sense of Acts 2.38 , 39. therefore my sense is most likely . A third is Acts 13.32 , 33 , &c. which though it were spoken by another , to wit , Paul , and to other company , yet by one endued by the same Spirit , to persons in respect of their nation , and estate like , alleging v. 35.36 , 37. the same text and almost in the same words which Peter used , Acts 2.27 , 31 , 32. Now in that place Paul makes the promise to the Fathers to be the raising up of Christ , and speaks of it as to them , in that it was fulfilled , and that for their benefit , the forgiveness of sins , v. 38. and thereupon exhorteth to repentance and embracing of Christ v. 40. Somewhat to like purpose might be alleged from Rom. 15.8 , &c. But this is enough to shew that my exposition doth not want Scripture-proof . 2. I gather my sense thus . The term [ is ] is in the present tense . This Master Cobbet takes notice of when he saith , that the Apostle doth not say , the promise was to you . The proposition must be understood either as a proposition secundi adjecti , as Logicians speak , the promise is to you , that is , the promise exists to you , so as that the Verb substantive should note meer existence : But this construction [ the promise existes or hath existence to you ] seems to me to be defective in sense or truth . For the promise being a trans●unt act , was not then existent . Nor were it true , do I conceive to what purpose he should mention the bare existence of the promise , which could be neither comfort to them , nor motive to the duty he pressed . Or else the proposition must be tertii adjecti ; and if so , there must be a supplement either of the term [ made ] or the term [ fulfilled ] For I know no third . But not the term [ made ] For then the sense should be [ the promise is now made to you , &c. ] but this is not true , the promise was not then made to them , but to their fathers , Acts 13.32 . therefore the supplement [ fulf●illed ] is most probable , it being the term used , Acts 3.18 . and 13.33 . 3. This exposition of mine seems to me to be right , because it is opposite to the Apostles scope , which was to direct ane erect those affrighted Jewes to whom he spake . Now the sense that I give is very proper to comfort them against the horrour of their fact in crucifying Christ , and wishing his blood to be on them and their children , Matth. 27.25 . by telling them as Peter did , Acts 3.13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. that though they did unwittingly kill Christ , yet God had thereby fulfilled his promise , even for their good and their children , even as Joseph when he told his brethren , Gen. 45.5 . Gen. 50.19 , 20 , that though they thought evil against him ▪ yet God meant it unto good , to bring to pass ; as it is this day to save much people alive . And this sense is a very fit motive to move them to repent and be baptized in the Name of Christ for remission of sins , by testifying that the promise of sending Christ was fulfilled in the raising of Christ from the dead ▪ 4. My exposition is confirmed , because all other expositions have less evidence , and are more liable to exceptions . The most likely exposition after that which I give , seems to be that which expounds the promise to be that of giving the holy Ghost in the miraculous gifts , which is called , v. 33. the promise , Luke 24.49 . and was mentioned in the next words before , Acts 2.38 . And of this I confess the sense may be good thus understood . The promise of giving the holy Ghost , Joel 2.28 . is fulfilled in that which ye see and heare , Acts 2.33 . to you , and your children , and all that are afar off , that is , for their benefit , by moving them to own Christ. But me thinks if the promise were meant of that gift , it should be meant thus , The promise is to you , that is , God hath promised to give to each of you , &c. this gift of the holy Ghost , because the words immediately before , v. 38. are , and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost . But thus the proposition should not be true ; For all afar off who were called of God , had not that gift , and therefore it was not promised them . Nor had this sense been so fit as to comfort them sith that gift might be given ▪ and was to persons whom God rejected . As for the other exposition , that the promise is , that God will be a God to them and their children , as to Abraham and his seed , Gen. 17.7 . it cannot be the promise meant , Acts 2.39 . For , 1. there is not the least intimation in the text of that promise . 2. There was no such promise in all the Scripture , that God would be a God to those to whom Peter then spake , and to their children as their children , no nor such a promise as this , I will be a God to a believer and his seed . For if this promise were made to the seed of every believer , then either God keepes it , or not . If not , then he breaks his word ; if he do , then he is a God to them . But that is not true : For neither in saving graces , nor in Ecclesiastical priviledges , v.g. Church-membership and baptism , is God a God to every one that is the seed or natural child of a believer . Yet if it were true , it had been false , being spoken to those Jewes , who were not then believers , nor perhaps many of them evet believers in Christ. And it is most false , that the Christian Church-membership and baptism did belong to the Jews as Jews , by vertue of any covenant made with that nation . For then John Baptist did ill to expostulate with them for coming to his baptism , Matth. 3.7 . and to disswade them from alleging they had Abraham to their father , v. 9. and to tell them of another sort of children of Abraham that had more right to it then they . Yea , John the Baptist and the Apostles did ill to require personal repentance and believing , if they had right to such priviledges by a promise without them . Nor is the promise said to be to any children , but those that are called of God , and therefore not to infants uncalled , and consequently this Scripture is very ill applyed to prove federall holyness of believers infants . Master Cobbet addes , Secondly , it is sending of Christ or of Christ sent . But let it be considered , 1. That the Apostle doth not say , the promise was to you , as in reference to the time of making it to the Fathers , with respect unto them , or in reference to Christ , who was not now to come , but already come , as the Apostle proveth from v. 3 , to 37. Nor is it the use of the Scripture , when mentioning promises as fulfilled , to express it thus in the present tense : the promise is to you , or to such and such , but rather to annex some expression that way , which evinceth the same , for which let Rom. 15.8 . 1 John 2.25 . Ephes. 3.6 . Nehe. 9.8 , 23. 2 Chron. 6.15 . 1 Kings 8.56 . Acts 2.16 , 17 , 33. and 13.32 , 33. Josh. 21.45 . and 23.14 . Matth. 1.22 , 23. and 21.4 . Luke 1.54 , 55 , 68 , 69. and Psal. 111.9 . Rom. 11.26 , 27. be considered . Ans. 1. How the verb substantive [ is ] in the present tense , and the promise referred to Christ , who was now come , agrees with the words and scope of the Apostle , is already shewed . And my sense is like or the same with Master Ms. when he said in his Sermon , pa. 17. The plain strength of the argument , is God hath now remembred his covenant to Abraham in sending that blessed seed , and the new Annot. in Locum ; The promise is to you , Christ is promised both to Jewes and Gentiles : But the Jewes had the first place . Which is agreeable to the speeches of , Mary , Luke 1.54 , 55. and of Zacharias , v. 68 , 69 , 71 ▪ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75. 2. It is true , that the expression in that manner is not usual , and it is confessed that in the places cited and many more the fulfilling of a promise is otherwise expressed . But what then ? doth it follow that is not the meaning which I give ? If it did , by the same reason , neither Master Cobbets is right . For it is usual to express a promise belonging to some of a thing yet to be done in some other expressions , as 1 John 2.25 . 2 Pet. 1.4 . yea , in the place Rom. 9.4 . of which Master Cobbet pa. 31. saith , for the promise i● to you or belongs to you , as Rom. 9.4 . hath it , the expression is not in the Dative case , as Acts 2.39 . but in the Genitive . But it is needfull to consider how Master Cobbet himself expounds the words , Sect. 1. He saith thus , The promise is to your children : not , was to you , &c. as intending any legal blessing , but , a promise then in force after Christs ascension , to effect some promised blessing [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] used to signify the free promise , or covenant of grace , to which they had visible right . Sect. 3. remission of sins may not be excluded , but must be one principal thing intended . It is that promise to which baptism the seal is annexed . Sect. 4. Nor was Abrahams charter less then what here avowed by the Apostle , Scil. that the promise even of sins , did belong to the Jewes , and to their children in respect of external right and administration , and no more is pleaded for . But repent and be baptized de futuro ; for the promise in praesenti is to you , Scil. in respect of external right . Sect. 7. And this promise here mentioned , Acts 2.38 , 39. containing in it remission of sins , and so the righteousness of faith . The promise of remission of sins is or belongeth to you ; Scil. in the external right and administration of it . So then according to Master Cobbets exposition the promise meant is remission of sins , and of this it is said that it is , not , it was to them , and the manner how is , that it is to them , or it belongs to them in ●he external right and administration of it . The promise or covenant he means here belonging to them to be Abrahams charter , Gen. 17.7 . Jerem. 31.33 ▪ 34. holding out at least an external interest therein to them being Jewes , not yet believing Fathers , or repenting : for that is rather mentioned as exerted after many words besides , v. 40 , 41. yea , rather they were offensive members of the Jewish Church ( which was then a true visible Gospel-Church ) they were as persons under censure , though they had jus ad baptismum , yet not jus in baptismo without repentance , yet they were covenant-Fathers , and dispensers of the external right of it to their children , though their children were not called . And herein is the difference between them and those afar off ; the Gentiles ; it is to the Jews actually , to the Gentiles de praesenti , onely intentionally , till they be called of God , which he understands not of an effectual saving call , but calling into visible covenant and church-estate , and then it belongs to their children as to the Jewes . This I gather to be his meaning out of scattered passages , Sect. 4 , 5 , 7. I shall , 1. observe some things concerning the exposition in general . 2. Clear my own exposition from objections . 3. Make some animadversions on several passages in the latter Sections of this ch . of Master Cobbet . I observe that he brings no proof but his own saying , that the promise is that , Gen. 17.7 . or that it belongs to any in external right or administration , or that the Apostle meant the belonging of the promise to them in respect of external right and administration . For to say , it is the promise to which baptism seals , is to prove an unknown thing by a more unknown , sith baptism neither there nor elsewhere is termed the seal of the promise or covenant , nor doth the Apostle mention baptism as sealing or administring the promise , nor do I understand that there is any such thing as an external right and administration of the promise , or by vertue of the promise , but by vertue of the command . And therefore I judge all this talk to be a parcel of gibberish , which the Scripture yields no hint of , but Paedobaptists have formed it from those leading errors , that the nature of Sacraments is to be Seals of the covenant , that the reason of a person being circumcised , was interest in the covenant , Gen. 17.7 . that there is the same reason of baptism as of circumcision Besides , I would know to what the right is , and of what the administration is which he cals external , and in what sense it is called external . External he seems to make all one with quoad homines , & in foro Ecclesiae , and the promise is of remission of sins ; the sense then is , you have a right and administration of remission of sins in respect of men , and in the Court of the Church . A right is a title to a thing which a man may claim , an administration is a serving or bringing in , as when a Deacon gives money to the poor , G●hazi reacheth water to Elishah . If there be sense in Master Cobbets exposition , this should be the meaning . You Jewes who crucified Christ , and your children , though neither yet believers , nor repenting persons , have a right and administration of the promise of remission of sins , Gen. 17.7 . though not in respect of God or the Court of heaven or your own consciences , yet before or by men or in the Court of the Church , so that you may claim absolu●ion from them , and they do or ought to administer it to you by a sentence or baptism or some other way . Which were to make the Apostles speak non-sense , and impious falshood : Non-sense , the words bearing no such meaning according to the Scripture-use or other approved authors : Falshood , in that he should tell them they had such a right and administration as they had not , and this impious , sith it tends to harden them in impenitency and unbelief , and to justify Preachers or Churches in an unrighteous sentence , wherein remission of sins is pronounced to belong to persons impenitent and unbelieving in sensu composito while such . The like may be said if the right be meant to visible Church-membership , and baptism and administration of them , the speech would be non-sense ; neither Scripture , nor any Author at that time expressing these things by that which Peter spake , Acts 2.39 . and the speech were false , they then having no right or administration of either , and it had been impious to say so to them ; for it had tended to move them to assume that to them , and to justify the yielding it to them , which had been injuriously and profanely both arrogated and yielded to them . Yet further , what a ridiculous salve had this been to consciences so tortured with the sense of that most horrid act of killing Christ , to tell them , the promise of remission of sins was to them in respect of external right and administration before men or in the face of the Church , though not before God or in their own consciences , or that they had outward right and administration of visible Church-membership and baptism , I may use his own words , mutatis mutandis ? Sect. 6. They were not troubled for want of externall right and administration , and to tell them of such right and administration was both impertinent and unsatisfactory , and it could minister but little comfort to sin-sick soules to promise them such things , which they might have , and yet die in their sins , Matth. 7.23 . Besides , it seems to be a contradiction to say , the promise is to you de praesenti , in respect of external right and administration , and yet you have not jus in re , and in like manner to say that the promise is to all afar off de praesenti , in respect of external right and administration , and yet it belongs not to them actually , but intentionaly . And whence hath Master Cobbet warrant to say that the promise belongs one way to the Jewes , and another way to the Gentiles ? or that the promise belonged to the Jew and his child in respect of external right and administ●ation , though uncalled ? Lastly , that I not grate any further on this soare , where doth Master Cobbet find in Scripture any mention of Gods calling into visible covenant , and Church-estate ? or how can it be true that the Church to which those Jewes who crucifyed Christ joyned , containing the unbelieving Scribes and Pharisees and High Priests , and the people of the Jewes consenting with them , was a Gospel-Church , visibly interested in the covenant o● grace , the Subject of the Gospel , and the same essentially with that Gospel or Christian Church , and that there was no other visible Church , then that of the Jewes ▪ Credat Judaeus apella , non ego . But of these somewhat in the animadversions following . Master Cobbet against my exposition writes further thus . 2. They knew already to their cost , that Christ indeed was sent amongst them , and to be that Jesus or Saviour of his people from their sins , Acts 2.36 , 37. compared with Matth 1.21 . And this was cold comfort to them , to tell them of that which wounded them , unless there be withall some promise annexed and supposed in his being come . The promise meerly of Christs coming could not comfort them , unless also in and by Christ come in the flesh , there be some promise made to them touching the removall of those burdens of guilt which lay upon them 3. The blessing principally propounded to them , for their reviving , healing , succour , and support , it was not Christs sending , nor his being sent , but emission of sins , v. 38. wherefore unless the Apostle argue impertinently , this may not be excluded , but must be one principall thing intended . 4. It is that promise to which baptism the seal is annexed , now the seal is ever to the covenant , which is not barely to Christs being sent in the flesh , but to benefits contained in promises by his coming . Ans. Had Master Cobbet heeded my words in my Exam. pag. 60. And was it not a comfortable Argument for men in that case to be told , that notwithstanding all this the promise of Christ and remission of sins by him , was yet to them and their children , &c. And pag. 61. The promise which is made to Abraham is now fulfilled in sending Christ to you and your children , and to all that are afar off as many as the Lord our God shall call , that they might be turned from their iniquity , and baptized in his Name for the remission of their sins , these objections had been spared , they proceeding all against me upon this mistake ( which my words heeded might have rectifyed ) as if I had expounded the promise , Acts 2.39 . of Christs being sent and coming without some promise annexed , and particularly that of remission of sins by Christ ▪ Whereas I did expresly include it in my paraphrase ( as my words recited shew ) gathering it from the mention of it , v. 38. and conceiving it to be implyed in the expression [ to you , v. 39. ] that is , for your benefit by remission of your sins . And therefore these three objections are answered by shewing how according to my exposition the promise of Christ sent includes also the benefit of remission of sins . But on the contrary all these objections are against Master Cobbets own exposition . For , 1. It had been but cold comfort to tell them of a promise of remission of sins onely in external right and administration . 2. It had not been available for their reviving , healing , succour , and support . 3. According to Paedobaptists suppositions , baptism is not a seal of that covenant in which remission of sins in external right and administration onely is promised , but , as it is in the Directory , it is a Seal of the covenant of grace , of our ingrafting into Christ , and of our union with him , of remission of sins , regeneration ; adoption , and life eternal . Therefore the promise , Acts 2.39 . according to Master Cobbets own arguments , and Paedobaptists hypotheses is not of remission of sins onely in ex●●rnal right and administration . Master Cobbets third exception , Sect. 3. about those afar off , whether Israelites in the disp●rsion , or in after ages , or the Gentiles be meant , hath been considered before . But whereas he saith , The Apostles afore Peter ▪ Sermon , Acts 10. knew by Christs declaration of his minde to all his Apostles touching the discipling and inchu●ching of the Gentiles the conversion of them , onely they knew not whether it might be by joyning them first by way of addition , as proselytes to the Jewes , rather then by gathering them into other distinct Churches ; his speech is not right . For , 1. Though it is true , Christ had declared his minde , Matth. 28.19 . Mark 16.15 . about conversion of the Gentiles , yet either Peter understood not Christs minde , or did not remember it afore the vision , Acts 10.2 . It is apparent from Acts 11.3 . that the exception against Peter was not for that he had gathered Cornelius and his company into a distinct Church , and not joyned them as Proselytes to the Jewes , but that he went in to men uncircumcised , and did eat with them , which sh●wes they held it unlawfull so much as to preach and converse with any uncircumcised , though he were a proselyte of the gate , as Cornelius appears to have been . As for not joyning the Gentiles as proselytes to the Jewes , they knew that well enough , that they were not to be so joyned , sith neither John the Baptist , nor Christ or his Disciples did ever by baptism joyn any as proselytes to the Jewes , but did take even the Jewes themselves ( who embraced their Doctrine ) into distinct Churches or Schooles , though they did not erect any new political States or Common-wealths , as the nation of the Jewes was . Master Cobbet further excepts against me in these words . 4. It 's affirmed , that this promised of sending Christ was to them , their children , and those afar off , as many as our God should call , that they may be turned from their iniquity , and be baptized for remission of sins , and yet also that the promise , what ever it be supposed to be , was to them all , with that limitation , that they repent , or that they be called . What ? is it to as many as the Lord shall call , or convert , or cause to repent ? and yet is it , that they may be turned from their iniquity ? is it to persons called , and yet also to uncalled persons ? is it to them that they may be called , yet the persons to whom the promise is , are as many as are supposed to be called ? how can these two be right ? yea , it is to them all , upon condition that they be called , and yet also , that it is to them , that they may be called . Why , if it be to them , that by Christ they may be called , then is that promise to persons as yet uncalled , and their calling is an effect following their interest in that promise as a cause , and not preceding their interest in the promise as a condition . Ans. the promise is of sending of Christ for remission of sins , their calling is a consequent of Christs being sent , who was sent to turn them from iniquity , that is , to call them ; and this calling was for a further benefit , remission of sins through Christ sent , and so their calling is a condition of the remission of sins by Christ sent , nor is the promise of remission of sins by Christ sent to any but those who are called . The calling is a consequent to Christs sending as a prior benefit , and an antecedent to remission of sins as a subsequent . And thus the knot Master Cobbet conceives is easily loosed . SECT . XXIII . The arguments drawn from Acts 2.38 , 39. against the connexion between covenant-interest and baptism-right , and infant-baptism are vindicated from Master Cobbets answers . THere are other passages in the following Sections , on which I animadvert , Sect. 4. he saith , Acts 2. he doth not intend it thus , your children ( i. e. ) Abrahams children ; for Abraham is considered rather by him as a patern , having the precedential Copy of the Covenant mentioned . And it had been incongruous to have said ; It is to your children , that is , to Abrahams children . Concerning which passage I say , that though I conceive it a mistake to understand by [ your children ] Abrahams children , yet Master Cobbets words intimate sundry things which are liable to animadversions . 1. The promise , Acts 2.39 . is supposed by others , and by Master Cobbet , Sect. 7. to be that , Gen 17.7 . I will be a God to thee and thy seed after thee , but this was the covenant it self , and not a precedential Copy of the covenant mentioned . I think Master Cobbet cannot shew any other after Copy , in which God promised to be the God of a believer and his seed , which it is confessed he did to Abraham . 2. That Abraham should be considered rather as a pattern to fathers , then as a particular person is said without any proof ; nor is it true , 1. Because it is understood in Scripture as meant of Abraham as a particular person , Gal. 3.16 , &c. 2. Because if he were considered as a pattern , the promise should be to others as to him , Gen. 17 , 7. but that is not true , the promise is made to none besides as to Abraham , Gen. 17.7 . And whereas Master Cobbet observes that the promise to them and their children cannot be meant of the children as their children after the Spirit , because they could not be such spiritual fathers to any children of theirs , themselves being not yet such relates , as believing fathers , nor having such correlates as children after the Spirit ; this doth plainly shew that the promise to them and their children is not all one with a promise to believers and their children , and the mention of the children , Acts 2.39 . is not to intimate any priviledge arising to the child from the faith of the parent . For , as Master Cobbet saith truly , as yet they acted not faith and repentance , nor doth Peter say , The promise is or belongs to you , for you have repented , and consequently believed . As for Master Cobbets inference that if th● imprecation of the Jewes , Matth. 27.25 . were the occasion of Peters words Acts 2.39 . then the promise must be also to their babes , on whom they wished Christs blood , else the plaister were too narrow for their wounds rising from the guilt of bloud wished upon their children , including , and not excluding their babes ; it followes not . For , 1. Though babes be children , yet children indefinitely put without any universal sign may be meant of others then babes or infants . 2. The wish may be meant of infants , and the promise also , yet not to take place or to be accomplished on them or to them in their infancy . That curse and that promise which is made to a mans children being for present infant● is verifyed if it happen to them at twenty years old , they being then th●●●me persons , which they were when they were but a day old . 3. Will Master Cobbet assert , the promise must be as large as the curse ? If so , then the promise must belong to their children , elder or younger , whether believing or unbelieving ▪ p●nitent or impenitent , for the wish was on all absolutely . But Master Cobbet ( I presume ) will not assert the promise of remission of sins was in praesenti to all the children of the Jewes to whom Peter spake , elder and younger , believing and unbelieving , penitent and impenitent in respect of external right and administration . Therefore he must limit the term [ your children ] if he will have his own exposition to hold good , and consequently the children , Acts 2.39 . must be fewer then those the imprecation lighted on , Mat. 27.25 . Sect. 5. That which Master Cobbet saith , that those who say the promise made to Abraham of sending Christ and now fulfilled , is to them , in effect say as those that expound [ the promise is to you ] that is , is offered to you , is not right . For the fulfilling notes something past , the offer is of something to be yet done or attained , yet it is true that the speech of Peter did contain not onely an offer , but also an assurance of remission of sins to the called by vertue of the promise fulfilled in Christs coming . Of the sense of the words , Acts 3.25 . I have spoken somewhat before . The terms [ children of the prophets and of the covenant ] are appropriated to the Jewes , as Rom. 9 , 4. they being the onely people to whom the prophets were sent , as Beza annot ▪ in locum , id est , ●i ●stis quibus peculiariter destinati fuerunt prophetae , & quibuscum foedus est sancitum , ex Hebraeorum idiotismo , qu●m supra aliquoties annotavimus . Huc pertinet quod ait Paulus , Rom. 9.4 . And when he saith , they were children of the covenant made with the fathers , and not of the fathers with whom the covenant is made , the intent is not to shew that it 's meant of Church and federal interest in them , as covenant-fathers and dispensers , or to shew that the covenant was as seed , by vertue whereof they considered as foederally and ecclesiastically priviledged , did spring in Master Cobbets sense of outward Church-membership and initiating ordinance : but the plain meaning is , that they were the people to whom the first exhibition and tender of the Gospel did belong , in that they were the posterity of the Fathers with whom the covenant was made : and so the Jewes had a priority of not onely external interest in the covenant , but also internal , though when the Gentiles were called , the priviledges of the covenant were equal to the Gentiles with the Jewes , and the condition of the promise , that is , the obtaining remission of sins by the fulfilling of the promise , is equally to Jew and Gentile savingly believing , Sect. 7. Master Cobbets conceit of the term [ afar off , Acts 2.39 . ] that it is , meant of their being strangers from actual interests in the covenants of promise , and Common-wealth of Israel , or the visible political Church , Ephes. 2.11 , 12 , 13. supposeth , 1. The terms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those afar off , Acts 2.39 . to be the same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who were sometimes afar off , Ephes. 2.13 . But the phrases are not the same , and it is for reasons formerly given more likely that the remoteness , Acts 2.39 . is meant of place or descent . 2. that the remoteness , Ephes. 2.13 . was in respect of external Church interest , and so in like manner , Acts 2.39 . But Ephes. 2.13 . the remoteness was such as was taken away by the blood of Christ , which is more then external Church-interest , and the nearness such as [ you and your children , Acts 2.39 . ] had not then attained to , but were then afar off from God , or as it is , v. 18. had not access by one Spirit unto the Father . And therefore Master Cobbets sayings that the Jewes and their children , Acts 2.39 . were not then when Peter spake afar off , as the t●rm is meant , Ephes. 2 , 13. but rather nigh in that sense , and that the promise is to them actually , & quoad hominem , and to the other , that is , the Genteles , afar off intentionally , & quoad Deum , even whilest afar off , and uncalled , are but conceits arising from the mistakes of Peters speech , Acts 2.39 . and Pauls , Ephes. 2.13 . It is true , to the Jewes indefinitely , that is , to that nation or people did the Adoption and promises belong , yet not to every particular person of that nation ; For as it is said , Rom. 9.4 . To whom pertaineth the adoption , and the promises ; so it is said . v. 4 , 5. To whom pertain the service of God , of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came : and yet these things not true of every Israelite . It is true , Moses made a covenant , Deut. 29.15 . with the unborn which were not actually existent in Church-estate and humane being , but that this was a covenant wherein Covenant-grace is expressed , and that it is verified intentionally , & quoad Deum , is besides the text , which speaks not of Gods making a covenant , but of Moses , v. 14. and this covenant was obliging to duty , not expressing covenant-grace . That which Master Cobbet saith , that the righteousness of faith according to the covenant , Gen. 17.7 . which containeth the promise of justification , was by circumcision visibly sealed unto the Jewes & their children by Gods own appointment , circumcision being in the Sacramental nature of it , a visible seal of the righteousness of faith it self , and not meerly in a personal respect to Abraham , as applyed by his faith to justification , hath either none or very little truth . For though it be true that the promise , Gen. 17.7 . was of the righteousness of faith according to the more hidden sense of the words , yet it was so onely to the spiritual seed of Abraham by faith , Rom. 4.12 , 16. Gal. 3.7 , 9 , 29. Nor was circumcision appointed by God to seal it to Jewes and their children , nor circumcision in the Sacramental nature of it , a visible seal of the righteousness of faith , nor is any mans circumcision termed in the Scripture a seal of the righteousness of faith , but Abrahams , which was not a seal as applyed by his faith to his justification , but as a seal to him that he had the righteousness of faith before he was circumcised , and that all that believe as he did shall be justified , as he was , Rom. 4.11 , 12. Master Cobbet addes , Nor will it suffice to say , that covenant was a mixt covenant . It held forth temporal things indeed , but by vertue of a covenant of grace , Psal. 111.5 . as doth the promise now , 1 Tim. 4.8 . But it holds forth also spiritual things in the external right and administration thereof to all , albeit in the internal operation , as to some . The promises are to them all , Rom. 9.4 . Scil. in the former sense ; and yet , ver . 8. some onely are the children of the promise , and the choice seed in that general covenant , Scil. in respect of the saving efficacy of the covenant upon them , v. 6. And the same distinction is now held out in such sort , amongst persons in Church-estate . Ans. It sufficeth against those that make the covenant , Gen. 17. to be a covenant of Evangelical grace onely , and make other promises of temporal things to be onely administrations of it , and make circumcision a seal of the covenant of grace , because it was the t●ken of that covenant , to say , that 〈◊〉 covenant , Gen. 17.7 . was a mixt covenant containing promises proper to Abrahams natural posterity as well as Evangelical to his Spiritual , and 〈◊〉 the covenant is rather to be denominated from the former , which are more manifestly held forth in it then the latter , and that the reason why circumcision was appointed , was the signifying and assuring the former rather then the latter , and so the circumcising of infants was not from interest Evangelical , but national or proper to the people of Abraham . Nor is Master Cobbets exception of any validity , that because there is a promise of the life that now is , 1 Tim. 4.8 . therefore the covenant now is mixt . For the promise of the life that now is , is not of any outward inheritance peculiar to the godly and their children , as Abraham had of the Land of Canaan for him and his , but of fatherly care , and sanctified use of outward things . Nor doth Psal. 111.5 . prove that the inheriting Canaan , being great and prosperous , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. were by vertue of a covenant of grace , but it rather appears from many places , Deut. 28. &c. Heb. 8.6 . that they were by the covenant of works in keeping the law of Moses , unto which circumcision did oblige , Gal. 5.3 . The promises Gen. 17. so far as they were Evangelical did belong to Abrahams seed by faith onely , nor doth the Apostle any where interpret that promise , Gen. 17.7 . as holding forth spiritual things in the external ▪ right and administration of it , and the spiritual things assured therein are by the Apostle determined , Rom. 9.8 . to belong onely to the elect , not to all . Nor doth Rom. 9.4 . say , the promises pertained to all the Jewes , nor to any in respect of external right and administration . And though I deny ▪ not but that persons may be said to be outwardly in the covenant of grace in appearance to m●n , when they make a profession of faith , though not in reality , yet I deny that God hath made the covenant or promise of grace to any other then the elect & true believers , nor appointed any way of sealing it to any other . Nor is it true that baptism as a covenant-seal presupposeth a covenant-right , or that the Jewes , Acts 2.38 , 39. had any covenant or Church-right to baptism , jus ad r●m , though not jus in re , afore they were believers on Christ , nor had they any right to baptism in that they were members of the Church of the Jewes , nor was the commission of baptism first given by God to John Baptist in reference to that Church of the Jewes , as a seal of their membership therein , but of their owning Johns doctrine , becoming his disciples , and joyned into a School or Church distinct from the Pharasees , and other Jewish Church-rulers , though they adhered till after Christs death to the law of Moses and temple-service . Nor is there any truth in it that Peter required of the Jewes repentance afore baptism , Acts 2.38 . because though they had covenant or Church-right thereto , yet being adult members under offence , and admonished thereof by Peter : they might for their obstinacy against such an admonition notwithstanding Church or Covenant-right have been debarred that seal . For , 1. The Christian Church and the Jewish Church of which those Jewes were members were in their profession not onely distinct , but also opposite ; therefore there was no Church-right from being members in the one to be members of the other . 2. For their fact of which they were admonishde by Peter , they were so far from being in danger of being cast out of the Jewish Church in which they were members , that they were more sure of being cast out for repenting of their sin , and being baptized into the Name of Christ , John 9.22 . 3. Peter doth not act in his speech , Acts 2. 38 , ●9 . as an Elder in the Jewish Church , for he was none , but as an Apostle of Christ : nor was their fact objected to them as an offence to the Church of which ●●ey were , but confessed by themselves as an heavy burden that lay on their conscience : nor was Peters advice given to remove a Church-censure for re-admission to a seal , but to ease their consciences , and to bring them to the faith of Christ and communion of that Church into which they had never been admitted . But Master Cobbet against my first exception saith , those Jewes were offensive members of that Jewish Church , which was a true visible Church , and not yet dischurched and divorced by the Lord ; they were then in the Church of the Gospel , and so externally in covenant and Church-estate also , as being yet in the Olive and Kingdom of God , and not cast out , untill their unbelief , or total and final rejection of the covenant as ratified in Jesus as that promised Messiah , Rom. 11.20 . to which the Jewes had not as yet come . Ans. A Church of the Gospel is such a company as avoucheth the Gospel , the Gospel was that Jesus was the Christ ; to the being in the Church of the Gospel , it is not sufficient that there hath not been a total or final rejection of the covenant , but it is necessary there be an explicit believing and owning of Christ , John 8.24 . To be a people so cast off as to have the offer of grace taken from them , presupposeth such a rejection , Acts 13.46 . Mat. 21.43 . But to be a Gospel-Church or member of a Gospel-Church , requires more then a non-rejection , to wit , an express avouching of the Gospel . Non-rejection doth not make a Gospel-Church or Church-member ; if it did , the salvage Americans that never heard of the Gospel , and so have not rejected it , should be a Gospel-Church and Church-members . Yet that Jewish Church of which the Jewes , Acts 2.37 . were of , and those Jewes themselves had rejected Christ with much violence , John 9.22 . Acts 3.13 , 14 , 15. and therefore they could have no covenant or Church-right , no not externally quoad homines from their standing in that Church , by which they might have claimed admission into the Christian Church by baptism without repentance , and faith in Christ , no not though they were supposed to have been without any scandalous sin deserving excommunication or suspense from the seal . But Master Cobbet is bold to avouch , that this Church was a Gospel-Church visibly interessed in the covenant of grace , the subject of the Gospel , and the same essentially with that Gospel , or Christian Church : which to me is such a paradox , as is by no means to be received . For then that Church should be a Gospel-Church , which did obstinately adhere to the law , and they interessed in the Covenant of grace , who sought righteousness by the works of the law , and they a Christian Church who denyed , persecuted , killed Christ , and avouched themselves Moses his disciples , John 9.27 . not Christs . And if that Church and the Christian be the same essentially ▪ he that was admitted to the Jewish Church was admitted to the Christian , then baptism was needless , yea , irrigular for the entering and admission of a believing Jew into the Christian Church , contrary to that , 1 Cor. 12.13 . for they were in the Christian Church before , in that they were in the Jewish Church essentially the same , then did Peter ill to exhort them to save themselves from them , Acts 2.40 . then was Luke mistaken in saying v. 47. The Lord added them daily to the Church after they were converted and baptized , for they were in the same Church before ; all which are in my apprehension palpable absurdities . But Master Cobbet thus backs his assertion ; Unless , whilst the Jewish church stood , any will say , there was no Evangelical visible Church in the world , but a legal Church ; for there was no other visible Church , then that of the Jewes . Ans. the perpetual visibility of the true Church is a point in which Papists and Protestants differ . The Papists assert a perpetual visibility of the Church in Pastors and people , as sensible as any other society of men ; so that at any time one may point with his finger and say , this is the Church , the Protestants , that though it abide always upon the earth , holding the whole faith without change , and containing a certain number that constantly profess it , yet this number may be very small , and their profession so secret among themselves , that the world and such as love not the truth , shall not see them , they remaining so hidden as if they were not at all . Thus Doctor John White in his Way to the true Church , sect . 17. digress . 17. sets down the difference . If Master Cobbet mean ( as he seems to do ) a visible political Church in the former sense , then it is no absurdity to say , at some time while the Jewish Church stood there was no Evangelical visible Church in the world . For at the time of Christs passion when the Disciples were scattered , the shepherd being smitten , Matth. 26.31 . there was no such visible Evangelical Church ; yea , some of the Papists themselves quoted by Doctor White in the same place , hold that about the time of Christs passion , the true faith remained in none but onely the Virgin Mary . Alsted . suppl . panstr . cath . Chami . de eccl . l. 2. c. 16. s. 10. D●in●e tempore passionis Christi ecclesia non erat visibilis , talis scilicet , in qua erant praela●i & subditi , pastores & oves . Nam ecclesia visibilis non erat apud pharisaeos & scribas ▪ Illi enim impudenter , & sceleratè errarunt . But in the latter sense which the Protestants follow , we can assign an Evangelical visible Church in the world , distinct from the Jewish , while the Jewish Church stood . Alsted . ubi supra . Ergo ecclesia externa etiam tota deficere potest , remanentibus occultis fidelibus ; quales tum temporis erant Simeon , Anna , Nicodemus , &c. At the time of Christs incarnation and before there was in the Protestant sense a true visible Evangelical Church in Simeon , Anna , and those to whom she spake , who looked for redemption in Jerusalem , Luke 2.38 . In the time of John Baptists and Christs Ministery , many baptized by John and Christs Disciples , John 4.1 , 2. In the time of Christs passion , besides the Apostles , and those women who professed , Joseph of Ari●●th●a and Nicodemus are expressed , John 19.38 , 39. to have owned Christ. And these were a distinct Church from the J●wish , I mean the Priests , Scribes , Pharisees and people who denyed Christ , though not in their political government , yet in their profession of faith , which is necessary according to Protestants to make a company to be a visible Evangelical Church , and essentially the same with the Church Christian , Ames . medul . Th. l. 1. c. 32. Ecalesia est societus fidelium ; quia idem illud in professione constituit ecclesiam visibilem , quod interna & reali sua natura constituit ecclesiam mystica●● , id est , fides . But Master Cobbet from his erroneous dictates would frame an answer to the argument brought from Peters words , Acts 2.38 , 39. to prove that the imagined covenant-right is not sufficient to intitle to baptism , without repentance and faith , sith even of those Jewes to whom he said the promise is , he pre-required repentance to baptism , and thus he writes . That then something further was required by Peter , of the adult Jewes , to actual participation of baptism , and it was not because their Church of which they were members was no true visible Evangelical Church , since it was Gods onely visible Church , in the time of Christs incarnation , of which he lived and died a member ; and none will say , he was no member of any Evangelical Church , but of a legal ; nor was it because the seal of baptism was not administrable , in , or by , or to that Church of the Jewes . Ans. The true reason , why we conceive Peter required repentance of the adult Jewes to baptism , is because Christ appointed none to be baptized , but his disciples ▪ such as did repent & believe in him as the Messiah , Matth. 28.19 . Mark 16.16 . and so Peter here , and Philip , Acts 8.36 , 37. understood Christs minde . The other reasons that the Jewish Church was no true visible Evangelical Church , and that the seal of baptism was not administrable , in , or by , o● to that Church of the Jewes , I know not who assignes them as the cause why Peter required of adult Jewes repentance to baptism , so that if Master Cobbet did make void these reasons , and not the genuine reason assigned by us , his answer is insufficient to the argument . However I shall examine what he saith , sith his writing hath been crackt of as unanswerable . 1. By removing the first reason , he intimates that the objectour conceived it necessary that a person to be baptized be a member of a true visible Evangelical Church and this he denies not , yea he seems to conceive that it is needfull he be a member of such a particular Church visible in respect of outward order , and government by Elders and People united in covenant . But this I conceive not true . 1. Because no more is needfull then is required in the institution . But in the institution to be a disciple of Christ , a penitent believer on him is required and no more , Matth. 28.19 . Mark 16.16 . Acts 2.38 . not to be a member of a particular visible Evangelical Church . Ergo. 2. No more is needfull to baptism then what Philip required of the Eunuch , Acts 8.36 , 37. Peter of Cornelius , Acts 10.46 , 47. Acts 11.17 , 18. Paul of the Jaylour and others , Acts 16.32 . But they required no more but to be a Disciple of Christ , or a penitent believer . Ergo. 3. If it were requisite to be a member of a particular Church , Cornelius was not rightly baptized : but this is not true : Ergo. The consequence of the major is proved , because Cornelius afore his baptism was not a member of any particular Church ▪ not of the Jewish , for he was uncircumcised ; and counted unclean by them , Acts 11.3 . not of the Christian ; For they excepted against Peter for going in to him , Acts 11.2 , 4. Regularly a man is not a member of a particular Church till he is baptized , baptism going before joyning to the Church , Acts 2.41 , 47. therefore it is not necessary a person be a member of a particular visible Church afore baptism . 2. Master Cobbet takes on him to prove that the Church of which the adult Jewes , Acts 2.37 . were members was a true Evangelical Church . 1. Because so in the time of Christs incornation . But this followeth not , it might be so at Christs incarnation , and yet not be so at the time of Peters speech , Acts 2.38 , 39. they having expresly denyed Christ. 2. Because he lived and dyed a member of that Church , and none will say , he was no member of any Evangelical Church , but of a legal . To which I say , 1. Christ lived & dyed the head of the Evangelical church of Jewes and Gentiles , but not as a subordinate member in it , though he were subject to the law of Moses , and did yield obedience to it while it was his Fathers will it should stand in force . 2. But that he died as a member of the Jewish church , to wit , that party of which the Jewes , Acts 2.37 . were a part , is not true , he being an out-cast from them , and made a curse for us . 3. If it should be granted he were a member of that church , he had been a member not of an Evangelical church , but legal , or rather manifestly Antichristian . 2. by removing the second reason of Peters requiring repentance afore baptism of the adult Jewes , he intimates that this objectour conceived it necessary that baptism be administred in or by or to a church , such as the Jewes was not , and he grants the former , and denies the latter . But how or whence it is deduced that baptism must be administrable in or by or to a church I understand not . Baptism hath been and may be lawfully administred without the presence of any church , as in the baptism of the Eunuch by Philip , Acts 8.38 . to a person who is member of no particular church , as in Cornelius his baptism , and by a Minister without consent of any Church , as in the same cases , and to a single person , though no church were baptized , as in the Eunuchs case . Then he asserts the seal of baptism administrable in , or by , or to the church of the Jewes , that he may maintain a title to baptism , though suspended by reason of their sin in the Jewes from an imagined covenant-right , and Church-membership antecedent to their repentance , which are wild fancies . But let us view what he writes . For it 's evident ( saith Master Cobbet ) that the commission of baptism was first given by God , to John Baptist , in reference to that church of the Jewes as a seal of their membership therein ; the same God that told him , who should , baptize with the Holy Ghost , he sent him to baptize , John 1.33 . the Pharisees themselves could not deny Johns baptism to be from heavens authority , Mat. 21.25 , 26. and baptism being a Church-ordinance , to be in ordinary dispensation or administred onely in and by a church of Christ , that baptism was at that time the Jewish Church-ordinance , so far forth , there was no other floor , wherein all sorts which John baptized , whether they proved chaffy hypocrites , or solid grain upright ones , were in his and Christs time interessed , Matth. 3.11 , 12. this was then the onely floor , or visible church of Christ ( for in the invisible church is no chaffe ) [ his ] floor ; he shall purge [ his ] floor . Ans. It is granted , John was sent by God to baptize , and that the people or church of the Jewes were Christs floor , and that in that floor or people were chaffe and wheat , bad and good , reprobate and elect ones . But this proves not the commission of baptism first given by God to John Baptist in reference to that church of the Jewes , as a seal of their membership therein . For what consequence is there in this , God sent John to the Jewes , he had his authority to baptize those of the Jewes , who repented , therefore he sealed their membership in the church of the Jewes , and baptism was administrable in , or by , or to that church of the Jewes ? It seems to me that the contrary followes , John was sent ●o baptize , he preacheth repentance , tells them that it availed not them to say Abraham was their father gathers them into a distinct School or society from the Pharisees and Lawyers , Luke 7.29 , 30. directs them to Christ , who should sever chaffe and wheat ; therefore he was not given by God in reference to that church of the Jewes as a seal of their membership therein , but severed a people from them by repentance and baptism , and that baptism was not administrable in , or by , or to that church of the Jewes , but in a distinct company , by a select officer , to a severed people from that church . Nor do I know it to be true that baptism is a church-ordinance , to be in ordinary dispensation administred onely in and by a church of Christ , but conceive it a ministerial ordinance to be administred by one single Minister without the presence or consent of a church of Christ : nor do I think baptism was at that time the Jewish ordinance being neither appointed in their law , nor by Ministers chosen by them , nor by their authority , nor according to their direction ▪ nor for the setling of their church-discipline , or authority , but in these and all other respects opposite or distinct from the Jewish church . And although I grant the Jewish people or church ( though Pareus com in locum saith , Dominus areae suae , h. e. ecclesiae . imo totius mundi ) Christs floor , yet from hence it followes not they were Christs visible Church , there being other reason why they are called Christs floor , because Christ imployed his fanne , to wit , his preaching among them , being Minister of the circumcision , Rom. 15.8 . though they were not Christs visible church , that is , a company or people professing themselves to be his Disciples . Nor is it true that in John Baptists and Christs time , all sorts which John baptized , hypocrites , or upright ones , were interessed in the Jewish church as Christs floor , nor any such thing proved from Matth. 3.11 , 12. the being in the floor importing onely their position , no benefit or interest accruing to them thereby . But Master Cobbet goes on . Into this Church-fellowship also did Christs own Disciples by that new way of initiation , visibly seal persons , which were the reformed part of that Jewish church , continuing still their relation to those officers of the Jewish church , and their fellowship in the Church-ordinances , then dispensed , and not separating from the same , either gathering into distinct churches , or calling to them other ordinary church-officers , which yet were not actually given by Christ , untill upon his ascension , Ephes. 4.8 , 11 , 12. Ans. The Disciples of Christ did not visibly seal persons by that new way of initiation into the Jewish Church-fellowship ; the fellowship they had in the Jewish church , was by their birth and circumcision and the law they were under , which they submitted to , while it was in force , and observed such legal ordinances as were appointed them , acknowledging the Priests and other Officers of the Jewes according to their place : yet in respect of profession of Doctrine they were by baptism separated from the Jewes , and were gathered into a distinct church , had Christ and his Apostles and the 70. as their Officers in ordinary afore the ascension of Christ : nor is there one jot of Scripture that doth in the least countenance this fond conceit of Master Cobbet , that Jewish Church-membership gave title to baptism , or baptism visibly sealed persons into Jewish Church-fellowship . Master Cobbet having cashiered the spurious reasons ( as he imagins ) why Peter required of the Jews , to whom he said , The promise is repentance afore baptism , he takes on him to assigne the genuine reasons thus . But the reason rather was , partly because ( as was said ) they were under such offence . Ans. He required repentance , because they had sinned in crucifying Christ , but repentance was not required to take away the offence of the church the Jewes were of , nor for the removing of a suspension from the seal . For Peter was no Jewish Church-officer , neither did any of the Jewish church in way of Discipline deal with those Jewes by any church-act , tending to their correction for that sin , yea , the rulers of the Jewes with the people did generally avow that act as well done : nor was any thing more offensive to them then the profession of Christ , and repentance for the killing of him . But Peter requires repentance as a necessary prerequisite universally to baptism , and as the way to remission of sins , which their perplexed soules needed . Master Cobbet addes : And partly because , albeit their church were a true Evangelical church , yet it was not so pure and perfect , but had many gross mixtures both of ceremonial administrations , which were now to be laid aside , and of most palpably and openly corrupt , and rotten members . Ans. Neither doth Master Cobbet offer any proof for this his speech , neither is there any likelyhood that Peter ever intended to urge repentance by reason of these things , sith in none of his speeches he doth take exceptions at their church by reason of them , nor had this been a sufficient reason to urge them to repentance afore baptism , because though they had covenant and Church-right to baptism , yet their right was to be suspended to the seal without repentance , because they had gross ceremonial mixtures , and openly corrupt members , the Jewish church of which they were members being a gospel-church & essentially the same with the christian , if Master Cobbet say true ; for if this were a reason , the New-Engl●●● Elders do ill to admit godly persons to the seal with them , which came from ● Pa●ish-church in England , in which were the like mixtures , and corrupt members without like repentance ▪ nor doth it appear that those Jewes had any hand in those ceremonial administrations ; and though they sinned a great sin in crucifying Christ , yet it wa● through ignorance , Acts 3.17 . In a word , were it granted Master Cobbet that Peter did require repentance for any of these reasons , yet the argument is no whit infringed thereby , that bare interest in the covenant doth not give title to baptism without repentance , sith it did not give title to these Jewes , even then when notwithstanding their offence , and the corruptions in their church , yet the promise was asserted to belong to them de praesenti in respect of external right and administration , if Master Cobbets exposition hold good , which is directly opposite to the requiring of repentance to baptism by reason of a suspension of their right to the seal by reason of offence and corrupt mixtures . But let 's hear Master Cobbet a little further . And partly , saith he , because it was now requisite , not onely to acknowledg the promised M●ssiah of Abrahams loynes , to be he alone , which by his bloud should come actually , as well as virtually , to ratifie the covenant of grace , visibly made with them , as they did in receiving the seal of circumcision , but that they own the Lord Jesus , who was crucified by , and among them , as he which alone did thus : which amongst other testimonies baptism witnesseth , therefore more was now required of the adult Jews than formerly , which yet was not required of their unripe children . Ans. I deny not circumcision to have had this use , that it might signify , that the promised Messiah should come out of Abrahams loynes , and I take it as certain that baptism was appointed , that thereby the baptized should own the Lord Jesus , and witness that he was the Messiah , and that this was the reason why even the Jewes circumcised , what ever their interest in the promise should be , were bound to witness by baptism Christ to be come : But this though true , and such as shewes a manif●st difference between ci●cumcision and baptism in their use ; and confirmes the necessity of faith or owning of Christ by the baptized at his baptism , yet is not pertinent to the intent of Master Cobbet ▪ sith thereby neither is the argument from Peters requiring repentance to baptism infringed , which argues that therefore covenant-interest is not sufficient title to baptism without repentance , nor is thereby any reason given of r●pentance being required by Peter afore baptism : Nor is there any proof in Master Cobbet why more should be required to baptism of the adult Jewes , then of their unripe children , onely he tels of their practice in New England , that when any are received to fellowship with them , though they being as transient members by vertue of communion of churches , are admitted upon their former church-ingagement , yet desirous to be fixed Members , they require testimony of their repentance of their former church-sins and personal scandals therein committed , not so of their children not sui juris , nor capable of personal satisfaction , so it was with them , Acts 2. being to be incorporated into a purer company , exhibiting the ordinances of Christ in a more perfect Evangelical way . But setting aside the question , whether this course in New England be justifiable and by what rule they require more of the fixed member then of the transient , the defilement being alike in both . 1. It is not true that it was so with the Jewes and their children as with fixed and transient members in N. E. For neither was the church of the Jewes then an Evangelical church less perfect then that of the Apostles , but openly opposite to Christ and the christian church : Nor was that which those Jewes perplexed did propound , that they might be of their church as a purer church , but what Peter and the Apostles would advise them to do to free them from the guilt of crucifying Christ. Nor doth Peter at all as an Elder assign repentance to them for admission to outward Church-priviledges , but as an Apostle preacheth to them repentance for remission of sins and easing their consciences , which was an act of doctrine , not of jurisdiction . 2. If it had been so , yet neither doth this prove that the Apostle required more of the aged Jewes to baptism then formerly , nor that he did it because they were to be inco●porated into a purer company exhibiting the ordinances of Christ in a more perfect Evangelical way , nor that he did require more of the Fathers then the children to baptism ; nor is the argument infringed , that if covenant-interest intitle to baptism of it self without repentance the Father to whom the promise is as well as the child , yea , in priority to the child , who derives his title from the Fathers covenant-interest , then it should much more intitle the Father to baptism without repentance : Idem qua idem semper facit idem , so that after so many shifts , absurdities , unproved dictates , vain dreames of making the case of the Jewes like persons received into fellowship in N. E. and the overweening conceit of the purity of their church , and exhibition of the ordinances of Christ in a more perfect Evangelical way , there is nothing yet produced to invalidate the argument from Peters requiring repentance of the Jewes afore baptism , against the connexion between covenant-interest and right to baptism . Master Cobbet goes on thus : nor must that needs follow , that because it 's said , they were added to the church , that therefore they were not of the church before , but after Peter spake those words , v. 39. the promise is to you , &c. for this is as well spoken after that expression that they were baptized , as after that mentioned , of their receiving the Word gladly , and yet will our opposites conclude , that therefore they were not of the church , nor in the covenant before they were baptized , but came into that estate by baptism . If baptism were the form of the church , or that which they so much urge wholly failed , that a person must be first discipled , and so in covenant and Church-estate before he be baptized . Ans. Either I understand not the force of words . or else it is a cleer argument , Acts 2.41 . And there were added in that day souls about three thousand , v. 47. And the Lord added the saved daily to the church , and these were of the Jewes , therefore Jewes were not of the church before that day , and that addition . For what is addition to a company but a joyning or bringing one more to them then was before ? even as in arithmetick addition is putting to another member then was before reckoned . And this argument seems so plain to me , that I count the denial of it as the denial of a common notion . That which Master Cobbet answers is to the argument framed thus , they are not said to be added till after Peters speech , v. 39. therefore they were not of the church before ; and I confess the argument so framed is not so cogent , sith historians do not alwaies relate things in order as they were done . Yet supposing Lukes relation orderly ( of which there is no cause to doubt , sith the particles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then v. 41. shew it ) the argument is good , after Peters words it is said , then , and that day were added , therefore they were not before of the church . Nor do I know any absurdity in it to say they were added by baptism to the church , it being one means of addition to the church , and though I say not that baptism is the form of the church , but that there may be a church without baptism , nor the onely way of adding to the church , for the preaching of the Word is also a means of adding to it , yet this I say , that neither is a church regular , nor the addition as it should be without baptism . And though I say a person is to be discipled afore he be baptized , yet he may be baptized afore he is in some sense in covenant and church-estate , meaning in covenant by Gods promise to him , and in church-estate , that is , so as to be reckoned a member of a visible church in compleat fellowship of other ordinances with it . Master Cobbet proceeds thus . Nor is that cogent , which is urged against the childrens right in the promise , and unto baptism , that they should be so priviledged , when they came to be effectually called , and to be turned from their sins , as if this were quoad homines , their onely rule of judging of persons visible interest in the covenant of grace , or visible right to the initiatory seal thereof : or at least the onely way of having such a visible interest in the visible churches cour● . For besides that it was not so of old , in applying of circumcision , as Gods appointed seal of the parties visible covenant-estate and right : even with us also it is not the rule in foro Ecclesia ; for then none are by the church to be by rule admitted to baptism , but such as are effectually called , and then John which knew , that the most of them , which he baptized , would be as chaffe in the floor , he kept not rule in baptizing of them . Or if calling be taken for external inviting in the Word preached ; and offer of Christ , that I suppose will not be pleaded ; for then every hearer should be forthwith baptized , albeit an Indian or Black●more ; but calling as taken in reference to baptizing unto remission of sins , seemeth to be rather calling into visible covenant , and church-estate ; unto which some , whose was the promise intentionally , yet were afar off from that estate actually at present , but when called to it , they were then to be baptized . Ans. The objection answered here by Master Cobbet ( if this passage here relate to my Examen , as it 's likely it doth ) was thus formed , Exam. pag. 60 , 61 , 62. Exercit. sect . 4. the promise , Acts 2.39 . is neither to fathers , nor their children , nor those afar off without calling , therefore nor to infants , who are not called by the Lord , and this calling I conceive an effectual calling to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ , as the Apostle speaks , 1 Cor. 1.9 . Master Cobbet doting on his own frivolous exposition of the being of the promise in respect of external right and administration , propounds the objection as if the objectour agreed with him therein , and then the absurdities I confess would follow , which Master Cobbet drawes from the objection as thus interpreted [ The promise is in respect of external right and administration , to none but the effectually called ] that the onely rule to judg a persons visible right to baptism , and the onely way of having such a right is effectual calling . But Master Cobbet might have understood that I still disclaimed this , that right to baptism is from interest in Gods promise or covenant , and have asserted ; that is onely from the persons own profession of Christ and covenanting to be his Disciple , and for the promise , Acts 2.39 . I understand it of Christ sent for remission of sins , and thus it is most true , that the promise is neither to father nor child uncalled ; what therefore Master Cobbet refutes is not owned by me , yet his refutation I count not valid . For that which he allegeth , it was not so in circumcision , therefore it must not be so in baptism , proceeds on this mistake that the rule of circumcision is a rule about baptism . And for that which he saith , that John knew that the most of them which he baptized , would be as chaffe in the floor , I conceive not true , nor doth it appear that John did admit to baptism those he knew were hypocrites and reprobates . Pareus , Comm. in Matth. 3.7 . non ad baptismum indignos admisi● , and of all others me thinks a New England teacher should not alledge that , which , if it were true , would condemn their strictness in admission of members into their churches , excluding them whom they are not satisfied to be truly regenerate , so far as they can discern . For doubtless whom John baptized they may and ought admit to Church-membership . And this plea is made by Master Norton , Resp. ad Apollon . c. 1. propos . 1. for the New England strictness that John Baptist repelled hypocrites from baptism . Now to the objection as I conceive it in the answer is insufficient , Master Cobbet denies that the words [ as many as the Lord our God shall call ] do circumscribe [ to you and your children ] as well as [ all that are afar off , Acts 2.39 . ] But then he would have it to be meant of calling into visible covenant , and Church-estate , in which he would have infants included : But the Scripture speaks of no such calling , and both that conceit , and Master Cobbets exposition conformable to it , have been so fully refuted before , that I shall add no more . Onely whereas he saith , that if calling were taken for external inviting in the Word preached , and offer of Christ , then every hearer should be baptized forthwith , albeit an Indian or Blackamore . I conceive it will not follow , sith they that would have all outwardly called by the offer of Christ baptized , it 's likely do mean it of such a calling as is with effect , so as that the person called be brought to outward profession at least of the faith of Christ. Master Cobbet addes three considerations to prove , that infants not capable of actual repentance . were not in defect of that repentance , excluded from the promise mentioned , Acts 2.38 , 39. which I might grant understanding it of the promise of remission of sins before God and of elect infants , and yet no proof thence for infant-baptism . But because Master Cobbet takes the promise to be in respect of external right and administration , and that from it there 's a title derived for infant-baptism . I shall consider what he saies . 1. Such a supposed exclusion of their babes had been , to lay an occasion , and addition of more cumbers and trouble to the darkened disquieted spirits of his hearers , then to clear and ease them , supposing , as is undeniably evident that their wish against their poor children , pressed them sore , as well as other guilt . It was all along thitherto , a received truth , that God was a God to their seed externally , by vertue of Abrahams covenant they were his adopted children , Ezek. 16.21 . and the churches children , which she ba●e to the Lord , v. 20. see Deut. 29.29 . and it was evident , by Gods own appointment of circumcision , to be the initiatory seal , not to a blanck , but to his covenant of being a God to them whilest babes , and before circumcised in heart , so as actually to repent , Deut. 30.6 . this their babes had external right unto whilest these their parents were convinced or unwrought upon , remaining uncut off by censures from the church , as of old , Ezek. 16.20 , 21. is mentioned of those Idolaters . Now if not so when their Parents are wrought upon by Peters Sermon , as the parents were thus far losers , by Christ and his Gospel , and the efficacy thereof , losing that precious parental priviledge which they had before this of their childrens federal in●erest , and priviledge of Abrahams covenant , so also their children are losers too , by their Parents coming so far on to Christ , coming now thus to be excluded their former Covenant-right and neither Parents nor children to have any Covenant-right and priviledge in lieu hereof . How such doctrine might well stumble , and trouble such Parents , let any sober and judicious mind judg ; to be sure they have a load of guilt , and given a deadly wound unto their poor Babes , by that curse of theirs : now if they are as Pagans , strangers from the covenant , then there is no hope , in reference to ordinary and revealed grounds and wayes of hope and life , Ephes. 2.11 , 12 , 13. Ans , This long tale hath more of childish affection then manly reason , setting aside the new language of initiory seal set to a blanck , childrens federal interest , precious parental priviledge , cavenant right , and such like gibberish according to the Paedobaptists supositions about the imagined covenant to father and child , right of infants to the first seal thereby , and this a great priviledge without which no revealed grounds ordinary of hope and life , this is the substance of the tale , that if Peter had told them their infants were not to be baptized , who before were circumcised he had added more grief to the spirits of the Jewes pressed with the sense of their wish against their children , Matth. 27.25 . and therefore he is to be conceived , Acts 2.39 . to have told them of their infants right to baptism . Now surely in my apprehension if Peter had told them such a tale , as Master Cobbet imagins he did ; even then when so great perplexity of spirit was upon them by reason of the horrid sin of crucifying Christ , and their imprecation on them and their children , they being then indisposed to laughter , must in all likelyhood have been much moved either with grief , or anger against such a Doctor , as would mock them with such a receipt , as was no more to their disease then the promise of a feather to weare is to revive a man almost dead with the pain of the collick . For what comfort could this be to them concerning themselves , who expected the heaviest wrath due to them for their sin , or concerning their children on whom they wished a most heavy curse , to be told of a priviledge for them and their children , which as it was to them before , was painfull in the use , so was it a heavy yoke in the obligation , to be continued in an other rite which of it self was but washing with cold water , and in the fruit of it before God yielded no benefit without faith and repentance , and in the church yielded at best but a title of church-membership , by which they had no benefit , but what they might have without it , no● would stand them in any stead for church-communion without their actual believing ? It is clear , Acts 2.39 . is an encouragement to the duties , and expectation of the good mentioned , v. 38. Now what encouragement is it to repent , to be told that the promise was already to them in external right and administration , and to their infants , though not as yet penitent or believers ? such a motive might rather have tended to keep them in impenitency being in so good case already in the estate they were in . And for baptism into the Name of Christ , such a motive tended rather to disswade them from it , as might fill their mindes with high conceits of their and their childrens covenant-right , even by vertue of their being in the Jewish church without faith in Christ , or joyning to the christian church . And for the good of remission of sins before God which they needed , what assurance could they have of it by telling them of their and their childrens having the promise already as Jews , without personal faith and repentance in external right and administration before men ? As for the falsity of the speech as expounded by Master Cobbet , it is shewed before , what he would burden his opposites with , as if denyeng infant-baptism , they counted them as Pagans , strangers from the Covenant , without hope , in reference to ordinary and revealed grounds and ways of hope and life , Ephes. 2.11 , 12.13 . is a meer Calumny . For setting aside their talk of initiatory seal , and external covenant ( which they cannot say assure life to the infants of believers without election ) we assure as much by the covenant of grace , justification by Christs bloud , and sanctification by his Spirit , which is effectual calling , and they can in trueth assure no more , nor any other way , though to uphold their credit , and to win the affections of credulous parents , they befool them with idle talk of a covenant which the Scripture never mentions , and of sealing that covenant by baptism , which the Scripture is silent of . The texts Ezek. 16.21 , 20. Deut : 30.6 . will be examined afterwards . Why he bids see Deut. 29.29 . I know not . unless it be that we may discern his weakness in alledging the Scriptures impertinently , sith it cannot be meant of infants to whom the revealed things do not belong , that they may heare them and do them in infancy . The second consideration is in brief this , that the Apostles who as yet preached not for the abolishing of Mosaical rites , but were indulgent to the Jewes , Acts 21.20 , 22 , 23 , 24. would not give such manifest and just offence to them as to hold forth an exclusion of their babes from right in that covenant of Abraham it self , whereof circumcision was a visible seal , as the places quoted in Gen. 17.11 , 13. and Acts 7.8 . declare . To which I answer , By my exposition there is no exclusion of babes from the promise , Acts 2.39 . though it be restrained to those who are effectually called , sith babes may be said to be effectually called by the Spirit of God according to election : nor doth my exposition exclude the Jewes infants from the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . or circumcision , or in the least manner meddle with that point . Nor do I think the promise , Gen. 17.7 . to be the same with that , Acts 2.39 . If it were , yet how it may be understood otherwise then Master Cobbet conceives is shewed above . The third consideration , setting aside his phraseology is this , that if Peter should intend to exclude infants from baptism , it were to be cross to Pauls doctrine , Rom. 15.8 . who makes it Christs end not to evacuate , undermine , or abolish by his coming , [ the promises ] indefinitely made to the fathers whether in , Gen. 17.7 . or Deut. 30.6 . or the like , or respecting parents or children , but to confirm the same , Ibid. But how this consequence is made good I cannot conceive , but do deny it , and expect a proof of it ad Graecas Calendas . Master Cobbet concludes the chapter with an answer to the objection , that if this were granted of those Jewish children , what is this to our childrens federal interest in the daies of the Gospel ? and he answers , 1. That it proveth that by the Apostles since Christs ascension , this tenent of the children of visible members of the church are visibly interessed in the covenant of grace is of divine authority , and i● no humane invention . Ans. 1. In the objection , the concession was that those Jewish children were never before denyed to be visibly in Abrahams covenant , which Master Cobbet alters , thus [ are visibly interessed in the covenant of grace ] now it may be granted those Jewish children were visibly in Abrahams covenant , and yet denyed , that they are visibly interessed in the covenant of grace , the covenants being not the same every way , and it being certain , as in the case of Saul and others , a person may be visibly interessed in the covenant of Abraham , and yet not in the covenant of grace . 2. Infants visible interest in the covenant of Abraham I know no otherwise , then by circumcision , and this sure the Apostles taught of no other then the Jewish children . 3. The text , Acts 2.39 . speaks not of visible interest in the covenant of grace by external administration . 4. If it did , yet it speaks of none other children , but Jewish , and so not of ours , and therefore the tenent may be an humane invention notwithstanding this text and the concession of the objectour . 2. Saith Master Cobbet , these Jewes are eyed by the Apostles , as persons to partake of priviledges of a Church of Christians , as was baptism ; and therefore what extent of federal right and priviledge is granted by the Apostles to them and theirs in that way is equally belonging to Gentiles in a like way . Ans. the Jewes were not tyed by the Apostles to partake of baptism without the repentance of each person to be baptized , nor is it by the Apostle made a federal right and priviledge , but a duty to which the promise did encourage , nor is the promise said to be to them or any of their children , but the effectually called , so that were the conclusion granted Master Cobbet , yet his purpose is not gained that the Gentiles infants are to be baptized . 3. Saith he , to suppose God by Apostolical ratification , to allow to children of Jewish parents coming on to Christ , &c. a larger priviledge then to Gentile parents , as came on to Christ , &c. is to make God a respector of persons . Ans. 1. It is not yet proved that the Apostle allowes to children of Jewish parents the priviledge Master Cobbet means . 2. the Jewes , Acts 2.39 . were not considered as coming on to Christ , but as guilty of crucifying him , and under horrour of conscience for it . 3. The priviledge of baptism or the promise in respect of external right and administration ( as Master Cobbets phrase is ) could not belong to the Jewes at that present , & therefore the Apostles speech had been false in Master Cobbets sense . For he cannot assert they were then come to Christ , but coming on to Christ , nor is it certain that many of them ever came to Christ. But [ the promise is de praesenti in respect of external right and administration , which is Master Cobbets sense ] is false of persons which were not come to Christ , except he will have the Apostle assert a right of baptism to them without faith . 4. The Jewish parents children had then a larger priviledge then the Gentiles in the first offer of the Gospel , as they had larger priviledges before , Rom. 9.3 , 4 , 5. and they shall have larger priviledges at their calling hereafter if I understand the Apostle , Rom. 11.24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28. And herein God is not such a respector of persons as Peter , Acts 10.34 . denies him to be so , as not to accept a Gentile who feareth him and worketh righteousness as well as a Jew . Acts of special grace undue to some persons , not to others , argue not unjust respect of persons in God , but acts of judgment awarding good to one that fears him and works righteousness , because of such a Nation , and not to another , who doeth the same , because he is not of that nation , contrary to his declarations , promises , lawes , by which he hath bound himself ; would argue unjust prosopolepsy , his declarations , promises , and lawes being general , and so the being of that Nation extirnsecal to the cause . Saith he , the force of the words seem to carry it , that the same promise which was to those Jewes actually in Church and Covenant-estate , was intentionally to these afar off , which were strangers actually from a like estate , whether those of the ten tribes , or rather those of the Gentiles , and should be actually to them , when they came to be called actually into the fellowship of that covenant and Church-estate . Now what promise was that ? verily a promise which carried with it a partial reference unto their children : The promise is to you , and to your children : And the same is unto them afar off , whom God shall call , Scil. in reference to their children also . Ans. There is no colour from the words that , Acts 2.39 . the promise is meant to be actually to those Jewes , and intentionally to those afar off , nor doth this conceit agree with Master Cobbets exposition , who will have it to be de praesenti to belong to the persons recited , and consequently actually to all there named ; Nor do I know how to make true sense of this his speech . For the promise is either said to be in respect of the act of the promiser , or of the thing promised . In the former sense the meaning of Master Cobbet should be this , that God had made the promise to the Jewes already actually , but he had not made the promise to those afar off , but intended to do it afterwards . But this sense agrees not with Master Cobbets and other Paedobaptists conceit , who would have the promise to be that to Abraham , Gen. 17.7 . But that promise was made almost 2000 years before , not made to those Jewes then , nor to any afar off afterwards that can be shewed . In respect of the thing promised , whether it be ( as I say ) Christ manifested in the flesh for the remission of sins before God , it is not true that it was actually then to the Jewes mentioned , Acts 2.39 . For they were not yet repenting believing persons , or it be meant of remission of sins in respect of external right and administration , it is not true that the promise was actually then to them , in external right , they had no right then to claim baptism , being not then believers , neither had they the promise in external administration de praesenti , for they were not actually baptized ( which I think is the external administration meant , I cannot imagine Master Cobbet would be so vain as to conceive Peter told them , they were circumcised ) but Peter exhorts them to be baptized , and therefore the promise was no more actually to the Jewes then present , then to those afar off . Nor is it true that the Jewes present were then actually in Church and Covenant-estate , if it be meant of the Christian Church , and Covenant of grace in Christ , for they were not repenting believers ; and if it be meant of the Jewish Church , and Covenant-estate which they had as descended from Abraham by natural descent , and by reason of circumcision , so the Gentiles were never ealled or to be called actually into that fellowship of that Covenant , and Church-estate , but rather out of it : Nor if they had been called into it , had that Church and Covenant-estate at all conduced to their interest into the Christian Church and Covenant of grace , but rather to the contrary . And for the promise it is true , there is a reference to their children , but not because they were believers children or their children , but by vertue of Gods call , and it is true the promise is to Gentiles child●en and Jewes when called of God , and no otherwise , and consequently no Birth-priviledge to either intitling to baptism . And thus is that magnified chapter of Master Cobbet abundantly answered . SECT . XXIII . Master Sidenhams notes on Acts 2.39 . in his exercitation ch . 5. are considered . I Shall adde a consideration of what Master Sidenham notes on Acts 2.39 . that I may at once shew the impertinency of its allegation for connexion between the covenant and baptism , and infants of believe●s covenant-interest upon that consideration ▪ I agree with him that the promise is of remission of sins and so of salvation . Nor do I deny it to be suitable to what is promised , Gen. 17.7 . understanding it not , as Paedobaptists and among them Master Sidenham conceives , as a promise to each believer and his natural seed , but as a promise to Abraham as the ●ather of believers , and his spiritual seed by the following of his faith of righteousness before God repeated at large , Jerem. 31.34 . Nor do I mistake his making it the same with the promise of Christ , and the Spirit , as , Gal. 3.14 . is meant including justification , sanctification , and all graces . And his words I conceive very opposite to overthrow Master Cobbets and others conceit of external right and administration , when he saith , it would be but a poor comfort to a wounded soul for to tell him of a promise of gifts , not of spiritual grace , and the Holy Ghost is a better Physician then to imply such a raw improper plaister to a wounded heart , which would hardly heal the skin , this promise is brought in as a Cordial to keep them from fainting , and to give them spirits to believe , and lay hold on Jesus Christ. And truly no other promise but that of Free-grace , in order to Salvation , can be imagined to give them comfort in that condition . And after , and it must needs have been a mighty low , and disproportionable way of perswasion , to put them upon such high things in the former verse , and to encourage them onely by the narration of some temporary gifts in the following , when their eye and heart was set on remission of sins , and salvation by Jesus Christ ; and nothing but a promise holding forth these mercies could have been considerable to them . Nor do I deny that the children as well as the Parents are included in this promise , nor do I deny but that the children are invited to baptism by the promise as well as the parents . But I deny , 1. That the mention of the promise to them and their children was allusive to the expressions in the Old Testament , when God said to Abraham I will be the God of thee and thy seed , Gen. 17.7 . or that , Isai 44.3 . and such like , nor hath Mr. Sidenham proved it , and there is this reason against it . For in those expressions the Fathers are mentioned as righteous persons , and believers ▪ but here the parents could not be considered as righteous and believing persons , for they were not such , but then charged by Peter , and at that time under the sense of the great sin of killing Christ , and admonished to repent of it , and therefore the words have clearly this sense , The promise is to you , and your children as bad as you have been , and the mention of their children is not allusive to Gods expressions in the Old Testament , but to their own curse on them and their children , Matth. 27.25 . and so cannot note a priviledge to them and their children as persons better then others , but an assurance to them of that good which they feared their sin debarred them of , by telling them of Gods inrent for good according to his promise , though they meant it for evil , as the same Apostle doth , Acts 3.17 , 18 , 19. and Joseph did , Gen. 45.5 . and 50.20 . 2. I deny that the children are invited to baptism by the promise as giving title to baptism of it self , for the promise is urged as a motive to a duty , not as a plea whereby they might claim , nor was their interest in the promise the antecedent to baptism , but the consequent on it . For the promise whether it be of remission of sins , or of the saving gift of the holy Ghost allowing Master . Sidenhams observation that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is certain that Peter did assure them of it not as yet already attained , but as attainable , not before , but upon their repentance and baptism , neither to them , nor to their children as their children ; but to them and their children , and all afar off as many as the Lord should call . 3. He doth not invite them to baptism , but so as that he first puts them in minde of repentance . Now if the promise had been alledged as giving title of it self to baptism , he had left out repentance : But putting it in first , he plainly shewes , that the alledging of the promise was as well to move them to repentance as to baptism , and first to repentance , then to baptism ; nor is any other course taken with the children then the parents , the promise and duty are declared in like manner to both . And therefore Master Sidenhams talk of Peters speaking in the known dialect of the Old Testament , that if he had not meant upon their believing and baptism without any other consideration of Gods calling or their repentance the children to be in the promise , he had deceived them , and that there was no other intent in mentioning the promise but to intimate that as the Jewes and their infant males were circumcised by vertue of the promise , so it should be to them in baptism , is but vai● without proof , and without truth . But Master Sidenham asserts that the words [ as many as the Lord shall call ] can in no sense be referred to the former part of the verse , either to parents or children ; which if true , then according to his own interpretation of the promise the Apostle asserts , that the promise of remission of sins and of the Spirit including justification , sanctification , and all graces , was to them and their children , whether called or no. But let 's view his reasons for this audacious assertion . For , saith he , 1. He changes the sense in both parts of the verse ; in the first part unto the Jewes , he speaks de praesenti , of the present application of the promise ; repent you and be baptized — ; for the promise is to you and your children : even now the promise is offered to you ; and they were then under the call of God ; But when he speaks of the Gentiles , because they were yet afar off , and not at all called , he speak de futuro , as many as God shall call , even of them also ; which is the first hint of the calling of the Gentiles in all the Acts of the Apostles . Ans. The Apostle changeth not the tense of the same ve●b in either part of , v. 39. For there are but two verbs in the verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and neither used above once , so that he might have said , he useth two verbs in two tenses , but neither change●h in one or both parts of the verse the same verb or the same tense of the same verb. But what if he had changed the tense , and had said , the promise is to you and your children whom he now calls , and the promise shall be to all that are afar off as many as God shall call even of them also , did it follow that in no sense the words ( as many as the Lord shall call ) can be referred to the Former part of the verse , either to parents or children ? Surely if I have any understanding , the contrary followes , that if the meaning were ▪ the promise even now is offered to you , and they were then under the call of God , but not yet called , the words may be referred to the former part of the verse to parents and children , thus the promise of remission of sins is now offered to you and your children under the call of God to be attained by as many as the Lord our God shall effectually call at this time , and hereafter . But how stands it with other Paedobaptists applications of this Seripture , as if the promise did de praesenti belong to the children in external right and administration , and a covenant-right in them , and title to the initial seal , and yet the promise onely offered to them , and they not called , but under the call of God. If the offer of the promise , and a call in fieri which is not in facto esse be sufficient to intitle men to the promise in external right , and to the initial ieal , then had those Jewes which believed not , Acts 28.24 . and the Athenians , Acts 17.32 . such right and title . Master Sidenham will have infants by the words [ your children ] will he say the promise was then offered to them , and they then under the call of God ? If he did , he should tell how that we might understand it . And there is need he should shew some reason and proof of that his paraphrase , which is not yet done , ere his Reader ( if he be wise ) will receive it . And for what he saith that in that verse there is an exact distribution of the world into Jew and Gentile , the Gentiles being usually those afar off , it requires better proof then this , sith neither is the term Jew expressed , nor the term [ afar off ] used of the Gentiles that I know but , Ephes. 2.13 . where it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which may be questioned whether it be the same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in the text . But Master Sidenham addes . 2. How unequal would the distribution ●e of this verse , not suitable to the lawes of expression among rational men ? If as many as the Lord shall call , should be a limitation to the former part of the verse , the word children , must needs be redundant and superfluous ; for Jewes and Gentiles comprehend all the world . Now children must either be one part of the world , or comprehend under one or both names , or be a distinct world by themselves , neither Jewes nor Gentiles : And this must needs follow on such a reading of the words ; for the design of the Apostle is to hold forth the freeness of the promise to Jew and Gentile , and their children , to these Jewes at present , to the Gentiles and their children when God shall call the parents , as he did these Jewes . Ans. Master Sidenham hath printed here such a toy as might please himself , but is fit for nothing but to be slighted . For , 1. He supposeth that [ you and those afar off ] is as much as Jewes and Gentiles , which is not proved . 2. He supposeth consequently [ you and those afar off ] to comprehend all the world , because Jewes and Gantiles comprehend all the world . But this followes not , though the term [ you ] note Jewes , if it note onely some Jewes , to wit , those to whom Peter then spake . 3. That if [ as the Lord shall call ] should be a limitation to the former part of the verse , the word children , must needs be redundant and superfluous , for Jewes and Gentiles comprehend all the world . Which indeed followes on his conceit that here is an exact distribution of the world into Jew and Genrile . But this is manifestly false , for though [ they afar off ] should be the Gentiles , yet all the Gentiles are not therein comprehended , but those that are called ; and if the term [ you ] note the Jewes , yet in notes not all the Jewes , but such as were parents , and therefore the term [ children ] is necessary being not comprehended under the term [ you ] and it is alike necessary to express them distinctly , whether the limitation [ as many as the Lord shall call ] be applyed to the former part of the verse or to the latter onely , so that I can yet see no reason of Master Sidenhams conceit , that such a referring of the limitation [ as many as the Lord our God shall call ] to the first part of the v. as I make , would cause the distribution of this v. to be so unequal as not to be suitable to the lawes of expression among rational men . And to what he addes further I say [ children ] were one part of the world , and comprehended under Jewes , but how this must needs follow on such a reading of the words as puts [ as many as the Lord shall call ] to the first part of the verse any more then to the latter onely I see not ? nor if it did , do I know any absurdity in it , no nor any opposition to what he makes the Apostles designes . But let 's see what he makes of all this to his purpose . He tels us , now put children by themselves a third party , and add , whom the Lord shall call , and you exclude them from being etiher Jewes or Gentiles , and so excommunicate them from any hopes of calling , or being saved . To which I say , if I doated like Master Sidenham , making [ you and those afar off ] synonymous to Jewes , and Gentiles in general , when the terms note onely some in particular , and put [ children ] by themselves as a third party , I should exclude them from being Jewes or Gentiles , whether I added to the first part of the v. the words [ as many as the Lord shall call ] or did otherwise . And if I made all that are called and saved to be comprehended under [ you and those afar off ] as Synonymous to Jewes and Gentilas in General , and excluded [ children ] as neither I should excommunicate them a● he saith . But that either any such thing followes on the limiting of the former part of the v. by those words [ as many as the Lord our God shall call ] or any other of my sayings , is neither proved by Master Sidenham nor any other , nor ever will. But Master Sidenham goes on : Now this is , 1. Contrary to that known rule in Logick , That Omnis bona distributio debet esse bimembris ; onely of two members , and those opposite one to another ; to bring in a third marres all . This then he imagines that if [ your children ] be a third party , and not either [ you or those afar off ] a Logick rule would be broken . But whose Logick rule is that he mentions ? I confess there have been Logicians who have affected dichotonie , but when they have tyed themselves to it , they have been censured as guilty of accurate vanity by Burgersdicius Inst. log . l. 2. c. 5. Keck . Syst. Log. l. 1. part . 2. c. 3. and others . Scheibler Top. c. 29. n. 36. bounds it with sundry cautions . And indeed we must cashier many received divisions if that rule hold as e. g. in morality of good into honest , pleasant and profitable , in divinity of the law into moral , ceremonial and judicial , of the divine persons into the Father , Son and holy Ghost , of the Bookes of the Old Testament into Moses , the Prophets and the Psalmes and so blame Christ himself . What Master Sidenham infers , so that it is most clear the words must be understood , as they are translated , is not denyed by me , and yet the words , [ Acts 2.39 . as many as the Lord our God shall call ] limit the first part of the v. Nor do I deny the promise is to you Jewes , and your children at present , to express the Apostles meaning in the sense I have given , nor do I gainsay what he addes , and to those afar off also and their children , when God shall call them , if he mean it of the calling the chileren as well as the parents ; though withall it is to be noted , that in the text there is no mention of the children of those afar off . But what he saith further , else ( that is , if the promise be not to the children of those afar off when God shall call the parents ) calling can with no sense be applyed to any tittle of the former part of the verse , without you make it monstrous , and unlike it self , is either false or unintelligible by me . For though the promise should not be to the children of those afar off , when God called the parents , yet this is in my apprehension good sense , The promise is to you being called , and to your children being called , nor is any monstrosity or unlikeness to it self more in this sense then if the term [ called ] were applyed only to the latter part : But there would be non-sense , if the distribution were reduced to dichotomie as Master Sidenham would have it , and the proposition would be false , that the promise ( which Master Sidenham makes to be of remission of sins , Christ and his Spirit , justification , sanctification , and all graces ) is to them or their children without calling , or though God should not call them . There is some more of the like stuff in that which followes . 2. It 's against another rule about distribution which is , that partes divisionis ambulent equali passu , that the parts of a distribution should be equally set together . Now here will be a mighty inequality , as to the communication of the promise ; if the words should be taken in their sense , the Jewes will have a greater priviledge then the Gentiles , if children be not equally added to both , the Jewes had the promise made to them , and their children at present , these afar off shall onely have the promise to themselves , but not their children . Ans. It is one of the vexations that befals men that write bookes that they are necessitated to answer such silly scriblings : But so we must do or else the world will be befooled with that which is most vain . The objection to which this Author answers is , that the latter clause , as many as the Lord shall call , is a limitation of the verse , and no more are under the promise , and so children , if God shall call them , shall also enjoy the promise ; now that which he contends for is , that [ children ] is to be added equally to both parts of the v. ( which was not in question ) but shewes not the promise to be to the children if God call them not , which is the thing in question . And as he shootes besides the mark , proving what was not to be proved , so his argument is nothing to that he takes on him to prove . He sets down a rule in Logick , which I find in Scheibler , ●op . c. 29. n. 39. with this explication , hoc est , sumantur ex eodem genere . But in this sense it seemes this Author meant it , that the thing divided be communicated equally to the parts of the division , it is not true . For then the division of being into substance and accident , God and the Creature , with many more , were not right divisions . But were his rule right , as he means it , ( as it is not ) yet it is nothing to his purpose . He would prove , if children be not equally added to both parts of the v. Acts 2.39 . then the Jewes will have a greater priviledge then the Gentiles ( which might be granted without absurdity ) for there would be a mighty inequality , as to the communication of the promise , which is against the rule of Logick he mentions , as if the promise or the communication of the promise were a whole divided into parts , and one part were the Jewes and their children , and the other were the Gentiles and their children , which were ridiculous ; nor do I know any other way he can understand his arguing from this Logick rule , but that it will appear alike frivolous . But the Reader ( I doubt ) will think I insist too much in answering such trifles . I go on therefore . 3. Saith he , consider , how comes this word ( your children ) to be kept in , for what end and use , if it were not to shew some spiritual priviledge they have with their parents , when God calls or converts the parents ? what stands it for but a stone of offence to consciencious hearts ? Ans. 1. he asserts in this passage that ( your children ) is kept in to shew some spiritual priviledge they have with their parents , when God calls or converts the parent ? but a little before he observed a change in the tense in both parts of the verse ; in the first part unto the Jewes , he speaks de praeseuti , of the present application of the promise , and supposeth under the call of God already ; here ( your children ) is to shew a speciall priviledge , when God calls or converts the parent , which intimates that he had not then called or converted the parent . and therefore the one passage crosseth the other . 2. He had said before , that ( as many as the Lord shall call ) can in no sense be referred to the former part of the verse either to parents or children , and yet here he refers it in a necessary sense , as he conceives , to the parent . 3. If the special priviledge to the children doth suppose the parents call , why not also the childrens call ? 4. Yea the special priviledge in the Text to the father and child is the promise , and that Master Sidenham makes to be of justification , sanctification , and all graces , and can he imagine this promise to be to a child barely on the parents call without his own personal calling by God ? I think he durst not assert it : If he did , I am sure it is false as being contrary to Rom. 8.30 . and therefore of necessity to make his own exposition good , we must limit the former part of the verse , in what is said both of parent and child by the words [ as many as the Lord our God shall call ] . As for his questions , why [ your children ] is in the verse , it hath been answered , because of their imprecation , Matth. 27.25 . to which he replies thus : To see the sad shift of errour is wonderful : Can any man imagine , that the parents could doubt more , or so much of their childrens being accepted , and saved , when God should call them who were innocent , and only under the sudden rash curse of their parents , when they saw that the promise was to themselves , who were the actual murtherers of the Lord Jesus . Answ. To me who am so well acquainted with the shifts of Paedobaptists , it is not wonderful to see the shifts of errour . This very reply what is it but a vain shift ? For he supposeth the children were innocent , which he cannot prove , and that the curse was sudden and rash , which seems rather to have been deliberate , and that they saw the promise was to themselves , and Christ offered pardon to themselves , when there was nothing but horrour on their consciences for crucifying Christ till after Peters speech to them , and that if the parents were not imagined to doubt more or so much of their childrens being accepted and saved as themselves , then there was no reason to insert [ your children ] by occasion of the imprecation , Matth. 27.25 . whereas if they doubted any whit , yea if for the present they did not think on that curse , yet might afterwards as there was cause they should , there was reason enough for Peter to insert those words whether they tended to take away a present , or possible fear in them concerning their children . But there is more of his trifling yet behind . 2. Saith he , Such a consideration would rather sadden them then refresh them , to mention the calling of their children : For they might more doubt of that , then of any thing , whether God would call them or no , and be as far to seek as ever they were , that they would have but cold comfort upon this account ; this was enough to break their hearts if that were in their eye . Answ. The phrase [ and be as far to seek as ever they were ] intimates the Jews had attained some comfort before this speech of Peter ( which is manifestly false from the Text ) and that telling them that the promise was to their children if called by God would rather sadden them then refresh them , it was cold comfort , enough to break their hearts if that were in their eye : which is in effect all one as if a man should say , when a man is in a swoon hot water will rather sadden him then refresh him , or when a man is sad , it is cold comfort enough to break his heart to give him a cup of Sack. But Mr. Sidenham will not be thought sine ratione delirare . For , saith he , they might doubt more of that , then of any thing , whether God would call them or no. What ? was it likely they should doubt more of their childrens calling and pardon , if they were called , then of their own pardon , who were then under horrour of soul for their own grand crime of killing Christ ? or if they did thus doubt , would it break their heart to be told that there was a possibility and hope that the promise was to their children , who might be called ? I have heard that if it were not for hope the heart would break : but I never heard that the telling of a person of a thing of which there was hope , though he might doubt of it , would break his heart . But Master Sidenham addes . The old way of conveying the promise is cut off , no promise but to called ones : our poor children are uncalled , and God knows whether ever they may be called of God : thus might they reason . Ans. It s true , they might thus reason : But that they did , or by Peters words , as expounded by me , were likely to reason thus , is against reason to imagine . The old way of conveying the promise I imagine he means the giving the initial seal to their infants , that is , Circumcision . Now will any sober man think that in that perplexity they were in through conscience of their guilt , and danger of wrath impending on their children by reason of their impious curse , when Peter tells them to stay them from despair , that yet in Christ sent the promise was fulfilled for remission of sins to them and their children , if each of them were called of God , that is , did repent and believe , that they would repel this comfort by questioning the losse of Circumcision , and bemoaning the want of it to their infants ? I know the Jews were zealous after for Circumcision and the Law , even those who became Christians , yet sure in that perplexity there was not the least thought of such a poor priviledg as an initial seal , but of the freedome of themselves and children from their guilt and curse . But I would know where this doctrine is , that Circumcision conveys the promises , or is the old way of conveying them , and what Scripture saith the promise ( of remission of sins here meant , as Master Sidenham himself expounds it ) is to any but called ones . Paul saith , Rom. 8.30 . whom he hath called , them he hath justified . Hos & non alios , saith Augustine , and Orthodox Protestants , as from the Text may be evinced , sith all these agree to the same persons to be predestinate , called , justified , glorified . Is this such doctrine as were enough to break their hearts ? But let 's hear him out . But when he includes them in the same promise with parents , and exhorts the parents to repent upon this ground , that the promise is to them and their children ; this savours like a Gospel comforting-exhortation , and could not be but of great efficacy upon their spirits . Answ. Me thinks it should be comfortable to them , that the promise was to them and their children upon condition of calling , that is , sanctification , repentance , believing : It is Antinomian doctrine , not Gospel , to say , justification is to a person uncalled , that afore he believes he is justified actually before God , even while he lives in the height of sin . It is true the promises of the land of Canaan and other benefits were to Abrahams natural seed : but the Gospel-promises of remission of sins and everlasting life in Christ , were never to Abrahams or any believing parents natural seed as such , but only to Abrahams spiritual seed elect and true believers . Master Sidenham addes . 4. What strange mysterious tautologies would be in this one verse ? if that last sentence should refer to all the former expressions , we must read it thus to make out their sense . The promise is to you parents of the Jews , when God shall call you , ( and they were then under call ) and to your grown children , when God shall call them ; and to all which are afar off , when God shall call them : Can any man with his understanding about him think the holy Ghost should faulter so much in common expression of his minde , when there was no need of adding of calling to any part , but to those that are afar off , who never were yet under Gods Gospel call ? Answ. There 's neither tautology , nor mystery in limiting the promise to the called of the Jew parents and children , nor doth any thing make it seem strange , but ignorance . Tautology is not , sith the Propositions are three distinct ones in words and sense , it is not the same to say , the promise is to you called , the promise is to your children called , the promise is to all that are afar off called ▪ you , your children , all that are afar off being different tearms . Mystery is no more , if it be added to the former part of the verse then to the latter . The calling in the latter part of the verse can be understood of no other than effectual calling , whether inward onely , or both inward , and outward , for to none other of the Gentiles is the promise of remission of sins . And for the same reason the limitation is necessary to be added to the former part of the verse ; nor can any good reason be given why the promise should be to the Jews and their children without calling by God , and not to those afar off without it ; The Jews were then under call , but were not then called , nor doth Mr. Sidenham say they were , and therefore Peter might aptly enough say to them , The promise is to ●s many of you as the Lord our God shall call . The manner of expression is usual to put after a distribution of persons the limitation in common . There is the like , Acts 3.24 , where as many as have spoken limits the Prophets from Samuel , and those that follow after . Had Mr. Sidenham understanding in him of these things , he had not charged my exposition with making the Holy Ghost faulter in common expression of his mind . Such censures ill become such a smattering scribler . But who so bold as blinde bayard ? It follows Lastly , saith he , the word , children , may and must he understood of little ones , infants , not of adult and grown persons , for these reasons . Answ. Boldly said like a young hotspur . Belike then when persons are ten , twelve , or more years old , they cease to be their parents children and seed . But I am willing to hear reason : 1. saith he , the word here ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) properly signifies an off-spring , any thing brought forth , though it be but of a day , of a moment old : Thus when a woman is said to be in pain , and to bring forth , this word is used , John 16.21 . Luke 1.31 . Matth. 1.16 . Luke 1.57 . Answ. How heedlesly did this Authour scribble when he said , this word ( which can be no other then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) is used , John 16.21 . Luke 1.31 . Matth. 1 , 26. Luke 1.57 . when it is used in none of those places , though the verb whence it comes is used in them . But were it used there , yet the reason is frivolous : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a thing brought forth , ergo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 children , Acts 2.39 . may not , must not be understood of adult and grown persons . He might as well have said , it must be understood but of those that are in this moment brought forth , not of an infant of a day old , and that the person brought forth is only the mothers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or child , because she only brought him forth , not the father . I did think till I met with this new Master , that the Holy Ghost spake properly when he called persons grown to ripe age their fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or children , Ephes. 6.1 . Col. 3.21 . &c. 2. Saith he , It s an indefinite word , and therefore may not be restrained to grown children , except God had exprest it in a peculiar phrase . Answ. Mr. Sidenham alters the conclusion he undertook to prove , and concludes that which he findes not denied : His reason is as well against his own conclusion : It s an indefinite word , and therefore may not be restrained to infant-children except God had exprest it in a peculiar phrase . And indeed the reason is good only thus . It s an indefinite word , therefore it s to be restrained as the subject matter directs . But Mr. Sidenham shifts as it may serve his turn . His conclusion set down at first excluded adult children , because he knew the promise had not then been to them without calling , and so his project of drawing thence a priviledge for infants intituling them to baptisme had failed , but here his proof coming short he alters the conclusion into that which might be granted him without detriment to the cause . 3. Saith he , It must needs be especially meant of little ones , because they are distinguished from themselves , who were men of years . Now when we distinguish between men and children , we suppose the one adult , the other under age , and not grown up ; and it is contrary to all ways of expression to think otherwise . Answ. Belike then we must think that where it is said , Matth. 10.21 . the fathers shall deliver the children to death , and the children shall rise up against the parents , and Luke 1.17 . to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children , it must be especially meant of little ones , because they are distinguished from themselves who were men of years , and to think otherwise if the Dr. of New-Castle say true , is contrary to all ways of expression , which you may imagine he knew . 4. Saith he , It cannot be rationally conjectured otherwise , because the Apostle doth join them with their parents in the same promise , and not leave them to stand by themselves , as grown persons must . Answ. Belike then if any understand the promises to Abraham , and his seed , to David and his seed of any other then infants it is not rationally conjectured . I have done with this Writer about this Text , of which he vainly talks , as he doth in the rest ; so that all things weighed , this text of Scripture if there were no more , holds forth ( not to be seen ) the sameness of the promise to believers of the Gospel , both Jew and Gentile and their children , as ever it was to Abraham and his natural seed . SECT . XXV . Mr. Marshal's Reply to my Examen about his first Conclusion is reviewed , and the Covenant Gen. 17. still maintained to be mixt , and that Gentile self justiciaries though reputed Christians are not termed Abraham's seed , nor Gal. 4.29 . proves it , and that the distinction of outward and inward Covenant is not right . I Now reassume the Review of Mr. Ms. Reply to my Examen of his Sermon ; Next , saith he , come we to examine the truth of the Antecedent , which I manifested in those five Conclusions opened in my Sermon . But I supposed he had intended to prove by his five Conclusions not onely his Antecedent , but also his Consequence . If I apprehend him rightly , there are none of his five Conclusions but the two first that are for proving of the Antecedent . But let 's view what he writes . The first whereof is this , That the covenant of grace for substance hath always been one and the same both to Jews and Gentiles . The first Conclusion you grant , and therefore there were no need to have stayed the Reader any further about it , were it not that some of your Exceptions do almost recall your grant . If it be in substance the same , though you should reckon up a thousand accidental and local differences , it were nothing to the purpose . Answer . It is true , I granted this Conclusion understanding it according to the Explication in his Sermon , pag. 9 , 10. in these words , That the new and living way to life was first revealed to Adam immediately after his fall , and that blessed promise concerning the seed of the woman often renewed , and the Patriarchs faith therein , and salvation thereby plentifully recorded in Scripture : But the first time that ever it was revealed under the express name of a League or Covenant was with Abraham ; who because he was the first explicite Covenanter is called the Father of the Faithfull ; and ever since clearly hath all the world been divided into two distinct bodies and families , the one called the Kingdom , City , Houshold of God , to which all who own the way of life were to joyn themselves ; and th●se were called the children of God , the sons of Abraham , the children of the Kingdom ; all the rest of the world , the Kingdom of the Devil , the seed of the Serpent , strangers from the covenant of grace , without God in the world , &c. The substance of this covenant of grace on Gods part was to be Abraham's God , and the God of his seed , to be an all-sufficient portion , an all-sufficient reward for him , to give Jesus Christ to him , and righteousness with him both of justification , and sanctification and everlasting life , Gen. 17.1 , &c. Gal. 3.15 . Rom. 4.3 . John 8.56 . On Abraham's part the substance of the covenant was to believe the promised Messiah , to walk before God with a perfect heart , to serve God according to his revealed will , to instruct his family , &c. Gal. 3.16 . Gen. 17.1 . & 18.19 . Gal. 3.17 , 19. In which passage I did conceive that Mr. M. meant by the substance of the covenant of grace the promise as it is purely evangelical , which I conceived to be the same with the new covenant mentioned Heb. 8.9 , 10 ▪ 11 , 12. & 10.16 , 17. And this I was sure was not made with all Abrahams natural posterity , much less with any believing Gentiles natural posterity as such , but onely so many of either as are elect and believe , as Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. Gal. 3.29 . is determined , and so none of a believing Gentiles children are in this covenant , but they that are believers , or elected to faith in Christ. But then this would not serve Mr. Ms. turn . And therefore notwithstanding those words in his Sermon , yet in his Defence pag. 90. he saith , The covenant of grace contains not onely saving grace , but the administration of it also in outward ordinances and Church-privileges : but in what sense he means it contains them he declares not . That which is contained in a covenant is either the promise or the condition . The seal , writing , writer , pen , and such like adjuncts are never called the covenant , nor contained in it , though they be instrumental to hold forth the covenant . Now where any promise is of outward ordinances and Church-privileges , or how they should be a condition of the promises I understand not . He distinguisheth pag 106. of the covenant of grace thus , The covenant of grace is sometimes taken strictly , sometimes largely : as it is considered strictly , it is a covenant in which the spiritual benefits of justifi-fication , regeneration , perseverance , and glorification are freely promised in Christ. Secondly , as the covenant of grace is taken largely , it comprehends all evangelical administrations , which do wholly depend upon the free and gracious appointment of God , and this administration is fulfilled according to the counsel of Gods will ; sometimes it was administred by his appointment in types , shadows , and other legal ordinances ; this covenant of administration God said Zachary 11.10 . he did break with the people of the Jews , and at the death of Christ he did wholly evacuate and abolish , and in stead thereof brought in the administration we live under , where also he rejected the Jews , or broke them off from being his people in covenant , and called the Gentiles and graffed them in ramorum defractorum locum , into the place of the branch , and broken off as your self , pag. 65. do with Beza rightly express it . But herein Mr. M. confounds what in his Sermon he distinguished the covenant of grace and the administration of it . He saith , The covenant of grace largely taken comprehends all evangelical administrations ; and saith , This administration is fulfilled . By the evangelical administrations he means the old legal ordinances afore Christs death , and the administration we live under which is baptism and the Lords Supper , pag. 120. he saith , Our Divines own the outward administration of the covenant under the notion of foedus externum , the outward covenant . Now if there be sense in these passages , I must needs charge my self with dulness , who cannot discern it . Is it sense to call that a covenant without a Trope , which is neither a promise nor a condition of a covenant ? to say that the covenant contains or comprehends evangelical administrations , and yet to call it the administration it self ? to say , this administration was administred , and not something by the administration administred ? But let us considee what others make of this distinction of covenant strictly and largely taken , or which is all one , the inward and outward covenant . I have met with none that speaks more distinctly than Mr. Anthony Burges in his Book entituled Spiritual Refining , Sect. 8. Serm. 64. pag. 393. who was one of the Assembly . The external covenant is that whereby in an outward visible manner God doth own a people , add they externally profess their owning of him ; but yet in their hearts and souls they do not stedfastly cleave unto God , and faithfully keep this covenant in the conditions thereof . The internal or inward covenant is that whereby God doth in a spiritual powerfull manner take a people to him working in their hearts all those gifts and graces promised in the covenant as regeneration , remission of sins , adoption , and the like . And in this sense onely the truly godly are in the covenant , and they are onely Gods people , and he their God. This distinction of a covenant into outward and inward is not a distinction of a genus into its species , so much as a distinction of a thing into the several administrations and dispensations of it . In this passage there is want of clearness as well as in M. Marshals . He tels us negatively , that it is not a distinction of a genus into its species , yet with some mincing of the matter ( so much ) as if it might be the distinction of a genus into its species , though not so much , which is an expression of a man who would say somewhat but cannot well tell what to say . But if it be not a distinction of a genus into its species , what distinction is it ? Is any man the wiser for a meer Negative ? It is , saith he , a distinction of a thing into the several administrations and dispensations of it . But this tells us not what sort of distinction this is , whether nominis of the word or rei of the thing . If he had meant to be a distinction of the word he should have shewed where the word is so taken , if of the thing , what kinde of division or distribution it is . To me it seems against all Rules of Logick to divide thus . A covenant is either the outward or the inward administration and dispensation of it or the inward , which without Trope of speech ( which should be absent from men that should rationally explain things ) is non-sense , affirming one covenant to be one administration and another another , whereas the covenant is one thing and the administration another thing . But his meaning is this , one covenant is outward being outwardly administred , or administring outward things , another inward administring inwardly or inward things . But neither is this right sith the covenant doth not administer but the covenanter , nor doth he do it by the covenant but by some other act according to the covenant , the covenant is onely an ag●eement and promise to do it , the administring is the keeping of the covenant , not the covenant it self . But let that be yielded that the covenant doth administer , yet the description of the external covenant as made by Mr. Burges doth not include administration . For God may in an outward visible manner own a people , and they externally profess their owning of him , and yet neither administer one to another any thing promised , or if the owning be administration , the people administer to God as well as God administers to them . Besides his description makes an external profession of owning God requisite to the external covenant . If that be right , no infant is in the external covenant till it profess owning God , and in what outward visible manner God doth own infants except by baptizing them ( which God doth not but the Minister , nor ever commanded or declared his approbation of i● ) I know not , and then the outward covenant is nothing else but baptizing , and an infants being in covenant is his being baptized or to be baptized , and the argument from the covenant comes to this ridiculous tautology , all infants of believers are in the outward covenant ( for they dare not say they are all in the inward ) that is , they are in the outward administration , which is no other than baptism , and so the antecedent is equipollent to this , they are or are to be baptized ; and the conclusion is , ergo , they are to be baptized . But Mr. Marshal it seems conceives the outward Covenant , as he describes it , meant Zach. 11.10 . where the Prophet saith , And I took my staff even Beauty , and cut it asunder , that I might break my Covenant which I had made with all the people . And he interprets it thus , that at the death of Christ God brake his covenant with the Jews , wholly evacuating and abolishing the legal Ordinances , and bringing in the administration we live under . But if this be the sense , then this Prophesie doth not foretell any thing penal to the Jews ; for the abolishing of legal ordinances was a mercy to them , they being a yoke intolerable , Acts 15.10 . whereas the Text speaks of it as an evil that should befall them . Piscator in his Analysis , Eventus fuit desertio Judaeorum , v. 9 , 10 , 11 , & 14. Diodati and after him the New Annotations in Zech. 11.10 . My Covenant ] the peace which I had granted to my Church , that she should not be assaulted no more , nor be molested by any strange Nation , which was verified from the Maccabees time , untill a little before the coming of Christ. Grot. Annot. in locum . Abstuli protectionem illam specialem . Irritum facere foedus suum Deus dicitur , cum ruptis a populo foederis conditionibus , ipse quoque a sua par●e promissa non implet . Mr. Ms. conceit is , as if by the Covenant were meant legal Ordinances , and so the breaking off is meant either de jure onely , and then it is not a Prophesie of what should happen ; or else de facto , in the event , but then it is not true ; for the Jews retained the legal Ordinances of the Covenant he made with them , and do still at this day even circumcision , and as many other of the legal Rites as they can in their present dispersion . It is true , God brake o● the Jews from being his people in Covenant , and called the Gentiles and graffed them in ramorum defractorum locum , and how this is to be understood I have shewed before at large in the first part of this Review . But without a Trope to call outward Ordinances Gods Covenant is without example of Scripture ( the Covenants Rom. 9.4 . say Beza , Piscator , New Annot. &c. are the Tables of the Covenant ) and can hardly be acquitted from non-sense . Onely perhaps it seems Mr. M. for a shift , as v. g. pag. 103. he saith , God makes good his promise sealed in baptism in which he engageth himself to be the God of believing Christians and their seed ; which in his Sermon pag. 10. he makes the promise of saving grace , yet when it is proved that cannot be true of Gentile believers and their children he runs to this vain shift , that the outward Covenant belongs to them ( which is nothing to the promise Gen. 17.7 . in which outward administrations are not promised ) though not the inward . Nor is it Mr. Ms. manner alone but the common course of Paedobaptists in their writings to play fast and loose with the ambiguity of the term Covenant and Covenant of grace , as hath been formerly shewed , and may appear more in that which follows . But to keep to Mr. M. He tells me , If the Covenant of grace be in substance the same , though you should reckon up a thousand accidental and local differences it were nothing to the purpose . To which I reply ; Though I grant the Covenant of grace be always the same in substance , meaning thereby that the elect are saved in all Ages by the same promises of evangelical grace , that is righteousness , regeneration , adoption in Christ , and the promise Gen. 17.7 . hath an evangelical sense , which is this , that God will be a God to Abraham and his spiritual seed by election and faith , and am unjustly charged of spoiling all infants of all interest in the Covenant of grace , and confining the Jews promises to earthly and temporal blessings , of which I have acqui●ted my self in my Letter to Mr. Baily , Sect. 1.2 . yet I never granted that the Covenant with Abraham did contain no other than evangelical promises of grace in Christ , nor that these very promises Gen. 17 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. were all evangelical promises , nor any of them in that sense , which is obvious to the understanding , according to common Rules of Grammar , but onely according to the Apostles Exposition , who never so expounded the promise , Gen. 17.7 . as if it were made to any mans seed but Abrahams , not to every believing Gentile and his natural seed . And certainly this difference between the covenant Gen. 17. and the covenant of grace will be much to the purpose to shew the Covenant , Gen. 17 not to be to a believing Christian and his seed ; and that though circumcision of male infants should have its reason barely from the interest of the circumcised in that Covenant ; yet such a Covenant-interest not belonging to our children who are of the Gentiles cannot be a reason to entitle them to baptism though it should be granted ( which is not ) that our baptism succeeds their circumcision , and seals the covenant of grace as theirs did that made with Abraham . This mixture of the Covenant , and the inference thence , that Circumcision did not belong to all believers and their children , but as in Abrahams family is observed by Mr. Allen and Mr. Sheppard in their Defence of the Answer to the nine Positions , chap. 8. and because their words are apposite to my purpose , though otherwise applied by them , I shall recite them . Now that we hold the right proportion in the persons may appear , first , in that ( as was granted ) Circumcision sealed the entrance into the Covenant , but this Covenant was not simply , and onely the Covenant of grace ; but that whole Covenant that was made with Abraham , whereby on Gods part they were assured of many special blessings ( whereof Lot and others not in this Covenant with Abraham were not capable ) and whereby Abraham and his seed , and family were bound for their part to be a people to God , and to observe this sign of the Covenant , which others in the Covenant of grace were not bound to . Secondly , ( as is granted ) it was Abraham and his houshold and the seed of believing Jews that were to be circumcised , and therefore not visible believers , ( as such ) for then Lot had been included ; so by right proportion not all visible believers as such , but such as with Abraham and his family are in visible Covenant to be the people of God , according to the institution of Churches when and to which the seal of Baptism is given ; and therefore as all family-churches but Abrahams being in a new form of a Church were excluded , so much more such a● are in no visible constituted Church at all . In which it is expresly yielded , that the Covenant with Abraham was mixt in my sense , that Circumcision did not belong to all visibly in the Covenant of grace , that it belonged peculiarly to the Church in Abrahams family , that Baptism follows the Christian Church constitution ( which sure is much different from the Jewish ) and therefore not the Covenant made with Abraham . But Mr. M. seems to be sensible of this , and endeavours to p●event it in that which follows . But , saith he , the first doth almost recall it , wherein you charge me to carry the narration of the Covenant made with Abraham , Gen. 17. as if it did onely contain the Covenant of grace in Christ ; whereas it is apparent ( say you ) out of the Text , that the Covenant was a mixt Covenant consisting of temporal benefits , the multiplying of Abrahams seed , possession of Canaan , the birth of Isaac , besides the spiritual blessings . To which I reply , I meant so indeed , and so I plainly expressed my self , that all the difference betwixt the Covenant then made with Abraham , and the Covenant made with us , lies onely in the manner of administration of the Covenant ; and not in the Covenant it self . The Covenant it self in the substance of it holds out the same mercies both spiritual and temporal to them and to us . Answer . By mixt Covenant I mean a Covenant consisting of some temporal blessings proper onely to Abrahams natural posterity and some spiritual blessings common with him to all believers whether Jews or Gentiles . And I say , those promises of temporal blessings were of the substance of the Covenant made with Abraham , that they cannot in any fit sense be called the manner of the administration of the Covenant , that the Covenant it self in the substance doth not hold out the same mercies both spiritual and temporal to them , and to us . And all these things I thus prove . 1. Those promises were of the substance of the Covenant , which are in Scripture called the Covenant it self , without mention of the spiritual promises ; but this is true of the promise of the Land of Canaan , &c. Psalm 105.8 , 9 , 10 , 11. Nehem. 9.8 . Gen. 26.3 . & 28.3 , 4 , 13 , 14. 1 Chron. 16.15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , &c. In which places the Text expresly saith , God made a Covenant with Abraham ; and then recites the Covenant , that it was to give the Land of the Canaanites , &c. which were temporal mercies not now promised or performed to us . Ergo , To deny those promises to be of the substance of the Covenant , and to call them administrations , which the Scripture calls the Covenant it self so often , if it be not to thwart the Scripture , sure it is unwarrantably to alter its expressions : God himself so expresly calling the giving of Canaan his Covenant , Exod. 5.45.8 . refutes this conceit . 2. Those promises are of the substance of the Covenant made with Abraham , which are integral parts of the Covenant . But those promises of temporal blessings are integral parts of the Covenant made with Abraham . Ergo , the major is in it self manifest , for the Covenant is nothing but a promise or an aggregate of promises ; and so if a Covenant have any substance in it , it must be the integral parts . The minor is apparant from the very words , Gen. 17.4 , &c. where God having in general terms told Abraham , My Covenant is with thee , he expresseth to the 9. verse , wherein his Covenant was with him , and that is set down in those peculiar blessings to Abrahams natural posterity , Verse 6.8 . 3. The promise of Canaan can be called no other way the administration of the Covenant of grace than in that in the hidden sense under that promise spiritual good was intended to be shadowed . But this very thing shews that the promise of an earthly inheritance was in the first place thereby intended to Abrahams natural posterity , and the other onely as an additament or appendix to the promise in its first meaning . Now then if the promise of Canaan in the first sense be not of the substance of the Covenant , neither is the promise onely implied mysteriously in the more hidden sense , which is but an appendix to it , of the substance of the Covenant . 4. The Covenant made with Abraham , holds not out the same mercies both spiritual and temporal to Abrahams natural posterity and to us . Ergo , there is more difference than in the administration . The Antecedent is apparant ; for the promise of the Land of Canaan , the birth of Isaac , Christ to come of him according to the flesh , &c. are not made to us . Ergo , But Mr. M. thinks to prevent this by telling us , Godliness having all the promises both of this life and that which is to come ; and that they and we have our right to all these promises upon the self same condition . Answer . Thess things are manifestly false ; for though godliness have the promise of this life and that which is to come , 1 Tim. 4.8 . yet the promises , Levit. 26.6 , &c. are not made to every godly man , that he shall ly down and none shall make him afraid , that he shall chase his enemies , &c. but rather assurance is given that he shall be persecuted , 2 Tim. 3.12 . Mark 10.29 , 30. Nor have they promises upon the same condition ; for Exod. 34.24 . it is promised , that none should desire the Israelites Land while they did appear thrice in the year before the Lord , but to us there is not that promise nor upon that condition . But , saith he ▪ earthly things indeed were to them promised more distinctly and fully , heavenly things more generally and sparingly than they are now to us ; and on the contrary , spiritual things are more fully and clearly promised to us than to them ; and earthly promises more generally and sparingly . Answ. This is not all the difference ; for I have shewed that to us an earthly rest is not promised at all , but the contrary assured to us , to wit , suffering persecution . Mr. M. adds , And that these temporal benefits which you mention , viz. multiplying of Abrahams seed , the bitth of Isaac , and possession of Canaan , were all of them administrations of the Covenant of grace , they were figures , signs , and types of spiritual things to be enjoyed both by them and us . These things I not onely asserted , ●ut proved in my Sermon . If you mean no more than this , that all these temporal blessings were promised and given as flowing from the promise of Christ , and were subservient to it , or were types and shadows of it , you mean no more than what we all grant , who yet deny any more mixture in the Covenant made with Abraham for the substance of it , than there is in that made with us ; and that the difference lies onely in the manner of administration . Answer . I deny not but that the possession of Canaan , birth of Isaac . multiplying Abrahams seed were figures , signs , and types of spiritual things to be enjoyed by elect ▪ Jews and Gentiles according to the mystical hidden●sense of the words ; nor do I deny that they were subservient to the promise of Christ , whether it be to be said they flowed from the promise of Christ , or tended to the fore-signifying of Christ to come , the grace of the Gospel , and the heavenly inheritance and rest is a doubt . Surely they flowed from Gods special love to Israel above any other people , Deut. 7.6 , 7 , 8. And I grant that Circumcision ratified spiritual blessings chiefly , that is as the chief thing promised ; yet in the sense in which I think Gameron meant it , Thesi 78. de triplici foedere primarily , that is according to the first and manifest sense of the words it sealed earthly promises peculiar to Abrahams natural posterity , and that Ciacumcision of infants was specially for that reason , to wit , the peculiar promises to Abrahams natural posterity ; nor do I see cause to mislike Grotius his speech Annot. in Luc. 1.59 . Infantium autem circumcisio ostendebat foedus esse gentilium . And this mixture of the Covenant with Abraham , to wit , that it contained not onely promises common to all believers , but also promises so peculiar to Abrahams natural posterity , that all of them were not according to the Law to be made good to any Gentile though a Proselyte circumcised , namely , the inheritance of the Land of Canaan , of which none but the natural progeny of Israel were to be inheritours , is so manifest , that the denial of it I can hardly impute to any thing but dulness or meer pertinacy . Yet why these promises so peculiar to them should be denied to be of the substance of the Covenant made with Abraham , I see no reason they being integral parts . Christ it is true is the substance of the things promised as they were Types ; yet the things promised in respect of their natural being had a substance besides , and in relation to the Covenant were as much the substance or substantial parts of it as the spiritual promises ; yea , sith those spiritual promises ( if I may so speak ) did subsist in the expressions of temporal blessings , it follows in my apprehension , that if the promises of the spiritual blessings were of the substance of the Covenant , then surely the promises of temporal blessings , which those very promises did express , and under the shadow of which they were made should be much more of the substance of the Covenant . Nor do I conceive any grosness in it to imagine of God , that he should in a Covenant of grace founded in Christ intend in the seal of it to ratifie temporal blessings , when he intended to assure spiritual blessings under the covert of words in the first sense importing onely temporal . As for the terming of the administration of the Covenant of grace it is neither according to Scripture , nor is it very handsom sense , specially according to Mr. Ms. doctrine , who calls Circumcision the old administration of the Covenant , and if it were an administration of the promises , which were administrations of the Covenant of grace , then Circumcision was an administration of an administration . But Mr M. speaks to me thus . I desire to know of you what Scripture ever made circumcision a seal of Canaan ; we have express Scripture that it sealed the righteousness of faith whereby he was justified , but I no where reade that it ●ealed the Land of Canaan . Answer . To gratifie him I tell him , that I read Circumcision called a token of the Covenant , Gen. 17.11 . which Covenant was the Covenant mentioned before in that chapter , and in that v. 8. the promise of the Land of Canaan is made , and Acts 7.8 . Stephen calls it The Covenant of Circumcision , which he shews not how it was otherwise fulfilled in that speech but by bringing them out of Egypt , and placing them in Canaan , in which he fulfilled his promise to Abraham , vers . 6 , 7 , 16. It is true , the Apostle calls Abrahams Circumcision A seal of the righteousness of faith which he had yet being uncircumcised , Rom 4.11 . But I finde not this said of any ones Circumcision but Abrahams : surely it cannot be said truly of any ones Circumcision but a believers . As for what he saith , That we have now carnal promises , and therefore our covenant may be as well mixt as that with Abraham . I answer it is true , We have promise of the life that now is and that which is to come ; and so our Covenant is in a sort mixt of spiritual and temporal promises : but these promises are common to all godly persons both Jews and Gentiles , not proper onely to Abrahams natural posterity inheriting , in which sense I called it a mixt Covenant , Exercit. pag. 2. Sect. 1. I grant , we have outward privileges and ordinances , as Baptism and the Lords Supper , and that many now are members of the visible Church , and partake of them who are not elect nor true believers . But none but elect persons have the promises of the new Covenant made to them ; none but an elect person hath the promise , that God will write his Laws in his heart , be his God , &c. And therefore none but such in truth are in the covenant of grace , though others may be in shew in it and accounted so by us . Mr. Josiah Church in his Book forenamed pag. 41. interposeth thus , 1. Spiritual and temporal promises may be said to make a mixt Covenant , but not a mixt Evangelical Covenant ; for a mixt Gospel Covenant is a Covenant partly of works , and partly of grace , and the Covenant of which Circumcision was the initial Sacrament was not mixed after that manner ; for the Law was not given untill four hun●red and thirty years after i● , and then it was not mixed with it , but onely annexed to it , Gal. 3.17 . Answer . Mr. Church his Confession , that spiritual and temporal promises may be said to make a mixt Covenant , is as much as I need to justifie my speech Exercit. pag 2. who did not call the Covenant made with Abraham mixt in any other sense . But , saith he , ● ▪ the difference was onely in the dispensation , and not in the substance of the Covenant : the Covenant of which Circumcision was the initial Sacrament was as p●rely Evangelical as this , whereof Baptism is the initial Sacrament : for the Gospel is said to be preached unto them as well as to us , and the temporal promises were Evangelical and belonged to believers , as such ; for because of unbelief many obtained them not , Heb. 3.19 . Also there are temporal promises in this dispensation , and the people of God have Christ and all other things by the same charter , Matth. 5.5 . & 6.33 . Rom. 9.32 . Ezek. 36.25 , 30. Answer . If there were difference in the promises , there was difference in the substance of the Covenant made with Abraham and ours . It is proved from Gal. 3.8 . that the covenant made with Abraham was Evangelical , but not purely Evangelical . It is not true , that the temporal promises Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. belonged to believers as such . For though many through unbelief entered not into C●naan , Heb. 3.19 . yet neither all nor onely believers entered in . The Gospel was preached to them as well as to us , Heb. 4.2 . but not either by so purely Evangelical a covenant , nor in so perspicuous a way . We have temporal promises now , but not the same , nor by the same charter . As for what he adds , that the promises sealed in the former dispensation were principally spiritual . I grant it , but deny it any absurdity , to say , that no promise was sealed to many circumcised infants , that their souls were not profited , nor any benefit to them by circumcision , though there was profit by it attainable and attained by many ; more than which to the present purpose is not gathered from Rom 2.1 , 2. I return to Mr. M. I take his grants pag. 99. That Circumcision was comprehended in his , &c. as belonging to the manner of administration af the Covenant together with sacrifice● , and that the Covenant of grace was administred by sacrifices and other types before Circumcision was instituted ; and so blot out my second exception against his first conclusion ▪ onely it is to be observed that pag. 187. he doth cross himself . For whereas here he grants it to belong to the manner of administration , not to the substance of the covenant , there he will have it to belong to the substance of the Covenant not as a part of it , but as a means of applying it . And this is in effect all one as in his language to say , it belongs not to the substance of the covenant , for of it onely are the parts , but to the administration . For how doth it administer it but as a means of applying it ? But my third Exception requires more reviewing . Mr. M. in his Sermon pag. 14. had mentioned besides Christ and true believers a third sort of Abrahams seed not born Jews , but made Proselytes , who were Abrahams seed by profession who sought justification by the works of the Law did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God ; and alleged ●al . 4 29. for it . Against this I excepted 1. that I thought he could not shew where in Scripture such are called Abrahams seed . To this he replies , 1. That he named not Proselytes to add any strength to the argument , it had been enough for his purpose to have said , Some in the Church of the Jews were visible members , yet not inwardly godly , and these were called Abraham's seed as well as others . Answ. I should have yielded to call such , if they were Jews by birth or nature , Abrahams seed ; but not so of any Proselyte , and so Mr. M. had not his purpose , of applying the term [ Abrahams seed ] to Gentiles who were believers onely in profession , much less to Gentiles who did not so much as profess faith in Christ , but sought righteousness by the works of the Law. 2. He saith , He never expected to have met with a quarrel for calling them , who joyned to the Church by that cowmon name whereby the Church-members were called , viz. the seed of Abraham or the children of Israel . Answer . There was no quarrel in my words : but if Mr. M. did not expect that , his sayings in that Sermon would be sifted to the bran ; it was his oversight . They that doubted of the divine warrant of Paedobaptism had very great cause to discuss that Sermon being preached and printed at that time by such a man , and taken to be the sense of the Assembly of Divines then ●itting at Westminster . He says , The seed of Abraham or the children of Israel were the common name by which Church-members joyned to the Church of Israel were called : but he proves it not , and till he do prove it , I reject it . 3. Saith he , And could no place of Scripture be produced where Proselytes are expresly called by this name , the matter were no● Tanti . Answer . It would follow then that the promise Gen. 17.7 . of being God to Abraham 's seed is not meant of Gentile Proselytes , who were onely by profession Gods people , not in reality ; much less of their natural seed , and this would make most of the infants baptized unbaptizable by Paedobaptists own p●inciples ; for sure the do not take the natural infant children of them that are not Abrahams seed to be in the covenant , Gen. 17.7 . and therefore must confess them unbaptized . 4. Saith he , But if it were a thing of any m●men● , it would be no hard matter to produce evidence sufficient to prove that Proselytes were called Israelites and the seed of Abraham , as Acts 2.10 . & 22. compared Acts 13.26 . compared with v. 43. but I forbear . Ans. Of what moment it is , hath been said . I think it would be a very hard matter out of those Texts to prove any Proselytes , much less such as were onely visible Church-members of the Jews , seeking justification by works , not submitting to Gods righteousness , Abrahams seed . In the former of the Texts is not the term Abrahams seed , which was the term in question , nor do the Verses compared prove that the Proselytes mentioned v. 10. are called v. 22. Men of Israel , any more than Men of Judea and dwellers at Jerusalem , v. 14. nor doth it appear they were called Men of Israel , v. 22. in any other sense than as Israelite by generation . The later Text mentions the children of the stock of Abraham , v. 26. but so called by natural generation opposite to the Gentiles , as v. 46. shews , not Proselytes called Abrahams seed , though self-justiciaries and Gods people onely , so far as outward profession , yea , children of the stock of Abraham are there distinguished from those among them that feared God , that is , Proselytes . I told Mr. M. that he joyned with Arminius , in calling self-justiciary Proselytes Abraham 's seed : which Mr. Bayn denied . He saith , He joyned not with Arminius , that I mis-allege Arminius , joyn with Servetus . To which I reply no more than I have done in my Apology , pag. 22. Sect. 5. To acquit himself from what I charge him with , that Mr. Bayn opposeth him , he brings words six lines before of Mr. Bayns , that say [ children of the flesh ] in some other Scripture doth note out justiciaries , and that these words clear him , and that I was guilty of negligence or falshood . But sure I must continue still this charge against Mr. M. and add further an imputation of negligence at least , if not of falshood , who heeded not that the words of Mr. Bayn which I alleged say as much , that the term [ children of the flesh ] elswhere signified self-justiciaries though not there ; yet the seed of Abraham without any adjoyned is never so t●ken . Now I did not charge with this that he had no Scripture to prove self-justiciaries to be called children of the flesh ; but that he had no Scripture to prove self-justiciary Proselytes called Abrahams seed , which M● Bayn saith , is never so taken , and therefore Mr. Bayns words clear him not but condemn him . Mr. M. says , I speak of Abraham 's seed by calling , and that the promise [ I will be the God of thy seed ] was made good in the calling the Gentiles , all which were not partakers of an inward calling , and therefore yield a seed of Abraham onely by profession . But that which I say I mean not of a meer outward calling , nor of all the Gentiles who are outwardly called . I excepted also against Mr. Blake for making some Abraham 's seed in the bosom of the Church now , who are born after the flesh , and thereby have a Church-interest or a birth-right to Church-privileges : and that he grosly alleged for this Gal. 4.29 . And Mr. M. in his Sermon pag. 14. saith , We have also some ( meaning in the Church ) who are onely a holy seed by external profession , Gal. 4 29. What Mr. Blake replied hereto in his Answer to my Letter is answered in the Postscript to my Apology , Sect. 5. what he hath said in his Vindic. Foed . cap. 41. is answered in the second part of this Review Sect. 18. Mr. M. wonders at my calling those passages very gross , and tells me , 1. That it is apparant Ishmael and the civil justiciaries , of which he was Type , had a visible standing in the Jewish Church , and were the same of whom Paul speaks , Rom. 10.3 . and that in the same place Paul himself saith , Even so it is now ( even in the Church of Galatia it was so ) and Paul by his doctrine laboured to make them better ) I see not why Mr. Blake might not use this as an argument , that some have a visible Church-membership , and ought to partake of outward Church-privileges , notwithstanding they will not have the inheritance of children unless they repent . Answer . If this had been all Mr. Blake inferred from Gal. 4.29 . I should have granted the conclusion , though I deny his Exposition , and the proposition he raiseth from the Text. But it is another thing that Mr. Blake and Mr. M. in his Sermon pag. 14. would have . Mr. M. that Gal 4.29 . There is mention of some who are onely a holy seed by external profession , and here expounds [ even so it is now ] in the Church of Galatia , there is a different seed of Abraham , one which is holy onely by external profession , seeking righteousness by the works of the Law , and have thereby a visible Church-membership , and ought to partake of outward Church-privileges , which is clean besides the meaning of the Apostle , who doth not say , Even so it is now in the Church of Galatia , but simply [ Even so it is now ] that is , it so happens in the world , they that seek the righteousness by the works of the Law persecute them that are born after the spirit , that is , who through the spirit do wait for the hope of the righteousness which is by faith ! which was true in the Jews , who persecuted the Apostles and other Christians out of zeal for the Law. Now these had no visible standing in the Christian Church , nor is the term [ born after the flesh ] taken in the better part so as to import a privilege a holy seed by external profession , but in the worser part , for an unholy seed by external profession and practice persecuting the Christian faith and hope . Mr. Blake exponds [ being born aft●r the flesh ] as if it imported a privilege , whereas it imports a cursed estate opposite to [ being born after the spirit ] and would have derived a title to Church-interest of some in the bosome of the Christian Church , particularly believers infants : whereas to be horn after the flesh is applied there to persecuting unbelievers , who were not in the Church , but cast out , nor had any Church-interest by virtue of being born after the flesh , but had an opposing enmity to it thereby . Nor is it said of infants that they were born after the flesh , but of such as persecuted them that were born after the spirit ; nor is there a word intitling them that were born after the flesh in that respect Abrahams seed , though Ishmael their Type , and the Jews his Antitype were Abrahams natural seed . So that M M. is mistaken in conceiving that which offends me in Mr. Blakes expression is , that he thinks there is a fleshly seed of Abraham ; for I grant the Jewish self-justiciaries were such . But I conceive a gross absurdity in Mr. Blake , that he takes [ being born after the flesh ] in the better part , as importing the privilege of Church-interest to infants of believers , and calling such as are born after the flesh Abrahams seed by way of privilege derived from that birth , importing the seed of such to be visible members in the Christian Church , of which I still conceive I passed a right censure in my Examen for the Reasons given , however Mr. Blake and his Seconds take it . SECT . XXVI . The mixture of the Covenant Gen. 17. as by me asserted is vindicated from Mr. Blake's Exceptions , Vind. Foed . c. 26. BUt I am necessitated to have mo●e work with Mr. Blake , of whom I may say , ( whatever his worth be , and how excellent soever his Treatise be accounted of by those who have commended it in their Epistle , and others in other respects ) that not onely in his Preface to the Reader he doth unchristianly accuse me of scorn , and disrespect , of falsifica●ions such as a man might th●nk I had at once cast off all regard either of conscience or reputation without either cause or shew of proof , but also of a high spirit , of bloudy revenge , of uttering reviling words against the Church of Christ , having the same spirit with the Jesuits , from those things which were innocent of any such spirit , and one grain of charitable candour with a little heed of my carriages and speeches might have freed me from , who do not any where charge him or my Antagonists with such kinde of accusations , though I censure their arguings somewhat more freely than they think meet , who are not to be judges in their own cause . And for the Book throughout there are so many misconstructions of my words , and so many satyrical quips and taunts instead of any clear disputing , that I can discern little or nothing of any brotherly affection to me , or study of truth in that part of his Vind. Foed . wherein he opposeth me . In his Preface to the Reader after those hard speeches of me forementioned , after his venting his conceit , as if that wherein he opposeth me were of least use in regard that point to great satisfaction hath been spoken to at large : of which I wish he had told in what part , and by whom such satisfaction is given , that I might have found it in his , Mr. Bs. or others writings , who yet finde no cause to recede from this opinion , that they have perverted the truth , and insufficiently handled the argument of infant-baptism ) and having contemptuously mentioned me ; As one generally lookt upon low enough under hatches , saith thus , I must assert the spirituality of the old Covenant , and maintain that the Gospel was preached as well to them as to us , that they a●e the same spiritual meat and drank the same spiritual drink , and here by him I am opposed . To which I answer , In this charge I may say truly in words of meekness , having answered this very crimination in my Addition to my Apology in answer to Mr. Baily , Sect. 2. that I am impudently belied , supposing that by the old Covenant he means the Covenant made with Abraham , Gen. 17. which is termed the promises , the Covenant that was confirmed of God in Christ before the Law four hundred and thirty years after , and distinguished from it Gal. 3 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21. And this Mr. Blake might have discerned , yea , I conceive did discern , when he from my words Exercit. pag. 2. conceived my meaning to be that Abraham had promises of bliss and in reference to eternal salvation , Vind. Foed . cap. 26. pag. 181. But that I may vindicate my self and the truth more fully from Mr. Blakes injurious dealings I shall take a view of that Chapter . First , Mr. Blake saith falsly of me , that I am loth to yield to so much truth as to confess the old Covenant ( meaning that Gen. 17. ) to be a Covenant Evangelical , when as I grant Exercit. pag. 2. some of the promises were Evangelical , and that the Covenant hath denomination from the promises . Then he calumniates me in his spitefull fashion to make me odious and my writing suspected , as if I went in company with Jesuits , whom he calls my old Friends , and saith untruly I glean so much from them in this controversie ; and adds tha● I cast infants out of the Covenant and Church-membership , and so exclude them from Baptism : whereas I have often acknowledged they are many of them in the Covenant of grace truly so called , and the invisible Church of the elect , which Protestants assert against Papists to be most properly termed the Church of Christ ; nor do I exclude infants from baptism because they are cast out of the Covenant and Church-membership , but because they are not Disciple● whom Christ appointed to be baptized , Matth. 28.19 . Next he excepts against me for saying , The Covenant made with Abraham is not a pure Gospel-covenant , but mixt ; concerning which , 1. Mr. Blake saith , This expression of Mr. T. is very untoward , and such that will bear no fai● sense without the utter overthrow , even of that difference between the Covenants , which he would build on this distinction . The untowardness is in denying purity of Gospel the first Covenant and affirming a mixture . That which is not pure but mixt , is a compound of pure and impure ; such that hath some ingredients such as they ought , and others such that make all adulterate ; as silver mingled with dross , or wine with water , Isai 1.22 . Answer . Mr. Blake me thinks should know that there are mixtures which do not adulterate . There 's a natural mixture defined by Aristotle , The union of bodies miscible altered , as in mixt bodies compound of the four Elements reduced to a just temperament , without adultetating all . There 's an artificial mixture in Medicines , of Wine and Sugar , of divers Metalls in Bells cast , in which and many more there 's no such impurity as that there are some ingredients , such as they ought , and others such as make all adulterate ; and therefore there 's no untowardness in the expression ; yea , the expression is so usual in morality , as when voluntary is divided into purely voluntary and mixt , in Divinity the state of grace is either pure or mixt , &c. that I presumed none would have quarrelled with it , if my meaning be right . Let 's see what Mr. Blake saith of my meaning . He tells us , that the false Teachers ( St. Paul 's Adversaries ) preach such a mixt Gospel , a compound of that which was pure and impure ; when they urged with such vehemency a mixture of works . But do I call any where the Gospel mixt ? or do I preach any such mixture ? Mr. Blake himself acquits me , when he saith , This sure is not his meaning . What then doth Mr. Blake take my meaning to be ? I will set down his own words , that the Reader may judg of his dealing with me . What then can be his meaning but that Abraham had promises , not onely of bliss , and in reference to eternal salvation ; but he had premises also of earthly concernment , as that of the Land of Canaan , and his plantation there ? This seems to be his meaning by the words that presently follow : The Covenant takes it●s denomination from the promises , but the promises are mixt ; some Evangelical , belonging to those to whom the Gospel belongeth ; some are domestick or civil promise● , specially respecting the house of Abraham , and the policy of Israel , to this I readily agree . Answer . If Mr. Blake readily agree to that which in his own conceit seemed to be my meaning , with what conscience or with what face could he so falsly charge me , as opposing him in these things , that spirituality of the old Covenant , the preaching of the Gospel as well to them as to us , their eating the same spiritual meat , and drinking the same spiritual drink , as he doth in his Preface , and here of untowardness in my expression , and such as will bear no fair sense without the overthrow , even of that difference between the Covenants which I would build on this distinction . But let 's consider his Reason of this last Speech . To this , saith he , I readily agree , and then his distinction falls to nothing . Answer . I should rather have imagined that the contrary follows , that if Mr. Blake do readily agree to my explication of the mixture of the Covenant , that my distinction comes to something , being confirmed by Mr. Blakes suffrage , unless he take it for nothing . But let 's follow Mr. Blake , Seeing in Gospel-times , in New Testament days , this will denominate not a pure but mixt Gospel , we are under such a Gosp●l . Answer . 1. Mr. Blake alters the term distinguished . I did not distinguish of a pure Gospel and a mixt Gospel , as he intimates I did , but of a pure Covenant and a mixt Covenant , and asserted not the Gospel preached to Abraham to be mixt , but the Covenant made with Abraham . 2. It is false , that we are under such a mixt Gospel , as he imagined I asserted ; but Mr. Blake confirms his Assertion thus . I know not how we could pray in faith , Give us this day our daily bread ; in case we were without a promise of these things , or how man could live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God , in case we had no word from God. Answer . A believer may pray for daily bread in faith trusting on Gods goodness , as he is a Creatour , as our Saviour argues Matth. 6.26 . as he is a Father in Christ , Matth 7.11 . as he hath made general promises , Mark 10 30. Matth. 7.7 , 8. as he hath made special promises , Prov. 10.3 . Psalm 34.10 . confirmed by constant experience , Psalm 37.25 . by the great assurance of the gift of Christ , Rom. 8.32 . though the special promises domestick or civil specially respecting the house of Abraham and the policy of Israel , belonging not to him The word , De●t . 8.3 . I take to be his word of power or command , such as that Psalm 33.5 . not his word of promise ; yet if it be meant of his word of promise , there are other promises by which the Patriarchs afore Abraham , and the believers since have lived without the domestick or civil promises specially respecting the house of Abraham , and the policy of Israel . But Mr. Blake adds , The Apostle tells us , Godliness hath the promise of this life , and that which is to come , 1 Tim. 4.8 . It would trouble many a perplexed man in case he could not make good , that those words , Verily thou shalt be fed , Psalm 37.3 . did not at all belong to him . There is no believing man in any relation but he hath Gospel-promises in concernment to that relation , as appears in that speech of Paul 's encouragement of Servants , Ephes. 6.8 . It were ill with all sorts , had not they their domestick relation-promises . Answer . All this is true , and yet it is true also that the special promises domestick or civil specially respecting the house of Abraham and policy of Israel belong not to every believer . Mr. Bl. saith , I place great confidence in my proof this mixture of the Covenant . And sets down my words Apolog. 127. averring my proof so full as that I wonder Mr. M. Mr. Blake , and others , are not ashamed to except against it , that what I deliver is plain according to Scripture , that there were some peculiar promises made to Abraham , Gen. 17. which are not made to every believer , that the words 1 Tim. 4.8 . is not to the present purpose , for it doth not follow therefore that godliness hath the promise of the Land of Canaan , or that Christ should be every godly mans seed . And then adds , I think I shall more gratifie the Reader in leaving this to his smile , than in giving any refutation of it ; if he could assume that there is no earth but that of Canaan , or at least that no other promise of earth but that will serve to make a mixture , then he spake somewhat to the purpose ; otherwise it will be believed , that our promises under the Gospel of things of earth as well serve to make up a mixture as Abraham 's promise of the Land of Canaan . Answer . Whether Mr. Blakes talk or mine be ridiculous the Reader may judg . My speech is to purposes aimed at by me , to wit , the enervating the arguings from Abrahams Covenant and Circumcision for infant-baptism , by shewing that the Covenant Gen. 17. was not a pure Gospel-covenant , that is , having no promises but what belongs to every believer , and consequently Baptism not sealing the same covenant every way which circumcision did , and therefore there is not the same reason from the covenant why infants should be baptized though they were circumcised . And this purpose I doubt not to attain though I grant there is other earth than that of Canaan , and that there may be other promises of earth besides ▪ that which will serve to make a mixture , and yet the promises of things of earth as now extant under the Gospel do not as well serve to make up the mixture I assert in Abrahams covenant , promising the Land of Canaan to be in the covenant of pure Evangelical grace as now it stands , sith those promises of earth and this life are made to every believer or godly man now , whereas the promises of Canaan and other things specially respecting the house of Abraham and policy of Israel Gen. 17. and elsewhere were not made to L●t and other godly believers it is likely then living , nor to Gentile-believers now under the Gospel . Mr. Bl. goes on thus . 2. As his expression is untoward , so taking him at the best his proof is weak , that the Covenant takes its denomination from the promises ; but the promises are mixt . The most eminent promises ( which contain the m●rrow of all ) give the denomination , and not such that are annext as appendants to them . Answ. Though the most eminent promises may give the denomination of the covenant to be an Evangelical covenant , yet to denominate it a pure Evangelical covenant it is necessary that not onely the most eminent , but also that all the promises be Evangelical : as though a man may be termed a Saint from the habitual purpose and bent of his heart , and the constant course of his actions , yet he is not denominated purely a Saint but from the entire and universal purpose , bent , inclination of his heart , and entireness of holiness in his actions without the least inconformity to it . Mr. Bl. proceeds thus , Such as is the promise of the Land of Canaan , an appendant to the great Covenant made of God with Abraham , as Chamier with good warrant from the Text Gen 17.7 , 8. calls it lib. de baptis . cap. Sect. The Covenant being made of God to be a God of Abraham and his seed ( which might have been made good wheresoever they had inhabited or sojourned ) the promise of Canaan is over and above added to it . The reason given by M. T. for his dislike of Chamier 's expression , calling it an Appendix to the Covenant , is little to purpose , Psalm 105.10 , 15. The gift of the Land of Canaan is called a Covenant , and therefore not an appendant to it . By the same reason Circumcision must be the Covenant , and not a seal appendant to it ; seeing Circumcision is called a Covenant , Gen. 17 ▪ 10. Mr. T. is not ignorant of th●se Scripture Metonymies ▪ Answ. I finde Chamier lib. de baptis . cap. 10. Sect. 23. saying , That the promise of Canaan is not the Covenant , but an Appendix to the Covenant . But I finde not that he produceth any warrant from the Text Gen. 17.7 , 8. to call it so , nor that he doth any other way go about to prove it , but that the words Gen. 17.7 . I will be thy God and of thy seed . Which he calls the covenant , is ill explained of earthly happiness , either as the chief or onely happiness , there meant which he proves from Matth ▪ 22.32 . Nor is there any force in this Reason , The promise of Canaan is added , v. 8. over and above the promise v. 7. therefore it was an appendix and not the covenant . For if this reason be good , it might be said , The promise v. 7. is not the covenant , but an appendix to it , cause it is added over and above the promise , v. 4. Add as for me , behold my covenant is with thee , and thou shalt be a father of many Nations , which is termed Gods covenant with him , Gen. 18.8 . yea , me thinks the argument is good to the contrary , the promise Gen. 17.8 . was added over and above the promise v. 7. and closed with this Epiphoneme , And I will be their God ; therefore it was a part of the covenant , yea a main part of it . Nor because the promise v. 7. might have been made good wheresoever they had inhabited or sojourned . Doth it follow that the promise v. 8. was not a part of the covenant , for by the same reason neither the promise v. 4. that Abraham should be a father of many Nations , had been a part of the covenant , sith the promise v. 7. might have been made good though he had been father of one Nation onely . Mr. Blake doth not rightly form my Reason from Psalm 105.8 , 9 , 10 , 11. thus , The gift of the Land of Canaan is called a covenant , and therefore not an appendant to it , but thus it is in my Examen part 3. Sect. 2. the Psalmist calls the promise of Canaan the covenant made with Abraham , Psalm 105.8 , 9 , 10 , 11. therefore it is a part of the covenant , and not onely an appendix . Nor doth it follow that then circumcision must be the covenant , for it is confessedly called the covenant Gen. 17.10 . by a Metonimy , and v. 11. shews it where it is said , And it shall be the token of the covenant between me and you . But it cannor be expounded by a Metonimy Psalm 105.8 , 9 , 10 , 11. For , 1. The gift of the Land of Canaan was not a sign of the covenant , nor can with any good sense be called the covenant according to any other sort of Metonimy besides that of the thing signified for the sign . 2. If it could , yet the phrases used shew it cannot be understood Metonimically ; For it is called as well , the word which he commanded to a thousand generations , the covenant which he made with Abraham , the oath unto Isaac , which he confirmed to Jacob for a Law , and to Israel for an everlasting covenant ; and when it is recited the Psalmist prefixeth v. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which our Translation reade , saying , Junius , Piscator , dicendo , which doth directly tell us wherein it was that the covenant he made did formally consist , which he is said to remember v. 8. which thing is so clearly expressed Nehem. 9.8 . Gen. 26.3 . & 28.3 , 4 , 13 , 14 , &c. that I should wonder Mr. Bl. should persist in this wrangling course to question a thing so plain , but that I see him tenacious of absurdities he vents though never so gross , as from his exposition and inference from Gal. 4.29 , and other passages hath been made appear . Mr. Bl. adds , 3. As his proof is weak , to make the covenant not a pure Gospel-covenant , but mixt ; so in the third place , he is not constant to himself , pointing that out which he makes pure Gospel , ( Gen. 17.5 . Gen. 12.3 . Gen. 18 18. illustrated by some New Testament Scriptures Rom. 4.17 , 18. Gal. 3 ▪ 8 , 9 , 16. Acts 3.25 . ) he observes yea it is to be noted , that those promises which were Evangelical according to the more inward sense of the Holy Ghost , do point at the privileges of Abrahams house in the outward face of the words , and thereupon raises a doubt , whether any covenant made with Abraham be simply Evangelical ? And so he can finde out Evangelical promises in the inwards of that covenant , which is non-evangelical in the outward face ; so Bellarmine , with whom he so much ( to speak in his own language ) symbolizeth , can finde out spiritual Evangelical promises in that which he concluded to be of another nature ; denying that the promise made to Abraham in the letter , was any promise of forgiveness of sins , but of special protection and government , and earthly happiness ; yet confesseth that in a mystical sense they were spiritual promises , both of pardon of sin and life eternal , and that they belong to us , Bellar. de Sacram. Bapt. lib. 1. cap. 4. whereof Chamier observes , that which is promised mystically God in covenant doth promise ; but Heaven is here promised mystically ; therefore in this covenant here is a promise of Heaven ; so the inward and outward face will be all Evangelical . Answ. Mr. Bl. mis-recites my words ; 1. in saying , That I point out in the Texts Gen. 17.5 . & 15.5 . & 12.3 . & 18.18 . that which I make pure Gospel ; for my words are , that was Evangelical which we reade Gen. 17.5 , &c. not that it was pure Gospel . 2. That I raise a doubt whether [ any ] covenant made with Abraham be simply Evangelical ? whereas my words are , whence it may be well doubted , whether [ this ] covenant made with Abraham may be called simply Evangelical , not whether [ any ] which is the same with that speech forecited Sect 25. of Mr. All●n , This covenant was not simply and one●y the covenant of grace . But what inconstancy to my self giving and taking , not knowing what to determine , is in those speeches , or in that other which he most excepts against : yea , it is to be noted , &c. I am yet to learn. Do I ei●her by saying that the promises were Evangelical say that they were purely Ev●ngelical not mixt ) or by doubting whether they may be called simply Evanglical revoke what I said , that they were Evangelical ? I think Mr. Blak● will as soon extract water out of a Flint as such inferences from my words . Young Legicians do know that to argue a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter is ●allacious . As for my speech which he saith symbolizeth with Bellarmine , if it be true , it is not the worse for that : nor did I blame Mr. M. for symbolizing with Arminius in a truth , but for agreeing with him in that explication which doth undermine the true explication of Rom. 9.8 . which the Contraremonstrants prove from the Text. If Bellarmine did by mystical sense mean the same which I did by the more inward sense of the Holy Ghost , and by the Letter what I express by the outward face of the words , I see not that either Chamier or Mr. Bl. have or can prove it false . The sense in the outward face of the words I call that which a Linguist who knows what words signifie would conceive upon reading without any other revelation from the Holy Ghost . But I cannot believe that any Linguist without other revelation than what the bare words hold forth would ever have understood these promises , A father of many Nations have I made thee , I will be a God to thee and thy seed . Thus Gentiles as well as Jews shall believe in Christ , I will justifie , raise thee up , and all that are my Elect , or who believe as thou dost to eternal life . I grant Chamiers conclusion , In this Covenant here is a promise of Heaven , and yet deny that the outward face of the covenant Gen. 17. is all Evangelical , nor is there a word in Mr. Blakes that proves it . Mr. Blake proceeds thus , Lastly , Mr. T. yet knows not how to bring any thing home ( were all granted ) to serve his interest . And then sets down what he conceives to be my meaning , which he thus opposeth . First , that orthodox Divines both ancient and modern have made Circumcision to be of the same signification and use as Baptism , and till Anabaptists closed they had no Adversaries , but Papists , who to advance their opus operatum in the Sacraments of the New Testament will have them as far to exceed the Old , as Heaven doth Earth , and the substance doth the shadow ; and then cites a speech of Chamier Panst. Ca●h . tom . 4. lib. 2. cap. 9. sect . 58. and prosecutes his calumnies of my borrowing my weapons I use against infant-baptism from the Jesuits , to all which I answer . 1. That I grant that Circumcision and Baptism are in part of the same signification and use , nor did I ever deny it ; but in as many and more things they differ , which I have shewed Exercit. Sect. 2. Examen part . 3. Sect. 9. in this part of the Review , Sect. 11. and those disparities I prove out of Scripture and the best learned and approved Protestant Writers . Nor do I agree with the Jesuits in holding Baptism to confer grace ex op●re operato , nor do I undervalue the Covenant with Abraham and his seed as no Gospel-covenant , nor do I deny Circumcision to have been the seal of a Gospel-promise . As Mr. Blake doth calumniate me , and to make odious doth fa●sly and injuriously suggest I took from the Jesuits . But this I confess I hold Exercit. Sect. 1. that there is not the same reason of Circumcision and Baptism , in signing the Evangelical Covenant ; nor may there be an argument drawn from the administration of the one to the like manner of administring the other , of both which speeches I have given an account in that place which I finde not yet invalidated ; and if they hold , the analogy between infant-circumcision and infant-baptism is evacuated , there being difference between the covenant made with Abraham and the new covenant though both be in some sort Evangelical ; and therefore the mixture of the covenant will serve my interest in this point . 2. It is false which Mr. Blake saith , That my conformity with the Jesuits about the difference between Circumcision and Baptism to maintain the opus operatum of the one to the disparagement of the other , as if Baptism exceeded Circumcision as far as the substance the shadow , did put me upon it to affirm , that what all Protestant Divines defend against the Papists must be truth undeniable is no undeniable axiome : for neither do I conform to Jesuits in● that point , nor was such conformity any reason of that speech , but the words of Mr. M. in his Sermon , as the reading of the words of my Examen pag. 113. shew . And I say still that speech is a truth , and necessary to be avouched by all those who ascribe onely authentick authority to the holy Scripture . Nor is it reasonable to require that I should shew any such errour as is maintained by all Protestant Divines against Papists . For , 1. it is not possible for me to shew what all Protestant Divines hold against Papists . 2. Nor is it necessary to verifie my speech which avoucheth not any such errour in act , but onely the possibility of it , which is sufficiently made good by p●oving them not infallible . And to the demand how Popery should be known if that be no : Popery which all Protestant Divines defend against the Papists . I answer . 1. it may be counted Popery and yet perhaps a truth which all Protestant Divines oppose . 2. What is Popery which we have engaged our selves to extirpate is better known in the ways I set down Ap. p. 133 , 134. Sect. 13. than in Mr. Blakes way . For , 1. it is not possible for any man no not the greatest Reader in Controversies to know what all Protestant Divines defend against Papists . 2. If that be the Rule to know Popery by , many things will not be taken for Popery which are , there being many Tenents which are counted Popery which Protestants Divines and those of good note have not opposed , but have granted many things favourably to them , as not onely the Collections of Brerely and such like Papists , but also the Treatises of the Cassandrian writers , and late Episcopal Protestant do shew , which yet I do not approve of . I agree with Mr. Blake that there is less likelihood that the truth should be with the Papists than with the Protestants , and yet there may be some truth which some Papists may discern which many Protestants do not . It is the saying of Doctor Twisse Vind. Grat. lib. 1. part . 2. sect . 25. digress . 8. num . 3. But I would not that those things should be rejected of us , because the Schoolmen hold them ; for neither do the Cretians fain all things . Augustines judgment was esteemed better than the Pelagians as being the oracle of his time , yet he is censured as the hard father of infants for maintaining their damnation if they died unbaptized . Calvin was in high esteem as the great Light of the Protestant Churches , who have many of them followed him in the point about usury , yet the Popish and Prelatical Divines are generally counted by our most zealous Preachers more right in that point than the transmarine Calvinists . It is a wicked calumny which Mr. Blake vents whe he saith of me , that I 〈◊〉 in upon the party of these sons of Anak , meaning the Jesuits . Had he any other than a malignant spirit towards me , he would have judged that not to side with Jesuits , but to keep my Oath which I took in the solemn Covenant I did oppose infant-baptism , in maintaining of which he and the rest of the Paedobaptists have broken the covenant , whereby they bound themselves to reform the worship of God after the Word of God. And for what he chargeth me with , that I borrow my weapons from the Jesuits , though my denial is enough to acquit me from it , there being none but knows my actions better than my self , and with men not malevolent to me I think my words at least deserve as much credit concerning my own actions as Mr. Blakes , yet as I said so I repeat it , it appears to be a loud calum●y in that all along in my Examen , and now in my other writings almost in every point I produce Protestants of good note concurring with me , not onely in the point about the extent of the covenant Examen sect . 4. part . 3. and the holiness of children , 1 Cor. 7.14 . Exam. part . 3. sect . 8. Exerc. sect . 5. Review part . 1. sect . 22. but also about the institution , Mat. 28.19 . Review part . 2. sect . 5. even in this point of the mixture of the covenant in the Section next before this . Yea , the Principle upon which I found all my dispute is that which Mr. Cotton in his Preface to his Dialogue for infant-baptism confesseth to be a main principle of purity and reformation . And though Protestant writers do many of them oppose my conclusion , yet they do agree with me in the premisses on which I build it , to wit , that Baptism is to be after the institution , and that neither the institution nor practice in the New Testament was of Paedobaptism , and all Paedobaptists whether Presbyterians or Independents who do hold that inf●nts belong to the visible Church as the posterity of Abraham to the Jewish Church ●o injuriously keep them whose Baptism they avouch to be good , and to be vi●●ble Church-members , from the Lords Supper for want of knowl●dg ; as for what he tells me , He can trace me out of some Jesuit in what I de●●●er ●bout the Covenant and Seal , though I do not yet believe it , yet there is no reason therefore to reject it , as Doctor 〈◊〉 saith truly . Bishop Morton in his Apology hath produced Popish writers and many of them Jesuits who deliver the same things which the Protestants do ; yet this is so f●r from discrediting their cause that it is justly counted a good plea for them , and why should not the like plea be good on my behalf , sith Jesuits are Adversaries to me , as well as others ? But enough if not too much in answer to these calumnies sufficiently answered before , Postscript Sect. 13. Mr. Blake proceeds thus , Secondly , if Circumcision have respect to those promises that were no Gospel-mercies , but civil , domestical , restrained to Jews , and not appertaining to Christians ; How could it be a distinction between Jew and Gentile respective to Religion , it might have made a civil distinction , and the want of it have been an evidence against other Nations , that they had been none of the multiplied seed of Abraham according to the flesh , and that their interest had not been in Canaan . But how could it have concluded them to have been without Christ , strangers from the Covenant of promise , having no hope and without God in the world , as the Apostle determines upon their uncircumcision ▪ Ephes. 2.11 , 12. cannot be imagined . Ans. 1. Circumcision did not make such a distinction between Jew and Gentile respective to Religion , as that every circumcised person was of the Jewish Religion : for if the posterity of Ishmael and Esau were not circumcised as Mahometans at this day ( which some Historians say of them at least for a time that they were ) yet Ahab and other worshiperps of Baal were of the posterity of Jacob , and the Samaritans , as Mr. Mede in his Discourse on John 4.23 . were circumcised , yet were not of the Jewsh Religion , or at least there was a distinction in Religion between them John 4.22 . No● every one that worshipped the same God with the Jews was circumcised . Cornelius and many other Proselytes of the gate owned the God and spiritual worship , and moral Law of the Jews , though they were not circumcised , as Mr. Mede proves in his Discourse on Acts 17.4 . nor doth the Apostle Ephes. 2.11 , 12. determine upon their uncircumcision , that is , conclude them without hope , without God , barely from their uncircumcision , as if he held all uncircumcised were without hope , without God : but he onely sets those things down as concurrent , not one the certain cause or sign of the other . 2. Circumcision did distinguish between Jew and Gentile respective to Religion , not because it sealed Gospel-mercies , nor because it sealed promises of civil or domestick benefits ▪ but because it bound to the observance of the Law of Moses , in respect of the observation of which the distinction in Religion was known by Circumcision not by its sealing the covenant-promises , either Evangelical , or civil and domestick . 3. If the distinction between Jew and Gentile respective to Religion were made by Circumcision as sealing the covenant , Gen. 17. it might have made a religious distinction by my Tenet , who hold it signed the spiritual promises , though not them onely , as wel : as by Mr. Blakes . The next thing which Mr. Blake urgeth against me from Jerem. 4.4 . Rom. 2.28 . Deut. 10.16 . Deut. 30.6 . Ezek. 44.9 . is that Circumcision had relation to promises spiritual , which is not denied , nor any thing against the mixture I hold in the covenant , nor to evacuate any inference I make from it . In like manner the fourth tends to prove that Circumcision did not respect alone the civil interest of the Jews , which I grant . But the fifth thing urged by Mr. Blake needs some examination . Fifthly , saith he , How is it that the Apostle giving a definition of Circumcision refers it to nothing rational , civil or domestick , but onely to that which is purely spiritual , speaking of Abraham , he saith , he received the sign of Circumcision , a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had , yet being uncircumcised ? The righteousness of faith is a promise purely Evangelical , Rom. 3.22 . & 3.30 . & 10.3 . Phil. 3.8 . and this Circumcision sealed , the self-same thing that our Sacraments seal . Answer . The Apostle doth not give a definition of Circumcision , Rom. 4.11 , 12. For , 1. that which is to be defined is , say Logicians , a common term , but Circumcision Rom. 4.11 . is not a common term , but a singular , or individual , to wit , that which Abraham had in his own person , it is that which he received , and the time is noted to be after he had righteousness by faith , which he had yet being uncircumcised , for a singular privilege to be the father of believers . Ergo 2. There is no genus , nor difference of Circumcision from other things , therefore no definition . No genus , for the term [ seal ] cannot be the genus , it being a meer Metaphor , and so not declaring what it is , but what it is like , in respect of the use . Besides , Circumcision is an action , but Seal is in the Predicament of relation , as being a sign , or a figure in the Predicament of quality , or an aggregate compound of a material substance , having a figure for signification . But the genus is in the same Predicament with the species , and so is not [ Seal ] with [ Circumcision ] Ergo. For doth Seal of the righteousness of faith agree to all Circumcision , nor difference it from the Spirit of God ; nor according to the Paedobaptists Hypothesis , from the Pass-over , Baptism , or the Lords Supper . Mr. Blake adds , So that their extraordinary Sacraments are expresly affirmed to be the same with ours by the Apostle , 1 Cor. 10.3 . They eat all the same spiritual meat , and did all drink the same spiritual drink , so are their appointed established Sacraments , Circumcision and the Pass-over . Answer . 1. The extraordinary Sacraments are said to note the same thing with ours , not expresly affirmed to be the same with ours . 2 ▪ It is no where said in Scripture that Circumcision and the Pass-over did note the same thing with our Sacraments , much less that they are the same Sacraments with ours . Mr. Blake adds , Will Mr. T. with his old friend Bellarmine lib. 1. cap. 17. de Saramentis in genere , and Mr. Blackwood in his Reply to the tenth Objection , deny that Circumcision was an universal seal of faith , but was onely an individual seal of the undividual faith of Abraham , and so all falls to the ground which is spoken from that Text of the use of Circumcision to the Jews . All that is there spoken , having reference onely to Abraham in person . Answer . Mr. Blake tells me of an old friend of mine whom I never knew , and have hitherto made him mine adversary , although perhaps we may agree in some things , and I think Mr. Blake and he agree in more than I do with him . It seems not to me to be Bellar. opinion , or Mr. Blackwoods that circumcision was onely an individual Seal of the faith of Abraham , but Bellarmines opinion is , that his circumcision did testifie not his individual faith , but his individual privilege to be father of the faithfull , which Mr. Blake agrees with him in , when he saith , This priority of receiving the faith and the sign and seal , is proper to Abraham· And then he is as much his old friend as mine . Mr. Blackwood in his Reply to the second part of the Vind. of the Birth-privilege , pag. 47. saith thus , So that Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness which Abraham had , not in persona propria , but in persona relativa , it sealed unto him not his own personal righteousness , which he had long before , but the righteousness of all believers . In which I dissent from him , conceiving it sealed both : however his opinion seems to be otherwise than Mr. Blake represents it . For my self I do not make it any seal of faith either universal or individual , nor know I well what sense to make of either , but this is my opinion , that Abrahams individual Circumcision , and no others is made Rom. 4.11 , 12. the seal of the righteousness of faith to Abraham as the father of believers , and to all believers of all Nations as his seed . Now to this opinion of mine I finde nothing opposite , but against another point that Abrahams Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of faith and of the Covenant to him onely , which I disclaim , and therefore let his arguments pass without gain-saying , onely I request the Reader to take notice that Mr. Blake hath many ways mis-represented my opinion in this Ch. but hath not at all overthrown the mixture in the Covenant Gen. 17. which I assert ; but where he sets down my opinion rightly saith pag. 181. To this I readily agree , nor hath at all so much as brought one reason to shew that my distinction shews not my turn for which I bring it , which he undertook to do , but leaves that thing and runs out in calumnies of me , and proving that which I deny not . SECT . XXVII . The four first Chapters of Mr. Sidenham's Exercitation are examined , and his vanity in his conceits about consequences proving Infant-baptism , the purity of the Covenant Gen. 17. Infants of Believers being Abraham's seed and in Covenant , is shewed . I Think it necessary for many Reasons afore I review the dispute about Mr. Ms. second conclusion to consider what Mr. Cuthbert Sidenham hath said in the four first Chapters of his Exercitation . 1. He forestalls his Reader with things palpably false , that there is nothing in all the New Testament against the baptizing of Infants , not one hint from any express word dropt from Christ or his Apostles ; not one phrase , which though never so much strained doth forbid such an act . The contrary whereof is abundantly proved in the second Part of this Review , Sect. 5. &c. nor can any Paedobaptist finde so much against infant-communion , Bell-baptism , baptizing of dead persons , Baptism of Midwives , the Cross in Baptism , and many other Prelatical and Popish usages as there is in the New Testament against infant-baptism . 2. That all his Opposites have onely this to say , that they can finde no syllabical precept or word of command in terms , saying , Go baptize Infants , or any positive example where it is said in so many words Infants were baptized , all that they say besides is to quarrel with and evade their arguments , and that this argument is built on this false principle , that no direct consequences from Scripture are mandatory : the contrary whereof is so manifest out of my Examen part . 3. sect . 12. Apol. sect . 11. ( which Mr. Sidenham often quotes , and therefore cannot be ignorant of unless wilfully ) and throughout all my writings , that a man can hardly conceive but that he shamelesly vented these things against his own knowledg . And therefore I need not answer his Reasons to prove the use of consequence . Let any Paedobaptist give me one good consequence whereby infant-baptism is proved , and I shall yield ▪ the consequences of Mr. Baxter and others I finde to be meer fallacies , and have , and doubt not with divine assistance to shew them to be so . That which he saith , pag. 6. That where we have a promise laid as the foundation of a duty that is equivalent to any express command ; for as commands in the Gospel do suppose promises , to encourage us to act ●●em , and help us in them ; so promises made to persons do include commands , especially when the duties commanded are annexed to the promises , as all New Testament Ordinances are as well as old ; is ambiguous , and in what sense , it is true it serves not Mr. Sidenhams turn to prove infant-baptism . By foundation of a duty may be understood either a motive to encourage to a duty named , as when it is said , Him that honoureth me I will honour , this promise doth suppose it a duty to honour God , and is a motive to encourage to it , and so is a foundation in that sense of the duty : o● by foundation of a duty may be understood the Rule according to which that duty is to be performed , and this may be understood either thus , to whomsoever there is a promise of that thing by which a duty is urged on others they are bound to do that duty , and then it is false : for Christ promised Matth. 28.19 , 20. to the Apostles whom he bid preach the Gospel and baptize , that he would be with them , and Matth. 18.20 . to two or three gathered together to be in the midst of them , doth it therefore follow that every two or three gathered together in his Name are commanded to preach and baptize ? or it may be understood thus , that he to whom the promise is upon the doing of that duty is bound to do it ; and this I grant to be true : but this will not serve Mr. Sidenhams turn : for there is no promise to infants that upon their baptizing themselves they should have remission of sins , nor is Mr. Sidenham so absurd as to make baptism infants duty , but their right : now as Mr. Sidenham would have it , that because there 's a promise to infants , therefore others are in duty bound to baptize them , as having right to it , it is false , sith the institution of Baptism is not to whom God hath promised to be a God , for that is according to his election which is unknown , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. but to them who are Disciples or believers in Christ , Matth. 28.19 . Mark 16.15 , 16. There are ambiguities in the speeches that commands in the Gospel do suppose promises , that promises made to persons do include commands , that all the New Testament Ordinances are annexed to promises , which would be too tedious and unnecessary to unfold , it is sufficient to shew they will not serve Mr. Sidenhams turn in the sense they are true , and will as well serve to prove infants right to the Lords Supper , as to Baptism . That which he saith , We have as much in the New Testament to prove infant-baptism , from the true principles of right to Ordinances , as they have for those whom they baptize ; for they baptize grown persons on such and such considerations ; and we shall hereafter shew we baptize on as strong and equivalent grounds , is notoriously false : for we baptize according to the qualification required in the institution of Christ , and the Apostles and other Preachers baptizing and directing the use of Baptism in the New Testament which are acknowledged the true principles of right to Ordinances , and it is acknowledged even by Paedobaptists that they have neither precept nor example in the New Testament of infant-baptism , and therefore cannot have as strong and warrantable grounds as we who are Pistobaptists , that is , baptizers of believers . Nor is it true that it is requisite we should shew them express●command against Infant-baptism , it is enough that they cannot prove in its institution . Infants never by divine warrant enjoyed Baptism , and for Circumcision it was more unlike than like to Baptism , and of it an authentique repeal is easily shewed Acts 15. and elsewhere . In the rest Mr. Sidenham shews not why infants should not have been baptized at first , as well as grown men if it had been Christs minde ; Ishmael and all Abrahams males were circumcised the self same day in which Abraham was , Gen. 17.26 , 27. and therefore if Paedobaptists Hypothesis were right , infants as well as persons of years should have been baptized by the Apostles ▪ which they did not , for in that it is not exprest , it is enough to shew it was not done , unless we make the Spirit of God defective in what was needfull to have been set down , and to say as Mr. Sidenham doth , There is enough to shew it was done though not written , is with the Papists to maintain unwritten traditions ▪ Rule ●f manners . There is no hint left by Christ or the Apostles to deduce as a infant-baptism from . And it is false which he saith , God hath always ordained some Ordinances in the administration● of which , for the most part , the subject hath been purely passive . He names nor can name any till the institution of Circumcision , which was not till after the world had been above two thousand years . The rest of his speech savours of this corrupt principle , that what we conceive fit in Gods worship is to be accounted his minde . This is enough in answer to the first Chapter . In the second he saith untruly , that the Covenant Gen. 17. was first made with Abraham and his seed in the name of all believers and their seed , both Jews and Gentiles ; nor is it true that if he should finde the same Covenant reaching Gentile believers and their children as Abraham and his they cannot be denied the new external sign and seal of the same Covenant , that is , Baptism . And for what he saith , the Covenant Gen. 17. was a Covenant of pure grace , I grant it so far as it was Evangelical , but deny it to be a pure Gospel-covenant , nor do any of his Reasons prove any more than I grant , that there were Gospel-promises meant by God under promises of temporal mercies proper to Abraham and his natural posterity , and those that joyned with them in their policy ; which I have proved before , out of Scripture to be termed the Covenant it self without a Metonymy , and God is said to keep that Covenant by establishing the Israelites in Canaan , and therefore it is but vain talk that the promise of Canaan was but an additional , appendix , added ex super abundanti , if he mean it of the Covenant Gen. 17. if he mean it of the Gospel-covenant it is more true that was added to the other as a more hidden sense under the promises of civil and domestick privileges . I do not make a mixture in the Gospel-covenant , but in the Covenant made with Abraham , Gen. 17. nor by mixture do I understand any other than a composition of various parts , not a mixture in the nature of it , or substance or circumstances : but that the Covenant made with Abraham had promises of two sorts , some promises in the first obvious sense of the words proper to Abrahams natural posterity , some spiritual common to all believers in the more hidden sense of the words , which with what hath been said before is enough to answer that Chapter a●so , proceeding upon mistakes of my meaning in the term [ mixt ] in many passages , and the rest if not answered before , I let pass , because dictates without proof . In the third , after he hath allowed the distinctions of Abrahams seed into carnal and spiritual , natural and believing , he sets down six considerations . 1. That Abraham 's spiritual seed were as much his fleshly seed also , Isaac as Ishmael except Proselytes and Servants : which may be granted with these limitations . 1. That it be not understood universally , for Christian believing Gentiles● neither Proselytes to Israel , nor servants to them , are Abrahams spiritual seed , yet not at all Abrahams fleshly seed . 2. That Isaac was as much Abrahams fleshly seed as Ishmael according to the meaning Rom. 9.8 . as fleshly seed is called from natural generation simply considered : but not as Gal. 4.23 . it is meant of fleshly seed called so from natural generation in some respect , to wit , as begotten in a baser way . The second consideration of Mr. Sidenham is this , [ The Covenant was administred to all Abrahams natural and fleshly children , as if they had been spiritual , and before they knew what faith was , or could actually profess Abrahams faith . ] If he mean by the Covenant onely Circumcision I grant it of all Abrahams natural male children : if he mean the covenant of grace which is Evangelical , though I deny not that it was administred by the mediation of Christ , and the work of the Spirit , to many elect infants afore believing , yet I deny that it ever was or shall be administred to any but the elect of God , who have the denomination of Abrahams spiritual seed . For I know not how the Covenant which promiseth remission of sins , justification , regeneration , adoption ▪ eternal life is said to be administred but by giving these , which are given onely to the elect , not to Abrahams meer natural or fleshly seed . Meer outward Ordidances and outward gifts and privileges as they are not promised in the Gospel-covenant , which we call the covenant of grace , either as made to Abraham , or confirmed by Christs bloud , so neither are they administrations of it , but arise from Gods command or providence without the Covenant as Evangelical . His third consideration is , It 's no contradiction in different respects to be a seed of the flesh by natural generation , and a childe under the same promise made with the parent ; for they both agreed in Abraham 's case : which I grant , if meant of Isaac and Jacob , and such other Heirs of the promise , as the Scriptures term them . But I reject that which follows , that none was a childe of promise , but as he came of Abraham 's flesh : for believing Gentiles are children of the promise though they come not of Abrahams flesh , yea it is not onely true to the contrary , but expresly avowed Rom. 9.8 . That none are children of the promise as they come of Abraham 's flesh . Nor is it true , that as he came from Abraham 's flesh , so every one had the seal of Gods Covenant on his flesh ▪ for this is not true of males under eight days old , or females , and therefore this inference is vain : Thus a spiritual promise was made with Abraham and his carnal seed . His fourth consideration is , There was no distinction of Abraham 's fleshly seed and his spiritual seed in the Old Testament , but all comprehended under the same Covenant , untill they degenerated from Abraham 's faith , and proved themselves to be meer carnal , and rejected the promise . But this is manifestly false , Esau was Abrahams fleshly seed , but never his spiritual seed . The Apostle determines Rom 9.11 . afore he had done good or evil he was rejected , and with the Apostle a childe of the promise , and an elect person are the same . No man is Abrahams spiritual seed but an elect person , or true believer : Scripture makes none else his seed spiritual Rom. 4.12 , 16. & 9.7 , 8. Gal. 3.29 . John 8.39 . This very Authour makes the distinctions of fleshly and spiritual , believing and natural taken out of Rom. 9.7 , 8 Gal. 4.23 . & 3.16 . most true . And if a person may be Abrahams spiritual seed a while , then the degenerate the elect , and true believers may fall away finally and totally , and if they that be Abrahams fleshly seed be under the same covenant with the spiritual till they degenerate , then a person may be in the covenant of grace , and be meerly carnal , having not the Spirit of God , then a man may be in the covenant of grace and not abide in it , then the covenant of grace may be defective , mutable , and if there be no distinction of Abrahams fleshly seed and his spiritual in the Old Testament , untill they rejected the promise , then there is no distinction of elect and reprobate till in time they embrace or reject the promise contrary to Rom. 9.11 . He that holds this position must become an Arminian . His fifth is , There is a carnal and spiritual seed of Abraham , even under the New Testament , as our Opposites must acknowledg , as well as Infants ; so are the most visible Professours which they baptize ; which may have no grace ; and many prove carnal indeed , through the predominancy of their lusts and corruptions . Answer . It is ackdowledged that there is a carnal seed of Abraham under the New Testament in the Jewish Nation : but visible Professours of the Gentiles which are baptized although they be many of them carnal men ( and so are many of the congregational Churches not baptized ) yet they cannot be termed the carnal seed of Abraham , being not his seed either by nature or by believing as he did . His sixth is , when there is mention of Abraham 's carnal seed in opp●sition to spiritual seed , it cannot be meant primarily or solely of those that descended from Abraham 's flesh ; for then Isaac and Jacob were the carnal seed , yea Christ himself , who as concerning the flesh came of Abraham ; it must be therefore of those of Abraham 's seed which degenerated and slighted the Covenant of the Gospel , and these were properly the carnal seed . Answer . The distinction of Abrahams carnal and spiritual seed is as the distinction of the Church into visible and invisible , in which the members may agree to the same persons , though on the other side also they may not agree . The same persons may be of the Church visible and invisible , and yet some persons may be of the Church visible who are not of the invisible , and some of the invisible who are not of the invisible : so some are Abrahams carnal seed who are also his spiritual , as Isaac , Jacob , Christ ; some ●re his spiritual seed but not his carnal , as Gentile believers ; some his carnal seed but not his spiritual , as unbelieving Jews ; some neither his carnal nor spiritual seed , as unsound Professours of faith of the Gentiles , who are no way Abrahams seed , nor ever called his carnal seed in Scripture . There are but two places I know in which the term of Abrahams fleshly seed or childe is used Rom. 9.8 . Gal. 4.23 . in both which is meant of his seed by natural generation , though in the later in a worse way . In the former way , those that embraced the Covenant without degenerating from Abrahams faith , being descended from Abraham by natural generation , are as properly termed Abrahams carnal seed as those Israelites that did backslide . I grant , Abraham was a natural father to many of th●se to whom he was a spiritual father , as to Isaac and Jacob and the godly of their posterity , but not to all . He was a spiritual father to believing Galatians , though not a natural , Gal. 3.29 . But what Mr. Sidenham saith , That all to whom Abraham was a natural father were under the Covenant , and had the seal untill they rejected themselves , is in no part true : not the former , for Ishmael was never under the Covenant , whether it be meant of the spiritual promises or temporal , unless Mr. Sidenham means by b●i●ng under the Covenant being circumcised , which is all one with having the seal , and then he useth an inept tautology in his speech without good sense . Nor is the later true of females and males under eight days old . I grant that both Abr●hams natural and spiritual children were circumcised , which Mr. Sidenham means when in the Paedobaptists gibberish he saith , The promise took in both relations , as to outward administration : but Rom. 3.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. speak●●●●●ing of the spiritual childe of Abraham but the natural . And for what Mr. Sidenham saith , And if men truly state things , you may argue as much against Abraham 's natural seed from enjoying these privileges , as believers natural seed now , and with as much evidence of truth . I know not what he means by truly stating things , the privileges mentioned Rom. 4.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. are Circumcision , and the commission of the oracles of God to them , and this later is reckoned as the Jews advantage ; and though it be true , that we have the benefit of the oracles of God , yet it is not true of our children in infancy , nor of any of us or our children , that to them were the oracles of God committed as to the Jews . And for Circumcision it is true , we may argue as much against Abrahams natural seed from enjoying it as believers natural seed now , and with as much evidence of truth , since Christ is come , Circumcision the shadow is to cease , both to Jews and Gentiles : and me thinks Mr. Sidenhams arguing should be the same with ours if he were a Christian ( as I doubt not he was ) and not a Jew . But that which Mr. Sidenham would have is , that a believers natural childe should be Abrahams seed , and this is the true stating of things , which perhaps he means . But afore I state things after Mr. Sidenhams minde , I must see some proof , as yet I see no one proof to make good any of his ( inconsiderate ) considerations . He takes upon him to weigh the Scriptures brought by his opposites to prove , that they onely are Abrahams seed meant in the Covenant as it was Evangelical Gen , 17.7 . to be true believers or elect persons . The first is Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. in the setting down of the occasion of which words he saith , Here ( Rom. 9.4 , 5. ) is a catalogue of high privileges which belonged to the Jews , which they acre to be cut off from , which l●y on Paul ' s heart , and was like to sink him . But this is a frivolous conceit , for the privileges there reckoned are all or most of them of things already past , such as they could not be deprived of , for that which is already done cannot no not by God himself be not done , for it would imply a contradiction : so those that were Israelites , whose were the fathers , who had the giving of the Law , of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came , could not be cut off from these privileges which were things past , yea to imagine that the Jews should be deprived of those privileges is to overthrow the faith of the Christians , who believe that Christ came of the fathers of the Israelites according to the flesh , of which the Jews could not be deprived but by making it false . And for the rest of the privileges though our Translators reade [ to whom pertains the adop●ion and the glory , not as Mr. Sidenham , the adoption of glory ] yet the Greek being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which leaves out the Verb to be supplied , it is clear that it should be read whose were the adoption and glory , and the Covenants and the giving the Law , and the service and the promises , and v. 5. whose were the fathers , as well as it is read from whom Christ came , though the Verb be not expressed , sith otherwise the speech were not true . For to the present Israelites did not pertain the adoption , as if they then living were adopted or to be adopted children of God : for the Apostle bemoans their rejection and cutting off . And the glory being meant of the Ark , 1 Sam. 4.21 . or the cloud that covered it Ezek. 10.4 . long before lost , and the Covenants meant of the two Tables of the Law , being lost , and the giving the Law , to wit , the judicial Laws being an act cannot be expounded but of the time past , and so the service , to wit , the ceremonial worship now Christ was come was no privilege to the present Jews , but a heavy yoke , yet it was a great privilege to their ancestours , and the Verb is to be read in the Praeter-tense , and in like manner the promises were the Israelites , that is , they had them first given to them , and had the benefit of them , and accordingly it is to be expounded thus , whose , that is , to which Israelites were the promises fi●st made , and they injoyed the benefit of them The thing then that afflicted Paul was , not that the present Jews were to be cut off from those privileges , but that the people who had formerly so great tokens of Gods peculiar respect to them should not be broken off from the Olive-tree , rejected from being Gods people , and hardned in unbelief . Mr. Sidenham thinks this Text a weapon whose edg● is turned against these that count it their own . 1. Saith he , The Apostle is sadly troubled for his kinsmen after the flesh , for their rejection ; his reason is , because of the Covenant and the promises made to them , because they were the natural seed of Abraham ; which holds forth that the promises and privileges of the Covenant were indefinitely to all the Israelites . Answer . It is true , the Apostle was sadly troubled for the Jews rejection , but rhe reason given is such as is scarce competent to a sober minde . For the reason , as he makes it , must either refer to his trouble or their rejection . If it refer to Pauls trouble , the sense is , that Paul was troubled because of the Covenant , &c. But this should be a matter of rejoycing to him , not of trouble , unless he were troubled that God brake his Covenant with them , because they were the natural seed of Abraham ; but sure God never brake his Covenant with them for that reason , nor is it to be imputed to God without imputing unfaithfulness to him , which were blasphemy to affirm . If it be referred to the Jews rejection , then the sense is , they were rejected because of the Covenant , &c. But sure they were not rejected because of the Covenant made to them , but because of their unbelief in not being stedfast in the Covenant , Rom. 11.20 . There 's the like wit in the illation . For , 1. how were the promises made indefinitely , and yet to all the Israelites ? [ all ] is not an indefinite note but an universal . 2. What is the meaning of that expression , the privileges of the Covenant were made to all ? The making of privileges is somewhat an uncouth phrase . 3. What were the promises and privileges made to all the Israelites , he tells us not , and so the Reader is left to guess . 4. How Pauls trouble or the reason given should hold that forth is another Riddle which needs an Oedipus , if such nonsense scribbling be counted worth ones study to unfold it . 2. Saith he , That it 's a most sad thing to be excluded from the outward and general administration of the Covenant . Why should Paul thus break out in his affections , for the loss of outward privileges , if it were not such a mercy to be under them ? Answer . It is I confess a sad thing to be excluded from any mercy of God , much more to be excluded from though but an outward administration of the Covenant of grace . But it is a sad thing to me that I finde a Teacher of a Church pretending so much zeal for truth to vent in print such a ridiculous conceit , as if Pauls great sorrow and continual pain in his heart , by reason of that , for the remedy whereof he could wish himself accursed from Christ , were for the exclusion from outward privileges , which they might have and yet be damned , and might want and yet be saved . If the outward privilege were Circumcision they had it , if Baptism they might have it , and yet be damned . And shall we think the Apostle so foolish as to be thus troubled for such a loss ? 3. Saith he , The Apostle holds forth , that persons may be under the outward administration of the Covenant , and yet not get the efficacy of it , vers . 6. They are not all Israel that are of Israel ; the Covenant was with Abraham and his seed , all that were of him ; and yet all were not Israel , that is , partakers of the inward life and efficacy of the Covenant . An. That which the Apostle holds forth is not , as this man dotingly scribles , that persons may be under the outward administration of the Covenant , that is , circumcised , &c. and yet no● get the efficacy of it , that is , have the Circumcision of the heart , justification and eternal life : for though this be a truth , yet there 's not a word in the Apostles answer v. 6 , 7 , 8. which gives any colour for such a Paraphrase , there being no mention of Circumcision or any such rite as they call the outward administration of the Covenant , nor any words equipollent thereto . For to be of Israel is to be descended of Jacob by natural generation , as in like manner v. 7. to be the seed of Abraham , and v. 8. the children of the flesh : nor could such an Answer have met with the Objection , which was not , if the Jews were deprived of the outward administration , how could Gods word stand to be a God to Abraham and his seed ? But thus , if they were not his people to be justified and saved by Christ , how could the word of God stand , Gen. 17.7 . Jer. 31.36 , 37. which seemed to promise they should be his people to be justified and saved by Christ ? And therefore to answer , they had the outward administration , though not the inward efficacy is to confirm the Objection , which is , that they had not that inward efficacy which the Covenant promised : nor doth the Apostle deny that those saving mercies were in the promises , nor think the promises salved by alleging that all had outward privileges though not saving mercies ; but by shewing that the saving mercies in those promises were not assured to every natural childe of Abraham , or of Israel , but to the choice seed distinguished from the rest by promise , and peculiar calling according to election , whether of Jews or Gentiles , and thereby made the Israel of God , v. 7 , 8 , 11 , 24. and so Gods words of promise stands firm to that seed of Abraham and Israel to whom it was made , though the natural seed of Abraham , and Israel be rejected from being Gods people . It is therefore expresly cross to what the Apostle saith v. 7. which Mr. Sidenham saith , that the Covenant was with Abraham and his seed , all that were of him . And that which he saith , And so though they were under the outward dispensation of the Covenant , yet God was not mutable , nor his promise , though he rejected them because of their own degeneration ; is directly contrary to the Apostles determination that they were rejected meerly out of the absolute liberty of Gods will , v. 18. which the Apostle proves in the rejection of Esau vers . 11 , 12 , 13. afore he had done good or evil , yea , afore he was born , and the speech to Moses , v. 15. and the hardening of Pharaoh , v. 17. And indeed if this Paraphrase of Mr. Sidenham were good then the Arminian doctrine of conditional reprobation were here expresly taught , that their rejection was because of their own degeneration , and consequently the election of the other , to wit , the Gentiles must be , because of their own believing , and Gods promise to be a God to them must presuppose their believing as the reason of his promise to them , which is the very dregs of Pelagianism founding the difference between the called and rejected in mans will and not Gods. What Mr. Sidenha● saith , that the Covenant was made in general with Abraham 's seed , to all that came from him , meaning by natural generation , is contrary to the Apostles resolution v. 6 , 7 ▪ 8. and would make God a breaker of his promise , ( which was not of outward privileges , but of saving grace ) and supposes the Covenant and the election not commensurate , contrary to the Apostle , yea , to Mr. Sidenhams own words where he summs up the Apostles resolution , when he saith , that none are the children of the promise ( to whom the Covenant was made ) real saints but those that have the true effects of the Covenant in their hearts . And what he saith , to all children of believers the promise visibly belongs to them ●s to Abraham and his seed , it 's a piece of non-sense gibberish , such as Paedobaptists use , according to their false Hypotheses , no whit agreeing either with the promise Gen. 17.7 , or the Apostles determination Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. so often refelled by me , that it is superfluous to say of it any more now . As for what he adds , But here is nothing at all to demonstrate that infants , because children of the flesh , are not under the promise . I g●ant it , but say , there is enough to demonstrate that the promise of being a God Gen. 17.1 . is not made to every believers childe , sith it was not made to all Abrahams natural seed , but to the elect of them , which is enough for our purpose . Mr. Sidenhams proceeds to the Text Gal. 3.16 . which he grants not to be meant barely of Christ personal , if , saith he , the promises were to Christ mystical , then to all the elect as in him , and so to infants as well as grown persons , [ which I grant ] but thus the promise is conveyed under ground as it were , none knows the veins of it , which I also grant , untill the calling shews who were elect , nor do I count it any absurdity to yield it . But , saith he , take the promise to be made to Christ , the seed , as the Head of a visible Church , then still it speaks for us . Answer . This is doughty disputing , likely to turn the edg of our weapons against our selves , when the Antagonist must yield him what he would have ; and me thinks he should have brought some Expositour or some argument for him , and not so pitifully beg what he should prove . To the contrary I urge that by [ Christ Gal. 3.16 . ] is meant either Christ personal or Christ mystical , or both , and not as the Head of a visible Church . 1. That the promises said to be made to Abraham 's seed , that is , Christ are of the blessing of Abraham , which is righteousness and the spirit , Gal. 3.8 , 9 , 14. the inheritance v. 18. life v. 21. not bare outward privileges . But these things belong onely to Christ and his mystical body , not his meer visible Church . Ergo , they are not the seed there meant . 2. From the condition or means by which the promise is made good , and that is faith , v. 14 , 22. But the meer visible Church may be without faith , therefore the promise is not made to it . 3. By the express determination of the Apostle v. 7. Know ye therefore , that they which are of faith are the children of Abraham , vers . 29. And if ye be Christs ( that is by faith , v. 26 , 27. ) then are ye Abraham 's seed and heirs according to the promise : which a man would think were enough to silence th●se that make the promises to belong to unbelievers as Abrahams seed . 4. The current Protestant interpreters of note , such as Beza , Piscator , Perkins , &c. go this way . But Mr. Sidenham thinks to evince his purpose from v. 14. where the blessing of Abraham is said to come on the Gentiles through Christ , and this blessing of Abraham was not personal , but to him and his seed , this very blessing is come on Gentile believers , as on Abraham ; therefore it must come on believers of the Gentiles and their seed . For it cannot be called Abraham , s blessing , except it come on the Gentiles according to the substantial terms of Abraham 's Covenant : now this was the absolute form of Abraham 's blessing , I will be a God of th●e and thy seed ; and this very blessing is come on the Gentiles through Christ , as it came on Abraham ; and therefore it must be to believing G●ntiles and their seed ; else it will neither ●e Abraham 's bl●ssing in the form nor fa●ness of it ; Abraham 's blessing will descend on the Gentiles clip● half off , not like it self : and it must needs be a very uncouth saying to all judicious ears , to say , that Abraham 's blessing is come on the Gentiles by Christ , as it was on the Jews by Abraham , and to exclude half the subjects at once from any right to it ; for so you must , if you cast out the seed of Gentile believers . To which I answered , that had not the Assembly at Westminster , Confession of Faith , chap. 28. art . 4. cited Gal. 3.9 , 14. with Gen. 17.7 , 9. to prove infant-baptism of a believing parent , I should not have transcribed so much of this arguing . The blessing of Abraham must come on the Gentiles , saith he , according to the substantial terms of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . Ergo , on Gentile believers and their seed . Now what is the blessing of Abraham ? and what the substantial terms of the Covenant ? and what seed of Abraham did it come on ? and how ? 1. The blessing is plainly expressed v. 8.9 . to be justification v. 14. to be the receiving the promise of the spirit . The same Apostle Rom. 4 ▪ 6 , 9. placeth the blessedness of Abraham in the imputation of righteousness through faith , Beza Annot. in Gal. 3.14 . Et spiritus nomine benedictionem aeternae spiritualis vitae intelligo . Perkins Comment . on Gal. 3.14 . That the blessing of Abraham , that is , righteousness and life everlasting , Piscat . Schol. in Gal. 3.14 . Ut benedictio ill● Abrahae promissa ( de qua supra v. 8. ) ad Gentes perveniret in Christo ; quatenus nimirum illae Christo inseruntur per fidem , Di●son in Gal. 3.14 . benedictio Abrahae , id est , justitia & vita aeterna . 2. The substantial terms of the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . are thus set down by Mr. M. in his Sermon , pag. 10. The substance of the Covenant on Gods part was to be Abraham 's God , and the God of his seed , to be an all-sufficient portion , an all-sufficient reward for him , to give Jesus Christ to him , and righteousness with him , both of justification , and of sanctification , and of everlasting life . On Abraham 's part the substance of the Covenant was , to believe in the promised Messiah , to walk before God with a perfect heart , to serve God according to his revealed will , to instruct his family , &c. Not one that I know that makes the blessing or the substance of the Covenant to be an initial seal , visible Church-membership and such like meer Ecclesiastical privileges . 3. The seed of Abraham to whom the blessing is promised is his spiritual seed , and it onely . Diodati Annot. on Gal. 3.14 . of Abraham ] namely , promised to Abraham , and to his spiritual posterity onely . Trapp . Comment on Gal. 3.14 . v. 14. The promise of the spirit ] that is , the spiritual promise made to Abraham , and his spiritual posterity . The Text it self ●al . 3.7 . Know ye therefore that they which are of faith , the same are the children of Abraham . 4. The means is through faith , Gal. 3.14 . So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham , vers . 9. From which I infer , that he that would conclude from hence that the blessing of Abraham comes upon the G●ntiles , fathers and infant-children , and that this is according to the substantial terms of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . must hold that all children of Gentile believers are elect and believers , and that they are justified as Abraham was , which Mr. M. and Mr. G. disclaim , and indeed is manifestly false being contrary to Scripture and experience . But Mr. Sidenham thinks to infer hence a meer Ecclesiastical privilege of right to an initial seal , which is not at all meant Gal. 3.14 . by the blessing of Abraham , nor ever meant by the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . nor would the promise be true , if meant of it ; for many of Abrahams seed had no right to Circumcision or visible Church-membership . Surely according to Paedobaptists Hypotheses all the posterity of Abraham by Ishmael , the sons of ▪ Keturah , Esaus were excluded ; and therefore the word of Gods promise so expounded had been false . As for Mr. Sidenhams Reasons , there 's no force in them . The first may be retorted , The first is come on Gentile believers , as on Abraham ; therefore it must not come on believers of the Gentiles and their seed also universally , for it came not on Abraham and his natural seed universally , nor is it true this very blessing is come on Gentile believers as on Abraham , for it is come on Abraham not simply as a believer , but as a father of believers , not as father of men , but it comes on no Gentile as father of believers , but as Abrahams childe by faith . The next also may be retorted , if the blessing come on the Gentiles according to the substantial terms of Abraham 's Covenant , then not in a meer outward Ecclesiastical privilege , for that is no part of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . much less the substantial term of it , it is neither Abraham 's blessing in the form nor fatness of it ; yea , if it be meant by Abrahams blessing it , is clipt half off not like it self , it 's made an empty thing , a meer outward privilege without salvation , and so is in a manner reduced to nothing , and half the seed of Abraham , all the females and many more are excluded from any right to it . For they had no right to the initial seal , to wit , Circumcision . And to his question , And to what end should the Apostle say , The blessing of Abraham , and not the Promise or Covenant is come to the Gentiles , but that he intended it to the Gentile believers and their seed , as formerly it came to Abraham and his seed ? I answer , he saith , The blessing of Abraham ( not the Promise or Covenant of Abraham ) because he in the Chapter before mentioned it , and it was the proper eff●ct of Christs being made a curse for us , though he after mention the Covenant and Promise according to which it is bestowed . But that the use of that term of [ the blessing of Abraham ] should intimate an outward privilege of an initial seal to Gentile believers and their natural seed is such a reason a● I am out of hope ever to understand . Me thinks the use of that term vers . 14. compared with v. 7 , 8 , 9. doth overthrow the fond conceit of the Assembly and Mr. Sidenham , and is so plain a determination , that the Promise of being God to Abraham 's seed , is meant onely of true believers of the Gentiles , and not their natural seed , that if there were no more Texts , it seems enough to me to overthrow their interpretation of Gen. 17.7 . and the inference they make thence . And in this I commend Mr. Sidenha●s wit and the Assemblies , that they let pass Gal. 3.7 . without mentioning , finding perhaps that it is expresly contrary to their conceit of Gentile believers children being reckoned for Abrahams seed . I think it not amiss to add the word of Mr. Stalham Vindic. Redempt . against Otes , Gal. 3.13 ▪ 14. Behold here a Gospel-blessing comes upon all those who are freed from the legal curse , and if then ▪ the non-elected by this mans doctrine have the one , he must yield the other also ; if freed from the curse they are blessed , justified , and saved ones ; this is worse than non-sense , even impure blasphemy against the truth ▪ which shews all these to be connex to be freed from the curse , to be blessed with Abrahams blessing , to be justified and saved , and therefore cannot be interpreted of a meer outward privilege belonging even to believers children who may be , as Esau was , non-elect . There 's another Text which Mr. Sidenham takes upon him to turn the edg of it against Antipaedobaptists who produce it against Paedobaptists , and he speaks thus , But in Ga● . 3.29 . the Apostle ( say they ) describes who are the seed ; if you be Christ 's , then you are Abraham 's seed , and heirs according to promise ; so that now no children born of believing parents can be the seed ; for they must be Christ 's , according to that in v. 26. we are all the children of God through faith in Christ Jesus . Answer . This Text is clear not to prove ( as Mr. Sidenham represents ou● conclusion ) that now no children born of believing parents can be the seed , but that none of the Gentiles are Abrahams seed but those who are Christs by their ●aith or election , and adoption to be the children of God , for such are all that are Christs , and heirs according to the promise . But the children of believing Gentiles are many of them not such , nor any of them in that he is the childe of a believing Gentile ▪ therefore all the children born of believing parents are not Abrahams seed , as Paedobaptists suppose . To this Mr. Sidenham opposeth , 1. That the Claromont Bible hath it , if ye be one in Christ , then are ye Abraham 's seed , and that the Apostles endeavour is to take away all difference between Jew and Gentile , and to hold forth their unity in Christ , where there is no distinction as formerly : but now the Gentiles being one in Christ are Abraham 's seed as well as the natural and believing Jews . Answer . It is granted , that the Apostle takes away the difference between Gentiles and Jews who are in Christ , and asserts that now the believing Gentiles being one in Christ arc Abraham 's seed as well as the natural and beli●ving Jews . But this makes for our purpose ; for as none of the natural Iews but the elect and believing were Abrahams spiritual seed , so it is concerning the Gentiles , none of them either of their children are Abrahams seed in the sense in which the Gentiles may be termed Abrahams seed but the elect and believing . 2. Saith Mr. Sidenham , The Apostle here hath no intent to shew the distinction of Abraham 's seed as the subject of the outward privileges , and administrations of ordinances , but to shew that none are spiritually and really Abraham 's seed and heirs of promise , but such as are Christ 's , one in him with Abraham : for if this should be the distinction of seed as the subject of outward ordinances , it would be as much against professing believers as infants ; for there is a carnal profession as well as a fleshly generation , the former more abominable . Answer . I confess it is not the Apostles intent to shew the distinction of Abraham 's seed as the subject of the outward Privileges and administration of Ordinances : for neither doth he make there any distinction of Abrahams seed , there being in that passage no seed of Abraham mentioned but such as are spiritual , nor doth he mention Abrahams seed as the subject , meaning the adequate subject of outward Ordinances and Privileges , there being many that were not Abrahams spiritual seed , who might be circumcised , baptized , admitted to the Pass-over and Lords Supper , and at least in some of these many who were might not , though v. 26 , 27. compared together shew who were wont then to be baptized , to wit , believers , and such as at least in profession put on Christ. And I conceive Pauls intent was to shew , that none are spiritually and really Abraham 's seed and heirs of promise , but such as are Christ 's , one in him with Abraham ▪ Now this manifestly proves the thing we would have , that none of our children are Abrahams seed in the Gospel-sense according to which the promise Gen. 17.7 . is to be understood , but elect and true believers , and so not in that Covenant , and consequently not by virtue of interest in that Covenant baptizable , as Paedobaptists would have it . But I know not any who reason thus , None but these who are Christ 's are Abraham 's seed ; and none are Chiist 's but real believers , and therefore none but they must be baptized . For though it is true , that before God none have right to Baptism but such , yet sith the Minister of Baptism cannot distinguish between a believer in reality and one in profession he is without fault in baptizing a believer onely in profession , whom he takes to be a believer in reality . If any say , Baptism knows no flesh , the meaning likely is that Baptism is not alotted to any for its natural birth though of a believer . So that I need not answer Mr. Sidenhams arguments to the contrary , sith I do not assert that none but Abrahams seed may be baptized . Nor is it true , that we have the same ground of charity to act on infants of believers as on grown men . For though infants may be Christs , yet we have not the same evidence that they are Christs which we have of grown persons , whose words and actions shew that the Spirit of God dwels in them . Nor would God have us 1 Cor. 7.14 . to account the children to be holy as visible professours are for the parents faith , but to be legitimate from the lawfulness of their generation . Nor can it be proved that any one infant of the most godly person is taken into the same Covenant with the parent : nor doth Christ 's respect to infants when brought to him give warrant to any to judg better of a believers infant than of a visible professour , or to account of such an infant as baptizable . Nor is it true , that a general Scripture-assertion , and the ground of an indefinite promise , is more than all our Reasons to judg a visible Professour Christ 's or Abraham 's seed , or a subject of Baptism ▪ sith the words and actions of such a one do shew more of Christs spirit and faith than any speeches of God or promises do of infants now existent , and he that baptizeth a visible professor of faith , proceedeth uppon certain knowledge according to a certain rule of baptizing Disciples , which is more to assure the conscience in the doing the will of God , then any Charitable judgement or any probable likelyhood of an infants being Christs , or in covenant for the present , or certain revelation of the infants election and being in covenant , and so will be a believer hereafter can be to warrant a man to baptize it at this instant . Nor is it true that he that baptizeth a visible professor , goes by the purblind eye of his probable judgment . For he baptizeth upon an unerring rule of baptizing manifest disciples , according to an unerring knowledge , that those he baptizeth are such under the Gospel ; the Jewes are Abrahams fleshly seed , though they be not visible professors of faith in Christ , no meer Gentile visible professor is Abrahams seed , nor any true believers natural seed as such , nor doth the covenant make every believer in reallity , or any , except Abraham , much less every visible believer a spiritual Father . I confess , the spiritual seed of Abraham takes its denomination from the covenant ; I mean the future seed , and from their believing the actual , but the natural seed takes not its denomination from the covenant , but Abrahams begetting , nor is it true the Covenant made with Abraham and his natural seed , is renewed in the new Testament with believers and their seed , neither formerly nor now are infants of believers non-elect Abrahams seed , nor is there in the word of God one passage either in the old or new Testament either of those alleaged by Master Sidenham or any other , I know , wherein infants of believers are visibly owned as we own visible professors . There will be found visible subjects of baptism . though neither infants of believers , nor meer visible professors be Abrahams seed . I conclude my animadversions on this chapter of Mr. Sidenhams with these considerations , that none but elect or true believers of the Gentiles are the seed of Abraham with whom the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . is made , nor are persons to be baptized for their interest in that Covenant , except it be made manifest by their profession of faith , and therefore neither can we say of any infant of a believing Gentile that he is in that covenant , nor if we could , were it to be baptized till by profession or other waies , its faith did manifest it to be a Disciple of Christ. In the 4. chapter Mr. Sidenham tells us of a being in Covenant according to the purpose of election in Gods heart , which I allow , and of being in Covenant in the face of the visible Church by the persons own visible profession , which I deny not , but for the other sort of being in covenant with God as in a political moral consideration , as in the right of another through a free promise to him and his heirs , it 's a meer figment , there being no such kind of being in Covenant in the time of the new Testament , nor doth Mr. Sidenham bring one text of Scripture to prove it : and for his reasons they prove it not , 1. Saith he , If men deny an external as well as internal being in covenant , none can administer an external ordinance an outward sign to any , for we must go by external rules in these actings . But this reason is nothing to prove a political moral being in covenant without any act of Covenanting by either of the parties in Covenant . I deny not , but that all the elect are in Covenant with God in his purpose and so infants are in Covenant with God by Gods promise , eiher to his son when he gave them to him , or at some other time . And I grant that visible professors of faith in Christ are in Covenant externally by their own act of covenanting , and such may be baptized they being Disciples of Christ. 2. Nor did I ever say that no Ordinance must be administred to these ▪ which are not internally in Covenant . 3. Nor do I count it any absurdity to say we may set a seal to a blank ( though I like not the expression ) in this sense a man may lawfully be baptized to whom God hath not promised to be his God. 4. And I have shewed we have certain evidence of visible professors being in covenant , for we hear their profession and see thei● actions , and their rule by which baptism is to be administred , but of infants we have no evidence of their being in covenant by profession of faith , according to which we are to be baptized , yea we have evidence to the contrary , and their being in covenant according to election is uncertain , and if it were certain , yet till they be actual believers or Disciples of Christ we have no rule to baptize them by , nor is there a jot brought by Mr. Sidenham to prove they are in Covenant by their parents faith onely in Gospel times . Nor doth any thing Mr. Sidenham hath said answer that which he saith is the great question I and we all urge , that if God made the Covenant with believers and their seed , they must be all saved , &c. But in stead of answering me poseth me thus , doth God make the covenant of salvation with every visible professor whom they baptize● or with every visible Saint . Answ. No ; Or do they baptize them out of Covenant ? Answ. Yea ; If by being out of Covenant be meant , that the Covenant of salvation is not made by God to them ; then how come any to fall off and be damned ? Answ. None of those God made the Covenant of salvation with fall off and be damned , others though baptized rightly and were visible professors , yet fall off and are damned , because the Covenant of salvation was never made ●y God to them , Or what rule have they to baptize by ? Answ. That which is , Mat. 28.19 . Mark 16.15 , 16. Acts 2.38 , 41. and 8.12 , 37 , 38. Why should it be thought more hanious to set a seal on ( i. e. baptize ) infants , as in the covenant , then on these professors which afterwards prove not to be in Covenant . Ans. because infants are not Disciples of Christ , when visible professors are , though they be not in covenant with God by his promise of saving-grace . The being or not being in Covenant is not the reason of the baptizing or not baptizing of them , but their being or not being Disciples of Christ , or do they baptize because that persons are in the covenant ? Answ. not because they are in the covenant that is Gods covenant to them , but because they covenant to be Christs by their own Declaration and promise , which is certainly known upon hearing their words and seing their actions , nor is it any trick to evade , but a clear truth , that it is not being in covenant ( by Gods promise of saving grace to us ) but being an actual believer , gives right to baptism ; Nor doth it follow if the covenant be the ground ( i. e. the object ) of faith , it may well be the ground ( i. e. adequate reason on the baptizer and the baptizeds part ) of an outward privilege i. e. baptism , for the institution is not to baptize men in covenant by Gods act of promise , but Disciples or persons in covenant by their professing of faith . Nor is there danger of separating the Covenant from the conveyance of actual priviledge ; for the Covenant of it self , till it is fulfilled by the making a person a known Disciple of Christ , doth not give right to baptism any more then to the Lords supper . Nor is there reason why infants without faith should now be baptized because they were circumcised , the institution of the one being different from the other , neither do we account Simon Magus , &c. Abrahams spiritual seed , nor deny elect infants to be so , if God doth administer all his graces by covenant , yet not all outward ordinances by the persons interest in it , and if he did , then infants by this reason should have the Lords supper as well as baptism . The invisible design of God may be known to us , and is carried on secretly in an outward visible dispensation ▪ and some may be condemned by an outward rule , and yet persons not admitted into or ejected out of the Church by their being or not being in Covenant through Gods act of promise to them , but by their profession and practise we say not , none are to be baptized but real believers , the spiritual seed , nor that none are the spiritual seed but visible believers , nor do we conceive infants no spiritual seed of Abraham because no visible believers ; But we deny that an infant of a believer is as visible by promise as a believer by profession . For on the one side no infant is of the visible Church barely by Gods promise of regeneration , justification , salvation . 1. Because that promise is according to Gods election , which is secret , so as that no man can know who are they to whom the promise pertaines , till it appear by some others declaration then the promise or act , an infant can ordinarily perform . 2. That which makes a thing or person visibly must be something existent in act , for then a thing or person is visibly when it is the object of sense , but sense is onely of singular things actually existent . But persons may have a ptomise afore they are in being , as Isaac was in Covenant afore he was begotten or born , yet not a visible Church-member , therefore an infant is not visible by promise . 3. On the other side profession makes a person manifestly visible , and therefore Mr. Sidenhams speech is palpably false , that an infant is as visible by promise , as a believer by profession . SECT . XXVIII . It is proued from Luke 1.54 , 55. and 19.9 . John 8.39 . Rom. 4.11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. Gal. 3.7 , 16 , 29. and 4.28 . Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. Mat. 3.9 . That the seed of Abraham to whom the promise as Evangelical is made , Gen. 17.7 . are onely true believers or elect persons . TO those texts in the foregoing Section alleaged to prove that the seed of Abraham to whom the promise , Gen. 17.7 . as it is Evangelical belongs , are only true believers or elect persons , which have been vindicated from Mr. Sidenhams answers , I shall adde some more in the new Testament . 1. In Maries song , Luke 1 54.55 . It is said , He hath holpen his Servant Israel , in remembrance of his mercy as he spake to our fathers , to Abraham , and to his seed for ever . That seed of Abraham is onely meant in the promise , Gen. 17.7 . As it was evangelical which he hath holpen by Christ in remembrance of his mercy ; this is manifest from the text . But they are onely true believers or elect persons . Pisc. Schol. in Luk. 1.55 . Semini . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est posteritati nempe spirituali , id est electis ; sive sint ex judeis , sive ex gentibus , ut docet Apostolas Rom. 4. v. 16. and ch . 9. v. 8. New annot on Luke 1.55 . to his seed for ever , that is to the faithfull and holy . See Gal. 3.16.26 , 27 , 29. They only are holpen by Christ in remembrance of his mercy , which is confirmed from the words of Zacharias , Luke 1.71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75.76 , 77 , 78. wherein the holy Covenant and Oath God sware to Abraham was , that he would grant them that is ( Abrahoms seed ) salvation , deliverance , to serve god in holyness and righteousness before him all the daies of their life , the salvation is expressed to be by remission of sins , through the tender mercy of God , whereby the day Spring from on high visited them , which shewes , the Covenant as it was Evangelical , promised not outward privileges but saving graces , which are not promised to any but elect persons , therefore by Abrahams seed in the promise , Gen. 17.7 . As it was Evangelical are , meant onely elect or true believers . 2. It is said of Zaccheus , Luke 19.9 . This day is salvation come to this house , for so much as he also is the son of Abraham , for the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost ; In which words the term [ son of Abraham ] is made to infer salvation , and Zaccheus in that he was the son of Abraham , proved to be one that the son of man came to seek and save which can agree onely to elect persons , therefore the term [ seed of Abraham ] equipollent to [ son of Abraham ] as Evangelically such notes onely elect persons or true believers . Piscat . Analys . Luc. 19.9 . Electio Dei patris significatur v. 9. his verbis , eo quod ipse quoque filius Abrahae est , ubi intelligitur non simpliciter filius secundum carnem , sed filius secumdum promissionem Dei , qua promiserat ipsum futurum patrem credentium , schol . filius Abrahae , nempe filius secundum promissionem , id est electus , vide , Rom. 9. v. 7. and 8. New Annot on Luke 19.9 . Is the son of Abraham , to be a son of Abraham is to be chosen freely , Rom. 9.8 . To walk in the steps and faith of Abraham . Rom. 4.11 , 12. And generally to do the good works of Abraham , John 8.39 . Whereby we moy be assured of Election to eternal life , Rom. 8.29 , 30. 2 Pet. 1.10 . Trap com , in Luke 19.9 . He also is a son of Abraham that is freely elected , Rom. 9. A follower of Abrahams faith , Rom. 4.12 . And a doer of his works , John 8.39 . 3. It is said by our Lord Christ , John 8.39 . If ye were Abrahams children ye would do the works of Abraham , he granted them ver . 37. To be Abrahams seed by nature , but not the seed of Abraham according to the Covenant Evangelical , because their practise was unlike Abrahams . Whence I inferre , they Onely Evangellically are Abrahams children or seed even of those who descended from Abraham by generation who are like unto Abraham in their Actions . But such onely are true believers or elect persons , therefore true believers or elect persons onely are Abrahams children or seed Evangelical . Diodati . Annot. on John 8.39 . children , namely true and lawfull imitators ●f Abrahams faith : Father of all believers ; wherein consists the true meaning of this name of children of Abraham , Rom. 4.16 . and 9.6 , 7. Gal. 3.7 . 4. With our Lord Christs words accord the words of Paul , who doth plainly determine that the seed of Abraham to whom the promise , Gen. 17.7 . That God would be the God of Abrahams seed , as it was Eavngelical belongs , are believers or elect persons and no other , Rom. 4.11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. Is so plain to prove it that the very reading the words is enough to clear it to a heedfull reader . For therein the Apostle doth shew how the promises , Gen. 17.7 . Are true of the Gentiles as well as the Jewes . in that Abraham is considered therein as the father of believers , v. 11. And the father of circumcision , that is as Beza of the circumcised , yet not a father to all of them , nor to them onely , but to those circumcised ones onely , and with them to all other that believe , or walk in the steps of that faith , which our father ( of us believing Gentiles ) Abraham had being yet uncircumcised , v. 11.12 ▪ Now if Abraham be considered in the promises as Evangelical onely as the Father of believers of either sort circumcised , or uncircumcised , then the seed of Abraham are onely believers or elect persons . And to this purpose doth Master Dickson paraphrase the words thus . Abraham received from God the sign of circumcision to seal the Covenant of grace , or the righteousness of faith , which ●e had uncircumcised to that end , that he might be father of uncircumcised believers ▪ and in like manner of circumcised , to wit , who are both sons of the flesh , and sons of the faith of Abraham . Therefore the righteousness of faith is common to the circumcised , and uncircumcised believers , or them that follow the steps of the faith of Abraham not yet circumcised . But Abraham is said to be the father of believers , in that he is the first eminent example of faith , and of righteousness imputed by faith , and by his example an Author to all that they may believe . Beza in his note on Rom. 4.12 . For as speaking of the uncircumcised , he said not simply that Abraham was the father of them all , but of them onely who should believe , he also hath deservedly kept the same distinction in the Jewes , because ( as I said before ) it is not simply the Apostles purpose to teach Abraham to be the father of both the uncircumcised and the circumcised , but also especially by what reason he is the father of both , which is his scope . For to be a child of Abraham before God , and to be justifyed by faith cohere , Again v. 13. shewes the same . For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham , or to his seed through the law , but through the righteousness of faith . I shall use the words of the same Authors . Dickson thus paraphraseth , v. 13. He proves Abraham to be Father not but of believers onely , uncircumcised alike and circumcised , and together addes a third argument . The promise made to Abraham and his seed , that he should be heir of the land of Canaan in time , and of the world and heaven in truth , came not to him by the law , or by the condition of works , but happened to him by an absolute promise to him already justified by faith , and having the righteousness of faith . Therefore his sons are not they which are of the law seeking to wit righteousness by works , but they onely who are by faith , seeking righteousness by faith , that is all and onely believers , circumcised alike and uncircumcised , to whom equally the common righteousness of faith and the inheritance is promised . The argument is of force , for if father Abraham be not the heir of the world , nor have righteousness but by faith , certainly none are his sons but believers , who have righteousness by faith , and by righteousness the inheritance . Beza Annot. ad Rom. 4.13 . But in these words there is a continuation of the former conclusion , the application of the example of Abraham neither to the circumcised , neither to the uncircumcised , otherwise not availing unless two things be shewed : to wit that God made that Covenant not with Abraham alone , but with his heirs also , and that under the name of his posterity , any who shall believe that covenant like Abraham are understood . Therefore Paul conjoynes the promises of God made to Abraham , as it were into one body , and when he had taught all believers whether cicrumcised , or uncircumcised to be Abrahams sons , he verily deservedly calls Abraham the heir of the world , by the term world understanding all Nations , and therein following the Lords st●ps . For when the Lord had said to Abraham that he would be the God of him and his seed , after he expounded what he understood by the term seed ; to wit all the nations of the earth , when he said that it should be , that in him he would vouchsafe them all his grace . The next v. also confirms it , v. 14. For if they which are of the Law be heirs , faith is made void , and the promise made of none effect , which Mr. Dickson thus paraphraseth , if they which are of the Law , or which seek righteousness by works , were the sons of Abraham , and heirs of life , and partakers of righteousness , then faith should be made void , and the promise vain : But this is absurd . Therefore they which are of the law are not heirs , but alone believers are sons of Abraham , and heirs of life and righteousness . The 16. v. doth yet more plainly express that the seed of Abraham to whom the promise , Gen. 17.7 . As Evangelical is made are believers onely . Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace , to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed , not to that onely which is of the law , but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham , who is the father of us all . Upon which saith Mr. Dickson with that uery counsel God appointed that the inheritance should be of faith ; that it might agpear to be of grace or by grace . Therefore onely and all believers uncircumcised , and circumcised alike , are heirs . The inheritance is of faith and by grace by the Counsel of God , that the promise might be sure to all the ●eed , not onely to that which is the seed of Abraham by the law of nature and hath faith also , that is the circumcised Jewes believing ▪ but also to that seed which is not by the law of nature or the flesh , but onely by the faith of Abraham , that is the uncircumcised believing Gentiles . Therefore , unless suspending the promise of righteousness , and the inheritance upon the condition of the law to be performed , we would make it unsure and uncertain , the whole seed of Abraham , or all and onely believers circumcised and uncircumcised , are heirs by faith with father Abraham , who according to faith is father of all us believers of Jewes and Gentiles . Beza Annot. ad Rom. 4.16 . Paul manifestly devides into two members that which in general he had said of the whole seed of Abraham , that is believers both circumcised and uncircumcised , Pisc. Sch. to all the seed ] that is of Abraham , to wit all believers , Diodati ▪ to all , namely to the spiritual seed according to the faith , of which God intended to speak in that excellent promise , I will be thy God and of thy seed after the , Gen. 17.7 , Lastly the Apostle interprets the promise , Gen. 17.5 . That Abraham should be the father of many Nations , thus that the Gentiles should be his seed by faith , v. 17. as it is written , I have made thee a father of many Nations , on which Master Dickson . By force of the divine promise , promising that he should be the father of many Nations . Abraham embraced for sons all believers to be ingrafted into his seed , and so in vertue of the promise , as it were begat or conceived believers to himself as sons promised . The new Annot on Rom. 4.17 . I have made thee a Father , See Gen. 17.5 . Not of those only that should issue from him according to the flesh , but also of those among all nations that by faith should be adopted and received into his spiritual family . 5. The texts also which are ; Gal. 3.7 , 16 , ●9 , and 4 , 28. Are very pregnant to the same purpose , that the seed of Abraham to which the promise , Gen. 17.7 . as Evangelical is made , are only true believers , or elect persons . The first of these places is that which is asserted in terms . Know ye therefore that they which are of faith the same are the children of Abraham , where the speech is equipollent to an exclusive . For having , v. 2.5 . told them they must have the spirit , and be Abrahams children either by the works of the law or by faith , and determined that they had not the spirit by the works of the law , but by faith , supposing that they who are children have received the spirit as it is , v. 14. it plainly followes that they only are the children of Abraham which are of faith , even as Protestant divines conclude from Gal. 2.16 . that justification is by faith only , because the disjunction being sufficient , justifycation is either by faith , or by works , and works excluded , it followes , we are justified by faith onely . And so Mr. Dickson conceives that the Apostles argument is , Gal. 3.7 . They onely who are of the faith , or who seek to be justified by faith , and not by works , are the children of Abraham , therefore the only reason of justification is by faith . Diodati Annot. on Gal. 3.7 . yet you know ( that is to say ) this doctrine is clear and resolved upon amongst Christians , that the true children of Abraham comprehended in the covenant which God made with him and his posterity are not the carnal Jewes , which are borne of him , or joined to him by circumcision , and by professing of their ceremonies ; but all such as according to Abrahams example do renounce all confidence in their own proper works , and put it wholly in Gods promises and grace in Christ ▪ as Abraham was made a father , example and paragon of faith , to all those to whom the covenant made with him was to appertain . The like is the determination of Mr. Perkins ( that I may omit others ) who in his com . on Gal. 3.7 . Saith the promise and election of God makes properly children of Abraham , and that the true mark of the child of Abraham is to be of the faith of Abraham , and that profession of Abrahams faith , and descent from Isaac are not sufficient to prove men children of Abraham without following of his faith . The texts , Gal 3.16 , 29. have been considered before , and our inferences vindicated from Mr. Sidenhams evasions . The other to wit , Gal. 4.28 . Speaks to the same purpose to which the fore alleaged texts do . Now we Brethren as Isa●c was , are children of the promise , that is we of whom the Jerusalem which is above is mother , that is as Beza Annot. adde v. 26. we who embraced Christ , adde v. 27. he shewes the true sons of Abraham are born spiritually by the Gospel , adde v. 28. are children of the promise , that is that seed to which pertaineth that promise , I will be a God to thee and thy seed , out of all which it appears that as the promise , Gen. 17.7 . I will be a God to thee , and to thy seed after thee was Evangelical , it was made only to the elect of God and true believers , and they only are Abrahams seed there meant . 6. I shall next adde the consideration of that text , Rom. 9.6 ; 7 , 8. Wh●re the Apostle speaks thus ; not as though the word of God hath taken none effect . For they are not all Israel which are of Israel ; neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children ; but in Isaac shall thy seed be called , that is , they which are the children of the flesh , these are not the children of God , but the children of the promise are counted for the seed . I suppose it will not be denyed , that this passage is an answer to an objection occasioned by the intimating of the rejection of the Jewes from being Gods people , v. 1.2 , 3 , 4 , 5. If any should deny it yet the matter and form of expression , v. 6. shewes it to be opposed to something which might be objected against what was before implyed . For the speech , the word of God hath not fallen , or not taken effect ; intimates that there was some word of God which seemed to be without effect , or to fall if the Jewes were cast off from being Gods people . And it appears by the answer that the word of God was some promise concerning Israel as , v. 6. shewes , and Abrahams seed as v. 7.8 , 9. shewes . The word of God concerning Abrahams seed which might be conceived to fall , appears upon inquisition to have been that , Gen. 17.7 . either only or chiefly Piscat . Sch. in Rom. 9.6 . that word of God , to wit that promise made to Abraham , I will be thy God and of thy seed after thee . Dickson expos . annaly● . Rom. 9.6 . the word of God hath fallen , when he said to Abraham , I will be thy God and of thy seed , I conceive it needless to adde any more , it being so manifest and so conceived by interpreters of note . Hence it appears also that the objection answered by the Apostle is this , God promised to be a God to Abraham and his seed after him in their generations in an everlasting covenant , therefore if the Jewes who are Abrahams seed are rejected , the word of God falls . To this the Apostle answers . 1. By denying that every Jew who was descended from Abraham by natural generation , and so a child of the flesh is meant by the seed there named , who should be the child of God , and so the promise of being God to them is not meant of all Abrahams natural posterity . 2. By asserting that they who are counted for the seed and were children of the p●omise , that is those to whom that Evangelical promise , Gen. 17.7 . belonged , were a peculiar number whether of Jews , or Gentiles , according to Gods own choice and calling distinguished by no other discriminating reason but Gods will , as he proves in Isaac and Ishmael , v. 9. Esau and Jacob , v. 10 ▪ 11 , 12 , 13. and otherwise in that which followes . Whence it appears 1. That the promise , Gen. 17.7 . was not made to Abrahams natural posterity as such , and if so , then it is not made to every child of a believer . 2. That only the elect whether of Jews or Gentiles are the seed of Abraham to whom the promise , Gen. 17.7 . is made , and consequently to no other of a beleivers children , but the elect : nor any other in covenant with God by vertue of that promise but they . This to be the Apostles determination I confirmed , Exam. part . 3. sect . 4. by the speeches of Beza , Twisse , Ames , Bayn , Walaeus , Dounam , new Annot , Ainsworth , Pareus , Estius ( who though a Papist , yet is reputed more solid and right about the the point of grace , then the Jesuits are ) and added in my Praecursor pag. 36. the words of Mr. Rutherford of Scotland , and Mr. No●ton of New England . To which I have added more testimonies of Beza , Chamier , and the Belgick Professors at the Synod of Dort●n ●n my Refutation of Dr. Savage his Position in Latin , Sect 5. And because Mr. Blake seeks so much to possesse people as if I drew this from the Jesuits , I will add Mr Dicsons words on Rom. 9.7 , 8. Neither doth it follow b●cause the Jewes are the seed of Abraham according to the flesh , that therefore they are all sons in the Scripture sense or the seed promised . For so even the Issmaelites should be accounted for Ab●ahams seed contrary to Scripture , which hath restrained the right of sons to Isaac and his family , by saying , In Isaac shall thy seed be called . The sons of the flesh are to be distinguished from the elect sons of God , for this God would , when Ismael being secluded , he called Isaac the seed of Abraham , that not all are the elect sons of God , but onely the children of promise ( or whom God determined of grace to make with Isaac sons of the faith of Abraham ) are the children of God , and that seed to whom the promise is made . Dr. Owen of Perseverance , Chap. 5. Sect. 10. The Apostle , Rom 9 8. calleth the elect the children of the promises , or those to whom the promises to Abraham and his seed were made . Chap. 7. Sect. 23 The persons to whom this promise ( Isai. ●9 ▪ 21. ) is made , are called thee and thy seed , that is all those and onely those , with whom God is a God in Covenant . God here minds them of his first making of this Covenant with Abraham & his seed , Gen. 17.7 . Now who are this seed of Abrhaam ? Not all his carnall posterity , not the whole nation of the Jewes . Our Saviour not onely denies , but also proves by many Arguments , that the Pharisees and their followers , who doubtless were of the nation of the Jewes , and the carnall seed of Abraham , were not the children of Abraham in this sense , nor his seed , but rather the Devils , John. 8.39.40 , 41. And the Apostle disputes and argues the same case , Rom. 4.9 , 10 , 11. and proves undeniably that it is believers only ( whether circumcised or uncircumcised , whether Jewes or Gentiles ) that are this seed of Abraham and heirs of the promise . So plainly , Gal. 3.7 . Know yee therefore that they which are of the faith , are the children of Abraham , and then concludes again as the issue of his debate , verse 9 So then they which be of faith , are blessed with faithfull Abraham . Mr. Marshal himselfe in his Defence , pag. 102. saith , secondly by the word [ Seed ] was meant the children of the promise , the Elect , Rom. 9 8. ●s Mr. Bayne , nay Arminius himselfe confesses : onely Arminius saith , that they were elected upon foresight of their faith . And indeed so far as I discern in the reading of Arminius his Analysis of the ninth of the Romanes the cited Remonstrants Defence of their opinion at the Synod of Dort on the first Article , Mr. John Goodwin his late Exposition of the ninth to the Romans it is agreed , that in the mystical sense the promise Gen , 17.7 . is determined by the Apostle , Rom. 9 6 , 7 , 8 , to belong onely to the elect , though the Remonstrants would have them elected upon consideration of believing , and the Contra-remonstrants , according to the Apostles determination , verse 11 &c. assign no other reason of the election of some & rejection of others , but Gods will. All do agree that the Apostle determines , that every child of Abraham , much lesse of every believer , is not a child of the promse , or the seed of Ahraham to whom the Promise is made , Gen. 17.7 . but the elect or true believers , whether Jewes or Gentiles . 7. It is proved that the promise Gen. 17.7 . as it was Evangelicall , or as the Apostle speaks , Gal. 3.17 . the Covenant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , fore-confirmed of God unto Christ , was not to every believers naturall seed , but to the true believers or elect persons , who are meant by Abrahams seed , because it can be true onely of them . For in the Evangelical sense to whom God promiseth to be God he promiseth to justifie them , to regenerate them , to raise them up to eternall life , as appears by our Saviours own reasoning , Luke 20.37 , 38. where he infers from Gods avouching himselfe to be the God of Abraham , his living to God , & rising from the dead to eternal life , by the Apostles inference Rom. 4.16 . from thence that righteousness is by faith , Rom. 9.7 , 8. determining them to be elect people of God , to whom he hath promised to be God , Heb. 8 , 10 ▪ &c. But God doth not promise to every believers child , to justifie , regenerate , and raise him to eternal life for if he did promise it he would perform it , to say he makes a promise to any , and to say they have not the efficacie of it , is to make God a lyar , whereas many children of believers are never justified , regenerated , nor shall be raised to eternall life . He performs it to all true believers and elect persons , and to none other , therefore none others are meant there by Abrahams seed in the Evangelical sense . 8 Lastly , the words of John Baptist Matth 3.9 . When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduces come to his baptism saying to them , And think not so say within your selves , We have Abraham to our Father : for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham , do evince ● that repenting and believing persons though raised by God of stones without naturall generation , are the children of Abraham to whom the promise is made , Gen. 17.7 . 2. That it was not their naturall descent from Abraham without repentance and Gospel faith , which did entitle them to Gods favour , or to his baptism , and therefore it follows thence , that the children of Abraham to whom the promise is , Gen 17.7 . are onely the elect or true believers . 3. That to be the child of a believer is not a sufficient title to Gods favour , or baptism . To this purpose Paraeus Com. in Matth. 3.9 He teacheth also that the promises of God are not tied to fleshly birth , but pertain only to believing & spiritual posterity . For they are not sons of Abraham who according to the flesh are of Abraham , but who are according to the spirit . Piscat . Sch. in Mat●h . 3.9 . His sentence is , although ye come from Abraham according to the flesh , yet ye are not therfore those sons of Abraham to whom pertains the promise of eternall life made to Abraham and his seed : For this belongs to them who imitate Abrahams faith and piety . Diodati Annot. on Matth. 3 9. And think not , do not dally with your selves to think that because you are issued from Abraham according to the flesh , you are in Gods favour and free from his judgement : for with him the imitation of Abrahams faith and piety is the on●ly thing which demonstrates and causeth to be the children of Abraham , and not the corporall generation , Rom 4.12 . Now such children may be brought forth of all Nations , yea and out of these stones . Neither do you perswade your selves , that by your perdition Gods people shall perish : for Gods people shall always subsist in these spiritual children of Abraham towards whom Gods covenant and promises shall be verified . This then is the constant Doctrine of the New Testament , that the promise Gen. 17.7 . as Evangelicall , is made onely to the elect and true believers , that they onely are Abrahams seed spirituall , and so onely in the covenant of grace by Gods promise , and therefore if it be true that they onely who are in covenant , which Paedobaptists say when they say the Seal follows the Covenant , are to be baptized , not any one because he is the child of a believer , but the elect and true believers are to be baptized , and so their own argument for Infant-baptism overthroweth it . SECT . XXIX . The Allegation of Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , Matth. 3.7 , 8 , 9. to prove that the seed to which the promise Gen. 17.7 . as Evangelicall belongs , are true believers , or the elect onely , is vindicated from Mr. Blakes Answer Vindic. Foed ▪ ch . 36. and Mr. Sidenhams Exercit. ch . 6. TO my Allegation of Rom , 9.6 , 7 , 8. in my Examen , part 3. sect . 4. Mr. Blake undertakes to give an answer , Vindic. Foed , ch . 36. And first having belied me as borrowing from Stapleton the Jesuit , and learning to a ●air to follow him , though to my remembrance I never read that passage in him , which he allegeth , nor made any use of his exposition of the Epistle to the Romans , or any other of his works in that Book of mine , he proceeds thus in his scoffing calumniating fashion , like a Satyrist rather than a Disputant . We have drunk up the Protestants poyson , and Mr. T. his great care is , to preserve his party by the Jesuits Antido●● ; be is wholly beholding to them for the Receipt . Which is Mr. Blakes manifest calumny , as the quotations in my Examen part 3 sect . 4. in which he might see that I received it from the most eminent Protestants , and alleged but one Papist , and he no Jesuit , but one of the better note , and since , the quotations in the foregoing Section do fully prove , and it were easie to produce treble the number if need were . But I find it in vain to endeavour the satis●ying of such eager and through prejudice selfe-blinding Antagonists , as Mr. Blake is , I could ( if I liked such Arts as Mr. Blake useth ) tell Mr Blake he borrows from the Jesuit Bellarmin , who against Peter Martyr saying the promise Gen. 17.7 , is not universall concerning the children of beleivers , but hath place onely in the predestinate , replies , This is said without proof , for the words of the Scripture are absolute , nor is there any mention of predestination in that whole chapter . But Mr Blake promiseth me square dealing in the examining my Argument , and sets down my words at length , and then in stead of answering it , puts divers Quaere's to me , yeelding first to me , that the Text Gen. 17.7 . was in that place Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , brought into question by the Apostle . 1 saith he , How Bain and Ame● come to the name of Remonstrants ? I had thought they had been on the party that are called Contra-remonstrants ? Answer . And so a●so did I , and therefore called them the answerers of Arminius , and the cited Remonstrants , not Remonstrants , as Mr. Blake not heeding my words suggests , as one not willing to omit any thing whether right or wrong which may render me odious or contemptible . 2. saith he , Where it appears that Arminius conceived that the Covenant there spoken to was the word of the Law and not of Promise , I am sure in his Analysis on this chapter to the Romans ( of which Mr. T. should not be ignorant , little lesse than vapouring of his examination of it in Oxford Apolog. page 131. ) he spake in another manner , even in Mr. T. his own Dialect , as though the ones Comment had been spit out of the mouth of the other . The sons of the flesh with the Apostle ( saith he ) are those who by the works of the Law follow after righteousness and salvation . The so●s of the Promise are those that seek after righteousness and salvation by faith in Christ , and he thus frames the principall Syllogism of the Apostle for confutation of the Jewes arguing from the rejection of the Jew●s , Gods failing in his promise . If the word of God comprehend onely the sons of the promise , shutting out the sons of the flesh , then it follows that the word of God doth not fail , ●hough the sons of the flesh be rejected : But the word of God comprehends onely the sons of the promise , shutting out the sons of the flesh : Therefore the word of God doth not fail though the sons of the flesh be rejected . Armin. Anal. cap 9. ad Rom. pag. 781 , Let any now judge whether he can interpret this of the Law and not of the Promise . Answer 1. The mention of my examining of Arminius his Analysis of Rom. 9. is little less than vapouring , as Mr Blake in his spitefull fashion terms it , but a necessary allegation with modesty to clear my self from his false charge , That I had lately preached this as a Gospel ●ruth , that this is one of the promises of the Covenant of grace , that God will be the God of beleivers and their seed , and that now I was suddenly otherwise perswaded . If the Reader view my words , he wil discern a spirit of malice or waywardness in Mr Blakes misrepresenting of my actions , 2. To his Quaere I answer , That I have not now Arminius his book , to discern whether it was Arminius his conceit or not , nor need I prove it was , not alleging it as of my own search , but upon the credit of Bain and Ames . And I find in that Edition I have of Bain on Ephes 1. Anno 1618. pag. 134. on vers . 5. that he saith , that Arminius was deceived in this among other things , that the objectors whose objection Paul preventeth vers . 6. do by the word of God conceive the word of the Covenant legall , which he refutes 136 as one of those mistakes which did mislead Arminius : Nor doth Mr. Blake at all acquit Arminius from this mistake which Mr. Bain charged him with . For Mr. Bain did not charge him with that mistake in the framing of the Apostles principal Syllogism for confutation of the Jewes arguing from the rejection of the Jewes Gods failing in his promise , but in the framing the objection v. 6. as if the Jewes objection , That if they were rejected who by the works of the Law sought righteousness , then Gods word in the Legall Covenant to take them to be his people who kept the Law , did fail : which Mr. Bain refutes , and shewes , That the objection did arise concerning Gods word about their naturall descent , as being Israel and Abrahams seed , which is the same which I alleged . And the same is the observation of Ames concerning the cited Remonstrants , Animadv . in Remonstr . script Synod . de praedest . ch . 8. sect . 4. where he hath these words , Remonstr . autem pro confesso & concesso habent , agi hic de sermone legis , sicut apparet ex illis verbis : Si legem Moses non violarint ; qui legem sequuntur . Sed in textu agitur de sermone promissionis , qui efficax est in populo praecognito ▪ de quo praecip●e glori●bantur Judaei , semetipsos Abrahae filios , & haer●des promissionis ipsi factae jactitantes , sicut ex Pauli responso patet . So that if the Reader do conceive that Arminius in the words cited by Mr. Blake , meant by the word of God the word of Promise not of the Law , yet Arminius might conceive the word of God in the objection of the Jewes to be the legall Covenant or word of the Law , in which Mr. Bain , and I after him , took him to be deceived . 3. Whereas he saith , That Arminius speaks in mine own Dialect , as though the ones Comment had been spit out of the mouth of the other , alleging Arminius his words , and af●er his third Quaere is , when he affirms , that to be born after the flesh is all one with the Apostle with legal Justiciaries , Apolog. pag. 114. ( which is Arminius his interpretation ) how then can he by that distinction of children of the flesh , and children of the promise , shut out the naturall seed of Abraham ? Are the n●●urall seed of Abraham and legall justiciaries one and the same ? He continues his spitefull language and calumniating course . For 1. though it is true that Apol. pag. 114. I s●y one born after the flesh●s all one with the Apostle as legal justiciaries , yet I limit this speech to the Apostles speech , Gal. 4.22 , &c. And therefore it is a meer calumny that in the explication of Rom. 9 6 , 7 , 8 , I sp●ke in Arminius his Dialect , as if my Comment had been spit out of his mouth . Yea it might easily have been deprehended by Mr. Blake , that I rejected Arminius his explication of children of the flesh , and children of the promise , Rom. 9 8. in that I excepted Exam. part 3. sect . 2. against this very thing in Arminius his exposition , & did recite Mr. Bains words , who grants , that elsewhere sons of the flesh are put for legal justiciaries , yet denies it of the phrase Rom. 9.8 . where he proves it notes barely natural descent from Abraham , page 138 , 139. 2. To this question I answer , 1. I shut not out the naturall seed of Abraham universally from the promise , but only do not include them universally & this I do from the Apostles distinction not understood in Arminius his sense . 2 To his second question , Are the naturall seed of Abraham and legall justiciaries one and the same ? I answer , No. for saith Mr. Blake , if the Apostle exclude all the naturall seed of Abram from this covenant of God with Abraham , ( as Mr. T. from Stapleton argues ) and take in onely his spiritual seed , how can he be reconciled to himself ? Answ. There are divers untruths in this passage : First , it is untrue that I do argue that the Apostle excludes all the natural seed of Abraham from this covenant of God with Abraham . 2. That I argue this from Stapleton , which I am sure is most false , nor would have been said by Mr , Blake if he had any care to refrain from calumniating me . 3. Nor do I think by Mr. Blakes own allegation of Stapletons wor●s in this chapter , from whence he imagines I borrowed my arguing that Stapleton himself did so argue , but Mr. Blake misreports him also . My assertion is , and if Stapleton do agree with me , I like it not the worse , that in the promise Gen. 17.7 . as it is Evangelical assuring regeneration , justification , and life eternall , all the naturall seed of Abraham are not included , but grant that many have been and shall be included , yet say , that as they are his naturall seed so they are his spirituall seed by believing or election , and that to the elect onely that promise as Evangelicall is made by God , and that this the Apostle determines and proves , and no where gainsays . But saith Mr. Blake , In the words immediatly before this objection , he speaks of the Jewes ( as his kinsmen according to the flesh ▪ which were the naturall seed of Abraham ) and saith , to them pertain the adoption , the glory , and the Covenants , &c. How then can his distinction be interpreted to throw them out of Covenant , when in express terms he had affirmed that they were in covenant ? How can he deny that these are children , v. 7 , when he had affirmed that to them pertaineth the adoption v. 4. Answer . If the Apostle had affirmed those Jewes his kinsmen after the flesh , that they were in covenant , Gen. 17.7 . and adopted , for whom he sorrowed so much , v. 2. he had plaid the hypocrite , expressing his sorrow for them as not included in the covenant , who he knew were in it , he had trifled in raising an objection from thence and answering it , yea he had contradicted himself , who v. 6. saith , All are not Israel that are of Israel , and v 7. that because they were the seed of Abraham , they were not all children , v. 8. that the children of the flesh are not the children of God , opposing the children of the promise to the children of the flesh . And it will concern Mr. Blake to reconcile the Apostle to himselfe , if he should mean as Mr Blake expounds him , Nor do I know how he could with any shew of truth affirm these men to be in covenant with God , to be his children who did obstinately oppose Christ , being ignorant of the righteousness of God , and seeking to establish their own righteousness , were not subject to the righteousness of God , Rom. 10.3 . but were broken off for unbelief , Rom. 11.20 . It is true it is said , Whose or of whom are the adoption and the covenants . But doth he say this of the Israelites then living whose case he bewailed ? I conceive not , but of their ancestors . For the speeches were not true of them , that of them was Christ according to the flesh , , or theirs the giving of the Law , yet I deny not it was their honour and priviledge in some sort , that God vouchsafed these things to their ancestors and nation , and it did affect Paul much , that the people which were so much dignified by God , should now be rejected . But were it that of those persons it were said , that to them pertained the covenants , and the adoption , yet were it not true which Mr. Bl. saith , that Paul in express terms affirmed that they were in covenant , or were children of God. For if it be true that by the Covenants were meant the Tables of the Covenant , as Beza conceives , or the Covenants of Adoption , in respect of outward legall priviledges , which are onely there mentioned as proper to the Jewes , the adoption and covenants might be said to pertain to them , and they neither in covenant , nor children of God Evangelically . But of this Text I have before spoken , Sect. 27 , &c. Mt Bl adds , wh●ch may be confirmed by abundant other texts of Scripture ; Ye are the children of the Lord your God , Deut. 14.1 . Out of Egypt have I called my Son , Hos. 11.1 . It is not meet to take the childrens bread and cast it unto Doggs , Mat. 15.26 : where all that were no● Gentiles , all to whom Christ was sent are called Children : Ye are the children of the Prophets , and of the covenant which God made with your Fathers , Acts 3.20 . Doth the covenant appertain to them , and they stiled the children of the covenant , and yet are they out of covenant ? Are they children to whom the adoption pertains , and yet no children ? When Mr. T. hath given any fair answer to these Quaere's , especially the two last , we shall conceive some probability of truth in his gloss on the Apostles words ; in the mean time we cannot but look upon it in full opposition and contradiction to that which the Apostle expressly delivers . Answ● 1. Non● of all the passages call those brethren of Paul whose case he bewaileth verse 3. Children of God , his Son , Children , Children of the Prophets and of the Covenant . 2. The speeches being of a people mixt of good and bad , and the speeches being indefinite , may be true if meant of some onely of those people : yea in the Apostles sense they cannot be true of all that were not Gen●iles , all to whom Christ was sent , that they were the children of God. For many are termed by the Prophet Isai. 57 3. the sons of the Sorceresse , the seed of the adultresse and the whore , by John Baptist , Matth. 3.7 . Generation of vipers , by our Lord Christ Matth. ●3 15. Children of hell . 3. Sometimes the term of Children is meant as the term righteous is , Luke 15.7 . of one that is so in reputation though not in truth , as the children of the Kingdom , Mat. 8.12 . must be meant of them that were so in reputation , though not in truth : For had h●y been so in truth they should not be cast out into utter darkness . 4. By the children of the covenant Acts 3.25 . is not meant that they were then in the Evangelicall Covenant as made to th●m : For at that time they had not repented , but were exhorted thereto , v. 19 But they are called the children of the Covenant , because they were the posteri●y of those Fathers with whom first the covenant was made , as they are called children of the Prophets , because th●y were the posteri●y of that people to whom the Prophets were first raised and sent , as is shewed before Sect. ●7 . out of which there is a fair answer to Mr. Blakes Riddles without an Oedipus , that first the Covenants and Adoption , Rom. 9.4 . are not said to pertain to those Israelites for whom Paul mourned . v. 3. but to their ancestors . 2. If they did , yet not in Mr. Blakes sense , , but in the sense fore-given . 3. That those Israelites for whom Paul mourned , Rom. 9.3 . are not stiled children of the covenant . Acts 3.25 . 4 Nor though i● be true of those for whom Paul mourned , is it any thing to Mr. Blakes purpose , but hath another meaning foregiven . And thus there is a sweet harmony be●ween my gloss and the Apostles expressions . Mr. Bl. next gives his Analysis of the Apostles words , in which he grants v. 7. a numerous company by Ishmael to be excluded ( who were Abrahams seed after the flesh ) which evinceth what I contend for , that Gods promise Gen. ●7 . 7 . was not made in any sort to Ishmael though he were the child of a beleiver and circumcised , therefore that covenant is not made to every believers naturall child , nor was the reason of circumcising this or that person , taken from the persons interest in the covenant , for Ishmael was circumcised though not in covenant . Then Mr. Bl. adds , As then there was a distinction of seed , so also now , one member he had laid down before , viz. Israelites according to the flesh rested in all those priviledges there reckoned up , v. 4 , 5 , these they pleaded , the Apostle yelds them : and Mr. T , ( according to the discovery of these times ) denies them , The second member he after falls upon ; the eternally beloved and chosen of God , and largely amplifies . In these Abrahams seed may continue ; though the other be cast off , , to whom yet God hath continued ( in successive generations ) a God in covenant , and continued to them the priviledges of being his people , though now he was upon the rejection of them . Answer . I should hardly have thought a sober minded man , much less a man reputed an ancient grave Divine , would so slightly have handled such a Scripture in which he saith is my triumphing argument , but that I meet with this passage defective in what was to be done , and made up of flirts , falshoods , impertinencies , 〈…〉 opposite to the Apostle ▪ It is defective 〈…〉 main things , first , in applying the distinction of the Apostle to the 〈◊〉 of the objection ▪ by shewing how the word fa●ls no● , if ●he one sort of seed of Abraham be rejected . 2. In not shewing any invalidity in my deduction of my Conclusion thence , that the seed of Abraham to whom the promise Gen. ●7 . 7 . as Evangelical is made , are onely the elect . His ●●irts are at me , 〈◊〉 denying the Israelites according to the discovery of these times , what the Apostle yeeld● . Falshoods , that the Israelites according to the flesh pleaded all those priviledges reckoned up , v 4 , 5. For they were so far from pleading it as a priviledge , that Christ came of them according to the flesh , that they abhorred and accursed him . 2. That I deny the priviledges which the Apostle yeeldeth them . Which also are meer impertinenc●es to the solution of the objection , and to the distinction of the Apostle , who doth not at all in the expression af Children of the flesh mention those priviledges , nor mentions Children of the flesh , as importing an investiture into those priviledges , as Mr. Bl. seems to have conceived , but barely by that term notes their naturall descent from Abraham , insomuch that Ishmael is meant as a Child of the flesh , who was no way vested in those priviledges v. 4 , 5 In stead of telling whether the eternally chosen and beloved of God were the seed meant Gen. 17.7 . and ●o the word of God f●iled not , he onely tels us , In these the seed of Abraham may continue though the other he cast off , which is impertinently and doubtfully exprest , as if there were not a certainty but onely a possibility of the seed of Abraham continuing in the eternally beloved and chosen of God. It is in like manner impertinent to the business , to tell what God hath done in successive generations , when the objection is of the inconsiste●cy with his doings and his promises concerning the present generation . Lastly , it is directly against the Apostle , who opposeth the children of the promise to the cast off , to say , that he hath continued a God in covenant to them whom he hath cast off , and continueth ●o them the priviledges of his pepole though he was upon the rejecting of them . And it is a strange expr●ssion , when there is speech of rejection opposite to eternall love and choice of God , to say , God is now upon the rejection of them , which intimates a beginning of a rejection . But Mr. Bl. thinks to satisfie all by the words of Gomarus , which having set down at large , he then saith , In which we have these three things , 1. Mr. T. his objection wholly solved . 2. The Apostle reconciled to himself . And 3. the doctrine of Covenant holinesse from the Apostle fully established , which when Mr. T. hath well considered with that which was spoke before ( having the whole current of the Scripture against him ) he will have little list to make this one Scripture his asylum . To which I answer , first there are many things in the words of Gomar●s liable to exception , as ● , that ●e saith , The Jewes great priviledges mentioned 〈…〉 objected . But the thing that was objected was not those priviledges , but the word of God concerning Israel and Abrahams●●ed ●●ed . 2. That 〈…〉 . That th●se priviledges are attributed by the Apostle to the unbelieving Jewes . Which is not true in the sense he 〈…〉 present unbelie●ing 〈…〉 〈◊〉 attributed by the Apostle to the unbelieving Jewes by vertue of their outward ●all , because salvation is revealed and offered to them under condition of obedience , and that offer sealed with circumcision ▪ wherein 1. he saith , the offer of salvation under condition of obedience , was sealed with circumcision But I had thought the thing Pedobaptists would have sealed with circumcision ; had not been the offer of savation upon condition of obedience , but the covenant of God , Gen. 17 ▪ which is another thing than the offer of salvation which is by men indeed according to the covenant : but it is not the covenant , for that is Gods act , and is presupposed to the other . Besides , there are some promises at least in the covenant absolute , not upon condition , as the promise of regeneration , in respect of which the covenant cannot be conditional , and therefore the offer and the covenant are not to be confounded , nor do I think Pedobaptists will like this , that that offer was sealed with circumcision . Besides , there was no offer made to the Jewes of salvation under condition of obedience . An offer is made by pre●ching , circumcision was on the eighth day : was there any that pre●ched at circumcision salvation under the condition of obedience to the circumcised , and then circumcised the child to seal that off●r ? Nor did the Iewes use circumcision to seal the off●r of s●lvation under condition of obedience to Christ , but to bind them to keep the Law of Moses in expectation of righteousness , as appears from Acts 15.1.5.9 , 10. Gal. 5.3 . Rom. 2 , 25 , &c. 2. Nor do I see any truth in that which he saith , That those priviledges are attributed by the Apostle to the unbelieving Jewes by vertue of their outward call , because salvation is ●●●ealed and offered to them under condition of obedience , and that offer sealed with circumcision . For neither do Church-priviledges belong to persons barely by re●son of an outward call , which is but an offer of salvation , no man is accounted a Church-member , having right to the seal , as they term it , because salvation is offered without some consent , nor did those priviledges in any sort accrue to the Iewes upon an outward call by which salvation was offered to them upon condition of obedience , the proceeding of Christ from them , their having Abraham , Isaac , Jacob , for their fathers , their having the Law given them , &c. were not upon such an outward call , but Gods respect to them , Deut 7.6.4 . It is not true that from thence all Israelites are promiscuously called children of the Covenant , as Acts 3.25 . For it is true onely of them that were after the Prophets as well as the covenant , sith they are called children of the Prophets as well as of the covenant , and neither Title is given to them because of the outward call alleaged , but because they were the posterity of those to whom the Prophets were sent , and the covenant exhibited . 5. It is not true that the Apostle affirmes that the unbelieving Iewes are Abrahamites and Israelites ; not onely by reason of their birth after the flesh , but also by reason of acceptance of the covenants and promises : For neither is it true they did accept of the covenants and promises , sith they rejected Christ to whom the promises were made , Gal. 3.16 . Nor doth the Apostle say , They accepted of them , nor at all give that as a reason of their being Abrahamites or Israelites . Yea , they were Israelites or Adamites antecedentally to some of those recited priviledges . 6. Nor doth the Apostle s●y , The Fathers and Adoption , and Covenants , and Promises , belong to all the Israelites : yea he denies the promises to Israel and Abrahams seed to belong to every one that is of Israel and Abrahams seed , v. 6 , 7 , 8. 7. Nor doth he make any such distinction of promise in respect of the efficacie of it , and collation belonging to some , and tender or offering of the covenant of grace : For neither doth the Apostle at all mention the offer of the covenant of grace with condition of duty to be performed , nor doth he make the promise to belong to any who have not the efficacie of it : yea , to say the promise belongs to any , and yet he not have the efficacie , is to make the word of God fall , which the Apostle disclaims as a thing by no means to be imputed to God , for thereby he should be charged of unfaithfulness in not keeping his promise . 8. Neither doth the Apostle make that answer which Gomarus sets down , that though the priviledges v. 4 , 5 , belong to all the Israelites , yet all are not therefore true children beca●se the priviledges are attributed to them by reason of their outward call , not by reason of their inward . For the objection was not thu● , To the Jewes belong those priviledges , therefore they must be true children and heirs of salvation : But thus , Gods promise or covenant was with Abraham and his seed to be a God , therefore either God must be a God of the Jewes who are Abrahams seed , and they his people contrary to what your sorrow intimates , v. 2 or else the word of God hath fallen , Now Gomarus sets down another objection than that which the Apostle answers , and another than that which the Apostle makes , as may appear by what I have said before . And for the three things Mr Blake gathers from Gomarus , the first is not true , that my objection is wholy solved : For there is not a word in Gomarus that answers this objection , Every child of Abraham was not a child of the promise Gen 17 , 7 , 8 , as the Apostle determines , Rom. 9 , 7 , 8. None were his seed to whom the promise as Evangelical belongs , but the elect , therefore neither was the covenant Gen. 17 , 7. as Evangelical , made to all the naturall children of Abraham , not they circumcised because the covenant was made to them , nor is the covenant made with every beleiver by profession , nor hath he right to Baptisme by vertue of that title , nor is the covenant made to every true beleivers infant or naturall child , there are none of them Abrahams seed but the elect , and therefore all the plea of the Paedobaptists from Gen. 17.7 . to prove the right of every beleivers naturall child to baptism , is manifestly false , going on that supposition which the Apostle plainly contradicts . The second thing is frivolous : For there was no contradiction in appearance in the Apostles words , which need reconciliation , and therefore Gomarus and Mr Blake have taken upon them an unnecessary task : But the seeming opposition to be reconciled , is between Gods performing his word to Abrahams seed to be a God to them , and his rejection of them from being his people , which the Apostlee doth indeed reconcile righ●ly , but Mr Blake and Gomarus are both mistaken in the thing as hath been d●monstrated . Yet this I find , that Gomarus with the other four Professors of the united Belgick Provinces ( of whom Gomarus is first ) set down the same that I conclude in their Iudgement at the Synod of Dor● about the second Article of the Remonstrants , in which they say , That to the elect onely the promises are made , is professedly proved by Paul Rom. 9 , 7 , 8 ▪ For onely the sons of promise are counted for the seed to whom that word of the everlasting possession of the inheritance appertains . So that I have five more Suffrages together for me . And for the Doctrine of Covenant Holiness , I confess the Apostle establisheth this Doctrine , That all the spirituall seed of Abraham ▪ to wit , true beleivers , or elect persons , are holy federally as being those to whom God hath covenanted to be God : But Mr Blakes doctrine of Covenant holiness , that Gods covenant is to be a God to every beleiver and his seed , which is no other than his naturall seed ( for infants are no otherwayes his seed ) is so far from being established by the Apostle , that he determines the contrary , denying that all Abrahams children were children of the promise , and proving the elect onely to be his seed to whom the promise Gen. 17.7 , as it was Evangelicall was made by the state of Ishmael and Isaac , Esau and Jacob. And for this I am assured that I have the whole current of the Scripture for me , and feare not to make this Text my Asylum , still having considered what Mr Blake produceth both here and before : the frivolousness of which I hope by Divine assistance to shew in that which follows . There is somewhat which Mr. Blake adds in that Chapter in answer to the Allegation of Matth. 3.9 . in which as I shewed before , John Baptist rejects their claim to baptism , though Abrahams naturall children without repentance and faith , and asserts the onely seed of Abraham in covenant to be his spirituall . Here to saith Mr. Blake , I answer , First ▪ When those that were no better then th●se make the same plea , John 8 . 3● . We be Abrahams seed , and were never in bondage to any , Christ yeilds it , v. 37. I know that ye are Abrahams seed ; he allowes all that upon this account they can claim . And for Pharisees he doth not barely yeld them to be Church members , but also Church teachers , Matth. 23.2 . I reply , Christs yeilds they were Abrahams naturall seed , but denies them to be Abrahams Children , verse 39. that is , to whom the promise Evangelicall belongs . The Pharisees were not yeilded to be Church-members in the Christian Church , nor were admitted by Iohn Baptist or Christs Disciples to baptisme without repentance and faith , nor were they teachers in the Christian Church , though among the Jewes they are said to fit in Moses Chair . 2. Saith Mr. Blake , Iohn Baptist doth not deny what Christ yeilds , but lets them know that this place wil not serve to avoyd wrath whilst they live in impenitencie ; notwithstanding that this plea holds , they may perish , and yet Gods Covenant with Abraham hold ; being able of stones to raise up children unto Abraham , to make good what in covenant he had said . He no where sayes that they are not intituled to priviledges of ordinances , and thereby interessed in the prerogatives of Gods visible people . What Paul Rom. 9.4 , 5. so largely yelds them , Iohn Baptist doth not deny them , which also now they had in visible possession . Answer . Neither Iohn Baptist , nor Christ , nor Paul , y●ilded them either to be in the covenant with Abraham ( Mr. Blakes own words : notwithstanding this plea holds , &c. do plainly imply , that Gods covenant did not hold with them , and that by them God should not make good what in covenant ●e had said ) or to be Gods visible people , or to have right to the priviledge of baptism : but the contrary is declared by them . What Mr. Blake concludes the Chapter with , ●s either but a dictate , that priviledg of ordinance ( meaning of Baptism ) is a Birth-inheritance , without either proof or shew of proof from Prov. 19.14 . Rom. 3.1 . so that I shall trouble the reader with no more of the fopperies of this chapter ▪ onely I desire the reader to observe , that whereas usually Paedobaptists grant that by birth a grown man is not intituled to the initial Seal without his own profession , Mr. Blake denies that Iohn saith , the viperous Pharisees and Sadduces , and unbelieving Jewes are not in●ituled to priviledges of ordinances and thereby interessed in the prerogatives of Gods visible people . But Mr. Sidenham in his Exercit. ch . 6. takes upon him to refell the plea from Matth. 3.8 , 9. gathering that the pretence of being Abrahams children , could not give them a right to baptisme ; and if John denied Abrahams naturall seed on that account , much more would he the adopted children . But herein I conceive he doth not rightly set down his adversaries collection : For the adopted children of Abraham I conceive are no other than beleivers , and surely Mr Sidenhams adversaries do not imagine that John denied th●m baptism . I for my part remember not my allegation of this Text afore the writing of this Book . But I find Mr. William Kay in his Baptism without Bason thus averring , 1. That Matth. 3.8 , 9. is directly against Infant-baptism , in that none but such as have faith and repentance , must think to be baptized . 2. That the pretence or consequence from circumcision , and being Abrahams naturall children , to prove their title to Baptism . I add to the Covenant Evangelicall Gen. 17.7 . is also condemned , in that he allows them not to think within themselves , We have Abraham to our Father , which is not meant simply as if they might not in any sort think Abraham to be their Father ; for Christ acknowledgeth it , John 8 37. and they might lawfully think that to be so which was so but in some respect , and the respects are intimated in the Text , 1 , In respect of baptism to which they come , but as Par●us Comment . in Matth. 3.7 . John did not admit them as being unworthy . 2. In reference to the covenant ▪ Gen. 17 7. which appears in that he adds , For I say unto you that God is able even of these stones to raise up children to Abraham , which can be understood no otherwise than of spirituall children , who are children of the promise , Rom. 9.8 . which the Pharisees are not , 3. In respect of that which they imagined , that they should be s●cured from wrath to come , v. 7 , in that they had Abraham to th●ir father . Now what saith Mr. Sidenham to this ? 1. That they were of age , and men degenerated from Abrahams saith , that he did not refuse them because Abraham was their father , or upon that account that Abrahams seed had not right to the promise , b●t as onely pretending Abraham to be their father , when they walkt contrary to the principles of Abrahams faith . Answer . 'T is true , he did not refuse them because Abraham was their Father , nor as onely pretending Abraham to be their Father : Nor doth he deny that it was true that they had Abraham to their father in respect of naturall generation , but because though they had Abraham to their father in respect of naturall generation , yet they did not believe as Abraham , nor had right to the promise , which is enough to shew that the children of believers are to be refused and not admitted to Baptism till they become believers themselves . 2. Saith Mr. Sidenham , This is the same as to grown men professing faith , baptized , and then not admitted to the Lords Supper because carnall and Apostate , it ●e said , You have cut off your own right by your contrary actings , which impeach not the truth of this position , That believers and their infants are in covenant , and ought to be judged so untill they manifest the contrary ; or that if they belieued themselves afterwards the promise should not be to them and their children : And that the Text holds out no more than this , that when persons are grown up to years , and come to understanding , they must then stand on their right , and looke to make out personall qualifications for new ordinances . Answer . 1 , It is not the same : For such a speech should imply a former right now cut off , but John Baptists speech disclaims any right they ever had to baptism . 2. John Baptists speech proves , believers children as such are not in the covenant , for Abrahams children were not , and that they ought not to be judged so until they manifest faith and repentance , for Iohn Baptist denied them to be Abrahams children in covenant without them , and that the promise is not to their children because they believe ; for the promise was not to Abrahams children by naturall generation though he were father of believers , and it proves that none of Abrahams children have right to baptisme without fai●h and repentance , and consequently infants no more than grown men . But Mr. Sidenham yet thinkes to avoid the inference from this text , thus . 3. This was at the first institution of the ordinance , when baptism was was newly administred : now new institutions require grown persons , and actuall visible bilievers to be the first subjects of them : they could not baptize their children first , for then the parents would be neglected : And the bringing in of a new ordinance requires renewing of speciall acts in those which partake of it . Now in the new Testament God renewes the covenant of Abraham , adds a new initiating seal to it : It was before entail'd in such a line which is cut off , i●'s now of the same nature , onely every one must come in his own person first , as Abraham , and enter his own name , and then the promise to him and his seed . Thus it was in the former place , where when the Jewes came to be baptized , they were exhorted first to repent and be baptized themselves , then the promise is to you and your children . Answer . All this scr●bling is at random , and wi●hout any proof , or answer to the objection : It is quite beside the objection , which was not barely from John Baptists not baptizing their children , but from the reason of Iohn Baptists refusing to admit themselves to baptism . So that Mr. Sidenhams answer is onely to the Consectary , infer'd from the Conclusion deduced , not to the premises , no nor the first conclusion it self . For the argument is this , If Abrahams natural children had not right to baptism without their own faith and repentance . But the Antecedent is true , Ergo the Consequent , and consequently no● infants to be baptized . Again , if Abrahams children were not in the covenant without fai●h and repentance , neither are ours , for we have no more priviledge for our children then Abrahams had : But the Antecedent is true , Ergo the Consequent , and consequently a believers child is not in covenant because a believers child . Yet once more , If persons circumcised and descendended from Abraham , were not therefore admitted to baptism , then the same thing doth not intitle to baptism which did intitle to circum●ision , nor the command of circumcision a command concerning baptism . But the Antecedent is true , Ergo the Consequent , and consequently infants are not to be baptized because they were to be circumcised . Now Mr Sidenhams answer is to the allegation of John Baptists not baptizing infants , not at all to any of these arguments drawn from his refusing the Pharisees , though coming to his baptism , and conceiving they might , having Abraham to their Father . Yet what Mr. Sidenham faith takes away the force of the argument if it had been thus made : Those we are not to baptize whom John did not baptize : but Iohn did not baptize infants , Ergo. Yea his answer strengthens the argument : For if Johns baptism were at the first institution of baptism , and infants were not baptized , then neither are they to be now . For the first institution is the rule of observing it , as the Lord Christ himself urgeth concerning marriage , Matth. 19.4 . and Paul concerning the Lords Supper , 1 Cor. ●1 , 23. If baptism were a new institution , and did require actuall visible believers as the first subject of it , then it is not all one with circumcision , which admitted infants at the first institution , then such onely are to be baptiz●d except some further Institution can be shewed , the institution for infan-circumcision is not sufficient for infant-baptism● , for that was in force as much at the first institution of baptism as after . It is false that they could not baptize their children first , that is , at the first institution , John Baptist and the D●sciples of Christ might have baptized infants at first as well as Abraham circumcis●d them , yea ought to have done it , If Paedobaptists say true , that the command of circumcision was the Rule in force concerning baptism : nor need the parents be neglected , no not though they had baptized the children first in order of time ; yea the right of the child being contemporary with the paren●s faith , if they say true , they should have been baptized as soon as ever ●he parent was a believer , or the child in covenant . Gods Covenant with Abraham was to him and his seed ; but his covenant was never made to every believer and his seed . In the new Testament God renews the Covenant wi●h Abraham in respect of spirituall blessings , but for the promises domestick or civill ▪ he doth not renew it . He adds to the new Covenant the s●al of Christs death , whose blood confirmed it , and the initiating seal of his Spirit , I know no other initiating seal added to it . It is not true that the ●n●w covenant , or covenent of grace was entail'd before to a certain line , though the covenant with Abraham in respect of the civill domistick promises were entail'd to Abrahams naturall posterity , and is now cut off : Nor is the covenant every way of the same nature with Abrahams covenant , nor upon a believers entering his name is the promise to him and his seed , nor is it Acts 2.38 , 39. said , that upon their repenting and being baptized themselves , that the promise is to them and their children , but the being of the promise to them and their children , is urged as a consideration fit to move them to repent and be baptizd . He next sets down 4 affirmations , 2. That no man must be baptized , or receive an ordinance by any fleshly prerogative . Answer . Then no infant is to be baptized by vertue of birth from a believer , for that is a fleshly prerogative , as the birth of Christ was but a fleshly prerogative to David , the virgin Mary , though there were an entail of a promise to them of this thing , so is the imagined birth-priviledge of believers infants , and yet there is no promise to retain it to a believers child . 2. That no person grown up to years of udderstanding , hath right to a sealing ordinance , but upon his own personall qualification . Answer . Then Mr. Blake did erre in intituling unbelieving Jewes to priviledges of ordinances ▪ and thereby interessing them in the prerogatives of Gods visible people . 2. There is no other right to an infant to baptism , than what a grown person hath . The third affirmation I grant , and the fourth too , if there were any such old priviledges of the promise to be conveyed to those which do really embrace the Gospel and their seed . And this grant that those Pharisees and Sadduces had demonstrated themselves to be onely the children of the flesh , and not of the promise , and that they were excluded , shews the covenant as Evangelical not to be made to a believers naturall seed , nor they thereby have right to baptism . SECT . XXX . Of the meaning of Mr. M. his second Conclusion , the ambiguitie of which is shewed . I now return to Mr. M. whose second Conclusion was thus expressed , Ever since God gathered a distinct select number out of the world to be his Kingdome , Citie , houshold in opposition to the rest of the world , which is the kingdome , citie , houshold of Satan , he would have the i●fants of all who are taken into covenant with him , to be accounted his , to belong to him , to his Church and Family , and not to the Devils . This conclusion b●ing the main pillar upon which he settles Infant-baptism , the Antecedent of his Euthymem I examined with great di●igence after the exact manner of Scholastick Writers in their Disputes . Which dealing of mine being indeed the one●y way to clear truth , and approved by a learned member of the Assembly [ Mr R.C. of P.C.O. ] and known to be one of the most accurate disputants in his time in Oxford , yet Mr M. pag. 105. of his Defence , in a most inj●rious though frivolous way , traduce●h as an indirect Artifice . To which some answer is given in my Apologie sect . 5. pag ▪ 23 I shall now view the reply he makes : First , he compares my dealing with an unnam'd person in Cambridge , whose faculty was to make a clear text dark by his Interpretation : whereas my way was the true and onely way to clear his meanin● by distinction , which is by Logicians called the light of speech , and in all consideration of things to be first , as Keckerm . Log Syst , part . 2. lib. 1. c. 1 sp●aks : No● h●●h Mr M. shewed in his Defence , that any of those senses of his words which I set down , might not be conceived to be his meaning ; and therefore his complaint of me is ridiculous , and I shall have cause to censure him as a confused Dict●t●r rather than an accurate Disputer , who doth so indistinctly set down his main conclusion , That an adversary cannot determinely resolve what is the meaning , and so nei●her easily examine his proofs , nor know what to oppose . B●● he tells me he meant it of a visible priviledge , in facie Ec●lesiae visibilis , yet he doth not tell what that visible priviledge is . He tells me , That they have their share in Foedus externum ; but sets not down what share they have , nor what he means by Foedus externum , in which they have share . And after he saith , God would have the children of them who by externall vocation and profession joyn to the Church of God even while they are children , to enjoy the same priviledge wi●h them , which hath also ambiguity in it . For whereas there are many priviledges which the parents enjoy , as R. G. to be baptized , to be admitted to the Lords Supper , perhaps the Father to be an Elder teaching or ruling , or a Deacon in the Church , and by ( Children ) may be meant persons of ten or twenty years old , and while ▪ they are children may be understood either during their infancy , or during their relation as children to their parents ( which is as long as they are men ) the words may be understood either that they have the same priviledge of admission to the Lords Supper or Church-government , while they are infants , or that they have even in infancy the same priviledge to be baptized that the parent had upon his profession . Which last if it were his meanng ( as most likely it was ) then his second conclusion being the same with his Antecedent in his Euthymem , his argument is an inapt tautology , Infants of professors have the same priviledge with the parents to be baptized : Ergo they are to be baptized , which is to prove the same by the same : yet this I must needs take to be his meaning , till he shew what other priviledge wi●h their parents children of vi-sible professors have in infancy . Then he distinguisheth of the Covenant of grace taken largely and strictly , which distinction is shewed before Sect. 25 , to have no footing in Scripture , and to be inaptly used by Mr M. He distinguisheth of Jewes some Abrahams seed according to the promise , some onely in the face of the visible Church , and of being in Christ by the mysticall union , and by visible and externall profession Which distinction I mislike not though they be not of use here , sith they were not the terms used in his Conclusion . He distinguisheth of Seals belonging to the Covenant , the Seal of the Spirit , and externall Seals . But he nei●her shew●s where the externall seals ( as he calls them ) are tearmed Seals of the Covenant : nor was the term ( Seal of the Covenant ) at all used in his conclusion . Yea to shew how unskilfully he handles the matter in all these distinctions , he doth not distinguish any of those terms that were in question , and were the predicate in his proposition , to wit , to be accounted Gods , to belong to him , to his Church and family , and not to the Devils . And this piece of unskilfulness is in that which followeth . When therefore I say they are visibly to be reckoned to belong to the Covenant with their parents , I mean , look what right a visible professor hath to be received and reputed to belong to the visible Church , quà visi●le professor , that right hath his child so to be esteemed . But first , this speech here explained was not in his Conclusion in his Sermon , these words were not there , They are visibly to be reckoned to belong to the Covenant with their parents , but this , They are to be accounted Gods , to belong to him , to his Church and Family , and not to the Devils . 2. Were the sense here given the meaning of his Conclusion , it would not be true . For if the right belong to the visible professors , quà visible professors , the same right cannot belong to the child except he be a visible professor . For what agrees to any quà talis , as such , agrees universaliter & reciproce , and therefore by this expression , every visible professor is to be received and esteemed , and every one to be so received and esteemed , is a visible professor , which cannot be said with any truth or shew of truth of the infant child of a believer . Besides , if this Conclusion were good , an infant should have right to be admitted to the Lords Supper sith the parent hath right thereto as a visible professor . But Mr. M. makes a large discourse to prove , That to those to whom the spiritual part of the Covenant belongs not , yet there are outward Church-privileges which belong to them as they are visible professors . And to prove this he cites , Gen. 6.1 . Deut. 14.1 . Gal. 3.26 . Matth. 8 , 12. Acts 3.25 . Rom. 9.4 . Rom. 9.3.1 . Iohn 8 17. Psal. 147.19 , 20. Deut. 33.4 . Iohn 4.22 . In answer to which I say , ● , That I grant this speech to be true . 2. I deny that the Texts are pertinent to the purpose of Mr. M. who intends this speech of Gentile visible professors , whereas the texts are most of them of the privileges peculiar to the Jewish people , namely , Deut. 14.1 . Matth. 8.12 . Acts 3.25 . Rom. 9.4 . Rom. 3.1 . Iohn 8.17 . Psal. 147 19 , 20. Deut. 33.4 . Iohn 4.22 . Of the other two the former is of those before the Flood , who whether they were called Sons of God by descent , or profession , or some other way , it is uncertain . The other Gal. 3.26 . is to be understood of being the Sons of God really , and the term [ All ] is to be limited , as v. 27. by [ ye that are believers ] as the very words shew . For when he saith Ye are all the sons of God by faith in Christ Iesus , it is plain this is meant onely of those who had faith in Christ Iesus 3. In all this discourse he doth not shew a Text proving the privileges he mentions to belong to the infants of Gentile visible professors . Certainly some of them cannot be applied ; no , not to the Infants of the Jewish nation , as v. 9. that to them were committed the Oracles of God , that to them God shewed his word , &c. 4 Nor doth Mr M. distinctly tell us , which of these , ●or what other outward priviledge it is that belongs to the Infants of visible professors , which is the onely thing pertinent to the present business . After this he asserts , That there are some rightly admitted by the Church to visible Membership who onely partake of the visible priviledges , and undertakes to prove it from Rom. 11. But I have in the first p●rt of this Review shewed Mr Ms , and others mistakes about the ingraffing , Rom. 11.17 . and proved that it is meant of giving faith according ●o election . Yet I grant it true which Mr M. asserts in those word , and do take notice that pag. 110. he acknowledgeth that I grant in my Examen pag. 149. a lawfulness of admitting men into a visible communion upon a visible profession , and that rightly even by a judgement of faith , though their inward holiness be unknown to us . And yet in the next pag. 111. he tells me , This mistake runs through your whole Book , that none are to be reputed to have a visible right to the Covenant of Grace , but onily such as partake of the saving graces of it . But of this calumny more may be seen in my Apologie , Sect. 10. pag. 47. After all these expressions of his meaning in his Conclusion he adds , pag. 111. This then was and is my meaning when I say , that infants of Believers are confederates with their parents , that they have the same visible right to be reputed Church-members , as their parents have by being visible professors , and are therefore to be admitted to all such externall priviledges as their infant-age is capable of ; and that the visible Church is made up of such visible professors and their children ; that the invisible takes in neither all of the one , nor the other , but some of both . In answer whereto I say , 1. Neither Mr M. in his pretended explication keeps the terms of his second Conclusion in which the words were not as Mr. M. sets them down , That infants of believers are confederates with their parents . Nor ( 2 ) do any of the words explain that proposition . Far would any that knowes the meaning of words , take this for a right paraphrase ? Infants of believers are confederate with their parents , that is ; they have the same visible right , &c. Is [ confederate ] all one with [ to have visible right , to be reputed Church-members , to be admitted to externall Church-priviledges , to be of the visible Church ? ] Yea would not a Grammarian count such a paraphrase to be quite besides the words paraphrased , and the words paraphrased plainer than the paraphrase it self ? Sure [ Confederate ] is [ being in Covenamt together ] And yet in all this Paraphrase there is not so much as the term Covenant mentioned , much lesse any explication in what covenant , and in what manner , by what act believing parents are in covenant together with their infants . 3. By this Paraphrase we have 4 propositions of one , like so many Hydra's heads rising up in the place of one ▪ The first is , That Infants of believers have the same visible right to be reputed Church-members as their parents have by being visible professors . But this is manifestly false : For if the visible right be by being visible professors , infants cannot have the same visible right but by being visible professors , which to assert of them is all one as to say , the snow is black . The second , [ And are therefore to be admitted to all such externall Church-priviledges as their infant age is capable of ] is ambiguous : for the capacity of their infant-age may be understood of Capacity from the institution of God ; and so infants of Gentile-believers are to be admitted to no externall priviledges Sacramentall , for none are appointed for them : or naturall capacity in respect of receiving the Sacrament , and then if by the Sacrament be meant not onely the outward element , but also the use or signification by it , they have not a naturall capacity of receiving the Sacrament of Baptism : if onely of the elements they are capable also of the Lords Supper , as well as baptism . For they may eat and drink bread and wine as well as be washed by baptism . The third proposition is , That the visible Church is made up of such visible professors and their children . This is indeed the conclusion of the Assembly in their Confession of Faith , ch . 25. art . 2. and they cite to prove it , 1 Cor. 7.14 . Acts 2.39 . Ezek. 16.20 , 21. Rom. 11.16 . The impertinency of which is shewed before in the first part of this Review , and in that which goes before in this part of this Review : Of the impertinency of two other texts , to wit , Gen. 3.15 . Gen. 17.7 . Somewhat is said also before , and more is intended to be decla-in the remainder of this Review . The fourth proposition , That the invisible neither takes in all of the one nor the other , but some of both , I grant to be true . After all these Mr M adds , I beseech you stand no longer doubtfull of my meaning : I mean of them as I mean of other visible professors , they are taken into covenant both wayes respectively , according as they are elect or not elect ; all of them are in covenant in respect of out-ward priviledges , the elect over & above the outward priviledges , are in covenant with respect to saving graces ; and the same is to be said of visible members both parents and infants under the N. T. in this point of being in covenant as was to be said of visible members in the former administration , whether Jewes and their children , or Proselytes and their children . Answer . Here again Mr M. explains the term Of Infants being taken into Covenant , which was not in his second conclusion ▪ However I note first , That in respect of saving grace , all the infants of believers are not taken into covenant , but onely the elect . 2. That when he asserts , That all the infants of visibls professors are taken into covenant in respect of outward priviledges . 1 , He never shewes what those outward priviledges are . 2. Nor any where ●lse that I know , instanceth in any but the initiall seal , which is now no other than baptism , and this then being the antecedent in his Enthymeme , his argument is this , All infants of believers are taken into Covenant in respect of the outward priviledge of Baptism , Ergo , they are to be baptized ; which is all one as to say , They are to be baptized , Ergo they are to be baptized , unlesse he mean they are taken into covenant de facto , and so his assertion should be , They are already baptized ( wich is false ) and if his inference be , Ergo they are to be baptized , his argument is , They are already baptized , Ergo they are to be baptised , which were to assert Anabaptism . 3. Nor doth Mr. M. tell where that covenant is that promiseth the outward Church-priviledge of an initiaall seal , nor by whose act they are taken into●covenant , or who takes them into covenant . 4. If he understand it of the outward covenant , meaning thereby the outward administration , he useth , the word improperly by a Trope , and so speaks obscurely in his main conclusion on which his whole dispute r●sts , which is contrary to Logick Rules , and ●ll right Disputation . Besides , he doth but trifle thus in his arguings , I●fants of believers are taken into covenan● , that is the outward covenant , that is the outward administration , that is ( now ) Baptism , Ergo they are to be baptized , which is to prove the same ●y the same . Lastly , if that speech of his be true , That in respect of outward priviledges the same is to be said of visible members both parents and infants under the New Testament , in this poynt of being in covenant , as was to be said of visible members in the former administration ▪ whether Jewes and their children , or Proselytes and their children , it is apparent to me that he makes the covenant now and then not onely the same for substance , but also in respect of administrations contrary to his first conclusion . For what are those outward priviledges in respect of which they are the same but outward administrations ? And if so , his speech is in my apprehension professed Judaism opposite to the Apostles determination in the Synod Acts 15. And yet Mr. M. tells me he endevours in all this to speak as clearly as he can possibly , which makes me hopeless of any thing but confusedness in his writing , when after I had distinctly opened the various senses of his terms , yet he wilfully declines making answer in which of those senses I should take his words , and when he takes on him to explain his meaning , he takes on him to explain other terms then were in his conclusion , and yet his explications are as dark as his terms which he would explain , and in the upshot his second conclusion can have no other sense consistent with his own Hypothesis but such as asserts Judaism , or being cōceived to be the antecedent of his Enthymeme , is the same with the conclusion of it , which is meerly to trifle , proving the same by the same : which course how unfit it is for him who is to dispute , I leave it to them to judge who know what belongs to Scolastick exercise . Mr. M. next chargeth me with holding no more promises for believers children in reference to the covenant , then to the children of Turks . And yet page 119. he doth in these words maintain the same which I do . I joyn with you that it is an error to say , that all Infants of believers indefinitely are under the saving graces of the covenant , for although I find abundance of promises in the Scripture of Gods giving saving graces unto the posterity of his people , and that experience teacheth us , that God uses to continue the Church in their posterity , and that Gods election lies more among their seed then others , yet neither to Iew nor Gentile was the covenant so made at any time , that the spirituall part and grace of the covenant should be conferred upon them all , which is directly to contradict the usuall plea of Pedobaptists , that the covenant of grace is made to every believer and his seed , and particularly the words of the Directory , The p●omise is made to believers and their seed ▪ seeing the covenant of grace is made to none but those on whom the spirituall part is conferred , nor can ( without wresting the words from the plain meaning according to the Grammar sense ) the spech of the Directory be understood of any other promise than saving grace . Mr. M. and with him Mr. G. Vindic. Paedob , pag. 12. charge me , that in my judgement believers children are not actually belonging to the Covenant or Kingdom of God , but onely in possibility ; that they belong to the Kingdome of the Devil actually , which calumnies are re●u●ed in my Apologie , Sect. 14. Next , he speaks thus to me : But say you , to make them actually members of the visible Church , is to overthrow the definitions of the visible Church , which Protestant Writers use to give , because they must be all Christians by profession . I reply , It overthrowes it not at all , for they all include the infants of such professors , as the visible Church among the Iewes did include their infants male ( and female too , lest you say that circumcision made them members . ) Answer . Though Protestant Divines do hold many of them , that infants belong to the visile Church , yet they put them not in their definitions . There are many definitions cited by me in the first part of this Review Sect. 14. in which infants are not included , not in that definition of the Church ( visible ) which Baxter plain Scripture proofe , page 82 saith , Certainly all Divines are agreed , That it is a Society of persons separated from the world to God , or called out of the world , &c , Not in that of Dr. Featly Dipper dipped , pag. 4. A true particular visible Church is a particular Congregation of men professing the true faith , known by the two markes above mentioned , the sincere preaching of the Word , and the due administration of the Sacraments . Norton Resp. ad Appollon ▪ pag. 10. Immota Thesis . Idem illud in professione constituit Eccl●si●m visibilem , quod internâ suâ naturâ constituit Ecclesiam mysticam : i. e. Fides usque adeo luculenta est haec veritas ut vel invito Bellarmino lib. de Eccles ▪ milit . etiam à praecipuorum inter Pontificos calamis excidisse videatur . The Assembly Answer to the reasons of the seven dissenting brethren , pag. 48. Precog 1. The whole Church of Christ is but one made up of the collection and aggregation of all who are called by the preaching of the word to professe the faith of Christ. Mr. M. himself in his Sermon at the Spittle April 16 ▪ 52. pag. 15. ▪ Secondly , that part of the Church which is upon earth in regard that the very life and being of it , and of all the members of it , lye in internall graces , which cannot be seen , in that respect the Church of Christ is called an invisible Church : But now as the said Church and members doe make a profession of their faith and obedience sensibly to the eyes and ears of others , in that respect it is called a visible Church : But the visible is not one Church and the invisible another , but meerly the same Church under severall denominations , the one from their constituting graces , the other from the external profession of them . The Church visible of the Jewes consisted of the whole nation , and was visible otherwise than the Christian , and therefore the definition of the Christian Church visible is different from that of the Jewish Church visible , and infants included in the definition of the one are not included in the definition of the other . Mr. M. saith , I add also Baptisme now ( as well as circumcision of old ) is a re● all though implicite profession of the Christian faith . Answer . Baptism of it self ( I mean dipping in water ) is no reall explicite or implicite profession of faith , but onely when it is done with consent of the baptized to that end : Otherwise the Indians driven into the water by the Spaniards against their wills , should be prof●ssors of the Christian faith . The like may be said of circumcision . Mr M omitting my next reason , [ That to make infants [ visible Church-members , is to make a member of the visible Church , to whom the note of a member of the visible Church doth not agree ] saith thus to me : But say you , Infants are onely passive , and do nothing whereby they may be denominated visible Christians . I answer , Even as much as the infants of the Iewes could do of old , who yet in their dayes were visible members . I reply , It is so ; yet that which made a visible Church member in the Jewish Church , is not enough to make a visible Church member in the Christian Church , which consists not of a whole nation known by circumcision , genealogies , outward policy , national meetings , family dwelling , &c. But of so many persons as are called out of the world by the preaching of the word to professe the faith of Christ. Mr. M. adds , Yea ( say you ) further it will follow , that there may be a v●sible Church which consists onely of infants of believers . I answer , no more now than in the time of the Iewish Church ; it 's possible , but very im●roble , that all the men and women should die and leave onely infants behind them , and it 's far more probable that a Church in the Anabaptists way may consist onely of hypocrites . Answer . It is somewhat more possible , or more probable , there should be onely infants left in a Church of a house , town , or village ; than in the Church which consists of a numerous nation , as the Iewish Church did : nor is it unlikely ; ●uch things h●ve happened in sweeping plagues . And if it be farre more probable that a Church in the Anabaptists way may consist onely of hypocrites , the s●me with more probability may be said of a Church gathered in the Pedob●●pists way , in which there is of necessi●y so much ignorance in matters of Religion , all being admitted Church-members afore they know or can know anything of Christ. Jam sumus ergo pares . But if it be possible , as it is granted , that a Church visible of Christians may consist only of infants , it wil follow that there may be a visible Church of Christians in which there is no one professor of the faith , contrary ro the defini●ion of a visible Church , That it is a company of professors of faith , and they shal be visible Church-members , who neither by themselves or any for them , do any thing which is apparent to the understanding by the meditation of sense , whereby Christianity is expressed . The case is not the same of the Iewish Church and the Christian ; for the Christian Church is any company though but of two or three gathered together in Christs name , Matth. 18.20 . But the Iewish Church was the whole Congregation of Israel known otherwise , as h●th been said , than the Christian. Next , Mr M. against these words of mine [ It is also true that we are not to account infants [ of believers ] ( which he omits in repetition ) to belong to God [ before God ] ( which he likewise omits in repetition ) in respect of election [ from eternity ] ( omitted by him ) or promise of grace [ in Christ ] ( omitted also ) of present estate of in-being in Christ , or future estate by any act of Science , or faith without a particular relation : for there is no generall declaration of God , that the infants of present believers indefinitely all or some either are elected to life , or are in the covenant of grace in Christ , either in respect of present in-being or future estate , excepts two things - 1. This makes nothing against that visible Church-membership be pleads for . Answer . If that visible Church-membership he pleads for , arise from the covenant of grace in Christ ( as hitherto hath been the plea ) nor can they shew any other ) then they are not visible Church-members who have not an estate in that covenant which is the cause of it : For take away the cause and ●he effect ceaseth , and then the visible Church-membership of existing infants of present believers is overthrown , sith the cause of it appears not . And if they are not to be accounted by act of faith to belong to God in respect of promise of grace in Christ , and the Minister is to dispense the seals by a judgment of faith , as Mr M. holds in his Sermon , pag. 47 , in his Defence , pag. 111. then there being no act of faith concerning existing infants of present believers , they are not to be baptized . 2. Saith Mr. M. I retort rhe Argument upon your self , and dare boldly affirm , that by this argument no visible Church , or all the visible professors of any Church , are to be accounted to belong to God either in respect of election from eternity , or promise of grace , or present state of in-being in Christ , &c. w●thout a paricular revelation , because there is no declaration of God , that present visible professors are indefinitely all or some either elected to life , or are in the covenant of grace in Christ either in respect of present in-being or future estate : look by what distinction you will answer this : For visible professors who are grown men , the same will serve for infants of believers . Answ. If Mr. M. had put in these words of mine , By any act or science of faith , I should have granted the same might be said of visible professors grown men , which I had said of infants . But this no whit hur●s our Tene●t or practice who do not baptize grown persons because by no act of faith , or science we know them to be in the covenant of grace in Christ , but because by an act of faith we know Christ hath appointed Disciples appearing such by heir profession of faith , to be baptized by us , and by an act of science or experience by sense , we know them to be such whom we baptize . Concerning whom though we cannot account them elect and in the covenant by an act of science , or faith without a particular revelation , yet we may by an act of certain knowledge mixt of science and prudence from sense of their visible profession know them to be serious , sober , understanding and free professors of Christianity , and by an act of faith from Christs institution of bapttizing professing disciples , know we ought to baptize them , and upon their profession out of charity , which believeth all things , hopeth all things , 1 Cor. 13.7 . judge them by an act of opinion elect , and in the covenant of grace in Christ. None of all which can be said of existing infants of present believrs , and therfore we ought to pass no judgement on them in this thing , but suspend our judgmen●t , and act of baptizing concerning our selves with that comfortable hope which we have from indefinite promises . Next Mr M. takes upon him to excuse some speeches of Mr. Cottons , against which I excepted in my Examen , pag ▪ 42 . 4● . one was , That the covenant of grace is given to every godly man in his seed . Concerning which Mr M. tels me , That he takes M. Cottons meaning to be , that look as Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , and the other godly Jewes were to their seed in respect of the covenant , that is every godly man to his seed now , except onely in such things wherein these Patriarks were of Christ , in all other things wherein God promised to be the God of them and types their seed , godly parents may plead it as much for their seed now as , they could then , and what ever in●onveniences or absurdity you can seem to fasten upon Mr. Cotton , will equally reach to them also . As for example ▪ suppose an Israelite should plead this promise for his seed , you 'l demand if he plead it to his seed universally , that 's false , add so of the rest of your inferences , look what satisfying answer an Israelite would give you the same would Mr. Cotton give , and as satisfyingly . Answ. Mr Ms paraphrase of Mr. Cottons words , is such as no Rule of Crammar will warrant , the words being so expresse , It ( the covenant of grace ) was given to Christ , and in Christ to every godly man , Gen. 17.7 . And in every godly man to his seed : where the same covenant of grace , not an uncertain promise of any thing whatsoever , is said to be given to every godly mans seed , which is said to be given to Christ , and to every godly man , and in every godly man , using the same pronounce which was used concerning Christ : no● is it said , that it might be pleaded by every godly man , but it was given , which in plain construction is mean● of the same grant which was made to Christ , and to a godly man. 2. Nor perhaps would Mr Cotton have owned this explication of his words . 3. If he had , they had not been true , for every ▪ godly Gentile now cannot plead the same for his seed now , which Abraham , Isaac and Jacob , and some other Is●aelites could then , ( because God made such peculiar promises to them , particularly to Abraham , G●n 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. in respect of their seed ) ●s he hath made to any be●ieving Genti●e now . For much of that he promised then was out of respect , to the future comming of Christ from them , which being accomplished , the reason of those promises , and of circumcision and other rites ceaseth . And yet the promises were not then so universally to them and their seed , but that God took himself not ingaged to be the God of many of them , nor ar● Gentile-believers seed now Abrahams seed till they believe as he did , and therfore in explic●tion of Mr. M. there can be no good sa●i●faction so as to verifie Mr Cottons words . The other speech of Mr Cotton , that God will have some of every god●y mans seed stand before him for ever , he confesseth is not to be justified , if it be meant in reference to election and everlasting life , tha● every godly man shall have some of his seed infallibly saved , nor doth he think Mr Cotton meant so : but for his part he thinks he only added to that promise made to Jonadabs children , Jerem 35. that God would always beare a mercifull respect unto the posterity of his servants , according to that promise , Exo. 20.5 . I wil shew mercy to thousands of them that love me and keep my commandements . And that being his scope ( as he thinks it was ) I need not to have kept such a stir about it . Ans. The words in the plainest sense they bare , had that sense which Mr. M. counts unjustifiable , nor can they be construed in such an indefinite manner as Mr. M. conceives , the good promised being no lesse than standing before God for ever : which how ever it allude to Ionadabs promise , yet is not to be understood in the sense made to him , nor in any other sense now than that of eternall salvation , that I know , and by his declaration should belong to some of every godly mans seed determinately . So that what ever his scope were , his words were likely to be a stumbling-block to many who are too much taken with his dictates , and the place in which I examined them leading me to it , and both Mr. Cottons letter to me , acquainting me with his Dialogue of the grounds of Infant-baptism , of which the supposed interest in the covenant is the chief , and the desire I have to make learned men more cautelous in venting such passages as may occasion error , knowing how Luthers unwary speeches were the seed of Antinomianism , and other learned mens writings have misled , most Divines adhering pertinaciously to leading men , provoking me thereto , I did and still do think it was necessary I should say what I said about those speeches . Mr. M. tells me , pag , 116 , You doe but lose time and waste paper in endeavouring to confute what was never asserted by me , viz. That the covenant of saving grace is made to believers and their naturall seede that the infants of believers are so within the covenant of grace as to be elected , and to have all the spirituall privileges of the covenant belong to them . But this he suspects to fasten on him against my own light : from which I cleared my self , Apolog. Sect. 9. He then interprets his own words of infants being within the covenant of grace as visible professors are quà visible ( which speech is shewed false before ) they are to be accounted to belong to God as well as their parents , viz. by a visible profession they are made free according to Abrahams Copy , viz. in a visible priviledge for their posterity But he leaves out those passages which I alledged , saying , The covenant of s●lvation is com● to his hous , that in the first cōclusion it 's said , The covenant is the same , which he means of saving graces , and then saith , and children belong to IT , which can demonstrate no other than the same covenant , that is made a part of the Gospel preached to Abraham . To which I might add , that in his Sermon , page 40. he saith The text not onely shewing that they are within the covenant , but also that a right to baptism is the consequence of being within the covenant , which covenant is made by him the covenant of salvation , pag. 16 and in his Defence pag. 88. We are enquiring after the salvation of them to whom a promise of salvation is made . , and hence infers the salvation of infants ; of believers dying in infancy , which were frivolous if he did not conceive , Gen. 17.7 . to promise salvation to believers infants : and page 98. counts it absurd that in a covenant of grace temporall blessings should be ratified by the seal of it . So that either M. M. heeded not his own speeches , or confounded things much different , or said and unsaid the same thing , if that were not his meaning which I conceived . And I must still professe that his setting down first distinctly the identity of the covenant consisting in saving graces , and then affirming Infants of believers to belong to it , and not understanding it of the same Covenant , hath the shew of juggling tending to deceive not to instruct the Reader . There are more speeches produced by me to shew , that if he did speak consonantly to other Writers and sayings , he meant as I interpreted his words , two of which he chuseth to vindicate , one the proposition of the Directory ; ( The promise is made to belivers and their seed , ) which how frivolously it is interpreted by Mr. G. and Mr. M. is shewd in my Apol. Sect. 9. in my Addition to my Apol. to Mr. Bailee , Sect. 3. To which I add , that in the Assemblies Confession of Faith it is said , ch . 7. art 3 that in the covenant of grace God promiseth to give unto all those that are ordained unto life , his holy Spirit , ch . 14. art . 2. The principall acts of saving faith are , accepting , receiving , and resting upon Christ alone for justification , sanctification , and eternall life , by vertue of the covenant of Grace , ch . 17. art . 2. The perseverance of the Saints depends upon the nature of the covenant of grace . The other speech he would clear , is thus by me expressed ▪ Baptism seals onely the promise of saving grace , remission of sins , &c. So in the Directory of Baptism , That it is the seal of the covenant of grace , of our ingrafting into Christ , and of our union with him , of remission of sins , regeneration , adoption , and life eternall : and after , And that the seed and posterity of the faithfull born within the Church have by their birth interest in the covenant , and right to the seal of it In the Rules of direction in the Ordinance Octob. 20. 1645. That the Sacraments are seals of the covenant of grace in the blood of Christ. And therefore if there be not a promise of saving grace to infants , in vain are they baptized , the seal is put to a blank , as some use to speak . To this saith Mr. M. I utterly deny your consequence , that unlesse there be absolute promises of saving grace to infants , the seal is set to a blank : For give me leave but to put the same case ; First for the ●nfants of the Jewes , was the seal put to a blank with them , or had they all promises of saving graces ? Secondly , let me put the same case in grown men , who make an external visible profession , and thereupon are admit●ed to baptism , can any man say , that all the saving graces of the covenant , or the spirituall part of it is promised to all visible professors ? Is it not abundantly known , that in all ages even in the best times , even in the Apostles times multitudes were baptized , to whom God yet never gave saving graces , and therefore never promised them ? for had he made a promise , he would have performed it . Answer . To the words in my Examen ( the seal is put to a blank ) was added , as some speak , which I did to intimate that it was Paedobaptists phraseology , not mine , and that they counted this an absurdity , not that I did so . So that my consequence was , it being counted frequently in their writings an absurdity that the seal should be put to a blank , that is , that baptism should be administred to them that had not the promise , and it seals onely the promise of saving grace , if the promise of saving grace belong not to the infants baptized , then in vain are they baptized according to Paedobaptists Hypothesis , for the seal of the promise is put to them to whom it is confessed the promise is not made . Mr. M himselfe in his Sermon , pag. 43. Infants are capable of receiving the holy Ghost , of union with Christ , of adoption , of forgivenesse of sins , of regeneration , of everlasting life , all which things are signified and sealed in the Sacrament of Baptisme . The covenant then sealed is the covenant of these saving graces , which if it belong not to infants baptized , but another outward covenant , in vain are they baptized , for they have not the covenant which baptisme seals . And that this is the sense of other Writers , appeares by the words of Ampsing . Diolog . eontra Anabapt . p. 195. Dico ergo : Omnibus fidelibus baptismum competere cum ipsorum semine tam mulieribus quam viris tam infantibus quam adulti● : horum omnium enim se Deum fore declarat . Deus , his remissionem peccatorum in Christi sanguine ; his mentis renovatio●ē per spiritum sanctum ; his vitā aeternam promittit ac regnum coelorum : quare quoque ipsis obsignabitur hac Dei gratia . Ames . Bellarm. enervat . tom . 3. l. 1. c. 4. ch . 9. Protest . Circu●cisio à primâ su● institutione habuit promissionem illam annexam quâ nulla est major : Ero Deus tuus & seminis tui post te . Gen. 17. quam Christus ita interpretatur , Matth. 22. ut vitam aeternam illa doceat contineri , & Paulus Ephes. 2.12 . Ostendit spem vivam ex illâ pendere . I wil add the words of Calvin , Epist. 229. which are in stead of many othe●s , both because of the great eminency of the man , being accounted almost an Oracle by many of my Antagonists , and because they are full to the present purpose : they are thus in English. This principle is still to be held , That baptism is not conferred on infants that they may be made sons and heirs of God : but because they are already with God reckoned in that place and degree ; he grace of adoption is sealed in their flesh Otherwise the Anabaptists should rightly keep them from baptism : For unlesse there should agree to them the truth of the outward sign , it would be a meer profanation to call them to the participation of the sign it selfe . Moreover , if any deny baptism to them , our answer is ready , that they are already of the flock of Christ , and of the family of God , because the covenant of salvation which God maketh with believers , is common also to the sons , as also the words sound , I will be thy God and of thy seed after thee , Gen 17.7 . unlesse this promse went before , by which God adopteth the children of believers not yet born ▪ it is certain baptism is ill bestowed on them . Which words do plainly express the covenant of salvation which is made by God with believers , is common to the sons , that so it is meant , Gen. 17.7 , that with God they are afore baptism reckoned in the place and degree of sons and heirs of God , who adopteth them not yet born , that unlesse the truth of the outward sign ( that is according to Mr. Ms. adoption , regeneration , remission of sins , &c. ) did agree to them , it were profanation to call infants of believers to the participation of the sign , and Anabaptists should rightly keep them from Baptism . Therefore Calvin thought the covenant of saving grace Gen. 17.7 . made by God to believers infan●s ( which Mr. M. disclaism ) and otherwise infant-baptism is profanation , and it is rightly opposed . Yea , the shifts that are used to free their doctrine of infants interest in the covenant , and the sealing of it from the difficulty of verefying it against the exceptions before alledged , do all seem to suppose the covenant in which infants have interest , is the covenant of saving grace . As when Mr. Baxters plain Scripture , &c. pag. 223. will have Baptisme seal onely the conditionall promise Mr. Philips vind . pag. 37. expresseth the sealing by offering . Mr. Davenport's Confess . of Faith , p 39. maketh the benefits of the covenant not to be offered in the Sacraments , but to be exhibited onely to true believers . Mr. Cotton's grounds of Bapt. pag. 70 , The covenant of grace doth not give them saving grace at all , but onely offereth it , and seals what it offereth . Dr Homes , that the administration of the covenant of grace , belongs to believers children though not the efficacie . Dr. Twisse , that Infants are in the covenant of grace in the judgement of charity , and that baptism seals regeneration , &c. not conferred , but to be conferred . Dr. Th Goodwin , that they are to be judged in the covenant of grace by parcels though not all in the lump , yet all make the promise , I will be the God of thy seed , applied to infants of believers● contain the promise of saving grace , and therefore I had great reason to conceive Mr. M. so meant his second conclusion . As for the two cases he puts , I neither grant all the Infants of the Jewes , nor visible Christian professors adult had all saving graces who were circumcised or rightly baptized by the Apostles , nor do I say they were sealed with the seal of the covenant , it 's the Pedobaptists expression not mine , except where I use the term to express their mind ▪ nor do I count it an absurdity to say the seal was and is to be put to a blank , that is , that those should be baptized to whom the promise of saving grace is not made , when I speak after mine own mind . But in the place of my Examen pag. 46. in which I alleged that as an absurdity , that the seal should be put to a blank , it was not because I took it so to be , but because the Paedobaptists so count it , as Mr. Calvins words before recited shew . SECT . XXXI , Of the novelty and vanity of Mr. Marshals and others doctrine about Sacraments , being seals of the covenant , and the severall sealings of them . BUt Mr. M. desires me a little to consider the nature of a Sacrament in what sense it is a seal , and he te●s me , that in every Sacrament the truth of the Covenant in it self , and all the promises of it are sealed to be Yea and Amen ; Iesus Christ became a Minister of the Circumcision to confirm the promises made unto the Fathers , and so to every one who is admitted to partake of baptism according to the rule which God hath given to his Church to administer the Sacrament , there is sealed the truth of all the promises of the Gospel , that they are all true in Christ , and that whoever partakes of Christ , shall partake of all these saving promises , this is sealed absolutely in Bapiism . Answer . Mr M. would have me to consider the nature of a Sacrament , in what sense it is a seal , and I am very willing so to do , as knowing that as Mr. M. imagines that I am mislead for want of considering thereof , so I am sure Mr. M. and other Paedobaptists are both mistaken , and do abuse others in this point , by reason of their inconsideratenass , or superficial consideration of this thing . The word Sacrament is a Latin word in profane Authors signifying an oath made by a Souldier to his Generall ; in Ecclesiastick Writers it is applied to all the mysteries of religion , and it is used most by the African Writers , Tertullian , Augustine &c. as the word Mystery is by the Greeks , Chrysostome Cyril , &c. Chamier Paustrat . Cath tom , 4. l. 4. c. 4. Sect. 14. Saepe jam dictum latissimam fuisse olim Saramenti significationem : serò tandem contractam in angustos istos terminos quos hodie vix migrat : quod diligenter attendendum . Certè sacramenti definitionem nullam est invenire ante Augustinum , qui suo exemplo posteris praiit , deinde Augustini definitione , &c. Whence I inferre , that as the term Sacrament , so the definition of a Sacrament is but a novelty , and possibly the great contentions about the number of the Sacraments , some making seven , some three , most Protestants two onely , would be lessened , if moderate learned men had the handling of it . I confesse that sundry Texts of Scripture do plainly shew the two rites of Baptism and the Lords Supper to be the chief rites of the Church , as 1 Cor. 10 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. & 12 , 13. Eph. 4 , 5. Mark 16.16 . 1 Cor. 10.16 , 17. & 11.23 , &c. Yet that the Scripture either calls these Sacraments , or sets down one generall nature of them in a certain definition of them , cannot be demonstrated . They are certain rites appointed for certain vses according to certain rules ; but such a nature or essence genericall as distinguisheth them from all other rites , as laying on of hands , &c. denied to be Sacraments I find not in Scripture . Divines elder and later , have framed their definitions according to their own conceits . After Augustines time that definition was commonly received in Schools , That a Sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible grace : yet the Ancients did rent such speeches as occasioned the opinion commonly received in Schools afore the reformation by Luther and Zuinglius , that they did conferre gratiam ex opere operato , give grace by the ●a●e outward use of them . Zuinglius denying them to be any more than signs , the Lutherans denying that they give grace by the bare use of them without the concurrence of faith , to which the Lutherans ascribe all the efficacie ; the Papists object the baptizing of infants who did not believe , used by them all : whereupon the opposers of infant-baptisme , falsly termed Anabaptists , proved infant-baptism inconsistent with their own doctrine . I wil set down Mr. Bedfords words in his Epistle to Mr. Baxter , printed in the Friendly Accommodation between them , pag. 352. The Anabaptists took occasion from that position of Luther , No Faith no Baptism . Coetaneous with him was Zuinglius and others , who to overthrow the reall presence , insisted upon it ●hat Sacraments were but signs for representation ; and when that doctrin was once broached ▪ the Anabaptists could easily make their advantage of it . To answer whom the Lutherans maintain , that by baptism , or before they are made believers , as the words of the Lutherans in the Conference at Mont●elgard , cited by me in my Examen part 3. sect . 15 , p. 143. shew , Osiander epist. Histor. Eccl. Cent. 26. l. 2. c. 68. pag· 449. Cum autem baptismus ●it lavacrum regenerationis ( teste Paulo ) sentimus nos Deum dare fidem infantibus vel ante baptismum ad preces parentum & Ecclesiae , vel in ipso actu baptismi & regenerationis , quae si●e fide esse non potest . And to this opinion did many in England warp , when the face of the Church of England became ceremonious , and tended to symbolizing with the Lutheran Protestants , or with the more moderate not Jesuited Papists in the time of the late Prelates potency , as may be seen by the passages cited by me in Examen part . 3● ▪ Sect. 15. pag. 143. and by the printed writings of Dr. Davenant , Dr. Ward , Mr , Thomas Bedford , which have been refuted by Mr. Gataker and Mr. Baxter , nor is it likely but still the same mind is in Mr. Bedford , notwithstanding the late Synectism , or rather clawing of one another which hath been between him and Mr. Baxter in their painted Frindly Accommodation . In which Mr. Cranfords Epistle hath these words to Mr. Bedford , Brother you know my mind , that I conceive the ground of Anabaptisme to have been the erroneus Doctrine , de nudis signis , as is ●leare in the Ecclesiasticall Stories of old , and most arguings of Anabaptists . Which shewes they fear Infants Baptim will not be maintained without this doctrine of giving by Baptism to the elect at least initiall seminall regerating grace reall or relative . But Mr. Baxter thinks otherrwise , that that doctrine will increase Anabaptism , Leaving them to their severall fancies , I proceed . Mr. Calvin , and w●th him many others ▪ take another course to avoyd extreams , neither making Baptism a naked sign , which is imputed to Zuinglius , nor ascribing to it the giving of grace by the work wrought , with the Papists , nor holding such initiall seminall regeneration or seed of Faith at Baptism , given at least to the elect , as Lutherans and others ( which perhaps will be found as much as the Papists ascribe to it ) but ascribing to Baptism and the Lords Supper , not onely signification , but also obsignation , and so making this the generall nature of Sacraments to be seals of the Covenant of grace , which they say is made to infants of believers , though they want not faith at or before Baptism ; and from this promise they desire a title to the baptism of Infants of believers , as is shewed out of Calvin above . But 1. there is much ambiguity in their determinations about the covenant of grace what it is , and what it contains , and in what sense it belongs ●o infants of believers as such , and what believers infants it belongs ●o , and how baptism seals it . So that in their speeches there is much equivocation , and frequent saying and unsaying , as chiefly about the promise , Gen. 17.7 . I will be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee : which is one way expounded in their Commentaries on Rom. 9.7 , 8 , and elsewhere , as meant of saving graces , and applied onely to the elect and true believers in their disputes against Arminius : But elsewhere expounded of every Gentile visible professor of faith in Christ , and his naturall seed , as if thereby the outward privileges of visible Church membership , and initiall seal were promised and applied to all infants of believers , whether elect or not in their disputes against Anabaptists , as may be perceived by this and other writings published by me . 2. The objection still holds , How can baptism seal to an infant ? Every seal is a sign , though every sign be not a seal ; but baptism is no sign to an infant , sith it signifies nothing to it at the time of baptism , because the infant hath not understanding to perceive the use of it ; and when the infant comes to understanding there 's no print of baptism to represent anything to the person baptized some years before . If the person know anything of it , it is by report , which is no visible sign , but audible to the baptized . 3. A a seal is an assuring sign to the eye of what is promised to the eare : but baptism assures nothing to an infant without faith , therefore it seals nothing without faith ▪ And thus in Mr Perkins his Exposition of the fifth principle of his Catechism . Heretofore we were taught , A Sacrament is a sign to represent , a seal to confirm , an instrument to convey Christ and all his benefits to them that do believe in him . Faith therefore was a necessary prerequisite in the person to whom the Sacrament was a seal of the Covenant of grace , which infants wanting it is no seal to them , and consequently no Sacrament , as Mr. Gataker argues in another case , Discep . de bapt . inf . vi & effic . pag. 192. ●f it be a seal of the essence of a Sacrament . The main if not the onely Texts whence they ●etch this Doctrine of making the nature of Sacraments to be Seals of the covenant of grace ▪ are Rom. 4.11 . Gen. 17.7 , 10 , 11. In the former it is said , Abraham received the sign of Circumcision a Seal of the righteousness of faith which he had yet being uncircumcised ; and in the other Circumcision is termed the Covenant ▪ and token of the Covenant . Whence [ the seal of the Covenant of grace ] is either made the definition of a Sacrament in generall , or at least the genus of it , and in the writings of Paedobaptists ●●●ls of the Covenant and Sacraments are used as terms of the same signification . I● the Confession of faith of the Assembly , chap. 27. art . 1. Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the Covenant of grace , and they cite but two texts for it , Rom. 4.11 . Gen. 17.7.10 Yea , in the Ordinance of Parliament Octob. 20 ▪ 1645. about Rules concerning examining persons to be admited to the Lords Supper , this is one principle which every one who is admitted to the Lords Supper , is required to give account of , that Sacraments are seals of the covenant of grace in the blood of Christ : so that in effect it is made as one of the first Credenda , or articles of faith necessary for all to know . On the contrary , I have seen a little book in English of one Mr. Jackson , in which are nineteen arguments to prove circumcision no seal of the covenant of grace . For my part , as I express my self in my Examen , pag. 117. I should not st●ck to yeild that the rites of the New Testament called Sacraments , may be called seals of the covenant of grace , being ●ightly expounded in this sense , that they sh●w forth Christs death , and thereby to the true believer , the benefits of the covenant of grace are assured : yet considering how Writers make this the very Genus in the definition of them , and of their nature and essence , and thence inferre duties and draw arguments to determine cases of conscience about the use of Sacraments as they are called , and make it a necessary point to be acknowledged by all , I reject it , and except against this use of that term for these reasons . First , Because this use of that term is not in or from the holy Scripture , That term Seal of the covenant of grace , is not expressly in the holy Scripture , I suppose will not be denied : if it be , let it be shewed where . Though the term Seal , and the true Token of the Covenant , be ascribed to circumcision , Rom. 4.11 Gen. 17.11 . yet is not the term Seal of the Covenant of grace , applied to any Sacrament , no not to circumcision . Nor is the term Seal of the righteousness of Faith , Rom. 4.11 . of the same sense with the term Seal of the covenant of grace . For the Seale of the covenant of grace in the ordinary acception , is as much as an assuring sign or mean of the grace of the covenant to be bestowed , Rom. 4.11 . it is said , that Abraham received the sign of Circumcision , a Seal of the righteousness of Faith , which he had being yet uncircumcised , and therefore it was rather a seal of certification of what he had , than a prediction or promise what he should have . Mr. Baxter against Mr. Blake , pag. 104. saith truly , That circumcision was the Seal of the righteousness of Faith , even a justifying faith already in being , Rom. 4.11 , 12. The New England Elders in their Answer to the third and fourth of the nine positions , pag. 65. say truly thus , The scope of the Apostle in that place , Rom. 4 11 , is not to def●ne a Sacrament , nor to shew what is the adequate subject of the Sacrament , but to prove by the example of Abraham that a sinner is justified before God , not by works but by faith ( thus ) As Abraham the Father of the faitfull was justified before God , so must his seed be , that in all believers whether Iewes or Gentiles , circumcised or uncircumcised , for therefore Abraham received circumcision which belonged to the Iewes , to confirm the righteousness which he had before , even whilst he was uncircumcised , that he might be the Father of both . And to speak truth , to conceive that circumcision there is made the seal of the covenant of grace , that is , that God would be the God of Abraham and his seed for the future , sanctifying , justifying , saving him and them , ●is indeed to evacuate the force of the Apostles argument , which is , that righteousness is not appropriated to the Lawes by the Law , but common to the Gentiles with them by faith , because Abrahams circumcision sealed to him the righteousness of faith , which he had before he was circumcised . Nor do I see that which Camier . Paust . Cath. tom . 4. l. 2. c. 10. Sect. 47. saith , doth prove that circumcision Rom. 4.11 . is meant of a Seal of a promise , because Gen. 17. in the institution it was termed a token of the covenant , for the Apostle , Rom. 4 11. mentions not what God appointed circumcision to be to every circumcised person , but what peculiar use Abrahrms circumcision had to him and all believers though uncircumcised . And though it is true , that righteousness of faith supposeth a word of God , or a promise or covenant of grace , yet Ro 4.11 . the citcumcision there mentioned is said to seal not a promise of something future , but something past and already had many years before , Gen. 15.6 . But were it granted , that ci●cumcision there sealed the promise to come , to wit , that part of the covenant , Gen. 17.4 . Thou shalt be a father of many Nations , and that v 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee , and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant to bee a God unto thee and thy seed after thee , or that Gen. 15.5 . So shall thy seed be , mentioned Rom. 4.17 , 18. and so did assure a future estate to others as well as an estate already ob●ained to Abraham , yet this is ascribed in that place to no ones circumcision but Abrahams . For 1. The occasion and scope of the passage shew it is meant of Abrahams circumcision , it being alleged to prove , that Gentiles were to be justified by faith though uncircumcised , because Abraham was justified by faith afore circumcision , and his circumcision after did but seal ( not convey ) the righteousness of faith we had before . 2. The expression [ He received ] standing in opposition to [ yet being uncircumcised ] shewes that the receiving of the seal of circumcision was in his own person . 3. The end of receiving it sh●wes it more plainly : for it was , That he might be the father of them that believe . But this was the end onely of Abrahams personall circumcision : Neither Ishmaels , nor Isaacks , nor any others personall circumcision were , that Abraham might be the father of them that believe , but onely Abrahams . 4. The time exactly noted of his believing , and imputation of right●ousness to him , distinguished from the time of his receiving circumcision shew plainly that it was the same person who had the one and the other , and the receiving it not as a command to execute it upon others , but as a sign and seal to himself , and all believers whether circumcised or uncircumcised , evidently shew it is spoken Rom 4.11 . of Abrahams personall circumcision and of no others . As for Gen. 17.10 11. it is true Circumcision is termed the Covenant , and a token of the Covenant : But it is not said of that promise onely , v ▪ 7. nor of that promise in the Gospel sense , and therefore it cannot there be proved to be a token or seal of the Covenant of grace ; but it followeth that Rom. 4.11 . Gen. 17 , 7.10 , are impertinently alledged by the Assembly to prove this proposition , Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the Covenant of grace . Yea the end of circumcision was conceived generally by the Jewes , and so used to bind men to observe the Law of Moses for righteousness . And thus they taught who are mentioned Acts 15.1 . Except ye be circumcised after the manne● of Moses yee cannot be saved . And v. 5. That it was needfull to circumcise them , and to command them to keep the Law of Moses , Acts 21.20 ▪ 21. Thou seest brother how many thousands of Jewes there are which believe , and they are all zealous of the Law , and they are informed of thee , that thou teachest all the Jewes which are among the Gentiles , to forsake Moses , saying , That they ought not to circumcise their children , neither to walk after the customes , and the Apostle Gal. 5.2 , 3 , saith , Behold I Paul say to you , That if any of you be circumeised Christ shall profit you nothing . For I testifie again to every man that is circumcised , that he is a debtor to keep the whole Law. So that circumcision in the ordinary use may seem to have been a seal of the Law rather than of the Gospel or covenant of grace ; and if your baptism be of the same nature with circumcision , it is so far from being a rite of the Gospel , that it rather binds us to observe the Law. But fourthly , were it granted that it was in the use of it according to the institutton a seal of the covenant of grace , how doth it follow from thence , that this is the nature of every Sacrament ? Whence will it be evinced that that is the Genus of every Sacrament which is not so much as once attributed to them . The Passover is counted a Sacrament , and we find that it signified the Passover over the Isralites houses , and sparing their first born , and that it typified Christ , 1 Cor ▪ 5.7 . But this doth not prove that it was a seal of the covenant of grace any more than Jon●hs being in the Whales belly , which was a type of Christs buriall , was a seal of the covenant of grace . I grant we are said to be baptized into Christs death , to be buried by baptism into death , Rom 6 3 ▪ 4 ▪ to be buried with him in Baptism , and therein to be raised up through the faith of the operation of God who raised him from the dead , Col. 2.12 , and that they who are baptized into Christ , have put on Christ , Gal. 3.27 . And the Cup is called the new Testament in his blood , 1 Cor. 12.25 . And therefore I should yelld to call both th●se ordinances signes memorative of Christs death in the first place , and by consequence seals of the New Testament and its benefit●s , specially the Cup in the Lords Supper . But this doth not prove this is the Genus of Sacraments , much less of all Sacraments . Nor doth it any whit justifie the determining of doubts of conscience , and so binding duties on mens consciences concerning meer positive rites without any institution of Christ , or Apostolicall example , meerly from this devised term , The Seal of the Covenant , and mal●ing it so necessary to be acknowledged , that it is pressed on persons to be admitted to the Lords Supper , as it were a necessary Article of Faith. 2. This term Seal of the Covenant , applied to these Sacraments , as being of their nature is , so farre as my reading and memory reach , but a novell term , not used till the 16. Century , & in that not used among the learned Romanists and Lutherans , at least not frequently . I grant the Ancients say , Men are sealed by baptism , and sometimes by laying on of hands or anointing after baptism . And this sealing is attributed to infant baptism by Nazianzen in his fortieth Oration . But this sealing was not a confirmation of the covenant of grace , but a confirmation of their faith received in Baptism . The ancient Greeks call it the seal of Faith , as the Latins call it the seal of Repentance , and the Sacrament of Faith , in respect of the profession of Faith , as Grotius Annot. on Mat. 28.19 . observes when he saith , And such were the Interrogations of faith either in the first times , or those next the first in respect of which by Basil and others , it is called the seal of faith , sealing of faith , of repentance , by Tertul. in his book of Repentance , and this sealing was not to assure a promise , but to strengthen and keep their faith or vertues . Whence as Mr. Gataker observes in his Strictures on Dr. Davenants Epistle , pag. 44 , 45. they accounted Baptism to some not as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a pardoning of sins , but a seal of vertues ; and where Nazianzen calls ●t a Seal , he expresseth it thus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a seal as keeping and noting dominion . No where do I find any of them use the term Seal of the covenant of grace , applied either to Sacraments in generall , or to baptism in special . 3. But were the use of the term Seal of the covenant of grace in the Scripture , or the writings of the Ancients , yet it is against Logick to define a Sacrament by a Seal of the covenant as the genus , and so to make it of its essence . For it is a rule in Logick , Definitio non fit ex verbis metaphoricis , Scheibler Top. cap. 30 num . 126. Ita Aristot , Topic. lib. 2. c. 2. sect . 4. Keckerm . Syst. Logic . lib. 1. sect . cap. 8. Aristotle saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Every translated speech is doubtfull till reduced to proper , for it may have divers senses . Besides , metaphors , or borrowed speeches , may be many , as in this point we may call a Sacrament a Pledge , as in the Common Prayer Book Catechism , or a pawn , earnest , as well as a seal Chamier . Paust . Cath. tom . 4. l. 2. c. 9. sect . 10. You have also the similitude of a pledge somewhat divers from Seals , but nevertheless tending to the same , which we also doe most willingly use . And if we should define a Sacrament by a pledge , and from that metaphor infer , that an infant must contract afore it receive the Sacrament as a pledge , we might do it with as good reason as they who infer they are to be sealed because the seal followes the covenant . Well doth Chamier call a Seal a Similitude , which cannot shew what a Sacrament is , but what it is like ; and therefore all metaphors are unfit to shew the quid●●tative conceit of a thing , nor are to be used in definitions except there be want of proper terms , of which there is not in this case . Now to define a Sacrament by a Seale of the covenant , is to define it by a metaphor , neither Baptism nor the Lords Supper are Seals in proper acceptation , they make no visible figure or impression on the body , therefore to use the term thus is an abuse , much more when positions and duties are urged on mens consciences from it . I will subjoyn Mr. Baxters words in his Apologie against Mr Blake , Sect. 64. pag , 11. Some sober men no way inclined to Anabaptism , do think that we ought not to call the Sacraments Seals ; as being a thing not to be proved from the word ; ( for all Rom. 4. ) But I am not of their mind , yet I think it is a Metaphor , and to make it the subject of tedious disputations , and to lay too great a stress upon a metaphoricall notion , is the way not to edifie , but to lose our selves . Lastly , were all this yielded to Mr M. that the term Seal of the covenant were the language of the Scripture and Ancients , and fit enough to express the generall nature of Sacraments , yet I conceive it of little moment to the ends to which it is applied . For what is it to seal and not to confer grace , but onely to assure ? And so the use of it is to represent to the mind as a morall instrument . But that is not done to infants , who are not naturally capable to understand the meaning , therefore this term [ Seal of the covenant ] beyond . [ sign of grace ] doth not take away the objection of Papists , Lutherans , or Anti-paedobaptists That without giving grace or faith by baptism , it is in vain or without effect to baptize infants . And in like manner the deriving from it Paedobaptism is very frivolous . These things will appear by considering what Mr M. and others say of the covenant which they say is sealed , and of the sealing , there being little agreement among Paedobaptists , whether the inward or outward covenant , the absolute or conditionall be sealed , whether the sealing be absolute or conditionall , to the Major , Minor , or Conclusion . I will examine what I find said by Mr M. First , whose words are commended by Mr. Pry●●● in his Suspension suspended , pag. 19 , & c. ●e saith , In every Sacrament the truth of the covenant it self , and all the promises of it are sealed to be Yea and Amen , and this is sealed absolutely in baptism to all that partake of it . But 1. there 's no Scripture that saith so : That Rom. 5 8. is impertinent : For Christ is not called the Minister of Circumcision because he did administer circumcision to others , that were not true , he circumcised none , but he was a circumcised Minister for the truth , he was of the circumcision , that is , a Jew not a Gentile . Nor is it said his circumcision was to confirm the promises of the Fathers that they were true ; but that therefore he was a circumcised Minister for the truth of God , that the promises of the Fathers might be confirmed by his ministring the truth of God in his preaching , or in his accomplishment of what the promises foretold . 2. Nor do I know any act in baptism that hath any aptnesse of it self , or by institution to seal this position , that the covenant of grace and all the promises of it are Yea and Amen . 3. Yet were it so , this sealing is not to Infants , who have no intelligence thereof , and so no confirmation thereof by baptism . 4. Nor doth this sealing any more pertain to the children of believers , than unbelievers , it is but of the truth of the covenant in it self , not of any persons interest in it . 5. This is as well sealed by the baptism of others , yea by the baptism of any one deceased , most of all by Christs baptism , as by each persons own baptism . 6. This sealing may be not onely to them that are baptized , but to them that deny baptism , yea to Infidels , yea to Devils , who may and do believe the truth of the covenant it self , and all the promises of it to be Yea and Amen , and have it sealed as well to them by the baptism of a person as to the baptized , and better than to an infant . But perhaps Mr M. helps the matter in the second or third . But as to the second ( saith he ) which is interesse meum , or the receivers interest in that spirituall part of the covenant , that is sealed to no receiver absolutely , but conditionally ; in this particular all Sacraments are but Signa conditionalia , conditionall seals sealing the spirituall part of the covenant to the receivers upon condition that they perform the spirituall part of the covenant . Thus our Divines use to answer the Papists , thus Dr. Ames answers to Bellarmine , when Bellarmine disputing against our doctrines , that Sacraments are Seals , alledges then they are falsly applied oftentimes ; he answers to Bellarmin , Sacraments are conditionall Seals , and therefore not Seals to us but upon condition . Answer . The spirituall condition is faith , so Ames Bell. enerv . tom . 3. l. 1. ● . 1. q. 4. th . 11. Sacramenta non sunt testimonia completa & absoluta , nisi credentibus . Sacraments are not compleat and absolute testimonies but to the believing . Now if the Sacraments seal onely conditionally , they seal onely this proposition , that he that believeth shall be justified , saved , &c. But this is all one with sealing the truth of the covenant in it self : nor doth this seal the baptized persons interest in the covenant any more than the unbaptizeds ; no more to the infants of believers than of unbelievers , not at all to any till they believe , and so to no infants ordinarily , and if then the baptizing of them must be derived from this interest and sealing of the covenant , either none are to be baptized till they do believe , or all alike are to be baptized . Besides , if Sacraments be but conditionall signes , or testimonies incompleat , and conditionall till persons believe , then they are but conditionall incompleat Sacraments till a person believes , sith to be a sign & seal is of the nature of a Sacrament ; and if so , then infants have not a compleat Sacrament or absolute , but an incompleat and conditionall baptism , and consequently though the baptizer begin to baptize the infants , yet he cannot say he doth baptize them , but must wait till they be believers , and then he may say he baptizeth them , and gives them a compleat Sacrament , and is bound to baptize them when they come to years whom he did wash in infancy , or else he mocks them , which is the mind of Christ indeed , that he that believeth should be baptized , and no other , Mark 16.16 . Besides , whether there be any conditionall sealing may be a uqestion . Mr. Baxter Apologie against Mr Blake , Sect. 77. pag. 140. speaks of it as a strange thing useless and vain . But this I shall leave till I examine Mr. Baxters exceptions against me about the condirional covenant and sealing , onely I take notice of his words Sect. 79. pag. 141 , A conditional seal is not a seal till the condition be performed , and infers , that if baptism be a conditionall seal , it is no seal , and consequently no sacrament to an infant untill he doth perform the condition . Mr M. adds , Now for the third thing the obligation which is put upon the receiver , a bond or tie for him to perform , who is admitted to receive the Sacrament , this third I say is also absolute , All circumcised and baptized persons did or do stand absolutely ingaged to perform the conditions required on their part , and therefore all circumcised persons were by the circumcision obliged to keep the Law , that is , the legall and typicall administration of the covenant which was then in force , and infants among the rest , are bound to this though they had no understanding of the covenant , or that administration of the Covenant when this seal was administred to them . Answer . It is true , God required that his covenant should be kept , which is expressed to be , That every man child among the Hebrewes should be circumcised , Gen , 17.9 , 10. but this was the duty of the parents , not of the infants , who were to be circumcised not to circumcise . And it is true , That all circumcised persons were by the eircumcision obliged to keep the Law. And if circumcision sealed this , its sealing of this was the sealing of a command not a promise of God , for they are not obliged to keep Gods promise ( that is the work of God alone ) but his precept , so that this sealing is not of the covenant of grace at all : yea by this sealing obliging to keep the whole Law , the covenant of works is sealed rather than the covenant of grace , as the Apostles speech shews , Gal. 5 ▪ 2 , 3 , 4 , And this sealing belongs to all infants and elder persons , for all are tied to perform the condition of the covenant , that is to repent and believe . And if hence be derived a title to baptism , either all are to be baptized because all are obliged to the condition of repentance and faith , or none are to be baptized but penitent & believing persons . To speak the plain truth , the right use of baptism is first to seal to God , testifying our repentance and faith by it , afore God seals to us by it any benefit of the covenant of grace . To conclude , Mr. M. hath not yet acquitted himself from putting a seal to a blank , which Mr Calvin counts a profanation of the Sacrament when he baptizeth an infant , who hath neither a promise of spiritual grace from God , nor doth perform the condition of the covenant , nor understand by baptism any thing of the covenant , nor professe any accptance of the covenant , nor is or can be known to have any part in the covenant of grace , nor is there indeed any thing but vanity in this discourse of Mr. M. or the Paedobaptists doctrine about Sacraments being seals of the covenant of grace , and the interest of believers infants therein . SECT . XXXII . The exceptions in my Examen , part 4. Sect. 5. against Mr Ms speeches about the covenant and conditionall sealing , are made good against Mr. M. and Mr. Blake . BUt that we may the better discern the vanity of Paedobaptists conceits about the seal and covenant , I shall enquire a little more into this point , in which I find much jangling and uncertainty among them . To which I conceive my self the more ingaged , because some words of mine in my Examen , part 4. Sect. 5. gave some overture to Mr M. and after to Mr Bl. and Mr B. to except much against me about this point . Two things which I said in that passage , it seems , are not relished ▪ one , that I said that God seals not to every one that is baptized , but onely to true believers ; the other , that making Gods promise in the covenant of grace conditional in this sense , that persons after agnize the covenant , and that to speak of it so as if it were common to the elect and reprobates , and conditionall in this sense , as if God left it to mens liberty to whom he had sealed , to agn●ze or recognize that sealing , or to free themselves if they please , and so nullifie all ; yet so , as to afford them a while the favour and priviledge of being in covenant with him , ●s symbolizing with Arminians . To this Mr M. replied but little , yet what he saith in his Defence , pag. 236 , I shall briefly answer . First , saith he , Was not Circumcision Gods sign and seal , which by his own appointment was applied to all the Jewes and proselytes , and their children ? Ans. Circumcision was appointed by God to be applied to all the Jews , & proselytes and their children being males of eight dayes old , and was by his institution a sign of the covenant made with Abraham , Gen. 17. Abrahams own circumcision in his own person , was , a seal of the righteousness of faith , which he had yet being uncircum●ised , but that God did by Circumcision seal ●o every one the righteousness of faith who was rightly circumcised , I find not , nor if I did , should I think it were any thing to prove that God seals the righteousness of faith to every one that is baptized rightly , sith I doe not take circumcision and baptism to be all one , or to have the same use , or that baptism seals in the same manner as circumcision . Mr. M. adds , Did it ingage God absolutely to every one of them to write his law in their hearts , &c. Answer . No. And are not the Sacraments Signa conditionalia , conditionall signes and Seals ? Answer . I conceive baptism , according to Christs institution , to be a sign of the faith of the baptized , and so it is a sign absolute , and not conditionall , and because the object of that faith is Christ dead and risen again , whereby we are justified , and baptisme as fitted to mind the baptized of Christs death , but all and resurrection , Rom. 6.2 , 3 , 4. Col. 2.12 . it is in its nature , that is in its right use ▪ apt to seal ▪ that is to assure justification and salvation , 1 Pet. 3.21 . and so may be termed in its nature a seal aptitudinall , but yet it seals actually to none but those who truly believe , which it doth absolutely in respect of justification , and coditionally in respect of glorification , which is not yet attained , nor to be attained but upon conditition of perseverance : yet it doth not seal that as an uncertain thing because conditionall , for even the condition also is assured by vertue of the death of Christ confirming the covenant of grace , or the New Testament in his blood . But when I say these things are actually assured by baptism , I do not conceive they are actually sealed by God , not to the true believer without the inward testimony or seal of the spirit , without which God never sealed actually by his word or Sacraments these promises of the covenant of grace or the persons interest in them , although both the word of God , the oath of God , the death of Christ , the ordinances of Baptism and the Lords Supper , are in themselves , or in their nature aptitudinall seals , that is , apt signs to assure them . The like I say of the Lords Supper , both which are alike signes and seals , neither to an infant without extraordinary operation . Mr M. adds , And did any orthodox Divines before your self , charge this to be Arminianism , to say that the Gospel runs upon conditions ? I confesse it is Arminianism to say any thing is conditionall to God , this I never asserted● , but that the Gospel is both preached , and by the Sacraments sealed to us upon condition of faith , will passe for orthodox doctrine when you and I are dead and gone . Answer . I never charged this to be Arminianism , That the Gospel runs upon conditions , that it is both preached and by the Sacraments sealed to us upon condition of faith , according to the explication given . What I count symbolizing with the Arminians , I have before declared , to wit , Gods conditionall sealing and covenant common to elect and reprobates , as Mr M. in his Sermon seemed to conceive . To what I said that I did not well understand that God required of the Jewes infants to seal in their infancy , I reply saith Mr M. But I hope you understand , that the infants were sealed in their infancy , and by this they received not only a priviledge to be accounted as belonging to Gods family , but it also obliged them to the severall duties of the covenant , as they grew up to be capable of performing them . Answer . I understand the Iewes were circumcised in their infancy , but that God did seal to every circumcised infant , either the truth of the promises , or his interest in them , or that they did in infancy seal to God , I do not yet understand . For though they had the priviledge mentioned , yet not by vertue of Gods sealing to them , and though they were obliged to the duties mentioned , yet not by vertue of their sealing to God. But Mr. Bl. and Mr , B. are more earnest in this point , and in opposition to what I said in my Examen , part 4. Sect. 5. in his Answer to my Letter Mr. Bl. ch . 15. asserts , Sect. 1. The seals of the Sacrament are conditionall , not absolute , Sect. 2. The entrance into covenant and acceptation of the terms of it , is common to the elect and reprobate , a heart stedfast in the covenant , and the mercies of the conenant , are proper onely to the elect and regenerate , Sect. 3. To say that the seals of the Sacraments are conditionall , and that the reprobate are within the verge of the covenant , as tendered in the Gospel ; and accepted , is not to symbolize with Arminians . To which I replied in my Postscript , Sect. 21. concerning which Mr. Bl. in his plain Scripture proof , &c. pag. 224. of the first Edition , saith , But to these Mr. Bl. hath fully answered Mr T. though in his Apology he passeth over much , and is not able to discern his meaning . For my part I speak impartially according to my judgement , I think there is more true worth in those two or three leaves of Mr. Blakes book , in opening the nature of the covenant , than in all Mr T s book that ever he wrote about baptism . And pag. 222. he chargeth me with two errors in Apologie , and saith of them , I conceive these dangerous errors of Mr T. about the nature of the Covenant and Seals in generall , are the root of his error about baptism , or at least much strengthen it , and there he takes upon him to refute them . Since that time Mr. Bl hath renewed his exceptions , Vindic grat . ch . 7. to which as touching upon Mr B. about the thing sealed , and manner of sealing , Mr B. hath replied in his Apologie against Mr. Blakes Exceptions , Sect. 60 , &c. pag. 115. Because of Mr Bs censure I have received the passages in Mr Blakes answer to my Letter , ch . 15. & in my Postscript Sect. 21. and leaving Mr. B. ( who is no competent judge of my Writings , by reason of his prejudice against me and the cause I maintain ) and others to conceive of my books as they please , I am not ashamed to profess , 1. That I discern no such true worth in Mr Blakes mentioned passages which open the nature of the covenant , but rather sundry that darken it , the shewing of which now would be but a digression . 2. That there is not one of the three positions set down by Mr Blake , which doth contradict anything I said in my Examen , part 4. Sect 5. For I said not the Sacraments are Seals absolute , not conditionall ; but that God seals not upon condition persons agnize the covenant , as Mr M. said in his Sermon , pag. 49 , nor did I deny , that the entrance into covenant and acceptation of i● , is common to elect and reprobate , but that Gods covenant of grace , or as I said before , his promise in the covenant of grace , is common to the elect and reprobates , and this was it which I termed symbolizing with Arminians , not that which Mr. Blake sets down . 3. That I do not find that I have need to make any further reply to Mr. Blake therein , nor to the six arguments he brings , Vindic. Foed . ch . 7. to prove Sacraments sealing conditionally . And for the flings Mr Blake hath at some spe●ches of mine , I shall briefly return answer . Those words of mine , I like not to call the Sacrament a conditionall Seal , for that which seals doth assure , and supposeth the condition ▪ In my apprehension , that which is called conditionall sealing , is not sealing , but offering or propounding , or representing : but about this I will not contend , Mr. Bl. leaving out the later words , thus oppose●h , Then our Lawyers have a long time decived us , who have given us presidents ( as they call them ) for obligations under seal , to run in these words ; The condition of this obligation is such , and after an indication of the condition , to conclude and close up all : then this present obligation to be void and of none effect , or else to stand in full force and vertue : Seals we see leave the condition to me doubtfull . Whereto I reply . Neither I nor the Lawyers do deceive Mr Blake , but he deceives himself , the words of the president do intimate that the validity of the obligation is conditionall , and is left doubtfull , not that the seal is conditionall , which doth absolutely assure or testifie the obligation : or , as the Lawyers speak , the act and deed of him that seals , which is not future , but present , and so not conditionall . Mr Baxter Apol. against Mr Blake Sect. 77. I never heard of nor knew a conditionall sealing in the world , though I have oft heard of the effects of obligation and collation of right to be conditionall , which are not onely separate from the terminus proximus of sealing , but also are directly the effects of the covenant , promise , testament , &c. onely , and but remotely of the seals , inasmuch as that seal is a full owning of the testament of conveyance : yet such a thing as a conditionall sealing may be imagined . In a word , a conditionall engagement , or obligation , is one thing , and frequent ; a conditionall seal , or sealing , is another thing but unknown . There are other things at me as calumniating Mr. M. concerning his words , as symbolizing with the Arminians , which I shall acqui● my self from in answering Mr B. and that Mr Bs questionist and my self are both of one pitch both for knowledge and ignorance , and stand equally affected to Mr. Bl. both in respect of his person and opinions ; which intimate as if he were perswaded I were that questionist , whom I profess to be unknown to me , and were disaffected to Mr. Blakes person , though I knew not wherein I have shewed any disaffection to him , and for my knowledge or ignorance be it more or lesse , I hope it will appear in the conclusion , that God hath given me so much knowledge as to shew the vanity of Mr Blakes and Mr Bs pleas for Infant-baptism . And for his flirt or scoff at the wide standing open of the door in my night Sacraments , I think my actions justifiable in celebrating the Lords Supper at night as Christ did , with such notes as the Apostle made thereon in calling it the Lords Supper , 1 Cor. 11.20 . and relating it so distinctly , v. 23 , 25. My admitting none but bap●●zed persons after profession of faith , is justified by Mr Blakes own words , though somewhat misrepresenting my tenent , Vindic. Foed . ch . 23. nor do I admit any one other profession to baptism than was done in the first times by men who had the Spirit of God to guide them ; and if any be baptized in the night , it 's justifiable by Pauls action , Acts 16.33 . His flings also which he hath , Vindic. Foed . ch . 17. p. 126. shew the same Satyricall vein , when he saith , I establish a new conditionall covenant against the New Testament light , which I shall shew I establish in that sense , I do it according to plain New Testament light , and censures these words , the not teaching one another spoken of , Heb. 8 , 11. is meant of that obscure teaching which was under the Law , Apol. pag. 154. said somewhat Magisterially after my manner , whereas neither could I well dilate then being straitned in time , and the exposition of that place there was but on the by , and enough was said by me in those words answerably to the occasion , and I conceived understanding men would gather the reason of my interpretation from those few words , which is , that the new covenant being there declared cōtradistinct to that in Horeb , as the writing the laws in the heart is mentioned to distinguish it from the writing in stone , so the teaching is mentioned to distinguish it f●ō that obscure teaching which was under the Law , which I said not magisterially , nor any thing else , as Mr. Bl. mis-censures me . This is enough , if not too much to answer these flirts of Mr. Bl. Fourthly , I add , That I find sundry passages in Mr. Bl. which seem to me to speak to the same purpose with my words , as Answer to my Letter , pag. 99. that Baptism assures actually when men doe believe , pag. 102. out of Mr. Ball , They that be truly in covenant obtained the highest blessings , p. 106. This covenant of Jeremies is no more than that promise , Deut. 30.6 . The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart , and the heart of thy seed , that thou mayst love the Lord , &c. And his words Vindic. Foed . ch . 7. pag. 46. That the Sacrament doth actually seal to believers and penitent ones , are answered by Mr B. Apol. against Mr Bl. sect . 10. thus , I perceive Mr. T. and you are more of a mind than I was aware off . SECT . XXXIII . That it is no error as Mr Baxter calls it , but a Truth , That the Covenant of grace is made onely to the elect . BUt that I may acquit my self of Mr. Bs charge of errors in these points , I shall answer first what he saith about my fifth imagined error , because as Mr. B. saith , Appendix to his Aphorisms , pag. 66. It is in vain to enquire whether the Sacraments do seal absolutely or conditionally , till you first know well what it is that they seal . And here I think it needfull to set down Mr Bs words against Mr , Bl. in his Apol. p. 103. Sect. 52. Arg. 17. That doctrine which signifieth an unsealed covenant for giving right to the covenant of grace , is unsound . But such is Mr. Blakes , therefore no Scripture can be brought to prove such an outward covenant of Gods : And it is against the common reason and custome of men , that a second covenant should not be drawn to convey right to the seal of the first covenant , seeing right to covenants seals go together , and if there must be another covenant to give right to that , then by the same reason there must be another to give right to that , and another to that , and so in infinitum . To the Antecedent it is apparent that Mr. Bl. distinguisheth ex parte Dei between the outward and inward covenant . It is probable that he thus distributes them from the blessings promised , whereof some are inward , and some outward : for though he explain not himself fully , yet I know no other sense that it will bear . It is evident that his outward covenant hath no seal . For it is a covenant de conferendis ●igillis . If therefore it have a seal , it is either the same which is promised , or some other : other I never heard of . They no where tell us what is the seal of their outward covenant : The same it cannot be , for the same thing cannot be the materia foederis , or the legacie it self , or the benefit given , and the seal too of that covenant whereby it is given . And pag. 6● . Mr Bls common phrase is , that they are [ in the outward covenant ] and what that is , I cannot tell , and then proves , that God makes no such outward covenant . From whence I inferr , 1 , That Mr. B. had not cause to blame me for not disdaining Mr Blakes meaning when he understands him no better , 2 , Nor to magnifie his writing so much , in which he finds so many flawes . 3. Nor to rest so much upon an imagined ground of mens right to baptism by Gods promise or covenant grant which the che●fest assertors of Paedobaptism cannot well tell what it is . 4. That by Mr Bs judgment there is no such outward covenant of God , as Mr Bl. and other Paedobaptists infer infant-baptism from ▪ and for the inward covenant , or covenant of saving grace , Mr M. Mr G. and others , disclaim it as made to all the infants of believers . Let us view what Mr B. saith about the covenant sealed by baptism and its sealing . In his Confut. of my six imagined errors plain Scripture proof , &c. pag. 223 , he thus speaks , Error● . Mr T. holdeth that the Covenant whereof Baptism is the seal , is the absolute covenant of grace made onely to the elect . Confutation . Many more mistakes he utters in the way to this about the Covenant . This he publickly pleaded for in his Dispute , and alledged Dr. Twisse as affirming the covenant of grace to be absolute . To which I then answered , 1. That to thrust in mens names and words , when in disputation we are enquiring what the Scripture saith , was unseasonable and diverting . 2. That Dr. Twisse doth constantly in all his writings affirm , That the promises of remission of sin and salvation are conditionall , though the promise of the grace [ I will take the hard heart out of their bodies &c ] is absolute . This I dare affirm as having read six of Dr Twisse his books again and again . And then he adds somewhat of Dr. Twisse , which I leave to others to answer as they shall see cause . Answer . That Baptism is the seal of the covenant is not my expression , except when I speak in answer to Paedobaptists according to their mind , and in what seal and manner I allow it , I have said before . What I said of Dr Twisse in the disputation , was neither unseasonable nor diverting , nor untrue . The dispute was ( so far as I can gather from my memory and the notes I have of the dispute ) whe●her the words Deut. 29.13 . did prove that God did make the covenant ●here with all that are said to enter into covenant , which I ●enied , and Mr. B. endeavoured to prove from the words [ and that he may be to thee a God ] and from Deut. 30.6 ▪ where he promiseth to circumcise the heart of them and of their seed ; which I proved could not be , sith the covenant of grace is made only to the elect , and it is absolute in that promise , I will write my lawes in their hearts , which is the same with circumcising the heart , and so could not be meant of all that entred into covenant , Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12 ( which Mr B. since acknowledge●h in his letter to Mr. Bedford when he saith thus , The Text seemes plainly to speak of their seed not in their infant estate but in their adult , Deut. 30. ) but of the elect onely , and in respect of that promise the covenant of grace is absolute , which I thought seasonable , no way diverting from the business to confirm by Dr. Twisse his authority , whose tenent Mr B. confesseth was , That the promise of the first grace [ I will take the hard heart out of their bodies , &c. ] is absolute . And to shew that I did Dr. Twisse no wrong , I shall alledge some words of his which I find in his Animadversions on Corvinus his Defence of Arminius against Tilenus , p. 235 Negamus Deum pacisci foedus gra●iae cum omnibus & singulis : dicimus hoc fieri solum cum electis : that is , We deny that God makes the covenant of peace with all and each , we say it to be made onely with the elect . pag. 346. At foedus gratiae absolutum est ; quod & nube testimoniorm divinorum comprobatum damus : that is , But the covenant of grace is absolute , which also we prove by a cloud of testimonies . But Mr. B. having given Dr Twisse a lash , on the by falls thus on me . But Mr. T. his answer to me was , That the promise of saving grace is not conditional , and that though some parts of the covenant be conditionall , yet it is all together that is called the covenant , the leading promise being not conditionall , therefore the covenant is not conditionall , and that it was a grosse palpable error of me to say , That the promise of saving benefits was made to infants that were not ●lest . Answer . My answer is the same now that it was then , and having upon occasion of this charge , reviewed the notes of the dispute , which though very imperfect , I have yet by me , I find not but that in the greatest part of the dispute , I answered Mr. B. rightly , though he have most shamefully and unbrotherlike misrepresented me to the world , and made a noyse in the world as if he had driven me to gross absurdities , which having acquitted my self from in my Pr●cursor , Sect. 17. he replies nothing to that Section , which I take to be a tacite confession of his unworthy abusing of me , And I do think it necessary to tell the world , that I find so little of brotherly love to me , or common ingenuity in his insolent carriages towards me at the Dispute , and his relations of me and of the Dispute in print , that I think I should have found better dealing from a Jesuite than from him . And though I take him to be a godly man , and an excellent Preacher and Writer in practicall points , yet I find him to be but a superficiall Disputer , and a slight interpreter of Scripture . But to the point . Four things Mr. B. it seems mislikes in my answer , 1. That I said , That the promise of saving grace is not conditionall . To declare my self more fully , it is requisite I should shew what promise of saving grace I make not conditionall . There is the saving grace of redemption , regeneration , justification , remission of sins , adoption , glorification . The condition imagined as presupposed to the promise of saving grace , that is , to the fulfilling of it , is either the well using naturall abilities , as foregoing the promise of conversion and regeneration ; or faith and repentance as foregoing justification , remission of sins , adoption , glorification . The promise of saving grace may be said to be conditionall in respect of these later saving graces , and the conditions mentioned , yet in respect of the promisers intention and act in the event , certain , necessary , and infallibly to be performed by the person to whom the promise is made , and in this sense I grant the promise of saving graces conditionall , that is , that God hath promised to none the saving graces of justification , remission of sins , adoption , but on condition of true repentance and faith ; nor glorification but on condition of perseverance therein : yet that these conditions are not uncertain in the event , or left to the persons to whom the promise is made , to do by themselves , but by Gods intention and actings certainly to be accomplished ; or it may be said to be conditionall , that is , ●o as that the condition of any of these graces is made the well using naturall abilities , or that the conditions of these later saving graces are uncertain in the event notwithstanding the promisers intention and acting , and thus I deny the promise of saving grace to be conditionall . More briefly , I deny the promise of regeneration and conversion , to presuppose some well using our naturall abilities , or that justification , remission of sins , adoption , glorification , are promised upon condition of our repentance , faith , obedience , perseverance , left by God to be performed by us , and not promised as certain in the event , which is the Arminian sense , yet deny that the promise of justification , remission of sins , is absolute , so as that God promiseth that an elect person shall be justified , or have remission of sins without a fore faith , which is charged on the Antinomians . The second thing which Mr. B. mislikes in my Answer is , That though some parts of the Covenant be conditional , yet it is all together that is called the Covenant . But this speech if it be liable to exception , Mr. B. must except against the holy Ghost , who doth expresly call all together the covenant , Heb. 8.10 . saying , This is the Covenant which I will make , and having recited all together , he adds , v. 13. in that he saith a new covenant . And the like is Heb. 10.16 . The third thing misliked in my answer is , And the leading promise being no● conditionall , therefore the covenant is not conditional ▪ But there is no just cause of excepting against this , sith ●t is usuall , and that according to a Logick Rule to determinate from the more famous part , or chief part , as a visible Church is called Holy , or of Saints , even in Scripture , 1 Cor. 1.2 . from the better part , a field of corn where is much tare . Do not Paedobaptists usually call the covenant Gen. 17. the eovenant of grace , though there be other promises than of saving grace , and what promise is made of saving grace there ▪ is made under the covert of words expressing other things . And to shew that there is reason for what I said , I urge , 1. That the promise of writing the Lawes of God in the heart , Heb. 8.10 ▪ is not onely the leading promise , but also it is the comprehensive promise , including or inferring all the rest , for therefore God will be a God to them , be mercifull to their unrighteousness , because he will write his Lawes in their heart ; to those and those onely he promiseth the later to whom he promised the former . Yea , it seemeth to be the principall thing God aimed at in the new Covenant , to assure that he would not write his lawes in stone as he did before , but write them in their heart . 2. That where Luke● . 72 , 73. he puts it to be in this ( which I take to be absolute ) that he would give to us , that being delivered from the hand of our enemies , without fear we should serve him in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our life , v. 73 , 74 75. The fourth thing misliked in my answer is , that I said , That it was a gross palpable error of Mr. B. to say that the promise of saving benefits was made to Infants that were not elect . If I understand Mr. M. he counted it a gross error , when he disclaimed this asser●ion , That the covenant of saving grace is made to believers and their naturall seed . Defence of his Sermon , pag. 116. and Mr. G. when in his Vindic. P●●dob p. 12. he said of this conclusion , that infants are taken into covenant with their parents in respect of saving graces , You know the conclusion in that sense is so manifestly against Protestants principles and experience , that no Protestant can hold it But Mr. B. it 's like will not be convinced by mens sayings , let us try what we can do by Arguments 1. The promise of saving benefits is made onely to those to whom saving benefits are bestowed : But to elect infants onely they are bestowed . Ergo. The Major is manifest to them that acknowledge God to be true and faithfull , it being manifest falshood and unfaithfulness to promise and not to perform . But it is certain by experience and Scripture that God saves none but the Elect . Therefore it is a gross and palpable error as charging God with lying to say , that his promise of saving benefits is made to infants not elect . 12. This is proved directly from the Apostles words , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. which also strengthens the former argument , where he concludes that the promises of God must be understood as made to them only to whom they were performed , otherwise the word of God should fall , which he abhorres as blasphemy . But I argue further thus . To them onely is the promise of saving benefits made , who are children of that promise , that God would be a God to them in respect of saving benefits , for to be the children of the promise there is manifestly meant of those to whom the promise of being God is meant , Gen. 17.7 . as is proved before , Sect. 28 , 29. which the Apostle in that chapter understands of saving benefits , which I think will not be denied ; if it were , it might be proved from v. 8 , &c. But the elect onely are children of the promise , this is proved before , Sect. 28 , 29 , and might be proved from v. 11. Ergo. 3. I further argue from the same place ; If any other than the elect infants had the promise of saving benefits made to them ; then all the naturall seed of Abraham , for no infants besides the elect , had more promises of saving benefits than they : But they all had not the promise of saving benefits made to them , the Apostle determines , that the promise was to Ishmael not Esau , but onely to Isaac and Jacob , That the purpose of God according to election might stand , or be of him that calleth , whom he will for the seed , v. 11. Therefore the promise of saving benefits is made onely to elect infants . To the Allegation of this text , I find something said by Mr. B. in his plain Scripture proof . & . Part. 2. chap. 1. 1. There is no strong appearance of contradiction in this to what we have taught . For I willingly acknowledge , that they are not therefore the children of God , because they are the seed of Abraham , or others that were godly , but because they are the children of the promise . But Mr. B. c●ean mistakes the Apostles speech , for he conceives that all the naturall seed of Abraham were yeelded to be the children of God , but not because children of the flesh , bu● because children of the promise , as if he granted the thing , but denied the reason , whereas the Apostle denies the thing it self , affirming , that all the seed of Abraham , were not the children of God , Rom. 9.7 , 8 , and contradisting the children of the promise to the children of the flesh , which were non-sense if they were the same , and no distinction or opposition between them . As if a man say , not all natives but free-men are Citizens , he supposeth all natives are not freemen , and denies all natives who are not free-men , to be Citizens Mr B. adds , I pray you observe , 1. That which the Apostle here pleadeth , is , That salvation was not by the Covenant tied to all Abrahams seed . To which I reply , This grants what I would evi●ce , that the promise of saving benefites was not to all Abrahams seed , but only to the elect of them . But yet sa●th Mr. B. he denieth not but Church-membership did for the time past belong to the generallity of them . Now it is not the certain salvation , but the Church-membership of Infants that we are disputing for ( in regard of the individuals Answer . Though it be the Church-membership of infants which Paedobaptists dispute for , and not the certain salvation , yet they would inferre their Church-membership from that Covenant which was a Covenant of salvation as it was Evangelicall . And this Mr. B. must yeild , who in the words forecited against Mr. Bl. denies an outward covenant giving right to the Seals , and asserts , A right to Baptism as it is a benefit given directly by God from his promise , or covenant Apol. against Mr Bl. p. 80 ▪ which is no other than of saving grace , by which if salvation be not tied to all Abrahams seed , then that covenant is not the ground of their Church-membership , and right to the initiall seal , and consequently not to our infants , for take away the Cause , the effect is removed , & so this text is directly against infant-baptism and Church-membership . Mr. B. adds , 2. The Apostle disputeth not against the salvation or Church-membership of every one of Abrahams seed ; ( for many of his seed were after this saved ) but against the salvation of the whole seed or posterity conjunctim . But now Anabaptists dispute against the Church-membership visible of any infants . Answer . If the Church-membership visible of the whole seed or posterity conjunctim of Abraham be asserted ( as it is by Mr. B. ) from that covenant which the Apostle denies to belong to the whole seed or posterity conjunctim ( which Mr B. grants ) he disputeth for the Anabaptists against the imagined visible Church-membership of all infants of true believers . 3. Saith Mr. B. That which the Apostle mainly drives at , is , that men are not therefore saved because they are Abrahams carnall seed ( and consequently not because they are the carnall seed of any other . And I say so too with all my heart . But the Apostle doth not say , or mean , that Abrahams seed should not be saved : for they shall again be called , and so all Israel shall be saved , Rom. 11 ) But onely that they are saved , not because they are his seed , bu● because they are children of the promise : And so say we , That the seed of the faithfull are Church-members , and Disciples and subjects of Christ , not properly or directly because they are their seed ( for so they are no better than others : but because they are children of the promise ; God having been pleased to make the promise to the faithfull and their seed ; and having promised that the seed of the righteous shall be blessed : and that he will be mercifull to them , and will take thm to be a people to him , and he will be to them a God , and he hath pronounced them holy . Isaac was Abrahams seed , and Jacob his , and yet not saved because his seed directly and properly ( yet remotely they were : ) but because children of the promise . Answer . Mr. B. in his pass●ge shewes , he neither understood the Apostles scope nor answer , but according to his overly manner of handling Texts , perverts both . I grant that from the Apostles words it followeth , That men are not therefore saved because they are Abrahams seed , and consequently not because they are the carnall seed of any other . But it is manifest , and acknowledged by all Interpreters almost I m●et with , that the Apostles scope is to answer an objection as the words v. 6. shew , That if the Jewes were rejected the word of God to Israel and Abrahams seed falls ; which shews , that the objectors did not conceive God by covenant tied to save all Abrahams seed , and Israel , because he had by covenant tied himself to be a God to Abraham and his seed , Gen. 17.7 . and therefore Paul did not rightly suggest , Rom. 9 1 , 2 , 3. as if they should be rejected . The clearing of ●he consistency of these two things , the truth of Gods promise , Gen. 17.7 . , and the Apostles intimation that the Jewes should be cast away , was his scope , not that which Mr. B. imagines the Apostle mainly drives at , to shew why the Jewes are saved , for the Apostle supposeth that they should not be saved , and to maintain it , answers the objection . Whence also it may be perceived , that Mr. B. quite perverts the Apostles answer : For he makes it to be this , 1. That the Apostle doth not say , or mean , Abrahams seed should not be saved , whereas it 's the very occasion of the objection , that he determined that a great part , or the body or people of the Jewes , who were Abrahams seed , were then rejected , as his words shew , Rom. 9.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 31 ▪ & 10 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 21. & 11.7.15.17.20 , &c. and the Gentiles taken for Gods people in their stead : the searching of which was the great quarrell the Jewes had against Paul ▪ so that Mr B. makes Paul not to say that which he did teach , and plainly intimated in that very place . 2. That he onely sayes , that Abrahams carnall seed were saved , not because they are his seed , but because they are children of the promise , which is both contrary to the Apostles suppositions , which is , that they are not saved , and that because they are not children of God , nor children of the promise , though children of the flesh , and impertinent to the removing of the objection concerning the rejection of the Jewes , how it could stand with Gods promise . For the answer as Mr. B. makes it , had no way justified Gods truth , but strengthened the objection , if it were supposed they were children of the promise , whom yet Paul counted for castawayes . Nor do the Apostles words say the children of the flesh are saved though not because they are Abrahams seed , but that they are not the children of God , who were onely children of the flesh , not children of the promise , nor counted for the seed to whom the promise Gen. 17.7 . was made at all , as it was Evangelicall . As for what Mr. B. alledgeth , That the Jewes shall be again called , and so all Israel be saved , Rom. 11. and therefore the Apostle doth not say , or mean , that Abrahams seed should not be saved , it is inconsequent , si●h the Apostle might and did suppose the present should not be saved though hereafter the Jewes shall ; it followes on the contrary , he supposed the present Jewes should be rejected , because he speaks of the calling and salvation of the Jewes , was a thing future , yet not till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in , in the mean time he saith , blindness happened to them in part . And what he saith , that God hath been pleased to make the promise to the faithfull and their seed , he neither sheweth where that promise is , nor do I know where to find it , nor where he promiseth to take them to be a people to him , and that he will be to them a God , and for what he alledgeth , that the seed of the righteous shall be blessed , and that God will be mercifull to them , how little they make for the visible Church-membership of G●ntile believers infants , will be shewed in answering Chap. 21 , 22 , , of the first part of his Book . And for Gods pronouncing them holy , he is fully answered , Antipoedob , part 1. Sect. 23● &c. It followes in Mr. B. 4 And observe further , That Paul here speaks not a word against the priviledge of the infants whose parents deny not God , nor violate his Covenant , and fall not away . If any man should affirm , that all the infants of the faithfull so dying , are certainly saved , there is not a syllable in this text against him . For Paul onely pleads , that if men fall away and prove unbelievers , God will not save them because Ahraham ( or any other remote progenitor ) was faithful . The covenant never intended this : But yet children of those that fall not away , or be not broken off for unbelief , do lose none of their priviledges , but may belong to the visible or invisible Church If any man should deny Christ , and yet think to be saved because they are Englishmen , or because their progenitors long since were faithfull ; I should use to them Pauls words here . But what is this to those who do not deny Christ , and therefore are both Children of the flesh , and of the-promise ? Besides , those the Apostle here excludeth , were aged unbelievers , so that this text hath not any colour either against baptism , or their Church membership . Answer . There is little truth in this passage , Paul speaks , Rom. 9 , 6. 7 , 8 , &c. against the being in the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . of Abrahams and Isaacs naturall seed , and therefore by consequence against the Church membership and Baptism of believers children by vertue of that covenant being made to them , and he excludes Esau before he was born , and therefore other than aged believers , and if Esau the son of Isaac , no Apostate , were out of the covenant , and declared so afore he was born , then had he died in infancy , he had not bin saved , and so there is more than a Syllable in this Text against him , who should affirm , That all the infants of the faithfull so dying , are certainly saved ; for this Text affirms some infants of the most holy believers , are not in covenant , and if not in covenant , not certainly saved , but certainly reprobate . The children of those who fall not away , have no such priviledge , that they do certainly belong either to the invisible or visible Church . If there may be infant-children of believers who may be children of the flesh and not children of the promise , then the promise of saving benefits is not made to any other than the elect , for sure it is made to none other of other believers , if it be made onely to the elect ones of Abraham and Isaac . I go on . 4. The promise which is in Christ Yea and Amen , is made onely to the Elect , for it is not Yea and Amen to any other , sith it is not ratified & accomplished to any other . But the promise of saving benefits is in Christ Yea and Amen , for so are as many promises as are in Christ , 2 Cor. 1.20 . and such is the promise of saving benefits . Ergo. 5. Those promises which were made to Christ , were made onely to the Elect , for whether Christ personall be meant the promises were made to him onely for those whom he represents , and they are onely the elect , or Christs mysticall body that is his Church they are the elect onely : But the promise of saving benefits made to Christ , Gal. 3.16 . Ergo. 6. The promise which is of the Covenant confirmed unto Christ , is onely to the elect : But such is the promise of saving benefits , Gal 3.17 . Ergo. 7. The promise which is of eternall life ▪ is made onely to the elect : But such is the promise of saving benefits , Tit. 1.2 . Ergo. 8. To whom the promise of saving benefits is made , are Heirs of the Promise : But they are only to the elect , for to the Heirs of promise Gods counsell is shewed to be immutable for their salvation , Heb. 6.17 . But so it is onely to the elect . Ergo. 9. Those promises by which we are made partakers of the Divine Nature , are made onely to the elect : But such are the promises of saving benefits , 2 Pet. 1.4 . Ergo. 10. The promise of that Covenant is made onely to the elect , of which Christ is surety , for Christs sureti●hip engageth him to perform it , and he performs it onely to the elect , therefore he is surety of the covenant onely for the elect : But the promise of saving benefits is of that covenant of which Christ is surety , Heb. 7.22 . Ergo. 11. That covenant which is confirmed by Christs blood , is made onely with the elect , for it was shed for them onely . But such is the new covenant , or covenant of grace , Matth 26 28. Ergo. 12. That covenant which is different from the first covenant in that it is not an occasion of complaint in that it was broken , and they continued not in it , is made onely to the elect : But such is the new covenant , or covenant of grace , Heb. 8.7 , 8 , 9. Ergo. 13. The covenant which ingageth God to write his lawes in the hearts of those to whom it is made , ●s made onely to the elect , for God doth this onely to them : But such is the new covenant , or covenant of grace , Heb. 8.10 . & 10.16 . Ergo. 14. The covenant of which Christ is Mediator , is made onely to the elect . for he is mediator for them onely , sith he prayes for them onely , John 17.9 , And he is Mediator of the new covenant , that by means of death they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance , Heb. 9.15 . But such is the new covenant or covenant of grace , Heb. 12.24 Ergo. 15. That covenant which is an everlasting Covenant , is made onely to the elect , for the covenant with reprobates is not everlasting . But such is the new covenant , or covenant of grace , Heb. 13.20 . Ergo 16 That in which are given the sure mercies of David , is made onely to the elect , for no other have them given to them : But such is the new covenant , or covenant of grace , Isa. 55.3 . Ergo. 17. That covenant which engageth God to give to them to whom it is made , deliverance from all enemies , and to serve God in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of their life without fear , is made onely to the elect , for to them onely God performs it : But such is the covenant of grace , Luke 1.73 , 74 , 75. Ergo That covenant which assures perseverance to them to whom it was made , is made onely to the elect , for they onely persevere : But such is the new covenant of grace , Isa. 54 ▪ 9 , 10. Jer. 32 ▪ 40. Ergo. 19. If the covenant of grace be made with other than the elect , then it is the absolute or condi●ionall covenant , as Mr B. distinguisheth ; but neither : Not the first , as Mr B. confesse●h ; nor the conditionall , for it is made onely with believers , and they are onely the elect . I grant it is propounded , as Dr Twisse speaks , Animad . in Corinth . Defens . pag. 235 ▪ or as others say , offered or tendered to others , but made with the elect . Ergo. If the covenant of grace be made to any other than to the elect , then with all , which seems to be Mr. Bs opinion , when he saith , Plain Scripture Proof , &c. pag : 316 , The new Covenant is conditionall and universall . But it is not made withall . That covenant which was made with all , had Adam for the common head , but the new covenant was not made with Adam as the common head , but with Christ who is given for a covenant of the people , Isai. 49.8 . and therefore rhe promise was , that the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head , Gen. 3.15 . which Mr B most corruptly interprets , Of the whole seed of the woman , infants as well as others . Plain Scripture proof , &c. part . 1. Chap. 24. pag. 69 , but it is true primarily or onely of Christ , Heb. 2.14 . But Christ is not a common head to all , but onely to the elect , who are chosen in him , Eph. 1.3 , 4. Ergo I omit the Arguments which Doctor Twisse urgeth in his Animadversions on Corinus , pag. 346. Answer to M. Hoard , pag. 283.286 . Doctor Kendall , Vindic. part 3. ch . 18 ▪ pag. 14 , 15 , and hasten to consider what Mr B. saith further against me . And he saith in his Examen and Apology , that Mr M. speakes like Corinus and the Arminians , in his asserting the conditional sealing , and when he talks of the Covenant , Christs suretiship , &c. To which I answer , A great many hotspurs of this age do make any thing Arminianism , which is but contradictory to Antinomianism . I will not say Mr T. is an Antinomian , for I think he is not ; but this opinion , that the covenant of grace , which baptism sealeth , is onely to the elect , and is not conditionall , is one of the two Master-pillars in the Antinomian Fabrick ▪ Answer . 1. If any Antinomian or Antipaedobaptist hath been in this age a verier hot-spur than Mr B. let him be disciplin'd at Bedlem : For my part I know none that hath in his Writings shewed so much heat ( call it fury or zeal as you please ) with so much confidence and peremptoriness , and so many mistakes against Antinomians , Antipaedobaptists , and others , as he ha●h don . And surely they want not considerate men that fear lest the esteem he ●a●h gotten by his practical Writings , and for infant-baptism , and the Ministery , may occasion the swallowing down of some things he vents about univers●ll redemption , universall covenant of grace , uncertainty of perseverance , and salvation , the condition of justification , which with●ut more than a grain of salt will turn to A●miniani●m and Popery if received by such understandings as are not of good concoction . Nor do I know any man who under so great a shew of se●king truth and peace in the Church , hath more hindred both . For tha● wh●ch he saith , That this opinion that the covenant of grace is onely to elect , and is n●t conditionall , is one of the pillars of Antinomianism . I have made some search into my books , and made use of my memory , and though I find that in the Synod at New Town in New England , August 30 , 1637 , this is made the 81 Error of the Antinomians , That where faith is held forth by the Ministery as the condition of the ●ovenant of grace on mans part , as also evidencing justification by sanctification and the activity of faith , in that Church there is not sufficien● bread And in other books they are charged wi●h error in holding the covenant of grace absolute , so as if by it men were exempted from duty , they were justified without faith , &c. Yet I never to my remembrance heard th●s charged with Antinomianism , that the covenant of grace is made onely to the elect , but find it avouched by many of their best Antagonists ; and the covenant of grace is held by able Anti-Arminians unconditionall in th●se two senses , 1. That God requires no condition from us to be performed by our power , but what he requires of us to do , he promiseth to works in those to whom he makes promise in that covenant . 2 That in the covenant of grace God requires no condition which is of an uncertain event , but to those to whom he makes his promises of righteousness , forgiveness , eternall life , he also by covenant assures repentance , faith , and perseverance : and therefore though some proposals of the covenant of grace be conditionall , yet no promise as it stands in the entire covenant , is conditionall : and therefore the covenant and all the promises to be termed absolute and conditionall . Mr. B. adds , 2. But to these Mr B. hath fully answered Mr. T. and fully cleared Mr M. and himself from the charge of symbolizing with the Arminians ; and hath fully proved , that the entrance into covenant , and acceptation of the term of it ( though not sincerely and unreservedly ) is common to the elect and reprobate ; and that the reprobate are within the verge of the covenant , as tendered in the Gospel , and accepted ( as beforesaid with a half heart . ) And if any that are run into the other extream , shall think that this affirming that [ Christ hath brought the reprobate also into the covenant of grace conditionall ] be any part of the Arminian errors , as the whole Scripture is against them , so Mr. Blake hath said enough to satisfie . Answer . What Mr Blake asserted and took upon him to prove , did neither contradict what I said , nor vindicate Mr M. who said in his Sermon pag. 49.1 . That God did seal to Infants presently , and put their name into the Deed. 2. That in the mean time untill they come to years of discretion , Jesus Christ who is the surety of the covenant , Heb. 7.22 . and the surety of all the covenanters , is pleased to be their surety . 3. That God accepts of such a seal on their parts as they are able to give in their infant age , expecting a future ratification on their part , when they are come to riper years . 4. That in the mean time he affords them the favour and priviledge of being in covenant with him . 5. When they are grown men , they may refuse to stand to this covenant , and nullifie all . These things I count symbolizing with Arminians , to say that infants who may and do when they come to age , refuse to stand to this covenant , are for a while afforded by God the favour and priviledge of being in covenant with him , even in that covenant of which Jesus Christ is their surety , and that for a while Jesus Christ is their surety which contains three points of Arminianism , 1. That God affords them the favour of being in covenant with him in that covenant of which Christ is surety , who are reprobates . 2. That Christ is their sure●y . 3. That they may be thus in covenant for a time onely . To say that any is afforded the favour of being in covenant with God who may be so for a time , and that Christ is surety for such covenanters , is to hold that God makes this new covenant with other than the elect , and that Christ is surety for them , is to hold that the new covenant is made with all , and that it doth not assure effectuall calling and perseverance , but is upon an uncertain condition left to mans will , which are condemned as the Arminians errors on the second and fifth Articles , by the Deputies of Gelderland Act Synod . Dordr . Judic . Theol. Prov. pag. 131. Of South-Holland pag. 141 , 142. Of North-Holland ▪ pag 154. Of Zealand , pag. 159. Of Virecht , pag. 162 , 163 , 171. Of Friesland , pag. 181 , &c. Profess . Belg ▪ pag. 30● ▪ Disput. G●ld . pag. 324. Transisul . pag. 371 , and others . And whereas Mr. Bl. Vindic Foed . pag. 39. chargeth me with misci●ing Corvinus , I confesse I have not now his book by me , having lost it , yet such remaining notes as I have by me , do give me cause to think there is somewhat to that purpose in or neer the place , and however it is carried on , Corvinus by the Deputies at the Synod of Dort , in his Defence of Arminius against Tilenus , and by Dr. Twisse in his Animad ▪ pag. 346. and generally charged on the Arminians by other Authors forecited : And though I count Mr M. far from Arminianism , yet I again say , the speeches he used do symbolize with their language . Mr. B. adds , He that will deny Reprobates to be so far within the covenant of grace , must not onely deny Infant-baptism , but all Sacraments , till he be able infallibly to discern a man to be elect . And doubtless this interest in the covenant is ● fruit of Christs death . Answer . I deny not but Reprobates may be in the covenant of grace in this sense , they may have it tendred to them by the preachers of the Gospel , they may accept of that tender with half an heart , they may think themselves to be in it , they may by baptism engage themselves to believe unto the death , they may be received into the Church , deemed to be really in the covenant of grace ▪ But it is not true that God ever made the new covenant to or with them , or that Christ as a mediator brought them into the covenant of grace● or was surety of them , or that God afforded them for a time the favour of being in covenant with him . And though I deny not that it is a fruit of Christs death , that whosoever believeth on him should live , yet that this is not obtained for the reprobate , but the elect ; nor a part by it self , but together with this , that he should gather into one the Children of God that were scattered abroad , John 11 , 52. And that they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance , Heb. 9.15 . Nor need I by these assertions of mine deny Baptism or the Lords Supper to any man till I be able to discern him infallibly to be a man elect . For I have warrant to baptize him if he shew by his profession that he is a Disciple of Christ , and though I knew infallibly he were one of those whom God would save , and had promised saving grace to him , and in that sense were in the covenant of grace , yet for the present not a D●sciple , I should justifiably refuse to baptize him . And this is a sufficient plea why we baptize not infants of believers , because they are not then Disciples , no not though it could be proved God had promised to be their God. Mr. B. adds , Mr T. one day in the pulpit in pleading that the covenant belonged onely to the elect , was pleased to bring me in as witnessing thereto , in the Append . of my Aphor. pag. 43. because I there say , that the absolute promise , or prophesie there mentioned is made onely to the elect ; when yet onely the very scope of the place is to prove that it is not the absolute promise that is most fitly called the Covenant of grace . Answer . My alledging Mr Bs words was right and pertinent : For they acknowledged the promise Heb. 8.10 , to be absolute , and to the elect onely , which was enough for my purpose , and this the Author of that Episte calls the new Covenant or Testament , and however , Mr Bs conceit is I have proved before the holy Ghost doth make it to be the Covenant of God , and therefore I deem it fitly be called the covenant of grace , chusing to speak as the Scripture speaks , rather than as Mr B. conceives sittest . SECT . XXXIX . Mr Baxter hath not proved that the absolute promise or covenant is not it that i● sealed in Baptism and the Lords Supper . HE adds , But that this absolute Promise , or Covenant ( if you will call it so ) is not it that is sealed in Baptism and the Lords Supper , I prove against Mr T. thus , clearly . Answer . He should prove nothing against me though he should prove neither the absolute nor conditional promise to be sealed in baptism and the Lords Supper . For though it be true , that in some sense I grant Baptism and the Lords Supper to seal the covenant of grace , yet in the sense and to the purposes Paedobaptists use to say the covenant is sealed by them , I reject it , and can freely yeild that the use uf Baptism and the Lords Supper is not to seal Gods Covenant either absolute or conditionall to us , except by remote consequence , but to signifie our duty of engaging our selves to be Christs Disciples in Baptism , and to remember his death in the Lords Supper . But Mr Bs dispute in this is against himself , in that his arguments will overthrow his own assertion of infant-baptism , and against his fellow Paedobaptists , who make baptisme to seal the promise of Regeneration from Titus 3.5 , and the promise of being a God to Abraham and his seed from Gen. 17.7 . which the Apostle Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. makes absolute , and appropriates to the elect . I need not cite again Paedobaptists speeches , making baptism the seal of Regeneration , and of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . having cited before , Sect. 30 , sundry , to wit , the Assembly in the Directory , Mr M &c. In the Assembly at Westminster their confession of faith , chap. 28. Baptism is ordained by Jesus Christ to be to the baptized a sign and seal of the covenant of grace , of his ingrafting into Christ , of Regeneration , of remission of sins , and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ to walk in newness of life . Artic. 27 of the Church of England . Baptism is a sign of Regeneration or Newness , whereby as by an instrument they that receive baptism rightly are graffed into the Church , the promises of forgiveness of sin , and of our adoption to be the sons of God , by the holy Ghost , are visibly signed and sealed . In the French Confess . Artic , 35. By Baptism , as by a certain and stable seal , this promise is sealed , that Chri●t will be to us sanctification and justification . In Mr Gatakers two books against Dr Davenant , there are so many passages out of the chiefest Protestant Writers which do make baptism the sign and seal of Regeneration , and of the promise of it , that it would be tedious to transcribe them , I shall poynt at some pages wherein they may be found . Discept . de vi bapt . infant . pag. 23 , 52 , 110 , 117 , 1●8 . Strict . in Daven . Ep. pag. 76 , 77 , 78. There is one passage which he cites often out of Vorstius , That the Gospel Preachers are wont to acknowledge one onely generall effect of Baptism , to wit , the sealing of a double saving grace promised in the Gospel concerning the remission together and the purging out of sins by the Blood and Spirit of Christ , which is by inward renovation , which is absolutely promised . Yea Mr Gataker , a man deservedly much valued by Mr B. Discept . de bapt . infant . saith , That Baptism doth equally if not primarily design internall renewing , regeneration , mortification , quickning , which in that sign are not onely most clearly shadowed , but also painted , both the thing it self doth lowdly speak , and the holy Scripture doth most expressly , Rom. 6.3 , 6. Col. 2.11 , 12. T it 3.5 . Eph. 5 25. And though all express not the sealing of regeneration alike by baptism , some placing it in the assuring to the conscience , some in the giving of title , some of regeneration already given , some of regeneration to be attained in time , yet all make i● the seal of that covenant wherein God promiseth it , and do commonly distinguish it from the Lords Supper , which they make the seal of growth as they do baptism , of new-birth and entrance into the Church . So Mr M. in his Sermon , p. 43 , 51. But let us hear what Mr B. opposeth , 1 ▪ That which is sealed to by the Sacrament , is a proper covenant , having a restipulation on our parts as well as a promise on Gods part . But an absolute promise is not a proper covenant with such a mutuall engagement , but properly a meer promise or prophesie , therefore it is not this absolute promise which is sealed by the Sacraments . The Major M. T. cannot deny ; for he pleaded it himself ●n the pulpit as a reason to prove that infants might not be baptized , because they could not engage themselves . And he brought that passage in my foresaid Appendix , pag. 68. as attesting it , where I say it is a mutuall engaging sign or seal : As it is given it is Gods seal , as it is accepted it is ours . And indeed the very definition of a proper Covenant ( of which Grotius de jure belli , and other Lawyers , will inform you ) sheweth as much that it must be a mutuall engagement . Now in that absolute promise [ I will take the hard heart out of their bodies &c. ] There is no such matter , but onely God telleth what he will do . Answer . According to my own judgement I use not to te●m Sacraments Seals of the Covenant , nor did I urge Mr Bs words otherwise than as an Argument ad homin●m , to prove from his own words , that infants have not baptism rightly according to his own grants . 1. because there is no restipulation on infants part , therefore there is no covenant properly so called between God and them , and so baptism of infants is not a seal of a covenant , and consequently according to the supposition of Paedobaptists , no Sacrament . 2 ▪ Baptism is saith Mr B. a mutuall engaging sign or seal , as it is given it is Gods seal , as i● is accepted it is our : But in infant-baptism there is no mutuall engagement or signing . Infants promise nothing , nor sign or accept of any thing , Ergo infant-baptism is not , according to Mr Bs own grants , right ; nor are these objections avoided by saying the parents covenant for them : for neither is there any the least ground o● hint in Scripture that for baptismall covenanting the parents covenant should go for the childs covenant , nor do in the practice of baptizing the parents restipulate though they declare their faith , and if they should promise or engage for the child , they should sin , and so should and have those that have promised as sureties the infant should believe and obey Christ , which they have not been able to perform , but have taken on them Christs prerogative , Heb. 7.22 . Nor is the baptism of the infant his sign or seal , he being meerly passive , as they say , and so doing no act , nor engaging thereby , and if the parent do engage for the child , the parent should be baptized for the child , if baptism be the baptized party his seal . But as I said , I do not call baptism a seal of the covenant , and therefore am not tied at all to answer this Argument , except to shew the fuci●ity of it . For which end , 1. the mann●r of speech is liable to exception in the use of the term Proper Covenant ] which I imagine Mr. B. useth unskilfully for Properly so called . 2. There is no proof of the Major , from this , that Baptism or the Sacrament is a mutuall engaging sign or seal . For that proves rather that baptism or the Sacrament it self is a proper covenant , than that , that which is sealed by the Sacraments is a proper Covenant . 3. Nor doth it follow , That if the very definition of a proper Covenant be , that it must be a mutuall engagement , that which is sealed by the Sacraments must be a proper covenant , but onely proves that upon supposition , that the covenant sealed to by the Sacraments , must be a proper covenant , that then it must be with restipulation or mutuall engaging . 4. though Lawyers do determine that a covenant properly so called , is a mutuall engagement , yet this proves not that which in Scripture is termed the covenant which they say baptism seals , is such . Yea , in all the places ( that I know ) where the covenant of grace is mentioned , there is no restipulation at all mentioned , neither Gen. 17. nor Jer. 31. nor Luke 1. nor Heb. 8 & 10. But where there is a restipulation , it is rather the covenant of the Law than of the Gospel . 5. That which is a meer prophesie or promise , is as properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which we translate Covenant , as a mutuall engagement , as I shall shew hereafter against Mr. Bl. 6. Nor do I know why that may not be a mutuall engagement if the absolute promise were sealed to by the Sacrament as well as if the conditionall . For if the engagement in the conditionall covenant on Gods part is , that if he believe he shall be justified ; and on mans part , that he will believe : or rather in baptism he testifies , he doth believe . The absolute promise is to give faith : Is not God and Man in like manner engaged by baptism in sealing this as well as the other ? 7. I know not how it can be truly said , That Baptism as given is Gods seal , and as accepted Mans seal . For neither doth God give baptism to be accepted but his promise , nor is the baptized said to accept baptism , but the promise . Nor is there any act of God which may be called his Seal , but he covenants , and I presume they will not confound Covenant and Seal . 8. Nor doth the infant accept , or seal , or engage , and therefore in infant-baptism there is no covenant or seal . 9 By this description of Mr. B. there should be a mutuall seal , and so a severall seal , and not baptism Gods and Mans seal too . For according to the manner of sealing Covenants which are mutuall as the one party seals with his own seal , so the other party seals with his own distinct seal ; and so if baptism be Gods seal , the party bap●ized should have another seal to signifie his engagement . 10. Mr. B. tells me , that Grotius de jure belli , and other Lawyers will inform me , that the very definition of a proper Covenant is , that it must be a mutuall engagement . But he doth not tell me where it is in Grotius , nor in what other Lawyer . I have lightly looked over the ●1 . Chapter of the second book of Grot. de jure belli ac pacis , which is , de promissis , and some other following , and find not that which Mr. B. saith , but find ch . 11. sect . 5. that he determines that of an infant is no promise , because the use of reason is required to a promise , and therefore in infant-baptism there is no restipulation or mutuall engagement , and so no proper covenant by Mr B. his doctrine . But what ever other Lawyers say , I am mistaken if it be not usuall with the Lawyers in conveyances to use this expression , That the seller is said to covenant to and with such a person , who makes no restipulation or reciprocall engagement . And both in the Scottish covenant , and in our solemn League and Covenant , I find covenanters engaged to do many things without any restipulation or reciprocall engagement , and therefore do not conceive it necessary to a covenant that it be a mutual engagement , or with restipulation . Mr. B. adds , 2. If it were the absolute promise of the first grace that is sealed by the Sacraments , then the Sacraments must be given to no man , or to all men : but that is absurd , therefore so is the former . The consequent is manifest , because that absolute promise or prophesie is onely of the elect , and that before regeneration . Now no man hath any sign given him , so much as probable by which to judge of the unregenerate elect , so that it must either be given to all or none . Answer . The whole frame of this Argument depends on these mistakes , 1. That a person hath title to baptism by vertue of its interest in Gods covenant of grace , and that accordingly a Minister is to baptize . 2. That a probable sign of such interest warrants the baptism of the party so interessed , which I have often proved to be false , and that nothing but manifest discipleship certainly known to the baptizer , warrants him to do it . And indeed if we must baptize according to that rule of persons interest in the covenant , probably signified . Salvages in New England are to be baptized upon the probable signes they give of being wrought upon by a Sermon afore they know and profess the faith of Christ , and few or no infants are baptized , there being either no sign given to any man of their being in covenant , or at most but of very few of the baptized . Mr. B. Ap. to his Aphor. p. 70. If a Minister adventure to administer it upon probability , then should he be guilty of proph●ning the ordinance . 3. Saith Mr B. Or we may argue thus : It may be known to whom that covenant belongs which is sealed by the Sacraments . But it cannot be known ( before the fulfilling , no not at all ) to whom ( particularly ) that absolute promise doth belong ; therefore that abs●lut promise is not it which is sealed by the Sacraments . Answer . 1. By denying the Major . 2. By retorting the argument thus , It may be known to whom that covenant belongs which is sealed by the Sacraments : But it cannot be known ordinarily in this to whom ( particularly ) the conditionall promise of the covenant of grace belongs , for to none ( particularly ) besides the elect belongs the promise of justification , adoption and glorification . Therefore the conditionall promise is not it which is sealed by the Sacraments . 4. Sai●h Mr. B. If ( according to Mr T. his judgement ) that absolute promise must be fulfilled to a man before he be capable of receiving the Sacraments which are seals of the covenant of grace , then is it not that absolute promise which is the covenant of grace sealed to by the Sacraments : But according to Mr. T. his judgment ) that absolute promise must be fulfilled to a man before he be capable of ( a right ) receiving the Sacraments , which are seals of the covenant of grace : Therefore it is not that absolute promise which is the covenant so sealed to . The Antecedent is evident , ●f you consider , 1. That it is the promise of the first renewing grace which we speak of ( for all after grace is promised conditionally ) 2. That Mr. T. pleadeth that believers onely are disciples , and such disciples onely must be baptized . 3. That faith is a part of this first grace abs●lutely promised ( as is commonly judged ) The giving of a new soft heart , is the giving the seed of all graces , and so of faith . The consequence is evident , because the mercy promised in the covenant which is sealed , is not given before the first sealing : But the mercy promised in that absolute promise is ( according to Mr. T. and in part the truth ) given before the first sealing of the Covenant of grace ; therefore , &c. God doth not promise a Seal to a man that hath a new heart to give him a new heart , or to a man that is a believer , that he will give him to be a believer ; except we speak of the continuance or increase of faith and newnesse which is not the thing in question . Answer . The consequence of this argument may be denied , and the reason of it also : For according to the Apostle , Abraham received the sign of Circumcision , a seal of the righteousnesse of faith , which he had yet being uncircumcised ; Rom 4 ▪ 11. If then the sealing of the covenant of grace by baptism be the same with the sealing of the righteousness of faith by circumcision , Rom. 4.11 ( which is the common tenent of many Paedobaptists , who from this Text draw a definition of Sacraments , though falsly , as is shewed before ) then the mercy promised in the covenant which is sealed , is given before the first sealing . Yea , if the conditionall covenant be sealed to believers now , justification which is the mercy promised in the covenant which is sealed ▪ is given before the first sealing . For a man is justified actually as soon as ever he believes , as I am confident Mr. B will grant : Bu● he is not regularly baptized till after his believing , therefore a believer is justified , and consequently the mercy promised in the first covenant which is sealed , is given before the first sealing , That all after grace is promised conditionally , is said by Mr. B. without proof , and how inconsistent it is with the promises of perseverance , how much it undermines the doctrine of the Saints perseverance , how it disables the godly to plead the promises , and takes away their comforts when they are sensible of their f●i●ings , if the after graces of recove●y after fal●s , and perseverance to the end , be promised condi●ionally , I need no● shew it here , ●i●h Dr. Owen hath done it amply in his Treatise of Perseverace , ch . 4 ▪ 5 , &c. Dr. Kendall in his sancti sanciti , ch . 3. and wou●d be here a digressi●n ▪ 5. Saith Mr. B. The benefits of the Covenant of grace which are sealed by the Sacraments , are ( by those of age ) to be received by faith . But the benefits of the absolute promise of the first grace are not to be received by faith : Therefore this is not the covenant of grace so sealed . The Major is evident : Mr. T. saith , onely believers must be baptized as disciples : The Minor is proved before . Faith is part of the thing promised , and we do not by faith receive our first faith , or our power to believe . Answer . It is not I onely , but Mr. B. himself , who speaks in effect what I say , Plain Script . pr●of , &c. pag. 299 , ●00 . of the first edition when he saith , That in the insti●ution , and every example of baptism through all the Bible , the first grace is prerequisite as a condition , is undeniable , as might be manifest by a recitall of the particular Texts could we stay so long upon it . John required a profession of repentance in those he baptized . Jesus first made them Disciples , and then by his Apostles baptized them , John 4.1 . The solemn institution of it as a standing ordinance to the Church , which tells us fully the end is in Matth 21.19 , 20. Go and disciple me all Nations , baptizing them ; &c. Now for the aged , a disciple and a believer are all one , Mark 16 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved , Acts 2.38 . Repent and be bap●ized every one , &c. 41 They that gladly received his word were baptized , Acts 8.12 , 13. The Samaritans believed and were baptized both men and women . Simon himself believed and was baptized , Acts 8.36 , 37. If thou believest with all thy heart thou maist ( be baptized ) and he answered , I believe , &c. Paul believed upon Ananias instruction , and then was bapt●zed , Acts 10.47 , 48. & 16.15 , 33. & 18.8 . & 19.4 , 5 , &c. You see it is still required , that at all age do first believe and then be baptized . I acknowledge he puts in these words [ for the aged at all age ] by which he would prevent the inference from his own words against infants baptism , intimating that there are an institution and examples of infant baptism elsewhere . But this is but a vain caution , when his own proposition is , That in the institution & every example of baptism through all the Bible , the first grace ( to wit Faith ) is prerequisite as a condition , is undeniable . So that which he intimates in his caution , is contradictory to himself , and a palpable falshood , there being no other institution or example of baptism to any but disciples or believers in all the Bible ; and therefore baptism of infants who are not believers or disciples , is a manifest abuse , deviation from Christ and his Apostles appointment and practice , by Mr. B. his own words , and consequently will-worship and profanation of that ordinance . As for the present objection , I deny the Major if it be universall , though Mr. B. saith , it is evident , but proves it not , nor doth any concession prove i● . For though I grant persons are to be believers afore baptism , yet it doth not follow that the benefits of the covenant of grace , which is sealed by the Sacraments , are to be receiv●d by fa●th , and not before . It is Mr. B. his mistake , that the promise to which there is sealing , must be fulfilled af●er and not before . The contrary is manifest in Abrahams circumcision , in baptism as I shewed before , and in the Lords Supper . For even in that very instant of Mr. B. Plain Script proof , &c. pag. 296. to prove the Sacrament to be a mutuall engaging sign , when he saith , Receiving the Elements is ●ur engaging sign , that we receive Jesus Christ to be our onely Saviour and Lord ; as giving is Gods si●n that he giveth us Christ : the sealing on the part of the receiver is to a thing fulfi●led , that he receives Christ , and of the giver that he gives him . 6. Saith Mr. T. The covenant sealed by the Sacrament , is a plainly propounded unquestion●ble Covenant : But this absolute promise of the first grace is not such but very dark and doubtfull ( and the most learned cannot agree whether there be any such thing : ) ●herefore , &c. I have spoken my judgment of this in the Appendix of my Aphorisms . The places alledged to prove an absolute promise of the first grace , some learned divines I say do not prove it ; because he new and soft heart there mentioned , may be a further degree of newness and sof●ness , or though there be no condition there expressed , yet it is in other places , and therefore to be so understood there : To which end they cite Deut. ●0 ▪ where God promiseth the very same blessing ( to circumcise their hearts that they may love the Lord , &c. ) on a condition which is here thought to be promised absolutely . Mr. T. could not understand Mr. Blake about this . Answer . If Mr ▪ B. mean by unquestionable Covenant , that which no learned man hath questioned , the Major is false , and must be revoked by Mr. B. if he will maintain the conditionall covenant to be sealed to by the Sacrament , for that hath been questioned by learned men ; who have denied the covenant of grace to be conditionall , and they think this to be a very good proof , that the holy Scripture where it speakes of the new Covenant , mentions the promises without condition . If he mean unquestionable de jure , which ought not to have been questioned , and which though it seem dark and doubtfull to some , yet is plainly propounded by God , and is in it self perspicuous ; the Minor is false . As for what Divines say , it little moves , when the Scripture opposeth the new spirit and soft heart to a strong heart , as being in them before , and to which the new spirit , new heart of flesh , succeed . Ezek. 11.19 . & ●6 , 26 ▪ not to a lesse new or fleshly heart . And if elsewhere conditions be put and not there , the promises in those places are not proved conditionall , though to me the coditions Deut. 30.1 ; 2 , seem not to be of the promise , v. 6. but of the promise v. 3. I do not value Mr. B. his judgement so much as to be drawn by it any farther than his reasons carry me , which , I take it , are the same in his Appendix , with these in his mock-titled book which I have answered . I give Mr Baxter our new Doctor Sub●ilis , leave to quip me with my dulness in being grown such an old superannuated dotard , as that I could not understand Mr Blake , time was when I thought I could have understood as profound a Doctor , but now I am content not to understand such deep notions , I should say non-sense as these ▪ Disciple all , covenant all , &c : I hope I shall have by Divine assistance , so much understanding as to demonstrate the frivolousness of those dictates in Mr Blakes and Mr Baxters writings , whereby they have befooled the men of this age , and my Strange and wild doctrine , as Mr B. calls it , will supplant Mr B. his familiar and tame doctrine , without speaking like Mr Sal●marsh and the Antinomians , and my speech about Mr M , will be justified after the clearing my self from the fourth imagined error , to which I now hast . SECT . XXXV . My speeeh about Gods sealing to none but believers , is cleared from Mr Baxters Objections . Mr B. Plain Scripture , &c. pag 222. calls it my fourth error that I affirm in my Apolog. pag. 152 , 153. That every right administration of Baptism is not Gods sealing . Actually it sealeth not but when it is administred to a believer . It may be called a right act of the Administrator according to Gods appointment , but not Gods sealing , &c. And for confutation saith thus . It must be understood that our question is not about the internall seal of the spirit , but onely the externall seal of the Sacrament , which are two distinct things . The nature of this seal , and whether it seal conditionally or absolutely , I have fully opened in the Appendix of my Aphorisms of Justification , whither I must desire the Reader to turn and read it , ●o save me the labor of doing it here . Answer . That these imagined errors of mine about the nature of the Covenant and seals are not the root of my pretended error about baptism , is abundantly shewed before ; and it hath been often affirmed by me , that the reason of my opposing infant-baptism is , because it agrees not with the institution and e●amples of baptism ( which Mr B : his words cited in the next Section before verifie ) in the holy Scripture , and the arguments from the Covenant and seal , and the pretended law of visible Church-membership , no way extant unrepealed , of which the Apostles practice shewes they were ignorant , though many godly and learned men have embraced them , are meerly an humane invention ▪ That there is no error of mine in what I hold about the covenant , much lesse dangeeous error , is already shew ; I shall now shew the subtilty of Mr B : his arguings against my speech about Gods sealing . According to his direction I have read over his sayings in his Appendix in answer to the ninth Question , and what Mr Blake excepted against him , and his reply to Mr Blake in his Apologie , Sect 60 , &c. And the issue of my thoughts in this , 1. That there is nothing but jangling and uncertainty in their debates about the imaginary sealing by the Sacrament , it being not agreed what is sealed , the outward or inward covenant , what is the Syllogism , whose parts are to be sealed , or what part thereof is to be sealed , the Major , Minor , or Conclusion , nor how ●t is sealed conditionally or absolutely , actually or aptitudinally , nor to whom the sealing is , whether to every communicant or onely to penitent believers . And in my reading of other Authors● I find much uncertainty in their determinations about this pretended sealing , and the thing sealed , which I have briefly touched before . Mr. Humphrey in his Rejoynder to Dr. Drake , part . 1. Sect. 4 , 6. part . 2. Sect. 4 , 5. tells us , That in the nature of it the Sacrament is Gods seal onely , not metaphorically or tropically , but formally , not a seal of our faith but of Gods assuring the tenor of it , not onely mans particular interest absolutly , but conditionally to all , and that as well the threatning of condemnation in c●se of unbelief , as the promise of righteousness in case of Faith , the receiver of the Sacrament seals not by way of assuring , or conveying , but engagement ●o the condition on his part yet not in esse , but in fieri agreeing to the terms of Christ pr●posed , expecting salvation if ever he have grace to perform his engagements , and yeildeth to be damned if not . 2. That the dig●adiations of Pae●obaptists one against another , are by Gods just judgement usefull to shew their iniquity in ●ressing o●hers to subscribe to their Dictates , which they oppose one anoth●r in . 3. That they do evidently prove that the argument is not good which th●y b●ing for infant-baptism to prove their covenant-right to the seal . For if infants be onely in the outward covenant , and baptism seal another covenant , then title to this seal comes not by bare interest in that . If it be a mutuall engaging seal , then it is no seal of an infant who doth not ingage ; if it seal the condi●ional covenant , and it belongs to all , then all may be sea●ed , if covenant interest intitle to the seal , if baptism seal absolutely to none till he beli●ve , then baptism is no compleat seal , and so no Sacrament to a man till he believe ; if it seal the threatning as well as the promise , th●n those sh●uld have the Sacrament to whom the threatning belongs , as well as those to whom the promise ; if it seal absolutely onely Gods generall truth , then it seals nones particular interest , and then none can claim title to it . 4. That most of their speeches are meer dictates without shew of proof , and that from the metaphor of the seal of the covenant , which the Scripture no where useth , and Mr B. thinks it the way to lose our selves and not to edifie , to make it the subject of tedious disputations , and to lay too great a stress on it . As for what he wisheth me in his Apol. against Mr. Bl. Sect. 80. to take notice of it , I reply to what he saith against my distinction of actuall & aptitudinal seal , I think it not worth while to reply to it , si●h I used that distinction onely to shew how Bellarmin might be answered without Mr Bl●kes way of conditionall seal : It is little material whether the Sacrament be called a seal actuall or aptitudinall , or no seal at all , the explication of my meaning before given is enough to justifie my words against any thing Mr B. hath or can object . As for that which he saith , That the question is not about the internall seal of the Spirit , but onely the externall seal of the Sacrament , which are two distinct things , I answer , the question is about my words whether they be true , which deny that God sealeth in every right administration of baptism , and affirm that he sealeth not but when it is admistred to a believer : And though it be true the seal of Baptism and the Spirit be two distinct things , yet I say God never sealeth by Baptism without the Spirit , nor can baptizing without the sealing of the Spirit be rightly according to Scripture language and truth , called Gods sealing . Let 's see what Mr. B. opposeth . His opinion I prove unsound , thus , 1. If the Sacrament rightly administred to an hypocrite , have all in it that is essentiall to Gods actuall sealing , then it is his actuall sealing , &c. But , &c. Therefore , &c. A seal is an engaging or obliging sign , or at least a testifying . He that actually useth a sign to such an end , doth actually seal . Now 1. God useth this sign . 2. And to this end . He useth the sign while his Ministers use it in his Name at his command ; for immediatly he never useth or applyeth it to any . 2. He commandeth it to be used to this end , to engage himselfe to make good his promises . For 1. To what other end should God command them ? 2 Else he should command them to be used to one end to one , and to another end to another , which cannot be shewed that he hath done , ( I speake of the end of the Ordinance , not of the event which God hath decreed shall follow . ) Answer . The Minor of this Argument is denied . And to the proof I say , 1. That it is not alwayes true , That he that actually useth a sign to such an end , doth actually seal . For if actuall sea●ing be actuall assuring ●as it is conceived to be 〈◊〉 Rom. 4.11 . whence this phrase is taken ) the actuall sealing must be denominated , not onely from the end but also from the event , as if God use a sign to comfort , he doth not actually comfort except the person be comforted . 2. That it is not universally true , that God useth the sign while his Ministers use it in his name at his command , but then when they represent his person . As for instance , when Aaron offered sacrifice , burned Incense , &c. which were to signifie Christ , they did these things in Gods name , that is , to his honor , at his command , yet I do not conceive it can be said that God did offer Sacrifice or burn Incense . And for baptism , though I confesse it is commanded by God to be done by his Ministers , and that it is to be done into his name , yet it is no where intimated as if they did it in stead of God , or Christ , as their act . 3. But let it be granted that baptism done right●y according to Gods command by his Ministers , is his act ; how is it proved that it is used by God to this end ▪ to engage himself to make good his promises ? For my part I read not any where in Scripture , that God used baptism for this end , to engage himself to make good his promises , nor doth Mr. B. prove that end by any passage of Scripture . And to his reasons I answer , 1. To the first , though neither I nor Mr. B. know any orher end , yet doth not this prove , that that is the end . Besids , if I should assign no other end , yet it were enough to answer Mr. B. his question to say , it is to try obedience , as in Abrahams offering his son . But Mr. B. might easily know if he would heed the Scripture , that there are other ends of God in commanding baptism ; to wit , the owning of Christ as our Lord , 1 Cor. 1.13 . Gal. 3.27 joyning all Christians into one body , 1 Cor. 12.13 . Ephes. 4 . 5· The 19 , and 27 Atricle of the Curch of England acknowledge this to be one end of baptism , to be a sign of profession , and to be a mark of difference of Christians from others . To the second , though it were granted to be absurd , that God should command the Sacraments to be used to one end to one , and to another end to another , yet this doth no whit prove that this is the end which Mr. B ▪ assigns for the fore-going reasons . Yet sure if infant-baptism were granted , baptism must needs be to one end , to wit , a sign of profession to the aged , which it is not , nor can be to an infant . Lastly if it yeelded that the end of baptism were to engage God to make good his promisses , it is a good argument against Mr. B. t●at God seals not actually to an hyppocrite , sith he doth not promise , and co●sequently not to engage himselfe , by the S●crament to make good his promise unto them . But Mr. B. adds thus . 3. If the promise be to o●hers besides believers , then so is the seal ( for to whom God promiseth , to them he engage●h himselfe to performe , but the promise is to others therefore &c. This will be evident if it be once understood that it is only the conditional promise which sealeth by the Sacraments [ if thou believe in the Lord Iesus thou shalt be saved ] ▪ For this promise is made to unbelievers , though the good promised is not to be enjoyed by any ●hat performe not the Condition . Thus I have fully proved in the foresaid Appendix to my Aphorisms : and will fall under the next question . Answer : I read , tha● to Abraham & his seed were the promises made or said , Gal. 3.16 . That the promise through the faith of Christ might be given to them that believe v. 22. Jf ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed & heires according to the promise v. 29. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great & pretious promises 2 Pet. 1 ▪ 4. The children of the promise are counted for the seed Rom. 9.8 . Strangers from the Covenants of promise Ephes. 2.12 . But this is to use Mr. B. His own words of my doctrine , str●ng and wild dostrine to say that God promises to unbelievers , the promise of salvation is made to unbelievers , that to them he engageth himselfe to performe : nor do I see how he can avoid Antinomianism , which he so much abhors , to wit the justification of Infidels , if i● be true , that this promise is made to unbelievers . Nor is he relieved by saying , the promise is made to them though the good promised is not to be enjoyed , For what is this but to say the promise is made to them by God , but not performed , which is to make God false ? Nor is he relieved by saying it is made conditionally only to unbelievers ( if thou believe thou shalt be justified . ) For this is equivalent to this he that bel●eveth shall be justified , and so the promise is made only to the believer : though it may be said to be offered , tendered , propounded as a Law , or ordinance of God to unbelievers . yet neither Scripture language , nor any other approved Au●hors speech , will I concieve warrant this speech , God promiseth , engageth himself to performe , this pormise ( of salvation , justification , ) is made to unbelievers . As for his dictates in his appendix , and the next question , the futility of them is already shewed . He goes on thus . 2. If God do no more in his actual calling to believers , than he doth when the Sacrament is rightly applied to hypocrites , then he actually sealeth to hypocrites . The major is proved by the enumeration on the severall acts . 1. God maketh the promise . 2. He commandeth ministers to publish it . 3. He hath instituted the Sacraments as mutual engaging signes or seals . He commandeth ministers to deliver or apply them to those that profess their consent , and desire to enter or renew the Covenant , ( This I need not stand to prove , beeing Mr. T. Here yeildeth that the giving of the Sacrament is the right act of the administrator , which it could not be except it were commanded ) as also the initiating seal to the children of those believing parents that will enter him into the Covenant , as is proved before . Now what act more than these doth God performe to the elect or believers . Answ. It was assayed to be proved before , but not proved that God commandeth ministers to deliver or apply the Lords Supper to them that desire to renew their Covenant , or baptism to believers infant children ; what I said of the right act of the administrator I spake perticularly of baptism . Nor is it true that God maketh promise to hypocrits , or commandeth ministers to publish it , and how is it from Scripture speech , or truths to say , God hath instituted the Sacraments as mutual engaging signs or seals , and how destructive this is to infant baptism is shewed before . To this puestion , I answer , The witness of the spirit is a further act of God necessary to his sealing as I meant my words , and express my self in my Postscript . Sest : 21. Pag 153. what saith Mr. B. to this ? Jf it be said that he add the seal of his spirit ; that is nothing to the question , seeing we are speaking only of the outward seal . Answ. though Mr. B. spake only of the outward seal , yet he should have spoken of the inward also . If he would have opposed my saying , he should have proved that God actually seals by the outward Sacrament without the inward testimony of the spirit , till then , he spake nothing to the question . But saith he . Jf it be said that he assureth the conscience of the truth of the promise , and maketh the outward seal effectual . I Answ. 1. That is still the inward seal , and so nothing to this . Answ. He should rather have said it is all in all to this , sith my words denie Gods actual sealing withou● ▪ 2. That is the making of the seal successful , which is nothing to the sealing : If you seal a deed of gift to three men and one believeth it , and another doth not believe it , and another doth half believe it , yet this doth not make it no sealing to him that believeth not ; you seal equally to them all . Answ. 1. However it be in mens sealing , yet Gods actual sealing is still effectual , they seal only to the eye , he to the heart , 2 Cor. 1.21 , 22. 2. He makes no deed of gift but to believers , nor seals to any but them Ephes. 1.13 . and ●4 . 30 . Rom. 4.11 . and 8.15 , 16. 3. And God doth not alwayee assure the elect or believers , but they oft conclude hardlyer against themselves than others do that have . So that I desire Mr. T to produce any one act which God performes to believers , and not to others , which may appropriate the name of sealing to them . Answ. though God do not alwayes actually seal to believers , yet this doth neither prove that his actually sealing is uneffectual , nor to any others . Mr. B. hath answere to his demand , and were it not that I much pitty the souls of many ministers and poeple who are by this notion of [ seal of the Covenant of grace ] partly perverted to uphold and continue as manifest a Corruption as ever was in the Christian church , I mean infant-baptism , being by all , most by Mr. B. Confessed to be without institution and example in Bible , parly perplexed about delivering and recieving the Lords-supper , it would much trouble me that I have spent so much time de lanâ Caprinâ , a new devised notion ▪ But overshooes over boots , I must needs add few lines more in answer to Mr. B. whose page 1●6 saith thus . And by this the former question about sealing conditionally may be decided : which Mr. T. darkneth with a m●ze of words ; and addeth [ That God seals not conditionally in this sense , as if he left it to a mans liberty to whome he had sealed to agnize or recognize that sealing or to free themselves if they please , and so nullifie all : yet so as to afford them awhile the favour and privileige of being in Covenant with him , which Mr. M. He concieves meant by his conditional sealing ] Heare are more things heapt up , then will be satisfied in one answer : therefore I say 1. it is improperly called liberty of the will which consists in an indifferency to good or evils as Gibeouf and Bradwardin &c. will teach you . 2. more improp●rly is the nullif●ing of the Covenant called a freeing themselves which is an enslaving themselves . 3. And the violating of the Covenant is not fitly called a nullifying of it . 4. Yet if you will needs use those terms ; I say that God sealeth the conditional promise to thousands that shall perish , and le●veth it to their own choise , whether they will recognize and continue , and be faithfull to the Covenant ( giving them onely the common grace : ) which men do prove unfaithful to , & break the Covenant , and so p●rish for treading the blood of the Covenant under foot . And doth Mr. T. thinke that no wicked men perish as Covenant-breake●s with Christ ? Answer . I am so used to Mr. B. his snarling at me , that I think it not worth while to take notice of all the noise he makes , and methinks a wise Reader should be no whit moved with these frivolous accusations of me , as darkning the thing with a maze of words ( which is a pretty phrase ) which are very few and very plain , intimating as if ▪ I would needs use those terms though improperly , which were used of necessity when I was to set down M M. his meaning , not as mine , but his , even his very expressions , except it be to observe the quarrelsom vein he was in when he wrot that book against me . If the expression be not proper , let him blame Mr. M. yet let it be observed , that the speech of the nullifying the covenant , was neither mine nor Mr. Ms , but nullifying all , which is to be understood of the sealing and priviledge mentioned . As for his reference of me to Gibeo●f and Bradwardin to shew the impropriety of the use of the term [ Liberty ] I am not likely to be taught by them , except I had the books ( one of which I have lost by the plunder of above three hundred bookes never recovered ) and Mr. B. had given me better directions where to find my Lesson . I conceive it liberty of will properly so called , whereby men are moved to chuse evill , though the persons be in a state of servitude , John 8.33 . Else it were not penall to chuse evill . And for what Mr. B asserts , I have shewed before that Gods covenant of grace is neither made nor sealed by God to any but the elect ; and I say , that though wicked men may perish as covenant-breakers with Christ , that is , as breaking their own covenant or promise with Christ , yet no man ever breaks the covenant of grace , that is Gods new covenant or promise of saving grace in Christ , it being the very end of the making of the new covenant , that whereas the old occasioned God to complain of Israel as not continuing in it , there might be another covenant established or made a Law on better promises , that it might be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which we read faultless , but more rightly Plaintless , that is , not occasioning God to complain by reason of the breach of it , as the Author to the Hebrews plainly shews , Heb. 8.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , &c. And this is expressly called Gods covenant to turn away ungodliness from Jacob , Rom. 11.26 , 27. So that to deny the promise of the first grace of regeneration , conversion , or effectuall calling to be properly Gods covenant of grace , and to make a conditionall after to be Gods Covenant of grace , and to say Gods covenant of grace may be broken , and persons with whom it is made not continue therein , is to alter or deny the new covenant , and to make voyd the grace of God and the comfort of his people , and to my understanding to symbolize with Arminians . Mr. B. adds , 5. It is unworthily said , That God affordeth these but a while the favour and priviledge of being in covenant with him , seeing it is their own wilfull act to cast themselves out of this priviledge ; they might have continued it , and proceeded further in it if they would . Answer . I agree that it is unworthily said ; but by this censure though he aim at me , yet heedlesly he hits Mr. M , whose speech this was . But whoever be in the fault , it seems while the rod is in Mr. B. his hand , I must be lashed . Yet Mr. B. his reason is so far from proving it unworthily said , that it seems rather to be worthily said , that God affords them but a while the favour of being in covenant with him , sith it is their own wilfull act to cast themselves out I rather think it unworthily said , because God should fail them to perform his covenant of putting his fear into their heart , so as that they shall not depart from him ; nor his covenant be everlasting contrary to Jer. 32.40 . 6. Saith Mr. B. Yet withall we affirm , That to his elect God freely giveth , as leave , so a will to enter sincerely into Covenant with him , and faithfully to keep covenant , and so the continuance of the priviledges of the covenant Answer . If Mr. B. had as the Scripture doth , ascribed this to Gods covenant , and understood the difference between the covenant of grace under the Gospel , and the nationall covenant made with the people of Israel , much of the opposition between us had been saved . But sith things are as they are , I am resolved with Gods assistance to try his strength in what is yet unanswered of his second main argument , after I have examined the remainder of what Paedobaptists say after the old way of arguing from Covenant and Seal . SECT . XXXVI . Christianity is not by Birth , or the Church , nor the Church at Civill Corporations , as Mr. M. his equivocation in the use of the term Covenant of grace . I Return now to Mr. M. whom I meet in his Defence , pag 119. passing over my six Arguments , and thus answering me , I joyn with you that it is an error to say , that all infants of believers indefinitely are under the saving graces of the Covenant , for although I find abundance of promises in the Scripture , of Gods giving saving grace unto the posterity of his people , and that experience teacheth us , that God uses to continue his Church in their posterity , and that Gods election is more among their seed than others , yet neither to Jew nor Gentile was the Covenant so made at any time , that the spirituall part and grace of the covenant should be conferred upon them all . Which if true , then all have not interest in the saving grace of the Covenant , but so many as are elect , and then the baptisme of them all cannot be deduced thence : And for the conditionall covenant , it is either to all , or believers onely , and baptism by it must be of all men or onely believers . And for a third covenant , which they call outward , Mr. Baxter against Mr. Blake , pag. 66 , 67 , and elsewhere before cited , hath proved it to be a signment , and consequently there is no such to be sealed by baptism which may justifie baptizing of believers infants , as their priviledge . Nor , if the covenant of saving grace be not made to all believers seed , can the certainty of their salvation , dying in infancy , be thence gathered , nor is the promise of salvation made to a believer and his seed universally , then is the Anabaptists sentence no more bloody than Mr. Ms , then do Mr Bailee and others , in pri , nt and pulpit clamorously abuse them , accusing them of cruelty to infants of believers , & robbing parents of comfort concerning them , when in truth we are as favourable in our sentence of infants as they , and do give as much comfort as we truly can . As for the visible membership which he ascribes to infants of believers in the Christian Church , it will appear to be but a fancy in the examining what Mr. B. brings for it . I objected , that if the child of a Christian be a Christian , then Christians are born Christians , not made Christians ; whereas it was wont to be a current saying , Christiani non nascuntur sed fiunt . And if the Covenant of grace be a birth-priviledge , how are they children of wrath by nature ? To this Mr. M. answers , It is his birth-right to be so esteemed , to be reputed within the covenant of grace , or a member of the visible Church , and alledgeth , Gal. 2.15 . Rom. 11.21 . Naturall branches , that is visible Church-members . To which I say , were I to write as a Geographer , I should reckon the people of England old and young for Christians , but as a Divine I should not so speak : forasmuch as the Scripture no where calls any other Christians than disciples and professors of Christianity , Acts 11 , 26. & 26 , 28. 1 Pet. 4.16 . The term [ Jew by nature , Gal. 2.15 . ] is not as much as visible Church-member by nature , but by natural birth of that nation : nor is the term [ Naturall branch , Rom. 11.21 . ] as much as visible Church-members by nature , but onely descendents as branches from Abraham the root , that is the father by naturall generation . To be a visible Church-member I never took to be all one with ; to be in the covenant of grace , but to be in the covenant of grace to be the same with a Child of the promise , which is expressly contra-distinguished to a child of the flesh , Rom. 9.8 . The distinction of the outward and inward covenant is shewed before to be vain , and to serve onely for a shift . I said in my Examen Christianity is no mans birth-right , and this I proved in that no where in Scripture is a person called Christian , but he that is so made by preaching . I said , it is a carnall imagination , that the Church of God is like to Civill Corporations , as if persons were admitted to it by birth , which my words shew to be meant of the Church of Christians invisible , as well as visible : Nor is it to the purpose to prove the contrary that Mr. M. tells me , The Jewish Church was in that like Civil Corporations . For I grant it was , the whole nation being the same Politick and Ecclesiastick body , but this Church-state was carnall as their ordinances ▪ whereas the Christian Church hath another constitution by preaching the Gospel . Mr. M. his cavill at my words , [ In this all is done by free election of grace ] had been prevented , if the following words had been recited and according to Gods appointment : nor is God tied , or doth tie himself in the erecting and propagating his Church to any such carnall respects , as discent from men , Christianity is no mans birth right . ] Mr. M. shews not that God hath made it so in his Christian Church by any ordinance , that the child should be baptized with the parent , and therefore the objection still stands good . The speech of Mr. Rutherf●rd ▪ are Mr. Cotton . and not to be reconc●led without making contradictories true . My answer bea●s not against the reason of the holy Ghost Gen. 17.7 . Nor is it true but that the holy-Ghost makes this his argument why he would have the male children circumcised , and thereby reckon'd to be in Covenant with him , because their parents are in Covenant with him , but it is refused by M's . own Concession pag. 182. That the command was the formal reason of their being Circumcised . Yet this was not it which I called a carnal imagination , but the speech that it is in the church of God as in civil Corporations . Mr. M. pag. 123 takes upon him to defend his speech , that in the time of the Jewes , if God did reject the parents out of the Covenant , the children were cast out with them . Against which I excepted that parents might be Idolatries , Apostates from Iudaism , draw up the foreskin again , and yet the children were to be circumcised , which he denies not but saith , Is it not evident in the Iewes at this day , that they and their children are cast out together . I grant this , but this doth not make good his own assertion or overthrow mine . Then he tels me , If I would shew the falsity of it I should have given some instance ; not of parents , who remain Gods people in external profession , though their lives might possibly be very wicked , but of some who were cast off from being visible professors , and yet their Infants remain in the visible society of the church , or of some who were visibly thus taken in , and their infants left out . Answ. If he meanes this of the christian church it is easie to give instances of Infants of those who have turned Papists ▪ Mahometans , excommunicate persons , who are accounted baptiz●ble by vertue of their Ancestors faith , or for defect thereof because nation●s ●s Mr. Rutherfurd affirms in his Temperate plea ch . 12. concl . 1. arg . 7· But Mr. M. his speech was of the time of the Iewes , and of their times before Christ he must needs say the same ●●less he will acknowledg Idolaters such as Ahab , Ahaz , &c. to have remained still Gods people in external profession . He concluds the reply to the fift Section of my Examen thus , But instead of this you still go on in your wonted equivocation of the word Covenant of grace taking it only of the Covenant of saving grace , not including the external way of administration with it . Answ. I do confess I do so take the word Covenant of grace , not knowing any other Covenant of grace under the Gospel ▪ but that which is of saving grace and concieving I should speak false , and nonsense if I should include in the Covenant of grace the external way of administration . But to charge me with wanted equivocation whom he accuseth elswhere for destinguishing so much , and equivocating in the use of a terme only one way ●s a ridiculous charge , it being all one as to accuse a man of nonsense because he speaks good sense , to say I do equivocate because I do not equivocate . For he that useth a word onely in one sense doth not aquivocate , equivocation being when a word is used in more senses than one . Falla●ia aquivocationis est quando ex unius vocis multiplici fignificatione sophisticè concluditur . Dr. Prideaux Hypomn . Log : tract : 4. c. 7. Sect. 2. Arist : Sophist : Ele●ch . l. 1. c. 3. reckons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or equivocation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when with the same names and vowels we signifie not the same thing . which evidently proves Mr ▪ M. guilty of equivocating from his own words . For in the first conclusion of his Sermon he distinguisheth the covenant of grace for substance ( which he makes the Covenant of saving grace ) from the externall way of administration , and yet blames me for not including it . And if he by covenant of grace include the way of externall administra●ion , how could he say in his Sermon , pag. 26. in the recapitulation of his two first conclusions , If the covenant be the same , and the children belong to it . Sure he will not say the way , of externall administration is the same : Wherefore from his own words he is deprehended to equivocate in the term Covenant of grace , in the first conclusion meaning by it the covenant of saving graces , and distinguishing it from the externall administration , but in the second conclusion when he saith , children belong to it , he understands not the inward but the outward covenant , not the covenant of saving grace , bu● the way of externall administration . And yet he dare not say , the ●nfant children of Gentile Christian believers belong to it , that is the same way of externall administration , for that is in the Jewish Legall Rites . Asemblys Confess . of Faith , chap. 7. Art. 5. Therefore he sophistically equivocates in the use of that term , which is his frequent manner , and yet he is not ashamed to accuse me of that , of which his own words acquit me , as if he had learned the Artifice in scolding to call another that first of which himself might be detected . Nor is Mr. M. clear from equivocating in what follows , in which I find mu●h confusednesse and ambiguity . CHAP. XXXVII . That the promise Gen. 17.7 . proves not an externall priviledge of visible Church-membership , and initiall seal to infants of Gentile believers , as Mr. M. asserts AFter twenty pages spent about the explication of his second Conclusion , having varied it five or six times , and as I have shewed in every of them still speaking ambiguously even then when he tells us , he speaks as plain as he can possibly , I pitch upon this which is pag. 116. as his second Conclusion , Having said , Infants of believers are made free according to Abrahams Copy , he thus expounds himself , True , according to the promise made to Abraham , I will be a God to thee and thy seed , that look as Abraham , the Proselytes and their seed upon their visible owning of God and his Covenant , had this visible priviledge for their posterity that they should be accounted to belong to Gods kingdom and houshold with their parents , so it is here . By which words it appears , thar Mr. M. took this to be Abrahams Copy ( as he calls it , that according to the promise made to Abraham , I will be a God to thee and thy seed , Abraham and his seed , the proselytes and their seed upon their ( the parents ) visible owning of God and his Covenant , had this visible priviledge for their posterity , that they should be accounted to belong to Godt Kingdom and Houshold with their parents . 2. That so it is in the Christian Church by vertue of that promise I will be thy God and the God of thy seed , Gen. 17.7 ▪ Gentile believers upon their visibly owning of God and his Covenant , have this visible priviledge for their posterity , that they should be accounted to belong to Gods Kingdom and Houshold with their parents . Concerning which Conclusion I say still Mr. M. useth ambiguities of speech , there being divers Covenants of God , to wit , the Old and the New , and divers wayes of visibly owning God , as by sacrificing , circumcision , &c. by Baptism , the Lords Supper , frequenting the Church meetings of Christians , &c. divers kingdoms and housholds of God , as the whole world , and his Church , the visible or invisible , which might occasion various senses of Mr. M. his words . But I ghesse his meaning to be thus ; As the Jewes and proselytes being circumcised , their children were to be so also : so Gentile-believers being baptized , their children are to be baptized as visible Church-members ; which being the same with the Antecedent of Mr. M. his Enthymeme , and the consequent , it is evident Mr. M. his argument is a meer trifling tau●ology , as I have often said . But I shall not insist on it , having in my Apologie , Sect. 10. and elswhere shewed it , That which I shall consider chiefly in his glosse on Gen. 1● . 7 . which to me seems as ( or more ) absurd than the glosse of Papists , Thou art Peter , and on this Rock will I build my Church : i. e. The Bishop of Rome shall be my Vicar generall of the Oecumenicall Church . For 1. according to Mr. M. his Glosse , [ Thee , that is , Abraham , to whom the words were spoken ] is put for without all rule of Grammar or Divinity , or as they speak in Logick supponit by [ every Jew , or Proselyte , and every believer or Christian Jew or Gentile , who doth not visibly own God and his Covenant . ] 2. According to this glosse the naturall seed of proselytes though but visibly owning God and his Covenant , are called Abrahams seed , without any use of Scripture , which speak of no other seed of Abraham but 1. Christ , Gal. 3.16 . By excellency so called , 2. by grace the elect , Rom. 9.7 . 3. Believers , Rom. 4 . 1● , 12 , 16 , 17. Gal. 3.29 . 4 By nature , Gen. 21 ▪ 12. Psal ▪ ●05 . 6 . Gen. 15.13.18 . Neither o● which are proselytes who do onely own God and his covenant . 3. The promise of God to be a God to Abrahams seed is thus expounded , The naturall seed of Abraham and the naturall seed of Proselytes , and of Gentile Christians visibly owning God and his covenant , shall have this visible priviledge , that they should be accounted to belong to Gods Kingdom and Houshold with their parents . In which paraphrase I note what he calls to be accounted to belong to Gods Kingdom a visible priviledge . Now [ to be accounted ] I must refer to some person who doth so account , and the accounting must be either an act of opinion , or science , or faith , and then to be accounted to belong to Gods Kingdom , is not a visible priviledg , but invisible , it being in the thoughts of anonother , and the sense should be , I will be a God to thy seed , that is men as v. 9. administrators shall in their thoughts take proselytes and their children to belong to my Kingdom , or it is some outward trans●unt act , and then it is an initial seal , or I cannot conceive what it should be : if an initial seal either of Circumcision or Baptism , if either of these , then this promise [ I will be thy God and the God of thy seed ] hath this sense , I will bring it to passe that thou , thy seed , proselytes , believers of the Gentiles and their seed , even infants , shall be circumcised or baptized . If any can make any other sense of the words , I shall be his debtor . And if this be the sense , then the promise is made a pre●iction of infant-Circumcision and Baptism , which whether it be not a ridiculous exposition , I leave it to any considerate man to judge . The Apostle , Rom 9.6 , 7 , 8. where he expounds this very Scripture , understands being a God , of saving grace according to election , and by Abrahams seed the elect onely . Rom. 4 11 , 12.13 , 16 justifying of believers by faith , Gal. 3.16.29 . inheritance and blessing to believers thro●gh Christ Jesus . Our Lord Christ , Luke 20 , 36 , 37 , 38. Of being the children of God and of the resurrection . Mr. M. his self in his Sermon , pag. 7. makes these words a promise of salvation to the infants of believers dying in their infancy . pag. 10. he saith , The substance of the Covenant on God● part was to be Abrahams God , and the God of his seed , to be an all-sufficient portion , to be an all-sufficient reward for him , to give Jesus Christ to him , and righteousness with him , both of justification and sanctification , and everlasting life : And this he distinguisheth from the administration of the Covenant . Yea in his Defence of his Sermon , pag. 98. he conceives the right allegation of an expression of Cameron , That Circumcision did seale primarily the temporall promise , sanctification secondarily , to have an untoward look , as being inc●ngruous to a covenant of grace in Christ to ratifie temporall blessings , which they may have that shall have no portion in Christ. Hath it not then a more untoward look to make this pretended visible privilege to proselytes children though but visibly owning God and his covenan● , of having an initiall seal Circumcision and Baptism communicated to them , meant by the promise , I will be thy God and the God of thy seed ▪ Gen. 17.7 . Much more to call this the Copy of Abraham the Father of believers ? Not that I deny temporall promises in that Covenant , which I have proved to be mixt , but I allege these passages onely to show the inconsistency of Mr. M. his speeches . Besi●es , the promise were not true so expounded ; for if this were the sense ; I will be the God of the posterity of proselytes owning God and his Covenant , that they shall be accounted to belong to Gods Kingdom and his Houshold with their parents , then God doth promise that visible privilege to them ( for the words are a promise of an event , not a declaration of a right , and show what God would do , not what they might claim ) which in many he performs not , there being may of the seed of proselytes , that never had the privilege , and many of the children of Christian gentile believers , who never had the visible privilege of being accounted to belong to Gods Kingdom , whereas the word of God must be so expounded that it do not fall , as about this very text the Apostle resolves , Rom. 9.6 . Mr. M. Defence part , 3. pag. 127. saith , It was not a personall privilege to Abraham , no nor to Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob to have their posterity taken into covenant by vertue of that promise , I will be the God of thee and thy seed , and p. 129. This I add to make it more clear , that that promise Gen. 17. I will be the God of thee and of thy seed , is a Gospel promise , which from age to age holds forth some benefits even to the naturall seed of believers . Answer . 1. What Mr. M. means by Taking into covenant , is somewhat doubtfull to me by reason of his using the term Covenant sometimes for the outward covenant or administration , sometimes for the promise of God , and confounding these terms [ taking into covenant , being in covenant , belonging to the covenant , being covenanters , entring into covenant ] sometimes meaning these terms of the promise of grace , sometimes of the initiall seal termed by him the Covenant , and taking into covenant , being in covenant , belonging to the covenant , sometimes being understood , ( as they should always be ) in order to Gods act , who alone takes into covenant , and puts a man into covenant with himself ; but frequently , though abusively , by another mans act , a● the administrators act of Circumcision and Baptism , very seldom of being in covenant , or belonging to the covenant by the circumcised or baptized persons own act of promise , though in respect of it onely , in right speech , a person is said to be a Covenant●● , or to enter into covenant . Of which thing I have often , though in vain complained , it causing obscurity which a man who is a teacher of others should avoid . But concerning the promise , Gen. 17 7. I will be a God to thee and thy seed after thee in their generations . 1. I deny that Abrahams naturall posterity were taken into covenant , that is , circumcised , ( as I conceive he means ) by vertue of that promise , as I have often proved , and is in effect confessed by Mr. M. Defence pag 182. when he saith , The formall reason of their being circumcised , was the command of God. 2. I deny that under the term [ Thee ] is meant any other than Abrahams individual person . 3. I deny that under the term Thy Seed , is ever ●eant in Scripture the naturall seed of proselytes , or Christian believing Gentiles . 4. I deny that by the promise , I wil be the God of thy seed , can be concluded that which Mr M. asserts , That th●s promise Gen. 17.7 . I will be the God of thee and of thy seed , is a Gospel promise , w●i●h from age to age holds forth some benefits even to the natural seed of believer , or that this was Abrahams Copy , That upon his and the proselytes visibly owning God and his Covenant , their posterity should have this visible privilege , that they should be accounted to belong visibly to Gods Kingdom and his Houshold with their parents . Nor doth Mr. M. prove this sense of that promise , Gen 17.7 . either from the words , or their coherence , or by comparing it with any other Scripture as yeelding that exposition of it elswhere : but saith something pag. 127 , 128. of his Defence , to which ( though I have answered it sufficiently in my Postscript to Mr. Blake , Sest . 6. pag. 119. ) yet I repeat it with addition , because much of pleading of Paedobaptists is hence . First , saith he , though Abraham was the Father of the faithful , and so in some sense [ the root as you elsewhere call him ] yet the Covenant was made with him for his faiths sake , and believers are his children , and heires , and pertake of those priviledges and promises which were made to him : and therefore look as Abrahams faith justified him before God , and gave him interest in the spiritual graces of the Covenant , and none but himself , yer it was so beneficial and advantagious to his children , that for his sake they should be accounted to belong to Gods Kingdome and houshold , and partake of the external priviledges of it , and thereby be trained up under the discipline of it , and so be fitted for spiritual privledges and graces which God doth ordinarily confer upon them , who are thus tra●ned up , so shall it be with them who become followers of Abrahams faith , Ans. 1. Privileges of Abraham in that promise [ I will be thy God and the God of thy seed ] are either Evangelical belonging to Abrahams spiritual seed , that is elect persons or true believers ; or domestick and political , as that of multiplying his seed , the birth of Jsaac , continuation of his church in and from him in his inhereting posterity till Christs comming . the birth of Christ , deliverance out of Egypt , possession of Canaan , these belong to Abrahams natural seed , yet not to all but to the inheriting , not to Jshmael , nor the sons of Keturah . The former all are partakers of it who follow the faith of Abraham whether Iews or Gentiles , but none are in refference to these promises reckoned Abrahams seed , but those who are real believers in Christ. A Proselyte owning barely God and his covenant vissibly is not either Abrahams seed or partaker of the spiritual priviledges of sanctification , justification , salvation . The latter sort of promises belonged to Abrahams natural posterity , yet not to all but to the ●eed inheriting , nor to all of them , but to the Iewes , and in them for one of them to the line from whence after the flesh Christ came . None of these were made to the bare vissible Proselites and their children , though I grant their children where taken into the polli●y of Israel , and were to be circumcised and to eat the Passover , yet neither did this priviledge belong to them by vertue of the covenant , but the command , nor for their faiths sake as the immediate adequate reason ( for then these shou●d have belonged to pr●selites of the gate who beleived in God as Cornelius the Centurion , who was a believer , but they did not , for he was not Circu●cised , nor to be circumcised with his children if , he had any , nor blamed for defect of it ) but meerly ( so far as is exprest in Scripture ) because it was Go●s w●l● to have it so . Now Mr. M. brings not a word to prove either that the children of prosylites vissibly owning God and his covenant , or the natural post●ri●y of christian pro●essors of the Gentiles are either Abrahams seed , or have such an Interest in ex●ernal church privileges as Mr. M. asser●s by vertue of that promise , or tha● wha● agrees to Abraham in respect of ex●ernal church privileges for his faiths sake must agree either to only vissible prosylites , or christians , or real believers , but speaks like a dictator not a disputer . Nor is there any good consequence in this , what , agreed to Abraham for his faith's sake agrees to every believer , For then every believer should be Father of the faithful as Abraham was for his faith's sake . It is true that if the truth of Abraham's f●ith were the immediate adequate reason of external privileges as i● was of justification , it would follow them , what ex●ernal privileges agree to Abraham for his faith's sake should agree to every believer , but such believers then must be true real believers as Abraham was , not bare vissible prosy●i●s or christian professors . But surly Mr. M. means no more by [ for Abraham's faiths sake ] but this , that Abrahams faith was the motive or occasion God took to enter into covenant with him , nor was it simply his real true faith , but his remarkeable exemplary faith described Rom. 4.18 , 19. which was the motive or occasion of Gods entring into covenant with him , which is not verefied of every true believer , and the motive or occasion was not barely the truth , but the eminent degree of his faith . In my Postscript Pag. 119. I gave a like instance Matth. 16.18 , 19. the keyes of the kingdome of heaven , binding and loosing were given to Peter for his confession sake , yet it follows not the keyes are given to every one that makes the same confession as he did . And the reason because the confession was eminent and exemplary at a special time , and it was but the occasion , not the immediate adequate reason of that gift to him ▪ for that was onely the special grace and purpose of Gods will. 2ly , saith Mr. M. Abraham's natural seed prosilites of other nations could never by vertue of their becomming followers of Abraham's faith have brought their children into covenant with them so as to have a visible Church-member-ship , as we know they did . Answ. I do not know that the proselytes natural seed had the visible church-member-ship Mr. M. Mentions by vertue of the promise Gen. 17.7 . and their parents faith , but of Gods command Exod 12 48. 3ly saith he , And we know also that this promise of being the God of believers and their seed was frequently renewed many hundreds of years after Abraham , Jsaac , and Jacob , were dead and rotten , as Deut. 30.6 . so Esa : 44.2 , 3. so likewise Esay 59.21 . and this last promise your self acknowledg Pag. 54. to be intended chiefly of the nation of the Iewes , at their last calling in : And whereas you use to elude these texts by saying these things belong onely to the elect . when they come to believe , and reach not to any privilege which is external ; I reply , by the same answer you might cut off the seed of Abraham , Jsaac , and Jacob , for to believers then as well as believers now were these promises made . Answ : That which I say is no elusion of the texts , but so plain and evident , that Paedo-baptists of note do concur with me . Mr. Rich. Baxter . in his letter to Mr. Bedford in the friendly accommodation between them . To this and that which followeth I answer ; 1. These following arguments perswade me that you erre ; 1. no such promise ( tha● give●h certainly Cornovum or the first effectual grace to all the rightly baptized or to all the children of believers ) can be shewed in Scripture ; I will circumcise thy heart and of thy seed , seems to me to be none such 1. because els it should not be the same circumcision that is promised to the parent of the child : but there is no intimation of two circumcisions in the texr : one to the father , being only an increase or actuating of grace ; and the other to the child being the giving the first renuing grace : 2. the text seems plainly to speak of [ their seed ] not in their infant state but in their adult Deut. 30. For. 1. v. 2. The conditon of the promise is expressly required , not onely of the parents , but of the child●en themselves by name . 2. And that condition is the personal performance of the sam acts which are tequired of the parents viz : to returne to the Lord and obey his voice with all their heart and soul. 3. The circumcision of heart promised is so annexed to the act that it appeareth to be meant onely of those that were capable of the act v. 6. The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God So that it is not ment of those that are uncapable of so loving , And after , A new heart is given to the elect onely . By this doctrin you feign a new heart not to be proper to the elect , which is contrary to all the Anti-arminians that I know of . Out of which it plainly appears that Deut. 30.6 . Speaks not of an external privilege , but a spiritual grace proper to the elect , nor can be meant of the seed of believers in their infant sta●e , but in their adult . In the text Jsai . 44.2 , 3. speaking of Gods pouring his spirit on the seed of Jacob his servant . And Ieshrim whom he had chosen ( whom he bids not to fear ) and his blessing on his off-spring and that they shall spring up as amongst the grass &c. the terms Jacob and Jeshurim are taken not personally ( for it were in vain to bid Jacob dead long before not to fear ) but Collectively either for the nation of Israel , or the church of God called the Jsrael of God. Gal. 6.16 . In the former acception the seed and off-spring must be ment of the children of Israel , that is the Israelites by natural generation , and then the sense is ( as Mr. Gataker in his Annot. on that text ) my spirit , that is my blessing ( the one expoundeth the other ) whereby they and their state should thrive and flourish , and mul●iply , and increase , that had been almost clean exhaust and exceedingly impaired in a manner beyond al hopes of recovery before ch . 26.19 Ezek. 37.3 . 11 , 14. So of their land ch . 32.15 . and of their ●eed ch . 61.9 He followeth still the comparison taken from grounds well watered as ch . 58.11 . and the seed sown in soil ch . 32.10 ▪ In the latter 〈◊〉 he , it is a type o● that spiritual growth and increase of Gods church , and the members 〈◊〉 under the Messiah , by the graces and comfort● o● his spirit Acts. 9.31 . E●hes . 4.12.15 . Col. 2.19.2 ●et . 3.18 . S●e ch . 2● . 6 . and 37 . 3● . and 61.9.21 . Take it either way it makes no●hi●g for a● external vissible privilege from age to age belonging to the natural seed even o● 〈◊〉 believers : but in the first acception it n●●es a future multiplying of the Jewes then much wast●d , in the la●ter spiritual graces and comforts to 〈…〉 . And for the last t●xt Ames . Coro● ▪ Acts. 5 c. 2● versum vicesimum , quem in hanc partem Remonstrantes trahunt , in alteran part●m accipit Apostolus Paulus Rom. 11.27 . promissionem absolut●m & electorum propriam in eo Contineri manifestis verbis confirmans : Exterm●n nihil son●t spiritus meus qui est in 〈◊〉 . ●eminis etiam inculcatio solos electos & ●●●caciter vocatos notari docet Apostolo sic hunc citulum interpretante Rom. 9. ● . Gal 3.16 . & 4.28 . Mr. Gataker annot : on Esai . 59 21. thy seed ] the faithful the seed according to the promise Deut. 30.6 ▪ Rom. 9.6 , 8 Gal. 3.16.29 . Se Dr. Owen of Perseverance ch . 3. Sect. 41. ch . 4. Sect. 3. ch . 5. Sect. 9. ch . 7. Sect. 23. And for what Mr M counts absurd I yeild i● that my answer cuts off Isaac's and Iacob's natural posterity from these promises except they be elect . And as for Mr. M. deprehending me in absurdity and trifling such as I cenceive in Mr. Cottons● words , I tell him that his discourse runs upon a mistake of my words and meaning ( which he doth almost in every thing he repea●s of m●n● and censu●es out of hast to frame his book as I am willing to conceive . ) For where do I say that which he ascribes to me , and from which he would infer like triflin● and absurdity as was in Mr. Cottons speech , that God made this promise to Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob to be the God of them and their seed in all generations ? And yet if I had said it , such trif●ing as Mr. Cotton used , would not have follow●d on those words ascribed to me , unless I had said also , that Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob were put for every believer and [ ●heir seed ] had been meant in ●hat proposition ascribed to me , of their spirituall seed by faith . And for the close of that discourse in which he tells me , Thus by your own argument you cut off all the Jewes but such as were elect and inwardly holy , as much as you do the Gentiles from having any visible communion in externall privileges , I say Mr. M. fathers on me his own brats , first a proposition I deliver not , then an argument which was none of mine as he makes it , and then a conclusion I never owned , nor would follow on that proposition or that argument he would father on me . For if it were granted that I asserted that God promised to Abrahaham , Isaac , and Jacob , to be the God of them and their seed in all generations , and that my reasoning on Mr. Cottons words would prove this proposition must be meant onely of the elect , and inwardly holy ( as Mr. M. falsly imagines ) I do not cut off the Gentiles from having any visible communion in externall privileges , unless I had said the elect Jewes or Gentiles onely had visible communion in externall privileges by vertue of that promise , Gen. 17.7 . whereas I never said that externall privileges , as v. 9. of the initiall seal of Circumcision was proper to the elect , and inwardly holy , or derived it from the promise , Gen. 17.7 , but onely from the command , v. 9.10 . SECT . XXXVIII . Animadversions on the third Chapter of the first part of Mr. T. Cobbe●s Jus●● Vindic. Sect. 1 , 2 , 3. about Gen. 17. whereby his positions about Church-Covenant and externall privileges of the covenant of grace are refelled . TO how little purpose Mr. M. hath alleged the promise , Gen. 17 , 7. hath been considered ▪ I shall now view what Mr , Cobbe● Just. Vindic. part 1. ●hap . 3. brings for his doctrine of federal holiness of Church-members children from thence . First he begins , Sect. 1. with certain distinctions , The Covenant of grace , saith he , is considered either nakedly or as invested with a visile politicall Church covenant , if not explicite , yet implicite . We are to consider this place , Gen. 17. not so much in the former as the later sense ; God making of it with ference to the Church , which was to remain in the posterity of Isaac , v. 18 , 19 , 20 , 21. albeit at present it be to be contained in Abrahams own family , whence also he ordaineth an initiatory seal , and way of restipulation , to which they submitting together as one selected body collectively , and as members thereof distributively , they did implicitly make confession and promise to God and bind themselves in a nearer religious tie one unto another . Hence then renewed Deut. 29. 2 Chron. 15. & 30. & 34. Nehem. 10. Ezek. 16 , 8. Answer . It had been well if Mr. C. had defined the covenant of grace in this sense , and how it is fe●cht from Gen. 17.7 . that I might have known whether he takes it in the same notion which I do , whose Examen Mr. Cotton in his letter to me certified me that he was to examine . A covenant in the proper acception is a promise single or mutuall , the covenant of grace is Gods covenant or promise of grace , a term not used in Scripture , though agreeably enough to it . Every covenant of God may be well enough termed A covenant of grace . It was of his grace , that is , free favour , that God made any covenant with man in innocency , that he entred into covenant with the Israelites at the giving the Law at Mount Sinai : yet commonly Divines oppose the covenant of grace to either of these covenants . It is true there are who make the covenant at Mount Sinai the covenant of grace with a different administration , which to be a mistake , is shewed in that which follows . Usually difference is made between the covenant of grace and the covenant of works , or of the Law , which is agreeable to the Apostles expressions , Gal. 3.17 . & 4.24 . The one promiseth justification by keeping the Law , the other by believing in Christ. I for my part take the covenant of grace for Gods promise of Evangelicall saving grace , to wit , regeneration , justification by Christ , &c. according to the doctrine of the Author to the Hebrews , chap. 8 , 9 , 10 , 1● ▪ 12. & 10 , 16 , 17. which our Lord Christ calls The New Testament , Matth. 26.28 . I acknowledge also , that Gen. 17.7 . and elsewhere , this covenant was made to Abraham under c●vert expressions , which in their first and most obvious sense held forth other things . But I am put to ghesse what Mr Cobbet means by the covenant of grace , and in which words , Gen. 17. and in what sense he placeth the covenant of grace there . He speaks of a visible politicall Church-covenant , and conceives the covenant of grace , Gen. 17. to be invested with it either explici . or implicit . The visible poli●icall Church-covenant ( as I conceive from sundry writings of the New England Elders ) is , that promise of members in a particular Church gathered in a Congregationall way wherein over and besides the promise they make of faith in God , and in the Lord Christ , they explicitly or implicitly promise to each other to walk in holy communion of Gods Ordinances , and subjection to those that are over them with the members of the congregation to which they adj in themse●ves as members . Mr. C. supposeth this covenant as elsewhere so here , Gen. 17. to be included , I wi●h many others see no clear ground for such a covenant there or elswhere . Besides , what he means by the covenant of grace considered as invested with a visible politicall Church-covenant , if not explicit , yet implicit , is obscure ▪ [ Invested ] is as much as clothed , and it is used as a term of Law , as in the great question about investures into Bishopricks in former ages , and so it notes a legall admission . But in what sense the covenant of grace is said to be invested , is somewhat dark . This I conceive is the meaning , That the covenant of grace , Gen. 17.7 . is made to Abraham and his seed considered as joyned by a visible politicall Church-covenant . But I conceive such a position nei●her true nor safe : Not true , for no mention either explicit or implicit of such a Church covenant is here or in any of the places he cites . None ●here : For though God made the promise in reference to the Church which was to remain in the posterity of Isaac , v. 18 , 19 20 ▪ 21 , yet that Church might be joyned by common profession of the same God , without a promise explicit or implicit of walking toge●her in communion under an eternall politie . God ordained Circumcision as a sign of the Covenant made with Abraham : But in what words or f●ct there 's any implied way of rest●pulation , confession , or promise to God , I am yet to seek , much m●re wherein they did bind themselves in a nearer religious●ie one to another . For though God intended by Circumcision to bind them to leave sin and keep his precepts , and to direct them to look for the Messi●h ▪ yet that they by any word or act of theirs , did promise to do so , I find not there , nor is it likely that Ishmael did make any such profession or promise to God or to others of the family , considering his after carriage to Isaac , and his expulsion from Abrahams house . As for the other texts , Deut. 29.12 , 13 , there 's mention of entring into covenant with the Lord , not a word of entring into covenant one with another , much less of submitting to any outward Ecclesiastical governors or government . The same may be said of the Covenant , 2 Chron. 15.12 , 13. 2 Chron. 34 , 31 , 32. there 's a covenant to God mentioned , but not a Covenant to each other called a Church-covenant . 2 Chron. 30 There 's no mention of any covenant , but of keeping the Passover . Nehem. 10.29 , 30. it is said , They clave to their brethren , their Nobles , and entred into an Oath to walk in Gods Law : but that they entred into a covenant one with another , I find not . If the words , They clave to their brethren their Nobles , be meant of a promise to them , yet a promise of subjection to them as Ecclesiasticall superiors , of holding communion with them in ordinances for admission to Church-membership , I find not there , but an engagement with them to re●orm certain abuses : And then Ordinances ( not a Covenant ) were made to charge themselves with for the service of the Lord , Ezek. 16.8 . There 's no mention of mans promise to God , or to one another , but the promise of God to them , that he sware to Israel , and entred into covenant with them , and they became his . Nor is the position safe , that the Covenant of grace , Gen. 17.7 . is made to Abraham and his seed considered as joyned by a visible politicall Church-covenant : for then should not the proselytes of the gate , as for instance , Cornelius the Centurion be included in the promise of being a God to him , because it is certain he was not j●yned by a visible politicall Church-covenant to the Jewish Church , sith he was uncircumcised , and counted unclean , insomuch as that Peters going in to him , A●ts 11.3 . was conceived as unwarrantable for that reason . And what can be the issue of this doctrine , if received , but perplexing superstitious fears of their salvation in some , if they be not in Church-covenant , for without the promise of being God to a person , no man is s●ved , and injurious censures of those not in Church-covenant , as out of the way of salvation , which will make it like the grand Imposture ( ●s Dr. Morton calls it ) of the Romish ●hurch That out of communion with it is no salvation . I do not make such a Church-covenant unlawfull , for what we are bound to do , we may lawfully promise to do , nor do I deny its expediency and usefulness , especi●lly if it be not in too strict and intangling a form . But I think there 's no suffici●nt proof that it is of Divine institution , or the form of a particular Church ei●her in resp●ct of its tru●h or purity , much less that it is a condition of interest in the covenant of grace , as if the promises thereof were m●de under that condition . But I conceive this speech of Mr. C. he●e together wi●h ●hat other excepted against m● by me in the first part of this Review ▪ pag. 92 are very dangerous . I go on . Again , saith Mr. C. That Covenant of grace is considered either in it self , or its administration ; to which purpose Circumcision is called the Covenant , partly because it was the sign and seal of the covenant of grace , Gen. 17 11 , 12 ▪ 13 ▪ partly too , because it was the covenant of grace in the administration of it , Ier. 13.11 . & Isai. 24. & Zach. ●1 . 10 . hath reference to the covenant of grace , both as invested with the Church covenant , and in respect of Church administration thereof . Answer . The administration of the covenant of grace is to me no way intelligible but thus , that by it is meant the administring the promise it self , which I know not how it should not be done but by making or writing , or some other way representing or recording it , or the things promised in the covenant of grace , to wit , justification , &c. which may be done either by Divine authority & power conferring or bestowing , and this none can do but the eternal Father , Son and Spirit , or by way of signification , revelation or assurance of them , so I confess the preaching of the Gospel , and in some sense the Sacraments ( as they are called ) may be termed Church-administrations of the covenant of grace . But this seems not to be Mr. C. his meaning , for he saith , Circumcision is called the Covenant , partly because it was the sign and seal of the covenant of grace , Gen. 17.11 , 12 , 13. partly too because it was the covenant of grace in the administration of it Which words are an in●pt tautology , if to be the covenant of grace in the administration of it , be not somewhat beyond being a sign and a seal of it ; and sith circumcision is said to be both , circumcision must not onely sign and seal the covenant of grace , but must be the administration of it , which how it should do but by conferring the grace of it , I know not . If it be that way , it must do it either ex opere operato , or ex opere operantis : if this later way , then how do infants receive grace by it , who believe not , nor do any other act pre-required ? if the former , it is the same with the tenent of Popish Doctors . And for the text , Gen ▪ 17.11 , 12 13. his own words , pag. 43. refu●e him when he s●i●h , Every one that ha●h read Catecheticall doctrine will say ▪ that when in one verse it 's said of Circumcision in their flesh , that it was his covenant in their flesh : It is an usu●ll Metonymy in speaking of Sacraments to call the outword sacramenntall sign and seal by the name of the thing signified and scaled , pag 44. Circumcision is b●t a branch of the covenant , or condition of the covenant on their part . As for the tex● Jer. 13.11 . there 's not a word of ci●cumcision in 〈◊〉 , onely it is said that God had caused to cleave to him the whole house of Israel , as the girdle cleav●th to the ●yns of a man , but to refer this to circumcision is frivolous ▪ God had by his Covenant , Providence and actings for them in wonderfull ma●er made them to cleave to hi● , That ●hey might be unto him for a people , as i● follows in the v●rse . In the other text , Isai. 24 5 it is said the Iews had broken the everlasting covenant ▪ which if it be und●rstood of the covenant of grace , then may it be br●ken , a●d persons may fa●l from grace ; if of circumcision , as Mr. C. seems to und●rstand it ▪ then it is no more but they had uncircumcised ●hemselves , which were both fa●se : for at that time and after , even unto this day , ●he Iewes keep the ordinance of circumcisioon very strictly , ●nd frivol●s as if this h●d been the great ma●ter for which the earth mourned , did fade away , languished , was utterly emptied and spoiled . But ●the covenant here is meant of the covenant of ●he Law a 〈…〉 ▪ which was everlasting , that is , to continue as long as their p●●i●y stood , Exod 24.7 , 8. as Ex●n . 27 , 21 , & 12.24 . & 28.43 , 2 Chron. 6.2.2 . & 7.16 . the word [ for ever ] is used for a long time , or the continuance of the Iewish S●ate . So Jer : 11 , 3 , 4 , Jer : 31 , 32 , they are accused to break the covenant at m●un● Sinai by disobedience , chiefly by idolatry , and therefore neither of the T●x●s yeild any thing to prove circumcision to be the covenant of grace in the administration of it . That Gods breaking of his Covenant , Zach 11.10 : hath no reference to the Covenant of grace , either as invested wi●● Church-covenant or Church-administration thereof , is shewed above , Sect 25 , in the right administration of it . The distinction he makes of being in the Covenant intentionally and 〈◊〉 I allow , nor do I deny the distinction o● being in Covenant internally and savingly , and onely externally in respect , of men , though I find not Ishmael any where said to be in the Covenant , and the promises Rom. 9.4 . are meant of the peculiar promises to the nation of Israel , by the Covenants are meant the tables of the Covenant as Beza in his Annot. on that place , however all there said is meant of the Israelites only as is shewed before Sect. 29. and therefore this place makes nothing for Christian Gentile professors being externally in the Covenant of grace as Mr. C. imagines . Nor do I know any Text in the Scripture wherein that phrase is used of being in Covenant or having the Covenant belong to them externally only . The distinction of being in Covenant externally in their own or their parents right hath no proof in the new Testament , however it have in the old . The seed of Abraham by proportion is a new invented sort of Abrahams seed , no where Proselytes of old ( not true believers ) in their Generations ▪ and ( were ) visible inchurched beleivers in their Generations scil . parents & children together are terms Abrahams seed in Scriptue . That Deut. 29 14. notes the sorts of persons , not the individuats cannot be true ▪ for [ him that is here and him that is not here ] note individual persons distinguished according to their present and future existence . That Gen. 17 7. is meant of a Church seed indefinite or by proportion , is said , not proved by Mr. C. and denied by me . I pass on to his Conclusions . Sect. 2. I grant the first conclusion according to the explication I give in my Exercit. Pag. 2. in my Examen part . 3. Sect. 2. that the Covenant Gen. 17 7 ▪ was a Covenant ●f grace , and the same in nature with that Covenant of grace n●w h●ld ●orth to us . But Mr. C. hath a further meaning to wit that the Covenant as it is a Covenant of Evangelical grace contains a promise to a Gentile believere of the external privilege of an initial seal or external ●ight to outward ordinances to them and their natural seed , and accordingly saith Pag. 41 The Covenant then of the Gospel hath outward privileges of Gods Tabernacle annexed as wel as Abrahams Covenant , yea in that it 's the same with it . Which conclusion in this sense were manifestly false , for the Lord hath of purpose taken away such a Tabernacle according to Christs prediction Iohn 4.21 . that there might be no distinction of Iewes and Gentiles all having one access by one Spirit to the Father Eph. 2.18 . As for his proofs I intend not to construe every speech of Mr C. there being many of them if they be good sense yet very darke , but onely shew the impertinency of his Texts to this purpose . Le●i . 26.11 , 1● . Containes a promise proper to the Isralites obeying God v , as v 13 &c. and shewes , and it is a promise of that which is not now to be performed to us or setling his Tabernacle among us , the Tabernacle and Temple being now taken away since Christs incarnation . God hath setled no Tabernacle now among us but Christs body or heavens Iohn . 2.21 . Heb. 8.2 . and 9.24 or the C●urch of God. 1 Cor. 3.6 , 17. and 6.19 and his setling this Tabernacle or Temple is by saving grace , hath no reference to ou●w●rd Church privileges , such as Mr. C. means . Revel . 21.3 . is a promise of something to be performed in the last time whether at the calling of the Jewes , or after the judgment . whatever it be it notes another thing than external right to outward ordinances common to elect and Reprobate , though it be expressed by a terme illusive to the material Tabernacle of the Jews . Ephes. 2.11 , 12. It is said the Gentiles were without God in the world after their Conversion ; not because their children wanted an external right to an initial seal , for Cornelius the Centurions children and such Proselytes of the gate wanted such a right , and yet were not without God in the world ; but because they knew not the true God , and his will concerning them that believe in Christ , Piscat : Analys : loci , or or worshiped not the true God after , his will as the new Annot. even as Galat. 4.8 the Galatians before their Conversion are said not to have known God , but to do service to them that by nature were not Gods. Exod. 29.45 is a promise to the Israelites whom he brought out of Egypt v. 46. and from whom he had sanctified A●ron and his sons . Revel . 21.4 . as v. 3. is neither m●●nt of ou●ward ordinances , nor of an esta●e which is yet pertaining to the godly who are still under persecutions . Levit : 26.41 , 42 , 45. Certain promises of restoring the Israelites from Captivity and bringing them back to Canaan as v. 43 , 44. shew . Zech. 9.11 . whether meant of temporal deliverance or spiritual it is another thing than outward ordinances , in the former sense it is proper to the Jewes carried to Babylon , in the latter to the elect onely . The like may be ●aid of Gen. 17.5.5.8 Psal. 111.5 . Ierem. 33.31 , 51. ( likely v. 35.36 . ) 2 Cor. 6.16 ▪ 18. Exod. 3.6 . compared with Levi● 20.37 , 38. Heb : ●1 . 6 . In none of wh●ch their 's a word of a right of Infants or meer professing parents to the visible administration by vertue of Gods Covenant Gen : 17.7 . to be Abraham and his seed ; nor doth it follow because God saith my Covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting Covenant Gen : 17.13 . therefore ou●ward ordinances and right to them as then are to be perpetual , for then Circumcision of which those wods are spoken must con●inue still , but ra●her as Mr : L●y in his Annot : on Gen : 17.13 . The Covenant may be said to be everlasting in respect of the spiritual part for which Circumcision was ordained , and in respect of the long continuance of the outward ceremony . If Ezek : 37.25 , 27. be meant of the Jewes calling in the time yet to come , and the same phrases be used , yet that ei●h●r the promise should be meant v : 25. of their childrens having ●n in●●ial seal , v : 27. their having a material Tabernacle or Temple and outward ordinances as in the former time is but a vain conceit : For then they must by the same reason have David the son of Iesse to be their king . wherefore as by David is meant Christ typified by David , so Circumcision is continued in the mortifying of sins Col. 2 11. and Gods placing his Tabernacle is as Piscat : sch . in Ez●h : 37.27 . The gratious inhabiting of God in the hearts of the elect 2 Cor : 6.16 . And if because in the new Testament such allusive phrases are found as are in the same language with those used in the old , therefore such outward things are imported by them as were in the Law , then outward privileges , offices , rites should be meant by presenting our bodies as Sacrifices , being Preists to God &c. It is in my apprehension a manifest Anti-evangelical and Iudaizing assertion which Mr : C. hath , that the Covenant of the Gospel hath outward privileges of Gods Tabernacle annexed as well as Abrahams Covenant , yea itn that it is the same with it . Sect : 3 ●● when he saith Conc : 2. that the Covenant of grace Gen : 17. is to be considered as invested with Church Covenant , it is such an ambiguous expression as I know not well how to understand what I imagine to be the meaning I have refuted before in this Section . Nor doth that which is here said , that there is mention of this Covenant to be kept by them v : 9. and further expressed in one particular thereof v : 10. and that this was required as an initiatory sign incorporating them into one instituted Church body , wherby they were made capable of further Church-ordinances and other duties which lay upon them virtually by it , prove the Church-covenant he speaks of , unless it be proved ( which I think he cannot do ) they did tie themselves thereby to walk with one another in holy Communion with subjection to their Superiors as a distinct visible political Church . SECT . XXXIX . Animadversions on Sect : 4. of the same Chapter : whereby the Co●ceits of Mr. C about external being in the Covenant of grace are shewed to be vain . Sect : 4 Mr. C. sets down this conclusion , that there is a bare external being in the Covenant of grace of persons who possibly never shall be saved . But he no where shewed in Scripture either the term Covena● of grace , or the phrase of being in the Covenant of grace externally or in●ernally . Did Mr : C. and other Paedobaptists distinctly set down 1. What th●y mean by [ the Covenant of grace ] 2. What they mean by [ being ex●ernally in the Covenant of grace ] whether it be any o●her thing than to be Baptized or Circumcised , and what it is distinct from one of these or Title to one of them . 3. By what act ●t is that a person is externally in the Covenant of grace , whether Gods or his owne , or others as v. 9. The administra●ors , parents , or the Churches , we might more easily judg of his position . If he mean no more than this , that there is a being in the Covenant of grace in respect of men , that is , men as administrators and others do think or judg some to be in the Covenant of grace , that is , that God hath promised saving grace to some to whom he hath not , I grant it , and I might say in the like manner , some are excernally elected , regenerated , justified , adopted who are not so savingly . And I should grant that such as are taken to be in the Covenant of grace by reason of th●ir own profession of faith in Christ are rightly judged by us to be in the Covenant of grace and may be baptized , though perhaps they shall not be saved . But such as are taken by us to be in the Covenant of grace without Gods promise or act of their own Profession of faith , by an administrators of baptism and others mistake . Concerning the promise Gen : 17. As if it were made to every believing Gentile by profession inchurched , and his natural seed as Abrahams Church seed ( as Mr. C. calls them ) are not therefore rightly judged to be in the Covenant of grace , nor rightly judged to be fit subjects of baptism which appears to be Mr : C's . meaning by his words Pag. 51. when he saith , the Covenant is theirs externally and quoad homines considered as invested with Church Covenant , and in reference to Covenant-ordinances whereof they are capable as of old they were of Circumcision and are now of baptism . Let us consider what Mr. C. brings to this purpose . what he saith the promise is said to belong to those Jewes Rom : 9.4 . on whom yet the word took no saving effect v : 6. is not right . For v : 4. is not meant by [ the promises ] he promise by excellency called the promise of the spirit Gal : 3.14 . given to Abraham v : 17. distinct from the Law v : 18. But the peculiar promises which are made to the Israelites upon the obeying of the Law that they should possess Canaan , liue long in it , and prosperously as Deut , 5.16 . and 28.3 , &c. For all that which is said Rom : 9.4 . is meant of what was proper co the Israelites after the flesh . But the Covenant of grace is established or made a Law on better promises Heb : 8.6 . And the phrase Rom : 9.6 . [ not as if the wo●d of God had taken none effect , which is word by word , not as if or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it may not be , that is : it is not possible , or it may not be yeelded that the word of God fell or was not verified ] is meant not of the promises , v : 4 , but of the promises mentioned v : 8. to wit that Gen : 17.7 . Which he doth not say did belong to any exte●nally on whom it had no saving effect : but supp●se it to have been verefied and made good to all to whom it was made , who in Go●s intention were only the elect , ca●led therefore Children of the promise v : ● that is those that were bego●t●n by the promise , not to every child of Abraham by natural generation , in particular not to Ishmael , nor Esau. Nor is it right which he adds , Hence Rom : 9.4 . By opposition to the Gentiles , hey ( the Jewes meant v : 4. ) where those which were not strangers to the Church , but of it , if he mean it of the Christian Church . I grant the Jewes were not strangers to the covenants of promise , but in the same , Eph. 2 : 11 , 12. But that all the Gentile believers and their children were then that which they were not before , is not a ●ight collection . For as they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , uncircumcised in the flesh , so th●y were still ; nor were they ever of the polity of Israel . And if the Covenants of promise be meant of the Tables of the covenants , and if the word [ promise ] be placed thus ( as some place it ) not having hope of the promise , they might be still said to be strangers from the Covenants . However , if then they were acquainted with , and partakers of the Covenants of promise , this can be understood of none but true believers and the covenant as it was spiritual , which is nothing to the being externally in the covenant of graces . Mr. C. adds , Hence God makes his covenant with them all , Deut. 29 : 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. speaking there of that solemn renewall of the covenant of grace , as Deut. 30 : 6 , 10 , 12 , 13 ▪ 14. compared with Rom. 10 , 6 , 7 , 8. evinceth . Answer . The more ample discussing this place , and vindicating my Exceptions from what Mr. B. replies , I reserve till I answer his Plain Scripture proof , &c. part 1. c. 17 and his Corrective , Sect. 5. For present I say , If God did make his covenant with them all , and it appears to have been the covenant of grace , as Deut : 30.6 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14. compared with Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8. evinceth , then all must be not onely externally in the covenant of grace , but also internally : For the promise Deut. 30.6 . is to circumcise the heart to love the Lord , cannot be expounded of the external being in the covenant of grace , but internal . Mr B. in his Friendly Accommodation , A new heart is given to the elect onely , which is all one with the circumcised heart . He goes on , So Ezek 16.8 . He made a covenant with that Church and people , many whereof proved very base , as that chapter sheweth . Now this was a covenant of grace , albeit invested with Church-covenant , as appears in that v. 60. That God for that his Covenants sake considered as his , will deal so graciously with them after all their provocations , as v. 62 , 63. Albeit he did not thus properly for the sake of that investure of his covenant annexed , scil . thy covenant , the Churches covenant abractively considered , v. 61. See more Ezek. 36. from v. 17. to the chapters end . Answer . The thing that Mr. C. should prove is an externall being in the covenant of grace quoad homines . But Ezek. 16.8 . neither speaks of the covenant of grace , but the covenant of the Law , which was made in mount Sinai Junius the new Annot : refer to Exod. 19. & 24. Piscat . Schol. in locum , visitari te per Mosen , educendo te ex Aegypto , & pangendo tecum fedus , atque ita ducendo te in uxorem : Nor is this meant of externall being in covenant in respect of men , but of Gods promise to them , as the words plainly import , , I sware unto thee and entred into covenant with thee , saith the Lord. As for the reason why the covenant v. 8 must be the covenant of grace , because he will deal graciously with them for that his covenant , v. 60. it goes on this supposition , that the covenant v. 8 , is the same with the covenant v. 60. But Piscat . Schol. on the place reckons that v. 60 , to be the covenant made in the times of Araham , Isaac , and Jacob , and Levit. 26.42 , leads to it . But were it granted to be the covenant by Moses , it follows not that the covenant must be the covenant of Evangelicall grace . For in Moses his renewing the covenant in the land of Moab , there 's a promise of reduction of them , Deut. 30.3 . which being upon condition of their returning to God , and obeying his voyce according to all that Moses commanded that day , must be understood of the Covenant of the Law , which had its promises of such temporall favours , and not of the covenant of Evangelical grace . That which Mr. C. saith , That he did not thus properly , for the sake of that investure of his covenant annexed , scil . this covenant , the Churches covenant abstractively considered , v. 61. I know not what sense to make of it . There 's not a word of Church-covenant , or investure with it . The plain meaning is either this , Not by that covenant of the Law which thou hast broken , but by the new covenant of the Gospel , as Junius in his Annot. in locum , Diodati , the new Annot. or this as Piscat . Schol. in locum , not because thou art worthy of this aggregation of the nations , as if thou hadst kept covenant with me , as if he had said , but of my grace or free favour , or as Grotius ▪ It is a Metonymy as if it were said , not because on thy part thou hast stood to the covenant . I have seen Ezek 36. from v. 17. to the chapters end , and I see nothing there to Mr C. his purpose to prove a bare externall being in the covenant of grace ▪ There 's not the word Covenant in all the passage : But on the contrary , there are promises , v. 25 , 26 , 27. of a new heart giving his Spirit , which as Mr. B. saith truly , is proper to the elect , and notes an internall being in the covenant of grace . There 's little but muddiness and impertinency in the rest . He speaks of an externall being in Christ , John 15.2 . ( which is not denied in respect of profession of those that are so ) and of an externall partaking of Christ , for which it's likely he cites ( not as it is printed , Heb. 13.14 . ) but Heb. 3.14 . But sure that partaking is a saving partaking to which is required the holding fast to the end the beginning of our confidence . For an external partaking may be without condition . The Jewish refusers , Ios. 1.11 . are called Christs own , either by kindred or right to them from the old engagements of them to be his by their Ancestors , or by vertue of this redeeming them from Aegypt , the land of the North , or some other way . Surely not because they did externally belong to Christ , or were externally in the covenant of grace & were to be baptized . For they expresly denied Christ , and rejected the counsell of God against themselves being not baptized by Iohn , Luke 7 : 30. I grant there is an externall being called , Matth : 22.14 , but this not competent to infants : I doubt whether Heb : 10 , 29 , be to be interpreted of an externall being sanctified quoad homines in respect of others by the blo●d of the Covenant . The New Annot : say thus , In regard of the meritorious sufficient satisfaction purchased by it . Piscat : Schol. in locum per quem vide batur esse sanctificatus quamdiu , scil . Christum confitebatur . Dictum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , I think it is meant of the same sanctification of which he speaks in the same chapter , v. 10.14 . ch . 13 , 12 , to wit , an effectuall sanctification by remission of sins , and purging their consciences from dead works , chap : 9 , 14 , ( which alone , and not an externall sanctificacion I find ascribed to the blood of the Covenant ) and the person there said to be sanctified with this sanctification not in reality but according to his profession and opinion of himself , as Luke 15.7 . some are said to be just persons that need no repentance , that is , according to their own profession and opinion . The purging from sin , 2 Pet. 1.9 . was externall I grant , not inward in the heart , yet it was not a mere purging by the outward ordinance of baptism , but their own profession , and partiall reformation of themselves not competent to infants . 2 Pet : 2. ● It 's doubt●ful whether it note an external being purchased by Christ , or a purchase by Christ onely sufficient , or an effectuall purchase , yet said of them onely according to what they professed and conceived of themselves , as Luke 15 , 7 , Heb : 10 , 29 , or others conceived of them . That Deut : 33 , 3 , should be meant of an externall Saintship , is supposed , not proved , though it it were applied to the body of Israel , yet it might be understood in respect of the better part , that the people were called Gods Saints . Psa : 50 , 5 , The Saints of God , and those that had made a covenant with him by Sacrifice were Israel . vers 7 , & it is true there were many hypocrites ; but as the new Annot : God in respect of his elect calleth the whole body Holy , Saints , and his people , not meerly from an externall Saintship . To which I add , if it be referred to the covenant , Exod : 24.8 . to which Mr Ainsworth in his Note on the place directs ▪ it was the covenant of the law , not the covenant of grace which is meant , Psal : 50 , 5 , It is true , There are invisible Churches , which are as Isaac was , Children of the Promise , Gal : 4 , 28 , Children of the Gospel-church , v. 31 , & 26. But that this should be verefied in all the members of the Galatian Churches , unto whom Paul wrot that Episte , Gal : 1 , 2 , is not true , nor is it proved by Mr C , that the Apos●●e spake what he saith , v ▪ 28 , 31 , of every member of the Churches of Galatia . It is true that Ierusalem above is the mother of us all : but that [ us all ] should signifie every profession of the faith in the Churches of Galatia , is false : for then every one of them should be born after the spirit , v : 29. and inherit , v. 3● . The new Annot : on Gal : 4.24.6 . therefore say , The Christian Church is the mother of all the faithfull who are heirs of the kingdom of Heaven whether they be I●wes or Gentiles . So that to be mother of us all , Gal. 4.26 . is not to be mother of every professed Christian in Galatia , but of so many as held the right faith with Paul , and were born after the Spirit . Thus in like maner Rom : 8 , 3 , 21 when it is said , who spared not his own Son , but gave him up for us all , it is not meant of every professor of Faith in Rome , but all the elect and true believers , as that which follows in the same verse and verse 33 shewes : So that we need not assert ei●her that every professor of faith in the Galatian Churches was a child of the Jerusalem above effectually and savingly , or that there were some particular visible Churches in which were no hypocrites ( which yet may be true notwithstanding the Parables Matth : 13 and 25. or 1 Tim : 3 , 15. compared with 2 Tim : 2 , 20 ) o● that such as are savingly interessed in the Covenant of grace , should fall from grace , or that all were externally and according to men children of the promise , as Mr C ▪ speaks . Heb : 4 , 1 , 4 , proves not that the promise of grace and glory may be to one as his legacy or portion externally and according to men , of the saving good whereof it is possible one may fall short . For though there be mention of a promise left , yet not of a promise left to any that come short of it , unless by being left be meant propounded or tendered onely . Antipaedobaptists do grant they admit false brethren to baptism and the Lords Supper , called by Mr Cobbet seals of Church and Covenant fellowship , but it is not in them to admit them into the fellowship of covenant , meaning the covenant of grace ; for that is Gods peculiar . We admit them to baptism on this ground , not because to us they are in covenant ( we suspend any judgement about their interest in the covenant , as being out of our cognizance , and no Rule for us to admit or keep back from baptism ) but because we know them to be professors of faith in Christ. If by Blanks be meant such as to whom the promise of the covenant of grace is not made , and by Seals , Baptism and the Lords Supper , we think we do ordinarily put seals to a blank , nor do we make scruple thereof , or think it true that the seal must follow the covenant , or that Gen : 17.9 10 , 11 , 13. Acts 2 , 38 39. 1 Cor : 11 , 25 prove it . That it is not taught Gen : 17.7 , 10 , 11 , 13 , Ast : 28 , 39 , is shewed in the fore part of this Review , Sect 5 ▪ and in this part , Sect 5 8 , 13 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 37 , and elswhere , 1 Cor. 11 , 25 ▪ the cup in the Lords Supper is called the new Testament in Christs blood ; but that all , or onely those who are in the covenant of grace must have the the cup , is not proved thence , and the falshood of it is shewed above often . We do not say when we admitted persons to baptism , we judged them to be in the covenant of grace , else we had not admitted them ; but we knew they professed faith in Christ , and so were Disciples of Christ , and thereupon admitted them according to our Rule , Matth. 28 , 19 leaving it to the Lord whether they be in the covenant of Grace or no , we being not directed to enquire whether they were in the covenant of grace , but whether believers and disciples by profession . I for my part agree not to it , that either according to Scripture , or the best Protestants any are said to be children of the promise , or that the covenant of Evangelicall grace in the N. T. confirmed by Christs blood , is made to them , or belongs to them besides the elect . Such Doctrine gives great advantage to the Arminians , undermines perseverance in grace , and the Polemicall Doctrine of our choice Divines , as I shewed Ex●men part 3. Sect. 4. and elswhere in this part of the Review . Mr. Norton , Mr C. his Colleague , commended by Mr Cotton with Mr Cobbet , as a prime writer in the New English Churches , Resp. ad syl . quaest . Apollon . p. 30. saith , Objectum faederis gratiae sunt soli electi , objectum faederis Ecclesiastici sunt tum electi tum reprobi My own Tertulli●n in his book de Anima , chap. 21 , 22 , when he urgeth that Tex● , 1 Cor : 7 ▪ 14 , for a peculiar cleanness of believers children by privilege of seed , means not the federall holiness Mr C. teacheth , but holiness by reason of the freedom from that unholiness in their procreation , which the Infidels children had from the many gross idolatrous superstitions , by which they were defiled , and as it were ded●cated to the Divell , as I shew in my Apologie , Sect 16 , page 85. Paraeus , Peter Martyr , Bucer , Melancthon , Mr. Philpot , are all Neotericks . Cyprian , Gregory , Nazianzen , Jerom , Austin , though they did plead for Paedobaptism from the Argument of Circumcision , yet did not m●in●ain Infants covenant-estate , as Mr. C. but a necessity of baptism to Infants ready to die , because of the Text , The soul that is not circumcised shall be cut off from his people , Gen : 17 , 1● , Instances whereof in Augustine and others are many cited by Chamier Pausir . Tom : 4 , l : 3 , c. 3 , Sect 39 , 40 41. And they thought the Infant dying baptized was infallibly saved , whether believers child or not : As for others , they denied their entring into the kingdom of heaven , as I shew you in my Examen , part 1. Sect 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. I have often considered Zech : 11 , 10 , and I conceive the sense as Mr C. makes it of the covenant of grace in respect , at least , of the externall administration thereof amongst them , as verse 9 , and their externall right in that his covevenant , to be very vain : For if it be meant of the covenant of grace , then it is as much as to say , That I might not write my Lawes in their heart , forgive their sins , &c. as I ●romised them , Jer. 31.33 . and then God should break his promise , the●e should be falling from the covenant of grace , &c. If the sense be of the covenant of grace in respect of externall administration thereof amongst them , and their externall right in that his covenan● , then it is as if he had said , That I might take away Circumcision , the Passover , and the rest of the Temple-service , and the peoples right to them . ( For what is the externall administration of the covenant of grace ; but the seals , as they call them , and the rest of the service of the Sanctuary ? ) Now this neither agrees to the phrase ; for Circumcision is never called Gods covenant with all the people , and to break circumcision , what is it but either to draw up the fore-skin , and to forbid circumcision ? If this be referred to the time of Christs coming , this had not been a prediction of an evill to them , but of a benefit to be eased of that yoak , verse 9 , mentions not externall administration of the covenant of grace , or externall right there o. But whenever it was accomplished , whether at the siege of Jerusalem , or at some other time , it was the taking away of some who might be their protectors , whereby they were exposed to destruction ; which whether they were the Maccabees or some others , may be doubted . However , it is so frigid an interpretation to interpert it as Mr C. doth , that methinks he should be ashamed to blot paper with it . The Covenant ch 10. whether it were that Gen. 17. or that Exod. 19. or 24. or Deut. 29. ●t is certain it is meant not of the Covenant of grace common to all believers Gentiles or Jews , but of the covenant which he made with the Israelitish nation , which he brake by taking away their Leaders whether Governors or Teachers Maccabees or some other , and so exposing them to ruin by the Grecian or Roman Lords or some other . Psal. 44.17 . Dan. 11.30 , 31 , 32 , 33. to deal falsly in Gods Covenant , and to forsake the holy Covenant , and to do wickedly against the Covenant , do not intimate that Mr. C. would infer that there are some said to be in the Covenant of grace only externally . For to deal falsly in Gods Covenant is no more than not to keep Gods Commands , as the term Covenant is oft put Synecdochically Psal. 25.10 . and 131.12 . To forsake the holy Covenant , is to forsake the Law , to do against it , is to do against the Law , as Anticohus had imagination against the holy Covenant , that is the Law of the Jews . And that this is the meaning is apparent Psal. 44.18 . where v. 17. is thus explained , our heart is not turned back , nor our steps declined from thy way . This Covenant then was no other than the Law of Moses , the Covenant made in Horeb , specially the Decalogue , whence the Ark called the Ark of the Covenant 1 Kings 8.1 . the Decalogue the words of the Covenant Exod. 34.28 . And it is apparent in that Antiochus endeavored to compel them to break that Law , as to sacrafice to Idols , to eat Swines flesh and now this Covenant was not the Covenant of grace . For the Apostle plainly distinguisheth the Law from the promise 400 years before Gal. 3.17 . and the Covenant at Sinai is opposed to that of grace called the Jerusalem above Gal 4 24. Nor is there any difficulty in that which Mr. C. objects , that believers then might be in a free Covenant of grace , and at the same time under the contrary Covenant of bondage . For the believing Jews to wit David and the rest of those that believed Heb. 11. were under the command of the Covenant in Sinai . yet under the Ceremonial part , yea were not under the sentence or judgment of the Covenant of the Law so as to be justified or condemned by it . The everlasting Covenant Isai. 24.5 . is no other than the Law as is proved above . It is said Rom 3.3 . ( not 7. as it is printed ) If some believed not , shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect ? But the inference of Mr. C. is frivolous , the faith of God was plighted to them , and they were externally in the Covenant , though the faith of God took saving effect only in the elect and in the believing . For I would know what the faith of God was whether it were the Covenant of saving grace , or the outward Covenant ? If it were only the outward , how did it take saving effect in the elect ? Did the faith of God take effect in that which was never promised ? The outward Covenant me thinks Mr. C. should not say did promise saving grace , but externall right and administrations , therefore saving grace is not the effect of that Covenant . And indeed the outward Covenant is but a meer notion ( except understood Metonymically as Circumcision is called the Covenant as being the sign of it ) there being no faith of God plighted to any Gentile believer and his seed , wherein God promiseth that they shall be accounted visible Church members , and as having external right or enjoyment of Church administrations . If he should it would be false , many of them never attaining them or having right to them . If it were the inward Covenant in which God plighted his faith , then it took effect only in the elect and they only were in covenant . Nor doth Rom. 9.6 . intimate what Mr. C. dreames ; that the word , or Covenant of grace , took effect in all the Jews , in some externally , in the elect savingly . But as the stream of Protestant writers ( whereof some are alleged in my Examen part . 3 , Sest . 4. and others before in this part of the Review ) and the very words shew it took effect only in the elect , who are therefore call●d v. 8 , the Children of the promise distinguishingly from others , and the Apostle plainly resolves that the seed Gen. 17.7 . as not Ishmael but Isaac , not Esau but Jacob , and consequently no believers natural seed , except elected . As for Rom. 9.4 . it is often shewed that the Covenants there are meant of the Tables of the Covenant and the promises , the special promises made to the Israelites after the flesh , as is manifest v. 4.5 . expressing peculiar privileges to them distinct from what the Gentiles , though believers , have . which Mr. C. saith , the Covenant of grace and an outward Covenant are not two distinct Covenants : but the Covenant of grace made with the elect in respect of their saving interest in that , I wil be a God to them , the same is made with others in respect both of visible interest and the visible administration of it , I see no truth in it . For there is no Scripture that ever expounds , I will be a God to them , that is , they shall have visible interest , and the visible administration of it , that is , they shall be circumcised &c. many have the promise of saving intrest who neither have , nor ever had visible or visible administration as their language is of the Covenant of grace , and on the contrary many have no saving Interest , yet have the visible intrest and administration Mr. C. speaks of which in truth follows the command , not the Covenant . Nor is it consistent with Mr. C's . own suppositions , that a man may be in the external Covenan● who is not in the Covenant of grace savingly , that the one is only the visible interest and administration , the other the promise of saving grace , if they be not two distinct Covenants , For they must needs be distinct Covenants which are made to different persons of different things , as these are supposed to be by Mr. C ▪ himself . Nor doth Mr. C. prove by any text that there is any other w●y of entring into the Covenant of grace ordinarily , but by a true and lively faith . It is true Ezek. 16.20 , 21 , 23. the children of the Israelites were Gods children by special right as his servants Levit. 25.55 . because he redeemed them out of Egypt , and he had entred a special Covenant with them , and they the whole nation had also engaged themselves in a special Covenant to be his , and it is true the Covenants and promises were theirs Rom. 9.4 and they were the children of the Prophets , and the children of the Covenant which God made to Abraham Act. 3.25 . that is , the people among whom and out of whom Christ came , to whom he was at first made known , to whom the Prophets were sent ▪ but this doth not prove that they were all internally or externally in the Covenant of grace . They had no right to be babtized , yea the greatest part of them ( for this is spooken of the people of the Jews whether believers or not , even of them that offered their sons and daughters to Divils ▪ ) denied Christ , and were broken off by unbelief Rom. 11.20 . Gal. 4.28 . is impertinently brought to prove a bare external being in the Covenant of grace . For it is meant only of believers born after the spirit v. 29. who by the spirit do wait for the hope of the righteousness which is by faith Gal. 5.5 . It is not true that any of the 〈◊〉 members from the Churh of Ephesus Acts 20.30 . are said to be purchased by the blood of Christ. It was judged an abuse in Stapleton by Dr. Rainold , Apol. Thess. Sect : 20. to interpret the flock of God redeemed by his blood , of any reprobates . Of 2 Pet. 2.1 . I have spoken before . An externall being in the covenant of grace , quoad homines , by the parties profession , I never denied , but an externall being in the covenant of grace of believers infants by vertue of the parents faith in the New Testament , I still deny . Mr C. takes upon him to answer my Dilemma , Examen pag. 52. and tells me , The covenant is theirs externally and quoad homines , considered as invested with Church-covenant , and in reference to covenant-ordinances ▪ whereof they are capable , as of old they were of Circumcision , and are now of baptism . Thus it is theirs at present in respect of the visible faith and interest of the parent or parents in the covenant , and for the future it 's theirs in the further grace of the covenant upon condition of their believing if they do live to years of discretion . Answer . The position I intended to prove by the Dilemma , was set down page 48. That the Covenant of saving grace in Christ expressed Gen 17 7. in these words , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed , is not made to a believer and his na●urall seed , to which Mr C. his answer is , by telling me ▪ The covenant is theirs externally &c. which is to answer nothing to the Argument which proceeded against the asserting Gods Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . as a promise of saving grace to belong to a believers naturall seed . Nor doth he prove , but dictate that Gen. 17.7 . Ther 's a promise concerning the externall covenant , or to any Gentile believers naturall seed , or that there is any mention of Church-covenant , or that ●itle to Church-ordin●nces , as Baptism and Circumcision is derived from interest in the promise Gen ▪ 17.7 . Or that the parents visible faith or interest in the covenant , makes it the childrens : or that the covenant is such an ambulatory or revocable contract , as to be the infants for the present in respect of the parents faith ▪ but for the future it 's theirs in the further grace of the the covenant upon condition of believing if they live to years of discretion . These Dictates are hatched in Mr. C. his nest , but have nothing in the Text for them , nor doth he attempt to prove them in that chapter which is termed , The Explication of Gen. 17.7 , &c. In like manner he dictates in that which follows . I had said , if the covenant of grace to believers seed be absolute , then either God keeps it or not : ●f he do not keep it , then he breaks his word , which is blasphemy ; if he do keep it , then it follows , that all the posterity of believers are saved , contrary to Rom. 9.13 . Or if some are not saved though they be in the covenant of grace , there may be Apostasie of persons in the covenant of grace . In answer to which he tels me , God may be said absolutely to covenant with believers seed collectively and specifically considered , and yet all the individuall children not saved . It is absolutelely made , and made good that , that sort of persons shall be and are saved by virtue of Gods covenant , for some of them are infallibly saved : the covenant is to the indefinite collective seed or children in respect of internall saving interest : else none of them dying Infants should be saved . Whereto I reply , The promise is to Abrahams seed , Gen. 17. ● . But that the promise is to be a God to any Gentile believers naturall indefinite collective seed in respect of the internall saving interest , as such , is not true . The promise is not made indefinitely but definitely to Ahrahams seed , under whom none but believers of the Gentiles , or elect persons are meant , nor is it made specifically to a sort of men , but to such and such numericall persons as were Abrahams seed by nature or grace : Nor is it made collectively to any of them as part of the whole number of Gentile-believers naturall seed , but as Abrahams seed by grace , and if any of them be elect , it is made also to Gentile unbelievers naturall seed under the same consideration . It is true , some of the believing Gentiles seed dying infants are saved ; nor can we say that none of the unbelievers infants , dying in infancy , are saved , notwithstanding the Arguments brought to prove their perishing . But none of them are saved by virtue of a promise made to that sort of persons , that is , believers naturall children ( for there is no such promise ) but by vertue of Gods election , conformable to which is the promise of saving grace , Gen. 17.7 . as the Apostle expresly determines , Rom. 9.6 , 7.8 , and consequently as election is of individuall persons ( not of a collective indefinite specificall seed as Mr. C. speaks ) so is the covenant . M. C. goes on thus . Supposing they are the Israel of God , a part of the elect seed , yet the means of saving effect in and upon them , is the word of the Covenant , Rom. 9.6 . It 's through the effectuall word and engaged truth of God that that part of the Church are savingly purged , Eph. 5.25 , 26. Answ. I grant this to be true , yet conceive that Eph. 5.25 , 26. speaks of the word of promise , not barely as made , but also as accomplished in Christs performance , and published by preaching , whereupon baptism follows , by both which Christ sanctifies and purgeth his Church savingly by the one as the means , by the other as the sign . He adds , The covenant is to the individual seed of all and each of them in respect of externall interest , and yet many of them not saved . Answer . This is an exposition which is without proof , or example of the like , 1. That where God saith , I will be a God to Abrahams seed , he means other believers , even Gentiles naturall seed . 2 That he means this in respect of externall interest onely to some . 3. That some of those to whom he promiseth to be a God according to the covenant of grace in Christ , may not be saved . 4 That by Abrahams seed he meaneth in respect of saving effects , the indefinite collective seed of Gent●le-believers , so as that it is onely made good to that sort of persons ( which were true if none but Isaac and Iacob were saved ; For if the promise of salvation be onely to the sort of persons , it is made good in one or two of believers seed ) but in respect of externall interest to the individual seed all and each of them , yea though the parents be but hypocrites , and not savingly in the covenant of grace themselves . He goes on . Nor yet is Gods faithfulness impeached or impaired , nor need the faith of believers be shaken , if this or that child should prove , live and die wicked , the force of the covenant is not to be measured by the fatall miscarriage of many of Abrahams Church-seed . Answer . Neither is Gods faithfulness impeached , nor need the faith of believers be shaken , though all their chidren die wicked . It is not true , That the Apostles reasoning , Rom. 9.4 , 6. compared mentions any such Church-seed of Abraham , or takes them in as such , but onely the elect . Mr C. doth falsly charge his adversaries doctrine , as denying any interest at all to any believers infants in the covenant . I have often granted it to the elect , but to none as believers infants . Mr Baillee charged me with this thing , to which I answered in my Letter to him , Sect. 1. our doctrine is as comfortable as theirs when they speak truth . It is no Gospel but a dream to affirm what Mr. C. doth of Abrahams fancied Church-seed , though it be Gospel to say , God will be a God to Abrahams spirituall seed elect and true believers . SECT . XL. Animadversions on Sect. 5. of the same Chapter , shewing that Mr. C. his supposed visible interest in Gods covenant is not the rule in baptizing . SEct. 5 , Mr. C. sets down this conclusion , That the Church in dispensing an enjoyned initiatory seal of the covenant of grace , looketh unto visibility of interest in the covenant , to guide her in the application thereof . Nor is the saving interest of persons in view , which is her rule by which she is therin to proceed . Concerning which I say , that I grant it if the terms be altered into plainer expressions as thus : The baptizer in the admitting a person to baptism , is not bound to stay baptism till he know a person hath saving interest in Gods covenant of grace ; but it is sufficient , if he be a visible disciple or believer to admit him to baptism . And that M. C. may cease his wonder , he who confessed that it 's not to be denied that God would hav● infants of believers in some sense to be counted his , to belong to his Church and Family , & not to the Divels as true in facie Ecclesiae visibilis , &c. doth not oppose his fourth Conclusion reduced to the plain terms I have set it down 〈◊〉 . Yet there are sundry things in which I oppose him . 1. That he makes it the Churches business to dispense the initiatory seale ( as he calls it ) of the covenant of grace , which I ●ake to belong to him that is sent or used to make disciples by preaching the Gospel , not to the Church . 2. That he maketh the rule of baptizing to be visible interest in the covenant , which according to the institution is visible discipleship , or faith . 3. That he takes that person to have visible interest in the covenant of grace , so as to have right therby to baptism , who neither by extraordinary revelation from God , nor by any act of his own , but barely by his parents profession hath a pretended visible interest in the covenant . But let 's examine what he saith , because he seems to be the selected man in New England to plead for Infant-baptism . Whether John the Baptist did admit to baptism those which he knew would prove false and frothy , is doubtfull . Mr Norton Mr Cs. Colleague . Resp. ad ▪ Appollon . c. Prop ▪ 1. seems to hold the negative , and cites to that purpose , Paraus and Aretius . I agree with Mr. C. in his position , That person● may be bapti●ed upon visible profession without knowledge of the saving state of the party , yet I do not think Ananias and Sapphira , or Simon Magus were known hypo●●ites when ●hey were b●ptized , nor do I think the Texts Mr C. allegeth , Acts 21.20 , &c , or 22 , 20 , &c. or 23 , 12 , 13 , prove , that any of those baptized , Acts 2.41 , or 4.1 , 2.3 ; 4. were of the number of them that opposed Paul , or proved false . If Christ did say to Iudas that his body was broken or given f●r him , and his blood shed , it will be hard to avoid thence the proof of universall redemption . I think it the safest and most likely tenent that Judas went out afore the Lords Supper . For the Passover it was not administred to Judas by Christ , nor do I know what warrant we have to make it a seal of the covenant , or to belong to a Minister of the seals , as they speak . It was a rite instituted to remember the delivery out of Egypt , ond appointed to be used by each family without any other administration than the providing , slaying , dressing and bringing to the Table : If the Prist did any thing in it , it was at the Temple not at the Table , each person was to take himself according to his eating , Abraeham and Isaac did circumcise Ishmael & Esau rightly according to Gods command , which is the rule in administring ordinances , not covenant-in●erest . But that they did circumcise as Prophets or Priests at that time , to the Church in their families , it is said without proof . The business of circumcising was not the work of a person as a Prophet or Priest to his family , but did belong to the parent or some other in his stead , though no Prophet nor Priest. Chamier Paustr . cath . tom . 4 l 5 c. 14. sect 9 , 10 , saith , We read of no certain Minister of Circumcision either in the institution or elswhere , so that there 's no obstacle but that Zipporah , and the woman in the second of Maccabees , c. 6. might circumcise . So there is nothing read by which the immolation of the Paschal Lamb was wont to be done in each family , is prohibited , though no Priests were used . Ishmael and Esau , and Iudas , were not visibly interessed in the covenant ; being discovered by God and Christ to be such as had no interest in it . That a Minister cannot of himself admit to baptism , or reject from it regularly , but by and with the Churches consent , is dictated without proof . I grant that if particular persons saving interest in Gods covenant and promise of grace , were the Rule to baptize by , administrators could not observe the rule in faith , but doubtingly . But that such visible interest in the Covenant as Mr C. means , is therefore the rule to baptize by , follows not . What or where A. R. suggests to the contrary I find not , nor doth Mr C. tell us . What he adds , I say visibility of the parties interest in the covenant , I say not meer visibility of faith and repentance , is quite besides the Scripture , which never appoints persons to be baptized because of their visible interest in the covenant , but their visible faith and repentance . He tells us , The initiatory seal is not primarily and properly the seal of mens faith and repentance , or obedience , but of Gods covenant rather ; the seal is to the covenant , even Abrahams circumcision , was not primarily a seal to his faith , of righteousness , but to the righteousness of faith exhibited and offered in the covenant : yea to the covenant it self , or promise which he had believed unto righteousness . Hence the covenant of grace is called the righteousness of faith , Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8. The righteousness of faith speaketh on this wise , v. 8. and the word of faith . Hence albeit Abraham must walk before God , who is now about to enlarge the covenant to his as well as to make it to him in a Church-reference , Gen. 17.1 , &c. yet the initiatory seal in his as as well as their flesh , is Gods covenant , v. 13. or a sacramentall sign firstly and expresly of Gods covenant , v. 11. & 7. compared ; albeit it implicitly oblige him and them to other duties formerly mentioned . Hence Acts 2.38 , 39 , the seal of baptism is put to the promise as the choice matter and foundation in view , and as that was a ground of repentance it self ; repent and be baptized for the promise is to you , not , for you have repented as if that were the thing to be firstly sealed by baptism , but the promise rather . Answ. The inititory seal is a late devised term not found in Scripture and it is used upon an erroneous conceit as if the nature of Sacraments were to be seals of the Covenant , and baptism were the initiatory seal . But the term [ initiatory seal ] is chosen rather than the word [ baptism ] ( though it be the Scripture term ) by Mr. C. and others , that they may shuffle what they say in and out under the term of ininitiatory seal , sometimes understanding by it Circumcision sometimes baptism as if they were the same and what is said of the one were meant of the other , which is meer fallacious arguing . But setting aside Mr. C's lately devised term , the end of Christian baptism is in the first place , that thereby the party baptiz●d may testifie his repentance , faith and hope in Christ , love to the people of God , and resolution to follow Christ to the death . And this is proved in my Exercit : in the twelfth reason of my doubting about Pedobaptism pag. 33. in the 2 part of this Review Sect. 5. from these Scriptures Rom. 6.3 ▪ 4.5 . 1 Cor. 12.13 . Gal. 3.26 , 27. Ephe. 4.5 . Col. 2 12. 1 Pet. 3.20 . where the phrase of the answer of a good conscience , as Beza rightly observes in his Annot. on that place , alludes to the manner of the primitive baptizing after the answer to the questions propounded concerning the parties repentance , faith and obedience : which were held so necessary to baptism in the first ages of the Christian Church that none was baptized without it ; yea and when infant baptism came up even till our dayes , and in some places according to the Common prayer Book even to the infants the same questions are propounded , yea the Lutherans confesse that without faith in infants it is in vain to baptize them . The continuance of which questions , as Lud : Vives Comment : in Augustin : de civit : Dei l. 1. c. 27. rightly saith , proves the original use of baptism to be of those only that could answer those questions . In respect of which Basil and others call baptism the seal of faith , Tertullian of repen●ance , the sealing of faith , Chamier : Paustr : Cath. tom . 4. l. 2. c. 8. cites the treatise of the spirit under the name of Bazil ch . 12. saying , Confession goes before bringing to salvation , baptism followes sealing our consent . whence he infers thus manifestly salvation is ascribed to confession , but baptism is the seal of confession . No where that ever I could find among the Ancients is baptism termed the seal of the Covenant . Bucer on Acts. 2.38 . To be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ ▪ is by the sign of baptism to testifie that were the believers in Christ for remission of sins . Grot : Annot : on Mark. 16.16 . [ And is baptized ] he that believeth , and by baptism maketh profession of his faith . So that the profession of faith by it is the primary end and use of baptism nor is there any place of Scripture that I know which doth make the end of baptism to be the sealing of Gods Covenant to us ▪ And here by the way it is to be noted what shifting is used in this matter by Pedobaptist . They say the seal follows the Covenant and the parties interest in it , and this Covenant they make the righteousness of faith as Mr. C. here , but when they are pressed that then in vain are infants non-elect and non-believers baptized , who are not in that Covenant , they fly to an imaginary external Covenant , and visible interest in that as sealed by it , and there by a right to be baptized ; which yet by their own confession is not the Covenant of grace , nor by sealing that interest is the Covenant of grace sealed , for that is Gods Covenant of righteousness by faith , not the baptized persons Covenant , or his right . As for Mr. C's . observations here they are false and slighty . For neither is it true that it is hence ( because baptism is not primarily the seal of mans faith and repentance , but of Gods Covenant rather ) Abrahams circumcision was called a seal of the righteousness of faith : but the contrary rather is true . For if it were a seal of the righteousness of faith which he had yet being uncircumcised , it sealed rather his own faith , and the righteousness by it already obtained , than Gods covenant to him of something to come . And if circumcision be called Gods Covenant , yet it follows not that baptism is rather a seal of Gods covenant , than of mans faith and repentance . That which he saith of Acts. 2.38.39 . is as vain : For the promise is not alledged there as sealed in baptism , or giving any right to baptism , but meerly as a motive to them to repent and to be baptized in the sense I give Antipaedobapt . part . 1. Sect. 5. In this part of the Review Sect. 5.8.21 , 22 , 23 ▪ wherein Mr· C's frivolous interpretation is examined . And though the Apostle do not bid them be baptized because they had repented , yet he bids them first to repent and then be baptized . Infants have no visible title to baptism because they make no visible personal profession . Parental faith in the Covenant made to them and their children is but a delusion . What ever may be said of the texts Deuteronomy . 26.17 . Deuteronomy . 29.10 , 11 , 12. &c. Concerning taking it of children ( of which in the examining of Mr. B's remainder ) there is no visibility of infants Church-membership in the Christian churches mentioned in Scripture . I know not how the believing Gods testimony is the assent of charity . I still say there is no judgment of charity concerning infants who do nothing which may be interpreted to the better or the worse . Mr. C. if he had recited my words fully in my Examen Pag. 41. might have found my words to yeeld him no help for his fourth Conclusion . I pass on to the fifth . SECT . XLI . Sect. 41. Animadversions on the sixth sect . of the same ch : shewing that Christ is not head of any unsound members , no● parents profession of faith unites children to Christ so as to entitle them to baptism . SEct. sixthly he sets down this conclusion , That Christ is in Scripture considered as head of the visible Church in which are many members of Christ the ●ead in that respect , which prove unsound , as well as in other respects he is considered as head of the visible Church , wherein are none but elect ones . Concerning which I say , that part of the invisible Church which is on earth professing faith , being both visible and invisible , visible in respect of their profession , invisible in respect of their sincere believing ▪ ●t must needs follow that Christ is head of the visible , being head of the invisible Church in respect of those persons which are of both . And I grant that Christs headship being a Metaphor and nothing , sundry things as Superiority , Goverment , direction , union , participation● of the same life , sense , motion &c. In respect of some of these Christ may be said to be head of that part which is only visible , as in giving them officers , outward order , direction , help against persecutors &c. But that in Scripture Christ is made head to any unsound members I find not . Mr. C. urgeth Gal. 3.16 . that to Abraham and his seed were the promises made ; that is to Christ , yet not to Christ personally , for the promise of pardon of sin did not belong to him , and to Christ personall were not the promises made , but in him confirmed , Gal. 3.7 . with 16. But rather of Christ collectively head and members , Gentiles and Iewes , v. 14.28 . as Gen. 3.15 . The seed of Eve is Christ , with his members in and with him . Answer . I stick not to grant Gal. 3.16 , by [ Christ ] to be meant not onely Christ personally considered , but also collectively , as Beza , ●iseator , & others conceive ; yet I do not think the Arguments brought by them so cogent for that sense , but that it may be understood of Christ personall as a common person receiving promises for all his members . For the scope of the Apostle to prove Gen●iles and Jewes to have one manner of justification , is obtained by understanding the promises made to his person as a common person in behalf of all as well as to them as in him , and eternal life is promised to all the members of Christ if it be promised to Christ as a common person standing in their stead as the second Adam . As for Mr C. his reasons , the former is against his own opinion . For if by Christ be meant Christ collectively , that is , Christ and his Church , then the promises be made to Christs person with his Church ; for what is Christ collectively but Christs person with his Church . And if the pardon of sin be a promise , then it must be made known to Christs person included in Christ collective : Therfore either it must be said , that the promises were made to Christ collective respectively , to wit , some to his person , as that he would uphold him , raise him from the dead , give him glory , others to his Church , to pardon their sins , renew their nature , &c. or that Christs person had the promise of pardon of sin made to himself as a common person , but not for himself as needing it , but for his Church or in their stead , as 2 Cor. 5.21 . The promises might be said to be given to Christs person as a common person , Gal. 3.16 and yet confirmed in Christ as a surety of them , v 17. yet in this place the term [ Head ] is not used , and therefore not apposite to Mr. C. his purpose . But Mr C. propounds a question , Whether this in Gal. 3. & 1 Cor. 12.12 , 13. be spoken of the visible or invisible Church , and answers it , that it seems the places admit of the consideration of the Church as visible . First , in that the Apostle speaketh of all the Galatian Church-members as well as others as one in Christ , Gal. 3.28 . Now were all these members elected will any say ? I suppose not yet all are one in Christ their head . Answer . Mr. C. a little before said , Gal●3 ●3 . 16 , could not be made to Christs person , because the promise of the pardon of sin is not made to Christ personall , which goes upon this supposition , that the pardon of sin is promised to the seed , Gal. 3.16 . But sure this promise is made onely to the elect , not to all Galatian visible Church-members : Yea the very scope and coherence of what goes before and after , shew that the promises v. 16. were of the spirit , v. 1● . of the inheritance , v. 18. of life , v. 21. which are proper to the elect . And therefore to apply the speech , Gal. 3.16 . to the unfound members of the visible Church , sheweth meer oscitancy . Nor is it necessary that because it is said , Gal. 3.28 . Ye are all one in Christ Iesus , that this must be understood of every Galatian Church-member , but of all those of whom he had said , v. 26. That they were all the sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus . And after , v. 29. that they were heirs according to the promise , which is true onely of the elect of them . And for what he adds , Secondly in that he speaks of them all as sacramentally one with Christ in baptism , Gal. 3.27 , 28. compared , so 1 Cor. 12 , 13 , as if because he saith , they were all baptized , he meant it of all that are baptized , it is refuted from the very words [ by one spirit made to drink into one spirit , put on Christ ] which , if there were no more , do shew that these speeches though indefinite , yet pro subjecta materia , must be limited to those visible baptized persons , who were sincere believers , and united to Christ by his Spirit , and so those words , Ephes. 1.23 & 4.6 . Col. 3.11 . and many more are to be understood . And to the other reasons , That Christ hath headlike influences into the Officers and Members , many whereof are not savingly joyned to him , and that it is the Church wherein he hath set diversity of Officers , which is the visible Church , not the invisible . I answer , Christ as a Superior , and in some other respects , may have headlike influences of command , governing , &c. on some not savingly joyned to him , but not the influence of union by his Spirit , which is that which makes any members of Christ , of his flesh and of his bones , Ephes. 4.4 . & 5.30 . Nor is it true , that Christ doth not set Officers in the invisible Church , though it be true that he sets no Officers in the Church that is onely invisible , but indeed he sets Officers in the Church invisible , and chiefly to and for them , while they are visible . And therfore the Apostle , 2 Tim. 2.10 . said , He endured all things for the elects sake . Hence , saith Mr. C. Profession of Faith unites a man to Christ as head of the visible Church without sincerity . But the Scripture saith not so , that any is united to Christ as head without the inhabitation of the Spirit . Mr. C. adds . Hence also a pa●ent , making profession of Faith in the covenant of grace as invested with Church-covenant in reference to his children , it doth unite them also to Christ as head of the visible Church so far as to give right to solemn initiation of them into the fellowship of the church in circumcision as of old , or baptism , as now . Parents acts in this case being in the face of the visible church , their childrens acts ; ●s the places quoted , Deut. 26.17 , 18 , & 29.10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , & 16 , 16 , 17 , declared . Answer . Mr. C. tells us , Hence , &c. and this is the consectary he would infer from his fifth Conclusion , and minding discourse about it : But how from any thing said before [ That Christ is the head of the visible Church , that visible Professors , though not sincere , are united to Christ as visible head ] this follows , That Parents profession unites the child to Christ , so as to give him right to baptism , is a riddle to me . If it were formed into an Argument thus , If the visible professors confession of faith unites him to Christ as visible head , Then it unites the child so far as to give him right to baptism : But the visible professors , &c. Ergo. I should deny the consequence of the Major , and expect it to be proved ad Graecas Calendas , nor is there any proof in that which follows : For were it granted that the parents act were the childs act , yet it follows not that it is the childs act to give a right or title to baptism without an institution . None of the texts produced , no nor any other do shew , that the parents act of professing faith , did entitle the child to circumcision , much less to baptism . Cornelius his child was not entitled to circumcision , though he and his house feared God , was a devout man , gave much alms to the poor , and prayed to God alway , Acts. 10.2 . Even in circumcisi on the use of it had its rule onely from the command , as I have often poved . Not one of Mr. C. his Texts mentions the parents acts as entitling the child to fellowship of the church , but obliging to duty , Deut. 16.16 , 17 , there 's an injunction , That all the Males should thrice a year appear before God ; but this was enjoyned not to parents onely , but also to children married or unmarried . And if it prove any thing like what Mr. C. would , it proves rather the males act to stand for the females , than the parents for the children . More likely in this the younger males did appear insteed of the aged weak , & so the childs act went for the parents . However here 's nothing of the parents act giving right to initiation into fellowship of the Church , there was nothing required to that in the national Church of Israel but their descent . Deut. 26.17 , 18. there 's no mention of a parents act for his child intitling him to solemn initiation into fellowship of the Church . What is said [ Thou hast avouched this day the Lord to be thy God ] is not said to be done by the parents for the children , nor to be done to entitle them to solemn initiation into the fellowship of the Church . Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. whose act soever is mentioned whether of the parents , or Captains , Elders , Officers , or men of Israel . It was an act done in behalf of the nation both those born already and those to be born after , not to entitle them to initiation into fellowship of the Church , but to bind them the more firmly to their duty , and therefore none of these instances are to the point of parents acts in the face of the visible Church taken as the Childrens acts for solemn initiation in Church fellowship . Yet if they had , that this had been enough for baptism and Church-membership in the Christian Gentile Churches will not be proved , till the rule about Circumcision , and the constitution of the Jewish Church be a rule to us about baptism , and the Church-membership of the Christian Church , which neither agrees with Christs or his Apostles appointment or the practise in the N. T. nor with the new english principles of Church constitution & Goverment , but Judiazing notions opposi●e to the Gospel . What he saith the parents omission to circumcise his child is counted the childs act of breaking Gods Conant Gen. 17.14 . depends on this that the parents omission of circumcision is the childs act of breaking Covenant . but many Protestant Divines and others understand it of persons of years as Piscat . Schol. in locum . Diodati , new Annot. Grotius &c. And though Chamier counted it to be understood of the Infant Tom 4 Paustrat : Cath. l. 3. c. 2. Sect. 20. &c. Yet he expounds the verse passively thus , the male , the flesh of whose foreskin is not circumcised that soul shall be cut off from his people : my Covenant is broken . Either way expounded it is inpertinent to Mr. Cs. purpose . they that expound it ( as Aben Ezrae , apud Christoph. Cartwright on the place ) of the parent understand both the fault and the punishment to be his . It is true Iohn . 4.50 , 51. Matth. 15.22 , to 29. Mark. 9.12 , to 18. parents believing is accepted for the cure of children , and so Mark. 2.5 . the faith of the bringers of the palsy man was accepted , but this doth not prove a title to baptism by the parents confession any more than by the Midwives or Gossips bringing to the Fo●● ▪ nor was it the confession of faith , but reality ; though not known to men , which Christ lookd on , so that if this be a good reason ▪ the Fathers praying in Secret though not in the face of the visible Church should give Title to Baptism . After many dictates without proof he tels us , As the Covenant laid hold on by the lively faith of gratious parents as made with respect to their elect children hath mighty force to effect very gratious things in the elect feed , yea albeit dying young , as sundry of those elect ones of Abrahams race did Rom. 9.6 . yea so as to make their outward washings to become effectual in Christ to an inward cleansing Ephes. 5.25.26 . yea so as to bring in and bring home many of such covenant-children . Whence those revolters beloved for their covenant-fathers sake as such , Rom. 11.28 . and hence made as a ground of their return ▪ v. 15 , 16. so is there such validity in the covenant invested with church covenant , albeit but unworthily oft-times held forth by the parents , which doth beget upon the children an externall filiall relation unto God and to his Spouse the visible church , whence that respect of children of God and his church , by vertue of that espousall covenant , Ezek. 16.8 . Even in the children of idolatrous members , v. 20 : 21 23. Great is the force of this way of the covenant so cloathed . Albeit many unworthy members are gi●t up in it , to hold them and theirs in externall communion , Jer. 13.11 . untill either the church be divorced from God , or the particular members be disfranchised by some church-censure of such a covenant-privilege . Answer . Though this reasoning contain nothing but dictates unproved , and incoherent , yet sith it carries some shew of an Argument à comparatis , I shal say somwhat to it . 1. There 's not aword in the texts alleged , that shews what Mr C. here asserts , that the covenant laid hold upon by the lively faith of gracious parents as made with respect to their children , hath mighty force to effect very gracious things in the elect seed : Nor is there a word in those Texts to prove such a covnnant made to any gracious parent concerning his naturall children . It is true , Rom. 9.6 it is said , the word took effect ; and this I deny not to be the word of promise to Abraham , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed . But then it is expresly said , v. 7 , 8. that this seed of Abraham is not his children by natural generation , but the speciall choice seed whether they were his seed according to nature , or ingraffed : there 's not a word of the efficacy of this covenant by the lively faith of the parents , but by vertue of Gods election , v. 11. The Text , Ephes. 5.26 . seems to me to contain not onely the word of promise , as sanctifying or purifying the Church , but also the word of narration contained in the Gospel , as Luke 1.2 Acts 8.4 . & 10.36.44 . Joh. 17.8.17 . Rom. 10.8 . preached and believed , not by the parents but the parties purified , Acts 15.9 . who as they hear the word and believe , so are baptized upon their believing . It is true that the Jewes hereafter to be ingraffed again , are said , according to the election to be beloved for the Fathers , Rom. 11.28 . But this is meant of the Jewes onely , and it is not at all meant of the immediate parents of those Jewes reingraffed ( for they doubtless will be Infidels ) but of the ancient Fathers , Abraham , Isaac , Jacob , out of the remembrance of their following God , and Gods covenant to them , which were both singular , and therefore cannot be verrified of every believers natural children as it is there meant and shall be verified of them . 2. There 's not a proof for the other part of the comparison , that there is any such validity in the Covenant invested with Church-Covenant albeit unworthyly oftentimes held forth by the parents to beget upon the children an external filial relation unto God and to his spouse the Church visible . For Ezek. 16 8. mentions Gods covenant which he swear , not their's , by which they became his , and those whose sons and daughters were born to him v. 20. are said to sacrafice them to be devoured , had caused them to be slain , and deliverd them to pass through the fire for them . Mr. C. confesseth they were Idolatrous members , and the text mentions their Idolatry to be of the highest kind , even the sacraficing their children , and if these were in the Covenant of grace and in Church-covenanant , and did thereby beget an external filial relation to God , and to his spouse the visible Church , then may the worst of men even open Idolatrers that offer their children to Moloch and sacrafice them to the Devil be in the Covenant of grace , and in Church-covenant , and therby in those whom God hates and who go a whoring after Idols , yea the Devils in a most horrid manner , there may be validity in this horrid estate to beget an external filial relation unto God & to his spouse , the visible Church for their children . Horrendum dictu ! The meaning of the text , and the impertinency of its allegation by the Assembly , by Mr. C. and others hath been often shewed . Jerem. 13.11 . makes nothing to the purpose . God in the wilderness had made the whole house of Israel to cleave to him in the Covenant at mount Sinai , and by his special deliverances and providences for them . What is this to prove that the Idolatrous posterity of that people are by the Covenant clothed with Church-covenant held to God they and theirs in external Church-communion until either that church be devorced from God , o● the particular members disfranchised by some Church censure of a Church covenant privilege ? 3. were the first part of the comparison proved , that the Covenant laid hold on 〈◊〉 the lively faith of the parents as made with respect to their elect children hath mighty force to effect very gratious things in the elect seed , yet there is not any liklyhood that the other part should be true , that a bare dissembled profession should make such an external relation to God and his Church , as if because Peters faith and confession obtains from God a special privilege , Judas his profession must obtain something of God for his children though he were a Devil . If there be strength in these dictates of Mr. C. their 's weakness is nothing . The answers to the objections of I. S. proceed upon a conceit of a relative grace , and implicit calling , and of in-being in Christ without either Christs spirit , or faith , or profession of faith , which are things that have no Scripture grounds . The absurdity objected against his opinion that it entails grace to generation , that it upholds a national Church , ●e puts off only thus , He knowes we in N. E. which hold the one , yet do not maintain the other in the usual sence of a national Church . But this shewes not how he will acquit his doctrine from maintaining that by consequence , which is disavowed by those of N. E. For if there be such a covenant and Church covenant now as there was Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. and Ezek 16.20.21.22 . of validity to beget an external filial relation to God and to his visible spouse the Church , it cannot be denied , but that the worst Idolaters even Papists are visible Church-members , and by consequent the whole nation elder and ●onger are in the Church . Which what it makes less than such a national Church as was of the Jews I understand not . SECT . XLII . Animadversions on Sect. 7 : of the same chap. shewing that the body of the Jewish Church even the worst of them was not under the Covenant of grace in respect of external Interest therein . IN the seaventh Sect. Mr. C ▪ sets down this conclusion , that the body of the Jewish Church was under the Covenant of grace as invested with Church Covenant , in respect of external interest therein . In which as almost in all his writings about this point , there 's much ambiguity . He neither sheweth whom he means by the body of the Jewish Church whether every Jew or some only , and if some who those are whether the most part or the chiefest ; nor what he means by the Covenant of grace , what promise they are under nor how they are under it : Nor doth explain what he means by Church-Covenant or investing with it , nor what is the external interest therein which they have , nor how they are under the Covenant of grace as invested with Church covant in respect of external interest therein , and not with respect to internal interest . For my part so far as I am able to discern his meaning this is it , that all the Jews from the promise made to Abraham I wil be thy God & the God of thy seed Gen. 17.7 . have this privilege ; that all should be accounted members of that Church and the males circumcised . But I know not how it comes to pass , this author either affects , or it is his vein to use ambiguous expressions when he might use plain , and to talk in a new phrases hard to be understood of the Covenant , seal , Church-seed &c. And not to explain his conclusions afore he proves , nor to shew how he proves out of the text he allegeth , but leaves his reader to fish out his meaning as he can from scattered passages . However I shall view his dictates . He denies that the Jewes had only a Covenant of grace among them which was made to some choice ones among them . And yet the Apostle directly teacheth that the promise I will be a God to thee and thy seed as a promise of saving grace was not made to all Israel , but the elect only Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. And clear it is that the Covenant made with the body of the Israelites at mount Sinai was the Covenant of workes , as is plain from Rom. 10.5 . 2 Cor. 3.6 , 7 , 9. Gal. 3.12 , and 4.24 , 25. Heb. 8 ▪ 9 , 10 , 11. &c. and 12.18 , 19 , 21. It is false that he hath any where proved that the external & Ecclesiastical right to circumcision came from the circumcised persons interest in the Covenant of grace invested with Church-covenant . Neither did God appoint all them to receive the visible seal thereof meaning Circumcision : for he did not appoint the females or males under eight dayes old to be circumcised though in the Covenant as well as the infant male of eight dayes old . He bids us see Gen. 17.7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. and 26.3 , 4 , 5. and 28.12 , 13 , 14. But I can see none of his dictates in those texts . I find there that God made a covenant with Abraham . after renewed it to Isaac and Jacob assuring to their inheriting posterity the inheritance of Canaan , the multiplying of them &c. that God injoyned circumcision to them for a memorial and assurance of that covenant . This covenant as , containing the promise of Canaan &c. to the natural postority of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob ▪ is expressed to be by reason of Abrahams obedience Gen. 26.5 . circumcision is required Gen. 17. and Exod. 19. Levit. 26. obedience is required to the laws given by Moses . They that term the Covenant Exo. 19. a covenant of works speak sutable to the Apostle Rom. 10.5 . Gal. 3.12 . yet I deny not but in Covert expressions Gen. 17. and elswere God promised Christ to the elect whether Jews or Gentiles and blessing that is righteousness and eternal life by faith in him Gal. 3.16 . &c. which Abraham and all the ancient Saints expressed by faith Iohn . 8.56 . and elswhere . Now it is not true , that those covenant Fathers Abraham , Isaac and Iacob recieved the covenant Evaneglical in referrence to their natural children : nor in respect of justification before God and external life had a contrary covenant of life and death , grace and workes made with them . For though the Jews succeding were under the whole law of Moses because of transgressions , yet not so as to have life by it Gal. 3.17 , 18 , 19 , 21. no● is it any absurdity to say that the legal justitiaries who rested in the law were at one and the same time externally under the blessing of God in respect of their outward prosperity in Canaan , and yet internally under the curse of God Gal. 3.10 . as seeking righteousness before God by their observing the Law. It is , no where said that any other than Abraham is the root or first fruits to his seed Rom 11.16 . nor they termed his seed , lump , branches any other way than either naturally or spiritually , that is by natural generation or by following his faith by vertue of election Rom. 11 16. doth not say , Abraham was the root as recieving the covenant for the branches , but as propagating the branches . Nor need we say that he either received a covenant o● works alone , in referrence to them all elected , or that he recieved the Covenant of grace with Ecclesiastical respect to them all . The plain doctrine of the Scripture is set down above , Mr. C's . dictates are meer phantasms without Scripture . The substance of the Covenan● is a novel expression , and ambiguous . I deny not the covenant Gen. 17. to be evangelical . yet I concieve it not purely such , but as I say in my Exercit. pag. 2. mixt , that is containing political and Evangelical promises . I deny not but it was the jews covenant-right to have the Tabernacle of God or their ordinances as their privilege , yea and his presence therein until the Messiah came , yet so as that when thay set up Idols the glory of God departed from them Ezek. 11.22 , 23. They had also Gods oracles with them , deliverance from Egypt , Christ to be with them in the wilderness : nor do I deny these to have bin by vertue of Christs mediation , yet so far as these were national mercies they were proper to the Jews . What ever be meant by the Covenant & the promise Rom 9 4. they do not agree to Gentile believers . And though I say they were by vertue of Christs mediation , yet I concieve the mediation of Christ was directly for the elect only , for others only obliquely , by consequent , and by accident by reason of the Cohabitation of them on earth . I deny not that filling the Temple with smoake Rev. 15.8 . allusively to that which was 1 Kings . 8.10 , 11. Isai. 6.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. might restifie the presence of God in the Churches after Christs ascension in a way of mercy to his people , and for their sakes in a way of justice against his and their enemies . I neither do , nor need say that Canaan was all which God promised the Jews I grant it was promised to them as an everlasting possession Gen. 17.8 . But the ▪ wrod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Gr : translate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , everlasting , notes freequently but a duration of some age or ages as 2 Chron. 2.4 . &c. I deny not but the Patriarchs looked futher than Canaan Heb. 11.9 , 10. I deny not that the promise of Canaan was in some sense ratified in Christ , and all other temporal blessings to the elect now 1 Cor. 3.21 , 22 , 23. that Christ is said to drive out their enemies Exod. 23.20 , 21. and that the land they possessed was called Immanuel● land Es●i 8.8 that sundry were excluded from thence for unbelief Heb. 3 ▪ la●● compared with ch . 4 2. though if it be not warily explained Moses and Aaron should be guilty of the Gospel sin of unbelief . If God promised to be a God to them , and as one branch thereof instanceth in giving them Canaan Gen. 17 , 7 , 8. then the promise of Canaan is a branch of the promise , I wil be a God to them ▪ If the Proselyted strangers were to have Abrahams Covenant sealed to them and theirs by circumcision , yet had no lots in Can●an , then persons were to be circumcised to whom the promise belonged not . I grant that Christ was mediator of the Covenant with Abraham so far as it contains evangelical promises , but deny that it was held out to all the Jews by the sacrafices . For though the typical sacr●fices in respect of purif●ing the flesh did purge the whole Congregation , yet none were pur●ed by Christs blood , but the elect . The high Preist bare the names of the 12. tribes and these represented the elect for whom Christ made intercession , and atonement not every I●raelite Rom. 9.6 . What Mr. C. saith , the Covenant of works holds out pardon or mercy to transgress I do much question . It seems to me that A●ab , though under a Covenant of works yet , had some mercy 1 Kings 21.29 . And whether the offence against some of the laws were not in some respect forgiven Levit. 4. to them , who had not faith in Christ , for the sacrafice they offered ( which were all offered according to the Law Heb. 10.8 . ) I do make question . Nor do I think but that by the Covenant of the law in respect of temporal evils there was some pardon by vertue of obedience to legal prescriptions , though some sins as of presumption Num 15. were not , no not to them that were in the covenant of grace , as its li●ely in Eli. his Case 1 Sam. 3.24 . see Gethard . Ioh. Voss. resp . ad Judic . Ravensp . c. 22.23 . Concerning the Covenant of the Law though it require no faith in Christ , or repentance for justification , yet whether according to the covenant of the law some repentance were not accepted for revoking some temporal evils contrary to the promises of the Covenant with the Iews at mount Sinai may be doubted from Deut. 29 21.25 . and 30.2 , 3 , 8 , 9 , 10. But of these Chapters . more hereafter in answer to M. B. I grant no salvation but by Christ , but denies that therefore al the Iews best & worst had salvation & external covenant-right : nor though al the Iews best , & worst , had the same dispensers of the covenant mentioned Exod. 19.5.6 . & 24.7.8 . wil it follow they had all right at least externally in the covenant of grace . For that speaks of the covenant of the law . I grant that the first Covenant of works was made withal in Adam , and that the Covenant Gen. 17. was a particular covenant made with the seed of Abraham , yet the Covenant at mount Sinai was not made with all men , without distinction , but only with Israel , whom he brought out of Egypt ▪ the Jews Ro. 11.20 . were broken off from the invisible church of true believers , which was in that nation in their progenitors , as I shew in the first part of this Review Sect. 2. &c. I agree with Mr. C. that the Covenant in Horeb Deut. 29.1.2 . with Deut. 30.6 . had the stipulation of , do this and live , and that the Covenant of the law was differnt from the promise , Gen. 17. that it held out temporals , this externals . How the Gentiles were ingraffed in the room of the Iewes , and not into the externall right & privilege , as by Mr C. imagines is shewed in the Review , ubi supra , That the covenant of Sinai was without mercy , I question as above . And methinks , Ezek. 16.60 . proves , That God would remember his covenant with Israel in the dayes of their youth , and shew them mercy for it . Now the covenant made with Israel in the dayes of its youth , is meant of the covenant made with them when they came out of Egypt : for so the whole description of their pitiful estate ( which can be referred to no other than the time of their bondage in Egypt , v. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. after which was his covenant in the dayes of their youth , v. 8 ) shews the covenant in the dayes of their youth to have been the covenant at mount Sinai . And so the new Annot. on Ezek. 16 , 8 , [ I sware unto thee ] I made a solemn covenant with thee that I would take thee to be my people , Exod. 19 & 24 chapters , Ier. 2.2 . Piscat . S ▪ hol : in v. 7 ▪ nudissima ] i. e. destituta omni ope pressa , sc : servitute in Aegypto , in v : 8 , visitari te per Mosen educendo te ex Aegypto & pangendo tecum fedus atque ita ducendo te in uxorem . Grot. in Ezek ▪ 16.5 , Populus enim in Aegypto natus est in v. 7. & sic exprimitur miseria Ge●tis in Aegypto in v. 8 , & ingressus sum pactum tecum ] in Sinai . As for Mr C. his paraphrase on Ezek. 16.60 . I will remember my covenant with [ Thee ] not with this or that particular Jew , but with them all in an Ecclesiastical way , and in respect of externall right : albeit some onely had the saving benefits thereof , as being the select covenanters mainly intended , He therein supposeth that some had the saving benefit of that covenant , which is contrary to Rom. 3 20. That by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in Gods sight . And he supposeth the covenant was made with them all in an Ecclesiasticall way , and in respect of externall right . Which what it is else but this , that they should all have a right to circumcision , and other Ecclesiastical privileges , I know not : Whereas the covenant was of prosperity in Canaan , continuance of long life , &c. to them upon obedience to the law he gave them by Moses , which notwithstanding they had broken , & were carried captive ; yet he would remember his covenant made with that people when he brought them out of Aegypt , and upon the prayers of Daniel , &c. restore them to their own land , Esay 48 1 , 2 , 3 , &c. teacheth the Jewes , that notwithstanding they were evill , yet he would for his names sake , that the heathens might not say that God could not deliver them and bring them from the north , v. 10 , 11 , 14. The like is , Ezek. 20 , 14. The objection from Rom. 9 7 , 8 , is ill framed , and as ill answered : 1. it is proved from the Text , that the promise of ful●●lling , of which the Apostle speaks , was the promise to Abraham , I will be the God of thy seed , Gen. 17.7 . from the terms used Rom. 9.7 , 8. which shews that the question was , how Gods word could be true concerning Abrahams seed , if the Jewes were rejected , as the Apostle supposeth , v. ● . 2. That the answer is directly this , that this promise was not made to all Israel , or to all the children of the flesh , that is , begotten of Abraham by naturall generation , for it was not promised to Ishmael and Esau , but to the elect as Isaac and Jacob , whence this proposition ariseth , They onely are children of the promise ( that is by an usuall Hebra●sm ) subjects of the promise to whom it belong , as children of wrath to whom wrath belongs , a son of perdition to whom perdition belongs ) who are elect , therefore not all the naturall seed of Abraham . And consequently the promise . Gen. 17.7 . belonged not in the Evangelicall sense to the body of the Jewes , even the worst . Now what doth Mr. C. answer ? He distinguisheth between children of the promise , in respect of externall filiation , and externall salvation , and applies it thus , In the later they were not , but if you take it of the Church-seed of the promise , and such as were externally adopted of God , and instated in the covenant of grace as invested with church covenant , so they were children even of the free covenant of blessing in Christ , Acts 3 , 25 , 26 , and had the promise indefinitly , as Deut : 30.6 , Jerem : 31.37 , Gen. 17.7 . In which answer . 1. he makes a distinction to include them in the promise whom the Apostle excludes from it . 2. Whereas the Apostle determines the elect onely to be included in the promise taken in an Evangelicall sense , Mr. C. includes the elect and non-elect , even the worst of the Iewes whom the Apostle excludes . 3. He abuseth Acts 3.25 , 26 , Deut : 30.6 , by interpreting them as belonging to the worst of the Jewes in respect of externall right , which are express about turning from iniquities and circumcising the heart , The second objection is better framed , yet not so fully as had been requisite : Mr C. his conclusion is , That the covenant of grace as invested with church-covena●nt , belonged to all the Iewes even the worst of them , in respect of externall right to outward ordinances . But that is false : For it did not belong to the children after the flesh , to the Jerusalem that then was , which was in bondage with her children , they were to be cast out being of the bond●woman , Gal. 3.23 , 25 , 28 , 30 , 31. Ergo , the covenant of grace , &c. Again , They to whom belongs the covenant of grace as invested with church-covenant in respect of externall right , are children of the promise , Gen. 17.7 . But many of the Iewes were not children of the promise , Gen. 17.7 . as is proved from Gal. 4.28 , 29 , Rom. 9 8. Ergo , Now what doth Mr. C. answer ? He tells us , That they are called children of the flesh , not begotten by naturall generation , for then Isaac also should be a child of the flesh . But he is called a child of the flesh , who though born by naturall generation of Abraham , yet sought righteousness by the Law , which was not Ierusalem of old , but Ierusalem which was when Paul wrote this , long after Christs time . Res. But was not it true also of the Ierusalem that was when Christ was ? Did not our Lord Christ deny them to be Abrahams childrē , & told them they were the Divels children , Iohn 8.39 , 44. though he granted them to be Abrahams seed by natural generation , v. 37. and yet Mr C calls them Abrahams Church-seed , or Church-seed of the promise instated in the covenant of grace , as invested also with Church-cavenant , children even of that free covenant of blessing in Christ , Acts 3.25 , 26 , and had the promises indefinitly , as Deut. 30 , 6. Jer. 31 , 37. Gen. 17.7 . &c. beloaging to them , Rom. 9.4 . and were children of God , Christs , Matth. 15 , 26. I deny not but Iohn 1.12 . those that rejected Christ are called Christs own , but not because of their right in him , or promise to them to own them as in the covenant of grace , but as they were ingaged to him in respect of his deliverance out of Aegypt , and other mercies to them , and their nearness of consanguinity to him , as Paul calls Israel his flesh , Rom. 11.14 , Christ being from them according to the flesh , Rom. 9 , 5. But to say that even then they were in the covenant of grace when they received not Christ , is to conceive they were in the Olive when they were broken off . And yet I deny not that they had in Christs time a right to circumcision , but no externall right to the covenant of grace , as Mr C. dreams . SECT . LXIII . That the Covenant at Mount Sinai was a Covenant of Works , and not of Evangelical grace , and that the Iewish Church and State were but one body . A Third objection against Mr C. his sixth Conclusion is , they were under the old and first covenant which was formerly , &c. and not under the new , or in the covenant of grace . To this he answers , That even Sinai covenant could not disanull that covenant formerly made with them in Abraham , and being much later than it , Gal : 3.16 , 17. And after , when the covenant is said to be new and old , it is not divisio generis in species , but subjecti in adjuncta . So the phrases [ first and second ] Heb. 9 , note not two Testaments specifically different , but numerically . Besides , it 's called a first and second Testament , scil ▪ in order of succession : so the former is said to be faulty comparatively , not absolutely . In a word , in way and manner of dispensation , that was different from the covenant now dispensed in respect of ceremony of administration , not in the essentials . Reply , The answer of Mr C. I conceive is reduced to these two points , 1. That the Jewes were under both covenants , that of Sinai , and that of Abraham : 2. That these two covenants the first and the second , the New and Old , mentioned Heb : 8 , & 9. differ in the way and manner of dispensation , in respect of ceremony of administration , not in the essentials . To which I reply , That this is contrary to the Apostles supposition , that the same men which were under the covenant of mount Sinai , should be under the promise : For he supposeth them to be cast out , Gal : 4.21 , 30 , and saith , v. 31 , we are not children of the bondwoman , that is , under the Law , v : 23 , but of the free , that is , the promise . Yea , cha : 5.18 , If yee be led by the Spirit ye are not under the Law. The like whereto is said , Rom : 6 : 14 , Gal : 3 , 10 , 11 , 12 , I deny not but that the Iews who were under the covenant of grace , that is , believers in Christ were both under the obedience of the Law , and the hope of the Gospel , and under the covenant of the Law so far as concerned their prosperity in Canaan , but not in respect of righteousness and life , or any other Ecclesiasticall privilege . As for the other part of the answer , I find Mr Perkins on Gal : 5 , 24 , 25 , saying it is a main pillar in Popish Religion , that the Law of Moses and the Gospel are all one in substance , &c. Which I know not well how to distinguish from Mr C. his position , that the new and old covenant differ not in essentials . But let 's examine it , The essentials of a thing are the genus and difference : It is granted that the new and old , first and second covenant differ not in the genus , no more doth the covenant with Adam in innocency with Noah after the Flood , they are all covenants of God : But that there is no essentiall difference distinguishing between the covenant at mount Sinai , and the new covenan● ; and that they differ in way and manner of dispensation , in respect of ceremony of administration , not in the essentials , ●s I am assured , a manifest error both against Scripture , and I think the Authors themselves , though not only Mr C. here , but also the Assembly Confession of Faith , c. 7. Art. 5. saith , The covenant of grace was administred , &c. and is called the old Testament , which to be meant of the covenant of mount Sinai , I conceive from these words of Mr M : D●f●nce page 188. Alas Sir , why do you run into this needless and erroneous digression ? I said in my Sermon that the Morall Law was added 430 years after the covenant with Abraham , not as a part of that covenant , but as a School-master to whip them to Christ , that they finding the impossibility of keeping the Law , might more earnestly long after Christ , exhibited in those shadowes of rites and sacrifices , &c. But to say that this covenant mentioned in the eighth of the Hebrews , was the covenant of works , is a most erroneous doctrine : Look into the text and you shall find that the covenant which is there mentioned ( which God finds fault with , and calls the first covenant , in opposition to this better covenant ) had ordinances of divine worship , had a Sanctuary , a Tabernacle , , Priests and High-priests , Sacrifices and other rites belonging to the administration of it . Sir , was this the covenant of works ? I hope you will not own it in your next . Mr Anthony Burgess , another Assembly man , Vindic. Legis , Lect. 24 , maintains with a distinction , the Law at mount Sinai to be a covenant of grace , Like whereto are the opinions of Mr John Ball of the covenant of grace . ch . 7 , page 102 , Dr. Samuel Boulton , True bounds of Christian freedom , page 130 ▪ &c. Mr Thomas Blake , Vindic. Foeder . c. 24 , &c. But as in other things there is much dictating besides the Scriptures , in the received writings of men , so in this . Mr C. saith , The difference between the old and new Covenant , is in the way and manner of dispensation in respect of ceremony of administration , not in the essentials . Concerning which it is to be observed , that to dispense is to lay out as a Steward doth lay out money . To dispense a Covenant may be understood either by making it known , or performing the things promised on either side ; the same may be conceived to be meant by administration . The ceremony of administration I understand not what it is , unless by it be meant the rites of the Old and New Testament . This then seems to be either all or the main difference Mr C. makes between the covenant made with Israel at mount Sinai , and the new covenant confirmed in the blood of Christ with Jewes and Gentiles ; that the former had Circumcision , the Passover , Sacrifices , &c. by which the covenant of grace was made , or the things promised conferred , the new covenent had Baptism and the Lords Supper . A Covenant is a promise , and so an action ; and when mutuall there 's a reciprocall action . I know not what other predicament to place it in . The essentials of a thing are in corporeall substances , matter and forme , in other beings those things which in proportion to them shew what it is , and wherein it is differenced from others under the same genus , which essentials the Logicians call the genus and difference . The essentiall difference of one action from another , is the terminus or effect , as heating from cooling , in the object , subject , end . A Covenant being essentially a promise , differs essetntially from another promise , when the things promised are different , as the promise of land differs essentially from the promise of life ; and when the conditions are different , though the things promised be the same , as the promise of land to one for so much money is essentially different from the promise of land upon the condition of thanks . The covenant of works and of grace , are terms not used in Scripture . But Rom. 11.5 , 6 , Election by grace and of works , Rom 4 , 4 , it is said , to him that worketh the reward is reckoned not according to grace , but according to debt , Ephes. 2.8 , 9 , Yee are saved by grace , not of works , 2 Tim : 1.9 , who hath saved us , and called us with an holy calling , not according to our works , but according to his own purpose and grace , Titus 3.5 . He saved us not by works of righteousness which we have done , but according to his own mercy . Yet I think the distinction right and good of the covenant of grace and the covenant of works . And the difference between them is , 1. in the thing promised , the one promiseth life upon obedience to the Law given , but not strength to do it ; the other promiseth the Spirit to inable for doing . 2. in the condition the one promiseth life upon perfect obedience , the other upon faith in Christ. These differences are confirmed from sundry Texts , Rom : 10.5 . 2 Cor. 3.6 , 10 , Gal. 3.10 , 12 , 22 , &c. I think in a promise the different end of the promiser makes not an essential difference . I think it is the same promise essentially when one promiseth land upon condition of giving thanks , to shew his bounty ; and another to engage him to his party , though the ends be different . My determination in this Writing is as it was in the former Exam. page 102. That the new Covenant is not the old renewed , but that they differ specifically in the essentials , and not onely in Rites , and that the Covenant at mount Sinai was a covenant of works : And this I prove , 1. From that Text which here Mr. C. Mr M. the Assembly and others stand so much upon , to wit , Heb 8 , 8 , 9. & 10. The old covenant there meant , is the covenant made with Israel at mount Sinai , which appears in that it was the covenant which God made with the Fathers of the Iewes in the day that he took them by their hand to bring them out of the land of Aegypt . Now that covenant differs essentially more than in Rites from the new covenant ; yea , as a covenant of works is diffrent from the covenant of Evangelical grace , ● . Because the new covenant is said to be established or setled as a Law ●n better promises , Heb : 8.6 . Now if the promises be better promises , it is because they be of better things ▪ and if of better things then of different things , and so the difference is more than in Rites , yea it is in essentials : for promises of different things essentially , make different covenants essentially . And that the difference is in the meliority of promises : and that these promises be of better things , is apparent from the recitall of the promises , Heb : ● . 10 , 11 , 12. & 10. ●● . ●7 , where also by the offering of Christ , that Testament is said to be of force . By this also the covenant at mount Sinai is proved not to be the covenant of Gospel-grace : For then it had had as good promises , yea the same promises . 2. If it had been the covenant of grace , they had abode in it . For that is a covenant , which they that are in continue in . But in the old covenant , or that at mount Sinai they abode not , v. 9. Ergo , &c. 3. That is not the covenant of grace which is faulty , or ( which is the meaning of ●t ) occasioning God to complain , for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which we translate Faultless , is that which is without complaint , and the meaning is , the first covenant occasioned complaint of the Israelites , as it is v. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , complaining of them ( he doth not say it , as Mr. M. seems to have understood it , as if God had found fault with the covenant ; that 's a mistake , he should then have found fault with his own act ) he saith , therefore for remedy of such complaint and jarring , a second covenant was established , which should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , plaintless , and therefore the covenant of grace takes away occasion of complaint , or finding fault , because it provides for them to whom it was made , that they should not occasion God to complain by their breaking of it , as the first covenant had done , which was faulty , occasioning God to complain in that it was broken . Mr. C. saith , it was faulty comparatively , not absolutely , and his meaning seems to be that the first covenant was faulty because of its imperfect manner of teaching the Gospel . But he is therein mistaken : For , as I shewed from the words , the first covenant is said to be faulty , because of the complaint of God against the Israelites , as not keeping ●t , as the holy Ghost expounds the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , v. 7. by the expression v. 8. proving it not to have been faultless , that is , without complaint , because he complained of them , v. 8 , to wit , that they abode not in it . v. 9. which if it had been the covenant of Evangelical grace , they should certainly have done , because that provides for the keeping and perseverance in it , by writing the lawes in their hearts , and forgiving their sins . 2. The same is further proved from chap. 12.18 , &c. where 1. the covenant at mount Sinai is set down as given with horror , to shew that it begat nothing but affrightments even in the best Moses himself , whereas the covenant of grace begets joy and gladness before God. 2. It is said the Hebrew Christians were not come to , therefore it was not the covenant of grace . 3. That they were come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant , v. 24. in opposition to Moses the Mediator of the old . 3. From ch . 10 , 29. where the blood of the new covenant is said to sanctifie . And ch . 13.20 . Christ brings back the sheep by the blood of he everlasting covenant . This everlasting covenant is that which was confirmed by the blood of Christ oppositly , or in contradistinction to that which was confirmed by the blood of Calves and Goats , Heb. 9.19 . Therefore that covenant was not everlasting , nor confirmed by Christs blood , and consequen●y not the Covenant of grace 4. The same is the express doctrine of Paul , Gal. 4.24 . where he saith , Agar and Sara are two covenants , and he saith , Agar , or one Covenant , was ▪ from mount Sinai , and that this genders to bondage , and is in bondage with her children , v. 25. calls them that are under it such as are begotten according to the flesh , v. 29. to be cast out , v. 30. and opposeth it to Sarah , that is , the promise , the Jerusalem above who is free , mother of all believers , begetting children of the promise , born after the spirit , children of the free woman . Now what is this but the covenant of grace , and the other of works . For the covenant of grace never genders to bondage , nor is in bondage with her children , who are not according to the flesh to be cast out , but free , the mother of believers , bringing forth children of the promise born after the Spirit , children of the free woman . Therefore the covenant at mount Sinai , was not the same with the covenant of Gospel-grace , but a covenant of works . 5. In the same Epistle , chap. 3.12 . he saith , the Law is not of Faith , that is the covenant of the Law doth not promise righteousness before God upon faith , but by works ▪ v. 13. therefore the covenant of the Law was not the covenant of Gospel-grace . 6. The same is expressed v. 16 , 17 , 18 , 21 , where the Law is opposed to the promises , the inheritance is denied to be by it , or that it could give life , or righteousness by it , therefore it is not the covenant of grace , for life , righteousness and inheritance is by it . The like is Gal : 2.21 . Rom : 4.13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , & 3 , 20 , 21. 7. From Rom 10.5 . where the Apostle expresly saith , that Moses described the righteousness of the law that the man that doth them shall live in them , and this he makes opposite to the word of Faith : whence it follows it was the covenant of works , which was the Law : For what is the covenant of workes but that which promiseth life by doing the Law ? Nor doth it make against it to say , the Apostle , v. 4. saith , Christ was the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth : for in whatsoever sense that be meant , yet it is certain the denomination of a covenant of grace or of works , is not taken from the end of the Covenanter , or the consequent on the covenant or command , but the promise and condition ; therefore what ever end God had in giving the law , or what event soever fell out upon it , yet the covenant of the law promising righteousness upon perfect obedience to the law , and not otherwise , it is to be termed a covenant of works , not of Gospel-grace . 8. From Rom. 6.14 . where the Apostle saith , Sin shall not have dominion ●ver you , for ye are not under the law , but under grace , which supposeth that they who are under the law , are not under grace ; which cannot be understood of the command of the law , for men may be and are under the command of it , and yet under grace : therefore by the law is meant the covenant of the law , and then they which are under the covenant of the law , are not under grace , which they should be , i● the covenant of the law were generally the same with the covenant of grace . 9. From Rom : 7.4 . We are dead to the Law by the body of Christ , v. 6 , We are delivered , or as I would read it , we are discharged ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) from the law , even the Moral law , v. 7. not as a rule of obedience , but as a Husband , or Covenant , on which we depend for maintenance , help , supply , sentence , countenance , reward . But if the law were the covenant of grace , we should not be dead to it , or delivered from it : Ergo. 10. From 2 Cor. 3 , 6 , the covenant of the law is called the letter which killeth , opposite to the new covenant in which the Spirit which quickneth is ministred , and v 7. he expresly calls it the ministration of death graven in stones , the ministration of condemnation , v. 9 , opposite to the ministration of righteousness , of which Paul denies himself to be a Minister , therefore it was not the covenant 〈◊〉 Evangelical grace , but of works . Yea Mr Cobbet himself , page 65. The covenant in Horeb had the stipulation of . Do so and live , not so in the covenant of grace that was imbondaging , shewed the way of worship , gave not grace to act it , was against us , &c. The Assembly Confess . of Faith , c. 7. Art. 2. ch . 19 , Art. ● , cite Gal : 3.12 , Rom. 10 ▪ 5 , Gal. 3 , 10 , which speak of the covenant of the law to shew the covenant of workes made with Adam , which shews they take them , to be the same , or heed not what they cite , chap. 19. Art. 6. True believers are not under the law as a covenant of works , not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of works . Greater Catech : page 25. The regenerate are delivered from the Morall law as a covenant of works . Yea Mr M. his words denying the law to be part of the covenant made to Abraham , but as a Schoolmaster to whip them to Christ , impossible to be kept ( which are not to be ●rid of the covenant of grace ) doth in effect make it the covenant of works . Mr Anthony Burgess when he distinguisheth vindic . legis , lect . 24. pag. 223 , saith the law considered more largly , as that whole Doctrine delivered on mount Sinai with the preface and promises adjoyned , and all things that may be reduced to it , was a covenant of grace , but more strictly , as it is an abstracted rule of righteousness holding forth life upon no terms but perfect obedience abstracted from Moses his administration of it ; was not of grace but of works . In which words , he denies not that it held forth life upon no terms but perfect obedience , and so it was a Covenant not of grace but of works . 2 he shews not that it was given as a Covenant upon any other terms , or that it did propound or promise righteousness before God upon condition of faith in Christ : but only tels us , take the Law for the whole doctrine &c. Which is in effect all one as to say , The covenant God made was of works , yet withal he delivered many things , which shewed he would also have them look at Christ , ( which we grant true ) but no where that he promised righteousness through Christ in that Covenant Mr. Blake Vindic. Faed c 24. pag. 174. the Law is taken sometimes in that strict sense as containing a Covenant of works and holding forth life upon condition of perfect obedience . So Rom. 10.5 , 6. and 3.21 , 22. Gal 3.18 . It were no hard matter to shew many of Protestant Writers who call the Covenant of the Law at mount Sinai the Covenant of works , but these suffice . What is objected to the contrary is not from the tenor of the cov●nant , but from some adjuncts of it . as 1 because there were sacrafices & other rites appointed , it must be a Covenant of grace . Answer ▪ the sacrafices as they were commanded , so they did belong to the Covenant of works . But as God used them as shadows and types of Christ to come , so they signifie Gods purpose o● Gospel-grace in Christ , but by another Covenant , not that at mount Sinai . 2 Gods end was not to give life by the Law , but to direct to Christ. Answer 1 I grant the first and thence it appears he intended it not for a covenant of grace . 2. it directed not to Christ as it was propounded Covenant-wise , but by accident in that it made known sin , and so made Christ appear necessary , and this also proves that it was of it self as propounded a Covenant of workes . 3 God could not enter into a Covenant of works with man fallen . Answer : True , so as to justifie him by it , yet for other ends he may , as to discover sin , shew mans impotency . As Christ said to the young man Matth. ●9 16. if thou wilt enter into life keepe the commandements though he knew he could not have life that way , and v 21. commands him to sel all , though it did but shew his covetousness , not make him perfect . The covenant of grace is to be judged such , from the tenor of the promise and condition , not from Gods ends . For if so , then the Gospel it self , being sent to some to harden them , should be a Covenant of works , because the end was to to condemn them by it , 4 That God begins the Decalogue with I am the Lord thy God &c. Answ , 1 He is said to be the God of the spirits of all flesh : Numb . 16.22 . yet thereby is not proved all are in the Covenant of grace . 2 It may be understood , that he was their God de jure , that he had right to command them , because he brough them out of Egypt . 3 the plain answer is that he was their God according to the Covenant of grace made with Abraham antecedently to the giving of the Law , not by the Covenant of the Law. And for that which is often objected that in the second commandement God promised mercy to thousands , but he promiseth no mercy but in a Covenant of grace , I know how that can be proved , I concieve that God did and doth shew temporall mercies out of his long patience , by the Covenant of the Law , though no man be justified by it before God. neither Psal. 105.8 . nor any other prove that the Covenant at mount Sinai was the same with that to Abraham , though the promise of Canaan was to a 1000 generations , yet on condition of obedience Dan. 9.4 Ierem. 11.4 , 6 , 7 , 8. when they brake Gods Laws they were expelled , and so when they slew the heir of the Lord of the vic●ard he took his kingdome from them and gave it to a nation bringing forth the fruits of it , Matth. 21.43 . I do not say that a naturall covenant ex natura rei , is a covenant of works , but it is undoubted , that the covenant on mount Sinai was a covenant made with the whole nation of the Jewes , and it is proved before to have been a covenant of works . It is untruly said , That the Gospel●covenant , Gal. 3.9 . was of a national nature . For that is a national Covenant , which is made with a whole nation , that is all the people descended from such a st●●k , whereas v. 9. the Apostle by saying , so then they that are of the faith of Abraham are blessed with faithful Abraham , plainly expounds who he means by all nations v. 8. to wit not whole nations , but believers of all nations . The Covenant of works at mount Sinai though it did not justifie before God ; yet it held that nation in Canaan till they set up other Gods and revolted from the true God , and upon their forsaking Idols , they might plead it for the restoring of them to their own land , or continuance in it . Yea God did condescend so far that if there had been in Ierusalem a man that had executed judgment and sought truth he would have pardoned it , and not brought the Chaldeans upon it to burn it Ierem , 5.1 . It is true the Gospel threatens and executes corporal punishments , and promiseth rewards to the disobeying or obeying of it , but not an expulsion out of or setling in any one Country of an entire nation , but personal evils or rewards upon personal disobedience or obedience . The Covenant of grace admits of no carnal hypocrites , nor is it so said Gal 4.21 , 22 , 23. though it 's not denied but many who are admitted into the visible Church are such . To the eight objection , That was in the flesh , this in the heart , Mr. C. speaks thus . Answ. was that only in their flesh ? was not the word of Covenant as well in their heart as Moses judging Ecclesiastically avoweth of Israel Deut. 29.10 , 11. &c with 30.11 , 12 , 13 , 14. so Isai. 51.7 . Gods covenant now is to write his Law in our hearts Heb. 8. but is not all that included in this , I will be your God ? whence all is inclosed up in that phrase ibid. or was not the first made to the Iews after their return from Captivity more expresly , Ier. 3● ▪ as before more implicitely Gen. 17. Reply . The objection I concieve ( though I do not well know whose it is ) is this , that the covenant at mount Sinai with the Iewish nation , or the covenant with Abraham . Gen. 17. were not the same with the covenant , for that was in the flesh in circumcision , or with the fleshly Iew in that at mount Sinai , this is the heart by writing Gods Law there and comprehends onely them in whose hearts Gods Laws are written . And indeed this difference the Apostle makes between the Covenant of the Law and the Go●pel , the one was of the letter , the other of the spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 . the promise of the spirit is said to be by faith Gal. 3.14 . and in the new covenant this is made the promise different from what was in the first which was faulty for want of it Heb. 8.10 . ● that God would write his laws in their hearts . now what Mr. C. speaks seems to me no whit to infring this . For though it is true , the word of Covenant was in their hearts , yet it is true , if meant of sanctifying implantation , only of the elect , not all Abrahams natural seed , or the whole body of Israel . How Moses is said to judg Ecclesiastically I understand not . Deut. 29.10 , 11. &c. with 30.11 , 12 , 13 , 14. do not prove that Moses avowed of every Isralite that the word of covenant was in their heart . In some places doubtless the promise [ I will be your God ] includs also the writing of Gods Laws in our hearts , nor will I deny it included in the promise Gen. 17.7 . But I do then not understand it of every Israelite in that sense : for if so then I must make Gods word fal , sith he doth not perform it to al. And for that which Mr. C. seems to hold , that they had the promise dispensed unto them with execution of the covenant , it is in my apprehension to charg God with falshood . if any say I wrong Mr. C. let him construe this passage otherwise if he can [ yea but God did not actually write such holy dispositions in them : suppose he did not : that is the execution of the covenant , as for the very ●erith or Covenant itself , it is the promise whereof dispensed to them , and this they had both Gen. 17. and Deut. 30.6 . To circumcise the heart to love God is ▪ to imprint gracious dispositions ; to promise the same to them is a Covenant to imprint it and so he did covenant with them and theirs ibid ] In which words he seems plainly to make God promise to imprint in some the gratious disposions he doth not actually imprint , which is to make God not keepe his word ; nor is the matter mended by asking , is not Gods Covenant now also sacramentally on our bodies too , and in many no further ? For I grant many are baptized , who are not regenerate , yet I do not believe Gods Covenant of grace is to any such , or as Mr. C. speaks Gods Covenant to write his Laws in their hearts is to any such . Nor do I think that either Ierem. 31·33 . or Deut. 30.6 . God promiseth to all Israelits to write holy dispositions in their hearts , but only to the elect ; nor to these in his covenant at mount Sinai , though he made these promises to some of the natural seed of Israel . neither Rom. 11. from 16. to 24. nor Gen. 4.15 , 16. Compared with Gen. 6.1 , 2. nor Gen. 17.18.19 , 20 , 21. compared with Gen. 21.9 , 10 , 11 , 12. and Gal. 4. nor Heb. 12 ▪ 15 , 16.17 . prove that either Cain or Ishmael or Esau were ever in the Covenant of Evangelical grace , nor is there any text that proves that he new covenant is intailed to natural generations of the most Godly men . Mr. C. in answer to the tenth objection saith thus . But it 's false to say the Commandement gave right to Covenant Interest ▪ since Covenant right was first promised and declared to be the ground of that commanded service of the init●atory seal Gen. 17 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11. &c. Thou shalt therefore keep my Covenant . He doth not say you must be or are circumcised , and therefare I will be your God : But I will be a God to thee and thy seed , therefore thou and they shall be circumcised ; the nature of a seal supposeth a Covenant to be sealed . To which I reply , I confess it were ridiculous for any to say the commandement gave right to covenant-interest , or covenant-right . For what is covenant-interest , but interest in the covenant , and covenant-right , but right from the covenant ? But setting aside Mr C. his inept phrasifyings , ( which I count to be Paedobaptists-gibberish ) it is not false , but manifest truth , that it is the command of God onely that gave title to persons to be circumcised , and is the Rule to know who are to be circumcised and who not , as I have often proved and shewed to be in effect confessed by Mr M. As for Mr. C. his inference from [ thou therefore , Gen , 17.9 . ] it is answered often before in the first part of this Review , Sect. 5. and elswhere , that neither is the reading certain [ thou therefore ] nor doth the inference arise meerly from the promise , v. 7. nor is the inference at all of a right to circumcision , but of a duty , nor is this duty urged from each circumcised persons interest in the covenant but Gods making it with Abraham . Nor is it true , That the nature of a Seal supposeth a covenant to be sealed , sith other things are to be sealed , as Letters , Books , Stones , Men , Fountains , &c. besides covenants , Abrahams circumcision , Rom. 4.11 . was a seal not of a covenant of some things to be done , but of the righteousness of faith which he had yet being uncircumcised , & if it were true , yet is it as little to the purpose , sith there may be a covenant sealed to a person that hath no interest in the promise , as when ones name is used onely as a Trustee for others . And for what is said , That the commandment required only a male of eight dayes old to be circumcised , ( which Mr. C. seems to conceive false ) meaning not before the eighth day , is so plain by reading the chapter , that I should make question of his wit or his forehead that should deny it . And the reason thus exprest is as frivolous , The promise heing made indefinitely to the seed whether male or female , and not to the eighth day old seed , but to the seed albeit but a day old . For though the promise be to the child of one day old , yet the command is not to him , nor is he to be circumcised , and therefore the seal follows not the covenant , but the command even where the promise goes before . What he adds , Else what had become of them if they had died then , in respect of the ordinary covenant means of their good , Rom. 9.6 : Methinks Mr. C. might have as easily answered himself as he would do a Papist pleading this very plea for the necessity of infants baptism to salvation , or about the case of famales , or still-born infants . Surely he would say , God supplies that without means , which he bestowes on others by ordinary means , and so infants of a day old may speed well without circumcision . To what purpose Rom. 9.6 . comes in here I know not : This and some other passages seem to be the inconsiderate speeches of a man dreaming . To the objection , with the Jews , the Church and State were the same , but not so now . Mr. C. thus writes . Answ. God never confounded Church and Civill State either then or now . Who dare make God the author of confusion which is the God of order ? He then kept them severall , paling in the Civill State with the Judicials , with which the Church as such dealt not , but as Civil cases came under a Church consideration . She had her Ceremonials and Morals to regulate her Kings and Princes , Priests Levits , and Elders had their proper work , and word , onely in their own Sphears . The Elders of the Assemblies knew and acted in their places Ecclesiastically without interruption from Civill officers , or intruding upon Civil Officers as such , as Josh. 9. & 16.1 , 2 , Acts 14. Luke 4. The matters of the King and of the Lord were carefully bounded and sundred , 2 Chron. 17.11 . Answ. According to the constitution of the Jewish people by God , the Church was not one body and the State another , but all the same persons were of the Church , who were members of the Common-wealth , he that had the right of a Iew , had the right of a Church-member , nor were any taken in or cast out of the one , but withall he was taken in or cast out of the other . Nor hereby is God made the Author of confusion , but good order was setled & kept in this way of coincidency of State Civil and Ecclesiastical . Nor is it true that God kept the Church and Civill State severall , or paled in the Civill State with Judicials , by which it was divided from the Church . In the Church the Priest dealt as well in judicials as in ceremonials , the Priest and the Levite as well as the Iudge gave sentence in matters of blood and plea , as well as between stroak and stroak , Deut. 17.8 , 9. Eli , Samuel , Iehoiadah judged Israel , managed State-affairs as wel as Temple service . Nor do I know any such Iudicials , but that they did belong to the Church or Priests ( who were Iudges ) as well as to the Civill State , that is , the Princes . As there were ceremonials and morals to regulate Kings and Princes , so there were also lawes to regulate the Priests . But no where do we read of any Court kept by the Church , or Officers of the Church , that is , Priests and Levits , wherein to censure Kings and Princes for meer morall sins called now ( somewhat besides the Scripture use of the word ) Scandals ) though we find Princes deposing Priests . It is true , Priests , Levits and Elders had their proper work and moved onely in their own Sphears . And so had Princes and Souldiers , but not so as to make two distinct Corporations in Israel . If by Elders of the Assemblies which knew & acted Ecclesiastically in their places , he mean any other than the Priests , and by their Ecelesiasticall knowing and acting , the taking cognizance of moral evils , and proceeding against them by Ecclesiasticall censure in a Court distinct from the Civill , I must confess I find not either such Assembly , or such proceedings in the texts brought by Mr C. or any other . I grant there was a dististinction between the matters of the King and of the Lord , 2 Chro. 19.11 . & that Amaziah the chief Priest was over the Iudges whom Iohoshaphat sent forth in all matters of the Lord , and Zebadiah the Ruler of the house of Iudah , for all the Kings matters . But this doth not prove that these men did keep severall Courts , but that in the same Synedrium these persons were best fitted to direct , the one in one sort of matters , the other in the other ; As in a Parliament , Senate , or Council of Lords , Bishops , Lawyers , Souldiers , though they sit and act together , yet one may be more specially for one business and another for the other . Nor doth it appear that Iehoshaphat assigned in the Cities some Iudges for one kind of causes , and others for others But because there was occasion to have recourse in many difficult cases to the Synedrum at Ierusalem , he instructs them whom they should have there for their help , according to the law , Deut. 17 , 8 , 9 , &c. But I leave the Reader to Mr Seldens books de Synedrijs Etraeorum , to resolve him in this point . What Mr C. gathereth out of the words of I. S. that he saith , That God made a covenant of grace in generall and so with the body of the Jewes infants and all , serves not Mr C , his turn , unless he meant his naturall seed in-generall , which that he did grant in respect of Evangelicall grace , I do not believe ▪ What he saith touching Baptism , that it sealeth the Covenant indefinitely to all sorts , and that it sealeth an infants present , federall grace , and unto future grace : likewise unto grown ones it sealeth personall grace less principally , covenant-grace principally , is meer fancy without any Scripture , which makes no such distinctions of federall grace and personall , of the sealing one grace principally , another less principally , of sealing an infants present federall grace , and unto future grace , of baptism , sealing the covenant indefinitly to all sorts , which the Scripture makes the act of the person baptized only to testifie his own repentance and faith . I proceed to examine the ninth Section of that Chapter . Sect. 9 Mr C. sets down this Conclusion , That the covenant-interest , at least externall and Ecclesiasticall of Infants of inchurched believers is Gospel as well as such Covenant-interest of grown persons . SECT . XLIV . Animadversions on the ninth Section of the same Chapter , in which the Covenant-interest externall and Ecclesiastical of infants of inchurched believers is pretended , not proved to be Gospel , in which his allegations of Deut. 30.6 , &c. Gen. 17.8 . Luke 19 9. Deut. 29.10 , &c. Ezek. 16.1 , &c. Gen. 9.25.26 . and other places are examined . Answ : IN my Examen page 51. I said , They that say the Covenant of grace belongs not onely to believers , but also to their naturall children , whether believing or not , these add to the Gospel , and the Apostle saith of such , Gal. 1.8 , 9. Let him be accursed . And page 122. It is no wrong to say it , that it is a new Gospel to affirm that this is one of the promises of the covenant of grace , That God wil be the God of believers and of their seed ; that the seed of believers are taken into covenant with their parents , I cannot derive its pedigree higher than Zuinglius . To this Mr C. opposeth his seventh Conclusion with ambiguity and seeming hesitancy . For what else can be the reason of those terms [ at least as well ] which are not like the expressions of a man that is well resolved what to hold ? But that we may rip up this Conclusion , 1. He supposeth that right to outward ordinances , or more particularly to an initiall seal , is covenant-interest from the covenant of grace , which is a mistake , as I have often shewed . 2. That such externall covenant interest of grown persons is Gospel without Scripture , which mentions onely justification by faith and life by Christ to be the Gospel , not such a covenant interest ( as they call it ) which may be to reprobates as well as to elect persons . 3. He speaks to believers inchurched by such a covenant as the Scripture mentions not . 4. He annexeth the covenant interest he speakes of to this Church-covenant as well as to the covenant of grace without any warrant but his own conceit , nor shewes how far it is annexed to the one with or without the other , 5. He asserts the covenant interest at least externall and Ecclesiasticall of infants of inchurched believers . 6. That this is Gospel . The first place he brings for his Conclusion is Deut. 30 , 6 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , compared with Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8 , and saith , The matter of the promise , scil : inward power of grace sheweth it was a Gospel-promise like that Heb. 8.10 , 11 , 12. Ans. This is enough to shew the impertinency of this text to prove the meer externall Ecclesiasticall interest of infants of inchurched believers . For it contains that promise of inward grace , which Mr. B. saith , belongs onely to the elect . Friendly Accom . pag. 362. 2 Saith he , Now this was made to the seed or children of these church members , as ch . 29.14 , 15. here is not any evasion as is usuall in mentioning Abrahams seed , &c. this people to whom this was made , being not so spiritual themselves . Answ. I grant that the promise Deut. 30.6 . of circumcising thine heart and the heart of thy seed , is meant of the seed of those then assembled , but not of all their seed , but onely such as were elect , nor at all times , but a speciall time , upon their return to God when they were in captivity , nor at all to their infant-seed but to their grown seed , as Mr B. proves in the words and place above cited , Friendly Accom . page 361. And whereas Mr. C. conceives the people to whom this promise was made , not so spiritual , he is mistaken . For if God promised to circumcise their heart , they must be spiritual . 3 That it was not a bare tender , which I grant . 4. saith he , Lest any doubt should arise how this should be ratified and made good , Moses prophetically setteth out Christ as dead and risen in wh●m this covenant was ratified , v. 12 , 13. All ▪ which the Apostle further explaineth , Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8 ▪ Answ. I do not conceive that either Moses , Deut. 30.11 , 12 , 13. useth the words there to shew how the promise , v. 30.6 . should be ratified , or that he prophetically setteth out Christ as dead and risen , Deut. 30.11 , 12 , 13. or that the Apostle , Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8. so explains it . He that reads the chapter may perceive , that Deut. 30. v 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. are brought to this end , that Moses might prevent the excuse which might be made for their disobedience by alleaging that Gods lawes were at such a distance from them as that they could not come to them . And though it is true that the Apostle appli●s those words to the word of faith , Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8. yet it is manifest that it was not a prediction of Christs resurrection , as there the words stand , 1. from Deu. 30.10 . where the commandment mentioned v. 11. is said expresly to be [ Gods commandment and statute which are written in this Book of the Law. ] 2. That it was that which was nigh to them that they might hear it and do it . v. 14 which is meant of the Law , not of the word of faith concerning Christ dead and risen , which was not to be done by us , but to be believed . Rightly saith Beza , Annot. ad Rom. 10.8 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 baddabar , quo vocabulo Moses intelligit legem quam Dominus voce sua promulgavit , audiente universo populo suo , ita ut nullam ignorantiam possit ●raetexere , eum ejus tabulas baberet , descriptas , tanquam adeo singuli ex re citare possent , & intus haberent quasi in cognitio●e & animo insculptam : sed quod Moses dixit de lege , hoc totum Paulus ad Evangelium acommodat per allusionem . Pisc : Analys . alludit Apostolus ad verba Mosis , Deut. 30.12 . Diodati Annot. on Rom. 10.6 . [ speaketh on this wise ] S. Paul makes use of this passage , though spoken in another sense . The like to which he doth in the same Chapter : v. 18. alledging the words Psalm . 19.4 . concerning the preaching the Gospel in all the world , which is undeniably meant of the course of the heavens . Nor is it of force to overthrow this exposition , to say , that the word Deut. 30.14 . is said to be in their heart , for to be in their heart is there no more than to be understood by them though they were ●isobedient , and might be true of the law ●s wel as the Gospel . No● is it any disparagement to the holy writings , to say that sometimes holy writers accommodate to their purpose words that have o●her meaning in the places where they stand . Whence I infer that the words v. ●1 . [ he Commandement which I command thee this day ] do not prove that thereby is meant the very Gospel-Covenant ratified in Christ , but the Commandment given in Horeb Deut. 29.1 . nor is there any shew of likelihood that the words Deut. 30.11 , 12 , 13 , 14. should be meant of the promise v. 6. of circumcising the heart of their seed , for that was not to be done by them , but God. And though it be true that Moses had that day propounded the Commandments as a mutual Covenant betwixt them and God , as wel as God and them the parents or rulers stipulating therein in behalf of themselves and Chidren ( or rather in the behalfe of the whole nation in present being and unborn posterity ) and so in reference to them also a conditional covenant that day in the plains of Moab , Deut. 29.1.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 29 , and 30.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. yet the covenant was on their part to keep the commandments of the Law for their prosperity Deut. 29.9 . not to believe in Christ ( which few of them understood ) . And when it is said Deut. 29.13 . that it was that God might establish them that day for a people to himself , and that he might be unto them a God , it is not meant that they should be all believers , and God to them a justifying and saving God in Christ , Mr. B's . words in his Friendly accommodation , pag. 361. And for that which you urge [ Ero Deus tui & seminis ] I doubt you will not prove that it reacheth so far as you speak . It sufficeth that God will be to them a God of mercy and do for them all that is necessary to put them in statum salutis pro conditione parvulorum , and Mr. C's own exposition , I will be a God to some in respect of external interest , shew that to be a God to some doth not necessarily infer they shall be regenerate and so the covenant of saving grace in Christ be gathered thence . And therefore I deny that Deut. 30.6.11 , 12 , 13 , 14. compared wi●h Rom. 10 6 , 7 , 8. do evidently or obscurely prove , that the Covenant-interest ( external as he cals it ) of inchurched stipulating parents children is Gospel , or that the Apostles preached this doctrine , or that believers are to eye the covenant in such a latitude as to their children with them by faith , or that the essentials of the Covenant of grace in the latitude of the extent thereof to covenant parents with their children held forth in the old Testament was delivered and held forth as valid to the faith of the Saints in the new and after Christs incarnation . Nor doth Peter propound the word of true faith in such a latitude as with reference to their children , ( in Mr. C's sence ) Acts. 2.38 , 39. And though Paul hold forth Rom. 5.14 , 15. the abounding of Christs grace ( to them that are Christs ) in the gift of righteousness , yet that any such thing as external Ecclesiastical covenant interest to the natural seed of believers is held forth Rom. 5.14 , 15. is Mr. C's , palpable dotage . And how Acts. 2.38 , 39. Rom. 11.16 , 17 , 18 , 19. 1 Cor. 7 , 14. are mistaken is shewed in the first part of this Review and in this third part . But Mr. C. fa●ls to disputing thus , That which believers , as such , have , do , and ought to believe as a branch of the Covenant of grace , that is Gospel ; but this is of that in nature , ergo . The major needs no proof : the former text also clearing the same : the major de jure is evident : they ought to believe the whole Covenant made with them , as is evident , faith must be as large as the object , the Covenant is the word of faith . And so he proceedes in more words . Whereunto I answer , I grant his major , but Mr. C. seems not to heed his own Syllogism . For he tels us the minor de jure is evident , they ought to believe and by which words he seems to have concieved , that this was the minor , that they ought to believe the wh●le Covenant : whereas his minor to be proved was this [ the external , Ecclesiastical interest of Infants of inchurched believers is that which believers , as such , have , do and ought to believe as a branch of the Covenant of grace ] . But Mr. C. as a man weary of disputing fals to his dictating way again after his confused manner leaving his reader to aim at what he would prove , and how . That which he should prove is , that the external Ecclesiastical interest of Infants of inchurched believers is that which believers , as such , have , do and ought to believe as a branch of the covenant of grace : surely if they ought to believe it he should produce some promise or declaration that avowes it as a constant and certain thing . But instead thereof he fals to Gen. 17.7 . and tels us , God in making a Covenant in a Church reference especially , as was that with Abraham Gen. 17.7 he taketh in their seed or children as joint covenanters but what he means by Gods making a covenant in a Church reference , or in which words he takes believers seed as joint covenanters with their parents , or in which words the external Ecclesiastical interest of every believers natural child may be proved , he shews not , nor can shew , there being no mans seed : but Abrahams there mentioned . He goes on thus ; Hence the phrase of seed in their generations taking in parents generating and children begotten as those in and by whom Churches , are like to be continued . Answ. It is true it is said Gen. 17.9 . to Abraham [ thou shalt keep my Covenant ; therefore thou and thy seed after thee in their generations ] and this Covenant is v. 10. every man-child among you shal be circumcised . But that this phrase [ seed after Abraham in their generations ] should infer that God taketh in believeng parents generating and children begotten even of the Gentiles in the Covenant of grace at least in respect of external ecclesiastical interest is yet to me a riddle , I know no more to be inferred thence but this , that not only Abraham , but also the Israelites his posterity were bound to circumcise their males in their generations . But we have more of this stuffe . Whence ( saith he ) God , when to speak in reference to the Church-seed as well as to the choise elect-seed of Isaac's line in which the visible , and not meerly the invisible Church was to be continued , he saith , he will establish his Covenant with Isaac , not with Ishmael , Ishmael was Abrahams seed too , and therefore externally in the Covenant , and therefore sealed ; but God knowing that Ishmael would reject this , he warneth Abraham of it a little before that it might not trouble him afterwards : It is not to be with him in his generations for that cause Gen. 17.8 ▪ compared with Gen. 21.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. but with Isaac in his generations ; God not opposing therein Isaac to his Church-seed , who by rejecting the Covenant will and did love , he and his to be cast out . Answ. Mr. C. in this passage speaks so obscurely that it is hard to say what he drives at , and I may take up the saying , reed me a riddle what 's this ? He makes a difference between Gods speech of Ishmael and Isaac , that God saith he will establish his Covenant with Isaac not wi●h Ishmael , it was not to be with him in his generations , who was to be cast out : all which I grant true , and thence infer , that God never made his Covenant with , to , or for Ishmael , and yet he was to be circumcised , and therefore the initial seal ( as it is called ) was given to him to whom the Covenant belonged not . But Mr. C. using this blind index [ whence ] leaves us to ghess , what he drives at . [ whence ] importes it is from somewhat before that God said this of Ishmael , but that before was that God takes in parents generating and children begotten . But me thinks it is from the contrary ( as the Apostle conceived Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 9. ) that God speaks this of Ishmael , who was Abrahams seed , and yet not taken into the Covenant , who yet should be taken in , if yet Mr. C's . principles were good , that the Covenant was made to Abraham and his seed in their generations . And how Mr. C. reckons Ishmaels as not Abrahams Church-seed I know not , nor do I understand how Ishmaels posterity should be cut off from external right to the Covenant he being a Church member according to Mr. C's dictates . Mr. C. then tels us , that God saith in reference to our times he will be a God to the families throughout the earth , and pag. 83. he cites for this purpose the prophecy Ierem. 31.1 . but there it is , the families of Israel : But were it , the families throughout the Earth , this proves not that it is Gospel , that Infants of inchurched believers have external Ecclesiastical covenant-interest . If it did , it may as well infer infants of inchurched believers , yea servants ( who are part of the families of the earth ) to have the same interest , yea all in the world , if we must understand it without limitation , and if with limitation then it is most rightly expounded as the Apostle doth Gal. 3.8 . the promise of blessing all nations , of believers v. 9. and so all the families of the earth ; to whom God will be God shall be only believers of all the families of the earth Gentile believers as Mr. C. truly saith , without Infants . As ●or what Mr. C. observes , that God said to Abrahaham to be a God to him and his seed in their generations not in their regeneration , it is frivolous . For none of the Gentiles seed are Abrahams seed but by regeneration , and so to be Abrahams seed in their generations applied to Abrahams spiritual or Church-seed among the Gentiles is all one as to be Abrahams seed by regeneration . And for the prophecy of being a God to all the families of the earth , it is meant not of every member of the family , but the meaning is that God would not restrain his Gospel and Church to the Jews , but take in any of the families of the earth , who would embrace it , as when it is said Mark. 16.15 . preach the Gospel to every creature , ( that is ) to any Gentile as wel as Jews , yet infants not meant . This is proved from the event because parents did believe when children did hate them for it Mat. 10.35 , 36. and the husband was often a believ●r the wife an infidel . But saith Mr C. it was usually otherwise , and God speaks of things as they usually prove : extraordinary occurrences cross not such a rule . To which I say , if the prophecy were as Mr. C. would , that it should be Gospel that God will be a God of children with parents , because he will be god of all the families of the earth , than it must be true of the children of all and every of the families of the earth which recieve the Gospel . Nor are prophecies to be expounded at , if they foretold onely contingents what may be , and what may not be , but what shall certainly be ▪ nor can ther be a rule , much less Gospel , made of that which is uncertain , somtimes it is somtimes it is not , a rule being , as they say in logick , a determinate & known thing ▪ nor is it true that the occurrent of the families being divided in religion was extraordinary . For our Lord Christ speaks of it rather as ordinary & commonly to be expected Matth. 10.34 35 , 36. But Mr. C. would have i● a rule from Acts. 11.14 . Acts. 16 31. Luke . 19 9. To this may be answered 1 that three instances mak not up an induction of particulars whence a rule may be made . 2. The first instance is not meant of infants , for none are th●re said to be saved but those that heard the words which Peter spake . The next includes not infants . For the very next v 32. shews that by the house were meant those to whom the word of the Lord was spoken . Nor is there any intimation of an infant meant Luke . 19 9. And it is certain that none of the texts speaks of that which they are produced for , a bare external interest : for they expresly speak of salvation , and therefore if they prove it to be a rule that parents and children are joint Covenanters , or are taken in together they will prove they are saved together , which Mr. C. I suppose will not assert . But some other answers are in my Examen which I must vindicate with these . I had said Examen part . 78 there is a necessity to make 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a restrinctive particle and to expound this house Luke 19.9 . of Zach●us his family only in reference to his person . Against this Mr. C. speaks thus . Nor by salvation come to his house , is meant the comming of salvation to himselfe : as if he and his house were all one : nor do I know any parallel Scripture speaking in such language , that when the scope and intent is to mention the comming of such or such a mercy to such a person , that phrase is used to denote the same ; that such or such a mercy is come to his house . what need such a circumlocution ? if so intended , the word might more plainly have been set down , this day is salvation come to this publican , this person , this man or the like , in as much as he also is become a son of Abraham . And what though the Greek word be used in Acts 2.45 . and 4.35 . for secundum according as , yet not for quatenus , or in quantum : forasmuch as the text and sense thereof are cleare , that it noteth proportion of such administration , not meerly the cause or reason thereof . Or if it be supposed to imply the cause or reason thereof its evident it noteth the proportion also . they gave to every one as , or according as they needed scil : proportionably to their need : it being regular as to give to the needy , so to give them according to the measure of their present necessity . But how that sense will here be fitly applicable I see not , to say that salvation is come to his house or to him according as he is a Believer , but rather as our translators render it , it 's to be taken as a reason of the former , salvation is come to this house , forasmuch as he is a son of Abraham . Answ. By restraining the salvation come to Zacheus his house to his person , I do not make Zacheus and his house all one ; but salvation is come to his house that is , to this place , inasmuch , or in that Zacheus is also become a Son of Abraham . But whereas Mr. C. thinks no Scripture using such language , I will use Grotius his words shewing the contrary even in Luke , because they are full to answer this passage of Mr. C. Annot. in Luc. 19.9 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Synecdoche . Domus enim pro Patre familias dicitur : ita supra . 10.5 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Domum autem ideo nominâsse videtur Christus , ut ostendat rel●tam hospitii gratiam . Dixerat enim Zachaeo Christus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Quare quae ad hunc locum afferri solent de beneficiis Dei in familiam pii Patris familias , quanquam vera sunt rectè accepta , tamen huc pertinere non arbitror . As for what he saith that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not signifie quatenùs , he may know that Scapula puts quatenùs for the first signification of it . What I said , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was not only a causal particle , but also a restrictive is not denied by Mr. C. But he thinks it is not good sense to say , according as he is a believer , but rather it is to be taken as a reason of the former . I confess it would not be good sense to say [ according , that is after the proportion that he is a believer ] but thus it is good sense to make it to note the reason with restriction , and so our Translators do when they render it [ for so much . ] And this is confirmed in that , if it be expounded that salvation did come to his house , that is his wife , children , servants for this only reason , or cause , because he was a Son of Abraham , in that he was a believer , it may be gathered thence that a mans whole house , or posterity , may be saved barely by his believing : To this Mr. C. saith , No : but as Acts 16.31 . upon his believing they shall come in the Gospel-way , in the Covenant road , and ordinary means of salvation . But that this is a false Exposition both places shew . That Luke 19.9 . must needs be meant otherwise than of the means of salvation with which Zach●us might not have been saved . For besides that to his being a Son of Abraham ( not a Son of Abrahams Covenant as Mr. C. speaks ( though that be true also ) but a follower of Abrahams Faith ) salvation is certainly annexed ; nor had it been so joyous if he had not meant salvation it self : it is put out of all doubt that he means salvation it self by verse 10. where he gives this reason why he said salvation was come to him , though some murmured at his going in to him ; for ( saith he ) the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost ; therefore he had both sought , and did save Zachaeus who was lost . And for the other place it is as frivolous to expound Acts 16.31 . of the means of salvation . For , 1. Pauls Answer is of that of which the Jaylour asked him , else he had deluded him by his Answer ; but the Question was not , What may I do to be put in the road , ordinary means of salvation , the Gospel way ? But , What may I do to escape the wrath due to me ? 2. That salvation is meant which was consequent on his believing , but the ordinary means of salvation was not consequent , but antecedent , that which followed on his believing in Christ was the certainty of salvation . Yea to interpret thus , Believe in the Lord Jesus , and thou shalt be saved , that is thou shalt hear the Word , be Baptized , &c. is so frigid and sapless and interpretation as no considerate man , sure no Interpreter besides Mr. C. that I know , did ever give a sense of it . But Mr. C. tells me : Nor is this sense of salvation for covenant means of salvation , or the covenant and promise it self unusuall in Scripture . The salvation which Christ and his Apostles preached , and those Heb. 2.3 . neglected , was not barely salvation it self , but the promises holding the same forth , this was that mercy , and riches , and salvation also which came to the Gentiles , as rejected by the Jewes , Rom. 11.11 , 12 , 17 , 19 , 30 verses compared . So Esay , 1 , 6 , 8 , Gods salvation is his promise or covenant on which their salvation did depend , Calvin in locum . 2 Sam. 23.5 . David speaking of his house or posterity , which albeit it were not so orient then , yet God had made a covenant with him , scil . in reference to his house , ordered in all things and sure ; And this , scil . this covenant with me and my house , is all my salvation and all my desire , albeit he maketh my house not to grow or flourish in such a sort : this covenant then was his salvation objectivè , causaliter , or instrumentaliter . Answ. If this sense of salvation for covenant means of salvation , or the covenant and promise it self were usuall in Scripture , yet it could not be the sense , Luke 19.9 . or Acts 16.31 . whether we understand it of the outward means of salvation , the Word and Sacraments , or of the promise of salvation : but must be understood of saving by justification , as Tit. 3.5 , 6 , 7. For neither is the outward means of salvation , nor the promise of salvation consequent upon being a son of Abraham , and believing as salvation is in those places . 2. Yet in none of the places alleged by Mr C. is salvation put for being in the Gospel way the ordinary means of salvation competent to infants . And for the covenant or promise of salvation it self , he dares not avoch it to be Gospel , that all the infants of inchurched believers have interest in it , and therefore if salvation Luke 19.9 . were put for the covenant or promise of salvation , yet it would not prove that it belongs to every son of Abrahams whole house , but Mr C. must limit it to the elect , as I do . Yet let us consider his Texts , that it may appear with how little heed he brings Texts , as if he never examined their pertinency , but heaped them together whether to the purpose or not . They are said to neglect salvation , Heb. 2.3 . Ergo , salvation is taken for the outward means of salvation competent to infants or the covenant of salvation . Nay rather salvation is taken for salvation as it was preached and offered , not for the means of salvation competent to infants , nor for the promise of salvation , but for salvation it self neglected in that they did not take hold of it by believing and obeying the doctrine of the Gospel . Acts 28.28 , salvation is said to be sent to the Gentiles , and that they would not hear it . But salvation there is the doctrine of salvation , not competent to infants who could not hear it . Rom. 11.11 , 12 , 17 , 19 , 30 , is not meant either of the bare outward means of salvation , or the covenant of salvation only , much less the outward means competent to infants , Es●y 51.6 , 8 , the term Salvation is not taken for the bare outward means of salvation competent to infants of inchurched believers . If Salvation 2 Sam. 23.5 , did note outward means of salvation , because it is said , This covenant is all my salvation , desire should note outward means of desire , because it is said , This covenant is all my desire . I grant the convenant is termed his salvation Causaliter , or Instrumentaliter , and his desire objestivè . The covenant everlasting in all things ordered and sure , was made with David in reference to his house , not in respect of outward covenant interest to the infants of his house ( it 's a wonder to me that such a man as Mr C. should ●o dote , especially after the publishing of Mr Cottons book of the Covenant on that Text ) but in respect of the great promise of raising Christ out of his loins , Acts 2.30 . or as it is Luke 1.69 . Raising up a Horn of salvation for his people in the house of his servant David , and this ( that is the accomplishment of this promise ) was all his salvation and all his desire , although he did not make his house to grow in secular greatness . I deny not but parents faith may be an occasionall means to stave off destruction from , and to further the salvation of their children , as Heb. 11.7.23 , 25 , 27 , 28 , Jonah 3 , & 4. But this I deny , that barely in this respect , in that the parent is such , the infant of an inchurched believer , whether professing or reall , is a visible member of the Christian Gentile Church , and capable thereby of Baptism , or that this is any part of the Gospel . But Mr C. tells us , Shall it then be yielded that such benefit should come as was before spoken of to adult servants of the house , &c. And is here no reference to the poore Babes by reason of their tender age ? Hath the mercfull God revealed no ordinary help for them ? Answer . It is yeilded that benefit came to the servant of the Jaylors house , Acts 16.31 . but not the benefit there mentioned barely by the Jaylors faith without their own . Though we conceive infants not meant Acts 16.31 . because the Texts , v. 32 , 34 , lead us to understand by [ the House ] the persons who heard the word , believed and rejoyced , yet we exclude not infants from salvation , nor do we deny to the elect the ordinary help of the Spirit regenerating them , and Christs mediation for them ▪ if they die in infancy , although they have not the ordinary outward means of the Word and Sacraments . And therefore he might have spared his pathetick interrogation sitter for an Orator than a Disputant , and for a Papist than a Protestant . Nor need we exclude them from salvation for want of actuall faith because of the words Mark 16.16 ▪ Heb. 11.6 . For either those places may be understood of the act of faith in those to whom the word is preached , or else if it be understood of all infants , they may have faith in seed and act by immediate operation of the Spirit , and yet they not to be baptized , because it is undiscerned by the Minister of Baptism . The Jaylor might have encouragement to hope for his Infants salvation , though they were not meant in those words , Acts 16.31 . If the election of God be not any thing visibly to comfort him concerning his Children , no more is the covenant of salvation , which is comensurtae with election , Rom 9.8 . nor is discernable any more than election , both are alike discerned by the fruits of repenting and believing . As for Baptism , it could not assure salvation , nor the want of it deba● from it . If it be not said , That the Jaylors house believed before they were baptized , yet it is said in the next verse , and in the verse before , that Paul spake the word to all that were in his house . As for that he saith , It follows not that what is applicable to the adult persons in the house , scil . that joy of faith must exclude children from baptism whereof they were capable , no more than when it is said , Deut. 12.7 . that they and their housholds were to eat before the Lord , and to rejoyce in all they put their hands to , &c. Because therefore their little children could not so actually express joy in what they put their hands unto , therefore they were none of the houshould which did eat before the Lord ▪ Anabaptists would not like this arguing , which urge the joynt communion of the Jewish Children in all sorts of Church-ordinances . I answer , ●f by little children be meant infants of a day or two , or some months old ( at which age they baptize infants ) I affirm that they are not mean● by the Housholds , Deut. 12.7 . and that for the reason given , because they could not 〈◊〉 before the Lord , and rejoyce in all that they put their hands unto . Nor do I know any whom he calls Anabaptists , but would like of this arguing : The Jewish Housholds were to eat before the Lord , and rejoyce in all that they put their hand to ; therefore little children of a day or two , or some months old , are not any part of the housholds to whom that precept is given , or of whom that which is there said , 〈◊〉 there meant . For though we all grant that ●nfants were circumcised , and in my Examnen , page 169. I say the males that could eat , though not come to years of discretion fit to receive the Lords Supper , were to eat the Passover , yet I know none of the so called Anabaptists which urge the joynt communion of the Iewish children ( infants of a few dayes or months old ) in all sorts of Church-ordinances . What Mr C. saith further , Suppose a mans houshold , Men , Women and Children , all diseased and cured at the Bath , and afterwards the houshold expresseth their joy for it by leaping & dancing for joy ; and it be said such a man , he and all his were washed at such a Bath , and he & his whole houshold afterwards even danced for joy : none will say , that because little ones could not so leap for joy , and are excluded from the notion of the [ whole houshold ] in this later , therefore they were not in the account of [ all his ] in the former , if it were granted him , yet the arguing from Acts 16 32. where it is said , That P●ul spake the word of the Lord to all that were of the Jaylors house : and v. 34 , He rejoyced believing in God with all his house , with the constant narration of the Evangelist in the Acts of the Apostles , mentioning baptizing of none but believers , do evidently shew , that by [ all his , v. 33 ] were meant onely those that heard the word and believed . It is true more or fewer of this or that sort of persons or things born or unborn are meant by the terms [ House or Houshold ] as the matters and circumstances of the speech lead to , nor need I say that Gen 34.50 . under the term House are not meant little children , because of the words Gen. 35.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. Nor need I deny that Infants are often intended by the term House and Houshold , an Gen. 30 , 30 , &c. or that they are chiefly meant thereby , as 1 Sam. 20.15 , &c. or that they are intended when some parts of the family are expresly instanced in , and children not withall mentioned , as Gen. 14.16 . or that children are ordinary instruments to build or hold up a house in naturall , civill , religious and Church-respects too , as Exod. 1 ▪ 21. or that the Covenant-expressions of Seed and Seed in their generations , do more directly reach them as such , than either Wives or Servants , as such , as Gen. 17.7 , &c. Yet all this doth neither take away the force of the reasons before given why under [ all his , Acts 16.33 . ] infants are not meant , much less prove that which Mr C. should prove ( which he must do if he will prove his covenant-interest Ecclesiastical of believers seed thence ) that in the Iaylors house were infants , and they baptized . Ezek. 16.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. hath been often shewed to be impertinently alledged being meant of the Israelites when brought out of Egypt and then God said [ live ] to them when they had been ready to perish in Canaan first , and then in Egypt by oppression and after brought them to mount Sinai and entered into the covenant of the Law , which Mr. C. ●ndeavoring to apply to an Ecclesiastical external priviledge of Gentile believers infants in the time of the Gospel doth toto Coelo errare . It is neither said there to Jerusal●m then live , nor Micah . 7.20 . that the same mercy and truth engaged to Abraham and Jacob God did both swear to other Jew fathers of families , or that there is mention of pardon of sins externally made over to them or pleaded there for that end v. 18 , 19 And though I deny not that in respect of the covenant made with Iacob at Bethel Gen. 35.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. God is said there to speake with Israel in Hoseah his dayes Hos. 12.2 . yet I deny there is a word that saith that external Church interest of inchurched Gentile believers infants is Gospel . Nor is there any thing 2 Sam. 23.4 , 5 ▪ about external covenant-Church-interest , but of the peculiar promise made to David of the continuing the kingdome to his posterity , which having its full accomplishment in Christ Acts. 2.30 . was indeed in that respect the covenant of grace , and was so believed both by David and all believers before Christ , that it should be done , and now by all believers that it is done . But this promise was made of Davids house only not of every particular believers , and therefore it is impertinently brought to prove that it is Gospel that to every believers house God hath made such a Covenant , or that the children of every believer have an external covenant interest with the parent . As for the instances of Eve and Lamech concerning Seth and Noah Gen. 4.25 . and 5.29 . ther 's no mention of any Covenant , nor that these were Covenant babes , much less of a Covenant belonging to all believing parents with their children , but an acknowledgment in the former that God had appointed Eve another seed insteed of Abel whom Cain slew in respect of the preisthood say some , others in respect of propogating mankind , others because of Christ to come from him : in the other a prophesy of Noah that he should comfort them concerning their worke and toil of their hands , because of the ground which the Lord had cursed , which is concieved by some as meant of the invention of plowing ▪ vide Christoph. Cartwright in locum : the new Annot. follow that sense . But were it true Eve had respect in that speech Gen. 4.25 . to the promise Gen. 3.15 . and that she believed God would continue the Church in Seth's posterity , and that thence came the distinctions of the sons of God and daughters of men Gen. 6.1 , 2. and Lamech believed that Noah should be a root , as it were to the Church albeit that corrupt world should be destroyed : yet all this is note●ing to the point Mr. C. should prove , that it is Gospel that the children of every inchurched Gentile-believer have an externall covenant church-interest , there being in those Texts not a word of such an externall covenant Church-interest , nor of any generall promise to them , but onely a mention of speeches which had their rise from particular Revelations about those persons which are there mentioned , Psalm . 102.25 , 26 , 27 , there 's not a word of the externall Federall Church state of inchurched Gentile Church-believers . But if the Psalm were made towards the later end of the captivity of Babylon , and were the prayer of the Iews ▪ as v. 13 , 14 , makes it probable , then it seems to be meant , as the new Annotations on Psa. 102.28 , thus ▪ The children of thy Servants shal continue ] This is the literal ( as I may call it ) immortality proposed in the Law to them that fear of God , their surviving in their posterity : If of the Saints prophecying of the calling of the Gentiles , or , as some would , of the reingraffing of the Iewes , that Paraphrase of Junius may be right : ● . Vera & germana Ecclesiae tuae membra conservabuntur in aeternum virtute tua & tibi curae futura sunt . Take i● of whomsoever the words may be verified , it mentions no such thing as externall federall Church-interest , but continuance and establishment before God , that is , as Ainsworth notes , as much as so long as God doth dure , meaning for ever . For assurance whereof they had a word of faith , to wit , some revelation of God , though no such covenant as Mr C. imagines , int●tuling children of inchurched Gentile-believers to externall Church-interest . Mr C. urgeth a second Argument to prove the federall interest of believers infants to be Gospel because from the beginning , and he begins with Gen. 3.15 . to prove that it was held as Gospel , that the Species of the infants of believers in Church-estate were taken into the Verge of the Covenant of Grace ; as if infants of believers were a Species , and not Individuals , or that it were denied that some infants were taken into the verge of the covenant of grace . And then he dictates without proof , that Adam and Eve were eyed by God as a seminall visible Church ; whereas in that promise they were eyed either as the root of mankind ; or if as a Church , more likely as the seminall invisible , than as the visible Church . He interprets The Seed of the Woman , not onely of the principall Seed Christ , in , and by whom it was ratified and fulfilled , but her Church-seed also whom the same promise did comprehend . But I would know of Mr C. whether Cain were not her Church-seed , who by Mr C. his Dictates was the infant of inchurched believers . For Adam and Eve were eyed , saith Mr C. as a seminall visible Church ? If so , then it is true of Cain , that he should bruize the Serpens head as Eves church-seed : which how he did , unless being of the wicked one , and slaying his brother , as is said of him , 1 John 3.12 . be bruising the Serpents head , I understand not . Many Interpreters comprehend Cain under the Serpents seed ; but none I have met with , comprehend him , or any reprobate , under the Womans Seed mystically understood . There are Interpreters that understand the promise , Gen. 3.15 . as made to mankind in respect of the naturall Serpent , and the best of Christs destroying the works of the Divel , as John speaks , 1 Epist. 3.8 . and others of the elect overcoming Satan , and treading him under their feet , Rom. 16.20 . But none do I find who understand it of infants of believers externall Covenant Church-interest . Believers , it is true , are called Abrahams seed , but no where true believers , as such , are called Eves Church-seed , nor doth Eve by faith from thence thus interpret the scope of the promise , Gen. 4.25 , 26. And if infants be meant by the womans seed , Gen. 3.15 . in a spirituall sense of overcoming the Divel , yet no infants but elect can be meant thereby , sith no other overcome the Divell . So that it is so far from being true , that this Gospel of Infants of believers externall Covenant Church-interest , was held in the beginning of the world , Gen. 3.15 . that I rather conceive that it is no elder than Mr C. and am sure is a meer figment . But there is more of this Rubbish to be removed . He tells us , The same Doctrine is implicitly held forth , Gen. 9 in the opposition of the servile condition of Canaan , v. 25 , 26. to the future Church state of Japhet , v. 27. the one accursed parent and child to servitude , so that Chams Babes as soon as born , were to be slaves : but Japhet parent & child , are prophetically voted to Church-estate in Sems tents , so that inchurched Japhets babes are actually within Sems Tents so soon as born . As God would accurse collective Canaan , Noah prophesieth that God would enlarge , or cause collective Japhet to turn into the tents of Sem ; which Interpreters expound of the joyning of the Gentiles unto the visible Church . Now visible Church-estate supposeth visible Covenant-estate , as is evident . Answ. If Mr. C. may be allowed to make Gospel of Doctrine so implicitely held forth as his new Gospel is here ; I see not why we should so much blame , as we do , Popes for making new Articles of Faith out of places clearer for their purpose , than this is for Mr. C's . The servil condition of Canaan is refered generally by Interpreters to the bondage they were in when Joshua subdued them , and the Gibeonites were made slaves : which though it did extend to their Children , yet was not such , but that even they were Proselytes many of them to Israel , as Araunah the Jebusite , and after the woman of Canaan is commended for her Fa●●h , Matth. 15.28 . and therefore not excluded from the visible Church . And for the blessing of Japhet , whether we read it , God shall enlarge Japhet , as some , or perswade Japhet , as others , I see not how it is well cleared , that the accomplishment of it is in the Calling of the Gentiles descended from Ja●het , as the Greeks , and others into the visible Church , because it is said that Canaan should be servant to Japhet , whereas the Tyrians , and Sidonians , and Carthaginians , and others descended of Canaan were in the visible Church as well , if not as soon , as many of the Posterity of Japhet , as is apparent by the Histories of the Church mentioning Bishops and Synods held among them , and famous Writers . And therefore for my part I encline to think it a Prophecy of the Civil condition rather than Ecclesiastical , whether it were fulfilled in Alexander the great , and the Greek Kings of Asia after him subduing Tyre and Sidon , and possessing Palaestina , of which Judaea was a part , or of the Romans subduing Carthage and poss●ssi●g Judaea : But ●e it taken as a Prophecy of the Ecclesiastick state of these people , with what Argument will Mr. C. prove , That the dwelling in the Tents of Sem , is refered rather to the visible , than the invisible Church ? They who will have it accomplished when the Gentiles were fellow-heirs of the same body , and partakers of Gods promise in Christ by the Gospel , Ephes. 3 ▪ 6. or when the Gentiles were grafted in the stead of the Jewes Rom. 11.17 . have more reason to understand it only of true believers converted by the Gospel , and so of the invisible Church , than to understand it of the visible Church as visible , as I have shewed in the first part of this Review : yet were it meant of the visible Church , there is no Argument to prove it meant of the Babes of Japhet as soon as they are born . For what though it be that Canaan , and Sem , and Japhet ●e all collectively taken , yet Mr. C. himself , pag. 161. hath taught us , That Speeches of the whole Body of the Jewes , collectively taken , are true , in respect of the choice or refuse part ; and so may , or rather must be the speeches here necessarily understood , Canaan collective neither comprehending every Canaanite in their greatest servitude , nor collective Sem , or Japhet , comprehending every Israelite or descendent from Japhet , but a notable part . And if those of Japhet that dwelt in the Tents of Sem , that is according to the Exposition of Mr. C. were of the visible Church , were brought in by perswasion , and this perswasion was by the Preaching of the Gospel according to the opinion of many Interpreters , the Argument is forcible to the contrary , that Babes are not here meant among the Inhabitants in the Tents of Sem Ecclesiastically expounded , but only such as could hear and understand , and were perswaded by the Gospel to joyn themselves to the visible Church of Christ. After this Mr. C. dictates out of Gal. 4.23 , 24. Gen. 21.10 . That even as Ishmael and hi● were cast out of Abrahams family , and the legal Jerusalem and her Children even the body of the Jewes adult and infant were dis-churched , so Ecclesiastical Isaac , Abrahams Church-seed with their Children should be instated in the visible politi●al Gospel-Church . But the Apostle doth not speak of ●asting out of the visible Church as such , but out of the Inheritance of Sons , that is justification and salvation , and Jerusalem that now is and her Children is not J●ws as Jewes or the body of Iewes or adult and infants as Mr. C. speaks : for then many Myriads of Jewes believing should be cast out : But Ierusalem that now is , notes the legal Covenant , and her children not Infants born at the City Ierusalem , bu● so many whether of Jews or Gentiles , as sought righteousness by the Law , and not by Christ , as Hagar signifies the legal Covenant , & her Son Ishmael such as were born of the flesh , that is , trusted in the flesh , as the Apostle speaks , Phil 3.3 . that is , in their legal righteousness , and carnal privileges . And on the other side , Sarah and Ierusalem above , signifie the Gospel-Covenant , vers . 24 , 25. which begets Children by Promise , that is , ●●cording to the Doctrine of Fai●h in Christ typified by Isaac , and these that believe are born after the Spirit , and do inherit life , righteousness , salvation . There 's not a word of Abrahams Church-seed there , or any where else in Mr. C. his sense ; and [ Ecclesiastick Isaac ] is a new Notion , and a meer figment of Mr. C. in his sense ; and [ the casting out ] is meant of the invisible Church of the saved , such as do rej●ct Christ , and adhere to the Law ; and the taking in is meant of the taking into the invisible Church of the justified and saved , them that believe in Christ , or a●e united to him , and not of an in-Churching of meer visible Professors , Paren●s , and Children into the visible Church by an outward ri●e . The three Texts next alleged by Mr. C. are all mis●alleged to prove an external Covenant Church Interest of the Infants of in-Churched-believers , to wit , Esay 65.20 . the impertinency of which to this end , is shewed in the Second Part of this Review Sect. 11. the impertinency of Isa. 61.9 and Ezek 37.27 . in this Part of the Review before Mr. C. proceeds to a Third Argument . In answer to which I deny , 1. the Major , or sequele , that [ if Infants and little ones of visibly believing parents in their Church estate , before they can make any personall confession or profession of faith in the covenant , yet then are Abrahams Church-seed , then is it Gospel that the promises belong to them . ] Nor is it in substance or circumstance the Apostles , Gal. 3.16 . To Abraham and his seed are the promises made . For though it is granted , that it is Gospel that to Abraham and his seed the promises are made , yet it is utterly false that the●e is meant a seed of Abraham , who are neither elect nor true believers , but onely the naturall children of Gentile inchurched believers , yea of Gentile visible inchurched professors of Faith , whom Mr C. in a new language of his own without Scripture , calls Abrahams Church-seed ; yea , the Text is so manifestly against it , that I wonder Mr C. could imagine any Reader would receive his Dictates about this Text. For the Apostle expresly limits the promises to Christ as the seed of Abraham , and whether Christ be understood personally or mystically , as Beza and others , yet by the Seed are not meant the fictitious Church-seed of Abraham , to wit , the naturall children even of infants o● visible inchurched Gentile-believers , or visible professors of Faith ▪ but true believers , or elect persons , who alone are members of Christ mysticall . And the promises are of the Spirit through faith , v. 14. the inheritance , v. 18. life and righteousness , v. 21 , 22 , which are made to none but true believers , or elect persons . To which I add that externall covenant-interest ( if there were such ) is never in Scripture termed the Gospel , no not in those who rightly have it , as true believers , but Christs dying for our sins , and justification by faith in him . 2. I also deny the minor [ that the Infants and little ones of visibly believing parents in Church-estate before they can make any personal confession or profession of faith in the Covenant , yet then are Abrahams Church-seed ] Mr. C. takes upon him to prove the minor ; 1. in those of Abrahams loins in the elect seed . I should think ( saith he ) it should not be questioned , but yet it hath by some ; that Infants while Infants and till believers are not in the covenant &c. And by such other speeches of our Adversaries in this point , the covenant-right not only of the individual Infants of believers , but the Covenant estates of that species and sort of persons is wholly denyed , and so since it 's evident and acknowledged that some are elected of that sort , yet it 's denied that they have part in the word of Gods covenants , so that if they die in Infancy , as many of the choise seed of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob did &c. Yet that ordinary means of saving efficacy in all the saved elect is denied , contrary to that principle Rom ▪ 9.6 . But more hereof anon : but Rom. 9 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11. is so clear for it I wonder any deny it . Isaac and Jacob are made precedential instances of interest not only of election , but of Gods calling unto the fellowship of his free covenant without respect either to their desire or indeavour of it personally v. 16. Answ. There are sundry reasons which make me conceive that in this and many other passages in this argument Mr. C. aimed at my self . Mr. Robert Baillee minister of Glasgow in Scotland had in the 2. part of his Diswasive intituled Anabaptism ch . 4. pag. 92. charged me with spoiling all Infants of all interest in the Covenant of grace , and denying all right to the new Covenant to Iewish Infants till in their ripe years they became actuall believers . From which false criminations I have vindicated my self in the Addition to my Apology printed at London 1652. Mr. C. here tels of some who speak as if they held that Infants while Infants , and till believers are not in the covenant , that wholly deny the covenant estate of that sort of persons , though they acknowledg some of them are elected of that sort , yet it 's denied they have part in the word of Gods covenant , and if they die in Infancy that ordinary means of saving efficacy in all the saved elect is denied them . I have reason to conceive that these are calumnies of others , sure I am if theyrae meant of my self they are calumnies , and so shewed in my Books before cited and in other of my writings . From which that I may stand free I further express my self distinctly thus . 1. That by [ in the Covenant of grace ] I mean the promise of righteousness and external life by Christ Jesus . 2. That I mean by [ being in the Covenant of grace or belonging to it ] the having this promise made to them by God whether Gen. 17.7 . or Gen. 3.15 . according to the speech of the Apostle Tit. 1.2 . that God promiseth eternal life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before the times of the ages , that is afore any age of man was past ▪ 3. that all the elect of God whether children of believers or unbelievers dying in Infancy , or at the riper age are in this covenant of grace , that is , God hath promised eternal life to them by Christ , they are given to Christ to save , are children of the promise Rom. 9.8 . 4. That all these are Abrahams seed meant in the promise Gen. 17.7 . though not actual believers . 5. That all these have Christs me●●●s and the spirits inbeing in them afore they dye as ordinary means of salvation . 6. That none but these elect persons have the said covenant of grace or promise of righteousness and life by Ch●ist made to them . 7. That no where visible prof●ssers of faith is in the Covenant of grace . 8. That the natural child of a believer , no not the naturall child of Abraham the Father of believers was or is in the covenant of grace , as their child , or barely by vertue of their faith , but onely the elect of them by vertue of their election by God. 9. That these elect persons , though elected , and having the promise made to them , yet have not the things promised ( if of years of understanding ) till they do believe , they are not justified till then , and so are not actuall partakers of the covenant of grace , or not actually therein . 10. That no where in Scripture is the naturall child of a Gentile-believer , or a visible professor of Christian faith , termed Abrahams Seed , and the term of Abrahams Church-seed , applied to such is a novel expression , not grounded on Scripture . 11. That the formall , proper , and adequate reason why any was to be circumcised , was , not his being in the covenant made with Abraham , nor is the reason why any should be baptized , bare●ly his interest in the covenant of grace , but the command of God , in the one , appointing males of eight dayes old of Abraahms house , and Proselytes thereto to be circumcised ; in the other , discip●es by their own profession of fai●h in Ch●ist to be baptized . 12. That the use of the terms , Being in the outward Covenant , externall covenant-interest of Infants , and such like are mista●es upon the im●gined connexion between the covenant of grace and the initiall seal , as hey call it . Now to Mr C. his proof . His proof is from Rom. 9.7 , ● , 9 , 10 , 11 , 16. That elect infants were Abrahams seed in covenant , which I deny not , but say that Rom. 9.8 . proves not only , that all the elect seed be included in the promise , Gen. 17.7 . but also that the Apostle expresly affirms , that onely the elect are the children of the promise understood spiritually , and they only Abrahams seed ▪ Acta Synod . Dordrac Judi● . profess . Belgic ▪ de 20. Art. pag. 113. Haec propositio [ solis electis hoe promissiones sunt factae ] ex professo probatur à Paulo , Rom. 9.7.8 . Ames . Coron . Art. 5. c. 2. Seminis in●ulcatio solos electos & efficaciter vocatos notari docet Apostolo sic hunc locum interpretante , Rom. 9.8 Gal. 3.16 . & 4.28 . , Mr. Rutherford Exercit. Apolog. 2 c. 2. num . 7. Soli electi dicuntur in Scripturis faederati , filii & hoeredes promssionis , Rom. 9 8. Mr Norton , Mr C. his Colleague , commended by Mr. Co●ton with him , Respons . ad Apollon . c. 2. pag. 30. Objectum faederis gratiae sunt soli electi . Dr. Twiss Animadv . in Corvin . pag. 235. Negamus Deum pacisci faedus gratiae cum omnibus & singulis : dicimus h●c fieri solum cum electis . More may be seen to this purpose in my Examen ▪ part . 3 Sect. 4 , in this part of the Review , Sect. 33. and almost in every Pr●t●stant Wr●●er of note wh● opposeth the Remonstrants of Belgia , and other patrons of Universall grace , freewill , and falling away from grace . But what Mr C. saith and I grant , proves not that Infants and little ones of visibly believing parents in Church estate , before the Infants can make any personal confession or profession of faith in the eovenant , are Abrahams Church seed to whom the promise , Gen. 17.7 . belongs , but the con●rary : Nor is it he●eby proved , that such Infants are covenanters ingaged , or as Ifants of Abraham and Isaac , children of the promise , as if 〈◊〉 formalis ratio of their childrens being children of the promise , w●re Abrahams and Isaacs believing and inchurching , as Mr. C. seems to conceive , it being contrary to the express determination of the Apostle , Rom 9.8 . which excludes Ishmael and Esau from being children of the promise . Nor is it true , that the change of Abrahams name , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , &c. compared proves that the children of believers inchurched are Abrahams seed , but onely th●t believers of all nations are such , Rom. 4.17 . Mr C. glanceth at a passage in my Examen , page 96. wherein I say , that the Apostle , Rom. 4 12. makes Circumcision , a Seal of the righteousness of faith , but not to all , or only circumcised persons , but to all believers whether Jews or Gentiles ; so that according to the Apstles doctrine , Circumcision in as much as it sealed to Abraham the righteousness of faith , which he had yet being uncircumcised , so that it is so far from being true that persons have the promise , therefore they must have the seal in their persons ; that it follows , persons have the promise , therfore they have the seal in Abraham , ●hough they never are nor may be sealed in their own persons . To this Mr. C. saith , The Apostles discourse cleareth it to be otherwise , his scope being not to infringe any Gospel-right to the Gospel-se●l , but to take off any reasoning in point of justification from any work of the Law considered apart from Christ : As for the sealing of Abrahams believing children the Gentiles in Abrah●ms sealing , if that were intended , as much might have been affirm●d of the b●lieving children of Abraham , as they such , and so the circumcising of such Iewes at least had been more than were needed ●o far forth . I reply , I grant the scope to be ●o prove Iustification by faith ; but I say ▪ in respect of the present point the words prove no more , but that Abrahams personall ci●cumcision was to him and all that belive as he did , whether Jewes or Gentiles , the seal of the righ●eousness of Faith. And I do acknowledge , that if that were all the use of ci●cumcision , there was no simple necessity of any Iew believer to be circumcised in their own persons , yet God might think good ex abundanti more ab●ndantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his Councell , as the words are , Heb. 6 17. and therefore would have them also circumcised in th●ir own persons to that end . But however there wer● other ends of circumcision , as ●he prefiguring of Christ to come , the distinguishing the Israelites from o●her people , &c. And therefore notwithstan●ing Abrahams circumcision sealed to Jew-believers the righteousness of fai●h , yet it was not needless that they should themselves be circumcised in their own persons for the ends to which God appointed it . And the command being express for their circumcision , they could plead no exemption from their personall circumcision upon that pretence that quatenu● believers they were circumcised in the circumcision of t●eir father Abraham while the command stood in force , no not though all the ends had ceased , as that Christ were come , all other nations were circumcised as well as they , &c. I say , had these ends and all other ceased , yet without Gods releasing of the command , they were to be circumcised . How little that Act of Christ , Luke●8 ●8 ▪ 1● , 16 , 17. with Mark 10.16 . makes for Mr C. his purpose , is shewed in the second part of the Review before , and so likewise how impertinently Esay● 1.9 . & 65 , 22. are alleged , is shewed before in this part of the Review . I neither grant that inchurched Gentile visible believers are any other where called Abrahams spirituall seed : Nor do I think Anabaptists wil grant , that if they were , then are their children also . But , saith he , The parents being not meerly abstractively considered the Covenant-seed , Gen. 17.7 . ●ut as in reference to their childen with them . For the seed of Abraham to whom the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . is made , is the seed in their ge●erations , which necessarily imply and supp●se as the parents generating , so th● children begotten of them , the parents make not the generation alone , nor the children alone , but ●oyntly considered together . Answer . No person is the Covenant-seed , Gen. 17 7. but Abrahams seed , which being meant of his naturall seed , so it includes all descended from him by Isaac and Jacob in their ●uture g●nerations ; if meant of his spirituall seed [ their g●nerations ] notes either the ages in which they were born by natural generation , or by spiritual regeneration by Fathers in Christ , who beget them by the Gospel ▪ 1 Cor. 4 15. But , saith Mr. C. Here Anabaptists sever the subject parties taken into the covenant-consideration , they agree it 's Abraham & his spiritual seed , but leave out the notation of the seed , soil . seed in their generations the proselyte Gentiles in Abrahams house , they were not his carnall seed ; why are they then sealed , but as they were Abrahams spiri●ual and Church-seed . Answer . We sever not the subject parties taken into Covenant consideration , as Mr. C. speaks , but distinguish them : Nor do we leave out that No●ation of Seed , scil . in their generations ; but take it in , as I have said ▪ the Proselytes , if believers , as Abraham , they are his seed by Faith , if no● , they are not 〈◊〉 seed according to Scripture Abrahams Church-Seed is a new-devised term without Scripture : Yet the proselytes and their chi●dren were to be circumcised by vertue of the command , whether they had any part in the covenant or not , as being in his house , though not of his seed . And if by Gods solemnly enjoyning a Seal to a Blank , or a seal to no Covenant of his , ●e meant , that circumcision of the Proselytes was a token of that Covenant which was no covenant of Gods , I deny it ; it was a Covenant of Gods , in which he made many promises , it was not a token of a Covenant that assured nothing , as a paper in which no●hing is written ( which we call a Blank ) there were promises and persons specified in the covenant . But if the meaning be this , That God solemnly enjoyned that such should be circumcised to whom no promise was made in that Covenant , I grant it true Ishmael , &c. and count it no absurdity to say , God in that sense did solemnly enjoyn the Seal to be put to a Blank . Circumcision , in the Institution of it , was a token or signe of the Covenant made with Abraham , Rom. 4.11 . to be a Seal of the righteousness of Faith , is said of no ones circumcision but Abrahams . What Mr. C. means , That it was a seal of the righteousness of Faith , not so much Subjectivè as Objectivè , Rom. 4. I understand not , except this be his meaning , that it did seal not so much the righteousness of faith to the persons circumcised , as this truth , That righteousness is by faith . Being understood of Abrahams personall circumcision , I conc●ive it sealed both wayes , of any other mans circumcision ; I find not the Apostle calling it the Seal of the righteousness of Faith. But of Seals and sealing I have spoken sufficiently in sundry Sections before . I shall not contend about that passage , That the Baptism of Simon Magus was in the nature of it , and Gods institution , a visible Seal of the most spirituall part of the covenant , and yet did not Iscariot and Magus partake of the spirituall part of the Covenant , my former explication being remembred . And I take it as true which next followes , It is peculiar to the elect to be in the covenant in respect of the participation of the saving efficacy of it , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. And hence observe ▪ that none but the elect are rightly said to be in the covenant of grace : For none are in the covenant of grace but they to whom it is made ( for what is it to be in the covenant , but to have it made to him ? So the Directory , so Rom. 9.8 . ) But they to whom the covenant of grace is made , are the elect onely . The covenant of grace is the covenant of Saving grace , Heb. 8.10 , 11 , & 10.16 . Rom. 11.26 . 1 Cor. 11.25 . Heb. 13.20 . of Regeneration , Iustification , &c. But that is made onely to the Elect : Ergo. The Minor is proved thus , They to whom it is made , they have the saving efficacy , otherwise God should make it and not perform it , and so his Word fall , which is not to be granted : But the elect onely have the saving efficacie , as Mr. C. con●esseth . Ergo. I deny not , Reprobates may in respect of their own profession , be said to be externally in the covenant of grace , in appearance to me● , in the face of the visible Church , but not in respect of Gods promise and before him , which they say is sealed in the Sacrament . Nor do I deny the appointment of God to be to circumcise or baptize Reprobates as well as elect , and that the nature of these ordinances is the same on both sorts , though the use and efficacy in part be various . Nor do I deny the covenant with Abraham one , yet hold it is mixt , which is proved from the words of Mr C. here in that it holds forth variety of covenant-blessings ; some more common to all , and some more peculiar to a few . But I deny the Gospel doth hold forth blessing , common to any other than the godly . It is true , there are promises of this life , 1 Tim. 4.8 . 1 Cor. 3.22 . Mark 10.30 . and Reprobates have some such outward things as the elect , as cloaths , ai●e , life , but not as blessings from the Gospel , neither sanctified in the same manner , nor upon the s●me tenure . As for circumcision , it was the covenant metonymically onely , and did confirm the whole covenant sacramentally to elect and reprobate . Mr. C. yet adds , That if that sort of persons , to wit , Infants , or Abrahams spirituall seed without personall actuall faith by which it 's said onely persons come to be Abrahams seed , it 's enough to prove , that Gentile inchurched believers infants are the the seed of Abraham . But that is fully proved from Gal. 3.7.6.9.16.27 , 28 , 29. where , by Christ , is meant Christ mysticall , that is , Christ with his Body the Church , as 1 Cor. 12.13 . If then Infants be not Abrahams seed , then are they not members of Christ , nor of the invisible Church , and so are without salvati●n . To which I answer , That I never denied that elect infants were Abrahams spirituall seed , nor said onely by actuall faith persons are Abrahams spiritual seed ▪ but grant that some infants are Abrahams spirituall seed , whether by election onely , or by seed of fai●h , or by such a special secret work as is unknown to us , like Jacobs struggling in the womb , and taking hold on his brothers heel , or John Baptists leaping in the womb of his mother for joy , and so are of the body of Christ , and members of the invisible Church , and thereby saved . But I deny that infants of Gentile believers , whether elect or not , are Abrahams spiritual seed , and in that respect in the covenant of grace or promise of God being their God , and thereby admitted to baptism . But Mr. C. adds . I say to exclude that sort of persons scil . believers Infants from being a part of the visible-church in genera● is to exclude them from any ordinary state and way of salvation . Nay I will go further and say , that for any to suppose all the individual Infants and each of them which came of such inchurched parents , not to be also par●s of this body of Christ the visible Church , and consequently not to be Abrahams spiritual seed , is to exclude them from a state and way of salvation . In respect to the ordinary course thereo● , and so to leave them all under the consideration of such a way to be saved in as is only extraordinary : ordinarily they are not to be supposed to be saved , or at least it is not to be supposed , that ordinarily , or that in an ordinary way any Pagans , or Turkes out of the visible Church , or any in and of Rome as Tridentine and Antichristian should be saved : yet God may and somtimes doth , and will have some souls brought on to him thence , and even from amongst Mahometans &c. But all will yeild I suppose that this is an extraordinary case : and so crosseth not that rule , that without even the visi●le Church there is no salvation ; scil . Taking the maxime in reference to ordinary times , and with all to the ordinary course and w●y of attaining unto salvation . Ans. Mr. C. his drift I conceive is to prove , that if Infants of believers be not visible Church-members they have no ordinary state and way of salvation , and that the maxime is true , that out of the visible Church in reference to ordinary times and withal to the ordinary course and way of attainining unto salvation there is no salvation . Against which I oppose that if the maxim out of the Church there is no sal●a●ion , be understood of the visible Church , & the ordinary state & way of salvation , it will as well concern Mr. C. to shew how children of believ●rs endued with a reasonable soul and humane body , yet still-born or dying in their mothers womb with her and never born are provided for an ordinary way of salvation as wel as for us concerning Infants born alive . I suppose they will not say infants dying in their mothers womb and there buried , and never brought to light , are visible members of the Church , who were never visible men , nor that they are to be baptized . What ordinary way & state of salvation external have they more than Mahometanes ? If it be said they have election , the vertue of Christs death the promise of God according to election , the secret work of the spirit I grant it , and the same may be said of Infants living , nor can it be certainly and without doubt denied of Papists and M●home●a●s infants . Though I confess it is far more probable that oridnarily God gives these means to Infants of believers whether Churched or unchurched than to the Infants of others , and rather to the Infants of true believers , than 〈◊〉 professors of faith . Yet I dare not determine certainly thereof because of the express resolution of the Apostle Rom. 9. concerning Ishmael and Esau , and his reference thence v. 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 22. And if he count ●e certain there is no salvation out of the visible Church in an ordinary way there being no ordinary way to estate Infants in the visible church ( which I grant not as well as he ) but baptism , then he doth as good as affirm , that ordinarily no infant is saved without baptism , which is either the Popish tenent or not much shor● of it . This will the more urge M. C. because he limits the promise to Abrahams visible Church-seed in reference to Church-covenant , and I supp●se they of N. E. baptize not infants of parents not inchurched ; what ordinary way of salvation have children of believers not inchurched , who are not accounted visible Church members when their parents were not ? And the like must be said of the children of excommunicate persons , of uncertain originall Apostates , who are with them , or some of them no visible Church-members : how are they in the visible Church , and what provision is for them ? For my part I conceive that if the matter be impartially considered , I think their doctrine is pressed with the like difficulty that mine is . I affirm that believers infants , and infants of unbelievers , if elect , are certainly saved ordinarily , that is , according to the constant course of Gods purpose by vertue of Gods p●omise , Christs death , and the Spirits secret working , though they be neither baptized , nor are visible Church-members and I think they can say no more concerning infants of believers dying with the mother in the womb , and never brought to light , which is no unu●uall thing . I say that it is very probable because of generall indefinite promises and frequent experience that the infants of believing parents are e●ect , when the infants of Infidels are not . Yet I cannot affirm they are elect , because the promises are not universall to every believers infants ; yea , if they were , as Pedobaptists would have them , universall in respect of externall privileges ( which is not true ) yet rhere could be no certainty of election and salvation inferred thence . And therefore though there be a better ground of hope of the salvation of a believers infant than others ; yet in a question concerning ●he certain●y of the event whether they are saved or no , I must suspend my judgement , and leave it to Gods secret will , having no rule revealed whereby to determine it . If Mr. C. assure any more , I conceive he wiil deceive himself and others . Dr. Twiss . Animadvers . in Corvin . pag. 35. saith thus : Ad h●c fortè in ea sententia sunt nostri Theologi ut propositum Dei de salvandis fidelium liberis in infantili aetate morientibus haud liquido satis demonstrari in sacris literis . Et sanè non diffiteor exitia hujus rei suppeditari nobis ex sacris li●eris indi●i● , quibus tamen acquiescimus . But Mr C. adds , Such then as exclude all Infants of believers one or other from the notion of Abrahams spiritual seed , from covenant and Church-estate , they put them in the Pagans , Genti●es estate , 〈◊〉 of which Paul speakes , who being they and others strangers from the promise and covenants , and from the visible Church : they place them in that respect in an estate of persons that are without God in the world , and so under the Divel the God of the world ; and in an hopeless estate , neither they nor any for them can have any grounded hope of them , they are without hope , in regard at least of any ordinary way or mean of salvation , Eph. 2.11 , 12. Answ. I exclude not all infants of believers one or other from the notion of Abrahams spirituall seed , from Covenant and Church-estate , meaning this of being Abrahams spiritual seed , and included in the covenant of grace and invisible Church , which alone can make God to be their God , estate them in Christ , be the ground of a certain hope of their salvation , and that according to an ordinary way . They that teach them to be visible Church-members and baptize them , cannot give parents a grounded certain infallible hope of salvation without this ordinary way ; I assen , nor can they give more assurance of that way of Baptism , than may be given without it , baptism not saving without the answer of a good conscience towards God , 1 Pet. 3.21 . Neither that nor their imaginary visible Church-membership assuring that they are not under the Divel , nor without God in the world . And if they do , they do it without Scipture , and experience doth too often refute them . Mr C go●s on . Nor let it seem grievous that our friends and brethren in the Lord of ●ame and worth in the Church , have , as it seemeth , urged that in case of such an exclusion of believers children , they are made as Turks or Indians , so far forth in regard that not being in covenant nor Church-estate , the Apostle truly states such persons cases , they are without hope , and without God in the world : He maketh no distinction of potentia remota and propinqua in that case . Answ. It is a grievance to us their brethren in the faith , that Mr M. and such men of name and worth in the Church , should so misrepresent our Tenet as they do , with whom Mr C. seems to concur . Mr. M. his calumny in misrepresenting my words in his Defence , part 2. sect 10. as if I had said , That I know no warrant to think election to reach believers children more than unbelievers children , that I know no more promise for them than for the children of unbelievers , is answered in my Apologie , sect . 14. I have shewed here and in my Examen , Part 2 Sect. 10. and in my Apologie Sect. 14. that I put the elect of them into the covenant of grace , and in the invisible Church , and this onely is the ground of a sure hope of their interest in God , and Christ ; and salvation . And that they are elect I give 4 probable reasons which are not competent to the infants of Turks and Pagans , 1. generall indefinite promises not made to Turkes and Pagans , 2. The payers of parents and godly for them , 3. Their education and breeding among the godly , whereby they are in a neerer possibility to be godly , than others . 4. The ●requent experience that the children of the godly prove such ; which yet because those promises are not particular and definite , that is , determining this particular go●d of salvation to each particular person , & prayers are made and heard with limitation of Gods will & the education may fa●l in its effect , and experience is not so constant , but that it falls out otherwise in many , therfore there 's no sufficient ground for certain hope but only probable . Mr M. Mr C. and others , assign ● more , to wit being in Covenant & Church-estate . But Mr C. pag. 93. confesseth , It is peculiar to the elect to be in covenant in respect of the saving effi●acy of it , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. And that being in covenant and Church-estate , which he makes common to all , elect and reprobate , cannot assure them certainly of salvation ; therefore were it granted that there were such a covenant of Church-privileges and that they were visible Church-m●●bers and to be baptized which I conceive to be fictitious ) yet this c●uld 〈◊〉 m●ke the h●pe of their salvation more than probable , no no●●o probable as the reasons I give , where I infer that they do us wrong to instil into peoples 〈◊〉 tha● which tends to make us odious , that our doctrin takes aw●y all 〈…〉 hope of infants salvation , dying in infancy , whē in truth the promise of salvation as we assign it is the same wth●he promise as they assign it , & the grounds we give of the hope of the infants interest , are as sufficient to make it probable as th●i●s , ●f they were supposed true , which yet notwithstanding all they say , we know a●e fictitious . Now hereby is a plain answer to Mr. C. If Infants of Tur●s be any of them elected , which Mr. C. seems to grant when he saith , God may and sometimes doth and will have some souls brought on to him from Rome , and even amongst the Mohometans , &c. We do grant they are really and before God in as good a condition as believers children , though not in appearance to us and in respect of their present estate , nor can they be said to be without Christ , without God in the world in all respects . But in respect of present state and appearance to us , neither Infidels nor their children are in any condi●ion so hopefull as believers and their children , because of the generall indefinite promises they have , the benefit of prayers , which are not with a like a●dency : for Infidels though we pray for them also in a more generall manner , the benefit of their education , which if it be to Indians children , yet not with a like care . And if it be , we should not think it absurd to say , that if they be brought into godly families , their salva●ion is hopefull as well as believers children . Else why doth Mr Cotton conceive in the way of the Churches of New England , in the latter end they may be baptized . And the experience is very frequent concerning godly mens children proving godly , but very rare that an Infidels child living among Infidels , is converted . And for a word of promise for faith and hope to rest upon , as I said , it hath been shewed , that neither Mr M. nor Mr C. nor any other can produce any promise in Scripture that assures the salvation of an Infant of a reall believer , much lesse of a meer professor dying in infancy ; yea , to retort Mr C. his Argument , we are not to sorrow without hope , concerning our brethren that dye at age : yet we have no certain word of faith to relye on , but that Go ● will be the God of elect and true believers , Luke 20.36 37 , 38. But tha● this promise reacheth to our brother deceased at age , we know onely probably , though the probability is greater by reason of his profession and conversation , yet at most but probable , notwithstanding those signes , we are not certain he is elect , he may live and dye an hypocrite . Many are canonized for Saints in ●eaven who perhaps are among unclean spirits in hell . We therefore in this case are fain to suspend our judgment about the certainty , and to content our selves with a likely hope upon probable grounds . And so we may do concerning our children according to my doctrine , though I confesse the hope is more probable of such a one than of an infant ; yet sometimes also there appears as much cause of ●ear . How ever this I say , that were it not to make our doctrine of Antipaedobap●ism odious to parents , who being indulgent to their children , are easily moved to passion towards them , th●t say any thing of them that seems harsh , and are very much inclined to them and their words that tend to feed ●hem with such conceits as occasion their hopes , though but fond , of good to them , our doctrine would be free from this exception . But such courses should be far from men of worth , who should present truth nakedly , without respect to mens affections . As Mr C. tells us , he hath been the longer in proof of this seventh Conclusion , in that it is the very Hinge of the Controversie : So I have answered it more fully , though it have been very tedious to me by reason of Mr. C. his confused and impertinent Dictates . And I do declare that I do not see reason from that which Mr. C. hath said to unsay what I said , that the children of believers covenant-estate , at least Ecclsiasticall , as asserted by Paedobaptists , is a new Gospel , not elder than Zuinglius , and therefore rejecting it , I shall hold that to be Gospel which I find so called , 1 Cor 15.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , &c. Rom. 1.16 , 17. Gal. 3.8 . 2 Tim , 2.8 . Rom. 2.16 . and such like places and wish Mr. C & others of his mind , who upon such uncertain and impertinent allegations , impose their Gospel upon mens consciences , to ponder with more seriousness the Apostles words● , Gal. 1.9 . If any man preach any other Gospel than that ye have received , let him be accursed . SECT . XLV . Mr C. his Answers to objections against his seventh Conclusion , part . 1. c. 3. Sect. 9. of his Just Vindic. are considered , and Mr. Bl. his Tenent concerning the generall term of a Covenant , that it is a mutuall agreement . I Wave the first Objection here , and for my speeches about Pharez , Zara , and others , and that of the Jewes being branches of the Olive by their birth , that I forget not my self , and how far I own them and wherein I correct them , or explain them , may be seen in the first part of the Review , Sect. 6 . 1● , 21. The second objection is thus , If Infants be in the Covenant of grace , and born so , then such Infants were born in the Covenant , and never out . And besides , Gods Covenant of saving grace bi●g absolute , and undertaking to give saving grace to such as are in covenant with him , all such must be saved , unless God fail of his truth . To this Mr. C. answers , 1. That Covenant of grace , as I. S. acknowledgeth it to be mentioned , Deu. 29. it was made with little ones then unborn intentionally , v. 14 , 15. as well as with those then present actually : So that when they were born ▪ they were born in the covenant and never out . As much may be said of the Infant Elect seed , or children of the promise dying infants , they were born so , and never out of that estate after they were actually existent : yea they were all girded in the covenant , Jer. 13. Answ. The passage Deut. 29.15 . is not meant of Gods covenant or promise to them , but their promise or covenant to God , as appears in that v. 14. Moses is said to make the covenant with them , that is , to engage them in their own persons for themselves and little ones to own God and his lawes , and v. 15. it is said , before the Lord our God , which shewes that the person making that covenant , v. 14. was distinct from the Lord , and this Covenant he made with him that was not there with them that day , to wit , the unborn posterity , as rightly M. C. and others eonceive , and this Covenant Moses made with them by engaging them by an oath of their P●inces and progenitors , in the same sense as Saul and the Israelites were bound to the Oath made by Joshuah and the Princes of Israelites to the Gibeonites ▪ So that those unborn are not said to be in Gods Covenant of grace as made by him , and so intentionally onely because not existent ; but they were in covenant with God virtually , because of the Obliga●ion which lay on them by their progenitors and Princes engagement for them to take the Lord for their God , and upon their obedience God engaged himself to establ●sh them to be a people unto himself . And this , I confess , did ever oblige them ; but it is nothing to the objection which speaks of Gods Covenant as made to infants , not of infants Covenant as made to God. Nevertheless I confess what ever were the Authors meaning in that Objection , it is no absurdity to grant , that elect infants dying so , were born in the Covenant and never out , that is , they had the promise of God made to them at , yea and before their birth , and in respect of the actuall possession of the benefits of the covenant , they were in the covenant before their death and never out . But so are not elect infants dying in respect of outward Church-privileges , they are not born visible Church-members , nor subject to be baptized . 2. Saith Mr C. Gods Covenant did not barely offer , or promise to covenant ; but made a Covenant , a Covenant and an Oath with them that day , Deut. 29.12 , 13 , 14 , 15. and amongst other promises engaged himself to circumcise their hearts chap. 30.6 . yet were not all in heart circumcised , and yet the promise of God failed not , being in the generall propounded to them conditionally , and not as it is said here absolutely , at least it had reference to them all in common . The word of the promise took not effect in as many of the Jewes to whom the covenant promises externally belonged , yet it followed not , that therefore it took no effect at all , and that God was unfaithfull , for it took effect in others , Rom. 3.3 . and 9.6 , 7 , 8. And so here . Answ. What this is to the objection which is here answered , I do not well understand . Gods covenant of saving grace , whether expressed Gen. 17.7 . to A●raham and his spirituall seed , or Heb. 8.10 or elswhere , is absolute in respect of the persons to whom , God takes into covenant persons of his own good pleasure without any previous disposition moving him to promise to this rather than that , though some benefits of that covenant are promised upon condition , and all those to whom it is made , must be saved , unless God fail of his truth . But for the Covenant , Deut 29.12 , 13 , 14 , 15. it was their covenant to God , as well as Gods covenant to them , nor was it the covenant of grace according to the Gospell made to Gentile-believers , but a nationall engagement of the Israelites to observe the lawes of God which Moses made with them at Gods command in the Land of Moab , besides the Covenant which he made with them in Hor●b , and Gods engagement thereupon to take them for a people while they observed his Laws In which covenant first Moses tells them what God hath done for them , notwithstanding their dulness to perceive it ; and then ejoyns them , v. 9 to keep the words of the Covenant and do them , that they might prosper in all that they did : and then tells them , that they all stood there in a full Assembly , that they might be engaged for themselves , their little ones , strangers within their Camp , and posterity to observe Gods Commands , and then tells them that God would establish them for a people unto himself , that is , that he would continue them to be a distinct people to him from other nations , and be a God to them according to his oath to Abraham , Isaac and Jacob , that is , to drive out ●he Canaanites , to give them their Land , to make them great and prosperous , which is manifestly a covenant proper to Israel , and it is not denied to be propounded to them conditionally , and to have reference to them all in common , and was of the same sort with the covenant at mount Sinai ▪ not the covenant of regenerating and saving grace made to the Gentiles , called the new Covenant confirmed by Christs blood , Deut. 30.6 . God promised to circumcise their heart and the heart of their seed : which promise I do not now conceive to be conditionall : For though v. 2. there be a condition expressed , yet I think it is not a condition of the promise v. 6. but of the promise v. 3. to wit , of restoring from captivity upon their seeking of God. But if it be made a condition of the promise v. 6. yet it is not a condition competent to Infants , nor is it there made to any but the Israelites , and to them onely at the time of their return from captivity in reference to their re-establishing in the land of Canaan , and so was not common to them all , much less to all believing Gentiles at all times . It is untrue that the promise of saving grace is made to any onely externally , or that it takes not effect in all to whom it is made , or that any such thing is meant Rom. 3.3 . & 9.6 , 7 , 8. though I deny not that there were many promises to Israel after the flesh , which being indefinite in respect of persons , and conditionall upon obedience to the lawes given by Moses , took not effect in all the Israelites , though in generall propounded , and therefore notwithstanding some attained them not , yet the faith of God was not without effect . But all this is nothing to the objection concerning Gods covenant of saving grace in Christ , which is not shewed to be made to any but the saved , nor shewed to be in respect of the persons taken into covenant conditional . 3 Saith Mr. C. This Argument supposeth that one cannot be within the Covenant of saving grace externally , but they must be in a saving estate , the contrary whereunto appeareth , Concl. 3. And it is said of sundry illegitimate Jewish Children , that they were within the covenant of saving grace , namely externally : for the Author cannot mean other . And yet of all such who will say , they were all in a saving estate ? Even Esau's Birthright was more than right to Isaac's temporall estate as born of Isaac , it was a Church blessing as well as a Naturall and Civill . Ans. That any one is in the covenant of saving grace onely externally , is not proved before . My words Examen pag. 78. which M● C. seems to mean , [ ●h●t Pharez and Zarah of Judah and Tamar , Jephie of Gilead , and many others were within the covenant of saving graces and Church-privileges ] are not meant of the covenant of saving grace ex●ernally onely , but also internally . Esau's birth-right was more than right to Isaac's temporall estate as born of Isaac , it is that which Jacob was not born to , for it was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the right of the first born , which Jacob had not but by purchase and blessing , nor is it denied to be a Church-blessing , but that it was the spirituall blessing promised to Abrahams seed , to wit justification and salvation from the covenant of saving grace I do not conceive : for that was not limited to the first born as the birth-right was , and therefore it se●ms to have been either the superiority , or the inh●ritance of Canaan , or the descent of Christ and the Chuch of God from him ( to which I most incline ) the losse of wh●ch being a great losse , and having with it the privation of interest in the covenant of saving grace , he being h●ted of God , made Isaac tremble and Esau cry , and were a 〈◊〉 instance to set before the Cristian Hebrews , lest th●y through prophane under●●●●ing Christ , fail of the grace of God. Mr. C. adds 3. Object But saith ● . S. the Covenant of grace being a Covenant , there must be a mutuall agreement betwixt the Covenanters , and so knowledge and consideration of the terms thereof , and restipulation as in mens covenants . Henry Den a little differently maketh a necessity of the persons entering into covenant with God , scil . by faith unto covenant-right , and not meerly Gods entering into Covenant with the creature , for so he entered into covenant with the Beasts , &c. Gen. 9 10. Answer . To which I answer , the covenant of grace is as well a Testament , 1 Cor. 11. Heb 9. Now a Testament may be , and useth to be made in reference to little ones without their knowledge , nor do any us● to deny a Childs right in the Testators will because it was taken in amongst other Legacies in the bequeathed Legacies before it understood the same . Nor will it be denied in the case of the elect seed , the choice parties in Gods Covenant , Gen. 17. That they , many of them , dying Infants , without actuall knowledge , were not therefore children of the promise , or that that solemn Covenant Deut. 29.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , & 30.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , &c. with that people , wherein conditions also were propounded on their parts , that therefore the Covenant was not made betwixt the little ones there present because they neither understood ▪ nor could actually subscribe to the conditions , the contrary being there expressed : No , rather it sufficed , that the childrens covenant-estate being the parents privilege , whence the encouragements to Abraham to walk with God , Gen. 17.1 , &c. from that amongst other encouragements , that God would become his Seeds God also , & , . v. 7. and so Deut. 29 and 30. amoongst other encouragements to the parents that is one , v. 6. that God will do so for their seed also : yea the children being reckoned as in their parents , as Levi paid Tythes in Abraham , &c. Yea , the externall avouching a Covenant may be of God , being owned as the children● , Deut. ●6 . 16 , 17. yea the childrens circumcision being as well the parents covenant duty : whence called the Covenant , or the covenant parties covenant part or duty as well as the token of Gods Covenant , Gen. 9.7 , 9 , 10 , 11. they restipulate in their parents knowing acceptance of the Covenant and professed owning of it upon the Covenant terms , as well upon their childrens part as their own & they restipulate in a passive reception of the Cvenant-condition and Bond too after imitation of their Father Abrahams purpose● . S. confessed circumcision was annexed to the covenan● : yea , the bastard children of Judah and Gilead , and others , are acknowledged to be in the Covenant of saving grace , which yet could not personally restipulate in a way of actuall knowledge , or faith , or the like . Answ. The Objection , as it is not mine , so I might let it and the answer passe , but that there are some things in the answer to it , that do requi●e consideration . In the first part of this Review ▪ Sect. 5. answering Mr. Stephens his argumen●s for the Convertibility , as he ca●ls i● , of a word of promise and a word of command , from the general nature of Covenants between men and men , I had said , the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●o not alwayes note a mutuall covenant , and mutuall performanc●s ▪ and instanced in Gen. 9.10 . and said , , there is a single covenant as well as mu●uall , and further added , that if it be true , that such a convertibility must needs be between those persons that do contract according to the generall nature of Covenants , then there can be no Covenant between God and Inf●nt 〈◊〉 Infant cannot contract . If any say the Parents do 〈◊〉 act for them to : I say , Be it so ; then according to this arguing , they should also seal o● be sealed for them Hereup●n Mr Bl. Vindic F●d . Append. pag. 470. taks occasion to answer part of this , maintaining pag. 479. that there is a mutuall contract , and mutual performances , to which persons are engaged , not onely usually in covenants , but in all covenants , and that i● is of the general nature of Covenants , that there should be such a convertibility as that both must , if not seal , yet contrast or perform , and where a Seal is vouchsafed , must accept of it . And to the allegation of Gen. 9.9 , 10. answers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is taken improperly , as Job 5.23 . Whereto I reply , That it must needs be confessed , that Covenant , Job 5.23 . must needs be understood improperly , for the stones of the field cannot properly covenant , that is , promise any thing , who are there said to be in covenant with Man , But Gen. 9.9 , 10. where God is said to establish his covenant with all living . I see not why it should be taken improperly , sith covenanting doth properly agree to God , who doth in proper sense promise , and in improper sense it would not be rightly said of God , that he did not make a Conant , but as it were make a covenant , or do some other thing which is resembled by making a Covenant , which must be the explication of that phrase if God be conceived to speak improperly . If Mr Bl. do conceive any Tropicall impropriety of speech in that expression , I suppose he cannot reduce it to any Trope in Rhetorick , but that he will ma● the sense of the words . And if Gods Covenant with Noah and his Sons , be properly understood v. 9. I see not any reason why the same term wi●hout repetition applied to beasts , as the object of the Covenant , c●n be taken any otherwise than properly . Besides , this Covenant Gen. 9.15 seems to be called Gods Oath , Isa. 54.9 . and therefore is properly taken . Nor do I know any Interpreter who understands it improperly . Paraeus hence gathers , Foedus hoc est universale Dei cum omnibus creaturis terrestribus . & est absolutum non conditiona●um . And the New Annotations of Mr. L●y ▪ on Gen. 9 10 have it thus : Some allege this place against the Anabaptists , and thus it may serve to refute this fancy , viz. that the Covenant of God may be made with , and the seal of the Covenant applied to creatures that have not the use of reason , which they deny , in denying the administration of Baptism to them . Which pass●ge although it have this falshood , that we deny that the Covenant of God may be ma●e with or to Infants : yet it appears that they who speak thus , understand Gods covenant Gen. 9.10 ▪ properly . The promise Heb. 8.10 . of writing Gods Lawes in their hearts , is called the Covenant , unto which no covenant is prerequired , and to take away the evasion , as if it were not a covenant properly so called , but a prophecy , or but a part of the covenant , there being other promises which prerequire conditions , it is to be observed , that it is not onely called the better Covenant , v. 6. as being made a Law upon better promises , and having a better Priesthood to execute it , but also it is opposed to the Old Covenan● , and as coming in its stead , and therefore if in the one it be properly meant , it is so in the other : and Jerem. 32. ●0 . the promise , that He will not turn away from them to do them good , but will put his fear in their hearts , that they shall not depart from him ▪ is his Covenant . The Covenant to Abraham and his se●d is called Promises , Gal 3.26 . which shews that promis●s on one part may b● called ● Covenant . And though in De●ds indented there are mutuall promises , yet in Deeds Poll as the Lawyers call them , I think a person is said to covenant to another , though there be no condition or promise required of him to whom the Deed is made . As for that which Mr. Bl. saith , Where there is a Seal vouchsafed , the party to whom the promise is , must accept of it : it is true if it be required , but it is expected that it should be shewed , that God ever required the Infants of believers to be baptized in their own persons . To return to Mr. C. Most of the things he answers are granted , or else examined before ; but the chiefest thing in the answer is denied , to wit , that Parents knowing acceptance of the Covenant , and their passive reception of the Covenant-condition and Bond to after imitation of their Father Abrahams faith and obedience , is or may be termed the Infants restipulation intituling to Baptism . In the answer to the next Objection , Mr. C seems to charge us rather than himself , to block up the ordinary way to regeneration , and to debar believers children from the ordinary means of their chief good , by denying them interest in the Word of Promise , the which is such a means , &c. But therin Mr C. his charge is but vain : For the word of Promise , which is the means of regeneration , is not the covenant of externall privileges , but the promise of saving grace in Christ , which we debar them of no more than Mr. C. doth . And when he denies that he makes every believer to be Abraham , sure he must do so if he expound Gen. 17.7 . I will be a God to thee Abraham , that is , to every believer , and to thy seed , that is , every believers seed . And when he grants that God doth not promise such a particular Land now as to Abraham , and that the multiplying of Abrahams , &c. was of peculiar consideration , he must grant that the Covenant made with Abraham had peculiar domestick promises not common to all believers , which is all one as to say , it was a mixt covenant , and that circumcision had some reason from the promises in the covenant , which were p●culiar to Abrams naturall posterity , which is sufficient to prove there is not par ratio ▪ or the same reason of bapt●zing infants , as for circumcising them . I find no where any but Abraham a Covenant-Father , as Mr. C. would have it , no where doth God say he would be a God to Isaac , and Jacob , and to their seed : Nor is it said , Rom. 11.16.28 , that they were covenant Fathers to their posterity , nor Jesse a Covenant-root to David , Isai. 11.1 . And by Mr C. his Doctrine , inchurched believers are made Abrahams , sith it makes the prom●ses to be to them and their seed , which is ascribed to Abraham onely , Gal 3.16 . Luke 1.55 . But Mr. C. objects , That the Apostle calls all those inchurched Jewes of old , our Fathers , Fathers to him and to the Gentiles , Corinthian members , 1 Corinth : 10.1 , &c. To which I answer , They could not be called the Corinthians naturall parents , being not descended from them ; nor their Covenant-fathers , for they were many of them such , as God was not well pleased with , v. 6. and the Corin●hians desce●ded not from them , and therefore derived no ex●ernall Church-privilege from them : therefore either it must be understood that they were called Ancestors of the Corinthian Christians , who are called Idolaters , chap. 12.2 . either in the sense we call any in foregoing generations our Fathers though we are not descended from them by naturall generation , or else by the Figure of communication , wherein that is spoken as common to others with the persons mentioned , which is not common indeed , but either ou● of familiarity , indulgence , desire to ingratiate , or such like reason we attribute it to them to whom it is not to be attributed , as Paul , Ephes. 2.2 , 3. Peter 1 Pet. 4.3 . which was not true of them . Philip. 3.6 . Acts 23.1 . but meant of the Gentiles to whom they wrot , Col. 2.13 . Gal. 2.15 . and so Our Fathers is not of you Corinthians , but of me and Softheues , 1 Cor. 1.1 , or by an enallage of persons , as when Paul saith , 1 Thess. 4.17 . we which are alive , it is not to be conceived to be true of himself , or of any of the Thessalonians to whom he then wrot , but it is [ We ] for [ They ] the first for the third person . But saith Mr. C. If Isaac and Jacob were not such Fathers to their seed also , as was Abraham in Covenant and Church-respects , how then are the Jewes said to be beloved for their [ Fathers ] sakes ? Surely it was not for their sakes as men , and naturall Fathers , but as spirituall and Covenant-fathers , Rom. 11.26 , 28. compared ; yea the Covenant is expresly made in those terms to Isaac & to his seed , to Jacob and to his seed , Gen. 26.3 , 4 , 5 , & 28 13 , 14. And so though they were Abrahams Church and Covenant seed , yet Covenant Fathers to others , and so Gentile inchurched believers are Abrahams Church-seed , yet Covenant-fathers to their Children . The term Root , and first Fruits , and the term Fathers , Rom. 11.16.28 . are not proved to be the same . The Fathers , it 's not denied to comprehend Isaac and Jacob , as well as Abraham : But they are called Fathers there in respect of the naturall genera●ion of the Israelites to be re-ingraffed , not as Covenant-Fathers propagating externall Church privileges even to Gentile inchurched believers : For they are there reckoned as the Israelites progenitors , not the Gentile inchurched believers progenitors . Yet I deny not that God hath reference in that passage to his covenant made with them , and his love to them ▪ and so the Jewes now broken off , yet are beloved by God , with an intention to restore their posterity out of remembrance of his ancient amity and covenant with their forefathers , which cannot be verified of the Gentile inchurched believers in respect of their children . Neither Gen. 26.3 , 4 , 5 , nor Gen. 28.13 , 14 , is either of the Evangelicall promises made to Abraham , Gen. 17.5 , A Father of many Nations have I made thee , or that v. 7. to be a God to him and his seed , made either to Isaac , Gen. 26.3 , 4 , 5 , or Jacob , Gen. 28.13 , 14. though the promises of multiplying their Seed , blessing them , giving them the land of Canaan in their Seed , blessing all the Nations or Families of the earth , be there mentioned , which , with sundry passages , of the Apostle Rom. 4.11 , 12 , 16 , 17. Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. Gal. 3 , 16 , 29 , and other places assure me those Evangelicall promises , Gen. 17.5.7 . were made to Abraham peculiarly , neither as a Patriarch out of a reason common to him with other Patriarks , nor as a believer ●ut of a reason common to him wi●h other believers , but out of a peculiar consideration of ●im , either as Father of believers by his exemplary faith , or as a person elected by God to have the covenant instated in him and his seed . As for Mr. C. his answer to the objection from Rom. 4.16 . if that Text prove not that all that are Abrahams seed are actuall believers , yet i● proves that the promise is sure to all that are Abrahams seed by actuall believing as he did , and consequently are saved . To his qustion , If all members of the visible Church be not Abrahams seed , what right have they to the seal of the covenant made to Abrahams seed ? I answer ▪ Right to Circumcision ●nd Baptism is not from the Covenant , but according to Gods appointment to some , whether they be in covenant or not , Abrahams seed or not . Gal. 4.26 , 28 , 31. Gal. 3.29 . I have formerly shewed that by [ Vs all ] are not meant every Galatian Christian Professor , but true believers , as Rom. 8 32. 1 Cor. 12 , 13. 2 Cor. 3.18 . & therefore thence it cannot be gathered , that any meer professor of faith is Abrahams seed , much less his infants . None but true believers are said Gal. 3.27 , to be baptized into Christ , and to put on Christ , though others were baptized into his Name : which appears verse 26. where they are said to be the Sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus , and yet there were other than elect persons in that Church , and they baptized . Mr. C. methinks should not be ignorant that what is said of persons in the Churches indefinitely , is sometimes verified onely of the choyce party , 1 Cor. 1.1 . 1 Thess. 1.4 . 1 Pet. 1.5 . & 2.9 . by a Synecdoche of the whole for a part Nor doth Mr C. his distinction of baptizing into Christ , putting on Christ , being Children of the promise , being by one spirit baptized into one body , attributing these to all Sacramentally , and in facie Ecclesiae , suit well to these places , in which the predicate cannot be attributed in truth to those that are meerly such . As for the last Objection , Mr. C. must needs be guilty of making three parties in the Covenant , Abraham , his seed Believers , and their Infants . For Believers are not comprehended under Abraham , but under his seed , nor believers naturall infants comprehended under Abrahams seed , except they be true believers , or elect persons , nor in the covenant made to Abraham and his Seed doth Abraham sustain the person of all believers , Jewes and Genti●es , but of the Father of them , and therefore as yet Mr. C. his Conclusion remains unproved , that the Covenant interest at least Externall and Ecclesiasticall of Infants of inchurched Believers , is Gospel , but a Figment of Mr. C. not found in Scripture . SECT . XLVI . The 27 , 28 , 29 Chapters of Mr. Blakes Vindic. Faeder is are examined , and it is shewed , That he hath not proved the Covenant of Grace in Gospel times to admit or to be made to any but the Elect regenerate . SIth Mr. Bl. is accounted one of the chief Patrons of Infant Baptism , my purpose is to examine the remainder of that which he hath written in his Vindic. Foed . against me for Infant Baptism , and may be conceiv●d to be yet unanswered . Ch. 27 ▪ pag. 189 , 190. he heaps up many texts to prove that in old Testament times the Covenant was made with Israel in the vttermost latitude and extent with all that bore the name of Israel , which I grant , understanding it of the National Covenant , Deut. 29. and of the Covenant of the Law , Exod 20. &c. but deny it being meant of the Covenant o● Evangelical grace , which is the onely Covenant the people of God are now under , and which alone is the question now , Who are in this Covenant ? or to whom is this Covenant or the promise● of it made by God ? I assert as before , Sect. 33. That it is made onely to the Elect ▪ And M. Bl. pag. 191. yeelds that many Orthodox writers seemingly restrain the Covenant one●y to the Elect and regenerate . But he addes some distinctions , whereby he thinks what they say may be salve● from self contradictions . 1. Of a two fold Covenant , 1 a single , 2 ▪ a double to perform both parts , to save upon repentance , and to give a new heart : But he doth not shew that there is any Evangelical Covenant now which is not double , nor that either the double or single is made with any but the elect . 2. Of an inward Covenant , which ●e grants to be made onely to the elect ; and an outward , which , he saith , is a Covenant properly so called , and which Scripture holds out for the Covenant of God with his people , in which all professed Christians so called are , which puts them into a capacity of Sacraments , and their children of the initial Sacrament : But what this outward Covenant is , or where it is to be found I know not ; what I find about it ●s shewed to be vain , Sect. 25. and Mr. Bs. refutation of it in his Apology against Mr. Bl. pag. 66 , 67 , 10● ▪ saves me any further labour to shew it to be a figment 3. Of being in Covenant according to title to the Covenant , or to the benefits of the Covenant ; and saith , the right of Covenant belongs to all that externally mak● profession , the benefit onely to the elect . But I know no right of Covenant , but what is by Gods promise , and surely all to whom God promiseth have the benefit of the Covenant ; and to imagine , that the Covenant of grace is to any to whom the grace following the Covenant is not , is to make Gods Covenant and word to fall , which the Apostle abhorred , Rom. 9.6 . and to make the Covenant of grace as liable to complaint ●s the first Covenant , contrary to Heb. 8 ▪ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ▪ 4. Of entring into Covenant , which all visible professors do , and stedfastness in it , which do onely the elect and faithfull , Psal. 78 . 3● . But this text speaks not of the Covenant of Evangelical grace as if any were entred into it who were not stedfast in it : but of the Covenant of the Law with the Jewish people , which is not the Covenant in which the Gentiles are under the Gospel . And to Mr. Bls. confused talk I again say , 1. That the Covenant of Evangelical grace is made by God onely to the Elect , and that in respect of Gods promise none but they are in the Covenant , nor is there to any right to Sacraments or capacity of an initial Seal barely by that being in Covenant . 2. That profession of Faith may cause a man to be taken to be in the Covenant by the guides and brethren of the visible Church , in the face of which he may have title to Sacraments , but his infant children have no title thereby to Baptism . 3. That from the beginning none but the elect had the Covenant of grace made to them . 4. That from the beginning it is not proved the children with their parents to have been no not in the imaginary outward Covenant . But let●s v●ew what Mr. Bl. saith ▪ 1. He alledgeth Matth. 28.19 . and takes it as freely con●est , that a Disciple of Christ is in Covenant with God , and tels us that the Covenant Matth. 28.19 . is committed to man to work , and to judge of it being wrought , to put a seal for ratification and confirmation of it ; which cannot be restrained to the elect , for they onely are known to God ; an elect person and a Church member should be termini convertibiles , the seal of the Spirit , and the seal of the Sacrament are in equal latitude ; to baptize an unregenerate person is to put a seal to a blank , as high an abuse of that sacred Ordinance as the circumcision of the Sichemites , Gen. 34 ▪ 24. Answ. It is not confest by me that a Disci●le of Christ , that is every Disciple of Christ is in Covenant with God , meaning it in respect of Gods Covenant or promise of Evangelical grace made to him , nor do I know of any Covenant , Matth. 28.19 . committed to man to work , and to judge of it being wrought , and to put a seal for ratification and confirmation , though I grant every Disciple professing Christ is in some sense in Covenant with God , that is , by his act of profession doth engage himself to follow Christ , and so in that respect is in Covenant with God , and that Matth. 28.19 . the Apostles are injoyned to make Disciples by preaching the Gospel , and baptize them , which may be done without working a Covenant between God and man , ( which phrase doth imply that a Minister can work God into Covenant , which is in my apprehension an absurd conceit ) or judging of a Covenant being wrought , or putting to a seal for confirmation of it . And for the absurdities Mr. Bl. infers from the denial of restraining the Covenant to the elect , I count the first not to follow upon my tenet , sith I conceive a man may be a Church-member who is not in the Covenant of grace ; and for the second , I count it no absurdity according to my explicat●on before given , Sect. 34 ▪ 35. though I do withal declare , that the seal of the Sacrament is a term I reject for the reasons given before , Sect. 31. And for the third , I count it no abuse to put a seal to a blank , that is , to baptize a person who is not in the Covenant of Evangelical grace . As for the 2d . argument Mr. Bl. would draw from Matth. 28.19 . to prove that the Covenant of God is onely a Covenant professed , because Matth. 28 ▪ 19. a whole Nation is in Gods ordinary way of administration in a capacity to attain and enter into it , it is answered in the 2d . Part of this Review , sect . 9. where it is shewed that Matth. ●8 . 19 . there is no such command as to make Disciples , and bap●ize the whole of a Nation , even the infants . Mr. Bl. adds a 2d . text , Matth , 20.16 . & 22.14 . whence he argues thus ; If there be a call from God in the times of the N. T. in a far greater latitude then the grace of election , that of many called few onely are elected , then the Covenant in the N.T. times is not to be restrained to the elect and regenerate , but contains all that professedly accept the terms of the Covenant , and visibly appear a people of God. This is evident , seeing the call is into Covenant ; all at the feast were called ones , all the hired Labourers were Covenant-servants . To conceive men to be called of God , and not to be in Covenant with God , is a full contradiction . The call hath its terminus a quo and its terminus ad quem ; a state which upon call they leave , and a new state on which they enter . They are upon this call in a nearer relation to God then the rest of the world , otherwise they were the same as ever , and not called at all . But there is a call in N. T. times , &c. Ergo. Answ. The consequence of the major is denied , and to the proof of it I say , 1. The call is not into Covenant with God in the sense which 〈◊〉 n●w in question : For now the question is , Whether there be a Covenant in the N. T. wherein God engageth himself to be God , and to account for his people any besides the elect ? Now no man is called into Covenant in this sense , for no man is called to engage God to be God , &c. it were an arrogant act to call or invite men to engage God , it is God onely who is to do this , and therefore if any were to be called to this , it were God himself . 2. It is not true , that to conceive men to be called of God , and not to be in Covenant with him is a full contradiction . For though the calling mentioned Rom. 8.30 . do always bring men into an estate of being in Covenant with God , yet not the calling Matth. 20.16 . & 22.14 . For though the calling there have a Terminus a quo & ad quem , in the one resembled by calling to work in the Vineyard , in the other by calling to a Wedding feast ; yet that every one that was called had a new state on which he did enter , is not true : For even those who refused to come were called , Matth. 22.3 , 4. and the m●n who came in without a Wedding garment , though he sate down , yet was not in a state of Covenant , or acceptance , but was thrust out . Nor is Mr. Bls. arguing of any force . Men are called into Covenant with God , therefore they are in Covenant with God : For by the same reason it might be inferred , the same men are called into the fellowship of Christ , 1 Cor. 1.9 . into the Kingdome and glory of God , 1 Thes. 2.12 . therefore some non●elect persons are in the fellowship of Christ , in the Kingdom and glory of God , which is false . Mr. Bl. adds Mat. 13.24 , 25 , 47. & 3.12 . & 2 Tim. 2.20 . whence he argues thus . A man in the Kingdome of Heaven is a man that is in Covenant with God ; unless he stood in a Covenant relation he could have no standing there ; and the comparison were very strangely drawn , if this Kingdome thus set out had all that were good , none bad in it . Answ. It is granted that good and bad , elect and non-elect are in the visible Church , and so in the Kingdome of Heaven , if by it be meant the visible Church : but that a man in the Kingdome of Heaven is a man that is in Covenant with God , that is a man in the visible Church is a man that is in Covenant wi●h God , so as that God hath made a Covenant or promise of Evangelical grace to or with him , is denied , nor is ; or ever will be proved by Mr. Bl. A 4th . text is Heb. 10.29 . whence he saith , These must needs be granted to be wicked , yet cannot be denied to be in Covenant , being sanctified with the bloud of the Covenant . And then sets down three interpretations ; one of the Arminians , that say they were sanctified internally and in Covenant , but fall from both , which he lets pass ▪ Another , that Christ is said to be sanic●fied , which seems to him to be very much strained . A third , by external separation for God and dedication to him , which he embraceth . Answ. Neither do I conceive tha● it is Christ who is said to be sanctified by the bloud of the Covenant : For though I grant he is said to be sanctified , Joh. 10.36 . and to sanctifie himself , Joh. 17.19 . and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to consecrate or make perfect , Heb. 2.10 . & 5.9 . & 7.28 . Yet I do not find 〈◊〉 phrase applied to Christ any where , that he is said to be sanctified by the bloud of the Covenant ; but still applied to those that a●e bought by Christ , Heb. 10.10 , 14. & 13.12 . Nor doth it so well suit with the Apostles aim of aggravating the s●n o● Apostacy from Christianity , to mean it of Christs being sanctified , as of the Apostates being sanctified heretofore by that bloud of the Covenant which he now counted common , or unclean : Nor do I conceive it can be meant of such a meer external sanctification , whether by Baptism , or external profession , as Mr. Bl. and others conceive . For 1. the sanctification here is the same with the sanctification meant , ver . 10 , 14. & 13.12 . But that sanctification i● more then such an external sanctification , e●en such as perfects for ever them that are sanctified , v. 14. and hath with it the writing and remission of sins according to the Covenant which is set down v. 15 , 16 , 17. 2. No where is such an external sanctification ascribed to the bloud of the Covenant ; but to ascribe to it such a meer external sanctification in any sanctified by it , is to d●minish the vertue of it , as if it did no more then the legal sacrifices , contrary to the Apostles arguing , Heb. 9.12 , 13 , 14. 3. Nor thirdly , had it aggravated the Apostates sin to say that he had counted the bloud of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified onely externally , a common thing : For this had shewed no more evil in the disestee● of Christs doat● , then if the bloud of the legal sacrifices which did san●●ifie externally , Heb. ● . 12 . had been counted unclean . Therefore I conceive the sanctifying Heb. 10.29 . meant of the effectual sanctifying before God , meant Heb. 2.11 . & 10.10 ▪ 14. & 1● . 12 . but yet understand the sanctifying , Heb 10 ▪ 29. not of what was so really , but of what was according to their own opinion , and profession embracing the Christian Doctrine . Even as Gal. 5.4 . Whosoever are justified by the Law , that is , Whosoever of you do avouch that you are justified by the Law. Luke 15.7 . some are said to be just persons needing no repentance ; that is , in their own opinion and profession , as those Luke 18.9 . And thus I conceive is that speech also to be understood , 2 Pet. 2.1 . and hereby the Arminian argument from both places for Universal Redemption , and Apostacy of Saints is avoided . Now these may be denied to have been in Covenant , that is , to have been of those to whom God promised Gospel grace , sith they were onely sanctified according to their own opinion and profession ▪ yea though the sanctification were meant of being sanctified externally , and this were from the bloud of the Covenant , yet it follows not that those who are sanctified thus are in Covenant with God , as the meaning of those is who say the elect onely are in Covenant , that is , the Covenant of Evangelical grace is made by God onely to the elect . Mr. Bl. adds Neither can all the noise which Mr. T. hath made about 1 Pet. 2.9 . take off that text , but that it speaks fully to hold up a Covenant in this latitude ; and from thence I thus argue . If those phrases , a chosen generation , a royal priesthood , an holy Nation , a peculiar people , be applied to Christians as to Jews in an equal latitude to one ●s to other ; then it must needs follow that there is a Covenant in Gospel times in like latitude as in the time of the Law , including all that accept the terms of the Covenant , and visibly appear as t●e people of God , and is not restrained onely to the elect regenerate . The consequence is evident , seeing the terms plainly imply a Covenant . Here is a Covenant people or no where : But these terms , a chosen generation , a royal priesthood , an holy nation , a peculiar people , are applied to Christians as well as to Jews , to one in as great a latitude as to the other . That which God speaks to Israel in the Wilderness , that Peter speaketh to the Church to which he writes ▪ All Israelites in Moses days , all Christians professing , in Peters time , had those titles , when onely those that kept Covenant were at any time worthy of them , and had the comforts of them . Answ. The noise I make is not a meer sound without reason , nor is any one of my reasons made void by Mr. Bls. answers . To him I reply ▪ 1. That his speech is inconsiderate when he saith the text speaks fully to hold up a Covenant in this latitude , which comprehends non-elect persons , when there is not a word of any Covenant , and the terms he onely saith plainly imply a Covenant . And though I deny not that the people there mentioned were a Covenant people , yet I deny any one of the terms doth imply a Covenant ; for a chosen generation doth not imply a Covenant , sith both electi●n and generation may be without a Covenant ; and the like may be said of the other terms , a royal priesthood , an holy nation , a peculiar , or purchased people : ●o that in this respect the consequence may be denied . Nor is the consequence good for another reason . For it is not true that all Israelites in Moses days had those titles , which I find Exod. 19 ▪ 5 , 6. yet there onely three of them , and those not said of all the Israelites in M●ses days , but a promise of being to God such as these titles import , upon condition they did hearken to his voice , and kept his Covenant , which was neither verified of all Israelites in Moses days , nor in after times . And therefore though those terms were applied to Christians as to Jews , yet it doth not necessarily follow that there is a Covenant in Gospel times in like latitude as under the Law , sith those titles were not verified of all the Jews at any time , but of them and then onely when they were obedient But I deny the minor also of Mr. Bls. argument , that the terms are applied by Peter in an equal latitude to Christians as by Moses to Jews , and assert as in my Postscri●t , sect . 10. pag. 128. that they are applied onely to those who are members of the invisible Church . Whereupon Mr. Bl. speaks thus to me . But I would wish Mr. T. to take into more serious consideration . First , whether the first verse of this second chapter be meant onely of invisible members ? Whether the Apostle pe●swades regene●ate men , and onely regenerate men , to lay aside all malice , and all guile , and hypocrisies , and evil speakings ? Answ. To the first question I say affirmatively , that by new born babes , v ▪ 2 ▪ are meant onely members of the invisible Ch●rch ; for they are said , ch . 1.23 . to be born again , not of corruptible seed , but incorruptible , by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever ▪ Ver. 2. to be elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father , begotten again unto a lively hope , ver . 3. And to the 2d . that he mentions onely regenerate persons , whom he perswades , though the duty is incumbent on others . 2 ly . Whether the 3d. v. be to be thus limited ; Whether the Apostle makes doubt in that manner , whether they had tasted that the Lord is gracious ? And yet those words in both those verses must needs be understood of the same men , and under the same notion as these , ver . 9. The Apostle brings his speech to no full period till v. 11. Those that must lay aside all malice , guile , &c. of whom he makes question , whether they had tasted that the Lord were gracious ; they are this chosen generation , this royal priesthood . Answ. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.3 . is translated [ if ] and may seem to import doubt or uncertainty , but it may be as well translated [ seeing ] as it is 2 Thes. 1.6 . and so it imports certainty that they had tasted how gracious the Lord is , without making question of it . And this reading is more apposite to their condtiion , and more suitable to the exhortation ; For it is more agreable to the nature of a motive to the duty , ver . 2. to conceive it thus , Desire the word to grow by it , sith or seeing you have tasted how gracious the Lord is . 2. But if it were read [ if ] yet in such pass●ges as these [ if ] doth not import doubt , but onely is as a rational particle , noting the connexion between the terms , as Joh. 15.18 . Ephes. 4.20 , 21. And so the sense is here , If you have tasted ( which he supposeth , not questioneth ) then you ought to desire the milk of the word , that you may grow by it . 3. Were it the Apostle had doubt whether they had tasted how good the Lord is ( which is not to be conceived , considering what he saith of them , c. 1. v. 3 , 23. c. 2.2 , 5. &c. ) yet this doubt might be of a more full tast , which every regenerate elect person might not have . 4. The exhortation to lay aside malice , &c. doth not intimate they were any of them whom he calls new born babes , v. 2. a chosen generation , an holy nation , v. 9. unregenerate or non-elect ; for such exhortations are necessary for the most holy Saints , in whom are reliques of corruption , and liableness to temptation . 3 ly . Saith Mr. Bl. Let him seriously consider the Apostles further enlargement of this honour of these Christians , which in times past were not a people of God ; words borrowed from Hos. 1.10 . Hos. 2.23 . and spoken of the call of the ten revolted Tribes : And in Deut. 32.21 . of the call of the Gentiles into a visible Church state and profession , and so applied by the Apostle , Rom. 9.24 , 25 , 26. Whence I argue . The call of the ten revolted Tribes , and of the Gentiles into a visible Church way , is not to be meant of the Church as it is invisible onely . This Mr. T. hath taken into consideration , and answered . However it be in the p●aces to which the allusion is , yet it is certain that here it is meant of such a calling as is from darkness to marvellous light ; taking it , it seems , for granted , that there is no marvellous light in visible Churches ; that in the land of Zebulon and Nephthali where they saw a great light , there were onely invisible members . Matth. 4.15 , 16. Answ. My answer to this objection was in two things . 1. That terms appli●d to Christians in the New Testament with allusion to passages in the Old , yet are not always to be applied to Christians in the same latitude they were to Jews . 2. That in that place such a calling is meant as is from darkness to his marvellous light by his vertues or powers ; which therefore deserve to be shewed forth , and which they do shew forth that are thus called . And both these I confirmed from Rom. 9.24 , 25 , 26. which is manifestly said of them who were called v. 23. vessels of mercy ; Nor is this a denomination a parte praestantiori , for it is expresly said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were the same whom he called vessels of mercy . And the same place of Hos. 2.23 . is alluded to in Rom. 9.25 . and 1 Pet. 2.10 . and can be understood of no other then the elect . And therefore if the places Hos. 1.10 . Hos. 2.23 . Deut. 32.21 . should be understood ( which I grant not ) of any other then the elect or members of the invisible Church ; yet 1 Pet. 2.10 . can be understood of no other , sith no other have such a calling as is there meant , v. 9. nor any other obtain mercy as there is meant . That which Mr. Bl. replies after his flirting fashion , goes on this false insinuation , that I took it for granted , that there is no marvellous light in visible Churches , which he would refute from Matth. 4.15 , 16. and that this was the force of my reason ; whereas my reason did not suppose that at all , but that none are so called from darkness to light in that manner the Apostle there describes the calling , but onely the elect , which is true ; though there be marvellous light in visible Churches , yea , and in meer visible professors , yet none so called as Peter describes 1 Pet. 2.9 . but onely members of the invisible Church . 4 ly . Saith Mr. Bl. As honourable titles as these are frequently given in Scripture , as shall be shewen , to visible professors , why should then these be limited to invisible members ? Answ. 1. No titles so expresly noting elect persons as those 1 Pet. 2.9 . are given any where to mee● visible professors . 2. If they should be in any pl●ce given to the visible Church , yet they are to be restrained to the elect onely ; as when a heap of corn is so called , whic● hath much chaff● or a fie●d of corn , which hath m●ch tares ; the denominatio● is from the better part , and is to be applied ●s verified onely of it . 5 ly . Saith Mr ▪ Bl. Mr. T. in his Letter made this Text to be parallel with those Texts , Gal. 6.10 . 1 Tim. 3.15 ▪ 1 Pet. 2.10 . And those Texts I have demonstrated to be meant of visible Churches , to which Mr. T. ●eplies nothing . Answ. I do not find that in my Letter I made 1 Pet. 2. ● . parallel with those Texts , Gal. 6.10 . 1 Tim. 3.15 . 1 Pet. 2.10 . But in my Exercit ▪ § 12. I do alledge to ●rove that onel● bel●evers may be meant by a holy Nation , as they are by a family or kindred , Ephes. 3.15 . the housh●ld of faith , Gal. 6.10 . the house of God , 1 ●im 3.15 . a people , 1 Pet. 2.10 . Now saith Mr. Bl. these texts I have demonstrated to be meant of visible Churches . But he hath not demonstrated them to be meant of meer visi●le Churches , or meer visible Professors in them , who are not also of the invisible Church ; and therefore I thought in my Postscript , and think still I need make no further reply . Mr. Bl. considers my arguments to prove 1 Pet. 2.9 . meant of the invisible Church . 1. I argue ( saith Mr. T. ) from the terms , chosen generation , royal priesthood , an holy nation , a peculiar people , that is by Christs death , Tit. 2.14 . which cannot be affirmed of any other then elect and true beleevers ▪ Ergo. Answ. 1. Such a way of arguing would not pass with Mr. T ▪ in his adversary ; as peculiar people is tak●n in one place of Scriptur● , so it must be taken in all places ; but in one place it is taken for the elect regenerate If this would ●old , much labour might be spared in finding out the various acceptation of words in Sc●ipture . Reply . M. Bl. it seems hath such a spirit of Divination , as to foresee what I would do in a contingent thing . But thi●●olly of his I impute to his Satyrical vein ▪ which makes him that he can neither relate nor answer any t●ing of mine candidly . My argument was not drawn onely from the term [ peculiar people ] but also from the terms [ chosen generation , royal priesthood , an holy nation ] which with th● o●her term [ a peculiar people ] or as in the Margin of our last Translation [ a purchased people ] have been applied to the elect onely by these interpreters , whose words I here set down . Beza analys . Loci oppositum membram , electorum videlicet summam excelien●tiam describit , &c. Piscat analys ▪ Hortatur commemoratione duorum maximorum beneficiorum Dei , electionis ad vitam aeternam , & vocationis efficacis . Electionem indicat his verbis : vos autem estis genus electum , vocationem vero illis regale sacerdotium gens sancta , &c. Dicson . Vocantur autem regale sacerdotium quia sunt & regni Christi & sacerdotii participes , imo per Christum sacerdotes & reges constitut● vocantur , genus electum , quia Deus eos prae aliis populis sibi adoptaverat . Gens sancta , quia eos sibi dicaverat Deus in vitae puritatem . Populus in acquisitionem , quia Deus eos redemerat , & sibi in thesaurum & haeredita●em asciverat , Diodati . v. 9. A royal ] that is to say , a company of Priests who are likewise Kings , Exod. 19.6 . Priests to Godward , to whom believers do yield spiritual worship . v. 5. and Kings over the creatures , over which Christ their head hath given them the dominion , which they had lost in Adam , and hath made them fellows in the glory of his Kingdome , Matth. 19.28 . 1 Cor. 6.2 , 3. Revel . 1.6 . & 2.26 , 27. & 3.21 . & 5.10 . & 20.6 . A peculiar ] which he hath purchased with a price and made his , by a sove●aign title to hold them for his own people . New Annot v. 9. A chosen ] that is , whom God hath effectually called out of the would , see Chap. 1.2 . Deut. 7.7 . Royal ] that is Kings and priests , See Exod. 19.6 . Revel ▪ ● . 6 . & 5.10 . Kings , beeause of that power which they have , through Christ , over their lust , see Ph●l . 4.13 . Priests , because separated to the service of God , see v. 5. Holy nation ] see Exod. 19.6 . & Deut. 7.6 , &c. A peculiar people ] or a purchased people peculiar ] or a people for possession : that is , a people 〈…〉 God hath purchased to be his own . See Exod. 19.5 . Deut. 4.2 . & 7.6 . & 26.18 . Psal. 135.4 . Tit. 2.14 . Act. 20.28 . Ephes. 1.14 . 1 Thes. 5.9 . Dr. John Rainold Apolog. ●hes . § . 21. Nam prim● nomen populi sanctorum Dan. 7.27 . ex Daniele satis clarè indicat significari electos , 1 Pet. 2.9 . Gentem sanctam & populum Dei peculiarem , Exo. 19.5 ▪ Mal. 3.17 . Tit. 2.14 . Eximiè nuncupatos quandoquidem hic est populus cui soli regnum amplissimum in Christo , & cum Christo , ut ibidem Dan. 7.27 . promissum est , ita da u●iri testantur sacrae iterae Apoc. 5.10 . & 20.6 . & 22.5 . § . 20. ad designandum populum electum , 1 Pet ▪ 2.9 . qui Deo cedit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in possessionem seu peculium . By which allegations it may be perceived , 1. that the interpretation I give is the common interpretation of most learned Protestants : 2. that it is proved no by one title onely but by four titles , whereof not one of them can be applied in the sense Peter useth them to any but the elect : 3. that this interpretation and application is confirmed not by one only place of Scripture , but by many : 4. that though I alledged but one place , to wit Tit. 2.14 . yet being so manifestly paralel , and so clearly pregnant for my purpose it was enough , and such as I would allow the like in any adversary for good proof , though ] do not take it that in all places the sense is proved by the alledging one scripture in the sense conceived , nor do I think it unnecessary to finde ou● the various acceptation of words in scripture . 2. Saith Mr. Bl These termes and others equivolent to these are given to the Israelites Deut. 14.1 , 2. Deut. 7.6 . Deut. 32.9 . not as a church invisible , but as visible members . Their qualifications are often a low , as their appellations by reason of their relation to God raise them high . And setting apart Christs death , I would know how they came to this honour . Answ. These termes are given in the places cited to Israelites , yet that they are given to them as visible members , and not as a church invisible , or as I would say to the church visible of Israel , in respect of and with limitation to the elect or members of the invisible church , as a field of corn in respect of the good grain , is not proved . Yet if it were the titles 1 Pet. 2.9 . spoken of christians , cannot be verified of them but in a sense appropriate to the elect . They are no way a royal priesthood , but as priests that offer spiritual sacrifices to God , acceptable to God through Jesus Christ , v. 5. which none but the elect and true beleevers can do ; no other way royal but in that they are Kings to God , r●ign ov●r sin , Satan , &c. through Christ , which none but the elect do ; a chosen generation , but by Gods election to life eternal ; a holy nation , but by regeneration of the spirit ; a peculiar people , but by Christs purchas● ; which can be verified of none but true believers , and elect persons . And to Mr. Bls. demand I answer , setting apart Christs death , I know not how Christ●ans should come to this honour which is expressed 1 Pet. 2.9 . 3. Saith Mr. Bl. The gift of Apostles , Prophets , Evangelists , Pastours , and Teachers , were the gift of Christ , and purchase of his death . These are for constitution of ●●sible Churches , visible members enjoy these priviledges in common with regenerate persons , to which more is already spoken . Answ. Though I finde Apostles , Prophets , Evangelists , Pastours , and Teachers , termed Ephes. 4.11 . the gift of Christ ; yet I do not finde them said to be the purchase of Christs death as such : nor do I know how they can be truely said to be the purchase Christs death , as is meant , 1 Pet. 2.9 . Tit. 2.14 . so as that every Apostle , &c. should be redeemed from iniquity , be of the people of Gods possession , to shew forth the vertues of God , &c. nor do I conceive to what purpose this is brought in here by Mr. Bl. except he mean that the titles 1 Pet. 2.9 . are given to the visible Church in respect of the Ministers , which is so frivolous that I am unwilling to imagine it of him . 2. Saith Mr. Bl. Mr. T. objects from that which is said of them , they are called by God , by his power and vertue into his marvellous light , and v. 10. that now had obtained mercy which they had not before ; which cannot be affirmed of any but true believ●rs and elect persons . Answ. Men brought into a visible Church-state , are brought into a marvellous light . The seven golden candlesticks Rev. 1.20 . had a marvellous light in their lamps , and yet in some of those there were onely a few names , that had not defiled their garments ; And this light is a mercy , the fruition of it a great mercy , Psal. 147.19 , 20. Yea , it is applied by the prophet , Hos. ● . 23 . ( whence the Apostle gathers it ) unto the mercy enjoyed in a visible Church communion , as is not denied by Mr. T. himself . Reply . Where it is that I deny not that Hos. 2.23 . is applied unto the mercy enjoyed in a visible Church communion , I remember not , yet if I did grant it any where , I might understand it of saving mercy , proper to the elect , for that is mercy enjoyed in a visible Church communion . But Mr. Bls. answer is not to the argument as by me urged ; For I did not form it thus , they who have marvellous light , who have obtained a great mercy are elect : But thus ; they who are called by Gods power or vertue , which therefore they are to shew forth , out of darkness , into his marvellous light , which in time past were not a people , but are now the people of God : which had not obtained mercy , but now have obtained mercy , are the elect , which I confirmed from Rom. 9.23 , 24 , 25. where the same place of Hos. 2.23 . is alledged and applied onely to the elect . But these things are said of those 1 Pet. 2.9 . Ergo. Which argument is confirmed by the words of Piscator above cited , and of Beza in the place cited , where he saith , Simulque ne quis ambigat sit electus necne revocat nos Apostolus ad vocationem efficacem , ex qua aeternum illud alioqui occultissimum electionis nostrae decretum certò intelligamu● , idque ex una Dei gratuit● eligentis & vocantis misere●ordia . The new Annot ▪ praises ] or vertues . That is , that we might glorifie God in our conversations , thereby shewing forth the abundant mercy and great power of God in calling us . Isa. 8.13 . Darkness ] that is ignorance , ch . 1.14 . whereby is meant our sinfull and miserable estate by nature , under which men are kept , through ignorance of the Gospel , Eph. 4 ▪ 18. & 5.8 . Col. 1 ▪ 13. His marvellous ] hereby is meant our estate of grace , through the effectual calling of God by the knowledge of the truth . See 2 Cor. 4.6 . Acts 13.47 . & 26.18 . called marvellous , because of the great mystery of godliness , which is revealed in the Gospel ; and called his , because God revealeth it . Dr. John Rainold Apol. thes· § 15. Neque soluni è tenebris in admirabi●em Dei lucem vocati , 1 Pet. 2.9 . sed & electi , 1 Pet. 1.2 . nuncupantur , atque genus electum , 1 Pet. 2 ▪ 9. Now though meer visible Church-members may have marvellous light , and obtain great mercy , yet they cannot be said to be thus called , to be a people of God , and to obtain mercy , as Peter there describes . 3. Saith Mr. Bl. It is said that those persons did beleeve contradistinguished to them that were disobedient and stumbled at the word : but such are onely the Elect , Ergo. Answ. So did all they that made shipwrack of the faith , 1 Tim. 1.19 . So did Simon Magus , Act. 8.13 . So did the hearers compared to the rocky ground , Luk. 8.13 . And whereas it is said , these believers are contradistinguished to them that were disobedient and stumbled at the word , it fully makes against him ; Those disobedient ones , are those that disallow Christ , as we see v. 7. that reject Christ upon tender , that persist in Judaism or Gentilism . All others no● professed Jews nor Gentiles , are in that place beleevers ( and in all other Scriptures respective to visible prerogatives ) which are all visible church-members . Reply . It is true some●imes they are termed believers , who are meer visible professors , but here the believers are such as to whom Christ is pretious , and are contradistinguished to them that were disobedient and stumbled ●t the word , unto which also they were appointed ( which Mr. Bl. did ill to leave out ) which shews they were reprobates appointed to perish , and consequently the contradistinguished believers are such as are saved , which cannot be said of them that ma●e shipwrack of the faith , or Simon Magus . Which is confirmed from v. 9 , 10. which Mr. Bl. confesseth is understood of the same men , v. 3. and under the same notion a● these , v. 9. the Apostle brings his speech to no full period till v. 11. which reasons are confirmed by the note of Diodat● on 1 Pet. 2.7 . It is that precious thing , namely , that precious foundation whereof Isaiah speaks , which the text leads to , and is verified onely of the elect , to whom alone Christ i● the precious foundation . And the other by the note of Beza on v. 8. Preterea particula 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adjuncta & quod mox subjicit , vos autem genu● electum nonne manifestam antithesin ostendit rosorum ad d●cus & ad d●deeus conditorum , sicut credentes & immorigeros ante opposuerat ? Nor is what is said , that they disallowed Christ , v. 7. any thing against this ▪ that they that beleeved , v 7. were true beleevers and elect , any more then it follows all that are meer visible professors are termed beleevers ordained to eternal life , Acts 13.48 . because they are contradistinguished to those who re●ected the word of God , and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life , v. 46 ▪ 4. Saith Mr. Bl. They are said to be built as living stones , &c which can agree to none , but elect persons and true beleevers . Answ. That is left out in the quotation of this t●xt , which would wholly spoil the argument , and carry it on the other h●nd ; namely those words , to whom comming as unto a living stone . The Apostle shews them the way , and points out the condition called for ; which being done , they are then built as living stones : And this implies that it was so with some , but not with others . Here is that which is done by some and and neglected by others , and their happiness upon discharge of their duty ; so that if Mr. T. his confidences were not far higher then his arguments , he might well sit down , and fairly acknowledge that these titles are giv●n to visible Church-members . Repl. Mr. T. his confidences are strengthened by Mr. Bls. slight answers to his arguments . His argument was , They who are said to be built as living sto●es on Christ the living stone , a spiritual house , a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ , they are true beleevers and elect persons . But such are those v. 5. who are termed a holy nation , v. 9. Ergo. The major is proved from this , that these things can agree to no other ; the minor from Mr. Bls. own words cited be●ore , that they are the same , v. 3. & 9. the Apostle not bringing his speech to a full period till v. 11. Thus Dr. John Rainold , the●● 4. § 24. ap●lies this passage onely to the elect . And Mr. John Geree , Vindic. Vind. calls it a misapplication of 1 Pet 2.5 . to the visible Kingdome , which expresly note the spiritual house , ch . 5. pag. 20 , New Annot. on v. 5. lively stones ] that is , as having life from him . See v. 4. Diodati annot . on 1 Pet. 2.5 . Lively stones ] namely participating of that foresaid life of Christ ; and therefore opposite to the dead stones of the material temple . Are built up ] or be ye built up . An holy priesthood ] that is to say , a multitude and company of priests . By Jesus ] whose perfect righteousness and intercession gaineth all Gods grace to beleevers and to their works . Now what saith Mr. Bl to this ? He neither denies major nor minor ; But tels us , that those words , to whom comming as unto a living-stone , if they had been cited would wholly spoil the argument , and carry it on the other hand ; which is very strange to me , who find those words thus intepreted by the new ●nnot . v. 4. Comming ] that is by faith ▪ See Joh. 6.35 . & 5.43 , 44 , 45. Heb. 10.22 . By Diodati , v. 4. To whom ] that is to say , being united to the Lord Jesus , and made his members by a lively faith , that they should prove that the titles 1 Pet 2.5 . are given to meer visib●e Church members , as i● any meer visible Church-member did come to Christ as a living stone by a lively faith , and were a living stone , built up a spiritual house , &c. But let 's view Mr. Ils reasons . 1. The Apostle shews them the way , and points out the condition called for ; which being done , they are then built as living stones . But 1. it is plain that the Apostle speaks of them as built up already , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ye are built up , as our translation best reads it , not as of a thing to be done : and this is confirmed in that v 2. they are said to ●e new born babes , ver . 3. to have tasted how gracious the Lord is , ch . 1.22 . to have purified their souls , v. 23. to be born again . And for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it may be as well read unto whom being comen , as unto whom comming . And so Piscal . in anal . loci . Argumentorum unum est a pari , videl a vocationis initio , quod significat qu●m ait , eos jam ad Dominum accessisse , id est fide eum recepisse , atque it a super eum adificari caepisse , and therefore notes more then the way and condition called for , even the thing already begun . 2. But had the Apostle shewed onely the way and coodition called for , what had this been to prove that the titles , v. 5. are given to meer visible Church members ? Sure nothing at all ; for were they comen , or comming , or to come , their comming must have been by faith , and they had not been living stones , built up a spiritual house , nor a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ , without a lively faith and election : And therefore neither Mr. Ils. concei● being granted , i● it proved that any oth●r then elect and true beleevers are meant 1 Pet. 2. ● . 2. Saith Mr. Bl. And this implies that it was so with some , who did their duty and were happy , but not with others who neglected . But 1. how those words , unto whom comming as unto a living stone , implies the neglect of duty , I am yet to learn : If they did note a condition , yet they could imply onely a possibility of neglect , not that some did neglect . 2. If some did neglect , yet this is nothing to prove that ver . 5. which is said onely of those that did come and so were happy , the titles are given to meer visible professors . The rest of the Chapter is to vindicate himself from what I said , that I ha●dly beleeve any approved Writer joyns with him in his interpretation . To which he saith , 1. It is not like my confidence , who dare affront the body of protestant Divines 〈◊〉 Tenents that ex professo they have handled against the Papists . Answ. That I do so is not shewed ; that I dare do so when I have truth on my side , is no vice . If Mr. Bls. reasons had been good , his singularity had not been culpable . 2. He would insinuate that in my interpretation I follow Escius and Gerhard , whom I neither have , nor ever made use of about this text . 3. That he hath Mr. Ball , whose book I now have not , and his words cited by Mr. Bl. seem not to speak any thing of 1 Pet. 2.9.10 . 4. That A Lapide , is wholly for him , to whom he saith I use to be beholding . But I think the words of A Lapide cited by him , are not clear for him ; nor do I use to be beholding to A Lapide , he being an Author I have not , nor do I remember that I have made use of him but in the first part of the Review , § 22. onely about 1 Cor. 7 , 14. 5. That Gerhard mentions others that understand 1 Pet. 2.9 . of common and general ele●●ion . But whether approved Writers or not , he doth not say , so that my words stand good , notwithstanding Mr. Bls. vindication of himself , his injurious insinuations of me , and his futile arguments and answers about 1 Pet. 2.9 . Mr. Bl. ch . 28. proceeds in proving . That the Covenant of grace in Gospel times admits Christians in profession , in a state of unregeneration , and is not limited in the bounds of it to the elect regenerate ▪ And 1. he argues from four terms , beleevers , saints , disciples , christans , which he proves out of Scripture to be g●ven to persons not elect ( which is not denied ) and they imply a Covenant undeniably : and this he proves from my confession , that the titles men ioned by Peter 1 Pet 2.9 . from Moses , argue a people in Covenant , and therefore I am so shie to confess them to belong to visible professors : But those titles are as high as these , and as undeniably implying a Covenant are given to visible professors ; those then even according to me are on this account in Covenant with God. Answ. Mr. Bl. doth but mock the Reader , and abuse me , by speaking of a confession which he doth not shew , and by assigning a reason of my not confessing the titles , 1 Pet. 2.9 . not to belong to visible professors , which is never given by me , but imagined by himself . As I said before , so I say again , though I hold those who are ( as 1 Pet. 2.9 . the the terms are used ) a chosen generation , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , a peculiar people , are in Covenant with God , as having Gods Covenant of Evangelical grace made with them ; yet I deny that the terms imply a Covenant . And as for the other four terms Mr. Bl ▪ alledgeth to prove meer visible professors being in Covenant , he doth in like manner mock his Reader , 1. not telling what Covenant those terms imply , 2. nor how they imply it , 3. nor on whose part they imply it , whether on the persons part thus intituled , or on Gods , which is the onely thing in question , Whether God have made his Covynant of grace in Gospel times with any non-elect ? which sure those terms imply not , sith they imply either the act ; as Beleevers and Disciples ; or the state , as Saints and Christians , of the persons intitled ; not any act of God , covenanting or promising to them Gospel grace . 4. The proof likewise from my confession ( if it were so ) is as vain : For the terms Christ , holy Angels , onely begotten Son of God &c ▪ are as high as those 1 Pet. 2.9 . yet they do not imply a Covenant by my confession ; and therefore I may well deny his inference to be my confession , though I should have yeelded that which he saith I confess to be mine . 2. Mr. Bl. argues from some absurdities . 1. This restriction of the Covenant makes an utter confusion between the Covenant it self and the conditions of it ; or the Covenant it self , and the duties required in it ; between our entrance into Covenant , and our observation of it , or walking up in faithfulness to it : For there are that enter and keep Covenant with God , Psal. 44.17 , 18. Psal. 103.17 , 18. And there are those that break Covenant , Psal. 78.10 , 37. Jer. 34.18 , 19 , 20. Levit. 26 . 2● . Isa. 24.5 . Now according to this opinion , regeneration is our entrance into Covenant , and regeneration is our keeping of Covenant ; before regeneration we make no Covenant , after regeneration we break no Covenant , there is no such thing as Covenant breaking : All this makes an utter confusion in the Covenant . Answ. They that hold , that the Covenant of grace in Gospel times is limited to the elect regenerate , do not think either regeneration our entrance into Covenant , or our keeping of Covenant , or that before regeneration we make no Covenant , or after regeneration we break no Covenant , or that there is no such thing as Covenant breaking ; all these are Mr. Bls , fictions , and so is his imputation of making an utter confusion in the Covenant . But this they hold , that God enters none into his Covenant of Evangelical grace but regenerate persons , and that they do all keep Covenant ; and that though many before regeneration make Covenant with God , and break that Covenant they make , and so there is Covenant breaking on their part , yet that God keeps the Covenant of Evangelical grace with those he makes it , and that no reg●nerate person doth so break it as to be ever cast out of Gods Covenant . And for Mr. Bls. texts , they are impertinent to prove that after regeneration any do break the Covenant of Evangelical grace God hath made . For Psal. 78.10 , 37. Levit. 26.25 . Isa , 24.25 . do speak expresly of breaking the Covenant of the Law made with the people of Israel in mount Sinai , which is another Covenant then the new or Evangelical Covenant , Heb. 8.9 , 10. But our question is of the Covenant of grace in Gospel times ▪ And Jer. 34.18 , 19 , 20 ▪ is ridiculously alledged , sith it speaks not of the Covenant Evangelical , but of the particular Covenant which Zedekiah and the Princes of Judah made to let their Hebrew servants go free , which they brake contrary to the Law. Yet to shew Mr. Bls. futility in arguing there is no consequence in this reasoning . In mens Covenants there are that enter Covenant and keep it , and others that in like manner do enter into Covenant and not keep it , and so men enter into Covenant with God , and some keep it , and some not , therefore they that hold that God makes his Covenant of Evangelical grace onely with the elect regenerate , do confound the Covenant it self and the conditions of it , or the duties required in it , or the entrance into Covenant and our observation of it , or walking up in faithfulness to it . For the distinction remains still between all these , though they be eonjoyned in the same persons , as heat and light are distinct though together in flame , and justification and sanctification though conjoyned in the same persons . Yea , sith Mr. Bl. holds some that enter into Covenant are stedfast in it , he makes according to his own superficial arguing the same confusion we do , and so falls into the same imagined absurdity . The 2d . absurdity Mr. Bl. would fasten on the tenet that the Covenant of grace in Gospel times is limited to the elect , is ; that then there is no such thing as an hypocrite in the world , as in reference towards God ; For an hypocrite is one that personates the man that he is not , an hypocrite respective to religion and in Scripture use of the phrase , is one that pretends for God , and is not Gods ; now according to this opinion , that onely regenerate men are in Covenant , there is no such thing as an hypocrite , no such sin as hypocrisi ; where the Gospel is preached , God makes tender of himself in Covenant , and in case none but regenerate persons enter Covenant , then onely they take upon them the persons of people in relation to him . Answ. If Mr. Bl. and other Paedobaptists had any will to deal ●onestly , as men that sought to clear truth , and not to pervert read●rs , they would , being so often particularly in my Postscript § 6. admonished , distinguish of being in Covenant by their own a●t of covenanting , and G●ds act of promising . I never den●ed , that in respect of their own act of ●ovenanting , mere visible professors may b● said to be in Covenant with God , but denied that in resp●ct of Gods act of promising ( which alone was in question , sith the question being of infants , they cannot be said to be in Covenant with God by their ow● act of covenanting , but only by Gods act of promising ) any other ●hen elect persons are in Covenant with God ▪ Now I grant it , that of them to whom the Gospel-covenant is made by God , there is none an hypocrite ; but there be hypocrites of those that enter into Covenant with God ; that is , of those that promise to be Gods and are no● ; to whom , though God tenders himself in Covenant , yet he makes no Covenant or promise to them of Evangelical grace , and therfore notwithstanding this imagined absurdity , yet the position is true , that the Covenant of grace in Gospel times , as made by God to men , is limited to the elect . The 3d. absurdity is , then no Minister in any Church may baptize any person , for none can now discern inf●llibly whether a person be regenerate , and Mr. Bl. findes Christ giving charge to disciple Nations , and to baptise them , but findes him not giving Commission , that when in the judgement of charity men have cause to conceive them to be disciples , then to baptize them . The Apostles staid not for observation of those signes , that might in a well-grounded chari●y perswade that they were regenerate persons . And these that fix it here , ●oo ordinarily make interests the chief ground to carry their charity to a more favourable construction . They that are most like to make a party with them , or drive on interest their way , must be ●udged persons meet for baptism ; of this in a shor● time we have large experience . Those that gather up Churches , and initiate them by baptism ( the way of the Apostles I confess , in case that they would make good that they have to deal with Heathens , and therefore a way of more colour then theirs , that set up new Churches , and retain the old baptism ) we see what manner of saints are received among them , such that civil persons ( respective to sobriety , chastity , or upright dealing with men ) cannot without stain of their reputation ▪ make their companions . Answ. Paedobaptists do usually plead , that infants are in the Covenant of grace , therefore they are to be baptized . The antecedent can be meant of being in the Covenant of grace no otherwise then by Gods act of promise , to be the God of a believers seed ; therefore they make the being in Covenant by Gods act of promise to be a persons God , the rule of baptizing . Now I assert , that God hath not promised to be a God to any man or his seed in respect of Evangelical grace , but the elect . Therefore this absurdity is justly charged on the Paedobaptists , that according to their hypotheses , no Minister can baptize any infant in fait● . Fo● he must ●aptize according to them , onely those infants that are in Covenant , and whom he knowes to be in Covenant ; but those infants onely are in Covenant who are elect , and no Minister can know which infant is elect , or in Covenant with God , which not , all infants are not , no not of believers , not all Abrahams , or Isaacs , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. Therefore according to this rule no Paedobaptist can baptize any infant in faith , and a judgement of charity Mr. M. Mr. Bl. and others agree and that according to truth , is not it we are to baptize by . So that this absurdity doth unavoidably follow on Paedobaptists opinion , which Mr. Bl. endeavours , but in vain , to fasten on us , who do often disclaim baptizing persons upon their being in Covenant with God by his act of promise to be their God , as our rule ; and do continually assert our baptizing persons , because disciples by profession , and by reason of their own covenanting to follow Christ ( which Mr. Bl. confesseth to be according to Christs Commission , and the Apostles way in dealing with Heathens ) and therefore the absurdity follows not our opinion , but the Paedobaptists , who can baptize no infant by their rule , because they cannot know any infant whom they are to baptize to be in the Covenant of grace . As for Mr. Bls. confession , that our practise is the way of the Apostles in case we would make good that we have to deal with Heathens , I wonder Mr. Bl. a learned man , should require us to make good that which of it self is so manifest . For sure we have to deal with Heathens or with Jews , si●h all the men in the world are either Heathens , that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Nations , or Jewes : but me thinks he should not say we have to de●l wi●h Jews , therefore we have to deal with Heathens , and consequently our practise is the way of the Apostles , by Mr. Bls. own confession . To confine the term [ heathens ] onely to them that are not Christians in name , is indeed according to the vulgar speech , but besides the Scripture use , which Mr. Bl. me thinks in his writing should have followed . But if Mr. Bl. mean i● in the vulgar sense , it is easie to make it good that no Englishman or his child is a Christian till he be made a disciple by preaching the Gospel ▪ sith to be a disciple of Chr●st and a Christian are terms of the same sense , Acts. 11.26 . Yet in b●ptizing by Christs commission and the Apostles practise , th●re is no difference made between Jews and Heathens , bo●h are to be baptized upon their believing , Mark. 16.16 . neither the one nor the other were , or were to be bap●ized by the Apostles , without their own personal profession of faith . Our way then by Mr. Bls. own confession is the way of the Apostles . His co●fession also is true , that our way is of more colour then theirs that set up new Churches , and retain the old baptism , for acknowledging them church members at Bap●ism , and not admitting them as church-members though without scandal , is after their own principles to contradict themselves ; and to set up Churches in a congregational way , disclaiming the National and Parochial , and yet to admit infants to Baptism by vertue of Circumcision , and Abrahams covenant and church-gathering , what is it but to dissert that in practise which they plead in dispute , and to make the frame of the national Church Jewish , the rule of the Christ an Church catholick Nor have Presbyterians any colour for their reformation of Baptism or the Lords supper , if they will stick to their allegations of taking a rule for Baptism from Circumcision , or of the Lords Supper from the Passeover ; for , to them all sorts whether ignorant or scandalous were admitted ; and if we must retain whom the Jewish Church re●ained as visible church-members , there will be no Ecclesiastical juridica● excommunicat●on for moral miscarriages , there being 〈◊〉 ●uch among them . As for what Mr. Bl. chargeth the baptized C●urches with , of the unholin●ss of their members ▪ though I can say litt●e of those near Mr. Bl. ( if there be an ) yet I am able to say of some and Mr. Baxter himself hath in print said somewhat of one of the Churches , which might refute this calumny , and I think there are many able to testifie of the holy conversation of many of the Churches of baptized persons , however Mr. Baxter imagines they in the end prove wicked . However , we do neither in practise nor opinion maintain such impure Churches of ignorant and vicious persons as Mr. Bl. Vindic. Faed . ch . 47. doth , and Presbyterians commonly do : Nor is it likely , the worst of the baptized Churches should be worse then the ordinary sort of the Paedobaptists Churches of Mr. Bls. way . Chap 29. Mr. Bl. answers to some objections against his assertion . 1. That regenerate persons onely are in New Testament times honoured with the name of the people of God , they therefore onely are in Covenant ▪ To which he answers , 1. That there are terms equivalent , Beleevers , Saints , Disciples , and Christians , which are given to the unregenerate . To which I reply , that though this argument be not mine , yet it may be said , that the term Gods people doth rather imply being in Covenant wi●h God then the other terms . But I think the argument not cogent , sith the term [ my people ] doth not in the force of the word necessarily import a Covenant of God , and men ma● be conceived his people by election , or purchase , without a Covenant , and therefore own it not . 2 ly . Saith he , It is not often that that phrase is found in New Testament Scriptures , with such restriction onely to regenerate persons . He denies not Tit. 2.14 . is taken for a people separate by grace out of the state of nature : But he is not resolved whether Revel . 21.3 . serve to purpose , it being in dispute whether to be fulfilled on earth or in heaven ; if on earth , then it sets out a singular glory in the Church through Ordinances in purity , yet with a mixture of close hypocrites . ●nd for Christs personal reign on earth , that he lets go as the opinion of others , of a considerable part of whom he is not very well conceited it seems . Answ. His not denying Tit. 2.14 . to 〈◊〉 pregnant ▪ and being alledged by me as the parallel place to 1 Pet. 2.9 . confirms m● restriction of the titles there used ●o ●he regenerate . And ●e thin●s the promises , Revel . 21.3 , 4. That God would be their God with them , that he would wipe away all tears from their eys , there should be no more death , nor crying , nor labour , should be sufficient to prove the people of God there meant to be onely the regenerate . And me thinks Matth. 1.21 . & 2.6 ▪ Luke 1.17 , 68 , 77. & 2.32 . & 7.16 . Acts 15.14 . & 18.10 . Rom. 9.25 . & 11.1 ▪ & 15.10 ▪ 2 Cor. 6.16 . Heb. 4 , 9 ▪ & 8.10 . 1 Pet. 2.10 . Revel . 18.4 . the term [ my people or Gods people ] should be restrained to the elect . 3 ly . Saith he , My people , or people of God , is us●d more frequently in the N. T. without restriction to the elect regenerate . He alledgeth three places , 2 Cor. 6. ●6 . which with him is plain quoted from Levit. 26.16 . where it is a national promise , to be understood of Gods visible abode in ordinances , being tendered to those that were over bu●●e w●●h Idols , from which he disswades with this argument , that they were the temple of the Lord , separate of God for his worship and servic● , and the promise is no more then is made good to visible Churches , Revel . 2.1 . whereof some members were not regenerate . Answ. To dwell in them to walk in them , to be their God , and they to be his people , the temple of the living God , 2 Cor 6.16 . whom he receives , to whom he is a father , and they his sons and daughters , cannot be meant of any other then the elect : For they onely are the temple of God in which he dwels , who have h●s ●pirit , 1 Cor. 3 16 , 17. & 6.19 . ( a bare separation by outward cal●ing to his worship & service is not enough ) which is the most fo●cible argument to diss●ade fr●m medling with Idols . However it be Levit. 26.16 . here i● is not a national promise , but a promise to particula● persons , separate from the rest of the nation , v. 17. Nor can it be understood of Gods visible abode in ordinances , but in persons who were holy ; nor is it made to every visible Church , in r●spect of every visible member : Nor is the promise of Chrst , walking , Revel . 2.1 . so much as this of Gods dwelling in them . The 2d . he alledgeth is Rom. 9.25 . which is to be understood no otherwise , where the call of the ten Tribes , from Hos , 1 ▪ 10. & 2.23 . is applied to the call of the Gentiles into a Church state and condition . And to the objection from Rom. 9.23 . he saith , God sets up visible ●rd●nances , and calls to a Church state as is there prophesied , that he may there work to himself a people of invisible relation , that thereby he may make them vessels of mercy , having a sore prepared them to glory . Answ. The call , Rom 9.25 . is not as Mr. Bl seems to conceive , an outwa●d refusable calling into a visible Church state by visible ordinances ; but as v. 7 , 8 , 11 , 24 , 26. calling is effectual calling , which gives being to the called , and is never refused , but proper to t●e elect onel● : Which is apparent from v. 24. where he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom also , which can have reference to ●one but vessels of mercy mentioned v. 23 ▪ who are also sons of the living God , v. 26. Wh●ch being ●rged by me ●n my Postscript . sect . 10. and not refelled , stands as a firm 〈◊〉 that the people of God there are onely elect ones , or as Mr. Bl. speaks , a ●eople of invisible relation , vessels of mercy ●so●e prepared to glory . The 3d he all●dgeth is Revel . 18.4 . where all professors of faith are included in that exhortation , and so all Ministers are to press it ▪ B●t though it wer● the duty of all , yea of them that were n●t professors of f●ith , to qui● Babylon ; yet the invitation is a fruit of Gods special care by a voice from heaven , and therefore is more ●hen an exhortation to a commoh duty , to wit , a special effectual call , whereby Gods people , that is his elect ones ; shall be brought out of Babylon as Lot out of Sodom , and is to be conceived of the elect onely , not of hypocritical professors of faith . So that Mr. Bl. hath not brought one Text out of the New Testament , in which [ God 's people ] is applied to meer visible professors ; and yet if these had served his turn , his assertion had been false , as is shewed by the number of places wherein [ God 's people ] is limited to the elect . Another objection is out of Jer. 31.31 , 32 , 33. which he saith is set up against all New Testament light , to prove that none must be of the called of God in●o Covenant , for fruition of Church priviledges , but those ●hat are r●generate : Men in Old Testament Covenan● broke Covenant , as is there exprest ; men in th● new Covenant shall keep Covenanant , and these are onely the elect and regenerate . Answ. The Text joyned with Heb 8.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. proves that God makes his new Covenant with none but those who keep it , who are the elect onely . I prod●ce it not to prove ( as Mr. Bl. suggests of some ) that none must be of the called of God into Covenant , for fruition of Church priviledges , but those that are regenerate ; nor to prove ●hat none shall enter Covenant and transgress it ▪ that the Covenant that now is , is not in any possibility to be transgrest : but to prove , that no●e to whom God makes his new Covenant do break it ; which the Author to the Hebrews doth affirm , in that he differences this from the former Covenant , that the former was faulty , or occasioned God to complain that it was broken ; but this is such as that to take away occasion of complaint for breach of it , God makes provision by better promises , that it shall not be broken by those to whom it is made . Nor doth it hence follow , as Mr. Bl. speaks ( this being the characteristical difference ) that as none in New Testament times enter Covenant , but they keep Coven●nt ; so none in Old Testament times were in Covenant , but did transgress it : For we do not say as he perverts the position , that none in New Testament times enter Covenant but they keep Covenant ; we know many have by their profession and baptism entred into Covenant , and have no● kept i● : but this we say , that God mak●s with none his new Covenant , whether in New Testament times , or in Old Testament times , but they do keep it ; and that this is the characteristi●al difference between the Old and New Covenant ( not Old and New Testament times ) which are in the Epistle to the Romanes and Galatians called the Law and the Promises ; that the one might be and was broken , yet the other is and shall be kept by those to whom it is made , because of Gods undertaking to write his Laws in their hearts . As for an outward Covenant made by God distinct from these and yet in force , it is Mr. Bls. figment as Mr. B. hath proved in his Apol. against Mr. Bl. pag. 66 , 67 , ●03 , &c. As for the answers , 1. that the Covenant , Jer. 3● . 31 , 31 , 33. is not a Covenant ●roperly so called , it is refuted before , Sect. 33. as I remember . 2. That it is not the whole of the Covenant . But if it be but a part , it is made onely to the elect , the other part whatever it be being made to none other . 3. If the new Covenant be another Covenant , then there must be two distinct Gospel Covenants . But this is said upon ●he mi●take refuted Sect. 43. that the Covenant at Mount Sinai with the Jews was the Gospel Covenant . I have again viewed pag. 105 , 106 , 107. of Mr. Bls. answer to my Letter , and do not find any explication of the promises Jer. 31.31 , 32 , 33. which may sh●w that the promises there are made to any but the elect ; nor do I find an explication of them , whereby to know how he would have them understood , but of the term [ new Covenant ] which he would have understood as if it were meant onely of a clearer explication of the old Covenant not well understood before , as Joh. 13.34 . the new commandment is a clearer explication then was formerly . But neither is true : For the new commandment Joh. 13.34 . is not so called from a new explication , but a new motive , his own example , as the very words shew : And the new Covenant is so called , Jer. 31.31 , 32 , 33. not from a clearer explic●tion , bu● better promises , Heb. 8.6 . And I still profess , that I find not that Mr. Bls. answer is quit from enervating the argument for effectual grace and perseverance in it , sith he makes the Covenant to be to the non-elect ; nor doth he demonstrate , that I cannot bui●d effectual grace and perseverance on that text , making it a distinct Covenant from the first , without the o●erthrow of effectual g●ace and perseverance in Old Testam●nt times . Thus much for answer to those three Chapters of Mr. Bl. he that would see more of Mr. Bls. mistakes about the Covenant , may read Mr. Baxters Book afore quoted . SECT . XLVII . Mr. Bls. Vindic. F●ed . Ch. 34. Concerning the stating the question of the Birth-priviledge of the issue of ●elievers , is examined ; and his Objections against my stating it removed . MR. Bl. ch . 34. complains , that my confusion hath mudded the way , that my mixture brings a cloud upon all ] he might as well say light is darkness . He saith , I undertake a full Comment upon these words of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . Exercit. pag. 3. in which the Reader will not find this undertaking . He sets down my distinction of Abrahams seed Exercit pag. 3. and then saith , here by the way Mr. T. mistakes himself . 1. In casting Ishmael out of Covenant in that manner , that all the time of his Circumcision he had not title to it , to that end that he might make ( were it possible ) the Covenant and the Seal distinct of themselves , without any relation one to the other , conceiving some to be sealed that were never in Covenant , and some to be in Covenant that were never sealed . Ishmael was in Covenant , as was Esau at his Circumcision , and his Circumcision doth w●tness i● , Gen. 17.11 . Answ. I do assert , that ●he Covenant Gen. 17 ▪ was not made with Ishmael , for none of the promi●es there did belong to him , and I have further prov●d it f●o● v. 19 ●0 , 21. Heb. 11.9 , &c. though not to make the Covenant and Seal distinct of themselve● , without any relation one to another ; yet conceiving some were to be circumcised that were never in Covenant , and viceversa . But Mr. Bl. thinks it proved that Ishmael was in Covenant , because he was circumcised , for it is said , Circumcision shall be a token of the Covenant between me and you , Gen. 17.11 . To which ● said , the Covenant was between God and Abraham and his seed in their generations , v. 7. and this seed is declared exc●●sively of Ishmael to be ●saac , v. 2● . and them that sh●uld be of him , Gen. 21.12 . Rom. 9.7 , 8. Though every persons Circumcision af●er Gods appointment was a token of the Covenant God made , yet not of the Covenant God made between himself and the circumcised : for the covenant of God with Abraham was not to ev●ry circumcis●d stranger , nor to every circumcised child , but between God , and ●braham and ●is seed in their generations which should be called in ●saac , and accordingly the covenant to be kept , v. 1● . is said to be between God and Abraham and Sarah , and Abrahams seed . ●areus com . on Gen. 17.7 . Two heads there are of the Covenant , God and Abraham ; on Abrahams part also his seed or posterity are comprehended . But the seed is understood according to the limitations of Scripture here , and in other places , Gen. 17.21 . & ●1 . 12 . Rom. 9.7 , 8. What therefore is here added in their generations ▪ extends not the Covenant to Ishmaelites , Idumaeans , and Keturaeans . There is no truth in that which Mr. Bl. adds , men in Covenant were the ●dequate subject of Circumcision , and are of Baptism . For the females and the males of the seventh day were in Coven●nt , yet not subjects of Circumcision ; many Proselytes and others were the subjects of Circumcision , though not in Covenant . Nor is the reason why either this or that person was to be circumcised , and is now to be baptized his being in Covenant , but the command of God concerning them whether they be in Covenant with God or no ▪ in that sense in which Paedobaptists mean when they say infants are in covenant , because of Gods covenant made to them without th●ir own covenant , as hath been often proved . The casting out which I observe Apol. 114. of Ishmael doth not sufficiently argue ( as Mr. Bl. saith ) that Ishmael was once in Covenant , but that he was once in Abrahams house , from whence he was cast out . 2 ly . Saith Mr. Bl. Mr. T. does i●l in laying upon Ishmael the brand of Bastardy , as though he were a son of whoredomes to faithful Abraham ; Co●cubines in Scripture have the name of Wives , and their seed was ever accounted legitimate ▪ neither will this serve his p●rpose at all to argue Ishmael out of covenant . Answ. I ter●ed Ishmael Abrahams base natural seed , but not to argue him out of covenant , nor b● terming him base did I term him the son of whoredomes , but of an unlawful bed . And though Concubines in Scripture have the name of Wives , and whores are usually called those that are common to more then one , and the sons of Concubines counted le●itimate in respect of inheritances , yet be that should say tha● Concubines were lawful Wives , and their children legitimate before God , must maintain the lawfulness of Concubinate and Polygamy in the P●triarchs , which our Lord Christs words g●insay , Matth. 19.4 , 5 , 6. M. Bl. having recited my words Exercit. pag. 3. concerning the different seed of Abraham , and the different manner of Gods promise to be God ●o them , he 〈◊〉 after his calumniating manner infers : So that it evidently appears , that he casts out all the natural seed of Abraham ( legitimate or base , as he cals them , inheriting or not inheriting ) from any ●itle to that Covenant ▪ save in domestick and political benefits . Which if true , I should cast ou● Isaac , Jacob , David , Christ Jesus himself from any title to ●hat Covenant Gen. 17.7 . save in domestick and political benefits : which is so gross a thing , and so manifest a falshood , that I wonder Mr. Bl. hath the face to write such a thing of me , and to pervert my words so palpably ; but that I perceive he cares little how he hazards his own credit , so he may impair mine . I say , that God promiseth he will be a God to Christ , impartin● in him blessing to all nations of the earth , to the spiritual seed of ●braham in Evangelical benefits ; to the natural seed inheriting in domestick and political benefits . How doth it sufficiently appear hence , that I cast out all the natural seed of Abraham from any title to th●t Covenant , save in domestick and political b●nefits ? Doth it follow , that because I assigne Ev●ngelical benefits to Abrahams spiritua● seed , I deny any of his natural seed to be his spiritual ? To this loud calu●ny , he adjoyns his own gross p●sition in these words . Here I shall undertake a position in full opposition , I will establish my Covenant , &c. Gen. 17.7 . in their fullest latitude as they are there spoken ▪ in the largest comprehension ( which according to Scripture they can be taken ) are entred with all the natural seed of Abraham , by Isaac and Jacob. Which if true , then God breaks his word if he be not a God in spiritual , and all other bl●ssings comprehended under the phrase , will be a God to thee and thy seed ; to Judas , Ahab , the Pharises that said Christ ca●● out devils by the help of devils , and so blasphemed the Holy Ghost , the Jews that rejected Christ , in effectual calling , justifying , raising to eternal life , which the Scripture comprehends under that phrase of being a God to a person , Rom. 9.11 . Gal. 3.16 . Luk. 20.37 , 38. He saith , the confirmation of this position , is a matter of ease if any . Which I acknowledge , if by [ confirmation ] be meant such as Mr. Bl. in his dictating and flirting fashion useth to ●onfirm things ; not distinctly opening terms , nor the meaning of the texts he brings , nor shewing by any Logical deduction the pertinency of them to prove his position . But I shall as soon expe●● a new world in the Moon proved as that position , by any true Logical deduction out of Scripture . He talks of my trifling circumstances in my Examen , and foul miscarriage in my stating of the question , even in that whic● was most necessary according to the rule of all Logicians , that in ever consideration of things , distinction of ambiguous terms should be used 〈◊〉 afore any definition , proposition , proof , or answer be made , as Keche●m . syst . Log. l. 1. sect post . c 1. out of Cicero , Boetius , Aristotle , Galen , &c shews ; and for endeavouring to bring Mr. M. to state his ●wn proposition without ambiguity , that I might know what to de●y or gra●t , which Mr. Bl. terms ineptly my soul miscarriage in my stating of the question , when I stated not a question at all , but onely so●ght to finde out how Mr , M. meant his 2d . concl . in his Sermon . But Mr. Bl. will have his position limited . An● he speaks thus . 1. We take not in all the natural seed of Abraham , as the position plainly expresseth , but the seed by promise , which I understand not of the elect or regenerate seed : but of that seed which G●d by miracle according to promise ) gave to Abraham by ●arah , when she was past years of child bearing . Answ. 1. If he take not in all the natural seed of Abraham , as comprehended in that promise Gen. 17.7 . but the seed by promise , then the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . was never made to Ishmael , which was signified by circumcision , and consequently though Ishmael was circumcised , yet he was never in covenant , and Mr. Bls position is false , men in Covenan● are the adequate subject of Circumcision . 2. If he understand not by [ the children of the promise Rom. 9.8 . ] the elect or regenerate , then he doth not understand as the Apostle doth , who declares v. 11 that the seed v. 7. who are children of the promise v ▪ 8. are such as are by Gods calling according to Gods purpose of election , v. 11. whom ●e loveth , v. 13 , hath mercy and compassion on , v. 15. and deserts the contra●●monstrants , as I have often shewed in this and other writings . 3. If he understand the seed by promise onely of that which God by miracle ( according to promise ) gave to Abraham by Sarah , when she was past years of child-●earing , then h● asserts the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . in the fullest latitude to be made wholly to Isaac , no to Jacob , or any other , for no other but Isaac individually taken was that seed which God by miracle ( according to promise ) gave to Abraham by Sarah , when she was past years of child bearing . Mr. Bl. adds , The natural posterity ( which was the birth by promise ) we onely understand ; and so the Apostle explains it ▪ Rom. 9.7 , 8. neither , &c. Answ. If Mr. Bl. understand onely Gen. 17.7 . by [ the seed of Abraham ] the natural posterity ( which was the birth by promise ) and that according to Mr. Bls. description in the words immediately precedent is no other then individual Isaac , then he takes in no other then ●saac into the Covenant Gen. 17 ▪ 7. as meant by Abrahams seed . Now the A●ostle is so far from explaining it so , that the contrary is most true ▪ Fo● 1. the Apostle expresly saith , that is they which are the children of the flesh , that is begotten by m●er natural generation of Abraham which is all one with the natural posterity of Ab●aham , thes● are not the children of God , that is those to whom the promise is made Gen. 17.7 . as the contradistinction to the children of the promise in the latter part of v ▪ 8. shews ▪ And that by [ children of the flesh ] are me●nt meer natural posterity appears in that v. 7. which is explained v. 8. the term [ the seed of Abraham ] is put as equipolent to [ children of the flesh , ] which understood any otherwise then thus [ ●he seed or children of Abraham by meer n●tural generation ] should exclude Isaac also , who was the natural posterity of Abraham , and so the seed of Abraham , but not by meer natural generation . 2. If the Apostle had explained the seed , Gen. 17.7 . of the natural posterity onely , which was the birth by promise ( which according to Mr. Bls. description can be no more then individual Isaac ) then he had said Rom. 9.8 . but the child of the promise is counted for the seed , not as he doth in the plural number , the children of the promise , ( by whom are meant all elect persons , who are by su●ernatural calling counted by God for the seed of the Gentiles as well as the Jews , as he affirms v. 24. ) are counted for the seed to whom the promise Gen. 17.7 . is made . But Mr. Bl. ●oes on thus . Where children of God is taken in the same latitude as adoption , v. 4. comprizing all the visible body of the Jews , as it is also taken , Deut. 14.1 . Answ. ●he right reading ( as I have before proved ) of Rom. 9 4. should be [ whose was the adoption ] and this is meant indeed of the visible body of Israelites in former generations , excluding the pres●nt ; nor do I deny it to be so me●nt , Deut. 14.1 . but not so as either then or at any time comprizing every particular Jew , but as Mr. Bl. himself rightly explaineth such passages in his answer to my letter pag. 51. ( though 〈◊〉 applied to Rom. 9.25 , 26. ) the denomination being a praestantiori parte , as we call it , a heap of corn , where yet there is a mixture of chaff , and a corn field , where there is a mixture of tares and other weeds ; and as the Apostle ( writing to the Church of the Thessalonians ) saith , knowing brethren your election of God , and yet I suppose you do not believe that each particular man was a vessel of glory . But I go after Mr. Bl. Onely , saith he , those that are born by promise are included , and so all the sons of Ishmael and Keturah , though the●r parents were once in Covenant , are by Gods special command shut ou● . Answ 1. There are no more born by promise according to Mr. Bls. description but Isaac , and so no more according to him included ; not Jacob , mu●h less all the visible body of the Jews . 2. If those that are born by promise onely are included , then Ishmael , and the sons of Keturah who were not born by pro●ise , are not in●luded in the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . then they were never in Cov●nant , for none were never in that Covenant , who were not included in the promise . 3. The Scripture doth not mention out●shmael ●shmael out of the Covenant he was once in , but to 〈◊〉 out of Abrahams hous● . Nor do I see in what sense Abraham cou●d be said to cast him out of Covenant . Surely not by revoking 〈◊〉 promise , that were little less then blasphemy , to ascribe to Abraham the evacuating of Gods word : not by uncircumcising him for 〈◊〉 was any such thing done , though Abraham obeyed God , nor perhaps could be done . What other way he might shut him out of ●ovenant I do not understand . 4. If Ishmael were once in the Coven●nt , as it comprehends the promise of Evangelical grace , then ●od promised to be his God in respect of regeneration justification , adoption , sanctification and raising up to eternal li●e , and he was in that esta●e , and if h● were shut out again , ●hen a man may be in the covenant of Evangelical grace and shut out again , which is contrary to the very end of the new C●venant , as it is expressed Heb. 8.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. and infers falling away from Gospel grace . Mr. Bl. proceeds thus . Neither are all these included ; for as God cast off Ishmael and his seed , so also Esau and his posterity ; therefore the Apostle having brought the former distinction of seeds , rests not there but adds v. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. And ther●fore the denomination of the seed is in Jacob , sirnamed Israel ; Therefore when the head , or if you will , root of the Covenant is mentioned ; usually in Scripture it is not barely Abraham , but Abraham and Isaac , to exclude all Abrahams seed of any other line ; not barely Abraham and Isaac , but Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob. The natural seed of Jacob then ( not according to ours , but Gods own limits ) is included in that Covenant in the full latitude and extent of it . Answ. 1. The terms head or root of the Covenant , are not Scripture expressions . I finde Gal. 3.16 . that to Abraham and his seed were the promises made , and Rom. 11.16 . If the root be holy so are the branches , v. 18. thou bearest not the root , ●ut the root thee ; but this root is I conceive , no other then Abraham , who is ●ot termed either head or root of the Covenant singly or jointly , but of the olive or branches in respect of their propagation from him partly as a natural father , and a spiritual father in respect of Is●aelite believers , an● partly as a spiritual father onely in respect of Gentile believers . But if any be to be termed the head and root of the Covenant , I think it is most fit to give that title to Christ , the surety and mediatour , Heb. 7.22 . & 8.6 . to whom the promises were made , Gal. 3.16 , 17. 2. When God is stiled the God of Abraham , I●saac , and Jacob , that it is to exclude all Abrahams seed of any other line , and to say that God cast off Esau and his posterity from the Covenant , is more then the Apostle saith , or is according to truth . For the Apostle doth onely say , that therefore the Oracle was delivered concerning Esau and Jacob , and the words of the Prophet concerning Jacob and Esau are alledged , that he might shew that God confined not his Covenant to Abrahams natural posterity , nor included them all ; not to shew that he cast off or excluded all Abrahams seed of any other line then ●saac and Jacob from the Covenant . For then Jo● , Jethro , and all other Proselytes of Abrahams seed by Keturah , of Esau●s posterity had been excluded from the Covenant of grace in Christ , which is contrary to Scripture ; and in like sort , all the Gentile from Ishmael , Keturah , Esau , ●ad been excluded from being called Christian believers . For none are called by God who are excluded out of the Covenant of grace . 3. That the natural seed of Jacob is included in that Covenant . Gen. 17.7 . in the full latitude and ex●ent of it , as it comprehends a promise of Evangelical grace , is so far from being the Apostles determination , tha● he resolves in the contrary in those words Rom. 9.6 . All are not Israel , that are of Israel . Secondly , saith Mr. Bl. We d● not say that this Covenant was entred with Abraham as a n●tural Father , nor his seed comprehended as natural children ; but a● a p●ofessour of the Faith ●ccepting the Conant , taking God for his God he accepts it for himself , and f●r his seed , his natural p●sterity . And all that profess the Faith hold in the like ten●re , are in Covenant , and have the Covenant ; not vested in their own persons , but enlarged to their posterity . Answ. I do not remember that I did any where say that Paedobaptists said , that covenant Gen. 17.7 . w● entred with Abraham as a natural ●ather , but the Authour of the little Treatise intituled Infants Baptism proved lawful by Scripture , asserted the Covenant was made with Abraham as a believer ; to which I replied ▪ that as it was Evangelical it was not made with Abraham simply as a believer , for then it had been made to every believer as to Abraham , but with Abraham as the Father of believers , and with his seed as believers as he was . But that ever any Paedo●aptist did afore Mr. Bl ▪ assert that the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . as it was a Covenant of Evangelical grace , was entred by God with him as a professour of the faith , accepting the Covenant taking God for his God , accepting it for himself and for his seed , his natural posterity , I do not reme●ber . If they should , yet I take it to be false , and without likelihood of truth . For if the Covenant of Evangelical grace were made with Abraham under that formal consideration , then God had promised Evangelical grace , justication , adoption , to him as a professour of faith onely , so that if it were supposed he had been an hopocrite , yet he should have been justified , adopted in that he was a professour of faith , or else it is to be conceived justification and adoption were not to Abraham by this Covenant , contrary to Gal. 3.16 , 17 , 18. nor hath it any likelihood of truth , that God would single out so exemplary a believer as Abraham was , Rom. 4.18 , 19. and enter so solemn a Covenant with him barely as a professour of faith , which was competent to an hypocrite . Nor do I well know in what sense God entred the Covenant with him as ● professour of the faith accepting the Covenant for himself and his s●ed . For Gods entring the Covenant is no other then his making of it : But God did not make it on this condition that Abraham should accept it f●r him and his seed , but as knowing Abrahams integrity , b● way of testification of his love and grace to him being so eminent and tried a believer afore this C●venant was made with him . Nor is it true that all that profess the faith hold in the like tenure , are in Covenant , and have the Coven●nt ; not vested in their own persons , but enlarged to their posterity , there being none in the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . but Abraham and his seed , of whom no meer professour of faith , much le●s his seed , except elect or true believer is either . Nor was the Covenant ever made to Abrahams or Israels mere natural posterity as it is Evangelical ; much less enlarged to the posterity natural of every professour of faith . Thirdly , saith Mr. Bl. We entitle the seed o● Abraham , as before , to spiritual mercies ( and so the seed of all that hold in the tenure of Abraham ) to saving grace , and justification to life eternal ; not by an absolute conveyance infallibly to inherit ( we know though Israel be as the sand of the sea , yet a remnant onely shall be saved , Rom. 9.27 . ) but upon Gods terms , and conditions in the Gospel of God , held out of God to his pe●ple ; salvation is made over by vertue of Covenant , to all thus in Covenant in that sense as Christ speaks Joh. 4.22 . salvation is of the Jews . In that sense as Christ us●th it of Zacheus family ; this day is salvation come to this house , Luk. 19.9 . In that sense as the Apostle to the Hebrews speaks of it , where he sets out the danger of neglecting so great salvation , Heb. 2.3 . In that sense ( as I conceive ) the Apostle speaks of it , where he saith , that upon the call of the Jews all Israel shall be saved , Rom. 11.26 . Answ. That by [ salvation Luk. 19.9 . Heb. 2.3 . Rom. 11.26 . ] is not meant outward priviledges , in which salvation upon Gods terms may be obtained , hath been shewed before Sect. 44. And though I grant that salvation is said to be of the Jews , in that from them was the doctrine of salvation , yet I see no necessity to expound the term [ salvation ] metonymically , as if by [ salvation ] were meant barely the doctrine of salvation , but the sense may be truely conceived thus , salvation , remission of sins , justification , adoption , eternal life , is of the Jews , as instruments by preaching the Gospel of converting , and so saving men . But that God when he promised Gen. 17.7 . I will be thy God and the God of thy seed ( as this promise is Evangelical ) meant this , all the professors of faith and their seed shall enjoy those priviledges , in which salvation upon Gods terms may be obtained , is proved false . 1. In that the writers of the New Testament never so explain it , but where the promise is mentioned as Evangelical , they declare it imports a further thing proper to the elect and true believers . 2 That they never by Abrahams seed as Evangelically understood , mean any other then elect persons and true believers : both which are proved largely before Sect. 28. 3. That in this sense the promise were not made good , for God doth not make good to every professour of faith that he shall have ●hose priviledges , as to be baptized , be in Church-communion , have the the Lords supper , have a Pastour to preach the Gospel , much less to every one of his natural seed , as frequent experience shews . 4. By this exposition nothing is assured to the infant of a believer , or to a professour of faith , which is not also to an unbelievers child , yea to an unbeliever , who as well as they have title to saving grace , and justification to eternal life , upon termes and conditions in the Gospel of God , held out of God to his people . Mr. Bl. adds , And this [ that professors of faith or believers upon their call shall enjoy those priviledges , in which salvation upon Gods terms may be obtained ] is all that c●n by any means be squeezed out of their words , that say , the Covenant of grace was made of God , with Abraham and hi● natural seed , or with believers and their seed . It is even irksome to read the large business that Mr. T. makes of it , to finde out Mr. Ms. meaning , about the Covenant of God made with Abraham and his se●d ; and both Mr. M. and my self must per force confess that we mean ●t of a Covenant , infallibly absolutely to confer grace , and cons●quently salvation . Answ. 1. That more may be squeezed out , is proved in my Exam. part 3. sect . 3. in this par● of the Review sect . 30.31 , &c. And if no more be m●ant by them , these things w●ll follow . 1. That they mean by the Covenant of grace , a covenant of outward priviledges , of viable C●urch-membership . Baptism , the Lords Supper , to every beleever by prof●ssion , though a Gentile , and his natural seed , under the pretence of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . which pretended outward Covenant of outward priviledges is a meer counterfeit , neither Gen , 17.7 . nor any where else to be found in the holy Scripture . 2. They do most grosly abuse the text , Gen. 17.7 . for proving such a Covenant , quite besides the expositions given of it throughout the New Testament , as is proved in this Part of the Revew , sect . 28. and quite besides the expositions even of the reformed Divines , though Paedobaptists , in their commentaries on the N. T. and writings against Arminians . 3. They do mock Readers most palpably ▪ 1. in telling them the Covenant of grace cen●ains the promise of remission of sins , &c. is for substance the same in all ages , and say it belongs to all the infants of beleevers , that they are in it , that is that Covenant of grace , they are confederate with parents , as the words of the Directory , Mr , M. and others cited by me , Exam part . 3 sect . 3 shew ; and yet deny this Covenant of saving grace is made to them all , but upon such conditions as upon which it is made to unbeleevers children , yea , to every man in the world . 2. In that they when they make the Sacraments to be seals of the Covenant of grace , and attempt to prove it from Rom. 4.11 . which mentions onely a seal of the righteousness of faith ▪ they make them seals of the righteousne●s of faith , and say infants are in the Covenant , and the seal must follow the Covenant , and yet nevertheless deny all the infants they baptize by vertue of being in the Covenant ( of which Baptism is a seal ) to be in that Covenant of which Baptism is a seal ; but say they are in a meer imaginary Covenant , which they call an outward Covenant , of which Baptism is no seal , but rather according to their conceits , the thing it self covenanted or promised . 3. They mock parents , by telling them in wr●tings and sermons , that they are to be comforted concerning their children , that if they be beleevers their children are saved by vertue of the promise Gen. 17.7 . that they are bound to beleeve it ; and yet when they are pressed with the Apostles determination . Rom. 9.6 7 , 8. and other arguments , they deny that they understand it of the ●ovenant of saving grace , which alone can infer salvation ) infallibly and absolutely to confer grace ; but either they make it onely conditional if they repent and beleeve , which no man is sure any infant doth ; or they say in the judgement of charity ( which is fallible , and is no object of faith ) we are to take them to be in Covenant and to b● saved , or else they say ( which is now the common shif● ) they are in the outward Covenant , which is a figment , and of which they cannot say but that a person may be in it and not saved . 4. That sith it is commonly conceived by readers and hearers that they mean that which Mr. M. Mr G. Mr. Bl. &c. do disclaim , Paedobaptists are bound to ●each the people at their baby sprinklings , and at other ti●es when they avouch the infants of beleevers and of meer visible professors of faith to be in the Covenant of grace , Gen● 17 7. and thereupon derive their title to Baptism that they mean but as Mr. M. Mr. Bl. say , that they may acquit themselves from deceiving the people , and being judged impostors . 2. It is no marvel that the 3d. Section of the 3d. Part of my Examen is irksome to Mr. Bl. to read , sith it doth so fully lay open the fallacy of Paedobap●ists in their speeches concerning the ●nfants of beleevers being in Covenant . Not did I set down the position I conceived Mr. Ms. 2d .. concl . any otherwise then in fair candid way , giving my reasons thereof ; and not as Mr. Bl. faith , per force imposing any thing on him . And for Mr. M. it is shewed above § . 30. that Mr. M. in his Defence hath rather hidd●n then explained the m●aning of his 2d Conclusion . As for M. Bl. [ did acknowledge , Exam. p. 46. that he spake most warily , and therefore was far from obtruding upon him . But yet Mr. Bl. for want of other exceptions against me , chargeth me with wronging him in a passag● in my Apology , pag. 156. where I say , How doth this stand with tha● which he asserts , ch . 3. sect . 2. of his answer to my Letter , pag. 13. That infants of beleevers have salvation , if they die in their infancy , by ver●ue of the Covenant ? These words , he saith , were none of his , and that I could not but know it , when I published them ; and that the meaning was not his , I knew also , seeing he ex●ressed it in these words , That they are in the ordinary way of Gods dispensation saveable . ●o w●ich I reply . The assertio● I co●ceived his , I gathered from those words in the place cited by me , That Scrirture therefore , 1 Cor. 7.14 in this controversie is still brought in by our Divines , as evidently holding out a Covenant holiness , and consequently salvation of infants . And truly I must confess ▪ I thought his words so plain , that I never dream't he would have denied it to be his meaning , conceiving he alledged the Protestant Divines as con●onant to his own opinion ; and that if salvation of Infants be inferred consequently from covenant holiness ( which Mr. Bl. asserts from 1 Cor. 7.14 . ) then it is Mr. Bls. meaning , that infants of beleevers have salvation in their infancy , if they die in their infancy , by vertue of the Covenant , and that he asserts a certainty of salvation from the Covenant . That which he saith . I knew that the meaning I impute to him was not his because of the words he sets down , and therefore a calumny tending to make a brother odious , is I am sure false , and a calumny which I never expect to have fairly answered by him , nor almost any thing else he is charged with by me to have dealt fouly in his opposing ●e about this point . The words he mentions were in the period before th●s . This Papists deny , as not knowing how to avoid the salvation of infants , but that they are in the ordinary way of Gods dispensation saveable , when they are thus admitted within the verge of Gods promise . Which being spoken of the Papists , I did not conceive so likely to explain the speech of the period following , as that other a little before , Protestants affirm that infants without actual admission to Baptism are saved The main argument wherewith Protestants assert it , is the Covenant ▪ in which with the parents , infants are included : and I conceived [ are saved ] is as much as are actually saved . Nor am I yet so well indoctrinated by Mr. Bl. as not to think it had been non-sense ( which I would not impute to Mr. Bl. ) to expound salvation of infants , by saveab●eness in the ordinary way of Gods dispensation . Nor did I Imagine that by M● . Bl. muc● less by Protestant Divines , a saveableness onely in Gods ordinary way of dispensation , should be made the consequent of Covenant holiness , but a certainty of salvation . For the Covenant or prumise do●h not assure onely ● possibility , but a certainty ; yea , possibilities are not the things which men ever assure , they are antecedent to Covenants and promises , but certain events ; an● to imagine Gods Covenant to assure onely a possibility , a saveableness , and not a certainty of salvation , is to make God to promis● nothing , b●t what is without such a Covenant , which is to make it a blank . And if the Covenant holiness infer onely a conditional salvation , it infers no more salvation then damnation : yea , if infants have no more by their Covenant holiness then a saveableness in Gods ordinary way of dispensation , then they have onely a saveableness if they be baptized , hear th● Gospel preached , beleeve it , profess it ( which is the ordinary way whereby God dispenseth salvation . ) But if this were Mr. Bls. meaning , he ha● made Baptism &c. a necessary condition of their salvation , and so he had tied their salvation with the Papists to Baptism , or rather been more rigid then they , durior pater infantum Augustino , requiring the hearing the word , actual faith , and profession of them to salvation . So that I hope by this time Mr. Bl. will forgive me this wrong , in setting down his opinion better then he meant it , and that he will let fa●l hi● suit against me for this thing : And if so , I will forgive him for his next insinuation of my setting up a man of straw and then beating it down ( though it be indeed the common saying of Paedobap●ists , who usually say , the Covenant of grace sealed by Baptism , ( which is that of justification ) is made to beleevers and their seed , the promise is to them and their children , A●●s 2.39 . which is meant by them of remission of sins ) and for his frivolous charge of my using the arguments of Jesuits , and making use of Protestants names , when I do bring not onely the names , but the very words and arguments of the most approved Protestant writers in great number , and produce one Papist , Estius alone , no Jesuite , but , though a Papist , of the better sort ; and do , and may safely protest , that some of those Mr. Bl. chargeth me with I did not read ; and for one , what I read in him came not into my mind when I wrote that Examen of Mr. Ms. sermon . So that what Mr. Bl. doth so often insinuate , as tending to make me suspected as if my arguments against Infant Baptism were borrowed from Papists even then when I avouch Protestants , is a most unworthy calumny , though I still say I am glad when I find truth , that I meet with i● in any Authors , whether Protestants or Papists , and think it not the worse for their owning it . Mr. Bl a●ter his false accusations of me , and limitations of his own tenet , speaks thus . To draw all up towards a conclusion . All that is necessaril● included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people , engaging to be their God , and taking them for his people ; is here by this grand Charter of Heaven made over to Abraham , and his natural issue by ●saac and Jacob. All their posteri●y are branches of this root by nature simply considered , and they are holy branches by vertue of this Covenant , which necessarily implies priviledges of Ordinances , the fruition of Gods Oracles , which are his Covenant draughts ▪ without which no people are in Covenant , but all are strangers : And this priviledge of Ordinances implies also all priviledges , leading to , and accompanying salvation , and salvation it se●f upon Gods terms in his word revealed . And so before the disputation , the Reader hath my supposition . Answ. The Reader hath a supposition indeed , but such a one , as if he examine it , he will be more to seek concerning Mr. Bls. mind , then if he had omitted it . But I sh●ll as fairly as the ambiguity of his expr●ssions will permit , search out his meaning . There are no fewer then nine Propositions thrust together in these words of his , That all that is necessarily included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people , engaging to be their God , and taking them for his people ; is here by this grand Charter of Heaven made over to Abraham , and his natural issue by Isaac and Jacob. In which , 1. he asserts the promise Gen 17.7 . to be the grand Charter of Heaven : And I grant it to be so in the sense in which the Apostle means , it , Gal. 3.16 , 17 , 18 Rom. 4.16 . and elsewhere , to wit ▪ as it is a promise of regeneration , justification , eternal life , which I call Evangelical grace . 2. He speaks of Gods entrance of Covenant with a people , engaging to be their God , and taking them for his people , and of things necessarily encluded in this entrance of ●ovenant . But there are many ambiguities in these expr●ssions The term entrance into Covenant is ambiguous : He may be said to enter into Covenant who offers it , or who makes and concludes it . The term people of God is ambiguous ; it may be meant either of his people by special right , as the ten Tribes were when they fell off to idolatry ; or his people by outward profession onely , or his people by effectual saving calling . The terms engaging to be their God , and taking them for his people , may be understood in respect of temporary protection , advancement , rule , &c. or righteousness and eternal life . The word people may note either singular persons , or the collective body of a Nation which may not include every sing●lar person . He supposeth things necessarily included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people : But I am not yet convinced that any things are necessarily included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people engaging to be the●r God , and taking them f●r his people ; but that all things therein included are arbitrary , or of his free-will . And if there be any things necessarily included , sure they are not priviledges of Ordinances , I mean initial and after Seals , visible Church-membership of Infants ; for God entred into Covenant wit● Abraham long b●fore , and never promised those things ; so he did with Noah ; and with Adam . And that which agreeably to the Scripture was promised Gen 17.7 . was to the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob , peculiar protection , provision , rule , 1 Sam. 12.12 . by giving Laws to them , appointing them Judges , directing t●em by Oracles in war and peace , &c. To the spiritual seed of Abraham the promise was of Christ , righteousness , adoption , and the inheritance of eternal life ; not those petty things which Mr Bl. doth frivolously imagine to have been contained in that grand Charter of Heaven , as he calls it , which is the thing that Mr. Bl. would fain squeeze out of that text , though there be not the least colour in all the holy Scripture for it . His second Proposition is , that All Isaac's and Jacobs posterity are branches of this root by nature simply considered ; which if he understand of Abraham , and Isaac , and Jacob , as a natural root , propagating them by natural generation , I grant it ; if he mean it of a Covenant root , as he calls it , as deriving from them Evangelical grace by the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . I deny it . His 3d. is , and they are holy branches by vertue of this Covenant ; which if he mean they were holy in respect of Gods special rule , setting up his Tabernacle among them and such like prerogatives as are mentioned Rom. 9.4 , 5. I grant it : But if he mean it of holiness according to election of grace , as Rom. 11.16 . is meant , it is not true . His 4th . is , that this Covenant necessarily implies priviledge of Ordinances , the fruition of Gods Oracles : which if he mean in this sens● , that Gods worship should be among them , that the Laws of God , and his Word should be to the collective body of Israel , I grant it ; but if he mean it of visible church-membership of infants , initial and after Seals , which is the thing he aims at , ) I deny it . The 5th . that priviledge of Ordinances , and fruition of Gods Oracles , are Gods Covenant draughts , hath the same answer . The 6th . and 7th . that without this priviledges of Ordinances and fruition of Gods Oracles , no people are in Covenant , but all are strangers ; if it be meant of the Covenant of Evangelical grace , and of particular persons , the Propositions are manifestly false ; for then no infants dying afore they have an initial Seal , hear the Word , &c. should be in Covenant : if it be meant of the priviledges of Ordinances , and fruition of Gods Ordinances in any sort , I grant , that if there be no worship of God among them , no fruition of Gods Word written or unwritten , no people of ripe age , whether families , or nations , or single persons , can be said to be in Covenant , but are strangers from it ; but if they be understood of such peculiar O●dinances and Oracles as the Jews had , Rom. 9. 4 , 5. I deny it ; for Adam , Seth , Enoch , Noah , &c. were in Covenant with God without them . His 8th . And this priviledge of Ordinances implies also all priviledges leading to , and accompanying salvation ; if meant of in-being in Christ , having his spirit to dwell in them , which are the chief priviledges leading to , and accompanying salvation , and of all that have the priviledge of Ordinances . I deny it ; unless he mean it as he doth the 9th . Proposition , that this priviledge of Ordinances implies salvation it self upon Gods terms in his word revealed , which are Repentance and Faith in Christ , and then both Propositions are granted , the 8th . and the 9th ▪ that the priviledge of Ordinances doth imply both in-being in Christ , and his spirits in dwelling , and salvation it self to them that repent and believe in Christ. Which is true also of them that have not this priviledge of Ordinances , as Cornelius , and many more . And thus Mr. Bl. also hath my exposition and answer concerning his position and supposition : Let 's now see what he proves . SECT . XLVIII . The 35th . and 37th . Chapters of Mr. Bls. Vind. Faed . are examined , and his Arguments concluding the natural issue of believers to be taken into Covenant , are answered . HE intitles thus ch . 35. Arguments concluding the natural issue of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob to be taken into Covenant ; which he may prove and not oppse me , who grant , that God promiset● Gen. 17.7 ▪ to be a God to the natural seed of Abraham , inheriting in domestick and political benefits : From whence he falsly infers ▪ that I cast out all the natural seed of Abraham from any title to that Covenant , save in domes●ick and political benefits ; and then undertakes this Position in full opposition , That Covenant ▪ in those words exprest Gen. 17.7 . in their fullest latitude , as they are spoken in the largest comprehension ( which according to Scripture they can be taken , ) are entred with all the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob. So that if to be a God , Gen. 17.7 . to Abraham and his seed , comprehend Evangelical benefits of regeneration , justification , eternal life , his position is , That the Covenant is entred in respect of these benefits , with all the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob ; which can be meant no otherwise then thus , God had promised , Gen. 17.7 . these benefits to th●m all : For the Covenant could be no otherwise entred with them , Isaac and Jacob being not then begotten , nor in being , and therefore the entry into Covenant could not be mutual . Here then the Question between us is not , Whether the natural issue of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob were taken into Covenant ? Gen. 17.7 . for I grant that God there promised to be a God to them by domestick and political benefits , to wit , by setting up his worship more peculiarly in that nation , by raising up the Messiah out of them , by giving them peculiar Laws himself , raising up Judges and Governours for them , vouchsafing them peculiar protection which he vouchsafed not to other p●ople , directing them by his Oracle when they enquired of him , &c. And these benefits he promised to them all conditionally if they adhered to God : But the Question between us is ; Whether Gen. 17.7 . God have promised to all the natural issue of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob , the Evangelical benefits of regeneration , justification , and eternal life , supposed to be meant in the words , to be a God to thy seed ? This I deny , and Mr. Bl ▪ should prove , if he dispute in opposition to me . However let 's view what he writes . My first argument ( saith he ) is taken from the addition annexed to this Covenant in the words immediately following v. 8. That seed of Abraham ▪ that had possession of the Land of Canaan through the gift and by vertue of the promise of God , is the seed here taken into Covenant to have the Lord for their God. This is so plain , that nothing can be plainer to any that read the words ; but the natural seed of Abraham , all the seed of Jacob in their several Tribes ( according as God set them their bounds ) inherited the Land of Canaan , which is called the Land of their inheritance , and not onely the spiritual seed regenerate , they that onely sojourned in Canaan , Heb. 11.13 . and were never possessed of it , had title to it : It was theirs in reversion , though they never came into actual possession . Answ. 1. The major is not true , if the subject of the Proposition be understood exclusively , or universally , and the phrase in the predicate [ to have the Lord for their God ] be meant in respect of the Evangelical benefits of regeneration , justification , and eternal life . It is not true , that God hath covenanted to be a God in respect of these benefits to all , or onely to that seed of Abraham that had possession of the Land of Canaan through the gift , and by vertue of the promise of God : nor doth the Text at all make it plain . For though it prove that the seed of Abraham meant in the fore-part of Gen. 17. v. 8. were also meant v. 7. yet it doth not prove that all , or they onely that had the promise of Canaan , had the promise of being a God to them in Gospel grace . The minor is granted , [ all ] being meant , as they speak in Logick , distributively in genera singulorum , that is , of any sorts of them , but not in singulos generum ; and with limitation to certain times fore-appointed of God , not in all times . All sorts inherited , but some were not to inherit till a certain time , and for a certain time ; A bastard , Mamzer , Deut. 23.2 . was not to enter into the congregation of the Lord , and so not to inherit regularly till the tenth generrtion . But were Mr. Bls. conclusion granted , it proves not what I deny , that to all , and every Israelite God promised Evangelical benefits , Gen. 17.7 . or visible church membership and initial seal at all to any in that promise , Gen. 17.7 . My next argument , saith he , is drawn from the seal that is annexed in the words immediately following this additional promise , v. 9,10 , 11. They that had the sign and seal of the Covenant , that had it by Divine appointment they were a people in Covenant . This is so plain , that nothing can be more plain ; God doth not enter Covenant with one and give the sign and seal to another : But all the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob had the seal , viz all the males , those that were in a c●pacity of it ; it was not limited to the spiritual seed . There had been no place for that distinction , of circumcision in the flesh , and circumcision of the heart ; if none must be circumcised in the flesh , but those that are circumcised in heart . Answ. 1. Waving my exception against the title of seal of the Covenant , not given to circumcision , or any other Rite in the Scripture , and inconvenient as is before proved , and putting in [ Circumcision ] instead of it ; I deny the major , if understood universally : nor is the major plainly true , but plainly false , it being manifest in that very Covenant , that God entred it not with Ishmael and others whom he appointed to be circumcised . Nor is any thing more plain then the contrary to what Mr. Bl. asserts . For God did enter into Covenant with th● natural seed female inheriting of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob , according to Mr. Bl. himself ; the daughters of Zelophehad were in Covenant , and yet he did give the sign of the Covenan● to others , and not to them . Nor is the minor true ; for the males of seven days old were in a capacity of circumcision , yet they had it not . I grant that circumcision was not limited to the spiritual seed ▪ yet conceive Mr. Bls. proof of no force : For though it had been so limited , yet there had been place for the distinction of circumcision in the flesh , and of the heart , sith things may be distinguished ▪ which are not separate . But were the conclusion granted , it fails as the former in proving what I deny . My 3d. argument , saith he , is drawn from the Comment that God himself makes of th●s Covenant , holding it e●ery where out in this way of tenure to Abraham and his natural issue , as before , Exod. 20.2 . Deut 5.6 . All that whole people he owned as his , all of them being Abrahams natural issue ; yet all of them were not spiritual . Exod. 5.1 . Deut. 14.1 , 2. Amos 3.1 , 2. is very full to our purpose . Every one that descended from Jacob , the whole of the family that came out of Aegypt , were a select people to God in Covenant ; he was according to the terms of that Covenant , their God. There is not a place where God calls them by the name of his people ( which are almost endless ) but there we have this confirmed , t●at that people were the Lords by vertue of this grant made to Abraham and his seed . Answ. This last speech might be granted , and what else Mr. Bl. infers from the Text ; yet he attains not his end , unless he prove that by vertue of that Covenant all the Israelits by natural discent we●e God● regenerate , j●stified people ; for the thing he should prove against me , is , that Gen. 17.7 . God promiseth to be a God in respect of Gospel benefits to all Abrahams natural issue by Isaac and Jacob. Yet I conceive there are places wherein the Israeli●es were termed Gods by vertue of the Covenant of the Law Ezek. 16 8. & 20.5 . &c. without mentioning the Covenant Gen. 17.7 which the Apostle conceives differently of , Gal. 3.16 , 17. And the spee●hes Exod. 20.2 . Deut. 5.6 . Exod. 5.1 . Deut. 14.1 , 2. though spoken of the body of Israel , yet may and are to be understood , at least in some senses of them , not of every individual : Surely he was not God Evangelically to those that believed not , nor were they his people , nor legally , so as to afford them that protection , and tem●oral blessings which are promised in the La● , Deut. 28. &c. to Ahab , Achan , Korah , and such like . But in the Evangelical sense the denomination is from the better part , the people he fore knew , as the Apostle himself expounds it , Rom. 11.2 , 5. and in respect of political blessings according to the Covenant of the Law , to the obedient to the Law , as of long life to dutifull children ▪ safety ▪ whi●e they kept the Solemn Feasts . Exod. 20.12 . & 24.24 . Nor doth Amos 3.1 , 2. which he saith , is full to his purpose , say , that God was a God to that whole family which he brought out of Aegypt by vertue of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . much less to every one of them Evangelically , nor doth he say he had known them ●ll Evangelically , but had known them onely , that is , had distinguished them from other people by giving them his Laws , &c. which makes nothing to prove according to Gen. 17.7 . God took every descendent from Jacob into Covenant in respect of Gospel benefi●s . In the 4th place , saith he , I argue from the practise of the people of God , making this Covenant of God entred with Abraham and his seed , a Plea to obtain mercy from God for all Israel , the worst of Isra●l , in their lowest state and condition , Deut. 9.26 , 27. If this Divinity had been th●n known , Moses might have been sent away with this answer ; That he spake for dogs , and not for children ; not for Israel but for Aliens and strangers to the Common-wealth of Israel . But as this an● the like requests of the people of God were made in faith , so they prevailed with God ; Moses there urgeth , they are thy people and thine ineritance , v. 39. as doth the Church , Isa. 64.9 . and Moses petition takes , as the History shews , Exod. 32.14 . Yea , when God vouchsafes mercy to his people thus in Covenant , Levit. 26.42 . it is upon this account of the Covenant . And appearing for the deliverance of Israel out of their hard and pressing bondage , he saith to Mose● , Exod. 3.6 . and that to stay up his faith in confidence of deliverance . ●nsw . Tha● which Mr. Bl. should prove , is , That Covenant exprest in those words Gen. 17.7 . in their fullest latitude as they are spoken , in the largest comprehension ( which according to Scripture they can be taken ) are entred with all the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob. And in his answer to my Letter , ch . 10. pag. 55 , 56. he urgeth Exod. 32.13 . Deut. 29.27 , Levit 26.42 . Exod. 3.6 . to prove that Gen ▪ 17.7 . was a promise of grace and mercy to Jacobs posterity , such as of which Circumcision was a seal , Rom. 4.11 . which he saith is no other then a Covenant of grace , and saith Circumcision did seal that Covenant , to be the God of believers , and their seed , Gen , 17.7 , 10. But not one of the petitions or speeches alledged do prove either the former , or this last assertion . The petition of Moses , Exod. 32.13 . was upon occasion of the making of the golden Calf , & Gods speech to Moses concerning the consuming of them for it , and making Moses a great Nation : Moses to divert God from this thing , alledgeth , 1. That they were his people which he brought out of Aegypt with great power , and a mighty hand ; and if he should consume them , the Aegyptians would reproach him , as intending mischief to them when he brought them out of Aegypt . Where it is true , God calls the body of them his people : But this must be understood , if Evangelically , in respect of the better part onely ; if Legally , either de jure because they ought to have been his people , being delivered from Aegypt , and having engaged themselves Exod. 19.8 . to obey God ; or de facto , because he had done so great things for them , and thereby owned them in respect of his actings for them above other people . 2. He presseth God with his Oath to Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob. But the Oath he mentions is concerning the multiplying the seed of Abraham , Isaac ▪ and Jacob as the stars of heaven , and giving the land of Canaan to them , and that they shall inherit it for ever ▪ not a word of being God to all the natural issue of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob in respect of Evangelical blessings , nor a word tending to shew the extent of th● promise Gen. 17.7 . in respect of gospel grace . The same answer I give to his allegation of Deut. 9.26 , 27 , 28 , 29. And to Mr. Bls. flirt I answer , this Divinity was then known to God , and God might have sent away Moses with this answer , That he spake for some who were dogs , or reprobates , and not children of God according to the election of grace , which is the Apostles Divinity , Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. 1 Cor. 10.5 . Heb. 3.10 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. and that they were strangers from the Co●monwealth of Israel , that is , of the Israel of God , Gal ▪ 6.16 . And t●is is also the Apostles Divinity , Rom. 9.6 . and therefore I count this no absur●ity . But I grant they , even the worst of them were not dogs , but children , and of the Commonwealth of Israel political , in respect of their outward state , and in that respect holy , and different from other people . To the other I answer , it is true , Moses prayed in faith , and was heard ; but there is no mention in the places alledged of his praying for spiritual Evangelical grace for every particular Israelite , but for the preventing an utter destruction of them : Nor doth he at all express any such faith , whereby he believed God had promised to be a God to all the natural issue of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob in respect of Evangelical benefits . but that God would not destroy them , in which respect he was heard . And in like manner the Covenant upon the account of which God did vouchsafe mercy , is that of giving them Canaan , which Mr. Bl. will not have the Covenant it self , but an Appendix to it ; and yet Exod 32.13 . that is it which is pleaded , and Levit. 26.42 , the Covenant it is plain is that he made concerning their seating in Canaan , for it expresly saith , and I will remember the Land , and v. 44. I will not utterly destroy them . The Church it is true , saith , Isa. 64.9 . We are all thy people ; but if this Church be meant of all and every Israelite by natural descent , then all and every of them were a praying people , which is not to be said , and therefore is to be understood of the believing remnant onely , or else that they were Gods people in the sense before given of Exod. 32.12 , 14. Deut. 9.29 . Exod. 3.6 . It is true , God saith to Moses , to stay up his faith in confidence of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt , that he was the God of his Father , the God of Abraham , of Isaac , and Jacob , and it is ●rue , our Lord Christ hence proves the resurrection of the dead , Luke 20 , 37 , 38. and therefore it proves eternal life included in the promise , Gen. 17.7 . but this is so far from proving God to be a God in respect of Evangelical blessings meant Gen. 17.7 . to every Israelitte , or to be a God to believers and their natural seed , that it is a good argument to the contrary ; for this absurdity would follow , That every one of them are certainly saved , if he were a God to every of them in the sense , Luke 20.37 , 38. Mr. Bl. next excepts against me for censuring of Chamiers calling the promise of the Land of Canaan an Apenpendant to the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . And saith , The thing is so clear in the narrative of it , Gen. 17 , that nothing can be more evident . The Covenant is full , v. 7. To be a God to Abraham and his seed ; and this he might have been , had he pleased , in the Land of Ur of the Caldees , or in any L●nd whatsoever that his seed had been planted● : But when the Covenant is thus made , there is added ; v. 8. And I will give unto thee , &c. Answ. My censure of Chamier was no more then this , I like not , and I say the same still , that the promise of the land of Canaan Gen. 17.8 . is not a meer appendant , but as truly a part of the Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. as v. 7. And to Mr. Bls. strong conceit I oppose my strong conceit of the evidence to the contrary ( being backed by the Scripture ) as sufficient of countervail his saying ; And for his reasons . 1. God might have been a God to them in Vr ▪ Ergo , the promise of Canaan is but an appendix , not a part of the Covenant . I answer , 1. by the like reason it might be said , thou shalt be a Father of many Nations , is but an appendant to the Covenant , contrary to Gen. 17.4 . because God might be a God to him , though father of one Nation onely . 2. By denying the consequence , which is in my slender conceit a baculo ad angulum ▪ The other ( if it be a reason and not a dictate ) is , the Covenant is full , v. 7. but when the Covenant is made there is added , v. 8. I answer . 1. By like reason it might be said , The Covenant is full ▪ v. 4 , 5 , 6. but when the Covenant is made v. 4 , 5 , 6 ▪ there is add●d v. 7. ergo , v. 7. is n● part of the Covenant , but an appendant to it . 2. It is not proved that at v. 7. the Covenant is full , yea v. 8. being as Mr. Bl. himself stiles it , an additional promise , it is proved , that the Covenant is not full without it being added as a promise , and so a part of ●he Conant . I said the Holy Ghost me thinks speaks otherwise Postscript . § . 12. Mr. Bl opposeth . The force of this argument must needs be this . That which is any where called a Covenant , that is not an appendant to a Covenant . But the giving of the land of Canaan to the seed of Abraham is there called by the name of a Covenant . Mr. T. sure will not say that Circumcision is the Covenant between God and his people , he will not deny but it is a signe and seal annext to the Covenant ; and yet Gen. 17.10 . it is called a Covenant . Mr. T. well enough knowes a Metonymy of the adjunct and the common use of it in Scripture ; but that it is his wisedome for his advantage to conceal it . Answ. Mr. T. well knows , that Mr. Bl. useth artifices to elude , when he should answer . The words of the Psalmist were alledged as a plain testimony , which need not be formed into an argumen● , but if it need forming , I should not form it as Mr. Bl. forms it ( that he may the eas●er slight what he cannot answer ) but thus . That promise which is called Gods Covenant for ever , the word which he commanded to a thousand generations , which he made , was his oath , confirmed for a Law and everlasting Covenant , decl●red by saying in words what God would do , that is a Covenant , at least in part , and not a meer appendant . But such is the promise of the land of Canaan , Gen. 17.8 . and elsewhere , ergo . The major might be proved from the definition of a Covenant , which is either a promise or an aggregate of promises single or mutual . The minor is the very text . And to Mr. Bls. shift I reply . I knew well enough a metonymy of the adjunct or signe to beuied Gen 17.10 . But I withal knew it would have been my folly to have expounded the term [ Covenant ] Psal. 105.8 , 9. by a metonymy like that Gen. 17.10 . For I should have made the Psalmist speak non-sense , and perverted his plain meaning if I had thus expounded , he hath remembred his Covenant , that is not his promise it self ▪ but the signe and seal of it , which he made , sware , said And I think it had been Mr. Bls. wisedome to have concealed this shift , and rather have let it pass without saying any thing to the objection . Mr. Bl. adds his fifth and last argument , from Texts in the N. T. which interpret this Covenant thus en●ered with Abraham in that latitude as extending to his natural issue , and not with limit to his spiritual seed ; and that not barely in domestick civil , but in spiritual promises ; so that this one hath many in the bowels of it . Answ. Abrahams spiritual seed are true believers as he was and elect persons , spiritual promises are so called from th● things promised , called Ephes. 1.3 . spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ , such are regeneration or circumcision of the heart , remission of sins , justification , adoption , eternal life . If Mr. Bl. holds the Covenant with Abraham extending to his natural issue , and not with limit to his spiritual seed in spiritual promises , he holds r●generation , remission of sins , justification , adoption , eternal life , to them who are neither true believers nor elect persons . Let 's view his proofs . First , saith he Rom. 9.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. The Apostle aggravating his sorrow for Israel , not respective to civil or domestick but higher concernments for the whole body of Israel , he reckons up their priviledges , the priviledges of all that according to the flesh were Israe●ites ; priviledges formerly enjoyed , but now lost , nine ●n number . Here sure is enough to conclude them of the seed thus in Covenant t● be of Gods adopted seed under the promises . Answ. He might more truely have said , here sure is nothing ( as it was printed ) to conclude all the natural issue of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , to be of Gods ad●pted seed under the promise of spiritval blessings in the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . as it contained Gospel grace . The priviledges could not be o● all that according to the flesh were Israelites , for of them all as concerning the flesh Christ could not come , now were all ( if any of them ) priviledges Evangelical from spiritual promises in the Covenant of grace , but rather all of them Domestick or civil priviledges which believers of the nations had not . Nor were the priviledges to the Israelites at all times , but at some times . And therefore this text is impertinent to Mr. Bls , purpose , yea this Scripture and that wh●ch followes put together , are an antithesis to his thesis . Secondly , saith he , Rom. 11. The Apostle speaks of the casting off of Gods people . Those that are cast off from being a people of God , were once his people ; those that are put out of Covenant , were a people in Covenant : but the natural issue of Abraham ( called natural branches , v 21. being by right of birth of that Olive ) are there broken off , cast off ; therefore the natural issue were the seed in Covenant . Answ. The conclusion is granted , the natural issue of Abr●ham who were also the spiritual seed were the seed in Covenant , and such were a great part of the Jews in former ages , but those broken off , were never in the Covenant of grace ; Nor is it said they were put out of the Covenant of grace , or broken off from the Olive in which they were in their persons , but in which their progenitors were ; nor are they said to be natural branches v. 21. because by right of birth of that Olive , but by reason of their descent from Abraham they are natural branches of that Olive which at first was by natural as well as spiritual descent from him , but never by right of birth . It is false if meant of casting off from being his people , as it is meant Rom. 11.1 , 2 ▪ that those that are cast off from being a people of God were once his people , understanding it in their own persons . But of this text , and this argument , more hath been said in the first part of this Review , and more will be , if the Lord permit , in that which follows . Thirdly , saith he , Matth. 8.11 , 12. whence he thus argues . Children of the Kingdome that are to be cast out , are in the Kingdome onely upon an in●erest of Birth , for the fruition of the priviledges of Ordinances , and not upon any spiritual title , infallibly giving interest in salvation : But the children of the Kingdome were upon our Saviours sentence to be cast out , therefore they were in the Kingdome onely on an interest of birth . Answ. This argument 1 concludes not Mr. Bls. position , that the Covenant exprest Gen. 17.7 . in the fullest latitude of the words as they are there spoken , in the largest comprehension ( which according to Scripture they can be taken ) are entered with all the natural seed of Abraham , by Isaac and Jacob. 2. It contradicts his own position , for if it bee as , he here saith , tha● they were not children of the Kingdome ( though the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob ) upon any spiritual title infallibly giving interest in salvation , and yet the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . wherein God saith , he will be a God to Abrahams seed , comprehends such saving grace as creates a spiritual title , infallibly giving interest in salvation , as the Apostle Gal. 3.16 , 17 , 18 , &c. expounds it , then the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . is not entred with all the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob , in the fullest latitude of the words as they are there spoken , in the largest comprehension ( which according to Scrip●ure they can be taken ) therefore this argument overthrowes his own positi●n . 3. If by [ being in the Kingdome ] be meant being visible members of the visible Church Jewish , the conclusion is granted , but withal it is proved from the same text , that they were never in the visible Church Christian , but were opposite to it , in that they embraced not the Christian Faith , but opposed the Lord Jesus Christ , and so had no right to baptism , though they had circumcision , and did eat the passeover . 4 It is manifest from the text , and agreed upon by interpreters , that the Kingdome of Heaven in that place notes the Kingdome of glory , or the state of eternal life and blessedness in heaven , and not the visible Church onely , or a being in it for the fruition of the priviledges of ordinances . For 1 the Kingdome of heaven is that wherein Abraham and Isaac and Jacob were then sate down , for it is said v. 1 ▪ 1. they shall sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob , in the Kingdome of heaven . But they were then sate down not in the visible Church onely , nor had being in it for the fruition of ●he priviledges of ordinances , but in the state of eternal life and blessedness in heaven , ergo ▪ 2. The Kingdome of heaven there is directly opposed to the outer darkness , where is weeping and gnashing of teeth v. 12. But that which is directly opposed to the outer darkness in which is weeping and gnashing of teeth , is the Kingdome of glory , or the state of eternal life and blessedness in hea●en , and not the visible Church onely , or a being in it for the fruition of the priviledges of ordinances , ergo . 3. The scope of the speech of our Saviour is conceived by most interpreters , to be to abate the insolency and pride of the Jews , who contemned the Gentiles . Upon occasion of the Centurions faith v. 10. he tels them , though they now despised the Gentiles as not worthy to eat with them , yet they should come from East and West and should sit down with the best of their Ancestors , in the best , highest , and happiest place and condition . 4. Ex●ounding it of the visible Church it were not true which our Saviour speaks ; For the Gentiles did never sit down with them in the visible Church for the fruition of the privi●edges of ordinances , such as C●rcumcision , the Passeover , Baptism , the Lords Supper , for some of these Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , did never partake of , nor ever shall , nor may the Gentiles with them , partake of circumcision , and the passeover , for that had been to have foretold that the Gentiles should have been circumcised with those Fathers , which had been to establish Judai●m , contrary to the Apostles decree Acts 15. to Pauls determination Gal. 2. & 5.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. Yea , if it had been foretold that the Gentiles should come and joyn themselves to the visible Church Jewish , which began in Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , our Lord Christ had foretold that conjunction , which was so far from proving true in the event , that they who did come to Christ were persecuted and cast out of that Church Gal. 4.29 . 1 Thes. 2.15.5 . Hence it follows , that the children of the Kingdome are not so called because they were in that ▪ Kingdome of heaven which is there meant , for then they had never been cast out : but they are called children of the Kingdome , because as Diodati notes , by the prerogative of Gods Covenant the Jews seemed to be heirs of this Kingdome , or as the new Annot . as ch . 9.15 . who were born of those parents to wh●m the Kingdome was promised , and by vertue of the Covenant Rom. ● . 4 . it had still belonged to them , had they not forfeited it by their unbelief and wickedness . Pisch . sch . Filios verò regni ] id est , Judaeos qui hacteni●s per aliquot saecula ad regnum illud coelorum vocati sunt & vocantur . Beza Annot. Filios regni , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Id est , indigenas , quos vocant vulgò naturales subjectos . Intelligit autem Dei regnum , ad quod pertinebant in gener● quicunque erant ex Abrahae genere , cum longè alia sit ratio coram Deo censendi filios Abrahae , nimirùm ex fide . So that they were children of the Kingdome not before God in actual title or possession , but onely in appearance to men , and likelihood , considering their descent and the first manifestation of Christ , and the Gospel to that people . 6. Out of this it appears that a man may be said to be ●ast out of the Kingdome of heaven , who was never in actually , but onely in possibility , according to what was apparent to men , and consequently Mr. Bls. propositions are not true in his precedent argument , Those that are cast off from being a people of God , were once his people ; those that are put out of Covenant , were a people in Covenant ; nor the argument good , Ishmael was cast out of Covenant , therefore once in . Nor is it seldome , that men are said to be brought up from the grave , as Psal. 30.3 . and to be redeemed from the grave and hell , who were never in , but onely in danger of it . But Mr. Bl. hath yet a fourth text , which was his text in his Birth-priviledge , it is Gal 2.15 . From whence after some explication given of the text he t●us argues , That which is a priviledge of nature or birth , belongs to the natural issue , that cannot be denied . But to be in Covenant with God as a people holy and exceeding others that are without as sinners , is a priviledge of nature or birth , therefore this priviledge belongs to the natural issue . Ans. To be in covenant with God may be understood either in respect of the Covenant with Abraham Gen 17. or the Covenant at Mount Sinai Exod. 19. To be in the Covenant Gen 17. may be in respect of Evangelical benefits , or of domestick and political benefits or priviledges , as , to bee accounted members of the Israelitish nation and so of that church , to have the service of God among them , the law among them , education under it , freedome from idolatry , and other pollutions of the Gentiles . To be as a people holy , may be understood either of holiness by inward sanctification , called circumcision of the heart , or of outward holiness in being distinguished from other people , as set apart visibly for God , whether in reputation or truth , either by Gods distinction or by an outward signe , or by their own profession . I grant the minor of being in Covenant either Exod. 19. or Gen. 17. in respect of the domestick and political benefits , at least some of them , and to be a holy people exceeding others that are without as sinners , if understood of outward holiness in reputation or truth , by Gods distinction , and by the outward signe of Circumcision , was ( I do not grant is ) a privil●dge of nature or birth , and accordingly grant the conclusion , that this priviledge did ( I do not say doth ) belong to the natural issue ( I do not say to all ) of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob , and was proper to the Jews , and no more can be gathered from Gal. 2.15 . there 's not a word of the same priviledge as belonging to the natural poste●ity of believing Gentiles . But the minor is denied , if understood of Evangelical benefits and of holiness inward ( of which alone the question should have been formed , his position being in full opposition to my words ) nor is it proved out of the text , himself expounding Jews by nature , that is by birth and off spring of a nation that is holy though in themselves sinners , reputed an holy people , a people by covenant holy to the Lord , which they might be though to be in Covenant with God Gen. 17.7 . and as a people holy and exceeding others that are without as sinners by inward holiness be not a priviledge of nature or birth . But Mr. Bl. thinks my grant involves me in not a few contradictions . 1. To what I say Exercit. pag. 3. the natural seed inherit onely domestick and civil benefits . But Mr. Bl. falsly chargeth me , the word [ onely ] is Mr. Bls. addition not mine , as the Reader that shall read the words may perceive . 2. To what I am wont to deny , that birth entitles any to such priviledges as interest in Circumcision , and observance of Moses law . But this is another of Mr. Bls. forged calumnies : let him shew if he can that I say so any where , and he deserves some credit , if not let him suffer as a Calumniator . 3. That I deny the natural seed any promise of spiritual mercies , which is another forgery of his like the former . 4. That I say this was proper to the Jews in that Church state , who had prerogatives peculiar to them . And then saith thus . And here we urge it no further , and it fully concludes Mr. T. in a contradiction , that will have the natural seed of Abraham , and no other then his spiritual seed to be entituled to such priviledges . Here 's more of his forgery , that I say no other then Abrahams spirit●ul seed are entituled to such priviledges as were proper to the Jews in that Church state , who had prerogatives peculiar to them . Let him shew any such thing in my writing , or let him , as he and his fellow Paedobaptist Mr. Robert Baillee ( who hath in like sort wronged me ) as they ought , testifie their repentance by righting me . Otherwise the Lord will to their shame discover their evil dealing , i● their own conscience be so blinde or so hard as to slight such a sin . He concludes thus , Any one of these arguments severally , much more all ●ointly , make good this position , that all the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob , are in that great Charter ( vouchsafed of God ) taken into Covenant so as to be the people of God , and to enjoy all priviledges of his people in order ( upon Gods termes ) to everlasting salvation . But 1. not one nor all prove that God did promise to all Gen. 17.7 . or any such outward priviledges as he means , to wit , to be circumcised , or right to it and the Passeover , nor that all enjoy them . 2. The promises of justification , adoption , eternal life , upon Gods termes , without the promise of regeneration and effectual calling , make no● a person to be in the Covenant , nor a people holy to the Lord Evangeli●ally . Now this promise Mr. Bl. hath not proved to be made to all the natural seed of Abraham , by Isaac and Jacob , and till he doth so , he proves nothing against my assertion Exercit. pag. 3 which he pretended fully to oppose , but hath failed to do it . His 36. ch . is answered before sect . 29. I pass on to ch . 37. which is thus entituled , The Covenant in New Testament times takes in parents with their children ; This he sets himself to make good first by interrogatories , and then by Peters words Acts 2.38 , 39. which is answered before sect . 21. A little o● his interrogatories . To his first , if by the grant he mean the Covenant of grace Evangelical , I deny it to have been ever made to a beli●ver and all his seed , nor is it proved by Mr. Bl. If a Covenant of visible Church-membership and initial seal , I deny any such Covenant ever made by God to a believer and his seed , or the grant thereof to have been held by the Church of God in fee from Abraham to this present hour , and therefore need shew no reverse of such a grant . To his 2d . demand , I grant a whole nation may enter into Covenant as Deut 29. nor do I restrain any from engagement of their infants and posterity unborn by an oath and curse to own God But I finde there no promise or grant of visible Church-membership and initial seal to believers and their seed , by vertue of such a Covenant . His other frivolous questions in that demand are answered often , that the difference ariseth f●om the different institution of Circumcision which is the rule of administring them , not interest in the Covenant if there were such . To his 3d. demand , I know no scandal ever given or likely to be given to the Jews by not baptizing infants . His random talk of s●riking out of the Covenant infants , is shewed often before to be vain , as going on suppositions not proved . To his alleg●tions of Gen. 17.7 . Ezek . 16.20 . 1 Cor. 7.14 . I have often answered before . To his 4th . that the reason why in the Apostles dayes and the next age to them ▪ no question was moved about the baptizing of infants , though infants were circumcised by the Jews is manifest , to wit , Christ had not appointed infants to be bap●ized , the Apostles and primitive Christians did not at all use it , it was contrary to the end and use of baptism as appointed by Christ , they knew not of the Paedobaptists doctrine , about the title to baptism from the Covenant , and its succession to circumcision . But Mr. Bl. further refers me to Mr. Baxters Treatise of Infants Church-membership , proving that infants were sometimes Church members , pag 26 , 27. that there is no repeal of this grant vouchsafed of God pag. 27 , 28. waiting for some fair answer to the former demands Whereto I shall address my self , as being very desirous wi●h the assistance of the Lord to do my endeavour for the freeing of men from the delusion of that Book , wherewith a great number of Paedobaptists have been gulled . SECT . XLIX . The 4th ▪ Ch. of Mr. Baxters , Part 1. of Plain Scripture-proof , &c. is examined , his conceits about Infants visible Church membership and their admission considered ; and sundry Animadversions made on that Chapter . MR. B. part 1. ch . 4. of his Plain Scripture-proof , &c. writes thus . My 2d . argument , and the chief I shall make use of is this . All that ought to be admitted visible Church-members , ordinarily ought to be baptized : But some Infants ought to be admitted visibl● Church-members ; therefore some Infants ordinarily ought to be baptized . Mr. T. hath gone over and over the terms of this Argument ; so oft ▪ as if he could not possibly find out my meaning in them : when they are as plain as I well know how to express my self . A great while he fain would have denied the major Proposition ; but at last he is content to deny onely the minor : And indeed that is the very heart of the controversie . The question between us is no● so mu●h Whether infants may be baptized ? as Whether they are in the number of Christians , and to be added as members to the visible Church ? If Mr. T. did grant the minor , and not deny our children Christianity , and to be members of the Church , I should for my part , think his errour ( though foul ) yet of less consequence in denying of Baptism . But it is their Church-membership that he denieth , and yeeldeth that all that ought to be admi●ted members should be baptized . Answ. That I did often in the dispu●e at Bewdly go over and over the terms of this argument , need not seem st●a●ge , when Mr. Thomas Hooker having the book he was to examine before him in Print , in a like point , saith thus , survey of the summe of Church Discipline , Part 1. ch . 12. When I had read over Mr. Rutherford once and again , I was at a stand in mine own thoughts , to determine certainly what was his proper intendment by the catholick and visible Church . I might well doubt what he meant by the visible Church , how he defined i● , ( wherein his notion is different from what others have , as is shewed before in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 17. ) whether he meant the visible Church catholick , or particular ; and if particular , whether Jewish , or Christian. And for the admission , what he meant by it , how , and by whom it ought to be , was doubtfull . I perceived in the very entrance of the dispute , by his preface , and his propounding the question about our baptizing , representing it as odious , as if it were murder and adultery ; and after by his denying liberty of repeating to mee , refusing to explain his own terms , scoffingly putting if off as if it were catechizing of him , when I desired him to open some terms to me which he used ; and when I told him that it was needfull the people should understand us , he replyed , he came to dispute with me , not to instruct them : nor would clear them , except I could by distinction force him to it . I deprehended that he was , as I found him , bent to catch advantages to insult over me , and carry away the same of a victory , and not in a brotherly candid way to discuss the point , that truth might appear to all the hearers , which I hoped from a man so seemingly godly . Upon which reasons I confess I was hesitant , both about the answering of this , and other arguments all along the dispute , finding that Mr. B. had studied arguments in unusual expressions , that he might the more easily entangle me , having no time to weigh his words , but being required presently to give answer . For which reason I was also necessitated sometimes to vary my answers as I deprehended his meaning to be . Now presuming I shall better understand Mr. B. then I could do before , I shall give a more determinante answer to his argument . Which that I may do , I conceive it necessary , that in the entrance I do enquire into his opinion concerning the visible Church , and admissi●n into it , and the meaning of his expression [ ought to be admitted visible Church-members . ] 1. Mr. B supposeth that the reason of the appellation given to the visible body , is its seeming ( to the judgement of man ) to be the same with the mystical . Praefestin : Morator sect . 11. 2. That to be a member of the Church visible , is but to be one that in seeming , or appearance , or to the judgement of man doth belong to the invisible Church or the Kingdome of Heaven , if a man be known ( or any sort of men ) to belong to the Church invisible , then they visibly belong to it ; and then they are visible members of the Church . Plain Script . proof , &c. part 1. ch . 31. pag 105. ch . 27. pag. 73. He saith , to be member of the visible Church , or of the Church as visible , or a visible member of the Church are all one , and is no more but to seem to be a true member of the Church of Christ , ( commonly called invisible ) or of the true mystical body of Christ. Answ. to my Valedict . Orat. pag. 176. You say you dispute them not out of the invisible Church . Answ. 1. But will you yeeld that they are so much as seeming probable members of the invisible Church ? If you do , then they are members of the visible , which you deny : For to be a visible member of the Church , or a member of the visible Church as such , is no more th●n to be a seeming member of the invisible Church , or one that we ought to take in probability to be of the invisible Church . Wherein how Mr. B. is mistaken , is shewed in the 2d . Part of this Review , sect . 17. pag. 229 , &c. 3. Ch. 20. He imag●nes an universal visible Church existent , not dissolved ; which is all one as to say , there is or was an universal visible Church , consisting of indivi●ual members immortal , or perpetually visible : Which mistake of his will come under consideration in that which follows . 4. Ch. 5. & ch . 20. he imagines having infants to have been of the essentials of the Jewish Church . But therein he is mistaken : For though they may be termed substantial parts , yet not essential , ( the Jewish Church had ben a visible Church though there had been no infant in it ) but integral . 5. Ch. 20. that the nature of the Jews Church was not repealed , that the Jews Church was not repealed , ch . 5. that the Law or Covenant on which the species or essential form of their Church ( and many of its accidents ) was grounded , is not changed or repealed . Though the Jews are cast off , yet the law and nature of Churches is still the same ▪ Which speeches , with other more of the like kind , shall be ( God willing ) examin●d in that which follows , and the non-sence and vanity of them shewed . 6. Ch. 23. that infants visible church-membership did not begin at the institution of circumcision , but rather with the first infant of faithfull Adam , though he after fell off . 7. That this is grounded on a Law and Covenant of God , which is made higher then that , Gen. 17.7 . even that Gen. 3.15 . Ch. 23. Yea , he makes it to antecede the fall of Adam . Ch. 19. it is said to be of the Law of nature to have infants to be a part of a Kingdome : And ch . 13. therefore infants to be church-members . Pag. 60. That infants must be church-members , is partly natural , and partly grounded on the Law of grace and faith : as if Church constitution were natural , and not by meer institution . 8. Animadv . on Mr. Bedfords treatise of Baptismal regeneration . Plain Script . proof pag. 3●6 . pag. 15. and elsewhere he makes the condition of the infants church membership and justification to be wholly without him in the faith of the parent . The falsity of which conceit is shewed by me in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 10 , 17. and elsewhere . 9. That this visible church-membership , notwithstanding the continuance of the parents Faith the imagined Law and Covenant , yet endures not but til they , when they come to years , do themselves make profession . So Plain Scrip. proof , part 2. ch . 6. pag. 119. He is not to be taken for a Christian , who will not visibly by himself when he comes to age ( as he did by his parents in infancy ) publickly profess both his assent to to the fundamental Articles of Faith , and his consent that the Lord onely shall be his God , and Christ onely his Redeemer , and so his Saviour and Lord , and promise in heart and life to be true to him accordingly : And I deliver the Sacrament to none that will not thus profess and promise . And pag. 335. He saith , He will not contradict this proposition of Davenant , Those who in Baptism were truly justified , regenerated , and adopted suitable to their infant state ; when they come to the use of reason , are not justified , regenerated , and adopted suitable to the special state of the aged , unless by repenting , believing , and abrenunciation , they fulfil their vow made in Baptism . 10. That there is no other way of admitting visible members now into the Church , but by Baptism , pag. 24.108 . But they are visible members afore Baptism according to his tenet , pag. 24. We and infants are Church-members before Baptism . 11. I presume that when he saith , All that ought to be admmitted visible church members , ordinarily ought to be baptized , he means this of Christian Churches , church members , and admitting into them , not the Jewish : For though I find him speak as if the Jews Church were not repealed , ( as in his non-sence he speaks , ch . 20. ) that is , as I imagine , in the nature or essence the Jewish Church visible and the Christian were the same , and so they that were admitted into the Jewish , are to be admitted into the Christian ; which caused me to suspect at the Dispute an ambiguity in that expression [ ought to be admitted visible church-members . ] Yet I do not imagine that he holds the proposition in this sense , All that ought heretofore to be admitted visible church members in the Jewish Church distinct from the Christian , ordinarily ought then to be baptized afore Christs coming ▪ while the Jewish Church stood : if he should , I should deny it . 12. That this admission which infants are to have is , as he often speaks , into the visible Church : But what this admission into the visible Church is , by whom , and unto whom it ought to be , according to Mr. Bs. judgment , is yet to me uncertain . Admission is , according to the common use of i● , the taking in of a person into an Office , Army , or Family , or the like , to perform the work , enjoy the benefit , profit , &c. of such an Officer , Member , &c. And it is usually done by some Officer to whom that business is committed ; and the person upon his admission , and by vertue of it , takes his place , work , benefit , or what else he is admitted to , as his right and due . But I know no such thing in the baptizing of infants . Indeed by Baptism regularly , a man is admitted to the Communion of the Church in prayer , hearing , receiving the Lords Supper , and such other acts of Christian Communion as belong to visible Church-members . But an infant by Baptism is not admitted to these Prayer and hearing are in some sort allowed to unbaptized persons , and they are admitted to them who are infidels , when infants baptized are sent away as uncapable of them , and disturbers by their crying and playing . The Lords Supper they are not admitted to by their Baptism , till they themselves profess , as Mr. B. and other Paedobaptists agree ; The being , name , repute of Chur●h-members is antecedent to Baptism , and therefore they are not admitted to it by Baptism . I must confess therefore I do not well know what this admission of infants i● which is by Baptism , and I think the proposition in Mr. Bs. argument to be void of truth or sense , if it be not thus construed : All that ought to be admitted visible church-members are baptized , or , which is all one , ordinarily ought to be baptized afore they are admitted , unless the admission and baptism be one and the same , and then the speech is an inept tautologie , as if he had said : All visible church members that ought to be baptized , ordinarily ought to be baptized . So that now Mr. B. may see some reason of my demur about his major proposition , which though it were as plain as he well knew how to express himself , yet there is so much ambiguity in it , that in the sense which the words in any good construction will bear , it is to be denied : But if he understand it in the later sense , the Syllogism is nugatory , the minor and the conclusion being the same . Nevertheless , as in the Dispute I let the major pass , so I shall do in this answer , onely taking notice of some things in his proof of it , and insist upon my denial of the minor . The first argument of Mr. B. to prove admission into the visible Church is to be by Baptism , I approve , and thence conclude against infant Baptism thus . If we have neither precept nor example in Scripture since Christ ordained Baptism , of admitting any by Baptism as visible members but believer● by profession , then all that must be admitted visible members ordinarily by Baptism , must be believ●rs by profession . But since Baptism was instituted ( or established ) we have no precept or example in Scri●ture of admitting any a● visible members by Baptism , but believers by profession . Ergo , all that must be admitted visible members must be believers by profession . I know not what in shew of reason can be said to this . For what man ( yet Mr. B. and Paedobaptists dare ) dare go in a way which hath neither precept nor example to warrant it , from a way that hath full current of both ? yet they that will admit infants into the visible Church by Baptism do so . If he say there 's precept before , I answer , his own major requires precept or example since Christ ordained Baptism , and therefore that shift avoids not the retortion of his argument . To what he replies to this argument in his Praefestin . morator , sect . 16. besides what I have said in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 4. pag. 66.67 . there is enough in the same book , sect . 10 , 11 , 12 &c. to manifest , that infants are not in any Scripture disciples appointed to be baptized , Matth. 28.19 . Nevertheless , I find Alstedius in his Supplement to Chamier de natura Ecclesiae , cap. 7. § . 4. thus writing . Baptismus admittit in Ecclesiam particularem : sed in Ecclesiam catholicam potest aliquis admitti sine baptismo ; quia hanc ad rem sufficit vera fides . And whereas Mr. Ball in his reply to the answer of the New-Ergland Elders about the nine positions , pag. 60. had said , Baptism is the seal of our admission into the congregation or flock of Christ ; but not evermore of our receiving into this or that particular society as set members thereof : Mr. Allin rejoyns in his Defence , pag. 163. Baptism doth not admit actually into the Church , and your own expression secrety implieth as much , when you say , Baptism is a seal of our admission into the Church or flock of Christ : If baptism be the seal of our admission , then there is admission thereunto before baptism : but who doth admit , and where and when is any admitted to the Church , but in particular congregations ? ●an any be admitted into a Charch , that whole Church being ignorant thereof ? Fulwood serm . of the Church , &c. p ▪ 14. The children of believers , born in the Church are not ( though virtual ) actual members of the visible Church before Baptism . This I produce , to shew the uncertainty among Paedobaptists about admission into the Church by baptism , and membership before Baptism . Like also what Mr. B. saith in his 2d . arg . To be above ordinances is to be above obedience to God , and so Gods : And when he saith in his 3d. The nature and end of baptism , is to be Christs listing , engaging sign ; it is a good argument to prove that infant baptism hath not the nature and end of baptism , ●ith it is not Christs ( that is , according to his appointment ) listing , engaging sign , the infant neither lists nor engageth himself by it as Christ appointed : And when he saith , If it be the use of baptism to engraff and enter us into the body or Church , 1 Cor. 12.13 . and into Christ , as Rom. 6.3 . then sure it must be used at our engraffing and entrance , it rather follows , it is before , sith the means is to be before the end in execution . To what he saith about Church-members , Disciples , Christians , enough hath been said in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 10. &c. In his 6th . argument , having formed an argument from Ephes. 5.26 . he saith of me . Mr. T. in his Exercit. objecteth , 1. That then the thief on the cross , &c. were no church members . Answ. It followes not from [ he that is baptized shall be saved ] that therefore he that is not baptized shall not be saved : so here , for the former speaks but ad debitum , and the later de eventu ; it will follow , that it is a duty to baptize all members where it may be done ; but not that it shall certainly come to pass . Refut . What I said Exercit. pag. 21. of that text , Ephes. 5.27 . was not an objection against what Mr. B. would evince from the text , but in answer to an argument urged for infant baptism from that text by a London Minister , in a conference anno 1643. Which argument being drawn from an act or end of Christ , which was not onely duty ▪ but his performance : it was urged , that if infants were not baptized , and to be baptized , they belonged not to the Church : To which I answered , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by an answerable illation , by the same reason the thief on the cross should not belong to the Church because not baptized . That which Mr. B. answers is not true , that Mark 16.16 . the former part speaks but ad debitum , and the later de eventu . For though a duty may be gathered from the subject of the proposition , it being clear , that salvation being promised to the believer baptized , Faith and Baptism are required duties to that end ; yet the former part of the proposition doth as fully speak of an event as the later part doth . And though Ephes. 5.26 . it is proved a duty to baptize , as a●so to preach the word , because it is Christs way ( in which we are to concur with him ) of clensing his Church : yet the clensing of the Church with or in the washing of water by the word , doth not note a duty , but an end intended , and event to follow by Christs action . Mr. B. proceeds . 2. He objecteth , that therefore it must be understood of the more famous part of the Church , or that purification is to be understood of that which is for the most part . Answ. The Apostle speaks plainly of the whole Church ; and to take it for part , is to cross the Text , except you shew a necessity for it . 2. It speaks of all quoad debitum , in regard of the means of it , which they are capable of . 3. And usually quoad eventum of the said means too . Refut . 1. It cannot be understood of the whole visible Church , in which are many reprobates ; for it is that Church which Christ loved with that peculiar love which is the Husbands pattern to love his Wife by , for whom he gave himself , that he might sanctifie it , that he might present it to himself glorious , and a Church not having spot or wrinkle , or any of such things ; but that it might be holy , and without blemish : which are true onely of that part of the visible , which is also of the invisible Church of the elect . 2. Whomsoever it speaks of , [ that he might purifie it in or with the washing of water by the word ] it speaks of the intention of Christ ; which being supposed that it is not frustrated , it follows , that those who are said to be purified in or with the washing of water by the word , are all in the event converted by preaching , and baptized with water . Which sith it cannot be said of all elect infants , for they are not purified by the word , it must be understood as I say , either by a synocdoche of the whole for the more famous or apparent part ; or else the act is meant of that which is usually done , or for the most part , not what is universally and perpetually . 3. It is granted , that we may gather thence the duty of preaching the word , and baptizing with water , and that they who are sanctified by preaching are to be purified by baptism , and that this was usual in the event , a known use in the primitive times : But expresly it notes onely Christs act , not the Ministers duty , which is onely implied , and follows from this , that Christ doth it by them ; and it supposeth , that they who are capable of the one , to wit● baptism , are capable of the other , the hearing of the word ▪ for these two are conjunctively put , not dis-junctively either the one or the other , as if some were purified in the washing of water onely , others by the word ; but the same who are purified by the one , are purified by the other . Mr. B. adds . Object . But some may say , that [ by the word ] is here added , which infants are not capable of ▪ Answ. 1. Infants are sanctified by the word of promise and precept to parents to dedicate them to God , though not by the word preached to infants . 2. The means is to each member as they are capable . Washing by water to those that are capable of that , and by the word to those that are capable of that , which blind and deaf men are not any more then infants . Ref. There is no word of precept to parents to dedicate infants to God by baptism , though there be to pray for them ; nor do I think M. ● . would allow every parent to dedicate his or her infant to God by baptism , which they must do if there were a precept to them to do it . That there is no such word of promise as entitles every infant of a believer , or any definitely to baptism , much less that appoints parents to dedicate their infants to God by baptism , is amply shewed in this book before . Nor can the meaning be , Ephes. 5 26. of such a sanctification . For 1. no word of promise , and precept to parents to dedicate them to God , is that which Christ doth sanctifie or clense them by , partly because there is none such , partly because the word of precept to parents ( if there were such ) to dedicate them to God , would not clense or sanctifie the infants , it hath no effect on them , nor notes their duty : nor doth the precept sanctifie or clense , but the observing of it ; nor was the parents dedication ever made by God a means to clense or sanctifie the child , as there is meant . Nor , were there such a word of promise to a parent , would that of it self sanctifie and clense . 2. The word there meant , is the word of the Gospei preached to those who are said to be clensed by Christ. For 1. all along the N. T. and particularly in that Epistle , by [ the word ] is meant the word of the Gospel , as it is preached or published . Acts 10.22 , 36 , 37. Rom. 10.8 , 9 , 17. Ephes. 6.17 , Heb. 6.5 . 1 Pet. 1.25 . Luke 3.2 . John 3.34 . & 6.63 , 68. & 8 . 47· & 12.47 , 48. & 15.7 . & 17.8 . Acts 5.32 . Matth 13.20 , 21 , 22 , 23. Mark 2.2 . & 4.14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 20. & 16.20 . Luke 1.2 . & 5.1 . & 8.11 , 12 , 13 , 15 ; 21. & 10.39 . & 11.28 . John 5.24 , 38. & 8.31 , 43 , 52. & 14.23 , 24. & 17 6 , 14 , 17 , 20. Acts 4.4 , 29 31. & 6.2 , 4 , 7. & 8.4 , 14 , 25. & 11.1 , 19. & 12.24 . & 13.5 , 7 , 26 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 49. & 14.25 . & 15.7 , 35 , 36. & 16.6 , 32. & 17.11 , 13. & 18.11 . & 19.10 . 1 Cor. 2.4 . & 14.36 . & 15.2 . 2 Cor. 2.17 . & 4.2 . & 5.19 . Gal. 6.6 . Ephes. 1.13 . Phillip . 1.14 . & 2.16 . Col. 1.5 , 25. & 3.16 . & 4.3 . 1 Thes. 1.6 , 8. & 2.13 . 2 Thes. 3.1 . 1 Tim. 5.17 . 2 Tim. 2.9 , 15. & 4.2 . Tit. 1.3 , 9 & 2.5 . Heb. 13.7 . Jam. 1.21 , 22 , 23. 1 Pet. 2.8 . & 3.1 . Revel 1.9 . & 6.9 . & 12.11 . & 20.4.2 . It is the word of the Gospel preached or published , by which persons are said to be purified , converted , regenerate , sanctified , John 15.3 . & 17.17 . Acts 20.32 . & . 26.18 . Rom. 10.17 . Gal. 3.5 . Ephes. 1.13 . Jam. 1.18 . 1 Pet 1.23 . not any where by the word of promise barely as made by God , but as it was fulfilled and preached , is Christ said to sanctifie or clense his Church . And by this , all said to be purified , Ephes. 5.26 . are clensed , and therefore no infants , who are not at all capable of understanding it , and therefore not so capable of being clensed by it as the blind and deaf . Mr. B. yet adds . Object . But it is the invisible Church that Christ is said thus to clense , Answ. 1. Certainly those that are washed with water , or hearing the word , or either , are all visible members . 2. The visible Church hath the outward priviledges and titles of the invisible , because as to us they must in prohability be judged to belong to both . Therefore Paul freq●ently calls them all saints and sons of God by faith , &c. Ref. Though they be of the visible who are so washed , yet the Church Ephes. 5.25 , 26 , 27. cannot be meant of the meerly visible ; but onely of them who are so of the visible , that they are also of the invisible , as is proved before from the things said of the Church , which agree to none other . And thus Mr. B. hath my answer to that Ch. and my apprehension of his major ; let 's now view his minor , and try his Achilles which he is so confident of . SECT . L. The fifth Chapter of Mr. Bs. Plain Scripture proof &c. Part. 1. is examiand the texts Gal. 4.1 , &c. Matth. 28.19 . cleered so as to prove infants now no visible Church-members . CH. 5. he begins thus . Though I have many and clear a●guments from the new Testament , to prove infants to be members of the visible Church , as I shall let you see , God willing , when I come to them ; yet because I think it most orderly to take them before us from the beginning , I wi●l first fetch one from the old Testament , and that such as is fully confirmed from the new : For I hope you are none of those who have wiped out all the old Testament from your Bibles , or that presently look upon a text as no text , if you hear it come from the old Testament . Answ. I Know none at Bewdley so erroneous or foolish . But Mr. B. may see ( if his high soaring meditations and studies will allow him time to descend to view such a low argument , as hee oft disdainfully speaks ) something written in the 2d . part of this Review , Sect. 2 , 3. which tends to prove that no good argument can be drawn from the old Testament for his admission of infants visible Church members . And for his many and clear arguments from the New Testament to prove infants to be members of the visible Church ; he did wisely put in the caution , God willing when I come to them I shall let you see them , to save his credit , though he never shew them . For my part I despair of ever seeing them . As for those I have found brought by him , the chief have been examined in the first and second Part of this Review , and found impertinent . The dispute that remains to be viewed is so immethodical , that had Mr. B. ever been bred up in Schools , I am confident he would have been ashamed of it . But I must now follow him in his own track . I therefore , saith he , argue thus ; First , If by the merciful gift and appointment of God , not yet repealed , some infants were once to be admitted members of the visible Church , then some infants are to be so admitted still : But by the merciful gift and appointment of God not yet repealed , some infants were once to be admitted members of the visible Church : therefore they are so to be admitted still . Answ. Mr. B. pag. 24. plainly saith , that by [ admitting ] he means solemn admitting , that since baptism was instituted ( or established ) we have no precept or example of admitting visible members any other way , that as a souldier before listing , and as a King before crowning and taking his oath , so are we and infants Church-members before baptism : He saith pag. 26. of this argument , I will first fetch you one from the Old Testament . Whence 1. it is apparent that his visible Church membership and admitting visible Church-members , are not the same . 2. That a merciful gift and appointment of God of visible Church-membership is not a●l one with the merciful gift and appointment of God of admission of visible Church-members . 3. That a merciful gift and appointment of God of admitting visible Church-members , is by some solemn rite . Which is confirmed in that he speaks of admitting visible Church-members , as a duty to be performed by some persons , as when he saith ch . 4. ought to be admitted visible Church members , and in this place were once to be admitted visible Church-members . Visible Church-membership might be and was a gift of God , not a duty , ( which is some action to be done by man ) but a state or relation resulting from the foundation , or cause , or reason of it . Now if Mr. B. cannot shew ( as I am confident he cannot ) any other gift or appointment of God of admitting infants visible Church members in the old Testament unrepealed , besides that of circumcision , then either his antecedent ( as hee terms it ) must be meant of it , or else he mocks the people of God with a pretended merciful gift and appointment of God of admitting infants visible Church-members unrepealed , which is no where extant , but is fained by himself to delude them : and if it be that of Ci●cumcision , then his minor asserts the appointment of Circumcision , and h●s conclusion is , that our infants are still to be circumcised . Nor can I , with all my enquiry and study , conceive ( if he had understood himself ) he could mean any other . For by his making admission solemn , comparing it with listing of a Souldier , crowning of a King , it is manifest that he understood it of a solemn Rite ; and speaking of it as a thing that ought to be , he must mean it of an act to be performed by man ; and limiting it now to Baptism , he intimates it was by some Rite answerable to Baptism heretofore , which I hardly think any learned man but would conceive must be meant of Circumcision and no other , sith no o●her was appointed by God to infants for admission of them as visible Church-members . It is true , he often , when I pressed him in the Dispute to speak plainly whether he meant by his appointment or Law unrepealed that of Circumcision , did deny it , and distinguished between the Law of infants visible Church-membership and that of Circumcision ; but he never shewed me a Law of infants admission as visible Church members besides it . And in his arguments whereby he proves the not repealing , he concludes about the not repealing of the Law of infants visible Church-membership , not of their admission . Of which fallacy I had in the Dispute some obscure apprehension , and therefore pressed him so often to speak plainly , and told him he must mean it of Circumcision , ( which fact of mine Mr. B. did in the Dispute , and doth here ch . 23. represent as defective in tenderness of conscience , fear of God , love of truth , charity to a brother , common modesty , after his usual fashion of making out-cries without cause , ) but could not then c●ear it , having not then so well understood his opinion , nor his shifting of the terms , nor being able to shew it for want of a Notary , and time to view his arguments , he being also very quick in urging and pressing me to answer , without allowing time to weigh his arguments : and therefore after much altercation concerning his meaning , gave way to his proof of the Law of visible Church-membership unrepealed , and neglected to keep him to the proof of the Law of admission unrepealed , to mine and the Causes great disadvantage . Whether Mr. B. did fraudulently or ignorantly manage the Dispute , belongs to God to judge ; though I must needs say , that I did then , and do still suspect he was not free from deceit , or dolus malus in it : finding in a Copy I have of the Dispute , That he distinguished then between visible Church membership and admission . As for my self , had I perceived so clearly as now I do , his mind about the kind of visible Church-membership and admission of infants he asserts , I should have stuck to this , That though infants could have been proved visible Church members , according to the Law he pretends unrepealed ; yet were they not to be admitted by Baptism , which is appointed onely for visible Church-members by profession of faith : And therefore whereas he saith he contends more for infants visible Church membership then Baptism , and makes tha● the very heart of the controversie , I conceive otherwise , and do let him understand , that were it not that I know that he hath very much abused me and others in that which follows , I should think my tenet not overthrown , nor much regard it , though his Law of infants visible Church-membership were yeelded , and my answer to his arguments omitted . But sith things are as they are , I resolve to go on . The Antecedent ( saith he ) hath two parts . 1. That by Gods merciful gift and appointment some infants were once to be admitted members of the visible Church : This is as far beyond all doubt as you can expect . 1. Mr. T. granted it in his publick Dispute : and so he doth in his Apology , pag. 66. where he saith [ I acknowledge that in the visible Church of the Jews , the infants were reckoned to the Church ] yet lest any should be so impudent as to deny it , I briefly prove it thus . 1. If infants were part of them that entred into Covenant with the Lord God , and into his Oath , that he might stablish them for a people to himself , and he might be to them a God ; then infants were part of the Church : But the former is plain , in Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. to any that will read it . Therefore infants were part of the Church . Answ. What I did I still grant , that infants were part of the Jewish Church , and were circumcised ; but the conclusion Mr. B. infers from Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. is not that which Mr. B. should prove . For it is not all one to say , Infants were part of the Church , and by Gods mercifull gift and appointment some infants were once to be admitted members of the visible Church . Nor doth Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. prove either infants were part of the Church , or their admission . Their entring into Covenant was not by any act of their own , but by the Elders or parents , who in like manner Covenanted for the unborn , v. 15. who could not thereby be visible Church-members , being not then existent ; and therefore the Covenant there made them not vis●ble Church-members . Nor is there any proof of their admission thence , they were admitted either after or before , the Covenanting was not their admission , for admission is the act of some person that hath that trust or office commited to him ; but their Covenanting was the p●rsons own act , and if it did admit the infants , then it did admit the parents , Elders , Captains , and so they did admit themselves , which is absurd ; and the establishing them for a people to himself , is no more then as Piscator rightly Schol. in Deut. 29.13 . That he might require from thee the worship of himself by obedience towards his precepts , and so may binde thee to himself . So the obligation of the people precedes , and he might be to thee a God , that is may in like manner promise to thee that he will follow thee with his grace , and do thee good and so make thee happy . So Gods promise followes . It was a Covenant neither to make nor admit them visible Church members , but to engage them to obedience , and to assure them thereupon of protection and blessing : and this extended to their posterity v. 15. who could not be then visible Church-members , or admitted then as being not existent . 2. Saith Mr. B. If infants were engaged to God by the seal of his Covenant ( Circumcision ) then they were members of his Church : But some infants were so engaged : therefore they were Church members ; this is all undeniable . I never yet met with any that denied either . Answ Circumcision is not stiled in Scripture the seal of the Covenant , but I grant that infants were members in the Jewish Church visible , admitted by Circumcision , and engaged thereby though not by their own act , yet according to Gods injunction and severe exaction to keep the Law , and t●is is the onely proof of their admission Mr. B. brings out of the old Testament . He adds , 3 If infants were part of those that were baptized to Moses in the cloud and sea , and drank the spiritual drink , even of that rock which was Christ , then sure they were part of the visible Church : But the antecedent is plain 1 Cor. 10.1 , 2 , 3. They were all baptized , &c. Answ. I deny the antecedent to be plain , 1 Cor. 10.1 , 2 , 3. and have proved the contrary to be true , in the 2d . part of this Review Sect. 21. whither I refer the Reader : 4. Saith he , the Martyr Stephen calleth that assembly , whereof they were members [ the Church in the Wilderness ] Acts 7.38 . Therefore they were Church members . Answ. The conclusion and proof is granted , but I observe that the conclusion to be proved is altered from this [ by Gods merciful gift and appointment , some infants were once to be admitted members of the visible Church ] into this [ infants were Church members , part of the visible Church . ] The 2d . part of his antecedent , which he saith is the onely thing I deny , and which the whole weight of this argument lieth on , is [ that this merciful gift of God to infants , and ordinance of Church membership is not repealed ] and he saith he hath here the negative , and the proof lies not on him yet he will examine my proofs , and then prove the negative by a multitude of evident arguments from the Scripture , that he hath shewed Scripture not questioned for it , and that he may justly expect plain Scripture or argument to prove the repeal of that Law. Answ. He hath shewed no plain Scripture , nor any argument for a Law or Ordinance that infants are , were or shall be visible Church-members of which I need prove a repeal , though I grant he hath proved a Law or Ordinance for the admission of infants by Circumcision , which is the onely Law or Ordinance I finde in him , either for infants visible Church-membership or their admission , and if he hold it unrepealed , I can quickly prove the contrary . Nevertheless I follow him in his wild goose race . And first , saith he , I expected some plain Scripture . 1. Because it must be a plain word of God onely that can prove the repeal of any part of his word , and mens reasonings may as likely prove vain in this as any thing , if they be not grounded upon plain Scripture . And 2. because I deal with those men that call for plain Scripture proof of infant baptism from us : therefore did I over , and over , and over , desire Mr. T. to bring some word of God to prove the repeal of infants Church-membership . But what text do you think he brought ? In his publike dispute he never offered to name one text : nay , in his sermon which he preached after upon deliberation , he never offered to name one text in all the Bible , to prove that God hath repealed infants Church-membership . Is not this enough to make his cause suspicious ? Nay , I am confident he cannot bring one text for it . Answ. And I have long expected from Mr. B. some plain Scripture in which I might see any such Law or Ordinance distinct from Circumcision for infants visible Church-membership and admiss●on , which I might consider wh●ther it be repealed or no● , or capable of a repeal or not . 1. Because it must be a plain word of God onely that can prove such a law , and mens reasonings ( as it will appear in the examining them Mr. Bs. are ) may as likely prove as vain in this as any thing , if they be not grounded upon plain Scripture . And 2. because I deal with those men , particularly Mr. B. that pretend plain Scripture proof for infants Church membership and Baptism , but to those that justly call for such , bring no express precep● or example of infants baptism in the N. T. ( which alone can be counted plain Scripture p●oof in this thing ) but consequences from Circumcision and the Jewish Church-state , which have no validity but on the grant of such suppositions as are false ; yea in these mens disputes against Papists , and Prelates , and others , are rejected ; and yet they are so extreme blinde as to think , and so impudent as to bear the people in hand , these are plain Scripture proofs of infants Church-membership and Baptism . And therefore did I over and over and over desire Mr. B. to bring me some word of God for such a law . But what text do you think he brought ? In his publike dispute he never once offered to name one text : nay , in his Praesest . morator sect . 6. printed some few years after upon deliberation he brings none , though pressed by me in my Praecursor . Nevertheless , sith M. B. forceth me to it , I determine , as I have done to others , so to si●● Mr. Bs. allegations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . He goes on in his venemous way thus . What if Mr. T. should use Magistrates as he doth infants ( as former Anabaptists have done ) hath he not as good ground ? and would they take it well ? May he not as well say , when I shew him Scripture in the old Testament for Magistrates in the Church , and being Gods people [ that it was from the peculiar state of the Jews : God hath set up no Magistrates of Christians in the Church now ] would not our Magistrates bid him bring some Scripture to prove the repeal , or else they shall take their old Testament Commission for currant ? and let him bring me any more Scripture to prove the repeal of infants visible Church-membership , then is brought to prove the repeal of Magistrates in the Church if he can : ( O how just is it with God , that those Magistrates who favour , countenance and cherish those men , that would keep all Christians infants out of the Church , should by the same men be put out themselves , both of Church and State ? ) Answ. What Anabaptists in former times did or held , it is hard to say , sith we have the narration of their facts and tenents onely from their adversaries . Notwithstanding Augustines reckoning Jovinian among heretiques , and Hieromes invectives against Vigilantius , yet learned Protestants have excused or defended both . Dr. Reynold Conference with Hart , ch . 5. div . 3. Jewels defence of the Apol. Field of the Church book ch . 30 , 31. Cracanthorp vindic . Eccl. Anglic. contra Spalat . Andr. Revet . sum . contr . tom . 1. quest . 1. &c. Mr. B. himself would not pass without a deep censure , if the writings of Mr. Crandon , Mr. Eyre , Dr. Kendal , &c. should bee taken for good proof of his tenets . It is much harder , and indeed a most injurious thing , that the conceived opinions and practises of men of former times , should be charged on Antipaedobaptists now who do disclaim them . And as for this spiteful passage of Mr. B. though I have said enough to answer it in the 2d . part of this Review sect . 3. yet I add . That I have not so good ground to deny Christian Magistracy as infants visible Church-membership , that I have Scripture to prove the repeal ( if it must bee so called ) of the pretended visible Church-membership of infants , which was onely in the Jewish national Church now dissolved , and another frame erected by Christ : but not so of the Magistracy which was not proper to the Jewish people . Melchisedech was a King , Job was a Magistrate Job 29 , &c. Civil Magistracy as the power of Parents , and Masters , are of the law of nature and nations , Christ and his Apostles did not alter the state of Magistracy , but left them as they found them , and confirmed them ; sundry converted Governours kept their place after conversion : bu● the visible Church-membership of infants was onely in the Jewish Church , the frame of which is quite altered by Christ and his Apostles , and not the least hint given of any infants being in or solemn admission into the Christian visible Church , but much to the contrary in the new Testament . We keep infants out of the Church no otherwise then Christ and his Apostles did , and if Magistrates do favour , countenance and cherish us in this , they do but cherish us in the doing of what the Apostles of Christ did , and M. B. that doth animate the Magistrates to molest us , and in his 7th . humble advice to the Parliament Decemb. 24. 1654. would have us deprived of all Pastoral Cure having the publique maintenance , doth shew his minde to persecute us , and by his grounds had conceived himself bound in conscience to have dealt so with the Apostles , if hee had been in their dayes . But O how good is God to us , and just to him and such as he is , that the madness of such a Balaam is rebuked , his advice rejected as injurious , and pernicious , tending to take away that liberty of examining things rece●ved , and to impose on mens consciences new subscriptions and conformities , as intollerable as those the Prelates urged , and consequently shutting out light from shining , and inducing persecution afresh ; and that he and such as he is , who are partial in Gods law , prophaning , yea quite changing or dissolving the prime solemn ordinance of Christ , and opposing ( contrary to their solemn Covenant ) the reformation of that abuse , should be made contemptible before all the people ! Mal. 2.9 . Mr. B. adds , yet in private I confess he cited two texts to prove the repeal of Gods Ordinance and merciful gift , that infants should be Church-members : and I will read the two places to you ( which private conference I would not mention , but lest it should be thought a wrong to him to overpass his onely proofs ) The first was Gal. 4.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. when I considered that such a man should deny all infants Church-membership , and affirm that God hath repealed that his Ordinance , and merciful gift , and have no more Scripture for it then such as this , and yet be so confident , it maketh me amazed . Hath he not a good wit , that can prove that Christ hath repealed his merciful gift , because he hath redeemed us from under our bondage and tutorage ? or that he hath shut out all infants from his Church , because he hath delivered them from the inconveniences of their minority ? If I had no better proof then this for infant baptism , I should be ashamed once to open my mouth for it . Answ. Had Mr. B. any true love , or justice towards me , as he seems to have by his pretended loathness to mention my private conference , he had not so often and with such false calu●niatory inferences mentioned in his writings what past in private conference concerning my censure of mens not receiving the doctrine of Antipaedobaptism , my plea for plurality of places , &c. whereby he hath done what in him lay , to defame me as proud covetous , schismatical , and given over by God to a reprobate minde , though there was no necessity of such divulgings . But much experience hath taught me to expect no better usage from an intemperate Zelot for his opinion , though a pretended friend and seeming godly , then from an open enemy . Mr. B. is amazed that I alledged Gal. 4.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. as I did , and but that I have learned nil admirari of such passages , I should be amazed at his dealing with me , in setting down my proofs , though they were but in a private conference without study . The thing of which he urged me to prove the repeal , I remember not whether it were of the visible Church-membership of infants , or of their admission . The latter was it , the repeal of which he denied ; For so was his antecedent [ By the merciful gift and appointment of God not yet repealed , some infants were once to be admitted members of the visible Church ] and this is proved plainly from Gal. 4.1 , &c. that the ordinance of admission ( which was no other then circumcision ) of infants is repealed ; yea , if that explication of Beza , Legem enim ( id est totam illam legalem oeconomiam ) dicit fuisse instar tutoris sive curatoris ad certum tempus dati , thus Englished in the New Annot. For hee saith that the law , that is the whole Government of Gods house according to the law , was as it were a kinde of tutorship or office of an Overseer appointed for a time , be right , the Church-membership visible of infants ( which was peculiar to the Jews , and belonged to the legal Church-state ) is plainly limited in that place to a certain time now expired , and consequently the ordinance of such Church-membership ( if there had been such ) repealed . And I say , that if he had so good proof for his infant baptism , as this is for the repeal of his pretended ordinance of infants admission and visible Church-membership unrepealed , I would plead for it as he doth . But Mr. B. as one that ha●h a good wit , can by his Chymistry prove hence his non repeal . Nay , saith he , I pray you do but consider , whether his own proof be not sufficient against him ● Doth not this text plainly tell us , that the heir in his minority is Lord of all ? and so approve of the natural birth priviledge of our children in civil things ? And will God then deny children to be heirs of any thing , and bereave them of their spiritual or Church-priviledge , and neither tell us why he doth it , nor that he doth it . Answ. Gods heirs are but co-heirs with Christ ▪ Rom. 8 17. true believers or elect persons , who are not deprived by me of any truely so called spiritual Church priviledge . The priviledge of infants visible Church-membership as it came with the spiri●ual Church-state of Abrahams family , so it ceased with the dissolution thereof , of which God hath given us reason in that it was but for an appointed time by God , which as it began with Gods special love to Abraham ; so it ended upon his loathing his unbelieving posterity , and setting his love on the Gentiles . Again , saith he , more plainly : if Christ came to free the heir from his bondage and tutorage onely , and from the servitude of his minority ; is it likely that he came to free them from their Church-membership ? Can any man think that this was any part of the ●ondage ? require those whose consciences are not wholly enslaved to their fancies and conceits , to judge of this soberly , whether they can possibly think it a bondage to be a member both of the universal Church and of a particular ! Let them not here tell me that Circumcision was a bondage ▪ or that the Law was a Tutor ; For I speak of none of these , but of their being members of the Church of God. Answ. Whom Mr. B. means by person whose Consciences are wholly enslaved to their fancies and conceits I cannot determine , I know few men who give me more cause of fear that they are such then Mr. B. who seems to me to have more conceits and ●ancies then one , and those with so much pertinacy and violent zeal promoted , as ( me thinks ) searce agree to a sober man. For my self I say , that such a visible Church-membership as the infants of the Jews had , in my soberest judgement , I not onely can possibly think ( which Mr. B. himself also may do , sith it implies no contradiction ) but do verily think to have been a part of the imperfect state of the Church , and in some respect of the bondage . For though Churchmembership be a priviledge of it self , yet comparatively , and in respect of some consequents attending it , as namely subjection to the whole Law of Moses , it is a manifest imperfection and bondage . As the state of the Apostles was a state of minority , bondage , imperfection , while Christ was on earth in comparison of the estate after his ascension , when the spirit was powred out upon them John 16 , 7. And I doubt not to affirm that Christ came to free his whole Church from that visible Church-membership it had then , by natural descent , and consequently to alter the visible , Church membership of infants into a more perfect way , by setting up a Church throughout the world , not by carnal descent in one nation , but in a spiritual way by faith in Christ , through the pre●ching of the Gospel . And I must tell Mr. B. of Circumcision and the Law , it 's bondage and Tutorage ( whether it like him or not ) sith infants had no where else visible Church-membership then in the Jewish Church , whereby they were in bondage to Circumcision and the Law. Nor can I tell what ordinance of admitting visible Church-members unrepealed he means , besides that of Circumcision , and therefore he must speak of these if he speak of the visible church-membership in the Jewish Church which had these annexed . 3. Yet further , saith he , when this text tels us that Christ came to redeem us from under the Law , and the bondage of minority , is it not a clear proof that he hath brought us into a far better state then we were in before ? and hath advanced us in his family , as the Heir at age is advanced ? And can any man of common sence and conscience expound this of his casting all their infants out of his family ? Christs Church is his family ; and doth the Heir use to be freed by being cast out of the family ? Why may he not as well say , that all the body of the Jewish nation are now delivered by being cast out of the Church or Family of Christ ? Is it not more agreeable to the scope of the Apostle here to affirm , that certainly they are so far from being turned out of the family or Church of Christ , that by Christ they are now brought into a far higher state , and made members of a far better Church , then that particular Church of the Jews was . Answ. It is true , Christ hath advanced his Church into a far better state then it was in before , and that is the reason why infants are left out ( I say not cast out ) of his visible Church . For whereas the particular Church of the Jews ( in which alone infants were visible Church-members ) was as well a civil Commonwealth as a Church of God , and was by descent of birth , and by proselytism made up of all in the Commonwealth ; it seemed good to God to make his Church more spiritual , consisting onely of them who owned Christ as their Lord ; and therefore till infants do so , they are no parts of the visible Church Christian. And thus men of common sence and tender consciences may and must expound the Apostle , it being agreeable to his scope , if they will speak rightly : And the body of the Jewish nation , I mean the greatest or most considerable part , if embracing the Gospel they had been baptized , their children being not baptized till they professed , had been rightly said to be delivered from the minority and bondage they were in before in the sense before declared . Mr. B. adds . 4. And if any yet say , that it is not the infants , but onely the parents that are thus advanced by Christ to a better state , is not this text plain against him ? For the Apostle extendeth redemption here to those that were under the Law ; and who knoweth not that infants were under the Law ? And if it did not belong to each individual under the Law , yet it cannot in any tolerable sence be denied to belong to each species or age ; ( yet I can prove , that conditionally this deliverance was to each individual person in the sense as God sent his son Jesus to turn every one of them from their iniquity , Act. 3. last . ) And now judge I pray , whether this be not a pittifull ground for men to prove the repeal of Gods mercifull gift and ordinance of infants Church-membership . Answ. That which I say is , that the particular Church of the Jews being dissolved , a Church of a better constitution is by God erected , and so the Church of God is advanced by Christ into a better state , that is , from carnal to spiritual , which necessitates the leaving infants out of the visible Church Christian , till they be disciples or believers : and this is a better estate to infants as well as parents , sith that Church-state did engage them to Circumcision and the Law , which were their bondage . Nevertheless Mr. Bs. proof is not to be allowed : For it follows not , redemption is extended to those that were under the Law , therefore to each individual , or to each species or age , the term being indefinite , and the speech true if any under the Law , and those of one species or age be redeemed ; as in like sort , when God is said to choose the poor , the weak things of this world , this proves not universal election of the poor , or weak , sith the terms being indefinite , they need not be understood universally except in necessary matter . I remember once in a Dispute it was urged thus for universal redemption , Christ came to redeem them that were under the Law , all are under the Law , Ergo . To which I answered by denying the minor , producing Gal. 4.21 . Rom. 6.14 , &c. though I might h●ve answered also by denying the indefinite term to contain all . But if Mr. Bs. reasoning be good that it cannot in any tolerable sence he denied to belong to each species or age because they were under the Law , it will follow , that it cannot be denied in any tolerable sence to each Jew , for they were under the Law , and then it will follow tha● the Jews were universally redeemed that they might re●eive the adoption of sons . And it seems by his words in his Parenthesis , Mr. B. holds a conditional deliverance for each individual person meant Gal. 4.5 . concerning which , besides what I have said before , Sect. 33 , 34 , 35. I adde this censure of Mr. John Collings , Provoc . provocatus in answer to Boatman , ch . 5. pag. 61. Universal redemption ; conditional Covenant . Two Covenants , one absolute , another conditional , are notions in Divinity I do not understand , and think them hardly reconcilable to truth , ( if to sense , ) they are the canting language of those that would supply Franciscus de Sancta Clara's pla●e , as to reconciling us and Arminians , and are no better then Arminianism minced for the better digestion . But those words of Mr. B. that God sent his son Jesus to turn every one of them from their iniquities , Acts 3. last , in the sense he can prove ( as he thinks ) that conditionally this deliverance was for each individual person , do import that he holds that Christ was sent not onely for universal redemption conditionally , but also for universal conversion conditionally . Which if true , then Christ blesseth all by turning every one from his iniquity , Acts 3.26 . conditionally ; and then unless he can assign another condition then the act of a mans free-will , he must hold universal grace of conversion , and conversion by Christs blessing conditional upon the concurrence of mans free-will , which is indeed the venome of Arminianism . Which if Mr. B. hold ( as his words import ) I may well say he stands on pitifull ground , a very quagmire , however men judge of my proof from Gal. 4.1 . &c. of the repeal of the pretended ordinance of infants Church-membership . Mr. B. proceeds . But one Text more was named , and that is my Text , Matth. 28.19 , 20. Go disciple all nations , &c. Is not this brave proving the repeal before mentioned ? What saith this Text to any such matter ? Answ. The first question hath so much insolent folly , that I think fit to give no answer to it . To the second I say , 1. This Text compared with Mark 16.15 . proves , that Christ appointed after his resurrection , that his Church should be gathered in all nations by preaching the Gospel , and baptizing , and no otherwise ; and consequently , the Church not gathered this way is not agreeable to Christs institution . The forepart of the antecedent is plain ; For as Pareus rightly paraphraseth the words , Com. in Mat. 28.19 . Christs words have this sense , Make to me Disciples , gather to me a Church among all nations by your preaching bringing them to the faith of the Gospel . And Piscat . observ . Matth. 28.19 . By the coherence of the sentences it is signified , first by the doctrine of the Gospel the nations were to be brought into the Church , then to be baptized when they should enter into the Church and profess the faith . And that neither the institution of Christ , nor practise of the N. T. allows any other way of gathering the Church , is proved in the 2d . Part of this Review , sect . 5. &c. 2. I say this Text excludes infants from being baptized , as is proved in the same place , and consequently from being visible members of the Christian Church . The antecedent is confirmed from Mr. Bs. words , Plain Scrip. proof , &c. against Mr Bed. pag. 299 , 300. where he proves from Mat. 28.19 . Mark 16.16 . &c. That in the institution and every example of Baptism through all the Bible , the first grace is pre-requisite as a condition , which he makes to be faith included in the term [ Disciple . ] The consequence is also proved from Mr. Bs. assertion , Plain Scrip. proof , &c. Par. 1. ch . 5. pag. 24 , 25. and elsewhere , proved from Mat. 28.19 . All visible Ch●rch members are to be baptized . Whence I infer , All visible members of the Christian Church are to be baptized . No infant is to be baptized . Therefore no infant is a visible member of the Christian Church . Now if no infants are now visible members of the Christian Church , and the Church which is gathered without making Disciples by preaching the Gospel first to them , and then baptizing them , is not agreeable to Christs institution , then Christ hath repealed the gift and ordinance of visible Church-membership of infants . I expect now some brave answer from Mr. B. to these plain arguments without any bravery . But what do I meet with . Nay , saith he , I am confident the contrary will be proved from this Text also : For if it be nations that must be discipled and baptized , certainly all infants can never be excluded , but must needs some of them at least be included . I do not believe that men were to be made Disciples by force ; nor that all were Disciples when the King or greater part were so : But that the Apostles commission was to disciple nations ; this is their work which they should endeavour to accomplish : and therefore this was a thing both possible and desirable : therefore when the parents are by teaching made Disciples , the children are thereby discipled also : As if a woman escape drowning , the child in her body escapes thereby , yet this is not by any natural cause , but by force of Gods grant or Covenant . Answ. Though Mr. Bs. confidence , and his foolish admirations and exclamations have taken much with the shallow and heedless both Ministers and people of this age , yet they appear ridiculous to me . His speeches in this place are but dictates , that if nations be to be discipled , infants cannot be excluded ; that because they were to endeavour the discipling all nations , therefore infants ; that when the parents are by teaching made Disciples , the children are discipled also : all which I deny , and have demonstrated to be false so fully in the 2d . Part of this Review , sect . 5. &c. that I shall as soon expect the snow be proved black , as any of them proved by Mr. B. or any other . His similitude is frivolous , no child being included in the parent in respect of discipling , as the child in the womb is in respect of drowning . If it were , then also in respect of baptizing , so that if the mother with child be baptized , the child also is baptized as wel as discipled , and then baptism of such infants after would be rebaptization . Such a grant or Covenant , by force of which infants are made Disciples is a meer figment . If infants were made Disciples by a Covenant , it must be of God to them , wherein he promiseth it to them upon their parents bei●g discipled ; and if so , then they are discipled ere they be born , and consequently not made Disciples by the Apostles , and so no part of the nation to be discipled by them , nor they to endeavour their discipling unless they should actum agere , do what is already done ; whence it will follow , that they had no commission to disciple or baptize infants , for they had no commission to disciple by Gods Covenant , or to baptize such Disciples , but those who were made by their preaching Disciples ; and as Mr Collings saith truly in his Provoc . provoc . ch . 5. pag. 54. The Apostles notwithstanding that precept , Matth. 28.19 , 10. did not think themselves obliged to baptize any , but such as believed and confessed their sins Mr. B. adds . When all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron were turned to the Lord , the whole cities , infants and all , were discipled . Answ. Though our last translation read Acts 9.35 . And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him , and turned to the Lord ; yet in the Greek , and agreeably the vulgar , Beza , &c. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him , who turned to the Lord ; which seems to import , that all they who turned to the Lord saw him , and so [ they that saw him ] is limited by [ them turned to the Lord , ] which is not to be said of infants . But were the reading retained as it is in our last translation , yet it is a gross conceit of Mr. B. to apply this to infants . For it is said of these , 1. That they saw Aeneas cure . 2. That they were converted to the Lord. 3. That by seeing the cure of Aeneas they were moved to turn to the Lo●d , as Piscator in his Sch●lie saith , to wit , moved by t●e miraculous healing of Aeneas by Peter . Now to affirm these thing● of infants , is in my apprehension ( however it be in Mr. Bs. ) against common sense . Besides me thinks Mr. B. should not be ignorant that fre●uently in the Scripture such expressions wherein the word [ all ] is used ; are limited to a greater part , and those of years the matter so requiring it , as Matth. 2.3 . & 3.5 . Acts 8.10 , &c. Mr. B. adds . How can Christ bid them , Go and disciple all Nations , if infants and so all the Nation are utterly uncapable of being disciples ? or how will Mr. T. expound the word all nations ? Answ. Had Mr. B. heeded the words of the 13. Section of the first part of my Examen , or the 14th . section of the Postscript to my Apology in answer to Mr. Bl. he might have found answer to these questions . But I conceive upon very probable signes Mr. B. never studied my writings , but lightly read them , and I finde he hath dealt with me in like manner concerning my answers in the dispute at Bewdley , and such passages as he excepts against which fell from me in private conference , and that this is the reason of these and many more unnecessary questions he puts me to answer . But if the Reader please to read the 2d . part of t●is Review sect . 5 , &c. he may see a full answer to these questions , the sum whereof is this ; that Christ bids them Go , and by preaching the Gospel Mark. 16.15 . make disciples of or out of all nations , and then baptize them , who by believing the Gospel became disciples , Mark. 16.16 . which may and must be understood with exclusion of infants , as when he bids them preach the Gospel to every creature Mark. 16.15 . & Col 1.23 . it was preached to every creature under heaven , yet no infant meant . And by way of retortion , I do s●riously ask Mr. B. how he will expound the word all nations ? and how Christ can bid them disciple infants without making Christ a fool and a tyrant in commanding that which is ridiculous and impossible ? Mr B saith of me further . He oft saith , It is here one and there one out of a city or nation that God will call : I shall say more to the shame of this speech afterwards : yet let me say this much at present . If it bee but some few ▪ or here and there one , yea or but the most that Christ commandeth to disciple , then we must endeavour to make but those few or most disciples ( for our endeavour must not go beyond our command and commission ) But this is most horrid Doctrine , and notoriously false , [ that Apostles and Ministers ought not to endeavour the discipling of all , but of some . ] ( For Paul oft professeth his longing and endeavour to the contrary : ) therefore it is as false that the command is not for the discipling all . Answ. What Mr. B. hath said to the shame of my speech plain Scripture proof , &c. pag. 279 , 280. ( which is I think the place hee means ) is to the shame of so impudent an affronting of plain Scripture proof refelled in my Praecursor sect . 22. which shame is not at all covered by hi● reply in his praefestinis morator sect . 22. in which he doth not at all answer my proof out of Scripture for my speech , but onely seeks to acquit himself from that which I charge him with as not rightly setting down my words , which is his frequent fault . Two parts of my speech he excepts against , 1. that God will not call nor ever did , a whole nation so as that every individual should be within the visible Church . Against this he refers to his Addition pag. 339.340 . and there he turns me over to Mr. Hudson , and refers me to the answering of him when I answer the 20th . Chapter of the first part of his plain Script . &c. But many of the texts , and consequently the rest are shewed to bee impertinently alledged , in the 2d . part of this Review sect . 9. ( where pag. 129. I was mistaken in what I said , I know not what is in Mr. Bs. addition pag. 339 , 340. thinking then it had been some addition which was not in his first edition , which now I finde otherwise ) and therefore if I say no more of that , the Reader will not want an answer to the allegations in his addition pag. 339 , 340. 2. He excepts against what he conceives I say [ that Apostles and Ministers ought not to endeavour the discipling of all , but of some ] which he terms horrid doctrine and notoriously false . On the otherside if my meaning be rightly understood , to wit , of persons that have not the use of reason , such as in●ants , natural fools , &c. I aver the contrary doctrine to be horrid and notoriously false , for the reasons fore-given . If he charge me with it , that because I say God will not call a whole nation ( which I mean of effectuall call alluding to 1 Cor. 1.26 , 27 , &c. ) therefore I mean that we should endeavour to disciple none but such , his charge is but a calumny . No words of mine either in pulpit w●iting , or private speech , tended to such a sense . As for what he saith , Paul oft professeth his longing endeavour to the contrary , if he mean contrary to my assertion , it is most false . He no where professeth his longing and endeavour to disciple the whole of a nation , even the infants . The profession he makes Philip. 1.8 . is the fullest and likeliest to be meant by Mr. B. that comes to my thoughts , which it were ridiculous to apply to infants , [ they all ] being the same to whom he wrote entituled , Saints in Christ v. 1. with whom he had fellowship in the Gospel v. 5. in whom God had begun a good work v. 6. who in his bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel were partakers of his grace v. 7. whose love he mentions v. 9. Thus much for the proof of which Mr. B. was confident . To his words . If this [ my alleaging Gal. 4.1 , &c. Matth. ●8 . 19 . as before ] be not to feign God to say what we would have him ; yea contrary to what he doth say , then I am quite mistaken . I answer , I grant it , and add that I do not call to minde that ever I found a man of so much fame , and confidence , so fouly mistaken as Mr. B. is in this point . I proceed as fast as I can after M. B. who hath made the way foul by his scribling . SECT . LI. The arguments from the altering of the Jewish Church constitution and call , the ceasing of the High Priest , &c. to prove Infants now no visible Church-members are made good against Mr. Bs. 5th . Ch. plain , &c. part . 1. BUt let us hear , saith he , whether his arguments be any clearer then these texts for him . The sum of all his arguments , that I can hear , is this : If the Church constitution whereof they were members be taken down , then their membership is taken down : but the Church &c. therefore &c. To prove the antecedent this is added : If their Church call be altered , then their Church constitution is altered : but their Church call i● altered , therefore , &c. To prove the minor , he shews the different calls then and now . 1. Then they were called by Moses or Abraham ▪ ●he Magistrate ; but now by Ministers . 2. Then all the nation was called in one way , even servants and all ; but now God cal● here one and there one . Besides he shews , that the Temple Priesthood , sacrifices are taken down and therefore the Church constitution . This is the very strength of all that Mr. T. hath to say , to prove the repeal of Gods merciful Ordina●ce of infants Church membership . And I cannot chuse but say , They are silly souls , and tractable to novel●y , and easily seduced from the truth of God and far from the stability of judicious tender conscienc't Christians , who will be drawn by such misty , cloudy arguing , without any Scripture proof ; yea and against so much Scripture . Answ. And I cannot chuse but say that Mr. Bs. dealing is dis●ingenuous and Sop●istical ▪ in sore ●a●ling Readers by such censures , which are the mere evaporations of his own ignoranc● and confidence , and I might add arrogance . But to the argument . I deny that this is the very strength of all that I have to say to prove the repeal , or that it is cloudy , misty arguing , against any Scripture , But from it . The argument is ta●en from the notation of the word Church , put into the definition of it by the generality of Divines , yea by Mr. B. himself plain Scrip. proof , &c. pag. 71 , 8● , that the Greek word for Church is from calling out , and that the Church is a peo●le or a society of persons called out of the world . Whence it follows , that they who are not called out of the world are not of the Church , they that have not an outward call , are not of the visible Church : But infants have not the outward call of the Christian Church , therefore are not visible members in the Christian Church . The minor is proved from the proper call of the Christian Church , which is proved negatively not to be as the Jewish Church , 1. by authority , 2. of a whole people together . 2. affirmatively by assigning 1. the onely way of outward call in the Christian Church to be by preaching the Gospel , 2. that this call is of single pe●sons severed in their habitations , relations , &c. The former is proved by story . Two remarkable outward calls there were of the Church of Israel , one by Abraham , and that was Gen. 17. ( perhap● there was some other , but no other occurs to me ) and that was according to Gods direction by authority , taking in all his house together , not by preaching as the Apostles did . The other of Moses Exod. 19 &c. which was done in like manner . The later is proved by institution and practise to be seen in these and many more Scriptures , Ephes. 4.11 , 12 , &c. Acts 2.41 , 47. Act. 8.12 , &c. But of this which is the onely outward churchcal infants are not the subjects , therefore neither of visible churchmembership , which is always this way and no other in the Christian Churches . This is further confirmed from those Scriptures which deny the new-birth necessary to admission into the Christian Church to be by humane generation ( which it must bee if it bee as the Jewish church-membership was ) as Joh. 1.13 . and ascribe it even in Jews themselves to the word Jam. 1.18 . 1 Pet. 1.23 . It is further confirmed in that the distinction of the Church visible and invisible , is from their different calling . They are not of the invisible who are not inwardly called , they are not of the visible who have not the outward call . Primum illud quod actu Ecclesiam constituit , est vocatio : unde etiam & nomen suu● accipit & definitionem . Hudson vindic . p. 67. exte●nal vocation and submission gave right in foro Ecclesiae to be admitted members of the Church . Ecclesia enim est caetus hominum vocatorum 1 Cor. 1.24 . cum 10.32 . Ames Medul ▪ Th. l. 1. c. 31. § . 6.7 . But infants have not the outward call , they are not brought into the Church by the word . Therefore they are not visible Church-members . What saith Mr. B. now ? 1 You must distinguish between the particular Church of the Jews , and the universal visible Church . And here I lay down these three propos●tions . 1. The Jews Church was not the whole universal visible Church that God had then in the world . And this he alleageth as my opinion with others and confirms it by sundry arguments . Answ. Though the Assembly at Westminster say Confess . of faith ch . 25. art . 2. The visible Church , which is also Catholick or universal under the Gospel ( not confined to one nation , as before under the law ) consists , &c. yet I agree with Mr. B in his proposition though not in all his proofs . For the text Gen. 18.19 . proves not the continuance of the Church in any of Abrahams posteri●y but those by Isaac , nor do , the instances of Bethuel , Hiram , the Ninivites , Candace Queen of the Ethiopians , evince a Church of God distinct from the Jewish . His 2d . proposition is , if the Jewish Church had been the whole visible Church , yet it would have been con●●derable in both respects ; both as the Jewish Church and as the universal , whic● 〈◊〉 pass . His third is . There is no member of any particular Church , who is not also a member of the universal Church : Therefore infants were members of the universal visible Church as well as of the Jews particular Church ; so that if it could be proved that their membership in that particular Church is overthrown , yet that is nothing to prove that they have lost their standing in the universal Church . But this shall fullier improve and vindicate her after . Answ. It is much to prove they have lost their standing in the universal , if they had no standing in the universal distinct from that in the particular : as an excommunicate , Apostate , &c. hath lost his standing in the universal visible Church , if he have no standing therein distinct from that in the particular Church , which he hath lost . And this was the case of infants , they had no standing in the universal distinct from that which they had in the Jewish Church ; and therefore if that particular Church-state or frame be dissolved in which alone infants are reckoned as members , ( as it is , ) and another erected in which they are not reckoned , infants are not any longer to be reckoned as visible Church-members . And ●his I shall make good when I come to Mr. Bs. fuller improvement of this . 2. Sa●th Mr. B. You must distinguish between the essentials , and some accidentals of the Jewish Church : The Priesthood , Temple , Sacrifice , &c. were meerly accidental , and might be repealed without the re●eal of the essentials , or the ordinance establishing the Church it self . Answ. I grant the distinction , but find it of no use , till it be shewed what are the essentials ▪ and what not ; what the ordinance is that established that Church , that it is of the essentials of that Church , that infants be visible members is of the essentials of that Church : which to assert were all one as to say , the Jewish Church had been no Church visible without infants , which I take to be absurd . 3. Saith Mr. B. You must distinguish between their Church conside●ed in it self , and considered comparatively as to othe●s . The Jews were a peculiar people and Church of God , no other had the like priviledges . Now if they had b●lieved , they should have kept all their priviledges absolutely considered : ( except it be a losing them to change them for greater . ) But comparatively co●sidered , they should not have kept some relative priviledges : For they should no longer have been a singular peculiar people , seeing others should have enjoyed as great priviledges as they ; yet this would have been without any loss of theirs , much more without wholly unchurching them or their children . When a man hath but one son , he hath the priviledge of being his Fathers onely Son : But when his father hath many more , he hath lost that priviledge ; and yet is not therefore turned out of the Family ; nay , the adding of more Brethren in our case , is an increase of the happiness of each p●rticular : for this is the very case of the Jews . The adding of the Gentiles would have made the Jews no more to be so peculiar as to be singular in their priviledges ; and yet they should have enjoyed never t●e less . Therefore mark i● , the Scripture speaking of taking in the Gentiles , it exp●esseth it as by taking down the partition wall , and making of both one Church ; but it speaks not of unchurching the Jews first , and their children , or bereaving them of their priviledges . And when in his Vision Peter was taught the Doctrine of the Gentiles reception into the Church , Acts 10. it was not by making the Jews unclean , but by clensing the Gentiles to be clean as the Jews . So that if the Jews would have believed , they should have lost only their comparative priviledges consisting in the singularity of their enjoyments , which is no loss to them , to have the Gentiles enjoy them as well as they ; but their priviledges in themselves considered , would not have been diminished , but some lesser turned into greater : And therefore certainly God would never have turned their children all out of the visible Church . Answ. The distinction is of the ●ewish Church considered in it self , and comparatively as to others ; but the application is ( as if Mr. B. had forgotten his distinction ) of their privile●ges considered absolutely , and compara●ive , and t●en he saith if the Jews had believed , they had lost onely their comparative priviledges , not in themselves considered . Concerning which conceits , it had been requisit , if he would be understood , that either he should have given a catalogue of each sort of priviledges , or such a description of them as whereby we mi●ht understand which are of the one sort , which of the other . My opinion is , that had the Jews believed , that is every individu●l Jew of age , or the greatest part ●ad received the Gospel , they should have enjoyed with the Gentiles all the priviledges of the Covenant of saving graces ; the Jewish people should have enjoyed their possessions in their own Land , which me thinks Christs words import , Luke 19 . 4● , 42 , 43. But deny that they should have this as a priviledge to them , that their children should be accounted visible members of the Christian Churches . For Gods purpose was to erect a Church universal uniformly by preaching the Gospel , and not by birth ; and it appeared plainly by the practise of John Baptist , Christ and his Apostles , who never took in any believing paren●s infant to Baptism and the Christian Church , no● admitted any Jew without his own personal profession of Faith in Christ. Nor is the contrary proved by Ephes. 2.14 . but that very thing I assert . For the taking down the partition wall was by taking away the Jewish rites , and Church-state , that none could be joyn●d to them without conformi●y to the Law , now one Church is made of both by faith through the Gospel , Ephes. 3.6 . And in like ma●ner when Peter took in Cornelius , Acts 10. he declared Gods mind in his Vision . v. 35. that in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him ; but he doth not say that every one of their infant children are taken into the Church , nor did he any act whereby to shew that to be Gods mind . Nor are Mr. Bs. observations of any force , for they suppose that if the Church state of the Jews were altered , Paul would have spoken of their unchurching , Ephes. 2.14 . and Acts● . of their making unclean which implies as if there were no other way then these to alter their Church-state , and to leave the infants out of the visible Church Christian ; whereas I have often shewed the contrary , th●t it was done by taking in onely to bap●ism b●lievers , releasing from the burden of Circumcision and the Law , which might have been though all the Jews of age had been believers . 4. Saith Mr. B. So when we call the Jews [ a National Church ] and when Mr. T. saith God to●k the whole Nation to be his Church , it may be meant either in regard of the appropriation and restriction to that Nation onely , as if God had not called any other whole Nation : and so it may be true , that the Jews onely were a National Church ( though yet it is doubtfull , as what is said of Melchizedek before sheweth : ) and also in regard of their National and Church unity ( which yet is the excellency and strength of all other Churches ; ) or else by a National Church may be meant , as if all were Church members that were of that Nation , and no more were required to the being a Church member but to be of that Nation : And thus I perceive it is by many understood . But this is notoriously false . Answ. It is in this last s●nse I mean it , and I think it manifestly true with these explications . 1. That they were of that Nation by birth property , or proselytism . 2. That they were Church-members while they continued to be of that Nation any of these way● . 3. That they were Church-members with some dis●uiparance or inequality of priviledges . Let 's view Mr. Bs. proofs . For it was then as well as now , the Covenant of God ( wherein he took them for his peculiar people , and they took him for their onely God , the parents engagiag for themselves and their children ) which made them members of the Church For 1. No aged person , no not servants , much less ordinary proselites were members , except they entred the Covenant ; though they are commanded to circumcise all in their house , yet it is supposed , that by their interest and authority , they caused them first to enter the Covenant : Therefore they were to circumcise the servants bought with money , as being absolutely their own , whom they had most interest in ; but not the hired servants , whom they had no such authority over ( except they became proselytes voluntarily ) Answ. A mutual Covenant , such as that at Mount Sinai , I deny not to have made the people of Israel the Church of God , and consequently the infants then born visible Church-members . But I d●ny that it was then by reason of the parents engaging for themselves and their children , sith it appears plainly by Exod. 19.7 , 8. & 24.3 . that the Elders of the people onely engaged for the whole Nation . And the same I conceive of the Covenant Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. The Covenant Gen. 17. if it were mutual , it doth not appear that any other then Abraham himself engaged for his house . Nor do I deny such a mutual Covenant , if the Lord should enter into it , or declare his mind concerning it , would make a Nation , and consequently infan●s Church members . But according to the constitution of the Christian visible Church I deny God makes any such Covenant or declares his mind that by such Covenant he will gather his Church . Yet were it yeelded that the Covenant made them members of the Church , the Propositions are true nevertheless with my explications , That all were Church-members that were of that Nation , and no more is required to the being a Church-member but to be of that Nation . And to what he alledgeth , I acknowledge that ordinary Proselytes at first admission were not members without their Covenant engaging them and theirs in their power to the observance of the Law of Moses , and the s●me reason I conceive of hired servants , and that thereby they became of that Nation , or as the Jewish Doctors say were regenerated , and lost their former kindred , and became Jews . But it was not enough to make them of that Church , though they covenanted or professed to take Je●ovah for their onely God , except they took on them to observe Moses Law. Therefore Cornelius was no visible member of the Jewish Church , though he feared God with all his house , but was shunned by them , Acts 10.28 . & 11.3 . as an unclean , uncircumcised person of another Nation . Nor do I find any proof of that which Mr B. suppose●h , that all aged persons , as servants bought were before they were circumcised ●aused by their Masters interest and authority to enter the Covenant fi●st . But this doth no whit overthrow the Positions , That all were C●urch-members that were of that Nation , and that no more was re●uired to the being a Church-member but to be of that Nation . Nor is there any more force in what Mr. B. adds . 2. And though they were taken into the Church in infancy yet if they afterward forsook or renounced the Covenant , they were to be cut off from the Church , yea to be put to death . 3. And in many cases their children were to be put to death with them . And therefore their Chu●ch was not so National as that any in the Nation should be a member of it who forsook the Covenant . Which I grant : For t●en they ceased to be of that Nation , that is in that policy or Commonwealth de jure at least , if not de facto . What he adds , Indeed God chose the seed of Abraham ●n a special manner ? but not to be Church members immediately , but first to enter into his Covenant , and take him for their God , and so to be Church mem●ers , is not true . For immediately upon their birth , the seed of Abraham were Church-members visible , though neither they nor their parents , or any other entred into Covenant for them : and if this speech of Mr. B. were true , neither had Jews infants been visible Church members , and so not to be circumcised ( contrary to the command ) nor according to Mr. Bs. and other Paedobaptists principles our infants visible Church-members , nor to be baptized without such entring in to Covenant going before , which will nullifie the infant Baptism of many , and overthrow the argument from the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . produced as sufficient for infant Baptism by most Paedobaptists without any other entring the Covenant . 5. Saith Mr. B. You must distinguish betwixt breaking off that particular individual Church or some members of it , and the repealing or breaking off the species or essential nature of the Church . Answ. The breaking off the particular individual Church of the Jews is a term I meet with Rom. 11.20 . But the term of repealing or breaking off the species or essential nature of the Church is a new term not used that I know of any where , but , if I may use Dr. Kendals phrase , in the Schola illustris of Kederminster A repeal of a Law is an obvious wo●d ; but this term of repealin● of the species or essential nature of the Church is like the speech of a man doting . I have heretofore learned that the essences of things are invariable , eternal , definitions are of eternal verity , conformable to the Idea in Gods mind , though existences be mutable : and therefore to expect a proof of a repeal or breaking off the species or essential nature of the Church , is to expect a proof of an impossibility . 6. Saith Mr. B. And so you must distinguish betwe●n the repealing of the Law or grant upon which the very species or nature of the Church is grounded ; and the execution of the threatning of Law upon particular persons or Churches offending . The repeal of the Law or ordinance doth take away all right to the mercy granted by that Law or ordinance even the remote conditional right , and that from all men , one as well as another to whom that Law gave that right . But the punative execution of the threatening doth onely take away the absolute right to the mercy and the right in it , and that from none but the particular offenders . This punitive execution of the Law ( or the curse of the Covenant , as it is called Deut. 29.20 , 21. ) is so far from being a repeal of the Law , that it certainly proveth it is not repealed : For a repealed Law is of no force , and so cannot be executed . And upon these two last distinctions , I add this for application of them : The individual Jewish Church is ( for the most part ) broke off , and so they that are so broke off are now no Church , and consequently have lost th●ir priviledges : But the Law or Covenant on which the species or essential form of their Church ( and many of its accidents ) was grounded , is not changed or repealed . So the Church of Smyrna , Thyatira , Laodicea , and the rest of Asia ( for the most part ) are now unchurched : But this is but by a punitive execution of the Law for their sin , and no change in the Law , or in the nature of the Church ; And so it is with the Jews also in their unchurching . Though they are cast off , yet the Law and Nature of Churches is still the same ; and onely the Laws about ceremonial worship ▪ and some other accidents of the Church are repealed . So that the casting off of them and their children , is no proof that the whole species of infants is cast out of the Church visible . Answ. The nature , species , essential form of the Church is that which is exprest in the definition of it , in which Mr. B. himself pag. 82. saith , certainly all Divines are agreed , that it is a society of persons separated from the world , to God , or called out of the world , &c. now a law on which this might be said to be grounded liable to repeal is in my apprehension a dream : Laws repealeable determine not of essences , but things to be existent , to wit , particular actions to bee done or omitted . Nor do I conceive that the essential form of the Church is grounded upon a Covenant . For though God separate or call a people to himself by a Covenant single or mutual , and so may bee of the existence of a Church , yet if God do separate or call by authority , preaching , power , or any other way , without a Covenant , they will have the essence of a Church . The Jewish Church I never conceived to be a species , but an individual , and of it I grant that it might be and was dissolved without the change of the nature , species or essential form of the Church , unto which the having of infants visible Church-members did not belong . For if so , without infants and that as visible Church-members it could not have been a Church . What the priviledges Jewish infants had as visible Church-members except preservation , as part of that people , such inheritance , and other benefits in part which their parents had , which they must needs lose with their parents breaking off , I do not well understand : Nor do I know any priviledge , which the believing Jews infants did lose by being left out of the Christian Church visible , which they should have had if they had been taken in . For the priviledges of the Jewish infants by being visible Church-members , were , as I conceive , to cease upon the comming of Christ , and the erection of the Christian Church , not by any punitive execution of a Law , but a wise dispensation of God , as he conceived fittest for his own glory , and the enlarging of the Kingdome of his Son. The species , as Mr. B. speaks , that is , the whole order , rank , series or sort of men in infancy was never in the visible Church , but onely the infants of the Jewish Nation . Nor were they cast out of the Church visible by any judiciary sentence , but by altering the Church-state from Jewish into Ch●istian as God thought best . 7. Saith Mr. B. Again , you must distinguish betwixt breaking off primarily and morally onely by Covenant breaking and merit , ( as an adulterous woman doth break the marriage bond , and so cast out her self ; ) or else breaking off in a following act by punishment ( both morally and physically ) as a man that putteth away his adulterous wife : ) In the former sence all the Jews that were unchurched did unchurch themselves and their children ; and God onely unchurched them in the later sence : And therefore the children of believing Jews ( who did not adulterously violate the Covenant ) were never unchurched ; God casteth out none but those that first cast out themselves . Answ. If this last speech were true , absolute Reprobation should be an errour . But perhaps he means it of casting out by judiciary sentence , and so I grant it true of persons of age . But in the present business , the leaving out infants out of the visible Church was neither by any sinfull voluntary dissertion or transgression of Gods Law , morally deserving it ; nor by any act of judiciary sentence legally , or punitive act executing or physically ejecting : But by a free act of his Soveraignty , altering the Church-state from a more carnal to a more spiritual , without any detriment to believers or theit children . Mr. B. applies his distinctions thus , Let us now review Mr. Ts. arguments . 1. He saith , their Church constitution is taken down ; and therefore their membership . To which I answer : 1. By [ constitution ] is meant either the essential nature , or some ceremonial Accident : And by [ taking down ] is meant either [ by repealing the Law , which takes down the whole●species , ] or [ by meer punitive execution taking down that individual Church ▪ ] In the first sence of [ constitution and taking down ] I utterly deny the Antecedent , and may stay long enough I perceive before he prove it . 2. By [ their membership ] either he means the individual infants of unbelievers , unchurched Jews ( which I grant , ) or else the whole species of infants ( which I deny . ) 3. Besides , the argument concludeth not for what he should bring it : That which it should conclude , is [ that the mercifull gift and ordinance of God , that some infants should be Church-members is repealed : ] This is another thing from what he concludeth . Answ. 1. By [ constitution ] I neither mean the essential nature , nor some ceremonial accident , but the composing of the integral parts which make up a Church an entire whole or totum integrale . I do not find by such notes as I have of the Dispute at Bewdley , January 1. 1649. that I used the term of [ taking down , ] but rather the term [ altered , ] which even Mr. Bs. setting down my argument shews to have been the term I used . And this alteration I conceive was made neither by repealing the Law which takes down the whole species , nor by meer punitive execution taking down that individual Church ; but by a free act of his Soveraignty as Rector or Lord , who may at his pleasure alter the frame of his Church as he pleaseth : As when a Lord or Governour one while takes in●o his house men , and their wives , and children , another while onely single men , he neither perhaps repeals a Law which made the whole species members of his house , nor punisheth the individual persons that were in his house , but because it likes him better to have his house onely of strong able men , alters the state of his house in respect of the members ; so it is in this case . 2. By [ their Church-membership ] I mean not either the individual infants of unbelievers , unchurched Jews , nor the whole species of infants ; but the individual infants of the Jewish Church-members , whether believing or unbelieving . 3. If I conclude ( as I did ) that the Church-membership of infants was altered in the visible Church Christian from what it was in the visible Church Jewish , I prove the pretended gift and ordinance of God that some infants should be Church-members is repealed . Let 's view his answer to my proof . He proveth , saith Mr. B. that [ their Church constitution is altered , because their Church call is altered . ] To which I answer , 1. Here is still nothing but the darkness of ambiguity and troubled waters to fish in . As we know not what he means by [ constitution ] as is said before ; so who knows what he meaneth by [ their Church call ? ] Is it meant first of Gods Law or Covenant enacting ▪ making , and constituting them a Church ? 2. And , if so , then is it meant of the essential parts of that Covenant or Law giving them the essence of a Church [ I will be to thee a God , and thou shalt be to me a people , Deut. 29.11 , 12. ] 3. Or is it meant of the lesser additional parts of the Law or Covenant giving them some accidentals of their Church , as the land of Canaan , the Priesthood , the Sacrifice , &c. 4. Or is it meant of Gods immediate call from heaven to Abraham or any others to bring them into the Covenant ? 5. And if so , whether of Abraham onely ? or Moses onely ? or both ? or whether Aaron and all other be excluded or not ? And what he means by a Church call to infants that cannot understand , I know not ; except by a call he meaneth circumcising them ? And 6. whether he mean that call by which particularly they were at first made a Church ? or that also by which in every generation their posterity were so made , or entred members ? 7. And if so , whether that which was proper to the Jews posterity ? or that which was proper to converted proselyted members ? or some call common to both ? and what th●t was ? When I can possibly understand which of all these calls he means that is altered , then it may be worth labour to answer him . Answ. The speeches are inept of the essential parts of the Covenant and the accidental , the essential parts of that Covenant or Law , giving them the essence of a Church , [ I will be to thee a God , and thou shalt be to me a people , Deut. 29.11 , 12. Which suppose either God could not make a Covenant without that promise , or that a Church could not be without that promise , or that Covenant might be without the promise of the land of Canaan , which was as essential to that Covenant as the other , they being both but integral parts , of which each is essential to the integrity of the whole . And for the essence of a Church , which consists in the association , or union of the members , it is not given by a Coven●nt of God , promising what he will be to them , and they to him for the future , ( for that assures them onely of continuance , doth not give their present essence , ) but by such transeunt fact as whereby he separates them from others , and unites or incorporates them together , which I call , as usually Divines do , the Church call ; agreeably to the Scripture , Rom 9.24 , 25 , 26. 1 Cor. 1.2 , 24. &c. Which Church call is either inward by his Spirit , and is still the same ; or outward , and was , tho●gh by various acts of his providence , yet most manifestly by the authority of Abraham and Moses , not by meer perswasion and begetting of faith , as in the Christian Church , when the preachers of the Gospel called the Christian Church : But the authority and power of Rulers , who did as well by coercive power as by perswasive words , draw all in the compass of their jurisdiction into a policy or Commonwealth , which was called the congregation or Church of Israel , in which the infants were included , and by vertue of the settlement by Abraham and Moses it so continued to the time of the dissolution . This Mr. B. might have understood easily to be my meaning , by my instances which he sets down , that the way , means , or manner of outward Church call into the Christian visible Church is altered from what it was in the Jewish : For the Christian Church outward call was onely according to institution and primitive practise by the preaching the Gospel to each member of the visible Church Christian , and by that means perswading persons to receive Christ , and not by any coercive power of Rulers , whereas the Jewish was otherwise . Mr. B. proceeds . In the mean time briefly thus I answer . 1. The additional lesser parts of the Covenant giving them the ceremonial accidents of their Church is ceased , and so are the ceremonies built thereon . 2. The Essential part of the Law or Covenant is not ceased ; God yet offers the Jews to be their God , and them to be his people . If they heartily consent it may be done , onely the World is taken into this Covenant with them , and neither Jew nor Gentile excluded , that exclude not themselves . 3. Gods immediate call of Abraham and Moses did quickly cease , when yet the Church ceased not . 4. And for the Ministerial call , 1. That which was by the person of Abraham and Moses numerically did cease when their act was performed ; yet the effect ceased not : Nor did the Jews cease being a Church when Abraham and Moses were dead and gone . 2. If he mean it of that species or sort of Ministerial call , then what sort is that ? And indeed for ought I can possibly learn by his speeches , this is that he drives at : [ God then called by Magistrates , but now by Ministers : And secondly , then he called all the Nation in one day , but now he calls he●e one and there one . ] Answ. The Reader may hence easily perceive , that Mr. B. might have understood , or rather did understand me well enough , that I meant it of the sort of Ministerial call , which he could learn by my speeches , that drive at it . But whether he heeded not my words at first when he wrote the questions , or whether he thought it best to make shew of not understanding , what he could not well answer , he hath chosen to pretend ambiguity where all was plain . But for what he sai●h , that the essential part of the Law or Covenant is not ceased , because God yet offers the Jews to be their God and them to be his people , he therein shews two mistakes : 1. That he makes that promise to be the essential part of the Covenant , as if God could not make a Covenant without it , which is false , the Covenant Gen. 9.9 , 10. with Phinehas , Numb . 25.12 , 13. with the Rechabites , Jer. ●5 . 19 . being without it . 2. That the Covenant did not cease because God still offers , which implies either the Covenant to be all on● with an offer , or that there is a Covenant when there is an offer , whereas there may be an offer yet no Covenant , and there may be a Covenant and yet no offer upon condition of consent , as Mr. B. means . But Mr. B. proceeds thus Let us therefore see what strength lies in these words . 1. What if all this were true ? is there the least colour for the consequence from hence ? It is as good a consequence to say , That when God judged Israel by Debora a woman , which before was judged by men , that then Israel ceased to be a Commonwealth , or the constitution of the Commonwealth was altered . O● when the Government was changed from Judges to Kings , that then the essential constitution of the Commonwealth was changed , and so all infants lost their standing in the Commonwealth ? What if the King inviting the guests to the marriage feast did first send one kind of Officer , and then another ; first a man , and then a child , and then a woman , doth it follow that the feast is therefore altered ? If first a man , and then a child , and then a woman be sent to call you to dinner , or to any imployment , or company , doth this change the nature of the company or imployment ? What if a Bishop call one man to the Ministery , and a Presbytery another , and the people a third , is not the Ministerial work and office still the same ? What if a Magistrate convert one man now , and a Minister another , and a woman a third , doth it follow that the Church or State that they are converted to is therefore not the same ? What a powerfull argument is here for a man to venture upon to unchurch all the infants in the world ? The efficient cause enters not the essence : or if it did , yet not every less principal inferiour cause , such as the Messenger or Minister of our call is : If you had proved that God had repealed his Law which is the Charter of Church membership , then you had said something , else you say nothing to the purpose . Answ. I neither attempted nor needed to prove the essence , nature , or essential constitution of the Jewish Church to be altered , and therefore if the different call I assign prove it not , yet what I was to prove , that the Church constitution in respect of the integral parts , and consequently of infants being included , is alt●red , might be , and indeed is firmly concluded from thence . For as Alsted . suppl . Chamier . de naturae Eccl. ch . 2. § . 3. The matter of the Church are men called , Mat. 20.16 . The form is the call it self , and that is either simple , that is , either extern●l onely , or internal onely ; or conjunct , that is , external and internal together . § . 7. The inward call is that in which God calls inwardly by his spirit : the outward , in which he calls outwardly by the ministery of the Church . And this is the call of the Church , which as it is the action of God calling , is in God himself ; but as it is received of the Church , is it's form : Or as Ames med . Th. l. 1. c. 31. § . 6 , 7. That first thing which in act constitutes the Church , is calling ; whence also it receives it's name and definition . For the Church is a company of men called , 1 Cor. 1.24 . with 10.32 . And Cameron in his praeiect . of the Church , in his definition of the Church , makes it to be a society of men called by the ministery of the word , and saith , called and believers are the same in Scripture . Mr. B. confes . of Faith , pag. 284. The Church is , Caetus vocatorum vel fidelium . If then infants be not called by the word , which is the onely way of calling into the Christian visible Church , nor believers , then they are no part of the visible Church Christian , and consequently the Church constitution is altered , and the Law of visible church membership of infants ( if there were such a Law ) is repealed . And this argument is powerfull enough ( if there were no more ) to venture upon to unchurch ( though I like not the expression ) all the infants of the world , that is , to prove none of them to be members of the visible Church Christian. That which Mr. B. objects , doth not invalidate the consequence . For the consequence is not grounded on this onely , that the Magistrate called then , and the Minister now ; then all together , now here one and there another : but on this , the Magistrate did it then by his authority , though without perswading one after another ; but in the Christian Church the Minister doth it by preaching the word , teaching and perswading one after another , as the word takes , and not by any commanding power , or outward force , or legislative , or coercive vertue . And this is sufficient to alter the constitution of the Church in this respect ; because if none be called but those that receive the word , and none be members of the Church but the called , and infants be uncapable thereof , they are not members of the visible Church Christian. And therefore Mr. Bs. frivolous questions all run upon the mistake which out of negligence he runs into , as his own words shew , as if I had argued onely from the different persons , and their different office , and not also from the different way , manner , or sort of call , whereas he acknowledgeth that my speeches do drive at this , that my meaning was of the species or sort of ministerial call ; and so I might answer them all negatively , and gra●t what he would have me , and yet my proof stands good . And for what he saith , that the ●fficient cause enters not the essence , I find to the contrary in Keckerm . syst . log . l. 1. par . 2. c. 2. That in the definition of accidents , the notion of distinction , or the difference is taken from the subject , efficient , end , and object . Yet this , if true , were nothing against me , who do not make the Messenger or Minister of our call of the essence of the Church , no nor of the existence , though the Apostles wo●ds ▪ Rom. 10.14 . speak near to it : But this is that which I hold , no person is ordinarily a member of the visible Church Christian , but who is called by the outward preaching of the word , who ever be the Messenger or Minister of the call ; and sith infants are not so called , they are not members of the visible Church Christian. Mr. B. adds , 2. I utterly deny that there is any more truth in the Antecedent then in the consequent ▪ God hath not altered the nature of the call in any substantial point , but in meer circumstances . Answ. What Mr. B. means by the nature of the call , and what points he makes in the call substantial , what near circumstances is not easie to tell , but that God hath so altered the Jewish Ch●rch call , as to exclude infants from the Christian visible Church is so apparent , that I know not how to conceive of the denial of it . but as a fruit of oppositeness without reason . For all the way that John Baptist , Christ , the Apostles and other teachers took and appointed to be taken for gathering the Christian visible Church , was by preaching the Gospel to all that would hear it , to make them disciples or believers , and so by baptism to joyn them to the Church . But that the Jewish Church call was different is apparent , in that there were no such teachers sent out to unite them , but that by the authority of the Magistrates , whether houshold or national they were imbodied . Rightly saith Mr. Hudson vindic . ch . 4. sect . 5. pag. 94. Gods method of conveying Church-priviledges used in the national Church of the Jews , being in populo Israelitico , must needs differ from the method in populo Catholico . And the same is true of Gods call . But what need we any other to shew the proper call of the Christian Church visible then Mr. B. himself , in his Saints Everlasting rest , part . 2. ch . 6. sect . 1. Edit . 1. pag. 223 , 224. he is so ample , and his words so plain , that I think if there were no more to shew his perverse stiffness in this thing it were enough . I will transcribe some passages . Consider in what way Christ spreads his Gospel : to bring men in from the world into his Church from Paganism , Turcism or Judaism to Christianity , he never gave the sword any such Commission ; he never levied an army to advance his dominion ; nor sent forth his followers as so many Commanders to subdue the Nations to him by force , and spare none that will not become Christians : He will have none but those that voluntarily list themselves under him : He sent out Ministers , and not Magistrates or Commanders to bring in the world . Can he say this of the Jewish Church , and their call ? But let 's view his wincings against the plain truth , and in some sort against his own light , though perhaps forgotten when he wrote this later book . It is , saith Mr. B. said , it was then by Magistrates and now by Ministers . I answer ; 1. What was by Magistrates ? the first call ? or all after ? For the first I know not which or when it was , let him that can tell , see that be prove it . I finde when Circumcision was first instituted in Abraham's family ; But nev●r when their Church-membership begun ; shall I dare to think that either Abraham or his family were no Church-members till they were circumcised ? Rom. 4. would confute me . Answ. Mr. B. saith he answers , but indeed puts questions to me to answer , and those impertinent . For though I could not tell him which was the first call , nor when the church-membership of Abrahams family begah , yet it might be true and proved , that the call of the Jewish Church was by the magistrate . But yet for clearing of the truth , I shall make some answer . 1. That I find God calling Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees , Gen. 12.1 . Acts 7.3 . Isa. 41.2 . and sundry times I find Abraham sacrificing to God , and God covenanting with him : Nor would I deny Abraham , Sarah , and those of his family who worshipped the true God , to have been visible church members before circumcision . 2. But yet I finde not the whole family of Abraham men women and children made a visible Church , by any act or ri●e which might be termed a Chur●h-call , whereby they were separated from all o●her people and united in a little nation unto God till the appointment of circumcision by God , and the performing of it by Abrahams authority . Now if Mr. B. could not tell which and when the Jewish Church call was , or the Jews childrens church-membership began , I think he is very unreasonable to require of me to shew a repeal of a thing which hee findes not when it began . But there is more of this wilde posing sc●ibling to be answered . 2. Saith he , suppose it were true that Abrahams family began then to be a Church ; ( which will never be proved ) yet did not God call them to Circumcision immediately ? What is this to a ministerial call ? Answ. 1. It will never be proved that any whole family , infants , servants , &c. were joyned in a little national Church as the Jewish before that time , there being no such covenant , and token of it till then . 2. God did immediately make his covenant with Abraham then and appoint circumcision , But the call of the Church was medlate , the revealing of the covenant , and the administring the token of it , whereby they were separated to be a people to God , being done by Abraham himself as the minister of this call . Yet we have more questions to answer . 3. Are you sure that which Abraham did in it was as a Magistrate ? and not as a Prophet ? nor Priest ? nor Master of family ? prove that if you can . Answ. It is easie to prove that what Abraham did was done not as a Prophet , nor Priest : for then it should have been the work of Prophets and of Priests to have circumcised : but as the Master of the family , or parent , and consequently as the Magistrate of that house . For I count a parent or master of a Family to be a Magistrate in a little compass . Yet more . 4. What was it that Abraham did ? He circumcised them when God had commanded ; And was circumcising the call ? then the infants in the Wilderness , nor the whole camp almost had no Church call ; And then the women had never any Church call . Answ. Circumcising was part of the call ; the declaration of God concerning Abrahams posterity , and his other providences separating the Israelites in the Wilderness and with them the women , as bringing them out of Aegypt , bringing them into Covenant , giving them Laws by Moses , &c. which reached to women and males uncircumcised , were also a part of the Church call . Yet again , What was it then that Abraham did more then now may be done ? If you say , he compelled them to be circumcised by violence without their consent , I deny it as a forgery ; And if he had done so by those at age , it had been no making them Church-members ; for their consent is absolutely necessary therto . If you say , Abraham by his interest and authority perswasion did win all at age in his family to consent ; dare you say , that every Master of a family and Magistrate ought not to do so now ? So that I cannot finde any more that Abraham did in this call then may now be done . Answ. I do not think Abraham did compel them by violence to be circumcised , I think it could hardly have been so done ; nor do I think Abraham did it as preachers do now , by reasons and proofs of thei● duty perswading them to it , and leaving it free to them to consent or not ; ( perhaps the time was too little to do it in , and not unlikely , Ishmael would have then refused , being a scoffer , and then thirteen years old : ) But he did it by his command , authority , and interest ; which if Magistrates and Masters of Families do use with perswasion to win persons to consent to the Gospel , they do what is commendable , and in some cases their duty : And if they win any , so they make them visible church-members by their preaching to them , not meerly by Authority as Abraham , who I think was bound to have circumcised by force if any had not yeilded to it , or else to have cut him off by that law which is Gen. 17.14 . And I hardly think Mr. B. will yield a Magistrate or Master of a family to do what Abrah●m did , to administer as they call it , the initial seal , whether it be circumcision or baptism . Yet were his conclusion yielded him , neither it nor any thing he hath s●id doth at all overthrow my position , which was , that the Christian Church call is by preaching , the Jewish , by the Mag●strates authority , and so different . Mr. B. goes on thus . And then for Moses what more did he ? did he make them members without their consent ? No , he sets before them life , and dea●h , blessing and cursing ; and bids them chuse which they would . Deut. 28 , 29 , & 30 , chapters . Doth he circumcise them ? No , not his own Son. Nor the infants forty years , nor the women at all . Doth he command them to obey the commands of God ? And should not every King and Magistrate do the like ? D●th he perswade them ? why , you know he was a Prophet ; and if he had not , yet sure he must do it as a King , and as a servant of God. Where then lies this peculiar call by the Magistrate ? I think by that time we have search● this to the quick , we shall finde the Magistracy less beholding to Mr. T. then was imagined . No wonder that he told the people in his pu●pit that it was Doctrine of a dangerous consequence which I delivered [ that Magistrates had their power from Christ the mediat●u● , and not onely from God as creatour ] I doubt by this arguing of his , that he will not allow the Magistrate to call all his people together ▪ and propound the Covenant of God to them , and command them to obey God. You finde not Moses by prison or fire forcing any man to consent : And if he had , you must have a little further work to prove that it was that which made them a Church , or that the Magistrates may not still do as much as was done herein then . Answ. Mr. B. herein doth most shamefully wrest my words and meaning : For whereas to shew the different call of the Jewish and Christian Church , I alledged onely matter of fact , that the one was by the Magistrates authority , the other by Ministers preaching the Gospel , which could not take in infants ; Mr. B. wrests my speech as if I had said , Magistrates might not do what Moses then did , and goes about to insinuate , as if the Magistracy were less beholding to me then were meet ; and endeavours to encrease the suspicion of my lessening his power by my Doctrine in the Pulpit at Bewdley . But of my judgement in this thing , I ha●e given account in the same Pulpit on occasion of the Swearing of the Magistrate there on Rom. 13.4 . in these Positions . 1. That all power is committed to Christ to manage as Mediator , Mat. 28.18 . Joh. 5.22 , 27. 1 Cor. 15.24 . And consequently , what they do for or against the Church , it is from Christ enabling or permitting even as Mediator . 2. That Magistrates as well as others are subject to , and are to yeeld obedience to Christs commands as he is Mediator , Mat. 17.5 . Act. 3.22 . 3. That they have power & authority in many things which concern the Church of God , and are bound to use their power for Christ , and his Church , so far as their power extends , 1 Tim. 2.1 , 2. And in this sence it is that Christ exerciseth some of his Government by Magistracy under him , as also by Parents and Husbands , Ephes. 6.4 . But I conceive it a business of much difficulty , to set the right bounds of their power Many things few or none but Papists restrain them in , as the calling of Assemblies , judging of Ecclesiastical persons for civil crimes , ordering the maintenance , and estates of such persons , with many more such things as are to be done circa Ecclesiam , not in Ecclesia : On the other side , few or none but Erastians allow them power in the Church , so as to act as civil Magistrates in that which is by special commission appointed to proper Officers , viz. the preaching of the Gospel , administring the peculiar Rites of the Christian Church , ordination of Elders , government by Ecclesiastick censures , and such like things . The chiefest difficulty hath been , how far they are to use their power for making men profess Christianity , accept of Teachers , punishing of Hereticks and excommunicate persons , and such like acts , in which f●r the most part Magistrates by instigation of Popish Priests , Prelates , and others , have much miscarried , and been unhappy instruments of much oppression . Yet for my part I do not deny altogether their power about such things as these , especially if they go no further then what Mr. B. here speaks of , the commanding them to obey Gods commands , propounding the Covenant of God to them , restraining pernicious ▪ Teachers , and go upon very sure grounds , that they urge nothing but what is certainly Gods command , or agreeable to it , nor punish or restrain men for that which is questionable whether it be an errour , or pernicious . But this I hold , should a Magistrate as Moses did , by his authority , upon fears or hopes , or other compliance , draw all the people of the Land into a Covenant , to engage themselves and posterity to be Christians , yet this would not make the whole Nation to be a Christian Church , the infants visible church-members , capable of Baptism , sith Christ hath not appointed this way , but another , to wit , by preaching the Gospel to call his Church , and the preachers of it to baptize believers so called . 4. I say , that a civil Magistrate is not an Officer of Christ as Mediator , sith he hath no new Commission from him as the Apostles , John 20.21 . and others , Ephes 4.11 . And I conceive to hold the affirmative is of dangerous consequence : it will follow , 1. That a civil Magistrate is bound to produce a further commission from Christ as mediator , besides the appointmen of God as creatour , which I neither think Mr. B. hath shewed , nor can shew . 2. That he who shews commission from Christ as mediator to rule , hath the authority of a civil Magistrate , which puts both Swords into Elders hands . 3. That if a civil Magistrate be an Officer of Christ as mediator , he is in the Church , in which alone Christ as mediator sets Officers ; and then he must be a Christian or no Magistrate , yea , a church member , and then he hath rule in the Church , and power to do Ecclesiastical acts . 4. Then dominion is founded in grace , which it seems Mr. B. holds . Praefestin . Mor. sect . 19. as most certain that it is founded in the grace of redemption and universal ; and brings for it plain Scrip. proof , &c. pag. 229. Rom. 14.9 . which v. 8. shews plainly to be meant onely of those that live and die to him , and are his own peculiar people ; and the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes not such a Lordship as is over enemies , as Devils , and children of perdition by power and force ; but such a Lordship as is with property over them as his possession , to whom he hath right as his own , 1 Cor. 6. ●0 . such as a wife , an obedient child , or servant . The other Texts prove ●ut my first Position . The Reader I presume will pardon this excursion , being necessitated by Mr. Bs. frequent and continued mal●gnant suggestions , tending to make me accounted an adversary to Magistracy . I now return to the point in hand . And in answer to Mr. Bs. demand , I say , the peculiar call of the Church of the Jews by Moses the Magistrate was , in his bringing them out of Aegypt , into the Covenant at mount Sinai , setling them under Laws , Priesthod , Government , whereby they were fashioned or established as a national Church . But in the Christian Church , the Apostles and other holy Teachers did gather , and fashion , and establish the Church Christan by preaching of the word , without such a way of authority and power as Moses exercised . It is true he did as we read , Deut. 30.19 . but not so as the Apostles , who when the Gospel was refused exercised no power over the refusers ; for Moses would suffer none to live in the Commonwealth of Israel who did not own the God of Israel , and if they worshipped an Idol he put them to death . Mr. B. adds . 5. This argument , if good , would help the Seekers to prove that we have no Church on earth , because not called by Apostles , and so the Church . Constitution taken down , and none by God substituted . Let them that have better eys then I find out this peculiar church-making call ▪ for I cannot . Answ. My argument , the Church call is altered from the way of making the Jewish Church by Abra●ams and Moses authority , into the perswasive way of begetting faith by Ministers preaching the Gospel , therefore the Church constitution is altered , doth not help Seekers , except it be acknowledged , there is no Church now by Ministers preaching the Gospel , but by meer authority of Magistrates , which was heretofore the objection of Papists against the English churches , b●t refelled by Protestants , Jewel , &c. For I do not appropriate the Church call to the Apostles , or men who could speak that which was meerly , wholly , undoubtedly , insite , implantedly the word of God , as Borelius spake ; but to the preaching of the Gospel by any Minister of Christ , or other instrument , whereby faith is begotten , and whereby a●one the Christian visible Church and all its members were called , in a different way from the Jewish Church call ; which if Mr. B. do not see to have been the Christian peculiar church making call , after his wr●ting in his Saints everl . rest , par . 2. ch . 6. sect . 1. it seems he will not see i● , and then wee may apply to him the Proverb , Who so blinde as hee that will not see ? Mr. B. passeth on thus . Well , But may it not yet lie in the second point [ that they were all taken in to be a Church in one day ? ] Answ. 1. What day was that ? I would Mr. T. could tell me He saith Moses did it : but that 's no truer then the rest . For sure they were a Church before Moses time . Did they begin to be a Church in the Wilderness ? or did Moses onely express the Covenant to them more fully , and cause them oft to renew the Covenant , and so onely confirm them a Church ? was not the circumcised seed of Abraham a Church in Aegypt ? and was the uncircumcised Host onely in the Wilderness the Church ? This is excellent arguing . Answ. This is excellent answering , not to deny what is objected , but to propound cross interrogatories . Suppose I could not assign the day , is not the thing true ? But that Mr. B. may not lose his longing , I tell him it was when Abraham circumcised his house , Gen. 17.23 . When Moses made a Covenant with them in Horeb , Deut. 29.1 . If I say Moses did it , I say but what the Scripture doth , Deut. 33.4 , 5. nor doth it want of tru●h if it be no truer then the rest . It is not true Israel had their Church call from Moses , for sure they were a Church before Moses time ; this is Mr. Bs. excellent arguing . As if the seed of Abraham , a fluent being , consisting of a succession of people , might not have one Church call in one age , another in another ; one by Abraham , another by Isaac , another by Jacob , another by Moses . Doth not Mr. B. himself , pag. 122. tell us , that Moses did cause them oft to enter and renew the Covenant ? I do not say they began to be a Church in the wilderness , or that the seed of Abraham was not a Church in Aegypt , or onely in the wilderness : But this I say , the Church call of that people was oft in several ages by the authority of the several Patriarchs and Rulers , as God saw it needfull to bring them into Covenant , for better fashioning , establishing , or recovering the Church fallen , but for the most part by the authority of Rulers ; or if by a Prophet , in an extraordinary manner , as Elijahs days , 1 Kin. 18. and that not by the way used in the Christian Church , by a daily adding to the Church , and multiplying it by preaching , as Acts 2.47 . & 6.1 . but by authority calling the whole nation and people together into Covenant at once . Again saith Mr. B. But Abraham took all his family to be a Church in one day , you will say . I answer . First , It is not proved when they began to be a Church . Repl. Nor needs it . 2 ly . And would not Mr. T. now have a whole family made a Church in a day ? Is that his charity ? Repl. Yes , and the whole world , if it seemed good to God : But we find not that he doth so , or gives us any rule or president for us to do so , in the constitution of the visible Church Christian , any otherwise then by preaching the Gospel to them , and baptizing Disciples or believers , Mat. 28.19 . Mark 16.15 , 16. And sure my charity must not be my rule about the use of Gods Ordinances , but my Lord and Masters appointment . 3 ly . Saith Mr. B. And what of it had been true if the whole Kingdome ? either it was with their c●nsent , or without : without their consent they could not be made church-members ; for they could not enter into Covenant with G●d . Answ. If this be true , then no infants are church-members . And though it were true , that none could enter into Covenant with God who is of age without his consent , ( which seems to me otherwise , ) yet the consent obtained meerly by the authority of Masters or Governours , through fear or hopes without teaching , and free acceptance of Christ upon the preaching of the Gosp●l , doth not make a visible member of the Christian Church , however it did in the Jewish . I do not think the Americans forced to be baptized by Spaniards , or other people by the conquests of Charls the Great , and other Christian Princes , afore they knew Christ by teaching made Christians , were such , though there was some consent out of fear of loss of life or liberty if they were not . Mr. B. adds . And never was any such thing attempted . Even Joshua treads in Moses steps , and bids them chuse whether they will serve the Lord or not . Jos. 24. Answ. Whether Abraham had the free consent of all his house to enter into Covenant with the Lord , or whether he did circumcise some and take them to his Family Church without their consent , is uncertain : However , if Abraham had a slave refractory , which he was loath to lose , yet he must circumcise him against his will , because of the command with the penalty , Gen. 17.12 , 13 , 14. And in the circumcising the Sichemites what was done and attempted is known . Neither Moses , nor Joshua did so leave it to the Jews liberty , but that they would have cut off from the people by death any that refused to acknowledge God ; or that set up an Idol . Asa's Covenant was of putting to death whosever would not seek the Lord God of Israel , 2 Chron. 15.13 . Whereas there is no such Law in the Christian Church , that whoever shall not believe in Christ shall be put to death . Yet further saith Mr. B. And it being with their consent that the nation were church members , may not the like be done now ? What , may not any or all the nations of the world be added to the Church , if they will consent , and enter the Covenant ? Answ. Yes , they may , so many as upon knowledge of Christ do freely consent to receive him in all nations : But infants , natural fools , mad-men in their fits , are neither fit to consent , nor to be members in the Christian visible Church , no nor such ignorant people as do not competently know the Christian faith . Mr. B. adds . What then is this making them a Church in one day that Mr. T. so cloudily talks of ? If he say , it is that then the infants were taken in : I answer , that is to prove the same by the same , or else to argue circularly : As to say , their Church call did take in infants , therefore the taking in of infants was peculiar to their Church call ; this begs the question : Or to say , their Church constitution is ceased , because their Church call is ceased ; or , their Church call consisting in the taking in of infants is ceased , therefore their Church constitution is ceased ; and that Church constitution is ceased , therefore the taking in of infants is ceased . This arguing is like their cause . Answ. I have sundry times told Mr. B. that the call in one day of the whole nation was by Abrahams authori●y , Gen. 17. and by Moses , Exod. 19 &c. otherwise then in the Christian visible Church , which was by a daily addition of believers out of several families , cities , and nations , by preaching to them the Gospel . And how my arguing is framed without begging the question , or any circle , is before shewed . And the [ call in one day ] I mean● of Abrahams and Moses act , whether the hearts of the whole nation were bowed to consent to take the Lord for their God , or no. I neither envy nor deny the enlarging of the Church by Christ , nor do I think the converting or taking in more or less makes an alteration in the nature of the Church call or constitution ; but a call by preaching the Gospel makes an alteration in the Christian visible Church call and constitution from the Jewish , sufficient to exclude infants from Christian visible church-membership . But Mr. B. clamours thus against me . And what means Mr. T. to talk of here one and there one ? To speak so contemptuously in such disparaging language of the Kingdome and Gospel of Christ ? Is not the wonderfull success of the Gospel one of our strong arguments for the truth of the Gospel and our Christian Religion ? And it seems Mr. T. will give this away to the Pagans , rather then admit infants to be members of the Church . Answ. I mean to speak as , the Holy Ghost speaks , 1 Cor. 1.26 27 , 28 , 29. James 2.5 , 6. Rev. 5.9 . and as by the Histories Ecclesiastical may be made apparent , which rashly Mr. B calls speaking contemptuously in disparaging language of the Kingdome and Gospel of Christ , as he formerly did my denial of infant Baptism accusing of my own children . Nor by my saying is the argument for the truth of the Gospel and Christian Religion a whit infringed . For the force of the argument is not from hence , that whole nations , cities , houses were converted by the Gospel ; but that though the persons were contemptible who preached , their Doctrine likely to affright men , without arms ▪ against opposition of great ones , there was so great success over the world as to conv●●t so great numbers , though few in comparison of the rest , even in most barbarous countreys , from their long accustomed idolatry to embrace a crucified Lord. Yet saith Mr. B. Was it but here one and there one when three thousand were converted at once , and five thousand afterwards ? and many myriads or ten thousands even of the Jews that continued zealous of the Law did believe ? Acts 2.41 . & 4.4 . & 21.20 . besides all Gentiles ? Was it but here one and there one , when all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron turned to the Lord , both men and women , Acts 9 35. and all that dwelt at Samaria , Acts 8. Answ. It was but here one and there one as I meant it . 1. It was not any whole nation or city , and perhaps few whole housholds , sure I am not one infant in any of the places . For in Acts 2.41 . they who were baptized gladly received the word ; and Acts 4.4 . they heard the word and believed ; and Acts 21.20 . they believed and were zealous of the Law ; Acts 9.35 . they saw it , and turned to the Lord ; Acts 8.2 . they believed Philip. 2. These three thousand , five thousand , ten thousands inhabitants might , and li●ely were but one out of one house , and another out of another house : As God had much people in Corinth , Acts 18.10 . yet but few housholds , the Husband a believer , the Wife an unbeliever ; the Servant a believer , not the Master , 1 Cor. 7.11 , 12 , 16 , 21. So many miriads might be , yet but here one and there one , considering that Jerusalem , especially at the Feasts , was full of people ; an● that the myriads are not restrained to Jerusalem , but ●ight be in Judaea , or perhaps in remoter parts . It is evident that the number of Christians was not able to match the Persecuters , and that even in Jerusalem : Yea , it is said , Acts 21.30 . that all the city was moved against Paul , and the people ran together , all Jerusalem was in an uproar , v. 31. much ado the souldiers had to rescue him from the multitude , v. 35. even at that time when the myriads are said to have been of believing Jews , v. 20. The Texts Acts 9 35. & 8.12 . say not as Mr. B. that all that dwelt at Samaria believed , nor all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron both men and women , but those that turned to the Lord , as is shewed Sect. 50. before . Yet more . Let him shew me when three thousand Jews were made church-members in a day , if he can , before Christs time : I say , if he can , let him shew it me . Sure ever since Abrahams time ( and I doubt not but before too ) they were added to the Church by one and one as they were born . Answ. If I cannot shew it Mr. B. gains nothing , my assertion , that the Jewish nation were a Church together in one day by Magistrates authority , the Christian Church was gathered by Apostles a●d others preaching whereby one was made here one day , another there a believer another day , not a na●ion , city , nor always a house together , stands good . But sith M. B. wil allow me so much favour as to shew him any thing , me thinks he should not deny that more then three thousand were made church-members in one day , Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. And if in the time of Solomons reign , when Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude 1 Kin. 4.20 . three thousand were born in one day , by Mr. Bs. own grant there were three thousand added to the Church in one day . Yet again saith Mr. B. And I have shewed you before , that Christ sendeth his messengers to disciple all nations : It is a base exposition that shall say he means onely , Go and disciple me here one and there one out of all nations , and no more . Answ. And what childish vanity , if not worse , he hath shewed in his ridiculous including infants to be discipled in that commission , is shewed before in the second Part of this Review , Sect. 12. &c. If it be a base exposition which he sets down , it is base dealing if he set it down as mine exposition : who yeeld that their commission was to disciple all of a nation who could be discipled , though it is true that they could not do it to a whole nation in a day as Moses did ; and in the event they discipled but here one and there one in a house for the most part . Yet more saith Mr. B. And what means that in Revel . 11.15 . Are not these Kingdomes added to the Church as well as Israel ? I answer , That it means not as Mr. B. imagines , that the whole people of Kingdomes shall become Christs visible Church , but the rule or dominion of them shall be his , as the close of the v. and ch 12.10 . shew , which makes nothing for Mr. B. as will appear by ex●minining his frivolous arguing , ch . 13. Yet again saith Mr. B. like a brave Goliath , And are not all professors of Christianity in England , as truly in the Church as all in Israel were ? I challen●e any to answer me herein , and undertake to make it good against them ( as far as will stand with modesty to challenge ) whatsoever any Separatist ( commonly called Independents ) or Anabaptists may say to the contrary ; ( for I have pretty well tried the strength of their arguing in this . ) And I have pretty well tried Mr. Bs. strength in disputes , and find it small though his words be big . I do not answer to the name of a Separatist or Anabaptist , they are Mr. Bs. abusive language of me . Let Independent Paedobaptists answer it as they please . I th●nk if they will baptize infan●s from the rule of circumcision and the Jewish-Church-state , they must assert a national Church , admit all that avo●ch themselves Christians to breaking of Bread , and their infant males to Baptism . And I conceive Presbyterians by the grounds they maintain Paedobaptism are debarred from keeping the ignorant and scandalous from the Lords Supper ; and though I challenge not as Mr. B. yet presume I shall make both good in their season . As for the present question of Mr. B. I grant it , and then I hope we shall not fight about it . Yet I t●ll Mr. B. I do not take all for professors of Christ●anity whom perhaps Mr. B. doth , nor do I think Mr. B. can find me one professor of Christianity among all the infants in England . Yet a little further , s●ith Mr. B. Either Mr. T. by [ Church call ] means that which was the means of entring infants , or men at a●e or somewhat common to both . The Jews did all enter into the Church as members in infancy , even they that deferred Circumcision till forty years old , and the women that were not circumcised . And what call had these infants that cannot understand a call ? Answ. The Church call of the Jewish nation or family of ●braham , was by his authority , in a way common to men of age and infants : Abraham and his house were by circumcision and declaring Gods Covenant formed into a visible Church , and accordingly all that were born of Abraham , and all that were taken into his house while they continued in that Family or Nation , were of that Church . And this way of Church call , by bringing into the bond of the Covenant the whole Nation , infants , servants , men and women together , was by the authority of Moses renewed at mount Horeb , and in the land of Moab , Deut. 29.1 . though circumcision were deferred for a time . And this call was of the infants , though not by themselves apart , yet conjunctly with the whole Nation , the chief representing the rest , Exod. 19.7 . Deut. 29.10 . and among them the infants , who might as well understand a call as a Covenant , into which Mr. B. contends they did enter . Mr. B. adds . The Proselytes , who were made Church-members at age , were first converted to God , and professed the true Religion , and so brought in their children with them : They were converted not all in a day , but by times ; not onely by Moses , or succeeding Magistrates , but chiefly by Priests or Levites , or zealous people , or by what way or means God was pleas●d to use for that end . I did int●eat Mr. T. to shew me any material difference between the call of these Prosely●es into the Church in all ages till Christ , and the call of us Gentiles into the Church : And truly he gave me an answer of meer words for a put off , ( wherein he hath a notable faculty , ) which I can find no weight nor sence in , nor am I able to tell what he would say to it ; nor can I conceive what possibly can be said of any moment . And as Camero well noteth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is now used in the Church as it were in the place of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : Discipling new to us , is as Proselyting was to them . So that you see now what this Church call is which he layeth so great a weight on , and how much in the main it differeth from ours . Answ. When that time was that Mr. B. made this request to me , and what imperfect answer it was which I gave him , I do not well remember : I guess it was when I had conference with him alone , Jan. 25. 1649. in his chamber , when he drew me to a conference with him , pretendi●g friendliness ; but ( as the event shewed , having Jan. 15. before , when I suspe●●ed no such dealing , written his abusive Epistle before his Saints everlasting rest , in which he falsly accused me and proclaimed his driving me to absurdities in the Dispute , Jan. 1. ) drew from me what he could ●or his advantage , and then printed it in this Book , without my revising my answers , or his acquainting me with his printing them , or rightly according as they were printing them , as may be perceived by this Review ; and mocking me with this fraudulent trick , when I expected according to his promise to see his arguments written from some of his own or my auditors to whom he would communicate them . But leaving him to the Lord , I shall now give a plain answer to his demand . Proselytes were of two sorts , 1. Of the gate , as Cornelius , ow●ing the God of Israel , but not joyning to the Church and policy of Israel . These were not of the Jewish Church visible , though they were of the Church invisible of true believers , and of the Church visible universal of professors of the true God : For they were accounted unclean , and shunned by the Jews , Acts 10.28 . & 11.2 , 3. Their calling I conceive was as ours is , by the word of God made known to them ; nor do I find that infants were any part of the Church of them , whether domestick as in Cornelius house , Acts 10.2 . or congregational , of which I find not an instance , nor of any rites or discipline they had . 2. Of righteousness , who were made such partly by perswasion as Mat. 23.15 . and so far their call agrees with our call , and the other sort of Proselytes , partly by entring them into the Jewish Church , by Baptism , Circumcision , and an Offering , and with them wives and children ; and this was done by authority of Elders imposing on them the precepts of Moses Law , and acting according to rules of their own . In which how much their Church call differs from ours is shewed in the 2d . Part of this Review , sect . 24. in answer to Dr. Hammond . Now though they were joyned to the Jewish Church one after-another , and the infants of the Jews as they were born ; yet the Jewish-Church , whether at the first erection , or after estab●ishing , were constituted of the whole Family and Nation together by the authority of Abraham and Moses differently from the call of the Christian Church visible in so material a point as excludes infants from church-membership , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which thing I was to demonstrate . Mr. B. goes on thus . But yet one other argument Mr. T. ha●h to prove the Church constitution altered , and consequently infants now cast out , or their church membership repealed : And that is this ; They were to go up three times a year to the Temple ; they had their Sanedrim , and High Priest : Now he appealeth to all , whether these be not altered : And therefore the Church constitution must needs be altered ; and so infants put out . Answ. My argument is this , If that which had the same reason with infants church-membership be altered , then infants church membership is altered : But that which had the same reason with infants visible church-membership is altered , Ergo. The consequence is made good by the rule of Logick , Where there is the same reason of things , there is to be the same judgement . De paribus idem est judicium . The minor is proved thus . The High Priest , Sanhedrim , repair to their Feasts , had the same reason with infants visible church membership : But they are altered , Ergo. The major is proved thus . Infants church membership was no where but in the Jewish Church , we read of it no where else , nor upon any other reason but their being part of the Nation , which God had made his Church ; they were visible church members upon no profession of their own , nor from any general determination of God , Law or Ordinance that the children should be reckoned of his Church with the parents in any countrey whatsoever , there being no such Law ; but meerly from hence , because he would have the Nation of Israel to be his fixed people out of whom the Messiah should come , and so a National Church till then . And for the same reason he would have one High Priest , Temple , repair thither at solemn Feasts , a Sanhedrim , their genealogies kept , their possessions by lot , &c. But all these are altered now , the Church is not National , no one High Priest , Temple , Sanhedrim , &c. therefore neither infants visible Church-membership , which had the same reason and no other . What saith Mr. B. Alas , miserable Cause that hath no better arguments ! are any of these essential to their Church constitution ? How came there to be so strict a conjunction between Priesthood , Temple , Sanhedrim , &c. as that the Church must needs fall when they fall ? may it not be a Church without these ? Answ. Alas miserable Cause that hath no better answers ! Is infants church-membership essential to Church constitution ? How came there to be so strict a conjunction between the Church and their membership , as that the Church must needs fall when they fall ? may●it not be a Church without these ? If the Temple , &c. might be altered , and and were , because no● essential to the Church ; infants Church-membership did cease too , which was no more essential then those , and which hath been proved to have the same reason with these , to wit , Gods making his Church National out of which the Messiah was to come . Hitherto nothing is indeed answered , and what is said is retorted . The rest is according to Mr. Bs. vein of frivolous putting impertinent questions to me . I would intreat Mr. T. or any Christian who hath the least good will to truth lest in him , considerately to answer me to these . 1. Was not the Jewish people a Church before they had either a Temple , or Sanhedrim , or High Priest , or any of the ceremonies of the Law of Moses ? Ans. I think not : there was no time they were a Church , but they had a Priest , an Altar , Sacrifices , distinction of clean and unclean beasts , &c. Were they not a Church in Aegypt , and in the families of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob ? Ans. They were . 2. Did the adding of these Laws and ceremonies take down any former part of the Church ? Ans. No. Or did every new ceremony that was added make a new Church , or constitution of the Church ? Ans. No. 3. If the adding of all these ceremonies did not make a new Church , or overthrow the old , why should the taking of them away overthrow it ? Ans. Who saith it doth ? 4. If the Jews Church constitution before Moses time was such as took in infants , why not after Moses time ? Ans. Who denies it ? Or if infants were Church-members long before either Temple , or Sanedrim , or High Priest , &c. Why may they not be so when these are down ? why must they needs fall with them when they did not rise with them ? Ans. Because if they did not rise with them at the same time , yet they were erected upon the same foundation , the Jewish National Church , as the walls fall with the roof , though they rise not together , because they rest on the same foundation . 5. And if the very specifical nature of their Church be taken down , then men are cast out , and women too , as well as children . Ans. I say not the specifical nature of their Church was taken down , but the particular Church constitution Jewish altered ; and I grant it , that men and women under the consideration as they were in the Jewish Church , are left out ( I will not say cast out , for they were never in ) of the Christian visible Church as well as children . If it be said that Christ hath appointed men and women to be church members anew , I answer , What man can imagine that Christ first repealed the Ordinance that men and women should be members of the Church , and then set it up anew ? Ans. And what man can imagine otherwise who reads the New Testament , but that ( if there were such an Ordinance that men and women being Jews by birth should be members of the Jewish Church ) Christ repealed it , when neither John Baptist , nor Christ , nor his Apostles admitted any Jew because a Jew into the Christian Church by Baptism , without his personal faith and repentance ? Mr. B. saith . I will wast no more time in confuting such slender arguments , but shall willingly leave it to the judgement of any understanding unbyassed man , whether Mr. T. have well proved that God repealed his Ordinance , and revoked his mercifull gift , that some infants shall be Church members . Answ. It is my burthen that I must waste more time in refuting such empty scriblings as these , containing questions , and those not touching the argument , instead of answers ; and I leave it to the Students of Divinity in the Universities , and else-where , who are understanding unbyassed men ( if there be any ) yea to any that have studied Logick , to judge whether I have not proved a repeal of his pretended Ordinance , after I have added some more proof out of the New Testament in the next Section , and answered his Letters to me , to which I hasten . SECT . LII . It is proved , that infants were not reckoned to the visible Church Christian in the primitive times , nor are now . 1. I Thus argue , If no infants were part of the visible Church Christian in the primitive times , then what-ever Ordinance there were of their visible church membership before , must needs be repealed . But the antecedent is true , Ergo the consequent . The consequent of the major I think will not be denied : For supposing there were infants even of Christians , and an Ord●nance before , that the infants of the godly should be visible church members , and yet no part or members ; then it must needs be from the revocation of that Ordinance , if there were such a one . Now that the antecedent is true , I prove thus . If in all the days of Christ on earth , and the Apostles , no infant was a part or member of the visible Church Christian , then not in the primitive times : For the primitive times of the Christian Church go no further , though I think I might extend my proof somewhat further . But the antecedent is true , Ergo. That no infant was a part or member of the visible Church Christian in the dayes of Christ and his Apostles on earth , is proved by these arguments . 1 All visible members of the Church Christian were to be baptised . This is often asserted by Mr. B. plain Scrip. proof , &c. pag. 25. The whole Church must be sanctified by the washing of water , pag ▪ 342. As the whole Church is one body , and hath one Lord , and one faith , so it hath one common baptism . And he alledgeth 1 Cor. 12.13 ▪ Eph. 5.25 , 26. Eph. 4.5 . out of which this proposition may be proved . But no infants were to be baptised . This is proved at large in the 2d . part of this Review Sect. 5 , &c. Therefore no infants were visible members of the Christian Church . 2. They were not visible members of the Church Christian who were not of the visible body of Christ. This is proved from Mr. Bs. words plain Script . &c. pag. 25. The body 1 Cor. 12.13 . is the visible Church . pag. 342. As the whole Church is one body &c. pag 39. What is the Church ? Is it not the body of Christ ? The same he confirms pag. 60.318 . from 1 Cor. 12.13 . which he proves to be meant of the visible Church , and it is affirmed by the Apostle Col. 1.24 . Ephes. 1.22 , 23. that the Church is the body of Christ , and so the visible Church is his visible body . But no infant was of the visible body of Christ. This is proved 1. from 1 Cor. 12.13 . all that were of the body were made to drink into one spirit , namely in the cup of the L●rds supper . Diodati annot . in locum hanc rationem confirmat testimonio baptismi & caenae dominicae piscat . analys . 1 Cor. 12.13 . Arg. 9. Sacramento baptismi & caenae dominicae omnes fideles connectuntur . Dicson expos . Anal. 1 Cor. 12.13 . ut utri usque Sacramenti unus scopus & idem etiam esse intelligatur , Beza annot . in 1 Cor. 12.13 . Calicem quoq●e Domini in hanc spem bibimus . Grot. annot . in locum . But no infant was made to drink into one spirit , for none of them did drink the cup in the Lords supper , Ergo. 2. From 1 Cor. 10.17 . All that were one body and one bread , did partake of that one bread which was broken v. 16. But no infant did partake of that one bread , if they did they must do so still & ▪ be admitted to the Lords supper , Ergo. 3. From Ephes. 4.5 . The whole Church is one body , and hath one Lord and one faith . Mr. B. plain Script . &c. pag. 342. But no infant hath one faith , Ergo. 3. They were no members of the visible Church , who were left out of the number of the whole Church , all the believers , the multitude of the disciples in all the places where there is an enumeration of the members of the Church , or mention of the whole Church , the number of believers or disciples in the new Testament . But infants are left out of that number in all places in the new Testament , Ergo. The major is evident of it self . For as we know who was in the church by their mention , so we know who were not by their being left out in those passages , which make an enumeration or reckoning of all , there being no other way to know who were in or out ; and if this be not true , the speeches are false which mention all , the whole , the multitude , as the full number if they were not so . The minor is also proved from those texts where such enumeration is mentioned . Acts 1.15 . Peter is said to stand up in the mids of the disciples , and that the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty ▪ and in the verses before are reckoned the Apostles with the women , Mary the mother of Jesus and his brethren , and they are said to continue in one accord in prayer and supplication . Here I conceive is an enumeration of the disciples or church that then was at Jerusalem visible . Dr. Lightfoot in his Com. on Acts 15. saith , the believers at Jerusalem no doubt were many hundreds if not thousands at this time ; though we read of no Converts in this book till the next chapter . For what fruit or accompt can else be given of all Christs preaching and pains bestowed in that city ? Let but Joh. 2.23 . & 3.2 . & 4.1 . & Mar. 3.8 . & Joh. 7.31 . & 8.30 . & 11.28 , 45. & 12.19 , 42. and divers other places be well weighed , and it will be utterly unimaginable that there should be less believers in Jerusalem now then many hundreds , much more unimaginable that these one hundred and twenty were all , who were all Galileans , and no inhabitants of Jerusalem at all . The like is the arguing of the Assembly in their answer to the Dissenters , pag. 66. Nevertheless it seems not improbable to me , considering the narration all along ●he chapter , that v. 4 , 6. they are said to come together , go to mount Olivet , and then to return to Jerusalem , and their action noted with special notice of some , v. 13 , 14. and then next , v 15. that Peter stood up in the mids of the Disciples , that this enumeration of 120 is not an enumeration onely of men of note , but of all the disciples of Christ then at Jerusalem , me thinks the terming of Peter a Galilean , Mark 14.70 . doth intimate few of the Hierosolymitans were disciples of Christ ; Christs preaching most in Galilee , his directing them to go into Galilee where they should see him , Matth. 26.32 . Mark 16.7 . the disciples shut●in● the doors and assembling at evening for fear of the Jews , Joh. 20.19 . do shew that most of ●he disciples were Galileans , few of Jerusalem ; specially when all the disciples forsook Christ and fled , Matth. 26.56 . the shepheard being smitten and the sheep scattered , v. 31. H●wever the enumeration being of disciples , and the women being reckoned with them , and not their children , nor the actions of prayer , &c. such as are to bee ascribed ●o infants , it is evident that infants were not then countted among the disciples , and consequen●ly not counted for visible members of the Christian Church . Acts 2.1 . They are said to be all with one accord in one place . The Assembly ubi suprà alledgeth reasons why they all should be meant of the Apostles onely , but not cogent . For 1. the narration doth not any more limit the words Act. 2.1 . by Acts 1.26 then by v. 15. 2. not onely the Apostles , but o●hers were filled with the holy Ghost women as well as men , v. 17. Acts 4.31 . & 6.5 . 3. though they were Galile●ns that spake v. 7. yet it proves not the [ all ] v. 1. to be Galileans . 4. the mention is of the Apostles v. 14 , 37 , 42. not to shew that it was a meeting of the Apost●es onely , but because they were the leaders and chief actors in that Church . And that the meeting was of the whole Church at Jerusalem then , is proved from v. 41. th●s , The meeting was of them to whom the three thousand souls were added ; But they were added to the Church v. 47. not onely to the Apostles , or teachers . For then the sense should be , that that 3000 should be added to the teachers , and so many more teachers added : whereas they are said to continue in the Apostles doctrine v. 42. by their profession of it , the Apostles teaching an● not the● . And hence I gather , that not one infant was reckoned to the Church , because the [ all ] v. 1. are said to bee together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with one accord , or one minde and consent , which is not to be said of infants . From Acts 2.41 . I further argue , The Church did then consist of such persons onely as were of like sort with those who were added to it , which must be granted except it be said , the added and those who were added were of different sorts . But of those who were added there was no one infant . This is proved from the words v. 42 , 43. that they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship , and in breaking of bread and in prayers , and fear came upon every soul , v. 41. they gladly received the word , which cannot be said of infants ; therefore no infant was reckoned then a● a part or member of the visible Church Christian. Again v. ●4 . the whole Church is meant by all that believed , who are said to be together ▪ to have all things●common , sold and imparted their possessions , continued with one accord in the temple , brake bread from house to house , eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart , praised God , had ●avour with all the people , v. 45 , 46 , 47. which cannot be said of infants , therefore no infants were then reckoned as parts or members of the Christian visible Church . Again Acts 4.4 . it is said , many of them which heard the word believed , and the number of the men was about five thousand . That this is an enumeration of the whole Church then at Jerusalem , is more probable the● that it is an enumeration onely of the newly added ; however the addition being of the same sort of persons with those to whom they were added , and no one infant reckoned to the Church , but all men , that heard the word and believed , it is clear that in the number of the christians or disciples infants were not reckoned , and consequently no visible church members then . V. 23 , 24. Peter and John are said to go to their own company , and to report to them the speech of the chief Priests and Elders , and then upon hearing they lift vp their voice with one accord to God , v. 31. to pray , to be assembled together , to be filled with the holy Ghost , to speak the word God with boldness ; and the Church is called v. ●2 . the multitude of them who believed , to be of one heart and one soul. All which shew , that the Church consisted of a company of praying people , of a multitude of believers , which is not to be said of infants , therefore they were no visible church members then . Acts 5.11 . it is said , And great fear came upon all the Church , and upon as many as heard these things . Here the whole church is mentioned as contradistinguished fr●m the many that heard these things . But no one infant was a member of the Church , sith none was capable of the great fear that came upon all the Church from the notice of Ananias and Saphira's death , therefore they were not then church-members . V. 13 ▪ 14. They who were magnified by the people , who were joyned to the Lord , who were of the same sort with believers , who were the more added to the Lord , multitudes both of men and women , were not infants : But such were the Church then , therefore it did not consist of infants then . Acts 6.1 . The Church is expressed by the number of Disciples , by the multitude of Disciples , v. 2. the whole multitude , v. 5. the number of the Disciples obedient to the faith , v. 7. But none of these were infants , as their conventing , the speeches to them , and other acts shew ; therefore infants then were not reckoned Christian visible church-members . Acts 8.1 . The Church at Jerusalem are said to be all scattered abroad except the Apostles , v. 3. to consist of men and women haled to prison , which is not to be conceived of infants , therefore they were not then reckoned as visible church members . Acts 15.22 . The whole Church is said to send chosen men of their own company . But this doth not agree to infants , therefore infants were not reckoned as part of the whole Church . 1 Cor. 14.23 . The whole Church is supposed to come togeter into one place . But this is not to be said of infants , they were no part of the company that met , they were not capable of the end and actions of the meeting , therefore they were no part of the whole Church , The same may be said of all other like places . 4. They were no part of the Christian Church visible , to whom the things ascribed to the whole Christian Church did not agree . But the things ascribed to the whole Christian Church visible did not agree to infants . Ergo. The major is of it self evident , as in like manner this is a plain truth , that they are no souldiers to whom what is said of the whole Army doth not agree . The minor is proved from many places of Scripture . Matth. 16.18 . Christ saith he will build his Church on this Rock , this is meant of the whole Church , and the building is meant of building by preaching , Ephes. 2.20 . & 4.11 , 12. But infants are not built by preaching , therefore they are not parts of the Church visible . 1 Cor. 1 ▪ 2 The Church is of them who are called to be Saints which is by preaching the Gospel , v. 23 , 24. But infants are not so called , Ergo , they are not of the visible Church Christian. Acts 2.41 , 47. & 5.14 . They who were added to the Church did all hear the word and believe : But infants did not so , therefore they were not added to the Church , and consequently were not visible church-members . They were not parts of the Church who did not come together , were not gathered together ; for all the Church did come together with one accord in Solomons Porch , Acts 5.11 , 12. were gathered together by the Apostle , Acts 14.27 . But infants were no part of them , they were not with one accord any of those to whom the Apostle told what God had done with them , therefore they were not part of the visible Church . They were no part of the Church of God , who were none of the flock of God to whom the Elders were to attend as made overseers over them by the Holy Ghost to feed them . For all these things are attributed to all the flock or Church of God at Ephesus , Acts 10.28 . But infants were none of the flock to whom the Elders were to attend as made overseers by the Holy Ghost to feed them , Nurses were to attend and feed infants , not teaching and ruling Elders , whose work was in the word and doctrine , 1 Tim. 5.17 . therfore infants were none of the flock or Church of God visible at that time . They were no part of the Church of God , who were not in duty to be sanctified by the Word . For the whole Church was in duty to be sanctified by the Word , as Mr. B. plain Script . &c. pag. 342. gathers from Ephs. 5.26 . concerning Baptism . But no infant is in duty to be so sanctified , it were a ridiculous thing to t●e Preachers to sanctifie or wash infants by preaching the Word to them , therefore they were no part of the Church . The Churches had rest , and were edified ; walked , were multiplied , Acts 9.31 . Acts 12.5 . Prayer was made of the Church unto God for Peter . The Church at Hierusalem , Acts 11 , 22. is said to hear tidings , to send Barnabas , who with Paul assemble with the Church , v. 26. fit persons to convene , Acts 21.22 . to receive orders , 1 Cor. 16.1 . With many more such attributes , which neither are , nor can ordinarily be said of infants , no nor any attribute in all the New Testament , which is said of the visible Church Christian is said of infants , therefore they were not accounted visible members in the first Christian Churches , nor are rightly now so taken . 5. They who were not reckoned as Christs Disciples , were not visible church-members ; For as Mr. B. rightly saith , plain Script ▪ &c. All church-members are Christs Disciples . But infants are no where reckoned as Christs Disciples . This is proved , 1. from the places in all the Acts of the Apostles , and elsewhere , where there is mention of Christs Disciples , there are such things declared of them as do exclude infants from the number of them . I omit Acts 1.15 . & 6.1 , 2 , 5 , 7. before mentioned . Acts 11.26 , 29. It is said that Barnabas and Saul a whole year assembled themselves with the Church , and taught much people , and the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch : And upon the prediction of a dearth it is said , Then the Disciples , every man according to his ability , determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea , which they also did , and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul . From whence this is apparent , that the Church , the Disciples , the Christians were then Synonyma , or terms importing the same p●●sons , so that he who was not a Disciple was not of the Church , nor a Christian. But no infant was then reckoned as a Disciple . This is proved from what is said of every Disciple , v. 29. they determined to send and did send , which none will say infants did . Ergo , infants were not then reckoned among Disciples , Christians , or members of the visible Church Christian. Acts 14.20 , 21 , 22. it is said , that the Disciples stood round about Paul , that he and Barnabas taught many , or made many Disciples , and that they confirmed the souls of the Disciples , exhorting them to continue in the faith . From whence it is manifest , that the Disciples then were such as stood round about Paul , that they were taught , or made Disciples by teaching or preaching the Gospel , that they were in the faith , capable of confirmation , and exhortation . But such were not infants , Ergo , they were not then reckoned as Disciples , and consequen●●y not church-members . Acts 8.3 . made havock of the Church . Acts 9.1 . against the Disciples , v. 13. the Saints at Hierusalem , v. 19. the Disciples at Damascus , v. 25. the Disciples , v. 26. joyning to the Church is joyning to the Disciples , v. 35. the Brethren , v. 31. the Churches , v. 38. the Disciples heard , v. 41. called the Saints . Acts. 15.1 . it is said they taught the Brethren , v. 3. being brought on their way by the Church , they caused great joy unto all the Brethren ; v. 4. they were received of the Church . v. 10. the Disciples are they whose hearts were purified by faith ; the whole Church v. 22. are the Brethren , v. 23. who send greeting to the Brethren . v. 30. they were the multitude gathered together , v. 32. they exhorted the Brethren , v. 33. were let go in peace from the Brethren , v. 36. let us visit our Brethren , v. 40. recommended by the Brethren . v. 41. confirming the Churches . Acts 10.2 . well reported of by the Brethren , v. 5. And so were the Churches established in the faith , and increased in number daily , v. 40. and when they had seen the Brethren they comforted them . Acts 17.10 , 14. the Brethren sent away Paul. Which passages do shew , that these terms were then of the same extent , and synonymous , the Church , the Disciples , the Brethren , the Believers , the Saints : But infants were none of the Church , the Disciples , the Brethren , the Believers , the Saints as all the passages where they are mentioned shew , therefore infants were not then visible church members Acts 18.18 . Paul took leave of the Brethren , v. 22. he saluted the Church , v. 23. strengthened all the Disciples , which strengthening was by teaching and exhorting , as Acts 14. ●2 . shews : Which infants were not capable of , therefore they were not Disciples ▪ V. 27. the Brethren wrote , exhorting the Disciples to receive Apollos ▪ who helped them much who believed through grace . Acts 19.1 , 2. Paul finds certain Disciples who were Believers , v. 9. separates the Disciples , v. 30. the Disciples would not suffer Paul to enter in unto the people . Acts 20.7 . Upon the first day of the week , when the Disciples came together to break bread , Paul preached unto them at Troas . Which shews plainly , that the Disciples did use to break bread on the first day of the week , and that those who were Disciples did break bread ; which cannot be said of infants , therefore they were not Disciples , and consequently not visible church-members . 2. The same is proved by those arguments which are in the second Part of this Review , sect . 10. to prove infants not Disciples appointed to be baptized , Matth. 28.19 . and by the answers to the allegat●ons of Mr. Cotton , Mr. B. and others , Sect. 11 , 12 , &c. to prove them Disciples . 6. If in the distributions of the members of the Church then , infants are not comprehended , then infants were not visible church-members , this must needs be granted , or exception must be taken to those distributions . But in the distributions of the Church , where all sorts of members are expressed , infants are not comprehended ; Ergo. The minor is proved from the distributions according to the sex , Acts 5.14 . & 8.12 . men and women , among whom was no infant , for in the former place they are termed Believers , in the latter they are said to believe Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdome of God , and the Name of Jesus Christ ; which is not to be said of infants . 1 Cor. 12.13 . they are distributed into Jews or Gentiles or Greeks , bond or free , but none an infant , as is proved before , in that all were baptized , and did drink the Lords cup. The like is Gal. 3.28 . 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 : and that is by faith , v. 16. and therefore no infant meant . Col. 3.11 . Where there is neither Greek nor Jew , circumcision nor uncircumcision , Barbarian , Scythian bond nor free ; but Christ is all and in all , that is by faith , which is not to be said of infants . To which I may adde , that in Tertullians time the children of believers were not accounted actually members of the visible Church , because he terms them in his book De anima ▪ c. 39. Designatos sanctitatis , intended to be holy ; that is , to be bred up to profess the faith , and so to be baptized . Which is the more apparent , in that Hierome expresseth the same as from Tertullians bo●k de monogamia , in his Epistle to Paulinus , tom . 3 d. edit . Basil. That the children of believers are termed holy , because they are as it were Candidates of the faith . And Erasmus in his Scholie on that Epistle saith , Therefore they which are born of Christians , are called holy also before Baptism , because they do as it were seek and expect Baptism . Which shews they were not counted actually church-members , but such as were designed to be believers , and so as it were seekers for Faith and Baptism , and consequently church-members onely in expectation . 2. I argue from the common received definitions of the visible Church . Artic. 19. of the Church of England , The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithfull men . In the answer of the Assembly to the reasons of the seven dissenting br●thren , p 48. of the Edition 1644. the first praecognitum is this ; The whole Church of Christ is but one , made up of the collection and aggregation of all who are called out of the world by the preaching of the word , to profess the saith of Christ , unto the unity thereof : From which union there ariseth unto every one such a relation unto , and dependance upon the catholick Church , as parts have to the whole . Dr. John Rainold 2 d. concl . The Church of Christ betokeneth a company called out from among the multitude of other men , to life everlasting through faith in Christ Jesus . Ball , trial of Separ . pag. 296. ch . 13. The Church is a society of the faithfull . Hudson , vindic . c. 1. p. 12. The universal Church is the whole company of visible believers throughout the whole world . ch . 6. sect . 3 , 127. The Church visible is called entitive , not because of the inward grace , which is essential to an invisible member ; but from the reception and embracing the Christian catholick faith , which is essential to a visible believer . Mr. B. himself , plain Script . &c. part 1. ch . 26. The common definition of the Church , affirmeth them to be a people called 〈◊〉 of the world . Hence I argue , All that are of the visible Church Christian are faithfull , called out of the world by the preaching of the word to profess the faith of Christ , visible believers receiving and embracing the Christian catholick faith . This is proved from the definitions of the Church ▪ and positions received . And it is clear in reason , the Church being an aggregate , as a flock of sheep , a heap of stones ; as it follows therefore every part of the flock is a sheep , every part of the heap a stone , so every part of the Church a believer . But no infant is such . Ergo. In this very manner doth Guliel . Apollonii . considerat . controv . cap. 1. pag. 8. argue . Thus almost all the famous reformed Divines do affir● the matter of a visible Church to be men outwardly called , professing the faith of Christ. For they define it a company of men called out by an outward calling , or preaching of the word , and communication of Sacraments , to the worship of God , and to celebrate Ecclesiastical society among themselves . To this Mr. M. in his Defence , part 3. sect 3. pag. 113. saith . I reply , it overthrows it not at all ; for they all include the infants of such professors , as the visible Church among the Jews did include their infants , male ( and female too , lest you say that Circumcision made them members . ) Answ. Mr. M. should have shewed who , and in what words of their definitions Protestant Writers include the infants of professors . That some of them , especially of late , have asserted infants of believers to be a part of the visible Church , I grant : But I think Mr. M. cannot make it good , that the Elder Protestant Writers did include them in their definitions of the visible Church . I have produced some of the later , who have so framed their definitions as that infants must be excluded . And if any do include them , they erre from the Scripture , which never accounted them visible Christian Church members , as is proved before . And Sect. 51. of this Part of the Review doth sufficiently shew the Christian Church visible to have another call and constitution from the Jewish , and that no person is a member of the Christian Church visible by natural generation of a believer , but by profession of faith . Wherefore Mr. M. saith . I adde also , Baptism now ( as well as Circumcision of old ) is a real , though implicite profession of the Christian faith . Answ. That circumcision was a profession of the Christian faith either explicite in Elder proselites , or implicit in infants circumcision , doth not appear . The Apostles speech Gal. 5.2 , 3. and the tenet of the Jewish doctors Acts 15.1 , 5. is to the contrary . Baptism after a verbal profession of faith by the baptised being his act is a real , though implicit profession of the christian faith , it being used by the baptised to declare his putting on Christ , and so a signe of his assent to his verbal profession . But infants baptism is no profession of any faith either explicit or implicit , there being no act done by them tending to make any shew of faith , which they neither understand , nor take ●o bee true upon the trust of their teachers , as Papists do in their implicit faith ( which yet we d●ny to be christian faith ) but are every way passive , both in respect of the act of the baptisers , and the reason and end of it , they neither do any thing towards their baptism , nor understand any thing of it . Yea were it true that such an implicit profession of faith were in infants baptism , yet were it not enough to make them visible members of the christian church , no not according to the definition of Protestant writers , who when they define the church to be a company of professors of faith , do mean more then an implicit profession , to wit , an intelligent and free profession ; and do blame the baptising of the Indians by the Spaniards , forcing them to own the Christian Faith afore they understand it , though there bee more implicite profession of the faith by them , then is or can be by an infant . 3. I argue . They are no visible members of the christian church , to whom no note whereby a visible christian church , or church-membership is discernible doth agree . For that which is visible , is discernable to the understanding , by some sensible note or signe by which it is known : But to infants of believers no note whereby a visible church , or church-member is discernable doth agree , Ergo. The minor is proved 1 by shewing the right notes of the visible church and church-members not to agree to infants . The right notes of the christian church and church-members are the profession of the whole Christian faith , the preaching and hearing of the Word , administration and communion in the Sacramen●s , joyning in Prayer , discipline , &c. with believers . Hudson . vindic . pag. 229. But none of these agree to infants . Not profession of of the whole Christian faith , For they neither understand nor shew by any thing they do that they assent to the christian faith . Not the preaching or hearing of the Word : For infants can neither preach nor hear the Word . I mean as it is speech or significative language , though they may hear it as a sound , much less as yeilding assent to it , which hearing alone is a mark of a visible church-member . Nor do they administer or have communion in the Sacraments : None will say they administer , nor though they should be baptised in water by a Minister , or eat bread or drink wine at the Lords supper , can it be said they have communion in the Sacrament . For he onely hath communion in a Sacrament , who useth it as a signe of that for which it is appointed , and this use onely is a note of a visible church-member , otherwise a Spaniards forcible baptising of an Indian without knowledge of Christ should make him partaker of the Sacrament , or doing it in sport or jest should make a visible church-member . See Mr. B. himself correct . sect . 6. pag. 253. But infants neither use baptism nor the Lords Supper as a signe engaging to Christ , with acknowledgement or remembrance of him , therefore they have no communion in the Sacraments , no not in baptism , nor is their pretended baptism any note of visible Church membership . Nor do they joyn in prayer ▪ discipline , or any part of Christian worship or service , which might shew they own Christ as their Lord , and therefore they are not discernable to be of the visible Church christian by any right note . 2. By shewing that the notes whereby they are conceived to bee discernable as visible Church-members , are not notes of their visible church-membership . Two notes are usually alledged , the one the covenant of God , the other the parents profession of faith ; neither shew them visible Christian church-members , nor both together . Not the covenant or promise of God : For there is no such covenant that promiseth to every believers childe , much less to every professor of Faith's childe saving grace , or visible church-membership , and a promise to save indefinitely , not expressing definitely who , is not a note whereby by this or that person is discernable to be the person to whom it belongs . Besides , if there were such a promise to every childe of a believer , yet unless it were a promise of it to them in their infancy , it would not prove they were actually visible church members , but onely that in the future they should be . Nor is the parents Faith a note of the infants visible church membership . For whether it be a note of it self , or conjunctly with the covenant , it is a note of the infants visible church-membership because it is his child , and if so , then it is a note of his child 's visible church-membership at twenty years of age , though he should be then a professed Infidel , as well as a day old , a note of an Embryo's visible church-membership in the mothers womb , as well as a childe born , which are absurd . Other reason then this I know not . But sure I am there is not the least hint in Scripture of a childes being discernable to be a visible Christian church-member by the parents faith or profession , but to the contrary . To this argument briefly propounded in my Examen of his Sermon part . 3 sect . 3 Mr. M. replies not in his Defence , and therefore I see not but it stands good . 4. I argue . They who have not the form constituting and denominating a visible Christian church-member , are not visible Christian church-members . This proposition is most sure according to Logick rules , take away the form , the thing formed is not ; if the form denominating agree not the denomination agrees not ; Scheibler Top. c. 5. de forma Stieri . praec . doct . Log tract . 2. c. 4. But the form constituting and denominating a visible Christian church-member , infants have not : Ergo. The minor is proved thus . They which have not the outward profession of Faith within , have not the form constituting and denominating a visible Christian church-member . For profession of Faith , is the form constituting and denominating a visible church-member , as is proved from the constant sayings of Divines . Ames Marrow of Divinity , first book c. 31. § . 11. Faith is the form of the Church . § . 25. visibility is the affection or manner of the Church , according to its accidental and outward form . § . 27. The accidental form is visible , because it is no other thing then the outward profession of inward faith , which may easily be perceived by sense . c. 32. § . 7. It is a society of believers , for that same thing in profession constitutes the vis●ble Church , which in its inward and real nature makes a mystical Church , that is Faith. Ball trial of separat ▪ c. 13. p. 302. A lively operative faith maketh a man a true member of the Church invisible ; and the profession of faith and holiness a member of the Church visible . Norton answer to Apollon . ● 1. prop. 2. pag. 10 An unmoved position . That same thing in profession constitutes the Church visible , which in its inward nature constitutes the mystical Church , that is faith ▪ Hudson . vindic . ch . 4 p. 90. Every visible believer is called a Christian , and a member of Christs visible Kingdom , because ●he form ( viz. visible believing ) common to all Christians and all members is found in him . And this may be proved out of Scripture , which denominates visible Christian church-members from their own profession of fa●th , in respect of which they are termed believers , 1 Tim. 2.12 . Acts 4.32 . & 5.14 &c. nor is there any such denomination in Scripture , or hint of such a form constituting a visible Christian church-member or believer as the faith of another , of the parent , church , &c. It is a meer novel device of Papists , who count men believers from an implicit assent to what the Church holds ; and Paedobaptists , who ascribe unto infants faith and repentance implicit in their sureties , the Church , their owners , the nation believing , their parents next or remote faith . Which is a gross and absurd conceit . For that in profession alone makes visible believers , which makes in reality true believers . But that 's a mans own faith Hab. 2.4 . not anothers ; therefore a mans own and not anothers profession of faith makes a visible believer . Again , the form denominating must be inherent , or in or belong to the person denominated , so as that there is some union of i● to him , but there is no inherence , or union of anothers faith to an infant , Ergo. Naturally there is none , nor legally ; if there be , ●et him that can , shew by what grant of God it is . Infants may have civil right to their parents goods , a natural interest in their mothers milk , parents , and masters may have power over the bodies , labour , &c. of their children and servants , they have no power to convey Faith , or Ecclesiastical right without their own consent . But this conceit is so ridiculous , that I need spend no more words to refute i● I subsume . Infants make no profession of faith , they are onely passive , and do nothing by which they may bee denominated visible Christi●ns as experience shews , yea at the Font while the faith is confessed by the parent or surety , and the water sprinkled on their faces they cry , and as they are able oppose it , Ergo. To this faith Mr. M. I answer , even as much as the infants of the Jews could do of old , who yet in their dayes were visible members . Answ. The infants of the Jews were never Christian visible church-members , though they were visible members of the Jewish Church : But Mr. M. neither hath proved nor can , that the same thing , to wit natural birth , and Jewish descent and dwelling , which denominated the Jewish infants visible members of that church , doth denominate a christian visible church-member . And till he do this , the force of the argument remains . 5. I argue . If infants bee visible Christian church-members , then there may be a visible Church christian , which consists onely of infants of believers ; for a number of visible members makes a visible Church entitive , though not organical . But this is absurd . Ergo , Infants of believers have not the form of a visible Church-member . To this Mr. M , saith , I answer , no more now then in the time of the Jewish Church ; it 's possible , but very improbable , that all the men and women should die , and leave onely infants behinde them . Answ. 1. It is no absurdity to say that of the Jewish church which it is absurd to say of the Christian : For the Jewish church was the people of God of Abrahams , or Israels house , which they might be , though but infants . But the Christian visible Church is a people or company that profess faith in Christ , which infants cannot do , and therefore it is absurd to imagine that a Christian church visible may bee onely of infants of believers , whereof not one is a believer by profes●ion , not so of ths Jewish church . 2. The possibility acknowledged by Mr. M. is enough for my purpose , though it never were or should bee so in the event , sith the absurdity followes upon that grant , as well as the actual event . 6. I argue . If infants be visible Christian church-members , then there is some cause thereof . But there is none , Ergo. The major is of it self evident , every thing that is hath some cause by which it is . The minor is proved thus . If infants be visible-Christian church members , by some cause , then that is the cause of all infants Christian visible church-membership or of some onely . But of neither , Ergo. I presume it will be said of some , sith they account it a priviledge of believers infants . But to the conttary , there is no such cause by which infants of believers are Christian visible church-members . Mr. B. plain Script . &c. part . 1. c. 29. pag. 92 Denies that the parents faith is any cause ( not so much as instrumental properly ) of the childes holiness , by which he means visible Church-membership , but he makes it a condition ( which is an antecedent or causa sine qua non ) of childrens holiness . I answer , saith he , fully : If this be the question , what is the condition on which God in Scripture bestoweth this infant holiness ? It is the actual believing of the parent : For what it is that hath the promise of personal blessings , it is the same that hath the promise of this priviledge to infants : Therefore the promise to us being on condition of believing , or of actual faith , it were vain to say , that the promise to our infants is one●y to faith in the habit : The habit is for the act , yet is the habit of necessity for producing of the act : therefore it is both faith in the habit ( or potentia proxima ) and in the act that is necessary . But yet there is no necessity that the act must be presently at the time performed : either in actu procreandi , vel tempore nativitatis , vel baptismatis . It is sufficient that the parent be virtually and dispositively at present a believer , and one that stands in that relation to Christ as believers do : To which end it is requisite that he have actually believed formerly ( or else he hath no habit of faith ) and hath not fallen away from Christ , but be still in the disposition of his heart a believer , and then the said act will follow in season ; and the relation is permanent which ariseth from the act , and ceaseth not when the act of faith intermitteth . It is not therefore the meer bare profession of faith which God hath made the condition of this gift , but the former act and present disposition . Ch. 2. pag. 15. The parents faith is the condition for himself and his infants . The causes of this condition of Discipleship or Churchmembership may improperly be called the causes of our Discipleship it self : but properly Christ by his Law or Covenant grant is the onely cause efficient . Pag. 69. All these Church mercies are bestowed on the standing Gospel grounds of the Covenant of grace entred with our first parents presently upon the fall . Pag 110. The seed of the faithful are Church members & Disciples , and subjects of Christ , because they are children of the promise ; God having been pleased to make the promise to the faithfull and their seed . Pag. 59 It is of the very law of nature to to have infants to be part of a Kingdome , and therefore infants must bee part of Christs Kingdome . Pag. 52. That infants must be Church members is partly natural and partly grounded on the Law of Grace and Faith. So that Mr. Bs. opinion is , Christ by his law of nature , or nations , or covenant grant on the standing Gospel grounds of the covenant of grace , the promise to the faithful and their seed not without actual faith , formerly and present disposition , beyond the meer bare profession of faith , is properly the onely cause efficient of infants membership in the visible Church Christian. Against this I argue . 1. If there be no such covenant of grace to the faithful and their seed , nor any such promise upon condition of the parents actual faith the childe shall be a visible Christian churchmember , nor any such law either of nature or nations , or positive , which makes the childe without his consent a visible Christian church-member , then Mr. Bs. opinion of the cause of infants of believers visible Christian churchmembership is false . But the antecedent is true , ergo , the consequent . The minor I shall prove by answering all Mr. B. hath brought for it , in that which followes . 2. The Covenant of grace according to Mr. B. is either absolute or conditional ; the absolute , according to Mr. B. is rather a prediction then a covenant , and it is granted to be onely to the elect , in his Appendix answer to the 8th ▪ and 9th . object . and elsewhere , and by this covenant God promiseth faith to the person , not visible churchmembership upon the faith of another . The conditional covenant is of justification , salvation on condition of faith , and this p●omiseth not visible Churchmembership , but saving graces , it promiseth unto all upon condition , and so belongs to all according to Mr. B. therefore by it visible churchmembership Christian is not conferred as a priviledge peculiar to believers infants on condition of their faith . 3. If there were a covenant to the faithful and their seed to be their God , yet this would not prove their infants Christian visible Church membership ; because God may be their God , and yet they not be visible Churchmembers , as he is the God of Abraham , of infants dying in the womb , of believers at the hour of death , y●t they not now visible Churchmembers . 2. The promise if it did infer visible Church membership , yet being to the seed simply , may be true of them though not in infancy , and to the seed indefinitely may be true if any of them be visible Church members , especially considering that it cannot be true of the seed universally and at all times , it being certain that many are never visible Churchmembers , as ●ll still-born infants of believers ; many that are visible Churchmembers for a time , yet fall away ; and therefore if that promise were gran●ed , and the condition and law put , yet infants might not be visible Christian Churchmembers . 4. If all these which Mr. B. makes the cause , or condition of infants visible Church membership may be in act , and the effect not be , then the cause which Mr. B. assignes is not sufficient . But the antececedent is true . For the promise , the parents actual believing , the law of nature , of nations , any particular precept of dedicating the childe to God , the act of dedication as in Hannahs vow may be afore the childe is born , and yet then the childe is no visible Church member , Ergo. The consequence rests on that maxime in Logick , That the cause being put , the effect is put . To this Mr. B. plain Script . proof , &c. pag. 100. Moral causes ( and so remote causes ) might have all their being long before the effect , so that when the effect was produced there should bee no alteration in the cause , though yet it hath not produced the effect by the act of causing . I reply this answer deserved a smile . 1. For Mr. B. as his words shew before cited , makes Christ by his law or covenant-g●ant , the onely cause efficient , therefore it is the next cause , according to him , and not onely a remote cause . 2. If the covenant or law bee as much in being or acting , and the parents faith and dedication afore the childe is born as after , and there is no alteration in the cause , though yet it have not produced the effect , then it is made by M. B. a cause in act , and consequently if the effect be not produced then it is not the cause , or the adequate sufficient cause is not assigned by assigning it . 3. Though moral causes may have their absolute being long before the effect , yet not the relative being of causes , for so they are together . So though the covenant and law might be a covenant and law , yet they are not the cause adequate , and in act ( which Mr. B. makes them ) without the being of the effect : nor is there in this any difference between moral and physical causes . And for the instances of Mr. B. they are not to the purpose . It is true , election , Christs death , the covenant , &c. are causes of remission of sins , imputation of righteousness , salvation , before these be , but they are not the adequate causes in act : For there must be a further act of God , forgiving , justifying , delivering , afore these are actually . They are causes of the justificab●lity , the certainty , futurity of justification of themselves , but not of actual justification without mans faith , and Gods sentence , which is the next cause . A deed before one's born , gives him title to an inheritance , but not an actual estate without pleading entering upon it , &c. 4. I think Mr. B. is mistaken in making visible Churchmembership , the effect of a moral or legal cause . He imagines it to bee a right or priviledge by vertue of a grant or legal donation . But in this he is mistaken , confounding visible Church membership with the benefit or right consequent upon it . Whereas the Churchmembership and it's visibility are states arising from a physical cause rather then a moral , to wit , the call whereby they are made Churchmembers , and that act or signe what ever it be , whereby they may appear to bee Churchmembers to the understanding of others by mediation of sense . The priviledge or benefit consequent is by a law , covenant , or some donation legal or moral ; not the state it self of visible Churchmembership . Which I further prove thus . 5. If visible Churchmembership bee antecedent to the interest a person hath in the Covenant , then the Covenant is not the cause of it ; for if the Covenant be the cause it is by the persons interest in it . But visible Churchmembership is immediately upon the persons believing professed , which is a condition of his being in Covenant ; therefore it is before the Covenant , and consequently the Covenant not the cause . 6 , If the Covenant or law upon condition of the parents faith as the antecedent or cause without which the thing is not , be ( as Mr. B. saith ) the cause of infants visible Church membership the sole efficient , then infants bought , orphans of Turks , &c. wholly at our dispose , are not visible Church members : For they have no covenant made to their parents , nor do their parents believe . But by Mr. Bs. doctrine pag. 101. where he would have them baptised , they are visible Churchmembers , for such onely are to be baptised , Ergo , the Covenant is not the sole efficient , there may bee visible Church membership without it . The same may be said of foundlings , persons of unknown progeny , &c. 7. If the Covenant or law with the parents actual faith without profession , make not the parent a visible Churchmember , neither doth it the childe ; For the childe who is by vertue of the parents being a visible Churchmember onely , a visible Churchmember , cannot be such without his being such . But the parent by the law or covenant is not made upon his faith a visible Churchmember without profession , Ergo , The parents faith is not the condition on which God bestoweth the infant holiness , nor is it true that the actual believing which hath the promise of personal blessings , is the same that hath the promise of this priviledge to infants . 8. If persons are visible Church members and not by the Covenant of grace , then it is not true , that Christ by his Law , or Covenant of grace is the sole efficient of visible Churchmembership . The consequence is plain , and needs no further proof . But the antecedent is true , Ergo. The minor is proved by instances of Judas and other hypocrites , who are visible Churchmembers , but not by the Covenant of grace , for that promiseth nothing to them . 9. If infants be visible Churchmembers by the Covenant on the condition of the parents actual believing ▪ then either the next parents , or any in any generations precedent . If the next onely , let it be shewed , why the visible Churchmembership should be limited to it : if in any near g●nerations , let it be shewed where we must stick , and go no further ; why , suppose the visible Churchmembership be stopped at the Grandfathers faith so as that we must go no further in our count , the great Grandfathers faith should not infer the infants visible . Church-membership as well as the Grandfathers : if there be no limit ; why this visible Churchmembership should not be common to all the infants of the Jews , yea to ●ll the world . If the succession be broken off upon the Jews unbelief , why not upon the unbelief of each ancestor ? 10. If an infants visible Churchmembership be by the covenant , upon the parents actual believing , and not a meer bare profession , then it is a thing that cannot be known , because the parents actual believing is a thing unknown . But that is absurd . Ergo. The major I have confirmed more fully in the first part of this Review , sect . 35. 11. If other Christian priviledges be not conveyed by a covenant upon the parents faith without the persons own act or consent , then neither this . But the antecedent is true , the child is not a believer , a disciple , a minister , a son of God , &c. without his own consent , Ergo. The consequence of the major is confirmed in that there is like reason for them as for this . 12. If there be no Law or Ordinance of God unrepealed , by which either this infant visible Christian Churchmembership is granted , or the listing of infants , or entring into the visible Church Christian is made a duty , then that is not a cause of infants visible Churchmembership which Mr. B. assigns . But there is no such Law or Ordinance unrepealed , Ergo. If there be it is either by Precept or other Declaration , but by neither ; Ergo. If by Precept , in the New Testament , or the Old : Not in the New , there is no Precept to Minister , or paren●s , or any other , to take infants for visible Churchmembers , or to list them as such : Nor in the Old , there is no such Precept I know but that of circumcision , which is repealed ; vowing , praying , &c. did neither then , nor now of themselves make visible Churchmembers , although upon the prayers and faith , not onely of parents , but of others , God granted remission of sins , conversion , cure of plagues , yet did not these make any visible Churchmembers of themselves . If there be any other Declaration of God , it is either a positive law , or law of Nations , or of Nature : Not any positive law , if there be , let it be produced , not any law of Nations . This Mr. B. sometimes alledgeth , that as it is in Kingdomes and civil States the children are subjects and citizens as well as the parents , so in the Church : But if this were a rule in the Church of God , then not onely ●hildren must be visible Churchmembers , but also all the inhabitants where the Church is servants , and their children , as all in the territories and dominions of a King are his subjects ; and sith Christs Kingdome is over all the world , yea if Mr. Bs. Doctrine were right in his Sermon of Judgement , pag. 14 , 15. All are bought by Christs death , and are his own , every man in the world should be a visible Churchmember . Nor any law of Nature : For though Mr. B. sometimes pleads this , yet the vanity of it appears , 1. In that since the fall of man , the nature of man being corrupt , the call and frame of the Church is altogether by grace , and free counsel of God. 2. Churches if they should be fashioned after the way or law of Nature , where the husband is , there the wife should be a visible Churchmember , as well as where the paaent is a Churchmember , there the child should be so too . For the law of Nature makes them more nearly in one condition then father and child . But that is false , Ergo. 3. If the law of Nature should form Churchmembers , then Churches should be by natural discent : But that is false , it is by calling , as is above proved . 4. Churches are by institution , therefore not by the law of Nature . This is proved from Mr. Bs. own hypothesis , that they are made Churchmembers by grant , covenant , gift on condition . 5. If they were by the law of Nature , all Churches should be domestical , not congregational or parochial ; for they are not by nature , but by institution . 6. If Churches should be by the law of Nature , they should be formed by an invariable uniform way and model : But they are not so ; they are called sometimes by Preachers , sometimes immediately by God , sometimes by authority ; sometimes they are national , sometimes catholick ; sometimes under one form of service and discipline , sometimes under another ; sometimes the son is the means of making the father a visible Churchmember , sometimes the father the son ; sometimes the wife of the husband , sometimes the husband of the wife , by which the order of Nature is inverted . To all these arguments against infants visible Christian-Churchmembership , this one may be added , That there is neither example , rule , nor hint in all the New Testament , of their admission into the Church , or ordering in it , or care of the Elders and Officers of the Church for them as members , nor any other sign that Christ would have them reckoned as visible members in the Christian Church : which is a strong presumption against it . I know none that hath disputed for it , so much as Mr. B. I will therefore go on to examine what he saith . SECT . LIII . Letters between me and Mr. B. are set down concerning the Law and Ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , which he asserts , whereby the point is stated . THat the Reader may understand the true state of the Dispute between me and Mr. B. he is to take notice , that when at first in the Dispute at Bewdley , Jan. 1. 1649. Mr. B. urged for infant Baptism his argument of the ordinance or law or appointment of God , whereby infants were once to be admitted members of the visible Church , now Printed in his book of Baptism , ch . 5. part 1. I not knowing what other it might be , and he denying it was that of circumcision , urged him often to tell me what it was , which he would not , which occasioned the Dispute to be more confused then otherwise it might have been . After , in my Praecursor , I again told him , I found it not but in the peculiar national policy of the Jews , no universal law or ordinance for it . To which what elusory reply he made , is shewed in the second Part o● this Review ▪ sect . 2. pag 8 , 9. Which moved me , being then upon the examining of his 4th . and 5th . ch . from Bewdley within two miles of Kidderminster ▪ to write and send April 3d. 1655. this Letter to him . Sir , Not finding yet that Law or Ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership which you assert in your book of Baptism to be unrepealed , I do request you to set down the particular Text or Texts of Holy Scripture where you conceive that Law or Ordinance is written , and to transmit it to me by this bearer , that your allegations may be considered by him who is Yours as is meet ; April 3. 1655. John Tombes . The next morning I received from him this Letter , directed to me . Sir , I mean to see more said against what I have already written , before I will write any more about infant Baptism , without a more pressing call than I yet discern . I have discharged my conscience , and shall leave you and yours to take your course . And indeed I do not understand the sence of your Letter , because you so joyn two questions in one , that I know not which of the two it is that you would have me answer to . Whether there were any Ordinance or Law of God that infants should be Churchmembers ? is one question : Whether this be repealed is another : you joyn both into one . For the first , that infants were Churchmembers , as you have not yet denied that I know of , so will I not be so uncharitable as to imagine that you are now about it : And much less that you should have the least doubt whether it were by Gods ordination . There are two things considerable in the matter . First , the benefit of Churchmembership , with all the consequent priviledges . It is the work of a grant or promise to confer these , and not directly of a precept . Secondly , the duty of devoting and dedicating the child to God , and entring it into the Covenant which confers the benefit ; and this is the work of a law or precept to constitute this duty I am past doubt that you doubt not of either of these : For you cannot imagine , that any infant had the blessing without a grant or promise , ( that 's impossible ; ) nor that any parents lay under a duty without an obliging law , ( for that 's as impossible . ) Taking it therefore for granted that you are resol●ed in both these , and so yeeld that such a grant and precept there was , there remains no question but Whether it be repealed : which I have long expected that you should prove . For citing the particular Texts in which the ordination is contained , though more may be said then is said , yet I shall think it needless , till I see the ordination contained in those Texts which I have already mentioned to you , proved to be reversed . Nor do I know that it is of so great use to stand to cite the particular Texts , while you confess in general , that such a promise and preeept there is , by vertue of which , infants were till Christs time duly members of Christs Church ( for Christs Church it was ) even his unive●sal visible Church . Still remember that I take the word [ law ] not strictly for a precept onely , but largely , as comprehending ●oth promise and precept , and I have already shewed you both and so have others . So much of your endeavour as hath any tendency to the advancement of holiness , I am willing to second yo● in ; viz. that at the age yo● desire people might solemnly profess their acceptance of Christ , and their resolution to be 〈◊〉 : But I hope God will find me better work while I must stay here , then to spend my time to prove that no infants of believers are within Christs visible Church , that is , are no infant Disciples , infant Christians , infant Churchmembers . I know no glory it will bring to Christ , nor comfort to man , nor see I now any appearance of truth in it . I bless the Lord for the benefits of the Baptismal Covenant that I enjoyed in infancy , and that I was dedicated so soon to God , and not left wholly in the Kingdome and power of the Devil . They that despise this mercy , or account it none , or not worth the accepting , may go without it , and take that which they get by their ingratitude . And I once hoped , that much less then such an inundation of direful consequents as our eyes have seen , would have done more for the bringing of you back to stop the doleful breach that you have made . I am fain to spend my time now to endeavour the recovery of some of your Opinion who are lately turned Quakers , or at least the preventing of others Apostacy : which is indeed to prevent the emptying of your Churches . Which I suppose will be a more acceptable work with you , then again to write against rebaptizing , or for Infant-baptism . Sir , I remain your imperfect brother , knowing but in part , yet loving the truth ; Rich. Baxter . Being the same day to return home , yet loth to be put off thus , I wrote immediately upon the reading of his Letter , this also to him . Sir , I confess infants were by Gods fact of taking the whole people of the Jews for his people , in that estate of the Jewish Paedagogy ( not by any promise or precept ) visible Church members , that is of the Congregation of Israel . I do not confess that there was any law or ordinance determining it should be so , but onely a fact of God , which is a transeunt thing , and I think it were a foolish undertaking for mee to prove the repeal of a fact . Wherefore still I press you that you would shew me where that law , ordinance , statute or decree of God is that is repealeable , that is , which may in congruous sence bee either by a later act said to be repealed , or else to be established as a law for ever . This I never found in your books , nor do I conceive that law is implied in any thing I grant ; and therefore I yet pray you to set me down the particular text or texts of holy Scripture where that law is . Which need not hinder you from opposing the Quakers ( in which I have not and hope shall not be wanting ) of whom I think that you are misinformed that they are Anabaptists , I think there are very few of them that were ever baptised , and have good evidence that they have been formerly Seekers , as you call them . And I think you do unjustly impute the direfull consequences you speak of to the denial of infant baptism , and to the practise of adult bap●ism , and that as your self are deceived so you mislead others . I yet expect your texts , knowing none in any of your books that mention that law of infants visible Churchmembership which you assert either explicitly or implicitly , and am yours as is meet ; Bewdley this 4th . of April . 1655. John Tombes . About a fortnight after I received this Letter to me from him . Sir , If you will needs recall me to this ungrateful work , let me request you to tell me fully , exactly and plainly , what transient fact you mean , which you conceive without law or promise did make Church members : that so I may know where the competition lieth . When I know your meaning , I intend , God willing , to send you a speedy answer to your last . Your fellow-servant , April 16. 1655. Rich. Baxter . Upon the receipt whereof , I speedily returned to him , on the day of the date of it , being then at Bewdley , this following Letter . Sir , The transeunt fact of God , whereby infants were visible Churchmembers , was plainly exprest in my last to you , to be the taking of the whole people of the Jews for his people , which is the expression of Moses , Deut. 4.34 . Exod. 6.7 . And by it I mean that which is expressed Levit. 20.24.26 . when God said , I have severed you from other people , that you should be mine . The same thing is expressed 1 Kings 8.53 . Isai 43 , 1. This I term [ fact ] as conceiving it most comprehensive of the many particular acts in many generations , whereby he did accomplish it . Following herein Stephen , Acts 7.2 . and Nehem ▪ 9.7 . I conceive it began when he called Abraham out of Ur , Gen. 12.1 . to which succeeded in their times the enlarging of his family , removing of Lot , Ishmael , the sons of Keturah , Esau , distinction by Circumcision , the birth of Isaac , Jacob , his leading to Padan Aram , increase there , removal to Canaan , to Aegypt , placing , preserving there , and chiefly the bringing of them thence , to which principally the Scripture refers this fact , Exod. 19.4 . Levit. 11.45 . Nehem. 1.10 . Hos. 11.1 . the bringing them into the bond of the Covenant at Mount Sinai , giving them laws , settling their Priesthood , tabernacle , army , government , inheritance . By which fact the infants of the Israelites were visible Churchmembers as being part of the Congregation of Israel , and in like manner though not with equal right ( for they might be sold away ) were the bought servants or captives , whether infants or of age , though their parents were professed idolaters . And this I said was without promise or precept , meaning such promise or precept as you in your Letter say I confess , and you describe , a promise conferring to infants the benefit of Churchmembership with all the consequent priviledges , a precept constituting the duty of devoting and dedicating the childe to God , and entering into Covenant , which confers the benefit . For though I grant the promises to the natural posterity of Abraham , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. and the Covenant made with Israel at Mount Sinai , and Deut. 29. wherein Israel avouched God , and a precept of Circumcision , and precepts of God by Moses of calling the people , and requiring them to enter into Covenant , Exod. 19. and Deut. 29. Yet no such particular promise concerning infants visible Churchmembership , or precept for parents or others , concerning the solemn admission of infants as visible Churchmembers , besides Circumcision , as in your Book of Baptism you assert . Nor do I conceive that infants of Israel were made visible Church members by the promises in the covenants or the precepts forenamed , but by Gods transeunt fact which I have described . Which I therefore term [ transeunt ] because done in time , and so not eternal , and past , and so not in congruous sense repealeable as a law , ordinance , statute , decree , which determines such a thing shall bee for the future , though capable of continuance in the same or the like acts , or of interruption . Which continuance or interruption is known by narration of what God hath done , not by any legal revocation , or renewing , or continuance of a promise or precept concerning that thing . Now as the Churchmembership of the Israelites began as I conceive with Abrahams call , and was completed when they were brought out of Aegypt to God , Exod. 19.4 . so I conceive it ceased when upon their rejection of Christ as was fore●told Matth. 21.43 . they were broken off from being Gods people , which was completed at the destruction of Jerusalem , when the temple was destroyed , as Christ fore-told Luke 19.43 , 44. And instead of the Jewish people by the preaching of the Gospel confirmed by mighty signes , God gathered to himself a Church of another frame in a spiritual way , according to the institution of Christ , Matth. 28.19 , 20. Mark 16.15 , 16. in which he included not infants , the Jews themselves were no part of the Christian Church without repentance and faith in Christ professed at least . Having now fully , exactly ▪ and plainly told you my meaning as you request , I do now expect your speedy answer to my last , and therein to fulfill my request of setting down the particular texts of holy Scripture wherein that law largely taken comprehending promise and precept of infants visible Churchmembership , which you assert to be unrepealed , is contained . If you shall in your answer set down wherein the blessing , benefit , and priviledges of infants visible Churchmembership , which you assert unrepealed , did consist ; I may better understand you then I do : But I shall press you no further then you shall be willing in this thing . I am , Yours as is meet , Bewdley , April 21. 1655. John Tombes . On May 29. 1655. I received this following answer . Sir , A probability of doing or receiving good , is to me a call to action . Seeing no such probability , I told you at first my purposes to forbear any further debates with you , till you had better answered what is said . In your next you seemed to deal so plainly , as if some small probability of good did yet appear : But in your 3d. you fly off again and eat your own words , and jumble things in much confusion , so that I now return again to my former thoughts . For you that expresly say and unsay , and contradict your self , are not likely to be brought to a candid management or fair issue of the Dispute . You 'l sure think it no great matter to be driven to a self contradiction ( which with others is to lose the Cause ) who so easily and expresly run it upon it your self . Answ. It was a call sufficient to Mr. B. to do what I requested in my first Letter , in that a brother and fellow servant ( as he takes me to be ) desired it of him . If he love the truth ▪ as he saith , he should be willing to let us know his Scriptures he alledgeth for that which he asserts as a truth . If he conceive himself imperfect , knowing but in part , why should he not be jealous of his own opinion , especially resting on remote consequences , rather then violently oppose mine , which his own acknowledgements do make plainly agreeing with the New Testament ? If I were a sophistical adversary , yet I should think it were meet Mr. B. should debate that with me which he hath so clamourously and confidently opposed me in . What better answer I need make to what is said then I have done , so far as I have gone ( which is if not the greatest part , yet the chiefest , and indeed for Scripture Texts all that requires an answer ) I see not . I have set down almost all my Antagonists words , in Mr. Bs. book , at least all that is argumentative and pertinent , with my answers distinctly , fully , and plainly , in the two foregoing Parts of this Review : And what way any man could take , more candid and agreeing to Logick rules , then I have gone in my answers , is yet to me undiscernable . Mr. Firmin , in his Separation examined , pag. 31. saith thus , I can easily discern Mr. Tombes to dispute more like a Sophister , then a Christian , that did desire to see truth : and he cites the words of Mr. M. in his Defence , pag. 147. which I have answered so fully in my Apology , pag. 78 , 79. and shewed that very way which Mr. M. chargeth me with , to be as contrary to sophistical disputing as light is to darkness , that I had thought impudence it self would not have charged me with that , in a book printed six years after the Edition of my Apology . Mr. Simon Ford , in his Epistle Dedicatory to his frivolous scribbled Dialogue , chargeth me with railing down rather then disputing , even in that which as he sets it down hath no shew of reviling , but a plain calling a straw a straw . And for my heavy censure , I still profess I know not how to conceive more favourably of Paedobaptists , but wish they would search their own hearts impartially . Mr. Gataker in his letter printed by Mr. B. to whom it was written , doubts in part it to be my disposition to braze my forehead , not regarding at all what men deem or say of me , so I may seem to say somewhat , and have the last word ; then which , a more unrighteous conceit could hardly have been entertained by him . Mr. Bs. printing it , together with other passages , makes me almost hopeless of ever meeting with any just , or candid dealing from Paedobaptists . Mr. B. here saith , I jumble things in much conf●sion , that I contradict my self , eat my own words ; none of which is true : But he takes on him to prove it thus . In your 2 d. you say [ I confess infants were by Gods fact of taking the whole people of the Jews for his people , in that estate of the Jewish Paedagogy , not by any promise or precept , then visible Churc●-members , that is , of the congregation of Israel ; I do not confess , that there was any Law or Ordinance determining it should be so , but onely a fact of God , which is a transeunt thing , &c. ] In your 3 d. you say [ For though I grant the promises to the natural posterity of Abraham Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 8. and the Covenants made with Israel at mount Sinai , and Deut , 29. wherein Israel avouched God , and a precept of Circumcision , and precepts of God by Moses of calling the people , and requiring of them to enter into Covenant , Exod. 19. & Deut. 29. yet no such particular promise concerning infants visible Churchmembership , or precept for paren●s or others concerning the solemn admission of infants as visible Churchmembers besides Circumcision , as in your book of Bapt. you assert ] Before there was no [ Law or Ordinance determining it should be so , but onely a fact ] now there are Laws or precepts and promises that it should be so , but [ not such as I assert in my book ] And if I should shew you never so many , you may reply , they are not such as I assert in my book , and waste the time in that trial , when it is better for me to see first what you say to that book : For this is but to lead us about to trifling . Answ. 1. There is not a shadow of self contradiction in the latter words to the former . For though the latter acknowledge promises to Israel , yet not that by them they were visible Churchmembers ; and Laws and Ordinances , yet not determining they should be visible Churchmembers . Had Mr. B. heeded my words , he had forborn this accusation , if he were not bent to find a knot in a bulrush . 2. If I should answer as he forebodes , I should answer rightly . And it is certain , that if Mr. B. should bring never so many promises , and not shew that they made infants visible Churchmembers , as he asserts in his book , he would waste time , and lead us about to trifling ; and therefore it is just I should tie him to that , and his excepting against my so doing would shew his wrangling , and will be taken for a losing of his cause . But I am resolved to follow him , even in his vagaries , and to examine whether it be true which he saith , that I jumble things in much confusion . To make any clear work , saith Mr. B. upon the things in question we must necessarily speak to the questions distinctly , many of which you too much confound . The first question in order fit to be resolved is [ whether infants before Christs incarnation were Churchmembers ? or not ? ] you grant they were : and therefore this is past dispute with us . The 2 d. Qu. and tho first unresolved , is [ what Church it is that infants were members of ? ] This you give me occasion to take in the way , because you twice explain your meaning , when you confess them Churchmembers , by an [ i. e. of the congregation of Israel . ] By which you seem to imply two things : First , that none but the infants of the congregation of Israel were Churchmembers : Secondly , that the infants of Israel were members of no Church but what is convertible with the congregation of Israel . ] The 3 d. Qu. is ▪ What it is that gives the Israelites that denomination of [ the Congregation of Israel ] of which infants were members . For you jumble both together , both causes Civil , and Ecclesiastical , and of both those that make to the being and well-being . So that our enquiry must be Whether the Congregation and the Commonwealth be the same thing in your sense ? ] and what constituteth it formally ? For in this you speak in dark ambiguities . The 4 th . Qu ▪ is ▪ [ Whether there was any Law , Ordinance , or Precept of God concerning mans duty herein , or obliging him to the Covenant acceptance and engagement , and so to membership and any promise , grant , or Covenant , conferring the right of Churchmembership and the consequent priviledges to infants ? ] To this you say both Yea and Nay , if I can understand you , or at least as to much of the Qu. concerning the being , and part of the effect of the precept and promise . Yet you conclude , that you [ do not conceive that infants of Israel were made ●isible Churchmembers by the promises in the Covenants , or the precepts fore named , but by Gods transeunt fact . ] I will not suspect that you imagine any other promise doth it besides that in the Covenant , because your tying the effect to the transeunt fact doth exclude them . Here we are cast upon these Qus . next . 5 th . Qu. [ Whether there be such precepts and promises as you grant ( or as I shall prove ) which yet make not infants Churchmembers ? ] 6 th . Qu. [ Whether there be any transeunt fact of God , which without the efficiency of precept or promise did make the infants of Israel Churchmembers ? ] 7 th . Qu. [ Whether those which you have assigned be such facts ? ] 8 th . [ Which are the Texts of Scripture that contain or express the said laws , precepts , or grants which I maintain ? ] this you insist upon . 9 th . [ Whether such laws , preceps , or grants as I shall prove , are capable of a repeal or revocation ? ] 10 th . Qu. [ Whether they are actually revoked or repealed ? ] Answ. The 8th . Qu. is the onely Qu. needfull to be resolved ▪ All the rest are brought in to clog the Dispute , to weary me , and the Reader , in an indirect way most of them raised out of my words ; in which if I should be mistaken , yet were it not thereby proved , that there is such a Law or Ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , as Mr. B. asserts . Nor by waving of these questions did I jumble things in much confusion , but decline drawing in things impertinent . Nevertheless , sith Mr. B. hath used these shifts to clog the Dispute , I am resolved to prosecute it in his method , having first premon shed the Reader , that many things here said are not true , as that I seem to imply that the infants of Israel were members of no Church but what is convertible with the congregation of Israel ; that I jumble both causes Civil and Ecclesiastical , and of both those that make to the being and well being ; that I say Yea and Nay to the 4 th . Qu. that I tie the effect to the transeunt fact . He adds . Before all these Qs. are well handled , we should easily be convinced that it had been better either have let all alone , or else , if we must needs have the other bout , at least to have agreed on our terms , and the stating of the questions better before we had begun . And I think that even that is not easie to do . For when I desired your plain exact and full explication of one word [ transeunt fact ] and you tell me you have plainly , fully , and exactly told me your meaning : It falls out , either through the unhappy darkness of my own understanding , or yours , that I know but little more of your mind then I did before , and that you seem to me to have raised more doubts and darkness then you have resolved and dissipated . Yet being thus far drawn in , I shall briefly say somewhat to the several Qs. not following your desires to answer one alone : which cannot be done to any purpose while the foregoing are unresolved , because it is the clearing up of truth , and not the serving of your present ends in your writings now in hand that I must intend . Answ. I affect no more bouts with such a captious wrangler , nor know I any need to Dispute so many questions , or to agree on terms ; I shall answer him as I see meet . What he desired I gave him , not onely an explication of one word , but also of the thing , which that it raiseth so many doubts , seems not to be from the darkness of the understanding , but either from the lightness of the fancy , or the bent of the will to find a way to blunt the Readers attention ere he comes to the 8th . Qu. which it was just Mr. B. should have answered alone , sith otherwise it were an unjust thing for him to put me to prove a repeal of I know not what . His serving me hereby in my present ends of writing had been equal , my ends and writing being onely for the truth : His appear to be for a shift to uphold a while by indirect courses a tottering corruption , which must fall . I follow him . SECT . LIV. Infants were visible Churchmembers onely in the Congregation of Israel . THe first question ( saith Mr. B. ) being resolved that infants were once Churchmembers , to the resolving of the second question , I shall prove these two Propositions . 1. That it was not onely the infants of the congregation of Israel that were Churchmembers . 2. The infants of Israel were members of the universal visible Church , and not onely of that particular congregation . The first I have proved already in my book . And 1. Isaac was a Churchmember , yet none of the congregation of Israel ; it was not Israel till Jacobs days . If you say that by the [ congregation of Israel ] you mean [ the seed of Abraham which had the promise of Canaan ] yet 2. I say , that Ishmael and Abrahams seed by Keturah and Esau had none of the promise , and yet were Churchmembers in their infancy . [ In Isaac shall thy seed be called ] that is that seed which hid the promise of Canaan . And so it was confined to Jacob , who got the blessing and the birthright , which Esau lost , and was excluded , yet was of the Church from his infancy . The son of the bond woman was not to be heir with the son of the free-woman , yet was Ishmael an infant member . If you say , that by [ the congregation of Israel ] you mean all the natural seed of Abraham : I add 3. The children of his bond men born in his family , or bought with money , were none of Abrahams natural seed , and yet were Churchmembers in their infancy . If you go yet further , and say , that by [ the congregation of Israel ] you mean all that were at the absolute dispose of Abraham or his successors , and so were his own : I add 4. The i●fants of free Proselyt●s were none such , and yet were Churchmembers . If you yet go further , and say , that you mean by [ the congregation of Israel ] any that came under the government of Abraham or his successors : then I add 5. That the Sichemites , Gen. 34. were not to come under Jacobs government , but to be his allies and neighbours , being so many more in number then Jacob , that they concluded rather that his cattel and substance should be theirs ; yet were they circumcised every male , and so were made members of the visible professing Church . For it was not the bare external sign that Jacob or his sons would perswade them to , without the thing signified : For the reproach that they mentioned of giving their daughter to the uncircumcised ; was not in the defect of the external abcision ; for so Moses own son , and all the Israelites in the wilderness should have been under the same reproach , and all the females continually : But it was in that they were not in Covenant with the same God , and did not profess to worship the same God in his true way of worship as they did . And therefore as Baptizing is not indeed and in Scripture sence Baptizing , if it be not used for engagement to God , even into his Name ; so Circumcision is not indeed and in Scripture sence Circumcision , unless it be used as an engaging sign , and they be circumcised to God. Answ. By [ the congregation of Israel ] I meant the same with the Hebrew people , or house of Abraham ▪ which I termed the congregation of Israel by an anticipation usual in Scripture ; as when , Gen. 12.8 . it is said that Abraham removed unto a mountain on the east of Bethel , though it were not so named till Jacobs time , Gen. 28.19 . Which term I the rather chose , because it is most frequent in Scripture ; and I remember not the phrase any where [ the Church or congregation of Abraham , but of Israel ] in Scripture , the phrase of which I thought best to use . Now taking the congregation of Israel for the Hebrew people or the house of Abraham , I say , the infants onely of the congregation of Israel , as I say here , Sect. 51. by birth property , or proselytism were visible Churchmembers . Nor is it any thing against this my Tenet , that the Sichemites infants , Gen. 34. were visible Churchmembers ; for they were circumcised as consenting to become one people with them as is expressed v. 16 , 22. and therefore of the congregation of Israel . So that what ever were the reason of the reproach , v. 14. what ever were the ends of Jacobs sons or the Sichemites , how ever the fact is to be construed , or it be to be judged that they were circumcised or not , yet that instance proves not visible Churchmembership of infants any where but in the congregation of Israel , sith the Sichemites if they were truly circumcised , and so visible Churchmembers , it was because they were by agreement one people , and so of the congregation of Israel . Mr. B. adds . 6. It was then the duty of all the nations round about ( if not of all the nations on earth , that could have information of the Jewish Religion ) to engage themselves and their children to God by Circumcision . That all that would have any alliance and commerce with the Jewes must do it , is commonly confessed : that it must extend to infants , the case of the Sichemites ( though deceitfully drawn to it by some of Jacobs sons ) doth shew , and so doth the Jewish practice which they were to imitate : that the same engagement to the same God is the duty of all the world , is commonly acknowledged , though Divines are not agreed whether the distant nations were obliged to use Circumcision the Jewish sign . The best of the Jews were zealous to make Proselytes , and no doubt but the very law of nature did teach them to do their best for the salvation of others . To think such charitable and holy works unlawfull , is to think it evil to do the greatest good . And if they must perswade the neighbour nations to come in to God by Coven●nt engagement , they must perswade them to bring their children with them , and to devote ●hem to God as well as th●mselves . For the Jews knew no other Covenanting or engaging to God. As the Sichemites must do , so other nations must do : For what priviledge had the children of the Sichemites above the rest of the world ? Answ. This argument in form would be thus . If it were the duty of all the nations round about to engage themselves and their children to God by Circumcision , then it was not onely the infants of the Congregation of Israel that were Church members . But the antecedent is true , Ergo the consequent . Of this argument I deny the consequence of the major , and the minor also . I deny the consequence , because they that did engage themselves and children to God by Circumcision , did thereby ingraff themselves and children into the congregation of Israel . I deny also the minor . For though I acknowledge it was the duty of all the world to engage themselves to God by covenanting to take him for their God , yet I do not conceive that they were all bound to do it by circumcision . For I conceive that precept given onely to the Hebrews or house of Abraham . In whi●h I am confirmed , in that I finde not that Sem , Melchisedeck , Lot , Job , ever did so or are blamed for not doing it . It is most certain that Cornelius , though a man that feared God with all his house , yet was neither he nor his house circumcised , Acts 10.2 . & 11.3 . and yet accepted of God. It is true , if any would keep the Passeover , and be admitted to the rites of the Tabernacle , he was to be circumcised with his males : But they might devote and engage themselves and children to God without it , nor was it necessary that God should be their God in covenant or to their salvation that they were circumcised , or joyned to the people of the Jews . I confess it was of much moment to reduce the nations , and to preserve them from the idolatry that defi●ed the world , to be of that people : for generally the uncircumcised who were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel , were without God in the world , without Christ , without hope aliens from the Covenants of promise ; and therefore it was a good office to endeavour to bring the nations to God by circumcision , and a desirable advantagious thing , as it is now to be in a well ordered fixed Church , yet I cannot say it is or was necessary for all , either as a duty or means of salvation to do either . Mr. B. goes on . 7. ●n Hesters time many of the people became Jews Hest. 8.17 . who yet were not under their government . And to be Jewes is to be of the Jewish profession . And it ●s well known that this was to be circumcised , they and their little ones ( as the Proselytes were ) and so to keep the Law of Moses . Answ. Though they were not under the Jewes Government in respect of all power and command , yet they were incorporated into the Jewish people , and were under their government as far as other Jews by birth were , having some exercise and liberty of using their own lawes , though with subjection also to the Persian Princes . I confess their being Jews was by circumcising of them and their males , but hereby is not proved that any infants were visible Churchmembers but in the Congregation of Israel , but rather the contrary . Sith they were become Jews , that is of the Congregation of Israel . 8. Saith Mr. B. The scattered and captivated Jews themselves were from under the Government of Abrahams successors , and yet were to Circumcise their children as Churchmembers . Answ. Though they were from under the Government of Abrahams successor in respect of all power and command , yet they were under their Government so far , as they were permitted the exercise of the Mosaick Lawes , and were of the Congregation of Israel , and were Circumcised as members thereof ; and therefore no infants yet proved visible Church-members out of that Congregation . 9. Saith Mr. B. When Jonas preached to Ninive , it was all the race of man among them , without exception , from the greatest to the least , that was to fast and joyn in the humiliation : Ergo , all , even infants as well as others , were to partake of the remission . If you say , the beasts were to fast too : I answer , as they were capable in their kinde of part of the curse , so were they of part of the benefit , but their capacity was not as mans : They fasted to manifest mans humiliation . And if by the humiliation of the aged the beasts sped the better in their kinde , no wonder if infants sped the better in theirs , and according to their capacities , and that was to have a remission suitable to their sin . Answ. All this is quite from the business , for it proves not that either the aged or the infants were visible Churchmembers out of the Congregation of Israel . If the fasting prove the visible Churchmembership , it proves the visible Churchmembership of the beasts as well as the infant-men . If the repentance bee alledged to prove it , I hardly think such a sudden quickly past repentance will prove any of them visible Churchmembers of Christ , any more then the Mariners prayer , fear , sacrificing , making vowes , Jonah 1.14.6 . If it do , yet it proves onely the aged who turned from their evil way , Jonah 3.10 . to be visible Churchmembers ; there 's no proof yet of an infants visible Churchmembership out of the Congregation of Israel . 10. Saith Mr. B. What I have said of Sem and many others , and their posterity already ▪ I shall not here again repeat : and more will be said anon to the following questions . Answ. What is said shall be answered in its place . Mr. B. goes on thus . The 2d . proposition to be proved is , that [ the Israelites children were members of the universal visible Church of Christ as well as of the Congregation of Israel ] But this you did heretofore acknowledge , and therefore I suppose will not now deny . I suppose it past controversie between us ; 1. That Christ had then a Church on earth . As Abraham saw Christs day and rejoyced , and Moses suffered the reproach of Christ , Heb. 11.26 . and the Prophets enquired of the salvation by Christ , and searched diligently , and prophesied of the grace to come , and it was the spirit of Christ which was in those Prophets signifying the time , and testifying before hand the sufferings of Christ , and the glory that should follow , 1 Pet. 1.10 , 11. So were they part of the Church of Christ , and members of the body of Christ ▪ and given for the edification of that body : Though it was revealed to them that the higher privigledes of the Church after the comming of Christ , were not for them but for us , 1 Pet. 1.12 . 2. I suppose it agreed on also between us , that there was no true Church or Ecclesiastical worshipping society appointed by God in all the world since the fall , but the Church of Christ , and therefore either infants were members of Christs Church , or of no Church of Gods institution . Moses Church and Christs Church according to Gods institution were not two , but one Church . For Moses was Christs Usher , and his ceremonies were an obscurer Gospel to lead men to Christ : And though the foolish Jewes by mis-understanding them made a separation , and made Moses Disciples to bee separate from Christs Disciples , and so set up the alone [ shadowes of things to come , yet the body is all of Christ ] Col. 2.17 . and by so doing they violated Gods institution , and unchurcht themselves . 3. I suppose it agreed also , that Christs Church is but one , and that even those of all ages that are not at once visible , yet make up one body . 4. And that therefore whoever is a member of any particular Church is a member of the universal . ( Though the Church was more eminently called Catholike , when the wall of separation was taken down . ) But I remember I have proved this in my Book , part . 1. chap. 20. and therefore shall say no more now . Answ. I grant as I did heretofore , that the Israelites children were members of the universal visible Church of Christ , as well as of the Congregation of Israel , or rather in that they were of the Congregation of Israel , nor do I deny that Christ had then a Church on earth , nor that there was no true Church , or Ecclesiastical worshipping society appointed by God in all the world since the fall but the Church of Christ. But as for the third , though I grant that Christs invisible Church is but one by unity of the same spirit and faith , and that the visible Church is but one in some respect , namely in respect of the profession o● the same faith and hope in Christ : yet they are not so one , as that whoever is a visible member of one particular Church , is a member of each particular Church ; and though I yeild that whoever is a member of any particular Church is a member of the universal , yet it follows not , which is it that Mr. B. drives at , and vainly talks of his proving it elsewhere , as will be shewed hereafter ) that every one who was a member of the universal Church , in that he was a member of the Jewish Church particular , was a visible member of every particular visible Church of Christ ; nor that every one that was a member of the universal Church , in that hee was a member of a visible particular Church of Christ , was a visible member of the Jewish particular Church . As for instance , Cornelius and his house who feared God , Acts 10.2 . were visible members of that particular Church of his house , and so of the universal , yet were not visible members of the particular Church Jewish , as may bee proved from their uncircumcision and shunning as unclean by the Jews , Acts 10. & 11.3 . The reason is manifest : For the universal hath not a distinct existence from the parts , nor is any part existing in another part , because it is part of the whole , as the finger is not in every part of the body because it is in the body , in that it is in the hand , which is a part . And therefore Mr. Bs. arguing ( which he confides so much in , part . 1. ch . 20. of plain Script . &c. ) will appear to be vain ; that because infants were visible members of the Church universal , in that they were of the Church Jewish , therefore they are in the Christian , properly so called , contradistinct to the Jewish . Which speech I use , as commonly Divines do , because though the Jewish Church were Christs Church , yet the appellation of Christians being not afore the dayes of the Apostles Acts 11.26 . we may fitly say the Church in the wilderness was not the Christian properly so called , that is , which is gathered out of the nations by the Apostles preaching , nor Moses in the Christian Church , nor Cornelius in the Jewish Church , as Aegypt though in Africa , and Persia though in Asia , yet are not said to be in Asia the less , or Africa propria . Mr. B. proceeds . Concerning the matter of the third Qu. I assert that [ it was not onely of the Jewes Commonwealth that infants were members of , but of the Church distinct from it . ] This is proved sufficiently in what is said before . ] Answ. As yet I do not finde it proved , that the Jewish Church was distinct from the Commonwealth , or that there was any member of the Church who was not of the Commonwealth . What is said about it , sect . 43. may be there seen by the Reader . Moreover , saith Mr. B. 1. Infants were Churchmembers in Abrahams family before Circumcision , and after when it was no Commonwealth . So they were in Isaacs , Jacobs , &c. Answ. Abrahams family , and Isaacs , and Jacobs , were a Common-wealth , although they were but small ; they had government within themselves . Abraham had his trained servants and made war of himself , Gen. 14.14 . Isaac made a league as a Prince co●ordinate , Gen. 26.31 . so did Jacob , Gen. 31.53 . These with other acts shew they were an independent Commonwealth . 2. Saith Mr. B. The banished , captivated , scattered Jews , that ceased to bee members of their Commonwealth , yet ceased not to bee of the Church . Answ. They were then of the Commonwealth of the Jews , as they were of the Church , both de jure , and de facto , they acknowledging themselves to be of that people , and to a●here to their laws , although somewhat restrained of their liberty , as a captivated , imprisoned King or subject is head or member of that Republique to which he hath not access . 3. Saith Mr. B. The people of the land , that became Jews in Hesters time , joyned not themselves to their Commonwealth : Nor the Sichemites . Answ. The contrary is true ▪ as concerning the Sichemites is shewed before . 4. Saith he , Many Proselytes never joyned themselves to their Commonwealth . Answ. Those Proselytes were not of the Jewish Church visible members . 5. Saith he , The children of Abraham by Keturah , when they were removed from his family were not unchurched ; and yet were no members of the Jewes Commonwealth . But I shall take up with what is said for this already , undertaking more largely to manifest it , when I perceive it necessary and useful . Answ. Abrahams children by Keturah , when out of the Common-wealth of the Hebrews were unchurched , at least , in respect of the Church of the Hebrews ; nor do I conceive Mr. Bs. larger manifestation of the contrary , will be any thing but more words without proof . SECT . LV. Infants of the Jewes were not visible Churchmembers , by Promise , or Precept ; as Mr. B. teacheth . MR. B. proceeds . To the 4th . Qu. I assert that [ 1. There was a Law or Precept of God obliging the parents to enter their children into Covenant with God , by accepting his favour , and re-engaging and devoting them to God , and so entering them solemnly Churchmembers . ] And [ 2. there was a Covenant , promise or grant of God , by which he offered the Church-membership of some infants and actually conferred it , where his offer was accepted . ] I should have mentioned this first , and therefore will begin with the proof of this . By these terme ▪ Covenant , promise , grant , or deed of gift , &c. we understand that which is common to all these , viz. [ A s●gne of Gods will conferring or confirming a right to or in some benefit ] such as we commonly call a Civil act of Collation as distinct from a mere Physical act of disposal . I call it [ a signe of Gods will de jure ] because that is the general nature of all his legal moral acts ▪ they are all signal determinations de debiro ▪ of some due . 2. I say conferring or confirming right to some benefit ] to d●fference it from precepts which onely determine what shall be due from us to God , and from threatnings , which determine what punishment shall be due from God to us . Answ. That which Mr. B. asserts here , is in opposition to what I said in my 2d . Le●ter ; I confess infants were by Gods fact of taki●g the whole people of the Jews for his people , in that estate of the Jewish paedagogy ( not by any promise or precept ) visible Churchmembers , that is of the Congregation of Israel ▪ and in my 3d. I explai● my self , a promise conferri●g infants the benefit of Churchmembership , with all the consequent priviledges , a precept constituting the duty of devoting and dedicating the child to God , and entring into Covenant , which confers the benefit ( which were his own words in his first Letter ) so that if we prove by any other gr●nt or deed of gift , physical or moral , which is not a promise of it , by which it is conferred , or by any Law which is not such a pr●cept , he contradicts not my speech , and so disputes not ad idem . Which whether he do or no , will be perceived by examining what follows . Having thus , saith he , explained the terms , I prove the proposition . If infants Churchmembership with the priviledges thereof were a benefit conferred , which some had right to or in , then was there some grant , covenant , or promise , by which this right was conferred : But the antecedent is most certain : Ergo , so is the consequent . I suppose you will not deny that it was a benefit to be the covenanted people of God ▪ to have the Lord engaged to bee their God , and to take them for his people ▪ to bee brought so near him , and to bee separated from the common and unclean , from the world , and from the strangers to the covenant of promises , that live as without God in the world , and without hope . Answ. I do not deny it , but I deny that this is to be visible Church-members formally , or connexively . For men may be visible Church-members , and yet not have all this benefit , and they may have all this benefit who are not visible Churchmembers . Hypocrites may be visible Churchmembers , yet not be Gods covenanted people to have the Lord engaged to be their God , and to take them for his people , to be brought so near him , &c. And some believing Saints that are dumb , may have all this , and yet not be visible Churchmembers . Mr. B. adds , If it were asked what benefit had the Circumcision ? I suppose you would say , much every way . Answ. I should , but I would add ; that to bee the Circumcision is not all one as to be visible Churchmembers : Cornelius and his house were visible Churchmembers yet not the Circumcision : Nor were the benefits mentioned Rom. 3.1 2. conferred to them as visible Church-members , ( For then all visible Churchmembers had been partakers of the same benefits , they had had the Oracles of God committed to them , the giving the Law , Christ from them after the flesh , &c. Rom. 9.4 , 5. which is raise ) but as to a people specially loved and gratified with these priviledges . He adds . If Infant-Churchmembership were no benefit , then they that had it , were not ( when they came to age or their parents in the mean time ) obliged to any thankfulness for it . But they were obliged to be thankful for it . Ergo , it was a benefit . Answ. Visible Churchmembership simply notes onely a state , by which was a benefit . By the infant visible Jewish Churchmembership was a benefit of honour and special dignity above other people , which God then vouchsafed to the Jews , and do●h not so now to infants of believing Christians as such , and for it the Jew parents and children were to be thankful . He goes on . The next thing in the antecedent to be proved is , that there was a right conferred to this benefit , and some had a right in it . And 1. if any had the benefit , then had they right to or in that benefit : But some had the benefit , Ergo. The consequence of the major is certain . 1. Because the very nature of the benefit consisteth in a right to further benefits . 2. If any had the benefit of Church-membership , Covenant-interest , &c. without right ; then they had it with Gods consent and approbation or without it . Not with it : For hee is just , and consenteth not that any have that which hee hath not some right to or in , not without it : For no man can have a benefit from God against his will , or without it . 2. If no infants had duely and rightfully received this benefit , God would have somewhere reprehended the usurpation and abuse of his ordinances or benefits . But that hee doth not as to this case , Ergo. 3. God hath expressed this right in many texts of Scripture , of which more afterward . Answ. Mr. B. is guilty of that which he chargeth me with unjustly , jumbling things together which are to be distinguished , visible Churchmembership , right to or of visible Churchmembership , to the benefits of it , duly and rightfully receiving of it . The infants of the Jews were visible Churchmembers , not by a legal right to it , antecedent to their being such visible Churchmembers , which they or any for them might claim as due ; nor was it capable of duly and rightfully being received or usurped : For it was nothing but a state of appearing to be part of that people , who were in appearance from things sensible , Gods people ; and this they had by Gods fact of making them to be a part of that people visibly , to wit , his forming them and bringing them into the world , and placing them so as to be ranked among his visible people , and known by things obvious to sense to be of this people , from which this state results without any such receiving as may be denominated duly or rightfully done or usurped . Yet I grant they had a right in it , that is , they had it by Gods donation , without any usurpation by them or any other ; and they had right to the benefit consequent , as to the honour and esteem and dignity absolutely , and to other benefits , if there were any other annexed to it , whether absolutely or conditionally . Yet to the proofs of Mr. B. I say , 1. That it seems to me not true , that the nature of the benefit of infants visible Churchmembership consisteth in a right to further benefits . 2. That if it were true , yet I see not how it proves this consequence , If any had the benefit , then they had ri●ht to or in that benefit . A man may have a benefit without right , though the nature , or as I would speak , the condition of it be such as to draw with it a right to further benefits ; as a man may have a Lordship without right , which gives him a right to further benefits . 3. That Mr. B. jumbles together Churchmembershi● , Covenant interest , &c. whereas a person may have no interest in Gods Covenant , who is a visible Churchmember ; and he ma● have interest in Gods Covenant , who is no visible Churchmember . 4. His speech , God is just , and consenteth not that any have that which he hath not some right to or in , as the words seem to import , is not right . For 1. they intimate a● if visible Church-membership were given out of distributive justice , which gives to every man his own . But this I conceive to be very erroneous . For as Regeneration , so also visible Churchmembership are of bounty by God as Soveraign Lord , nor of distributive justice by God as a Judge . 2. That all that any man hath from God , he hath of debt , contrary to the Apostle , Rom. 4.4 . 5. That visible Churchmembership is conceived as a thing offered , and to be duly and rightfully received , or to be attained by usurpation and abuse of Gods ordinances or benefits . But this I understand not how it is according to Mr. Bs. Doctrine . 1. He conceives visible Churchmembership distinct from Circumcision . What Ordinance is there then which may be abused by receiving visible Church-membership ? 2. The visible Churchmembership of infants among the Jews , doth not to me appear to be a thing tendered or offered by God upon condition of parents faith , and to be accepted or refused : but to be a state resu●ting from Gods fact forementioned without such offer . 6. What is in the Scriptures after expressed , shall be viewed in it's place . Mr. B. adds ▪ I am next to prove the consequence , that [ this right was coferred by some grant , promise , or Covenant of God. ] And this is as easie as to prove that the world was made by Gods power and efficiency or will ; or to prove that God is the owner of all things , and no man can receive them but by his gift . 1. If there be no other way possible for right to be conveyed from God to us , but onely by his grant , promise , or Covenamt , ( which we call donation , and is a moral civil action , ) then it is by this means that it is conveyed . But there is no other possible way of such conveyance : Ergo. We have no right till God give us right . His will signified createth our right No man can have right to that which is wholly and absolutely anothers , but by his consent or will. This will is no way known ▪ but by some signs of it . These signs of such a will for conveyance of right to a benefit , are a civil moral action , called a donation or gift simply . If the sign be in writing , we commonly call it a Deed of gift . If it be by word of mouth , conferring a present right , we call it a verbal grant or gift . If it confer onely a future right ▪ we call it a promise , and sometimes a Covenant ; and sometimes the word Covenant signifieth both , that act which gives a present right , and promiseth the continuance of it . Right being a moral or civil thing , can be no way conveyed but by a moral or civil action . A gift that was never given , is a contradiction . So that this part of our controversie is as easie as whether two and two be four . Answ. Visible Churchmembership is not a right , but a state of being ; as to be healthy , strong , rich , &c. which are not given by a civil moral action , but by providence of God acting physically , as the soveraign disposer of all . It is certain , that it is by Gods will , as all things are ; but this will is no otherways signified then by the event , as conversion and many other gifts of God are . My meaning is , though these things are by vertue of Gods will , and are signified in the general by some Declaration of Gods purpose and order by which he acts , which may b● called his Covenant ; yet in the particulars , I mean for the persons , time , &c. there is not any Covenant that assures these persons conversion or visible Churchmembership , or that estates infants in either of those benefits as their right by vertue of Gods promise as the sole efficient of it , upon that condition Mr. B. asserts , that is , the parents faith , as I have proved before , Sect. 52. I deny therefore that there is such a promise of God as conferred infants visible Churchmembership upon ●he parents faith . And to Mr. Bs. argument I say , that though it be easie to prove that visible Churchmembership is by Gods donation , or grant ; yet to argue therefore it must be by a promise , such as Mr. B. asserts , follows not , it being no good argument which is drawn affirmatively from the genus to the species , it must be by Gods gift or grant , ergo b● promise . Yea , according to Mr. B. here a promise confers onely a future right , and therefore it doth not make actually visible Church-members without some further act , and therefore not the promise or Covenant of God is the next adequate cause of it , but some other act of God , and consequently there is another poss●ble yea manifest way , without the promise of it upon condition of parents faith , which Mr. B. asserts . But Mr. B. saith . 2. God hath expresly called that act a Covenant or promise by which he conveyeth this right : which we shall more fully manifest anon when we come to it . Answ. These a●e but words , as will appear by that which followes . The 2d . Proposition , saith Mr. B. to be proved , is , that [ there was a law or precept of God ob●iging the parents to enter their children into Covenant and Churchmembership , by accepting of his offer , and re-engaging them to God. ] And this is as obvious and easie as the former . But first I shall in a word here also explain the terms . The word [ law ] is sometimes taken more largely , and unfitly , as comprehending the very immanent acts or the nature of God , considered without any sign to represent it to the creature . So many call Gods nature or purposes the Eternal Law : which indeed is no law , nor can be fitly so called . 2. It is taken properly for [ an authoritative determination de debito constituendo vel confirmando . ] And so it comprehendeth all that may fitly be called a law . Some define it , [ Jussum ma●estatis obligan● aut ad obedientiam aut ad paenam . ] But this leaves out the praemiant part , and some others : So that of Grotius doth , Est regula actionum moralium obligans ad id quod rectum est . I acquiesce in the first , or rather in this , which is more full and exact ; [ A law is a sign of the Rectors will constituting or confirming right or dueness . ] That it be a sign of the Rectors will de debito constituendo vel confirmando , is the general nature of all laws . Some quarrel at the word [ sign ] because it is logical and not political : As if politicians should not speak logically as well as other men ! There is a two-fold due ; 1. What is due from us to God ( or any Rector ; ) and this is signified in the precept and prohibition , ( or in the precept de agendo & non agendo . ) 2. What shall be due to us ; and this is signified by promises , or the praemiant part of the law , and by laws for distribution and determination of proprieties . All benefits are given us by God in a double relation , both as Rector and Benefactor : or as Benefactor regens ; or as Rector benefaciens : though among men that stand not in such a subordination to one another as we do to God , they may be received from a meer benefactor without any regent interest therein . The first laws do ever constitute the debitum or right : afterward there may be renewed laws and precepts to urge men to obey the former , or to do the same thing : and the end of these is either fullier to acquaint the subject with the former , or to revive the memory of them , or to excite to the obedience of them : And these do not properly constitute duty , because it was constituted before ; but the nature and power of the act is the same with that which doth constitute it , and therefore doth confirm the constitution , and again oblige us to what we were obliged to before . For obligations to one and the same duty may be mul●iplied . 3. Some take the word [ law ] in so restrained a sence as to exclude verbal or particular precepts , especially directed but to one ; or a few men ; and will onely call that a law which is witten , or at least a well known custome obliging a whole society in a stated way . These be the most eminent sort of laws : but to say that the rest are no laws , is vain and groundless , against the true general definition of a law , and justly rejected by the wisest politicians . That which we are now to enquire after , is a precept , or the commanding part of a law , which is [ a sign of Gods will obliging us to duty , ] of which signs there are materially several sorts , as 1. by a voice , that 's evidently of God : 2. by writing : 3. by visible works or effects : 4. by secret impresses , as by inspiration , which is a law onely to him that hath them . Answ. Mr. B. undertook to explain the terms , and he onely , and that unnecessarily and tediously , explains one term , to wit [ law , ] which was not the term in my Letter , to which his Proposition was to be opposed , but the word [ precept ; ] whereas he should have explained what he meant by the parents entring their children into Covenant and Churchmembership , and what offer he meant they were to accept , and how , and how they were to engage them to God , and how this entring , accepting , re-engaging did confer the benefit of visible Church-membership to their children , and what precept it is that is unrepealed distinct from the precept of Circvmcision , which I presume he doth not hold unrepealed . All these were necessary to have been distinctly set down , that I might have known his meaning , and thereby have known whether his assertion opposeth my position , and whether he prove it or not . But that the Reader may the better perceive where the point to be proved lies , I shall set down distinctly what I conceive Mr. B. means , and then what I assert , and what Mr. B. should prove in opposition to my assertion . 1. I conceive he imagines an offer of God to parents , which he calls a promise or Covenant , that upon their taking him to be their God , he would be a God to their children , even their infants . 2. That parents are and were bound to accept of this offer for their children . 3. That by it they do enter them into Covenant , that is , they do Covenant for them that they shall be Gods people , and consequently they partake of the Covenant that God is their God. 4. That by vertue of this entring into Covenant , accepting , and re-engaging them to God , they are visible Churchmenbers . I assert 1. There is no such offer , promise , or Covenant . 2. That though there are precepts for parents to pray for their children , to breed them up for God by example , teaching , &c. yet they are not bound to believe this ; that upon their own faith God will take their infant children to be his , and he will be a God to them , nor to accept of this pretended offer , sith there is no such promise or offer . 3. That though parents may enter into Covenant for their children , that is , they may do it as those , Deut. 29.12 . either by charge and adjuration , or by wishing a curse to them if they did not cleave to God , as Nehem. 10.29 . Josh. 6.25 . and this may have an obligation on them beyond the precept , and influence on them as a motive , as the Oath to the Gibeonites , Josh. 9.16 . yet by this their entring into Covenant for them , they do not make them partakers of the Covenant or promise that God wil be their God. 4. That if there were such a promise , and such a duty of accepting the pretended offer , and re-engaging ; yet this neither did then , nor doth now make infants visible Churchmembers . So that the point between us is , Whether there be such a precept to parents besides Circumcision , of entring into Covenant , accepting an offer of God to be their God for their children according to a promise that he will be so , and re-engaging them to God , whereby they become actually visible Churchmembers ? This Mr. B. affirms , I deny . He speaks thus . Having thus opened the terms [ law and precept , ] I prove the Proposition thus . 1. If it was the duty of the Israelites to accept Gods offered mercy for their children , to engage and devote them to him in Covenant , then there was a law or precept which made this their duty , and obliged them to it . But it was a duty : Ergo , there was such a law or precept . For the antecedent , 1. If it were not a duty , then it was either a sin , or a neutral indifferent action : But it was not a sin , ( for 1. it was against no law , 2. it is not reprehended ; ) nor was it indifferent , for it was of a moral nature , and ergo either good or evil , yea sin or duty : For properly permittere is no act of law , ( though many say it is , ) but a suspension of an act : and so licitum is not moraliter bonum , but onely non malum ; and ergo is not properly within the verge of morality . 2. If there be a penalty ( and a most terrible penalty ) annexed for the non-performance , then it was a duty : But such a penalty was annexed ( as shall anon be particularly shewed ) even to be cut off from his people , to be put to death , &c. If it oblige ad panam , it did first oblige ad obedientiam : For no law obligeth ad paenam , but for disobedience , which presupposeth an obligation to obedience . 3. If it were not the Israelites duty to enter their children into Gods Covenant and Church , then it would have been none of their sin to have omitted or refused so to do : But it would have been their great and hainous sin to have omitted or refused it ; Ergo. Now to the consequence of the major . There is no duty but what is made by some law or precept as it 's proper efficient cause or foundation : Ergo , if it be a duty , there was certainly some law or precept that made it such . Among men we say , that a benefit obligeth to gratitude , though there were no law : But the meaning is , if there were no humane law , and that is because the law of God in nature requireth man to be just and thankfull . If there were no law of God natural or positive that did constitute it or oblige us to it , there could be no duty . 1. There is no duty but what is made such by Gods signified will , ergo , no duty but what is made such by a law or precept . For a precept is the sign of Gods will obliging to duty . 2. Where there is no law there is no transgression , Rom. 4.15 . ergo , where there is no law there is no duty ; for these are contraries : it is a duty not to transgress the law , and a transgression not to perform the duty which it requireth of us . There is no apparent ground of exception , but in case of Covenants . Whether a man may not oblige himself to a duty meerly by his consent ? I answer , 1. He may oblige himself to an act , which he must perform , or else prove unfaithfull and dishonest : but his own obligation makes it not strictly a duty : ergo , when God makes a Covenant with man , he is as it were obliged in point of fidelity , but not of duty . 2. He that obligeth himself to an act by promise , doth occasion an obligation to duty from God , because God hath obliged men to keep their promises . 3. So far as a man may be said to be his own ruler , so far may he be said to oblige himself to duty , ( that is duty to himself , though the act be for the benefit of another : ) but then he may as fitly be said to make a law to himself , or command himself : so that still the duty ( such as it is ) hath an answerable command . So that I may well conclude , that there is a law , because there is a duty . For nothing but a law could cause that duty , nor make that omission of it a sin . Where there is no law , sin is not imputed , Rom. 5.13 . But the omission of entring infan●s into Covenant with God before Christs incarnation would have been a sin imputed ; ergo , there was a law commanding it . 2. If it was a duty to dedicate infants to God , or enter them into Covenant with him , then either by Gods will , or without it : certainly not without it . If by Gods will , then either by his will revealed , or unrevealed . His unrevealed will cannot oblige ; for there wants promulgation , which is necessary to obligation : And no man can be bound to know Gods unrevealed will , unless remotely , as it may be long of himself that it is not to him revealed . If it be Gods revealed will that must thus oblige , then there was some sign by which it was revealed . And if there were a sign revealing Gods will obliging us to duty , then there was a law , For this is the very nature of the preceptive part of a law , ( which is the principal part , ) so that you may as well say , that you are a reasonable creature , but not a man , as say that men were obliged to duty by Gods revealed will , but yet not by a law or precept . 3. We shall anon produce the law or precept , and put it out of doubt that there was such a thing . In the mean time I must confess , I do not remember that ever I was put to dispute a point that carrieth more of it 's own evidence to shame the gain-sayer . And if you can gather Disciples even among the godly , by perswading them that there were duties without precepts or laws , and benefits without donations , covenants , or promise confirming them , then despair of nothing for the time to come : You may perswade them that there is a son without a father , or any relation without it's foundation , or effect without it's cause , and never doubt but the same men will believe you , while you have the same interest in them , and use the same artifice in putting off your conceits . Answ. This tedious unnecessary discourse I have set together , lest it should be said I omitted it because I could not answer it , though I might have well done it , and granted him his conclusion without any revocation of what I had written to him . For his conclusion is , that there was a law or precept to the Israelites to accept of Gods offered mercy for their children to engage and devote them to him in Covenant , which I never denied , onely I denied that this was any other then Circumcision , or that this conferred the benefit , that is , made them visible Church-members , or that this mercy , as he calls it , was offered by a Covenant to be a God to believers and their seed , or that parents did by their act enter the children into Covenant , that is , Gods Covenant to be their God , or Covenant to God , in proper speech whereby they covenanted to be his people . And for the first , it seems to me , 1. That Mr. B. can produce no other law or precept binding the Israelites to this duty besides that of Circumcision , because he neither here nor elsewhere that I know of produceth any other . 2. That he means no other by two passages in this discourse ; 1. because he saith there was a most terrible penalty annexed to this law obliging Israelites for non-performance ( as shall be anon particularly shewed ) even to be cut off from his people , to be put to death , &c. which he neither shews to be any other , nor do I think he could mean any other then that of Circumcision : 2. He saith , the omission of entring infants into Covenant with God before Christs incarnation , would have been a sin imputed ; his limiting it to the time before Christs incarnation , intimates he meant it of Circumcision . 3. That he deals like as if he meant deceitfully , in putting off the naming the law or precept to another place , which it had been requisite for the Answerer and Reader to have found here , that it might be discerned what law he meant . And for the 2d . I say , if he could prove or produce that or any other law or precept ; yet if he did not prove that thereby the infants were made visible Churchmembers , he proves not the contradictory to my writing . The other two points belong to the two foregoing and following questions . As for his confession , though his injurious insinuations of me are so frequent and so frivolous , that I could pass by them as the hissing of a Goose , or the snarling of a Curre ; yet because his speeches do much wrong the truth and way of God through my sides , I judge it fit to reply , 1. That I see not reason to be ashamed of my assertion , but Mr. B. hath cause to be ashamed of his own heedlesness , and misrepresentation of my assertion , and roving from the point he should prove . 2. That I gather no Disciples to my self ; but endeavour to reform the abuse of Infant Baptism , and to restore the right use of Christian Baptism , according to the plain appointment of Christ in Scripture , and practice of his Apostles . 3. That he that will be perswaded by Mr. B. that infants are Disciples meant Matth. 28.19 . and that in Gen. 1.26 . & 3.15 . is a law or ordinance of God for infants visible Churchmembership , will believe any thing that he saith . 4. That were it not for the opinion he hath obtained of godliness by his Book of Rest , the esteem he hath gained by his writings for the Ministery , and the advantage they have by his Book of Baptism to maintain their practice and station , it were not likely so vain a Book would be esteemed among Schollers . 5. That were it not for the affrightments of Mr. B. through his calumnies and slanders , as if Ranters , Quakers , and all sorts of errours and sects sprang from Antipaedobaptism , godly tender conscienc'd persons durst not maintain as they do so gross a corruption as their Baby sprinkling is , nor neglect so great and fundamental a duty as Baptism is according to the Scripture . But the Lord will judge betweene us . I proceede . The 5 th Qu. saith Mr. B. requireth me to lay down this assertion , that [ there is no law or precept of God which doth not oblige to duty ; and no actual promise or donation , which doth not confer the benefit . ] This I aver on occasion of your last Letter , where in contradiction to the former , you confess [ the promises to the na●ural posterity of Abraham , Gen. 17. and the Covenants made with Israel at Mount Sinai , and Deut. 29. and a precept of C●rcumcision , and precepts of God by Moses , of calli●g the people , and requiring them to enter into Covenant , Exod. 19. Deut. 29. ] Yet you [ do not conceive that the infants of Israel were made visible Churchmemb●rs by the promises in the Covenants , o● the precepts forenamed . ] If so , then either you imagine that among all those precepts and promises there was yet no promise or Covenant that gave them the benefit of Churchmembership , or precept concerning their entrance into that state ; or else you imagine that such promises were made , but did not actually confer the benefit , and such precepts were made , but did not actually oblige . Your words are so ambiguous in this , that they signifie nothing of your mind to any that knows it not some other way . For when you say [ there is no such particular promise concerning in●an●s visible Church-membership , or precept , &c. besides Circumcision , as in my Book of Baptism I assert , ] who knows whether that exception of [ Circumcision ] be a concession of such a precept or promise in the case of Circumcision ? or if not , what sense it hath ? and what you imagine that precept or promise to be which I assert ? and before the sence of y●ur one syllable [ such ] is discerned by trying it by a whole volume , I doubt you will make what your list of it . However , if you should mean , that such precepts there are as have for their subject [ the avouching God to be their God , the entring into Covenant Circumcision ] of infants , but not their Churchmembership ; then 1. I have proved the contrary to the negative before ; 2. and more shall do anon ; 3. and it 's a palpable contradiction to the precedent affirmative . But if you mean that Churchmembership of infants as well as others is the subject or part of the subject of those promises or precepts and yet that infants were not made or confirmed thereby ; it is the contrary that I am asserting , and I have no further need to prove , then by shewing the contradiction of your opinion to it self For an actual Covenant or promise that doth not give right to the benefit promised ( according to it●s tenour and terms , ) is like a cause that hath no effect , a father that did never generate , and it 's all one as to say , A gift or Covenant which is no gift or Covenant , seeing the name is denied , when the thing named and defined is granted . So a precept or law to enter infants solemnly into Churchmembership , which yet obligeth none so to enter them , is as gross a contradiction as to say , the Sun hath not heat or light , and yet is truly a Sun. Answ. I grant his assertion , that there is no precept of God which doth not oblige to duty , nor donation which doth not confer the benefit ; though sundry things which have the title of Gods lawes oblige not to duty , and an actual promise doth not put the thing promised in present being as the next cause , but the thing promised is thereby onely made future , yea a promise that it shall be doth suppose it not to be , and that there is something else the next and immediate cause of its actual being . The imagined contradiction in my later to my former Letter , is before cleared not to be so Sect. 53. Though I have said enough before in this and other fore going Sections , yet to take away all colour of charging me with ambiguity , 1. I acknowledge that the Covenant at Mount Sinai ▪ and the Covenant Deut. 29. did declare the people of the Jews to be Gods people , or his visible Church , in that the Covenant was mutual , and open between them and God. 2. That they were Gods visible Church not barely by Gods promise to them to be their God , but by their promise to God : Gods call of them made them his Church , their promise to God with o●her acts made them visibly so . 3. The promises of God Gen. 17. did not of themselves make the house of Abraham Gods visible Church . 4. The call of God , and such acts as whereby he separated them from others to bee his ( which were many ) made the house of Abraham Gods Church 5. The infants were members of that Church , in that they were part of that peop●e . 6. Such things as whereby they were visibly of that people , their birth , cohabitation , &c. did make them visible Churchmembers . 7. Circumcision was one sign not by its●lf but with other things , whereby the male infants and adult were known to be of Gods visible Church . 8. No promise of God , nor duty of parents did make the infants actually visible Churchmembers , as the next cause in act either formal or efficient . If Mr. B. or any Reader will heed these passages , with what goes before , hee may easily discern my minde , and acquit me from self-contradiction , if not I think it in vain for me to use more words . I pass on to that which follows . SECT . LVI . That the People , and thereby the Infants of the Hebrews , were made visible Churchmembers by a transeunt fact , is made good against Mr : Bs. exceptions . I Come next ( saith Mr. B. ) to the 6th . Qu. Whether indeed there be any transeunt fact , which without the causation of any promise or precept , did make the Israelites infants Churchmembers . This you affirm ( if you would be understood ; ) whether this your ground of infants Churchmembership or mine be righter , I hope will be no hard matter for another man ( of common capacity ) to discern . By a [ transeunt fact ] thus set as contradistinct to a law , precept , or promise , either you mean the act of legislation and promise making , or some other merely physical act . If the former , it is too ridiculous to be used in a serious business : For you should not put things in competition excluding the one , where they both must necessarily concur , the one standing in a subordination to the other . Was there ever a Law or Covenant made in the world any other way ●hen by a transeunt fact ? Sure all legislation is by some signification of the Soveraigns will. And the making of that sign is a transeunt fact . If it be by voice is not that transient ? If by writing is not the act transeunt ? If by creation it self , the act is transeunt though the effect bee permament . And certainly if legislation or promising be your transeunt fact , you do very absurdly put it in opposition to a law ( or promise ) it being the making of such a law . And the legislation doth no way oblige the subject , but by the law so made : nor doth the making of a promise , grant or covenant , confer right to the benefit which is the subject of of it , any otherwise then as it is the making of that grant which shall so conferre it . As the making of a knife doth not cut , but the knife made : and so of other instruments . So that if the law oblige not , or the grant confer not , certainly the legislation or promise-making cannot do it . I cannot therefore imagine that this is your sense , without charging you with too great absurdity . As if you should say , It is not the will of the testator , i. e. his testament , that enti●leth the legatary to the legacy , but it is the rranseunt fact of the testator in making that will : or it is not the Soveraigns commission that authorizeth a Judge , souldier , &c. but it is the transeunt fact of writing or making that commission . It is not the sign that signifieth , but the transeunt fact of making that sign . Were not this a contemptible arguing ? To charge you with this were to make you tantùm non ununreasonable . And yet I know not what to say to you , that is , how to understand you . For if you mean a mere physical transient fact , which is no such legislation or promise-making , then it is far more absurd then the former . For if it be not a signe of Gods will obliging to duty , or conferring benefit , then can it not so oblige to duty , nor confer benefits . It is no other transeunt fact but legislation that can oblige a subject to duty , nor any other transeunt fact but promise , or other donation , that can convey right to a benefit , or oblige the promiser . A moral or civil effect must bee produced by a moral or civil action , and not by a mere physical action ; which is unfit to produce such an alien effect , and can go no higher then it●s own kinde . What sense therefore I should put on your words , without making them appear unreasonable , even much below the rates of ordinary rational peoples discourse , I cannot tell . For to say , It is not a law but legislation , is all one as to say , It is not the fundamentum , but the laying of that foundation that causeth the relation , or from which it doth result . And to say it is an alien physical act , which hath no such thing as right for us subject or terminus , is to confound physick and morals , and to speak the grossest absurdities ; as to say that the transient fact of eating , drinking , going , building , &c. do adopt such an one to be your heir . I must needs think therefore , till you have better cleared your self , that you have here quit your self as ill , and forsaken and delivered up your Cause , as palpably as ever I knew man do , without an express confession that it is naught . When men must bee taught by this obtuse subtilty to prove that infants Churchmembership needed no revocation , forsooth [ because their Churchmembership was not caused by a law , precept , promise or covenant , but by a transeunt fact ] then which as you leave it , the world hath scarce heard a more incoherent dream . But I pray you remember in your reply that you being the affirmer of this , must prove it . Which I shall expect , when you can prove that you can generate a man by spitting or blowing your nose , or by plowing and sowing can produce Kings and Emperours . Answ. I make not the Jews infants visible Churchmembers by bare legislation or promise-making , but by the transeunt fact described in my Letters , which was without promise or precept , that is promise of it on condition of the parents faith , or precept of accepting that offered mercy , entering into Covenant , and re-ingaging them to God , which are the promise and precept Mr. B , derives their visible Church-membership from . Infants were visible Churchmembers among the Jewes , in that they were visibly a part of that people , who were Gods Church . So that to visible Churchmembership was requisite , 1. that God should make that people h●s Church , this he did by the transeunt fact described . 2. That the infants should be visibly a part of that people , this he did by their bringing into the world , ranking them among his people , so as that they were discernable by their birth , nursing , circumcision , habitation , genealogy , and such other signes , to bee part of that Church . Their visible Churchmembership imports a state of visibility in the relations , 1. of a part to the whole , 2. of a people that are Gods , that is 1. separated from other people , 2. called and taken or brought to God. These things are done by various acts , which I conceive I did fitly call a transeunt fact . A physical and moral cause are thus described by Scheibler , Metaphys . lib. 1. c. 22. tit . 13. Topic. c. 3. tit . 14. Stierius part . Gen Metaph. c. 12. A Physical or natural Cause , is that which truly flows into the effect , and nextly reacheth it by its activity . A Moral Cause , is that which doth not flow into the effect so as to reach to it , yet so behaves himself , that the effect may be imputed to him to praise or dispraise , reward or punishment . Such are causes applying the agent to the patient , counselling , commanding , perswading exhorting , instigating , meriting , permitting when they might and should binder , &c. Visible Churchmembership is not as Mr. B. conceives it , formally a right to a benefit , or a benefit , though it may be so consecutively , or they may follow on it . But it is a complex term , noting a state with a dou●le relation and imports a natural effect or term of action , as well , if not more then a moral , and is from physical as well as moral causes ; and in infants visible Churchmembership , I judge it altogether an effect of a physical cause , as not knowing any moral action of God or man that makes them such ; though to the visible Churchmembership of the people or body of which they are a part acts physical and moral do concur : which I shall clear in answering Mr. Bs. exceptions to my last Letter to him . As for his outcries of grossest absurdities , incoherent dreams , unreasonable even much below the rates of ordinary rational peoples discourse , contemptible arguing , obtuse subtility , contradictions , palpable forsaking and delivering up my Cause , generating a man by spitting or blowing my nose , with the rest of his Canine Scoptical Rhetorick , I pass by it as being of ill savour , hoping Mr. B. will in time come to better consideration of his writings , and either shew me my errour , or discern his own . Mr. B. goes on thus . In consideration of the 7th . Qu. I shall consider the nature and effect of the transient fact which you here describe . And first of the reason of that name . You say that you call it [ transeunt ] [ because done in time and so not eternal , and past and so not in congruous sense repealeable as a law , ordinance , statute , decree , which determines such a thing shall be for the future . ] And do you think this the common sense of the word ? or a fit reason of your application of it to the thing in hand . Answ. I do . 1. Saith Mr. B. I think your intellection and volition are immanent acts , and yet not eternal . Answ. Yet all Gods immanent acts ( of whom I spake ) are eternal . We use , saith he , to contradistinguish transient acts from immanent , and that because they do transire in subjectum extraneum . Answ. So do I. But it seems you take them here as distinct from permanent . Answ. Yea and immanent too . But use your sence as long as we understand it . Answ. With your good leave then I may use this term , if you understand it , if not I must alter it . 2. Saith Mr. B. If it be onely [ past ] actions which you call [ transeunt ] it seems your long fact which was so many hundred years in doing , was no transeunt fact till the end of all those years ▪ and so did not ( by your own doctrine ) make any Churchmembers till the end of those years . Answ. It doth but seem so : the truth is , in this long fact each particular act was a transeunt fact in each year , and in each age and space of time in which those acts were done , Churchmembers were made by one or more of those and other acts used by God to that end , and yet the transeunt fact not so fully accomplished , but that there was an addition till that people came to thei● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or full stature , in which respect I comprehended all those many acts which I set down under the name of a transeunt fact , which I hope when he understands it , Mr. B. will give me leave to do . 3. Saith he ▪ But Sir the question is not , Whether it were a transeunt fact that laid the foundation by legislation or promise making ; but Whether the effect were trasient , or the act as it is in patien●e : Whether the law were transeunt which was made by a transeunt fact ? and whether the moral action of that law were permanent or transient ? it being most certainly such a moral act that must produce a title , or constitute a duty . Gods writing the ten Commandements in stone was a fact soon past , but the law was not soon past , nor the moral act of that law , viz. obligation . There are verbal laws , that have no real permanent sign : and yet the law may be permanent , and the obligation permanent , because the sign may have a permanency in esse cognito , and so the signifying vertue may remain by the help of memory , though the word did vanish in the speaking . Answ. The question between us is , Whether the infants of the Jews were made visible Churchmembers by a promise of God to be the God of believers and their seed , and a precept obliging the parents to accept of this mercy offered for their children , and to enter them into Covenant ; or by the transeunt fact I describe . The questions which Mr. B. here sets down , so far as I understand them , are no questions between us : and therefore this exception is but roving from the matter in hand . 2. Saith he , When you come to point out this transient fact individually , you say [ it is Gods taking the whole people of the Jews for his people , ] which you term [ fact ] as conceiving it most comprehensive of the many particular acts in many generations whereby he did accomplish it . ] 1. I did not well understand before that [ a fact ] did so vastly differ from on [ Act , ] as to contain the acts ( rather then the facts ) of many generations . Answ. Though I think in use there is some difference , that act is applied to the particular actions , fact to them as they amount to some thing brought to pass by them ; yet if there were no such difference , me thinks if Mr. B. had not been minded to multiply exceptions unnecessarily , he might have allowed me to use a term ( which in Disputes is frequent ) for my purpose especially sith he understands it . 2. Saith he , This is a long fact according to your measure , even from Abrahams call out of Ur : but how long it seems you are not well agreed with your self . For in the first part of your Letter you enumerate to the other acts that compose this fact [ the bringing them into the bond of the Covenant at Mount Sinai , giving them Laws , setling their Priesthood , Tabernacle , Army , Government inheritance : ] But before you end , you change yo●r mind , and say [ the Churchmembership of the Israelites began as I conceive with Abrahams call , and was compleated when they were brought out of Aegypt to God. Exod. 10.4 . ] But sure that was long before the setling their inheritance . Your fact according to your last account was about 430 yeares in doing ; but according to your first opinion , it was about 470 years long . Answ. In my first and last account there is no change of my mind . I did conceive , that the taking the whole people of the Jews for his people was compleated when they were brought out of Aegypt to God , Exod. 19.4 . as Christ said It is finished , John 19.30 . and yet more was to be done , because the chief or hardest thing then was done which would draw after it all the rest . As after the great battel at Arbella , Alexanders conquest might be said to be finished , though more were after to be done . I never meant to limit the fact to the time of their bringing out of Aegypt to God , but included all other additionals , though it were the main , and which brought along with it the rest . 3. Saith Mr. B. If it were one individual fact of about 470 years long that made infants Churchmembers , then they could not be Churchmembers till that fact was past : For the effect is not before the cause , or causality of the efficient ; the relation cannot be before the fundamentum be laid : and it seems this long fact was the laying of the fundamentum : But the consequent is certainly false ; for infants were Churchmembers before the end or compleating of your long fact : For they were Churchmembers ( you 'l grant ) when Ishmael and Isaac were circumcised . Ergo , it was not this long fact that made them Churchmembers . Answ. I said I termed Gods taking the people of the Jews a fact , as a collective term , comprehensive of the many particular acts in many generations whereby he did accomplish it . By which it may easily be perceived , that I did not make the fact an individual action , for I called it many acts , nor did mean that the Churchmembership was not till all the acts were past , but that it was accomplished by them , that is , they were brought to full stature and growth as a formed people and Commonwealth : As we say a child is a man accomplished when he is brought to the years of a man , and yet he is a man before . And I answer to Mr. Bs. argument taken from my words ; that when I drew out the fact so long , and said , by it the infants were visible Churchmembers as a part of the Congregation of Israel , my meaning was , that respectively as the Congregation of Israel were made a Church by that fact , so were the infants members . By the call out of Ur , whereby God separated Abraham and his house from other people , the Congregation of Israel began to be Gods Church , and if there had been infants they had been visible Churchmembers ; but they were not a compleated Church till they were brought out of Aegypt to God , Exod. 19.4 . nor infants members of a Church compleated till then when they were become a great nation , and were formed into a Theocratical Commonwealth . And being thus rightly understood ( as my words imported ) I said nothing which infers the absurdity of putting the effect afore the case , nor the putting off infants visible Churchmembership till the end of 470 years . 4. Saith he , If you mean that it was not the whole , but some part of this long fact that actually made infants Churchmembers , then you would have assigned that part , when that was the thing desired , and which you pretended exactly to perform ; or at least you would not have told us it comprehended all these acts . Answ. I did exactly tell Mr. B. in my Letter , it began with the call of Abraham out of Ur ; and when I told him that the fact comprehended all those acts , yet I added for explication , [ whereby it was accomplished or compleated . ] 5. Saith he , And if each particular act did make infants Church-members , or lay a sufficient ground of it , then it seems that it was done before the institution of Circumcision . For Gods calling Abraham out of Ur was before it . So that the children born in his house must be Churchmembers upon that ; and a sufficient ground laid for his own to have been such , if he had then had a natural issue : And it seems then that Ishmael was born a Churchmember many years before Circumcision . Answ. I grant all this , 6. Saith he , If this be your meaning , I pray you be so just and impartial as to accept of the proof which I shall give you of infants Churchmembership before Abrahams days , if I make it appear to be as strong as this call of Abraham from Ur. Answ. I shall . 7. Saith he , If you should mean that some one of these comprehended acts should of it self make any infants Churchmembers , then it must be any one ; for you no more assign it to one of them then to another , ( onely say [ chiefly the bringing them from Aegypt : ] But surely some of these acts particularly ●annot do it , As the leading to Padan Aram , the removal to Canaan , to Aegypt , placing , preserving ther● , setling their Army , &c. Did any one of these make infants to become Churchmembers ? Answ. No : But I did assign it to one of them more then to another , to wit , the beginning to Abrams call , the accomplishing to the bringing of them out of Aegypt to God , Exod. 19.4 8. Saith he , Nay , suppose you mean that all these acts must concur to make them members , ( and so that they were no members till many hundred years after the institution of Circumcision , ) yet could not your Doctrine hold good : For some of these acts are of an alien nature , and no more apt to cause infant Churchmembership , then a bull to generate a bird ▪ What aptitude hath the setling of an Army to be any part of the causation of infants Church-membership ? None , I think ; at least if it be such an Army as ours : For surely the setling of ours caused no such thing , as you well know . What aptitude hath the leading to Padan Aram , or removal to Aegypt , to make infants Churchmembers ? Nay , how strange is it , that the removing of Churchmembers , and such as had been infant Churchmembers , as Ishmael , Keturahs children , Esau , must cause infant Churchmembership ? Sure it was no cause of their own . Keturahs children were Churchmembers in infancy : I enquire of you by what act they were made such ? You say [ by Gods fact of taking the whole people of the Jews for his people ] whereof the act of removing Keturahs children was a part . Very good . It seems then that removing from the Congregation of Israel a people of the Jews , is a taking of the removed to be of that people : or else it is not onely the taking that people , but also the removal from that people that maketh Churchmembers , even the removed as well as the taken , both which are alike absurd . Answ. 1. I mean not as Mr. B. supposeth I might . 2. The setling of the Army had remotely causation of infants Churchmembership , for by it the Israelites were a well formed Congregation , Church , or Commonwealth , and by which the infants were a part , which is their Church-membership . 3. I know that our Army hath done so much for the setling of the Church , as that the Antiprelatists congregations had been either none , or much oppressed , i● they had not broken the force of the opposite party . Nor dare I be so unthankfull to God , or them , as not to acknowledge the great mercy and benefit we at this day enjoy thereby , however Mr. B. fret at our liberty , and jibe at the instruments . 4. The leading to Padan Aram , removal to Aegypt , were acts of providence wherby Jacobs house were encreased and preserved , which I conceive were some of those acts whereby he made them a people to himself . 5. Ishmaels , Keturahs children's , Esau's removal , were some acts whereby the congregation of Israel became Gods severed , or a peculiar people . 6. Keturahs children were visible Churchmembers while they were part of Abrahams house , called after the people of the Jews , by Gods taking of the people of the Jews , and consequently them as a part ; and yet the removal of them was after one act whereby the people of the Jews were made to God a severed people from them ; and consequently their infants Churchmembers . Distinguish the times and the different state of things and intentions of God in his providences , and these seeming incoherences will be found consistent . 9. Saith he , And I pray you tell me yet a little better , how an act can make a man a Churchmember that was one long before that was done ? You cannot here say , that it was before in esse morali , and had a moral causation . How then could your chiefest act ▪ the bringing out of Aegypt , make those infants Churchmembers that were born in Aegypt , and were Churchmembers before ? Or how could it be any part of the cause ? Did the bringing out of Aegypt concur to make Moses a Churchmember when he was in the basket on the waters ? And when you answer this , you may do well to go a little f●r●her , and tell me , how such an act concurreth to make him an infant Church-member that was dead an hunded or two hundred years before that act was done . For example , how did the setling of the Israelites Army , or inheritance , or the Covenant on Mount Sinai , make Ishmael , or Esau , or Isaac , or Jacob Churchmembers ? Answ. The infants of Israel were Churchmembers in that they were a part of the congregation or people af Israel , which was a fluent body , and was taken to be Gods Church by a succession of acts , whereof some were causes which began , some continued , some compleated , and the several acts made the Churchmembers of that age , yet all by vertue of the first call of Abraham , whereby God declared his intention to make his house a Nation , and his Church , first more obscurely , then more clearly . The bringing out of Aegypt tended to make the Israelites a severed people , and consequently all that were Churchmembers were by that act such ; the setling of the Army , inheritance , Covenant at Mount Sinai , tended to make them a well formed people , and to the accomplishment of the taking the Jews to be Gods people , and consequently the infan●s to be Churchmembers which came after them . Which if so understood , there is nothing in my conceit which infers the making that a cause which is after the effect . 10. Saith Mr. B. I desire you also to tell me by the next , what be the nerves and ligaments that tie all these acts of 430 years at least together , so as to make them one fact ? And whether I may not as groundedly make a fact sufficient for this purpose of the acts of an hundred or two hundred years onely ? and whether you may not as well make all the acts from Abrahams call till Christ to be one fact , and assign it to this office ? Answ. 1. These acts are knit together into one fact by the unity of end designed and work accomplished , as the many acts of several ages did make one fact , of which the Poet speaks , Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem , to raise the Roman Empire . 2. You might , if God had so contrived it , and brought the thing to pass in that time which he did in a longer . 3. I may make all the acts from Abrahams call till Christs towards the Hebrews , one fact of making the Jews his people , and assign it to this office rightly , onely using the word fact or making , as it comprehends not onely the beginning , and increasing , and compleating of that people ; but also the continuation , recovery from captivity , and preservation of that people . 11. Saith Mr. B. You say that you call this fact [ transeunt ] because it's [ past , ] ( and so till it 's [ past ] it seems Isaac and Jacob that were dead before ; are no Churchmembers ; ) I would then fain know whether it be this same transeunt fact , or some other , that makes infants Churchmembers five hundred years after it is past ? If it be this same , then how comes a meer transeunt fact to work effectually so many hundred years after it is past ? unless it made a Law or Covenant which doth the deed ? If it be a new transeunt fact that must make infants Churchmembers after the compleating of this ( the setling their inheritances ; ) then I pray you let me know , whether it be one fact exercised on the whole nation in gross , or must it be a fact upon every infant member individually ? If on the nation , remember to tell us what it was ; and do not onely tell us the cause of the membership of former infants . And seeing it must be such as the membership of every infant till Christs time at least must be caused by , I pray you remember to make your work s●uare and full , and be sure to assign us no other kind of fact , then what you will prove to have been so frequently repeated in every age , and so fully extensive to every infant among the Jews , as that it have no gaps but may make all members that were so in each age . And remember , that it is no law , precept , promise , or covenant that you must assign for the cause ; for that 's it you are engaged against : but a constant succession of transeunt facts extending to each individual member . O what work have you made your self ? and what a sort of new political Doctrine shall we have from you , when these things are accomplished according to the frame you have begun ? Such as I believe the Sun never saw , nor the wisest Lawyer in England ever read before ? Which makes me the less marvel that so many of your opinion are so m●ch against the Lawyers ; for I dare say they will be but few of them for you , if these be your grounds , or at least not for these your grounds . Answ. I call the whole transeunt fact past , because it consists of many transeunt acts , which are past being done : But I do not limit the being of Churchmembers to the entire transeunt fact , as if none were Churchmembers till each act was past which I set down ; but the accomplishing or compleating the Congregation of Israel to either all or the chief of the later acts . That which made Isaac and Jacob Churchmembers , was the transeunt fact or acts of Gods providence in their age , whereby they became to be part of Abrahams house , which God by his call of Abram , setting up his worship in it , and other ways had made his Church . The same transeunt fact in kind , though not individual , which made Isaac and Jacob Churchmembers in their age , made infants visible Churchmembers in the several ages till Christs time ; to wit , the continuance of the Jews to be Gods people , in the continuing his ordinances , laws , worship , &c. among them : And each infant was made a visible Churchmember by such transeunt fact in each age renewed and repeated , by which the infant was made and known to be a part of that people , which what it is hath been often before said , and shewed not to be by such Covenant and precept as Mr. B. asserts . All which was plainly expressed in my Letter , ( and is such work as I need not be ashamed of , ) without any new political Doctrine or Law , as Mr. B. imagines , it being cleared by the History of the Bible , and other Histories which set down this fact of God : And if Mr. B. or any Lawyer gainsay this , they gainsay the plain narration of the Bible . His foolish exclamations I let pass , as shewing nothing but his own inconsiderateness and vanity . That many of my opinion are against the Lawyers , is more then I know ; they know well that I honour their profession and study , though I do no whit flatter them in their injurious and covetous practises : Nor do I doubt but conscionable and understanding Lawyers will be for me upon my grounds , as soon as other men , if they peruse my writings with love to the truth ; and so would all godly learned Divines also , if it were not for prejudice , and some other partial affection . But I must attend on Mr. B. 12. Saith he , But all this yet is but a light velitation : The principal thing that I would enquire into , is , what your great comprehensive fact is in the true nature of it , which you call [ Gods taking the whole people of the Jews to be his people . ] Doth the word [ taking ] signifie a meer physical taking or fact ; or a moral ; such as among men we call , a civil action ? If it be a meer physical taking , then 1. it cannot produce a moral effect , such as that in question is . 2. And then it must have an answerable object , which must be individual existent persons . 3. And then you cannot call it one fact , but many thousand : even as many as there were persons taken in to the Jews in above four hundred years . 4. And then what was the physical act which is called Gods taking ? was it such a taking as the Angel used to Lot , that carried him out of Sodome ; or as the Apocryphal Author mentions of Habakkuk , that was taken by the hair of the head , and carried by the Angel into another countrey , to bring Daniel a mess of pottage ? If God must by a physical apprehension take hold of them that he makes Churchmembers , we shall be at a loss for our proof of their Churchmembership . But I cannot imagine that this is your sence . But what is it then ? Is it a physical action though a moral causation of some physical effect ? That it cannot be : For it is a political or moral effect that we enquire a●●er . It necessarily remains therefore that this be a political-moral taking that you here speak of . And if so , then the transeunt fact you speak of must needs be a civil or political action . And what that can be , which is no Law , Promise , or Covenant in this case , I pray you bestow some more diligence to inform us , and not put us off with the raw name of a transeunt fact opposed to these ▪ Certainly , if it be a civil or legal action , the product or effect of it is jus or debitum , some due or right : And that is either 1. a dueness of somewhat from us , ( which is either somewhat to be done , or somewhat to be given ; ) 2. or a dueness of something to us , which is either of good or evil : If good , it is either by contract or donation ( whether by a Testament praemiant Law , or the like : ) if evil , it is either by some penal Law , or voluntary agreement : Now which of these is it that your transeunt fact produceth ? To be a member of the Church , is to be a member of a society taking God in Christ to be their God , and taken by him for his special people . The act which makes each member , is of the same nature with that which makes the society . The relation then essentially containe●h 1. a right to the great benefits of Gods soveraignty over men , Christs headship , and that favour , protection , provision , and other blessings , which are due from such a powerfull and gracious Soveraign to such Subjects , and from such a Head to his Members : As also a right to to my station in the Body , and to the inseparable benefits thereof . 2. It containeth my debt of obedience to God in Christ , acknowledged and promised actually or virtually , really or reputatively . Now for the first , how can God be related to me as my God , or Christ as my Saviour , and I to him as one that have such right to him and his blessings , by any other way then his own free gift ? This gift must be some signification of his will : For his secret will is not a gift , but a purpose of giving . This way of giving therefore is by a civil or moral action , which is a signifying of the Donors will ; and can be by no way , but either pure donation , contract , testament , or law . In our case it must needs partake of the nature all these . It is not from one in any equality , nor capable of any obliging compensation or retribution from us . Being therefore from an absolute dis-engaged Benefactor , it must needs be by pure donation , or it cannot be ours . Yet as he is pleased as it were to oblige himself by promise , or by his word , and also to call us to a voluntary acceptance , and engagement to certain fidelity , gratitude and duty , and so is the stipulator , and we the promisers in the latter part of the action : it is therefore justly called a contract or Covenant , though indeed the word [ Covenant ] frequently signifieth Gods own promise alone . As it proceedeth from the death of the testator ( in natural moral-reputative being , ) so it is called a testament . And as it is an act of a ruling Benefactor ▪ giving this benefit to the governed , to promote the ends of government , and obliging to duty thereby , so it partaketh of the nature of a law . The commonest Scripture name for this act , is Gods Covenant or Promise , and sometimes his Gift ; which all signifie the same thing here . It follows therefore , that either by Gods [ taking Israel to be his people ] you mean some civil political action , as a Covenant , promise , or the like collation of the benefit , ( and then you assert the thing which you deny , ) or else you know not what you mean , nor can make another know it , without the discovery of the grossest absurdity . And as for the other thing which is contained in Churchmembership , the professed duty of man to God , it is most certain 1. That Gods law obligeth us to that duty : 2. And obligeth all according to their capacities to consent to the obligation , and so to re-engage themselves : 3. That this actual consent professed doth therefore double the obligation . And thus by a mutual contract , Covenant or consent ( whereof our part is first required by a law , ) is the relation of Churchmembership contracted . Now to lay by and deny all this , and give us the general naked name of [ taking for Gods people , ] is meerly delusory , seeing that [ taking ] means this which you exclude , or it means nothing that 's true and reasonable . And therefore tell us better what it means . Answ. All before being but a velitation or light skirmish , I looked here for some great battel : But I find it nothing but a rallying together the forces scattered before , there being not one thing I know of in this passage , but what was set down before , and is answered . I have distinctly shewed how moral and physical acts concur to the visible Churchmembership of the people , of which infants are a part , and natural to that visible Churchmembership which the Jews infants had , and what they were , both in my Letter , and in this answer . What M. B. replies , is vain . 1. It is not true that the effect in question is a moral , it is at least in infants meerly a physical effect ; their Churchmembership is not by any act which reacheth not to the effect . 2. The taking is of individual p●rsons existent . 3. By many particular acts , yet in a good sence before given , summed up into one transeunt fact . 4. The physical acts are none of those M. B. frivolously imagines , but such as are mentioned in the Scripture , and declared in my Letter 5. It is not true that a meer physical taking cannot produce a moral effect : For supposing the Spirit should inspire faith immediately without any preaching , the eff●ct would be moral , though produced by a meer physical taking or act . 6. The transeunt fact I set down doth not exclude , but did expresly include in my Letter both Covenants single and mutual , and laws , and precepts ; yet ( as I have said before ) it doth exclude that promise of Mr. Bs. of Gods being a God to believers and their seed , and a precept of believing or accepting this for their children , which confer the benefit of visible Churchmembership . Yea , it is fully proved before , that if there were such a promise and precept , yet these would not actually make infants visible Church-members . 7. It is not true that the relation of visible Churchmembership essentially containeth a right to the great benefit of Gods soveraignty over men , Christs headship , and that favour , protection , provision , and other blessings , which are due from such a powerful and gracious Soveraign to such subjects , and from such a head to his members . For ( to omit the unfi●ness of the expression of [ right to the great benefits of Gods soveraignty over men ] which contains these two fond conceits . 1. That great benefits are included in Gods soveraignty over men , whereas the soveraignty of God includes not any benefit but his own greatness , he is soveraign over the reprobate men and Angels as well as the elect , and yet they have no benefit , yea his soveraignty is shewed in their reprobation as well as the election of the other . 2. That visible Churchmembers have a right to the great benefit of Gods soveraignty over men , whereas what benefit soever it be yet right is not to us by visible Church-membership ) it is most false that that relation either constitutivè or consecutivè , doth essentially contain that right . For neither doth the term formally import any right at all , but a manner of being or state with relation as I have before distinctly declared ; nor doth that right inseparably accrue to such visible Churchmembers . There are and may be visible Churchmembers , who have not that right ; and there are who have that right , and are not visible Churchmembers . 8. Nor is it true that the relation essentially includeth a right to the members station , and to the inseparable benefits thereof . For though the station in the body be included , yet not a right to it , yea the actual station is oft times without right , which I think is sufficiently proved by Mr. B. himself in his dispute against Mr. Blake Sect. 39. asserting a dogmatical faith entitling to baptism . 9. That though visible membership bee by Gods gift , and this is to be by signification of Gods will , yet it is not necessary it should be by any promise or declaration which may be termed moral or political , sith the event it self is a signification of Gods will and of his gift . 10. That if Churchmembership be contracted by a mutual consent and covenant as Mr. B. sets down , 1. onely the elect can be visible Churchmembers , for to them onely God hath covenanted to be their God , or Christ their Saviour . 2. Infants are not visible Churchmembers , for they neither Covenant , nor by any intimation in Scripture is it shewed or can bee , that the parents or others obedience to God in Christ acknowledged or promised , is virtually or reputatively by any law of God taken for the infants Covenant or consent . Lastly , this law which Mr. B. here sets down concerning the duty of the parents , is not that law or ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership , which Mr. B. asserts to be unrepealed For the law and ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership is not a precept of what another shall do , but what they shall have , not of what in duty a person is bound to , but of what God doth give and grant . And therefore all this tedious discourse of Mr. B. is but delusory , sith instead of a law and ordinance determining that infants shall be visible Churchmembers , he assignes another thing a precept of a duty , and thinks if I prove not it repealed ▪ I prove not the law and ordinance of another thing repealed . Mr B. adds . As for the texts you cite , Deut. 4.34 . & Levit. 20.24 , 26. 1 King. 8.53 . Isai. 43.1 . In Deut. 4. is mentioned not the moral act of God by which he made them his people or took them for his own , and founded the relation : but the natural a●●ions whereby he rescued them from the Egyptian bondage and took them to himself or for his use , service , and honour out of that land . But I think sure they were his people , and all their infants were Churchmembers before that taking by vertue of a former Covenant-taking . Answ. The text expresseth that act of God whereby hee took the Jews for his people , and consequently whereby he founded the relation of Churchmembers , and if this act were a natural act , then it follows ( contrary to Mr. Bs. conceits ) that a natural act may be it by which God takes a people to him , which is the Scripture phrase whereby is signified his making them his Church . If they were his people before , and all their infants Churchmembers , yet they might be made his people by repeated , continued , or new acts making or taking , noting a beginning or continuance or completing of the estate they had formerly . If they were by vertue of a former Covenant-taking , yet I think Mr. B. cannot shew before that time a mutual Covenant-taking , such as he said before the relation of Churchmembership is contracted by . He adds . As to Levit. 20. God did perform a twofold work of separation for Israel . 1. By his Covenant and their entring Covenant with him . 2. By local separation of their bodies from others . It was the first that made them his people , and Churchmembers , and not the last : the last was onely a favourable dealing with them as his beloved . The same I say to the other two texts . Sure you cannot think that corporal separation makes a Church-member . What if an Egyptian that had no part in the Covenant had past out with the Israelites , and got with them through the Red Sea , do you think he had been therefore a Churchmember ? Suppose God had made no promise or Covenant with Abraham or his seed , but onely taken them out of Chaldea into Canaan , and thence into Egypt , and thence into the Wilderness , and thence into Canaan again : Do you think this much had made them Church-members ? Then if the Turks conquer Greece , or the Tartarians conquer China , they are become Churchmembers , because this seems as great a temporal prosperity at least . And I think it●s past doubt , that Lot was a Church-member in the midst of Sodom , and the Israelites in Egypt before they were brought out , as truly as after . Answ. I grant that they were , though not so completed , when they had not liberty to sacrifice to God , nor to keep any feast , and perform other worship to God as when they were brought out , unto which the texts refer the severing of the Israelites from other people that they should be Gods , although I did not in my Letter restrain it to that local separation ( which yet the Scripture with me chiefly refers it to ) but also to the bringing them into the bond of the Covenant at Mount Sinai , giving them Laws , setling their Priesthood , Tabernacle , Army , Government , inheritance . If the Turks or Tartars had such a local separation as I describe , they had been Churchmembers . The Egyptians that came out of Egypt with the Israelites , were Churchmembers with the Israelites they becomming Proselytes . If God had made no promise or Covenant with Abraham or his seed , but onely taken them out of Chaldea into Canaan , and withall made known his will concerning his grace in Christ , given them Lawes , and set up his worship among them , they had been Churchmembers . According to Mr. Bs. own arguings , the promise or Covenant with Abraham and his seed made them not Churchmembers , for they were Churchmembers before . The Covenant Gen. 17. was not a mutual Covenant , which is that by which according to Mr. B. visible Churchmembership is contracted . The texts that I allege , do sufficiently prove the people of Israel were taken to be Gods people by such a transeunt fact as I describe , and consequently the infants visible Church-members , as part of that people , without the promise to believers and their seed to bee their God , on condition of the parents accepting the mercy offered , and re-engaging them to God , which Mr. B makes the sole efficient of their holiness or visible Churchmembership , as is shewed before . He proceeds . As to Gen. 12.1 . Acts 7.2 . Nehem. 9.7 . which you also cite , as there is not one of them that gives the least intimation that Infant-Church-membership then began , so I shall farther enquire anon , whether they contain any Covenant or promise . Answ. They do each of them plainly shew the beginning of the taking of the Hebrews for Gods people , by severing them from Idolaters , and forming them into a Chruch , and consequently of the Churchmembership which infants had in that people or nation . For the texts do all expresly tell how God severed Abram from the Chaldees , how he made his house his Church , promising to encrease and to settle it , and neither Moses , nor the Levites , nor Stephan , do go higher in the narration of Gods calling of the Hebrews to be his people And I think it safest to go no higher then the Scripture . What Mr. B. adds after , shall have answer in its place . He adds . So Exod. 19.4 , 5. hath no word that gives the least intimation that God by that act of taking them out of Egypt , did make Israel a Church , or the infants or any others , members of it : But onely that by fulfilling a former promise in the deliverance of a people formerly his own , he layeth further obligations to duty on them by redoubling his mercies . The same I say of Levit. 11.45 . Nehem. 1.10 . I will not believe yet , but that you believe your self , that the Israelites and their infants were as truly Churchmembers before , as after their deliverance out of Egypt . And mee thinks the texts you cite might put it out of doubt . What if God say , Hos. 11.1 . [ When Israel was a childe I loved him , and called my Son out of Egypt . ] Is it easie hence to prove , that calling him out of Egypt did make him his son that was none before : or to prove that Israel was Gods son before he called him out of Aegypt . If you should maintain the former , I might expect that you should say the like of Christ himself , to whom the Evangelist applieth this text , and so you may prove as fairly , That Christ was none of Gods son till he was called out of Egypt , but was made his son by that call . Certainly the Text termeth him Gods son that was called , as being so before that call . By this time I am well content that any waking man do compare your doctrine and mine , and try whether it be a Transeunt fact , or a Law and Covenant , that made infants and all others Churchmembers : and if they do not admire , that ever a learned man should harbour such a conceit as yours , and that ever a godly man should build such a weight on it , and go so far on such a ground , yea and that ever ordinary godly people should be so blinded with such palpable non sense or absurdities , then let them still follow you in the dark ; for I expect not that reason should recover them . Answ. My conceits were and are still , that infants were onely visible Churchmembers in the Church of the Hebrews or Congregation of Israel , and that they were such not apart by themselves , but as they were a part of that people which God took for his Church , which made a peculiar Commonwealth and Chureh to God consisting of the same persons . This God did not by a promise to be God to the faithful and their seed as the sole efficient , and a precept of the parents to accept of this offered mercy , and to dedicate them , and re-engage them to God , as Mr. B. conceives , but by a transeunt fact containing many acts of Gods providence whereby they were severed from other people , and appropriate to God. The prime act of Gods providence whereby God brought this to pass , was Gods calling of Abram out of U● , whereby he severed them from idolaters , and by degrees establ●shed his worship in Abrahams house , upon which followed a long tract of providences , which I mentioned as tending to the same end : And this calling of Abram I refer the beginning of that people and Church to , and I think I follow therein the Scriptures . The other chief act of providence was Gods calling of Israel out of Egypt , wherein I comprehend all the acts mentioned by me in my Letter which followed , by which I said it was completed , and to that end I alleged many ( as I conc●i●e ) express texts , not to prove that they then began to be Gods people ( as Mr. B. contrary to my plain words insinuates ) but to prove that then they were completed , that is , completely severed from other people ▪ and formed into a Church or Commonwealth , with Lawes , distribution of Offices , order , and other things requisite thereunto , which they had not before . And thus I interpret their bringing to God , Exod. 19.4 . the bringing them up out of the land of Egypt to bee their God Levit. 11.45 . their redeeming to bee his people Nehem. 1.10 . their calling out of Egypt Hos. 11.1 . That is , from a miserable state among idolatrous oppressors , to be a people of themselves in a complete state of liberty under Gods rule , which I conceive described by Ezech. ch . 16. under the similitude of a childe cast out , relieved and educated . If Mr. B. can shew any non-sense , or absurdity herein , it is surely that which the plain Scripture affords , or else I am in a dream ; and if Mr. B. bee awake , I think hee may espie non-sense and absurdity manifold in his conceit of visible Churchmembership as a right to a benefit , of such a Covenant , and Condition , and Precept , which hee imagines to confer it . I am willing Mr. Bs. Doctrine and mine bee compared , though I lay so little weight on this point , that I think if I bee mistaken , neither is Mr. Bs. cause gained , nor mine lost . I would have none follow me in the dark , nor would I have men befooled by Mr. Bs. misrepresentations of me , and others , much less by his frivolous Rhetorick , in which hee discovers a great deal of prejudice , rashness , confidence , and intemperate zeal , with which I think him so drunken , that I doubt whether reason will recover him , till some providence of God bring him to see his folly ; which I think will much appear in that which followes , on which nevertheless I conceive hee builds the main or whole of his Cause of Infants visible Churchmembership . SECT . LVII . Mr. Bs. Law of Infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , is not proved from Gen. 1.26 , 27 , 28. or Gen. 3.15 . I Come now , saith Mr. B. to the 8 th . Qu. that is to speak to the point which you propounded . You urge me to cite to you the particular texts that contain this Law , Ordinance , Precept , or Covenant . To which I answer thus . 1. There are two sorts of Laws ; one which fir●● make a duty ; the other which suppose it so made , and do onely call for obedience ▪ and excite thereto , or prescribe somewhat as a means in order thereunto . If I could she● you no written law or promise as first constituting the duty , or granting the priviledg of Churchmembership , it were no● the least disparagement to my cause , as long as I can shew you those following laws which presuppose this . You know the Church of God did live about 2000. years without any written law that we know of : Where then was Gods will manif●sted about such things as this , but in tradition and nature ? If Moses then at the end of this 2000. years did find this tradition and find all the infants of Church-members in possession of this benefit , then what need he make a new law about it ? or why should God pr●●ise it as a new thing ? I confess if I should find by any new law or promise that it did begin but in Moses days , I should think it some abatement of the strength of my cause ( though yet I think there would enough remain . ) 2. There are ( yet higher ) two sorts of laws : the one for the constitution of the Commonwealth it self , the other for the administration or government of it when it is so constituted . The former are called by some , Fundamental Laws as laying the frame and form of the Commonwealth , and the quality of the materials , &c. I think indeed , that as constitutive of the form of the Commonwealth , these are scarce preperly called Laws ; though as they look forward , obliging to duty , and prohibiting alteration , they may . But if they be not laws , they are somewhat higher , and lay the ground of all laws and obedience , and so are laws eminenter & vi●●ualiter , though not actually and formally : And in our case , as this constitution did subject us to God , making it our duty ever after to obey him ; so doth it oblige us to acknowledge that subjection . And the very constitution of the Church is an act of high beneficence , and performed by the fundamental grant or Covenant ▪ Now if this Covenant and constitution could not expresly be shewed in writing , it were no diminution of the authority of it , seeing among men Fundamentals are seldome written , and when they are , it is onely as laws obliging the subject to maintain and adhere to the first constitution . As long therefore as we can prove that it is Gods will that successively infants should be Churchmembers , it no whit invalidates the cause if we could not shew the original constitution in writing . Yet somewhat we shall attempt . 3. We have full proof of infants Churchmembership by laws and Covenants concerning it , ever since the time that there was a written word of God : and that is sufficient , if we could fetch it no higher . Having premised this , I come nearer to the Question . Answ. Had Mr. B. meant fairly , and not either to prepossess the Reader with prejudice against me , or weary him afore he should come to the point , he had begun with this question : In the entrance to which he tediously sets down some postulata , which do shew , that we are not to expect any plain Scripture proof of a Law or Ordinance of Infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , which he so cracks of as to intitle his Book as if he would bring such . But I shall let pass his postulata , and attend to his proofs . The first institution , saith Mr. B. of infants Churchmembership de jure upon supposition of their existence , was in Gods first constitution of the Republick of the World , when he became mans governour , and determined of his subjects , and members of the Commonwealth : Which Republick being sacred , and devoted to Gods worship and service , was truly a Church of which God was head . This was performed by the first Law and Covenant made either in or upon mans creation , That such a Covenant or promise of felicity was made by God to innocent man , almost all Divines agree : But because it is rather implied then expressed in Moses brief History , some few cavillers do therefore contradict us . But 1. the threatning of death for sin , seems to imply a promise of life if he sinned not . 2. And the New Testament affordeth us divers passages that yet plainlier prove it , which to you I need not recite . But whether this promise of life were natural ( as the threatning of death was , ) or onely positive and more arbitrary , Divines are not agreed among themselves , Those that say it was free and positive , give this reason , That God could not naturally be obliged to bless or felicitate the most innocent or perfect creature , nor any creature merit of God. Those that think it natural as the threatning was , say , It 's true that God could not be properly be obliged , because he is under no law , no more is he obliged to punish ▪ but onely man obliged to suffer if he inflict it : And it 's true that man cannot strictly merit of God. But yet , say they , as man may have a natural aptitude for such felicity , so God hath a natural propensity to do good according to the capacity of the subject , and his works do oblige him ( improperly ) in point of fidelity and immutability as well as his word . So that their reasons are these following . 1. Because God is as naturally prone to do good to the good , as to do evil to the evil , that is , to reward as to punishment , as his name proclaimed to Moses , Exod. 34. shews . 2. Because God making man capable of a higher felicity , and principling him with inclinations thereto , and giving him desires , love , and other affections for that blessed end , even the everlasting fruition of God , therefore they say , God did in this frame of his nature give him ground to expect such a felicity ; if he sinned not . For else all these inclinations and affections should have been in vain : But God made not so noble a creature with vain inclinations and affections to act fallaciously and falsly . Also Gods works would not be harmonical : So that as Gods promise is but a sign of his will obliging him improperly in point of fidelity and immutability , so , say they , the nature of man was a sign of Gods will so far engaging him : So that as he could not let sin go unpunished without some breach in the harmony of his sapiential frame of administration , no more could he deny to perfect man the object of those desires which he formed in him . So that although he might have made man such a creature as should not necessary be punished for evil , or rewarded for good , that is , he might have made him not a man ; yet having so made him , it is necessary that he be governed as a man in regard of felicity as well as penalty . 3. Our Philosophers and Divines do commonly prove the immortality of the soul from it's natural inclinations to God and eternal felicity . And if the immortality may be so proved from it●s nature , then also it 's felicity in case of righteousness . I interpose not my self as a Judge in this controversie of Divines , but I have mentioned it to the end which I shall now express . 1. It is most certain , whether the reward or promise be natural or positive , that such a state of felicity man was either in or in the way to , or in part and the way to more . And i●'s most certain , that man was made holy , devoted to God , and fit for his service , and that in this estate according to the law of his creation , he was to increase and multiply : It 's most certain therefore , that accor - to the first law of nature , infants should have been Churchmembers . 2. But if their opinion hold , that make the reward grounded on the law of nature , and not on a meer positive law , ( and you see the reasons are not contemptible , ) then the argument would be yet more advantagious . 3. But how ever it be of the title to glory or eternity , it 's most certain , that according to the very law of nature infants were to have been Churchmembers if man had stood . The first text therefore that I cite for infants Churchmembership , as expressing its original de jure , is Gen. 1.26 , 27 , 28. [ So God created man in his own image — And God blessed them , and God said unto them , Be fruitfull , and multiply , and replenish the earth . ] Here you see by the law of n●ture infants were to have been born in Gods image and in innocency , and so Churchmembers . And note , that the first blessing that God pronounceth on mankind , is , that they propagate children in their owne estate , to bee as the parents were , even in Gods image . Answ. 1. If this prove their Churchmembership , it proves not their visible Churchmembership , of which onely is the question . 2. If it prove a law or ordinance , yet it proves not such a law or ordinance as is in question , which is not a law or ordinance de jure , but de eventu , that so it shall be , or they shall be so accounted . For such a law or ordinance of their visible Churchmembership onely can infer their admission as visible Churchmembers , they being to be actually visible Churchmembers afore admission , according to Mr. Bs. own dictates , and therefore not de jure onely ▪ such . 3. If it did prove such a law or ordinance , yet it proves it not to be by such a promise and precept as Mr. B ▪ asserts . 4. If it did , yet it onely proves it of the Church by nature , which hath a great difference from the Church by grace , this being onely by election and calling , not by birth . 5. If this law or ordinance be unrepealed , then it is in force , and according to the law of nature invariable that man be born without sin . For man is born according to the law of procreation , Gen. 1.28 . and if this were the law of nature , that the first blessing that God pronounceth on mankind , is , that they propagate children in their own estate to be as the parents were , even in Gods image ; then still the law of nature continues , and so there is no original sin ; or it is repealed , and so it is not such a law as Mr. B. asserts . 6. The words [ God created , blessed , ] do note onely a transeunt fact ; and therefore , what ever Divines imagine about Gods Covenant with man , this passage onely tells what God did , but mentions no such law or ordinance by promise or precept as Mr. B. conceives , and therefore it is manifestly impertinent to his purpose . Let 's view the next and main Text. The next institution , saith Mr. B. of infants Churchmembership , was at the first proclamation of grace to faln man , or in the first promise of redemption to sinners , in Gen. 3.15 . [ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman , and between thy seed and her seed : it shall bruise thy head , and thou shalt bruise his heel . ] I will prove that this fundamental Covenant of grace or promise doth declare it to be the will of God that infants should be Churchmembers : And to this end , let us first consider what the words expresly contain , and then what light may be fetcht from other Texts to illustrate them . It being a known rule , that an Expositor must not turn universals into singulars or particulars , nor restrain and limit the Scripture generals , where the word it self or the nature of the subject doth not limit them . I may well conclude that these things following are comprehended in this fundamental promise . 1. That the Devil having played the enemy to mankind , and brought them into this sin and misery , God would not leave them remediless , nor to that total voluntary subjection to him as he ●●ght have done : But in grace 〈◊〉 undeserved mercy would engage them in a war against him , in which they that con●uered should bruise his head . 2. That in this war the Lord Jesus Christ , the principal seed , is promised to be our General , whose perfect nature should contain , and his perfect life express a perfect enmity against Satan , and who should make a perfect co●quest over him . 3. The Lord Jesus is promised to do this work as the wom●ns seed , and so as conceived of her , and born by her , and so as an infant first , before he comes to ripeness of age . So that here an infant of the woman is promised to be the General of this Army , and Head of the Church . This is most evident : By which God doth sanctifie the humane birth , and the infant state , and assure us that he doth not exclude now that age from the redeemed Church , which he admitted into the Church by the laws of creation . For the first promise is of an infant born of the woman to be the Head of the Church , and growing up to maturity , to do the works of a Head. Had God excluded the infant state from the visible Church , he would not have made the Head first an infant . Where note , 1. That Christ is the great exemplar of his Church ; and in things which he was capable o● , he did that first in his own body , which he would after do in theirs . 2. That the Head is a Member , even the principal Member , one of the two parts which constitute the whole . As the pars imp●rans and pars subdita do constitute each Commonwealth . So that it an infant must be a member eminently so called , then infants are not excluded from membership , but are hereby clearly warranted to be members of a lower nature . If an infant may be Soveraign , no doubt he may be a Subject . If an infant may be the chief Prophet of the Church , then no doubt but infants may be Disciples . If you still harp on the old str●ng , and say , They are no Disciples that learn not ; you may as well say , He is no Prophet that teacheth not . And if you will openly deny Christ in infancy to have been the Prophet of the Church , I will undertake to prove the falshood and vileness of that opinion , as soon as I know you own it . The promise then of an infant Head , doth declare Gods mind that he will have infants members , because the head is the principal member . Answ. The thing to be proved by Mr. B. is that there is a law or ordinance of God unrepealed , that not onely in the Church Jewish , but in the Christian properly so called , the infants of believers , by vertue of Gods promise to be the God of the faithfull and their seed , and a precept to parents to accept of the mercy offered and re-engage them to God , should be , and be taken to be visible members . But that he takes upon him to prove , is , that it is the will of God that infants should be Churchmembers , that he doth not exclude now that age from the redeemed Church , that he excluded not the infant state from the visible Church , that it is his mind that he will have infant members ; all which we might grant , and yet Mr. Bs. law and ordinance not thereby proved . For infants may be Churchmembers of the redeemed Church , and yet not of the visible Church ; and the infant state may be not excluded from the visible Church , and yet there may be no law or ordinance for the inclusion of them ; yea , there may be a law or ordinance for inclusion of them , and yet none for including them in the visible Church Christian. Nor is his proof of any validity : For the conse●uence holds not , Christ was by Gods promise Head of the Church in infancy , therefore infants were by Gods will to be Churchmembers , or the infant state is not excluded from the visible Church . It must rest upon some such positions as these ▪ In what age God promised Christ to bee Head of the Church , in that age his will was that persons should be visible Churchmembers ; the ordering of Christs age is an exemplar to the Church , or rather rule for the being and accounting of visible Churchmembers . Which are manifestly false , 1. Because there is no such thing declared in Scripture , and therefore it is to be taken as a meer fancy . 2. Because if these positions were true , 1. then an infant in the mothers womb should be a visible Churchmember , because then Christ was head of the Church ▪ and as Mr ▪ B. saith , The Lord Jesus is promised to do this work as the womans seed , and so as conceived of her : 2. Then an old man sho●ld not be a member of the visible Church , because Christ in the days of his flesh was not an old man ; which are both absurd . And for the antecedent of Mr. Bs. enthymeme , though I deny not that Christ in infancy was Head of the Church , nor that he was the Prophet of his Church in infancy , understanding it of his being the Prophet habitually and by designation , nor that he in some respect , to wit , of rule and protection , the Head of the visible Church , even of that part which is not elect : Yet 1. I deny that in respect of that union which makes any members of his body in the Scripture acception , which is by his spirit , he is head of that part of the visible Church which is not elect ; nor can he be said in this respect and after the Scripture speech to be Head of the visible Church as visible , but onely in respect of that part which is invisible , to wit , the true believers ▪ or elect p●rsons , who alone are univocally members of Christ the Head , as the Doctrine of Protestant writers a voweth . Dr. Rainold , thes . 4. § . 26. Mali nulla corporis Christi pars sunt . Dr. Field , of the Church , book 1. ch 2. The wicked are neither parts nor members of the mystical body of Christ. Bellarmin himself de Eccl milit . c. 9. makes them members not living , nor true according to the essence of members , but dead , and as ill humours in the body , and in respect of some outward use Christ makes of them . 2. Nor do I well know how to make a construction of this speech of Mr. B. [ that the Lord Jesus is promised , Gen 3.15 . to do this work of bruising the Serpents head , or conquering the Devil as the womans seed , and so as conceived of her , and born by her , and so as an infant first before he comes to ripeness of age ; ] according to which it may be true . For though I grant the man Christ Jesus who did this work to have been an infant first , yet I do not think it true that he did it as the womans seed , according to humane nature onely , but also according to his Divine , Heb 9.14 . nor what he did was done in infancy , but at ripe age : For he bruised the Serpents head and conquered the Devil by his death , Heb. 2.14 which was not in infancy , but at ripe age . 3. Nor do I understand how it is true that [ by Christs birth and infancy God doth sanctifie the humane birth and the infant state : ] For though I grant children born and infants are sanctified by God through Christ , who was born and an infant ; yet that the humane birth and the infant state should be sanctified thereby , seems not true ▪ for then humane birth and infancy should be holy in any infants o● persons born , and so the birth of a bastard should be holy , and his infancy holy , which I need not shew how absurd it is . 4. Nor do I conceive any truth , but gross falshood in that speech , [ Had God excluded the infant state from the visible Church , he would not have made the head first an infant : ] For this doth suppose , that either this was the onely end or chief end without which God had not made Christ an infant , and consequently this was more in Gods eye then the saving of sinners for which Christ came into the world , or the fulfilling of his promise , that a child should be born , a son should be given to us ; and would infer , that they which hold infants not visible Churchmembers , must deny Christ to have been an infant . 5. Nor do I know that to be true , [ that in things which Christ was capable of , he did that first in his own body , which he would after do in the bodies of his Church : ] For he would and did innumerable things in the bodies of his Church , as to marry , beget children , &c. which he did not in his own body first , though he was capable of them . 6. I deny that Christ as man was in infancy the Prophet of his Church visibly , and in actu exercito . Let Mr. B. when he will assault it , there will appear in his contradiction vileness and manifold falshood , none in this opinion . And for his inference , if an infant may be the chief Prophet of the Church then no doubt but infants may be Disciples , I grant both , and yet deny that Christ was visibly , audibly , in actu exercito in his infancy in his humane nature the Prophet of his Church , or that any infants are actually Disciples visibly , till they hear the Gospel and profess the faith ; nor am I ashamed to aver , that he is no Prophet that prophesieth not , that they are no Disciples that learn not . But Mr. B. proceeds . 4. Saith he , As the war is here proclaimed , and the General or chief Commander constituted , so next here is a natural enmity put into the whole seed of the woman , or humane race , against the whole seed of the serpent that then was , or the Diabolical nature . This is plain both in the text , and in the experience of the fulfilling of it As in the instrumental serpent , it is the whole serpentine nature , that hath an enmity to the humane nature , and the whole humane nature to the serpentine nature ; they being venemous to us , and wee abhorring them as venemous , and as such as our lives are in danger of : so is it the whole humane nature that is at enmity to the Diabolical nature ▪ Vide Muscul. Calvin . Luther . in locum . All men have naturally as great an abhorrence of the Devil , as of a serpent , they apprehend him to be their enemy , they abhor the very name and remembrance of him : If they do but dream of him it terrifieth them , they are afraid of seeing him in any apparition . If they know any temptation to be from him , so far they dislike it and abhor it , though for the thing presented they may cherish it . This is not special saving grace , but this is a great advantage to the work of special grace , and to our more effectual resisting of temptations , and entertaining the help t●at is offered us against them , when our very natures have an enmity to the diabolical nature : we now look on him as having the power of death as Gods executioner and our destroyer and malicious adversary . And if there be any Witch or other wicked person that hath contracted such familiarity & amity with him , as that this natural enmity is thereby overcome , that proveth not that it was not naturally there , but that they by greater wickedness are grown so far unnatural . 5. As this enmity is established in the nature of mankinde against the diabolical nature , so is there a further enmity legally proclaimed against the diabolical pravity , malignity , and works . Vide Pareum in locum . God will put an enmity by his Laws ( both natural and positive ) making it the duty of mankinde to take Satan for their enemy ; to resist , and use him as an enemy , and fight against him and abhor his works , and so to list themselves under the General that fighteth against him , to take his colours , and to be of his Army : And this being spoken of the common world of mankinde , and not onely of the elect ( for it is not they onely that are obliged to this hostility and warfare ) belongeth to each one according to their capacities : and therefore infants being at the parents dis●ose , it is they that are to list them in this army against the enemy of mankinde , of which more anon . 6. A third and hig●er enmity is yet here comprehended , and that is an habitual or dispositive enmity against the diabolical malignity pravity and works , which may bee called [ natural ] as it is the bent or bias of our new nature . This God giveth onely to his chosen , and not to all . And it containeth not onely their consent to list themselves in his army against satan , but specially and properly a hatred to him as the Prince of unrighteousness , and a cordial resolution to fight against him and his wor●s universally , to the death , with a complacency in God and his service and souldiers . H●re take a short prospect of the mysterious blessed Trinity . As God is one in three , and in his entity hath unity , verity , and goodness , and in his blessed nature hath posse , scire , velle , power , wisdome , and love , so as from these is he related both to his created and redeemed rational creatures , as absolute proprietary , as soveraign ruler , and as most gracious benefactour : As Lord of our nature he hath put the foresaid enmity between the humane nature and the Diabolical : As soveraign Ruler , he hath by legislation imposed on us a further enmity as our duty , that we should be listed in his army , profess open hostility against satan , and fight against him to the death . As Benefactor , he giveth special grace to do this , to his chosen . As he is Lord of all , so the first is done on the natures of all : As he is Rector of all , but not by the same Laws ( as to positives ) so he obligeth all to this hostility , but not all as he doth those that hear the Gospel . As he is Benefactor he doth with his own as he list , and makes a difference . If any say that it is the same enmity that is here said to bee put in all , and therefore the same persons in which it is put . I answer 1. there 's no proof of either . A general command or promise to a community , may signifie a difference of duties or gifts to that community , though that difference be not expressed : For the nature of the subject may prove it . And 2. experience of the fulfilling of this promise or covenant , proves the difference before mentioned . And it 's well known , 1. That Moses is so concise in the History of these matters . 2. And that the mystery of grace was to bee opened by degrees , and so but darkly at the first , that it is no wonder if we find the whole sum of the Gospel here coucht-up in so narrow a room , and if each particular be not largely laid open before our eyes . 7. That wee may certainly know that this promise speaks not onely of the enmity that Christ himself should have to satan , and doth not engage a General without an army , God doth here expresly mention the woman her self , saying [ I will put enmity between thee and the woman ▪ ] so that as shee stood in a threefold respect ; she is here her self possessed with this threefold enmity . 1. As she is the root of humane nature , from whence all mankinde must spring , she is possest with the natural enmity to the diabolical nature , and this to bee naturally convayed or propagated ▪ 2. As she was the root of the great Republick of the world , or that rational society which God as Rector would sapientially govern , and her self with her husband ( who no doubt was also included in the promise ) were the whole then existent race of mankinde , so did she receive a legal enmity of obligation , which she was traditionally to deliver down to all her posterity , being her self hereby obliged to list her self and all her infant progeny in the Redeemers army , against the proclaimed enemy , and to teach her posterity to do the like : For thus obligatory precepts must be brought down . 3. As she was one of the chosen favourites of God , she received the habitual enmity of sanctification : And this is not in her power to propagate , though sh●e may use some means that are appointed thereto , and whether a promise of any such thing be made to her seed on the use of such means , I will not now stand to discuss . 8. It is not all that are possessed with the nat●ra● enmity against the Divel himself that are the Church of Christ : For this is but a common preparative which is in all : Nor is it all that are obliged to the further enmity against the works of satan : But all that on that obligation are duely listed in Christs army against satan ( by the obliged person ) are visible members : and all that are by sanctification at a hearty enmity ( habitual or actual ) with the Kingdome of satan , are members of the Church called mystical or invisible . This I put as granted . 9. Those that violate this fundamental obligation , and to their natural pravity shall add a fighting against Christ and his Kingdome for Satan and his Kingdome , are become themselves the seed of the Serpent . And though they had the natural enmity with the rest of mankind in general against Satan , yet have they therewithal the habitual enmity against Christ. This much I suppose as out of controversie . But whether also the first original corrupted nature it selfe ( before any sin against recovering grace ) did contain an habitual enmity against the Kingdome of the Redeemer ? or whether the sins of later parents may propaga●e this as an addi●ional corruption in our nature , I will not now stand to discuss . Onely as to our present business , it ▪ s certain that the general natural enmity to Satan , may consist with an habitual friendship ▪ to his ways and cause . And though as men they may have the first common advantage of nature , and as subjects de jure may be under the common obligation , yea , and as listed in Christs Army may have man of its priviledges ; yet for the enmity of disposition to Christ , they may be under a greater curse . 10. As it is certain , that it is not onely Christ himself that is here made the object of this promise , and is here called [ the seed of the woman , ] ( as is before proved , and may be more , and is commonly granted ; ) so it is to be noted , that those others in whom this enmity are put , are called here [ the seed of the woman , ] and not the seed of Christ ( though the chief of them are his seed . ) And so though the promise is made to none but the the womans seed , and no exception put in against infants , or any age of all her seed : Till you can prove that infants are none of her seed , we must take this fundamental promise to extend to infants , and that very plainly , without using any violence with the Text. Answ. This tedious discourse of Mr. B. is indeed serpenti●e with winding in and out , wrigling and wresting the Text ; one while it is a promise , another while a precept ; sometimes meant of one sort of enmity , sometimes of another ; sometimes the woman under one consideration , sometimes under another ; sometimes the seed of the woman comprehend ▪ all the natural seed , sometime onely one kind : with so many ambiguous speeches , and unproved dictates , and inconsequent inferences , that I know not what better to term it then the way of a serpent on a rock , which the Wise man said was too wonderfull for him , and one of the things he knew not , Prov. 30.20 , 21. And sure when I yeeld to acknowledge this discourse as a convincing proof of the law and ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , which Mr. B. asserts , I shall deliver my self as a Pupil to him , take him for an infallible Oracle , and profess blind obedience . But let me see what I can make of this Ridd●e . The sum of it , so far as I can collect , is this : Here is an enmity proclaimed legally , against the Devils pravity , malignity , and works ; h●reby all the seed natural of the woman are obliged to list themselves in Christs Army , or the woman as a believer is to list all her infant progeny in the Redeemers Army ; infants being part of her seed , and no exception put in against infants , or any age of all her seed , this fundamental promise extends to them , and all duly listed are visible Churchmembers : Ergo , here is the fundamental law or ordinance for infants visible Churchmembership by promise and precept unrepealed . To discern how silly and insipid these arguings are ( if I may use ●r . Bs. own phrase ) let us grant him here is a promise and precept implied , and inquire what listing is here enjoyned , of whom , by whom , and how far this makes the listed visible Churchmembers . The listing is not here exprest , but in his book of Baptism , p. 14. he saith , They are first made Disciples , and then solemnly admitted , e●tred , or listed by baptism . P. 24 As every one that must be admitted solemnly into the Army , must be admitted by listing , as the solemn engaging s●gne ; so every one that hath right to be solemly admitted into the visible Church , must ordinarily bee admitted by baptism , Christs listing engaging signe . The persons to be listed , are according to Mr. B. mankinde , the woman and her seed , even infants , no exception being put in against infants , or any age of her seed . The persons that are to list are each man , for he saith , It is the duty of mankinde to list themselves , infants being at the parents dispose it is they that are to list them in Christs army , and this listing ( which he counts duely done ) makes infants visible Churchmembers . Concerning which , I grant that God doth proclaim here an enmity against the Diabolical pravi●y , malignity and works , and that it is the duty of mankinde to fight against satan , to joyn with Christ : For this is no more but that God forbids sin , and it 's our duty to resist ●t , and to believe and follow Christ , and here is a fundamen●al promise , that they who do so shall bruise the serpents head , or prevail against satan . Nor do I deny that it is the duty of parents , yea of all men to do what lies in them to engage persons , even i●fants to this war , provided they do it by wayes allowed and appointed , as by their prayers , vowes to God , or the like . But it is utterly false , 1. that there is any precept of listing by baptism here , for baptism is a mere positive rite of the New Testament , not enjoyned here . 2. That it is the duty of all mankinde to list themselves ▪ For then it is their duty to baptise themselves . 3. That it is the duty of the woman to list her self and all her seed , For then she had been bound to baptise her self , and the children of unbelievers as well as believers , Cains seed as well as Abels , and if it were supposed that she had lived to this day , she had been bound to list all the infants at least of the professed Infidels at this day ; For if it were a precept unrepealed , it must have bound her still . 4. That such a listing as Mr. Bs. words import , is either duly done , or that the listed in that manner are all visible Churchmembers . 5. That here is any fundamental promise made to persons so listed . 6. That as listed in Christs army in the manner Mr. B conceives , infants have the priviledge of Christs soldiers . None of these things denied by me , have a word of proof in all this p●olix discourse , nor do I imagine any proof for them can be from this text , and therefore conceive his discourse without proof , and like the dream of a sick man , or the dotage of a phantastick . He adds . 11. Some learned men do use contemptible arguments to prove further , That the sanctifying enmity is here promised ▪ to the seed of the woman as her seed ( I mean those that go the way of Dr. Ward , Mr. Bedford , &c. ) that is , that as the two former sorts of enmity are put into all the seed of the woman ( as is explained ) so the spiritual holy enmity promised to her seed as she is a believer . 12. And some learned men do accordingly conclude , That the impiety of parents may do much to hinder their children from that blessing more then by original sin they were hindered , and therefore their faith may further them . Of which though much may be said , I shall say no more , because I will not stand on things so much questioned . Answ. I might then well have omitted this as of no validity , but to shew the multiplicity of Paedobaptists errours . He g●es on thus . I come next to prove from other parts of Scripture , That the fundamental promise of Grace is thus to ●e interpreted as including infants . 1. If the same Covenant of grace when it is more fully and clearly opened , do expresly comprehend infants as to be Churchmembers , then is this fundamental promise so to be understood ( or then doth this also comprehend them . ) But the antecedent is certain , therefore so is the consequent . The antecedent I prove from the Covenant of grace made to Abraham the father of the faithful , which comprehended infants for Churchmembers : The Covenant made with Abraham comprehending infants , was the same with this in Gen. 3. but in some things clearlier opened . Which is proved thus : Both these were the Covenant of grace and free justification by faith in the Redeemer , therefore they were the same . For there is but one such . If Abraham had some special promises additional to the main Covenant , that makes not the Covenant of free justification by faith to be divers . That this in Gen. 3. is the promise or Covenant of grace and free justification is not denied , that I know of . That the promise to Abraham was the same , is evident from Rom. 4.10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. 1. It is there expresly manifest , that the Covenant whereof Circumcision was to Abraham the seal , was the Covenant of free justification by faith ; Circumcision it self being a seal of the righteousness of Faith which Abraham had , yet being uncircumcised , that he might be the Father of believers , &c. 2. Yea the promise that he should be heir of the world was not made to Abraham or to his seed through the Law , bu● through the righteousness of faith . Now it 's certain that this Covenant sealed by Circumcision and made to Abraham and his seed ▪ did comprehend infants ▪ The consequence of the m●jor then i● evident , that the same promise expressed more concisely , is to bee expounded by the same expressed more fully : And it 's acknowledged that the Gospel light and grace was to be manifest by certain degrees . Answ. That the fundamental promise of grace , Gen. 3.15 . did include infants , was never denied by me , and therefore Mr. B. doth but waste paper , and abuse me and his Readers by going about to prove it . This I deny , that it includes all infants , or all infants of believers , and that any infant is made a visible Churchmember by that promise as the next cause , or the sole efficient , which is Mr. Bs. term : neither of these is proved by him . I grant that the Covenant to Abraham was the Covenant of Evangelical grace , though mixt , as I have often shewed , and that it did include infants , and that they were Churchmembers , to wit , of the invisible Church of the elect , I mean so many as the Covenant of Evangelical grace was made to . I grant also that Abrahams infants in his house were visible Churchmembers , but not by vertue of the Covenant barely as Evangelical ▪ but by vertue of the transeunt fact before asserted by me ; and if in any respect by vertue of the Covenant ▪ it was by it as containing houshold or civil promises , rather th●n Evangelical . So that although I deny that from Rom. 4.10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. it is proved that Circumcision was a seal of the Covenant , Gen 17. and that the promises , Gen. 17.4.5 , 6 , 8. were additional to the main Covenant , and not as well the main Covenant as v. 7 yet I grant Mr. Bs. conclusions which he here infers , that the promises , Gen. 3.15 . & 17.7 . did comprehend infants , that there is but one Covenant of free justification by faith in both places , that the one may explain the other that infants were from the beginning Churchmembers , that is , members of the invisible Church of the ●lect ▪ But this I deny , that this is true of all , or perha●s onely of the infants of believers , or that because they are of the invisible therefore they are members of the visible Church , there being more required to make visible Church-members , then election , the Covenant of grace , and parents faith . But Mr. B. adds . ● . That the first fundamental promise is thus to be interpreted , I further prove by Gods constant administration in the performance of it . Concerning which I do make this challenge to you ( with modesty and submission , ) to prove if you can , that there was ever one Churchmember that had infants born to him while he was in that estate , from the beginning of the world to this day , whose infants also were not Churchmembers ? Except onely the Anabaptists , who refuse or deny the mercy , and so refuse to dedicate their infants in Baptism unto Christ. And whether their infants be Churchmembers , I will not determine affirmatively or negatively at this time . I do again urge you to it , that you may not forget it ; to prove to me , that ever there was one infant of a Churchmember in the world , since the creation to this day , that was not a Churchmember , ( except the Anabaptists that refuse the mercy or deny it . ) Answ. Mr. B. undertakes to prove Gods constant administration , but instead of proving sends me a challenge , and ho●ly urgeth me to answer it ; which course indeed is ridiculous to the intelligent , yet subdolous , as taking much with shallow heads who know not the laws of Dispute , as if he got the better of me if I did not answer it . But let such know , 1 That it is Mr. Bs. part now to prove , mine onely to answer . 2. That if I could not answer , either through def●ct of reading , memory , histories in such matters , or such like cause ; yet this is no proof of Mr. Bs. assertion . 3. That I have no reason to answer Mr. Bs. questions and challenges , but his arguments : 1. Because I find a meer captious spirit in him , seeking advantage to himself from my words ( which he very seldome doth rightly represent to the Reader ) when he wants proof of his assertions ; as appears most evidently in this his answer to my Letter , in which he hath gathered almost half his answer ( besides the business propounded ) from my writing to him . 2. That the understandings of men , even of Scholiers and Learned men are so superficial , or so partial , that without ever examining , yea or reading my writings , upon Mr. Bs. exclamations , and vile suggestions of me and mine answers , they do most unrighteously , and like men that seek not the truth , conclude on his side , scorn and speak evil of me and the cause I assert ( which is indeed the cause of Christ ) of which I have much experience . 4. Nevertheless I answer his challenge categorically thus ▪ 1. No infant born of a Churchmember was a visible Churchmember in the Christian Church , or any other besides that of the Nation of the Hebrews , as I have proved before : And if we must needs take up a fashion of disputing by challenges , I challenge Mr. B. to shew me one infant who was a visible Churchmember out of the Nation of the Hebrews . ● . I conceive from Acts. 16.1 . 2 Tim. 1.5 . that Timothy was born of a Churchmember , yet no Churchmember visible in infancy . Anabaptists refuse not the mercy of visible Churchmembership , if God had offered it to their infants ; nor would they refuse to dedicate their infants in Baptism , if God had commanded it : But they dare not challenge what God hath not granted , nor profane the Ordinance of Christ , by their altering it into that which he hath not appointed . Mr. B. goes on thus . SECT . LVIII . Infants visible Churchmembership is not proved by the Law of Nature BEfore I proceed to any more Texts of Scripture , I will a little enquire into the light or Law of Nature it self , and see what that ●aith to the point in hand . And first we shall consider of the duty of dedicating infants to God in Christ , and next of Gods acceptance of them , and entertaining them into that estate . And the first is most evidently contained in the Law of Nature it self ( at least upon supposition that there be any hopes of Gods entertaining them ; ) which I prove thus . 1. The law of Nature bindeth us to give to every one his own due : But infants are Gods own due ; Ergo , the law of Nature bindeth parents to give them up to God. By [ giving ] here I mean not an alienation of propriety , to make that to be Gods that was not so before ; but an acknowledgement of his right , with a free res●gnation and dedication of the infant to God , as his own ; for his use and service , when he is capable there●f . If you say , infants being not capable of doing service , should not be devoted to it till they can do it ; I answer , they are capable at present of a legal obligation to future duty , and also of the relation which followeth that obligation , together with the honour of a Churchmember ( as the child of a Noble man is of his honours and title to his inheritance ) and many other mercies of the Covenant . And though Christ according to his humanity was not capable of doing the works of a Mediatour or head of the Church in his infancy , yet for all that he must be head of the Church then , and not ( according to this arguing ) stay till he were capable of doing those works . And so is it with his members . Answ. It is a bold attempt to undertake to prove a law or ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed from the law of Nature , when Churches are onely instituted , not by any law of Nature , and consequently there can be no direction in the law of Nature who shall be visible Churchmembers , who not . Nor could both those things Mr. B. considers be proved , to wit , the duty of dedicating infants to God in Christ , and Gods acceptance of them , and entertaining of them into that estate , i. e. of dedicated persons , prove them visible Churchmembers : there 's more required thereto , to wit , something discernable by sense , by which they may be said to be part of Gods people . Yet I shall examine his proofs The conclusion may be understood of giving up , devoting , dedicating to God by prayer or vow ; or else by an outward sign , such as Circumcision or Baptism . This latter is not of the law of nature , being meer instituted worship ; the former may be granted , without any hurt to my cause . Nevertheless I shall say something to the argument : Which hath at least four terms , and so is faulty in the form ; and for the matter of it , the major is not true without limitation . For the law of nature doth not bind every man to give to every one his own due , except it be that due which is due from the giver , or it belongs to him to give . A private man is bound to pay his own debt , not to pay every other mans debt to him to whom it is due . Now infants may be said to be Gods due , either in respect of their persons , or their service . Infants in infancy can do no service , nor doth God require any service of them , and therefore there is none due , and therefore no parents do or are bound by any act of theirs for their infants service to give God his due of their infants service . And for their persons , they are Gods due in that he may of right dispose of them as he wil , in life and death , health or sickness ; and in this respect parents have no way of giving God his due , but by acknowledging his Soveraignty , and submitting to his will. Dedication to God for the future i●●o giving of God his due from infants ; it is neither the giving of God the due of their persons , or their service : they are bound themselves when they come to understanding to do it by themselves ; and if they do it not , the parents dedication cannot do it . I object not , that infants should not be devoted to to God till they can do service ; but that what ever it be , it is not the giving God his own due from infants , nor doth make them visible Churchmakers . Mr. B. adds . 2. The law of nature bindeth all parents to do their best to secure Gods right , and their childrens good , and to prevent their sin and misery : But to engage them betimes to God by such a dedication , doth tend to secure Gods right , and their childrens good , and to prevent their sin and misery : For they are under a double obligation , which they may be minded of betimes , and which may hold them the more strongly to their duty , and disadvantage the tempter that would draw them off from God. Answ. To dedicate them by prayer , and thanksgiving , and vows to God , may tend to these end● : But to do it by Baptism not required of God , secures not Gods right , but abuseth his name ; nor doth it tend to the childrens good , or prevent their sin and misery . For neither is there promise of God that the parents dedicating the child by Baptism shall have these effects , nor do these effects follow ex opere operato , nor is there any obligation real put by infant-baptism on the person , though there may be a putative obligation thereby : But really infant-baptism is a disadvantage , 1. In that it is the occasion whereby they take themselves to be Christians afore they know what Christianity is , by which means they are kept in vain presumption of their safe condition ; and this constant experience , and the acknowledgement of observing men doth witness . 2. They are kept back thereby from the true Baptism of Christ , which hath had , and would have a strong tie on mens consciences , if it were solemnly and in a right manner performed as it should be . Surely a mans own engagement by himself , in all probability must have a stronger operation then an engagement by another for him , notwithstanding the fond conceits of Mr. Simon Ford , and Mr. John Goodwin , of edification by infant baptism . He is a very rare bird that makes any fruitfull use of infant baptism , which neither hath institution from God , nor promise of blessing , and was never known by the infant , nor perhaps any person living can tell him there was any such thing . Nor is there in this respect the same reason of it and Circumcision , for Circumcision makes such an impression on the body as keeps the memory of it , but by Baptism there is no print on the body by which it and the obligation by it may be remembred . 3. Saith he , The law of nature bindeth parents in love to their children to enter them into the most honourable and profitable society , if they have but leave so to do : But here parents have leave to enter them into the Church , which i● the most honourable and profitable society ▪ Ergo. That they have leave , is proved , 1. God never forbad any man in the world to do this sincerely , ( the wicked and unbelievers cannot do it sincerely ▪ ) and a not forbidding is to be interpreted as leave in case of such partic●pation of benefits : As all laws of men in doubtfull cases are to be interpreted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in the most favourable sence . So hath Christ taught us to interpret his own : when they speak of duty to God , they m●st be interpreted in the strictest sence : When they speak of benefits to man , they must be interpreted in the most favourable sence that they will hear . Answ. Entering into the Church invisible is Gods onely wo●k : Entering into the Church visible Christian is by Bapti●m , Plain Scripture proof , &c. pag. 24. ●e have neither precept nor example in Scripture , since Christ ordained Baptism , of any other way of admitting visible members , but onely by Baptism . Mr. Bs. minor then here is this , that parents have leave to enter ( which is all one with admission ) their children into the visible Church by Baptism , that is , to baptize them . But this is false . For God hath forbidden parents to bring their infants to baptism , in that he hath not appointed baptism for th●m ( as is proved at large in the 2d . part of this Review ) much more to baptize them in their own persons , according to Mr. Bs. hypotheses , plain Scrip proof , &c. pag. 2●1 . except they be Ministers . A not forbidding is not to be interpreted as leave in this case : but a not commanding is a plain forbidding . Mr. Collings , provoc . prov . ch . 5. No thing is lawfull in the worship of God , but what we have precept or president for ; which who so denies , opens a door to all Idolatry , and superstition , and will worship in the world . If the law of nature bind parents to enter their children into the Church , then it is a law that speaks of duty to God , not of benefit to man ; for such laws contain grants of something from God , not of what man is to do : Now if it be a law of duty , it must according to Mr. Bs. own rule be interpreted in the strictest sence , which is the right sence ; they are bound to it as God appoints , and no otherwise . So Mr. B. against Mr. Bl. pag. 80. I take Gods precept to be the ground of Baptism , as it is officium , a duty , both as to the baptizer ; and the baptized . Mr. Ball reply ab●ut nine positions , p. 68. The Sacraments are of God , and we must learn of God for what end and use they were ordained . But by the institution of , Baptism recorded in Scripture , we have learned it belongeth to the faithfull , to Disciples , to them that are called . Mr. B. mistakes when he conceives of baptism as a benefit to which a man hath right by promise or Covenant grant : For though a benefit do follow to them that rightly do it , yet it self is onely a duty ; and such a one as is onely by institution , not by the law of nature , nor belongs to pa●ents for children , but to each person for himself . But Mr. B. goes on . 2. It is the more evident , that a not forbidding in such cases is to be taken for leave , because God hath put the principle of sell preservation , and desiring our own welfare , and the welfare of our children so deeply in humane nature , that he can no more lay it by then he can cease to be a reasonable creature . And therefore he may lawfully actuate or exercise this natural necessary principle of seeking his own or childrens real happiness , where-ever God doth not restrain or prohibit him . We need no positive command to seek our own or childrens happiness , but what is in the law of nature it self , and to use this where God forbiddeth not , if good be then to be found , cannot be unlawfull . Answ. 1. Infant baptism tends not to the preservation , good , welfare , real happiness of them ; but to their hurt . 2. It requires a positive command , sith it is not of the law of nature . 3. It is forbidden , in that it is not commanded . 4. There can be expected no blessing of God on it , sith he hath promised none to it . 3. Saith he , It is evident from what is said before ( and elsewhere ) that it is more then a silent leave of infants Churchmembership that God hath vouchsafed us . For in the forementioned fundamental promise , explained more fully in after times , God signified his will that so it should be . It cannot be denied , but there is some hope at least given to them in the first promise , and that in the general promise to the seed of the woman they are not excluded , there be no excluding term . Upon so much encouragement and h●pe then it is the duty of parents by the law of nature to enter their infants into the Covenant , and into that society that partake of these hopes , and to list them into the Army of Christ. Answ. The point to be proved was , that parents have leave to enter their children into the Church ; but a leave of infa●ts Churchmembership vouchsafed of God ( if there be good sense in the expression ) is another thing . Infants Churchmembership is the infants state , not the parents act , and leave of it intimates a willingness in the infant to be a Churchmember , to which God vouchsafes leave . But whether there be sense or not in the expression , it is not true that in the forementioned fundamental promise , explained more fully in after times , God signified his will that infants should be visible Churchmembers ; nor is it true , that upon hope given in the first promise that they are not excluded , is it the duty of parents ( without a positive command ) by the law of nature to enter their infants into the Covenant , and into that society that partake of those hopes , and to list them ( by baptism ) into the Army of Christ. Hopes of what may be , is not a sufficient reason of baptizing a person . Nor by these hopes is any more duty put on the parent , then an other , who hath the same hopes and may do it , as viz. a Midwife : Yea , by this argument Midwives should be bound to baptize not only believe●s infants , but also all infants , if it be so much for their good , welfare , preservation , real happiness , and the law of nature ties them as well as parents to do what lies in them to do them good upon such hopes and encouragement ; and sith they are in their power as well as parents , yea before them , and they may list them into Christs army , enter them into Covenant and the Church , they are bound to do it . Yea , considering that Mr. B. of Baptism part 2. ch 8. holds , that by Christs commission , Mat. 28.19 . Disciples should immediately without delay be baptized as soon as they are Disciples , and believers infants are Disciples as soon as they are born , and none can do it so soon as Midwives , they ought to do it , according to Mr. Bs. hypotheses , immediately upon their birth . Which will go very far in justifying the Papists about their hasty baptism by Midwives . Yet again saith Mr. B. 4. It is the duty of Parents by the Law of Nature , to accept of any allowed or offered benefit for their children . But the relation of a member of Christs Church or Army , is an allowed or offered benefit to them , Ergo , &c. For the major , these principles in the law of nature do contain it . 1. That the infant is not sui juris , but is at his parents dispose in all things that are for his good . That the parents have power to oblige their children to any future duty or suffering , that is certainly to their own good : and so may enter them into covenants accordingly : And so far the will of the Father is as it were the will of the childe . 2. That it is unnaturally sinful for a parent to refuse to do such a thing , when it is to the great benefit of his own childe . As if a Prince would offer Honours , and Lordships , and Immunities to him and his heirs : if he will not accept this for his heirs , but onely for himself it is unnatural . Yea , if he will not oblige his heirs to some small and reasonable conditions for the enjoying such benefits . For the minor , that this relation is an allowed or offered benefit to infants is manifested already , and more shall be . Answ. I meant of visible members in the Christian Church properly so called , this last speech is denied . He goes on thus . And this leads me up to the second point , which I propounded to consider of ; whether by the light or law of nature we can prove that infants should have the benefit of being Church-members , supposing it first known by supernatural revelation , that parents are of that society , and how general the promise is , and how gracious God is . And 1. it is certain to us by nature that infants are capable of this benefit , if God deny it not , but will give it them as well as the aged . 2. It is certain that they are actually members of all the Commonwealths in the world ( perfectè sed imperfecta membra ) being secured from violence by the lawes , and capable of honors and right to inheritances , and of being real subjects under obligations to future duties , if they survive . And this shews that they are also capable of being Churchmembers , and that nature revealeth to us , that the infants case much followeth the case of the parents , especially in benefits . 3. Nature hath actually taught most people on earth , so far as I can learn , to repute their infants in the same religious society with themselves , as well as in the same civil society . 4. Under the Covenant of works ( commonly so called ) or the perfect rigorous law that God made with man in his pure nature , the infants should have been in the Church , and a people holy to God , if the parents had so continued themselves . And consider 1. that holiness and righteousness were then the same things as now , and that in the establishing of the way of propagation , God was no more obliged to order it so , that the children of righteous parents should have been born with all the perfections of their parents and enjoyed the same priviledges , then he was obliged in making the Covenant of grace to grant that infants should be of the same society with their parents , and have the immun●ties of that society . 2. We have no reason when the designe of redemption is the magnifying of love and grace , to think that love and grace are so much les● under the Gospel to the members of Christ , then under the Law to the members or seed of Adam , as that then all the seed should have partaked with the same blessings with the righteous parents , and now they shall all be turned out of the society , whereof the parents were members . 5. God gives us himself the reasons of his gracious dealing with the children of the just from his gracious nature , proclaiming even pardoning mercy to flow thence , Exod. 34. and in the 2d . Com. 6. God doth yet shew us that in many great and weighty respects he dealeth well or ill with children for their parents sakes : as many tex●s of Scripture shew ( and I have lately proved at large in one of our private disputes , that the sins of nearer parents are imputed as part of our original or natur●l guilt . ) So much of that . Answ. 1. All these considerations , if they were yeelded to be true , would as well prove that by the light of Nature infants should be invisible Churchmembers as visible ( which would contradict the Scripture , Rom 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. ) yea rather , sith the 4th . consideration upon which the inference rests chiefly , is from the state in which persons were put by creation and redemption , which is into the invisible rather then the visible . Now then if these considerations are not sufficient to assure parents who are in the invisible Church that their infants are in the same society , neither are they sufficient to assure them they are visible Churchmembers . 2. It is a calumny of Mr. B. which is insinuated as if I held that all the seed of believers shall be turned out of the society whereof the parents were members . 3. It is a gross conceit , and contrary to the plain doctrine of the Scripture , concerning election and reprobation of Jacob and Esau , which is intimated , as if the designe of redemption under the Gospel to the members of Christ should be , that as the members or seed of Adam , so all the seed should partake of the same blessings with the righteous parents . 4. What hee saith he hath largely proved in one of the private disputes at Kederminster among the associate Ministers in Worcestershire ( as I conjecture ) I do not contradict peremptorily , as not knowing how he stated the question , nor what his proofs were , Yet it seems to mee to be an errour , nor am I very apt to give assent to Mr. Bs. determinations , however the associate Ministers may perhaps take him for a Pythagoras , whose ipse dixit must not be gainsaid . Once more saith he , Yet before I cite any more particular texts , I will add this one argument from the tenour of the Covenant of grace as expressed in many texts of Scripture . According to the tenour of the Covenant of grace , God will not refuse to be their God and take them for his people , that are ( in a natural or law sense ) willing to be his people , and to take him for their God. But the infants of believing parents are thus willing , Ergo. The major is unquestionable . The minor is proved from the very law of nature before expressed ▪ Infants cannot be actually willing themselves in natural sence , ergo , the reason and will of another must be theirs in law sence , and that is of the parents , who have the full dispose of them , and are warranted by the law of nature to choose for them ( for their good ) ●ill they come to use of reason themselves . The parents therefore by the light and law o● nature choosing the better part for their children , and offering and devoting them to God , by the obligation of his own natural law , he cannot in consistency with the ●●ee grace revealed in the Gospel , refuse those that are so offered And those that thus come to him in the way that nature it self prescribeth , he wi●l in no wise cast out , ... . And he will be offended with those that would keep them from him , that are offered by those that have the power to do it , though they cannot offer themselves . For legally this act is taken for their own . Thus I have shewed you ●ome of the fundamental title that infants of believers have to Churchmembership , and our obligation to dedicate them to God. Answ. They are ( as I conceive Mr. B. ) willing to be Gods people in a natural sence , who do in their own persons actually will this ; in a law sence , who having not use of reason themselves , do will by another who hath the dispose of them , as v. g. a parent . That some acts of a parent are legally taken for the childs , it 's not denied . But in this argument of Mr. B. I deny the major . And whereas Mr. B. saith , it is unquestionable , I say , it is manifestly false , there is no such thing in the tenour of the Covenant of grace ; yea , God did refuse Ishmael , and Esau , though Abraham and Isaac prayed for them , and dedicated them ( in Mr. Bs. sense ) to God. What Mr. B. dictates by way of proof , whether of the major or minor ( which I think he did not well heed ) is not true ▪ Infants cannot will of themselves , therefore the reason and will of another must be theirs in law sence . For it follows n●t , unless the Law-giver do ordain it so . Nor doth it follow , that if the infants cannot will , and anothers will must be theirs in law sence , it must in Church matters be the will of the natural parents . For in such things it may be as well conceived that the will of the mother the Church ( as it is termed , ) the Church-governours , or as some will the Gossips should be their will in the law sence , and that they have the power to dispose of them , and are warranted by the law of nature to choose for them ( for their good ) as the natural parents . The speeches [ the parents by the ●ight and law of nature choosing the better part for their children , and offering them , and devoting them to God by the obligation of his own natural law , he cannot in consistency with the free grace revealed in the Gospel , refuse those that are so offered , ] is false , the Gospel no where ●ssuring grace to those that are offered by anothers will , but to those who repent and believe themselves . The speech [ And those that thus come to him in the way that nature it self prescribeth , he will in no wise cast out , Joh. .. ] is false , it being certain God hath cast out many so comming , as Esau , Ishmael , &c. and hath a tincture of P●●agianism ; and the Text , Joh. 6.37 . to which Mr. B. alludes , is grosly abused by him , sith it speaks onely of th●se that come to Christ by their own faith , and of not casting out from the invisible Church , and everlasting life , as v. 39 , 40. shew , not meerly from the visible Church . And the speech [ and he will be offended with those that would keep them from him that are offered by those who have the power to do it , though they cannot offer themselves , ] being meant of not baptizing them , is also false ; and the contrary is true , that he will be offended with those who baptize infants which he never appointed , but profane the ordinance , being appointed onely for them who are themselves disciples and believers . And thus Mr. Bs. fundamental title to infants visible Churchmembership is blown up . Mr. B. adds . You must now in reason expect , that infants Church-membership being thus established , partly in the law of nature , and partly in the fundamental promise , what is after this spoken of it should not be any new establishment , but confirmations and intimations of what was before done , rather giving us the proof that such a law and promise there is that did so establish it , then being such first establishing laws or promises themselves . And from hence I may well add this further argument . If there be certain proof in Scripture of infants Churchmembership , but none except this before alledged that makes any mention of the beginning of it , but all speaking of it as no new thing , then we have great reason upon the forementioned evidence , to assign this beginning which from Gen. 3. we have exprest . But the former is true , ergo the later . You confess that infant●s were Churchmembers once . You onely conceive it began when Abraham was called out of Ur. Your con●●t hath not a word to support it in the Text. The right to such a blessing was then new to Abrahams seed , when Ab●aham first believed : But when it began to belong to infants of believers in general , no Text except this before cited doth mention . Nor doth that promise to Abraham intimate any inception then as to the Churchmembership of infants , but onely an application of a priviledge to him that in the general was no new thing . Answ. Mr. B. mistakes in conceiving visible Churchmembership to belong to infants of believers in general , and therefore it must be derived from Gen. 3.15 . I retort his argument . If there be certain proof in Scripture of infants Churchmembership , but none except in the nation of the Hebrews , and that had its beginning at the call of Abraham out of Ur , and ended at the rejection of the Jews , then infants visible Churchmembership began with Abrahams call , and now ceaseth . But the antecedent is true . Ergo , also the consequent . The consequence is in effect Mr. Bs. In the minor the first and third propositions are proved by the dispute before : For the second [ that the nation of the Hebrews began with Abraham , ] besides the allegation before of Nehem 9.6 . Acts 7.2 . where he is called their Father , and the story of the Hebrews begun from Abrahams call , the words of the Prophet , Isa. 51.1 , 2. are express to this purpose ; calling Abraham and Sarah the rock whence they were hewen , and the hole of the pit whence they were digged , Abraham their father and Sarah that bare them , and mentioning Gods calling him alone , blessing him and increasing him as the cause of it ( which doth prove that it was by the transeunt fact which I described , not by Mr. Bs promise and precept that they were Churchmembers ) and this as a new thing , God having chosen no other people of the earth as he did the Jews , Deut. 7.6 . And therefore I deny Mr. Bs. minor , and conclude , that visible Church-membership of infants was onely in the nation of the Hebrews ; not by a promise to be a God to believers and their seed , and a precept to parents to dedicate them to God , and list them in Christs Army ; but by the transeunt fact of calling Abraham , blessing , multiplying him , bringing them out of Aegypt to himself , which was to be demonstrated . L●t●s yet view Mr Bs. confirmations , whether they be any better then his primitive establishments . SECT . LIX . The sayings of Adam , Eve , Noah , concerning Cain , Seth , Shem , the term sons of God , Gen. 6.2 . prove not Mr. Bs. law of infants visible Church-membership unrepealed . NOw for the Texts , saith he , that further intimate such a foregoing establishment . 1. There seems to be some believing intimation of this in Adams naming his wife the mother of the living : For it is to be noted what Bp , Usher saith , Annal vol. 1. p. 2. Unde tum primum ( post semen promissum ) mulieri Evae nomen a marito est impositum , Gen. 3.20 . quod mater esset omnium viventium non naturalem tantum vitam , sed illud quoque quod est per fidem in semen ipsius , Messiam promissum : quomodo & post eam Sara fidelium mater est habita . 1 Pet. 3.6 . Gal. 4.31 . ] He put this name on her after the promise , because she was to be the mother of all the living , not onely that live the life of nature , but that which is by faith in the Messiah her seed . So that as she was the root of our nature , we are her natural seed ; and as she was a believer , and we the seed of her a believer , so is she the mother of a holy seed , and we that are her seed are holy , as a people visibly dedicated to God. Answ. Though the exposition were allowed , and the inference thereon , that we that are her seed , that is by faith in the Messiah , are holy ; yet it follows not that we are so as a people visibly dedicated to God , much less that our infants are so without their own faith by vertue of their parents dedication : And therefore this Text , according to Mr. Bs. exposition ( which yet may be questioned ) yeelds no confirmation of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed . 2. Saith he , When Cain was born , his mother called him [ possession ] because she had obtained a man of the Lord , that is , saith Ainsworth , [ with his favour , and of his good will , ] and so a son of promise , and of the Church . And therefore it is to be noted , that when Cain had sinned by killing his brother , God did curse him , and cast him out of his presence , Gen. 4.14 , 16. So that he was excommunicate and separated from the Church of God , saith Ainsworth , [ that is , from the place of Gods word and worship which in likelihood was held by Adam the father , who being a prophet , had taught his children how to sacrifice and serve the Lord. So on the contrary , to come into Gods presence or before him , 1 Chron. 16.29 . is explained in Psal. 96 8. to be the comming into his Courts . ] Very many learned men give the same exposi●ion of it . Now if Cain were now excommunicate , then was he before of the Church : nay it 's certain by his sacrificing , and other proof , however this Text be interpreted : But no man can give the least reason from Scripture to make it so probable 〈◊〉 he entred into the Church at any other time , as we give of his entrance at his nativity . Answ. Eve doth not say , that she possessed a son of God , member of the Church from the Lord , but a man , by vertue of the power given to the parents for procreation , Gen. 1.28 . notwithstanding the curse , Gen. 3.16 . which was from the Lord , Psal 127.3 . Gen. 30.2 . that is , by his providence , and in some respect with his favour and good will , considering her desert , and danger it was that she possessed him when both their lives were in so great hazard . That Cain was a Churchmember visible from his infancy hath no probability , there being no hint of it in that Text , or any other . The proofs that infant visible Church-membership was onely in the Hebrew Nation , have beene shewed before . Also , saith Mr. B. When Eve bare Seth , she so named him as a son of mercy in faith , as appointed her by the Lord to be in Abels room , faithfull as Abel , and the father of our Lord afte● the flesh , as Ainsworth on Gen. 4.25 . And is there no intimation in this that Seth was an infant member of the visible Church ? I confess he that shall excommunicate this appointed seed , or saith , that Seth was without the Church in his infancy , doth speak in my ears so improbably , and so unlike the Scripture , that I am very confident I shall never believe him . Answ. Nor should I , meaning as Mr. Ainsworth , seed ] that is another son : that as Abrahams seed was called in Isaac ( Ishmael being excluded ) Gen. 21.12 . so Eves seed should be in Seth , tha● is the elect seed , and so he a member of the invisible Church in infancy ; and yet there 's no in●imation that ●e was an infant member of the visible Church , from which Ishmael was not excluded . In which though I p●ace not Seth , yet I do not thereby excommunicate Seth , or say that he was without the Church in his infancy . Mr. B. adds . Note also , that as God had thus cast out Cain , and supplied Abels room by Seth and had given each of them posterity ; so we find him in a special manner registring the successors of the righteous , and putting two titles on these two distinct generations , calling some the sons of God , and others the daughters of men , Gen. 6.2 . Supposing that you reject the old conceits that these sons of God were Angels that fell in love with women , the current ordinary exposition I think will stand , that these were the progeny of Seth , and other members of the Church , who are called the sons of God ; and that it was the progeny of Cain , and other wicked ones , that are called the daughters of men . Where note that they are not themselves denominated wicked , but the children of men , as being a generation separated from the Church from the birth . And the other are not themselves affirmed to be truly godly ones , but son● of God , as being the seed of the Saints not cast out , but members of the Church , or the sons of those who were devoted to God ▪ and so devo●ed to him themselves : a separated generation belonging to God as his visible Church . Where note , that these that are called the sons of God , even the line of Seth and other godly parents , were yet so wicked that God repented that he made them , and destroyed them in the floud , sparing onely Noah and his family . So that it was not their own godliness that made them called the sons of God , but their relation , Churchstate , and visible separation from open unchurched Idolaters . Compare this phrase with the like , Deut. 14.1 . 2 Cor. 6.18 . In the former it 's said [ ye are the children of the Lord your God , ye shall not cut your selvs , &c. ] where the whole people , infants and all are called Gods children , as being a people separated to him from the Idolatrous world ; and so in the next v. called a holy people unto God , peculiar to him , &c. And 2 Cor. 6.18 . Come out from among them , and be ye seperate , &c. and I will be a father to you , and you shall be my sons and daughters , saith the Lord Almighty . ] So that Gods sons and daughters are that society that are separated from Idolaters unto the worship of God as the visible Church is . And then it appears that the generation of the righteous , even from the womb , were ennumerated to the rest , in that they are not mentioned as a people called out here and there , and initiated at age ( here 's no mention of any such thing : ) but as a stock or generation opposed to the daughters of men , or of the unchurched , who were such from their infancy as all will grant . For it was not the same men that were the parents of those here called the daughters of men and the sons of Go● ( though some of the later might be excommunicate when they fell : ) But it plainly intimates , that it was another sort of men that these were the daughters of , then those that were parents to the sons of God. So Ainsworth in loc . [ The sons of God , i. e. the men of the Church of God , for to such Moses saith , Deut. 14.1 . &c. 1 Joh. 3.1 . Daughters of men , meaning of Cains posterity that were out of Gods Church , Gen. 4.14 . ] So our Annotations , and many more . Answ. 1. There is not sufficient evidence in the text to prove it , that the sons of God were of Seths , and the daughters of men of Cains posterity : they might be some of the daughters of men of Seths , and some of the sons of God of Cains progeny , notwithstanding what is in the text . And there is this reason against it , that sith Gen. 4.16 . it is said , that Cain went out from the presence of the Lord , and dwel● in the land of Nod on the East of Eden , and that he built a City called Enoch , that the posterity of Cain and Seth dwelt so far one from another , that they had not occasion to see one another so as to fall in love with their beauty . And whereas it is clear that Adam after he begat Seth begat sons and daughters Gen. 5 4. living 800 years , and that the great change in religion was about the time of Enos birth Gen. 4.26 . the sons of God and daughters of men might be of other races then Cain and Seth. But I shall not contend about this . 2. Nor is it manifest that either sort of persons are ca●led so from their descent , or Church-state by birth . For the one are not called the sons of God from their birth , but practise or profession , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith Chrysostom hom 22. on Genes . Because until then they did imitate their progenitors vertue , Piscat . analys . Gen. 6 Per filios Dei intelligendi sunt i● qui re●igionem puram profitebantur , praesertim ex Sethi & Enoskhi posteris ▪ Gatak . adv . p●ochen . c. 13. Apud quos religionis verae professio hactenus perstiterat . Usher Annal. Vol. 1. p. 3. ad an . M. 235. Sethus annos 105 natus filium genuit cui Enoshi nomen imposuit : quod conditionis humanae deplorandam denotat miseriam , Tunc enim a Camitis cultus Divinus miserè corruptus fuit : unde ea inter homines distinctio fa●●a ; ut qui in verò Dei cultu permanserunt fil●i Dei ; qui autem ab eo desciverunt filii hominum sint appellati . Gen , 4.26 . cum 6.1 , 2. Christoph. Cartwright annot ▪ ad Gen. 6.2 . At ex textu apparet hosce Dei filios professione po●iùs quàm reipsa s●nctos fuisse . The new Annot. on Gen. 6.2 . Sons of God ] rational creatures and of humane kinde ; yet in this place distinguished from the daughters of men , not onely by their sex , but by their qualities or relati●ns ; by their qualities , as persons of some eminent endowments or estimation above others as ( what is excellent is in the Scripture phrase especially entituled unto God , as the Garden of Eden , Ezek. 28.13 . & ch . 31. v. 8 , 9. the hill of God , Ps. 68.15 . ) or by their relations , as such as descending from Seth and Enosh professed the true worship of the true God , and so became capable of the title of the sons of God , Deut. 14.1 . 2 Cor. 6.18 . Whence I infer , that in the judgement of these Authors they are termed the sons of God not from their Churchmembership by bi●th , but their profession and practise . On the other side , the parents of the daughters are termed men not from their discent by birth , or exclusion out of the Church by birth , but as the term [ man ] is taken for corrupt unregenerate men as Ainsworth , so Paul 1 Cor. 3.3 . Piscat . sch . in Gen. 6.2 . Nisi potius est ut nomine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adam hîc intelligatur primus ille generis humani parens : ut significetur illas ge●●isse imaginem illam secundùm quam Adamus genuit liberos , non autem ●uisse regineratos spiritu Dei. Which exposition is very likely that they are termed daughters of Adam , not daughters of men , because they were corrupt as Adam , a● Gen. 5.3 . Adam is said to beget a son in his own image corruptus corruptum , as Pisc. sch . in locum , in opposition to Gods image . v. 1. So Hos. 6.7 . and then daughters of Adam doth not note their discent but qualities and practise , as daughters of Sara 1 Pet. 3.7 . that is , that they revolted from the true worship of God , as Adam from God. Which things premised , I deny 1. that it is true that the women are not themselves denominated wicked , but the children of men , as being a generation separated from the Church from the birth . For there is nothing in the text that proves the men were the posterity of Cain , nor that all the posterity of Cain were out of the Church , nor that these men were out of the Church , though they were corrupt persons or degenerate members , and therefore nothing to prove they were excluded from the Church from the birth , by reason of their discent . And it may bee well conceived that the term [ daughters of Adam ] doth note th●ir wickedness as treacherously departing from God as he did 2. I deny they are termed [ sons of God ] who chose the daughters of Adam for their beauty , as being the seed of the Saints , &c. but as being at least in appearance holy and true worshippers and chosen by God , they are so denominated no● from their discent from the godly , for then they had been called the sons of the Saints rather then of God , but from their profession and pract●se , if the interpretation of Aben Ezra that they were the sons Elohim of the Judges or mighty or that other that they were eminent persons , hold not . 3. I deny that it can be proved that these sons of ●od were not truly godly , or that that they were so wicked that God repen●ed that he made them , and destroyed them in the flood . For neither doth their love of women prove they were not truly godly , Solomon is judged truly godly Nehem. 13.26 . though hee fell perhaps more deeply into the same sin . Sampson was a believer Heb. 11.32 . yet sinned this way . Nor doth that which is said Gen. 6.11 , 12 , 13. prove it , for that is rather to be understood of the Nephilim or Giants , or the posterity of the the sons of God mentioned v. 4. rather then of the sons of God themse●ves ▪ v. 2. And therefore it is not proved that it was not their own godliness that made them called the sons of God , but their Church state . Nor is the●e any thing Deut. 14.1 . that proves the sons of God Gen. 6.2 . were such from their infancy as born of Churchmembers For they are the sons of Gods there either by profession or special choice v. ● . not from their parentage . Much less is there any thing 2 Cor. 6.18 . to that purpose , for the promise of son-ship there is not from birth but obedience v. 17. And as Gen. 6.2 . their being made sons of God is not exprest to be by calling , so neither is it said to be by humane generation , nor doth it follow if the daughters of men were such from their birth , the sons of God must be so from their birth , no not though sons of God noted a generation or stock , as it doth not follow that because that which is born of the flesh is flesh from the birth , that that which is born of the spirit is spirit from the birth , Joh. ● . 6 . Also , saith Mr. B. an intimation of this priviledge , and that they were sons of mercy and of the promise , appeareth in the very names of many of the children of the righteous , both before and after the flood , which I will not stand on particularly . Answ. This is granted , but proves not their visible Churchmembership from their birth . He adds ▪ And when all the world had so defiled themselves , that God was resolved to cut them off ▪ he spared Noah and his family or sons . Though Cham was to be cursed , yet was hee of the Church which worshipped the true God , and spared as a son of Noah , and one of that society . And if God so far spared him then for his fathers sake as to house him in the Ark ( the type of the Church ) hee sure took him to be of the same society in his infancy , and then bare him the same favour on the same account . Answ That the Ark was a type of the Church is not said in Scripture , it is rather made a type of Baptism 1 Pet. 3.21 . But let it bee granted the Ark was a type of the Church , and that Cham was in the Ark for his fathers sake and a memb●r of the Church , yet it followes not he was so in infancy , he might be so as a worshipper of the true God , though himself in other things corrupt . Again saith Mr. B. As soon as Noah came out of the Ark God blessed himself in his issue ▪ as he did Adam , with an [ increase and multiply ] and made a Covenant with him and his seed after him . Which Covenant though the expressed part of it be that the earth should bee drowned no more , and so it was made with the wickedst of Noahs seed , and even with the beasts of the field , yet doth it import a special favour to Noah and his seed , as one whom God would shew a more special respect to , as he had done in his deliverance , and upon this special favour to him the creatures fare the better . For though the word [ Covenant ] be the same to man and beast , yet the diversity of the promissary and his capacity may put a different sense on the same word , as applied to each . And indeed it should seem but a sad blessing to Noah to hear an [ increase and multiply ] if all his infant posterity must be cast or left out of the visible Church , and so left as common or unclean . This were to encrease and multiply the Kingdome of the Devil . If he that was so mercifully housed in the Ark with all his children , must now bee so blest as to have all their issue to be out of the Church , it were a strange change in God , and a strange blessing on Noah ! And an uncomfortable stablishing of a Covenant with his seed , if all that seed must bee so thrust from God and dealt with as the seed of cursed Cain . Answ. Though the Covenant Gen. 9.9 . should import a special favour to Noah and his seed more then to the beasts ( which yet the text expresseth not ) yet that this should be infants visible Churchmembership followes not , nor is it likely , sith then all the infant posterity ▪ yea all the seed of Noah , and consequently all the men of the world since then should be visible Churchmembers . Nor was th● blessing of multiplying sad to Noah , reduced to such a paucity , though his infant posterity were not of the visible Church , nor were they any more common and unclean thereby , then they should have been if so taken , nor had this been to increase and multiply the Kingdome of the Devil , they that are not visible Churchmembers may be of the Kingdome of Christ and not of the Kingdome of the Devil . I say not all Noahs issue was out of the Church , yet the leaving out infants from the visible Church , shewed no change in God from what hee was to them when he housed the sons of Noah in the Ark , nor doth it any whit lessen the blessing expressed Gen. 9.1 . nor doth it infer that all that seed must be thrust from God and dealt with as the seed of cursed Cain . These are but frivolous inferences fit onely to scare weak heads . Moreover , saith he , it is certain that Noah did prophetically , or at least truly pronounce the blessing on Sem and Japhet . And in Shems blessing he blesseth the Lord his God , shewing that God was his God and so in Covenant with him . And it is plain that it is not onely the persons , but the posterities of his three sons that Noah here intended . It was not Cham himself so much as Canaan and his succeeding posterity that were to be servants to Shem and Japhet , that is to their posterity . And the blessing must be to the issue of Shem , as well as the curse to the issue of Cham. And indeed a Hebrew Doctor would take it ill at that Expositor or Divine whatsoever that should presume to exclude the infant seed of them out of Gods Church . And wel they may , if in the blessing God be pronounced to be their God. Saith Ainsworth in loc . [ under this Sem also himself receiveth a blessing : for blessed is the people , whose God Jehovah is , Psal. 144.15 . and eternal life is implied herein , for God hath prepared for them a City of whom he is not ashamed to be called their God , Heb. 11.16 . and Sem is the first man in Scripture that hath expresly this honour . Answ. I grant that not onely the person of Shem , but his posterity were blessed ; nor do I deny God was their God , nor that their infant seed was in Gods Church : But this doth not prove their visible Churchmembership in infancy , but rather their invisible Churchmemship , for that is imported by the phrase of being their God , as Mr. Ainsworths exposition intimates . God was God to Jacob in his mothers womb , yet he was not then a visible , but an invisible Church-member . Moreover ( saith Mr. B. ) in Gen. 9.27 . in Japhets blessing there is much , though in few words , to this purpose intimat●● . First , note that the Jewish Church is called [ the tents of Sem. ] From whence it appeareth , that the Church priviledges of that p●ople begun not with or from Abraham , but were before : And that it is the same Church that was of Shem and of Abraham , and after all the additional promises to Abraham , the Jewish Church is still denominated [ the tents of Sem : ] now they were the tents of Sem before Abrahams days . And therefore it is clear , that it being the same Church , must be supposed to have t●e same sort of members or materials : and therefore infants must be members before Abrahams days as well as after . That Church which was Sems tents had infant Churchmembers ( for the Jewes Church is so called , into which Japhet was to pass : ) But the Church both before and after Abraham was Sems tents . Ergo. Answ. That the tents of Sem note the Jewish people , is not improbable : But then it is as certain that they are so called , not from what they were in Sems days , at least not what they were when Noah prophesied , but what they were to be afterwards when they were formed to be a peculiar people ; and they are Sems tents , because they descended from him . And this is clear even from what Mr. B. and all grant , that what is here said was accomplished in the posterity of Sem , Japhet and Cham. And therefore it followes not that if the Jewish people had infants Churchmembers visible , it must be so in Sems dayes , because they are termed Sems tents , sith they are so termed from their discent , not from the state of the Church in Sems time . Nevertheless if it bee granted that Sems tents are the Church of God in Sems family in his days , it will rather prove it to note the invisible Church then the visible . For the dwelling in the tents of Sem in Mr. Bs. and their sense whom he follows , is by faith , and so the tents of Sem must note the invisible Church of true believers , of whom God is God as he was of Sem , the Israel of God , as they are termed Gal. 6.16 . not the Jewish Church visible , and they were joyned by perswasion , and therefore not infants , who were to dwell in Sems tents , and consequently infants visible Churchmembership is not hence proved . And to Mr. Bs. argument I answer by granting the conclusion , if by Sems tents be meant the invisible Church , if the Jewish people , the minor is denied . He goes on thus . Yet further let it here bee noted , that it is into Shems tents that Japhet must pass . I suppose that the evidence is better here for that exposition that applieth the word [ dwell ] to Japhet then to God , and so that this is spoken of the conversion of the Gentiles , as many Expositors have cleered at large . And so , as Ainsworth saith , the sense is that Japhet shall be [ united with the Churches of the Jews , the posterity of Sem , which was fulfilled when the Gentiles became joint heyr● , and of the same body , and joint partakers of Gods promise in Christ , the stop of the partition wall being broken down , &c. Eph. 3.6 . & 2.14 , 19. Although it may further imply the graffing of Japhets children into the stock of the Church , when Sems posterity should bee cut off , &c. ] vid. ult . Now if it be Sems tents even the same Church that Japhets children must dwell in , then as Sems infants were Church-members , so must Japhets , and not all his infant seed bee cast or left out . So that here is a promise of infant Churchmembership unto the Gentiles in these words . Answ. For my part , for ought I yet discern , Mr. Nicholas Fuller his exposition in his ●d . Book of his Miscellanies Theological ch . 4. seems more right then that which Mr. B. and many other Expositors follow , to wit thus , God shall enla●ge the coasts of the posterity of Japhet in Asia , Europe , and America , and God shall dwell in the tents of Sem , that is , Christ or God manifested in the flesh , shall dwell in the tents of Sem ; that is among the Jews , being of their stock , as it is John 1.14 . and Canaan shall be servant to the Israelites , and the posterity of Japhet , as the Canaanites , Egyptians , Carthaginians and other people of Cham have been , being conquered by Joshua , Alexander the great , the Romans , and other people . Nor do I see how Mr. Bs. interpretation can be right , sith when Japhet was perswaded to dwell in Sems tents , Chams posterity also were perswaded , and Canaan was no more a servant in a spiritual sense , no nor so much as Sems tents the Jewish people ; nor were the Gentiles perswaded to dwell in Sems tents , that is , in the Jewish Church visible ; but it was quite dissolved , and they a separate Church from them . And therefore it is most manifestly false , that the children of Japhet must dwell in Sems tents , that is , the same visible Church Jewish , and therefore the inference is wrong , there are infant visible members in the Gentile Church Christian : yea sith according to Mr. Bs. own exposition , the Gentiles were by the perswasion of the Gospel , as it is Ephes. 3.6 . of the same body , none of the Gentiles were of the same body but those who were perswaded by the Gospel , which cannot be said of infants , and therefore the contrary follow , from Mr. Bs. own exposition , that infants were not to be visible Christian Churchmembers . SECT . LX. Mr. Bs. Law of Infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , is not proved from Gen. 12. or 17. or 22. WE come next , saith Mr. B. to the promise made to Abraham , which I shall say the less to , because you confess it . But again note , that whereas your self make the beginning of Gods taking the Jews to be his people , and so of infants to be members of the Church , to be at Abrahams●all ●all from Ur. 1. There is no one word of that in the text . 2. Lot came out of Ur with Abraham , yea and from Haran , and lived with him : were not Lot and his infants Churchmembers then ? Answ. 1. I confess a promise to Abraham , but not that Abraham or his infants were visible Churchmembers by it , as the so●e or next efficient cause . 2. What word is in the text for the beginning of the Jewish people to be Gods Church at Abrahams call out of Ur , is shewed above , from Isai 51.1 , 2. Nehem. 9.7 . Acts 7.1 , 2. 3. Lot came along with Abram to Canaan , but was there parted from him , and all along they were severed , and therefore Lot though a righteous man , yet was not of the same Church with Abrams house , nor his infants if he had any , visible Churchmembers , because God intended not to make his house and posterity his Church visible . 3. Saith Mr. B. The chief note I intend is this , that there is no more said then to prove infants Churchmembers , then what wee have shewed was said long before , and is said after the Gentiles infants , no nor so much . If therefore the passage of Abraham out of Ur , yea or the promise made to him in Haran , Gen. 12.2 , 3. will prove infants Churchmembership , then have we as good proof of it to the Gentile Church as to the Jews . Answ. I neither make Abrahams passage out of Ur , nor the promise in Haran ( or rather in Ur. Gen. 12.2 , 3. ) to be that which made infants visible Churchmembers in the Hebrew nation , but Gods special call , or taking the house of Abraham entirely to bee his people , which Mr. B hath not nor can shew to have been done to any other people . And here , saith he , I note further , that in the beginning before the command for Circumcision , you plainly yeild that infants Church-membership is a thing separable from Circumcision , and begun not with it , but before . And indeed I think I have evinced that to you in my Book of Baptism . Abraham himself was not made a member by Circumcision , but circumcised because a member of Christs Church by faith ▪ Ishmael was a member before , and so was Isaac , and the infants born in Abrahams house . Answ. I grant visible Churchmembership was before Circumcision in Abrahams house , but not that Abraham was circumcised under this formal consideration , as a member of Christs Church by faith , but as one to whom it was commanded by God. Mr. B. goes on . Whether there were any promise or precept of this ( but a meer transeunt fact ) let the text last mentioned , and the following bear witness . Gen. 12.2 , 3. [ In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed ] and Gen. 17.7 , 9 , 10. [ And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee — and I will be their God. And God said to Abraham : Thou shalt keep my Covenant therefore , thou and thy seed after thee in their genera●ions . This is my Covenant which you shall keep between me and you , &c. ] to vers . 15. In all this let these things be noted . 1. That here is an expres promise or Covenant to Abraham and his seed after him . 2. That it is not onely de praesenti , but for the future , called an everlasting Covenant . 3. That this promise or Covenant doth manifestly imply and include infants Churchmembership ( as you confess . ) 4. That yet here is not the least word that intimates an institution of it de novo , but rather the contrary plainly intimated . The promises before Gen. 17. are mainly about the multiplication of Abrahams seed . What is that to Churchmembership ? ( except what Intimates the promised seed , of which anon . ) Hagar hath a promise also of the multiplication of Ishmaels seed . And the very precept of Circumcision is onely one part of the infant members , viz. the males , and therefore it cannot be foundation of their Churchmembership , which leaves out half the members . 5. Note that the promise that God will be their God , doth expresly contain the Churchmembership of the seed . 6. Note that this is more then a transeunt fact , Ergo being an everlasting Covenant . Had it been a natural transeunt fact , that had left no permanent title behind it in the obligation of the Covenant , then it had been null and void as soon as spoken : then the word of God is but a bare sound and of no further force . 7. Note that the Apostle ( as is said ) Rom. 4.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. doth fully manifest to us , that this promise was made to Abraham as a believer , and that Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of faith which hee had , yet being uncircumcised : and therefore that the chief part of the Covenant of having God for our God , and his taking us as his peculiar people , belongs to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews . 8. And he oft sheweth that the faithful are Abrahams seed , and therefore the chief blessings of the promise belong to all the faithful . But one of the blessings was , that their infants should be comprehended in the same Church and Covenant , Ergo , the infants of the faithful who are the heirs of the same promise , must be comprehended in it too . Answ. 1. I deny not the promise Gen. 17.7 . to include infants Church-membership , but that I confess that it doth manifestly imply and include infants visible Churchmembership Mr. B. cannot shew . 2. The promise that God will bee their God , doth not expresly contain the visible Churchmembership of infants . For God may be God to them who are not visible Churchmembers , and he may not be God to them who are . 3. If in the promises Gen. 12.2 , 3. Gen. 17.7 . and the precept Gen. 17.9 , 10. there be no institution de novo , nor foundation of infants Church-membership , then in ants Churchmembership visible ( which was not before Abrahams dayes ) hath not foundation in the promises and precept , but the transeunt fact I have mentioned . 4. Though I conceive that a transeunt fact may create a permanent title , as a gift , a delivery into our hands without a promise for future , may create a permanent title , nor do I deny that the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . did leave a permanent title behinde it ; yet I deny that the visible Churchmembership of infants in Abrahams house was by a title to be legally claimed , or by the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . as the causa procreans of it , though it might bee the causa conservans of it , in that it assured some of those acts whereby it was continued . 5. I deny that the Apostle Rom. 4.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. doth at all , much less fully manifest to us , that the promise Gen. 17.7 . was made to Abraham as a believer , though I grant what Mr. B. infers from it in his 7th . note . The Apostle doth plainly manifest , that in the Gospel sense it was made to Abraham as father of believers . 6. It is denied as most certainly false , that one of the blessings of the promise Gen. 17.7 . to the faithful Gentiles was , that their infants should be comprehended in the same Church and Covenant , yea the Apostle concludes , and proves Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. That all the posterity of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , were not comprehended in that promise , and therefore the visible Churchmembership Christian of infants of Gentile believers , c●n have no shew of proof from the promise Gen. 17.7 . and precept v. 9.10 . 9. Saith Mr. B. I think it is not to bee made light of as to this ma●ter , that in the great promise Gen. 12.3 . the blessing from Abraham in Christ is promised to all the families or tribes on earth [ all the families of the earth shall be blessed ] as the Heb. Samar . Arabic . or [ all the kindreds ] as the vulgar Lat. and Chald. paraph. or [ all the tribes ] as the Sept. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And doubtless it is by Christ that this blessing is promised , and so a Gospel blessing ( Ergo the Syriac . adds [ and in thy seed ] and the Arab. hath [ by thee . ] ) And the Apostle fully testifieth that . So that as tribes , kindreds , families , do most certainly comprehend the infants , and as it was to such families that the promise was made before Christ as to the Jewish Church , so is it expresly to such families or tribes that the promise is made as to the Gentiles since Christ. Answ. The blessing Gen. 12.3 . is not visible Churchmembership ( which may be without justification ) but justification , as the Apostle expresly expounds it , Gal. 3.8 . ( which may be without visible Church-membership : ) Nations there doth not comprehend every member of a nation , nor every one of a tribe or kindred , as it is Acts 3.25 . but the elect , and believers of each nation , tribe , or kindred , as the Apostle doth both v. 7. & 9. shew , terming them that are blessed those that are of faith . Therefore though the Scripture be not to be made light of , yet Mr. Bs. inference from thence is most vain , the promise being not of visible Churchmembership , nor to nations , families , kindreds entirely , nor to infants of unbelievers or believers as such ; but to so many of all nations , kindreds , and families , as are believers or elect . Whereby Mr. B. may see how infants can be excluded these families , and this promise , without apparent violence to the Text. 10. Saith he , Note that as infant Churchmembership is here clearly implied in infant Circumcision , so they are two distinct things ; and as the sign is here commanded de novo , so the thing signified ( I mean the duty of engaging and devoting to God as their God in Covenant ) is commanded with it , though not de novo , as a thing now beginning as the sign did . So that here is in Circumcision not onely a command to do the circumcising outward act , but also to do it as a sign of the Covenant , and so withal for the parents to engage their children to God in Covenant as their God , and devote them to him as his separated peculiar people . So that here are two distinct duties concurrent . ●he one external newly instituted , the other internal not newly instituted . And therefore the former may cease , and yet the later stand : and it 's no proof that the later ( Covenant engagement of infants to God ) is ceased , because the sign of Circumcision is ceased ; no more then it proves that such Covenant engagement did then begin when Circumcision did begin ; or that women were not Churchmembers separated , engaged , dedicated to God in infancy , because they were not circumcised . And no more then you can prove that all Israel was unchurched in the wilderness when they were uncircumcised for 40 years . So that here you have a a command for entring infants as Churchmembers . And so you see both promise and precept in Gen. 12.3 & Gen. 17. Answ. I do indeed , but not such as Mr. B. should produce , a promise of infants visible Churchmembership , and a precept of their entring unrepealed ; there being no such promise of believers infants visible Churchmembership , or precept of admission as visible Churchmembers besides Circumcision , which Mr. B. will not sure say is unrepealed . As for his discourse of a duty of engaging , separating to God , and dedicating , which is internal , and not instituted de novo , it is neither in Gen. 12. nor Gen. 17. nor if it were , is it any thing to the purpose . For neither doth such an internal duty make or admit or enter an infant into the visible Church , either Jewish or Christian. According to Mr. B. himself , infants are visible Churchmembers afore it , yea without it ; nor is the admission or entering into the Church visible by it , but by an outward sign , as he himself determines , part . 1. ch . 4. of Baptism : And this sure is now Baptism , which Mr. B. I presume will not now allow to parents , for then they should be Ministers of the Seals , which he counts one of my six errours . I never denied an internal duty of faith , prayer , vowing , &c. for the engaging and dedicating infants to God , prayer for them is practised by me in publick , but I deny that this makes them visible Churchmembers , or admissable by Baptism . He adds . And when I consider the parents , breeding , and manners of Rebe●kah , I think it far more probable that she was a Churchmember from her infancy , then that she was entred afterwards at age , or that she was a heathen or infidel when Isaac married her . Answ. What in the parents ; breeding , and manners of Rebe●kah Mr. B. observes , which should make it in any degree probable that she was a Churchmember from her infancy , I know not : There are such things related Gen. 31. of Laban her brother , and Rachel his daughters Idols , as me thinks should move Mr. B. to conceive , that either in that house there was no Church of God , or at best a very impure one , though it is likely their idolatry and wickedness was not so great as that of the the Canaanites , which made them more desirable and eligible wives for Isaac and Jacob , then the daughters of the Canaanites , whom Esau chose . Mr. B. adds . And as here are before mentioned standing Covenants , so it is to be noted how God intimateth the extent of the main blessing of them to be further then to Abrahams natural seed , not onely in the express promise of the blessing to all the nations or families on earth ( of which before ) but in the assigned reason of the blessing which is common to Abraham with other true believers . For Gen. 22.16 , 17 , 18. it 's thus alledged [ because thou hast done this thing , &c. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed , because thou hast obeyed my voice . ] And Gen. 26.3 , 4 , 5. the Covenant is renewed with Isaac , and the same reason assigned , [ because that Abraham obeyed my voice , and kept my charge , my commandments , my statutes and my laws . ] How mans obedience is said to be a cause of Gods blessing , I am not determining ; but taking the words as I find them in general , I may conclude , that they are here given as a cause or reason of it some way or other . And though a special mercy may be given on a common ground or reason , yet where there is no apparent proof of the restriction , we are to judge the blessing common where the reason is common : At least , if a special blessing be superadded to Abrahams seed ( upon the freeness of Gods grace , or the eminency of Abrahams obedience , ) yet there goes with it a mercy common to all where the reason of the mercy is found It being therefore the case of every true believer to be faithfull and obedient , yea , to prefer that before his own life , and not a son onely , it may be hence gathered , that God who blessed Abrahams seed on that account , will bless theirs on the same , with the same blessings in the main ( as to his favour and acceptance of them ) though not with the same in the variable superadditionals or overplus of external things . Answ. Mr. B. like another Procrustes ( though in vain ) would fain rack the Texts Gen 22.16 , 17 , 18. & 26.3 , 4 , 5. to his purpose . Though I deny not but a common mercy may be granted on a special reas●n , and a special mercy on a common reason , God being a free agent ; yet in this business , the reason of Abrahams mercy and the mercy it self are both so special and proper , that it is extream violence to the Texts , to apply Abrahams singular obedience in offering his son , so signally eminent , Heb 11.17 . Jam. 2.21 . to every believers obedience ; and the blessing granted to his seed , that it should be as the stars of heaven , as the sand on the sea shore , that in it all nations should bless themselves or be blessed , to every believers natural seed , and their visible Churchmembership . This kind of arguing is too ridiculous to deserve a serious refutation . Yet he hath not done . In Exod. 12.48 . saith he , there is a law for the circumcising of all the males of strangers that sojourn in the land , that will keep the passover : which comprehendeth their Churchmembership , as is shewed . Answ. I grant there is , but not a law unrepealed . SECT . LXI . Covenants , promises , and speeches in the Old Testament , of Israel , the righteous , prove not Mr. Bs. law of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed . THe promise ( saith Mr. B. ) to the whole people of Israel , infants and all , that they should be [ a peculiar people , a Kingdome of Priests , and a holy Nation , ] Exod. 19.5 , 6. you cannot deny . This is a promise , and not a transeunt fact which made no promise . And the people are called to keep Gods Covenant , that they might have this promise fulfilled to them ▪ Yea , if you had said , that it was a meer transeunt Covenant or promise , reaching but to the persons then existent , and dying with them , though you had spoken more sence , yet no more truth then when you denied the law and promise , and substituted a transeunt fact . For 1. it is expresly a promise de futuro to a nation . 2. Yea , and the Apostle Peter giveth the same titles to believers under the Gospel , intimating the fulfilling of the promise even to them , as the promise to Abraham was to the faithfull who were his uncircumcised seed . However , here is a Covenant granting by way of confirmation the blessing of Churchmembership to infants with the rest of Israel : For certainly , this peculiarity , and holiness , and priesthood here mentioned , containeth their Churchmembership : It is undeniable therefore , that such Churchmembership is here granted by promise or Covenant , not as a thing then beginning , but by way of confirmation of the like former grants . And it 's to be noted , that though this promise is made to all Israel , yet not to be fulfilled to any of them , but on condition that they [ obey Gods voice , and keep his Covenant , ] ver . 5. on which conditions also any other might have then enjoyed the same blessing , and therefore so may do now , Answ. I never denied promises to be to the whole people of Israel ; but deny that they were by a promise , as the sole efficient cause , Gods visible Church , and their infants members . The promise Exod. 19.5 , 6. presupposed their Churchmembership , and promiseth continuance of it in an eminent manner . The Israelites were Churchmembers without the condition of obedience before the Law was given ; yea , Ahaz , Manasseh , &c. were visible Churchmembers though they were Idolaters , but they lost that peculiarity , holiness , priesthood , upon their disobedience , which was there promised ; and so did the people , they lost the dominion , temple , priesthood , Urim , and Thummim , and other priviledges which are meant thereby , and should have been continued if they had not broken Gods Covenant by Idolatry . Yet no other nation could have had that state though they had been obedient and kept the Laws , God having given those laws peculiarly to that nation , and confined that honour to that people till the Messiah came . And though Peter , 1 Pet. 2.5 , 9. apply these to believers , yet not in the same manner as they are meant Exod. 19.5 , 6. nor is any infant now of a believer a visible Churchmember by vertue of that promise . In Deut. 14.1 , 2. The infants ( saith Mr. B. ) with the rest are called the children of God , and a holy and peculiar people to the Lord their God. Answ. Be it so , yet this is not ascribed to a promise or precept , but to Gods choise of them . And ( saith Mr. B. ) Deut. 26.17 , 18. the Covenant is expressed [ thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God , and to walk in his ways , and keep his statutes , and his commandments , and his judgements , and to hearken to his voice . And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people , as he hath promised thee , &c. [ and that thou mayest be an holy people , &c. ] Is here no promise when the promise is exprest ? and is here no Covenant , where the mutual Covenant is described ? And I think you grant that infants are included . Answ. There is a promise of God to them , but that did not make their infants visible Churchmembers , though I deny not their avouching the Lord for their God ( which was a transeunt fact ) did shew them to be visible Churchmembers , nor do I any where deny that our Covenant or promise to God doth make us visible Churchmembers , but Gods Covenant or promise to infants upon the parents faith , as Mr. B. asserts . Mr. B. adds . So Deut. 28.4 , 9. where the promise to the nation is , that if they hearken to Gods voice and observe his Commandements , they shall be blessed in the fruit of their bodies , and the Lord will establish them a holy people to himself , as hee had sworn unto them . ] Here is not only a Covenant and promise for the future , but also an oath confirming it , as annexed to the same before . Is this establishing Covenant or promise but a transeunt fact ? or doth not this confirm their right to the benefit promised , which was received before by the same means ? Answ. It doth , but the benefit promised v. 4. is not infants visible Churchmembership , but encrease , health , strength , such a blessing as they had in their cattel as well as their children , as Psal. 127.3 , 4 , 5. & 144.12 , 13 , 14 , 15. and many more places is expressed . And v. 9. though their Churchmembership was established according to Gods Covenant and oath , yet the establishing was not the Covenant , oath , or promise of God , but a transeunt fact of providence in preserving , teaching them , continuing his worship among them , and such like acts . And , saith Mr. B. Ezra 9.2 . They are called the holy seed . Answ. Not all the seed of Israel are called the holy seed , but those onely who were legitimate , that is , begotten by lawfull marriage according to Moses law : the rest were termed the mixed multitude , Neh. 13.3 . whom they separated from the rest , Ezra 10.3 . as being no Churchmembers , that is , part of the congregation of Israel according to the law , Neh. 13.1 . Deut. 23.3 . & 7.3 . Exod. 23.32 . of which more is to be seen in the first Part of this Review , sect . 25. So that those Ezr. 9.2 . are termed the holy seed , not barely by Covenant upon the parents faith , nor as all visible professors , as Dr. Hammond , in his Defence of Infant Baptism , pag. 78. but as begotten by an ●sraelite on an allowed wife by the law of Moses . Mr. B. proceeds ▪ Of that in Deut. 29. I have formerly spoke enough . It is called a Covenant . All Israel with their little ones did enter the Covenant and the oath with God , and which he made to them . It was a Covenant [ to establish them for a people to himself , and that he may be to them a God , as he had before said and sworn . ] It is a Covenant made even with them that stood not there , whether it be meant onely of the successive Israelites ( and then it 's not a transeunt Covenant ) or of all people whoever that will accept of the same terms ( and then it 's not proper to Israel . ) It 's a Covenant not made to them as meer Israelites : but as obedient to the Covenant terms , and Covenant breaking would cut them off , v. 19 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 25 , 26. Is not Churchmembership contained in [ God 's being their God , and taking them for his people thus in Covenant ? ] Doth not the promise give them an established right in this blessing ? Is all this then no promise , but a transeunt fact ? Answ. What hath been spoken of Deut. 29. by Mr. B. in the Dispute at Bewdley , and in his Book of Baptism , part 1. ch . 14 & 17. and his Corrective , sect . 5. will be examined in that which follows . For present , 1. it is sufficient to shew the impertinency of this Text , to prove that there the Covenant or promise of God upon condition of parents faith is the sole efficient of infants visible Churchmembership , in that the Covenant being then put , even with the children unborn , v. 15. yea and the parents then believing , yet the children unborn could not be then visible Churchmembers , as Mr. B. himself grants of Baptism , pag. 250. They that were not , could not be members visible or invisible . For the sole efficient cause being actually put ( as the Covenant and the parents believing are , Deut. 29. even according to Mr. B. ) the effect must be in act : but it is not so in the unborn , therefore the Covenant and parents faith are not the sole efficient . 2. The Oath or Covenant of God is a distinct act from his establishing them for a people unto himself , and being a God to them , which are the consequent upon it , and are by transeunt acts consequent upon the Covenant . So that though the Covenant give a right to a blessing , yet it doth not make actually visible Churchmembers without some other transeunt fact consequent upon it . The Covenant assures a future existence , but suppposeth a present absence of the thing covenanted , and consequently without a further act consequent on it makes not any in present being visible Church-members . So that as yet I find no Text of Scripture setting down the law and ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership by Gods promise upon parents faith or dedication commanded as the sole efficient unrepealed . L●t's view the rest . Deut. 30.19 . saith he , there is a law and promise [ choose life , that thou and thy seed may live . ] This is the same Covenant which Asa caused the people to enter , 2 Chron. 15. and if there had been no law for it , there would have been no penalty , and then he would not have made it death to withdraw . It is the same Covenant which Josiah caused the people to enter , 2 Kin. 23.2 , 3. 2 Chron. 34.31 , 32. Of Levit. 25.41 , 54 , 55. I have spoken elsewhere , and of some other Texts . Answ. 1. There is a law and promise Deut. 30 19. but not such as Mr. B. asserts as the sole efficient of infants visible Churchmembership . The life there is not visible Churchmembership , but a prosperous being in Canaan , v. 20. And the distinction between [ thou and thy seed ] proves that Deut. 29.12 . [ thou ] notes the Captains , Elders , Officers , men of Israel , v. 10. distinct from the little ones , wives , strangers , v. 11. though represented by them , and that my speech so much exagitated by Mr. B. of Baptism , p. 57 , 249. was justifiable . 2. The Covenants , 2 Chron. 15. & 34.31 , 32. 2 Kin. 23.2 , 3. of Asa and Josiah were Covenants of Israel to God , there 's no mention of Gods promise or Covenant to them as then made , and therefore it is not that whereby infants are made visible Churchmembers according to Mr. B. and so is impertinent to the point in hand . 3. The futility of Mr. Bs. argument from Levit. 25.41 , 54 , 55. is shewed in the 2d . part of this Review , sect 14. It follows in Mr. B. The second Commandment , Exod. 20.5 , 6. Deut. 5.9 , 10. I think is a law , and containeth a promise or praemiant part , wherein he promiseth to shew mercy to the generations or children of them that love him and keep his Commandments : of which I have also spoken elsewhere , to which I refer you . I see no reason to doubt but here is a standing promise , and discovery of Gods resolution , concerning the children of all that love him , whether Jews or Gentiles , to whom this Commandment belongs : nor to doubt whether this mercy imply Churchmembership : And that this is fetcht from the very gracious nature of God , I find in his proclaiming his Name to Moses , Exod. 34.6 , 7. Answ. If this mercy here imply Churchmembership to the infants of them that love him to a thousand generations , then it implies it to all the infants in the world , which cannot be true without such limitations as take away the certainty of any infants Churchmembership existent . But there is nothing to prove that this mercy must be Church-membership , or that it must be to all the children of them that love God , and are obedient , or that it must be to them in infancy , sith it may be true of other mercies , as preservation , provision , &c. to some onely , sith the speech is indefinite in a matter not necessary , and those persons at age , and loving God as their ancestors , without which the promise is not made good ; and therefore Mr. B. had occasion enough to doubt whether this mercy implies visible Churchmembership of all infants of visible professors or true believers , yea , he had cause to assure himself that it doth not , sith then it were not true in thousands of Noahs , Abrahams , and other holy mens posterity . Wherefore all things considered , I incline to conceive this a promise of temporal blessings , chiefly to the Israelites , to whom God intailed mercies more then to other people ; and if it be extended to higher mercies , and to other people , yet with reservation to himself of his free election , not without conditions and limitations as the event and other Scriptures make necessary to be included , which will make it unserviceable for Mr. Bs. purpose . He adds . In Psal. 102.28 . It is a general promise [ the children of thy servants shall continue , and their seed shall be established before thee ▪ ] It s usual in the Old Testament to express Gods favour by temporal blessings , more then in the Gospel ; but yet still they secure us of his favour . As [ I will not sail thee , nor forsake thee , ] might secure Joshua more then us of temporal successes , and yet not more of Gods never failing favour . Answ. The words are not a promise of God , for they are directed to God , as the expressions [ thy servants , before thee , ] besides what is said before , v. 24 , 25 , 26 , 27. shew , and therefore are not of the same rank with Gods words to Joshua , Josh. 1.5 . yet they express such assurance as came either from a promise or a prophe●ical instinct . But whether the promise were general , or particular to some ; whether of temporal , or eternal blessings , is uncertain . The occasion seems to intimate this sense , From thy continuance , though we be now very low , yet we assure our selves that thou wilt not utterly cut off our children , but that thou wilt raise them up , notwithstanding our present desolations and captivity , or thou wilt re-ingraff them ( if meant of the conversion of the Jews to Christ , as hath been conceived ) and they shall continue either here as thy people a long time , or be thine for ever upon their calling again . Either way , though they may intimate Gods favour , yet not general to all his servants children , but to the Jews ; nor to them do they intimate infant visible Churchmembership , or to any other , but such a stability of their posterity in Gods favour , and their obedience as is quite different from meer infant visible Churchmembership , and may be without it . Yet again saith Mr. B. There is a stable promise to all Gods people in general that have children , Psal. 103.17 . [ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him , and his righteousness unto childrens children . ] And to be secured by promise of Gods mercy and righteousness is the state of none without the Church . Answ. The promise must be understood of so many a●d such mercy and righteousness as that it may be true . But it is not true of all the children of them that fears God , that they are visible Churchmembers , surely not of abortives and still-born children ; nor that they are partakers of saving mercy and righteousness , for Ishmael , Esau , &c. were not so : And therefore it must be understood of such temporal mercies , and so indefinitely as may agree to some out of the Church , to whom God often shews mercy and righteousness of performing promises of preservation , increase , &c. which he shews not to others for their parents sake . And , saith Mr. B. if they were all to be kept out of the Church , I scarce think that [ children would be called an heritage of the Lord , and the fruit of the womb his reward , ] Psal. 127.3 . nor the man happy that hath his quiver full of them . Nor would the sucking children be called as part of the solemn assembly to the humiliation , Joel 2.16 . 2 Chron. 20.13 . Answ. Children may be an heritage of the Lord , and his reward , though they be not visible Churchmembers , as the land of Canaan was an heritage , Psal. 135.12 . and he may be happy that hath many of them , with that happiness which is mentioned in the forepart of the 15th . v. of Psal. 144. though they be no Churchmembers : And yet the infants of the Israelites I acknowledge were members of that Church or people , and that the Psalmist speaks of them . And so do the Texts , Joel 2.16 . 2 Chron. 20.13 . though the assembling of them do no more prove them visible Churchmembers , then the cloathing of beasts with sackcloth , Jonah 3.7 , 8. doth prove the beasts Churchmembers , it being usual in such national fears and humiliations to have all whatsoever to be among the mourners , whether Churchmembers or not ; as the men of Tyre were forced by Nehemiah , ch . 13.19 . to rest on the Sabbath . Mr. B. adds . There is a standing promise to all the just , Prov. 20.7 . [ The just man walketh in his integrity , his children are blessed after him . ] There is no sort of men without the Church that is pronounced blessed in Scripture . A blessed people are Gods people , and those are the Church separated from the cursed world . One lower blessing will not denominate a man or society , a blessed man or society . Answ. It is a standing promise or observation : But that all his children are blessed , or that they are visible Churchmembers , much less that there is a promise or law that all visible Churchmembers infants should be visible Churchmembers cannot be thence inferred . That without the Church a person is pronounced blessed is apparent from Ishmaels blessing , Gen. 17.20 , 21. when he was excluded the Covenant and cast out . Yet more saith Mr. B. If it were a good argument then , Deut. 4.37 . [ because he loved thy fathers , therefore he chose their seed after them , ] then it is good still as to favour in general . So Deut. 10.15 . Psal. 69.36 . Prov. 11.21 . The seed of the righteous shall be delivered . Answ. It is no good argument , Because God loving the fathers of the Israelites chose their seed after them , therefore he chooseth the seed of every righteous man to be his people , or that he sheweth favour to them . The contrary is manifest in Lot , Job , and others , whose posterity God shewed not favour as he did to the posterity of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , whereof the former is termed Gods friend , James 2.23 . and it is certain from Rom. 9.4 , 5. & 11.28 . that God did and will shew them that favour that he never did nor will shew to the posterity of any the most godly persons of other nations . What is said , Psal. 69.36 . is said onely of the obedient Israelites ; and if it be extended to others , it can be meant onely of those tha● love the Name of God , and therefore makes nothing for the visible Churchmembership of infants of believers either by profession or real . Whether it be read , delivereth himself , as Junius , or shall be delivered , it is neither universally true , as is manifest in the posterity of David , Josiah , and others ; nor is any whit to the point of infants visible Churchmembership , which may be without it , and that may be without it . Nor is Mr. Bs. inference good , In Psal. 37.26 . there is a general promise to , or declaration of the righteous , that [ his seed is blessed , ] and then they are Churchmembers : For the Text neither speaks generally of any righteous man , but of him that is mercifull and lendeth , and the v. before sheweth it plainly to be meant of outward blessing , as in freedome from extream want of bread , and the like , which must have its limitations that it may be true ; there 's not a word of their infant visible Churchmembership . There 's yet a reserve of Mr. B. which he thus marshals . In Isa. 61.8 , 9. it is promised I think of Gospel times [ I will make an everlasting Covenant with them , and their seed shall be known among the Gentiles , and their off●spring among the people : all that see them shall acknowledge them , that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed . And cap. 62.12 . They shall call them the holy people , the redeemed of the Lord : and thou shalt be called , sought out , a city not forsaken . ] Gospel promises then extend to [ people and cities , ] whereof infants are a part . Isa. 65.23 . [ they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord , and their off-spring with them . ] This is plain , and full , and durable . Answ. Be it so , yet is it all impertinent to Mr. Bs. purpose . If Isai 61.8 , 9. be a promise of a thing to be fulfilled in Gospel times , yet it cannot be meant of infants , sith it is affirmed that the seed shall be known among the Gentiles , that is , saith Mr. Gattaker in his Annot. They shall so grow and multiply , thrive and prosper , that they shall become very conspicuous , Matth. 5.14 , 16. and that it shall evidently appear to all that see them , that there goeth a blessing of God along with them , Acts 5.13 . Which are spoken of the Apostles and their preaching , not of infants and their Churchmembership , Isai 62.12 . is said of Zion and Jerusalem , v. 1.11 . and is thus by Mr. Gattaker in his Annot. paraphrased . And men shall call them ( to wit Sions sons or those that belong to her , and shall now again people her , vers . 5. ) The holy people , the redeemed of the Lord ] Such as God by rescuing and delivering them out of the hands of so powerful adversaries , in so strange a manner , hath shewed that he owneth for his . Sought out ] or , sought unto , or sought after , as one had in high estimation and regard ; whom out of respect and regard men repair and resort unto . See Psal. 111.2 . Contrary to that which was formerly said of thee in the time of thy low and dejected estate , Jer. 30.17 . A City not forsaken ] as she seemed to be formerly in the time of her captivity . See v. 4. Which shews these things are meant of the Jews safety and honour after their return from captivity , not of infants visible Churchmembership under the Gospel . Yet if it were a prophesie of the Gospel times , it followes not infants shall be visible Churchmembers because Cities comprehend infants . For in the Gospel sense , Nation , House , City , comprehend onely believers , and not infants of believers , as such , as appears from these and other texts . Gal. 6.10 . Ephes. 2.18 , 19. 1 Pet. 2.5 , 9. Isa. 65.23 . is a prophesie of the welfare of the Jews after their return from captivity , as v. 21 , 22. before shew , and the meaning is as Mr. Gataker , Diodati and others expound it , they shall not bring forth children as formerly to be consumed by war , pestilence and such evils , because Gods blessing , which makes rich , healthy , safe , prosperous , is with them and their children : which sense is quite wide from Mr. Bs. conceit of a law of infants visible Churchmembership in the time of the Gospel . He yet adds , What is necessary to be said in answer to the common objections , as [ that experience tels us all the seed of the righteous are not blessed ] with the like , I suppose already done in my Book of Baptism . All the seed of the righteous are blessed , though not all with that blessing which cannot be lost and cast away by themselves when they come to age . Answ. What is said in his Book of Baptism , will be examined when I come to it . For present it is but Mr. Bs. dictate that all the seed of the righteous are blessed , the indefiniteness of the Scripture expressions the matter being contingent , experience and the Apostles exposition of the promise Gen. 17.7 . Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. are against it ; yet if it were true , ●t followes not it must be visible Churchmembership , it might be some other blessing , of which God hath store , yea it is certain it canno● be visible Churchmembership , sith abortives and still born infants , though the seed of the righteous , are never so blessed , and the children of the holy seed Ezra 9.2 . begotten on prohibited women were to bee cast out of the Jewish Church . Mr : B. adds , If you say that the word [ seed ] doth not necessarily include infants . I answer , infants are part of the seed of the righteous , yea all their seed are first infants . If therefore God have made general promises as to age and person , who is he that dare limit it , without just proof that indeed God hath limited it ? Doth God say , that the seed of the righteous are not blessed till they come to age ? If he pronounce the seed blessed they must be blessed , when they are first such a seed : And if any one age might be more included then another , one would think it must bee that wherein they are so meerly the seed of such as that they stand not on any distinct account of their own actual faith or unbelief . For the seed of the righteous , as such , have a promised blessing : But the seed of the righteous turning themselves to unrighteousness , do turn from that blessing , and become accursed . Answ. Mr. B. not holding children in the womb unborn to be visible Churchmembers all this may be retorted , they are part of the seed of the righteous , all their seed are such , how dare then Mr. B. limit the general promises to infants born ? The seed is blessed , and so must be visible Churchmembers when they are first such a seed , which is as soon as they are conceived in the womb , then they stand not on any distinct account of their own actual faith or unbelief . What Mr. B. replies to this will answer himself . However I deny that without just proof it is to be so limited I limit the promises , that if God pronounce the seed blessed , they must be blessed when they are first such a seed , for then if the blessing be justification , glorification , they must be justified , glorified , afore they believe , or are obedient , which Mr. B. condemns in Antinomians . And if infants stand not on any distinct account of their own actual faith , they are not Christian visible Churchmembers , for all such are in their own persons first believers . Nor is it true that the seed of the righteous as such ( taking it reduplicatively ) have a promised blessing . For then all and onely such should have it , and at all times , the contrary is manifest in Cham , Esau , &c. Mr. B. concludes . I suppose I have already been more tedious then you expected : I will therefore add no more of these passages of Scripture , having said that which satisfieth me formerly to the same purpose , and having yet seen nothing that leaves me unsatisfied . And also because one text either containing such a Law or Covenant as you call for , or declaring to us that God did make such a Law or Covenant , is as good as a thousand in point of authority . Answ. It is true Mr. B. hath been more tedious then was fit , considering the impertinencie of his allegations , yet not much more then I expected , knowing it to be his course especially in this controversie , to heap many texts impertinently . That he is satisfied with his former writings , especially after the answering of the chief parts by me and others , shews either his injudiciousness or his heedlesness , or unwillingness through prejudice to see his errour . That there is not one text for his purpose brought in his Letter to me , is made manifest by this answer , the rest shall be examined after the answer to the remainder of his Letter if God permit . SECT . LXII . M● . Bs. 9th . and 10th . Qu. about the repealableness and repeal of his imagined Law of infants visible Churchmembership , and his eight additionals are answered . THe next Qu. saith he , that I should speak to is , whether these Laws , or Covenants , or promises , are capable of a revocation , or repeal ? And I shall take this for a question that needs no further debate , among men that know what a Law or Promise is . Gods immutability and perfection may make some ●aws unrepealable , while the subject remains : but otherwise the thing it selfe is capable of it . Onely where a promise or law is but for a limited time , when the time is expired it ceaseth , and the cessation is as to the nulling of it , equal to a revocation or abrogation . I put in this question , lest you should hereafter change your minde and say , that indeed it is a law , or promise , or covenant , by which the right of Churchmembership is conferred , and infants dedicated to God : but it is but a transeunt law or covenant . ] Answ. If so then it is either immediately or presently transeunt , or at a certain limited time onely , when it will cease . The former is certainly false and intollerable . For 1. they are promises and laws for the future , and therefore cease not immediately . 2. That were to make God the most unfaithful promiser and mutable Law-maker in the world , if his promise and his lawes cease as soon as they are made . Nay it makes them to be no lawes or promises . 3. It was one standing law and promise that belonged to the Nation of the Jewes successively . And God did not make his promise anew to every infant that was made a Churchmember , nor renew his law to every parent to enter their Children into his Covenant by the signe of Circumcision . Were not the circumcised Israelites in the Wilderness made members by the efficacy of the former Covenant of God remaining in force . And did former Laws oblige to Circumcision till Christ ? Else there were but few members , nor but few that circumcised warrantably , if the promise and precept did extend but to the person that it was first delivered to , and every one else must likewise have a personal promise and precept . The mother of Christ cannot then be proved to have been a Churchmember in infancy . If it be said that these promises were limited in the making of them , to a certain time when they were to cease , I say when that 's proved we shall believe it , which I have not yet seen done . Answ. The occasion of this question I conceive to have been the words in my second Letter , [ Wherefore I still press you that you would shew me where that law , ordinance , statute or decree of God is , that is repealable , that is , which may in congruous sense be either by a later act said to be repealed or else to be established as a law for ever . ] The reason of my speech was , because I perceived by his former Letter , Mr. B. made his law unrepealed to be by promise and precept . Now though I conceived a precept might in congruous sense be said to be repealed , yet I conceived a promise ( which it seems is the law he means ) not in congruous sense repealable . For though a promise be a law to the promiser , yet I know not how congruously it should be repealed . 'T is true , the act of promising being transeunt ceaseth , but that cannot be repealed ; that which is done , cannot be infectum , not done . The obligation of the promise may cease , if it were limited to a certain time , and that expired ; or if it were upon condition , and that fails ; or to a person not existent , or of a thing not feasible , or unlawfull : The former is not by repeal , but by expiration , which Mr. Cawdrey doth distinguish from re●eal and substitution , Of the Sabbath , part 1. ch . 2. & part 3. ch . 3. The later are not by repeal of the promise ( for it stands in force as much as ever , ( but by accident through intervenient impediments there is for present an intermission of the obligation . Repeal properly is by an after declaration , which cannot be congruously said of God , that he did promise indeed such a thing , but now he will not promise it , or will not stand to his promise , it were to make God fickle , and unfaithful . And therefore I expected a Law of Precept to make infants visible Churchmembers , to bee assigned by Mr. B. for mee to prove repealed , and not a law of promise , which is not in congruous sense repealable , and therefore a repeal properly so called not to be expected of me . Which being rightly conceived answers this question , and saves me the reply to what he saith , to prevent an imaginary change of my minde and assertion not yet delivered . He adds . And it falls in with the last question , which is , whether these promises be indeed revoked and ceased , and these laws repealed or ceased . And here it is that I have long expected your solid proof , together with the satisfactory answer to my arguments to the contrary . And so I shall leave this task in your hands . Sure I am that Christ never came to cast out of the Church , but to gather more in : much less to cast out all the infants , even all of that age in which himself was head of that Church : But to gather together in one the children of God that were scattered , Joh 11.52 . And therefore he would of● have gathered all Jerusalem and Judaea , even the national Church that then was unto himself , as the true head , even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings , and they would not . It was not because he would not ( as intending a new frame , where infants could have no place ) but because they would not , and so cast out themselves and their infants . Certainly it is the joy of the formerly desolate Gentiles , that they shall have many more children then she that had an husband , and not fewer , Gal. 4.25 , 26 , 27. And we as Isaac are children of the promise , even that promise which extended to the infants with the parents . Gal. 4.28 . Answ. I have examined all that Mr. B. saith in his answer to the 8th . question , and do profess that I finde no promise , no not in Gen. 3.15 . of infants visible Churchmembership , or any precept but that of circumcision , Gen. 17. which Mr. B. confesseth to be repealed in respect of the outward act , and for the dedicating of a childe to God by prayer to God to sanctifie it , or vow to bring it up for God if God give life , &c. or adjuration that they should cleave to God left in writing , or any other way upon record , I still allow it , and so need prove no repeal . So that in truth I see no reason Mr. B. should expect that I should perform his task , of proving a repeal of that which is not , but that he should make good the task I impose on him to prove such a law or ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership by promise or precept unrepealed , which I expect to be done at latter Lammas ; And to his confident speeches I reply . Sure I am from Luk. 2.34 . Joh. 9.39 . that Jesus Christ came that many of the Jewish Church might be left or cast out of his Church , from Matth. 28.19 . and other places before alledged , that he intended to leave all infants out of his visible Church since his comming in the flesh , though he were an infant head of the Church , that though he died to gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad , Joh. 11.52 . yet hee intended not to gather them into a visible Church national comprehending infants , that he preached not to any infants , nor by his Disciples baptised any of them , that it is false which Mr. B. saith , that he would oft have gathered all Jerusalem and Judaea , even the national Church that then was , unto himself as the true head , as his visible Church , from Matth. 28.19 . Mark●6 ●6 . 15 , 16. and the course he , John Ba●tist , and the Apostles followed , that he did intend a new frame of his Church visible , where infants could have no place , that Hierusalem which is above , the Covenant of the Gospel had more children in the Gentile Churches then the Covenant of the Law in the Jewish Church , though infants were not visible members in the Christian Church as they were in the Jewish ; that the promise meant Gal 4.28 . is not a pro●ise to a believer and his natural seed of visible Church-membership , much less to every visible professour and his seed , but a promise of righteousness and blessing , and the spirit through the faith of Jesus Christ upon all them that believe , as is plain from Gal. 3.7 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 21 , 22 , 29. But Mr. B. hath yet more work for me . Before I end , saith he , I shall be bo●d to put two or three questions to you out of your last Letter . Qu 1. did●o ●o nomine cease to be Churchmembers , though they forsook not God ? ●nd so of the infants if they were sold in infancy ? If you affirm it , then prove it . If you deny it , then infants might bee Churchmembers that we●e not of the Commonwealth . Answ. Such servants and infants were members of the Jewish Commonwealth , as they were of the Church , in right undoubtedly , in fact if they owned the Jews God and Moses Laws , and submitted to the Senate of Elders , so far as they knew and could be permitted , if they did not , though they forsook not God , yet they were neither of the Jewish Church , nor Commonwealth , as Cornelius , Acts 10th , was not of the Jewish Church or policy . None was of right of the Jewish Church , who was not of the Commonwealth ; even then when they were violently held under a forraign power ( as when they were under the Chaldean Persian , Greek and Roman Empires ) they did submit to both though with much reluctancy . Qu. 2. If ( as you say ) it was on the Jews rejection of Christ that they were broken off from being Gods people , were those thousands of Jews that believed in Christ so broken off , or not , who continued successively a famous Church at Hierusalem , which came to be a Patriarchal seat . Whether then were not the children of the Disciples and all believing Jewes Churchmembers in infancy ? If no , then it was somewhat else then unbelief that broke them off . Answ. The believing Jews were not broken off from the people of God , but from the Jewish people or Church national which rejected Christ : these believing Jews continued a famous Church after some time of publishing the Gospel and the Jews presecuting the faith , sepated from the Jewish Church , not having infants Churchmembers , and they were broken off from the Jewish Church national not by unbelief , but by faith in Christ to which they did adhere , and could not bee conjoyned to the Jewish Church without rejection of Christ. Mr. B. addes . If yea , then Qu. 3. Whether it be credible that he who came not to cast out Jews , but to bring in Gentiles , breaking down the partition wall , and making of two one Church , would have such a Linsey Woolsy Church of party colours , or several forms : so as that the Church at Hierusalem should have infant members , and the Church at Rome should have none . Jews infants should be members and not Gentiles . Answ. Christ came to cast out the unbelieving Jews , not from the Jewish Church national , they continued still in it , but from the invisible Church of true believers which was in that nation , to which was joyned the Gentile Church of true believers , which were all of one sort , whether at Rome or Hierusalem , to wit , all that had one spirit , one faith , one baptism ; not one infant in the visible Church Christian either at Rome or Hierusalem . Qu. 4. If unbelief brake them , will not repentance graff them in ? And so should every repenting believing Jews infants be Churchmembers ? Answ. Faith and repentance will ingraff every penitent believer into the Church invisible , the profession thereof will ingraff them into the visible Church , but not their infants , though the believer bee a Jew . Qu ▪ 5. Was not Christs Church before his incarnation spiritual , and gathered in a spiritual way ? Answ. The invisible was , the visible Jewish national was not . Qu. 6. How prove you that it was a blemish to the old frame , that infants were members ? or that Christs Church then and now are of two frames in regard of the subjects age ? Answ. I say not that it was a blemish , but that it was a more imperfect state of the Church then in that and other re●ards . The later question is answered Sect. 50 , 51 , 52. before . Qu. 7. In what regard is the new frame better●d by casting out infants which were in the old ? Answ. By leaving out infants and taking in onely believers , the Church is more spiritual . Qu. 8. Whether any Jew at age was a member of the old Church without professing faith ( in the Articles necessary to salvation ) repentance and obedience ? And wherein the supposed new call and frame doth in this differ from the old ; save onely that a more full and express revelation of Christ , requireth a more full ex●ress faith ? Answ. The former question is somewhat difficult , it being hard to determine what Articl●s were necessary to salvation , which is a question so hard , that I should not be unwilling to learn of Mr. B. This I can onely say , that I know not what profession each Jew did make , or was to make . I find a confession injoyned Deut. 26. and imprecation ch . 27. I finde idolaters , blasphemers , and some others adjudged to death , yet I finde not in the times of mal-administration of Moses Laws , that idolaters , and such great sinners were cast out of the Church , but were members of it . The later is answered before often enough . Mr. B. tels me . You may see the words near the end of your Letter that occasion the 7. last questions , and towards the middle that occasioneth the first . As for your motion of my fully describing the priviledges of Churchmembers , I shall add no more at this time to what is already elsewhere said of it . Answ. I knew Mr. B. so well , that I expected I should have questions enow , though I desired onely a few Texts , it s his vain to multiply questions which might be omitted , and serve to weary the reader and respondent , and for advantage to himself to insult on his antagonist , though without cause . But how ill he deals with me in writing so many sheets about questions taken from my words , when I desired onely a line or two about his texts , and how ill he deals with me and the reader ▪ who will not distinctly shew me the priviledges of his visible Church-membership , the denial of which he makes so hainous , and from which he argues so much , I leave to the considerable Reader to judge . But Mr. B. is yet more severe to me , after all my work in answering him , I must be corrected ere I be dismissed . SECT . LXIII . Mr. Bs. ten Calumniatory questions , and Conclusion of his Letter , are answered . ANd now ( saith he ) I have gone thus far with you , in an enquiry into the truth , I entreat you be not too much offended with me , if I conclude with a few applicatory questions to your self ▪ Q. 1. Is it not an undertaking as palpably absurd as most ever any learned sober Divine in the world was guilty of , to maintain that [ infants were visible Churchmembers not by any promise or precept , but by a transeunt fact , and that there was no law or ordinance determining it should be so , but onely a fact of God , which is a transeunt thing not repealable ? ] Answ. I am resolved not to be angry with Mr. Bs. interrogatories he ministers to me , imagining he doth it like an Ordinary in salutem animae , though I pitty him that takes so much on him as thus magisterially to censure what he does not , or will not understand , presuming perhaps he may take on him to determine as an irrefragable Doctor , after so much magnifying of his writings by learned and unlearned ones . But to his question I answer negatively , and return it back to him : is it not an undertaking palpably absurd , to make visible Churchmembership to be a right to a benefit by Gods promise as the sole efficient , and anothers faith as the condition ? But , saith he , either by this fact you mean Legislation and Covenant making , or not : if you do : what a saying is it that infants were made Churchmembers not by Covenant , but by a Covenant making , not by a Law , but by a Law making . If not : either you must say , that God makes duty without any law , and gives right to the benefit without any promise , or Covenant-grant as the cause ; or else , that it is no benefit to have right to Churchmembership , and no duty to enter into that relation , and to accept of that benefit , and to bee devoted to God. Which ever of these wayes you chuse ( and one you must chuse , or change your opinion ) hath the world heard of any more unreasonable and ridiculous , or else more unbeseeming a Divine , from a learned sober man of that profession ? Pardon the high charge : Let the indifferent ju●ge . Answ. That I need chuse none of the wayes hee mentions , nor change my opinion , is amply shewed Sect. 55. this high charge would have been le●t out had he more sobriety and humility . I look upon it and overlook it as ridiculous and contemptible , and go on . Qu. 2. Is it not a great disgrace to all your followers , that they will be led so far into such ways of Schism , and be so confident that they are righter and wiser then others , and that by such unreasonable arguings and shifts as these , which one would think any man should laugh at that knows what a law , promise , or Covenant is ? And do you not prove , that it is not because of the evidence of truth , but by your meer interest or confident words , these people are changed and held to your opinion ? Do they know what [ a trans●unt fact is , that without law or Covenant makes Churchmembers ? ] I say , do they know this ? which no man that ever breathed till now , ner ever man will know again ? And do you not proclaim them men of d●stempered consciences , that dare go on in such a Schism , on the encouragement of such fancies as were hatcht so long after their perversion , and never waking man I think did before so solemnly maintain . ] Answ , Ne saevi magne sacerdos . The followers of me in the point of Baptism are not led by shifts , but the plain word of God , Matth. 28.19 . Mark 16.16 . Acts 2.38 . & 8.37 . from which Mr. Bs. dream of a law or ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , his conceit of infants discipleship mediate by the faith of the parent , is too silly a conceit to draw an intelligent man that will examine it , specially when they have so plain Scripture proof for their warrant , as the institution of Christ and practise of the Apostles , which they follow without Schism , endeavouring a reformation of that great corruption of infant Baptism , which hath been very pernicious to the Church of God. If any Schism have been , a great cause hath been in Mr. Bs. virulent charges of the truth , as if it were a damnable errour accursed of God , and his followers violent opposition ( of which Bewdley hath had sad experience ) of men for doing their duty in being baptized after profession of faith , and breaking bread together , though convinced by Mt. Bs. own arguing in his Book of Baptism , pag. 342. that it should be so . And if in this point they conceive themselves righter and wiser then others , they are not to be blamed , having the plain word of God as interpreted even by Paedobaptists themselves , yea almost all Commentaries , for their warrant . And truly though I delight not in recriminations , yet I may justly retort Mr. Bs. words . Is it not a great disgrace to all Mr. Bs. followers , that they will be led so far into such ways of Schism as Mr. B. leads them into , who would have none to have pastoral charge with publick pay , that will not admit to the Lords Supper the baby sprinkled , that inveighs against Baptism of believers now used as if it were murther and adultery , that represents them that deny infant Baptism in the most odious way he can to the world , and is so confident that he is wiser and righter then others , and that by such unreasonable arguings and shifts as these , a law and ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership by promise and precept unrepealed no where extant , a discipleship by the parents faith mediately without any learning of their own , which one would think any man should laugh at that knows what visible Churchmembership , or Discipleship is ? And doth he not prove , that it is not because of the evidence of truth , but by his meer interest or confident word● , the people of Kederminster , Bewdley , and elsewhere , are changed from the truth of the Scripture made known to them , and held to his opinion ? Do they know wh●t an ordinance or law of infants visible Churchmembership and mediate Discipleship is , which I find not any man vented afore Mr. B. And doth he not proclaim them men of distempered consciences , that dare go on i● such a Schism as Mr. B. and with him many persons are brought into by him from me , and the baptized in Bewdley and elsewhere , on the encouragement of such fancies as were hatcht so lately , and never waking man I think did before Mr. B. so solemnly maintain ? Qu. 3. Is it not a desperate undertaking , and dare you adventure on it , to justifie all the world before Christs incarnation except the Jews , from the guilt of not dedicating their children to God , to take him to be their God , and themselves to be his people ? Yea , to justifie all Jews against this charge , that should neglect or refuse to engage their children to God in Covenant as members of his Church ? And doth not he that saith there is no law , say there is no transgression ? Answ. He doth : But Mr. B. should remember there is a law against bea●ing false witness against his neighbour , which he much urgeth against Mr. Eyre and others ; but himself is deeply guilty of it in his high charges , and particularly in this ▪ that I justifie all Jews neglecting to engage their children to God in covenant as members of his Church , and all the world not dedicating their children to God. Let him prove either , if he can ; if not , let him tremble at his desperate undertaking to uphold his lie of infant Churchmembership and Baptism by such lies as these , and fear the fate of liars . What I hold , may be seen in that which goes before . Qu. 4 Dare you yet justifie also at the Bar of God , all the world since Christs incarn●tion from the guilt of sin , in not dedicating their children to Christ and entering them into his Covenant as members of his Church ? Dare you maintain that all the world is sinlesse in this respect ? Answ. I dare justifie the non-baptizing them , and am assured Mr. B. cannot justifie the baptizing of infant children . Qu. 5. Have you well considered of the fruit of your way● apparent in England and Ireland at this day ? Or have you not seen enough to make you suspect and fear whether indeed God own your way or not ? And is it any wonder if posterity be left in controversie about the History of former times , when you can venture , even in these times when the persons are living in our company , to tell me that [ you think I am mis-informed that they are Anabaptists , and you think that there are very few of them that were ever baptized , ] when of many that we know , and multitudes that we hear of , there are so few that were not before against infant Baptism , and the Se●kers first such , and when the Quakers themselves commonly cry down infant Baptism ; and it is one of the questions that they send to ●e , and others to answer , [ how we can prove it by express Scripture without consequences , or else confess ou● selves false Prophets . Answ. My ways in opposing infant Baptism , and endeavouring to restore believers Baptism , are such ( setting aside my infirmities ) as upon conside●ation I find cause not to be ashamed of , but to rejoyce in , and conceive by many evidenc●s that God own● them . What fruit of them in England and Ireland they have had , I do not very well know ; if they that are termed Anabaptists do hold unjustifiable positions or practises , they are not the fruit of my ways , any more then the Nicola●●ans , Gnosticks , and others ways , were the fruits of the Apostles preaching . My conscience beareth me witness , and so will the people where I have taught , the brethren with whom I have walked yea , I think some of my Antagonists , with whom I have acted in the publick imployment of approving Preachers , and perhaps the most eminent persons in England , that I have opposed the errours risen , and have sought reformation without separation , have joyned upon all occasions in the common cause with dissenters ; insomuch that I had hoped impudence it self would never have dared so to belie me , as to make Schism , Quakerism , and such like evils the fruit of my ways . If many rents and errours have sprung up by accident after my writings , they are no more to be charged on me , then Antinomianism , Swenekfieldianism , &c. were to be charged on Luther ; or Brownism , Familism , &c. on the Antiprelatists . What I wrote to Mr. B. I think still , yea , Mr. Bs. own relations confirm me , they are not Anabaptists , though they be against infant baptism . Those very persons , or some of that society which sent to Mr. B. ( if my intelligence do not deceive ) though they they were against infant baptism , yet neglected baptism when convinced of it as their duty , and they might have been baptized ; and as it was foretold them they were likely to be without the opportunity , so it came to pass , for they were after carried away with the delusion of the quakers . It is not my observation alone , but it is the Authors conceit who wrote the book against them termed The quakers blazing star , who was carried away once by them , that the living above ordinances and as Seekers hath been one of the chief ways which hath brought it in , God justly leaving them to be deluded by Satan who would not submit to the way of Gods ordinances ; and he adviseth persons , as to labour to be well grounded in faith and repentance , so to joyn in Church communion ( of which he takes the Churches of the baptized to be most right , and accordingly hath himself been joyned by Baptism to them ) as the best preservative against it . For my part , I think Mr. Bs. and other Ministers maintaining infant Baptism do give most advantage and encouragement to them , both to inveigh against them as men that will not yeeld to truth , but teach a manifest errour , and therefore not to be heard ; and then Mr. Saltmarsh and others delusions about water baptism as now ceased , living in the spirit , expectation of it , no true Ministry now without the spirit as the Apostles had , and such like conceits driving them off from the Churches of the baptized , they are caught by those emissaries from Rome , and other agents of Satan , with that Divelish delusion , God justly suffering Satan to delude them with lies , because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved , 2 Thes. 2.10 . So that I have as much cause to think quakerism the fruit of Mr. Bs. ways as of mine own . Nor will it be any wonder if posterity be left in controversie about the History of former times , when such a one as Mr. B. shall continue to load me with false accusations , with which I have many wayes shewed my self not chargeable ; and not onely he , but also Mr. Robert Baillee in his Dissuasives , Mr. Edwards in his Gangrena's , and others shall in English and Latine heap so many untruths on godly persons because dissenters , while they lived to shew the falsity of them . Qu 6. Have you felt the guilt which we too strongly fear you have incurred of the perverting of so many souls , opening them such a gap to schism , contempt of the Ministry and Apostacy , destroying a hopefull reformation that cost so dear : or weakening our hands in the work , and filling the adversaries mouths with scorn , enticing the Jesuites and Friars to seem your proselytes , and list themselves among you , as the hopefull party to befriend their cause , hardning thousands both of the Papists and profane , and setling them again on their dr●gs , when many once began to shake ! O what a Church might we have had , and were likely to have had ? had it not been for the Separatists and you ? And what a lamentable confusion are we now brought into by these ? Have these things toucht your heart . Answ. How far these things have toucht my heart , I must give an account to God my Judge , and not to Mr. B. who with his fraternity I perceive would pass a heavy doom on mee , and scarce award me a place in earth or heaven : And no marvel , if I were so pernicious an instrument as he describes me . But may I not require Mr. B. to shew me by what actions I have done any of these things ? Is Mr. B. allowed to accuse in generals , and not to instance in particulars ? may he without control accuse and not prove ? May he have liberty , as in a Chancery bill hath been wont , to put in all he can imagine , whether true or false ? Is not this the manner of quakers and scolds ? Are my answers often made of no avail to clear my self , but that Mr , B. will still be imputing that to me , which my writings and courses do absolve me from ? No marvel Dr. Owen said of him , Appendix to his Vindic Evang. pag. 5. A man that doth not know him as I do , would by his writings take him to be immitis & immisericors , a very Achilles , that will not pardon a man in his grave , but will take him up and cut him in a thousand pieces . I tell Mr. B. plainly , it is not my doctrine but Mr. Bs. which perverts souls , I mean his doctrine of Baptism and Churchmembership , besides his other errours ; that neither my doctrine nor practise open a gap to Schism , but tend to the contrary , unity of Baptism being one of the bonds of Christians , Ephes. 4.4 . the restoring of which is the regular way to union ▪ Mr. B. by his violent opposing it and the assertors of it , doth really open a gap to Schism , I open no gap to contempt of the Ministry , but they themselves do it by opposing truth , and other wayes , Apostacy from Christ or godliness is no fruit of my doing , but is rather caused by those that urge persons to renounce the right Baptism and Communion of the baptised , of which I fear Mr. B. is guilty . A right reformation according to Gods word , cannot be while infant Baptism continues , in seeking to destroy it I promote reformation , Mr. B. by maintaining it destroyes reformation , and by proposals shews his inclination to persecution , which if I hinder I rejoyce . I weaken not Mr. Bs. hands in preaching the Gospel , but strengthen them , if I enervate his errour I am glad ; he hath most unbrotherlike endeavoured to weaken my hands , and to stop my mouth . I fill not adversaries mouths with scorn ▪ of him , but he hath thrown as much dirt as hee could on me , in his writings ▪ I entice not Jesuites and Friers , and if they creep in among those of our judgement , is it any more then Jude v. 4. speaks of in his time ? Can Mr. B. say they are not among his party ? I harden no Papists , but shew their bottome errour , nor prophane persons , but take the right way to undeceive them ; they that maintain their infant Baptism , settle them on their dregs , I mean their carnal presumption ; by which they take themselves to bee Christians without knowledge of Christ. The Church that was likely to have been Mr. Bs. way , may be discerned by the Elders , by the Scottish Church , Mr. Bs. Church at Kederminster , the associated Ministers in Wocestershire and their Churches . Confusion is too great , for want of restoring Christs order , more would be if Mr. Bs. way were imposed , and no small oppression on tender consciences and dissenting brethren . I may say , oh what a Church might wee have had , if it had not been for Mr. B. and other such violent Paedobaptists as he is , opposing Christs way . Qu. 7. Is [ a transeunt fact , making infants Churchmembers without Law , promise , or Covenant ] a sufficient medium to encourage you to venture on all these horrid things , and run such hazards as you have done ? or is it possible that an humble sober man , and a tender conscience , durst make all this havock , and stand out in it , so many years considerately as you have done , and this upon such a palpably unreasonable pretence : When you should prove to us the revocation of infants Churchmembership , to tell us that they ●ad it onely by a transeunt fact ? Is this a safe ground to build so great a weight on ? Sir , my conscience witnesseth , that it is not your reproach that is the end of speaking these unpleasing words to you , but some compassion on you ( do not scorn it ) and more on your poor followers ; and most on the Church of God which you have so much injured and troubled . Answ. I venture on no such horrid things , nor run such hazards as Mr. B. imagines , nor is the transeunt fact that I build on , but Christs institution Matth. 28.19 . though that transeunt fact I assigne is sufficient for the purpose I alledge it , and I cross interrogate Mr. B. Is it possible that an humble sober man , and a tender conscience , should make such foul work as he hath done by his writings , upon such a p●lpably unreasonable pretence , as a Law of infants visible Churchmembership , by promise and precept unrepealed , no where extant , and a mediate Discipleship hatch't in his brain ? My reproach is a small matter , did it not tend to darken the truth I should neglect it , nor should I have answered these questions so fully , had not these things been impar●ed to the Preacher and others at Bewdley , ere they came to my hands . Though my reproach were not finis operantis , yet must it needs be finis operis . I thank Mr. B. for his compassion on me and my followers , I have the like on him and his followers . I do not scorn his compassion , but pitty his prejudice and pertinacy . If I have injured and troubled the Church my Antagonists have compelled me , the Lord knowes I had not a resolution to print , till the Assembly neglected the matter , and determined against me and the truth unheard . That I have injured the Church by printing I believe not , it is certain Mr. B. hath extreamly injured me and the truth , and troubled the Church of God , by printing his Book of Baptism . I should not have peace in my conscience did I not endeavour to detect his a●d other Paedobaptists fallacies , which I crave liberty to do , and shall easily pass by personal reproaches . Qu. 8. Can you prove that ever there was one age , or Church ( particular ) on earth since Adam till about 200. years ago , that the Anabaptists rose , wherein infants were not de facto taken for members of the Church ? If you can do it : Let 's hear your proof Answ. I can , and for proof look back to Sect. 50 , 51 , 52 , 57. besides Constantin , Augustin , mentioned by Mr. B. p 329. Nazianzen , Hierom , &c. unbaptized though of Christian parents till adult . Qu. 9. Can you bring us proof of any one infant of true Church-members , that was not rightfully a Churchmember himself from the creation till Christs dayes ? or from the creation till this day ? except the Anabaptists , who reject the benefit ; whose case ( as I said before ) I will not presume to determine ? Answ. I can , for proof look back to Sect. 50 , 51 , 52 , 57. Qu. 10. Seing that infants have been de facto Churchmembers from the creation to this day ( as far as any records can lead us ) is it likely that the Lord , and head and all-sufficient Governour of his Church , would have permitted his Church till now to be actually made up of such subjects , as in regard of age he disallowed ? and suffer his Church to be wrong framed till now ? Or is it a reasonable , modest and lawful undertaking , to go about now in the end of the world to make God a new framed Church , as to the age of the subjects ? And is it not more modest and safe , to live quietly in a Church of that frame as all the Saints in heaven lived in , till the other day , as a few Anabaptists with vile and sinful means , and miserable success , did attempt an alteration ? Answ. This question ariseth from these suppositions , 1. that infants have been de facto Churchmembers from the creation to this day . 2. That all the Saints in heaven lived in a Church that had infants visible Churchmembers till less then 200. years ago . 3. That the Anabaptists in Germany in less then 200. years attempted the alteration first of of leaving infants out of the visible Church . 4. That they did it with vile and sinful meanes and miserable success . The first of these is not true , as is shewed in the fore-going Sections , chiefly those in which the 8th . question of this Letter of Mr. B. is answered , the second is shewed to be false Sect. 52. wherein it is proved the Apostles lived in a Church that had not infants . The third is false , for both Christ altered it , and when the corruption of infant Baptism had overspread the Western Churches , many besides the late Anabaptists , as Petrus de Bruis and many other Saints in heaven did alter it . The fourth is in part false , For I think the Anabaptists so called , did not alter infant visible Churchmembership with vile and sinful means , but some of them ( not all ) did by vile and sinful means seek to set up a temporal dominion of the Saints ( as I fear some now called Quinto-monarchians do ) which is not to be imputed to all that are of the same way in point of discipline and ordinances , and that though this thing of erecting a temporal dominion had miserable success , yet the restoring of Baptism hath had success as other reformations , as of the Waldenses , Hussites , Non-conformists and others , who though by clamours of Preachers , and violence of Princes , they have been for a time suppressed , yet a remnant have been preserved , who have in time revived , and we hope notwithstanding all the clamours , accusations , and practises , used to corrupt & suppress them , will spread & grow up through the blesing of God. And to Mr. Bs. questions I answer ▪ my aim is not to erect a new framed Church to God , but to reduce it to the frame Christ and his Apostles left it in , though it were after some ages altered by the corruption of infant Baptism , which had its original from the gross errour that by it Gods grace was given , and otherwise the infants should perish . And though in that Church , who were for infant Baptism many were Saints now in heaven , yet it is not safe to continue that errour , any more then to continue the errour of infant Communion now by Papists and Protestants rejected , though it were many hundreds of yeares practised in the same Churches . And sure I wonder if he condemn mee for seeking reformation of infant Baptism , how Mr. B. could justifie himself for not living quietly in the Church of England , as it was under the Prelates , though there were among them in that Church Saints now living in heaven , but seeking the reformation of discipline and ceremonies of humane invention , though greater troubles followed thereon , then I think hath followed this reformation I endeavour , and then I hope ever will. Surely if the way I take , and propound , and prosecute were followed , the reformation would be easie and safe , and that it is not followed , will be laid to the charge of Mr. B. and other Paedobaptists as their sin , nor can all his or their wit bee able to cleer them from it , nor from the guilt of breaking their solemn Covenant to endeavour the reformation of these Churches according to Gods word . Hee concludes , Sir pardon the weakness , and bear with the plainness and freeness of Your faithful Brother ( though not as is meet ) Rich. Baxter . May 14. 1655. Answ. I pray the Lord to pardon Mr. Bs. violent and clamourou● , though I hope not wilful opposing of the truth , and I love him not the worse for his plain dealing , yet cannot patiently bear his falshoods , wherein he accuseth the truth and servants of the living God , and by shewing him his errours , and evil dealing , have endeavoured to acquit my self as his faithful brother , as was meet , however he hath been , or shall be towards me affected . He adds after , Sir , if you have any thing of moment to say , in reply to these , which you have not yet in your writings brought forth , I shall bee willing to consider of it : But if you have not , I pray you tell me so in two words , and spare the rest of your pains ( as for me ) and trouble mee no more with matters of this nature . For truly I have no sufficient vacancy from greater works . Yea , I am constrained to forbear much greater then these . R. B. After this , he tels me , That whereas I preached a Sermon at Bewdley , in which I refuted by many arguments infants visible Churchmembership , I must be either mutable or hypocritical , if I deny such a law and ordinance which I took on me then to refute , and desires a Copy of that Sermon , that hee may shew the sad mistakes and vanity of those my arguments . To which I answer , 1. I refuted Mr. Bs. law of infants visible Church-membership , as a thing pretended , not as a thing real , and so am neither mutable nor hypocritical , in denying such a law . 2. I have no delight in Mr. Bs. writings of this subject , unless there were more ingenuity and solidity in them , then I yet finde , and therefore am willing to gratifie him with no more of my manuscripts in this kinde . 3. As for the Copy of my Sermon he hath the matter of it with enlargement in the 50 , 51 , and 52. Section of this Book , which when he answers , fragili querens illidere dentem offendet solido . 4. What I had more to say then I have printed , he may perceive by my Books , and however Mr. B. conceives , yet I conceive that the reformation or confirmation of infant Baptism , is a matter of as great moment as the things Mr. B. is intentive on . However , hee might have answered my Letter without any of this trouble hee hath put himself to : But sith hee chose this way , I have thought it necessary to make this reply , and so to go on to the examining the rest of his Book , not yet examined by me at large , though there be little which is not answered in this and other parts before . SECT . LXIIII. My Answer in the Dispute and Sermon to the argument of Mr. B. of Baptism , part 1. ch . 6. about the non-repeal of infants Churchmembership , because neither in justice nor mercy , is vindicated . PLain Scripture proof , &c. part 1. ch . 6. Mr B. speaks thus . My first argument is this . If God have repealed this ordinance , and revoked this mercifull gift of infants Churchmembership , then it is either in mercy , or in justice ; either for their good , or for their hurt . But he hath neither repealed it in mercy for their good , nor in justice for their hurt : therefore he hath not at all repealed it . I will hide nothing from you that Mr. T. hath said against this argument , either in our publick Dispute , or in his Sermon . The sufficiency of the enumeration in the major proposition , he never offered to deny : nor indeed is there any ground to deny it . It must needs be for the good or hurt of infants that they are put out ; and so must needs be in mercy or justice , For God maketh not such great alterations in his Church and Laws , to no end , and of no moment , but in meer indifferency . Answ. In the Dispute at Bewdley , Jan. 1. 1649. and the Sermon shortly after , I did not understand Mr. Bs. opinion as I do now ; nor did afore the writing of his last Letter , conceive of his law and ordinance of visible Churchmembership what it was , and where it was to be found ; nor do I yet conceive clearly what the benefit and priviledge is to infants by their visible Churchmembership which he asserts . And therefore if I gave not so clear an answer to this argument as were requisite , it is to be imputed partly to the unacquaintedness with it at that time , partly to Mr. Bs. artifice , who carried himself close in the Dispute for indirect advantage , and still is unwilling to shew his mind fully , though desired by me in the Letter before set down . What is his opinion about the law unrepealed , is considered before ; what he imagines are the priviledges and benefit of his infants visible Churchmembers , seems to be intimated in these passages of his Letter in the 4th . qu. set down here , sect . 55. when he saith , I suppose you will not deny that it was a benefit to be the covenanted people of God , to have the Lord engaged to be their God , and to take them for his people , to be brought so near him , and to be separated from the common and unclean , from the world , and from the strangers to the Covenant of promises , that live as without God in the world , and without hope . In another passage , set down Sect. 56. To be a member of the Church , is to be a member of a society taking God in Christ to be their God , and taken by him for his special people . The act which makes each member is of the same nature with that which makes the society . The relation then essentially containeth 1. a right to the great benefits of Gods soveraignty over men , Christs headship , and that favour , protection , provision , and other blessings which are due from such a powerfull and gracious a Soveraign to such subjects , and from such a head to his members : As also a right to my station in the body , and to the inseparable benefits thereof . Which how false they are , is in part shewed above . He likewise expresseth the leaving infants out of the visible Church Christian , as if it were a casting out , excommunicating , by a punitive execution of a curse or law on them , ch . 5. part 1. of plain Scripture proof , &c. wherein how he is mistaken is shewed above . These things being premised , I say , that if Mr. B. understand by [ mercy ] remunerative mercy , and by [ justice ] punitive justice ( as he seems to do , ) I deny the major . And to his reasons I answer , 1. Simply , and of it self , the non●visible Churchmembership of infants imports neither hurt nor good to them : But by accident , in that their visible Church-membership in the Church of the Hebrews obliged them to Circumcision and the yoke of the Law , so it imports hurt to them . 2. If it did import hurt or good to them , yet it might be neither by an act of remunerative mercy , nor punitive justice , that they are left out o● the Church ; but by an act of meer Soveraignty , as it is in election and reprobation , and in the disposing of the Gospel where God pl●aseth . 3. God hath his ends in this alteration , as to shew his freeness , his intent to have his visible Church more spiritual then the Jewish , &c. though not to shew his remunerative mercy or avenging justice . 4. It is not in meer indifferency , but of moment to these ends that hee doth so . Mr. B. proceeds thus . The minor I prove in both parts 1. That God hath not repealed this to their hurt in justice ▪ I prove thus : If God never revoke his mercies , nor repeal his ordinances in justice to the parties hurt , till they first break Covenant with him , and so procure it by their own desert ▪ then he hath not in justice revoked this mercy to the hurt of those that never broke Covenant with him : But it is certain that God never revoketh a mercy in justice to the hurt of any that never broke Covenant with him ▪ therefore to such he hath not so revoked it . Answ. Gods revoking mercies in justice to the parties hurt , is sometimes without the particular persons breaking Covenant with him , or his desert . Are not the infants of Adam deprived of life in justice to their hurt , without their breaking Covenant with God , or their personal desert ? Are not many infants and others deprived of the preaching of the Gospel , who yet are descended from faithfull ancestors who never brake Covenant with God , onely for that the nation of which they are a part , are over-run by barbarous people , they carried away captive , they and their children made slaves ? Do not these things happen to the most godly Saints ? Doth not Solomon tell us , Eccles. 9.2 . that all things come alike to all ? Doth not the Apostle tell us , Rom. 9.11 , 12. For the children being not yet born , neither having done any good or evil , that the purpose of God according to the cle●ion might stand , not of works , but of him that calleth , It was said to Rebecca , the elder shall serve the younger ; As it 〈◊〉 written , Jacob have I loved , but Esau have I hated : whence v. 18. he infers , therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy , and whom he will he hardeneth ? And again , Rom. 11.33 . after he had considered the various ways of Gods dealing with Jews and Gentiles , he thus concludes , O the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements , and his paths past finding out ! From whence , and from innumerable experiments of thousands of godly Greeks whose children are taken from them and made Turks , and others , I may safely deny the minor of Mr. Bs. argument , which he saith is certain , as being most certainly false , and like the arguing of the Disciples , John 9 2. which Christ refuted v. 3. concerning the man who was born blind . But Mr. B. goes on to prove it thus . That this is a mercy , and of the Covenant , is plain , Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. and frequently past denial . Answ. That the visible Churchmembership of infants in the Jewish national Church was a mercy , it s not denied ; but that it was such a mercy as Mr. B. makes it above , to contain essentially a right to the great benefits of Gods soveraignty over men , Christs headship , and that favour , prote●tion , provision , and other blessings , which are due from so powerfull and gracious a Soveraign to such subjects , and from such a head to his members , is neither true , nor proved from Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. where the being a God to them doth not necessarily include all these benefits ; nor if it did , doth it ascribe them to their visible Church-membership , but to their obedience to his laws , implied in the phrase that he may establish thee for a people to himself ; that is , saith Piscator in his Scholie on the place , That he may require worship from thee by obedience towards his precepts , and so may bind thee to himself : Which sense the rest of Moses his speech in that and the following chapter shew , and consequently they presuppose not onely their Covenant with God , and their visible Churchmembership but also their keeping the law so far as the blessings were legal , and their belief and obedience to the Gospel so far as they are Evangelical . 2. Saith Mr. B. That God doth not in justice revoke such to any but Covenant breakers , I prove briefly thus . 1. From the mercifull nature and constant dealings of God , who never casteth off those that cast not off him . Answ. 1. Mr. B. doth most vainly intimate them to be cast off by God who are not visible Churchmembers , which if true , it would prove that all infants dying in the womb are cast off by God , with many more , who are not visible Churchmembers , and yet are blessed persons . 2. For Gods mercifull nature , it doth not hinder but that God may cast off them who cast not off him , sith his mercifull nature doth not act as a natural agent , but as a free agent ; and he hath resolved us , Exod. 33.19 . Rom. 9.15 . I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy , I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion , even then when he proclaimed his Name to be gracious and mercifull . 3. ●t is false , as hath been before proved , that the constant dealing● of God are such , as that he never casteth off those that cast not him off . 2. Saith Mr. B. From his truth and faithfulne●● ▪ For else we should make God the Covenant breaker , and not man ; which is horrid blasphemy . Answ. This argument indeed were good if God had made this Covenant with men , That whoever of them believe in Christ , their infant children should be Churchmembers visible in his Church Jewish or Catholick . But there was never such a Covenant made by God , and therefore though he alters the frame of the Church , so as to leave out infants of beleivers from being visible members , he breaks no Covenant . 3. Saith he , From the immutability and constancy of God : His gifts and calling are without repentance . Answ. God is indeed immutable and constant in his being and promises , and his gifts of election , foreknowledge , effectual calling , meant Rom. 11.29 . as v. 28 , 27 , 26 , 7 , 5 , 2 , shew , are without repentance , Rom. 8.30 . Rom. 9.6 . But the gift of visible Churchmembership is not such , even according to Mr. B. Cain was a visible Churchmember , yet cast off , with many more . Many a believers child is in infancy taken from him and made a Mahometan , so as that he never is a visible Christian , and yet God is unchangeable , and his gifts meant Rom. 11.29 . without repentance . 4. Saith he , Scripture frequently layeth all the cause of all evil of suffering upon mans sinning , Mic. 1.5 . Hos. 13.9 . Answ. 1. He supposeth , but proveth not , that the non-visible Churchmembership Christian of infants is an evil of suffering , which I deny . 2. It is false that the Scripture ever layeth all the cause of all the evil of suffering upon the mans sinning , who suffereth ; the contrary is manifest in the death of infants by Adams sin , Rom. 5.12 . 3. Some sufferings our Lord Christ denies to be from the special sin of children or parents , John 9.3 , 4. The Texts alledged prove not Mr. Bs. proposition ; the former proves onely the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem to be for their idolatry , the other proves the same to have been the fate of Israel for the same sin , but neither Mr. Bs. universal proposition . So that hitherto Mr. B. hath proved nothing . He applies his unproved dictates thus . Now you know there were many Jews that did believe ▪ and did not forsake the Covenant of God , even most of the Apostles themselves , and many thousands more : Now how then can th●se or their infants be put out of the Church in justice to their hurt , who did not first break Covenant with God ? Answ. 1. God may in justice do it , because he is a Soveraign Lord who is no debtor to any , Rom. 11.34 , 35 , 36. 2. God may in justice do it for the parents sins some ages before , or the national sin of the Jews in rejecting Christ might be a just cause for God to break off all infants Churchmembership , being onely a consequent of the taking the Hebrew nation for his people , though some parents believed , in common punishments and changes the obedience of some few not exempting them and theirs from them ; as in the Babylonish captivity , it happened for Manasseh his sin , notwithstanding Josiahs reformation , 2 Kings 23.26 . Mr. B. goes ●n . I am brief in this , because Mr. T. doth not deny it . But that which he answereth is , that [ It is in mercy for their good . ] I prove the contrary plainly thus . It can be no mercy to take away a mercy , except it be to give a greater in the stead of it : But here is no greater mercy given to infants in the stead of Churchmembership ; therefore it can be no mercy to them that it be revoked . The major Mr. T. doth not deny , and I will fully tell you all that he saith to the minor . 1. In his Dispute he answered , that Churchmembership of infants was revoked in mercy for their good ; and that they had a greater mercy in stead of it : And what do you think is that greater mercy ? Why , it is Christ come in the flesh . I confess it amazeth me to see the power of errour , how it can both at once bereave the understanding of ordinary light , and the conscience of tenderness ; or one of these at least . Is it possible that the judgement of such a man as Mr. T. can take this for a satisfactory answer , or his conscience give him leave to deny Churchmembership to all infants in the world , and to raise a Schisme in a poor distressed Church ; and to charge their own bloud on the heads of his people that yeeld not to him , and all upon such lamentable grounds as these ? Answ. 1. I deny that now which I did not deny in the Dispute , neither understanding whereto Mr. Bs. argument tended , nor what his opinion was in the matter of his argument , nor having competent time to consider his words . 2. I was somewhat amazed at first reading at Mr. Bs. dealing with me who had so good an opinion of his godliness and tenderness of consciences , and his pretences of friendliness , that if a man had sworn to me , before he printed , that he would have thus abused and accused me so falsly , I should not have believed it . But I see no hopes of any justice from such an intemperate Zelot for his opinion , nor any right understanding of me , or any thing I say or do , from one so prejudiced , superficial , in his consideration of things , yet peremptory , and rash in his determinations , as Mr. B. is . Suppose I had answered them as weakly as Mr. B. imagines I did , yet a litt●e experience might have told him , that it might have commen from other causes then the power of errour , bereaving at once my understanding of ordinary light , and my conscience of tenderness . Such censures , if there were no more , shew Mr. B. was carried with intemperate heat in his writing , a thing which certainly corrupts a mans judgement , and ma●è verum examinat omnis corruptus Judex . To his accusations I answer , It is false that I deny Churchmembership to all the infants in the world , that I raise a Schism in a poor distressed Church , that I thretaen those that yeeld not to me and all upon the grounds he mentions , which yet are not lamentable any otherwise then because they are no better heeded . But to the argument . The major I shall consider anon ; the minor is that which is under present consideration , which I deny , and avow what I then answered , with this explication and amplification . Infants visible Churchmembership was onely in the Hebrew nation . The end of God was in taking that nation to be his visible people , that there might be a fixed nation among whom and from whom Christ should be born . To that end he would have them distinguished from other people by Circumcision , by laws ▪ &c. He would have their Tribes distinguished , their inheritances fixed , their genealogie certain ; this was the benefit of that nation , the honour and mercy to the infants and others , and God took it away after Christs comming as being useless , it being to usher it in , I mean the whole ordering of the Hebrew Church-membership ; and it was a greater mercy to the Church of God , and thereby to the infants , who had their Churchmembership onely a mercy before by consequence as a part of that people , without any feeling or enjoyment of it till they came to riper age : And this was a greater mercy then their former membership , 1. in that they were freed from the yoke of the Law ; 2. Christ who was promised was a known person , and revealed and accomplished the will of God concerning the salvation of h●s people . Let 's view Mr. Bs. refutation . 1. Saith he . Was it ever heard before from the mouth of man , that Christ succeeded churchmembership , as a thing that was to give place for him ? Doth Christ cast any out of the Church , onely that he may succeed them ? Can he prove that their churchmembership was a type of Christ , that must cease when he was come ? Why doth he not prove it then from some Scripture or reason ? cannot we have a room in the body without being cast out at the comming of the head ? Are the head and members at such odds , that one must give place , and be gone when the other comes ? Why then is not the churchmembership of men and women to give place to Christs comming in the flesh ? Sure the nature of churchmembership is the same in both . Why did the Apostles never speak of this among the types of Christ that did cease , that all infants are put out of the Church or family of God , that Christ may succeed as a greater mercy to them then their room in his Church and family ? Is not here comfort ( but by a silly comforter ) to all the Jewes themselves ? though they are broken off from the Church , yet Christ is a greater mercy to them in stead of it . Answ. Mr. B. keeps his wont of refuting me by frivolous questions and foolish scoffs , in stead of solid arguments . To them as they are , I return these answers . He himself ch . 30. saith , The dedication of the first●born was evidently a type of Christ and the Church under him , and yet he can give no more Scripture or reason for it , then I can for this , that the Churchmembership of infants was but to endure till Christs comming in the flesh . To omit what I have already argued in the 50 , 51 , 52. sections before , in my apprehension the Apostle doth plainly teach , Gal. 3.16 . to the end , that the Churchmembership that was by the descent by natural birth from Abraham , continued onely till faith came , that is , till Christ was exhibited , and believed on as already come in the flesh , that now all are children of God , Abrahams seed by faith , that there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile , the Jews natural birth brings not him in the Church , nor the Gentiles uncircumcision excludes him ; that so many as are admitted into the Church by Baptism do put on Christ , and consequently the Churchmembership by birth into the Jewish Church national now ceaseth , and there is no Churchmembership , but by faith in Christ. And this I might further confirm from Gal. 5.6 . Col. 2.11 , 12. & 3.11 . And to these Scriptures I add this reason , The course that God took in severing the Jewish nation from other people , circumcising the males , keeping the distinction of tribes , and the inheritances in the families , and the genealogies so exactly till Christ came , ordering the tax of Augustus at the time of Christs birth , and after his ascension scattering the Jews out of their land , overturning their Commonwealth , confounding their pedigrees , taking to himself another Church in another way , by preaching the Gospel , and baptizing believers , and none else ; doth plainly evidence to me , that infants Churchmembership was but an introduction , type , shadow , fore-runner to Christs manifestation in the flesh , and to cease as John Baptists office did when Christ was exhibited and fully manifested to the world . And accordingly Mr. Bs. questions are answered ; the first , that it was heard of before , that upon the comming of Christ believers Church-membership was to succeed to birth-Churchmembership : To the second , that though Christ cast not any out of the Church that he may succeed them , yet by his comming he alters Churchmembership by birth into Churchmembership by faith : The third and fourth are answered by setting down my apprehension , and the Scriptures and reason of it . The fifth I answer affirmatively , the sixth negatively : The seventh , that men and women are not Churchmembers now by birth any more then infants , and in that respect the nature of Churchmembership is the same in both : To the eighth , the Apostle did speak of it , in the places before cited : To the ninth , the silly comforter knows no reason why the Jews broken off should be comforted ; but thinks it was matter of comfort to the believing Jews , that in stead of infants visible Churchmembership and their own standing in the national Church Jewish , they had Christ manifested in the flesh as a greater mercy , the body in stead of the shadow , the Sun risen in stead of the Day-star . Mr. B. goes on thus . But let us consider a little what is the Church ? Is it not the body of Christ ? Even all the Church since Adams fall , and the making of a new Covenant is one body of Christ : Even the visible Church is his visible body , as 1 Cor. 12. and many Scriptures fully shew ; therefore even the branches not bearing fruit are said to be in him , that is , in his visible body , Joh. 14.1 , 2 , 3. Now doth Christ break off all infants from his body , that he may come in the flesh to be a greater mercy to them ? What 's that , but to be a greater mercy then himself , who is the life , and welfare of the body ? Answ. The invisible Church is all one body of Christ ; the visible hath had such differences , that one part , to wit , those who feared God , and prayed continually , Acts 10 2. yet had no communion with the other , but were counted unclean , and shunned because uncircumcised , Acts 11 ▪ 2 , 3. The Church of the circumcised , which was by natural birth , is now broken off upon Christs comming ; and another Church by faith of all nations is raised ; Acts 10.34 , 35. in which infants are not till they believe ; who though they are of the invisible Church or body of Christ by election , and invisible operation of the spirit , yet are not of the visible till they profess faith in Christ as already come in the flesh , who was the great mercy promised to Abraham , Joh. 8.56 . in which he rejoyced although a great part of his natural seed were broken off ▪ and this was a greater mercy then was before exhibited , although then Christ was the life and welfare of the body . Again , saith Mr. B ▪ it seems by this , Mr. T. thinks that excommunication is a great mercy : If all the Jews infants had been excommunicate or cast out of the Church by God himself , it were no more then Christ did in mercy , never bringing them into any other Church in stead . Answ. Nothing said by me gives any occasion to this imputation : Excommunication , if just , I count a curse ; but the non taking of infants into the visible Church Christian hath nothing of a curse in it , it being onely an act of God according to his Soveraignty , who had liberty to appoint who should be of his Church , who not . Against this strange fiction , saith Mr. B. I argued thus : If ordinarily God shew not so great mercy to those out of the Church as to those in it , then it is not a greater mercy , or for the parties greater good to be put out , then to be in : But ordinarily God sheweth not so great mercy to those out of the Church as to those in it : Therefore it is not for their greater good , nor in greater mercy ▪ to be put out . To this Mr. T. answered nothing . Answ. What need I , when I grant the conclusion ? Mr. B. makes a strange fiction of his own , as if I thought excommunication , to be cast out or put out of the Church , a great mercy ; and held infants were excommunicated , cast or put out of the Church : Which is far from me , or any thing I say , who do not ▪ assert them put out by any judicial sentence , but by a free act of Gods soveraignty left out , for reasons best known to himself , but in part revealed to us . Mr. B. adds . I argued also thus : ●f those that are out of the Church since Christ , have no such promise or assurance of mercy from him , as those in the Church had before Christ , then it is not to them a great mercy to be out of the Church : But those out of the Church since Christ , have no such promise or assurance of mercy from him , as those in the Church had before Christ : therefore it cannot be to them a greater mercy . To this Mr. T. answered , that it is a greater mercy to infants since Christ to be out of the Church , then before to be in it ; and that they have as much assurance of mercy from Christ now , as then , ( he should say more . ) Answ. This answer was right ; infants now are in a better case , though not visible Christian churchmembers , then they were when in the Jewish Church , in which they were circumcised and obliged to Moses law ; and they have as much assurance of mercy from Christ , to wit , righteousness and life as then ; yea , more ( though I need not say so in contradiction to Mr. Bs. minor ) then before , sith Christs exhibition in the flesh is a greater assurance of saving mercy then was before . To which , saith Mr. B. I replied thus , If those infants which were in the Church before Christ , had God engaged in an oath and Covenant to be their God , and to take them for his peculiar people , and those infants out of the Church since Christ have no such thing ; then they before Christ in the Church had more assurance of mercy then those out of the Church since Christ : But the former is true , as I proved out of Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. upon which text , what vain altercations there were , and what words were used against the express Letter of the text , you shall see in the relation of the Dispute , if ● be called to publish it . Answ. For my part I shall not consent that Mr. B. publish the relation of the Dispute ▪ having found his dealing so injurious to me in that which he hath already done , and his partiality towards his opinion and party . I have looked over two such relations of the Dispute as I could get , and I finde in them that I did deny the minor , and when Mr. B. alledged Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. to prove it , I did distinguish of being God in respect of saving benefits , and thus God is engaged in Covenant to be God to infants now no visible Churchmembers as he was then , to wit to the elect onely , or in respect of outward advantages , such as were peculiar to the nation of the Jews , as that they should possess Canaan , have Gods worship and presence with them in a more special manner then other people , Christ to come out of that people , &c. as Rom. 9.4 , 5. the Apostle reckons them , and in this respect it was granted that infants in the Church before Christ had God so engaged , and that neither infants out of the Church Christian , no nor believers in it , no nor all believers afore Christ , such as Cornelius had God so engaged , and that in this respect the oath of God was meant , appeared from v. 13. which saith thus , that he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself , and that he may be unto thee a God as he hath said unto thee , and as he hath sworn unto thy Fathers , to Abraham , to Isaac , and to Jacob , which appears to be meant of their setling in Canaan and their prosperous state there , as many places evince , where it is mentioned particularly Gen. 12.7 . & 13.15 . & 15.8 . & 17.8 . & 22.17 . & 26.3 . & 28.13 , 14. Deut. 34.5 , &c. besides many other passages in the same speech of Moses , Deut. 29.16 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 27. Deut. 30.2 , 5.9 , 10 , 16 , 18. and most evidently the conclusion of it Deut. 30.20 . From which passages it is as evident as the light , that the meaning Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. was this , that God did bring into Covenant by Moses ( the chief standing for the rest ) the whole nation of Israel , that they might for themselves and their posterity unborn binde them to observe the lawes of Moses given in Horeb , and thereby be established a people to God , and he might be a God to them in setling , keeping and prospering them in Canaan , if they did obey . Now Mr. B. asserted that God did covenant with all the little ones and others there present , to be their God , and that in respect of spiritual benefits , and to that end , urged Deut. 30.6 . which he made conditional , and to other then the elect . Against which I urged , that [ to circumcise the heart ] is the same with writing Gods lawes in the heart Heb. 8.10 . which Dr. Twiss ▪ rightly concludes to be absolute and to the ●lect onely , and that to assert it to be conditional is Pelagianism , and I desired the Auditors to take notice of Mr. Bs. assertion in that thing : I confess I had not time to collect and to produce the texts here mentioned ( which was one reason why I was still averse from extemporary verbal disputes ) but this was the substance of that ●●●rcation which Mr. B. cals vain , and saith , words were used against the express letter of the text . Concerning which , although I will not undertake to justifie all I then said , yet the answer I then gave I stil avouch as right , and conceive Mr. Bs. assertion of circumcising the heart , to love the Lord , to belong to other then the elect , and to be conditional to be very erroneous , and refer the reader to Mr. Bs. own words in answer to Mr. Bedford in the Friendly accommodation pag. 361 , 362. to discern the errour of it . Mr. B. saith , I further add out of Ephes. 2.12 . Those that were aliens to the Commonwealth of Israel , were strangers to the Covenant of promises , and without hope , and without God : and there is no Scripture speaketh of delivering any from this sad state but Churchmembers ; therefore sure it can be no mercy to be put out of the Church . Answ. Though the conclusion were granted it hurts not me , who do not asserr the putting infants out of the Church , who were in , but the not taking of them into the visible Church Christian. However the text speaks of the Ephesians who were uncircumcised in the flesh v. 11. but doth not say that all that were uncircumcised , or aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel , were without God in the world . For it is certain that Cornelius and many other Proselytes uncircumcised , were not without God in the world , and therefore persons might then have Christ , though not be visible Churchmembers ; and if Mr. B. say , that none but visible members in the Christian Church have Christ , God , hope , he must damn all abortives and still born children of believers , and all those that are converted , ( and shew it not as dumb persons ) on their death-bed , or any other way , in articulo mortis . Again , saith he , God added to the Church such as should bee saved : therefore to be cast or put out of the Church is no known way of mercy . Answ. The conclusion is granted , and yet the text proves not that all who are added to the Church shall be saved , or that all that shall be saved , are or shall be added to the Church visible . Again , saith hee , the Church is the family of Christ ( even the visible Church is called the house of God 1 Tim. 3.15 . ) But it is no known way of mercy to be out of Gods house and family . Answ. I grant it , and yet a person may be in Christs house , and a temple to him ▪ and not a visible Churchmember . Again , saith he , the Church is the pillar and ground of Truth ; therefore no mercy to be taken off it . Answ. I grant it , yet doubt whether the Church be termed so , 1 Tim. 3.15 . and not rather either the mystery of Godliness v. 16. as Cameron de Eccles. c. de Eccles. durati , & de Eccl. Const. or Timothy as Gataker Cinni lib. 2. c. 20. Again , saith Mr. B. the Church visible , is the visible body of Christ ; but it is no mercy to be separated from Christs body . Answ. True , yet it may be a mercy in respect of the yoke of the law not to be in the visible Church Jewish , yea by accident it may be a mercy to be separated from a visible Church Christian as when the Church is tyrannous in its rule , or unsound in the doctrine taught to it . Again , saith he , the Church visible is Christs visible Kingdome : But it is no mercy to be out of Christs Kingdome ; therefore it is no mercy to be out of the Church . Answ. The same which was made to the former objection is to this . Lastly , saith Mr. B. Do but read all those hundred glorious things that are spoken of the City of God , all those high praises that are given to the Jewish Church , in Deut. and the Psalms , and all the Scriptures ( who is like unto thee O Israel , &c. ) And then read all the far more glorious things , that are spoken of the Gospel Church since Christ : And if after this you can still believe , that God did in mercy cast infants out of one Church and never take them into the other , and that Christ came in the flesh to put them out of the Church in mercy , as if he could fi●lier save them out of his Church then in it ; I say , if after reading the foresaid passages ▪ you can believe this , for my part I give you up as forlorn , and look upon your understandings in this as forsaken by God , and not onely void of spiritual illumination , but common reason : and pray the Lord to save the understandings of all his people from such a plague , and to rescue yours before you go further . Answ. I say not that God did in mercy cast infants out of one Church , nor that Christ came in the flesh to put them out of the Church in mercy , as if he could fitlier save them out of his Church then in it ; but that God never took them into his visible Church Christian , and that Christs comming in the flesh is a mercy recompensing the visible Churchmembership Jewish by birth , when God bra●e off that people from the olive for their unbelief , and that Christ can and doth as fitly save infants , though not in the visible Church Christian , as he did when they were in the visible Church Jewish , and yet fear not Mr. Bs. direful omen and sad despair of my understanding , but have as good hopes of mine and my followers understandings in this thing , as of Mr. Bs. and his followers , and leave it to the intelligent to judge , whether we are void not onely of spiritual illumination , but common reason . I have read what is said of Israel , and yet think it a mercy now not to bee a vi●●ble Churchmember in it , no not though it were now as it was in the best state under David , Solomon , &c. And I conceive Mr. B. hath read many hundreds of as glorious things spoken of Moses Law as of the Church , and yet I think Mr. B. counts it a mercy now not to be under it . I finde the glorious things spoken of the Gospel Church since Christ , meant all or most of it , as it contains that part which is the invisible Church of true believers or elect persons . And I judge God hath dealt mercifully with infants , if he put them into the invisible Church , though hee put them not into the visible , if not , either their being in the visible benefits them not or aggravates their condemnation . Mr. B. proceeds thus . But let us see what Mr. T. answers to this in his Sermon , which upon deliberation hee afterward preached to confute my arguments , and therefore ●anno● lay the blame upon his unpreparedness . And truly in my judgement he doth here plainly throw down his weapons , and give up the whole cause ( though not directly confessing his errour : he is not yet so happy : ) I were best give you his own words , lest I be thought to wrong him : they are these ; [ As for those petty reasons , if it be done , it must bee in mercy or judgement , I say in mercy in respect of the whole Catholike Church now Christ being come , and wee ha●ing a more spiritual churchstate then they had ; their churchstate was more carnal and fleshly , and agreeable to their time of minority : It is in mercy that it is taken away . And as for that exception , It cannot be taken away in mercy , unless some priviledge be to them in stead of it ▪ We answer , It is in mercy to the whole Church , though no priviledge be to them ] So far Mr. Ts. words . I confess I never heard a cause more plainly forsaken , except a man should say flatly , I have erred , or I recant ▪ 1. He much altereth the terms of my argument , as you may see by it before . The argument is thus ; It can be no mercy to any to have a mercy taken away from them , except it be to give a greater in its stead . But here is no greater mercy given to infants in stead of Churchmembership ; therefore it can be no mercy to them , that it be revoked , or taken away . To call these [ petty reasons ] is the onely strength of Mr. T. his answer . For I pray you mark . 1. Hee never den●ed the major proposition [ that it can be no mercy to any to have a mercy taken from them , except they may have a greater in stead : ] He could not deny this with any shew of reason : For otherwise , if it be a mercy meerly to deprive the creature of mercy , then wee shall turn hell into heaven , and make it the greatest place of mercies , because none are deprived of mercy so much as they , no nor of this particular mercy : for none are further removed from being members of the Church then the damned . Answ. It is true finding the boastings concerning Mr. Bs. dispute Janu. 1. 1649. to be many , after my return from Leimster ( to which place I was then designed and where I was Janu. 6. ) I did though without any copy of the disputation or arguments in writing ( which I could not obtain from Mr. B. ) as well as my memory could bear them away , in the close of my Afternoons Sermon , Jan. 13. at Bewdley , recite and refute his arguments in the disputation . Wherein it is true I was somewhat more deliberate then in the dispute , yet for want of the arguments in writing , I could not then give so full and exact an answer to his arguments as had been requisite , nor perhaps shall now to this , because Mr. B. doth not plainly set down though requested by me , what that benefit , priviledge , or mercy is , which he conceives annexed to infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed . But that either I throw down my weapons or forsake my cause by my answer then to this argument , is but Mr. Bs. dream . Of what alteration there was of the terms of his argument he must bear the blame , who would not give me his arguments in writing under his own hand ; nor am I to be blamed for drawing it so short , being fearful to wrong him by a fuller reciting , And I perceive I had great cause so to do , when I finde Mr. B. himself altering the terms of his own major in a few lines , in the former it is [ except it be to give a greater in its stead ] in the later [ except that they may have a greater in stead ] which are not the same . And for my answer ▪ if my terming his arguments [ petty reasonings ] had been mine onely answer , yet it had been a good and sufficient answer , if this be granted ( which I conceive an evident truth ) that of Divine institution , ( and such is this of visible Churchmembership ) there is no reason can be right but what is from Gods own appointment , though it may seem right to us it should be so . Papists argue that if God did not make one oecumenical Bishop ( as there was one High Priest among the Jews ) to preserve unity , non satis discretu● esset , he should not be discreet enough . Now this seems to our reason plausible , and yet we justly say , that in things positive our reason is deceivable , and Gods appointment onely is to be attended . And so it is in this ; though this reason of Mr. B. seem plausible , yet it were no forsaking the cause though I could not answer it any otherwise then thus , It is Mr. Bs. petty reasoning from his own conceits of what he imagines fi● in a matter of meer institution , concerning which it is nevertheless manifest from the History of the New Testament , that God hath appointed otherwise then is Gods way according to his reason ; which indeed is but arrogant presumption , when it prescribes to God. But I shall answer his argument more amply : And though I did not deny his major i● the Dispute or Sermon , I say , if it be understood o● a greater mercy in the same kind , and to the same persons , it is not true ; the believing Jews were deprived of their possessions in Judea in mercy , yet had not a greater me●cy in the same kind but another in the gifts of the spirit ; it was in mercy that the Priests converted to the faith were deprived of their office in the Temple , and their children of the portion of the offerings there , which were mercies to them , and yet no such office or portion provided for them and their children , but the benefit redound●d to the Gentiles converted , whose conversion was prayed for by David , Isaiah &c. and was a mercy to them , though their posterity might be broken off , and the national Church dissolved . I conceive that Gods ways are so free and various in this kind , that Mr Bs. ma●or cannot be universally true , not is Mr. Bs. reason cogent . For suppose God annihilate in mercy , there is no greater mercy given , yet Hell is not turned into Heaven , and made the greatest place of mercies , in this case there is a meer deprivation of mercy in mercy : But the thing is more apparent in deprivations of some temporal benefits . God may deprive in mercy , that is , not in judgement of some temporal benefit meerly because he will , out of his freedome to dispose of his own , yet give no greater mercy in stead of it then he should have had if that had not been taken away ; and that God doth not do so , who can say ? me thinks the Apostles determination , Rom. 11.34 . should satisfie that he doth . And yet Hell should not be the greatest place of mercies , for there is not onely a privation of temporal , but also of spiritual and eternal mercies , and that too with accumulation of torments , which is otherwise in the case proposed . And for the particular mercy of Church-membership , the infant visible Jewish Churchmembership was but a temporal mercy , and a comparative mercy in respect of the nations , it neither certainly assured their eternal , nor present welfare ; yea , when Christ came , considering how the nation of the Jews was against Christ , it was then rather their danger then their mercy , and was a recompenced sufficiently in being out of that Church , which consisted of a rebellious and gainsaying people ▪ and being , though not visible Churchmembers in the Christian society , yet in the families where the spirit of God was given , and Christ known . Mr. B. adds . 2. And observe next , that as Mr T. denieth not the major , so here be plainly grants the minor , and so yeelds the whole cause . For the minor was , [ that here is no greater mercy given to infants in stead of Churchmembership : ] Doth not Mr. T. acknowledge this ? when be saith twice over : 1. That it is a mercy to the whole catholick Church ( to have their infants put out of the Church : ) And so if the mercy be onely to the catholick Church , that they be none of the Church ( visible , ) then it is not to them a mercy : So that he taketh it to be a mercy onely to others , but none to them , according to this answer . 2. Yea , he saith it more plainly the second time , that it is in mercy to the whole Church , though no priviledge ( much less a greater mercy ) be to them ( to the infants themselves : ) So that for my part , I think I may well break off here , and take the whole cause as yeelded . For if it be no mercy to any to be deprived of mercy , except that they may have a greater : And if infants have no greater in stead of this , but onely their parents have a greater : and both these be confessed : then it must follow , that it is no mercy to infants to be deprived of this mercy of their Churchmembership ; and consequently , God hath not taken it from them in mercy for their good ( which is the thing I am proving : ) And Mr. T. yeeldeth that it is not taken from them in justice to their hurt : and therefore it is not taken from them at all . And thus you see what is become of the cause that hath been driven on with such confidence . Answ. However I onely denied the minor in the Dispute and Sermon , yet Mr. B. may see by the answer before , that here I deny his major in the first argument in this chapter , yea , and that he can prove that it is not in justice that the Churchmembership visible Jewish ceased , though I stil adhere to it , that it was in mercy ; and of this argument I have here denied the major , though I did not so before , and am ready to shew that I have not yeelded the minor , nor any whit of the cause , and therefore suppose Mr. B. hath need to manage his weapons better ere he gain this cause ; yea ▪ though he should have this argument yeelded , yet the cause is not gained , for the reason before given . But let us view his minor , and my answer . His minor is [ that here is no greater mercy given to infants in stead of Churchmembership , ] my answer was , That in mercy to the whole catholick Church the Jewish infant Church-membership ceased , and therefore the infant visible Churchmembership Jewish in mercy ceased . To understand his minor , it is to be observed that Mr. B. asserts 1. a law or ordinance of infants visible Church-membership antecedent to that of Circumcision . 2. That this is by promise and precept . 3. That this infant visible Churchmembership essentially contains a right to Gods soveraignty , Christs headship , favour , protection , provision , and other blessings due from such a Soveraign and head to his members . 4. That this belonged not onely to the infants of the Jewish nation , but also of believers in all ages . 5. That this mercy belonged to the infants of the believers of the Jewish nation when they were made Christians , and so could not be in justice taken from them , though the nation of the Jews were broken off for unbelief . 6. That in mercy it cannot be said to be taken away , without a greater mercy to the infants of believrs in stead of it . 7. That the comming of Christ in the flesh , the extent of the Church over the world through faith , the changing of Churchmembership by birth into that by faith , and so making the Church more spiritual , is not a greater mercy to the infants of Jew believers in stead of that visible Church-membership . 8. That without visible Churchmembership in the Christian Church catholick , the infants of Jew believers are in worse case then they were in the Jewish Church national . On the contrary , I deny 1. such a law or ordinance . 2. That the Hebrew infant visible Churchmembership was by promise and precept . 3. That this visible Churchmembership contained essentially such a right as Mr. B. asserts ; though it was a mercy in comparison of the state of other nations , yet thereto was annexed a heavy yoke of legal impositions , the deliverance from which was a mercy , and in this respect it was in mercy not continued to believers infants of the Jewish nation . 4. That it belonged to any other infants then of the Hebrew people . 5. I assert that when the Jewish nation or Hebrew people were broken off for unbelief in Christ ; visible Churchmembership of infants was in justice taken away from the whole people , and consequently from the infants of Jew believers , who were onely visible Churchmembers as a part of that nation , yet in mercy to them sith their visible Churchmembership in that nation was dangerous to them , yea inconsistent with Christianity , the Jewish nation being a rebellious and gainsaying people : as it was a mercy for Lot to be in Sodom , and he was in justice to the place outed ; and yet in mercy to himself , when it was to be destroyed . 6. I assert , that it might be truly said that the infant Jewish visible Churchmembership may be said to be taken away in mercy ●rom the infants of believers of that nation , though no greater mercy were given to those particular infants of the same kind barely in stead of it . 7. I assert , that it cannot be said to be taken away in justice from infants of believing Gentiles , sith it was never granted to any Gentile nation to be Gods visible Church , nor were their infants visible Churchmembers , except by proselytism they were incorporated into the Jewish people . 8. I assert , that the not taking in of believing Gentiles infants into the visible Church Christian was not an act judiciary of God as a Judge , but Gods free act of soveraignty changing Churchmembership by birth into Churchmembership by faith . 9. I assert , that the comming of Christ in the flesh , and the consequents thereof , the breaking down the partition wall , taking in the Gentiles by faith , &c. without taking in infants into the visible Church Christian , were greater me●cies then the Jewish infant Churchmembership ( which was clogged with legal burdens , and was an imperfect state ) and did abundantly countervail the Jewish infant visible Churchmembership in the best state of that , and did bring as much benefit to infants as that relation did . 10. That the infants of believing Gentiles no members of the visible Church Christian are not in worse but be●ter condition , in respect of any real Evangelical blessing , then the Hebrew infants were with their Churchmembership . 1. Because the spiritual blessings of regeneration , in dwelling of the spirit ▪ justification , remission of sins , adoption , Gods favour , protection , provision , eternal life , are as much assured to them in infancy without visible Churchmembership , as they were with it . 2. They do actually enjoy sooner these mercies , if in the invisible Church ( without which none ever enjoyed them ) and in more ample m●nner without Jewish visible Churchmembership , then they did with it , the spirit being now more powred out , the G●spel cleared , the Ch●rch enl●rged , onely legal ceremonies , and rest in Canaan wit● prosperity therein being taken away . Mr. B. and the reader hereby may fully understand what I deny , and what I grant , and how I answer this his petty reasoning without yeelding the cause , and when he hath refuted these ass●rtions , le● him sing his triumph , and not as he vainly and insolently doth afore the victory . He adds . But yet let us follow it further . And 1. what means Mr. T. to talk of mercy to others , when our question is , Whether it be a mercy to themselves to be unchurched ? 2. ●y this arguing be may prove any thing almost in the world a mercy : For all shall work together for good to them that love God , Rom. 8.28 . And therefore if I should ask him , whether it be in mercy to wicked men , that God giveth them over to themselves , and at last damneth them ▪ Mr. T. may thus answer that it is ▪ for it is a mercy to the whole catholick Church , that is , to other men : but what is this to the damned ? So Mr. T. saith , It is a mercy to the whole catholicke Church : But what is that to infants who are unchurched ? Answ. 1. What I mean , he may if he please discern by what is here said , and in what sense infants may be said to be unchurched , and how it may be a mercy to them and others . 2. The damnation of themselves cannot be a mercy to wicked men when it is a benefit to the elect , because it never produceth them good : But the mercy to the catholick Church is a mercy to believers infants , 1. in that it frees them from legal burthens ; 2. in that there is a near capacity and probability of the best good for them remaining in their parents or others godly families . He adds . And what a strange reason is that of Mr. T. to say , It is a mercy , because their Churchstate was carnal ▪ fleshly and agreeable to their minority ; but ours is spiritual . ] What is this to them that are put out of that carnal Churchstate , and kept out of this spiritual Churchstate too ? If they had been admitted into this better state ( as no doubt they are ) then he had said somewhat . Else is not this as great a mercy to the poor off cast Jews ? They are put out of the carnal Churchstate too . But did God give so many admirable Elogies of the Jews Church ; and can Mr. T. yet think that it is better to be of no visible Church , then to be of theirs ? Answ. I alledge the more spiritual Churchstate as one reason of Gods changing of churchmembership by birth into churchmembership by faith , and as a mercy to the catholick Church ; For thereby they are free from the bondage they were in under carnal ordinances , which infants are partakers of in actual possession , and capable of the spirit , though they be not actually visible churchmembers ; and therefore it is not true that by my doctrine they are kept out of the spiritual church-state . And Mr. B. doth much mistake , as if the carnal churchstate the Jew had when Christ was come was a priviledge or benefit : For though many admirable Elogies were given by God of the Jews Church , yet none of them were given of it in Christs time , they were a rebebellious and gainsaying peo●le , a generation of vipers , denied the holy one , and the just , and desired a murtherer , made the temple a den of theeves , &c. And therefore I verily think it was better then to be of no visible Church , then to be of theirs . As for the Jews who believed not , they were justly put out of Gods favour , their temple was destroyed , and they cast out of their land for denying Christ : Yet they were not put out of their carnal churchstate actually ; for they adhere to it unto this day , and it is their curse . 4. Saith Mr. B. And where did Mr. T. learn in Scripture to call the Jews churchstate carnal ? Answ. From 1 Cor. 10.18 . where the nation of the Jews are called Israel after the flesh , in contradistinct●on to the Israel of God or in the Spirit , Rom. 9.6 . Gal. 6.16 . From Rom. 2.28 , 29. where there is distinction of the Jew outwardly from the Jew inwardly , of Circumcision , which is outward in the flesh , from Circumcision that is of the heart in the spirit , not in the letter . From Gal. 4.25 , 26 , 23 , 29. where Hierusalem that then was is contradistingued to Hierusalem above , and the former is in bondage with her children , the later free , the children of the former born after the flesh , the later after the spirit . From Gal. 3.3 . where to be of faith is to begin in the spirit , to be of the works of the law is to be perfect by the flesh . From Ephes. 2.11 . where their circumcision is termed circumcision in the flesh made by hands . From Philip. 3.3 , 4 , 5. where Hebrew discent , and churchmembership thereby are termed the flesh . From Heb. 9.10 . where their ordinances are termed carnal ordinances . I had thought this had been so well known to Mr. B. that it needed not proof . But he further demands , Or what doth he mean by churchstate ? whether the essential nature of the Church it self ? or any carnal ordinances of worship which were accidental to it ? Is not this word [ churchstate ] like his former of [ church call ] devised terms to darken the matter with ambiguities , and signifying what pleaseth the speaker . Answ. Neither the term [ Church state ] nor [ Church call ] were devised by me , but are terms ordinary in the writings of Divines . I have shewed the use of the later before , and proved that the Church hath its denomination and definition from it , and that according to Mr. B. himself : And for the former , me thinks Mr. B. should not be ignorant of it , who its likely knows a Book of learned Dr. Usher , intituled , De visibilis Ecclesiae successient & statu . And to imagine it to be devised to darken the matter with ambiguities is one of Mr. Bs. evil surmises , when the word is as apposite for its use as any term I think Mr. B. can give in stead of it ; and if it signifie what pleases the speaker , it is so much the better , for that is the use of words ; and this later accusation acquits it from darkening the matter with ambiguities , if it signifie ; for that which signifies the speakers mind doth give light , and not darken with ambiguities : So ridiculous is Mr. Bs. accusation , that his later words cross his former . And to help Mr. Bs. understanding if I can , I tell him I mean by it neither the essential nature of the Church it self , nor any carnal ordinances of worship which were accidental to it ; but the manner of being or qualification incident to it from providence , whereby it is denominated flourishing or decaying , numerous or small , rich in knowledge or poor , carnal or spiritual by reason of the way of entry into it as natural descent or faith , more or less of the spirit , the promises , ministery , rites , &c. it hath . Which term [ state ] comprehends innumerable terms , such as are rich and poor , noble or ignoble , fat or lean , and many more ; which whether they are to be reduced to the predicaments of quality , relation , or passion , or to be called modi entis I leave it to Logicians to determine , I hope this will serve to indoctrinate Mr. B. in the meaning of my speech . But Mr. B. is resolved to follow me with more questions , which he must not expect I will answer , as I have done , after this bout . 5. Saith he , And how long might I wait before Mr. T. would prove from Scripture , that it is a mercy to the whole catholick Church to have all infants put out or unchurched ? These are the men that make their followers believe that we have no Scripture for our cause , when themselves give us but their magiste●ial dictates . But I wonder whence he should fetch such a Dream . What ? are infants such ●●ads or Vipers in comparison of men of years , that it is a mercy to the whole catholicke Church to have them cast out ? Are not the aged worse then they ? And were we not once all infants ? Answ. I say not that all infants are put out of the catholick Church , and so need not prove it ; nor had I asserted it was it either in the Dispute or Sermon my work to prove what I said by way of answer , but for Mr. B. to disprove it . Yet what I assert is distinctly before set down , not without some proof from Scripture ; and I may wait long afore either I shall finde his pretended ordinance of infant visible Churchmembership unrepealed proved from Scripture , or my assertions disproved by any solid arguments without idle questions , and vain exclamations , which I resolve to neglect . And of the former sort are the questions here , which insinuate as if I conceived it were a mercy to the catholick Church that infants are not in the visible Church Christian as members , because they are Toads , Vipers , worse then the aged ; whereas I onely say , that the dissolving of the Jewish Church national ( in which and by reason of which infants were visible Churchmembers , and no otherwise ) was in mercy to the catholick Church : Which is the very doctrine of the Apostle , Rom. 11.11 , 12. that through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles , the fall of them is the riches of the world , the diminishing , decay or loss of them the riches of the Gentiles . Which happened not through the wickedness of infants above other men ; but partly through the wickedness of the Jewish people ( of which the infants were a part , and onely Churchmembers there , and while that nation were Gods Church ; ) partly through Gods contrivance , which was , that the Gentiles should have their course of mercy while the Jews were broken off , and at last both have mercy in their season . Mr. B. goes on in his cavilling vein . If this doctrine be true , why may we not expect to be taught , that infants must also be cast out of heaven , in mercy to the whole catholick Church ? Answ. Beca●se we find no such taught by the Apostle as the other doctrine of mine concerning the mercy to the catholick Church is by breaking off ●he Jewish Church . If i● be ( saith he ) no carnal Churchstate to have infants in heaven , why is it a carnal Churchstate which containeth infants in it on earth ? Answ. That any are infants in heaven it s not likely . 2. If there should be , yet being fully sanctified , they should not be carnal , but spiritual , and the Church there onely consist of spiritual persons by spiritual regeneration ; whereas if the Church Christian should consist of infant visible Churchmembers by carnal generation , the state of it would be carnal as the Jewish was , and not spiritual by faith , as the Scripture makes it , Joh. 1.12 , 13. & 3.5 , 6. Gal. 3.26 , 27. Again , saith Mr. B. And if it be no benefit to the Catholike Church to have infants kept out of heaven , nor no hurt to the Church to see them there ; why should it be a benefit to the whole Church to have them kept on earth ? or any hurt to the Church to see them here members ? Answ. It were no hurt if God had so ordered it ; their non-visible Christian Churchmembership is a benefit to the Catholike Church in the manner before said , because God hath so ordered it . But yet ( saith Mr. B. ) let us come a little nearer ; what ever it may be to enemies or to man-haters ( of which sort the Church hath none ) yet me thinks to those that are love as God is love , and that are merciful as their heavenly fa●her is merciful , and who are bound to receive little children in Christs name , and who are become as children themselves ; to such it should seem no such mercy to have all infants unchurched . But such are all true members of the Church ; and therefore to the Church it can be no such mercy . Answ. I wish it were true that the visible Church ( of which we are speaking ) hath no enemies or man-haters . It is not true that wee are bound to receive little children in Christs name ; nor do I say that it is a mercy to have all infants unchurched ▪ or that they are all unchurched ; nor do I think it true th●t all true members of the Church visible , are such as Mr. B. describes . But this I say , the non-visible Church-membership Christian of infants is such a mercy as I describe , however it seem to the Church . But yet nearer ; saith Mr. B. Whatsoever it may be to strangers , yet me thinks to the parents it should seem no such mercy to have their children put out of the Church : Hath God naturally planted such tender affections in parents to their children ? and doth grace increase it ? and the Scripture encourage it ? and yet must they take it for a mercy , that their children are put out ? when Mr. T. will not say it is a mercy to the children . Answ. To the parents notwithstanding their natural affection , it is a mercy , and ought to seem a mercy , that God hath dissolved the Jewish National visible Churchmembership , and by consequent their infant visible Churchmembership , and hath freed them and their infants from the legal bondage , and hath out of all nations gathered his Church by preaching the Gospel , without admission of infants into the visible Church Christian. And surely if this reason were good , parents might complain that their children are not admitted to the Lords supper as the Jews children were to the Passeover . Yet further , saith he , why then hath God made such promises to the parents for their seed ? as if much of the parents comfort lay in the welfare of the children ; if it be a mercy to them that they are kept out of the Church ▪ may not this doctrine teach parents to give their children such a blessing as the Jews did ? His bloud be on us and our children . For their curse is to be broken off from the Church ; and if that be a mercy , the Jews are then happier then I take them to be : And how can we then pray , that they may be graffed in again ? Answ. I find no promises in all the New Testament , much less Evangelical promises , made to believing parents for their seed , nor any whit of the comforts of parents in the New Testament in the welfare of their children , but in Christ and in the fellowship of the spirit , Phil. 2.1 . Yea , whereas in the Old Testament most of the promises were of increase of children , their prosper●●y , rest and peace in their dwellings , &c. in the New Testament an unmarried estate , if without sin , is rather preferred as more happy , 1 Cor 7.14 . and the poor and persecuted rather adj●dged blessed then the rich and those that live in p●ace , Matth 5.4 , 10. However parents have as much comfort by my doctrine rightly understood , as they can have by Mr. Bs. Nor doth it teach parents to curse their children as the Jews did . The curse of the Jews was not in being broken off from the Jewish Church national , but in being not in the Olive , that is the Church of true believers , but in the national Church Jewish ; and that they were not broken off from it , was their unhappiness : and we are to pray , not that they may be graffed in again into the national Church Jewish , but into the invisible Church of true believers and elect persons . 6. Saith Mr. B. But what if all this were true ? Suppose it were a mercy to the whole Church to have infants put out ; yet it doth not follow that God would do it . He is the God of infants , as well as of the aged ; and is mercifull to them as well as others ; all souls are his : He can shew mercy to the whole Church in an easier way then by casting out all their infants : And his mercy is over all his works . Answ. God is the God of the spirits of all flesh , yet he hath not mercy on all flesh ; all souls are his , yet he did not take any one nation for his people besides the Jewish ; his mercy is over all his works , yet he hath broken off the Jews from being his people ; he is naturally mercifull , yet sheweth mercy freely as he will. I say not , he casteth out all infants of the Church out of the Church ; yet sure if it were supposed a mercy to the whole Church to have infants put out , it seems to follow that God would do it , sith all things work for their good , and with his son he gives them all things , Rom. 8.28 , 32. 1 Cor. 3.22 , 23. I will tell you , saith Mr. B. how Mr. T. followeth this with examples . He saith , [ that the release of the Jews servants , and the consecration of the Nazarites and first born , and the land of Canaan , were all priviledges , and yet these are taken away . ] To which I answer : There are abundance far greater given in their stead : And what is that then to those that have nothing in their stead ? Besides , if Mr. T. think that the mercy of Churchmembership is of as low a nature as to be Nazarites , or to have Canaan , he is much mistaken . Answ. Not onely these , but other examples , as namely of the Priests and Levites children , who were by inheritance to attend at the Tabernacle , and to be nourished by the offerings , and to be Priests ; instead of which , Ministers infants have now no particular mercy , they are not visibly in the order of Priests , as the infants of Aarons house were : Of the poor , who had tythes and corners of fields , and sheaves fallen , and other provision , and so had the stranger ; do shew , that a mercy was taken aw●y from infants of Israel , and no particular mercy in the same or the like kind given to infants of Christian people or Ministers in their stead . When Mr. B. sh●ws what those abundance for greater mercies are , which are given in the stead of the release of the Hebrew servants even infants , the restoring their inheritances at the year of Jubilee , the consecration of Nazarites and first born even infants , the reckoning the children of the Priests as heirs to the priesthood , provision for them ▪ the poor , the strangers ; it is likely the same he alledgeth will serve to sh●w how infants visible Churchmembership is recompensed by the mercies now given to the whole Church and them . Nor do I think I am mistaken in counting the mercy of infants visible Churchmembership to be of as low a nature as to be consecrated as Nazarites , or ●he first born male which was to be presented to God , or to be reck●ned by discent Priests ; but am sure Mr. B. doth over-value the Jew●sh infant visible Churchmembership , and thereby misleads himself and others : And therefore I desired him in my Letter to set down distinctly what was the benefit and priviledge of infant visible Church-membership which he asserted ; the refusal whereof ( when he desired to have a copy of my Sermon , that he might ( as his fashion is ) cavil , rather then answer it ) shews his unwillingness to have his tenet examined , that truth might appear . He adds . But he saith [ that it was a priviledge to the Jews to be owned as Gods people distinct from the rest of the world , while others were passed by , yet this is repealed in mercy to us Gentiles . ] Answ. In my distinctions before you may find this answered . 1. Then it was no mercy to the Jews you think , but to us Gentiles : But our question is , whether it be a mercy to the unchurched infants ? 2. The Jews being a Church and people of God , was a mercy ; and this God took not from any of them , but those that cast it away : But the restraction of this to them , and the exclu●●on of the Gentiles , was no mercy to them , and this onely ( with the ceremonial accidents ) did God take away by the charge of his Laws . It would have been rather an ad●i●ion to the happiness of the believing Jews , to have the Gentiles taken in , by taking down the partition wall : And so it will be when the Jews are graffed in again , and both made one body . Why else doth the Jewish Church pray for her little sister that had no breasts ? And Noah pray , that God would perswade Japhet to dwell in the tents of Sem ? Though the restriction therefo●e and the exclusion ( which are no mercies to the Jews ) be taken away , yet no mercy i● taken from them , but what is supplied with a far grea●er in Christ : And though they partake not of these , yet that is because of their o●n unbelief , who reject it , and not because the new law doth exclude them : For God hath in his new law or Covenant made a deed of gift of Chri●● and all his benefits , to all that will receive him , whether Jew or Gentile , without excluding or excepting any . And for his denying to particular persons the grace of conversion , that is nothing to our present business , as belonging to decree , and not to any change in the laws : And it was denied to many before Christ , and granted to many thousands Jews since Christ ; and shall be at last to far more . Answ. The vanity of his distinctions is shewed before ; the repeal of the priviledge of the Jews mentioned was in mercy to the Jew believer , though chiefly to the Gentiles , and the infants of both , but in justice to the Jewish nation . The Jews being a Church and people of God , was a mercy , an● to be the onely nation that were Gods people , was an agravation of it : and this God took away from believers , they were put out of the Jewish Church national , Joh. 9.22 . It was a mercy that the Jews were the onely nation God took for his people , and this God did take away , not by change of his laws , though that followed , but by his severity , R●m . 11.22 . breaking off that nation from the Olive . It would have been a happiness to the believing Jews , to have had the Gentiles taken in without dissolving the national Church Jewish , if God had thought it good ; but he otherwise determining , it was a mercy to the catholick Church , that they were dissolved . If no mercy be taken from them , but what is supplied with a far greater in Christ ; then Christ in the flesh is , instead of the Jewish Church national , and consequently of the infants visible Churchmembership therein , a far greater mercy , which I said before , and Mr. B. gainsaid . That in Gods new Covenant there 's no deed of gift of Christ but to the elect , is proved before . Mr. B. ends thus . And thus you have heard all that Mr. T. upon deliberation hath said to this argument . And yet ( would any man think it ? ) he concludeth that [ that this abundant clear answer to all alledged from the visible Churchmembership of the children of the Jews . ] O never let my soul be tainted with this errour , which so strangely bereaves men of common ingenuity ! Answ. Let my answer and Mr. Bs. argument be compared , and the Reader judge of our ingenuity . I for my part hope and pray that God will never leave me to be carried away with such frivolous reasonings as these of Mr. B. are . SECT . LXV . Mr. Bs. Argum. from Matth. 23.37 . Revel . 11.15 . for infants visible Churchmembership Ch. 12 , 13. are answered . I Have answered Mr. Bs. 7th , 8th , 9th , 10th , 11th . Chapters of the first part of his Book of Baptism in this Review , Part. 1. Sect. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. I think it not needful as yet to make reply to the exceptions against my answers , and therefore go on to answer Mr. Bs. 12th . Chapt. which begins thus . My 7th . Arg. shall be drawn from Matth. 23.37 , 38 , 39. From whence I argue thus ; If Christ were so tender over Jerusalem that he would have gathered them as a Hen gathereth her Chickens , then surely he would not have put them or their infants out of the Church ( or repealed the merciful gift and ordinance of their Churchmembership . But Christ was so tender of them , that he would have so gathered Jerusalem , &c. Therefore sure hee would not have unchurched their infants . The antecedent is the words of the Lord Jesus : The reason and strength of the consequence lieth here . 1. It is not some particular Jews that Christ would have gathered to himself ( and so into his Church as accomplished with higher priviledges then before : ) but it was Jerusalem , whole Jerusalem ( which is usually put for all Judea and the Jewish Nation ) now if Jerusalem were gathered , then infants must needs be gathered . I know nothing of any moment that can be said against this ; but leave it to any tender conscience to judge , whether it be likely that Christ should have unchurched all their infants , when he would have gathered to himself the whole nation , or whole Jerusalem . If that contemptible answer should here bee again returned [ that Christ would have gathered them onely into the invisible Church ] I have answered it before ; they that are visibly or apparently gathered into the invisible Church , are gathered also thereby into the visible : And if all Jerusalem had been gathered , it had been doubtless a visible gathering : O that I could see as clear evidence for many other controverted truths , as I see in these words of the Lord Jesus , to convince me , that hee would have gathered all Jerusalem into his visible Church , and cons●quently not have unchurched all their infants : I should tremble to think of resisting so plain testimonies of God. If Christs own words will not serve , I know not what will. If any say , that by Jerusalem is meant onely the aged of Jerusalem ; I answer : It is vain to call for Scripture if they dare contradict it at pleasure ; or so make it speak onely what they list . It is not fully a nation or City without the infants . Besides , Jerusalem had inchurched infants when Christ so spake ; therefore how could his words be otherwise understood by them , unless hee had excepted infants . 2. Yet further , Christ doth not in vain use the similitude of a Hen gathering her Chickens ; The Hen gathereth the youngest most tenderly : Yea how long will she sit the very Egs ? Now who dare expound thi● thus ? As a Hen gathereth her young ones under her wings , so I would have gathered the aged of you , but none of your young ones visibly . 3. And doth not their leaving of their house desolate , mean the Temple , and so the unchurching them , till they say , Blessed i● hee that commeth in the Name of the Lord : and ●he● Jerusalem ( and therefore infants ) shall bee inchurched again ? So CHRIST JESUS himself hath made me believe that he would have gathered all Jerusalem , but unchurched none of them . Answ. It is not CHRIST JESUS , but Mr. Bs. own shall●wness or prejudice that makes him believe that here is a●y thing for infants visible Churchmembership . That Jerusalem is usually put for all Judea and the Jewish nation , is more then I finde . But that by Jerusalem and her children are not meant infants , is apparent from the text . 1. They are meant by Jerusalem who killed and stoned them that were sent , but they were not infants , Ergo. 2. Becau●e the way whereby Christ would have gathered Jerusalem was by preaching the Gospel to them , as is manifest 1. in that hee used no other way . 2. This was the way which he often attempted , which is implied in the phrase , how often would I ? 3. This is the way they refused , implied in the phrase [ and ye would not ] that is , yee would not obey my admonitions of repentance nor believe the Gospel ; and so Piscator annal ▪ loci saepissimè & benignissimè à me admoniti , non tamen obtemporare voluistis . 4. From vers . 34.35 . where the way by which hee would have gathered them , seems to bee by sending Prophets , and Wise men , and Scribes or Apostles Luk. 11.49 . to them , which were not sent to infants . How oft would I have g●thered ? That is ( say some ) by the external ministery of the Prophets sent unto thee , vers . 34 , 35. Trap● on Matth. 23.37 . 5. The often attempt of gathering here , is the same with the visitation , or over sight Luke 19.44 . as the agreement of the expressions and matter in both places compared e●idently shews , now that was by teaching , Luke 1.78 , 79. And thus the New Annot. Of thy visitation ] as if he had said in thy visitation , in which God manifested himself in my person offering thee mercy . 6. Thus Protestant Divines often expound it , answering Arminians and others , inferring hence resistability of converting grace by mans free●will ; as Diodati in his annot . on Matth. 23.37 . expresseth their minde , Wee must of necessity understand this to bee meant of the dispensation of outward means by the word ▪ exhortations , commandments , &c. Now it cannot be said that Christ would have this way gathered the infants of Jerusalem , for hee had said he often by his own , and Prophets and Apostles preaching would or attempted to do it . But this he would nor nor attempted to do to infants , Ergo , they are not meant under the term [ Jerusalem . ] 3. This is proved also from the end of his gathering , which was , that they might bee his Disciples , but hee never would or did gather any infants to him as his Disciples , Ergo. 4. It is proved also thus . Those onely are meant by Jerusalem , whom Christ would have gathered but they would not : But this cannot be said of infants , that they would not , there was no nilling of Conversion in them , Ergo. 5. They are mea●t by Jerusalem who are meant by the City Luk. 19.41 . and there they are meant , who v. 42. might have known in that their day the things belonging to their peace , but then they were hid from their eyes . Who knew not the time of their visitation , v. 44. But this is not meant of infants , Ergo. In answer therefore to Mr. Bs. argument altering the termes [ put out , unchurch , which my doctrine doth not assert ] into [ repeal the ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership ▪ or leave out of his visible Church ] I deny the consequence of his major , and deny that which he alledgeth for proof of it , that by Jerusalem is mean● all the people of Jerusalem , even the infants . And to his wish , I return a wish ▪ O that I could see as clear evidence for many other controverted tru●hs , as I see in these words to convince me that Christ means no● infants by those he would have gathered unto him , and though I would not have Mr. B. of any man to turn Quaker , yet I think he should rather tremble at the allegation of this text so impertinent to his purpose , and not understand by [ Jerusalem ] Synecdochically the persons of years . Nor would this be any more to contradict the Scripture at pleasure , or to make it speak onely what we list , then for him to understand by [ Jerusalem ] Synecdochically ( as he doth ) the Jewish nation , or by [ Jerusalem ] to understand metonymically the people , even the infants of the City . To make the interpreting of speeches by tropes a contradicting them , or making them speak what they list is such a ●oolery , as I should rather have imagined to have come from some woman or Lay-preacher , then from a man of such magnified learning as Mr. B. is , had I not found it printed in his Book . As for what he saith , it is not fully a nation or city without infants , though it were true ( as it is not ) yet that proves not that infants are meant in every speech of a nation or city , any more then Math. 24.7 . infants shall rise against infants , because nation shall rise against nation , or Matt. 21.10 . infants were moved saying , who is this ? because the whole city was moved , saying , who is this ? And hereby it may he seen how easily Christ might be understood without including infants , and so much the more easily , because though infants were in the Jewish Church , yet Christ who spa●e not of gathering into the Jews Church , but to himself ( in whose visible Church were no infants ) might be the more readily conceived to except infant● , yea if he had meant infants could not be well understood by them . And for his challenge , I answer , I dare thus expound his gathering , of gathering onely the aged into his visible Church , if Mr. B. imagine ( as he doth ) the similitude of a Hen to be used in vain if infants be not meant , because the Hen gathereth the youngest , by this reason Christ should use the similitude in vain if he would gather any other then infants , sith the hen gathereth not hens and old cocks under her wings , but onely little chickens . Me thinks by leaving their house desolate , Mr. B. should not mean the unchurching them . For then it will follow , that all the Jewish nation were unchurched ( for so he will have meant by Jerusalem ) which will overthrow many of his conceits about making Jewish and Gentile Churches one body , the same ▪ the Church not broken off , &c. and prove afore he is aware the repeal of his pretended ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership . But enough of the silly insipid arguings ( if I may use his language ) of this Chapter , let 's see whether the next have any better . Ch. 13. My 8th . arg . saith Mr. B. is from Rev. 11.15 . If the Kingdoms of this world , either are or shal be the Kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ ; then infants also must be members of his Kingdom : ( and consequently the gift and ordinance for their churchmembership is not repealed . ) But the antecedent is the words of the text . What can be said against this that is sense or reason ? If they say , that by [ Kingdoms ] is meant [ some part of the Kingdoms ] excluding all infants : I say such men need not look into the Scripture for their faith : They may make their own Creed on these terms , let Scripture say what it will : I know some places of Scripture may be produced , where the word Kingdom and Jerusalem , &c. is taken for a part : but if wee must take words always improperly , because they are so taken sometime , then wee shall not know how to unde●stand any Scripture , and humane language will become useless ; and by this any man may put by any Testimony of Scripture , though it were to prove the most fundamental truth : As the Arrians put off all testimonies for the Godhead of Christ , because Magistrates are called Gods. But the circumstances of this text do evince to us , that Christ speaketh properly of whole Jerusalem and whole Kingdoms , and not improperly of any part onely . 2. If they say , that [ by Kingdom of Christ ] is not meant the Church of Christ , they then speak against the constant phrase of the Scripture ; which cals Christs Kingdom his Church and Conversim : Christ is King and Saviour of the same society . What is Christs Kingdom but his Church ? I know the Kingdome of Christ is more large and more special : but here it cannot be meant of his Kingdom in the larger sense , as he is de jure , onely King ( in regard of voluntary obedient subjects ) nor as hee over ruleth common societies and things : For so the Kingdoms of the world were ever the Kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ , and it could not be said that now they are become so . So that for any thing I can see , this text alone were sufficient to decide the controversie , whether infants must b●e Church-members . Answ. 1. I think this may bee said with sense and reason , yea and clear evidence out of the text , that by [ Kingdoms of the world , Kingdoms of our Lord and his Ch●ist , or as some copies have it , the Kingdom of the world is become ] is not meant the men or members of either Kingdoms , and so neither infant , nor adult persons , but the dominion , power , rule it self which the men of the world had usurped , chiefly Antichrist , which was Christs before of right , but not till then become his by actual ▪ full , and peaceable possession , his enemies or the chief of them being no● till then subdued , but tyranizing over his subjects . And though I confess the term connotes men over whom Christ should have rule , yet the persons ov●r whom Christ should rule then , were not onely the Church , but also his enemies , whom he should subdue , and keep under , and judge , Revel ▪ 2 26 , 27. That by [ Kingdome ] is meant Rule , is manifest from many places , M●tth . 6.10 , 13. John 18.36 . Heb. 1.8 . so Revel . 17.17 , 18. And that this is the meaning here , seems to me to be manifest , 1. from that which is added , and he shall reign for ever and ever ; which being the consequent of the Kingdome or Kingdomes of the world becomming our Lords and his Christ , it shews , that the Kingdomes note the rule or dominion whereby he reigns , not the persons over whom he reigns . 2. The same is confirmed from v. 17. where the same thing is expressed in those words , We give thee thanks , O Lord God almighty , which art , and wast , and art to come , because thou hast taken to thee thy great power , and hast reigned : And wh●rein that is , is expressed v. 18 , in judging all , rewarding his servants , destroying the corrupters of the earth . 3. From ch . 12.10 . where again the same or like thing is expressed thus , Now is come salvation and strength or power and the Kingdome of our God , and the power or authority of his Christ ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down : Where Kingdome and power are put together , to shew , that by the Kingdome is not meant the persons over whom the rule is , but the rule it self . 4. It is so to be understood where it is mentioned as I conceive in the sense meant Revel . ●1 . 15 . as namely 1 Cor. 15.24 . 2 Tim. 4.1 . and other places . 5. Thus Diodati in his Annot. on Revel . 11.15 . The Kingdomes ] that is to say , Now God reigneth with his son , and that absolutely having subdued all his enemies . 1 Cor. 15.24 . that I omit others . 6. This sense is the more confirmed , if it be read as some copies have it , the Kingdome of this world is become . On the other side Mr. Bs. interpretation seems to me either not sense , or not true . For then it should be thus , All the Kingdomes of the world , that is every person in the world , should be Christs Church , that is , a society of persons separated from the world to God , or called out of the world , &c. as he defines the Church , of Baptism , pag. 82. Now can this be good sense to be all the world , the Kingdomes of the world , and to be called or separated from or out of the world ? Can all the world be separated from the world ! And there is no truth in this interpretation , sith it never was nor shall be , that the kingdomes of the world , that is , every person old and young in all the kingdomes of the world , shall become Christs Church . For then Christ should have no enemies to remove out of his Kingdome , contrary to the Parable , Matth. 13.30 . expounded v. 38.39 , 40 , 41 , 42. Now if this be the sense , then it makes nothing for infants visible Churchmembership , nor by [ kingdomes ] is all the members of a kingdome meant , and so infants , but both the consequence of Mr. Bs. major is justly denied , and the inference from the consequent of it . For if it be meant of Christs rule ( as the texts shew ) though it connote the persons over whom the rule is , yet they are not thereby proved Churchmembers ; for in the sense there meant , the rule or reign is over enemies as well as subjects : Yea , if the reign were over subjects , and infants comprehended , yet sith the reign over them is onely invisible , this cannot prove infants visible Churchmembers . Nor are Mr. Bs. reasons of any force to prove that Revel . 11.15 . by the kingdome of Christ must be meant the Church . For it is not true , that the constant phrase of Scripture calls Christs Kingdome his Church and Conversim . For though I deny not that ●he Church is termed the kingdome of Christ , yet I deny this is the constant phrase of Scripture to call the kingdome of Christ the Church , much less Conversim . ●he places alledged before , with many more , do evince the contrary ; yea , there appear to me but few places wherein the Church is termed the kingdome of Christ. I am not yet fully resolved , that it is any where so meant , except in that Matth. 13.41 . though I deny not the fitness of the expression . Nor doth his reason hold , that here it cannot be meant of Christs Kingdome in the largest sense , as he over-ruleth common soci●ties and things ; For though it be true , that in some sort so the Kingdomes of the world were ever his , that is , he did always so order them , that they passively did his will ; yet it is certain , that in the reign of Antichrist the kingdomes of the world , that is , the rule which was exercised was not actively for God or Christ , but as it is expresly said , Revel 13.4 . ●hey worshipped the Dragon who gave power to the beast , blasphemed God , made war with the saints , overcame them ; the beast had power over all kindreds and tongues and nations , so that all that dwelt on the earth should worship him , whose names were not written in the Lambs book of life : and so they gave their Kingdome to the beast , Revel . 17.12 , 13 , 14 , 17. though they did Gods will But after the Lamb overcame them , v. 14. and the Kingdomes of the world were his , when the Kings did bate the whore , and make her des●lite , &c. So that this may well be expounded thus , the Kingdomes of the world , that is , the rule which the Kings of the world have exercised for the Whore shall be so changed , that whether out of revenge of the mischiefs the Whore hath done them , or out of love to Christ , they shall hate her , and execute Christs doom upon her , which was not always done . And it seems a piece of inconstancy in Mr. B. who would not have the kingdomes of the world taken for a part in the forepart of this chapter , and yet denies it to be taken in the largest sense in the later part . And how the infant Churchmembership of Christians can be gathered from the terme , Kingdomes of the world becomming Christs , more then any others , I see not . But I proceed . 2. Suppose it were granted , that by the Kingdomes of Christ were meant men , and the Church of Christ , Revel . 11.15 . yet sure it is far more likely that by the Kingdome of Christ should be meant the invisible , then the visible Church . For the invisible Church either solely or chiefly is called the kingdome of Christ , and he is stiled the King of Saints , Rev. 15.3 . and Mr. B. saith here , Christ is King and Saviour of the same society . But in this sense I should grant the conclusion , that infants must be members of Christs Kingdome . And sure●y the visible Church-members who are not true believers , have not Christ to rule over them , but are enemies to Christ , and Satans subjects , and therefore not truly but putatively onely in Christs kingdome , nor they any part of it . They are not children of the kingdome , Matth. 13.38 . 3. But were it granted that Revel . 11.15 . is meant the visible Church , yet that therefore infants must bee a part of it , because they are a part of a Kingdome follows not , for Mr. B. saith , I know some places of Scripture may be produced where the word Kingdome and Jerusalem , &c. is taken for a part . Which is enough to shew that the argument is not good which he useth , For it must rest on this proposition , where Jerusalem is mentioned there all Jerusalem is meant , where Kingdomes are mea●t whole Kingdomes are meant , and therefore infants : which propositions are co●tradicted by Mr. B. himself , and therefore it the whole controversie were referred to these two texts Matth. 23.37 . Rev. 11.15 . to decide , Mr. Bs. cause would be lost for want of proof , even from his own confession . Nor doth Mr. B. produce any thing to prove that by [ Kingdoms Revel . 11.15 . ) is meant the whole o● a Kingdome even the infants , but onely prattles that which me thinks a learned man should be a●●amed of . For there is no colour of reason to charge them who expound [ Kingdom ] by a Synecdoche of the whole for a part , with making their own Creed without Scripture , taking words alwayes in an improper sense , making humane language useless , putting by any Scripture such as are produced for Christs Godhead , when he himself saith it is sometimes in Scripture so taken , and gives no proof of its being taken otherwise here . Yea , by rejecting such exposition without rea●on Mr. B. may be m●re truely said to make his own Creed without Scripture , to make the Scripture unintelligible , humane language useless , to fortifie Biddle a●d other deceivers , in their gross opinions of the Anthropomorphites , and others , insomuch that I think if the Arians were refuted no better then Mr. B. doth here the expounding of Kingdoms and Jerusalem synecdochically , Arianism would quickly prevail , and errours easily take , especially with Schollers . 4. Lastly , were it granted that by [ Kingdoms ] were meant the visible Church ; and that infants were a part of the Kingdom thus meant , yet this very text , and that according to Mr Bs. own reasoning ▪ would prove the repeal o● their Churchmembership till the accomplishment of the thing meant Rev. 11.15 . which whether it be yet , or shall be till the day of judg●ment is very uncertain , For Mr. B. here reasons thus , it cannot be meant of Christs kingdom in the larger sense ▪ for so the kingdoms of the world were ever the kin●doms of the Lord and his Christ , and it could not be said that now they are become so In like ●anner I may say , if the visible Churchmembership of infants were meant Rev. 11.15 . then it was not so before the 7th . trumpet sounded ; for it is said , then the kingdoms of the world were become the kingdoms of Christ , if they were then become they were not before , and consequently infants visible churchmembership not before . Now when the 7th . trumpet sounded is uncertain ; Mr. Brightman makes it to begin at Qu. Elizabeths reign , the New Annotations when Antichrist is weakened , Mr. Mede at the imperial reign of Christ in the great day of judgement , which v. 17 , 18. do favour . And if infants be not visible Churchmembers till then , when perhaps there shall be no infants at all , Mr. B. will have but a very cold suit of it , if the deciding of the whole controversie , whethe● infants must be Churchmembers , be referred to this text alone . But enough , if not too much of these ridiculous though confident allegations of Mr. B. SECT . LXVI . Mr. Bs. 9th , 10th , 11. Arg. concerning infants better condition in the N. T. in his 14th , 15th , 16th , Chapters part . 1. of Bapt. to prove their visible Churchmembership , are answered . CHap. 14. saith Mr. B. my 9th . arg . is this : If the beli●ving Jews children ( and cons●quently the parents in point of comfort ) be not in a worse condition since Christ , then they were before , then their children ought still to be Churchmembers . ( And consequently the gift and ordinance is not repealed . ) But certainly the believing Jewes children ( and consequently the parents in point of comfort ) are not in a worse condition since Christ then they were before : Therefore their children ought still to bee Churchmembers . The antecedent I scarce take him for a Christian that will deny . Christ did not come to make believers or their children miserable , or to undo them , or to bring them into a worse condition . This were to make Christ a destroyer , and not a Saviour . Hee that came not to destroy mens lives but to save them , came not destroy mens happiness but to recover them . He that would not accuse the adulterous woman , will not cast out all infants without accusation . 2. The consequence a man would think should be out of doubt : If it be not , I prove it thus : it is a far worse condition to be out of the visible Church then to be in it : therefore if the believing Jews children be cast out of the Church then they are in a far worse condition then they were before : ( and so Christ and faith should do them a mischief , which were blasphemy to imagine . ) Answ. If Mr. B. had set down , as I desired him in my Letter , what the benefit , or priviledge is of infant visible Churchmembership which he asserts unrepealed , and what infants lose by not being in the Christian Church visible , the Reader with my self might have considered this argument more exactly : But till that be done , no man can exactly tell how to compare their former and later conditions wherein they are better or worse , nor how from the equall goodness of their condition their Churchmembership is inferred . And for my part , I think such kind of arguings as these , to infer things that onely are by Divine institution , are meer devices of mens wit , and Mr. B. in using them ( as indeed they are his onely strength he hath in this point , for all the texts hee brings are quite from the matter , and some so manifestly impertinent , that a good text man would bee ashamed ever to produce them as hee doth ) doth but shew that he rests more on popular arguments which moves mens affections then Scripture proofs , though most deceitfully like an Impostor he entitle his Book , Plain Scripture proof of infants Churchmembership and Baptism , when there is not a text that is plain for it , scarce any that hath any shew of it . But lest this argument be thought unanswerable , I shall examine it . A worse or a better condition are comparative terms , and as Aristotle saith in his Categ . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nothing is said to bee great or small by it self , but as compared with another , so nothing is better or worse by it self , but as compared with another . It is necessary then that we examine the estate of b●lieving Jewes children before and since Christs comming : The estate of the believing Jewes children before Christ , may be conceived to bee either in actual possessions or in promises . In actual possessions they had this priviledge , that they were a part of that nation which was then Gods people , separated from other people by circumcision , lawes , temple , inheritance in Canaan , priesthood , and the children of the priests had this priviledge , that the males were to succeed in the priesthood , and their children to be nourished of the tithes , offerings , first fruits , the poor by a tithe and other wayes . The promises were either of special priviledge , as that Christ should come out of that nation , or of temporal blessings , as that while they kept Gods laws they should dwell in Canaan and prosper there , or of saving blessings . These did belong onely to some believing Hebrews children , not to all , to Isaac not to Ishmael , to Jacob not to Esau , the rest were onely temporal benefits , and were accompanied with a yoke of lawes and rites intollerable . The children of believing Jewes condition since Christ , is either in respect of saving blessings , and so it is either the same which was before , or better in respect of the easier way of comming to the knowledge of Christ , in respect of the temporals . So it is in some respect worse , they are liable more to persecution with their parents , in some respects better , in that they with th●ir parents a●e exempt from the legal bon●age , which they and their parents as pa●● of that nation o● visible Church were obnoxious to . So that in some sense the antecedent or minor is granted , in some sense denied , without fear of forfeiting my Christianity . And to Mr. Bs. proofs I answer , Christ did come to make Jew believers children in some respect , that is , of their temporal enjoyments in Canaan miserable , or under persecution , and so in a worse condition , and yet he is thereby no destroyer of mans happiness , but a Saviour of them , this worse condition working for their eternal good . Nor is it any absurdity to say , he that would not accuse the adulterous woman , would leave out of his visible Church Christian all infants without accusation , sith this leaving out was onely an act of Soveraignty as a Rector , not of punitive justice as a Judge . But the consequence is that which I denied before and now also , and to his proof I give the same answer , which he thus exagitates . Can you imagine what shift is left against this plain truth ? I will tell you all that Mr. T. could say ( before many thousand witnesses I think ) and that is this , He saith plainly , That it is a better condition to infants to be out of the Church now , then in it then . Which ● thought a Christian could scarse have believed . 1. Are all those glorious things spoken of the City of God , and is it now better to be out of any Church then in it ? Answ. It is no shift but a plain truth , which if there had been many more witnesses , I should sti●l avouch as part of my faith , and mee thinks if Mr. B. be a Chri●●ian , and not a Jew , hee should believe it too . For were not the Jews infan●s by their visible Churchmembership bound to be circumcised , and to keep Moses Law ? was not thi● an heavie and intollerable yoke ? I● it not a mercy to be freed from it ? What real Evangelical promise or blessing do infan●s of believing Jews now lose , by not being Christian visible Churchmembers ? I challenge Mr. B. to shew me any one particular real Evangelical blessing , which doth not a● well come to an infant of a believer unbaptiz●d , or non-admitted to visible Churchmembership as to the baptized , or admitted , or any true cause of discomfort to parents by my doctrine , which is not by his own . Dare he say , that the promises of savi●g grace , or protection , or other blessings , are not belonging to them because unbaptized , not admitted visible Churchmembers ? If he dare not , let him forbear to calumniate my doctrine as unchristian , and tragically to represent it as cruel , and uncomfortable to parents , and so not like a solid disputant or judicious Divine cleer truth , but like an Oratour raise passion without judgement , and end●avour to make me and that which is a plain truth odious , which course will at last redound to his shame , if it do not pierce his conscie●ce . I said not as Mr. Bs. question intimates , that it is now better to be out of any Church then it , but that it is a better condition to infants to bee out of the Church now , then to be in it then , meaning that nonvisible Churchmembership to infants now is a better condition then visible Churchmembership was to them then . And for that passage , that glorious things are spoken of the City of God , to prove the contrary it is ridiculously alledged ; For that speech is meant of Jerusalem , or Sion preferred before all the dwellings of Jacob , Psal. 87.1 , 2 , 3. not of all the Jewish Church , and to it may be well opposed that of the Apostle Gal. 4.25 . Hierusalem which is now in bondage with her children , which proves my position . Mr. B. adds . 2. Then the Gentiles , Pagans infants now , are happier then the Jews were then ; for the Pagans and their infants are out of the Church ? Answ. It follows not from my position , which was of Christian believers infants with those promises and probabilities they have , and from thence followes not that Pagans infants out of the Church without those promises and probabilities Christian believers infants have , are happier then the Jews were then . But , saith he , I were best to argue it a little further . 3. If it be a better condition to be in that Covenant with God wherein he bindeth himself to be their God , and taketh them to be his peculiar people , then to be out of that Covenant , then it is a better condition to be in the Church as it was then , then to be out of that and this too : But it is a better condition to be in the aforesaid Covenant with God , then out of it : Therefore it is better to be in the Church as then to be in neither . The antecedent is undeniable ▪ The consequence is clear in these two conclusions ; 1. That the inchurched Jews were then all in such a Covenant with God : This I proved , Deut. 29.11 , 12. What Mr. T. vainly saith against the plain words of this Text , you may see in the end . 2. There is to those that are now out of the Church no such covenant assurance , or mercy answerable . If there be , let some body shew it : which I could never get Mr. T. to do Nay he seemeth to confess in his Sermon , that infants now have no priviledge at all in stead of their churchmembership . Answ. If the Covenant be meant ( as I have proved before , sect . 64. it is ) of the Covenant of the Law concerning setling them in Canaan if they kept the law of Moses , then the antecedent is not undeniable ; but it is most true , that the condition of believers and their children now with the exhibition of Christ , the promises and probabilities they have of saving knowledge of Christ and salvation by him , is bet●er out of the aforesaid Covenant with God then in it . But the consequence was also denied , because Mr. B. means the Covenant of grace : And if it be meant of the Covenant of Evangelical grace , neither of his conclusions are true ; nor is the former proved from Deut. 29.11 , 12. For if it were true , that all that did stand there before the Lord did enter into covenant , yet they were not therefore in the covenant wherein God bindeth himself to be their God. Their entring into covenant was by their promise to obey God , which they might do , and yet not be in the covenant wherein God bindeth himself to be their God , si●h Gods promise is not to them that enter into covenant , but to them that keep it ; yea , if it were that they were in that covenant , yet that covenant did not put any into a happy condition but those that kept Gods laws , it being made conditionally , and so not all the inchurched Jews were in that covenant wherein God bindeth himself to be their God. Yea , if it were as Mr. B. would have it , that the promise of being their God were meant of Evangelical grace ; yet according to his Doctrine it is upon condition of faith , and so it is either universal to all in or out of the Church , or to none but those who are believers , who were not all the inchurched Jews . Nor is the second conclusion true ; there is the same covenant of Evangelical grace made to infants who are now no visible churchmembers as was then , to the elect now as was then , to whom alone it was made then and now . And as for mercy answerable to visible churchmembership of infants , enough is said here , Sect. 64. Mr. B. adds . 4. I argue from Rom. 3.1 . What advantage hath the Jew , and what profit the circumcision ? much every way , &c. If the Jew circumcised inchurched infants had much advantage every way , and thos● without the Church have none ; then it is better be in their Church then without the Church : But the former is plain in the Text ; therefore the later is certain . Answ. The advantage the Jew had , was when they were the people of God above them who were heathen infidels , not above Christian believers : Now it is true , that it was better to be in their Church , then to be without the Church , as heathen infidels and their children were , But this doth not prove what is to be proved , that the condition of Jews infants in their Church visible , is better then of Christian believers infants now no visible Churchmembers . Nevertheless the speech of the Apostle is not meant of Jew infants ; for the instance he gives of committing to them the Oracles of God , is not true of the infants ; and therefore it is denied , that Mr. Bs. antecedent is plain in the text in respect of the forepart of it : And it is false also , that the infants of Christians , though not Christian visible churchmembership , have no such advantage as the Jews had ; For in this thing the advantage of the Christians infant is more then of the Jews , sith the Scriptures being now more common and better cleared , they may sooner know them then the Jews infants could 5. Saith he , Again from Rom. 9.4 . I argue thus : If then to the Iews pertained the adoption , the covenants , the promises , &c. but no such thing to them without the Church ; then it is worse to be out of the Church , then to be in it as they were : But the former is the words of the Holy Ghost ; therefore the consequent is certain . Answ. The consequence is denied . For if this were true , it would as well prove it to have been a better condition to be in the visible Church Jewish then , then to be in the Christian Church visible now . For now those things expressed Rom. 9.4 , 5. belong not to them who are in the visible Church Christian ; yea , it is now Christ is come the benefit of the Church to be freed from them , I mean some of them , as the services which were in sacrifices , &c. the glory which was the Ark , the Covenant , to wit , the Tables of stone , the adoption which excluded the Gentiles from being Gods people ; and concerning the other three , the giving of the Law , discent from the Fathers , Christs consanguinity , they are such as cannot be to any other , and are all recompensed abundantly by the comming of Christ , the gift of the Spirit , preaching of the Gospel , without infants visible churchmembership . And therefore though there be no such thing as those things mentioned , Rom. 9.4 , 5. to them that are out or in the visible Church Christian , yet there are better things to Christians , which make their condition , and the●r infants not actually visible churchmembers , better then the Jewish churchstate at the best . 6. Saith he , If it be better to be in Gods house and family then out , and in his visible Kingdome then out ; then it is better to be in the Church ( though but as the Jews were ) then out : But the former is evident ; therefore the later . Answ. It is true , it is better to be in Gods house and family then out , and so infants may be though they be not in the Christian Church visible ; and though they be not in Christs visible Kingdome , yet they may be in his invisible , which is most truly his Kingdome and house , and this estate is better then to be in the Jewish Church visible . But it was not better with infants by vertue of their visible churchmembership , then it is with believers infants without it , sith they are freed from the yoke of bondage the Jews were under , and have equal portion , if not more of Evangelical grace then they had , and therefore the consequence is denied . 7. Saith Mr. B. If it be better to be a sanctified peculiar people of God , then to be none such ( but an excluded common unclean people ; ) then it is better to be in the Church ( though but as the Jews were ) then out of the Church : But the former is most certain ; therefore the l●ter . The consequence is plain , in that all the Church , both Jews and Gentiles are properly a peculiar people separated or sanctified to God ; and so are they still called in the Old Testament and New : And therefore those without the Church must needs be an excluded people ( even as election of some implieth passing by or rejecting of others ; ) and therefore are called common and unclean frequently . Answ. This being understood of the visible Church , it is false that those without the Church visible must needs be an excluded people from God ; for then all abortives , and still-born children , persons dying without signs sensible of faith and repentance though before God believers , excommunicate persons should b● excluded from God. And as for Mr. Bs. proof , that the Church are properly a peculiar people separated or sanctified to God , this cannot be true in reality ( which must make their condition better ) but onely of those who are of the invisible also , of which infants may be , though not of the visible ; of the rest it is true onely in appearance , which makes their condition not better in the Church , but worse then of those without , sith the odiousness of their hypocrisie provokes God against them the more , though cloaked from men by their fair profession . 8. Sai●h he ▪ If God do not usually bestow so many or greater mercies out of his Church , as he doth in it ; then it is worse to be out of the Church , then to be in it ( though but as the Jews were : ) But certainly God useth not to bestow so many or greater mercies out of the Church , as in it ; therefore it is worse to be out then in ( though but as the Jews . ) Answ. Mr. B. should prove the minor ( which I deny ) that God doth not bestow usually so many or greater mercies to infants now not visible Christian churchmembers , as he did to infants in the Jewish Church visible ; ( For so must his minor be , if his conclusion oppose my position : ) which sith he proves not , my denial is sufficient answer . 9. Saith he , If Christ have made larger promises to his Church visible , then to any in the world that are not of the Church , ( nay , if there be no special promise at all , nor scarce common , to any without the Church , but the conditional , upon their comming in , ) then is it worse to be out of the Church then to be so in it : But the former is true , therefore the later . Answ. Mr. B. brings no proof for his minor , and therefore it is enough for me to deny it , as being false concerning abortives , still-born , infant children elect , and others . 10. Saith he , If Christ have promised his presence to his Church to the end of the world , and to walk among his golden can●lesticks , and take pleasure in her ; but not so to those without the Church : then it is better being with●n ( though but as the Jews ) then without . But the former is true ; therefore the latter . Did I not resolve on brevi●y , it were easier to cite multitudes of texts for all these . Answ. Mr. B. should prove his minor , that Christ hath promised these things to infants in the visible Church Jewish , and not to infants of believers , who are not visible churchmembers Christian ; for which , though he talk of multitudes of texts , yet I shall not believe he hath any till he produce them . He adds . But upon this much I say to the contrary minded as Joshua in another case , choose you of what society you will be of ; but as for me and my houshold , we will be of the Church of God. Answ. And so say I , if I can prevail with them , or for them . Mr. B. adds , And had I children , I should be loth God should shut th●m out . Answ. So s●y I. Again Mr. B. For without are dogs , extortioners , liars , &c. Even Christ calls the woman of Canaan that was without , a dog ; though when he had admitted her into his Church , she became a daughter . Answ. The words , Revel . 22.15 . without are dogs , the verse foregoing shews to be meant of being without the city where the blessed enter ; and it being compared with Rev. 21.8 . thence appears , that they that are without are cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone , which is the second death : which if he say ( as his words intimate ) of all that are not visible churchmembers , he pronounceth a bloudy sentence against millions that are in heaven , and must be a hundred times more uncomfortable to parents concerning their abortive still-born children , then any thing I ever held . And his abuse of Christs words , Matth. 15.26 . Mark 7 27. is yet more gross , in alledging them after that , Rev 22.15 . as if dogs , Matth. 15.26 . were of the same sense with dogs in the other , whereas Rev. 12.15 . it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and doth note such as rend them that give holy things to them , Matth. 7.6 . but Matth. 15.26 . Mark 7.27 . it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , little dogs and doth not note persons so called from their profane , ●ischievous , impious behaviour , but in opposition to children , that is Jews , such as were of G●●tile discent , and therefore accounted unclean And the application of them is as bad , as if the not ma●ing infants Christian visible churchmembers , made them dogs in either sense : Whereas to make the● dogs , as Rev. 22.15 . is meant , is not onely to make them non-visible churchmembers , but also of most wicked manners and damned wretches ; and the term dogs , as used Matth. 15 26. might be applied as well to visible church-members not Jewish , such as Cornelius , Acts 10.2 . as to those out of it . Nor doth it appear that our Lord Christ either admitted the woman of Canaan into his Church or termed her daughter ( as Mr. Bs. words intimate ) but woman after her manifestation of faith . So that Mr. B. as his wont is , doth prophanely abuse the Scripture , to make his adversaries tene● appear odious without cause . What he adds , I say therefore as Peter whither shall we go , if we forsake the Church ? It is good for us to be here : those that will needs think it better to be out of the Church then in it , let them go ; they need no Anathema , nor excommunication , seeing they think it such a mercy to bee without the Church , I will not say of it as Paul of his ship , except ye abide in it , ye cannot ●ee saved , and so I conclude , Christ did not come to believers hurt , by unchurching their children , doth but shew his malignant disposition to spit as much venome as hee can against his antagonists and their doctrine , calumniating it as tending to forsaking the Church , thinking it better to be out of the Church then in it , thinking it a mercy to bee without the Church , Christ did come to believers hurt by unchurching their children , none of which followes from my tenet , but the charging of them on it shewing Mr. Bs. spightfulness towards mee , and the truth , which the Lord forgive him . In the same vein of scribling , Mr. B. proceeds thus ch . 15. My 10th . arg is this from Heb. 8.6 . [ Jesus is the mediator of a better Covenant established on better promises . Heb. 7.22 . And the Author of a better testament . Rom. 5.14 , 15 , 20. Where sin abounded grace much more abounded Ephes. 3.19 , 20. That ye may comprehend the height , and breadth , and length , and depth , and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledg ] with a hundred the like places ; from whence I argue thus , If the Church of Christ be not in a worse state now ( in regard of their childrens happiness and their parents comfort therein ) then it was before Christs comming , then our children ought to bee Churchmembers : ( and consequently that ordinance and merciful gift is not repealed . ) But all the said texts and many more shew that the Church of Christ is not in a worse condition now then it was then ( but unconceivably better : ) therefore our children ought to bee Churchmembers , as well as theirs was then . I have before proved that it is worse to bee out of ehe Church then in it ; and then nothing else can bee said against this argument that I know of . Answ. That Mr. B. hath not proved any thing he should have proved in contradiction to my tenet is before shewed . To the argument here made I answer , 1. by denying the syllog●sm to be right in form for want of putting in the minor , those words ( in regard of their childrens happiness and their parents com●ort therein ) and adding in the minor those words ( but unconceivably better ) which were not in the major , whereby the syllogis● is monstrous consisting of ●our or five terms . 2. Letting that pass I deny the consequence of the major , and aver that though our infants be not visible Churchmembers now , yet the Church of Christ is not in a worse state now ( in regard of their childrens happiness and their parents comforts therein ) then it was before Christs com●ing , but unconceivably better , in regard of the comming of Christ in the flesh , the gift of the spirit , the preaching of the gospel , &c. 3. That none of the texts speak any thing for Mr. Bs. purpose , but rather against it . In the first it is said the Covenant of which Christ is mediator is better then that of which Moses or Aaron were mediators , and that it is established on better promises , the former containing for the most part promises of ear●hly blessings in Canaan , and that promise which was of righteousness , was upon the condition of keeping the Law , without promise of the spirit ; now the new Covenant promises righteousness , forgiveness of all sins through faith in Christ , with a promise of the spirit . But these promises belong not to the Church as it is visible , but as it contains the elect , of which sort infants may be though they be not visible Churchmembers , there 's not a word of promise that the visible Church shall consist of a whole nation , of all sorts of people in a nation infants and elder , much less shall consist of more sorts of people then were in the Jewish Church , but of more ample mercies spiritual to the elect , who were all of the invisible Church though not of the visible , and among them infants , abortives , stil born chi●dren , which could not be of the visible ; and therefore to speak truth , parents have more comfort by this Covenant both for themselves and children , in that it assures more ample grace , and that to more then visible members under the New Testament . The same answer is to be given to Heb. 7.22 . though ●he word be not as Mr. B. here reads it [ author ] but [ surety . ] The next text speaks of the abounding of grace by Christ beyond the evil of sin by Adams transgression , nothing at all of the enlargement of the visible Church since Christs comming in respect of the sorts of members , over that which the visible Church Jewish had . Yea such a position as it hath not the least footing in the text , so would it not stand with Mr. Bs. and other Paedobap●ists doctrine , that the visible churchmembership is a priviledge of believers children : but in respect of extent of persons , it was better with the visible Church then , sith it comprehended serva●ts , and the bought children of strangers . And for the last text , to imagine that the love of Christ is every whit the less if infants be not visible churchmembers , is such a conceit as I judge a meer dotage . But there is more of it in that which follows . Further , saith Mr. B. I might prove it out of Ephes. 2.12 . They that are out of the Church are said to be strangers to the Covenant , and without hope , and without God in the world , in comparison with those within the Church . O how little then do they apprehend that height and depth ! &c. or know that love of Christ that passeth knowledge , who think that Christ will unchurch all the infants of believers now , that took them in so tenderly in the time of Moses ? How insensible do they appear to be of the glorious riches of the Gospel , and the free abundant grace of Christ , who have such unworthy thoughts of him , as if he would put all our children out of his Church ? How little know they the difference between Christ and Moses , that think they might then be churchmembers and not now ? And yet ( oh the blindness ▪ ) these men do this under pretence of magnifying the sperituality of the Gospel priviledges ▪ As if to he a member of Christs Church were a carnal thing● ; or as if the visible Church were not the object and recipient of spiritual as well as common mercies ! Answ. The Apostle doth not say they that are out of the Church any more then they that are uncircumcised are without hope , without God , nor doth he speak comparatively but absolutely . Nor doth he speak universally of all without the Church , but particularly of the Ephesians , nor of them as out of the Church universal but Jewish , nor this as they were merely negatively or privatively out for want of not taking on them the yoke of Moses Law , but as they walked after the course of the world v. 2 , 3. So that these things are not said of them barely as non-visible churchmembers then in the Jewish Church as infants are now in the Christian ( for then these things might have bin said of Cornelius and his house as well as of them , who were uncircumcised , not in the Commonwealth of Israel ) but as they were idolaters , alienated from the life of God , and so were neither members of the Church visible , nor invisible of true believers at that time . Therefore to charge us with making the estate of infants of believers by our doctrine as the estate of those mentioned Ephes. 2.12 . is a meer calumny tending to nothing else but indirectly to create prejudice in men against the truth . And of the same kinde is that which followes , which insinuates as if by denying infants visible churchmembership , we lessened Christs love , were insensible of it , and the glorious riches of the Gospel , made Christ less tender now of infants of believers then in Moses time , and had such unworthy thoughts of Christ , as if he would put all our children out of his Church , and knew not the difference between Christ and Moses , all which are meer flams and frivolous false accusations , fit to take with shallow Paedobaptists , who are caught with flourishes of Rhetorick rather then solid reason . And for that which hee censures as my blindness , I may rather admire his in not discerning it . For however to be a member of Christs Church may be more then a carnal thing , yet to bee a visible Churchmember by natural discent without faith is but a carnal thing , and in this respect the Church Jewish was more carnal then the Christian Church , as the Scriptures intimate , though they were the object and recipient of spiritual as well as common mercies . The rest that follows is in the same calumniating vein , for wee say as the Apostle Gal. 4.27 . that is , that the new Covenant or Gentile Church hath more children then the Jewish , in that there were more believers in the world on the preaching of the Gospel as is said Revel . 5.9 . th●n in the national Church Jewish , nor do wee , as Mr. B. belies us , make all or any of the children of the new Covenant or Gentile Church cast out , for t●ey onely are those who are by promise , born after the spirit , that is , true believers v. 28 , 29. and not as ignorantly and fondly Mr. B. imagines all the infant children of Gentile believers . Nor do wee by our doctrine contradict the Apostles words Heb. 12.40 . which are ridiculously applied to infants visible Churchmembership . For the better thing provided for us in that which the believers afore Christ received not , which is by some conceived to bee heaven , but generally Protestant Divines understand it of the exhibition of Christ in the flesh , and the clear knowledge of him , which if true , proves what I av●r ▪ that ▪ Christs exhibition in the flesh , the gift of the spirit , and the revelation of the Gospel , and the taking in of the Gentiles , are in stead of that visible Churchmembership the Jewes had , and all the priviledges annexed . However it cannot bee infants visible Church-membership as Mr. B. makes it , for that they had as Mr. B. asserts , and therefore the denying of it by me , makes not us in so much worse a condition then they . Nor do wee by denying infants visible Churchmembership aver the partition wall taken down Ephes. 2.14 . by Christ to be in part standing , For the partition wa●l ●s clearly meant of the body of Ceremonies , and necessitie of repairing to the Temple and taking the yoke of Moses Law on them , which kept the Gentiles from joyning with the Jewes in the worship of the same God , which I keep not up in any sort , much less pluck up the wall of the Church or vineyard it self , and as for our children to lay all waste to the wilderness , but Mr. B. by maintaining a national Church or visible Church-membership by natural discent , doth keep up the partition wall in true construction , sith the way of pulling down the parti●ion wall by God , ha●h been by making all one body through faith , the succession of which in the place of Circumcision and the Jewish Churchmembership , is the doctrine of the Apostle Gal. 3. and elsewhere , as is shewed before . Mr. B. continues the same prattle Ch. 15. thus . My 11. arg . is this , If the children of believers be now put out of the Church , then they are in a worse condicion then the very children of the Gentiles were before the comming of Christ : But that were most absurd and false ; therefore so is the antecedent . The consequent would plainly follow , if the antecedent were true , as is evident thus : Before Christs comming any Gentile in the world without exception , if hee would might have his children to be members of the visible Church : But now ( according to Mr. T. ) no Gentile may have his child a member of the Church ; therefore according to this doctrine , the very Gentiles as well as the Jews , are in a worse condition now : and Christ should come to be a destroyer , and do hurt to all the world , ( which is most vile doctrine . ) That the Gentiles might have their children Church-members before , if they would come in themselves , is not denied nor indeed can bee : For it is the express letter of Gods law , that any stranger that would come in might bring his children , and all bee circumcised and admitted members of the Jews Church : This was the case of any that would be full proselytes ; God in providence did deny to give the knowledge of his laws to the Gentiles , as he did to the Jews , but he excepted no man out of the mercy of his Covenant , that would come in and take it ( except some few that were destinated to wrath for the height of their wickedness , whom he commanded them presently utterly to destroy . ) If any say that the Gentiles were admitted with their infants into no Church , but the particular Church of the Jews , I shall answer him 1. That it is false ; for they were admitted into the visible universal Church , as I shall shew more fully afterward . 2. If it were so , yet the Church of the Jewes was a happy Church of God , in a thousand fold better state , then those without . So that he that will be of the faith of our opposers , you see , must believe that Christ hath come to deny the very Gentiles that priviledge which for their children they had before . Yea , that you may see it was not tied to the Jews onely , or the seed of Abraham , even when Abrahams own family was circumcised , ( and as Mr. T. thinks , then first admitted all into the Church : ) there was but one of the seed of Abraham circumcised at that time ( for he had no one but Ishmael ) but of servants that were not of his seed , there were admitted or circumcised 318. trained men-servants that fought for him ▪ Gen. 14.14 . and how many hundred women and children and all he had , you may conjecture . And all these were then of the Church , and but one of Abrahams seed , and that one Ishmael Therefore certainly though the greatest priviledges were reserved for Isaac and his seed , of whom Christ was to come , yet not the priviledge of sole churchmembership ; for the very children of Abrahams servants were churchmembers ▪ And so I think this is plain enough . Answ. It is most vile doctrine , to say , Christ came to be a destroyer , and to do hurt to all the world ; and it is most vile doctrine which Mr. B. insinuates , as if the denying of infants visible churchmembership did infer their destruction : which is most palpably false , sith neither were all churchmembers visible saved , as v. g. Ishmael , Esau ; nor all non-visible churchmembers damned , as v. g. abortives , still-borns . And therefore Mr. B. by these insinuations discovers nothing but his own vitulency , and I can justly deny the consequence of his argument till he shew me what benefit the infants of believers now do lose by not being Christian visible churchmembers which tends to their destruction , and what is the benefit of infant visible Christian churchmembership which is for their salvation , which they have not though they be not visible churchmembers , I mean real and not meer putative benefit . For my part , 1. I think still that infants were not admitted into any visible Church but the Jews , and their being of the universal was onely in that they were of the Jewish . 2. I think it is a benefit not to be of the Church Jewish , in which men were entred by circumcision , and bound to keep the law ; and that Cornelius , and such other as were not full proselytes , were in as good a case as the full proselytes ; and that it is but vain talk of Mr. B. that the Church of the Jews was a happy Church of God , in a thousand fold better estate then those without onely as proselytes of the gate . 3. That though there were in the Jewish Church other then Abrahams seed , yet they were all of the Hebrew Common-wealth . 4. That many of those churchmembers had no part in any of the promises made to Abraham . And I think this argument of Mr. B. takes onely with them who superficially look into the thing , as Mr. B. hath done . SECT . LXVII . Mr. 12th . arg . ch . 17. part 1. of Baptism , from Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. is answered , and my answers vindicated . CH. 17. he proceeds thus . My 12th . Arg. is from the forementioned Text , Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. where all the Jews , with all their little ones were entred into Covenant with God. From whence I argue thus . If the Covenant which those infants who were then church-members were entred into with God was a Covenant of grace ( or a Gospel Covenant ) then it is not repealed , ( and consequently their churchmembership is not repealed , as being built on the Covenant , or inseparably conjunct : ) But the said Covenant which the infants who were then churchmembers did pass into , was a Covenant of grace , ( as distinct from the law , which was repealed ; ) therefore neither it nor their churchmembership is repealed . Here I shall prove , 1. That all the infants did pass into this Covenant . 2. That they were churchmembers that did so . 3. That it was such a Covenant of grace . 4. And then it will follow that it is not repealed . Answ. The argument from this Text was urged very hotly by Mr. B. in the Dispute at Bewdley , Jan. 1. 1649. but in another manner , as I gather from two copies of the Dispute , which though imperfect , yet both agree , that the argument then was ●his , They who solemnly entred into Covenant with God were visible churchmembers : But the infants of the Jews in the wilderness uncircumcis●d did so , Ergo. Mr. B. himself in his Corrective , sect . 5. The Text in Deut. 29. was brought to prove that God entred into Covenant with infants to take them for his people , and to be their God , and consequently made them churchmembers . The form here used doth vary the conclusion , and the medium and particularly the term [ who solemnly entred into Covenant with God ] into this [ were entred into Covenant with God ] and in his Correct . sect . 5. into this [ God entred into Covenant with infants to take them for his people , and to be their God ] between which there is so great a difference , that as the argument was framed in the Dispute , I should not deny the major ; but as there it is framed , I should deny the consequence , it being certain God may enter into Covenant with some to take them for his people , and to be their God , who neither are nor ever shall be visible churchmembers ; as elect pe●sons dying with death-bed repentance not manifested ▪ &c. But I shall keep to the form as it is here used . And 1. I grant that the churchmembership of the infants which did pass into Covenant , Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. is not repealed : For it being an individual accident can neither in congruous sense be said to be repealed , nor it being non●ens now is it capable of repeal if the speech were right . 2. I grant also that Gods Covenant of grace , or his Gospel covenant is not repealed , that is , changed into another Covenant . 3. I grant also that invisible churchmembership is built on the Covenant of grace , or the Gospel covenant , or is inseparably conjunct with it . But this I deny 1. that any law of infants visible churchmembership unrepealed is contained in Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. 2. That the mutual Covenant entred into there was the Gospel covenant of grace . 3. I say , that if it were , yet it follows not that infant visible churchmembership is not ceased , or in Mr. Bs. dialect repealed . But let us view Mr. Bs. proof . 1. Saith he , Mr. T. denied long together in the face of many thousand people , that the infants were entred into any such Covenant , against the plain letter of the Text : Yet he persisted to deny it without any reason ( as you may see in the Dispute , if out . ) If plain Scripture will not satisfie these men , why then do they call for Scripture ? The words are , Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God , your Captains of your Tribes , your Officers , Elders , and all the men of Israel , your little ones , your wives , and the stranger that is in thy camp , from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water , that thou shouldest enter into Covenant with the Lord thy God , and into his Oath which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day , that he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself , and that he may be to thee a God , &c. He that saith infants did not pass into this Covenant , I question whether he believe this to be the word of God : For how should it be spoken plainer ? Answ. The thing which I denied was , that infants did visibly and solemnly enter into Covenant , which Mr. B. affirmed , and I gave the reason , because they did by no visible sign declare their assent to the Covenant : And when Mr. B. replied , that the parents did it for them , I answered , the parents act for them might bind them , but yet it is not their act , nor that which makes a visible churchmember ; and sure had I conceived his minor so meant [ that the infants did by their parents visibly and solemnly enter into Covenant ] I should have granted it , and denied his major [ They who visibly and solemnly entred into Covenant with God by their parents act for them , were visible churchmembers ] Now this answering of mine he endeavoured then and since to represent with as much disparagement as might b● to me , though what ever imperfection there were in my answer ( which I do not deprehend to have been such as Mr. B. hath made it ) it was in a great part from Mr. Bs. ambiguous use of words , and his captious taking advantage from my words , and not explaining his own , which made me answer somewhat perplexedly . But the matter being now in print , let 's view the Dispute as i● stands in the Books . I had said in my Sermon , and after in my Antidote , sect . 5. that [ thou ] v. 12. doth not necessa●ily comprehend the little ones ▪ To this Mr. B. in his Correct . pag. 249. replies , 1. that he either sets a low value on my conscience , or judgement ; which is not worth answering , 2. Do you not know , saith he , that [ thou ] is a collective term , usually through the Books of Moses spoken of all the people , except any be particularly excepted ? Answ. I do know it is a collective term , ye● often used with exception of infants by the matter of the speech , though not p●rticularly . And for this I need go no further then Deut. 29.2 , 3 , 4 , 5. Deut. 30.1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20. And in some of these , v. 2. thou and thy children , v. 6. thine heart and the heart of thy seed , v. 19. thou and thy seed , Deut. 29.29 . us and our children , are so expresly distinguished , that I am much confirmed that [ thou ] Deut. 29.12 . doth not comprehe●d the little ones , v. 11. 3. Saith he , Are not little ones here named ? and yet are they excluded ? Answ. T●ey are named , v. 11. yet not meant by [ thou ] v. 12. 4. Saith he , Why should Moses say , here stand your children and wives , that not they but you might enter into Covenant ? Answ. 1. Why should the strangers stand there , v. 11. and yet Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob not their fathers ? v. 13. 2. I conceive God would have a general appearance for the more sol●mnity of the thing , but that some should act in the name of the whole people , and therefore men●ion of all , v. 11. yet the act of covenanting which was personal , v. 12. restrained onely to the representatives . 5. Doth not Mr. T. confess that the Jews infants were in Covenant ? why else were they circumcised , which is the seal of the Covenant ? Answ. 1. Circumcision is no where called in Scripture the Seal of the Covenant , and how far I allow it , may be seen sect . 31. 2. Infants were circumcised , not because they were in Covenant , those who were not in Covenant were to be circumcised . 3. The Jews infants were in the political or domestical Covenant made to Abraham , all of them upon condition of their obedience to the law , some of them in the Covenant or promise of saving grace made to the elect , none of them in the Covenant by their own personal act of covenanting or promising , which is that alone which I deny , and which makes visible churchmembers in the Christian Church . 6. Saith Mr. B. I desire no means to convince any man of your strange abuse of the Text , but onely that he will read it . [ Ye stand this day all of you , &c. and that he may be to thee a God ] He that can considerately believe Mr. T. that the word [ thou ] v. 12. doth not necessari●y comprehend the little ones , if I knew him , I would tell him , that I will not undertake by Scripture to convince him of any thing at all . And I say again in sobriety , that if the Papists had as plain Scripture for their Religion as it differs from ours , I would not delay a week , but would turn Papist , &c. Answ. Mr. Bs. words onely express his confidence in his conceit , which in this and many more things I conceive to come from his hasty determinations , without weighing all objections to the contrary . But I desire both him and the Reader to let me know what that entring into Covenant is which may be termed the infants act , afore he censure my interpretation of [ thou ] as not comprehending little ones necessarily , but as noting some instead of the rest , as a strange abuse of the Text ; sure it was no act of words or sign shewing any consent or assent to the Covenant or Oath of God : And if , as Piscator conceives in his scholie , it were by passing through ( as the word in the Hebrew is ) the ●arts of the divided living creatures in testimony of the covenant , I say again , surely neither little ones , nor all the rest did pass between the parts of the the beasts divided , but some in stead of the rest . I think they will not say , it was their bare presence which was the entring into Covenant ; for their standing there was before it , and the entring into Covenant a consequent of it . I do not accuse him , as he knows who hath done , of being a Papist ; nor dare I absolve Mr. B. from yeelding too much in some of his writings for Papists , Arminians , and Socinians advantage , in s●eking to avoid Antinomianism and Anabaptism . But I hope both Mr. B. and his Reader will be more sober and wise then to go over to the Papists upon this declaration of Mr. B. who if he did not suggest to the people as if it were my impudence to deny it at the Dispu●e , I was mistaken , and so were others , and I intreat him to pardon my mistake . But Mr. B. adds . Where he saith , that [ you ] v. 14. is distinguished from [ them that stand , &c. ] I answer : 1. I think not ; but from them that were absent : q. d. not with you onely , but ( both ) with him that is here ( that is you ) and him that is not here . Answ. I find no interpreter who doth not render ●● v. 15. by the adve●sative , and the Tigurine Divines render it sed et but also , which sh●ws a plain distinction of [ you , v. 14. ] from him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God ; and if I understand any thing in this kind , Mr. Bs. exposition is not good sense , to expound not with you onely , but with him that is here with us that is you . For v. ●5 . him that standeth here is opposed to you , v. 14. and you onely being an exclusive terme , must exclude the rest , and when it is said [ with us ] meaning himselfe , and [ you ] v. 14. it is meere non-sense to expound it thus , him that standeth with us , if us comprehend him that standet● there , as it doth according to Mr. Bs. exposition . Besides , the different numbers of [ him that standeth here with us ] and [ you ] do shew that they are not the same . And I thinke I may say as Mr. B. I desi●e no meanes to convince any man of Mr. Bs. strange exposition , but onely that hee will read the Text. But he saith . 2. Were it otherwise , yet it were onely from the people of other nations that stood among them . Answ. 1. If Mr. B. mean thy stranger which is in thy Camp , v. 11. I expect some reason why [ you onely ] v. 14. should exclude them more then the little ones and wives ; rather me think● [ you onely ] should include those men●ioned v. 10. and him that standeth with us here this day should mean those v. 11. And the plain sense seems to be this , that though the Captains , Elders , Officers , men of Israel who were to enter into Co●enant , did by themselves onely covenant , yet Moses in Gods stead did make that Covenant and Oath not onely with them , to whom his speech was directed , but also with the rest , v. 1● . 2 . If he mean the strangers not of that congregation or Church of Israel , surely the Covenant was not made with them , as here Moses saith it was with him that standeth here with us this day . Mr. B. adds of me . Where he saith [ some entred into Covenant in behalf of the rest ] I answer : 1. God entred into Covenant on his part immediately , or by Moses the Mediatour with them all , and not with some onely . Answ. Be it so , yet on the other part some entred into Covenant in behalf of the rest , and so [ thou ] v. 12. comprehends not little ones , v. 11. for sure if in behalf of any some entred into Covenant , and [ thou ] comprehend not them , them they were the little ones . 2. Saith he , I doubt not but the parents entred their children into Covenant , and not the infants themselves , which shews , that God hath given parents this interest and authority . Answ. 1. This is a confession of what I aver , and of which Mr. B. and his followers have made such exclamations against me . For if [ thou v. 12. ] entred themselves into Covenant , and infants entred not themselves into Covenant , then infants are not comprehended under [ thou , v. 12. ] But so it is . Ergo. The consequence is plain of it self , the minor is for the first part the words of the Text , unless Mr. B. will say , that thou shouldest enter into Covenant is not , that ●hou shouldest enter into Covenant thy self , which is a gross absurdity ; and the other pa●t is Mr. Bs. own : and thus Mr. B. hath justified me in that which he counted so strange an abuse of the Text. 2. For my part , I doubt whether the parents entred the children into Covenant , and do rather conceive that the Captains , Elders , Officers , v. 10. did enter into Covenant by some solemn act of passing between the parts of a beast divided , or otherwise in stead of the children , wives , and servants , v. 11. and not the parents for the infants , 1. because the distinct mention of those , v. 10. under the titles there used , do intimate that they were representatives of those v. 11. now v. 10 persons are not expressed under the ti●le of parents , but under other relations : 2. Because it being a national covenanting , it seems most suitable to the end of it , that it was done by national Officers : 3. If there were any other then those persons , the solemnity could not be likely done with decency , the number being so great as could not hear Moses , nor do such acts as might signifie the covenanting : 4. Because it was so at other times , Exod. 19.7 . Josh. 9.15 , 19. which if true , this place proves not that God had given parents the interest and authority to covenant for their children : 5. The wives were parents as well as the husbands , but it is not probable that the wives did covenant for the children , therefore not the parents as parents , but under some other consideration . 3. Saith Mr. B. But that any other that had the use of reason should not enter their own consent is a fiction not to be admitted : And yet Mr. T. in his confutation Sermon , excludeth the wives from a personal covenanting , as well as the infants ; but barely on his own authority : Nay , he saith , it was onely the captains and Officers , though the Covenant is made with the rest . Answ. I have given my reasons for what I conceive , I impose them not on others , it is sufficient for present that I have vindicated my assertion so much inveighed against by Mr. B. that [ thou ] v. 12. doth not necessarily comprehend infants . 2. Saith Mr. B. Mr. T. denied in our Dispute , that these infants were visible churchmembers ; for when hee had maintained that [ none were churchmembers but those that were circumcised ] and that [ churchmembership was not then without circumcision ] I told him , that the infants for 40. years in the wilderness were not circumcised , and yet were churchmembers , and proved it from this Covenant ; yet did he resolutely deny it , that the infants were church - members : Whereupon seeing he wasted time in wrangling , I was bold to say , I did verily believe that ( contrary to our first agreement ) he disputed against his own conscience , seeing he could not believe himself , that the infants then were no churchmembers , and that none but the circumcised were churchmembers : But he took it ill , that I should so charge him to go against conscience ; and yet when I told him , that women were churchmembers , though not ●ircumcised , he confessed all , and yeelded that the infants were so too . And indeed else God had no Church , or almost none in the wilderness , when all but Cal●b and Joshua were dead of the old stock ; and all of forty years old were uncircumcised ; yet Steven calls it the Church in the wilderness , Acts 7.38 . But I think it vain to prove that those were church-members that entred such a Covenant . He that will deny this , is scarce to be disputed with . Answ. I do confess there was much time wasted in the Dispute , and that my answers were varied according to my several apprehensions of Mr. Bs. meaning , which by reason of his ambiguities and uncertain expressions I could not be assured of , nor would he be brought to explain any thing to me , but what I could force him to by distinction , which yet hee shifted off , that I might be still at a loss what to determine . First hee asserted a law of admitting infants visible churchmembers unrepealed , which I conceived was that of circumcision , and thereupon denied infants in the wilderness to have beene visible church-members , meaning solemnly admitted , in which sense I meant that churchmembership was not then without Circumcision . But when hee denied , hee meant Circ●mcision , I pressed him to tell what other law there was , which hee then did not , but went to prove them church-members , which I confessed , if not understood as so admitted , but as part of that people as the women were . Secondly , when I found hee used not the term visible churchmembers as it is taken by Protestant writers for those that professed the Christian faith , I denied infants were churchmembers visible by the way which made them such in the Christian Church , though they were visible churchmembers according to the way of constitution of the Jewish Church , which was a Commonwealth , of which all that were members were church-members . This is the true summe of what past between us in that time Mr. B. speakes of , in which nothing was spoken against my conscience ( as hee unbrother like charged mee , ) and such altercation as was , was necessitated on my part by his averseness from explaining his meaning , which I instantly pressed him to , but still hee put by with one flirt or another at mee , that hee might drive mee to speake something , which hee might represent ( as hee still did ) in the most odious manner hee could to the auditors , which injurious way hath been that which hath confirmed his party , though thereby they are abused by him . For present I grant the infants Deut. 29.11 . were then visible churchmembers , but not by that Covenant . Against this Mr. B. in his Correct . sect . 5. saith thus . 2. He saith , Moses made that Covenant with him that wa● not there that day , that is , their posterity not yet born ; shall it therefore be sai● , that they were visible members ? &c. ] I answer , 1. it is evident the Covena●t spoke de praesenti to those that were : bu● de futuro onely of those that were not in being , but future : They that were not , could not bee members visible or invisible . As they had a being , so they had a membership ; that is in posse , & in futuritione , non i● esse . By vertue of this deed of gift they should be born churchmembers . If a Landlord do by lease make over any land to you , and your childrens children , paying so much rent ; doth it follow that your children ( who are born ) are none of this mans tenants , because your childrens children ( who are unborn ) are not his tenants actually , but potentially ? Or , if a King be set over us , and out children , and childrens children ( by compact , ) doth it follow , that our children in being are not his subjects in being because our childrens children in posse are not subjects in esse but in posse onely ? Ah here is good arguing ! Answ. I find Moses speaking of Gods Covenant , but not the Covenant speaking , nor is that expression good sense ; nor was the speech to any other then were there , though it was of what should be after , and that as well what should be after to them that were present , as to them that were to be after , v. 13. and I think it true , that they which were not could not be members visible , though if the invisible Church be so from election , a● most Protestant Divines say , they might be members invisible . And it is true , that as they had a being so they had membership ( visible ) not in being but possibility and futuri●ion . But this is no answer to my reason but a strengthening of it . For whereas the the reason was this , That Covenant doth not make actually visible churchmembers , which is made with them who are not actually visible churchmembers : But that Covenant was made with them that were not actually visible churchmembers , for it was made with the unborn , who are confessed not to be actually visible churchmembers by Mr. B. himself ; Ergo. The major is plain from the rule in Logick , The same as the same doth always the same . And for Mr. Bs. instances , it is true , that it follows not , the children born are not tenants or subjects actually because the unborn are not ; but it follows , the lease and compact of themselves do not make actually tenants or subjects , because if they did they would do so the unborn as well as the born ; so in this point , though the arguing be not good , the unborn are not actually visible churchmembers , therefore the born are not ; yet this ( which was my arguing ) was good , By the Covenant which was made with the unborn they were not actually visible churchmembers , therefore by the same Covenant of it self , without any other cause , neither were the born infants actually visible churchmembers ; and consequently Mr. B. cannot from the making of this Covenant prove the Jewish infants actually visible churchmembers . To my saying , that an entring into Covenant by parents doth not make a visible member in the Christian Church however ( not as Mr. B prints it though ) it did in the Jewish , he saith much in the compass of a few lines , all which is answered before in several sections , chiefly 50 , 51 , 52 , 57. But he saith , 3. That this was a Covenant of grace is all the question . To which I say , though it be a question between us , yet it is not all the question . For both in the Dispute , and in all my writings , I denied that the Covenant of grace doth make visible churchmembers ; and therefore Mr. B. if he would have made good his argument , he should have proved that visible churchmembership and the Covenant of grace are inseparably conjunct , which Mr. B. failing to do , fails in proving the chief point of his argument . But let 's view what he saith , Correct . pag. 251. You add , saith he , [ this proves not the Covenant a pure Gospel-covenant , not including peculiar benefits to the Jewish nation . ] I answer , if by [ pure ] you mean that it is not onely a Gospel covenant , but that and more , it yeeldeth as much as I need ; for if it be a Gospel covenant , no matter though there be more . But if you mean , that it is not essentially a Covenant of grace , I could heap up abund●nce of arguments against you ; you may find many in Mr. Ba●● of the Covenant . I add : That Covenant wherein God taketh them to be his people , and engageth himself to be their God , is a Covenant of grace : ( for since the fall God entreth himself into no such Covenant with any but in Christ , and upon terms of grace . ) But such is this Covenant made with the Israelites and their little ones ; therefore this was a Covenant of grace . Answ. I mean by pure Gospel Covenant , that Gospel Covenant which was without mixture of domestick or political benefits proper to Abrahams seed inheriting , which is set down Heb. 8.10 , 11 , 12. out of J●r . 31.33 . and I say , that though there is perhaps an Evangelical promise or two intermixed in the enlargement of Moses his discourse , yet Deut. 29.13 , 14 , 15. the Oath or Covenant there made was no● purely Evangelical ▪ or essentially a Gospel Covenant , but a political , legal , national Covenant , such as God doth not enter into now with all those to whom he vouchsafes Gospel grace . And I prove it thus . 1. That Covenant which contains promises of the land of Canaan , the inheritance of it , and prosperity therein , is not essentially a Gospel Covenant , or a pure Gospel Covenant . But so doth that , Deut. 29.13 , 14 , 15. Ergo. The major is manifest : For the Gospel Covenant doth no● promise those things . The minor is plain from the words [ as he hath sworn unto thy fathers Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob. ] But that was a promise of Canaan , as appears from Gen. 12.7 . & 13.15 . & 15.8 . & 17.8 . & 22.17 . & 26.3 . & 28.13 , 14. Deut. 34.5 . and many passages in Moses his speech , Deut. 29.16 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 27. Deut. 30.2 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 16.18 . and most evidently the conclusion of it , Deut. 30 ▪ 20. & 28.11 . 2. The Covenant and Oath made then , was the same which was said to them before ; Deut. 29.13 . But that was the Covenant of the law in Horeb , Deut. 29.1 . Now that was not essentially the Covenant of grace , as is proved before , sect . 43. 3. That Oath and Covenant which was of being God to them upon condition of their obedience to his laws given by Moses , that is not a pure Gospel covenant , but a legal , Rom. 10.5 . Gal. 3.12 . But such is this , Deut. 29.8 , 29. & 30.2 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 16. where the judicial and ●eremonial are meant as well as the moral . 4. That Oath and Cov●nant which had the legal threatnings annexed to it , was not a pure Gospel covenant , or essenti●lly the Covenant of grace , Gal. 3.10 . Bu● such was this , as appears from Deut. 29.20 , 21 , 25. & 30.18 , 19. Ergo. What Mr. Ball hath written to prove Mr. Bs. position , I omit , 1. Because Mr. B. hath not set down the place . 2. Because I conceive Mr. B. hath produ●ed the chief . To the first , I answer by denying the major , and the proof of it ; and aver , that since the fall God did enter into a Covenant with the Jews which was not in Christ upon terms of Gospel grace . The minor is true , but God covenanted to be their God upon condition of their obedience to the law of Moses , as the words Deut. ●9 . 13 . imply , that he may establish thee to day for a people to himself by keeping the laws according to the Covenant they entred into . He adds . 2. That Covenant wherein the Lord promiseth to circumcise their hearts , and the hearts of their seed to love the Lord their God with all their heart , and with all their soul , that they may live , was a Covenant of grace ; ( for the Apostle to the Hebrews , ch . ●0 . 16 , 17. so describes it : ) But this was such a Covenant , as is written Deut. 30.6 . Therefore this was a Covenant of grace . Answ. Besides the exceptions following , it should be proved , that the promise , Deut. 30.6 . was the Oath or Covenant mentioned Deut. 29.13 , 14. and not rather an interlocutory promise on a special occasion , to erect their hearts in expectation of mercy upon their return from captivity . 3. Saith Mr. B. That which St. Paul makes the words of the righteousness of faith , was the Covenant of grace : But this is such , as is evident by comparing Rom. 10.6 , 7 , 8. with Deut. 30.12 , 13 , 14. But to this you give two sorry answers , being resolved to say somewhat . 1. [ It is s●oken of the command . ] Answ. 1. And is it not also of the promise foregoing ? 2. And is not this from as great a mistake as the other , to think that Gods command is no part of his Covenant ? That [ he will be their God ] is his promise : but is that all the Covenant ? That [ they shall be his people , and so take him for their God , and resign themselves to him ] this is both commanded by him , and covenanted by them . Answ. The answer was right that the speech of Moses , Deut. 30.12 , 13 , 14. however accommodated by Paul to another purpose , is meant of the word of the law , the commandments , and statu●es which were written in that very book of the law , v. 10. which Moses delivered , and it was nigh to them that they might hear it and do it : Which cannot be meant thus , Who shall ascend into heaven to bring Christ from above , or who shall descend into the deep , that is to bring Christ again from the dead , that we may hear Christ thus brought down and up , and do it , it were not good sense , nor any way congruous to the speech of Moses . And to Mr. Bs. reply , 1. I say it is not spoken of the promise , for that is not a thing for us to hear and do , but for God. 2. Though the command may be a part of the Covenant in a large sense , as it includes all that pertains to a Covenant , yet in strict and exact sense , a Covenan● being an aggregate of promises , the command is not part of the Covenant . 3. However it is no part of the Covenant and Oath which God sw●re Deut. 29.13 . For what God sware was that which he would do , not what he appointed them to do , and consequently no part of the Covenant of grace , for that is of what God will do for us ; our faith , though it be the condition of the thing promised , yet i● it not the Covenant o● grace . 4. The word , Deut. 30.14 . cannot be meant of the Covenant of grace , sith the condition is the hearing and doing of all the law of Moses , that they might keep Gods commandments , and his statutes , and his judgements , ( which reach to judicial , and c●remonial precepts , as well as moral ) that thou mayest live and multiply , and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land , whither thou goest to possess it . Locus ille indubitante● de obedien●ia totius legis loquitur . David Pareus castig . Bellarm. tom . 4. degrat . & lib. arb . l. 5. c. 6. 2. Saith Mr. B. You answer [ it is frequent with the Apostle to accommodate words to his purpose that have a different sense in the places whence they were taken , from that to which the Apostle applieth them , as Rom. 10.18 . ] Answ. A man would think here you plainly mean , that it is frequent with the Apostle to wrest and pervert the Scripture to his own ends from its true sense ; and you can mean no better , except you mean that he alludeth to the words , making use of the meer phrase without the sense ; and indeed that is usual in common speech : and such is that , Rom. 10.18 . But that he doth not barely allude to this in Deut. 30. is left undeniable . ● . He bringeth it in , v 6. as Gods description of the righteousness of faith , &c. having before said , Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law , &c. 2. He addeth the very exposition to every sentence : [ who shall ascend into heaven ] that is , saith he , to bring Christ down from above ? And who shall descend into the deep ] that is to bring Christ again from the dead ? 3. He fully expresseth it v. 8. But what saith it ? The word is nigh thee , &c. that is , the word of faith which we preach , that if thou confess with thy mouth , &c. Is not here a full discovery , that the Apostle expoundeth , and not onely alludeth to these words ? Name mee one place in the New Testament , that more evidently speaks in an expository way of any Text in the Old ? Answ. As much is said by the most godly and learned Protestant interpreters of this place as by me , and therefore if I be chargeable with accusing the Apostle of wresting and perverting the Scripture to his own ends from its true sense , they are likewise so chargeable . Beza annot . ad Rom. 10.8 . By this term [ the word ] Moses understandeth the law which God by his voyce published , all his people bearing , so that they might pretend no ignorance , when they had the tables of it described , and so might every one recite it out of their mouth , and might have it within as it were engraven in their knowledge and mind . But what Moses spake of the law , all that Paul accommodates to the Goppel by allusion : that at length by the Gospel he may teach us to enjoy that indeed which the law promiseth , and be f●eed from that which it threatneth . Diodati anno● . on Rom. 10.6 . St. Paul maketh use of this passage though spoken in another sense . The new Annot. on Rom. 10.8 . ●y the word , Deut. 30.14 , Moses understood the law which the Lord published with his own voice , and Paul applies it to the preaching of the Gospel , which was the perfection of the Law. On v. 18. This place is taken out of Psal. 19.4 . and is properly meant of that knowledge of God , which all men may have by contemplation of the heavens , and the c●eatures therein ; yet it is by the Apostle very fitly applied to the sound of the word preached by the Apostles . ●rapp on Rom. 10.8 . Moses meant it of the Law , but it more fitly agreeth to the Gospel Piscater analys . Paulus alludi● ad verba Mosis , Deut. 30.14 . Willet on Rom. 10. qu. 10. Some think that Moses in that place , Deut. 30.12 . directly speaketh of the law according to the literal sense ; and St Paul by a certain allusion applieth that unto faith , which Moses uttereth of the law . So Theodoret , Chrysostome , Occumenius . Likewise Tostatus upon the place , Paul by a certain agree●ent hath translated this place , and applied it unto faith . Vatablus also saith , that Paul followeth not Moses sense , but some words . Yet Pareus inclineth to think St. Paul here useth but an allusion to that place of Moses , dub . 6. Daniel Heinsius , Exercit. sacr . in Rom 10.6 , 7. E Rom. 10.18 patet rerum esse quod non semel alibi ●●nuimus , sed & a magnis observatum Theologis , in epistolam praesertim ad Hebraos , meninimus ; novi faderis scriptores verba veteris & eleganter & venust non semel aliò tran●ferre . Quod tam usitatum est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ut vi● ullus fi● Homeri versus cu●us verba non mutato sensu usurpentur . In his autem quod Matthaeus , c. 2. v. 18. ● Jerem. 31.15 . ( quod & B. Hieronymus vult ) usurpavit , neque pauca sunt in psalmis quae pro instituto suo Paulus maxima cum venustate usurpat . Qu●d nec mirum est , cum utrobique idem spiritus , qui tanquam propria ac sua , ante dicta usurpavit . And yet none of these Authors did conceive Paul to have wrested and perverted the Scripture to his own ends from its true sense ; nor doth my speech infer any such accusation . Nor do I mean that Paul alludeth to the words , making use of the meer phrase without the sense ; but that he accommodates words to his purpose , that have a different sense in the places whence they are taken , from that to which the Apostle applieth them , which is no wresting of them . To the reason of Mr. B. I answer . To the first , that I do not find that the Apostle v. 6. brings it in as Gods description of the righteousness of faith , but by a prosopopeia the righteousness of faith is brought in as directing the believer . To the second , it is true Paul addeth the very exposition to every sentence , bu● not an exposition of the Text in Deut. 30.12 , 13 , 14. but an exposition of the words of the righteousness of faith as they are applied thence by the Apostle to his purpose . And yet plain Texts which are not so accomodated I cannot ●o put off as I will. Your last answer , saith Mr. B. is the worst of all . You say , if the Covenant did contain promises purely Evangelical , yet the Covenant in respect of them cannot bee meant of all and every of the Israelites , that God would bee a God to them , that is , sanctifie , justifie , adopt them to bee heirs of eternal life . ] Answ. 1. God saith you stand all here , &c. to enter into the Covenant , and oath , &c. And you say , it cannot be all , whom shall we believe God or you ? Answ. Both , for we say in this point the same , that some in the name of all did enter into Covenant , and his oath to be a God in them , and yet he not be a God to them all that entred into the Covenant , but to to them onely that kept the Covenant ▪ 2. Saith hee , You foully mis-interpret the promise , to bee to them a God , as if it were such as could bee verified to none but the elect . God hath p●omised to others to bee their God , who are not elect , as is undeniable in the text . Therefore in a larger sense , as I have before in due place fully explained it . Answ. It is sure foul language to tell me I foully mis interpret the promis● to be to them a God , when I interpret not at all t●e promise Deut. 29.13 . but onely infer from Mr. ●s . interpretation of it as purely Evangelical ( which I count false ) that then it in respect of promises purely Evangelical should be meant onely of the elect , which I agree with him to be absurd . Nor is the matter salved by telling me that God hath promsed to others to be their God who are not elect , For however hee hath not promised to be a God in respect of promises purely Evangelical to be a God by sanctifying , justifying , adopting to eternal life , to any but the elect . Yet Mr. B. asks me . And why may not God promise justification , adoption ( and sanctification in the sense as Divines , and Scripture most use it , for the work following faith ) and eternal life , and all on the condition of faith , and this to more then the elect ? and hath he not done so ? But of this and of infants condition before Answ. 1. By sanctifying I meant the sanctifying by which faith is produced , which is the same with regeneration , writing the lawes in the heart , Heb. 10.16 . and is used so 1 Cor. 1.30 . & 6.11 , &c. and thus he sanctifieth onely the elect , Ephes. 1 4. 2 Thes. 2.13 . and I supposed Mr. B. had meant the same by circumcision of the heart , to love the Lord , Deut. 30.6 . and that hee included it in the promise of being a God to them , Deut. 29.13 . and this sure is proper to the elect , if Mr. B. say true , Friendly accommod . p. 362 ▪ Cor novum is given to the elect onely . And sure if Mr. B. did not mean this , he did not mean the Covenant of grace , or the Gospel covenant , in which this is the first promise , Heb. 10.16 . 2. But let after-sanctification be onely meant , and justification condition of faith , yet I think the promise is made of these to none but the elect , ●ith none are believers but they . An offer may bee made to others by men , but no promise by which God is bound , and will performe it to any other . 3 If the Covenant bee on condition of faith , then it is not made to infants , for they believe not . Nor is the promise made to infants on condition of parents faith , for though Mr. B. dream so , yet the Scripture saith not so , nor is it true . For 1. the promise should then be made to Esau as well as to Jacob in infancy , which the Apostle refutes Rom. 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 ▪ 2. If the promise were made to infants upon their parents faith , then God is engaged to sanctifie them in infancy , and if so he doth it , and if he do , either holiness by sanctification of the spirit may bee lost , or else they must all go to heaven , for all holy ones go thither , 3. The promise to the father is upon condition of his own faith , therefore so is the promise to the child , for there is not a different promise to the father and the child upon different conditions . But I hasten . He adds . You would sain say somewhat too to that Deut. 30.6 . but like the rest , 1. You confess it is a promise of spiritual grace , but to the Jewes after their captivitie , 2. ●nd upon condition of obedience , 3. And not performed to all their seed , but onely to the elect . ] Answ. 1. But did God promise spiritual grace to the Jews after the captivity and not before ? Repl. The promise Deut. 30.6 . is to the Israelites to do it for them onely after their captivity , I said not after the captivity as Mr. B. speaks . Was not the promise , saith he , made to them that then were ? Repl. It was . Were not they , saith he ; captivated oft in the time of the Judges , and so it might at least be made good then ? Repl. I grant it . If God , saith he would do as much for them before they forsook him , and brake the Covenant by rebellion , as he would do afterward when they repented , then he would circumcise their hearts before as well as after : But the former is true , therefore the later . Repl. I grant it , yet this proves not the promise as it is there Deut. 30.6 . to be made to them of what God would do for them afore their captivity . 2. Saith hee , And if it bee on condition of obedience , then you confess there are conditional promises , and then it was made to more then the elect . Answ. I deny the consequence . 3. Saith hee , If it were not performed to any but the elect , no wonder , when it was a conditional promise , and the rest performed not the condition : which God will cause the elect to perform . Answ. Sure it was not promised to any but to whom God performs it . For though it were on a condition of theirs , yet it was such a condition as was to be wrought and was promised by him , which hee did onely to the elect . And thus Mr. B. may see my vindication or my descant on this text , and the Reader perhaps will wonder at the vanity and wilfulness of Mr. Bs. exceptions against it . SECT . LXVIII . Neither from Rom. 4.11 . nor by other reason hath Mr. B. proved , ch . 18 , 19. part . 1. of Baptism , That Infant Churchmembership was partly natural , partly grounded on the Law of Grace and Faith. CH. 18. Mr. B. writes thus . My 13th . arg . is from Rom. 4. almost all the Chapter , wherein the Apostle fully sheweth , that the promise ( upon which his priviledges were grounded ) was not made to Abraham upon legal grounds , but upon the ground of faith : From whence I might draw many ar●●ments , but for brevity , I desire you to peruse the Chapter ; onely from the eleventh verse : And hee received , &c. From whence I thus argue . If infants then usually were entred and engaged Churchmembers by that Circumcision which was a seal of the righteousness of faith , and was not given on legal grounds ; then that Churchmembership of infants is not repealed : ( as beeing built on grounds of Gospel , and not Law , and sealed with a durab●e seal , that is , the seal of the righteousness of faith . ) But the antecedent is plain in the text . Answ It is true Rom. 4.13 , 14 , 16 , 20 , 21. there is mention of Gods promise to Abraham , and in particular two speeches are cited v. 17. Gen. 17.5 . I have made thee a father of many nations ( which implies a promise ) & v. 18. Gen. 5.5 . So shal thy seed be , & it is true the privile●ges of justification by faith , of the father of believers , of heir of the world , 〈◊〉 by faith , and the promise but that his visible Churchmemhership 〈◊〉 infants was by promise is not said , nor is there a word in that Chapter or elsewhere , ●o prove that Churcmembership of infants was built on grounds of Gospel and not Law , or that it was sealed , or that the seal was durable which was termed the seal of the righteousness of faith , or that the Circumcising of any person besides Abraham was a seal of the righteousness of faith , and therefore I deny the minor , which hee termes the antecedent , and the consequence of the major also . For if his reason were good , I might by the same medium thus argue , If that Circumcision by which infants were usually then entred and engaged Churchmembers was a seal of the righteousness of faith , and was not given on legal grounds then that Circumcision of infants is not repealed , But the antecedent is plain in the Text , Ergo. What answer Mr. B. gives to this argument will also answer his own , and I presume he will not hold Circumcision unrepealed , which hee must if his argument be good . Mr. B. addes , I urged this on Mr. T. many years ago , and all his answer was , that Abrahams Circumcision was a seal to others that should come after , of the unrighteousness of Abrahams faith but no otherwise . A strange answer , and very bold ! I hear that since he answereth , that it was onely such a seal of Abrahams righteousness by faith , but not of others afterward . Answ. I am sure Mr. B. in this ( as he doth almost in every thing I have spoken , written or done , which he hath had occasion to mention ) doth mis-report me , my an●wer to him and others was not as he and they represent it . This is my answer , 1. That Rom. 4.11 . no other persons Circumcision but Abrahams is termed the seal of the righteousness of faith ▪ 2. That to Abraham his Circumcision was a seal of that righteousness by faith , which hee had afore bee was circumcised . 3. That Abrahams personal Circumcision is a seal of the righteousness of faith to all that believe as he did , and to no other . 4. That the usu●l Ci●cu●cision of infants , was not a seal of the righteousness of faith , or of the Covenant of grace to every circumcised person . But , saith Mr. B. 1. The Text seems to speak of the nature and use of Circumcision , and the end of its institution : as being ordained at first of God to seal onely a Gospel righteousness of faith , and not a legal righ●eousness of works or ceremonies . Answ. 1. If Circumcision were at first ordained of God to seal a Gospel righteousness of faith , then it did not seal visible Churchmembership of infants ( for that is not a Gospel righteousness of faith , sith it may bee without Gospel righ●eousness or faith , and these may bee without it ) as Mr. B. saith in this Chapter . 2. The nature , use and end of Circumcision in others , is not at all expressed Rom. 4. ●● . but onely of Abrahams . 3. The use and end of Circumcision was at first to signifie that Covenant God entered into with Abraham , Gen. 17. after to binde the circumcised to observe the law of Moses , as the Apostle conceived it Gal. 5.3 . 2. Saith he , Doth God institute a standing ordinance to endure till Christ , to have one end for him to whom it was first given 〈◊〉 another to all others ? Is not the nature , end , and use of Sacram●●ts or holy engaging signs and seals , the same to all ? though the fruit be not alway the same . These are poor shifts against a manifest truth , which deserve not answer . Answ. 1. Doth not Mr. B. of baptism p. 2. ch . 2. himself answer , that baptism , which he terms a Sacrament or holy engaging signe and seal , hath more ends and uses then one , and that the infant is capable of some , though not of others : yea though he make the end to be in the definition of Sacraments that it is of their nature to be signs , and so no Sacraments but what do signifie ; yet hee will have baptism to bee a Sacrament to an infant to whom it never is any signe or signifies any thing , for the baptised infant either never saw it , or never saw it as a signe of the engagem●nt Mr. B. speaks of , and so it is never a signe to the baptised , the Baptism leaving no visible impression on the body as Circumcision did , to signifie to the infant when hee comes to age . Whence I infer , 1. That according to Mr. Bs. own doctrine , the Sacrament of Baptism hath one end to those to whom it was first given to wit , to signifie their owning of Christ as their Lord , and another end to almost all others , to wit , infants , to seal them Gods promise without their personal owning of Christ. 2. That according to him , the nature , end , and use of Sacraments , or holy engaging signs and seals is not the same to all ; for Baptism is no holy engaging sign to an infant , who doth neither signifie by it , nor hath any thing signified to it by it , no nor is naturally capable of it , and consequently it is no Sacrament to it , sith it is not either actually or potentially a sign to the infant , no not when grown up of any thing signified by it . 2. Doth not Mr. B. acknowledge , that Abrahams Circumcision did seal the righteousness of saith which he had being yet uncircumcised ? sure he will not deny this , which the Apostle expresly teacheth . But sure it had not that end in all others , therefore he must acknowledge one end of Circumcision for Abraham which to all others it had not 3. About the nature , end , and use of Sacraments , I have expressed in part my mind before , sect 31. Nor either there or here do I use any shifts against a manifest truth , but Mr. B. ha●h levied a company of poor feeble arguments , which but for the shallowness or prejudice of Paedobaptists , deserved not an answer . Ch. 19. he saith thus . My 14 th . arg . is this : If the law of infants churchmembership were no part of the ceremonial or meerly judicial law , nor yet of the law of works , then it is not repealed . But it was no part of the ceremonial law , nor meerly judicial , nor part of the law of works ( as such . ) therefore it is not repealed . The consequence is evident , seeing no other laws are repealed . The antecedent I prove in its parts . 1. None will say it was part of the law of works ; for that knows no mercy to those who have once offended : But churchmembership was a mercy . Answ. 1. Mr. B. should have first proved any such law at all ( which he hath not proved yet ) distinct from the law of Circumcision ; and this is my answer to this argument , that there is no such law at all , and this is enough . Yet I add , 2. If his pre●ended law of infants visible churchmembership be no part of the law of works , then it is not of the law of nature , which before and after he asserts ; for the law and Covenant of nature , is the law and Covenant of works , which I think Mr. B. wil not deny , surely it is not of grace in Christ ; Ergo. That is not of grace in Christ which was afore the fall ; but such is the law of nature , Ergo. 3. That the law of works knows no mercy to those who have once offended , is a dictate of Divines , which needs proof . That the law at mount Sinai was a law of works , is proved before , sect . 43. But that yeelded some mercy , Levit. 4.2 , 20 , 26 , 31 , 35. Numb . 15.22 , 23 , 24 , 28. Ergo. 4. How far , and in what manner visible churchmembership of infants was a mercy , and how it is otherwise now , is shewed before , sect . 64 , 66. 2. Saith Mr. B. If it were part of the ceremonial law , then 1. let them shew what it was a type of , and what is the antitype that hath succeeded it , and prove it to be so , if they can . Answ. 1. I do not take every thing typical to have been ceremonial ; nor every ceremonial thing to be typical : Or if it be so , yet I am sure , of every thing ceremonial which was typical , Mr. B. cannot shew what was the antitype in particular , at least he cannot prove it . When Mr. B. hath shewed and proved what was the antitype to all the dishes , bowls , snuffers , and other utensils about the tabernacle , and of every thing appointed concerning them , their colour , fashion , mettal , &c. and of every rite prescribed Israel by Moses , there may be some equity in Mr. Bs. task . But till then it is enough to tell him , that to it with other things typified , Christ , Col. 2.17 . succeeded . The churchmembership by birth hath had churchmembership by faith to succeed it , as is before proved from Gal 3. and if that be not enough , let Mr. B. answer , and not slight what Mr. Samuel Fisher writes in his Baby baptism meer Babism , about the ceremonial holiness of the Jews infants , pag. 112.113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , &c. 2. Saith he , If the very materials of the Church were a ceremony , then the Church it self should be but a ceremony . And so the Church in Abraham● family should be more vile then the Church in the family of Noah , Melchizedech , Sem , Job , Lot , &c. which were more then ceremonies . Answ. The Levitical priesthood was ceremonial , and yet not the materials , that is the men , a ceremony ; so churchmembership might be a ceremony , yet not the churchmembers . But I do not term either the one or the other a ce●emony , it is sufficient that it was a meer positive thing alterable and that it was altered . 3. Saith he , And that it was no part of the meerly judicial law , appears thus . 1. As was last said , then also the Church in Abrahams family should be more vile then the aforesaid ▪ for their churchmembership was not a piece of meer policy , as we call the judicials . Answ. I● it we●e by any law that infants were Churchmembers , it is more likely to be 〈◊〉 judicial law then any other of the ●hree sorts of the Mosaical laws , which Divines do so distinguish . And to the argument I say , 1. By making infants Churchmembership to be by a mixt or meer judicial law in Abrahams family , it is not made a piece of meer civil policy not Eccl●siastical , for the Jew● Commonwealth was a holy policy , and the members of the State were members of the Church and consequently , it is rather made more excellent by referring it to the meer judicial laws , as the constitution of the Sanhed●in and other things are , and the admitting of the proselytes and their children was by the Elders of the Jews . 2. How to say concerning the families of Noah , &c. we cannot resolve , sith we find little or nothing of them , no mention of Noahs infants , or Melchizedecs , Sems , Jobs , or Lots except Amm●n and Moab , nothing said of their Churchmembership , or of the government of the families , what it was , or by what law . 2. Saith he , It cannot be shewn that it hath any thing of the nature of a meer judicial law in it ( except we may call the moral laws or Gospel promises judicial , upon which meer judicials are built : ) why is it not as much of the judicial law to have women Churchmembers as children ? yet who dare say that this is meerly judicial ? Answ. It can be shewn , that if there be such a law , it is a meer judicial law , because it belonged to the ordering of the Commonwealth or policy of Israel , as it is termed , Ephes. 2.12 . and the entring of proselytes was to be done by the eldership of the people , and not by the priests . And this we da●e say of the womens visible Churchmembership as well as the infants , and that neither of them were by a moral law o● Gospel promise as Mr. B. fancies . 3. Sai●h he , It is of the very law of nature to have infants to be part of a Kingdome , and the Kings subjects . And Mr. T. hath told me his judgement ; that the Jews Church and Commonwealth was all one : therefore according to Mr. T. his grounds , it must needs be requisite even naturally that infants should then be Churchmembers . I thinke this is past denial . Answ. Kingdomes themselves are not of the law of nature , no nor of the law of nations , if they were , all other government then of Kings were against these laws , much less can it be o● the law of nature to have infants to be part of a Kingdome , and the Kings subjects . According to my judgment , the Jews Church and Commonwealth were not all one naturally , but by institution ; and therefore , according to my grounds , it is not requisite even naturally that infants should then be Churchmembers . So that I find none o● these things past denial . 4. Saith he , The promise that took them in , and the seal were both grounded on the righteousness of ●aith , as is proved before ; therefore not a meer judicial . Answ. Neither were they taken in by a promise , nor was the promise or the seal grounded , that is , made or given by reason of the righteousness of faith , to or in those to whom they were made or given . Nor is any such thing before proved by Mr. B. 5. Saith he , In●ants were Churchmembers long before the time of Moses , when the Jews were formed into a Commonwealth , and the ●udicial laws given them . And as the Apostle argues , the law which was many hundred years after , could not make void the promise , and so it could not be that this was part of the meerly judicial law . Answ. The Jews were formed into a Commonmealth , and judicial laws given , as may appear by the appointment of Onan and Sh●lah to take their brothers wife , Gen. 38 8. and the sentence of Judah concerning Tamar , v. 24. before Moses time , though then both were compleated . Though the law makes not void the promise , yet the law of infants visible Churchmembership , if there were any such , might be meerly judicial . 6. Saith he , That it is neither a meer judicial , nor proper to the Jews ▪ appeareth thus . That which was proper to the Jews , was given to them onely ; that is , onely to Isaac and his seed , on whom the Jewish priviledges were intailed . But many hundreds were circumcised as Churchmembers ( among them many infants ) in Abrahams family , before ever Isaac was born ; and all the proselytes with their infants afterward that would come in . The children of Keturah and their children , and the children of Ishmael , &c. were once all Churchmembers ; let any shew when they were unchurched , except when they unchurched themselves by their wickedness ; or let any shew that the same sons of Keturah , who must circumcise their sons as Churchmembers while they were in Abrahams family , must leave them uncircumcised and unchurched when they were removed from that family . Did God change laws , and revoke such mercies and priviledges to the seed of Abraham , meerly because of their removing from his house , and change of place ? Who dare believe such fancies , without one word of Scripture ? Remember therefore , that it is here plainly proved , that infants Churchmembership was not proper to the Jews . Answ. That which wa● proper to the Jews was not proper to Isaac onely and his seed , but common to Abraham , Isaac , and Jacobs family , or the people that either by birth or proselytism were Hebrews : When Ishmael was cast out , and the sons of Keturah sent away from Isaac , Gen. 25.6 . they were not Churchmembers , nor their children , no more then the circumcised children of the Jews by strange wives when they were separated from the holy seed , Ezra 10. & Nehem 13. which the Lord did for that reason which he judged fit , however it seem to us . Nor is this conceit a fancy , but plain from those Scriptures named and others , which still reckon the Ishmaeli●es , Edomites , Ketureans , and posterity of Jews by prohibited women and separated from the congregation of Israel , as a profane people , and so not Churchmembers . Nor do I think they were bound to circumcise their infants as Churchmembers , or did it when separated from the Hebrew people . So that Mr. B. hath not yet proved , that infants Churchmembership was not proper to the Jews , but that it is partly natural , and partly grounded on the law of grace and faith , as he speaks . SECT . LXIX . Mr. B. ch . 20. by his 15th . arg . from infants being once members in the universal visible Church , hath not proved their visible Churchmembership unreapealed . CH. 20. My 15th . arg saith he , is this : If all infants who were members of any particular Church , were also members of the universal visible Church ( which was never taken down ; ) then certainly their Churchmembership is not repealed : But all infants , that were members of any particular Church , were also members of the universal visible Church ; therefore their Churchmembership is not repealed . The consequence is beyond dispute , because the universal Church never ceaseth here . And in my judgement , the whole argument is so clear , that were there no more it were sufficient . Answ. The very conclusion , is so palpably false , that no man that understands it but will wonder that Mr. B. should shew himself so besotted , as to prove so in●ustriously a thing contrary to sense , that the visible Churchmembership of no infants who were members of any particular Church is repealed , that is , ceaseth . For who knows not that Isaac , Jacob , Moses , David , with million● more are dead , and are now no members in any visible Church ? If it be said , that Mr. B. means the species of infants , I reply , then he speaks non-sense and false . For the species is but one , and therefore to ●erm the species which is but one [ all infants ] in the plural number is non-sense And false for the species was never a member of any particular Church , for members are individuals , nor is the universal visible Church totum universale , which may bee thus divided into adult and infants as into two sorts of Churches , but totum integrale , an integral whole consisting of parts existing , and when the parts ceased to exist then they were not members visible , and the whole Church visible must needs cease when all the members existent are deceased . It is false also that the species an be termed visible : For that is visible which may be discerned by sense , but sense discerneth not species , but individuals . If it be said that Mr. B. means that the universal visible Church is as a fluent body , as a river whi●h con●inues the same from a succession of ether water in the same channel , neither will this ●ee for his purpose . For 1. in that sense the infants that were members cease , and other infants succeed ; 2. it is manifest that the visible Church is not now among those people , to wit the Jews , w●o had heretofore infants visible churchmembers , they are broken off from being Gods visible Church , and so the succession of churchmembers in t●at people ceaseth , and it is that which is denied t●at in the other channel , to wit the visible Christian Church , infants do or ought to be taken to succeed in the place of the deceased Jewish infants , and if the sense be thus , the whole argument is this ; If infants visible churchmembership be and ●ught to be taken to be in the Christian visible Church as in the Jewish , then it is not repealed . But infants visible churchmembership is and ought to be taken to be in the christian visible Church as in the Jewish , ergo . of which I should deny the minor . But this hath no likelihood to be Mr. Bs. meaning , whose words import plainly that which I count non-sense and false . And therefore I answer to his argument , if the parenthesis ( which was never taken down ) be a part of the antecedent in the major , and the sense be this [ and the universal visible Church existent in the age wherein infants were members of a particular Church was never taken down or ceased not ] and this be supplied in the minor , I d●ny the minor , if it be not supplied I deny the syllogism to be good , as not having the whole medium in the minor which was in the major , if it be understood in another sense ( which I count non-sense ) that the species of infants in the Jewish particular Church were members of the universal visible Church Christian , the minor is to bee proved . As for what Mr. B. saith , the universal Church never ceaseth here , if it be meant of the universal visible Church definite of that age ( in which alone infants visible members of a particular Church are members ) it is false , if of an universal Church visible indefinite , so as that the sense be , some or other universal Church visible never ceaseth , or an universal visible Church in some age or other ceaseth not infant members in the particular Church are not members in such an universal , but in the definite of one age , and the minor of Mr. Bs. argument in that sense is false ; Or if the sense bee ( as it seemeth by what followes ) That the nature of the universal visible Church ceaseth not ●heere , I deny the consequence of the major in Mr. Bs. syllogism ; And say , That it is non-sense to term the nature of the universal visible Church the universal visible Church , as it is to term humanity or manhood a man , or Peter humanity or the humane nature . All know that understand the Metaphysicks , that whatever the difference bee whether formal or modal or some other , yet the one is not rightly predicated or said of the other : no man saith the essence of a thing ( which is all one with the nature ) is the thing , but that by which it is . In like manner it is non-sense to say infants were members of the nature of the universal Church visible . For membership hath relation to an integral whole not to an essential , no man makes infants a part of the definition of the universal visible Church , but of the compleatness of it . But let 's view Mr. Bs. proof . 1. Saith he , That there is a universal visible Church , Mr. Rutherford and others have largely proved : They of New England indeed deny a unive●sal visible governing or political Church ; but not this that I speak of ( as you may see in Mr. Shepheard and Mr. Allens answer to Mr. Ball ) But lest any should deny it , I wi●l bring one proof or rather many in one , 1 Cor. 12 , 13. We are all baptised by one spiri● into one body , whether Jews or Gentiles . Here you see it is one and the same body that all are baptised into : Now that this is the visible Church I prove thus . 1. That one body that hath distinct visible members with variety of gifts is the visible body : But this is such . 2. That one body which is visible in suffering and rejoycing is the visible body . But this is such v. 25 , 26. 3. That body which is capable of schism , and must be admonished not to admit of it , is the visible body ; But this is such v. 25. 4. That body which had the visible seals of Baptism and the Lords Supper was the visible body ; But this was such v. 13. 5. That one body which had visible universal officers was the visible universal Church or body ; But this was such : Therefore , &c. Answ. I list not to interpose my judgement in the controversies between Mr. Ball and Mr. Rutherford , and Mr. Hudson on the one side , and Mr. Allen , Mr. Shepheard , and Mr. Hooker on the other side , which rest much on the meaning of the term [ Church ] in such passages as these 1 Cor. 12 , 28. & 10.32 . Acts 8. ● . Gal. 1.13 , &c. and some Logick notions of an universal and integral whole , of a similar and dissimilar whole , the distinction of a Church entitive and organical , and the like . Nevertheless because it concerns the present point that I should say somewhat in this thing , I shall thus far express my conceits . 1. I think by the word Church in none of the places alledged by Mr. Hudson vindic . ch . 2. a particular fixed congregation organized is meant except the last , 3. Joh. 10. where I conceive the casting out could be onely out of that particular Church where Diotrephes did Lord it , and where alone he did and could forbid those that would receive the brethren , though perhaps the effect might extend further . Nor do I think on the other side , that in any one of them by [ the Church ] is meant the universal visible organical political Church collectively taken , which Mr. Hudson asserts not Acts. 8.3 . Gal. 1 . 1● . For Saul did not make havock , persecuted or destroy the whole Church so taken , nor only the particular Church of Jerusalem , but the word [ Church ] there is taken without quantity , an● so neither notes the universal nor particular , all nor some , but indefinitely in genere confuso , the disciples of Christ , or any of that way , Acts 9.1 2. them that believed on Christ , Acts 22.19 . them that called on his name , Acts 9.14 . the Saints , Acts 26.10 . wheresoever hee could reach them . And in the same sense it is taken Acts 2.47 . 1 Cor. 10.32 . 1 Tim. 3.15 . and I think the sense is the same Eph. 3.10 . whether [ by the Church ] be meant of what was done to or on the Church , that is the believers called out of the Gentiles , to whom hee gave his spirit manifestly as on Cornelius , or by the teachers in the Church , especially of the wonderful mysteries which were revealed in the exercise of gifts then given . Matth 16.18 . It is true , is meant the visible Church , but not the universal organical collectively taken , nor any particular Congregation organized , but the visible in respect of the part which is invisible , against which the gates of the grave or death shall not prevail , to keep them in , but they shall be raised up again to everlasting life at the last day . Nor is it said that the keyes should bee given to the Church but to Peter , the use of which was to bee in the calling of the Church effectually . The other text 1 Cor. 12.28 . cannot be meant of the Church visible universal organical collective , nor of a particular Congregation , not this latter for reasons given by Mr. Hudson , nor the former , for the Apostles , Prophets , Teachers , are distinct from the Church there taken : but they are not so from the Church universal visible organical collective , Ergo. Therefore I conceive Apostles , &c. are not said to be set in the Church collectively taken as a totum integrale organicum , but in the Church distributively taken , that is , in the several Churches where they were imployed , as Peter among those of the Circumcision , Paul among the Gentiles . To which the term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hath set , gives me occasion to encline , which I conceive to b●e the same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave , Eph. 4.12 . and it notes not a setting , by way of law constituting such to be in the Church , but a setting or disposing by way of providence in several Churches for their profit , as he saw good . 2. I conceive the term Catholike or universal Church ( between which Mr. Bl. Coven sealed pag. 155. saith Divines distinguish ) is sometimes taken in contradistinction to the Jewish National Church , sometimes as comprehending both the believers before and since the incarnation of Christ , and in both senses I conceive it notes the invisible Church , or the Church of the first born which are written in heaven , Heb. 12.23 . who are fellow heirs of the same body and partakers together of the promise of Christ through the Gospel , Ephes . 3.6 ▪ and this is the Catholike Church in the Apostles Creed , which we believe though we see it not . 3. I acknowledge a Catholike visible Church both before and after Christs incarnation entitive , though I think not organical since Christs ascension and the Apostles decease , and that this Catholike visible Church consists of all the visible Church-members and Churches particular visible in all the world and that this is visible onely in the several parts , which exist , and because these parts are in flux as a City , Army , Commonwealth , there are sometimes more sometimes fewer , sometimes the same persons may be visible Church-members and sometimes not , some parts may be formed after one manner some after another , the same sort of persons may be ( as infants ) in a Church v●sible of one constitution and not in another , he may bee a member ( as Cornelius ) in one Church that is not in another . So that the Church universal visible which I acknowledge is not uniform , and is onely as in numbring a total sum of many particulars cast up . 4. I conceive the text Mr. B. alledgeth serveth not his purpose . For though I think it is meant of the Church visible , yet not in respect of all the parts of the Church visible , but those that are so visible as that they are also of the invisible Church , to wit , true believers . 1. Because it is said that th●y are by one spirit baptised into one body , and made to drink into one spirit , now this must be understood of that unity of spirit which unites to Christ , not barely in respect of common gifts to the sanctified and unsanctified . But this cannot bee said of all the vi●ble members of the visible Church , therefore it is not meant of them . 2. Because the many members ▪ termed one body are termed Christ , v. 12. which can bee meant of Christ mystical onely , for those that are onely Christ by profession are not termed Christ , but those who are spiritually uni●ed to him ▪ now those are one spirit , 1 Cor. 6.17 . new creatures , 2 Cor. 5.17 . to whom there is no condemnation , Rom. 8.1 . of his flesh and of his bones , Ephes. 5.30 , 31 , 32. And to his reasons I answer , that though they prove the body meant 1 Cor 12.13 . was visible , yet they prove not that all parts of the visible Church are comprehended in that body , but onely such as were also of the invisible . 2. Saith Mr. B. That the Jews infants were members of this universal visible Church , I prove thus : There is but one visible universal Church or body : therefore they must needs be of this one , or be unchurched . See Gal. 3.16 . Ephes. 4 4 , 1 Cor. 1● . 12 . Answ. The unity there ascribed is not visible but invisible , to wit , by the union of the same spirit , and the body though visible in respect of some parts , yet is not said to bee one in resp●ct of any but those who are invisibly also joyned to that body , or for their sake , as Mr. B. pag. 340 If Christ Gal. 3.16 . bee not meant of Christ personal , it is certain it is meant of no more then Christ mystical , or the Church invisible , and so 1 Cor. 12.12 . the like is to be said . And that it is so Ephes. 4. ● . appears from the words where these are joyned one body and one spirit . Therefore I deny that those texts are meant of the universal visible Church as visible , but onely of that part of the universal visible Church of that time which was also of the invisible , which is one by unity of the same spirit . As for the universal visible Church it cannot bee said to bee one in several ages numerically , for it is but the total of all the members then existent ( for if they bee not existent among the living they are not visible ) and they are sometimes the same , sometimes others ( hee that is now of the visible Church may cease by death or apostasie to be so to morrow ) sometimes more sometime fewer , but they are one in respect of profession of the same faith , or in some other visible appearance to be of Gods people . Now the infants of the Jews might be members of the visible Church universal of a former age , but were not of the universal visible Church of that age , which was not one numerically with the universal visible Church of a former age , nor meant to be so , 1 Cor. 12.13 . 2. Saith he , Every one that is a mamber of the particular , must needs be a member of the universal ; else one might be a part of the part , and yet not a part of the whole . Answ. It is true of the universal made up of those parts , but he may be a member of the particular Church of uncircumcised , as Cornelius , who is not a member of the particular Church of the circumcised ; and he may be a member of the universal visible of one time , who is not a member of the universal visible of another time . A Jew before the offer of Christ might be a member of the Jewish Church national , as the Pharisees , to whom John Baptist , Ch●ist , and his Apostles preached ; yet were not members of the universal Church visible when they rejected the offer of Christ. Infants were members of the visible universal Jewish Church , who were not so of the universal visible Christian in another ●ge . Mr. Bs mistake is I conceive in this , that he thinks the universal visible Church is one and the same in every age , which is a gross mistake . But he saith , This is all beyond dispute ; and Mr. T. denied none of it , when I urged it on him , he confesseth , 1. There is a universal Church visible . 2. That the Jews Church was not the whole universal . 3. That every one that is a member of a particular Church , is also a member of the universal . 4. And that the Jews infants were members of the universal . 5. And this universal Church is not dissolved . Answ. I have made some search whether ever I confessed that this universal Church visible of which the Jews infants were members is not dissolved , and do not remember or find that ever I did so ; if I sholud , I do revoke it , as being most false : and I rather think ( if I did yeeld any thing that seemed like it ) that what I confessed was , that the nature or essentials of the Church are not dissolved , in stead of which ( as I ghess by what follows ) Mr. B. put this as my confession . He adds . What then remains to be denied ? Why this is all that he saith to the whole [ that their membership in the vniversal Church was onely by reason of their membership in the particular ; and therefore ceased with it . ] And how is this proved ? Why Mr. T. saith it is so , and that is the best proof , and all that I could get . Answ. It was enough when I was a respondent that I said so , it had been Mr. Bs. part to have disproved it : But I did then think , and do still think it so plain , that it needed not proof ; and ( as very a wrangler as Mr. B. is ) I think Mr. B. grants as much when he saith , that every one that is a member of a part is a member of the whole , and that the individual Church that then was , was broken off for unbelief ; and I know no visible Church but an individual . Methinks it is all one as if I had said , the finger is onely a member of the whole body in that it is a part of the hand , and when the hand ceaseth to be a part of the body , the finger ceaseth to be a member . But yet M. B. will try whether hee can disprove this any better . 1. Saith he , I think I have sufficiently proved , that even the nature of the Jews Church was not repealed , but onely the accidental ceremonies ; and the individual Church that then was , is broken off for unbelief ; but the Olive still remained . Answ. The visible Church Jewish could be no other then the individual Church Jewish , which if broken off , though the nature of the Jews Church was not repealed , and the Olive still remained , yet the infant Churchmembership which came onely in with the Jewish national Church , might and did cease . 2. Saith he . If the Jews Church were repealed , yet he that will affirm that the whole species of infants are cast out of the universal visible Church , must prove it well : For if I find that they were once in it , I need no more proof that they remain in , till some one shew me where it is revoked , which is not yet done by any that I know of . Answ. The repealing of the nature of the Jews Church , and of the Jews Church ( which intimate that the nature of the Jews Church and the Jews Church were a law capable of repeal ) is a piece of Baxterian non-sense , which I use not . That the Jewish Church national is broken off , and that churchmembership by birth is altered into churchmembership by faith , is so fully proved before , sect . 50 , 51 , 52. besides what elsewhere is said by me , that I count it superfluous to add any more . If it satisfie not Mr. B. it 's to be ascribed to his pertinacy in his opinion , which to be his proper temper I was told long ago , and much experience of him by my self and others find to be true . 3. Saith he , The universal Church is more excellent far then any particular , and so our standing in the universal Church is a far higher priviledge then our standing or membership in any particular : Therefore it will not follow , that infants lose the greater , because they lose the lesser ; and that they are cast out of the universal , because they are cast out of the particular . Answ. The universal may be more excellent then any particular extensively , because the universal comprehend the most excellent part , and the rest also ; but not intensively , sith all the excellency may be from one part . Christ the head is not the universal body , and yet the whole body is not more excellent intensively then Christ , that is , hath not more perfection then Christ ; for all the excellency in all the members is Christs , and from Christ. Yet the standing in the universal is not a higher priviledge then in the particular Church ; yea , if there be a standing in the universal besides the standing in the particular , yet the standing in the particular is a higher priviledge . Else why do Ministers exhort men to joyn with some particular Church , and to submit to their Pastors ? is it not for their advantage ? Sure Mr. B. who condemns Seekers , and those that are separ●tists from a particular Church , and those that live out of communion with any particular Church as Christians at large , and are so members of the universal Church , should not think they have a higher priviledge then members of a particular Church . If he do , he doth wrong them in condemning them , and disswading them from that state which is a higher priviledge . Much less is it true concerning infants , who are not visible Churchmembers , but as they stand in the particular Church . For they are not by their own profession visible Churchmembers , but meerly in that they are part of that nation which God takes for his people , as God did the Hebrew nation , and no other before nor since . This is clear , if we suppose the whole Hebrew nation destroyed except one male infant , this male infant would be no visible Churchmember , there being nothing by which he is discernable to sense to be more one of Gods people then another infant , though there we●e many Churches of Gentiles ●n other places : Whereas on the other side , if a Christian by profession were in no particular Church , but stood alone in an Island of unbelievers , remote from any particular Churches , I presume Mr. B. would say he were a visible member of the universal , though of no particular . Whence it follows , that if infants lose their standing in the particular Church Jewish , they lose their standing in the universal . 4. Saith he , Persons are first ( in order of nature , or time , or both , ) members of the universal Church , before they are members of any particular ▪ So was Noah , Lo● , Abraham , and all men before Christ , and so are all since Christ. The Eunuch in Acts 8. was baptized into the universal visible Church , and not into any particular . It is so with all others : It is the general use and nature of Baptism ; they are baptized into the name of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , and so into the catholick Church ; but not into any particular Church : If any such thing be , it is secondary , and accidental and additional , and no proper end of Baptism . So that it being first in order , that we are entred into the visible universal Church , it is likely to be of more durable continuance . Answ. Avoiding unnecessary disceptations with Mr. B. about the general use and nature of Baptism , and about the priority in order , or time , or both , according to which persons are members of the universal visible Church afore they are of the particular , I do agree , that persons who were visible Churchmembers by their sensible profession of the true God , were members of the universal afore they were of the particular : But deny this concerning infants , for the reason before given . 5. Saith he , It is no good consequence that is fetcht from the removal of a particular Church , or of the Jews particular Church , to breaking off from the universal ; therefore this will not prove infants are broke off . If a Jew had been forced into a strange countrey , yet there , both he and his children had been Churchmembers of the universal Church . When all the Jews were scattered abroad in captivity , so that they had neither temple , nor altar , nor priest , but perhaps one live in one Town , and another in another , as they do at this day ; you could not say , that these were of the visible particular Church of the Jews , though you might say still that they were Abrahams seed , and they and their children were members of the visible universal Church . Answ. The consequence is good as I frame it , Their churchmembership visible ceaseth , who were visible Churchmembers onely in that they were part of that visible Church which now ceaseth ; But so it was concerning infants visible churchmembership , ergo , it ceaseth : Which is different from that which Mr. B. imposeth on me . To his suppositions I say , that they were in that case members of the visible particular Church of the Jews , which was a particular Church , and so accounted even in their captivity , though not in a flourishing estate as in their own countrey . And for the instance of Keturahs children when they left the Church of Abrahams family , if their infants were visible Church-members ( which I conceive they were not ) then it was because they joyned themselves as proselytes to the Hebrew people , which I think is not true , and therefore conceive if any of Keturahs children who left the Church of Abrahams family , professed the God of Abraham , they were members of the universal , but not their infants . And ●or what Mr. B. adds , ●f a Jew then , or a Christian now , were cast upon the coasts of America , where he should never be a member of a particular Church more , yet he should be a member of the universal still ; I grant it , while they profess God in Christ. And for what he adds , Neither Joseph , Mary , nor Jesus in his infancy were unchurched , because they lived in Aegypt ( though I confess it is disputable whether Christ were ever a Churchmember property ; but I pass by that ) I grant it , for they remained members of the Jewish Church then when they were in Aegypt ▪ as I presume Mr. B. counts those of his Church of Kederminster members still , who may by imprisonment , traffique , service of the State in war , sickness , or otherwayes be absent thence in England , or forreigne parts against their will. 6. Saith he , Again , to lose their standing in the visible universal Church , is to lose their place in the visible body ( 1 Cor. 12.13 . ) and in the house o● the living God , 1 Tim. 3.15 . the pillar and ground of truth : But to be removed from one particular Church , or from every particular Church , is no casting out of Christs body , or Gods house : therefore it will not follow upon the removal from a particular Church , that they are removed from the universal ; especially when we are not speaking of individual infants , but of the whole species . So that I think this argument is unanswerable : Infants were members of the universal visible Church ( as Mr. T. confesseth ) This is the Church that we are now baptized into ; and this Church constitution is not altered or taken down : therefore infants membership of this Church is not taken down , what ever it be of the Jews particular Church . Answ. The consequence is good as I framed it in the paragraph next before , yea though Mr. Bs. two propositions here be granted : Nor can Mr. B. overthrow it , ●●ll he prove that the Jews infants had a standing in the universal visible Church , severed from their standing in the Jewish particular , for which he hath yet brought no proof . His saying that he spake of the whole species , not of individual infants , makes his speeches to appear ridiculous non-sense . For the whole species hath no standing in the visible Church universal or particular , nor can be said to be admitted in , or cast out , or removed from one or every particular Church . These things cannot be said of a species , but of individuals , sith a species is conceived abstractively from all individuificating circumstances of time , place , &c. which must be conceived in visible Churchmembership and removal or casting out . And that we are baptised now into that universal visible Church in which infants were members , is utterly false , and that the Church constitution is altered in that the Jewish particular Church ceaseth i● proved before , therefore there is not●ing in this argument unanswerable . As for what Mr. B. adds to this Chapter p. 339. I finde not that ●e brings any more strength in it which needs further answer . He refers me to Mr. Hudsons vindic . but tels me not what part he would have me answer , perhaps there is not any thing in the book that opposeth mee besides what is already answered , and I am not yet so obsequious to Mr. B. as to go ov●r a whole book to finde an adversary to fight with ; if Mr. B. kn●w any strength in it to oppose me with , he should have himself produced it or referred me to the particular place where I might finde it . As for the texts which hee cites out of Mr. Hudson , an answer is fu●ly made to what hee brings them for in the 2d . pa●t of this Rev●ew , ●ect 9. in which Mr. B. and others may see how shamefully they abuse Scripture , to prove a church national comprehending infants like the Jewish in the time of the Go●pel . And I add , that if Mr. B. weigh Mr. Hudsons words in his vindic . ch . 4 sect . 5. p. 93 , 94. I acknowledge the Jews to be a national Church . But my description of the Church Catholike was of the Church as it is now , s●nce the partitition wall is broken down , f●r then it became Catholike . I conceive there were believers of the sons of Keturah that d●d not partake of all the priviledges of the Jewish Church except they became proselytes . It is the Evangelical Catholike Church which my question is about ; into which the Jewes themselves being converted were admitted by a new initial seal , viz. baptism , and did not stand in it by their former national membership , but received a Catholike membership by baptism , I conceive that a man of any nation , converted to be a visible believer is a member of the Church Catholike en●itive , and hereby hath right to all Church priviledges that belong to the whole Church , Gods method us●d in the national Church of the Jews , b●ing in populo Israelitico , m●st ●eeds differ from the method in populo Catholico ; hee will finde that learned man speaking as much for my purpose as his own . They tha● boldly affirm that Christs Covenant , his sati●faction , his Church , his sealing , extend to any more then elect , joyn with the Arminians against the Scripture and the most approved Protestants , and the contrary contains no desperate expressions , as Mr. B b●ing m●slea● speaks ▪ Mr. Hudsons words pag. 220. are not right . If any hold that the believing Jews children are still Churchmembers , and yet deny that the Gentiles children are so hee may hold it still notwithstanding the assault made by Mr. B. here . For by the taking down the partition wall , Ephes. 2.14 . and the removing the enmity v. 16. Jews and Gentiles are not made one visible Church after the Jewish frame , but one by faith , and by it the Gentiles are cl●ansed , A●●s 15.9 . not a whole nation parents and children as the Jewish Church , but believers repenting , Acts 11.17 , 18. one body , one Lord , one faith , one baptism , &c. Eph. 4.5 6. proves not the Gentile and Jewish Church visible to be the same , but the invisible of both . Gal. 6.15 . hath not a word tending to prove that there is the same reason of Jews and Gentiles infant visible churchmembership , but of the equal interest in Christ of Gentiles who are new c●eatures , as of the Jews . It is no part of Pauls Epistles , and therefore not much of their substance to prove the taking in of the Gentiles , and graffing them into the Olive which the Jews were of , if by it were meant the visible Church Jewish , but it is most palpably false . The discipling nations , the Kingdoms of the world becomming Christs , Rev. 11.15 . prove not infant● discipleship , or churchmembership . All hitherto brought by Mr. B. hath yeilded no sufficient proof , let 's view the rest . SECT . LXX . Mr. Bs. 16th , and 17th . arg from the promise of mercy , Exod. 20.6 . and of blessing , Psal. 37.26 . are answered . CH. 21. saith Mr. B. The 16th . arg . then is this : Exod. 20.5 , 6. From hence I argue thus : If God have made over this mercy ( of Churchmembership ) in the moral law , to the children of all that love and obey him , then it is not proper to the Jews children , nor is it ceased : But God hath made over this mercy in his moral law to the children of all that love and obey him ; therefore it is not proper to the Jews children , nor is it ceased . Nothing but the antecedent here needeth proof . Every man I think among us will confess , that the moral law was not proper to the Jews , and that it is not ceased . Even the most of the Antinomians confess the ten Commandments are in force as the law of Christ , though not as the law of Moses . However , if they be against the preceptive part of the law , yet sure they will not bee against the promissary part . Though there be some clauses that were suted to the Jews peculiarly , yet I never yet met with man that would say this was so . If the ten Commandments be not currant proof , there is no disputing with them out of Scripture . Answ. There is need of proof of more then the antecedent to make this argument good . For 1. the conclusion is not that which Mr. B. should prove , Churchmembership and visible Churchmembership , children and infant children being not all one . God may shew the mercy of Churchmembership to infants , and yet not make over to them visible Churchmembership , and he may make over visible Churchmembership to the children of them that love him , and yet not to them in infancy . So that the conclusion may bee granted as it stands , without any impeachment to my tenet . But if it be meant of visible Churchmembership of infant children , the minor is to be denied . And to the proof , 1. I except that this promise was proper to the Jews made to back the legal Covenant , and though it be a promise annexed to the observing a moral precept , yet as in the fifth Commandment termed the first Commandment with promise , Ephes. 6.2 . So in this , the promise hath special reference to their prosperous and safe estate in Canaan , in which they were continued while they kept themselves from idolatry , and on the other side expelled , captivated , enslaved , when they served idols , unto the third and fourth generation , upon which considering the time of making this promise , the usual tenour of promises in the Books of Moses , as Deut. 7.9 , 12. to the same purpose , the place where this promise is put , the event which doth best expound it , and that no where under the Gospel promises are made to believers children , but onely to believers themselves of Evangelical mercy , yea the Apostle concludes that notwithstanding the promise to Abraham and his seed Gen. 17.7 . and to Israel , yet God hath mercy on whom hee will have mercy , and whom he will hee hardens , Rom. 9.18 . I do determine ( without fear of Mr. Bs. censure ) that this promise was suited to the Jews peculiarly . 2. I hence infer that if this mercy be meant of Churchmembership , yet it might bee , yea was proper to the Jews children . 3. The mercy here cannot be proved to be visible Churchmembership . 4. That it is onely to those mens children who love him and keep his Commandments , which is an invisible thing , and so whose infants are visible Churchmembers by this promise cannot bee known . 5. That this promise is made good though it be not performed to all those that love him , nor to all their children , nor to any in infancy . 6. That this promise is not true without the exception of election , and the expounding of it as conditional and not absolute sith it must then follow that God exempts none yet from mercy , there being not a thousand generations from Noah to this day ▪ So that till Mr. B. have proved the contrary to these ( which he can never do ) his proof from hence will appear to be of no force . But let us examine what he saith . Let mee try therefore whether this 2d . Commandment in the words cited do not prove the minor : to which end I argue thus . If God have assured his mercy by promise to the children of all them that love and obey him , then he would have them be taken for members of his Church . But hee hath here assured his mercy by promise to the children of them that love and obey him : therfore he would have them bee taken for Churchmembers : The minor is plain in the text . The consequence of the major I prove thus : ( viz. that all those must be taken for Churchmembers on whom God hath thus stated or assured his mercy by promise ) ( the word [ mercy ] I shall explain anon : ) If God have estated and assured his mercy by promise to no other society of men in the world but the Church , then all those are members of the Church on whom his mercy is thus estated and assured : But God hath estated and assured his mercy on no other society : Therefore , &c. Here let me a little explain my meaning . Sometime when God promiseth mercy , it is first to some particular person or family : Sometime to a whole species or sort of persons . 2. Sometimes it is some particular named mercy , and sometime in the general naming no sort or individual mercy . 3. Sometimes it is upon a special ground proper to some one person or to few ; and somtimes it is upon a common ground . 4. When the mercy is specified ▪ it is sometime meerly corporal and sometime spiritual . 5. And of spiritual mercies , sometime it is common to others besides the saved ; and sometime special and proper to the saved . 6. Sometime it is mercy limi●ed to a short or certain time ; and sometime estated and assur●d for con●inuance while the law standeth . Now you mu●t understand first , that God may bestow on some particular person or family , on the ground of some special service , which they or their fathers have done , or of meer mercy some special corporal blessing , especially limited to some short or certain time : And that his common preservi●g sustaining mercies are over all his works ; and and yet none of this will prove men Churchmembers . 2. But when God doth not name any particular person or family for his mercies , but estates them on a species or sort of persons ; and when it is not a m●er corporal mercy that is so stated , but either a spiritual mercy ( common o● special ) or else mercy in the general without specification , and when this is not on any ground of any partic●lar action or service done by any particular man , but upon a ground ( or condition ) common to others not named ; and all this not li●ited to any short or certain time , but stated to continuance , and that by a legal promise assuring it , and not onely a meer offer of it , in this case it will certainely proove th●m members of the Church . Answ. 1 Mr. B. leav● out in the minor the term [ all ] which was in the major of the first syllogism : which if it had been put in the minor ( as it was necessary hee should do to prove the conclusion hee should prove ) it would not have been proved out of the text ; which doth not assure mercy to all the children of all that love him , but to thousan●s , that is , multitudes of the● ; and to those mercy is not assured absolutely without condition of their love of God , nor is mercy in the text promised perpetually , but as Andr. Rivet . on Exod. 20.6 . God doth not so extend the bounds of his mercy , that hee may not also deny it to the posterity of some godly men . For these things are said of those things which for the most part happen , Gods liberty beeing alwayes reserved in his judgements and the distribution of good things . So wee reade the sonnes of Godly parents to have been forsaken of God and grievously punished . 2. The consequence of his major is denied , and to his dictates ( for proof hee brings none but his own sayings ) I answer first , by denying that all those must bee taken for visible Churchmembers on whom God hath stated or assured his mercy by promise , Exod. 20.6 . no not though it were stated as Mr. B. would have it , no promise , no not of sanctifying grace making of it self a person a visible Churchmember , as I have shewed often before . 2. I deny that the mercy , Exod. 20 6. is stated as Mr. B. imagines ; but say , 1. That the mercy there meant , is stated on the Israelites specially . 2. That it is not meant of spiritual but outward mercies , not now promised to the most holy Saint on earth . 3. That it was declared on a particular ground of Gods peculiar respect to Israel , whom hee brought out of Egppt. 4. That it is limited to a certain time , while they continued to be his people , which was not to be perpetually . 3. I deny that the words , Exod. 20.6 . Deut. 5.10 . do expresly contain a promise , but onely a declaration of Gods frequent dealing , which I confess , doth imply a promise , as his declaration , Exod. ● . 5 . Deut. 5.9 . doth imply a threatening ; yet I think it not fit to call it a promise , sith the Apostle Ephes. 6.2 . termes the fifth commandment , the first commandment with promise . But Mr. B. adds . Now that it is the priviledge of the Church onely to have God thus engaged to be mercifull to them , ( and that in a way of distinction from others , as it is in this commandment promise , ) is to me a truth beyond dispute ▪ And if any do doubt of it , I argue with them thus . 1. If no such promise of such mercy to any sort of men out of the Church can be shewn in the Scripture , then we must take it as proved that there is none : But no such promise can be shewn estating such mercy on any others ; therefore , &c. They that can shew any such promise , let them produce it . Answ. The assertion is not a truth beyond dispute , but may be questioned , nor is the consequence good , there being no such declaration of God that he hath made no such promise of such mercy to any sort of men but what can be shewn in the Scripture ; and if it were , yet till Mr. B. hath shewed that the mercy Exod 20.6 . is greater then God vouchsafes to persons out of the Church visible , it may be held ( notwithstanding any thing Mr. B , produceth ) that such mercy is promised to persons out of the Church . However , it is most false that God hath assured his mercy on no other society then the Church . If the promise , Gen. 3.15 . be understood of all mankind as meant by the womans seed ( as he before in his third Letter to me , and after here , ch . 23. expounds it ) then there is a promise of mercy stated on othe●s then the Church ; and the same may be said of Gen. 9.12 , 15 , 16. besides what is implied in the speeches , Psal. 36.6 . Psal ▪ 145.9 . 1 Tim. 4.10 . Till Mr. B. shew a greater mercy is stated on the children of all that love God then is on Cyrus , Isa. 45.1 , &c. there is a promise shewn in Scripture of such mercy to one out of the Church . The like to Nebuchadnezzar , Jer. 27.6 . And the promises of calling the Gentiles , of re-ingraffing the Jews , Rom. 11.26 , 27. are promises to persons out of the Church , and yet of mercy , yea the chiefest mercy ; and therefore Mr. Bs. dictates are but vain . Yet he goes on thus . 2. Briefly consider to the contrary : 1. Those without the Church are said to be without hope , without God , strangers to the Covenant of promises , Ephes. 2.12 . Answ. It is said of the Ephesians , that they were once without hope , &c. and it is said also that they were Gentiles uncircumcised ; but it doth noth not follow therefore that all Gentiles uncircumcised were without Christ not having hope , without God in the world : Nor doth it follow , that all Gentiles were out of any visible Church who were uncircumcised ; nor doth it follow , they had no promises of mercy who were strangers from the Covenants of promise there meant . It is true , this Text proves that the estate of the Gentiles afore the Gospel was preached to them , was as Paul describes it : Yet this neither proves that there were none who were out of the Commonwealth of Israel , and were strangers from the Covenants of promises made to Israel , had no mercy assured to them equal to that , Exod. ●0 . 6 . 2. Saith Mr. B. The promises are all Yea and Amen in Christ , 1 Cor. 1.20 . And Christ is the head over all ( indeed but onely ) to the Church , Ephes. 1.22 . To his called he giveth the precious promises , 2 Pet. 1.4 . Answ. The promises , 2 Cor. 1.20 . are such as were in Christ , and must be understood of saving promises , which are not made to the visible Church as visible , much less to the children of visible churchmembers as such , but onely to those that are of the invisible , and therefore this Text proves not that no mercy such as is meant , Exod. 20.6 . is assured to any society or persons but those of the visible Church . The same also may be said of 2 Pet. 1.4 . where the promises are given to the effectually called , and that by them they are partakers of the Divine nature . And for the other Text , though there be no mention of promises in it at all , yet if any be implied , the speech is meant onely of the Church of Gods elect ( not the meer visible Church ) which alone is his body , the fulness of him that filleth all in all ; and therefore if these Texts prove no mercy promised but to the Church , they prove no mercy promised but to the invisible Church , which is contrary to Mr. Bs. purpose here . 3. Saith he , By faith it is that promises were obtained , Heb. 11.33 ▪ Answ. It is said , by faith they subdued Kingdomes , in the same v. and therefore after the rate of Mr. Bs. reasoning , none should subdue Kingdomes but the Church . The faith there is such a faith as the just lived by , ch . 10.38 . therefore if Mr. Bs. arguing be good , promises of mercy should be made to none , but those who believe with such a faith , and consequently it is not the meer visible Church but the invisible onely to whom such mercy is assured . The answer is by denying the consequence , that because promises were obtained by faith , therefore mercy is not assured to any by promise but the Church . 4. He adds . To Abraham and his seed were the promises made , Gal. 3.16 . both common and special : The children of the promise are accounted for the seed , Rom. 9.8 . Therefore if those without the Church were children of the promise , then they should be the seed . The promise is sure to all the seed , Rom. 4.16 . The promise is to you and your children , and as many as the Lord shall call , Acts 2.39 . The seed are heirs of the promise . Answ. Mr. Bs. needlesness still appears . He should prove , that such mercy as he conceives promised Exod. 20.6 . ( which he will not avouch to be saving mercy ) is assured to none but the Church , and he means the visible Church : but here he brings promises of saving mercy , which he dare not say to be made to the children of all that love him , Exod. 20.6 . and are indeed made onely to those who are of the invisible Church , and therefore impertinently alledged , The promises , Gal. 3.16 . are such as are made to Christ either personal for his body mystical , or to Christ mystical , and the promises are those by which is the inheritance , v. 18. righteousness by faith , v. 21 , 22 ▪ which can be true onely of the elect , and so that , v. 29. If ye be Christs , then are ye Abrahams seed , and heirs according to the promise . So Rom. 4.16 . is meant onely of true believers , and Rom. 9.8 . of the elect onely . Now it 's not denied , that the promises of righteousness and life belong onely to the Church invisible ; but these promises are far different from the promise to the children of them that love God , Exod. 20.6 . which Mr. B. will have onely meant of the visible Church , and of things much below saving benefits . The Text , Acts 2.39 . it as impertinently alledged , as hath been proved at large before , the promise there being not meant of any visible priviledge , nor the fathers there considered as believers , or lovers of God , but as crucifiers of Christ , and the promise not said to be to any of either sort , but those who were called by God. 5. Saith Mr. B. The Church is the house and family of God , and the promises are his treasure , and Christs legacies , and the word of promise is his Testament ; therefore not for these without . The Church is the pillar and ground of truth , and the word is the truth . In the middest of the Church are Gods praises , Heb. 2.12 . therefore in the Church are his mercies and promises . It is by the Church that the man●fold wisdome of God is known , Eph. 3 . 1● . The Church onely is that body whereof the Lord of the promises is head , Col. 1.18 . Answ. The promises of saving benefits are Gods treasure , and belong onely to the invisible Church ; but it follows not therefore that God makes no promise , or the mercy Exod. 20.6 . belongs to none out of the visible Church . Let it be yeelded , the Church is the pillar of truth , and the word is the truth ; yet that God makes no promises to Cyrus , Nebuchadnezzar , and others out of the Church , or that his promise to them is not true , or that he vouchsafes no mercy to them , follows not . God is praised in the Church , and his counsel made known , and Christ the head of the Church onely , and yet all praise , promise , and mercy not appropriate to the Church . 6. Yet again . They that are not in covenant , are not under the promises of this mercy , or have not this mercy stated on them by promise : But those that are without the Church are not in covenant . This argument is past contradiction . No man dare say but these are covenant mercies in this promise mentioned . Wicked men in the Church are within the covenant , as I have proved in the Appendix of my Aphorisms ; but those without are not in covenant , though they may have some conditional promises offered . The covenant and such promises as those go together : Therefore it is called the covenant of promises , Eph. 2.12 . Rom. 9.1 , 2. So is mercy onely assured by the covenant ▪ Deut. 7.9 , 12. and that to the Church onely , 1 Kings 8.23 . Neh. 1.5 . & 9.32 . Mic. 7.20 . Luke 1.50 , 72. 1 Pet. 2.10 . Many more Scriptures shew the conjunction between Gods mercy and covenant ; and most certainly they are all out of covenant that are out of the visible Church . Answ. If Paedobaptists had not a mind to mock rather then to teach people by their writings , me thinks being so often called upon to speak distinctly what covenant they mean , when they say infants and visible churchmembers are in covenant , and in what manner they are in covenant by Gods act , their own , or the baptizers , they would still when they speak of being in covenant clear their meaning . There are divers Covenants of God ; that with Noah , Gen. 9. that with Abraham , Gen. 17. that with the Jews , Exod. 19. the new Covenant , Heb. 8.9 , 10 , 11 , 12. Being in Covenant must needs come from their own act of covenanting , and then the sense is , Wicked men in the Church are within the Covenant , that is , they promise to God : But in this sense no infant is in Covenant with God ; fo● no infant promiseth to God. Or being in Covenant is from Gods act of promising , and thus it is most certainly false that they are all out of Covenant that are out of the visible Church : For all men and beasts are in the Covenant with Noah , Gen. 9.11 , 12. Mr. B. himself saith thus in his Appendix to his Aphorisms , answ to the 8 th . object . p. 48. There is a Covenant betwixt God and every living creature . If I sho●ld instance in all the promises made to Ahab , Nebuchadnezzar , Cyrus , Darius , &c. it would be tedious . The Jews not yet re-ingraffed , nor of the visible Church , are certainly in Covenant in this sense , Rom. 11.26 , 27. Isaac , Jacob , afore they were born were in Covenant , and so all elect infants in their mothers womb , and men of years yet in infidelity a●e within the Covenant of Evangelical grace , even the new Covenant , Heb. 8. though not in the visible Church . The minor therefore of Mr. Bs. argument is so far from being p●st contradiction , that it is in my apprehension manifestly false . I grant all mercies mentioned in any promise are Covenant mercies ; but for the mercy , Exod. 20.6 . it seems Mr. B cannot tell what it is , though he tell us on his word it is more then corporal , if not special . Now he saith , Appendix , p. ●8 ▪ 1 Sam. 10.4 , 5 , 6 , 7. The spirit of God and other f●vours are promised to Saul . And sure as much is promised to Cyrus , Isa. 44 28. & 45.1 , &c. as was to Saul . Wicked men in the visible Church , continuing so to the end , neither are , nor ever were in the Covenant of Evangelical grace , or new Covenant , though they have been in the Covenants with Noah , and some other Covenants , in some of which also wicked men without the visible Church have been . The Covenants of promise ( not as Mr. B. reads it , the Covenant of promises , Ephes. 2.12 . ) were as it is most likely the Covenants Gen. 17. Exod. 19. and the meaning of the Apostle in saying the Ephesians were strangers from them , seems to be , that they were not acquainted with them , and therefore in appearance further from God , as in like manner their uncircumcision and alienation from the policy of Israel , are alledged to the same purpose . And yet when they were made believers , and were in the visible Ch●rch , they were in neither Covenant as there is meant , I mean , they were not in the Covenant made to Abraham , Gen. 17. as it did contain special promises made to his natural seed , nor in the Covenant made at Horeb any more then they were circumcised or in the policy of Israel . Rom. 9.1 , 2. hath nothing of Covenants or promises , but what is v. 4. is often before shewed to be meant of the Covenants and promises peculiar to the Israelites ; and therefore , though the Covenant and such promises go together , yet therein is nothing which pertains to the visible churchmembership of our children , those who are now in the Church being not in those Covenants which were peculiar to the Israelites . 'T is true the mercy meant Deut. 7.9 . was assured by Covenant , but that Covenant was v. 12. it which God sware to the fathers , which so far as it was Evangelical , belongs onely to the elect whether of Jews or Gentiles , so far as political to the Hebrews onely . The same I say of 1 Kings 8.23 . Nehem. 1.5 . & 9.32 . Mic. 7. ●0 . The texts Luk. 1.50.72 . 1 Pet. 2.10 . are plainly meant of saving mercy , and of the elect or invisible Church onely . So that though I grant a conjunction between Gods mercy and Covenant , and that saving mercy is assured onely by the Covenant to the Church invisible onely , yet I deny that God is in Covenant with none but those of the visible Church , that God hath not promised such mercy as is meant Exod. 20.6 . to any but in the visible Church , that what continuance of mercy is assured Exod. 20.6 . to posterity is assured to believers children now as it was to the Israelites , that they are all visible Churchmembers to whom that mercy is assured , and therefore infer that the pretended ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership hath no footing in that text . Mr. B takes up●n him to answer some objections , but very lamely . If any ob●ect , saith he , that this promise is to the children of them onely that love him and keep his Commandments ; and wee know not who those be ; I answer , it is true , but though God make the promise onely to such , yet quoad nos , it belongeth to others ; that is , wee are bound to deal with all those that profess love and obedience by a serious probable profession , as if they were truly what they profess : This I shall prove afterwards . He that hath the face to say that God estateth here his mercy on the children of those that love , and obey him , and yet taketh them not for so much as members of the visible Church , hath too hard a forehead for me to dis●ute it with any further . Answ. Though wee are to take such professours by a judgement of charity to have such love , and title to the promise , and are to exhibit all such offices of love as we are bound to by such a love as is due to them that truly love God , yet we are not bound to take them for visible church-members by that judgment of charity , but by a judgment of certainty sensibly perceiving their profession ; nor are we to take their children as visible Churchmembers no not by Paedobaptists own grounds , for they are not so but upon their parents real love , they being not visible Church-members but by the Covenant which belongs not to them except they do truly love God , and not in shew onely , which is to bee known by a judgement of certainty not of charity onely , and that being not attainable it is not by Mr. Bs. own grounds knowable that any infant is a visible Churchmember . What he saith he shall prove afterwards hath been examined already in the first part of this Review sect . 35. I am not moved by Mr. Bs. censure , but take it for a speech of a man who loves to talk confidently when hee disputes weakly , like those who set out weak members with much bumbast . He adds . Some may object , 1. That they know not what mercy it is that is here promised , whether common or special : To which I answer : what if they know not ? yet it is mercy ▪ and more then corporal if not special ; what if God promise onely in general to bee to them a merciful God ? sure it affordeth us ground of confidence and comfort : As it would do to a poor man to have a Prince promise to be merciful to him and his children . Answ. That the mercy Exod. 20.6 . is more then corporal , if not special is ●aid , but not proved by Mr. B. that he dare so confidently assert infants visible Churchmembership from a promise of mercy which hee cannot certainly resolve of what mercy it is , shews hee hath a bo●d face not fit for a man that seeks for truth . Especially if it be considered that no promise of it self doth make a man actually a visible Churchmember , no not of faith or profession , or visible Churchmembership . For a promise assures a futurity , put 's not a thing in present being . 'T is true a promise gives ground of confidence and comfort , that the thing shall be in its due time which is promised , but a promise of any mercy in general cannot assure the futurity of visible Churchmembership , no not though it were of more then corporal or special mercy , and therefore this argument his own words do sufficiently evince to bee onely added to make a number without strength . 2. Saith he , They may object , that it is uncertain , what is meant by a thousand generations : whether it be the remote or the nearest progeny . To which I answer : 1. I judge it to be onely to the immediate children of godly or ungodly parents , that the promise and threat in this Commandment is made to ; else there would bee a contradiction between them . For if the third generation of a wicked man should have godly parents between , then the promise would belong to them , and consequently not the threat ; and so on the other side . The meaning seems plainly to me to be this , that God will encrease the punishment of the children of ungodly parents according as they succeed their parents , remembring the sins of the grand-fathers in punishing their children ( they being still the children onely of the wicked . ) And that he will multiply mercies on the posterity of the righteous , the more still because they had righteous progenitors , supposing still that they are the children of such . Answ. To interpret a thousand generations or the third and fourth by one onely , is such a piece of Arithmetick as I should conceive none but an Ideot or natural fool would use . The imagined contradiction is easily avoided by conceiving , that it is not a plain promise or threat of what God will constantly do , but a declaration of what hee doth often , or in some cases ; which exposition is confirmed from hence , in that we see so much variation in Gods dealings , as necessitates us so to limit it . Though Josiah were a godly Prince , yet God would not shew mercy to his sons , and though Manasseh repented , yet for his sins wrath fell on his posterity and the whole people . But let Mr. Bs. interpretation , or mine ▪ or any others be righter , yet the speech must needs have such limitations as wil disable it from yeilding a certain rule , whereby the children of all visible professors visible Churchmembership may bee proved , and therefore it is frivolously alledged by Mr. B. to that end . 2. Saith he , But I further answer : What if this were not understood ? must wee therefore reject that which may bee understood ? There is somewhat doubtfull in the text , viz. what mercy it is particularly ? and to how many generations ? if ungodly progenitors intervene ? And there is somewhat beyond doubt in the text , that is ▪ that God estateth his mercy on the immediate off-spring of his people . Now must I throw away that which is past doubt because of that which is doubtfull ? So we may throw away all the Scriptures . Answ. We must not reject that which may be understood , nor must we wrest the Scripture to infer from it that which cannot be inferred , but omit the allegation of doubtful texts , and urge that which is certain . That which hee conceives undoubted is I conceive uncertain , That God estateth his mercy on the immediate off spring of his people . The instance of Josiah●s children is sufficient to sh●w it not to bee universally true . That which he acknowledgeth doubtfull is enough to shew , that nothing can be from this text certainly inferd for Mr. Bs. purpose , and therefore in the close of this Chapter Mr. B. confesseth that which is sucifficient to shew , that the visible Churchmembership of all infants of godly parents much less of meer professors , cannot bee gathered from Exod. 20.6 . I pass on to the next . Ch. 22. he saith thus . The 17th . arg . is drawn from Psal. 37.26 . [ His seed is blessed ] that is the righteous mans seed ; whence I argue as before : If God by his unchanged law and promise , have pronounced the seed of the righteous blessed , then certainly they are members of his visible Church . But hee here pronounceth them blessed ; therefore , &c. 1. I have proved before that hee hath so done by no society out of the Church : They that say he ha●h pronounced any other society blessed , let them shew it . But it is absurd once to imagine that God should pronounce a society blessed , and yet take them for none of his visible Church . 2. That this promise is an unchangeable promise , I take for past doubt , till Mr. T. shew me where it is repealed a little better then he hath shewed mee the repeal of infants Church-membership . It is made to the righteous and their seed in general , and not to the Jews onely : it is writ●en in the Book of Psalms from whence Christ and his Apostles fetch many texts for confirmation of their doctrine . And if it had been spoken but to the Jews , yea or to one particular person , yet if it cannot be proved to bee restrained to them as being from a reason proper to them , the Scripture teacheth us to apply it to all the people of God , Heb. 12.5 . The Apostle applieth that to all believers , which was spoken onely to Joshua , I will never leave thee nor forsake thee . So Heb. 13.6 . from Psal. 118. Heb. 10.16 , 17. Rom. 10.6 . Answ. 1. That the speech Psal. 37.26 . compared with v. 25. seems rather to be a narration of what the Psalmist found by experience , then a promise of God. Nevertheless sith there are promises to like purpose elsewhere , as Psal. 112.2 . Prov. 20.7 . I will not deny the speech Psal. 27.36 ▪ to imply a promise , nor will I say God hath revoked ( or as Mr. Bs. language is ) repealed it . 2. Nor will I say that this promise was proper to the Jews , though I conceive that the promises to posterity have more reference to the Israelites then other people by vertue of the national and legal Covenants made to that people , and I think Mr. Bs. reason of no force , that it is not made to the Jews onely , because it is written in the book of the Psalms ; for promises proper to them are there , as Psal. 89.4 , 21 , &c. Psal. 132.11 , &c. 3. I deny not promises to one particular person may be safely applied oft times to others . 4. I deny that when Psal. 37.26 . it is said his seed is blessed , and Psal. 112.2 . the generati●n of the righteous shall be blessed , this must be understood of every one of their seed , or at all times , as in their infancy , the speech being true onely of that which happens often , though not always . Mr. B. himself , p. 149. saith , Even as when he saith [ the seed of the righteous are blessed ] he doth not tie himself to make every one blessed with his special blessing , though he do it ordinarily . And therefore it is most frivolously alledged to prove an ordinance of every infants visible churchmembership unrepealed , though the parent be no righteous person , but a visible professour , and very vicious , even an enemy to godliness . 5. There 's not a word that intimates any society here pronounced blessed , much less the society of the Church . Nor doth the term [ blessed ] prove it must be meant of the Church . For others then the Church and churchmembers are sometimes blessed , as Psal. 137.9 . Psal. 144 15. Mr. B. here ch . 24. They that dash the children of Babylon against the stones are blessed , Psal. 137.9 . Luke 23.29 . 6. Mr. B. himself tels us , p. 330. That he affirms onely a certa●nty of churchmembership , and a strong probability of the justification of the infants of the righteous . But if we urge the word strictly , they onely are blessed whose sins are forgiven , Psal. 32.1 . Rom. 4.6 , 7. and therefore this Text may as soon prove justification of every righteous mans seed ( which Mr. B. asserts not ) as visible churchmembership . Yea , no where is any termed blessed by reason of his visible churchmembership , but many times for their outward prosperity , as Psal. 144.15 . Deut. 28.2 , &c. Gen. 17.20 . & 27.38 , 39. And that in this respect the blessing is meant , Psal. 37.26 . may be gathered 1. from the constant tenour of the promises made to the righteous and their seed , which either are altogether or for the most part in blessings of this life , and accordingly the performance : 2. Because in the New Testament in which spiritual blessings are assured , there i● no promise of them to a believer and his seed , but to believers onely : 3. The occasion and series of the Text , Psal. 37.25 , 26. leads plainly to this sense , that the righteous is not so forsaken , nor his seed , as to be destitute of bread , that though he be mercifull and lendeth , yet his seed is blessed with sufficient provision of outward things : 4. The Texts , Psal. 112.2 . Psal. 128.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. Psal. 144.15 . lead us to this sense . From all which I answer by denying the consequence of the major in Mr. Bs. argument , and to his proof say , that it is no absurdity to pronounce persons blessed , and yet ●●ne of Gods visible Church . SECT . LXXI . Mr. 18th . arg . from the priority of infants churchmembership before Circumcision . His 19th . from Gods proneness to mercy : His 20th . from blessing and cursing , Deut. 28. are answered . MR. B. proceeds thus , ch . 23. The 18th . arg . is this : If infants were churchmembers before ever Circumcision was instituted , then certainly it was not proper to the Jews , and consequently not ceased according to Mr. T. his own Doctrine : But infants were churchmembers before Circumcision was instituted ; therefore it was not proper to the Jews , nor is ceased . Here at our Dispute Mr. T. seemed to yeeld all , if I would prove infants were churchmembers before Circumcision . Ans. So far as I can discern by my memory and such notes I have of the Dispute , this was my concession , That if Mr. B. would prove admission of infants as churchmembers before Circumcision , I should yeeld to what he averred , that the law and ordinance of infants as visible churchmembers was not repealed ▪ Yet I confess , by reason of Mr. Bs. quickness of speech , his unheeded altering terms , using often [ visible churchmembers ] for [ admission as visible churchmembers ] which in that time in the conflict of Dispute I did not always take notice of , or through weariness mention , it not to be unlikely I did say as Mr. B. saith I did . However by my writings it app●ars this is and was my constant judgement , that infants were visible members of no Church but that of the Hebrews , nor such till by Gods call of Abraham and his house they were taken to be his separated people ; and that infants were not admitted visible churchmenbers , nor any law of admission till that of Circumcision , Gen. 17. Mr. B. adds . But in his Sermon since among much of the same stuff , he made the poor deluded people believe ( I mean those that will believe him ) that by infants being churchmembers , I mean nothing else but that they suck of the brests of godly parents , and are brought up in the family of godly parents ; just as in our Dispute he would have faced me down , before thousands of people , that by churchmembership I meant nothing but Circumcision ; I told him I did not , and he told the people still that I did . Is it any intemperance or harshness upon such dealings to say , that it is sad that ( I will not say eminent holiness , but ) a very little tenderness of conscience , and fear of God , and love of truth or charity to a brother , yea or common modesty should not restrain this ! but that Mr. T. durst , first , take on him to search the heart , and know a mans thoughts to be contrary to his pr●fession ; secondly , and contrary to the plain sense of his terms of speech ; thirdly , and perswades multitudes of people that it is so . What hope can I have that ever Mr. T. should be brought to the truth , when he hath not ability enough to understand what is the meaning of [ a member of the visible Church ] and that after I had so fully told him ! I was long before I could get him to confess , that Circumcision and Churchmembership were two things , and separable , till I gave him instance in women . Answ. 1. In the Dispute I confess I did conceive that Mr. B. could mean nothing but the command of Circumcision by his ordinance of infants visible churchmembership , not imagining that he should magnifie such a toy , as he hath in his Letter to me devised from Gen. 1.26 , 27. & 3.15 . &c. which , and not defect of truth , tenderness of conscience , modesty , or charity ( in all which whether of us be defective the Lord will judge ) made me so confident he did mean as I then said . 2. But that I ever said in my Sermon , that by infants being churchmembers he meant nothing else but that they suck the brests of godly parents , and are brought in the family of godly parents , I do not yet believe . This I might , and I think did say , and do say it again , That I knew no sign whereby infants are visible churchmembers , except those be signs which are mentioned . 3. That I was long in yeelding the separation of Circumcision and visible churchmembership , it was because I conceived that he meant infants of o●her people besides the circumcised , were visible churchmembers ▪ but when I found he meant that they were distinct and separable in the people of the Jews , I yeelded it . He proceeds thus . And now must I be fain to shew , that churchmembership is neither sucking the brest of a godly woman , nor being brought in the family ? What a hard word is this [ Churchmember ? ] when I know not possibly how to speak it plainer . Why , Sir , where is the difficulty ? Is it in the word Church ? I suppose we are agreed what a Church visible is ? at least you understand it ? Or is it in the term [ member ? ] why , do you not know what a [ member ] is ? How understand you Pauls discourse about the members and body ? Do you understand what is totum aggregatum & pars totius ? Do yo● understand what it is to be a member of a City , or of a family ? and why not of a Church ? If I say children are members of this Kingdome ( or ( to please you ) Commonwealth ) or if I say children are members of every City in the land , and of every family where they are , this is all true ; and me thinks a man of your parts should understand it ▪ And why not when I say , that infants are members of the Church ? But if you will not understand , there is no remedy . Answ. That Mr. B. and I are not agreed what a visible Church is , hath appeared before in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 17. I think I understand others when they speak of a visible churchmember and I think I now understand Mr. B. But in the Dispute I confess I did not understand Mr. B. when he termed infants visible churchmembers , not because of the difficulty of the thing , but because Mr. B. had a language ( as I then imagined , and now find ) of his own , of a mediate Disciple and a visible Churchmember by anothers faith , without any note in their persons whereby they are discernable sensibly to be Christians more then infidels children : Nor did he in the Dispute or since clear it to me , that anothers faith could be a form o● note whereby an infant might be denominated or discerned sensibly to be a visible Christian churchmember , or a Disciple of Christ. This if he shall yet do , I shall not trouble him to shew that churchmembership is neither sucking of the brest , nor being brought up in a godly family , but shall ( passing by his jeer at the Parliaments altering the term Kingdome into Commonwealth ) confess infants members of the visible Church as of civil Kingdomes and Cities . Till then , I take Mr. Bs. language of infants discipleship and visible churchmembership by a promise and parents faith to be frivolous gibberish and false doctrine . But Mr. B. attempts to prove his minor , 1. from Mal. 2.15 . where he would have [ a seed of God ] to be visible churchmembers . But 1. he no where shews this to be the sense : 2. this is not the sense : For here the proper end of marriage is expressed , which is common to believers and infidels . But it is not the end of the marriage of infidels to seek a seed which should be churchmembers visible or invisible , neither their nor any others marriage is to propagate godliness or the profession of it , but to propagate a legitimate posterity , who are called , a seed of God , because according to his institution . But of this interpretation I need say no more then what is said in answer to Mr. M. in the first part of this Review , sect . 13. and to Mr. Bs. exception against my interpretation here , in the 17th . section . 2. Because infants in Abrahams family were churchmembers before Circumcision . Which I grant after the time of Abrahams call , and Gods separating his house to be his people ; and therefore if limited to the space of time between Abrahams call , Gen. 12. and the institution of Circumcision , Gen. 17. I should grant the minor in Mr. Bs. argument , and deny the consequence of the major . Nevertheless in the proof of his minor there are sundry things , which I think not meet to pass by without animadversion . 1. That which he saith Circumcision did not not make infants churchmembers , I grant it ; yet it made them visible churchmembers , though not of it self alone , yet with other signs : So that although I deny not other signs also to have concurred , yet this sign in part made them visible members of that Church . 2. When he saith the Covenant maketh churchmembers , how far it is true is shewed above at large , and withal how Mr. B. is mistaken in making it the sole efficient cause . 3. If it be true that Circumcision is but a sign of the Covenant ( as he saith ) how is it a seal ( as is commonly asserted and by Mr. B. himself ) as somewhat more then a bare sign ? 4. If it be not a sign chiefly of that Covenant which maketh churchmembers , but which promised Abraham the extraordinary priviledges after his believing , then it is some other Covenant which Circumcision was chiefly a sign of , then the Covenant which maketh churchmembers ; which being as I conceive the Covenant of grace in Christ , it follows , 1. That the Covenant , Gen. 17. according to Mr. B. was not the Covenant of grace . 2 : That it promised extraordinary priviledges to Abraham . 3. That Circumcision was chiefly a sign of this promise , and consequently the use of circumcising infants was not out of a reason common to believers infants , but peculiar to Abraham and his seed , which cross sundry of Paedobaptists prime hypotheses . 4. Neither doth the Apostle say , Rom. 4. that the promise went before Circumcision ; nor doth it follow , if he did , that churchmembership then went before it . 5. It may be , and by learned men is questioned , whether the infants or the parents be termed the breakers of Gods Covenant , Gen. 17.14 . and if they were , it follows not they were of that people and in the Covenant before , the breaking the Covenant being not a breaking off from being in Covenant , but a breaking of Gods command in that Covenant ; and their cu●ting off from Gods people , might be by preventing from being Gods people , as well as by making them not his people who were . 6. Though the Scripture do not intimate , that Abrahams family was then first made a Church , yet in calling that Church the Circumcision , it intimates , that then when they were circumcised they were solemnly declared to be Gods people : And if the Scrip●ure do not intimate , that then infants were first admitted members , as Mr. B. saith here , it will concern him to shew where the Scripture intimates their admission before , and how . I did conceive by Mr. Bs. words , p. 24. and elsewhere , that as he now avoucheth no other way by precept or example of admission but by Baptism , so he avouched formerly no other way but by Circumcision ▪ I wish he had in the beginning told us his mind plainly , the concealing of which in the Dis●ute , and since , hath occasioned the misleading of many , and a great part of my trouble . 3. Mr. B. argues thus . That infants were churchmembers before Circumcision , I prove most likely thus : If God had before the same tender love to the faithfull and their seed as he had after , and there be no mention in Scripture when the churchmembership of infants did begin ( since the first infants ) then we are to judge that it did not begin at the institution of Circumcision ( but rather with the first infant of faithfull Adam , though he after fell off ) because Gods love to the faithfull and their seed , was as great before as after : But the antecedent is true ▪ therefore the consequent . He that will prove a beginning of infants churchmembership since the first infants , let him bring any Scripture or good reason for it , and I will believe him ( which I never ex●ect to be done ) Answ. 1. This reason , if it were good , might as well prove the invisible as well as visible churchmembership of all infants of believers , and the visible churchmembership of the seed unborn as well as born , and of the most open profane children of believers , as well a● the youngest children born into the world . 2. The love of God was never to the faithfull and their seed universally , I mean the special distinguishing love of God , nor to any of them but according to his election of grace . 3. God might and did love the faithfull and their seed , and yet the infant seed were not visible churchmembers afore Abrahams time . 4. The reason of that regard God had to Abrahams inheriting posterity to take their infants for visible churchmembers , was from his peculiar d●sign he had on that people to make them the people from whom his sons comming should be expected , which he vouchsafed not to believers of other people , whom yet he loved and their seed in respect of Gospel mercies . 5. The beginning of infants visible churchmembership is sufficiently shewed b●fore , in that it is not shewed to have been any where but in the Hebrew nation . 6. If Adams infants , he standing in integrity , had been visible churchmembers , yet they had been such onely in the Church by nature , which is nothing to the present point of visible churchmembership in the Church instituted by electing some to be of the Church , and some not . From hence I answer to the argument , 1. by denying the antecedent , that there is no mention in the Scripture when the churchmembership visible of infants did begin . 2. The consequence of the major , if it did not , it proves not the visible churchmembership of infants afore Abrahams time , much less from Adams crea●ion , sith then there was no such Church to be as now we enquire ●f , and Gods love might be to believers seed , and yet they no visible church-members . The last argument , whereby Mr. B. would evince infants visible churchmembership before Abrahams time , which he saith here he had not leisure to improve largely , he hath , in his Letter to me before recited , I think to the utmost he could , urged it , and the answer thereto is fully made here , sect . 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59. and thereby it may appear , not onely to a man of common sense , but of acute sense , that there is likelihood that infants should be visible churchmembers in Abraham● family , and yet not in the foregoing Patriarchs , and that from the Scripture , and yet Gods love as great to Noah , Sem , and their seed as to others . Nor is it true that all these Churchmercies are bestowed upon the standing Gospel grounds of the Covenant of grace entred wi●● our first parents presently upon the fall , but visible Churchmembership of infants was upon the special transeunt fact of God in taking the Hebrew nation to bee his people . And though the promise Gen. 3.15 . comprehend infants , yet not all infants ; and I wonder how Mr. B. beeing a man of common sense , should not discern that if hee will have the whole seed of the woman comprized in the promise Gen. 3.15 ▪ and that they are thereby Churchmembers , hee must baptise all the posterity of Eve , which hee makes a thing to bee avoided p. 120. and gives cautions against it . And it is to me a sign of his palpable inconsiderateness in this his hasty scribling , that he cites Revel . 12.17 . to prove Satans enmity against the whole seed of the woman , against our infants no doubt ▪ when the woman , Revel . 12.17 . is not Eve , as Gen. 3.15 . but the woman cloathed with the Sunne ▪ commonly conceived to represent the Chr●stian Church , and the seed are said to keep the Commandments of God , and to have the testimony of JESUS CHRIST , which cannot bee said of infants . But I leave him to the Lord to give him either repentance for his abuse of Scripture and perverting the truth , or to let him fill up the measure of his iniquity , and proceed to the next . Ch. 24. arg . 19th . If God bee not more prone to severity then to mercy , then hee will admit of infants to bee members of the visible Church . But God is not more prone to severity then to mercy : Therefore he will admit of infants to be visible Churchmembers . All that needs proof here is the consequence of the major proposition , which is made evident thus : God hath cut off multitudes of infants of wicked men , both from the Church and from life ( for the sins of their progenitors ) therefore if he should not admit some infants of faithful men , so much as into the visible Church , then hee should bee more prone to severity then to mercy : ( except it bee proved that God giveth some greater mercy out of the Church , which is not yet proved : ) All the children of Dathan and Abiram and their accomplices , were swallowed up with them for their rebellion , and so cut off both from the Church and life . Achans sons and daughters were all stoned and burned for his sin , and so cut off both from the Church and life , Jos. 7.25 , ●● ▪ Yea it was the stablished law of God concerning any City that shou●d serve other Gods ( by the sed●cement of whomsoever ) that is , if they should break the Covenant ( for the Covenant is that they take God onely for ●heir God ) then that City should wholly be destroyed , and not so much as the infants spared , Deut. 13.12 , 13 , 14. &c. And God concludeth it in his moral Law , that he will visit the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate him . All the infants of Amalek are slain with the parents by Gods command , Num. 31.17 . they that dash the children of Babylon against the stones are blessed , Psal. 137.9 . The children of Daniels accusers are cast unto the Lions , Dan. 6.24 . Yea God commanded Israel to save the life of no one infant of all the nations that were given them for inheritance ; the Hittites , Amorites , Canaanites , Perezites , the Hivites and Jebusites , Deut. 20.16 , 17. ( How all this is reconciled with that of Eze. [ the son shal not bear the iniquity of the father ] is shewed by our Divines that write on the 2d . Com. ) And if God will not admit the infants of believers so much as to bee members of his visible Church , or Kingdom , then hee should not onely shew more severity to the seed of the wicked , then mercy to the seed of the faithful ; but should even cast out all infants in the world from being in any visible state of Church mercies . And how that will stand with the tenderness of his compassions to the godly and their seed , and the many promises to them , and the enlargement of grace in Gospel times I know not . Answ. 1. The speech of Gods proneness to mercy more then severity , is according to my apprehension of Gods attributes not right , nor however it may pass among the vulgar is it true in exact speech , such as should be used in Disputes ▪ For though I acknowledge justice vindicative to be natural in God , and goodness ; yet the term of proneness to severity , intimates an inclination or desire to it , which is stopped by a contrary inclination ; whereas Gods attributes are all equally in him , nor hath he any propensity of desires to exercise one more then another , but he doth work all things according to the counsel of his own will. 2. It is falsly supposed , as if visible Churchmembership were an act of remunerative mercy and not the taking of infants into visible Church-membership , were an act of severity against the infant for the parents sin , whereas the taking or not taking into visible Churchmembership i● as election to eternal life , or reprobation an act of soveraignty and liberty , which God useth as hee pleaseth without respect to any persons or parents good or bad actions . 3. It is also as falsly supposed that by not taking infants into visible Churchmembership they are cast out from being in any visible state of Churchmercies . For their being in the families of the godly though not visible Churchmembers , puts them into a visible state of Churchmercies , even as well as if they were taken to be visible Churchmembers and baptised . 4. That God giveth some greater mercy then visible Churchmembership , to wit , eternal life , out of the Church visible is easily proved in that he saves elect infants which die in the womb , are abortives , or still born . And if Mr. B. do deny it hee must hold a tenet like the Papists , that without his visible Churchmembersh●p infants are damned . 5. The grace of God in Gospel times is enlarged in the extent of it to all nations , in the doctrine of the Gospel concerning the Messiah comen already , freedom from the bondage of the law , in the powring out of the spirit , in the new Covenant ▪ &c. although infants be not visible Churchmembers . 6. Gods tenderness of compassions to the godly and their seed may and doth stand with the non-visible membership of their infants in the Christian Church , it being not out of any defect of mercy in God , or deprivation of mercy to them , which they may not have without it , but because it is his good pleasure that the Church Christian should not bee by natural descent , but by faith , not national but of believers of all Nations . 7. How God is said to admit into visible Churchmembership infants needs explication , admission , as I have hitherto conceived it , beeing the act of the administratour of baptism , according to Mr. Bs. doctrine pag. 24. and therefore his conclusion seems to have this sense , that God will baptise some infants with water , which is a fri●olous conceit . 8. If Mr. Bs. suppositions on which his argument rests should bee granted him , the conclusion should bee rather , that God will not permit the infants of the godly to bee put to death , but will keep them alive from the hands of persecutors , for otherwise hee should be more prone to severity to the wicked , then to mercy to the godly and their seed . For all the instances hee gives of Gods severity to the children of wicked men is in the taking away of their natural lives ; and therefore his inference if there were any force in it , would conc●ude not the visible churchmembership of the infants of the godly , but the preservation of their liv●s in common calamities and persecutions ; which it is certain he doth not , but as the Wiseman saith All things happen alike to alike to all , Eccles. 9.2 . Which things being premised , thoug● the minor of M. ●s . first syllogism may be well questioned , yet waving it , I de●y the consequences of the major in both the syllogisms , which rest on such futile dictates as he hath not proved , except by saying he knows not how it should be otherwise , which seems to intimate this fond conceit of himself , as if none could know what he doth not . He goes on in his frivolous arguings thus . Ch 25. The 20th . arg . I draw from Deut. 28.4 , 18 , 3. Those that keep the Covenant are [ blessed in the fruit of their body ; ] and of Covenant-breakers it is said [ cursed sh●lt thou be in the fruit of thy body ; thy sons and thy daughters shall be given to another people , and thy ey● shall look , and ●a●l with longing for them , &c. Thou shalt beget sons and daughters , but thou shalt not enjoy them , for they shall go into captivity . The argument that I fetch hence is this . That doctrine which maketh the children of the faithful to be in a worse condition ( or as bad ) then the curse in Deut. 28. doth make the children of Covenant ▪ breakers to be in is false doctrine : But that doctrine which denieth the infants of the faithful to be visible Churchmembers , doth make them to bee in as bad or a worse condition then is threatned by that curse Deut. 28. Therefore it is false doctrine . The major is undeniable . The minor I prove thus : The curse on the children Deut. 28. is , that they go into captivity : Now to bee put out of the whole visible Church of Christ is a sorer curse then to go into captivitie : therefore that doctrine which puts infants out of the Church , doth make them in a more accursed state then those in Deut. 28. They might bee Churchmembers in captivity as their parents were ; or if they were not , yet it was no worse then this ; To bee in captivity is but a bodily judgement directly ; but to bee out of the Church is directly a spiritual judgement : Therefore to bee out of the Church , is a greater judgement ( which I must take for granted , having before proved that it is far better to bee in the visible Church then out . ) Answ The minor of the first and sec●nd syllogism are both denied . For though to be put out of the whole visible Church of Christ , either by just excommunication or voluntary desertion is a heavie curse , yet to be put out doctrinally , that is , to teach that infants are not visible Christian churchmembers is not to put them under any curse at all , neither is it to be so , any judgement spiritual or bodily , nor are they in any better case by their being accounted visible Churchmembers and baptised then they are without both , nor hath Mr. B. proved any such thing before , but what he hath scribled to that purpose is before shewed to bee vain . Another argument , saith hee , this text would afford in that the judgement on the children is part of the curse on the parents ( cursed shalt thou bee in the fruit of thy body ) now GOD doth not curse the faithful ; but hath taken off the curse by CHRIST ( though corporal afflictions are left . ) But I must haste . Answ. That non-visible Churchmembership of infants now is any part of judgement or curse for the parents sin hath not the least colour of proof from this text or any other . The purport of the whole chapter is quite besides the present business , it being to assure the Israelites of prosperity in Canaan , while they kept Gods Commandments and adhered to him , and curses on them and theirs , if they fell off from God ; the curses are for the most part corporal and on the Israelites , and therefore the thing belongs not to the present point , nor is it true that always the judgment on the children is part of the curse on the parents neither in corporal nor spiritual evils . And though the truly faithful are not cursed with the great curse of condemnation , yet those that are onely so visibly may bee so , yea and the faithfull themselves are not altogether free from some curses both on themselves and their children , as on the other side , wicked men may have some blessings on them and their children . Mr. B. himself said in the next ch . 24. before , They that dash the children of Babylon against the stones are blessed , Psal. 137.9 yet were they Idolaters . Christ hath taken off the curse opposite to the blessing of righteousness , Gal. 3.9 , 10 , 13. not every curse from the faithfull . Out of all which I infer , that were it granted that the non-visible churchmembership of infants were a judgement for the parents sin , and that Christ hath taken off the curse from the faithfull , yet it would not follow , that believing ▪ parents infants must be Christian visible churchmembers , sith some curses still stay on the children for the parents sin : Yea , Mr. B. before in his Letter tels me , that it was determined in one of their private Disputes ( by himself no doubt , the Dr. of the Chair in the Colledge of Worcestershire Ministers at Kidderminster ) that the sins of nearer parents are imputed as part of our original or natural guilt . I hast after Mr. B. SECT . LXXII . Mr. 21th . Arg. ch 26. from the absurdity of my Doctrine making all infants to be members of the visible Kingdome of the Devil , is answered . CH. 26. saith he , The 21th . arg . That doctrine which maketh all infants to be members of the visible Kingdome of the Devil , is false doctrine : But that doctrine which denieth any infants to be members of the visible Church , doth make them all members of the visible Kingdome of the ●evil : Therefore it is false doctrine . Mr. T. taketh the like reasoning hainously from Mr. M. as if were injurious so to charge him : And he saith , 1. Consequences remote must not be fastened on men when they deny them ▪ 2. Many unbaptized are not in the visible Kingdome of the Devil ; and asketh , whether children be in or out of that Kingdome before Baptism : If out , then by not baptizing he leaves them not in it , &c ▪ To this I answer , 1. He that saith , infants are all shut out of heaven , may well be charged for teaching that they go to 〈◊〉 because the consequence is not remote , but direct , among th●se that acknowledge not a third place . 2. I will onely lay a true charge on the doctrine and not the persons : The doctrine sure may be charged with the consequences , though the person may not . 3. It is not your denial of Baptism directly , that leaveth infants in the visible Kingdome of the Devil ; but your denial of their churchmembership : Therefore to those vain passages I answer , That it 's true , that many unbaptized are in the Kingdome of Christ , and so many infants also ; and so not in the visible Kingdome of the Devil : But that no man who is known to be out of Christs visible Church , ordinarily can be out of Satans visible Kingdome , I shall now prove ; and so that your doctrine is guilty of making ( I mean not really but doctrinally making ) all infants to be members of Satans visible Kingdome , in that you deny any infants to be members of the visible Church . Answ. 1. That which I said about remote consequences not to be charged on men as their sentence , was spoken not from his charge of leaving all the infants to have their actual standing in the visible Kingdome of the Devil , but of putting them all out of the Covenant of grace ; and this was made the bloudy sentence of the Anabaptists , though no such thing can be proved of them by any of their sayings . And therefore the two answers here of Mr. B. are impertinent , my speeches being about another point , though perhaps somewhat like it , and charged on us with it . And to Mr. Bs. answers I reply , 1. Mr. B. seems to me to oppose ineptly a direct consequence to a remote , whereas a near consequence is opposed to a remote , not a direct ; for a remote consequence may be direct ▪ as well as a near . But it is frequent with Mr. B. to abuse words . 2. If a person acknowledge a third place they that shut infants out of heaven may not be charged with it as their sentence , that they go to hell , which Mr. Bs. limitation intimates he acknowledgeth . And then by like reason this is not to be charged on me , for that I deny infants visible churchmembership , that I leave them in the visible Kingdome of the Devil , sith I leave them in a neutral state , of which more anon . 3. I shall examine the charge on my Doctrine , which I deny by denying the minor of Mr. Bs. syllogism . 4. Though Mr. B. call the passages in my Apology , p. 64. vain , yet it will appear there 's no vanity in any of them . 5. The argument by which I proved that unbaptized persons may be in Christs visible Kingdome , which ( Mr. B. confesseth ) did fitly oppose Mr. Ms. imputation of leaving them all in the Devils visible Kingdome to whom we denied Baptism , I think will serve against Mr. Bs. opinion . For if it be true that infants are admitted into the visible Church by Baptism ( which is his position , p. 24 , 25. ) then they are out of it afore they are baptized , ( for afore admission none is in , but without , ) and if so , according to Mr. Bs. doctrine , infants are in the visible Kingdome of the Devil , sith he denies a third estate , and the horrid consequence is to be charged on Mr. Bs. doctrine , not on mine . 6. Mr. Bs. way of charging my doctrine is at vain as Mr. Ms. Thus it proceeds . For if it be certain ( as you say ) that no infants are members of the vis●ble Church , they are out of it : And then I argue thus . If there be no third estate on earth , but all are either in the visible Church of Christ , or in the visible Kingdome of the Devil ; then that doctrine which puts them out of the visible Church of Christ , doth leave them in the visible Kingdome of the Devil . But that there is no third state , but that all the world is in one of the two Kingdomes , I prove thus . The common definition of the Church affirmeth them to be a people called out of the world , and Christ faith , he hath chosen them out of the world , and that they are not of the world , and in the same place divers times call's the Devil [ the Prince of this world , ] Joh. 12.31 . & 14.30 . & 16.11 . & 15.19 . & 18.36 . & 17.6 , 16. And the Apostle calleth him the God of the world , 2 Cor. 4.4 . So then , if the Devil be the Prince and God of the world as it is distinct from the Church , and out of which the Church is taken : then all those that are not taken out of the world with the Church , are still of the world where Satan is Prince : But the antecedent is before proved , therefore the consequent is true . The world and the Church contain all mankind according to the ordinary Scripture distribution . Answ. 1. The world and the Church are not in all the places cited contradistinct . For Joh. 18.36 . this world comprehends the Church as well as them without , Christs Kingdome was not from the Church by their weapons , or other procurement ; but this world is opposed to heavenly power , and gift , from whence Christ had his Kingdome . 2. Nor in the rest of the places where the Devil is termed the God of this world , or the Prince of this world , or the Disciples are said not to be of the world , can the speech be meant of infants ; for of them of whom it is said that the Devil is the God of this world , by the world are meant , 2 Cor. 4.4 . those that believe not , in whom he hath blinded their minds , that the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ should not shine unto them ; and so must the rest be understood , where he is said to be the Prince of this world , according to what is said Ephes. 2.2 . which is not to be said of infants ; and in other places , as John 15.19 . John 17.14.16 . they are said to hate the Apostles , which is not to be said of infants : And therefore from hence they are not proved to be in the Devils Kingdome , though they were reprobates . 3. The world is not in these places opposed to the visible Church , so that who ever are in the visible Church are not of the world , and they who are of the world are not of the visible Church . For 1. the world out of whom the Apostles were called , were the Jewish Church , which if Mr. B. do not ( as I conceive he doth ) make the visible Church of God when the Apostles were called , sure Mr. Bl. Mr. Cobbet , and others do , as I have shewed before , and therefore the world is not put as contradistinct to the visible Church . 2. The world is in the places cited so described by their actions of hating the Apostles , by their exclusion out of Christs prayer , Joh. 17.9 . by their Prince Satan , by the Apostles calling and choosing out of them , that the world cannot be construed onely to note non-visible churchmembers , but a party that are obstinate enemies to Christ , and so reprobates , whether in the visible Church , or out of it ; and if it stand in direct contradistinction to the Church ( which I find not in any of the places cited ) it is to the invisible , not to the meer visible Church : so that they who are without the visible Church , may be no part of the world therein meant ; and they that are within the visible Church , may be part of the world . 4. The definition , that the Church are a people called out of the world , being expounded of the visible Church , is meant of outward call , which infants are not capable of , and so the definition excludes infants from being a part of the Church there meant , and yet they are not in the world in the sense in which it is taken in the Texts mentioned ( except Joh. 18.36 . ) For they are not haters of Christ or his Apostles , nor recusant unbelievers , nor such as obey Satan as their Prince . But if it be expounded of the invisible Church , and the calling meant of invisible operation of the spirit , I deny not but elect infants may be so called out of the world , and be part of the invisible Church . These things premised , I answer 1. The conclusion is not in the latter syllogism the same with the minor in the former syllogism which should have been proved . 2. The antecedent or minor in the later syllogism , which is this , [ the Devil is the Prince and God of the world as it is distinct from the Church , and out of which the Church is taken . ] if it be meant of the visible Church I deny . For neither is the world in any of the Texts distinct from the visible Church , but the visible Church or some members of it are the world there meant , and the Devil the Prince of them , and the visible Church in respect at least of many perhaps most of their members not taken out of the world , but in it still ; nor is the Devil the Prince of them that yet are uncalled by an outward call from the world , if as infants they be not by their choice and actions conjoyned to the world , but of them that voluntarily adhere to and act with the wicked world . Infants are neither in the world as it is there taken , nor without , that is , they are neither with them nor agai●st them in their present state ; but ( as they say in Logick ) a whelp till the 9th . day is neither blind nor seeing , so an infant till it act is neither within nor without the world visibly , in which Satan is Prince . Nor are those dictates of Mr. B. true , or proved by the Scriptures cited , that no man who is known to be out of Christs visible Church ordinarily can be out of Satans visible Kingdome , that the world and the Church visible contain all mankind according to the ordinary Scripture distribution . But if [ the world ] be taken for reprobates , and the Church be taken for the invisible Church of the elect , I grant it is true that infants are in one part , and that Satan or God is Prince of them : But this is nothing for Mr. Bs. purpose , though it be most agreeable to some passages , as Joh. 17.9 , &c. about the world and the Church . Mr. B. proceeds thus . If it be said , that yet they are not visibly in Satans Kingdome : I answer , If no infants be of Christs visible Church , and this be a known thing , then they are visibly out of it ; and if they be visibly out of that Church , then they are visibly of the world which is Satans Kingdome , seeing the world and the Church contain all . Answ. Neither is it true , that if it be a known thing that infants be not of Christs visible Church , then they are visibly out of it ▪ except it be so known from their sensible action ; nor do the world , taken in the sense opposite to Gods people , and the visible Church contain all , as Mr. B. dictates . Mr. B. adds . If it be said , they may be of the invisible Church , and yet not of the visible , nor of Satans Kingdome ; I answer , 1. it is visibly and not invisibly that the aforesaid distribution is to be understood . 2. I shall anon prove , that the visible Church is wider then the invisible , and that ordinarily we may not judge any to be of the invisible Church , who are not of the visible . Answ. 1. How far the former speech is true or false , is shewed before . 2. As for the later , though we may not judge ord●narily these or those particular persons to be of the invisible Church who are not of the visible , yet we may judge some infants at least are so , though non● be of the visible Church . Again ( saith Mr. B. ) it appears that infants generally were of Satans kingdome visibly till Christ fetcheth them out : Therefore those that are not fetcht out are in it still : And no man can say they are fetcht out except by some means or other it be visible or discernable , Heb. 2 . 14· Christ destroyed by death him that had the power of death , that is the Devil . Satan had this power of death visibly over infants as well as others . Therfore seeing Mr. T. buildeth so much on this Apol. p. 66. That infants are neither in the kingdom of Christ , nor Satan , visibly till profession , either be must prove that God hath left it wholly in the dark , and not revealed that any infants are of Satans v●sible kingdom , or of Christs ( the contrary whereof is abundantly proved ) or he must find out some 3d. kingdom or society , and so find out some 3d. King b●sides the King of the Church , and the Prince of this world ; and it 's like he wil bee put to finde out a third place for them hereafter , besides heaven and hell . Answ. It is a weariness to the flesh to write books , it is much more when a man is to answer such scriblings as this of Mr. B. which being so magnified as it hath been , and written with so much confidence and insolent provocations , is a monument of the boldness and shallowness of readers and writers in this age . What frivolous arguing are here , Christ destroyed him that had the power of death , Satan had this power of death visibly over infants as well as others , Ergo they were of Satans kingdom as it is contradistinct to Christs visible Church till Christ by death fetcht them out ? If Satans power of death visibly over infants , shew them to be in Satans visible kingdome as contradistinct to the visible Church , doth not the same prove all the infants of believers to be in Satans visible kingdome , as well as the infants of unbelievers ? yea doth it not prove the visible Church to be in Satans visible kingdome ? For over them Satan had this power of death as visibly as over the infants of unbelievers . Yea wherein doth the power of death visibly shew a persons being in the visible kingdome of Satan more then Jobs smiting in his body by Satan , or the womans who was a daughter of Abraham and bound by Satan 18. years , shewed them to have been then in the visible kingdome of the Devil as contradistinct to the visible Churth ? Besides those that Christ is said to have fetcht out or delivered are those who through fear of death were all their life-time sub●ect to bondage , Heb. 2 ▪ ●4 . Doth Mr. B. interpret this of infants ? Besides if it appear that infants generally were of Satans kingdome visibly till Christ fetcheth them out , therefore those that are not fetcht out are in still : And no man can say they are fetcht out , except by some means or other it be visible or discernable , How can Mr. B. say any infants of believers are fetcht out o● Satans kingdome visibly ? By what means is it visible or discernable that a believers infant is fetcht out of Satans visible kingdome and 〈◊〉 an unbelievers ? Christs death was visible it's true , but that either Christs death did destroy visibly Satan , or visibly delivered those who were subject to bondage , or that by it is visible or discernable that a believers infant and not an unbelievers is fetcht out of Satan's visible kingdom , is unknown to me . The ordinary meanes whereby it is visible that a person is fetcht out of Satans visible kingdom is in that he hears , obeys , and professeth the Gospel . Surely by this means or any other it is not visible or discernable , that any infant of the most sincere believer is fetcht out of Satans visible kingdome , therefore by Mr. Bs. own suppositions hee cannot say that any believers infant is fetcht out of the visible kingdome of the Devil , and so his argument is retorted on him : That doctrine which leaveth all infants in the visible kingdome of the Devil is false : But such is Mr. Bs. according to his own suppositions . Ergo. As for what hee would impose on mee , it is false , that God hath left it in the dark , it is clear as light at noon , that infants are neither in Christs nor Satans visible kingdome , and yet they have Christ or Satan for their ●ing , and are to bee in heaven or hell , as they are elect or reprobate ; And therefore his talk of what I must finde out is but his prattle , and of what hee hath abundantly proved , is but his idle vapouring of himself . 3. Saith hee , Sure the Apostle calls the world [ them that are without ] as distinct from the Church visible , who are within , Col. 4.5 . 1 Thes. 4.12 . And hee speaks it as the dreadfull misery of them , those that are without God judgeth , 1 Cor. 5.12 , 13. Now infants are either within or without , and to bee without is to bee of the world which the Devil is by Christ said to be Prince of . Answ. To bee without Mark 4.11 . is to bee without , not within Gods election ; to bee without Revel . 22.15 . is to bee without the gates of the city the new Hierusalem , which I take to bee all one as to be cast into outer darkness as Christ terms it . Either of these ways all infants are within or without , but [ those without ] in the places cited by Mr. B. cannot bee said of infants , for they are not persons towards whom wee are to walk in wisedome , Col. 4.5 . or honesty , 1 Thes. 4.12 . this beeing required that our example may not harden them , but it were ridiculous to require this in respect of infants . The Apostle doth not speak it as the dreadfull misery of them that are without that God judgeth them 1 Cor. 5.12 . but onely mentions it as an intimation why they belonged not to his judgement , nor doth hee in any of the places term them the world , who are without the visible Church , or Christ say that Satan is Prince of all that are not visible Churchmembers , but of the world of reprobates , and such as are contrary to Christ and in whom he rules nor is the term [ those that are without ] in any of those places taken for them that are without privatively for want of capacity to understand , profess , and act for Christ , but for those who are positively without by the acts of their own will , not receiving Christ , nor embracing the profession of him , such as were unbelievers , fornicators , idolaters , &c. 1 Cor. 5.10 , 11 , 12. Such as could observe and did stumble at the evil practises of the Christians , Col. 4.5 . 1 Thes. 4.12 . in which sense it is not true that infants are without , though they be privatively or negatively without the visible Church . SECT . LXXIII . Mr. Bs. 22. arg . Ch. 27. that my doctrine leaves no ground of hope of salvation of infants dying , is answered . CH. 27. Mr. B. goes on thus . The 22th . arg . That doctrine which leaveth us no sound grounded hope of the justification or salvation of any dying infants in the world , is certainly false doctrine . But that doctrine which denieth any infants to bee members of the visible Church , doth leave us no sound grounded hope of the justification or salvation of any dying infants in the world ; therefore it is certainly false doctrine . No reasonable temperate Christian will deny the major , I think . The minor I know will be passionately denied . Mr. T. takes it hainously at Mr. M. and Mr. Bl. that they pinch him a little in this point , as if it were but to raise an odium upon him : And yet when hee hath done all for the mitigation of the odium ( which hee saith was his end Apol. pag. 62. ) yet he doth so little towards the vindication of his doctrine , that hee confesseth [ it suspendeth any judgement of infants , wee can neither s●y they are in ( the Covenant of grace ) nor out , Apol. pag. 62. ] Hee labours to prove that there is no such promise or Covenant in Scripture as assures salvation to the infants of believers ; but that God would have us to suspend our judgement of this matter , and rest on the Apostles determination Rom. 9.18 . yet that there is a hope , though not certain , yet probable and comfortable , taken from some general indefinite promises of the favor of God to the parents , and experience that in all ages hoth been had of his merciful dealing with the children of his servants , Apol. p. 112. ] Answ. What I took hainously at Mr. M. and Mr. Bl. I did justly ; what I said that there is no such covenant or promise in Scripture as assures salvation to the infants of believers , I meant it of them as such , or universally what I said that God would have us to suspend our judgment of this matter , I meant whether this or that particular infant be in the Covenant of grace . To Mr. Bs. arg . I say if his major be meant of such a grounded hope as is certain from faith , believing a particular promise of God concerning believers infants dying in infancy ( as Mr. B. seems to understand it ) I deny the major , if very probable and likely from such declarations and promises and experiments as we have , I deny the minor , and shall follow Mr. B. I will first , saith he , prosecute my argument and then consider of these words ▪ understand therefore that 1. I do not charge their doctrine with a positive affirmation , that all infants do certainly perish ; but with the taking away of all positive Christian well grounded hope of their salvation . Answ. Yet by your charging us with this , that by our doctrine they are not so much as seemingly in a state of salvation , you do charge our doctrine with a positive affirmation that they all certainly perish . And it will appear by that which follows that with you no hope of their salvation is Christian and well grounded , but what is cer●ain upon a promise of God apprehended by faith , in which is the chief difference between us . You add , That the question now is not of particular infants of believers , but of the species or whole sort that so die ; not whether this or that infant be certainly saved , or we have any such hope of it but the question is , whether there be a certainty or any such hope that God will just●fie and save any infants in the world or any infants of helievers at all ? Answ Between whom the question is , as Mr. B here saith , I do not understand : the question between me and my Antagonists is not as Mr. B. here sets it down . I have always asserted that there is a certainty and hope that God will justifie and save some infants in the world , some infants of believers , and have often acknowledged those that Christ prayed for , laying on his hands were elect ones , but the question is whether there be any such promise to a believer and his natural seed w●ich assures salvation to them as the seed of believers , and consequently whether there be a certain hope of the● all dying in their infancy that they shall be saved . This I have denied because I know no such promise in Scripture , and if there were it would prove the salvation of those at age though prophane as Esau : For if the promise belong to the seed as such , and it includes salvation , then it assures 〈◊〉 all the seed of belie●ers , whether dying at age prophanely or in infancy . So that it is not true , that the question is not whether this or that infant bee certainly saved , or we have any such hope of it , nor is it true that the question is of the species or whole sort that so die , or whether there be a certainty or any such hope that God will justifie and save any infants in the world , or any infants of believers at all , yea Mr. B. in the words next before would not charge our doctrine with a positive affirmation that all infants do certainly perish . But the question is whether there be a certainty from a promise that he will save them all dying in infancy , nor is the question of the species or whole sort of infants , but of the particular infants of believers . Now , saith he , I affirm ▪ 1. that there is a ground of Christian hope left us in this , that God doth save some infants ( yea and that particular ones , though that be not now the question . Answ. Now this I affirm too , though I assert not such a certainty by promise to infants of believers , as Paedobaptists do . 2. Saith he , That they that put them all out of the visible Church leave us no such hope . I will begin with the later , which is the minor in the argument . And 1. I take it for granted , that to be a visible member of of the Church , and to be a member of the visible Church , is all one . He that denieth that , will but shew his vanity ; And that the invisible Church , or the sincere part is most properly and primarily called the Church , and the body of Christ ; and the Church as visible containing also the unsincere part , is called the Church ; secondarily and for the sake of the invisible , and so it is called the body , because men seem to be of the invisible Church , therefore they truly are of the visible : If we were fully certain by his own external discoveries , that any man were not of the invisible Church , that man should not be taken to be of the visible . Therefore the properties and priviledges of the invisible Church are usually given to the visible ( as to be Saints , holy , all the children of God by faith , Gal. 3.26 . to be Christs body , 1 Cor. 12.13 . to be branches in Christ , Joh 15.2 , &c. because as the sincere are among them , so all visible members seem in the essentials of Christianity to be sincere ; therefore if any converted Jew or Pagan were to be taken into the Church upon his pr●fession , we ought not to admit him except his profession seem to be serious and so sincers ; for who durst admit him , if we knew he came but in jest , or to make a scorn of Christ and Baptism ? So that to be a member of the visible Church , or of the Church as visible , or a visible member of the Church are all one , and is no more but to seem to be a true member of the Church of Christ ( commonly called invisible ) or of the true mystical body of Christ. Therefore even Cardinal Cusanus calleth the visible Church , Ecclesia conjecturalis , as receiving its members on conjectural signs . And our Divines generally make the unsound hypocrites to be but to the Church as a wooden leg to the body ▪ or at the best as the hair and nails , &c. and as the straw and chaff to the corn : And so doth Bellarmine himself , and even many other whom he citeth of the Papists ( Aquinas , Petr. a soto , Joh. de Turrecremata , Hugo , Alex ▪ Alensis , Canus . ) And when Bellarmine feigneth Calvin and others to make two militant Churches , our Divines reject it as a calumny and manifest fiction ; and say , that the Church is not divided into two sorts , but it is a two fold respect of one and the same Church ; one as to the internal essence , the other a● to the external manner of existing as Ames . speaks . Answ. Though much of this passage be yeelded by me , yet I reject those speeches [ because men seem to be of the invisible Church , therefore they truly are of the visible ; to be a visible member of the Church is no more but to seem to be a true member of the Church of Christ ( commonly called the invisible ) of the true mystical body of Christ ] For to be a visible member of the Christian Church is not all one as to seem to be of the invisible Church . For , 1. a person may be of the visible Church , according to Mr. B. who lives alone in America , and therefore seems to no man to be of the invisible Church , no man knoweth or judgeth probably or certainly him to be of Christs mystical body . 2. A person may seem to be of the invisible Church , and yet not be of the visible , as an Indian while a Christian preacheth , who yet professeth not Christ , yet seems by his gestures to be affected with it , and sundry others . Therefore it is necessary to be a visible Churchmember , that his profession be visible , that is , be discernable to mens understanding through the sensibility of it . 3. To some a person may seem to be of the invisible Church , to others not , is he of the visible Church or not ? or are both true ? and if no● , how shall we know which is true , which not ? 4. To seem to be of 〈◊〉 invisible Church is but accidental to the visibility of a Churchmember , though he should seem to none to be of the invisible Church , yea though through mens ignorance or uncharitableness the person should seem to be a reprobate or hypocrite , yet he might be nevertheleless a visible Christian , and so a churchmember of the catholick visible , which Mr. B. avoucheth . Mr. Bs. reasons here go upon a gross mistake , as if it were all one to be a visible churchmember , and to be received or admitted as a visible churchmember : and that a person were denominated visible from what men apprehend or what seems to them , whereas the denomination is , as Ames saith truly in the place meant by Mr. B. from the external form or manner of existing . Though a person be not to be received as a visible member of the Church because he seems not to be found , yet he may be a visible churchmember : Nor is he such because they pass a judgement on him , but because his profession is such as might shew him to be a Christian , if any did observe it , or would candidly interpret it . But how far Mr. B. errs from the true understanding of the main point of his book , what it is to be a visible churchmember , sometimes making it the same with a seeming to be of the mystical body of Christ , sometimes a right to a benefit , and how indistinctly he speaks of this thing ( which if he had minded any exact disquisition of truth , he should in the beginning of his Dispute have first cleared ) is shewed in the second part of this Review , sect . 17. at large pag. 228 , &c. In this part , sect . 55 , &c. And for want of observing this his mistake , I judge many learned men and others have been misled by him . He saith , Again , you must understand , that to be a member of the visible Church is not to be a member of any particular or political body or society , as Rome would have it . And to be a visible member , doth not necessarily import that he is actually knowne to bee a member ; for hee may live among the blinde that cannot see that which is visible . But that he is one so qualified , as that hee ought to bee esteemed in the judgement of men to belong to the Church of Christ : therefore a man living alone in America , may yet bee a member of the visible Church . For hee hath that which constituteth him a visible member , though there bee none to discern it . Answ. 1. This passage doth overthrow Mr. Bs. definition of a visible Churchmember , which is , that he is one that seems to the judgement of man to be of the invisible Church : Now he that seems such , is actually known or discerned to be such ; that seems so , which is thought to be so ; Videtur quod sic , videtur quod non , in the Schools are express●ons of a mans opinion ; but according to Mr. B. to be a visible church-member doth not necessarily import he is actually known or discerned , therefore he may be a visible churchmember who doth not seem to the judgement of man to be of the invisible Church , and then the definition is not right , as not agreeing to every thing defined . 2. His speeches He may live among the blind who cannot see that which is visible , that he is one qualified so as that he ought to be esteemed in the judgement of men to belong to the Church of Christ , a man living alone in America hath that which constituteth him a visible member though there be none to discern it , do plainly intimate that visible churchmembership is constituted by some qualification which is visible , so that he ought thereupon to be esteemed in the judgement of men to belong to the Church of Christ therefore visible churchmembership is from some qualification sensible , and is before the esteem in the judgement of men to belong to the Church of Christ ; and though such esteem should not follow , yet the person is a visible churchmember : and therefore Mr. B. doth most unskilfully define a visible churchmember to be one that seems , or is esteemed to be of the invisible Church . For though this be , and ought to be a consequent upon the other , yet it is not the same ; but as I have shewed , even according to Mr. B. they may be severed . And if that which constituteth a visible churchmember be a qualification visible , so as that he ought to be esteemed in the judgement of men to belong to the Church of Christ ( which can be no other then his serious , sober , free , and intelligent profession of the faith of Christ ) then my description of a visible churchmember is right , and infants that have no such qualification are not visible churchmembers . To say that their parents are visible professors , is insufficient : For there is no Scripture that makes the profession of the parent the childs qualification , nor any Scripture that for it makes it our duty to esteem him in our judgement to belong to the Church of Christ ; nor is the pa●ents profession any qualification of the child visible , neither is the relation of the child visible or sensible . ( For relations , say Logicians , incur not into the sense ) nor is the Fathers profession any more his own childes profession then any other mans childes profession . So that Mr. Bs. own words beeing well heeded , overthrow his tenet and confirm mine . I go after him in the rest . These things , saith he , explained , I proceed , and prove my minor thus . They that are not so much as seemingly ( or visibly ) in a state of salvation , of them so dying we can have no true ground of Christian hope that they shall be saved : But they that are not so much as seemingly or visibly of the Church , they are not so much as seemingly or visibly in a state of salvation : Therefore of them so dying , we can have no true ground of Christian hope that they shall bee saved . Answ. 1. Mr. B. makes here seemingly and visibly in a state of salvation , of the Church to be all one , whereas there is a great difference , seemingly being in order to the understanding , visibly to the sense , he may be seemingly in the state of salvation , and of the Church , who is not so visibly , there being many arguments which may make a thing seem to the understanding , besides that which is discernable by the outward sense . Therefore if Mr. B. mean by seemingly all one with visibly ( as his words import ) I deny his major as false ; and to the contrary assert , that we may have true ground of Christian hope that they shall be saved , who yet die not visibly in a state of salvation , that is , do not any thing incurrent into the sense which may shew they are in a state of salvation , as infants born , abortives , still-born , children dying in the womb , natural fools , phrenetiques : Yea we conceive hopes of the salvation of persons dying raving , cursing by reason of their disease , destroying themselves , dying excommunicate justly from the Church , though visibly they are in a state of damnation ▪ The minor is also false , they that are not visibly of the Church , may yet be visibly in a state of salvation , as an Indian yet not professing Christ , nor baptized , being affected with the preaching of Christs love to man , so as to lift up his eys to heaven , knock his brest , listen to the preacher , weep , kiss the preacher , follow him , keep company with him , &c. this man is not yet visibly of the Church , yet he is visibly in a state of salvation , and so dying we have ground of Christian hope that he shall be saved . But Mr. B. tels us , The major is evident ; and confirmed thus : 1. Sound Hope is guided by judgement , and that judgement must have some evidence to proceed on : But where there is not so much as a seeming or visibility , there is no evidence ; and therefore there can be no right judgement , and so no grounded hope . Answ. 1. Mr. B. doth still unskilfully put seeming for seemingness , and confound it and visibility . 2. Where there is no seeming , there may be evidence ; he should rather have said , Where there is no seeming , there is no judgement ; for where nothing seems to a person , he passeth no judgement or opinion . 3. I presume Mr. B. takes evidence largely for any argument which shews a thing and not in that strict sense in which it is denied by learned men that faith hath evidence , and in the large sense there may be and is in innumerable things evidence in which is no visibility , as that corn will be sown and reaped though we see it not ▪ &c. And in this present argument , Mr. B. himself a little after reckons up many reasons besides visibility of the state of salvation , and of the Church , which he makes evidence for a judgement upon which there is a grounded hope of infants salvation , p●g . 77 , 78. as Gods declarations , promises , &c. And therefore I deny that speech ▪ where there is not so much as visibility there is no evidence . 2. Saith he , Again , to judge a thing to be what it doth not any way seem or appear to be , is ( likely actually , but alway ) virtually and interpretatively a false judgement : But such a judgement can be no ground for sound hope . Answ. Yet a man may truly judge that to be which doth not visibly appear to be . 2. Saith he , The minor is as evident , viz. [ that they that are not seemingly or visibly of the Church , are not seemingly or visibly in a state of salvation . ] For 1. if they that are not of the true Church are not in a state of salvation , then they that seem not to be of that Church do not so much as seem to be in a state of salvation : But the antecedent is true ; therefore the consequent The antecedent might be proved from a hundred Texts of Scripture . It is the body that Christ is the Saviour of , and his people that he redeemeth from their sins , and his sheep to whom he giveth eternal life , and those that sleep in Jesus that God shall bring with him , and the dead in Christ that shall rise to salvation , and those that die in the Lord that rest from their labours , and the Church that Christ will preserve pure and unspotted , &c. He that denieth this , is scarse to be disputed with as a Christian : Even they that thought all should at last be brought out of hell and saved , did think they should become the Church , and so be saved . The consequence is beyond questioning . Answ. 1. Seemingly and visibly are still mis confounded by Mr. B. 2. If the antecedent bee meant of the visible Church ( of which alone the conclusion is to bee ) then it is denied , and the proofs are all impertinent sith they speak not of the visible Church as visible , but of the invisible . 2. Saith hee , I next argue thus : If there bee no sure ground for faith concerning the salvation of any out of the Church , then there ● no sure ground of hope ( for faith and hope are conjunct ; wee may not hope with a Christian hope for that wee may not believe ) But there is no sure ground for such faith : ( they that say there is let them shew it if they can ) Therefore there is no sure ground of hope . Answ. 1. Mr. B. doth ill to change the term [ well grounded hope ] in his first syllogism , into [ a sure ground of hope . ] For there may bee a well grounded hope of many things , as that God will deliver from death in a battle , provide in a siege bread , &c. though there bee no sure ground of hope cui f●ls●m subesse non potest , that God will do these things . 2. Wee have sure ground for faith concerning the salvation of some out of the visible Church , though not of all infants of believers . And this wee have from Gods declaration of the election of some not visible churchmembers and consequently of their salvation , as Isaac and Jacob. Rom. 9.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. which is urged by Mr. B. himself pag. 78. 3. Saith he , Again , if there be no promise in Gods word for the salvation of any without the visible Church , then there is no ground of our Christian hope that they shall be saved : But there is no such promise ( as I think they will confess ) Therefore there is no ground for any such hope . That Christian hope must rest upon a word of promise , mee thinks should not bee denied : It is plain Rom. 15.4 , 13. Ephes. 1.18 . & 4.4 . Col. 1.5 , 23 , 27. 2 Thes. 2.16 . 1 Tim. 1.1 ▪ Heb. 6.18 , 19. Heb. 7.19 . 1 Pet. 1.3 , 21. & 3.15 . Rom. 4.18 . & 5.2 . Tit. 1.1 , 2. Heb 11.1 , &c. Ps. 119.43 , 74 , 147 , &c. In natural things wee may have a common natural hope upon natural grounds ▪ But in supernatural things , as are justification and salvation , we must have the ground of a Divine revelation to support all true Christian theological hope . Answ. 1. I deny the consequence of the major , and to Mr. Bs. proofs I answer : 1. There is not one of all the texts that saith there is no ground of true Christian hope but a promise in Gods word , though there are that prove the promise of God to bee a ground of Christian hope : It would bee too tedious to shew the impertinency of each of them , it is sufficient to acquaint the Reader wherein the defect of proof is . 2. Wee may have the ground of a Divine revelation to support our hope , as of what God hath done , of his attributes and other declarations , although we have not a promise , which Mr. B. seems too unskilfully to confound with a Divine revelation which may bee the ground of Christian hope . 2. The minor is not confessed by me to Isaac and Jacob God promised salvation afore they were born , therefore to them without the visible Church , the like to the Gentiles , to the Jews , Rom. 11.26 . afore they are called , or in being : to all the elect there is a Covenant or promise in Christ of salvation , whether they be of the visible Church or not . 4. Saith he , Again , if God do add to the Church such as shall bee saved , then we can have no true ground of Christian hope of the salvation of any that are not added to the Church : But that God doth add to the Church such as shall be saved , is the plain words of Scripture , Acts 2. last . Therefore we have no true ground of such hope of the salvation of those that are not so added to it . If any say that the text speaks of the invisible Church . I answer : 1. Then it would hold of the visible much more for the visible Church is far larger then the invisible , and contain the invi●●ble in it . 2. But the Text expresly speaks of the visible Church : For it was such a Church . 1. As were baptised . 2. And as the 3000. souls were in one day added to ; 3. And as continued in the Apostles doctrine , fellowship , breaking of bread , and prayers ; 4. And were together and had all things common ; 5. And sold their possessions and goods , and parted them to them that needed ; 6. And continued daily in the Temple , and breaking bread from house to house did eat with gladness , &c. 7. And as did praise God and had favour with all the people . And doubtless this was the visible Church : to this such as should bee saved were added ; yet not onely such : for many false teachers and others did after go out from them ; and such as Simon Magus were baptised ; and false brethren was one cause of their sufferings . So that I doubt not but it is clear , that they that deny any infants to be members of the visible Church , do leave us no true ground for any Christian hope of their salvation . Answ. The consequence of the major is denied , and the reason of the denial is because the speech is not simply convertible , hee added to the Church such as should bee saved , therefore all that shall bee saved are added to the visible Church . Yea Mr. B. by confessing that they were not onely the saved that were added to the Church acknowledgeth the proposition to bee particular , some were added to the Church which should bee saved , and this is convertible onely thus ; Ergo some that shall bee saved were added to the Church , not universal , all that were added to the Church should bee saved . So that wee need not betake our selves to the answer of understanding it of the invisible Church . Nor is there a necessity to understand it of eternal salvation . For the word being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the present tense may bee translated the saved , that is as v. 40. by relinquishing of that crooked or perverse generation , and if Beza's conjecture hold that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the reading is to be , and some hee daily added to the Church to bee saved . Let the reading bee either way , it proves not that there are none to bee saved who are not added to the Church visible . And indeed such a proposition were false , sith it is otherwise in the case of infants dying in the womb , still born , &c. Mr. Bs. inference , if Acts 2.47 . bee meant of the Church invisible then the speech , they that are to be saved are added to the Church holds much more of the visible , is vain . And the reason is as vain . For it is uncertain whether the visible Church be far larger then the invisible , considering the number of dying infants and the uncertainty how far their election and salvation extends , and though there bee many of the visible Church who are not of the invisible , yet the visible doth not contain the invisible in it , there being many of the invisible Church who are not in the visible , and therefore it proves not that if they that are saved are of the invisible then they are much more of the visible . So that however it bee that Mr. B. doubt not of the contrary , I am assured that the denying infants visible Churchmembership , leaves sufficient ground for Christian hope of their salvation . Next , saith hee , let us consider how far their own arguments will exclude all hope of the salvation of any infan● . If it were true which Mr. T. so much standeth on , That the onely way now appointed by Christ to make Churchmembers , is by teaching the persons themselves ; and that none else may bee members of the visible Church , but those that have learnt : then 1. it will much more follow that they are not of the invisible , as I have shewed ; or at least wee are not to judge them to be of the invisible Church at all . 2. And if from Matth. 28.20 . they may argue , that none but those that are taught are Disciples and are to bee baptised ; why may they not as well argue from Mar. 16.16 . [ Whosoever believeth not shall bee damned ] that all infants are certainly damned ? wherein lieth the difference in these two arguments ? Sure the later seems to mee to have more shew from Scripture though but little : I dare invite Mr. T. to prove to mee from Scripture that any infants in the world are justified and sanctified , and try if I shall not in the same way prove that some infants are members of the visible Church ? Or let him answer the argument from Mar. 16.16 . that is brought for their damnation , and see if it will not afford him also an answer to that from Matt. 28. against their being disciples and to bee baptised . Answ. 1. He hath no where made good this consequence , if infants be not of the visible Church , it will follow much more they are not of the invisible , or at least that wee are not to judge them to bee of the inv●sible Church at all . 2. It doth not follow whosoever believeth not shall bee damned therefore infants , because the text it self shews the speech to bee limited onely to those unbelievers to whom the Gospel is preached , v. 15. yet it followes none are disciples and to bee baptised but the taught , Matth. 18.19 , ●0 . because Christ first appointed persons to bee taught by preaching the Gospel , whom hee appointed to bee baptised and ●ccounted disciples . 3. Let Mr. B. take these arguments and try whether hee can prove infants visible Churchmembership from them . They of whom is the kingdome of heaven are justified and sanctified . But of some infants is the kingdome of heaven , Ergo. They who are elected to life , for whom Christ died , are justified and sanctified are they die . But so some are infants , Ergo. 4. The argument is answered from Mark 16.16 . Let M. B. try how he can answer mine from Matth. 28.19 , 20. Mark 16.15 , 16. &c. as it is in the second part of this Review , sect . 5 , &c. or as it is in my Praecursor , sect . 16. pag. 66. out of his words , which is shewed in the 2 d. part of the Review , sect . 4. pag. 66 , 67. not to be answered by him in his Praefestinantis morator . Hee that nullifi●s that argument must make reformation of humane additions to the worship of God as part of it void . Mr. B. adds , But why do I expect th●● when hee suspendeth his judgement ? If hee mean it of particular infants , it is not home to the question ; for so hee must sus●end his ●udgement concerning the salvation of every particular person , as certain , seeing hee is uncertain of the sincerity of any : And yet I hope he will not conclude it uncertain whether any man hee saved ? But if hee mean it of all the species of infants , then I must say he suspendeth much of his faith , hope and charity ; and that doctrine which suspendeth our belief of God and charity to our own children , shall be none of my Creed . Answ. The suspension of judgement which in my postscript sect . 4. I said God would we should have , was concerning the certainty of salvation of all infants of believers dying in infancy , which was meant of particular infants , to wit the infants of believers , and it was home to the question between me , and Mr. M. and Mr. Bl. whether there were such a certainty of salvation of every believers infant dying so , by vertue of the promise I will be thy God and the God of thy seed Gen 17.7 ? There was no such question as Mr. B. would impose on mee , as if I doubted whether any infant should bee saved ? But this I did and do still conceive , that there is no promise of salvation to every believers infants , and therefore we are to suspend our judgement concerning this or that particular infant , not of all the species of infants as hee speaks . And though I am certain of every believers salvation , yet I am not certain of this or that professour that he is a sincere believer , and therefore concerning this I am to suspend any peremptory judgment of science , yet I am not to suspend my judgment of charity , which yet I am to suspend towards infants , there being no actions of theirs which may occasion such a judgment . Nor hereby do I suspend any act of faith , hope or charity which I ought to have towards God or my own children ; and if what I hold be no part of Mr. Bs. Creed , yet it may be part of the Creed of as holy and learned a man as he is . Hee adds , And where hee thinks wee must take up with that Rom. 9.18 . Hee will have mercy on whom hee will have mercy . I answer : 1. This is no other ground of hope , then of any heathen in America wee may entertain . 2. It is no ground of hope for infants at all : For it neither directly nor indirectly promises any mercy to them , nor saith any more of mer●y then of hardning : and rather would afford such disputers an argument against mercy to any infants , because it is mercy put in opposition to hardning , which infants in that sense are not capable of . Answ. I said God would have us to rest on the Apostles determination Rom. 9.18 . to wit concerning the salvation of all believers infants , and to this I was induced by the Apostles arguing , v. 11 , 12 , 13. concerning Jacob and Esau. But this was not alledged by me as a ground of hope , and therefore though Mr. Bs. consequences be granted , there is nothing against what I said : which I think very agreeable with the words of Wickliff , cited as an approved speech by Mr. B. himself , p. 291. which if he like , he cannot gainsay my speech . But he saith , Yet Mr. T. tels us [ there is hope for all this , though not certain , yet probable and comfortable ] and he sheweth us three grounds for it : If this be spoken of the species of infants , as if there were no certainty , but a probability that any of them shall be saved , then I will prove it false and vile anon : If it be spoken of particular individual infants , then 1. it is as much as can be said of any men at age ; for no other man hath any certain , but a probable hope of their salvation . Answ. I have often said , I mean it not of the species , but the individual infants of believers , and I appeal to Mr. B. himself whether he do not say as I say , Plain Scripture , &c. pag 316. in those words : Though yet for my own opinion , I have resolved no further then this , that we are to judge the remission , justification , and salvation of particular infants of true believers mo●● probable , till the contrary appear by them ; and for the full certainty , I leave it as to me uncertain . If we have but a probable hope of the salvation of men at age , it is no absurdity , in my apprehension , to say we have but probable hope of their salvation ; yet we have a greater degree of probability in our hopes of the salvation of such as have in appearance spent their lives in a holy course , then of infants so dying . 2. Saith he , It is as much as I desire ; for if their salvation be probable , then they are visibly or seemingly , or to our judgement in a state of salvation , and so must needs be visible members of the Church . How dare Mr. T. refuse to take those for visible Churchmembers , whose salvation is probable , when he hath no more but probability of the salvation of the best man in the world . Answ. 1. I have often told Mr. B. that to be seemingly , or to our judgement in a state of salvation , is not all one as to be such visibly , and that such may be no visible Churchmembers whose salvation is seeming or probable to our judgement . 2. Though I have but probability of the salvation of the best man in the world , yet I have a certainty of his profession , by which I take him to be a visible Churchmember , and not by the probability of his salvation ; and this I dare do , and I wonder how Mr. B. against the current of all the N. T. dare do otherwise . 3. But , saith he , doth not this contradict what went before ? And I wish he do not contradict it again in his proofs . His first proof of the probability , is from some general indefinite promises ; but what these promises are , he tels us , Apol. pag. 64. By general and indefinite promises be means such as determine not the kinde of good promised , nor the particular person ; and therefore are true , if performed to any person in any sort of good ; and conditional upon condition of faith and obedience . Answ. 1. If it determine not the kind of good formally nor virtually , nor contain it generically ; then how doth it make it probable ? 2. And if it neither determine the person , nor give 〈◊〉 ground to determine , how then doth it become probable to that person ? 3. And how then can that promise give hopes to the faithfull of the salvation of their infants , which is verified , if performed to any person in any sort of good ? as if it were but to one infant in a nation in reprieving him a day from damnation ? If it intend more then this , then it is not verified or fulfilled in this much ; if it intend no more , then how doth it make their salvation probable ? 4. And sure the conditional promises which he mentioneth , requiring faith and repentance , are little to the benefit of infants , if these conditions are required of themselves in their infancy . And for his other two grounds of hope , viz. the favour of God to the parents , and experience , they are comfortable helps to second the promise ; but of themselves without a word , would give us no ground of Christian hope in such matters as justification and salvation are . Answ. I perceive no contradiction in my words . 1. By putting in those words [ nor contain it generically ] he intimates as if I had denied the promises I mention to contain generically the good of justification and salvation ; whereas I termed the promises expresly general , and cited Psal. 103.17 , 18. Psal. 112 . ● , &c. which mention Gods righteousness and blessedness , and so may comprehend eternal righteousness and blessedness , and thereby the justification and salvation of infants becomes probable , though it be not certain , sith Gods righteousness and blessedness may be conferred in another kind . As if a rich King promise money to a mans children , it 's probable he will give them gold , thou●h it be not certain . 2. Though the particular person be not determined , yet sith the qualification of the person is expressed to be the generation of the righteous , it is probable that it is meant of each ▪ till the contrary appears ; as if a man promise to make such a mans children heirs , this is probable of every one till it appear otherwise , and yet not certain . 3. I have shewed how , especially if we consider that favours are wont to be amplified to the most . Though Gods intentions are not fulfilled perhaps with so litle , yet the words may be verified if no more but temporal blessedness be given . 4. The conditional promises I confess give us but slender hope of infants by themselves ; yet with general indefinite promises , declarations of Gods favour to his people , and experience , they yeeld a strong ground of hope of the justification and salvation of infants of believers , though not certain and sure , as Mr. B. would have , but how short he is in proof will appear in that which followes . SECT . LXXIIII . Mr. Bs. allegations , p. 76 , 77 , 78. shew not a stronger ground of hope of infants salvation , so dying , then mine : His 23d . Arg. ch . 28. his 25th . ch . 30. are answered . HE tels us , That he hath a stronger probabilty then I mention , of the salvation of all the infants of the faithfull , so dying , and a certainty of the salvation of some , in that God admitted them visible members of his Church . For Christ is the Saviour of his body , and he present his Church clensed and unspotted to the Father : And if God will have them to be visible members of his Church , then he would have us take or judge them to be members of it : And withal , there is less danger of mistake in them , then in men at years ; because they do not dissemble , nor hide any hypocritical intents under the vizor of profession , as they may do . And it is certain also , that if God would have some and many to be of the true body of Christ , and so be saved , then hee would not have all to bee visibly out of that body . That he would have have them churchmembers is proved , and shall be , God willing , yet more . If God add to the Church such as shall be saved , then there is a strong probability of their salvation whom he addeth to the Church . Answ. Mr. B. here , p. 74. in his arguments 2d . and 3d. intimated that he asserted a sure ground for faith concerning the salvation of believers infants so dying , and that to be a promise in the word of the salvation of those within the visible Church ; and here he asserts a stronger probability then I mention of the salvation of all the infants of the faithfull so dying , and a certainty of the salvation of some , in that God admitteth them visible members of his Church . Yet pag. 78. he dares not say there 's a full certainty of the salvation of all believers infants so dying : Yea , pag. 110. he saith , Rom. 9.8 . the Apostle pleadeth that salvation is not by the Covenant tyed to all Abrahams seed . Out of which I infer , 1. That Mr. B. hath no sure ground for faith , to wit , a promise in the word concerning the salvation of all the infants of believers so dying . For the Apostle pleads , that salvation is not by Covenant tied to all Abrahams seed , and if not to Abrahams , then to none else ; and the certainty of the salvation of some is acknowledged by me as well as by him . And sure if the Covenant assure not salvation to all , and neither it nor any other revelation of God tell us salvation belongs to this infant of such a believer or to that , there is no certainty concerning the salvation of this or that particular infant of a believer dying , nor is there a sure ground for faith concerning it , nor is the hope of it certain , and we are to suspend our judgement concerning it , which Mr. B. carp● at so much in me to make me and the truth I hold odious , which is almost all the work he does ( for he proves nothing he says in opposition to what I hold ) and though his speeches are inconsistent , yet when he sets down his opinion he agrees with me , that he dares not say there 's a full certainty of the salvation of all believers infants ; nor dare he I think say , that he is certain of any one believer on earth his infant dying , that he is saved . 2. That he hath a stronger probability then I mention of the salvation of all the infants of believers so dying , in that God admitteth them visible members of his Church , is said by him : But 1. he shews not what degree of probability I deny which he asserts : 2. I never opposed the strongest probability Mr. B. asserts , onely I declared my self unsatisfied concerning the certainty , which Mr. B. dares not assert : 3. That God hath admi●ted them visible members of his Church Christian , is not yet proved by Mr. B. nor ever will be : 4. If he had , yet this proves the certainty of the salvation of none now existent ; for the speeches , Ephes. 5.23 , 27. must be understood of the Church which is so visible , that it be also the invisible . Now though it be certain , that some visible Churchmembers are saved ▪ yet it is neither certain that all , or any visible Churchmembers or Churches now existent shall be saved , and therefore no more then a probability of the salvation of all or some infants of believers now existent can be inferred , though their visible Churchmembership were granted . As for the strength of the probability , I stick not to grant it as strong as he would have it , so that he assert not a certainty . And therefore , did not Mr. B. mind to pick a quarrel with me , and to affright people from my doctrine , this Chapter of Mr. B. might have been spared . Yet Mr. B. adds . And the promises to them are fuller then Mr. T. expresseth , and give us stronger ground of hope . 1. God hath , as I have proved , assured that he will be mercifull to them in the general , and that in opposition to the seed of the wicked , on whom he will visit their Fathers sins : Now this giveth a strong ground of hope that he will save them . For if the Judge or King say , I will hang such a traytor , but I will be mercifull to such a one , it is an intimation that he meaneth not to hang him . If your friend promise to be good to you and mercifull , you dare confidently hope he means not to destroy you . Answ. This proves not Gods promises any fuller then I express , for those I alledge not excluding but including in an &c. this , are as full as this , Exod. 20.6 . Nor doth this give a stronger ground of hope then I do , who yeeld as much as Mr. B. infers , though I like not Mr. Bs. instance , which intimates that God should say , I will damn the children of the wicked to the 3d. and 4th . generation , v. 5. and save the children of them that love me to a thousand generations . He adds . 2. God saith ( as I have shewed ) that the seed of the righteous is blessed . Now is not that a strong ground of hope , that so dying , they shall not be damned ? It is not likely that God would call them blessed whom he will damn eternally , after a few days or hours life in a state of infancy , which is capable of litle sense of blessedness here . Answ. What mercy is meant , Exod. 20.6 . and what blessedness , Psal 37.26 . hath been considered before , and thence it may appear , that a certainty of salvation to all infants of believers , or to any definitely now existent cannot bee inferred . Yet I oppose not the inferring thence a strong ground of hope . Nevertheless that God should call them blessed in a sort and yet damn them , is no inconsistency , nor doth it appear much less likely then that hee should reprobate Esau afore hee was born or had done good or evil , Rom. 9.11 , 12 , 13. 3. God ( saith Mr. B. ) entreth Covenant to be their God , and to take them for a peculiar people to himself , Deut. 29.11 , 12 , 13. And this giveth strong hope of their salvation . For as if the ●ing promise to bee your King , and to take you for his s●bject , it is likely hee intends all the benefits of Kingly government to you : or if a man promise a woman to bee her husband , it is likely that hee intendeth to do the office of a husband : And so when God promiseth to be their God. Answ. Though I yeild that there is ground for a strong hope o● the salvation of infants of Christian believers so dying , yet in the text cited there is nothing to that purpose . For 1. that Covenant was made on●ly with the people of Israel , and was a peculiar Covenant with that nation . 2. For the Covenant was of Gods being God to them while they owned him , and kept his Commandments and so w●s conditional . So that thi● Covenant is not a Covenant with every believer and his issue , nor did Gods promise to bee their God assure the salvation of all the Israelites infants so dying , much less the salvation of infants of Christian believers , to whom all the promises in the new Covenant are personal , none that I remember national or domestical as were to the Jews . 4. Saith hee , And Paul 1 Thes. 4.13 . would not have the faithfull mourn for the dead as those that are without hope : now what dead are these ? And what hope is it ? 1. Hee saith the dead in general , which will not stand with the exclusion of the whole species of infants . 2. Hee speaks of those dead for whom they were apt to mourn . And will not parents mourn for their children ? And for hope , it is evidently the hope of resurrection to life . For resurrection to damnation is not a thing to be hoped for . This seems plain to me . Answ. ●hough I oppose not a strong hope of the salvation of believers infants so dying , yet to shew how vainly he talks of his shewing more for it then I do , the reader may take notice , that if the Apostle be interpreted of the hope of the resurrection to life of the dead in general and those they were apt to mourn for , as Mr. Bs. arguing intimates his mind to be , then the Apostle would have them hope for the resurrection to life not onely of the infants of believers so dying , but also of their ripe aged children though infidels and profane , yea for their wives , kindred , neighbours , servants ; whereas the Apostles speech is plainly meant onely of them that are believers , who as they are said v. 1● . to sleep so v. 14. to sleep in Jesus , whom God will bring with Jesus , v. 16. dead in Christ , that is for Christ ▪ ● . M. Mede conceivs , applying at peculiarly to the martyrs , or as most 〈◊〉 faith of Christ , such as shall be for ever with the Lord , v. 17. From 〈…〉 with many other instances in his writings it may appear how 〈…〉 superficially Mr. B. opens and infers from texts of Scrip●u● 5. Saith Mr. B. David comforteth himself concerning his dead child , because hee should go to the child , but the child should not return to him . To say that this was onely that hee should bee buried with it , is to make David too like a Pagan rather then a Christian : However it seems hee was confident that he should not bee damned : or else hee would not say , I shall go to him . And to say David knew his salvation as a Prophet , is a groundless fiction that cannot be proved : Prophets knew not all things , not ordinarily things of another world by such revelation . Therefore what ever ground of hope David had , other faithfull parents have the like . Answ 2. That David in those words 2 Sam. 12.22 , 23. did express any ground of hope of the salvation of his child , and that thereby hee comforted himself concerning his dead childe , is more then I think can bee evinced from the text . Rendering a reason of his not fasting any longer , hee doth not alledge any thing concerning the happiness of the childe , but the bootlesness of h●s praying and fasting sith the childes life could not bee recovered . And the whole speech considered , the words import no more then this , can I bring him back again to life ? I shall go to him , that is to the state of the dead , as counterfeit Samuel is brought in , saying 1 Sam. 28.19 . To morrow thou shalt bee with mee , that is dead as I am , and as Jacob said Gen. 37.35 . Hee should go down to his sonne into the grave , or state of the dead . And in these speeches though no more were meant , yet there is nothing that relisheth of Paganism , not so much as other speeches seem to do , Psal. 6.5 . Psal. 30.9 . Isai. 38.18 , 19. Job 14 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 14. For though they the express not the expectation of the resurrection or the present estate of happiness , yet it was not because they believed it not , but because it was sufficient to give a reason of his present action , in which hee gives first an account of what hee did before , hee fasted and wept while the childe was alive , for hee said , who can tell whether God will bee gracious to mee that the childe may live ? In which words if wee may argue after Mr. Bs. mode , wee may as well say hee was too like a Pagan rather then a Christian , sith hee mentions no prayer for his childes happiness , but his natural life . 2. An account of his not fasting , because God had frustrated the end of his prayer and fasting . And yet in both hee shewed ▪ faith in GOD , in his prayer acknowledging GOD the authour of life and death , and in the other the sentence of death passed on himself , and his acquiescence in Gods will concerning both . All which hee understood as one acquainted with GOD and his word . So that wee need not assert that David knew the happiness of his childe by special revelation , sith hee expresseth not any thing of it . And if hee did , yet hee might speak this not as an assured thing , but as probably hoped for , and yet not upon common grounds to all believers , but out of special favour to him ( of which hee had more then common experience ) and Gods wont of hearing his prayers . So that yet Mr. B. hath brought no stronger grounds of probability of the salvation of all believers infants so dying , then I have done notwithstanding his cracks . Let 's view the rest . 6. Saith hee , Again , if there were not farre more hope of their salvation , then fear of their damnation ; it would never bee said , That children are an heritage of the Lord ▪ and the fruit of the womb is his reward ; And the man blessed that hath his quiver full of them , Psal. 127.3 , 4 , 5. Answ. 1. Mr. B. pretended to shew a stronger probability of the salvation of the infants of believers then I have done , but wherein do●h hee exceed mee in his assertion in this place or his proof ? Did I ever say there is less hope of their salvation , then fear of their damnation ? If I did not , why doth hee suggest as if in this conclusion hee asserted more then I do ? If I have said so , let him shew it , or else let him bee taken for what hee is , a calumniator . 2. For his proof , would any man alledge this text to prove more hope of salvation of infants of believers then their damnation , if hee had any heed to what hee writes ? when the text expresly makes the blessedness of the man hath many children to bee not at all in this place , in reference to hope of the salvation of the children ▪ but in reference to his own safety and protection by his children , who may oppose enemies , and bee as arrowes or weapons to drive them back , or as helps to right his wrongs , and to embolden him to contend with them in the gate , which was counted a great blessing then , and agreeable to the promises of the legal Covenant , as Deut. 28. Psal. 144.12 , 15 , &c. may bee seen . But this is not meant of infants but of such as were grown up and able to defend their parents , and chiefly if not onely of males , nor is the man said to bee blessed by reason of the goodliness of them , but the multitude of them , and they are said to bee an heritage as the land of Canaan , Psal. 1●6 . 21 , 22. and his reward whether for their observing his law , or for other reason , such as for which Nebuchadnezzar was rewarded with Egypt , Ezek. 29.18 , 19 , 20. or as Psal. 137.8 , 9. or as reward taken Catachrestically for any gift . Bee it meant of true believers ( though no words in the text evince it ) yet the children are said to be their heritage and reward not Gods heritage , nor is there any intimation of happiness to the childe , and therefore not a word intimating more hope o● their salvation then fear of their damnation , but of outward benefit to the parent such as may bee common to infidels with believers , and consequently not a word for a strong ground of hope of the salvation of believers infants so dying , much l●ss more then I bring to that purpose . 7. Saith Mr. B. And why should children be joyned in standing Church ordinances , as prayer , fasting , &c. if there were not strong hope of the blessing of these ordinances to them ? 2 Chron. 20.13 . The children that suck the breast were to bee gathered to the solemn fast , Joel 2 , 16. ( this will prove them also standing Churchmembers , seeing they must joyn in standing ordinances ; ) so why received they circumcision ▪ a seal of the righteousness of faith , if there were not strong probability that they had the thing sealed and signified ? God will not fail his own ordinance where men fail not . Answ. There 's nothing here endeavoured to bee proved but what I have also granted , that there is a strong probability that infants of believers so dying are justified and saved , and yet I see no strength in these allegations to prove it . For though the little ones and sucking children were to bee present to shew an universal humiliation , as did the beasts also , Jonah 3.8 . yet the infants did not joyn in prayer , nor was the end of their presence any special blessing of the Ordinance to them , but the moving GOD to spare the whole people , invaded or in danger of perishing by fami●e , nor were the prayer and fasting standing Church-ordinances , any more then the Covenanting Deut. ●9 . Nehem. 9. but occasional , nor doth this presenting of infants prove them standing Church-members any more then the like Jonah 3.8 proves those infants , or the Ninivites beasts standing Churchmembers . As for Cir●umcision , that infants received Circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of faith , is no where in Scripture affirmed ; and how much Paedobaptists are mistaken in their inference of the nature of Sacraments in general , or Circumc●si●n in special , from Rom : 4.11 . hath beene often shewed before Sect. 31 , &c. The ends of Circumcising of infants , was to distinguish the Hebrews from other people , and to fore-signifie from what people CHRIST was to come , and to engage them to observe the Law of Moses which they were to receive by reason of Gods command whether they hoped for their childrens salvation , or not , Abraham was to circumcise Ishmael , though hee knew hee was not a childe of the promise , and Isaac Esau , though hee were rejected by God. The speech God will not fail his own ordinance where men fail not , is like the Popish Schoolmens conceit , that Sacraments confer grace where no bar is put , and intimates that Circumcision was Gods o●dinance to assure at least rigteousness of faith to each infant circumcised , which is a false conceit . 8. Saith Mr. B. Why else doth God so oft compare his love to that of a mother or father to the childe ? 1 Thes. 2.7 . Num. 11 , 12. Isa. 49.15 . Ps●l . 103.13 . Answ. Though I grant a strong probality of the salvation of believers infants so dying , yet to shew the vanity of Mr. Bs. scriblings , as if hee brought more for it then I do , I cannot but observe the slighty dealing of Mr. B. in this point . For first , whereas hee alledgeth these texts as if GOD did therein compare his love to that of a mother or father to the childe , in the first Paul ( not God ) compares himself to a nurse ; in the second , Moses speaks of himself as if God had put an impossible burthen on him , as if he could as a nursing father bears his sucking childe , carry all that people to the promised land . In the third , God saith he , would not forget Sion , who had said hee had forgotten them , though a mother should forget her sucking childe ; and Psal. 103.13 . the love of God as a father is spoken of them that fear him . So that the two first texts were through heedlesness mis-alledged grosly by him , the other two express Gods love onely to his obedient and seeking people , mention nothing of his love to their infants . 2. God doth compare his love to a Fathers or Mothers not because he is engaged to believers infants to save them , nor because he hath natural affection as they have , but to shew his gracious care and dealing towards his elect children . 3. Gods love is no more comp●red to a believing parents love , then to an unbelievers ; and therefore if this prove a strong probability of the salvation of a believers infant so dying , it doth prove the salvation of an unbelievers as prob●ble . 4. Gods love and care is compared to an Eagles in carrying her young ones , Deut. 32.11 , 12. Christs to an He● , Matth. 23.37 . According to Mr. Bs. reasoning , thi● should prove then the strong probability of t●e salvation of Chickens . But I am ashamed that the world should see the nakedness of these magnified reasonings , though I be necessitated to uncover it . The 9th . from Matth. 19.14 . is no more then I have alledged often for those infants ; and what Mr. B. here alledgeth to prove this a right of other infants , is answered at large in the second part of this Review , sect . 17. 10. Saith he , We read of some that have been sanctified from the womb , and therefore were in a state of salvation ; and Jacob was loved before he was born , and therefore before he had done good or evil was in the like state of salvation . Answ. Have not I also granted this thing , and that upon the same reasons ? Why then doth Mr. B. suggest , to draw par● is hearts from me to him , as if he said more in this then my self ? Yet I cannot be very confident of the reason from Jerem 1.15 . to which Gal. 1. ●5 . is parallel , sith the sanctification was to the office of a Prophet , which is appliable to infants so dying . 11. We find promises of salvation to whole housholds , where it is probable there were infants , Act. 16.34 . Answ. 1. Acts 16.31 . is no probability that infants should bee meant , sith in the next v. it is said , he spake the word to all that were in his house , which is not to be said of infants ; and v. 34. he rejoyced with all his house , believing God. 2. If they should , yet this can be no more then a particular promise to him , unless this were true , that God will save every believer and his house ▪ And Mr. B. over l●sheth in saying , we find promises of salvation made to whole housholds ▪ when there is no more but this one . The 12th . is from 1 Cor. 7.14 . and it is built on Mr. Bs. interpretation of [ holy ] as if it noted a separation to God as a peculiar people . But I have fully answered Mr ▪ Bs. 29th ▪ ch . and have shewed his mistake in the first part of this Review , sect . 22 , &c. and need to answer no more in this place . Mr. B. goes on thus . It cannot be said , that these promises are verified according to their sense , if any mercy be given to any infant : Here the persons are determined , that is , all the seed of the faithfull ; and we have large ground given probably to conclude , that it is eternal mercy that is intended to all that living to age do not again reject it , but that either at age keep Covenant , or die in infancy before they break it . And we have certain ground to conclude , that this salvation belongeth to some infants , and visible Churchmembership to all the seed of the faithfull . And I think this is more then Mr. T. doth acknowledge them . Answ. It is indeed , finding the argumen●s frivolous which Mr. B. hath brought for the visible Churchmembership of infants , though I acknowledge salvation belongeth to some infants . It is before shewed how the promises may be verified according to the sense of the words if any sort of mercy be given to any children of the faithfull : Nor is it true , that in the promises brought by Mr. B. the persons are determined to be all the seed of the faithfull , and how the contrary is determined by the Apostle , Rom. 9.7 , 8. according to Mr. B. himself , is shewed before , and what reason there is to understand Exod. 20.6 . of temporal mercies , is shewed above ; so that here is nothing new to be answered . He adds , If that Matth. 18.10 . be well considered , it may make another argument full to the point . If little ones have their Angels beholding the face of God in heaven , they shall be saved : For that is a mercy proper to the people of God. And that the Text speaks of infants , others have fully proved . Answ. I grant the conclusion and argument , but deny that it is at all to the point in question between us , and that any one hath proved that by little ones , Matth. 18.10 . are meant infants . Though the contrary be proved concerning Matth. 18.5 , 6. in the second part of this Review , sect . 15. where Mr. Bl. and Mr. C. are answered : Yet to shew the frovolousness of Mr. Bs. talk , I add 1. that Matth. 18.10 . cannot be expounded one of these little infants ; for such a speech would shew that then there were more little infants before them : But it appears from v. 2 , 4. there was but one set before them . 2. From v. 14 , 11. the little ones were such as Christ came to save , and that it was Gods will none should perish : But this is true onely of the elect and true believers , not simply of infants as such . 3. The words following , v. 15 , &c. shew they are meant of a sinning brother , ergo , not of infants . Mr. B. adds . That though he dare not say there is a full certainty of the savation of all believers infants so dying , yet he professeth to think it better grounded then mine , who ( he saith ) shut them out of the Church . But this I take to be and effect of that antipathy he hath against me , who still chooseth that opinion which is most opposite to me , and prefers it ; as p. 141. the opinion of the old and new Socinians , who take away an ordinance , and whom he censures pag. 24. as above obedience , and so Gods ; and the opinion of baptizers in infancy and at age too , pag. 143. and professeth he would have nothing to do with me when I offered assistancce to him in another point , as if he were like Maldovat the Jesuite that could have liked an interpretation had it not been Calvins . But I leave him to the Lord to judge him and me , and do not despair but that he may yet live to see his errour , and perhaps wish he had been better advised then so disdainfully to have rejected a friends offer . He saith , He would urge another argument here from the universality of redemption , Christ dying for all , for every man , for the sins of the whole world , as the Scripture speaketh ; but that it would require more time to explain himself in it then he could then spare . However he thinks no man should deny that Christ died for every sort of men , and every age , and so for some infants . To which I reply , Did he ever hear me deny it ? And if he did not , why doth he talk of proving it here where he disputes against me ? But he is willing to pick what quarrels he can with me . However when he intends to urge this argument , I hope I shall be provided to answer it , if it oppose my thesis . That the Scripture saith Christ died for every man , for the sins of the whole world , is more then I find : If I mistake him not , his Universal redemption he holds is conditional onely , which I think to be a fiction , redemption and election in Scripture being absolute in respect of persons , ●nd commensurate , redemption being as well from impenitency and unbelief as damnation : Yet were it granted him , that he should thence infer , not the salvation of all , but of believers infants so dying and never performing the condition , is yet a Riddle to me ; and I cannot yet imagine it to be any better then a sick-mans dream in Mr. B. Ch. 28. He urgeth his 23d . arg . from Christs being head of the visible Church in infancy , that infants may be members ; whi●h I deny not : Nor is it the thing in question what they may be , but what they are . But this argument is answered before , sect . 57. And what he saith here out of Irenaeus , proves not what he would infer , That Irenaeus took them for visible Churchmembers , because he saith , Christ by the example of his age sanctifieth them . For every one sanctified by Christ is not a visible Churchmember : Mr. B. saith before , pag. 78. we read of some that have been sanctified from the womb , were they visible Churchmembers in the womb ? I know no absurdity in it to assert that Christ was head of the Church when an infant , and worshipped as such , and yet no infants should be visible Churchmembers . Mr. Bs. perswasion that they know not Gods will that think otherwise then he doth , is but an effect of his fond affection to his own brats . And yet when he himself saith , pag. 62. I confess it is disputable whether Christ were ever a Churchmember properly , he should not be very confident in asserting Christ in infancy to have been head of the visible Church . And for Irenaeus his speech , it is so false , that were not Mr. B. willing to catch at any shadow for his purpose , he would have concealed it . Mr. Bs. 29th . ch . and 24th . argument , is answered at large in the first part of this Review , sect . 22 , &c. Ch. 30. He tels us , that his 25 th . arg . is probable at least , that the Scripture doth frequently and plainly tell us of the ceasing of Circumcision ; but never speaks one word of the ceasing of infants visible Churchmembership , therefore we are not to judge that it is ceased . That the antecedent or minor in this argument is false , is proved at large , sect . 50 , 51 , 52. The consequence is shewed to be invalid , in that other things of which the cessation is certain , as the freeing of servants , the dedication of the first born , are ceased , and yet not expressed so much in Scripture as that of Churchmembership . To this saith Mr. B. The year of Jubile was one of their Sabbaths , and so a type , Col. 2.17 . But I reply , Though the year of Jubile were a Sabbath , yet this proves not that freeing servants then is any more said to be ceased then infants visible Churchmembership . 2. Sai●h he , The dedication of the first-born was evidently a type of Christ , and the Church under him : Of both these many Scriptures are plain But let it be proved , that the admitting of infants into the visible Church is a meer type , or a meer judicial law proper to the Jewish Common-wealth , any more then the admitting of men or women into the Church . I reply , 1. Admitting of infants into the visible Church , was no other then by their circumcising or presenting at the Temple ; and these are ceased , as proper to the Jewish Church or Commonwealth . 2. A thing may cease though we cannot prove it a meer type , nor a meer judicial law , as the receiving tythes , and paying them ; and things may remain though they were t●pes , as mount Sion , the land of Canaan , the people of Israel , wh●ch were types , Heb. 12.22 . Gal. 6.6 . &c. 3. That the Jewish infant Churchmembership was not by a law , but by a fact of providence which took in the whole people of the Jews into the Church visible Jewish , and consequently the infants as part of that people ; which by the breaking off that people , and taking into the Church onely believers , is now ceased , as is shewed before , sect 50 , 51 , 52 , 64. What Mr. B. adds , If all Nations should have become Churchmembers th●y should have been circumcised , and then it had not been peculiar to the Jews ; and that Sichemites being circumcised would not have been subje●t to Jacob , and that when in Esthers time the people of the land became Jews , they were not of the Jewish Commonwealth , and under their Civil government ; is answered before , sect . 54. That which he saith , p. 108. That he hath sufficiently proved that infants ought to be admitted visible Churchmembers , hath so little truth , that if the Reader observe it , he shall find sca●ce any of his arguments so much as to conclude the admission of infants into the visible Church , much less to prove it , but that they are visible Churchmembers . Whereby it is evident now ( which I could not observe in the Dispute ) that Mr. B. did leave the point to be proved , that infants ought to be admitted visible Churchmembers ; and prosecuted another point instead of it , that they are visible Churchmembers . But enough is done in answer to that also , which I pray the Lord to bless for the undeceiving of the people of these nations who have been so shamefully misled by Mr. Bs. toy of an ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed , no where extant , that were they not either willing to be deceived , o● left to errour by God for their want of love to the truth , they could hardly have been deluded by such vain arguing as he hath vented . SECT . LXXV . My Arguments to prove the ingraffing Rom. 11.17 . to be into the invisible Church by giving faith , are vindicated from Mr. Bls. exceptions Vind. ●aed . chap. 38. and Mr. Sidenham's Exercit. chap. 8 , 9. ALthough Mr. Bls. manner of disputing hath been shewed to bee such as requires not any full answer , and would learned men compare , as men that sought truth , mine and his writings together , they would perceive the insufficiency of his reply , yet because I perceive some learned men do yet value his writings ( without good reason ) which oppose mine , I shall add somewhat more to shew how short his writings are of weakening any thing of mine . Vindic. ●aed . ch . ●8 . sect . 1. Having made an analasis of part of Rom. 11. from v. 16. he takes on him to ground several undeniable positions . The third is the root of this tree ( viz. the first supreme universal root ) is Abraham , Isaac and Jacob , not Abraham alone so Ishmaelites would bee of the body . Nor Abraham with Isaac alone , so the Edomites from Esau would have been taken in . But the Apostle in this Chapter ( from Old Testament authority ) excludes both of these , Abraham , Isaac and Jacob are therefore joyntly the root . Answ. 1. That Abraham onely is the root meant Rom. 11.16 , 17 , 18. I prove from Rom. 4.11 , 12 , 16. where Abraham onely and no other of the Patriarchs is termed the Father of believers . But to bee the root Rom. 11.16 , 17 , 18. is all one with the Father of believers . That the root notes a Father Mr. Bl yeilds , that it notes not barely a natural father , is proved in that the Gentiles should not be in that root , if it not●d barely a natural father , and that believers onely are branches of that root is proved from the text . 1. In that their standing is by faith . 2. That by unbelief some were broken off , vers . 20. which do plainly prove that they who were branches were believers , who were unbelievers were not branches . 3. That the partaking of the root could bee no otherwise then by faith , nor any other way ingraffing can bee meant is manifest ▪ in that the Gentiles ( who had no other relation to Abraham as a father then by believing as hee did ) partake of the root and are ingraffed into the Olive . Secondly , To Master Bls. Argument , I answer by denying that the Apostle doth in that Chapter or any other exclude the Ismaelites or Edomites from the body . Job , and other believing Edomites were in the root and Olive . Yea if it were meant of the visible Church and natural descent , Ishmael and Esau must be of the body who were of Abraham by natural descent and circumcised , and so visible Churchmembers . If Mr. Bl. deny they were in the body , because they were not of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob , by this reason Isaac and Jacob should be excluded . For they were not from Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob : they were not from themselves and yet were branches , and consequently they were not the root , but Abraham alone , the root noting such a Father as from whom all branches have descent . His fifth position is , the fatness of this tree is the glory of ordinances , of which the whole Church partakes . Answ. By ordinances hee means outward ordinances , as Baptism , the Lords Supper , preaching the word , &c. By the whole Church hee means the Church visible . For that is his tenet all along , that the olive tree is the Church visible , not the inv●sible . This is then Mr. Bls. position , that when it is said Rom. 11.17 . and wast partaker together of the root and fatness of the olive tree , the meaning is , thou Gentile Church or believer art made partaker of outward ordinances of which the whole Church partakes . Now under the whole visible Church he undoubtedly comprehends infants , and sure there is no ordinance of which infants are partakers according to Mr. Bls. tenet but Baptism , so that then the Apostle according to Mr. Bls. exposition , should mean no more by the fatness of the tree , of which the whole Church partakes , but Baptism . Which is of it self so manifestly frivolous an exposition , as that I shall not need of set purpose to refute it . Though , it is true , there is a glory and beauty in the ordinances of the new Testament : Yet first some of them , as the preaching of the Gospel ( which is the most glorious ) those that are out of the visible Church may partake of , and those wh●ch Mr. Bl. counts within may not partake of , I mean infants and some others . Secondly , that fatness which is meant Rom. 11.17 . passeth from the root to the tree , and thence to the branches , and therefore he that is said to bee partaker of the fatness of the olive tree , is first said to bee partaker of the root , but be the root Abraham or as Mr. Bl. would have it Isaac and Jacob with him ordinances pass not from them . It is true Circumcision was first begun in Abraham , but all the rest of the Jewish ordinances are according to Scripture rather derived from Moses then Abraham , and to say they were partakers of the root , that is of Circumcision ( which was the onely ordinance Abraham , Isaac and Jacob did partake of ) is both false , for they were not circumcised ; and being so empty a thing as that it 's termed with all the Jewish ordinances , a shadow Col. 2.17 . Heb. 10.1 . it had no glory then at all . And for Baptism , the Lords Supper , &c. they passed not from Abraham , Isaac and Jacob ; nor were they partakers of them , but were instituted by Christ in the New Testament . Thirdly , the partaking of the root and fatness of the olive tree was by the ingraffing and consequent of it . But the ingraffing according to Mr. Bl. doth not make them partakers of outward ordinances . For the chief of ordinances , to wit , the preaching of the Gospel , was the instrument of their ingraffing , as his own allegation shewes pag. 278. from Acts 11.21 . and so was antecedent to the ingraffing , nor by the ingraffing were they partakers of the other outward ordinances . For though the heart were wrought to a professed subjection to the way of God in ordinances ( which is Mr. Bls. ingraffing ) and so ingraffed . Yet they might bee never partakers of outward ordinances such as Baptism and the Lords Supper , if either sickness or death prevented the administration or want of an administratour , or the elements , &c. hindered . Fourthly , the fatness of the olive tree makes the partakers fresh and fruitful . But that is not outward ordinances , but the spirit of God , righteousness by faith , &c. of which I shall speak more in vindicating my fourth argument . Mr. Bl. saith farther , That the holiness Rom. 11.16 . is such as is communicable from parent to childe , that is , necessarily communicated , as a root communicates to branches . This is so plain , that if it be denied all the Apostles dispute falls . Answ. It is true , that if the holiness bee not communicated from Abraham to all his children by faith , who are believers as he was , the Apostles dispute fals , but the Apostles dispute holds though it bee not communicated to every childe of every believing father , which is Mr. Bls. conceit , as his following words shew . Yea hence is a good argument to prove the holiness not to bee meant of meer visible Church-membership , nor the root of every parent professing faith , because many of their children are never Christian visible Churchmembers , as experience abundantly proves , and so have not this holiness communicated to them . Yea , Mr. Bl. saith , who knowes not that holy fathers have unholy children ? regenerate parents have issue unregenerate ? I may add , abortives , natural fools , still-born , bred up in Mahometanism , renegado's , unbaptised , excommunicated , and consequently not visible Churchmembers or federally holy . And it is most false in this holiness of visible Churchmembership , or as Mr. Bl. cals it federal that the proposition holds , as is the Father so is the childe , the Father being without the childe is without ; the Father being within the childe is within in regard of Church estate , Covenant holiness , eo nomine , because a branch of such a root , a childe of such a Father ; which Mr. Bl. dictates here , but proves not , and hath been often refuted by me , nor is there any thing in Rom. 11.16 . for it . Yea Mr. Bls. own interpretation overthrowes this position . For if the root bee ( as his position is ) Abraham , Isaac and Jacob ] then it is not every believing Father , and if the root bee every believing Father then all the branches of the tree are natural , and they derive their holiness by descent of nature , whereas it is plain from the text ( and Mr. Bls. fourth position is to the same purpose ) that the Jews onely are natural branches , the Gentiles are all ingraffed branches . Mr. Cuthbert Sidenham in his exercit . ch . 8. takes upon him to demonstrate holiness and Churchmembership of the children of believing Gentiles from Rom. 11.15 , 16 , 17. and to answer my arguments ch . 9. Against my opinion of the ingraffing into the invisible Church he urgeth , then persons may be broken off from the invisible Church , and takes notice of my answer in my Examen p. 64. but saith nothing to my answer in my Apology p. 76. though he could not but know of it , taking on him to answer my arguments in the next pages before . The rest he brings is from Mr. B. and is answered by me in my Review part . 1. sect . 6. &c. I agree with him in the position , that Abraham is the root meant Rom 11.16 . and that he is a root exemplary onely , nor do I deny that the Apostles arguing is from a special prerogative to Abraham to whom the promise was given Gen. 17.7 . and that the promise did comprehend the elect of his natural seed , and that God had a more special regard to his natural seed in that promise then to other men● natural seed : yet not universally to his seed , nor is it true that the Apostle makes the branches holy Rom. 11.16 . by a prerogative of grace grounded on the promise of God made to believing Fathers and their seed ▪ which is the same in the New Testament and the Old , as hee urgeth out of Dr Willet . For there is not that promise in the New Testament , or old . And therefore the Argument upon this conceit can have no strength in it . Pag. 71. he layes down this position , Wee believing Gentiles are ingraffed into Abrahams Covenant in the room of the natural branches which were broken off . Concerning which I say , that though I deny not the believing Gentiles to have interest in Abrahams Covenant Gen. 17.7 . that is , God is their God , and they have righteousness by faith as Abraham had : yet the Apostle doth not speak of their ingraffing into Abrahams Covenant , that ●s Mr. Sidenhams mistake , but into the olive tree , that is as Mr. Bl. the whole body of the Church , which he would have meant of the visible , I of the invisible . Now to Mr. Sidenhams arguments to that position ; I yeeld the conclusion of the first , that believing Gentiles and their children are graffed in , but not all , or any as their children , and that the ingraffing is sutable to the breaking off , that is , that as the Jewes and their children were broken off from the invisible Church , in which the elect Jewes and their children who were elect in former ages were for the greatest part , so the Gentiles believers and their children are graffed in . Yet Mr. Sidenham himself pag. 75. confesseth a very great disproportion , taking it as he doth for ingraffing into the visible Church . For , saith he , there is this difference between the conveyance of priviledges of the Jewes as natural branches , and the engraffed Gentiles ; That the whole body of the Jewes good and bad , were called branches ; now onely believers of the Gentiles , who are called by the Gospel , with their children , are ingraffed into that root . Which is enough to shew that the Gentiles were not ingraffed into the root or tree , as the Jews by natural descent , but by calling of the Gospel , and that the body of the Gentiles or any nation of the Gentiles is not ingraffed , but so many as are called . The ingraffing of the infant children with their parents into the visible Church by an outward ordinance is but his own dream , and is overthrown by this , that the Church Christian visible is not by descent but calling ; not national but Congregational , by voluntary Covenant ; nor can the Churches called Independent hold this , which Master Sidenham , and Master Cobbet , and others of their way hold , that the ingraffing of the Gentiles into the visible Church is sutable to that of the Jewes as being in their stead , but they must hold a national Church , whi●h quite overturns the frame of their Churches , and the Reformation they contend for . To his second argument , the some that were broken off might be parents and children , or parents and not children , or children and not parents ; and of these there might be infants broken off without their own sin , or their parents , according to Gods good pleasure onely . But of this I have said enough in answer to Mr. Geree and Mr. Baxter , in the first part of this Review , sect . 4 , 6. The conclusion of the third argument is granted , understood of ingraffing into the Church invisible , not into the visible . To the fourth , that [ the fatness of the Olive ] should note priviledges and outward advantages such as this , that the child should be visible Churchmember with the father in the Christian Church , or that any other parent then Abraham should have a seminal vertue to convey such Church priviledge or fatness as the root mentioned Rom. 11.17 . is a meer fancy ; nor is there any thing Ephes. 3.6 . or any where else in Scripture for it . To the objection , That now believers are onely branches , Abraham onely the roote , and therefore the argument holds not , If the parent be holy so is the childe , being understood of other then Abraham and his seed ; hee answers , That yet the branches well ingraffed become natural branches , and receive as much from the roote as those which grew naturally on it , so Gentile believers must have the same priviledge , and that there are sprigges which grow out of branches which may bee termed immediate rootes . But hee doth not shew that the Apostle or any wise man ever termed greater boughes of trees rootes to lesser ; neither dare hee say , the Apostle meant every believing Father by the root , Rom. 11.16 . and therefore all this is impertinent to answer the objection , which was to invalidate the inference concerning the holiness of every believers infant , because the Apostle saith , if the roote bee holy so are the branches , because Abraham onely is the roote there . As for Mr. Bls. saying , I value it not , it being without Scripture . It 's sufficient for present to shew the insufficiency of Mr Bls. and Mr. Ss. proofes . I pass on to vindicate my arguments from their pretended answers . How the Dispute concerning the proof from Rom. 11.16 , 17. for infants of believing Gentiles visible Churchmembership and Baptism , was brought to this issue , Whether the ingraffing Rom. 11.17 . into the Olive tree , be meant of joyning a person to the invisible Church of the elect by giving faith according to electon , so that none are ingraffed but true believers or elect persons as I assert , is shewed in the first part of this Review ▪ sect . 1. Mr. Bl. and Mr. Sydenham take on them to answer my arguments . The first is , That act of ingraffing to the Church which is made Gods act by his sole power with such an Emphasis as implies it hopeless and impossible without the intervention of his omipotency , is , and can be no other ingraffing then into the invisible Church by giving of faith according to election . But such is the ingraffing Rom. 11.17 . as appears from v. 23. Ergo. Mr. Sydenham answers , that to argue from Gods power to his will , or to election , or from his power in general to the putting it forth absolutely in such a determinate act , is strange , unsound in Divinity , and reason . But this is no answer . For there is no such arguing made by me . My arguing is none of those ways he mentions , but from the ascribing the act to God as done by his sole power , without which it were hopeless and impossible , to prove that it is more then man by his ordinary power can do , which can in this business be no other then the working of faith in the heart . And this the Contraremonstrants thought sound arguing in the conference at the Hague , and so do generally pleaders for irresistable conversion . And Mr. Sydenham makes it like to the resurrection of the dead , from v. ●5 . which sure no act of man can perform . But admission to the visible Church may be performed by men , therefore the ingraffing cannot be admission into the visible Church , but an higher act of giving faith according to election . But saith he , It is a work of mighty power to take away the prejudice against Christ , in Jews and Gentiles , to bring to outward confession . To which I reply , it is no such work but may be done by moral suasion of Orators or Preachers , specially backt with the encouragement and commands of Kings and Emperours , as experience hath often shewed , therefore this cannot be all which is meant by the ingraffing . But saith he , It will require an act of power to gather them but visibly once again , and bring them into one entire body to make a visible Church , when they are so scattered up and down all nations . To which I reply , 1. The gathering them together into one place , is not ingraffing them into the visible Church ; for ingraffing them imports joyning them to others , but this gathering is a making them a distinct body of themselves ; the gathering into one place is accidental to their ingraffing i●to their own Olive , he ingraffing may be without it ; and if they go together , it is likely the ingraffing will be before that gathering , and therefore that gathering and this ingraffing cannot be the same . 2. That gathering may be by the power and favour of Emperors and Kings , as it was by Cyrus his Proclamation heretofore in their return to Jerusalem , and therefore is not this act of ingraffing which is ascribed to God by his sole power with such an Emphasis as implies it un●easable but by his omnipotency . Mr. Bl. saith , that I do vainly make this engraffing to be in their sense ▪ no more then baptizing . But 1. whether I wrong my Antagonists , may be perceived from Mr. Ms. words in his Def●nce , p. 135. To what I said , the Jews infants were graffed in by Circumcision ; therefore ours are to be ingraffed by Baptism . You answer , by demanding whether in good sadness I do think the Apostle here means by graffing in , baptizing , or circumcision , or insition by outward ordinances ; for if that were the meaning , then breaking off must be meant of uncircumcising , or unbaptizing . To which I reply , that in good sober sadness I do think that graffing in is admission into visible membership , or visible communion with the Church of Christ ; and that the external seal of their visible graffing in was Circumcision , and of ours Baptism . And he disputes against the ingraffing into the invisible Chu●ch , therefore he can understand it of no more then baptizing . 2. Nor can Mr. Bl. conformably to his tenet . For if the ingraffing be such a● is common to infants and parents , and it be admission into the visible Church of both , and infants are no way else admitted then by baptizing , the ingraffing is no other . But , saith he , We understand a discipling of Gentile nations , working the heart to a professed subjection to the way of God in ordinances tendered , and assent of heart unto all that is there promised , and acknowledge it a work above the power of man , and confess it to be solely in the hand of God , as Gen. 9.27 . Acts. 1.21 . We do not speak of the bare admission of one that stands intituled , but the working of them to such a title ; and if an outward profession bee in the power of mans will , yet to bring men or nations to such a profession cordially to embrace the Gospel so farre as to assent to the truth of it , is above man , and a worke of no such ease . I reply , 1. If it be not bare admission , but such a work as he saith , then infants are none of the branches ingraffed , nor doth the ingraffing belong to them , sith they have onely bare admission into the visible Church by Baptism . 2. If the profession be onely from fear , or carnal hopes , this may be wrought by Teachers , Orators , especially the favour and power of Princes concurring , and then it is no act above mans power to ingraff . But if the heart be brought to assent cordially , and so to profess Christ in sincerity ( as some of Mr. Bls. words seem to mean ) then it is by giving faith according to election , and the ingraffing into the invisible Church : And so Mr. Bl. while he seems to answer my argument , doth unawares confirm it , through the irrefragable force of the truth . Which might have been further cleared from the Text , Rom. 11.23 . where it is said , they also if they abide not in unbelief shall be graffed in , for God is able to graff them in again . Whence it follows , while they abide in unbelief they are not graffed in , when they believe they are ; Ergo , God ingraffs by giving faith according to election . My second argument was from v. 15 , 16 , 17. where the ingraffing is termed reconciliation opposite to casting away . To this Mr. Sydenham answers , 1. If I mean reconciliation in the strictest sense , as it denotes pardon of sins , and being made friends with God by Christs atonement and mediatorship , then many absurdities may follow : 1. That the Jews and their rejection was the ground of the Gentiles ? reconciliation unto God. 2. That no reconciliation was obtained for the Gentiles before the Jews were broken off . 3. That those which are reconciled and their sins pardoned , may be cast off ; for so were the Jews and the Gentiles threatned with the same misery on the same ground . Answ. 1. If by [ ground ] be meant [ cause , ] I deny that to follow on the exposition of reconciliation in the strictest sense ; if by [ ground ] be meant onely [ occasion ] I grant it follows , but count it no absurdity , it being the plain d●claration of the Apostle . 2. I grant the second , 〈◊〉 understood of the fulness or body of the Gentiles , and count it no absurdity ; after the time of Gods separating of Israel to be his people , there were onely some proselytes reconciled to God , but no full and ample number , so as to make any numerous Church of themselves . 3. The third I yeeld as no absurdity , understanding the casting off of the same people , not the same persons , from what their ancestors were , not themselves . But Mr. S. answers 2 ly . by distinction of reconciliation into ou●ward and inward , and he would have it meant of outward reconciliation , by bringing them in under the means of the Gospel and the outward dispensation , of the Church , which is Gods common way to salvation , and is to some effectual to inward grace , unto others onely to outward privil●dges . Answ. 1. This reconciliation would exclude infants , for they are not so reconciled and consequently not ingraffed , and so the argument for their ingraffing hence is evacuated , if the reconciliation ( which is confessed to be the same with the ingraffing ) be such as agrees not to infants . 2. He doth noth not so much as offer to produce one place of Scripture in which reconciliation is so taken , nor one approved writer so expounding it . 3. Nor can it be expounded so . For it is no reconciliation at all which he describes . In reconciliation there is still taking away enmity , but in the bringing under the meanes of the Gospel there may be no taking away of enmity , either from them to God , for they may hate him as much , yea more then before ; or from God to them , for he may ha●e them as much or more then before . 4. Nor in this place can it be the meaning . For the reconciliation of the world , v. 15. is v. 1● . the riches of the world , of the Gentiles . But their riches imports something opposite to their fall , diminishing , or detriment ; and their fall must be to damnation , for it is v. 11. opposed to salvation , their riches must needes therefore bee to salvation , so termed vers . 11. But , saith he , The body of the Gentile world ( which I mean ) are not so reconciled as by election and saving grace , though the sound of the Gospel hath gone through all the world . Answ. The body of the Gentiles , that is a full ample part of them incomparably greater then the number of the proselytes to the Jewish Church is reconciled , and hath been for many ages to God by election and saving grace . Mr. Bl. also answers by distinction of reconciliation gradual , either to take in , or hold a people in visible communion ; or total , to receive them with an everlasting delight in them . The former he exemplifies out of Exod. 32.10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. And thus applies it . Reconcilia●ion is opposite to casting away . The Jews then by reconciliation are brought into that state , out of which they were once cast ; but they were not cast out of the Church invisible ; not out of election and justification , but out of a visible Churchstate and fellowship . Breaking off , as Mr. T. well saith , is the same as casting away , and reconciliation the same as ingraffing . Their reconciliation or ingraffing is then into that condition from which they were broken , out of which they were cast ; now they were cast out of the Church visible , not out of the Church invisible ; when they were in a Churchstate they were nigh unto God , Deut. 4.7 . Psal. 148.14 . Ephes. 2.17 . Their reconciliation brings them into the same Churchstate , which is a reconciliation gradual not total . Answ. The casting away v. 15. is the same with the casting away v. 1 , 2. which is opposite to Gods fore-knowledge v. 2. to the election of grace v. 5. which obtained , and the castaway were hardned or blinded v. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. which he that understands of any other casting away then from the grace of election , and effectual calling , and the invisible Church seems to me to pervert the Apostles meaning very grosly . Nor do I conceive it any absurdity to say that the Jewish people in Pauls time were broken off or cast away from that election , and state in the invisible Church which they never had in their own persons , but their ancestors had , and they in course had obtained but for their unbelief . As for the reconciliation in all places where he mentions it in his Epistles , hee means it of that reconciliation which is by effectual conversion , and justification , through Christs death , on which followes salvation , Rom. 5.10 , 11. 2 Cor. 5.18 , 19 , 20. Col. 1.22 . and not of Mr. Bls. gradual reconciliation , of which hee hath not brought one instance for the use of the word in his sense , nor is his example any thing like to the business in hand : For it was not a reconciliation so as to bring them to the priviledges of a visible Churchstate , but so to pardon the sin of worshipping the golden Calf , as not utterly to destroy that people , though the sinners fell in the Wilderness : which was onely an abatement of punishment , not an estating in priviledges as Mr. B. would have it . But Mr. Bl. to my urging any one to shew mee in Scripture or any approved Protestant Writer , such use of the word reconciliation as his is , and my alledging Protestant approved Writers for my exposition , thus saith . 1. When Mr. T. pleaseth , hee can heap up phrases which are onely once used in a select sense in Scripture , and that to uphold his interpretation of holy and unclean , 1 Cor. 7.14 . when the context clearly evinces the contrary . But that this is false , and that the text clearly evinceth my interpretation is fully proved in the first part of this Review . Section 22 , &c. Secondly , sai●h hee , Master T when hee pleases , dare undertake the defence of an opinion held unanimously by all Papists , and as unanimously opposed by Protestants , as in that of Covenant holiness . But this also is another of Master Bls. calumnies and unbrotherly taunts which hee frequently useth instead of answers , and if there had been in him any candour of minde towards mee he had been satisfied with my answer in my postscript , Sect. 13. But sith hee writes against me in a Cynical humour , I pass by his snarlings , and leave the cause to the Lord. Thirdly , saith he , Gomarus , T●m . 1. p. 111. observes that world is taken in tha● sense , in Rom. 11.12 , 15. as in no other Scripture . But I think this is not true , it is taken in the same sense 1 Tim. 3.16 . and I think 2 Cor. 5.18 , 19. 1 Joh. 2.2 . Fourthly , saith he , if recontiliation in no other place be so used , yet little is gained ; seeing as wee have seen there are paralel phrases that hold out the same thing to us . Answ. 1. Those paralel phrases were never yet seen by me . 2. The thing is gained which is here contended for , if reconciliation still signifie total reconciliation in the Scripture when it speakes of Gospel reconciliation , and there is no cogent reason to move us to recede from that sense here , and reconciliation be the same with ingraffing , surely ingraffing is by giving faith according to election , and the Church into which the ingraffing is , is the invisible . Mr. Bl. produceth a speech of Ravanelius ( which I have not ) for his sense . But the words as hee produceth th●m seem not to mee to have that sense which Mr. Bl. alledgeth them for , but rather my sense , and a passage in the Annotations , and another in Dr. Featley the Author of them on those Epistles . But in neither doth Dr. Featley say by the reconciliation to God Rom. 11.15 . is meant bare vouchsafing a visible Churchstate ; and by c●sting away , and breaking off a loss of visible priviledges , nor do Peter Martyr or Euc●r say so . And however I finde Protestant Writers do expound the ingraffing and breaking off in many of their writings of the visible Church , yet those speeches which I alledged out of Mr. Ball and Dr. Ames are full to prove the reconciliation Rom. 11.15 . to be saving , and they that understand by breaking off there , more then the loss of visible priviledges , may notwithstanding Mr. Bls. censure without any shift in that point be acquitted from Arminianism . My third arg . was from v. 20. ingraffing must be by giving faith , because it is by faith that the branch stands in the tree . To this Mr. S. and Bl. both answer by granting the conclusion , that it is by giving faith . But this faith Mr. S. makes profession of faith , Mr. Bl. a faith of profession . To which I reply . 1. If it were faith professed by which the branches stand in the tree , yet infants are excluded from being of the branches , for they stand not by faith professed . 2. That it is not profession of faith , or faith barely dogmatical which is meant Rom. 11.20 . I prove 1. thus . That standing which is a perseverance unto salvation is not by bare profession of faith , but true justifying faith . But the standing Rom. 11.20 . is that stand●ng which is a perseverance unto salvation , ergo . The major is manifest ; for it is not a bare profession of faith whereby a man perseveres to salvation , but that which is justifying . The minor is plain from the text . The standing which is opposed to falling in which God shews his severity , is standing by perseverance unto salvation . This I presume will be yeilded , direct opposite termes being according to Logick rules to bee understood in a direct opposite sense . But the standing Rom. 1● . 20 . is opposed to falling in which God shews his severity vers . 2● . Ergo. 2. The standing which was to bee prevented by beeing not high minded but fearing , and the losing of which was to bee feared , is not a bare standing in the visible Church , nor by bare profession of faith , But the loss of the standing was to be feared , and to be prevented by not being high minded but fearing , v. 20. For the loss of standing in the visible Church needs not bee so much feared , and a less care would serve turn to prevent it . 3. That standing which would not prevent Gods not sparing , is not the standing meant Rom. 11.20 . For that would prevent Gods not sparing , v. 21. But the standing onely in the visible Church by profession of faith , would not prevent Gods not sparing , Matt. 7.23 . Ergo. 4. That faith and standing are meant here , which in o●her places in that and other Epistles are meant by the Apostle , when hee speakes of the same thing . But in those places standing so as to persevere to salvation , and justifying faith are meant , as Rom. 5.2 . and 14.4 . 2 Cor. 1.24 . Ergo. 5. That standing and that faith is not meant of which it may bee said the root beareth them not , verse 18. But of them who onely stand in the visible Church by a profession of faith , it may bee said the root beareth them not . For the roo● is Abraham , and hee is a root or father to none but those who have justifying faith , Rom. 4.11 , 12. Ergo. 6. By that faith the branches stand which is directly opposite to the unbelief by which others were broken off , vers . 20. But that was unbelief of heart , and not of mouth onely , ergo , the faith is in the heart , and not in the mouth onely by which the branches stand . 7. That ●aith the branches stand by v. 20. by which they are partakers of the root and fatness of the Olive . But that is justifying faith , as shall be shewed in the vindication of the next argument , Ergo. Mr. S. takes upon him to prove it meant of the visible Church by profession of faith by some of Master ●s . arguments , which because they are answered already in the first Part of this Review , Sect. 6 , &c. I let pass : onely whereas hee saith , Can any man conceive that they should boast because the branches the Jewes were broken from election and true faith , that they might be graffed in by a new act of God● election , and by true and saving faith ? I answer , though they might not thus boast , yet they might boast that God having broken off the Jews , had in their stead ingraffed them , by giving saving faith according to his eternal election . And to what hee saith from v. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. What , are they exhort●d to look least they bee cut off from Gods election , & c ? Will M. T. turn a downright Arminian , that hee may have any plea against the baptising of poor infants ? I answer , 1. that I scarse think that scribler did well know what Arminianism was , and that I have sufficiently acquit●ed my self from that which is indeed Arminianism , and better then his magnified Aurthor Mr. B. 2. That ●e might with as good reason impeach the Apostle of downright Arminianism , in that he exhorts us to give all diligence that we make our calling and election sure , 2 Pet. 1.10 . Mr. Bl. when he cannot untie this knot , endeavours to cut it asunder by this assertion , after many words which need no answer ; That there is no such thing in all Scripture as ingraffing into the Church invisible by faith ; all ingraffing is into the body visible , and therefore by a faith of profession . And yet his three first arguments whereby hee would prove this proposi●ion , do conclude no ingraffing but into Christ , and consequently neither into the invisible nor visible , which is directly to contradict his own saying , All ingraffing is into the body visible . But let 's view his proofs about this position con●erning which it pleaseth Mr. Bl. to enter into the lists with me . 1. Saith hee , All ingraffing is into that subject , which immediately receives what is ingraffed , as the stock receives the syens , but it is CHRIST , and not the Church invisible that receives the elect believer ; Christ dwels in us by faith , so wee in Christ , Ephes. 3.17 . Answ. ●his argument is made by Mr. Bl as if hee on purpose meant to refute himself . For 1. he wou●d prove there is no ingraffing of elect believers into the invisible Church but into Christ , because hee onely receives the elect believers ; which if true it would follow ; First , that elect believers are not ingraffed into the visible Church , but onely non-elect professours of faith who are hypocrites , and so the visible Church should have no elect ones in it , but all reprobates . Secondly , i● the reason were good there should bee no ingraffing of prof●ssors of faith into the visible Church contrary to his assertion , that all ingraffing is into the body visible . For it is Christ that immediately receives , that is owns or acknowledgeth bare professours of faith as visible Churchmembers , as well as he receives , that is owns and acknowledgeth as his invisible members , them who are ingraffed into his invisible body . 3. If wee be ingraffed by that faith by which Christ dwels in us and we in Christ , Ephes. 3.17 . then we are ingraffed into the olive by that ●aith which is justifying ( for by no other ●aith doth Christ dwell in us nor wee in him , nor is any other meant Ephes. 3.17 . as is apparent from the text , the prayer of the Apostle being not for a bare dogmatical faith , which they had already , but justifying , persevering , whereby Christ might dwell in their hearts by his spirit , &c. ) and the ingraffing is into Christ , and consequently into the invisible Church . But so it is by Mr. Bls. argument , ergo . 2. I answer ingraffing is a metaphor and it notes uniting or joyning , and this joyning is not natural but spiritual or moral , and may bee at a remote bodily distance , and without the knowledge of those to whom the person is ingraffed , and may be to Christ , and to his invisible body or visible , without any act of the Church visible or invisible which may bee termed receiving ; yea if Mr. Bs. position bee right , Plain Script . proof , &c. part . 1. ch . 27. that a man living alone in America may yet bee a member of the visible Church . For hee hath that which constituteth him a visible member though there bee none to discern it , a man may bee ingraffed into the Church visible though neither hee know any other Churchmember , nor any other know him , and therefore I deny Mr. Bls. major proposition in his argumen● , if understood ( as it must be if it be to the purpose ) of that metaphorical ingraffing which is Rom. 11.17 , &c. 2 Saith he , All ingraffin● is into that which gives sap and juyce to the ingraffed , as the stock from the root to the syens ; now Christ gives sap to the elect believing , not the Church ; and therefore it is not into the Church , but into Christ. Answ. 1. This argument also gainsays Mr. Bls. proposition ▪ that all ingraffing is into the body visible ; for it is not the body visible that gives sap to the elect believing , or professors of faith , but Christ ; and therefore by this argument there is no ingraffing into the body visible . 2. Christ onely gives sap and juice effectively , Abraham exemplarily ; the Church doth it onely as a vessel receiving it , as the stock receives it first , then the branch ; the veins receive the bloud , then the other parts of the body : And if Mr. Bls. major be understoood of any other giving juice , it is denied ; if of this , the minor . 3. Saith he , If saving faith ingraff the branch into the Church invisible , then the Church invisible is the proper object of such faith ; but the Church is no such object of faith , but Christ. Answ. 1. The same argument holds thus , If profession of faith ingraff into the Church visible then the Church visible is the proper object of such profession : But the Church visible is no such object , but Christ ; therefore there is no ingraffing by profession of faith into the Church visible , contrary to Mr. Bls. tenet . 2. To say the Church invisible is the object of faith , is no more then to say , to believe the Holy Catholick Church is an Article of the Creed , and this I think Mr. Bl. counts no absurdity . 3. The consequence of the major proposition is denied . Fai●h that saves hath the object Christ , and as it respects Christ doth unite or ingraff us to him as to our head , and to the invisible Church as his body . 4. Saith he , That supposed ingraffing into the invisible Church , is either known to the body invisible , or unwitting ; if known , then it is not invisible . They have no light to discern an invisible work if unknown , then there could not be such a dispute about the new ingraffing of Gentiles , nor complaint of breaking off of the Jewes , all being done by an invisible translation , and so the subject of the question is taken away . Answ. It was known to some of the invisible , to others not ; though it were known yet it might be invisible , they had light to discern an invisible work : Though the work were unknown to some , yet there might be a dispute about the new ingraffing of Gentiles , and complaint of breaking off the Jews , as there was Acts 11. though all were done by an invisible translation : So that there is no truth or strength in this rope of sand Mr. Bl. makes , and the subject of the question still remains . There is as much futility in the rest of his dictates . Scheibler saith in his Topicks , A not-being cannot be a part dividing ; yet he sai●h , in case any defend that to be which yet is not , in controversies such a division is to be supposed . But how vainly Mr. Bl. hath disputed against an ingraffing into the invisible Church , may be discerned and thereby how frivolously 〈◊〉 compares it to a mountain of ayr . And what he saith , that the access of the Gentiles in the Acts was an ingraffing into the Church visible , may be granted , and it may be true that it was into the invisible Church also ▪ One new man , Ephes. 2.15 . is true onely of the invisible Church ; for the Gentiles were never one visible Church with the Jews , except some few proselytes of them . That the visible Church communicates sap and juyce which is the fatness of the Olive in ordinances , and that saith dogmatical looks upon the Church ( meaning the visible ) as the partial object , are di●tates , which I need not refute , sith there is no proof brought for them . As I concei●e he means them , they are false ; so much for the vindication of my third argument . My fourth argument is from v. 17. thus , That ingraffing is meant v. 17. whereby the wild Olive is co-partaker of the root and ●atness of the Olive tree : But such is onely by giving faith according to election ; Ergo. I proved the minor by shewing that Abraham is there the root as the Father of the faithfull , and the fatness of the Olive not priviledges of outward ordinances , but righteousness . Mr. Sydenham answers it by referring to Mr. Bl. and censuring my answer to him as a poor evasion , which I shall free from this censure in my reply to Mr. Bl. Yet Mr. S. scribles somewhat besides , which I shall reply to . He begins with questions , 1. ●ere not the natural branches which were broken off partakers of the fatness of the root ? Answ. No. And were they all elected and partakers of saving graces , or outward priviledges onely ? Answ. None of the branches broken off were elected or partakers of saving graces , though some were of outward priviledges . And why then should it be thought absurd for the Gentiles by ingraffing to p●rtake of the fatness of the root onely in outward priviledges , seeing it was so with the natural branches , and they all grow on the same root ? Answ. The natural branches as natural did not grow on the same root with the ingraffed ; Abraham was not a natural Father to the ingraffed branches , they descended not from him by natural generation , nor did the natural branches which were broken off grow on the same spiritual root with the ingraffed . Abraham was indeed the Father of the faithfull Gentiles , and they his seed spiritually ; but so he was not ●o the Jews broken off ▪ nor they ever in their own persons in the Olive tree , as it notes the Church of true believers , or in Abraham the root as is meant Rom. 11.17 . nor were ever partakers of the fatness of it , but the Gentiles were ; nor did the Jews fall from election and saving graces which they had in their own persons , but which they had in course been partakers of if they had believed , which I have cleared more fully in my answer to Mr. Cobbet , in the first part of this Review , sect . 10. He tels me further , It 's improper to call a root an exemplary cause ; there is no harmony between them ; and example conveyed nothing ; here is a conveyance of fatness . Answ. It is improper to term an exemplary cause a root , for it is a metaphor ; but it is no more improper then to term an exemplary cause a Father , as the Apostle doth Abraham the Father of believers , Rom. 4.11 , 12. when yet the Text makes him only such by his exemplary believing ; and if there were harmony between a Father and ●n exemplary cause , though Abraham conveyed not faith or righteousness , but as an example ; there is harmony between a root and an exemplary cause , though it convey nothing but as an example : Nor is it unsuitable to good language to say , the ingraffed branches are partakers of the fatness or fulness of Abraham as an example . That fatness the Jews had from Abraham which is meant Rom. 11.17 . they had not from him as a natural father , nor did God make the Evangelical Covenant with him and his natural seed , nor do the ingraffed branches ever become natu●al branches , though they partake of Evangelical benefits as well as the believing Jews , who were natural branches . What Mr. S. adds in answer to my objection , that if it were meant of outward priviledges it were false ; for the Gentiles were not partakers of the outward priviledges of Abraham , that Abraham is a root in the New Testament as well as in the Old , I grant ; but deny what he adds , and still stands by vertue of the Covenant to believers and their children : For neither is there such a Covenant , and if there were , yet Abraham could be a root onely to his natural seed , not to Gentiles by vertue of that Covenant . And what he adds , that though old Testament ordinances were taken away with the Jews and that Church-state , yet the root is not taken away ; but the New Testament priviledges grow on the same root ; and our ingraffing in gives us to be partakers of the fatness of them , as well as it gave to the Jews the participation of former priviledges until they were broken off ; letting pass the vanity of the speeches , that our ingraffing gave to the Jews the participation of former priviledges , which they had not by our ingraffing , but their own propagation from the root , and that the Jews had the priviledges till they were broken off , whereas the persons broken off never had the fatness meant Rom. 11.17 . all this answer avoids not the objection , but plai●ly grants the argument . For if the Old Testament ordinances and the Jewish Churchstate were taken away ( which all that are against a national Church-frame must aver ) then if by fatness be meant outward ordinances and Churchstate , the Gentiles cannot be said to partake of them , nor they be meant by the fatness , Rom. 11.17 . Let 's examine what Mr. Bl. saith to this argument . 1. He denies that he ever said every believing parent is the root , a root he makes them , not the root . But by his leave I charge him with nothing but what doth plainly follow from his words . For that is the root according to him which communicates Covenant holiness and Church-state , and of whom it is verified if the root be holy so are the branches . But this is said by him in his Vindic. Faed . p. 277. and elsewhere , of every believing parent ; therefore if Mr. Bl. avouch his own arguings , he makes every believing parent the root , Rom. 11.16 , 17. What Mr. Bl. speaks , that other parents are roots to their posterity , is granted , and needed not to be proved by Mr. Bl●ut ●ut that they being holy persons are holy roots communicating Covenant holiness to their children , is not pr●ved by Mr. Bl. That the Covenant or promise of God made to Abraham , Gen. 15.5 . & 17 4 , 7. did assure and ●o constitute Abraham to be the root of the Church of true believers , is not denied , nor that Circumcision did seal to him the righteousness of faith as a believer and the father of believers , Rom. 4.11 , 12. But the form denominating him Father of believers , or root of the Olive , is propagating them by his exemplary faith : Nor was David by his Covenant , or Jesse , or any other believing parent a root or father in the sense Rom. 4.11 . & 11.16 , 17. Though they were natural roots to their posterity , and builders of the house of Israel , and the Fathers 1 Cor. 10.1 . by natural generation ; yet none are said to build as Abraham , from whom the fatness , Rom. 11.17 . is derived , and not from any other intermediate father . For Abraham had been father though he had had no child by natural generation , Mat. 3.9 . descending from him : Nor can it be t●ue , that he is termed the root by reason of natural generation ; For then the Gentiles had not been bran●hes and children , and ●ll the branches had been natural , contrary to v. 21 , 24. To this saith Mr. Bl. He makes them wild onely at their first ingraffing , and so was all Terahs race wild likewise , till that change of faith wrought in Abrahams call , and the Covenant God entred with him ; we now are natural as they were , and cannot be called wild , but in our first original . Answ. They that were ingraffed were still branches of the wild Olive , and so are we that are believers of the Gentiles , for that title is by nature and natural descent , Rom. 11.24 . which is not changed by grace , though the fruit and sap be changed that is the qualities and actions by ingraffing : We that are believers of the Gentiles are not the branches according to nature , for that is plainly meant of the Jews onely , Rom. 11.24 . when it is said , they that are according to nature shall be graffed in their own Olive . Which shews that the term they that are according to nature i● proper to the Jews : But if every believing parent should be the root , Rom. 11.16 , 17. then every Gentile believers child should be a natural branch , contrary to v. 24. for they are all besides nature , and no believing Gentile nor his child is now or hath been a natural branch in the sense the Apostle means , Rom. 11.24 . But Mr. Bls. chief objection is this , If the ingraffing be by a saving faith onely , to derive saving graces personal●y inherent , as a fruit of election from Abraham , then it must needs be that we are elect in Abraham ▪ Abraham may say , without me ye can do nothing , and he that believeth in me , out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water : And we may say , the life that we live in the flesh , we live by faith in the son of Terah . This must necessarily follow , if Abraham be the root , no● onely respective to a conditional Covenant , but to the graces under condition covenanted . Answ. 1. This objection may be thus retorted , If the ingraffing be by a faith of profession onely , to derive onely outward ordinances , outward priviledges , Covenant holiness , visible Churchmembership , as a fruit of the Covenant from Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob the root , then we are i● Covenant in Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob : They may say without us ye cannot be visible Churchmembers , &c. he that professeth faith in us , shall have outward Church priviledges ; the priviledges we have in the visible Church , we have by profession of faith in the son of Terah . This must necessarily follow , if Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob be the root respective to the Covenant and Covenant holiness , as Mr. Bl. asserts . when Mr. Bl. hath freed himself from these absurdities , I shall have somewhat more to answer him . 2. In the mean time my answer in my Apology is , that the absurdities follow not on my opinion , who make not Abraham a roo● as communicating faith by infusion or impetration mediatory as Christ , but as an exemplary cause of believing , in which sense he is stiled the father of believers , Rom. 4 11 , 12. To this Mr. Bl. in his flirting fashion replies thus , A root not by communication , but example ; an ingraffing not to have any thing communicated from the root , but to imitate it , is such a Catachresis as may well make all Rhetorick ●shamed of it ; and if the Sun ever saw a more notable piece of non sense , I am to seek what sense is . A root is too low in the earth to have its examples followed , and a syens sucks in juyce , but knowes not how to imitate . Answ. 1. Mr. Bl. grosly abuseth me by insinuating as if I mentioned a root not by communication , but example : and ingraffing not to have any thing from the roo● , but to imitate it : But this I said , that Abraham is not termed the root as communicating faith by infusion , or impe●ration mediatory as Christ , but as an exemplary cause of believing , and the ingraffing I make to bee Gods act of giving faith after Abrahams example , whereby righ●eousness is communicated from Abraham as the precedent or pattern , according to which God gives both , though the branches do not themselves imitate Abraham . Now this is no more non-sense then to term him a father without any other begetting or communicating then as an exemplary cause , which the Apostle doth , Rom. 4.11 , 12. and ( as I shew in the first part of this Review , Sect. 2. pag. 1● . ) Dr. Willet , Diodati , Pareus , do so expound the root and father of the faithfull ; so that if there bee non-sense , these learned men with the Apostle are to bee charged with it , as well as my self , which may redound more to Mr. Bls. then to the shame of Rhetorick . And if a root bee too low in the earth to bee as an example , so is a fathers begetting too hidden a thing to bee our example , yet Abrahams believing and justification may bee Gods example according to which hee gives faith and righteousness . 2. When Mr. Bl. makes Abraham , Isaac and Jacob , the root as communicating Ordinances , visible Churchmembership , &c. I would know how hee makes them communicating roots of these to believing Gentiles infants . Sure not by natural generation , for neither mediately nor immediately are they roots to them that way : not by teaching or example , for they are not things imitable , nor are they to them teachers , or visible examples : not by communicating to them the Covenant , that is , Gods act . What way soever hee make them the root according to his opinion there will bee as much non-sense and shame to Rhetorick , and less truth in his explication then in mine . What hee adds , that whatsoever kinde of root I make it , yet it is a communicative root , vers . 17. I grant it in the sense expressed , not of communication by infusion or mediatory impetration , but as an ●dea . And what hee saith further , that the term Father and root are not full synonyma's , yet in the main they agree ; is as much as I need to shew that it is no more non-sense to term him a root who communicates sap onely as a pattern , then it is to term him a Father who begets onely as an example . And whereas hee saith , both metaphors aptly set forth what the branches as from a root , the children as from a Father receive , namely their title to the Covenant from him ; and therefore as to Abraham , so to all Israel pertained the Covenants and the Adoption , Rom , 9.4 , 5. And so to all that are become children and branches with them . I grant the metaphors set forth what the branches and children receive from the root and father : But that the thing received is title to the Covenant in Mr. Bls. sense , that is to be partakers of outward ordinances ( which is more truly non-sense then my expression of a root by exemplarity , or that to Abraham and so to all Israel pertained the Covenants and adoption , Rom. 9.4 , 5. or that to the ingraffed branches or Gentile children of Abraham , belonged the Covenants and adoption and other p●iviledges which are there appropriated to Israel after the fl●sh , though not imparted to all ) there alledged , is denied . Title to the Covenant of grace is not communicated to Gentile believers any otherwise , then in that they are made Abrahams seed by faith , and this is communicated to them no otherwise from Abraham then as an example , and therefore he is a root no other way ●hen I assigne , if there bee any other way it is more then yet Mr. Bl. hath shewed . Yet hee adds , the title Father is yet extended to a greater Latitude , as hee doth impart to his issue ( as before ) so hee is a pat●ern and example as even natural parents are likewise according as Rom. 4. ●2 . ( quoted by Mr. T. ) is set forth , yet that place is too palpably abused . Answ. Though Fathers bee examples and patterns to their children in their actions , yet not all nor onely parents are such , nor is Abraham called a Father there because hee was a good pattern onely , but because hee as the A●chtype or primitive pattern begat Jews and Gentile believers as his seed to faith , nor in this or any thing have I abused the Apostle . Mr. Bl. tels mee . The steps of the faith of the Father Abraham is the doctrine of faith which Abraham believed , or the profession of faith which hee made . All that were professedly Jews , and all that were professedly Christians , w●lk in the steps of that faith : All circumcised believers had not that faith that just●fies , nor yet all the uncircumcised ; and Abraham is a father of both . Hee could bee exemplary as a pattern to bee followed , onely in that which is external ; his faith quà justifying could not bee seen to bee imitated . Answ. I abhor it to abuse the Apostle so palpably as Mr. Bl. doth here . For it appears not onely from the main drift of the Apostle in the whole Chapter precedent , specially v. 9 , 10. but also from the very words v. 11. that righteousness might be imputed ●o them also , that the Apostle speaks of that faith onely which is justifying , which is believing with the heart , Rom. 10 10. And therefore those speeches are palpably false , that the steps of the faith of the Father Abraham is the doctrine of faith which Abraham believed ( which may be by a Teacher that neither believes nor professeth ) or the profession of faith which he made ( which a Judas or Simon Magus might have , and so should have righteousness imputed to them as Abraham had ) that all professed Jewes or Christians walke in the steps of that faith , that Abraham is Father of those uncircumcised believers who had not that faith that justifies . As for Mr. Bls. reason , it is against himselfe ; for Abrahams profession could no more bee seene to bee imitated in the Apostles dayes then his faith as justifying : both might be known by Gods word , and be followed as a pattern , though I conceive the Apostle makes those to walk in the steps of Abrahams faith , who do believe as hee did , though they never saw or heard of Abrahams b●lieving , as he may be said to write after a Copy who writes the same , though he never saw the Copy . He adds , And the like he hath pag. 78. I make Abraham onely the root , as he is onely the ●ather of believers exemplarily ; and that which made him the Father of believers , was not the Covenant , but his exemplary faith , as I gather from the words of the Apostle , Rom. 9.16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 21. Did none but Abraham give an example unto others of believing ? The Apostle to the Hebrews sets him out , chap. 11. as one example among many ▪ we find many that went before him , Abel , Enoch , Noah ; and more that followed after him . And I should rather think that the Text by him produced , proves without any contradiction , that the Covenant made Abraham the father of believers ; he is the called three Father of us all , and a Text quoted for it , which is Gen. 17.5 . A Father of many nations I have made thee : And whether that be not by vertue of Covenant , let the context be consulted , together with the Apostles words , Rom. 4.11 . He closed with God in Covenant , and accepted the seal of the Covenant , that according to Covenant he might be the Father of all them that believe . Answ. 1. If Abel , Enoch , Noah , be set out as examples of believing with a faith justifying , Heb. 11.4 , 5 , 6 , 7. by which Noah became heir of the righteousness which is by faith , then it is not true which Mr. Bl. ●aith a little before , that Abraham could be exemplary as a pattern to be followed onely in that which is external . 2. Many before and after did believe as Abraham , and they are examples to us , Pleb . 6.12 . Yet we find not any whose faith was remarkably tried and approved as Abrahams , and therefore none deno●inated the Fat●er of believers besides him . 3. It is granted the promise or Covenant was the object of Abrahams faith , and that it did assure that he should be the Father of believers both of Jews and Gentiles ; yet the reason of the denomination of Father of believers is made onely his eminent faith , and the form denominating him is 〈◊〉 relation to them , the foundation of which was his begetting believers exemplarily ▪ 4. Rom. 4.11 . It is neither said Abraham closed with God in Covenant , nor that he accepted the seal of the Covenant , nor is there in that v. any mention of the Covenant , or of the seal of the Covenant , but ● . 16 ▪ the Apostles having termed Abraham the Father of us all , v. 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21. he sets out his faith as most eminent , and that as the reason of his Fatherhood . Mr. Bl. to what I said , the fatness of the Olive tree , Diodati said truly , is the blessing and promise made to Abraham and to his seed , and so the Apostle expresseth , Gal. 3.14 . saith . This we grant , and priviledge of ordinances contained this blessing and this promise ; we know the Gospel to be the power of God to salvation . To which I reply , The blessing , Gal. 3.14 . is j●stification , v. 8 , 9. and the promise is of the spirit through faith , which a man may be without , though he have the outward ●riviledge of ordinances , and therefore are not contained in it : Nor is the Gospel the power of God to salvation without faith ; and therefore if the ingraffing be onely into the visible Church ▪ and a person have onely the priviledge of ordinances , he may be without the blessing and promise made to Abraham and to his seed , Gal. 3.14 . which is granted by Mr. Bl. to be the fatness meant Rom. 11.17 . and therefore the fatness is more then outward priviledges and ordinances , and I said truly it is too washy and frigid an exposition which doth so expound it , and this washes away the dust Mr. Bl. casts on Rom. 11.17 . But he argues thus . That wherein the Jews exceeded the Gentiles , is the fatness whereof the Gentiles partake , when they are ingraffed instead of the Jews ; this none can deny , for this makes them their equals and co partners : But it is priviledges of ordinances ( how frigid and washy things soever Mr. T. little better then profanely makes it ) is the priviledge wherein Jews exceeded Gentiles , Rom. 3.1 . Deut. ● . 7 , 8. Psal. 147.19 , 20. Therefore this is the fatness of the Olive . Answ. The major is not true , if universal : and Mr. Bls. reason proves it . For the Gentiles when ingraffed , were not made equals and co partners in many things wherein the Jews before exceeded the Gentiles . All those things mentioned Rom 9.4 , 5. were prerogatives of the Jewes never imparted to the Gentile believers , yea that priviledge mentioned Rom. 3.1 . the committing the Oracles of God , the Christian Gentiles were never made equals and co partners with the Jews in , God did never give oracles and answers to the Christian Gentiles , nor the Tables of the Covenant , and the Book of the Law to be kept , as hee did to the Jews . But that wherein the Jews and Gentiles were made equals and co partners , was justification by faith , and union with Christ by his spirit , as Ephes. 3.6 . Gal. 3.28 , 29 , &c. and therefore this argument is rightly retorted thus on Mr. Bl. That wherein the Gentiles ingraffed were equals and copartners with the Jews is the fatness meant Rom. 11.17 . But this is not the priviledges of Ordinances , but justification and oneness in Christ , ergo that is the fatness meant Rom. 11.17 . To what I said , that the Gentiles were not partakers of the outward priviledges and ordinances of Abraham and the Jews , they being tak● away , hee saith , if that of the Apostle bee true , that the Gospel was preached to Abraham , Gal. 3.8 . then this cannot bee false . If the Rock and Manna in the Wilderness bee the same , as that on which w● seed , 1 Cor. 10.2 . the outward priviledges of that people may well the 〈◊〉 the same with ours . Answ. 1. If the outward priviledges and ordinances of Abraham and the Jews be the same with ours , then not onely the preaching the Gospel , but also Circumcision , the Passeover , the Temple , High Priest , sacrifices , &c. must be the same to us as to them . 2. Though the Gospel be preached to us which was preached to them , yet not in the same manner ; it was preached to them ●s future , to us as accomplished ; nor by the same ordinances , not by the slaying the Paschal Lamb , the High Priests going into the most Holy place with bloud once a year , &c. 3. No● is it true that the Rock and Manna in the wilderness is the same as that on which we seed , 1 Cor. 10.3 , 4. though it be true the same Christ or spiritual meate and drinke was signified by the Manna they ate , and the water out of the Rocke which they dranke , which is signified by the Bread and Wine wee receive in the Lords Supper : But this doth not shew the same outward priviledges of the Jewes and us , but the same spirituall benefits signified to them which are to us . He next tels me , I have taken pains for my own full refutation ; for if Abraham be the root , then the natural posterity of Abraham must of necessity be the natural branches which were cut off : which he endeavours to prove from Rom. 9.2 , 3. & 11.1 , 14. though the conclusion be not denied , but oft asserted by me ; and then brings in Paul thus disputing , Pauls kinsmen after the flesh were the Church visible , not invisible : But Pauls kindred according to the flesh were the branches cut off ; Ergo , the Church visible not invisible was cut off : Which conclusion doth not contradict any thing I assert , who never made the Church invisible cut off , but some branches broken off from the Church invisible which was formerly in that people . So that Mr. Bl. hitherto hath m●de no answer to my arguments , but talk●d at randome quite besides the matter urged in them . My 5th . argument was ▪ If the breaking off the Jews were by blinding , then the ingraffing was by giving faith ; but the former is true , v. 25. Ergo , the later . To this Mr. S. saith , There is not the s●me reason , seeing ●e takes i● of giving saving faith ; their blinding was judicial , a punishment for their unbelieving rejecting of the Gospel , though they had not saving faith to embrace the Gospel ; the giving of faith is not on such terms ; neither is saving faith so absolutely antecedent to make a man a member of the visible Church , as blinding to Gods final rejection . Answ. He sai●h there is not the same reason , but shews not why if the breaking off be by blinding , the ingraffing should not be by giving a saving faith . Sure according to all the Logick I ever learned it is as clear an a●gument as can be in this case , that where opposite effects are put , the one effect being from one cause , the other should be from the opposite cause T is true , I take the inlightning opposite to blinding to be the giving saving faith : yet do not think the blinding v. 25. to have bin judicial a punishment for their unbelieving , rejecting of the Gospel , but as it is v. 32. the vety shutting up in unbelief , the antecedent to unbelief ▪ consequent on reprobation opposite to election , as v. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. do plainly shew , not consequent to unbelief . What he means by the giving of faith is not on such terms , I cannot readily divine ; the speech seems to me to be either non-sense , there being no terms forementioned that I can perceive to which it may be referred , or else it is impertinent to the answering the objection , and so as that which follows . For though the giving of saving faith be not on such terms as Mr. S. means , or that it be not so absolutely antecedent to make a man a member of the visible Church as blinding is to Gods final rejection , doth it follow , that if the breaking off be by blinding , v. 25. the ingraffing is not by giving faith , v. 24 ? But Mr. S. adds . 2. Blindness came but in part on Israel ; it fell onely on the meer visible members , not the invisible and elect : therefore the ingraffi●g must be onely of visible members into the visible Church , v. 7. The election hath obtained it , but the rest were blinded . Answ. There is no shew of consequence that I know in it , that if blindness fall not on the elect , therefore ingraffing is not of the elect onely ; the argument is plain on the contrary even from vers . 7. alledged by him , the rest to wit the non-elect were blinded , therefore the ingraffed who obtained were onely the elect , and their obtaining the ingraffing was by such enlightening as wrought saving faith in them . Mr. Bl grants the conclusion , that the ingraffing is by giving faith , but a faith of profession into a Churchstate , as he answered to the 3 d. arg . To which I reply , 1. If it were giving of such a faith , yet infants would be excluded , sith they are not so ingraffed . 2. The ingraffing notes more then admission by an outward ordinance . 3. I proved from the Text v. 7 , 8 , 10. that the blinding was of those who are not elect ; and therefore the inlightening by which the election obtains , or the Gentiles are ingraffed is that , as Dr. Ames saith Antisynod . animadv . in art . 1. c. 16. whereby they obtain faith and salvation from election . And I used these words , If the blinding be the effect of reprobation , and the breaking off be by blinding , then the ingraffing is by inli●htening , and that inlightening is according to election , and so is all one with giving of faith , by which I mean justifying or saving faith . At this passage Mr. Bl. lays about him thus , Here is Divinity which calls for patience in a degree above all that is Christian ; which one of the Contraremonstants , worthy the name of an adversary of the Arminians , hath taught this Doctrine ? It is that which their adversaries indeed charge upon them , but that which they unanimously do disclaim . I have heard that reprobation is the antecedent of sin , but never that it was the cause ; and that sin is a consequent of it , but never an effect . Reprobation is the act of God ; and in case it be the cause of blindness , then God is the cause : So that the Contraremonstran●s have got a sweet Advocate to cast that upon them , that none of their adversaries ( though they have turned every stone to it ) could never prove by them . Answ. 1. I did onely use this expression [ if the blinding be the effect of reprobation ] which causeth all this insulting , which doth not positively assert it , onely Mr. Bl. gathers it from the assumption which he supposeth I would have put , which is not very candid dealing . 2. The assumption he sets down thus , then his assumption can be no other , but that blindness is the effect of reprobation : But herein he doth grosly abuse me . For I did not say , if blindness be the effect of reprobation , but if blinding be the effect of reprobation , between which there is a great difference . For blindness is mans sin , but blinding is Gods act , ascribed to God v. 8. when it is said , God hath given them a spirit of slumber , eys that they should not see . And Job . 12.40 . He hath blinded their eys , and hardened their heart . And this act being no other then the certain permission of sin , is commonly made by Protestants an effect and means executing the decree of reprobation , which is no other then blinding . Potav . synt . l. 4. c. 10. Reprobation is effectus est permissio lapsus . Ames . med . Theol. l. 1. c. 25. § . Tertius reprobationis actus est intentio dirigendi media illa , quibus justitia possit in reprobas manifestari . Media hujus generis maxime propria sunt permissio peccati , derelictio in peccato , Rom. 9 18. 2 Thes. 2.11 , 12. Calvin Instit. l. 3. c. 23. § . 1. unde ( from Rom. 9.18 . ) sequitur absconditum Dei consilium obdu ationis esse causam . Yea , § 4. he saith , Cujus rei ( defectionis Angelorum ) causa non potest alia adduci quam reprobatio , quae in arcano Dei consilio abscondita est ▪ Vide Andr. Rivet . sum . contro . tr●ct . 4. q. 6 , 7. And Piscat ▪ observ . 9. e Rom. 9.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. Erram igitur qui putant praedestinationem pendere a praevisis operibus , vel a praevisa fide , vel incredulitate . Imo haec omnia praedestinationis effecta sunt : quomodo igitur possunt statui praedestinationis causae ? So that if I had taught ( as Mr. Bl. misreports me ) that Gods reprobation causeth blindness ; yet I had Authours worthy the name of adversaries to the Arminians so saying : Nor have I done any such high dis service to the anti-Arminians as in the Table at the ●nd of his Book he chargeth me with . 3. If Mr. Bl. had not minded to pick a quarrel , he might have interpreted ( as indeed I meant ) the term effect not strictly or rigourously , as Scheibler speaks , but in the sense in which Logicians call the Eclipse of the Moon , the effect of the inter position of the Earth between it and the Sun , though it be rather a consequent , then an effect ; after which manner I explained the term cause in the same Book ; Review , part 1. sect . 35. p. 238. 4. Let the word [ effect ] be left out , and let the word [ consequent ] be put in , my argumen hath the same force ; and therefore this was in Mr. Bl. a meer wrangling exception . Let 's view what he saith in answer thereto . He saith , Mr. T. lays all upon God , Gods reprobation causes blindness , and their breaking off is by blinding ; here is no hand but Gods in their destruction . And now the blasphemy of the consequence being denied , so that blindness is no effect of reprobation , breaking off being not by blinding ; what becomes of the rule of opposites here produced ? And Mr. T. should not be ignorant , that election and reprobation in the work of salvation and damnation do not per omnia quadrare , otherwise as election leads to salvation without any merit of works , so reprobation should lead to destruction without any merit of sin ; which Contraremonstrants unanimously deny , though Mr. T. here will have them to affirm , having before quoted v. 8. & 10. of this chapter , he saith from which Anti-Arminians gather absolute reprobation , and then explains himself what this absolute reprobation in his sense is in the words spoken to . And then in opposition to me cites Gomarus denying absolute reprobation in my sense , that God absolutely reprobates any man to destruction without subordinate means , to wit , sin ; that God doth not effect sin , or decree to effect it : And Dr. Prideaux , that sin follows not on reprobation as an efficient , but deficient ; is a consequent , not effect of reprobation : And Mr. Ball , that Gods decree is not the cause of mans sin . Answ. In all this there 's not a word that takes away the force of the argument ; if that word [ effect ] had been left out , as it was left out in the first framing of it , and [ consequent ] had been put in , though the argument had been as strong if that word had been used , or , as it was in the first framing , neither used . He accuseth me of blasphemy ▪ here as asserting blindness to be the effect of reprobation , that I lay all upon God , no hand but Gods in mens destruction ; that I make Contraremonstrants to affirm an absolute reprobation without any merit of sin ; and that I explain absolute reprobation gathered by them from Rom. 11.8 , 10. in this sense , of all which charges there is not one true ; so that here is nothing but a fardel o● manifest calumnies . And as for what he alledgeth , that breaking off is not by blinding , because blindness was their guilt , and casting off their just sentence , and the guilt and punishment are not one , it doth no whit infringe my argument . For these may well stand together , that Gods reprobation is executed by blinding , and yet blindness their guilt , and upon their unbelief or blindness God breaks them off by a just sentence ; as on the other side , election is the cause of Gods enlightening , whereby the ingraffed branches believe , and through fai●h they are by Gods act of grace ingraffed into the invisible Church of true believers : And in this manner the rule of opposites holds evidently , although election and reprobation in the work of salvation and damnation do not per omnia quadrare , nor there be any such absolute reprobation as leads to destruction without any merit of sin . Which kind of absolute rep●obation I never asserted , nor ascribed to Contraremonstrants , who onely make reprobation absolute , in that the reason why God in his eternal decree or purpose did choose one to life and not another , is not the foreseen belief and obedience of one , or the foreseen unbelief or disobedience of the other , but his own will , Rom. 9.11 , 12 , 13 , 18. Nor do I make sin in proper or strict acception the effect of Gods act ; I never said , blindness is the effect of Gods reprobation , as Mr. Bl. misreports me , nor that God doth by any positive influx work it in man as an efficient ; but I said , blinding was the effect of reprobation in a larger sense , as effect is taken for a consequent , and that it was by blinding , which doth not at all gainsay the sayings of those learned Writers alledged by Mr. Bl. And if Gods severity in not sparing the natural branches were explicitely no more then what Christ threatned , Matth. 21.43 . yet my argument holds good . For the taking away of Gods Kingdome is not onely the taking away of the preaching of the Gospel , but also the being of the Church of true believers among them as heretofore ; and so the breaking off was by blinding , and the ingraffing into the invisible Church of true believers by giving of faith according to election , which was to be proved . My 6th . arg . was , If reingraffing of the Jews produceth salvation , is by turning them from iniquity , taking away their sins according to Gods Covenant , then it is into the invisible Church by giving faith ; But the former is true v. 26 , 27. Ergo , the later . Mr. S. saith , To which I give a fair answer , that doubtless according to those promises , when the Jews shall be called in to be a visible Church again , there shall bee abundance of more glory brought in with them , then ever yet the world saw ; and the new heavens , and the new earth , the coming down of the new Jerusalem and all those glorious things are fitted to fall in with that time . And from these considerations many do interpret v. 26. litterally , And so shall all Israel bee saved . But get 1. they shall be ingraffed in as a visible Church , else Abraham and the Fathers would never be mentioned as roots . 2. They shal be ingraffed as they were broken off : now they were broken off as a visible Church . 3. All that can be gathered is this , that the fulness of salvation , and the vertues of the promises shall more fully and universally take effect on the Jews , even to the salvation of all of them ; and so the invisible & visible Church be more pure and as one in the earth ; but this fulness shall be to them as a visible Church and on the earth . Answ. 'T is a fair answer , but such as hath nothing to weaken the argument , there being neither of the premises denied , but the minor granted expresly , that the vertues of the promises shall take effect on the Jews even to the salvation of all of them , which if true , then none are ingraffed but elect persons , and their ingraffing into the invisible Church , now the ingraffing of the Gentiles , was the same with the re-ingraffing of the Jews , if then the Jews re ingraffing were into the invisible Church according to election , so is the ingraffing of the Gentiles . What hee saith , yet they shall be ingraffed as a visible Church , and this fulness shall be to them as a visible Church , taking [ as ] reduplicatively cannot bee true , for then every visible Church should have all in it saved , and for the reasons he brings to prove , they are answered before , the fathers are nor mentioned as roots , but Abraham , who is a root not of the visible Church a● such , but of the invisible of true believers , and they are ingraffed as the other were broken off from the invisible Church . Mr. Bl. saith , This arg . well husbanded , might have made three ; to the first I say , that a Churchstate in Scripture phrase is salvation , Job . 4.22 . seeing Churchmembers are partakers of saving ordinances ; And the fruition of ordinances under Gospel dispensations is a great salvation , Heb. 2.3 . And so that text Rom 11.26 . And so all Israel shall be saved , must be understood as I told Mr. T. p. 67. of my answer out of the last annotations , and so Diodate . Answ. This then is the meaning of Rom. 11.26 . All Israel shall bee saved , that is , they shall be in a visible Churchstate partakers of saving ( outward ) ordinances under Gospel dispensations . But can Mr. Bl. or any sober man think this to be the meaning , they shall be saved , that is , they shall be in such an estate in which they may bee damned , and in which many are damned ? or that God where hee mentions the effect of his his great Covenant of the Gospel , means no more but such an estate ? Is this all or any part of the new Covenant Heb. 8 10 , &c. Heb. 10.16 , 17. to have a meer visible Churchstate ? I did alwayes think the Covenant of Grace had promised the spirit of Christ , th●t the Ministery thereof was of the spirit , 2 Cor 3.6 , 8. of righteousness , v. 9. not of a meer visible Churchstate . And sure if we look to the place whence these words are quoted ( as Mr. ●l saith ) Isai. 59.20 . Jerem. 31.34 . there is an express promise of the spirits continuance upon them , which is sure much beyond a visible Churchstate . As for what he brings out of Scripture , it is shamefully wrested . For Joh. 4.22 . a meer visible Church-state is not termed salvation , but whether by it bee meant by a metonymy , the doctrine of salvation ▪ or the authour of salvation Christ himself , it is certainly another thing then a meer visible Churchstate , yea in that sense the speech were absurd to term a meer visible Church-state salvation , and false to say tha● the visible Churchstate was of the Jewes . And for the other text ●eb 2.3 . it doth not term the fruition of outward Ordinances under Gospel d●spensations great salvation , but the great benefit purchased by Christ termed eternal salvation , Heb. 5.9 . declared and offered in the Gospel . Diodati annot . on Heb. 2. ● . So great ] namely everlasting redemption , revealed and communicated by the Gospel , and impl●citely opposed by the Apostle to the temporal deliverance out of Egypt , for the contemning of which the Israelites were punished in the wilderness . And though the new Annot. and Diodati paraphrase Rom. 11.26 . by [ put into the way of salvation ] yet they do not restrain this to a meer visible Churchstate ; yea both add , that by [ all Israel ] may be understood the Israel of God , Gal. 6.16 . of Jews and Gentiles , which is the invisible Church . And Di●son thus parap●raseth the words , And so all Israel , that is , the multitude of Jews comprehending the body of the people dispersed shall be converted . And Piscator in his Scholie , The fulness of Israel shall be saved , to wit being effectually called by the preaching of the Gospel , and justified by faith in Christ. But what is said of all Israel , is not to be extended to each , but to be understood of the greatest part , from which the denomination is wont to be made . Mr. Bl adds , And such men brought into a Churchstate are turned from iniquity partially , from their former way of iniquity , their contradicting and blasp●eming ; having escaped the pollution of the world , 2 Pet. 2.6 . of the world ●hat remains out of the Church of God. Answ. 1 ▪ Were this the meaning , yet infants should be excluded , who are not thus turned . 2. That such a partial turning cannot be meant , is manifest , in that the term is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ungodlinesses , that is , all sorts of ungodliness from Jacob , that is , as Piscator in his scholie , by pardoning or remitting and justifying by faith , and this to be done by the redeemer which shall come out of Sion who so turns from iniquity as to bless them whom he turns , Acts. 3.26 . which doth not agree to Mr. Bls. partial turning . More rightly Di●son thus paraphraseth the words . He foretelleth that so it should be , that the true redeemer should free his nation from the guilt and servitude of sin , the iniquities of that people being pardoned ; and that it should be , that he would receive them into the Covenant of grace to the full abolishing of sin . But , saith Mr. Bl. Their sin is pardoned quoad hoc : and when Moses , prayed for the pardon of the sin of Israel , Exod. 32. and God promiseth it , 2 Chron. 7.14 . it is so to be understood of a national pardon . Answ. A partial pardon quoad hoc of some particular sin , and releasing onely of some particular evil , cannot be meant Rom. 11.26 , 27. sith it is a taking away of their sins , by the agency of the redeemer that comes out of Sion , and according to Gods Covenant to them ; which 1. the same with that , Jer. 31 33. Heb. 8.12 . & 10.16 , 17. in which eternal redemp●ion and inheritance are assured , Heb. 9.12 ▪ 15. I grant it shal be a nationa● pardon , understanding by nation the greatest or chiefest part of the nation , but different from the pardon obtained by Moses , Exod. 32. or prom●sed , 2 Chron. 7.14 . To what I said in answer to Mr. Geree , that I thought at the Jews restauration there shall be some of them formalists and hypocrites , but none of the re-ingraffed , Mr. Bl. replies , The re-ingraffing here is in their stead that fell away by multitudes , and therefore were hypocri●es and formalists , and the ingraffed such as might fall , which is not spiritual Israel , but carnal . But the Text doth not say , the Jews shall be re-ingraffed in their shead that sell away by multitudes ▪ but onely that the Gentiles be graffed into the Olive in stead of the Jews broken off , v. 17. and the Jews shall be re-ingraffed when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in , and both be ingraffed together , not the one broken off to make room for the other , as in the calling of the Gentiles , v. 19. Yet were it so as Mr. Bl. saith , how doth it follow , the re-ingraffing here is in their stead that fell away by multitudes , Ergo the re-ingraffed were some of them formalists and hypocrites ? I conceive it follows rather on the contrary , those that fell away were hypocrites , therefore they that are ingraffed in their stead are living branches , or sincere believers . As for what he said before about the falling away of the ingraffed , is answered before . But Mr. Bl. yet adds , There is a national pardon , and a personal : pardon i● o●t applied to a national return , as 2 Chron. 7.14 . & Jerem. 18.7 , 8. there it is the removal of drought , locusts , pestilence ; here their judgement was the vail of blindness , not assenting to the Gospel light ; and they shall be saved from this blindness , as the Text expressly hath it , v. 25 , 26. Answ. This blindness is no way removed but by giving of faith , as is proved before ; and therefore this proves for me , the ingraffing to be giving faith according to election , and all the ingraffed to be elect . Yet once more saith Mr. Bl. The words quoted out of v. 26 , 27. are partly from Isa. 59.20 . and partly from Jerem. 31.34 . as I conceive , which in the Prophets are directly spoken of a national return , and national pardon , as Mr. B. of one of them hath well observed : but in New Testament Scriptures variously applied , as all know that text of Habakkuk is , ch . 2.4 . That of Jeremy is applied personally : but here , as the context is clear , it , must bee applied nationally to Israel according to the flesh . The vail shall be taken from them on whom it lies ; it lies on Israel according to the flesh : what mystery had the Apostle revealed in case he had onely shewed that all elect b●lievers should be saved ? Answ. Though that were no mystery , yet it was a mystery , that God shou●d contrive it so that Israel Gods people formerly should now be blind , and the Gentiles see , and when their fulness is come in , then all Israel should be saved , who were then broken off . And this salvation is to be national , and yet spiritual , there being a national effectual conversion to God , although all of the nation be not converted , as well as there is a national return from captivity , and yet not all return . The words being quoted from ●sai . 59.20 . Jer. 31.34 . there being no reason to the contrary they shoul● be applied personally here , as ●hey are Heb. 8.12 . & 10. ●6 , 17. I shall close up the vindication of this argument with the words of Dr. Owen of perseverance Ch. 7. § . 24. The force then of this promise , Isa. 59. ●0 . and the influence it hath into the establishment of the truth we have in hand , the perpetual abiding of the spirit with the Saints , will not be evaded and turned aside , by affirming , that it is made to the whole people of Israel . For bes●des , that the spirit of the Lord could not bee said to bee in the ungodly rejected part of them , nor his word in their mouth , there is not the least in text and context , to intimate such an extent of this promise as to the object of it , and 't is very weakly attempted to bee proved from Pauls accommodation , and interpretation of the v ▪ fore going in Rom. 11.26 . For it is most evident , and indisputable to any one , who shall but once cast an eye upon that place , that the Apostle accommodates and applies these words to none , but onely those who shall be saved , being turned away from ungodliness to Christ , which are onely the seed before described . And those hee cals all Israel ; either in the spiritual sense of the word , as taken for the chosen Israel of God , or else indefini●ely for that nation , upon the account of those plentiful fruits , which the Gospel shall finde amongst them , when they shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter dayes . My seventh argument was , If the re-ingraffing bee by vertue of Gods election and love , his gifts of calling ▪ then it is into the invisible Church , by election and giving of faith ; But the former is true v. 28 , 2● Ergo , the latter . Mr. S. answers , 1. It 's said , that as touching election the Jews are beloved for their fathers sake ; hence it follows , God hath a love of election to believers and their natural seed ; for so the Jews were the natural seed of Abraham . Answ. It followes not of believing Gentiles and their natural seed , for this is spoken peculiarly of the Jews . Nor doth it follow of all the natural seed of Abraham , the contrary is determined Rom. 9.6 ; 7 , 8. nor of any at all times , as in the time of their great Apostasie . Much less doth it hence follow , as it hath been pleaded for Paedobaptism , that because God loved the Jews for the fathers sake , therefore wee are to take in the parcels , all the infants of inchurched believers , to bee elect and in the Covenant of Grace , and thereupon to baptise them , this to my apprehension hath not a shadow of consequence . But saith Mr. S. 2. It 's granted that the calling of the Jews shall be according to Gods election and first love ; and that Gods election shall more fully take hold of the Jews at their recalling , then of any nation : but yet still the argument is of no force to prove that their re-ingraffing and so ours is onely or firstly into the invisible Church ; for they are elected as well to be a visible Church , as to be partakers of inward graces ; and their re-ingraffing must be specially and firstly into the visible Church from which they were broken off , or else there will be no correspondence between their rejection and re-ingraffing . Answ. Yet the arg . is of force to prove it is into the invisible Church , so as none are re-ingraffed but the elect and partakers of inward graces , though it were granted that their re-ingraffing be specially and firstly into the visible Church : Yea , Mr. Ss reason is against himself , for if their re-ingraffing be not firstly and specially into the invisible Church by faith , there wil be no correspondence between their re-ingraffing and rejection , which was firstly and specially from the invisible Church by unbelief . Mr. Bl. answers thus . His election , love , and gifts of calling , did at the first put them into a visible Churchstate and condition , Deut. 7.7 , 8. And the same love , election , and gifts of calling , now they are broken off , doth re-ingraff them ; if this argument hold , it was an invisible Church that was brought out of the land of Aegypt . Answ. According to Mr. Bl. the Apostle should mean that the election and love , Rom. 11.28 . are meant of such election and love as may be to them that perish , and such a calling and gifts as may be lost , for such the election into a meer visible Churchstate and condition , and calling , and love , and gifts are , which Mr. Bl. p. 302. will have to be the meaning of the Apostle here . But this is not meant here , 1. because that election , love , gifts and calling are here meant , as are from the Covenant of the Redeemer , v 26 , 27. and whereby all Israel shall be saved ; this is manifest from the connexion , the words v. 28 , 29. being a confirmation of the proposition all Israel shall be saved , v. 26. from the Covenant to turn away impieties from Jacob , and to take away their sins , for this reason , because they are beloved according to the election and calling of God ▪ which are unchangeable . But such salvation , election , love , gifts and calling never happen to them that perish , the Covenant , turning away from impieties , and taking away sins , belong onely to them who are eternally saved ; therefore they are not an election , love , gifts , and calling which put into a meer visible Churchstate and condition . 2. Such gifts and calling of God are not here meant which are revocable , or of which God repents ; for to be without repentance is to be without revocation , or change : But the gifts and calling which are into a mee● visible Churchstate , are revocable and with repentance , as both the Scripture and experience shews , therefore they are not here meant . 3. That calling and election are meant here which are ascribed to God in the passages where there is speech of Gods election and calling of persons before in the 8th . 9th . and 11th . chapters ; for it is manifest ▪ that the dispute about election and calling of the Jews and Gentiles , ch . 9 , 10 , 11. arose from the words of the Apostle , Rom. 8.28 , 29 , &c. But the election and calling in all the passages signifies such an election and calling as is to eternal life and righteousness , as is manifest from Rom. 8.28 , 30 , 33. Rom. 9.7 , 11 , 24 , 25 , 26. Rom. 11.5 , 7. Therefore not an election or calling into a meer visible Churchstate . 4. That calling and election is meant here , which is usually , if not always , meant by the Apostles in their writings . For it 's likely Paul would speak here in the sense in which the word is commonly used , there being no cogent reason to the contrary . But the words election and calling in the Apostles writings are taken usually , it not always , for election and calling to righteousness and eternal life , as may appear by these places , 1 Cor. 1.2 , 9 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29. & 7.15 , 18 , 20. Ephes. 1.4 , 18. & 4.1 , 4. Gal. 1.6 , 15. & 5.8 , 13. Phil. 3.14 . Col. 3.12 , 15. 1 Thes. 1.4 & 2.12 . & 5.24 . 2 Thes. 1.11 . & 2.11 , 14. 1 Tim. 5.21 . & 6.12 . 2 Tim. 1.9 . & 2.10 . Tit. 1.1 . Heb. 3.1 . & 9.15 . James 2.5 . 1 Pet. 1.1 , 15. & 2.9 & 5.10 . 2 Pet. 1.3 , 10. Jude●● ●● Revel . 17.14 . Therefore the meaning is in like manner , Rom. 11.28 , 29. That which Mr. Bl. alledgeth from Deut. 7.6 , 7. doth not weaken this . For though it prove that which is not denied , that there is an election of a people to a visible Churchstate ; yet it proves not such an election and love to be meant Rom. 11.28 . nor by my argument doth it with any colour of reason follow , that the Church brought out of Aegypt was the invisible Church , because they are said to be chosen , Deut. 7.6 , 7. any more then because Judas is said to be chosen by Christ , John 6.70 . therefore election , Rom. 11.28 . is into a meer visible Churchstate or Apostleship . But Mr. Bl. after his calumny of my dis service to the Anti Arminians ▪ wiped away before , tels us that the Apostle there delivers an universal proposition , and ap●lies it to such election , love , and gifts that belongs to bodies or nations ▪ yet it is a truth that equally holds , when it is applied to election to salvation , and with just warranty is applied by Divines to that purpose . Answ. It is not true that the Apostle delivers , Rom. 11.29 . an universal proposition concerning any election , love , calling ▪ gifts , for then It would be false , there be many gifts and callings of God which are not without repentance in the Apostles sense ; but a proposition of the gifts and calling which are to salvation , according to that love and election which are to everlasting salvation according to the Covenant mentioned v. 26.27 . and therefore those Divines who understand it of election , love , gifts and calling to a meer visible Churchstate and condition , have no warranty to apply it to prove that election and perseverance which the Text , if they speak true , speaks not of ; and the argmuent from thence for that purpose is utterly enervated by that interpretation , sith the assumption is by it made confessedly false , if the argument be thus framed , That decree is immutable , and that gift and calling of God do certainly continue which the Apostle saith are without repentance . But the Apostle saith the decree of election to eternal life , and the gift of taking away sins ▪ and the calling which is inward are without repentance . Ergo. As for Pareus his forming it as from the less to the greater , it is , as for the most part such arguments are , liable to many exceptions ; and in this matter hath no strength ; for then it would follow , that if Gods gift and calling to visible Churchstate is without repentance , calling to the office of a Presbyter , which is more , is without repentance . I deny not but Commentators do speak some of them as Mr. Bl. alledgeth , and some doubtfully of which election and calling to understand it , and some speak disjunctively as if it were meant of either ; and some one while means it of the one , and another while of the other . But it is not worth while to search into or set down their words . It is sufficient that I have demonstrated that i● must be meant of such election , love , gifts and cal●ing as are to saving holiness , and righteousness , and eternal life . Yet those which I alledged as writing against the Arminians , and understanding it of the decree of election un●o life and perseverance in saving grace , Mr. Bl. denies not that I have ●ightly cited them , onely he will not have Ames so peremptory as I am , by reason of some words of his , from which Mr. Bl. doth most falsely infer thus , [ so that it appears according to him that they spake truth in the denial of this to be meant of the unchangeable decree of eternal election , ] which they who read Ames his words in his Coronis , art . 5. cap. 4. may easily discern . I add to tho●e I cited in the first part of this Review , sect . 2. pag. ●5 . Dr. Owen , of perseverance , c. 2. § . 7. &c. Dr. Kendal , of redemption , ch . 8. pag. ●20 , &c. The reason why some wil not have it meant of election and effectual calli●g to salvation is their mistake , that particular persons may not be said to fall away from such ele●●ion and cal●ing . For though it be true , that the particular persons never fall away from their personal election and calling , yet they may fall away from that election and calling to eternal life which they in their ancestor● had ; which sense I have shewed to be agreeable to the Apostles meaning , in the first part of this Review , sect . 3. And Dr. Twiss in his Vind. Grat. l. 3. err . 8. sect . 3. acknowledgeth that when the Apostle saith , Rom. 11.23 . they shall be graffed in , he means it not of those individuals in their persons , but their posterity . But Mr. Bl. argues thus . The Fathers for whose sake they are beloved are the ancient Fathers from whom after the flesh they did proceed , specially Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , the word is for the Fathers : Then election must needs be understood of an external grace of the Covenant , whereby God chose this nation to himself , according to that of Moses , Deut. 7.6 . unless we are elect in Abraham to salvation and not in Christ. And Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob are our mediators of reconciliation : and when the Apostle saith , We are ●ccepted in the beloved , Ephes. 1.6 . it is to be understood of acceptation in Abraham : and we are to conclude our prayers , not in and through Christ but Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob ; we are not for their sakes beloved to salvation . Answ. 1. That the election , Deut. 7.6 . must be understood of an external grace of the Covenant , needs bettr proof then Mr. Bl. brings . For God may be said to choose a nation , and yet not choose every one of the nation , it being usual , as Mr Cobbet observes , Just. vindic . part 2. ch . 2. that things said of a people collectively are meant of the greater or better part distributively . 2. The absurdities will press Mr. Bl. as well as me . For if , as Mr. Bl. saith , the election and love be to a meer visible Churchstate and condition , we may say by the same reason which he useth , We are elected in Abraham to Churchstate , and not in Christ ; he is our mediator of reconciliation ; we are accepted in Abraham the beloved ; we are to conclude our prayers not in and through Christ , but Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , which are absurd : We are not beloved for their sakes in the sense in which we are beloved in Christ , to visible Churchstate , any more then to salvation . 3. Though we are not for their sakes or for them beloved to salvation , yet the Jews are . 4. We are elect in Christ as the first-born among many brethren , Rom. 8.29 . as the head of many members , as the mediator , the second Adam , by whom the life we are elected to is conveyed , in which sense we are said to be accepted or favoured , he is the mediator of reconciliation by his bloud , we conclude our prayers in and through him as the High Priest of our profession : But they that say , the Jews are beloved to salvation for the fathers sakes , or for Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , need not , nor do mean it in these senses ; but thus , they are beloved to salvation by reason of Gods Covenant to them , Exod. 32.13 . Levit. 26.42 . their fidelity to him , Nehem. 9.8 . so that Abraham was called the friend of God , James 2.23 . which are no whit derogatory to the prerogative of Christ , in whom alone we are elected , reconciled , favoured , heard , as the onely begotten son of God , and the alone mediator between God and man. What Mr. Bl. desires me to consider that Moses interceded for the whole body of Israel , Exod. 32.13 . and that God promiseth to remember the whole nation under suffering , Levit. 26.42 . is nothing for Mr. Bls. purpose . For if it were granted , that Moses interceded for the whole nation , yet it follows not , that Gods promise was to every individual of that nation , Levit. 26.42 . And if it were , yet it follows not that it must be so Rom. 11.26 , 27 , 28 , 29. Nor if it were granted ( though the contrary is to me more probable ) doth it follow , that the election , love , gifts , calling , cannot be to salvation , but must be into a meer visible Churchstate and condition , or , as Mr. Bl. terms it , external grace of the Covenant , sith there is no absurdity , that I know of to conceive , that at the calling of the Jews every individual Jew shall be a true believer , and saved . Nor doth my opinion impute any errour to Moses or Paul , but Mr. Bl. doth in this as in other things , egregiously triffle as one that writes without heed of what he saith . My 8th . argument is this . If the ingraffing both of Jews and Gentiles be the fruit of Gods mercy , the breaking off by shutting up in unbelief , then the ingraffing is into the invisible Church by election and giving faith : But the former is true , vers . 30 , 31 , 32. Ergo , the later . Mr. S. rather flights then answers this argument . For he takes no notice of that part of the medium , [ the breaking off by shutting up in unbelief , ] which shews what mercy it was by which they were ingraffed , to wit , converting and reconciling mercy proper to the elect , as the very opposition of the terms shews . v. 32. they were before shut up in unbelief by severity , now by mercy they are brought to faith and favour , but tels me , this proposition is unsound on which the argument is built , what ever is a fruit of Gods mercy is from election and ingraffing into the invisible Church , because that health , &c. are fruits of Gods mercy . But ●t is not true , the proposition on which the argument is built is as hee ●●ith , but thus ; That mercy which doth take away the shutting up in unbelief , is converting reconciling mercy from election , whose effect is the ingraffing into the visible Church by giving saving faith , ergo , if the ingraffing , &c. And this Mr. S. hath not disproved , nor do I think can be disproved . Mr. Bl. saith , He hath answered this before , and onely desires mee to give him a Comment on Hos , 1.6 , 9. But first if he have answered this before , then his answer is also refelled , and it is shewed that the mercy here is more then the priviledge of a visible Churchstate . 2. Mr. Bls. desire I shall not re●use to yeild to , when I finde any argument drawn by him from Hos. 1.6 , 9. to make void my argument from Rom. 11.30 , 31 , 32. But to my additional confirmation of my arguments in my Apology p. 73. that the whole scope and series of the Chapter and the frequent mention from v. 1. to 13. of termes importing election , reprobation and their consequents , with the Apostles exclamation v. 33. do fully shew the ingraffing to be into the invisible Church , by election and giving faith ; Mr. Bl. replies thus . Mr. T. might do well to tell us what ingraffing is by election : I take that to be an immanent act in God , which is terminated in himself , and not on the creature ; such expressions do not sute with Mr. T. his high pretendings to scholastical learning . Answ. Where and when I made high pretendings to scholastical learning , if Mr. Bl. had informed mee it might have done mee good to humble mee for such folly , but this dealing of Mr. Bl. by ●uips to mis-represent me as an arrogant man , hath no better appearance then a shew of a malevolent minde in him towards mee . I hope I have so much scholastical learning as to vindicate my own writings , from his and others Cavils , and sure I am that what ●ver my learning bee , Master Bl. hath shewed more of a surcostical bitter spirit in his writings against mee , then of scholastical learning , in which how much hee is defective , I had rather Mr. B and such birds as are of the same feather should tell him then my self . As for this exception it 's so frivolous , as that it deserves not a reply . I did not say the ingraffing is by election alone but by election and giving faith , which sometimes I do express sutably to Ephes. 1.4 . thus [ by giving faith according to election ] and even in the first part of this Review , pag. 14. where I repeat this very thing , and do often tell what the ingraffing is which is by election , to wit effectual calling , converting , reconciling , giving saving faith , so that Mr. Bl. were hee not disposed to quarrel , might have omitted this exception . As for that hee takes election to bee an immanent act in GOD , so do I , and conceive that the will or counsel of God Acts 13.36 . is an immanent act in God , and yet it is said that David having served his generation by the will or counsel of God fell asleep , and though election as the will of God be not in another subject then himself , yet it is terminated on the creature as the object , it being one of those acts of God that are ad extra though not extra , which mee thinks Mr. Bl. should understand , if age and disuse have not worn out his Logick and Theologick notions . Mr. Blake saith of me , To have made up his argument he should have taken in by way of assumption ; The Jews in their fall from Church-fellowship , cannot bee said to be rejected , hardened , given to a spirit of slumber , or that their eyes are darkened , or that they have stumbled ; And that for their call into Church-fellowship , neither election or grace shall have any hand in it : This must bee his reasoning if there bee any shew of reason in his heap of words , and then all men will admire Mr. ● . while he is in his admiration of Mr. M. I shall say no more but that hee is very weak both in Divinity and Logick , that cannot presently upon the first ●ight discover the weakness , and return a satisfying answer to this flourish of words . Answ. The words were as few as the matter would bear , without any flourish at all . The assumption would not have been as Mr. Bl. makes it , but thus , that the Jewes by bare fall from visible Church fellowship , cannot bee said to be rejected , hardened , given to a spirit of slumber , or that their eys are darkned , or that they have stumbled . ( For a person may fall from visible Churchfellowship onely by excommunication , putting out of the Synagogue , and yet bee neither rejected by God , nor hardened , nor given to a spirit of slumber , or his eys darkened , or he stumble , as in the case of the man born blinde , Joh. 9.34 , 35. ) and that the election and grace mentioned Rom. 11.5 , 7. are meant there or in any part of the Apostles discourse of these thing● , Rom. 8 , 9 , 11. ch . of election into meer visible Churchfellowship , or grace that extends to no more then outward priviledges of Churchstate is not likely . And if any do take this reasoning to bee weak , I must needs say that I or hee are stark blinde in Divinity and Logick , and omitting my admiration of Mr. M. who I think after his edition of his Defence gave over the dispute , I admire not that Mr. Bl. ( who●e superficialness I perceive plainly enough ) but that any man that accurately studies Rom. 11. should interpret the ingraffing there meant of the bringing of persons into a meer visible Churchstate by a dogmatical faith , or outward ordinance without giving saving faith according to Gods election . Mr. Bl. proceeding to vindicate Mr G. recites the words of the first part of this Review pag. 14. and then saith , It is well that Mr. T. yeilds so much , and being n●w imbarqued in this business , if hee did not not plus consulere ●amae quam conscientiae , hee would yeild more , and freely confess that the mercy here is no other , nor no more then that which is general , and that the faith here is historical and not saving ; I am sure there is enough to convince but it is God alone that must perswade . Answ. If Mr Bl. had never known me , this censure might have been the more excusable , but his many criminations and censures , and misreports of me in his preface to his Book of the Covenant and throughout his Book do fully assure me he hath an evill eye towards me , and that he is indisposed to put any fair construction on what I do or write . Of which malignity in him I know no reason , but my opposing his da●ling of infant perfusion , for sprinkling it seems he ownes not , and baptism he useth not . As for what hee here saith o● me , if this reply of mine acquit me not , I have no remedy but to appeal to my witness in heaven . I do again protest , that I see no reason to convince me of that Mr. Bl. here saith , but abundant reason to the contrary , if Mr. Bl. or any other shall detect my errour , I am willing to be convinced and perswaded ; but such fli●ting , quipping answers as Mr. Bl. makes , I shall hereafter pass by as the froth and some of an angry satyrist , not the dispute of a scholastique . He saith of me , His reason to assert it to bee meant of saving faith , is worthy of consideration , being opposed to their former hardning , &c. And is there not a hardning that reaches so high to hold men from so much as faith historical 〈◊〉 dogmatical , as well as there is an hardning to hold men from that which is saving ? Answ. There is , but no hardning meant Rom. 9. or 11. which doth not deprive of saving faith together with historical , and consequently the shewing mercy opposite must bee not a giving an historical fai●h onely , but also a saving faith . Mr. Bl. adds , The va●l is ( as the Apostle tels us ) on the heart of the Jews to this day , when Moses is read 2 Cor. 13.15 . And does not this vail so far blind their eyes that they see not so much as with faith historical ? That which the Jews to this time want , is that from which they fell , let Mr. T. take that into consideration ; But to this day they want even a faith historical , had they kept faith in Christ so far as an assent in their whole nation , so that they had past in name and dignity for Christians , and had yet wanted among them that faith that was saving , then there had been colour for what Mr. T. saith . But their being as it is , and as it is here affirmed , I cannot but wonder at the vail before Mr. T. his eyes , that what is thus clear , should be thus held from him . Answ. I shall forbear wondering hereafter , forasmuch as I discern the reason of Mr. Bls. wrangling , prejudice out of his affection to his brat termed Birth-priviledge , makes him imagine a vail over mine eyes , which is indeed over his own . What colour or proof rather is for my saying is shewed before . My argument is no whit infringed though the state of the Jews were such as that they wanted both historical and saving faith , hardning being opposed to giving saving faith , and no person said to be hardned but he that wants saving faith , and he that wants being hardned though hee should have historical , so that if hardning be a privation of both , yet it hath its denomination onely from the privation of saving faith . And for Mr Bls. reason hee would have me consider , first the conclusion of it is not to the present point . For if the Jewes might not bee said to fall from a saving faith , yet their unbelief mentioned Rom. 11.30 . might bee and was a privation not onely of historical faith but also a saving ( else Mr. Bl. must say they had a saving faith though not historical , which is a palpable absurdity , for then a person may have a saving faith and not an historical , and the unbelieving Jewes had a saving faith ) and consequently the shewing mercy must bee not onely a conferring an historical faith , but also a saving . 2. The ma●or is not true universally taken . All that which the Jews to this time want is that from which they fell ; For they want their Temple , sac●ifi●es , Priesthood , &c. and yet they fell not from them . Third the argument is thus retorted , That which the Jewes to this time want , is that from which they fell , let Mr. Bl. take that into considera●ion . But to this day they want even a saving faith , Ergo , they fell from a saving faith . Such ill hap hath Mr. Bls. arguing : yet as one whose fingers did itch to bee dealing with mee hee scribbles further . Whereas I alledged Ephes. 2.12 . to prove the unbelief of the Gentiles in times past mentioned Rom 11.30 . was not onely a privation of historical , but also of saving faith , Mr. Bl. puts these frivolous questions to mee , Were they not without a dogmatical ●aith ? Were they not aliens and strangers so much as from the Commonwealth of Israel ? To which I answer , they were ; and ask him , Whether they were not without a saving faith ? And if so the shewing mercy is opposed to the no● giving a saving faith , and Mr. Bls. position most absurd , that the faith here ( to wit Rom 11.20 where alone the word faith is used in that Chapter ) is historical and not saving . Mr. Bl. adds , And though in some sense every regenerate professing Christian is without CHRIST , without God , without hope , respective to saving fruition , and acceptable communion with him , yet that text is manifestly abused when it is applied to any of Christian profession . The whole must be carried on in a due application of it , Gentiles in the flesh , aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel . Answ. Though I finde no emendation of it in Mr. Bls. Table of Errata , yet I do conceive [ regenerate ] is printed for [ unregenerate ] otherwise the speech were more grosly false then I shall imagine Mr. Bl. would thus deliver . And it beeing so , I conceive no abuse of it to have applied it to meer visible professors of Christianity among the Gentiles , if the words were added to it which Mr. Bl. would have joyned . For they were Gentiles in the flesh , aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel , without Christ , without God , without hope . Nevertheless I know not what this makes to infringe my inference from Ephes. 2.12 . to prove the unbelief Rom. 11.30 . to have been a privation of saving faith . Master Bl. denies not this sense of the words , that the Ephesians in their infidelity were without Christ , without God , without hope , respective to saving fruition and acceptable communion with him , and sure they that were thus were without saving faith , except Mr. Bl. imagine they had a saving faith , who had not so much as an historical : Nor is it denied the same state to bee described Rom. 11.30 . which is described Ephes. 2.12 . and therefore my inference stands notwithstanding this passage of Mr. Bl. He further saith , And for his observation , that it occasioned the Apostles exclamation , O altitudo ! O the depth , &c. v. 33. Sure the goodness of God bringing the Gentiles who were dogs , Matth. 15.26 . unto the glory of children , and the severity of God in casting out the children of the Kingdome , Matth. 8.12 . might well occasion this exclamation in the Apostle , as he had called to behold the goodness and severity of God , on them which fell severity , but towards the Gentiles goodness He might well cry out upon the greatest turne of providence that ever the world saw ( which in ages past had beene hid , and the Angels desired to looke into ) O the depth ! &c. Answ. True : but was this goodness or severity in respect of a meer visible Churchstate ? or was it not also in respect of their state in the invisible Church ? Sure the thing had not been so admirable , if it had not been in respect of the later as well as the former ; and Writers and Preachers usually apply it to silence the objection against absolute election and reprobation concerning their everlasting state , as if it imported unmercifulness and injustice incompetent to God ; and it seems so like the passage , Rom. 9.19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24. that me thinks if Mr. Bl. did compare them , he should judge both places meant of the same thing : and which i● an irrefragable argument , it is clear Rom. 11.33 . hath reference to what he said before , v. 11 , 12. which is manifestly meant of their estate of salvation and reprobation , and therefore must be so meant v. 33. What Mr. Bl. adds concerning my speech about Mr. G. and the Assembly , is through mistake , as if I had censured Mr. G. as like Plautus his miles gloriosus in his disposition ; whereas I censured him onely in respect of those words there used , which was right however in other things he were without gall , from which nevertheless that in his writings against me he was not altogether free , is shewed in my Apology , sect . 6. And for Mr. Bls. conceit , that where one degree of boasting is ascribed to Mr. G. one hundred will be ascribed to me by them that read our writings ▪ it is not unlikely , if they see through Mr. Bls. spectacles , which make things seem black that are white , and make small ●illocks seem hills : But I find cause to make it part of my Letany , From the unrighteous and hard censures of Mr. Bl. Mr. B. and others of my Antagonists , good Lord deliver me . What I said of the Assembly shewed no more boldness then was meer , It is too apparent by the dealing with Mr. Coleman , my selfe , and others , that the stream of voices in the Assembly went to establish all after the Scottish mode , without a through examination of what was alledged to the contrary , except what was objected were backed by a very considerable party in Parliament , or Army , or City of London . It is no more boldness in me to assault such an Assembly , then it was in a particular dissenting brother . My weapons I ass●ult them with ▪ are such as the Holy Scriptures yeeld , and my interpretations such as my adversaries themselves give , and my arguments and answers are the very same which they use in other disputes against Prelates and Arminians ; and with th●se weapons which M. Bl. disdainfully like a Goliath , terms reeds or bulrushes , I am no more afraid to assault the Assembly of Divine at Westminster , then to assault Bakewel , Hussey , and such like scriblers . To my 9th argument from parallel places , Mr. Bl. tels me , Mr. Hudson , pag. 132. hath not onely affirmed , but proved , that the Text 1 Cor. 12.13 . is meant of the Church as visible . Answ. I have viewed the place , and find Mr. Hudson speaking thus in answer to the objection : But this is meant of the invisible company of believers he saith , it is true , but it is spoken of them as visible . So that Mr. Hudson affirms the same with me , that 1 Cor. 12.13 . must be understood of the invisible Church , yet in respect of that which is there said of them , something is spoken of them as visible . To my allegation of Ephes. 3.6 . that the Gentiles were made fellow-heirs of the same body , and co-partakers of the promise of God in the Gospel ; not by an outward ordinance , but by giving of faith according to election : Ergo , the ingraffing Rom. 11.17 . parallel to it , is not by an outward ordinance , b●t by giving faith according to election : Mr. Bl. thus in his flirting fashion answers , Oh that Mr. T. spake truth ; then ( as the Apostle saith of Israel at their restauration , all Israel shall be saved , Rom. 11.26 . ) All England in statu quo , should be saved in the sense that Mr. T. would understand salvation , whether we be by descent Brittains , Saxons , or Normans , we are Gentiles , and consequently by his Divinity partakers of the Gospel by faith according to election . Answ. Not so , unless by Gentiles were meant every Gentile , which a fre●h man in the University would correct Mr. Bl. in , who knows an indefinite proposition not to be equipollent to an universal incontingent matter . It is said , Acts 11.18 . th●n hath God given to the Gentiles repentance unto life ; yet it follows nor , he hath done so to every Gentile . Mr. Bl. adds . Sure I am this Text is meant of Gospel glory in ordinance dispensed by the Apostles ministery . Answ. Sure I am , that to be fellow heirs , and of the same body , and partakers together of his promise in Christ by the Gospel , imports more then a meer visible Churchstate , even an estate of righteousness , union with Christ , and inheritance of eternal life : And I doubt not but many of his Auditors would correct Mr. Bl. if he taught otherwise at any Lecture of Christians of ordinary understanding . Yet he he saith further , And as to the Jews appertained the glory and the promises , Rom. 9.4 , 5. so now the glory and promises belong to the Gentiles : And as many Jews as fell not off , still enjoy this glory with the Gentiles , and so both make one new man , Ephes . 2.15 . The visible state of the Jews was a distinct body from the Gentiles : Now upon this glorious call they are one new man , or new body . Answ. The glory and promises meant Rom. 9 4 , 5. did never belong to the Gentile believers in the Christian Church , nor do the believing Jews still enjoy that glory with the Gentiles , though both make one new man , yet not the meer visible Church is that one man , or body , but the Church invisible reconciled to God by Christs death , as the Text it self shews , Ephes. 2.15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. Mr. Bl ▪ tels me , The ingraffing is not by giving faith of election , nor is it an act of admission into the visible Church by an outward ordinance ; but it is by Gods giving of faith in and by Gospel ordinances , to give assent to Gospel mysteries , and make profession of them . Answ. I have proved before it is more then the giving of an historical faith , however this concession in the close serves my purpose . For if this be the ingraffing , then they onely that thus do assent and make profession , are ingraffed : But infants do not thus assent and make profession ; Ergo , they are not ingraffed , and consequently the Text Rom. 11.16 , 17. alledged by the Assembly , Mr. G. Mr. M. &c. for admission of infants with parents as with the Jews , is brought obtorto collo plainly against the meaning of it . What Mr. Bl. adds , that Gal. 3.14 , 26 , 28 , 29. there is an ingraffing into Christ mentioned , but none into the Church , is as vain as the rest , there being no ingraffing into Christ by faith , but it is also into the Church invisible , who is Christ mystical , 1 Cor. 12.12 The Scriptures I have produced are proved to be meant of the Church invisible , because the things said in those Scriptures are such as agree to none other ; and they appear to be parallel by the indentity of the matter , all expressing the state of Gentile believers upon their effectual cal●ing . It is Mr. Bls. false charge , that the Reader will hereafter find me reasoning with my full strength against the force of all arguments a pari : This calumny is re●elled in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 3. As for my 10th . argument , whether the faith in the testimonies cited be meant of justifying , and the election to eternal life , needs no other decision then the very words , which I took from Marlorat without searching into the Authors own books because I had them not of my own , and I saw it needless to look further . If the words be ambiguous , the Authors intended to deceive ; if elsewhere they speak against me , they gainsay themselves : neither of which Mr. Bl. should charge them with , if he regarded their credit . In Mr. Bls. arguments , sect . 3. the first is answered before in vindicating my 4th . argument . I deny the major of the 2d . which is answered in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 6. pag. 66 , 67. In the 3d. the minor is false , that the priviledge of ingraffing is the priviledge of every member of the visible Church : in that which is added to prove it to be the priviledge of ordinances , if the major be universal , it is false ; besides , the argument may be retorted . In the 4th . I deny the major , and have often answered the inference [ that then I must maintain falling away from true faith ] that by my exposition the falling away of particular persons from the true justifying faith they had in their own persons , is not maintained ; but the falling away of the people of one age from that which their predecessors in a former age had . In the 5th . if the minor be meant of a casting onely out of a visible Churchstate , it is denied ; nor is it proved , Matth 21 43. For the Kingdome of God not onely notes the outward Churchstate , but also the rule of Christ in their hearts , and protection of them by his spirit . In the 6th . the conclusion is granted . That which Mr. Bl. saith , that the body of believing Jews and Christian Gentiles , called by the Apostle one new man , Ephes. 2.15 . are capable of no other ingraffing then that which is visible , and the body of them entitled new , as the Jews before , onely to priviledges of ordinances , is not true . Nor is it true , that in my speech recited by him pag. 312. is taken for granted , 1. that the whole visible body of Christian nations are truly ingraffed into the Church invisible , i● by whole body be meant all the parts , o● every part . 2. Nor is it true , that it is taken for granted by me , that in after ages the same body , though not the same persons , may be cast off , and yet no particular person rejected , without this explication , that no particular person who was an elect person or true believer , is rejected . But against this 2d . imagined grant of mine , Mr. Bl. thus argues . The 2d . must be examined ; this Church thus cut off , either continues in the invisible body as before , or else is degenerate by the death of those numerical persons , that made up a body invisible , and succession of others that are no more then v●sible members . If it continue in the invisible body till the time of breaking off , then Mr. T. is not holpen with his distinction of a consistent and a fluent being , nor with hi● similitude of Euphrates ; for so a Church invisible is still broken off and rejected , and falling away is maintained . If it be degenerate , then 1. they fall off themselves , and are not broken off by God ; their own sin th●n should be noted , nor Gods act as their punishment : But their breaking off , or rejection is the act of God laying waste his Vineyard , Isa 5. taking away his Kingdome , Matth. 21 43. removing the Candlestick , Ephes. 2.5 . ( it should be Revel . 2.5 . ) All noting the act of God punishing upon the peoples act of sinning , which is of the Church , not invisible , but visible . 2. For the similitude of Cyrus his turning of Euphrates , that he turned the same River that God created , this will not serve Mr. T. his purpose ; for Euphrates continues a River of the same kind and nature as it was at the first creation , and the Church in his expression is changed from the invisible body of Christ , to a visible company of bare professors . The Church had changed her own channel . 3. Mr. T. indeed grants the question , for he confesses that the Church is visible that God breaks off ; and whatsoever it had been , now it hath no more then a visible interest ; so that a visible Church falls off , and Gentiles are ingraffed into that which is visible . Sect. 4. M Bl. adds these words That wild assertion pag. 19. That the branches were broken off from election and true faith , and the invisible Church in which they were , with this limitation ; understanding it not of the same singular persons , but the same people or nation , is a thread that runs through almost the whole , and enough I suppose is spoken to it : And when he shall shew me an invisible nation ( of which he speaks ) from which there may be a breach ; I will either yeeld ●p all , or he shall hear more . Till then I shall look on his words as such a — unworthy the pen of such a Writer ; an invisible nation it must be , a visible nation cannot be cut off from the Church invisible . Answ. Speak out man , let me know the worst you can say , I expect no favour from you having found neither charity nor equity in your writings against mee . The assertion is such as will endure your strongest battery , what you say here is merre wrangling , like a Sophister perverting my words when they are truly repeated , though thy are very plain . The Argument is quite from the matter . The Conclusion is , that the Church cut off is not the invis●ble Church but visible , which is not contradictory to my asserti●n ; who never asserted that the Church cut of● was the invisible Church , but often asserted the contrary , alwayes making the Olive tree the invisible Church to abide the same , though some branches were broken off , others were ingraffed , as in the first part of this Review Section 9. page 83. with this explication page 66. yet not as a rock that abides the same , but as a river which is in flux , and I often deny in express termes , as pag. 22 , 74. that my meaning was that the Church of God is broken off from the invisible Church ; but this I say , that the Nation of the Jews , of which the body or most part in some ages were in the invisible Church as branches in the Olive in a continued succession , in the time of the Apostle that people , to wit the most part of that nation were broken off from the invisible Church or Olive tree , in which that people in the individual persons of a former age did stand . Which thing having been so often and so plainly expressed by mee in that book which Mr. Bl. takes on him to answer , it is an extremely shamefull abuse hee offers mee in going about to refute that as my assertion which is disclaimed by mee . Now this being premised and the term [ this Church ] ( as it should be ) being changed into [ this people or nation ] that is a great or the greatest part of them , I answer they are broken off from the invisible Church , in that the numerical persons that made up the invisible Church in a former age being dead , the successors degenerated from their faith , and were neither visible professors nor invisible believers in Christ : which not believing was their own act from their own will , yet consequent on Gods act of rep●obation , and the breaking off , to wit the deprivation of them from the membership and priviledges of his invisible Church , was Gods act of punitive justice for their unbelieving . And thus the similitude of Cyrus his turning Euphrates , serves my purpose , to shew how I am free from holding Arminian Apostasie , the same people like that river beeing turned from their old channel , though not the same persons ; not as Mr. Bl. falsly chargeth mee , that in my expression the Church is changed from the invisible body of Christ , to a visible company of bare professours , or that the Church had changed her own channel . Nor do I grant the question , or confess that the Church is visible that God breaks off , and whatsoever it had been , now it hath no more then a visible interest ; so that a visible Church falls off , and Gentiles are ingraffed into that which is visible ; but what I say is of the Jewish people , who had not so much as a visible interest when God brake them off , or they fell off , and the Gentiles are ingraffed into the invisible Church in their stead . Nor need I shew an invisible nation broken off , it being neither true that I spake of an invisible nation , nor that a visible nation cannot bee cut off from the Church invisible , but these are Mr. Bls. dotages for want of heeding mine and his own words ( as I conceive ) through hast to insert some thing against me in that book ere it was printed . Which is so far from being enough to answer me , that a● Solomon said of him that answered a matter afore he heard it , so it may be said o● Mr. Bl. answering me afore he had studied my writings , he hath said enough to shew his folly and to work his shame . My candour p. 23. is ordinary where there is the like cause : I conceive the election of bodies , societies , or nations , in the sense I have often given , may bee as well into the invisible Church of true believers , as into the visible Church of true professors , and that the election of the Gentiles , by which they were ingraffed , was into the invisible Church of true believers . Of Calvins and B●cers words I shall say no more having not ●he books . Mr. Bl. p. 314. adds . Mr. G. syllogistically concluding that the seed of Christians by a pure Gospel Covenant should enjoy outward Church priviledges , Mr. T. sect . 4. replies , that it is not either formally or equivalently the thing to be proved , which is , that the Christian Jews and their seed were in infancy to be baptised . But by his favour , he that concludes the whole ; concludes the parts of the whole . Outward Church-priviledges is the whole , baptism is a part of the whole ; concluding Church priviledges he concludes baptism , as hee that can conclude Mr. T. is at Lempster or Sudbury , concludes also that his head and shoulders are . And if any priviledge bee concluded , then baptism is concluded , which is the leading one among Church-priviledges . Answ. Omitting Mr. Bls. snarling at my dwellings in Lemster and Ledbury ( for so hee means ) I observe how well he pleads for Mr. G. who would have him conclude , that the seed of Christians by a pure Gospel Covenant should enjoy in infancy outward Church-priviledges as a whole , and consequently Baptism as a part . Which if it were Mr. Gs. arguing , hee should by the same reason have concluded their enjoying the Lords Supper , and Church office . Nor is the other plea much better : For some priviledge may be concluded , as laying on hands for a sign of prayer as Christ did , and yet not baptism . For though baptism be the leading priviledge after a person is brought to the faith , yet afore a person is a believer , if there be any leading Church-priviledg competent to infants , it must be laying on of hands , the Scripture giving no hint of any other . The distinction I give in the first part of my Review , sect . 4. p. 28. is handsome , being set down as it is by me there , though Mr. Bl. carp at it , for those priviledges which Mr. G. termes Gospel priviledges , and I term so in answer to him as keeping his term , I may say of them ( if they may be so called , and not rather legal . ) Mr. Bs. words , the breaking off from the Church is an unavoidable consequence of the revoking of the gift of Churchmembership , and the repealing of the ordinance : therfore where there is no breaking off from the Church , there is no such revoking or repealing ; do justifie the title of the 6th . sect . of the first part of my Review . That the breaking off Rom. 11.17 . was not by repeal of an ordinance concerning infants visible Churchmembership as Mr. B. conceive , which Mr. Bl. opposeth with me . And his first reason , the deserving cause of that breaking off is unbelief ▪ now unbelief is not in infants , much less proper to infants , serves to prove that the infants of unbelievers are not broken off , for unbelief is not in them , and that infants of believers are not graffed in . For as the deserving cause of breaking off i● unbelief which is not in infants , so the means of graffing in by the rule of opposites is faith , which is not in infants . And when in his 2d . reason he saith , this breaking off was of the general body of the Church of the Jews , that is the major part . Now infants were not the generality , they made not up the major part of that body , this serves to answer what Mr. Bl. before p. 307. and elsewhere would infer , that if the Gentiles or the body of them be elect then all must be so , whereas the body according to himself may stand for the major part or generality , which he denies infants to be , and therefore the body and gen●rality may be ingraffed and not infants . Mr. Bls. exceptions against my distinctions of breaking off because breaking off implied a former union are vain , for there may be a breaking off from that union which they had not in their own persons , specially when the breaking off is of a people , nor is it usual to term th●se acts privations of habits which take not away habits that were , but might have been , as when we are said to be redeemed , delivered from hell , to be cast out into outer darkness , Matth. 8.12 . though never in heaven . But were not this right but non-sense , yet Mr. ●ls exceptions against the distinctions is frivolous . For in those distinctions I do not set down the wayes of breaking off that were actually , but such as are imaginable , which is necessary when we go about to argue by a disjunctive syllogism , as all Logicians know . Yet what Mr. Bl. saith , excommunication is not the breaking off meant Rom. 11.17 , 20. For that is the act of the Church on some particular member ; But this here is the act of God , which is by taking away the Kingdome , by removing their Candlestick , departing with his presence , is right , if understood of the subtracting of the presence of his spirit , as well as his word . Which is to be conceived , for the word was offered and preached to them when they were broken off , and therefore they were not broken off barely by subtracting that . Besides the ingraffing is not by bare outward ordinances , for they were vouchsafed even to the broken off , and consequently the f●tness of the Olive is not the bare priviledge of outward Ordinances . And if it be not the Churches act , but Gods by which there is ingraffing , then infants are not ingraffed , who have no act of God to ingraff them , but onely that of the Church or administratour of Baptism . Mr. Bls. talk of the Ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership , begun in the great Charter of heaven , and continued , is but vapouring ; Mr. Bl. mis recites Mr. Bs antecedent which was not as hee repeats it , That the Jews were cast off for unbelief , but that none of the Jews were broken off but for unbelief , which I denied , and Mr. Bls. exceptions is frivolous . But the text assignes unbelief , Mr. T. assignes no other cause , then that must stand . To which I reply , and so it doth by my answer , and yet I do assign another cause , Gods act of executing his decree of reprobation . To what I said , that the unbelief being positive Rom. 10.21 . if none were broken off but unbelievers here meant , no infants no not of infidels that never heard of Christ were broken off , he saith we easily yeild his conclusion , if he frame it in a syllogism ; that the infants of infidels that never heard of Christ were never broken off . They could never be broken off that were never taken in , A branch of a bramble was never broken off from a vine or olive . Answ. 1. They may be said to be broken off who were never taken in in their own persons , sure the abortives and stil-born were never taken into the visible Church of the Jews , and yet if other infants were broken off so were they , and if they were broken off though they were never taken in in their own persons but their ancestors , then the infants of infidel Edomites might be said to be broken off , who were in Esau , Isaac , and Abraham taken in : But they were not positive unbelievers , therefore other then positive unbelievers are broken off , which opposeth Mr. B. 2. If infants of infidel Edomites be not broken off , then according to Mr. B. the ordinance of visible Churchmembership is not in respect of them revoked and repealed , and consequently they are visible Churchmembers according to the tenour of Mr. Bs. arguing . 3. If God will not punish the children for the fathers sins ( as Mr. B. sai●h ) much less for a strangers , then he would not break off the unbelieving Jews infant children , then they are visible Churchmembers if Mr. Bs. arg . hold . 4. Mr. Bls. reason is answered before , by shewing how there may be privations of habits not in being ; And if his reason were good , and unbelieving Jews infant could not be broken off , for that it was never in the visible Church Christian , and is the branch of a bramble . To my words , that the breaking off is not revoking of an ordinance about visible churchmembership , but the execution of the decree of reprobation in excluding them from the invisible Church , M. Bl. replies 1. By demand ; Is there any such decree as to cast out of the Church invisible ? I am sure that chapter hath no such thing . Answ. There is a decree of breaking off from the Church invisible , and that decree is plainly exprest in that chapter , v. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. For what comes to pass in time that God decrees . But they were broken off in time from the invisible Church of believers , v. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 17 , 19 , 22. 2 ly . Saith he , I demand did they continue in the Church visible , when upon execution of such a decree they were cast out of the Church invisible ? or was their station in the visible Church lost , and that of the invisible Church never gained , and therefore they were not broken off from it . Answ. They continued in the visible Church Jewish in opposition to the visible Church Christian , which they persecuted when they were cast away and broken off from the Church invisible of true believers , according to Gods decree of reprobation , though they never gained a station in the invisible Church in their own persons . Mr. Bl. adds 3 ly . The Jews adhering to circumcision , &c. though God changed the rites Moses gave them , refused the way of God , rejected the counsel of God in not being baptised , doting upon elements beggerly , and so their eys are held , that they see nothing into glorious Gospel mysteries ; And this their unbelief is their breaking off from that visible Church station , in which they sometimes stood , upon which account they are kept out from interest in the Church invisible . And when this blindness shall be removed , they shall then be saved . Answ. Their unbelief was the means of their breaking off , but not of their breaking off from that visible Church-station in which they sometimes stood ; the visible Church-station in which they stood , is , as Mr. Bl. himself describes it , their station in the Jewish Church visible in the way of Church ordinances , Circumcision , Sacrifices , &c. changed by God ; yet , as he himself faith , the Jews stuck thereto , and therefore stood still in their former visible Church-station . Besides , their unbelief was not their breaking off from it . For 1. as Mr. Bl. said before the breaking off was Gods act , so was not their unbelief . 2. According to Mr. Bl. breaking off was Gods act of punishment , but it was no punishment but a mer● to be broken off from that visible Church station . Nor upon the account of their breaking off from that visible Church station in which they sometimes stood , were they kept out from interest in the Church invisible , but for their unbelief , and their keeping that Church station . However , if they were kept out from interest in the Church invisible , their breaking off is more then depriving of a visible Churchstate , y●a the same which I assert , a breaking off from the invisible Church . If there be any mazes in my 8th . and 9th . sections of the first part of my Review , Mr. B. led me into them , whom I was necessitated to follow : Mr. Bs. arguments are answered without confusion , and with so much strength , as neither Mr. Bl. nor Mr. B. are able to refute . Mr. Bl. asserts contrary to me , that the Christian visible Church and the Jewish are one and the same , 1. because Japhet dwels in Shems Tents , which are the Church visible , and this he saith needs no proof . But I require proof that by Shems tents are meant , Gen. 9.27 . the visible Church Jewish or Christian. 2. Because they are one sheep-fold , Joh. 10.16 . and to the objection that it 's meant of the invisible Church , because Christ gives notes of those that were indeed his sheep , he saith , Christ speaks to those that were Disciples onely according to profession , and gives notes , Joh. 8.31 . of Disciples indeed ; and it is against all reason , that Christ should in discourse point out the invisible Church with the demonstrative This , and that to those that were malignant enough in the Church visible , the Pharisees , as appears in the close of the former Chapter . And the mention of thieves creeping into it , hirelings employed in it , doth contradict it . The visible Church of the Jews and Gentiles in which Christ hath true sheep for whom he dies , and others that thieves and hirelings do deceive , makes up one sheep-fold . Answ. The Text rather proves the contrary as Mr. Bl. expounds it ▪ For if the fold be the visible Church , and the other sheep are not of that visible Church , then there is not one fold or Church of Jews and Gentiles , but some sheep are of one fold ▪ or visible Church , and some of another . As for Mr. Bls. arguments , they are of no force . For Christ might well enough in his discourse point out the invisible Church with the demonstrative [ this ] it being usual to point out invisible things by it , as Joh. 6.29 , &c. This God is our God : And yet I do not think [ this fold , John 10.16 . ] notes the invisible Church , but the people or nation of the Jews , as Piscator , Grotius , &c. expound it , or rather the place . For the fold , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , notes not the sheep , and therefore not the Church , but the place or country where or whence they are ▪ Nor were deceivers , hirelings , thieves , or wolves , in or of the Church meant Joh. 10.15 , 16. though they might get into the place and company of them . Nor is it truly translated by our Translatours [ there shall be one fold , ] though ( which I somewhat marvel at ) they follow therein the vulgar Latine : For the Tigurine Divines note , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek signifies the flock , not the fold . And Beza excepts against the vulgar for it , and against the Romanists , who would have that one f●ld to be Rome . And Grotius observes that the speech is proverbial , One flock one shepheard , to which he makes Ezek. 37.24 . to be like . Now that the one flock is not the meer visible Church , but the invisible , it appears from many things in the Text , that Christ laid down his life for them , that they follow him , hear his voyce , his Father and he knows them distinguishingly from others who do not believe because they are not of his sheep , that he gives them eternal life , none can pluck them out of his Fathers hands , v. 14 , 15 , 16 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29. out of which many Protestant Divines gather absolute election , particular redemption , effectual conversion and perseverance , against Arminians . And Diodati in his annot . on Joh. 10 16. hath it thus . Other sheep ] namely , the elect among the Gentiles , who are to be called by the Gospel , and incorporated into the Church with the elect of the Jewish nation . One body , 1 Cor. 12.13 . one new man , Ephes. 2.15 . are the invisible Church as is shewed before . Matth. 8.11 . The Kingdome of heaven is the Kingdome of glory . Matth. 21.43 . The Kingdome of God is either the Gospel by a metonymy , or the rule of God in their hearts , which was taken from them , that is that people , with whose ancestors it was , though not in those persons from whom it was taken . The visible Church cannot be meant by the Kingdome , for the fruits of the Kingdome are not the fruits of the meer visible Church , they are not bare profession , but real faith , holiness , and obedience , which are fruits of the spirit , not of the Church ; or if of any Church , of the invisible , not the meer visible . And though all invisible members bring forth fruit , yet that nation which had invisible members bringing forth fruit in a former age , may in an after age not bring forth fruit , and for that reason the Church invisible may be taken from them , with whom it was in respect of their ancestors . To what I said , If the Christian Gentiles were graffed into the same visible Church with the Jews , then they should have been circumcised , &c. contrary to the determination Acts 15. Mr. Bl replies , That is of no force , as though we may not be in the same Kingdome , and yet under a new way of administration . Law-givers on earth are sometimes pleased to change their Laws , and so doth the Law-giver of Heaven ; or if he will limit his instance to Circumcision , taking in no other Laws . The same house may have a new door or porch . Let Mr. T. then know that he is in the same visible Kingdome as Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , and their posterity after the flesh in Israel were . Answ. That which Mr. Bl. saith of the lameness of a Kingdome under a new way of administration , of Law givers changing their laws , of Gods doing so , the identity of a house with a new door , is all granted ; but doth not take away the force of my reason , unless he could shew that any were graffed or to be graffed into the visible Church Jewish without Circumcision , if he were a male . Doth not Mr. Bl. maintain here in answer to my 4th . argument , that we are partakers of the same outward priviledges and ordinances with the Jews , as he expounds Rom. 11.17 . which opposeth his speech here of a new way ? Doth not Scripture term the Jewish Church or people , the Circumcision , because those that were in that Church , if male , were circumcised ? Was not Cornelius taken for unclean , and not of that Church , because uncircumcised ? or was he ever in the Jewish Church after his Baptism ? God might admit into the Jewish Church another way then by Circumcision ; but Mr. Bl. cannot shew he or the Jews did so . We are in the same invisible Kingdome of true believers , and elect persons , with Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob : but I do not yet know by any thing Mr. Bl. hath hitherto said , that I am in the same visible Kingdome with Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , and their posterity after the flesh in Israel . Every one in the visible Kingdome of Israel after the flesh , did partake of the Passeover ; the Apostle saith , 1 Cor. 10 18. Behold Israel after the flesh : are not they which eat of the the sacrifices partakers of the altar ? Which intimates that Israel after the flesh did then when he wrote eat of the sacrifices , which Christians did not , and therefore were not adjoyned to Israel after the flesh , but in that very place , v 16 , 17. distinguished from them . I take Mr. Bls. assertion to infer Jad●ism : and if he or any other be not satisfied by my answer to Mr. Cobbet , I have more reason to impute it to their prejudice , then to defect in my answer . SECT . LXXVI . My sense of matrimonial holiness ▪ 1 Cor. 7.14 . is vindicated from Mr. Blakes exceptions , Vindic. Faed . ch . 39. and Mr. Sydenhams Exircit . ch . 7. MR. Bl. ch . 39. avoucheth , still his sense of federal holiness , 1 Cor. 7.14 . I proceed to view what he saith . Sect. 1. he sets down the Apostles resolution and the reason of it rightly , which because it will tend much to the clearing of the sense which I give , I shall here transcribe it . Let him not put her away , let her not leave him , unbelief breaks not the marriage bond , ●enders it not a nullity , Religion being not of the substance of marriage . But what he saith , that their scruple and ground of their fear was the condition of their issue , lest that they should not be reckoned with the Saints , but of the fellowship of the unclean Gentiles , is fictitious . For the resolution of it rightly given before by Mr. Bl. himself , shews that their scruple arose not from fear of their childrens condition , but the nullity of their marriage , or unlawfulness of continuing in it by reason of the unbelief of the one party ; else the Apostle had not made his resolution apposite to the removing their scruple . Yea , Mr. Bls. own speech is against his own conceit , when he saith , Reason is strong for this , for they well knew , as it is with the parent , so it is with the child for Church state and condition , being a priviledge communicable and descendable from parent to child . If the parent were without , and of the Gentiles , the child was ever such ; and in case they were of the people of God , their children were reckoned so in like manner : Now parents being divided , the one holy , the other unclean , they feared that the issue would follow the worser part , a s●ain would lie upon them , they would be accounted unclean with the unbelieving parent . In a like case it had been so determined , Ezra 10.3 . For if they well knew as it is with the parent so it is with the child for Church-state , they knew that the believing parent being a Churchmember , notwithstanding the yokefellows unbelief , their children were Churchmembers , and so made no scruple of that , nor did Paul , or need he to resolve that scrup●e about their childrens condition . Yea , the very form of the Apostles reasoning , else were your children unclean , doth plainly import , that they took the uncleanness of their children as an absurdity deprehended by them , and the contrary out of doubt ; as when , 1 Cor. 15.29 . the Apostle saith , Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead , if the dead rise not ? he supposeth they took it for an absurdity , and the contrary out of doubt , that they that are baptized for the dead do it in vain . And though that the parents being divided they might fear that the issue would follow the worser part , a slain would lie upon them , yet that this stain should be in respect of their Churchstate , could not be , if they well knew , as Mr. Bl. saith , as it is with the parent so it is with the child for Churchstate , their own state in the Church being manifest and certain . That the case of the Corinthians and those , Ezra 10.3 . is not like , is shewed in the first part of this Review , sect . 17 , 18. and will come into further consideration in that which follows . What Mr. Bl. adds , That the Apostle tels them , that the unbelieving party doth not ( as they fear ) defile the issue , but is sanctified as to issue by the believer , is a meer fiction . For the Apostle onely tels them they did not defile each other , but were sanctified to each other , by reason of their marriage state , not the faith of one party . And it is as false , that by reason of the parents faith the Apostle tels them the child is not reckoned with the unbelieving parent who is a Gentile , or that by unclean is meant a sinner of the Gentiles , for the child of both parents Gentile believers is still a Gentile ; and if unclean be a sinner of the Gentiles , by holy should be meant a Jew by nature , which is a ridiculous conceit of Mr. Bls. as if the parent being a believer , the child were a Jew by nature , and not a sinner of the Gentiles . What he adds , that by believer in that place , 1 Cor. 7.14 . is meant a professor of the true faith , is vain , when the word believer is not used in that v. or any v. of that Chapter about that matter , nor in that sense there . If to be sanctified , 1 Cor. 7.14 . be not to be set apart for God , as Mr. Bl. determines , then the term sanctified is not used in the common if not onely use of the word in Scripture and prophane writers , and by him conceived here , as Mr. B. asserts Plain Script . proof , &c. part . 1. ch . 29. p. 81. In answer to the 2d . sect . of the 39th . ch . of Mr. Bls. vindic faed . I say first , that I do not yeild that the Corinthians had any scruple at all about their issue . 2. That my waving the examining of the occasion of the doubt resolved 1 Cor. 17.12 , 13 , 14. was not because of any strength I found in Mr. Bls. allegations , but because I conceived neither of our opinions any other then a conjecture , and therefore the thing not material , nor in the framing my postscript had I time enough to do what I did after , not out of a mind to quarrel , but to shew the invalidity of Mr. Marshals 4●h . arg . for his interpretation from his conceit of the occasion of the doubt , to have been by reading the fact mentioned Ezr. 10.3 . Mr. Bl. here endeavors to confirm his exceptions against my allegation of 1 Cor. 5.9 . as the occasion of the doubt resolved 1 Cor. 7.12 . Yet replies nothing to my answer to the two first , but to the 3d. saith . If their scruple was concerning conversing with their idolatrous yoke fellows , upon occasion of those words not to keep them company ; they must needs scruple their conversing with covetous , and extortioners , husbands or wives upon the same account ; and the Apostle being silent in his answer , it is clear they were silent in their letter , and moving no scruple , they had no scruple ; when it is impossible for them to scruple one upon those words and not scruple all ▪ Here is the wildest of fancies , when hee names four evils respective to civil social converse ; they should startle at one ( respective to their marriage society ) and question no more . To which I answer , it is neither impossible nor very unlikely , much less a wild fancy to imagine it of them , that the Corinthians either did not scruple at using their covetous husbands , from 1 Cor. 5.9 , 10. though they did their idolatrous , if they did not heed the explanation after added v. 10. but onely the precept v. 9. and understood by fornicators idolaters , which they might easily do ; or if they did heed the explanation , yet did not conceive the like reason of relinquishing covetous yoke-fellowes as idolatrous , which they might well do , finding precepts against marriages with idolaters , none against marriages with them that were onely covetous and not idolaters , or they might not put the doubt of any other to the Apostle then the idolatrous , because there were none that had covetous yokefellows who were not idolaters , and they wovld put the case onely about that which was the chief cause of their scruple , or because they could easily resolve themselves , that coveteousness and extortion from men do not so defile or are so inconsistent with marriage society as idolatry , and going a whoring from God , or they might put the case about the covetous as well as the idolaters , yet the Apostle resolve the one onely expresly , because the resolving the one would resolve the other ▪ for which and for other reasons which might occur , though not discernable now , they well either startle at one onely , or not seek for resolution of any more , or if they did , yet Paul resolve no more . And this being understood , the Apostle needs not write to them as Mr. Bl. imagines he must , if my conjecture hold , and he took in every part of their scruple , though not what Mr. Bl. conceivs must be their scruple upon my conjecture . And hereby Mr. Bls. replies of wonder of my thoughts , of the Apostles need of resolving both scruples , of the same evident ground of scruple concerning each , as one are plainly answered without reply to his taunting quips . The rest also is answered concerning B. Howson , Bunney , my Uncle Whately ; for it goes upon this supposition , that if the Corinthians took occasion to doubt , from 1 Cor. 5.9 . then they must doubt whether they must live with fornicating yoke-fellows , and the Apostle must resolve them , that if any brother have a wife that is a fornicator let him not put her away , which may not follow it by fornicators they understood onely idolaters and so doubted of them onely , or chiefly doubted of them , or resolving themselves otherwise propounded the doubt onely of them , or the Apostle thought it needful onely to resolve concerning them , knowing that they might from his resolution of them be resolved of the rest , especially if the words let him not put her away , be not a prohibition forbidding him to put her away , but as a permission allowing him not to put her away , which hath its likelihood . But of this enough , if not too much about a conjecture not very material . My words in my Postscript page 111. bare not Mr. Bl. in hand of any further answer then hath been given him , my censure of his absurd glosses , dictates , fl●rts incoherent , impertinent passages , little solid nervous disputing is delivered in language meet to express the truth . If Mr. Calamy and Mr. Vines in their Epistle used not vain crackings of Mr. Marshal , and Mr. Bls. answer to my Letter besides their misrepresentations of my Examen , I never met with any . Were their worth far greater then it is , and mine far less , I shall take liberty however my ingeny be questioned , as freely to censure Mr. Calamy and Mr. Vines , as I did in this , if they shall hereafter by their names and big words disparage the truth as they did in this . Who of my nearest friends have told mee to my face , that they have been ashamed of that which I have written in my Apology , whose honesty and judgement Mr. Bl. hath seeen attested under my own hand , I do not yet know , nor by ghess yet imagine . I know I have had censures hard enough of persons afore this controversie arose taken for my friends , and have laid them more to heart then I hope I shall do hereafter , finding upon the Review of this Dispute how unequal they have been , and if that eminently learned man who observed that I had Donum impudentiae , were hee who wrote the second Epistle to Mr. Baxter printed at the end of his Confession of his faith , or any other did censure mee without well weighing my writings ( as I have many reasons to conceive they do ) as they are the more unrighteous , so they are deservedly the less regarded by mee . It was no impudence in mee to publish that men call on mee to answer Mr. Bl. or that his writing was commended when others had done it before . The most frivolous treatise that is , if it bee against me , yet it wants not some to magnifie it , Mr. Hussey's , Mr. Horns , Dr. Savages in Latin and others want not applauders . I discern the spirit of Paedobaptists even in those , whom I had taken to be moderate , judicious , friendly , yet in this point many of them shew neither equity to me , nor love to truth , nor judgement in according their opinion of Paedobaptism with their former and later principles and practises . But I shall wait till God awake men , and specially those who have been so forward to reform Discipline and Ceremonies , and have by solemn Covenant vowed to endeavour reformation according to Gods Word , that they may see from what they are fain . I go on . Next Mr. Bl. speaks somewhat of the occasion of the doubt from Ezra 9.10 . Let me premise , saith he , this as an undoubted truth , that these Corinthians had their scruples concerning their issue upon their marriage in this disparity . That which the Apostle sati●fies in his answer , that the Corinthians scrupled in their letter ; This no man can deny , for he writes to give satisfaction , as is plain v. 1. to their letter cases : But we see in the text that he satisfies as scruples concerning themselves , so also concerning their issue . To which I answer , the contrary is to me an undoubted truth , and so it was to Dr. Thomas Goodwin , whose reason with mine should have had some answer from Mr. Bl. As for his syllogism the major is not certain , sith the Apostle might give satisfaction on the by , about other things then the cases which they scrupled and wrote to him about . But the minor I do directly deny , and sith Mr. Bl. hath brought nothing to prove it , I slight it as a vain dictate . As for Mr. Bls. refusing to determine peremptorily , that the occasion of the scruple was that , Ezra 9. & 10. it serves my turn to prove that no argument drawn from thence to conclude federal holiness of infants of believers is valid . I have often shewed how wee can imagine the Corinthians hit upon their scruple , and were affected with it without respect to the fact , Exra 9. & 10. and therefore need not again answer that question . Mr. Bls. not saying that the Israelites and the Corinthians case was wholly the same , tends to shew Mr. Marshals mistake , and the defect of his argument . And for what Mr. Bl. observes that the Christian Corinthians were under the moral Law of Moses and it was not so easie for them to determine that the Command Deut. 7. was judicial , I grant it , and thence infer that notwithstanding the words 1 Cor. 10.15 . yet they might not be so understanding in gathering consequences , or discerning the meaning of Scriptures , but that they might conceive otherwise then rational men usually do , contrary to what Mr. Bl. suggests of them sect . 3. Mr. Bl. having censured rather then refuted Dr. Goodwins opinion of the childrens real holiness , 1 Cor. 7.14 . He tels me my interpretation is first childish , to tell the Corinthians if their marriage society were adulterous , then their children were bastards , if their marriage were null children were illegitimate , this is too low a way of reasoning , such as every childe well knew before the Apostle told them . To which I answer , if it were so easily understood it was the fitter for the Apostles purpose to satisfie the tender consciences of doubting Christians , who are best satisfied with that which is obvious , and easily discernable , especially when the persons are women , and men of ordinary capacities . And therefore this way of arguing shewed not childishness in the Apostle but fatherly wisedome , and is a very good reason for my interpretation , not against it , sith it is acknowledged that the Apostles arguing as by me framed is right , and serves his purpose . Secondly , saith Mr. Bl. It is incongruous to bring phrases fully answering the Churchstate and condition of either parents , believing and unbelieving ( which in the Scripture is holy and unclean ) and yet to understand them of holiness and uncleanness of another kinde of l●gitimation and bastardy , if they may be ( as I think they never were ) so called is incongruous : That these words fully answer the Churchstate of parents and the Churchstate and condition which the children derive from them , is plain in that parallel text Gal. 2.15 . Jews by nature , that is holy by birth from believing parents , not sinners of the Gentiles , not unclean by birth from unbeleeving ancestours ; so Mr. Cartwright on these words , in his answer to the Rhemists . If you will know what this holiness of children new born is , the Apostle telleth you , it is through the Covenant to be a Jew by nature , or birth : and if you will f●rther understand what this uncleanness of children is , the Apostle in the same place telleth you , it is not to be sinners by nature as those which are born of the heathen . Answ What I said before I say still , without any jeer or disregard to Mr. Cartwright , that the conceit that 1 Cor. 7.14 . and Gal. 2.15 . are two full parallel Scriptures , is but a dream , there being neither agreement in scope , matter , words or sense between them . Not in scope . For 1 Cor. 7 , 12 , 13 , 14. the Apostles scope is ●o resolve a doubt about continuance of married persons in disparity of religion , Gal. 2.15 . his scope is to determine by what we are justified , not in matter , for the one speaks of the sanctifying of husband and wife to each other , and the holiness or uncleanness of the children ; the other of Jews and Gentils acding to their different national state , nor is there one word used Gal. 2.15 . which is used 1 Cor , 7.14 . nor can the sense be agreeing . For Jew by nature cannot be as much as holy 1 Cor. 7.14 . because then the children of the Corinthians should bee Jews by nature , which was impossible , they being born of Gentile parents , for such were the Corinthians , 1 Cor. 12.2 . Nor is Mr. Bls. sense Jew by nature , that is holy by birth from believing parents , any where else found in Scripture ; Nor doth Jew by nature intimate their Churchstate , as if hee meant it thus ; we who are members of the visible Church , or have this priviledge to bee in the Covenont of grace by nature , in that wee are born of believing parents . For they are said to bee Jews by nature by reason of their natural descent , without any respect to the faith or unbelief of their parents , even those whose parents were idolaters , as A●az , Manasseh , or any other of that line were Jews by nature , and not sinners of the Gentiles , and the children of the most holy Proselites , yet were not Jews by nature : nor were they Jews by nature through the Covenant of grace , they were Jews by nature without respect to the Covenant of grace , for that was alwais to them who were believers , whether Jewes or Gentils , and the covenant whereby the Jews had priviledge was not the Covenant of Evangelical grace , but the Covenant of peculiar national blessinigs , but here the opposition to the Gentiles , and the occasion shews Jews to bee taken as a term appropriate to natural Jews by natural descent from Jacob in contradiinstction to Gentiles from other roots . If any ask who are meant by [ we , ] and why here is mentioned [ Jews by nature , ] and why they are opposed to the Gentiles , and they termed sinners , I answer , the words seem plainly to be a part of Pauls speech to Peter , and that by we are meant himself with Peter termed a Jew , v. 14. and other believers of the Circumcision , mentioned v. 12 , 13. and the sense is , We though we are Jews by nature , or even we who are Jews by natural birth ; and this mentioned , because they had the Law peculiarly given them , as Piscator in his Analysis , Nos quantumvis Judaei sumus , quibus nimirum lex peculiariter a Deo data est . Or as the opposite term [ sinners of the Gentiles ] intimates , knowers and keepers of the Law of Moses , and therefore if any , certainly much more then sinners of the Gentiles ▪ we should seek and expect to be justified by the Law ; yet if we know that a man is not justified by the works of the Law , but by the faith of Christ , and even we have believed on Christ Jesus , that we might be justified by the faith of Christ , and not by the works of the law , it is not equal that wee should as Peter did at Antioch , dissemble our liberty in Christ , compel the Gentiles to Judaize or keep the law for righteousness , and so not walke uprightly or rightfoote it according to the truth of the Gospel . Now the Gentiles are termed sinners in the sense , in which , in the ordinary acception among the Jewes , it was taken for men that observed not the law , opposed to the righteous , Matth. 9.13 . Luke 15.1 , 2 , 7 , 10. & 18.9 , 13. and many more places : And in this sense it is taken , v. 17. we our selves also are sound sinners , that is , we our selves also are deprehended , convinced , or proved to be prophane breakers , or despise●s of the law : which the Gentiles did , and which I think is meant Ephes. 2.1 , 2 , 3. and that Paul doth not any more reckon himself with them Ephes. 2.3 . then he doth with them that are alive at Christs comming , opposite to them who are dead in Christ , 1 Thes. 4.17 . though he use the first person plural in both ; for I see not how that could stand with his speeches of himself , Acts 23 , 1. Philip. 3.4 ▪ 5 , 6. and therefore do conceive a conception or an enallage of person , Ephes. 2.3 . used often in speeches , whereby a speaker takes that to himself which is proper to others , whether to avoid distaste as if he upbraided them , or to insinuate into their affections , or for such like reason . Out of all which I infer , 1. That [ Jews by nature ] is not put Gal. 2.15 . to intimate a birth-priviledge of the children of believers , whether Jews or Gentiles , concerning their Ecclesiastical state even in infancy as visible Churchmembers ; but it is put to note either the advantage peculiar to the Jewish nation in that the law of Moses was given to them , or rather the greater likelihood and meetness or congruity to seek or claim righteousness by the law then the Gentiles . 2. That he meant not they were Jews by nature through the Covenant of grace . For that were clean opposite to his intention , which was to shew that their estate of being Jews by nature did not confer to their justification , which doubtless it would have done if it had been by the Covenant of grace , but to intimate , that the law was given to them , or rather they studious of it , and Zelots for it , and therefore if any , they should be justified by it ▪ as Paul in a like place , Phil. 3.3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. So that whatever advantage or precedency is intimated by it , it is ascribed to the law , and their observing of it , not to the new Covenant of grace . 3. The deteriority or worse condition of the Gentiles is ascribed to them , not barely in respect of their birth from unbelievers , and so agreeing to their infants , much less as agreeing to infants of unbelieving Jews as well as Gentiles , but in respect of their manners either onely or chiefly , and so not competent to infants . And therefore notwithstanding Mr. Bl. thought Gal. 2.15 . a fit Text for his Sermon , in which he asserted infants birth-priviledge of believing Gentiles , though Mr. Calamy and Mr. Vines crack in their Epistle before Mr. Bls. answer to my Letter , that he hath truly stated the the question , set it upon the right basis , and well fortified it , and Mr. Bl. hath produced somewhat from Mr. Cantwright to colour his parallelling 1 Cor. 7.14 . with Gal. 2.15 . yet I say still , and have such a gift of impudence as to aver , that both Mr. Cartwright was mistaken , and Mr. Calamy and Mr. Vines did vainly crack of Mr. Bls. Birth priviledge , and Mr Bl. hath grosly abused Gal. 2.15 . as he did also Gal 4.29 . and there is no parallelism of 1 Cor. 7.14 . and Gal. 2.15 . to interpret the one by the other . 3. Saith Mr. Bl. The argument thus understood is untrue : The stress is wholly laid upon the believing party , as to the holiness of the issue , twice over ; the unbeliever is meerly passive in it , when the child hath legitimation equally from both . Against his interpretation , and for mine ( which Chamier affirms to be Calvini & omnium nostrorum ) take these arguments . 1. That holiness which necessarily follows to the issue , from the sanctification of an unbelieving by a believing yokefellow , is Covenant holiness , and not legitimation : But the holiness in this place of the Apostle necessarily follows to the issue from the sanctification of an unbeliever by a believer ; Ergo , it is Covenant holiness , not legitimation . 2. That which is derived from the eminency of one parent above another , and not equally from both , is not legitimation : But this holiness is derived from the eminence of one parent ( viz. the believing parent ) above the other ; Ergo , it is not legitimation . 3. The result or fruit which follows from a believers faith is not legitimation : But the holiness in the Text is a result of the faith of the believing yokefellow . The minor is evident , seeing faith is twice hinted at in the believer . I know that Mr. T. denies that the unbelieving husband or wife is sanctified in the believing : It is ( saith he ) in the husband , not in the believing husband ; in the wife , not in the believing wife , that is not in the Text. The marriage is between a believer and an unbeliever , the unbeliever is sanctified , whether husband or wife by their yokefellow , but not by their believing yoke fellow ; the Reader that puts off his reason may matter such denials . Answ. The Reader that puts on his reason , will easily see good reason for my denial of each of the minors in each of Mr. Bls. three arguments , and the vanity of Mr. Bls. arguings , laying the stress wholly upon the believing party , which is not expressed in the Text , but onely hinte● ; and upon a translation of the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by , which is not denied but may be translated in or to . Will any man of competent reason conceive , that the Apostle being to give reason of his resolution of an important point of cons●ienc● , about which he was by Letter consulted , would so loosely argue as to leave out the chief word from whence he inferred his conclusion , and conclude holiness as resulting from that which is not named , yea though he named the opposite term twice ; and express a causality or antecedency by a term that had ordinarily another respect , when there was a proper and usual particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to express it by ? And on the other side so precisely name the terms of husband and wife twice , and your children expresly , and yet lay no part of the stress upon the conjugal relation so often and so plainly mentioned ? Yea , do we think that the Apostle giving a reason why the husband and wife might live together in disparity of Religion , would lay the whole stress upon that which was meerly accidental to their marriage state , to wit , the ones being a believer , and the f●deral holiness of children , without which their mrrriage might be good at first , and they lawfully continue together , and not ascribe it to that conjugal relation , continuing which alone made their living together lawfull as their comming together at first ? That Chamier did overlash in saying the interpretation of federal holiness was omnium nostrorum , is manifest by the words of Musculus , Melancthon , and Camerarius , c●ted by me in my Exercitation sect . 5. That it was Calvins and many mo●e Protestants opinion , is a prejudice against our opinion , but should not be with those that determine upon evidence of reason , not the authority of men . Calvin was an excellent man , but we may say of him , Non videt omnia . I follow Mr. Bl. in his next section . Whereas Mr. Bl saith , I put the Apostles argument into this form , If the unbelieving husband were not sanctified by the wife , then were your children unclean ; But they are not unclean , but holy ; Ergo , the unbelieving huusband is sanctified by the wife : Had he dealt fairly with me , he would have rectified the major , and changed [ by ] into [ to , ] the conclusion of the syllogism , and the words next before and all along in that section of my Examen having [ to the wife ] which I contend for in that section , and pag. 14 , 15. of my Exercitation , as the genuine reading , disclaiming [ by the wife , ] and of this advertise Mr. M. p. 97. of the first part of this Review . The rest of the section is spent about the proposition proving this sequel , [ If the unbelieving husband be not sanctified in or to the wife , your children were unclean , ] and so included in the Apostles consequence . Mr. Bl. would have it to be thus , Answer to my Letter , p. 38. [ All the children of an unbeliever are unclean , unless for generation he or she be sanctified by a believer . ] I conceive this proposition to be included in the Apostles consequence , [ All the children of those parents whereof one is not sanctified to the other , are unclean ; ] or [ none of the children of those parents whereof one is not sanctified to the other are holy . ] The point in difference between us , is , whether it be necessary to insert [ of an unbeliever , unless for generation he or she be sanctified by a believer . ] This I deny for these reasons . 1. That is not necessary to be inserted , without which the Apostles conclusion is inferred : But the Apostles conclusion is inferred without Mr. Bls. addition ; Ergo. The major is of it self evident . The minor is thus proved . The Apostle in his argument doth not at all mention sanctification for generation , there may be and was sanctification without generation , else no husband and wife could be sanctified one in or to another except children were begotten , and so the Apostle should not resolve the lawfulness of their l●ving together who were barren ▪ which is absurd . Nor is it necessary to add [ by a believer , ] sith the Apostle hath omitted it , and that as it is very probable of set purpose . Nor is it necessary to add [ unbeliever ] because it is false then even according to Paedobaptists hypotheses . For then it would fo●low , the children of two believers are unclean , and so Isaac and Jacob should be unclean , or out of the Covenant ; if this were added all the children of those parents , whereof one is not an unbeliever sanctified for generation by a believer , are unclean . 2. The second reason I form thus . That is not necessary to be added , which would make the Apostles proposition false : But Mr. Bls. addition would make the Apostles proposition false . For it is false , which he makes the Apostles proposition , All the children of an unbeliever are unclean , unless for generation he or she be sanctified by a believer . For whether by uncleanness we understand non-admissibleness into the Church , it is false ; for the children of unbelievers bought with money by Abraham , though infants , yet were in Mr. Bls. sense federally holy : and me thinks Mr. Bl. who asserts against Mr. Firmin the baptizability of the infants of the generality of En●lish though the parents be openly profane , and hate godliness , should not deny it : however , the case is clear in the Circumcision of professed infidels children bought with money , Gen. 17.27 . And for federal real holiness , I suppose Mr. Bl. will not deny , but that many of them , as Rahab , &c. were in the Covenant of saving grace . To the first of these , Mr. Bl. 1. saith thus , pag. 338. I pray leave generation out , and see whether there can be any sense in it , unless it be understood ; their sanctification will confer no legitimation , without generation ; if I say not believer , I must say husband or wi●e that is a believer . Asw. If generation be left out , and believer , it may be good sense according to my interpretation . An unbelieving husband may be sanctified to his wife , that is , may lawfully use her though she were an unbeliever as his wife , and may continue to live with her , and she with him , though they never had or should have children , else your children which you might beget should be unclean ; but this being put , they are legitimate . But according to Mr. Bls. interpretation it is not good sense in the case of the barren ; for she or he are not instrumentally sanctified for generation , there being no generation there is no being an instrument for generation , nor sanctification thereto . And an instrument is an efficient , and where there is no effect there is no efficient , nor instrument : And to be sanctified instrumentally must be as an instrument to a principal agent , which in this thing cannot be any other then God ; now no instrument of God fails to produce its effect , therefore without actual generation , no wife can bee said to bee instrumentally sanctified for generation . And for the leaving out the term [ believer ] it is good sense as I expound it without it , and if the Apostle had not conceived it good sense without it , hee would not , as hee did , have left it out . But I confess it is not good sense according to Mr. Bls. interpretation , who saith ( though falsely ) p. 334. The stress is wholly laid upon the believing party , as to the holiness of the issue twice over . I confess their sanctification would confer no legitimation actual without actual generation ; yet their might bee legitimation of issue ( which is enough to shew the consequence to bee good and for the Apostles purpose ) without actual generation , the legitimati●n being onely upon supposition ( as it is usual in such arguments ) and so the generati●n onely supposed . Doubtless the Apostle resolved the Corinthians of the lawful living together of the barren as well as they that had or should beget , which wil● not agree with Mr. Bls. exposition of instrumental sanctification for that is not true but of actual generation past or future , as I have proved . But Mr. Bl. adds , the Apostles major is of an unbelieving huusband and a believing wife , and I make the propo●●tion universal , according to the capacity of the subject of all believing wives joyned to unbelieving husbands , not with Mr. T. of all husbands and wives . And this is the Apostles included proposition , which must bee the basis of so many inferences and refutations , when yet all mens Logick ( except what Mr. T. hath learnt ) will utterly disclaim it . Answ. That the Apostles major is not of an unbelieving husband and a believing wife , is manifest by the words in which the term [ believing ] is in both speeches left out . And sure if the Apostle would have ascribed any thing to the believer as such , hee could as easily have put it in as the term unbeliever , or the terms brother or sister , used v. 12 , 15. And though I deny not that the wife , or huusband opposite to the infidel yoke-fellow were believers , yet I have l●arned so much Logick and Divinity , that what attributes do agree materially do not alwayes agree formally in each speech , as though Ishmael was the son of Abraham , yet what is said of him Gal. 4 13 , 24 , 25 , 29 , 30 , 3● . is said of him n●t as Abrahams sonne , but as Hagars . And so it is here , though the husband or wife were a believer , yet they are not there consid●red as believers , nor the things there spoken of them ascribed to them under that consideration , but under the consideration of husband and wife : and if any disclaim this Logick , he will disclaim such Logick as the holy Scripture useth in these and other places . I alledged in my Examen part . 3. sect . 8. p. 78. the words of Chamier : tom . 4. paustr. cath . l. 5. c. 10. § . 67. against Augustines interpretation of 1 Cor. 7.14 . o● a ceremonial holiness , as apposite to refute his own of federal . For saith hee , that interpretation is ridiculous if these propositions bee not true , that all born of those ●arents whereof one is not sanctified in the other , are begotten in the time of the womans monethly courses , Infidel husbands never use their wives but at such time , for so the Apostle is made to speak by Augustines interpretation . Now the self same I shewed to follow on his own interpretation , the words being changed which should bee changed in such a retorsion . For then according to it the Apostle should say , All the children born of those parents of whom one is not san●tified in the other , are out of the Covenant of grace , infidel parents never beget of their wives children within the Covenant of grace . Both which are false , and consequently the interpretation of Chamier , whence it is apparent that Chamier made these pr●positions in the Apostles arguing to be included , Those children whereof one parent is not sanc●ified in the other are unclean , none of the children of those parents whereof one is not sanctified in the other are holy . I said also in my Antidote pag. 16. that Mr. Bl. confessed these propositions included in the Apostles consequence . Against this Mr. Bl. thus riseth up . What can I i●agine but that Mr. T. knowingly fastens this gross untruth upon mee ? Seeing he so we I knowes that I both deny it and have argued against it ( having made such defence ●s he could in his Apology of it ) y●t now in his Antidote says I confess it . I am overmuch honoured to be named ( if I may say so ) the day that Chamier is mentioned , but as much wronged to have such a Monster of absurdities ( as is contained in that proposition ) obtruded upon mee ; my thoughts are over-high of Chamier to believe any such weakness in him , when Mr. T. shewes it in him ( having yet given his Reader no account where it may bee found ) I shall subscribe to that Proverb ; Nullum magnum ingenium sine aliqua mixtura dementiae . Answ. Chamiers words in the place cited , making the Apostles arguing with Augustines exposition to include the two propositions before named , do plainly shew , that in his Logick the Apostle asserted these propositions , All the children whereof one parent is not sanctified in the other are unclean , none of them are holy ; and Mr. Bl. in his answer to my Letter ch . 7. sect . 2. pag. 36. to my fourth argument against instrumental sanctification thus made , in this form of reasoning this proposition is included ; Their children could not bee holy without that sanctification , which could not bee true of instrumental sanctification and federal holiness , replies never den●ing the proposition to bee included , but avers i● true of instrumental sanctification and federal holiness , yea most true , necessarily and universally true : Now hee that saith without that sanctification ( of one parent in the other ) the children could not be holy , saith none of the children of those parents whereof one is not sanctified to the other are holy , to which is equipollent all the children of those parents whereof one is not sanctified in the other are unclean . And thus it is shewed Mr. Bl. where hee and Chamier confessed those propositions to bee included , which indeed have no monster of absurdities in them , but are the genuine medium of the Apostles argument , and Chamier without any mixture of madness , did acutely discern to be included in the Apostles reasoning , though hee heeded not how this very observation overthrowes his own interpretation as well as Augustines . The rest of this section not answered about the reason I gave why the proposition included in the Apostles sequel is to be conceived without the terms of believer and unbeliever inserted by Mr. Bl. and the illustration of it I shall make no further reply to here , but refer the Reader to what is so largely spoken in vindication of my self in the first part of this Review sect . 21. pag. 170. sect . 36. pag. 249 , 250. I proceed to examine Mr. Bls. fifth Sect. of the 29th . Chapter , although there are some things in the sixth Section which perhaps might bee more fitly answered first . Mr. Bl. Sect. 5. having said that I alledge , that the Apostles in this text brings a formal argument to prove the marriage society of these yoke-fellowes lawful , which in the two former verses hee had determined , hee then adds . And it cannot be denied but the words at the first sight , seem to carry some colour to understand them so far in Mr. T. his sense , as to make them formal , concluding reasons of his former determination having said v. 12 , 13. then hee adds v. 14. But the way of inference will as well bear it , that the Apostle doth first determine in the controversie by revelation ( as Mr. T. will have it ) as an Apostle , then takes off their scruples which o●casioned their fears , both respective to their posterity and themselves ; Mr. T. indeed challenges this way of interpretation to make the Apostle immethodical , but what better method then to determine a point , and then answer reasons against it ; The Apostle meeting with their fears in respect of their posterity and themselves , it must needs bee that they signified them and hee answers them ; The Apostles method ( it is true ) and manner of inference indifferently favours either interpretation ; But the words themselvs clearly evince , that they are a removal of scruples against their marriage society , and not a formal concluding argument against it . Answ. It is true it is a bottome I build much on , 1. That the Apostle brings the media or middle terms of two Syllogisms or formal arguments v. 14. to prove the lawfulness of the continuance in marriage society of the believing yoke-fellow with the unbeliever , determined by him v. 12 , 13. and that they are not as v. 16. a Rhetorical argument onely to move the affe●●ions to embrace what before their judgements were setled in , but a Logical proof of the resolution by setting down the medium out of which a syllogism is to be framed to infer the conclusion . 2. That the Apostle doth not at all resol●e any doubt about their posterity , but takes the state of their posterity as out of doubt with them , and thence infers that which was doubtful to them concerning their own marriage state . Now Mr. Bl denies not the words at first sight seem to carry some calour to understand them so far in my sense as to make them formal , concluding reasons of the Apostles former determination , and confesseth the Apo●●les method and manner of inference indifferently favours either interpretation . B●t that the words are to bee analysed and conceived onely in ●he form I have resolved them , I prove , first by the particles , for , else , but now : all these particles are argumentative . [ For ] in many places , as Rom. 3.20 . & 4.15 , &c. 1 Corinth . 7.9 , 31 , &c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated else , or otherwise , or for then are argumentative , as 1 Cor. 5.10 . & 15.15 , 29. Rom. 11.6 . in which places it notes an absurdity consequent , if the antecedent bee not granted : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but now , is used also frequently as an argumentative particle , as 1 Corinth . 12.18 , 20. Rom. 3.21 . Heb. 8.6 . & 9.26 . there are both these used , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , so 1 Corinth . 15.20 . And accordingly Pasor in his Lexicon on the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , dici●ur etiam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 1 Cor. 15.20 . interdum servit assumptioni syllogismi , 1 Cor ▪ ● . v. 14 & 15. v. 20. Mr. Cobbet Just. vindic . p●rt . 1. chap. 1. sect . 1. Where the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used in argumentation , as 1 Cor. 5.10 . and the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in like sort used , 1 Cor. 12.18 , 20. So Rom. 3 . 2● . Heb 8.6 , & 9.26 . & 11.16 . Do declare that that sentence ( in the la●ter part of 1 Cor. 7.14 . ) is annexed in way of argumentation to the proposition immediately before . Beza annot . ad 1 Cor. 7.14 . particula 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hoc in loco non est temporis adverbium , sed est conjunctio quae adhiberi solet in argumentorum assumptionibus . 2. This is proved from the ma●teer , i● is agreed on that the Apostle determines the doubt of he Corinthians v. 12 , 13. and it is apparent that the first part of v. 14. is a reason of his determination . Let us consider the det●rmination v. 12 , 13. let him not put her away , let her not leave him . Now this determination may be understood either as a plain prohibition forbi●ding the believer to put away or leave the unbeli●ving yoke-fellow at all , being contented to dwell with the believer . But this sense seems not to me to be the Apostles intent ; 1. Because it might then be a hard yoke , that a believer must not put away his wife which will dwell with him though she play the harlot ; or it may be understood as a determination of their liberty , Let him not put her away , let her not leave him , that is , there is no necessity that he should put her away , that she should leave him , conscience and duty to God ties them not to do so , and this sense seems most probable to me , though I reject not the other , if some limitation more be added , as thus , let him not put her away , nor shee leave him , that is , I forbid them to leave each other barely for the disparity of religion . Now the reasons of this later explication are these . 1. Because the phrase v. 15. let him depart is not an absolute command but a permission , as the words following , a brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases , shew , and the like is to bee said of the resolution v. 17. so let him walk , that is , so hee may walk , and that it is the sense , I gather from the instances in the following verses , whereby the Apostle illustrates his determination v. 17. Is any man called being uncircumcised ? v 18. let him not become uncircumcised : Is any called in uncircumcision ? let him not be circumcised . Which speeches do not absolu●ely forbid the drawing up the fore-skin or the cutting it off , there might bee cases in which either might be lawful , but leave it at liberty , and so much the words ●ollowing also intimate circumcision is nothing , and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping the commandements of God , which expression intimates the i●differency of these , and the non availing to ingratiate us to God , which is not a fit reason for an absolute prohibition , but for a determination concerning the liberty of either . Then the Apostle v. 20. repeats his determination v. 17. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called ; which ( though true of it ) is not meant of his ●hristian general calling , as if he had said , Let every man abide in Christianity wherein he was called , which the words seem at first r●ading to import ; for the words following , v. 21. Art thou called being a servant ? do shew , that the term [ calling ] v. 20. notes th● state of life antecedent to his being a Christian , which by an elegant ●ntanaclasis is termed by the Apostle his calling : And this the Apostle doth not enjoyn so as that he forbids any servant to be free ; but the meaning i● , as Diodati in his Annot. rightly expounds it , He may abide therein with a safe conscience , and ought not rashly to change it , neither through superstition , nor by doing another any wrong : but if he can do it for any just causes , or through any lawfull means , it is then lawfull for him to do it . The same is repeated v. 24. and is to be understood , not ( as oft preachers do understand it ) of a mans trade , or imployment onely , and as an absolute command , that a man should not leave his i●ployment , trade , or function in which he was bred , as of a tradesman to become a preacher ▪ &c. but the calling is any state of life in which the person was found , who was called to be a Christian , as to be circu●cised or uncircu●cised , a servant or freeman , married or unmarried , subject or Magistrate , and so proves that Magistracy or any other state of life is consistent with Christianity . And the Apostles determination is not of necessi●y , as if a Christian might not alter the calling or state of life he was in when he was converted , for then the servant might not become free , nor the unmarried marry ; but of liberty , that Christians should not think themsel●es bound by their Christian profession , to forsake these estates , but they might continue in them . And so is the resolution v. 12 , 13. to be expounded . 2. This exposition is agree●ble to the occasion of the Apostles determination , which was the Corinthian Christians doubt of the lawfulness of their living together , not of the inconvenience or convenience ( for in that they could have best resolved themselves ) and so the Apostles resolution is of the lawfulness of living together . 3. This is further confirmed from the reason of his determination , v. 12 , 13. in the first part of v. 14. which is apparently set down to meet with the reason of their doubt : they thought that they might not live with the unbeliever , because unholy . The Apostle on the contrary determines though hee were unholy in himself , yet he was to his wife as if hee had been holy : and the reason is thus , The wife may live with him as her husband , who though an unbeliever , is in respe●t of marriage use as if he were sanctified : But so is the unbelieving husband ; Ergo. Which reason cannot be a meer Rhetorical argument to move the affection , for it supposeth the unbeliever continuing such which was their vexation ; but an argument to satisfie their consciences : Yet not of their duty that they must live together , for it is heterogeneous to that end , they were not bound to live together by reason of the sanctifiedness of the unbeliever , bu● Gods command , which alone makes duty ; but of the lawfulness notwithstanding his infidelity , by determining against the ground of their doubt , the unlawfulness of living together with an unsanctified infidel . As for the words following , [ Else were your children unclean , but now are they holy , ] they cannot be the resolution of another doubt : but 1. the forms of expression [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , else or otherwise , and but now , ] do plainly shew , that those words do confirm what was said next before , [ the unbelieving wife is sanctified to the husband . ] 2. They shew that the thing was certain even to them , that their children were not unclean , and that it was absurd in their conceits that their children should be unclean . Mr. Bl. himself saith , Vindic. Faed . pag. 323. Else implies a certainty , that upon this account of sanctification of the parent , from whom the ground of fear arose , the children are holy ; a like certainty , that were it not that they were thus sanctified they were unclean . Which words do plainly set down the two propositions I conceived in the Apostles argument , which Mr. Bl. terms a monster of absurdity ; for [ It is certain that upon this account of sanctification of the parent from whom the ground of fear arose , the children are holy , ] is equipollent to this , [ All the children of those parents whereof one is sanctified to the other , are holy ; ] and [ it is certain , that were it not that they were thus sanctified , they were unclean , ] is equipollent to this , [ none of the children of those parents whereof one is not sanctified to the other , are clean or holy : ] and hereby their fear is confessed to have been about their own living together , and the ground of it the imagined non sanctifiedness of the parent , and that [ else ] doth imply a certainty of the childrens holiness upon this account of sanctification of the parent ; which evidently shews , that the childrens holiness is a consequent of the parents sanctification , and brought to prove it , and not to resolve another doubt of them . Yea , it were ridiculous to resolve a doubt by a doubt , to resolve them their children were holy , because they were holy . Rightly saith Piscator in hi● scholie on the place . The argument is from the effect , to wit a consequent absurdity , and it is after this form , If the unbelieving husband were not sanctified in the wife , their children would be unclean : But they are not unclean , for they are holy ; therefore the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife . Whence it is apparent , that the words are not a resolu●●●n of a doubt of their children , for then the childrens holines● would have been the conclusion , whereas it is the assumption , and consequently that the Apostle useth formal arguments , or gives the middle-terms of them , and that he doth not resolve two doubts , but one of the lawfulness of the living together of yokefellows in disparity of Relig●on , and th●t the first argument is taken from that which obviate● the ground of their fear , and the later confirms that argument from a consequent absurdity even in their apprehension , if that were not granted . T●is to be the t●u● Analysis o● the Apostles words , the words of Chamier , Beza , Zegedin in his tables , and many more do shew , which I forbear to alledge as conceiving it needless . What saith Mr. Bl. to this ? Let us look first into v. 16. where the [ for ] may lay as fair a claim to a formal reason as this in the ●4th . and M. ● . himself says is a reason , Antip●d pag. 110. But I would fain learn how he can make it up into a reason ; he must thus draw it up . Whom a man in marria●e society may have hopes to save from idolatrous ways , with such a one he may continue in marriage society : But a believing husband in marri●ge society may have hopes to save his unbelieving wife from idolatrous ways ▪ Ergo ▪ This proposition as to such a conclusion is 1. vain ; for though there were no such hopes , yet marriage society is to be continued , Gentilism being not of the substance of marriage , which Mr. T seems to yeeld , Examen , pag 121. 2. This proposition is false as to this purpose ; the incestuous Corinthian might ●ave had hopes to have converted his fathers wife ( if a heathen ) and yet such hopes would not conclude the lawfulness of their society together . Herod might have had like hopes to have converted his brother Philips wife , and yet this was not objected against John Baptist , and had it b●en obje●●ed , it had be●n frivolous . We have many ●ases put about marriage , if such an argument would serve the turn , it would salv● them all . Answ. Though I say 1 Cor. 7.16 . is a reason to perswade to the resolution v. 13. yet I do not say it is a reason to conclude the lawfulness of living together , but to perswade them the rather to live together from the possibility or hopefulness of that event , which he urgeth in a Rhetorical way in an interrogation , not in a Logick way as he did v. 14. and yet it may be drawn up Logically thus . They are the rather to live together , it being otherwise determined lawfull , whereof one , if they live together , may save the o●her : But so it may be if the brother or sister live with the infidel yokefellow , Ergo. So that by my maintaining that v. 14. [ for ] notes the medium of a formal argument , and that thereby the lawfulness of the believing and infidel yokefellows continuing together in marriage society is concluded , and that [ for , v. 16. ] notes a reason of the resolution , v 16. yet it follows not the conclusion inferred v. 16. is the same with that inferred v. 14. nor the reason to be drawn as Mr. Bl. would , nor is there any need I should retract my Analysis of v. 12 , 13 , 14. nor answer Mr. Bls. objections against 〈◊〉 argument which I neither ascribe to the Apostle , nor is deducible out of any of my grants . Mr. Bl. adds . And for v. 14. though I cannot say , but in case i● were made up ( into Mr. Ts. his sense ) into a reason of the former conclusion , it would contain a truth , and so far might pass in the way of a reason : Yet I have many material exceptions against it ; 1. from the thing it self , it would be a reason silly , childish , vain , your married condition is lawfull , else your children were bastards ▪ what child in Corinth but well understood it ? 2. From the phrase in which it is delivered altogether unsuitable to a reason of this doctrine , 1. being onely to tell them , that the legitimation of their issue proved the lawfulness of their marriage society , he should attribute all ( as to either sex ) to the believer , when the child owe● his legitimation equally to either parent : 2 : That being to give 〈◊〉 reason of the lawfulness of marriage in such a special case , he should give his reason of equal concernment to all marriages ▪ where both are unbelievers , both believers , as well as this between a believer and an unbeliever : 3. When he is to speak onely of legitimation and bastardy , he should phrase it in such uncouth language , and in words fit it onely suteable to their parents Ecclesiastical capacity , whether title to it , as in the believer , or want of it , as in the unbeliever . Now on the other hand interpret the Apostles words ( as his method will equally beare ) accordingly as you have heard before , and no such inconvenience follows from the words either v. 14. or 16. Answ. Mr. Bls. confession that my analysis and exposition would contain a truth , and that it might pass in the way of a reason , and therefore is opposite to the Apostles purpose , and his exceptions though termed by him material , yet as I shall shew , having no weight , and his method and exposition neither agree with the words nor matter , is a very good evidence for me against him . As for his exceptions , they are the same which he brought before , sect . 3. and are answered by me in this section , that it was the fitter for the Apostle to us● if the reason were so easily understood that the Apostle doth not attribute all to the believer , that no reason was so fit to settle them about their special case , as that which evinced , that the marriage state was not made void by the unbelief of the parties , that the Apostles phrases are not uncouth language after my sense , but very agr●eable to such language he useth in the same Chapter ; as when v. 20 by an Antana●lasis he terms the civil state of the Christians the calling wherein they are called , and to other expressions , as I shew in the first part of this Review , sect . 12 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 and that the phrases are not suitable to the parents Ecclesiastical capacity ; and the Apostles speeches and argument do imply falshood , and are inconsistent with the terms and matter of them , if expounded and r●solved as Mr. Bl. would . Mr. Bl. adds . And now Mr. T. may easily receive answer to that odious inference , which he makes from our interpretation of Covenant holiness . According to this interpretation ( saith he ) the medium of the Apostle to prove the lawfulness of the living of a believing wife with an unbelieving husband , will as well prove the lawfulness of a believing fornicatrix living with an unbelieving fornicator , as may appear ( saith he ) by a syllogistical analysis of the Apostles argument the major whereof is this , That man and woman may live together , notwithstanding the unbelief of one party , whereof one i● sanct●fied to the ●ther for begetting an holy seed . This is manife●●ly the Apostles reason after our interpretation . But Mr. T. is manifestly mistaken , not to mention the liberty that ●e will scarce allow another , to leave out husband and wife exprest in the Text , and instead of it to put man and woman : The Apostle doth not conclud● the lawfulness of their marriage society by the federation of their issue , but shews that t●e supposed and feared non-federation doth not conclude the unlawfulness : And I dare yeeld that any man an● woman may live together , notwithstanding any fear of the unholiness of their issue ; where one is sanctified by the faith of another to the begetting of an holy seed . And if Mr. T. will apply this , which the Apostle speaks , of a mans living with his wife ( ad faciendum populum ) to the living wi●h his whore , there is no danger to yeeld it ; Pharez his issue had belonged to the Commonweal of Israel , if Thamar had been an infidel , as for ought wee know , in all probability it was with Jephtaes mother . If Sampson had issue by the harlot of Gaza Judg. 16.1 . such issue had belonged to Israel , such ●ssue male had right to circumcision . To gratifie Mr. T. I shall put it under my hand , that if a man have no other reason from Scripture to leave his harlot then the non-federation of his issue , he may still abide with her . Answ. There is no mistake in my argument , nor is there any answer at all made by Mr. Bl. to it , which hee either wittingly or unwittingly I judge not , certain I am he doth manifestly mistake . He tels me , The Apostle doth not conclude the lawfulness of their marriage society by the federation of their issue , whereby he intimates as if I said he did , and that therein was my mistake : But let my words be viewed Apol. sect . 18. p. 96. Postscript . sect . 7. p. 122. Review part . 1. sect . 22 , 36. and it will appear that I frame not the argument so according to the Apostle ●ightly onderstood , but as Mr. M. and others interpret him . I said the Apostle concludes the lawfulness of their living together by the sanctification of the husband though an unbeliever to or in the wife , and that the proposition of the Apostle is , They may live together whereof one is sanctified in the other , the assumption is , But the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife , Ergo. Now the major with Mr. Ms. and Mr. Bls. exposition hath this sense , They may live together whereof one is sanctified by the faith of the other for the begetting a holy seed , for so they expound the Apostle . But according to them the vnbelieving fornicator is sanctified by the believing fornicatrix for the begetting a holy seed , which is confessed by them . By Mr. Bl. here , when he saith , The issue of Tamar , Jephtha's mother , the Harlot at Gaza were holy federally : and for the major there is no necessity of putting in [ husband and wife ] sith as Mr. Bl. saith p , 334. The stress is wholly laid upon the believing party , as to the holiness of the issue , and here , I dare yeeld , saith he , that any man and woman may live together , notwithstanding any fear of the unholiness of their issue ; where one is sanctified by the faith of another to the begetting of an holy seed . Now put all these together . The Apostle argues the believer may live with the unbeliever , because the one is sanctified in the other , and this sanctifying is according to Mr. Ms. and Mr. Bls. exposition for the begetting a holy seed , and this begetting of a holy seed according to Mr. Bl. is ascribed wholly to the faith of the one parent , it 's a result or fruit of the parents faith whether married or unmarried , therefore according to Mr. Bls. exposition of the Apostle , ●he lawfulness of living together is deduced from th●t which doth as well ag●ee to fornicators as the married , and consequently ●he lawfulness of living together in fornication is inferred from the Apostles reason as Mr. Bl. and Mr. M. and others expound it as well as of husband and wife . It is true I would not allow another to leave [ husband and wife ] exprest in the text out of the argument framed by me according to my exposition , which is the Apostles meaning as I conceive , because I lay the whole stress upon those terms , and still contend that no persons are sanctified one in or to another but the husband and wife , and that these are so sanctified , whether one or both or neither are believers . But if I frame the reason according to Mr. Ms. Mr. Bls. and others interpretation of the Apostle , I am to be allowed to leave them out , sith by them no stress is laid on the husband and wife or conjugal relation , but the faith of one party . That there was any such fear of non-federation of issue , or supposition of it in the Corinthians if they livid together cannot be evinced from the text , but the contrary is manifest by the arguing from the uncleanness of their children , as an absurdity in their apprehensions , and the holiness of them as a thing known and certain to them , as the particle [ else ] shews : and therefore that the Apostle shews that the feared and supposed non-federation doth not conclude the unlawfulness , is but a fiction , nor doth the Apostle make any such distinction between concluding the lawfulness , and the not concluding the unlawfulness , between which if there bee any distinction ( which yet I perceive not ) yet it is certain that the words v. 12 , 13. let him not put her away , let her not leave him , are a positive resolution of the lawfulness of their continuing together in marriage society , and the reason shews v. 14. that the doubt was of the believers conjunction with the unbeliever , because he was an unsanctified person , and consequently the reason of the doubt was not the fear of the non-federation of issue but the unlawfulness of marriage society with an infidel unsanctified : and consequently it is a monstrous addition which Mr. Bl. seems to put either into the conclusion thus , let her not leave him if this be all the fear the non-federation of issue , or in the reason , They may live together whereof one is sanctified by the faith of the other party , so as that there is no fear of the non federation of their issue , there being nothing in the text for this addition . Yet if it were put in it will justifie my odious inference as hee terms it . For let the major be thus after Mr. Bls. minde , They may live together whereof one is sanctified by the faith of the other , so as there is no fear of non-federation of their issue , the minor is thus expresly after Mr Bls. minde ; But the unbelieving fornicatrix is sanctified by the faith of the believing fornicator , so as that there is no fear of non-federation of their issue , Ergo they may live together according to Mr. Bl. and consequently Mr. Bl. blasphemously by his exposition makes the Apostle justifie the living together of a believer with an unbeliever in fornication ; which is enough to shew the falshood of that exposition , yea and of any other which ascribes the sanctified●ess v. 14. ( which is the reason of their lawful living together , v. 12 , 13. ) to the faith of the one party , and not to the conjugal relation . The rest of Mr. Bls. talk of my willingness to have him waste his time , his falling on my sapless tree , the readiness of his axe , his pains in applying it , is vain and frivolous talk , sith the tree still stands after all his hacking and hewing at it , and his axe appears to bee very blunt , or else he strikes besides the tree . As for my sixe years space , Mr. Bl. might have understood that the reason of my not publishing the first part of my Review till 1652. six years after the printing of Apology , was ( besides my constant labours and extraordinary publike and private employments ) from the necessity of my removing my dwelling from the Temple to Bewdley , from Bewley to Ledbury , thence to Lemster , besides my frequent flittings by reason of the wars , travels to regain my plundered goods , difficulty to get my treatise printed , the variety of Antagonists I had to answer , which is yet the reason of my slowness in publishing this part of the Review , and comes from the venemous spirit of such as Mr. Bl. Mr. B. and other Paedobaptists , who would never comply with me in the fair motion in the Epilogue of my Examen to joyn together in a brotherly way of ventilating the point , but what they can bait me with calumnies tending to discredit me as covetous , arrogant , &c. with multitude of replies , and magnifying them though frivolous , vilifying my writings that men might not reade them , and discern the truth , nor Book-sellers be willing to print or sell them , stirring up Parliaments and Rulers to remove those of our way , out of all places which have publike salary , that our hands may be weakned ; which I may truly call wicked practises , of which too many of them have been guilty , and for which God will judge them . I go on . Mr. Bl. sect . 6. to my argument against his instrumental sanctification , that barren persons cannot be said to be instrumentally sanctified for producing an holy seed pressed by me in the 1. part of this Review p. 150 , 151. sect . 19 : saith thus , And I will appeal to any , yea the meanest Christian , whether persons that have children born in wedlock bonds , in such disparity may not have their fears and scruples about them , notwithstanding others in the same condition of marriage are childless , or unable to bring forth children ? Whether the seed which came of those marriages Ezra . 10. were not unclean , notwithstanding many so married had no children ; Many of the Priests had herein transgrest , and it was but some of them had wives by whom they had children , Ezra 10.44 . All which I grant , but there is not a jot in all this which answers my objection ▪ that the barren by accident or nature could not bee said to bee sanctified to produce an holy seed , and yet the reason of the Apostle must bee conceived to reach to the proof of the lawfulness of their living together in disparity of religion as well as the fruitful , and therefore the sanctifying must be expounded in another sense then Mr. Bls. which agrees not to their case . But hee adds . And because this is the medium for proof of the Apostles determination , v. 1● . that they might live together , pag. 152. hee will have it to be from a future contingent ; but when this is no medium for proof of the Apostles determination , as hath been sufficiently sh●wn it is not , this fals with the other . Answ. That it hath been sufficiently shewn that the first part of v. 14. is not a medium for proof of the Apostles determination , is said without any colour of truth . All the reason I finde given is , v. 16. is not a formal reason , ergo , neither v. 14. to which answer hath been given by denying both the antecedent and the consequence , it is a formal reason though not ●s Mr. Bl. frames it , and if it were not , yet the term [ for , else , but now ] being argumentative terms , shew there is formal reasoning v. 14. v. 14. and the producing an holy seed being a contingent event , if the Apostle should , as Mr. Bls. exposition makes him , prove their lawful living together , because the unbeliever is sanctified instrumentally to produce an holy seed , hee should argue from an uncertain event , which Chamier tom . 4. paustr. Cath. lib. 5. chap. 10. sect . 46. disapproved in another case , as I shew in my Examen pag. 7● . To my argument against instrumental sancti●●cation , that it cannot be meant o● it , sith the barren cannot bee said to bee Gods instrument , ●or that always effects , and when God sanctifies hee specially designes some , whereas this is common to all husbands and wives , and the unbeliever is said to bee sanctified , whereas it is the believer according to them who is the instrument of producing a holy seed . Mr. Bl. saith , I am sure they bring ●orth children unto God , Ezek . 16.20 . and this they do not independently of themselves , so Christ would not have warned Matth. 23.10 . call no man father upon earth , for one is your father who is in heaven . All natural parents are instruments of God to produce a seed to people the world , according to that blessing of Gen. 1.28 . Gen. 9.1 . Bee fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth ; All believing parents are instruments of God for an holy seed , it being of his free grace that the promise is to them and their seed . Answ. What is said Ezek. 16.20 . was said onely of Israelites and those manifest idolaters as well as true believers , and the words do import no more but this , that the Israelites children were born of right to him , that is , to be at his disposal for his service , Levit. 25.42 . because hee brought them out of Egypt , and therefore it was unjust in them to alienate them from him by offering them to idols , which is not to be said of the Corinthian believers children . Matth. 23.9 . is as impertinently alledged , for it speaks not of Gods being a Father in respect of natural generation , nor forbids calling any man a father in that respect , but in that manner in which the Jews termed their teachers fathers and themselv●s their children , in respect of absolute subjection of their consciences to their dictates , as Diodati rightly in his annot . This teacheth the believers not to yeeld that absolute reverence , nor power over their consciences to any living man which belongeth to God onely , as ignorant people did use to do to the Pharisees . If a●l natural parents be instruments of God to people the world , yet Mr. Bl. will not say they are instruments to produce a holy seed to peo●le the Church for the● all children and not believers onely should b●e fede●ally holy : so t●at all this is meerly impertinent . That all believing parents are instruments of God for an holy seed , is said without proof , there being no such promise to them and their seed produced , nor if there were did it follow they were all federally holy in Mr. ●ls . sense : But were this g●anted , yet it is no●hing to prove the unbelieving parent to bee Gods instrument to produce a holy seed , who is said , and not the believer to bee sanctified , and that signanter considered as an unbeliever , much less every unbelieving wife though b●rren who hath a believing husband , much less to bee specially designed for that end , and therefore the sanctification instrumental which Master Bl. conceives meant 1 Corinth . 7.14 . is quite besides the Apostles meaning . Mr. Bl. goes on thus of me , The 2d . argument he hath in his Apol. p. 123. where he says that the Apostles proposition understood of federal holiness were most certainly false , giving in his reason , for many children of both unbelieving parents are federally holy ; he saith that I answer , they are not so at their birth . My answer is , if afterwards by grace they are changed ; this is no fruit of their birth ( of which the question is in this place ) but the work of the Gospel through grace , Mr. T. says , This is nothing to the purpose , sith the proposition hath not those words in it , nor the Apostle ; the Apostles reason supposeth it cannot be at any time ; It seems then that the Apostles proposition hath this in it , that their children so born cannot bee clean at any time , or else Mr. T. his exception is less to purpose , who does not see that the Apostle speaks of uncleanness or holiness , as as a product of their birth without consideration of any thing which after by providence ( through the omnipotence and free grace of God ) might happen , as a mean woman given in marriage to a Senator or Peer , she is enobled by her husband , otherwise her issue were Plebeians ▪ yet so as they are capable of honour by the Princes munificence , or their own merit ; It seems that proposition of Christs , That which is born of the flesh is flesh , Joh. 3.6 . will not hold , unless it must for ever continue flesh , and no omnipotence of God shall be able to make it otherwise . Answ. It is true that it seems to me the Apostles proposition hath this in it , that their children born unclean cannot be clean at any time , and I grant that the Apostle speaks of uncle●nness or holiness as a product of their birth or generation , without consideration of any thing which after by providence ( through the omnipotence and free grace of God ) might happen and therefore of illegitimation and legitimation by birth , and not of federal holiness which is no product of birth , and yet that proposition , That which is born of the flesh is flesh ▪ Joh ▪ 3.6 . will hold , though after the person born after the flesh be made spirit or spiritual , there being no contradiction in this , that the person born after the flesh should become spiritual in his qualities , but it is impossible that that which hath been illegitimate in birth , should not be illegitimate in birth , i● be●ng a thing past , and therefore cannot by God be made not a thing past , or not done , for then it should be true that a thing hath been at birth , and hath not been , been and not been , which is a contradiction . Mr. Bl saith , I farther add , And yet it may be certain that the child of two unbelievers may be federally holy at birth , whether it bee understood of election , inherent holiness or outward holiness , if God please to work and declare it , I would Mr T would speak , whether there were ever any such a thing a● the child of two unbelievers , at the instant of their birth , declared of God to bee of those whom hee took ●o bee federally holy , and of the number of his Covenant people , let that proposition stand till God by such a miracle confute or contradict it . Answ. 1. Though I could not speak there was such a thing , yet it is enough for me to shew that and how it might be . 2. I doubt not but many a captive woman gotten w●th child by an infidel , and she her self an infidel , hath been delivered in Abrahams house , and those children were in Mr. ●ls . sense federally holy at the instant of their birth , for for they were , if males , capable of Circumcision on the eighth day , according to the law , Gen. 17.12 , 13. and this is to be federally holy according to Mr. Bls. doctrine , who makes all to be in the Covenant at their birth who are capable by reason of their birth of the sign of the Covenant . He yet saith . Mr. T. adds , But the issue of them that are not lawfully conjoyned as husband and wife cannot be made legitimate by God , because it is contrary to the definition of legitimation , which is a state consequent upon birth by the lawfull copulation of lawfull husband and wife . This must conclude for his interpretation and against ours , because God by his omnipotence can make our unclean ones holy , and to make his unclean ones holy , is without the verge of omnipotence : If we should put case in Mr. T. his manner , that God should appear in approbation of a mans enjoying a woman out of marriage society , then there were a legitimation of the issue , as he did the marriage of the brothers wife , Deut. 25.5 . otherwise against the moral law , Levit. 18.16 . Answ. It concludes for me if it be true ( which Mr. Bl. disproves not ) that the holiness is meant 1 Cor. 7.14 . which cannot be without the sanctification there spoken of , and Mr. Bls. holiness may be without his sanctification , and the proposition is true of no other holiness but that which I assign . If the definition of legitimation be a state of birth from parents generating in lawfull marriage , though God should approve of a mans enjoying a woman out of marriage society , there were no legitimation of the issue , and yet the marriage Deut. 25.5 . were lawfull , and the issue legitimate . I am sorry Mr. Bl. hath tyred himself and me with so many impertinent words , which have shaken nothing of my Fabrick : I am glad I am so near an end with him , and pass from him to Mr. Sydenham , who in the 7th . ch . of his Exercit. thus speaks , The scope of the Apostle here is to hold forth some special Gospel priviledge annexed to the state : and he frames his argument by no ordinary medium , of the lawfulness of the marriage according to a natural , moral , or positive rule ; but a majori , from an eminent advantage they had together in the Gospel . For 1. the unbelieving husband is sanctified in , or to , or by the wife . 2. The children in such a state are holy , as if they had been both believers . Answ. The scope of the Apostle , 1 Cor. 7.12 , 13 , 14. can be no other then the resolving of the doubt in the Corinthians , which Mr. Sydenham truly saith he answered , v. 12 , 13. and then gives , v. 14. an argument to prove it . Now therein is no speeial Gospel priviledge held forth ; For 1. if any priviledge be there assigned it is to the unbeliever remaining an unbeliever , for he is said to be sanctified ▪ But sure an unbeliever ▪ remaining an unbeliever hath no special Gospel priviledge ; Ergo. 2. The unbeliever is put there , not to shew any meliority of condition to himself , but to take away the doubt which was concerning him , as defiling their society : So that the meaning is not , the unbeliever is a gainer by his wife , but the unbeliever brings no damage to her in respect of the thing in doubt concerning the lawfulness of continuing together in marriage use by his unbelief ; there is no advantage mentioned to either of them , but a determination that there is not that disadvantage from the one as necessitated to leave the other . Nor is there any thing that carries the shew of an argument a majori : The Apostle doth no● say , they have an eminent advantage together in the Gospel , therefore much more may live together . Yea , such an argument had been far from being strong , there being no arguments usually weaker then such , if any disparity may be shewed they are quickly enervated . And in this thing the proposition would have been false upon which such an argument must turn as its hinge , to wit , They that have an eminent advantage together in the Gospel may much the rather live together . For 1. it would have been from that which is meerly extrinsecal and accidental to marriage society , Gospel priviledges neither establishing nor dissolving marriage society , which is lawfull as well among them who have no Gospel priviledge as those that have . 2. The proposition were false , for then if the unbelieving whore have Gospel advantage ( as I conceive Mr. S. will not deny any more then other Paedobaptists do ) by the believing fornicator , they may live together ; so that if the fornicator being a believer beget a holy child on an unbelieving whore , or what ever other Gospel priviledge it is the unbeliever hath by the believer , imagine to cast out Devils in Christs name , though she be not joyned to the Church , to prophesie in Christs name , or to do wonders , by this Gospel priviledge they are allowed to live together in fornication : Which are monstrous absurdities following Mr. Ss. conceit . But he tels us . That the Apostle holds out a Gospel priviledge , not common to meer unbelievers in their marriage state is clear ; 1. So●eza ●eza affirms , that in two special Copies he finds the words thus read , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : Neither can it hold sense with the former words , but as thus read : And if it had not been the Apostles proper meaning to shew the special priviledge the believing party hath notwithstanding the unbeliever , he would have ●nely said , the husband is sanctified to the wife , and the wife to the husband ; that would have been the plainest and least ambiguous expression of such a sentence : And the Apost●e would never have made an argument of four terms ▪ when three could onely satisfie ; for all know , that an argument with four terms is most deceitfull and false . Answ. 1 The reason hath no strength in it , the Apostle puts the advantage on the believers side , Ergo the Apostle holds out a Gospel priviledge not common to meer unbelievers in their marriage state . For there may be expr●ssed an advantage on the believers side , as suppose her liberty , her quiet of conscience , &c. and yet the thing from whence it is inferred no Gospel priviledge , but a thing common to unbelievers , as in case , a b●liever doubt of the lawfull eating of an infidels meat offered to an Idol , and i● be resolved as the Apostle doth 1 Cor. 10.25 , 26 , 27. from the right God hath to all creatures , here is the advantage on the believers side , the quiet of his conscience , and yet no Gospel priviledge held forth but such as is common to unbelievers , the lawfull eating of what was sold in the shamble● . 2. Mr. Ss. antecedent , that the Apostle puts the advantage on the believers side , and there fixeth it , is contrary to what he said before , that the argument is from an eminent advanta●e they had together in the Gospel ; for if they had the eminent advantage together , it was no mor● put or fixed on the believers side then on the unbelievers . 3. It is so far from being true that the Apostle puts the advantage on the believers side , that it is true rather on the contrary , if any advantage be exprest it is put on the unbelievers side , for the unbeliever is said to be sanctified not the believer . 4. It is not true that the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband as believing , and that which Mr. Sydenham alledgeth to prove it is of no force . For the reading in two Copies is not sufficient to countervail the multitude of Copies which have it otherwise , it being more likely that the addition of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was made by some Scribe then by the Apostle at first , who v. 13. used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without it . And for the sense it holds ●s good sense without it as it did v. 13. The unbeliever is mentioned not to shew a special priviledge to the believer , but because the occasion of the doubt was from his infidelity , and therefore that could not be omitted without omitting that in which was the force of the objection , which could not be distinctly satisfied without mentioning it ; and by putting it in there are not four terms , as unskilfully Mr. S. intimates , but by omitting it there come to be four terms , the conclusion to be proved being this , The wife may live with her unbelieving husband , and the premises these , That wife may live with her husband who is sanctified to her , But so is the unbelieving husband to his wife , Ergo. But of this the Reader may see more at large the first part of this Review , sect . 14. 2. Saith Mr. S. The Apostle doth use higher terms and phrases in this argument , then is ever used in Scripture to express a meer lawfull or common priviledge ; as to be sanctified in the wife , and the children to be holy ; expressions of another dialect then to hold forth a civil or natural , or legal conjunction : being singled out in Scripture , to hold forth the best state of persons in relation to God and his use . Answ. 1. Were all this true , as it is not , yet Mr. Ss. conclusion is not proved thereby . For though the terms should never express a meer lawfull or common priviledge , a civil or natural , or legal conjunction , and that they are singled ●ut in Scripture to hold forth the b●st sta●● of persons in relation to God and his use ; yet it follows not the Apostle holds out by them a Gospel priviledge , sith they may hold out a Jewish priviledge , which is not a Gospel , but r●ther a legal priviledge , as the term [ holy seed ] doth Ezra 9.2 . 2. H●w fi●ly these terms sute to the exposition I give without holding forth a Gospel priviledge , may be seen in my Examen part . 3. sect . 8. in the first part of t●is Review , sect . 12 , 13 , 24 , 25 , 26. Mr. S. adds , 1. That the term unclean notes the same it doth Acts 10.14 . where Cornelius being a Gentile without the pale of the Jewish Church , is called common and unclean , as all the Gentiles were before they came under the promise , he was no bastard , he was without the Church just in the same phrase with the Apostle here ▪ when he saith that children are not unclean , he must needs mean they are not of common use or to be excluded from outward priviledges of the Church . 2. That [ unclean ] is used for legal pollutions and uncleannesses , which made men to be separated from the Congregation , and excommunic●ted from the priviledge of ordinances untill they were washed and sanctified : Thus in Levit 5.2 , 3 , 4. ch . 7.19 . & 14.7 , 8. Isa. ●2 . 1 . Hag 2.13 . with many other places , where unclean is opposed to a present suitable capacity for Church priviledges . Answ. 1 In all those places , Levit. 5.2 , 3 , 4 & 7.19 . & 14.7 , 8. Hag. 2.13 . Isa. 52.1 . the uncleanness is not opposed to a Gosp●l priviledge , but a legal or Jewish , nor were the unclean out of the Covenant or the people of God even when they were unclean , and therefore if ● Cor. 7.14 . he should tell them their children were not unclean in that sense , he should not tell them of a Gospel priviledge , but a Judaical Legal Mosaical priviledge , which had been both false for they were uncircumcised Gentiles , and therefore were unclean in that sense , and vain to tell them of that as a priviledge , which was no priviledge , but which hee counts nothing of 1 Cor. 7.19 . 2. Cornelius is not termed unclean as wanting a Gospel priviledge , he was in Covenant with God and accepted with him ▪ and in the visible Church , sith Acts●0 ●0 . 2 . But he is termed unclean as one not mee● by reason of his uncircumcision for a Jew to go into , or eat with Acts 11 3. and therefore if the Apostle should 1 Cor. 7.14 . mean it just in the same sense with Acts 10.14 . he should tell them their children w●re not unclean , that is , were persons with whom they might ea● and converse which understood of infants were ridiculous ●f meant in the ●ense God tearmed Cornelius clean , then it is as unfitly appl●ed to infants , who are not clean as Cornelius , in that fearing God and working righteousness he wa● accepted with him , Acts. 10.34 , 35. which is more th●n an ou●wa●d Church priviledge and a 〈◊〉 thing then Mr. S. and his ●ellow Paedobaptist conceive the Apostle meant 1 Cor. 7.14 . That which Mr. S. brings of the use of the word holy that it ex●resseth the Heb●ew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that it ever signif●es that which is appropriated to a Divine use , and that it is the 〈◊〉 notion of holiness in the Old and New Testament , and never taken otherwise : and that for proof of it he hath compared a●ove ●00 . places in the Old ●esta●ent ●ccording to the Septuagint , and all the N. T. places where the word is gener●lly taken in Scripture to express a separation of things to God how false or insufficient it is to his purpose , is so a●ply shewed in the first part of 〈◊〉 Review sect . 12 , ●3 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26. that I conceiv●● 〈…〉 this time to add any more . In which place● it may be seen what I grant concerning the word generally taken , and 〈…〉 more places th●n 1 Tim. 4.5 . 1 Thes. 4.3 , 4 , 7. for another use then Mr. S. asserts ▪ to bee the proper notion of holy in the Old and N. T. that it notes that which is appropriated to Divine use , and is never taken otherwise , to shew it to bee taken otherwise , as 1 Sam. 21.5 . Isai. 13.3 . Ezra 9.2 , &c. But let 's view what hee saith to my allegation of 1 Tim. 4.5 . 1 Thes. 4.3 , 4 , 7. for a different use from his sense . From 1 Tim. 4.5 . saith Mr. T. is meant onely the lawful use of the creature in opposition to what is to be refused . It is a wonder , but that God leaves men to blindness when they leave truth , how any man of common understanding , finding the word holy and sanctified alwayes used in a religious sense , should flye to this place to make an exception Answ. I have so far as I thought needful looked into my former writings , and do not finde any place where I say as Mr. S. here saith I do , what I yeelded at the Dispute at Bewdley , and for what reason is shewed in the first part of this Review sect . 27. p. 203. and if Mr. S. took from Mr. B. this which he here so unbrotherly chargeth me with , hee might have there found an answer , which should have been taken notice o● , if my answer printed 1652. came to his knowledge afore the publishing his Exercit. 1653. But I never could finde in my Antagonists Mr. B. M. ●l &c. any such candor as to construe any thing that came from me , since this controversie arose between us , in the better part , but I think I may say almost in every thing I have done or said that th●y mention , they pervert my words and deeds , and aggravate them in the worser sense , when they might have had a good or at least excusable construction . As for this thing which Mr. S. here makes an instance of Gods leaving me to blindness when I left truth , the true state of it is thus . I had said in my Examen part . 3. sect . 8. p. 73 , 74 ▪ That this may be the sense , I gather from the like use of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used 1 Tim. 4.5 . where the creature of God is said to be sanctified , that is lawfully used in opposition to that which is to be refused ; so here the unbelieving husband is sanctified , that is lawfully enjoyed as a husband by , or to , or in respect of his wife , whether believer , or unbeliever , in this case there is no difference , and alledged some words of Mr. M. in his Sermon p. 24. to the same purpose . Which when Mr. M. in his Defence p. 155. framed an argument from against me , I shewed him his mistake in the first part of this Review sect . 13. p. 115. denying the sanctification 1 Cor. 7.14 . to bee such a sanctification as that place 1 Tim. 4.5 . means , but onely make them like thus far , that as 1 Tim. 4.5 . it signifies lawfully enjoyed , so here , though in a different manner , and from a different reason or cause . And for the concession in the Dispute at Bewdley ▪ my yeilding Mr. Bs. conclusion doth prove that Mr. S. doth here falsely charge mee to say that 1 Tim. 4.5 . is meant onely the lawful use of the creature . Nor is it true that I fled to this place to make an exception against the taking the word holy in a religious sense . For neither did I make use of 1 Tim. 4.5 . about the sense of the word holy , but the word sanctified , nor do I conceive the word sanctified used in any other then a religious sense , yea I have often said that [ sanctified ] 1 Cor. 7.14 . is taken for religiously sanctified , as 1 Cor. 6.11 . as baptised , 1 Cor. 10.2 . mother , Mark 3.35 . dead , Heb. 11.12 . made himself Eunuch , Matth. 19.12 . son , Exod. 2.9 . and many more places , the words are taken in their proper notion , onely they are applied in a limited sense , or in some respect by an impropriety or abuse of speech to those to whom absolutely and in propriety or exactness of speech they do not belong , and therefore this which Mr. S. here suggests of me is but his calumny which he was willing to take up that through my sides he might wound the truth . But Mr. S. adds . The Apostle saith first , Every creature which God hath made is good in it self , and none to be refused : that is , all may be lawfully used without any legal pollution as formerly : But then he goes higher , speaking of a religious use of outward things , they are sanctified by the Word and Prayer ; they are all good and lawfull in their use to every man ; but they are onely sanctified by these holy means , the Word and Prayer . And he might have as well said , that the Word and Prayer are not holy means , but onely lawfull to be used ; as that the sanctification which is by the word and prayer , is to make the creatures onely lawfull to be used . If a wicked man ea● his meat without seeking a blessing on it , or giving thanks , will any one say that he hath not a lawfull use of the creature ? but any man may say , it 's not sanctified to him . The Apostle in these 2 ver . goes on gradatim by degrees , from a lawfull use to a holy use of the creatures ; All is good and may be used , but they are sanctified by the word and prayer . Thus you see the nature of this priviledged place . Answ. What word it is which is meant 1 Tim. 4 : 5. whether the word of Gods power creating them , which the words v. 3. which God hath created for receiving seem to lead to , or the word of Gods declaration , whether by our Lord Christ , Mark 7.15 . or to Peter , Acts 10.15 . or promise of blessing , it is manifest that the Apostle in that place doth not make any distinction between a sanctified and a lawfull use , nor doth he say they are created for any to be received but with thanksgiving of them who believe and know the truth ; nor doth he make the creature good or not to be refused but being received with thanksgiving , nor sanctified but by the word of God and prayer : Nor do I find but that interpreters take lawfull use and sanctified for the same . So Beza in his Annot. It is made holy , to wit , in respect of us , so as that we may use it with a good conscience ▪ as duly received from the hand of God. For other men do enjoy it no otherwise then as thieves and sacriledgious persons goods usurped . And he lawfully useth goods , who acknowledgeth and invocat●th the giver of them after his word . Piscat . anal . He minds which is the lawfull and allowed use of meats , to wit , when we receive them with thanksgiving and prayer proceeding from faith ▪ Diodati , Dicson , and others speak to like purpose . Nor is there any thing here that intimates any gradation from a lawfull use v. 3 , 4. to a sanctified use v. 5. For v. 3 , 4. to the receiving of them thanksgiving is required of them that believe and know the truth , and the creature is not said to be good and nothing to be refused but being taken with thanksgiving , which is the same with sanctified by the word and prayer , v. 5. and v. 5. is a reason of that which is said v. 4. and therefore no gradation or rising higher , as Mr. S. imagines ▪ Which I do not produce to shew that I conceive no distinction between a lawful use and a holy use of things ( which I do acknowledge in the first part of this Review p. 114. and elsewhere ) but onely to shew how insufficiently Mr. S. opposeth me , whom he so severely censures , even in that which I spake rightly enough , and his own blindness made him to judge hardly of me , as left by God to blindness . Mr. S. saith further , But the main place Mr. T. alledgeth for holiness to be used for what is barely civil or lawful , is that 1 Thes. 4.3 , 4 , 7. Here uncleanness is taken , saith he , for fornication , and holiness for chastity . To which I answer with Mr. M. that chastity among the heathens is never called sanct●fication , but among believers it is , being a part of the new crea●i●n , and one branch and part of their sanctification wrought by the spirit of God. And though Mr. T. sai●h this is but a shift , yet he shall see it demonstrative , if he observe the phrases in the text , and the nature of sanctification : in the 1 and 2. v. the Apostle beseecheth and exhorteth them to walk as they had received from him how to walk and to please God according to the rules of Jesus Christ ; and he urgeth it in v. 3 with this ; It 's the will of God , even your sanctification , that is , that you should walk in all holiness , sutable to the blessed rules of the Gospel , and as one part and expression of holiness , to abstain from sin : And he instanceth specially in fornication , which was the common and reigning sin among the Gentiles : so that if you view the place you shall find , that 1. He speaks of sanctification in general , in it's full latitude v. 3. as sutable to all the will and mind of God ; This is the will of God , even your sanctification ; that is , it is Gods command , and Gods delight to see you sanctified : then he brings in abstinence from fornication ( the sin of the times ) as one part of that holiness God requires : For sanctification may be considered as it lies in vivification , or in mortification , which for distinctions sake we we may call the two parts of sanctification . Now chastity in it self , as in the heathens and natural men , is not properly a part of sanctification ; some other Epi●hite becomes it better : would Mr. T. call all the abstinencies and actings of the heathens by the name of sanctifications , and speak like a Christian and a Divine ? Would it be proper to say in his Pulpit ( when he was speaking of the nature of holiness and chastity ) sanctified Socrates , holy Aristides ? And can he think the Apostle would express that which is common among heathens , in such a high Gospel dialect as sanctification is appropriated always in Scripture to God , Angels , Saints , and their highest graces and workings , and to things raised above common use , dedicated to God and his service , but that he meant it according as the whole tenure of Scripture defines holiness ? How much will the phrase of holiness and sanctification be debased and made common , if that sense should be admitted , contrary to the Scripture use of the word ? But that is a weak cause that puts men to such extraordinary shifts to maintain . Answ. It 's the property of some persons , like Thersites in Homer , to speak much and to performe little , and so it befals Mr. S. here . He saith , 1. I alledge 1 Thes. 4.3 , 4 , 7. as the main place for holiness to be used for what is barely civil or lawfull , whereas I alledge it not as Mr. S. saith , but to shew that it is not true which Mr. M. said , that holiness is always taken in a sacred sense , for a separation of persons and things from common to sacred uses . 2. Though I say , Mr. Ms. answer to be but a shift , yet I shall see it demonstrative , if I observe the phrases in the Text , and the nature of sanctification . But if all should be yeelded , that 1 Thes. 4.3 , 4 ▪ 7. holiness were but a part of the new creation , that chastity in heathens is never called sanctification ; yet this were but a shift to avoid the proof against Mr. Ms. assertion , that holiness is always taken in a sacred sense for a separation of persons and things from common to sacred uses ; for the chastity of regenerate persons , confessed to be term●d holiness and a part of sanctification , is not taken in a sacred sense for separation from common to sacred uses : But of this more may be seen in the first part of this Review , sect . 12. pag. 108. And as for Mr. Ss. reasoning , it is far from demonstrative , it being indeed against himself . For if v. 1 , 2. be an exhortation to please God in general , and v 3. express one part and expression of holiness to abstain from sin , and no other sin be named but fornication , he doth particularly term abstaining from fornication holiness ; which is more fu●ly confirmed v. 4. where chastity is termed possessing our vessel in holiness and honour , opposite to possessing our vessel ( that is our body ) in the lust of concupiscence as the Gentiles , among whom fornication was frequent , and this is v. 7. termed uncleanness , and the opposite to it holiness , that is chastity . And for the other thing , that chastity in it self as in the heathens and natural men is not properly a part of sanctification , and that sanctity is ascribed to the highest things , it is but frivolous . For though it be no part of true sanctification , yet it may be termed holiness , as there be many called Gods who are not the true and everliving God , to whom though the term [ God ] do properly belong onely , yet Magistrates and Angels are sometimes termed Gods without any debasement , and though I would not in my pulpit without distinction term Magistrates , Angels Gods , or call an unlawfull assembly of Idolaters a Church , yet who knows not the term Elohim , and Ecclesia or Church to be applied to them ? So that however Mr. S. prattle of his demonstration and of the weakness of my cause and extraordinary shifts , yet this is but frivolous talk without any performance . He adds . But to go on a little further ; The same word is used by the Apostle in all his salutations and inscriptions of his Epistles to all the Churches ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Saints or holy ones at Rome , at Corinth , Galatia , Ephesus , &c. which when appropriated to persons , always signifies a visible Saint : So here when he calls children of believing parents holy , he cannot but mean , they are to be accounted as visible Saints , until they do profess the contrary : and I know no reason can be given , why the meaning of the Apostle in his Epistles , when he writes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to the Saints , should not be as well understood written onely to the legitimate , and those that are not bastards a● Rome , Corinth , &c. as well as for them to interpret the same word so in this place : For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when applied to grown men , must signifie visible and Evangelical holiness , and must be translated Saints ▪ but when applied to children , it must onely signifie legitimacy , that they are not bastards ; when all men know , that magis & minus non variant speciem ; and the word is of the same import in every place of the New Testament . Answ. It is not true , that the same term is used by the Apostle in all his salutations and inscriptions of his Epistles to all the Churches , it is not used in the Epistles to the Galatians and Thessalonians ; and in the titles where it is appropriated to persons , signifies a Saint called , sanctified in Christ Jesus , faithfull , which rather note an invisible then a visible Saint : and if they do note a visible Saint , they note one by calling , sanctified in Christ , believer in profession , none of which are to be ascribed to infants of believers as such , nor can be meant 1 Cor. 7.14 . where children are termed holy by birth , not by calling ; and are not said to be holy in Christ , but in respect of their parents . Whence apparent reason is given , why the term [ holy ] in the titles of the Epistles cannot be translated legitimate in opposition to bastardy , but Saints , or men who are set apart for God by the love of God , and therefore termed beloved of God , Rom. 1.7 . and the sanctification of the spirit by the Gospel : and on the other side , why [ holy ] 1 Cor. 7.14 . cannot be translated Saints , or visible Saints , not for that frivolous conceit of Mr. S. as if they might not be termed Saints 1 Cor. 7.14 . for want of age ; whose gross application of a Logick rule , shews he was but a smatterer therein : For if visible saintship had been given to elder persons in respect of grown age , and denied to infants , yet there had been no variation of kind from more or less growth , saintship being not the species or kind of such persons , but humanity . And what he saith , that the word is of the same import in every place of the New Testament , it is so false a speech , and so ill beco●ming him that said , p. 53. he had compared all the places in the New Testament where the word is used , that no other excuse but of heedlesness or forgetfulness can acquit him from deceit . For besides the places alledged , Luke 2.23 . 2 Pet. 1.18 . &c. and his own distinctions of federal and inherent holiness , together with the holiness intentional meant Rom. 11.16 . shew it to be false . What he adds , By the same reason we account grown men holy , we may account infants of believers ; for these that make a profession , may have no inward and inherent holiness ; and a bare profession is not holiness ; we onely account them holy by a judicious charity ; and we are often deceived , and have cause to repent of our judgements : ●nfants may be inwardly sanctified , and God hath taken them into Covenant with their parents , and would have us look on them as separated to himself , which is ground enough to build our charity on , as to esteem them holy , as grown persons . There is no difference but this in it ; That concerning the holiness of persons at age , we trust our own judgements ; and in judging of infants we trust Gods word , who hath comprehended them under the promise with their parents ; there hath been as many deceits in the event in our judgement of those of riper years , as in that which is acted through a mixture of faith on infants . And Gods promise , though never so indefinite , is a surer ground for hope then my probable judgement ; which is the most I can have of the generality of professors of ripe years , is much of it false , as that God hath taken infants into Covenant with their parents , thay are comprehended under the promise with their parents , God would have us to look on them as separated to himself , by the same reason we account grown men holy we may account infants of believers , we onely account them holy by a judicious charity , and all impertinent , forasmuch as professors of faith are accounted visible Saints not by a judgement of charity , but of certainty from their profession which is visible , and so are qualified for Baptism , not from hopes of real holiness , or faith of Covenant holiness , which do not entitle to Baptism without certainty of profession . What he adds . That holy is a pure religious word , that in my sense it would be no considerable medium for argumentation , that else were , &c. hath force from the specialness of the priviledge to their issue to be in a peculiar state of seperation to God , visible Churchmembers with the believing parent , contains nothing but unproved dictates often before refuted . What he adds of cold comfort in my sense , and of strength and sweetness in his , is alike frovolous . For the speech of the Apostle was to be no otherwise consolatory , then so far as it might satisfie their consciences of the lawfulness of their continuing together , which is clearly done by my Analysis and exposition of the Apostle , and not done at all by his way . For what is a priviledge of the children which perhaps they shall never have ; or if they have , it is nothing to take away the defilement by the infidel for satisfaction of their consciences concerning living together in disparity of Religion ? I have done with this scribler : I shall a little examine what some others have said ; with as much brevity as the maintenance of the truth will permit , and hasten to an end . SECT . LXXVII . Mr. William Carters attempt of proving the Christian Sabbath from Heb. 4.7 , 9 , 10. is shewed to be succesless , and so useless for proof of Infant Baptism . THere is a Treatise intituled , The Covenant of God with Abraham opened by Mr. William Carter , which pretends to clear the duty of Infant Baptism , and in his Epistle to the Reader saith , the root of this matter is the Covenant of God with Abraham ; which because of the eminency of the Author , and the publishing it in observance ( as is said ) of the commands of the Lord Mayor , Aldermen , and Sheriffs of the City of London , rather then for any shew of strength in the discourse , I shall examine , that if this Review come to their hands , they also may discern their mistakes . Which I think necessary to be done , because he also ( as other Paedobaptists use to do ) is not afraid upon his own conjectures ( for they are no better ) to charge us who baptize not infants as breaking Abrahams Covenant , as small friends to Christs Kingdome , waving and neglecting the right way of increasing that Kingdome , and of exalting his Throne and power in the world , taking-up ways unnatural , unsafe and false . Let●s then see what he writes . Afore he meddles with the point of infant Baptism ( which he saith is the thing he especially intended in his discourse ) he endeavours to deduce the Christian Sabbath , as it is termed , from Heb. 4. I omit that he saith , p. 3. that Heb. 2.15 , 16. the birthright vendible is their priviledges in the Church , and worship of the Gospel , and that p. 6. he expound● the holding ●ast ●he confidence or liberty and the rejoycing of the hope , Heb. 3.6 . by holding fast the ordinances and priviledges of the Gospel : Which if he mean ( as he seems to do ) of the o●twar● priviledges and worship , it appears that he mistakes , sith the birthright not to be sold , and the confidence and rejoycing of hope are greater matters , which no hypocrite may attain to , and are plainly intimated Heb. 12.14 , 15. to be the seeing of God , the attaining his grace , and the estate Evangelical mentioned v. 22 , 23 , 24. which they might sell , though they never had it , by their Apostacy from their profession of Christ , through whom they were in expectation of it , at least in appearance . And in like manner the boldness , liberty , confidence , or r●joycing of their hope , must needs be of something yet attainable , and not to be attained without holding it to the end , v. 6 , 14. and which no unbelievers could attain to ; which are not true of bare outward Chu●ch priviledges and Gospel worship , but of that salvation mentioned Heb. ●● . the grace brought in the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1.13 . whereby we are Gods house , Heb ▪ 3.6 . are partakers of Christ , v. 14. But I shall insist somewhat on that he saith p. 8. that by to day if ye will hear his voice , in that Psal. 95.7 . is meant the Christian Sabbath day , by whi●h he means the day which in the New Testament is termed the Lords day or first day in the week , which I conceive not right for these reasons . 1. The day , Heb. 4.7 . i● a limited or definite day , and that must needs imply this meaning ; [ This is the day in which if ye hear his voyce and harden not your hearts , ye may enter into ●ods rest ; if ye do not this day , ye will come short . ] Which if true , then ( as Mr. C. expounds it ) though they should hear the voice of Christ , and not harden their hearts on the week day , yet they should not enter into the rest promised , which I think will be counted absurd , and evacuate the hopes by all the week day Lectures . 2. From H●b . 3.13 . I thus argue . To day , Heb 3.7 . is the same with the space of time which i● called ●o day , v. 13. This is so evident in the Text , that every one that re●ds the ●ext will easily perceive it , sith it is plain , that the calling it to day is meant ●f the calling it i● that place v. ● . and the words ▪ lest any of you be hardened ▪ shew it . But [ to day , Heb. 2.13 ▪ ] is meant of any day ▪ o● every day wherein Christians might exhort one another , therefore not restrained to the Lords day : but either extended to t●e whole space of time they live on earth , or to any opportunity in any day whatsoever , whether week day or Lords d●y , wherein they might exhort 3. B● comparing these plac●s with 〈◊〉 Cor 6 2 where it is said , [ Now is the accepted time , now 〈◊〉 the d●y of salvation , ] which seem plainly to intimate the same day with that which is meant Heb. 3.7 , 13. and that day being manifestly meant of the time wherein the Embassadours for Christ do beseech men to bee reconciled to GOD , 2 Cor. 5.20 . it is very probable or rather certain , that to day , Heb. 3.7 , 13. & 4.7 . is not meant particularly the Lords day or first day of the week , but any day of a mans life wherein the Gospel of Christ is preached , and reconciliation to God offered him ; and received by him . Or as Cameron . quaest . in Epist. ad Heb. 3.7 . That time which by the Prophets and Apostle is called the last dayes and fulness of time , which is the time of the Messiah exhibited , not precisely the Lords day or first day of the week . Let us view Mr. Carters reasons for his conceit . First , it is evident that it is meant of a day of rest c●ap . 4 , 7 , 8. for if Joshuah had given them rest , namely that rest of which David speaketh , then hee would not aftewards have spoken of another day , therefore of a day of rest i● must bee meant , else the Apostles argument had not been concluding nor pertinent , because many other days might have afterwards been spoken off , although Joshuah had given them all the rest that was ever to bee expected . Answ. It is true that he Authour of that Epistle doth rightly gather from the word [ to day ] that there was another day of rest yet remaining for the people of God besides the seventh day rest , a●d the rest in the Land o● Canaan which they p●ssessed by Joshuah ▪ s conduct , yet doth not imply that the day in which the word was spoken was the day of rest . But thus hee gathers it , These words were spoken by David many hundreds of years both after God sware in the Wilderne●s they should not enter into his rest who believed not , and after Joshuah had setled the posterity of the unbelievers in the land of Canaan , and therefore the rest in the land of Canaan is not that which is meant in Davids speech , but there is implied a future day of rest to bee attained by believing in JESUS the Messiah . For David if it had been meant of the rest in Canaan would not have spoken to them not to harden their hearts f●r fear of being excluded from Gods rest . Secondly , saith Mr C. It is meant of such a rest as GOD can and sometimes doth swear in his wrath against his own people , who are his house , and the people of his pasture , that they shall not enter into it : this cannot bee said of what they enjoy in their personal in●erest by faith onely ; but as for the co●fort of his ordinances and Sabbath . Answ. To omit the unfitness of the expression , sith the comfort of Gods Ordinances and Sabbath is a personal interest enjoyed by faith onely , it is not true , that what is said of the rest cannot bee meant of what the people of God enjoy in their personal interest by faith onely , because of Gods oath . For that oath doth not imply that believers shall not enter into the rest , yea the Apostles inference is to the contrary v 1 , 6. sith some were not to enter in , others were to enter in , and sith GOD sware some should not , hee promised some should , and chap. 3.18 . sith some entred not through unbelief , others in whom the word is mixed with faith , ch . 4.2 . do enter in . And this is a good argument that the rest mentioned is not the Christian Sabbath day which is the first day of the week , sith they that believe not come short of it ; it 's a consequent upon the holding the boldness , confidence and rejoycing of our hope firm to the end ; it was then in promise to the Hebrews , and remained to the people of God , who were to bee warned that they came not short of it ; where as the Sabbath dayes rest was then in p●ssession , not to bee expected afterwards , but then in use when this Epistle was written , and yet such as hypocrites , unbelievers , and Apostats did in some sort enjoy as well as sincere persevering believers . Thirdly , saith Mr. C. That it is meant of a Sabbath dayes rest , appeareth by the manner of the Apostles arguing in this place , in as much as the Apostle proveth it to be another day of rest , besides what was in use in the Church before . Another in opposition to the 7th . day Sabbath , and that because David speaketh of it as a rest to bee entered into a long time after ; although the 7th . days rest was entered into from the beginning of the world , in as much as hee spake as it is Heb. 4.4 , 5. implying a promise that some shall , though others shall not enter into it . Now , sayes the Apostle , this being spoken by the Prophet David of a time then to come : and again , as Heb. 4.7 , 9. over and beside the seventh dayes Sabbath . Now from this his manner of arguing it is evident , that he supposeth this day of which David speaketh , saying , To day if ye will hear his voice , to be a day of the same kinde as the seventh dayes Sabbath was ; because else there had been no such opposition to bee made , nor would there have been place for an although , or a notwithstanding , in the case , as in v. 31. because any other rest might have also been entred into from the beginning of the world , as a believers personal rest by faith was ; but that which maketh the opposition is , that David speaketh of a Sabbath dayes rest , to be entred into now a long time after , even in the times of the New Testament , of which times that Psal. 95. is a prophesie , as appeareth by the Apostles application of it in this place , and thereupon hee concludes it to bee another day of rest remaining for us besides the seventh dayes rest . By this wee see that by to day if yee will hear his voice is not meant onely of a Christians personal rest by faith , which is every days enjoyment , and was entred into from the beginning of the world , but of another Sabbath dayes rest besides what was in use before . Answ. It is not denied that Psal 95. is a prophesie , nor that it speaks of a rest to be a long time after Davids time , even in the times of the New Testament , nor that [ although ] doth imply a distinct rest from the seventh day Sabbath rest , and an opposition of that kinde which some Logicians call disparato , though others will not have it called opposition but distinction ; yet the words Heb. 4 3. are not as Mr. C. cites them , [ although the seventh days rest was entred into from the beginning of the world ] but [ although the works were 〈◊〉 or finished from the foundation of the world . ] Nevertheless , this doth not prove that either the rest is not a believers personal rest by faith , or that it is of the same kinde with a meer weekly Sabbath dayes rest , but rather the contrary . It is distinguished from the seventh day Sabbaths rest , and so it is also from the rest which the Israelites had by Joshuah's conduct in the land of Canaan , which the Authour mentions v. 8. as well as the seventh dayes rest v. 4. and therefore the seventh dayes rest opposed to the rest v. 7 , 9. doth no more prove the day of rest to be a day of the same kinde , as the seventh day Sabbath was then the day of rest in Canaan by Joshuahs leading . Yea , sith the seventh days rest mentioned Heb. 4.4 . is onely Gods rest , it is apparent the day of rest is of different kinde from an ordinary Sabbath dayes rest . Neither doth the term [ although ] impart any such identity of kinde , but that God spake of another rest of his , athough hee had rested long ago when his works were finished from the foundation of the world . Yea the words Heb 4.10 . Hee that is entred into his rest hath also ceased from his works as God did from his , ( which expresseth the rest for the people of God yet remaining v. 9. ) do shew that the day of rest is not till a mans works bee ceased , which I know not how to understand of any other works then his works of labour and sufferings , which are not till the end of this life ; and therefore the sabbatism or day of rest is not here the keeping of a weekly sabbath , but a day of rest , as is meant Revel . 14.13 . which though it bee not every dayes enjoyment , yet it may bee a Christians personal test by faith onely , that is that rest which by faith onely is entred into or obtained . And though it were entred into by all believers from the foundation of the world , yet it was not so conspicuously as when Christ entred into the heavens ; However those Hebrews and the believers to come after had not then entred into it . That the Sabbath days rest was in use before , proves against Mr. C. that the rest was not of the same kinde , unless in manner of a type or shadow , as one thing like that 's resembled by another may in a Catachrestique manner be termed of the same kinde with that which resembles . Mr. C. adds . Fourthly it is meant of a day of rest to bee celebrated in Gods house in his worship . So the Apostle concludeth v. 9. There remaineth therefore a Sabbatism 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the celebration of a Sabbath for the people of God : a word comprehending the Sabbath and worship put together as was before observed . And the coherence of the words Psal. 95. implieth as much Psal. 95.6 , 7 , 8. It appeareth also from the Apostles wherefore , chap. 3.7 . His house are we ; wherefore , as the Holy Ghost saith , To day if yee will hear his voyce , &c. So as if the question bee what voice ? Or what day ? The answer from the Psalm and from the Apostles inference must bee this , the day of worshipping the Lord our Maker , and of resting with him in his house , and his voice , whose house we are , inviting us to it . Answ. Sabbatism in the notation of the word imports no more then rest : what it imports in the use of it I cannot discern but from this place , sith I know not where it is used in the New Testament but here , nor in any other authour afore this . Here it appears not to import any more then rest , sith it expresseth but what is expressed by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , v. 8 , 10 , 11. though I conceive that the matter shews it to bee meant of a holy rest , it being th● rest of Gods people . But that the word comprehends rest and worship put together , I do not conceive . For the word a●ludes to the Sabbath Gen. 2.2 , 3. quo●ed Heb. 4.3 , 4. Now Gods ●est imported not worship , though his appoint●ng us to rest on the Sabbath , and to sanctifie it , doth import our worship of him . Nor do I think the coherence of the words Psal. 95.6 , 7 , 8. doth imply that S●bbatism H●b . 4.9 . comprehends the S●bbath and worship put together , or tha● Psal. 95.7 . To day if yee will hear his voyce , is meant of a day of rest to bee celebrated in the house of God in his wo●shi● , sith in those words there is not the word Sabbatism , and the Exhortation , To day if yee will hear his voyce , doth not app●ar to have been on the weekly Sabbath da● , the Ps●lm being not ( as the 94th . Psalm ) intituled ▪ A Psalm for the Sabbath , and it is more likely that [ to day if you will hear his voyce ] intimates the day at the end of every seven years in the solemnity of the year of release in the feast of tabernacles , when all Israel was come to appear before the Lord in the place which he should chuse , and the Law was to bee read before all Israel in their hearing , Deut. 31.10 , 11. at which time of the year every year they had gathered in their Corn and Wine , Deut. 16.13 . and then they had no harvest , and so it was the fittest time to resem●le the rest remaining ●o Gods people ; yet so far was it from being the weekly Sabbath day , that as Ainsworth notes on Deut. 31.11 . The Jewish Doctors say that if the day of the assembling of the people happened to bee the Sabbath day , the reading of the Law was put off till after . Yet were it the Sabbath day , it doth not follow , that it is meant of a day of rest to be celebrated in the house of God in his worship , for the weekly Sabbath was not celebrated in the house of God , that is , the Tabernacle or Temple ; but in their dwellings , Exod. 16.29 . And therefore if the term [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherefore , Heb. 3.7 . ] did refer to whose house ye are , v. 6. ( though I conceive the inference is made from the words , if wee hold fast the confidence and re●oycing of the hope firm unto the end ) yet it proves it not to bee a weekly Sabbath of rest to bee celebrated in the house of God in his worship . For the weekly sabbath was not celebrated in Gods house , and if it were , each Christian or the Church were not fit to answer Gods house in which it was celebrated , sith they are not the place where , that made the worship of God accepted as the Tab●rnacle or Temple that is proper to CHRIST and his body , John 2.19 . Heb. 8 2. but the persons by whom it is celebrated and who worship God. Lastly , were all this granted , that Heb. 4.7 . were meant a day of rest to bee celebrated in the house of God in his worship , yet this might be mean● of the rest in heaven often called Gods house , where the Elders cast down their crowns before God and worship and praise him , and not the weekly Sabbath . Fifthly , saith Mr. C. Because the Apostle understands it of a day to be kept upon the same ground , in relation unto Christ his ceasing from his works and entring into his rest , as the 7th . day Sabbath was in relation to God his ceasing from his works , after his making the first crea●ion , and entring into his . So i● followeth v. 10. Which to be meant of Christ , and his entrance into his rest ( which he makes to be his passing into heaven , v. 14 ) inferred from his entring into his rest v. 10. he endeavours to prove by 5 reasons . Answ. 1. The coherence be●ween Heb. 4.9 ▪ and v. 10. doth rather intimate that [ he that is entred into his rest , v. 10. ] is a term common to all the people of God mentioned v. 9. and the exhortation v. 11. doth also import , t●at the person that enters into his rest v. 10 is meant every believer . Nor is any one of Mr. Cs. reasons convincing of the contrary . For 1. let the translation be mended as Mr. C. would have it , yet it may be true of every believer , that he also hath ceased from his wor●s ▪ as God did from his own works . 2. Seeing then , v. 14. may point out to what is said , Heb 3. ● , 2 , 3. 3. If Heb 4 10. cannot be meant of ceasing from sin , yet it may be from lab●rious works and sufferings as Revel . 14.13 . and such rest may be 〈◊〉 with refreshing , and looking upon them as good . 4. That v. 10. should be taken for a proof of v 9. is not necessary ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being not always causal or rati●nal , yet if it were , it might be thus , The rest of the people of God in heaven sha●l be a Sabbatism like Gods ; for such of them as shall enter into their rest , shall cease , or have ceased from their sufferings and painfull works , as God did from his in the beginning . 5. What he saith , that Christ were not Lord of the Sabbath , as he saith Mark 2.28 . Luke 6.5 . unless he had entred into his rest , or as p. 75. he could not be Lord of the Sabbath , unless he also had a rest which he entred into as God did into his , i● without proof , and is false ; sith Christ speaks of his being Lord of the Sabbath at that time afore he entred into his rest ; and doth imply that which some would call blasphemy , that Christ as God had not been Lord of the Sabbath unless he had entred into his rest as man. But were it granted , that Christ by reason of his entring into his rest as man , was Lord of the Sabbath , doth that prove that Heb. 4.10 . is meant of Christs entring into his rest ? or is it not rather a baculo ad angulum ? But were it granted that Heb. 4.10 . were meant of Christs entring into heaven , yet the rest before mentioned is rather thereby confirmed to be meant of rest in heaven with Christ , then rest on earth on a weekly sabbath , sith the argument is strong thus , Christ is passed into his rest in the heavens , therefore there is a rest remaining for the people of God there ; but hath no strength thus , Christ is entred into the heavens to rest , therefore there remains to the people of God a weekly day of rest on earth . Lastly , this very reason quite overthrows Mr. Cs. building . For he would ground the week day Sabbath upon Christs entring into his rest , and this day he would have to be the first day of the week , and the reason for inferring a week day Sabbath upon Christs entring into his rest is taken from the rest of God after the first creation , whereby the 7th . day Sabbath was sanctified : Now if there be the like reason of keeping a week day Sabbath because of Christs rest , as there was of keeping the 7th . day Sabbbath because of Gods rest , then it will not be the first day of the week which must be the Sabbath , for that was not the day of his entring into his rest , but another day , to wit , the fifth day of the week , as may be gathered from Acts 1.3 . Mr. C. himself , p. 76. though he say that it is very probable that the ascension day was on the first day of the week , yet confesseth it not to be clear ; and the reason of the probability from Act. 1. by the computation of the forty days from his resurrection , and the mention of a Sabbath days journey , from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem , occasioned ( as is likely ) from their making that journey then upon that day , v. 12. is so slender , that I know not that ever any learned man did conceive so with him ; and the computation of forty days from his resurrection , being on the first day of the week ( though the day of the resurrection contrary to the common computation should be excluded ) will not fix the Ascention day on the first day of the week , but two days at least short of it . And for the mention of a Sabbath days journey , Act. 1.12 . it is clear from the words that it was onely to shew the distance of the place from Jerusalem , not to shew that day to have been the Sabbath day . I list not to trouble my self about the reason of using that expression rather then another , it being not material . Yet were it granted it had been on the Sabbath day , it had not been the first day of the week , for that is not termed in Scripture , certainly not in the Acts of the Apostles , the Sabbath day . What Mr. C. adds . But albeit his rest was not compleated till he passed into the heavens , yet he first entred into it at his resurrection ▪ which being upon the first day of the week , there needeth no more to fix the command of the Sabbath on that day , doth overthrow his arguing from Heb. 4.7 , 9 , 10 , 14. whence he would deduce the Christian Sabbath because of Christs entring into his rest at his passing into the heavens . Which hurts not others , as Mr. Cawdrey , Sabb. Rediv. part 4. sect . 23. who confesseth the words Heb. 4.10 . not to be spoken of Christ , though he allude to them . I have insisted on this point by the way , because Mr. C. makes use of it for infant Baptism , but to how little purpose the sequel will shew . Mr. C. for proof of infant Baptism , p. 20. layes down this position , that what the Lord confirmed by oath to Abraham , he confirmed it to us , even to all believers after Christ to the worlds end ; which I grant if understood of spiritual Evangelical promises which accompany salvation , but not if meant of those peculiar blessings and priviledges which were promised to Abrahams natural seed . Yet in his proof of that position I conceive sundry things not right which are vented by him , as p. 28. that the voice of Christ meant Heb. 3.7 . is an inviting us to celebrate his day of rest in his house in the worship of the Gospel , which he means of a weekly Sabbath , and a particular Congregation , and outward worship , as sundry passages following shew ; and this he makes a part of the Gospel , p. 31. and the believer that neglects it comes short of the promise of entring into Gods rest , and is a departing from the living God , Heb. ● . 12 . in tanto , though not in toto . In which speeches as there is much mistake , and wrong interpretation of the Text , which speaks not of such a week day rest , or the house of God in the second capacity as he terms it , or of entrance into his rest as his house in that capacity , so that speech is very dangerous , Now this entrance into his rest as his house in this second capacity , is that which the Apostle chiefly speaketh to here , when he saith , Take heed brethren of an evil heart of unbelief , in departing from the living God. And that in case the people of his pasture , and sheep of his hand , even his own children , will not hear his voyce , but forsake his worship , refusing his offer in this Gospel rest as they did in Canaan rest , he will also swear against them as he did against these , that they shall not enter into his rest . Which if true , then they that are not convinced of the weekly Christian Sabbath , as many godly and learned Divines in forreign parts , and in these Nations are not , those who do not on that day joyn in the publike and solemn worship , as prayer , preaching , breaking bread , and that too in a particular gathered Congregation , as Se●kers , and many other persons , whereof we cannot but judge many of them to be godly , these are chiefly meant by the Apostle as those that have an evil heart of unbelief , depart from the living God , God will swear they shall not enter into his rest . Nor will the limitation in tanto help to free his speech from those horrid consequences , which it is liable to , if it be true ▪ which he saith , that the Apostle chiefly speaketh to that entrance in his rest as his house in the second capacity , Heb. 3.12 . and to expound Gods swearing that they should not en●er into his rest in that sense , if they did not hear his voyce inviting to keep the Sabbath , makes the speech inept thus , If ye will not keep the Sabbath , I swear ye shall not keep the Sabbath . Nor do I conceive what he saith , p. 34. is right , that Christ gave his Saints the Keys of the Kingdome of Heaven . Matth. 16.18 . and from that gift to Peter the Saints do claim their Church power , each according to their place and station in the Church ; for they have it as Peters , that is , as stones in that building , or if you will , as confessours , which makes them to be stones in the house of God : For neither by the Keys is meant all Church power , nor are the Keys given to the Saints , much less to them as stones or confessours , though such things are supposed oft times , but not proved ▪ But I hasten to the view of what follows , being the chief thing Mr. C. infers his infant Baptism from . SECT . LXXVIII . Mr. Carters exposition of Gen. 22.16 , 17 , 18. as if God promised to make every believer a blessing , so as to cast ordinarily elect children on elect parents , is refuted . THat which is Mr. Cs. basis for his fabrick of Infant-Baptism , is from the Covenant of God with Abraham , Gen , 22.16 , 17 , 18. which he saith contains four things . 1. That God would bless Abraham , and with him all believers , with all spiritual blessings in Christ , Rom. 9.7 . Gal. 3.16 , 8 , 9 , 29. and this agrees with Gen. 3.15 . ] Which I yeeld . Secondly ( saith he ) more particularly in Gods promise to Abraham is contained something peculiar unto him , and which believers are to claim particularly from his promise made to Abraham ; as namely , in the second place , that God would not onely bless Abraham ; and in him all believers , but also would make them blessings , and that chiefly and in the first place to their families ; and not onely so , but also to Nations . Gen. 12.1 , 2 , 3. So Gen. 18.18 . This promise Peter alledgeth and explaineth to the Jews , Act. 3 25. The word is all the families of the earth . The same word we have , Ephes. 3.15 . The Covenant ma●e with Ab●aham therefore , as by this place we see , that we have it in that of Gen. 12.1 . where it was first made and given , so also that it respecteth families and posterity ; else he had said all the b●lievers , or all the people of the earth , not all the families of the earth shall be blessed . And he could not have said to the Jews , ye are the children of the Covenant , had it not respected the children of the p●ople of God. Nor is it to be restrained onely to the Jews ; for the promise is concerning all the fami●ies of the earth , therefore it followeth in the next words , v. 26. unto you first . And this blessing as it is first laid down , Gen. 12. and here repeated by the Apostle , we see is a blessing both upon the people of God themselves , and upon their families . Nor is this promise to be restrained onely unto this ▪ that of Abraham and his seed should Christ come , ( although that also be included , because what we receive from Abraham we have it all in Christ , ) for so all those of the line of Christ were blessings to the world as well as he . And because here is something intended applicable to all believers , namely , that they also shall be blessings in their generations ; and because a blessing upon families is intended also , for so the words run , thou shalt be a blessing , and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed ; therefore I say it must not be so restrained . But the meaning is , that in his Covenant with Abraham he hath thus far limited himself , and discovered his mind and purpose , that his choice shall not be proportion●bly all over the world alike , but that it shall be by families and nations ; so as he will ordinarily cast elect children upon elect parents ; and the lot of the Saints in neighbourhoods and places together , and not by eq●al numbers in each part of the world alike . Had not his election been so limited to families and nations , neither Abraham nor believers could have been said to be blessings in spiritual things , either to their families or to any other where they live , as now they are , because God so blesseth onely his elect , Ephes . 1.3 , 4. Answ. The sum of this I conceive to be , that God promising to Abraham he should be a blessing , Gen. 12 , 2. that in him all the families of the earth , Gen. 12.3 . all the nations of the earth , Gen. 18.18 . shall be blessed , in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed , Gen. 22.18 . did promise that every believer should be a blessing in his generation in spiritual things to his family and neighbourhood , and thereby God ha●h limited himself to cast ordinarily elect children on elect parents , and the lot of the Saints in neighbourhoods and places together , and not by equal numbers in each part of the world alike . Which exposition is many wayes faulty , and the conclusion inferred from it either false or uncertain , and yet if it were true and certain , would not yeeld a sufficient reason for infant baptism , as will be shewed in the sequel . The first thing I except against this Exposition , that when it is said Gen. 12.2 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he takes it for granted , it is to bee understood actively , as if the meaning were that Abraham should be a blessing to others , whereas ( as Pareus in his Com saith ) it may be an amplification of the things going before , thou shalt bee altogether and very blessed : in which sense we use often the abstract for the contract , as a man very honest is called honesty . Yea the LXX render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and thou shalt be blessed . Piscat . schol . Vel , esto in benediction● , hoc est benedictus . Diodati annot . Blessed every way : as if all blessings were gathered together in thee , or a pattern of a compleat blessing . 2. That he takes i● as i● what is said must bee applicable to all believers , that they shall be blessings in their generations . But this is not proved from the text , which onely speaks of Abraham being a blessing , and though it is true Heb. 6.14 . the promise of bless●ng to Abraham is made a promise of which all believers are heyrs , v. 17. yet is it plain from many passages in that Chapter v 9 , 11 , 12 , 15 , 18 , 19. that it is meant that they are heirs of the promise of blessing to themselves in enjoying salvation as Abraham did , not of imparting blessing to others . 3. That he takes it as if it must follow , that if Abraham were a blessing to others , it must bee in that spiritual blessings according to election were in some proportion entailed to the post●rity and neighbourhood of all true believers . But Pareus thus ; Some expound it actively , thou shalt be a blessing , that is , thou shalt bless others : my blessing shall not bee shut up in thee alone ; but out of thee it shall flow also to others . Blessing shall so stick in thee wheresoever thou comest , that by thy ministry others may also come to a blessing . Nor do the exposition of some Hebrews seem to bee refused , that Abraham shall be a publike example of all sort of blessing in the world , so that all that wish well to themselves or o●hers , may wish for the happiness of Abraham : Or as the new annot in Gen. 12.2 . shalt be a blessing ] That is , more then thou shalt have a blessing , for in this blessing is virtually comprised the happiness of both worlds , and of all that are truely blessed in all ages ; whereof though God be the onely Author , Abraham is honoured to bee a principal means under him to bring it to pass in being the progenitour of the promised seed , and setting such an example of beliefe as might qualifie him to be stiled father of the faithfull , Rom. 4.11 , 12. The world shall receive by thy seed , which is Christ , the blessing which it lost in Adam . Mr. C. himselfe denies not to bee included in this promise , that of Abraham and his seed the Lord CHRIST should come , but saith , if it bee restrained onely to this then it will follow that all those of the Line of CHRIST were blessings to the World as well as hee . To which I reply , 1. if the sense given be included as he grants , then his sense is not necessary , nor can any thing be proved by it . 2. Though the speech in the sense given bee restrained , yet the absurdity followes not , sith the being a blessing by begetting Christ is not so invested in any as in Abraham , who is made the first Trustee as it were , of this blessing by the Covenant , or Charter granted to him . 4. I except that in the promise , In thee , or in thy seed shall all the families or Nations of the earth bee blessed . Mr. Carter conceives thee and thy seed to comprehend every believer : Whereas the Apostle expounds Acts 3.25 . [ in thy seed ] of Christ onely , and [ in thee ] Galath . 3.8 , 9. of Abraham onely , with whom as the pattern o● believing and beeing blessed , they which bee of the faith are blessed . I deny not that by Abrahams seed believers are meant Gen. 17.7 . and Gen. 15.5 . and that the Apostle Rom. 4.18 . Gal. 3.29 . and elsewhere so expounds it ; But no where do I finde the promises Gen. 1● . 3 & 18.18 . & 22.18 . expounded so as that in thy seed should no●e every believer , and the sense in which Mr. Carter takes it , as if in every believer all the families of the earth should bee blessed , it is derogatory from Abrahams peculiar priviledge one way understood , another from Christs , and not much short of blasphemy . 5. That hee makes families and nations of the earth to bee different in the promises mentioned , as appears by his words [ and that chiefly and in the first place to their families ; and not onely so , but also to nations ] whereas the holy Ghost makes no such difference . For as the same promise which is expressed by families , Gen. 12.3 . is expressed by nations , Gen. 18.18 . so in the new Testament the promise Gen. 12.3 . where the word is rendred families , is expressed Gal. 3.8 . by nations and the term which is Gen. 22.18 . all the nations of the earth is Acts 3.25 . all the kindreds or families of the earth , as Mr. C. would have it . 6. Mr. C. seems by families to whom believers should be a blessing , children , as when hee saith , God will ordinarily cast children elect upon elect parents , and by nations neighbourhoods , as when hee saith , the lot of the Saints in neighbourhoods and places together , whereas families in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whether rendred by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the LXX Gen. 12.3 . that is , tribes , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 3.25 . notes more then posterity or housholds , even whole tribes , and kinreds that draw their line from one great Ancestour , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes a whole people of one language , though in their dwellings so remote as to have no entercourse one with another . I will not trouble my self to enquire what difference there is between the words in Hebrew and Greek which are translated families , tribes , kindreds , nations : This I am sure they contain greater and more ample numbers of men then those who live together under one roof or one town , and if from thence the extent of the Covenant be inferred to posterity of believers and their neighbours , and so the seal of the Covenant ( as Mr. C. doth ) because believers are promised to bee a blessing to posterity and neighbours , it will follow from the termes families and nations , that they are blessings to whole parishes , townes , cities and nations , and they are to be baptised and parochial , city , national Churches to bee set up again , against which Mr. C. with his brethren have so much hitherto contended . 7. By Mr. Cs. exposition whereas the promises are that all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in a believer , this is brought to so narrow a compass , as that it is restrained to posterity and neighbourhood . 8. The manner how in believers their posterity is said to be blessed , and he a blessing to them is expressed to be , in that God casts elect children upon elect paients , which I know not well how to understand . It seems to bear a sense if not the same yet very near that in which we are said to be chosen in Christ , Ephes. 1.3 , 4. which Mr. C. alledgeth to this purpose , and 1 Cor. 1.30 . We are of God in him , who is made to us of God wisdom , and righteousness , and sanctification , and redemption , which were near blasphemy . Which to avoid it concerned Mr. C. to have more clearly and distinctly expressed himself . What he saith [ that the Covenant made with Abraham Gen. 12.2 , 3. respecteth families and posteritie ; else he had said all the believers , or all the people of the earth , not all the families of the earth shall bee blessed ] shews his oversight in not observing that it is Gal. 3.8 . all the nations of the earth , which is equivalent to all the people of the earth , and yet v. 9. by all the nations of the earth , are meant no more then they that are of faith . And when he saith , that the Apostle Acts 3.25 . could not have said to the Jewes , ye are the children of the Covenant , had it not respected the children of the people of God , hee heeded not that they are said as well to bee children of the Prophets , and therefore the sense is not that they were descended from the Covenant or Prophets by natural generation , but ye are they to whose Ancestours the Covenant was at first given , and the Prophets sent , which are not common things to all the children of the people of God or true believers , the Gentile believers children are not children of the Covenant and Prophets in the sense there meant , but proper to the Jews . Nor is the proposition true which Mr. C. would gather from the Covenant to Abraham . For , 1. God hath plainly discovered his mind Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 18 , 24 , 25. that he chuseth at his pleasure children of unbelievers as well as believers , and of the posterity of believers , either none or which he will , arbitrarily and by no ordinary or certain rule , but as a potter doth with his clay , ac●ording to his soveraignty , not out of special grace to the children of his elect for the parents sake , and accordingly the saints praise him for their redemption out of every kinred , and tongue , and people , and nation , Rev. 5.9 . without respect to their Ancestours . 2. Our Lord Christ foretold Matt 10.34 , 35. that he came to divide a man against his father , and the daughter against her mother , and the daughter in law against her mother in law , and a mans enemies should be they of his own house . And in the families of the most godly , how few were found elect may appear by the posterity of David , Josiah , Jehoshaphat , ●li , Samuel , Abraham himself , with many more . As for our own experience in our own times it is so uncertain , that no good estimate can be made thereupon , concerning Gods ordinary way . Perhaps in some families it falls out , that the posterity , and neighbours , and servants are godly , but many complaints of degenerating , of back-sliding , shew it as often to be otherwise . I wish it were true which Mr. C. writes , though I find no proof of it , That in all ages God hath cast it so in his providence , that his people are not to be found in all places alike : but we finde them together in some families and nations . Now this is not faln out by chance , but because God hath so made his choise , hath been a God to believers and their seed in their generation ; and hath made them blessings for the conversion and edification of their children , neighbours and acquaintance , and that not onely by a common providence , as he blesseth the corn and grass of the field , but it is by vertue of a special word of blessing a creating word of promise , which giveth a being to the things promised , even this promise made to Abraham and in him to all believers , Gen. 12 2 , 3. without which , good examples and other means of education and conversion , had not had such efficacy and power in turning sinners to God. But I do not believe it , sith neither hath the Covenant such a sense as Mr. C. gives it , nor is there such e●perience proved , and it is found that what good is done among children of believing parents , is done as often by servants , minister , good company , remarkable providences and other wayes , as by parents endeavours , and if without such a promise as Mr. C. imagines , such means had not such efficacy , I think not onely parents who believe no such promise , but also ministers , and others who expect a blessing upon their endeavours without Mr. Cs. promise , would be discouraged in their work . That which is said Psal. 105.8 . though it prove the perpetuity of Gods Covenant with Abraham , yet proves not the sense Mr. C. gives of the Covenant . Nor doth that Luk. 19.9 . yeeld any clearness to i● , For salvation came to Zacheus his house in respect of his person , and if it did to others in his house , yet it is not said by vertue of the Covenant to Abraham as Mr. C. imagines , and what Mr. C. saith about Acts 16.31 . that it was spoken because of this promise to Abraham is his own gloss without any hint from the text , and would infer this proposition , that by vertue of Gods promise to Abraham upon the faith of an house-keeper his house should be saved , which is contrary to constant experience of believing masters , husbands , parents having unbelieving servants , wives , children . I grant Abraham to be the holy root , Rom. 11.16 . and that v. 28. the Jewes as touching the election are beloved for the Fathers sake and that they shall be graffed in again because the gu●●t once given to them , God will not repent of , and though I say not the Church bringeth forth children to Abraham , yet I yeeld Jerusalem which is above the Evangelical Covenant doth , and that the children of promise , or of the free-woman are Abrahams seed ▪ all believers even of the Gentiles , but this is so far from proving the blessing upon families and kinreds , and Gods ordering in such manner his election , as Mr. C. devised , and would have perpetual from Psal. 105.8 . that it rather proves the contrary . For the breaking off the Jews , and the ingraffing the Gentiles , not of the families or kinred of the root Abraham but a wild Olive by nature , proves the blessing not to be to families , nor election so ordered , as that to a thousand generations , to all generations even to the worlds ●nd , God ordinarily casts elect children upon elect parents . Nor doth the citing of Isa. 59.20 . which is Rom. 11.26 , 27. with the inference thereupon , prove that God entails his blessing upon families from generation to generation ; but that God hath such a special love to the family of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , that after a long breaking off that nation shall be restored again and re-ingraffed for the Fathers sake , which is there made the peculiar priviledge of Israel after the flesh . But there is not a word in the Apostle , Rom. 11. that shews that priviledge to have been enjoyed by believing Gentiles since their being graffed into the same root and Olive tree from whence the Jews were broken off . Nor is it true . For God hath removed his Candlestick from many places where there were famous Churches , a●d from many kindreds , families , and people , where there were formerly godly company and society ; so that now the progeny are become profane , and Apostates , and the Churches replenished with plants out of families in which a little while since Popery , profaneness , and viciousness did abound . No● do 1 Cor. 7.14 . Acts 2.38 . make any thing for Mr. Cs. purpose , as shall appear in the sequel . Nor doth the application of Circumcis●on to the child , or Abrahams title of Father of all them that believe , prove the Covenant with Abraham in Mr. Cs. sense : Nor is it true , the application of Circumcision to the child is a necessary and essential part of that Ordinance . For that is not an essential part of an Ordina●ce without which it might be : But the Ordinance of Circumcision might be , and perhaps was at first without application to a child , if thereby be meant an infant ; however , if none but parents were circumcised , as when the Circumcision was Josh. 5. it had been the Ordinance of Circumcision nevertheless : when onely one proselyte a● age was circumcised it was the Ordinance . Ergo. As for what Mr. C. answers to the objection from experience , it is indeed a pulling down of what he had spent so much time to build up . For if Gods blessing do not take effect through mens sin , or defect of using means , then the promise is not to families and kindreds in that absolute manner Mr. C. before described it , then the promise is to the quality and diligence of the persons , not to the relation ; then is the promise as well to any other so qualified and diligent , as to the parent ; then is it false which he said before , pag. 38. that the success was not from example and other means , but a special word of blessing the promise to Abraham . Finally , if that be true which he hath pag. 35. ( which is false printed ) G 2. that although Gods promise be to carry his election so , as to cast elect children upon elect parents , yet he reserveth to himself , and also useth in this a liberty , namely , ever and anon to be still breaking of 〈…〉 graffing in others into this holy root ; then what he said before , p. 7. F 3. that God hath thus far limited himself , and discovered his mind and purpose , that he will ordinarily cast elect children upon elect parents , is false : For what God reserveth to himself , and useth a liberty in , he hath not limited himself so far ; and if he ever and anon useth this liberty , to be still breaking of● some , and graffing in others , then he doth not ordinarily cast elect children upon elect parents ▪ for what is otherwise ever and anon and still , is not so ordinarily , much less still in being to a thousand generations , to all generations , even to the worlds end , as he said pag. 33. G. So that Mr. Cs. discourse from his own words is found hitherto to contain mistakes , uncertainty , and in the main , inconsistency with it self . Let 's view whether in the rest there be any thing worthy of a Lord Mayors imprimatur . A third thing Mr. C. observes as contained in the Lords promise unto Abraham , is , That by thus blessing and making believers blessings , God would multiply his seed , Gen. 22.16 . So Gen. 17.2 , 5. That this is part of the Gospel , and contained in the promise made to him and us , is proved from Heb. 6.14 . A further proof we have Gen. 15.5 . alledged Rom. 4.3 , 18 , 22. as belonging to believing Gentiles , the increase of whose number by means of Gods blessing believers so as to make them blessings as Abrahams seed , was intended in that promise , and as part of that Gospel , which God preached unto Abraham : There 's a promise that the Kingdome of Christ shall fill the world , Dan. 2.35 , 44. To this purpose is that of our Saviour , Matth. 13.31 , 32 , 33. Now the Lords making believers blessings , and thereby multiplying Abrahams seed , is that which makes his Kingdome thus to be like leaven , whereby the whole world at last will be seasoned with the knowledge and love of Christ. Therefore this multiplying of believers , so as to fill the world , is made by the Apostle , Rom. 4.13 . to be part of Abrahams promise ; then mark what follows , v. 16 , 17 , 18. This promise was made sure to all believers , as well Gentiles as Jews . Answ. 1. Why Mr. C. makes that the 3d. thing in Gods promise Gen. 22.17 , 18. which is the 2d . and puts that as the 2d . thing which is after the rest v. 18. and so the 4th . I see no reason , but onely that he foresaw that otherwise there had been no colour for this which he here infers , that by thus blessing and making believers blessings God would multiply his seed , Gen. 22.16 . But the right order of the promises shews this conceit to be only Mr. Cs. fancy . For in that the promise v. 18. is put last , it is shewed thereby that it is a distinct promise , and that it doth not express the manner how God would multiply Abrahams seed , as Mr. C. conceives . 2. It is true Gen. 15.5 . is a Gospel promise to believing Gentiles , Rom. 4.18 . but not in Mr. Cs. sense , that the increase of the number of believing Gentiles , should be by means of Gods blessing believers so as to make them blessings as Abrahams seed , in that God would cast ordinarily elect children o● elect parents , and the lot of the Saints in neighbourhoods and places together : But in this sense , that Abraham should have an innumerable company of children , or his seed among the Gentiles by faith , who should be faithfull●●raham ●●raham , Gal. 3.9 . in their own persons , but no mention is there of their being a blessing to others . 3. That the Church of Christ should fill the world , Dan. 2.35 , 44. that the Kingdome of Heaven as a grain of mustard seed , or leaven , Matth. 13.31 , 32 , 33. shall fill or season the world ▪ is granted ; but that it is meant in those places to be done in Mr. Cs. way , is denied : I do conceive it to have been meant of the Apostles preaching , as me thinks Christs words , Matth. 24.14 . do import . 4 That the promise of being heir of the world was to Abraham and his seed believing Gentiles , is granted ; but that his or their being heir of the world did import any such blessing as Mr. C. imagines , as if God would ordinarily cast elect children on elect parents , or that any such thing is intimated by the Apostle v. 16 , 17 , 18. is denied : Nor do I yet find any interpreter afore Mr. C. who hath so expounded the prom●se . In the opening of the 4th . promise , that the seed of Abraham should possess the gates of their enemies , though his exposition be granted , I see not what advantage it gives him for proof of infant Baptism , and therefore let it pass ; onely I take notice , that when p. 43. he makes the multiplying of the seed of Abraham , and the conquest of the world to be a spiritual work to be effected by the sword of the spirit the word of God , it follows , that it is to be done by preachers rather then by parents , and consequently not in that way Mr. C. imagines , but in the way which Christ took , by sending his Apostles to preach the Gospel to every creature . What he saith p. 45. of the meaning of Gen. 9.26 . hath been shewed before to be uncertain , and to be proved false by the History of the Church , in that in Affrica the posterity of Cham were in the Church of Christ as well as Shems and Japhets posterity ; and how Abrahams seed shall fill the world at last and rule over it , is so doubtfull , as that I conceive no certainty can be thence deduced . The conceit of the four Kings Gen. 14. as if their people became afterwards the four Monarchies ▪ is such a fancy , as a waking man that knows the distance between Rome , Greece , and Canaan , and the voyage they must take by sea , and other circumstances which the story Gen. 14. and other Histories suggest , will take onely for a dream . Mr. Cs. gloss , p. 50. on the words of Christ , Mark 10.15 . Who soever shall not receive the Kingdome of God as a little child ▪ that is , as a child receiveth it , shall not enter therein ; whether he mean i● of the visible Church or Kingdome of glory , it cannot be true . For let the way of entring the Kingdome of God be by birth , or Baptism , or any other way , yet a true believer by faith and profession may enter into the Kingdome of God in a way different from that a little child receives it in who hath no understanding of Christ : And though both be passive in the first work on their souls , yet believers of age are not meerly p●ssive as little children who have no understanding at all of Christ. But for the true meaning of Christ , I need say no more but refer the Reader to Christs words , Matth. 18.4 . whence the meaning appears to be , that no person not endued with that qualification of self-humbling , of which a little child is a fit embleme , Psal. 131.2 . shall become an inheritour of glory . Nor is there any proof made by Mr. C. of his dictate , that because Christ would that little children also should be members of his Kingdome , therefore hath he made it one branch of the Gospel of this Kingdome , that the families of the righteous shall be blessed . His reason he gives , p. 51. is no reason ; for God might have gone further then ordinarily ▪ to cast elect children upon elect parents , even to have done so universally and perpetually , and yet we might no more have been sons of God by natural generation , and as much by nature born children of wrath as now we are conceived . Though God had not so far , as Mr. C. imagines , confined his choice to families , kindreds , and nations , his elect had not been destitute of means of education , sith God could have provided Catechists , Preachers , and others to that end , in other families , kindreds , and na●ions : Sure in some ages of the Church there was so little provision made to that end in families , kindreds , and nations , that it appears that almost all the means of education was from Monasteries in Scotland and Ireland , by the Histories that remain , as may be seen by Seldens Epistle before the Histories collected by Twisden , Ushers relation of the Irish Religion , and elsewhere . If it were the most natural and ready way to multiply the spiritual seed for the increase of Gods Kingdome , by making believers a blessing to families and nations , as Mr. C. saith p. 52. sure God by sending Apostles , and not using Kings and Masters of families for that end , omitted the readiest and most natural way ; and I see not why it should be judged the best way to propagate the Gospel , to gather Churches out of Parishes , and set Pastors over them , or to send itinerant preachers , but to reduce all Churches to family and national Churches , and to make Kings and Masters of families Elders and Rulers over them . Nor do I find that either God so casts the lot of his Saints together ▪ as Mr. C. imagines , or that by that means the gifts of Gods people are improved , and light increased ; but by raising up holy Teachers and Pastors , and associating of the Saints from their several dwellings into a well ordered assembly . If as Mr. C. saith p. 55. the Israelites destroyed the Canaanites not by common rules of righteousness among men , but by special revelation and command from God ; then either they did it not by the promise Gen. 22.17 . or that promise did not assure them of the possession of Canaan by common rules of justice , as Mr. C. conceives . That the people of God in the times of the N. T. may not make war against Antichrist or Babylon and their party as an Anathema , but upon a natural and civil account , for the just liberties opposed and invaded by them , may be well doubted , considering sundry passages which are Rev. 17.16 , 17. & 18.6 , 24. That the dominion which the Saints shall at last obtain , shall need no force either to get or maintain it ; but it shall naturally fall upon them , as from other causes , so also by reason of the●r number , according to the law of nature , and common rules of righteousness , is not proved from Isa. 2.3 . and how much it may tend to denying the lawfulness of Christians fighting in wars , especially if the chief or onely cause be to preserve the Godly from oppressions in Religion , is to be consid●red . And that power is naturally devolved upon the Saints because of their numbers , ( as p. 60. is intimated , ) seems to me an unsafe speech , as resting on this position , That power is naturally devolved on the greatest number . It is enough that I have onely by the way noted these things , that what men preach and print may be better considered : I pass on to the examining of Mr. Cs. application . SECT . LXXIX . Neither did Circumcision seal Mr. Cs. additional Promise , nor was Abraham thence termed Father of Believers . THe first thing Mr. C. observes is , that in the promise to Abraham there 's an addition made to the former promise to Adam , Gen. 3.15 . which I grant , but not such an addition as Mr. C. conceivs . The next is , that to this promise of making believers blessings to families and nations , God made an addition of the seal of Circumcision , and the application of this seal to infants is part of the se●l , thereby signifying and confirming that promise of such blessing . So Gen. 17.10 , 14. Had not the application of it to the infant been part of the token of the Covenant the childs not being circumcised had not been a breach of the Covenant ; nor could the Lord have said , this is my Covenant , that the manchild be circumcised , if the application of that ordinance to the child , had not in it a signification and confirmation of something in the Covenant . Answ. There are these things to be proved : 1. That Circumcision was a seal of the Covenant made to Abraham Gen. 17. 2. That Circumcision was a seal of this promise of God , of making believers blessings to families and nations in order to the multiplying the seed , and encrease of the Kingdome of Christ. 3. That the application of this seal to infants is part of the seal . 4. That thereby was signified and confirmed that promise of such blessing . But the proof is of other things , 1. that the application of Circumcision to the infant is part of the token of the Covenant . 2. The application of that ordinance to the child , had in it a signification and confirmation of something in the Covenant ; For neither is it all one to bee a token and to bee a seal of the Covenant , there being other tokens then seals ; and signe and token being the same , though distinguished Rom. 4.11 . they are unfitly confounded by Mr. C. nor is it all one to signifie something in the Covenant , and to signifie this thing in the Covenant , that God would make believers blessings in Mr. Cs. sense . Not doth either of Mr. Cs. middle terms prove either of his conclusions . For the childs not being circumcised had been a breach of the Covenant , as being a breach of the command of God enjoyned then , though circumcising the child had been no part of the token of the Covenant , and the Lord might have said , this is my Covenant that the man child bee circumcised , that is , this is my command in my Covenant , if the application of that ordinance to the child , had not in it a signification and confirmation of something in the Covenant . But allowing that Circumcision is called the Covenant by a metonimy of the thing signified for the signe , and that it signified something in the Covenant beeing applied to infants , yet not one of Mr. Carters propositions is proved thereby ; For 1. it may be a signe and not a seal . 2. It might be a seal of the Covenant Gen. 17. yet not of that promise Gen. 22.18 . which is in another Covenant , not in that Gen. 17. 3. If it were a seal of that promise Gen. 22.18 . yet not in Mr. Cs. new devised sense . 4. ●o omit the ineptness or non sense of the speech , the application of this seal to infants is part of the seal . For what doth hee mean by the application of this seal to infants but onely Circumcision , and hee before called Circumcision the seal which hee meant ; so that his speech can have no other construction then this , Circumcision of infants is part of Circumcision , which is inept or non-sense , I say further that the speech is not true . For if it bee a part it is either essential or integral , I know no other sort of parts it can bee meant of ; But it it is not a part essential , for then without application to infants there should bee no seal , and so a Proselyte had not the seal though hee were Circumcised , unless hee had an infant manchild and hee circumcised , nor integral , for the Circumcision of a Proselyte was entire Circumcision or seal ( as they speak ) without his manchilds Circumcision . Thence also , saith Mr. C. is that in Acts 7.8 . that is , he did it according to that Covenant of Circumcision , so as the application of the seal to the infant was part of the Covenant to bee performed on the part of Abraham and his seed in their generations , even by his spiritual seed to a thousand generations , in that which is the same for substance , and equivalent to circumcision , as we shall see anon . Answ. That God gave Abraham the Covenant of Circumcision , and so , or accordingly , or he ( according to the Copies that have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) begate Isaac , and circumcised him the eighth day is not denied , nor that he did this according to the Covenant of Circumcision , that is according to the command of God concerning Circumcision as a signe of his Covenant Gen. 17. in which sense it is granted that the applica●ion of the seal ( meaning circumcision ) to the ( male ) infant was part of the Covenant to be performed on the part of Abraham and his seed in their generations , but this proves not what Mr. C. undertook to prove , that it was part of the seal , or part of the token of the Covenant ( it beeing not all one to bee part of the Covenant and part of the seal or token of the Covenant ) unless Mr. C. confounds them ( as he seems to do ) nor is there any word of God for application of any seal to the infant but Circumcision , the text is express for Circumcision , this is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee , every man child shall bee circumcised , which can bee understood of no other then Circumcision , without making God to speak non-sense , and making God command a thing in words which they signifie not , and making God to command a thing indefinite and indeterminate , which no wise Law-giver doth , and making a pronoun demonstrative to import not the definite thing expressed , but some other individuum vagum , of which it is uncertain what it is , contrary to the very exposition of the Holy Ghost Gen. 17.23 . where it is expresly said , that Abrahams Circumcising was as God had said unto him , contrary to what Abraham , and all interpreters Jewish and Christian ( that I have ever met with afore Mr. C. ) have conceived , and which i● it be granted it will follow that if the male child of Abrahams posterity had not been circumcised , but had another seal of the Covenant applied to it , the Covenant or Command Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11 , 12. had not been broken , Moses had kept the command if he had baptised his son , though he did not circumcise him . These and many more absurdi●ies follow on that portentous opinion , which I guessed long since by some words of Mr. Cawdrey and Palmer in the first part of thei● Sabb. Rediv . ch 2. § . 32. to have been hatching to maintain the Judaizing conceit of infant Baptism from infant Circumcision , that they might not seem therein to run on the rock of holding the Law of Circumcision yet in force ; yet might have some colour for a command of infant Baptism , Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. where infant Circumcision is commanded and nothing else , but I found it not so expresly vented by any afore Mr. C. Now what saith he for it ? ● . That this part of the Covenant was to be performed by Abrahams spiritual seed . But hee doth not prove that it was to bee performed by Abrahams spiritual seed of the Gentiles after Christs comming . Hee urgeth the words of the Psalmist Psalm . 105.8 . Hee hath remembred his Covenant for ever : the word which hee commanded to a thousand generations . But first , The word is not meant of the command of a seal to bee applied to infants , but of his own promise , which hee will have firme as his Command , Psalm . 133.3 . & 42.8 . & 44.4 . as the New Annotat . and Piscat . on the place , which also appears from the words following , which terme it Gods Covenant hee made with Abraham , and his oath unto Isaac , which is expressed vers . 11. which cannot be understood of his Command to us what we should do , but his promise of what hee himself will do . Secondly , the word commanded signifieth Gods decree within himself ; Or as Diodati in his note on the place , Hee commanded ] which hee appointed by his soveraign and irrevocable decree , as the word commanded is used Psalm . 133.3 . and elsewhere . Thirdly , To a thousand generations , notes not just so many ; But as Piscator in his scholi● on the place , it is by a synecdoche of the kinde , as if it were said unto many ages . And this must needs bee granted , sith the Covenant however it bee granted to imply in the latent sense the promise of the heavenly inheritance , yet in the patent sense must bee understood ( as v. 11.44 . compared shew ) of the earthly Canaan : which they had not a thousand generations , but for many ages ; as Exod. 20.6 , To thousand generations is meant not precisely so many and no more , but a long time indefinite , beyond three or four generations : and thus must also bee understood the promise of the land of Canaan to bee for ever , to be an everlasting possession , that is , for a long time , as frequently it is used Exod. 21.6 . Exod. 40.15 . 1 Sam. 2.35 . Levit. 23.14 , 21 , 31 , 41 , &c. What hee saith of Baptism being the same for substance and equivalent to Circumcision , unless hee mean it , that infant Baptism and infant Circumcision are one equivalent to the other , and the same for substance in this sense [ they are of no force not obliging Christians nor benefiting them ] it will be found in examining that which follows , to have no truth . Mr. C. adds , And that this blessing upon families and posterity was signified , held forth , and sealed by circumcising the child , appeareth further by that promise uttered in that phrase , Deut. 30.6 . which kind of expression intimates , that the promise of the conversion of their children was held forth , and confirmed in that seal . As when the Apostle saith wee are baptized into one body , is signified and sealed in Baptism our union with Christ in one body , because else those words had been in no capacity to have been so used in that sense , as they are used both by the Apostle and by Moses . Answ. 1. The phrase of circumcising the heart , Deut. 30 6 being used to express conversion or change of the heart , doth shew indeed that there is some resemblance between them , yet that it is so by institution is not proved , no more then because by breaking up our fallow ground , together with circumcising , the same thing is si●nified Jer. 4.3 , 4. and by washing , Isa. 1.16 . therefore plowing and washing are by institution to bee used to that end , 2. But be it granted that Circumcision was instituted to signifie the ch●nge of the heart , as baptism our union with Christ in one body , yet this proves not that it was to signifie and seal a promise of something future , but rather what was already done . For if it signifie as Baptism , then it signifies conversion already effected , Baptism being a sign that the person was united to Christ and to all his members by one spirit , as the very terms 1 Cor. 12.13 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wee have been baptised , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we have been drencht , shew . And though the words Deut. 30.6 . are a promise , yet the term [ circumcise ] of it self , and in like manner the use of circumcision , according to the institution , may as well note a thing done , as a thing promised to bee done . 3. Nevertheless let it bee granted that circumcision did in the institution of it note conversion of the heart , and signified a promise of it as being a token of the Covenant in which that was covertly promised , yet this proves not that it held forth a blessing upon families and posterity . For there is no mention Deut. 30.6 . of families , though there be of posterity , and that mention which is of posterity , is of them not in their infant , but adult estate , and upon condition of the childs returning to God , and obeying his voice as well as the parents , as Mr. Baxter rightly observes in his Friendly accommodation with Mr. Bedford p. 361. I may add , that the promise there is expressed onely concerning one case , to wit repentance in captivity , v. 1 , 2.3 , 4. and the promise ( as appears from v. 5. ) is a promise peculiar to the Israelites . 4. But were this further granted , that thence might be proved that circumcision by institution signified the promise of conversion of posterity , and that this were to Gentile believers , yet this is nor that which Mr. C. would evince , that the application of the seal to infants in that it was to infants sealed this promise , or that the promise was sealed in Mr. Cs. sense , so as that God would ordinarily cast elect children on elect parents , and make parents a blessing , so as that Abrahams seed by faith should be multiplied in families and nations by them . What Mr. C. adds , That the sign had not held proportion with the thing signified ; namely , there had been nothing in the sign to signifie and seal that blessing upon posterity , had the application of it to infants been left out , is but a vain dictate . For 1. if the sign held similitude with the thing signified , though it held not proportion so as to be applied to all whose conversion was signified it might serve for the use of a sign , as a conveyance to a Father may assure the childs interest ; and therefore that which Mr. C. dictates , that for this reason infants were to be circumcised , to seal that promise of believers being a blessing , added to Adams Covenant , is a vain conceit without proof , sith it might have been as well assured if the parents had been circumcised onely , as well as when the male infants onely were circumcised . And that which he saith further is most false , and vain , Nor indeed had there been any use of the application of it to the infant , nor that made a part of the Ordinance , had there not been such a branch in the Covenant as a blessing upon families and posterity to be thereby signified and sealed . For besides this , that Mr. C. proves neither that branch in the Covenant , nor that use of infant Circumcision , it is clear by Stephens speech , Act. 7.5 , 6 , 7 , 8. that Abraham circumcised Isaac in assurance of the land of Canaan , and that he received the Covenant of Circumcision to that end : and that the circumcising of infants had this use , to signifie Christ to come , seems plainly to be delivered by the Apostle , Col. 2.17 . and by the general consent of Divines . Much more vain is that which he adds , So as if that priviledge be denied unto infants , that which was given to us in Abrahams Covenant is rejected , as he saith Gen. 17. The uncircumcised man-child shall be cut off from his people , he hath broken my Covenant . For neither if Mr. Cs. sense of the promise Gen. 22.18 . Gen. 12.2 , 3. be rejected , is there any thing which was given to us in Abrahams Covenant rejected , nor had the denying of Circumcision to infants necessarily inferred the rejecting of that which was given in Abrahams Covenant ; nor do the words Gen. 17.14 . import , that by not circumcising the person omitting it had rejected that which was given in Abrahams Covenant , for so Moses not circumcising his son had rejected the Covenant ; but the breaking the Covenant was onely meant of breaking the command of that which was the token of the Covenant . Much less is this true of those that deny infant Baptism , that they reject the spiritual blessings given in Abrahams Covenant , Baptism being not by Christs institution a seal of Gods Covenant or promise to us , unless by consequence , much less the mixt Covenant of Abraham , as it contained domestical benefits proper to Abrahams house , much more less the new conceited promise of Mr. C. Nor was infant Baptism ever commanded by God , but invented by men in a fond imitation of Jewish Circumcision ; and as long as we keep close to the institution Matth. 28.19 . and baptize and are baptized upon believing in testimony of our union with Christ and his Church , 1 Cor. 12.13 . we may securely flight Mr. Cs. doom of being cut off from Gods people , which after Mr. Cotton refuted by me in the second part of this Review , sect . 11. he hath vainly here renewed to affright silly people with . Mr. C. adds , That Abraham was called father of believers , 1. from believing this additional promise given in order to the increase of his spiritual seed , which he proves from Rom. 4.18 . Gen. 15.5 . 2. From his receiving the seal of that promise , Rom. 4.11 . From which place we may observe , 1. That Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of faith . 2. That because it was a seal of that righteousness , which he had before he was circumcised , he therefore became the Father of all that believe , whether circumcised or not . Now had not this seal been given him that he might be the Father of believers , his receiving it at this or that time , whether before , or after his believing to righteousness , had made nothing for the universality of his relation as a Father of all believers . Answ. I grant that Abrahams believing the promise , Gen. 15.5 . and his receiving Circumcision a seal of that righteousness of faith he had in uncircumcision , was the reason of his title of Father of believers . And I grant that Abrahams personal Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of faith to all believers circumcised or uncircumcised , and therefore he had it afore his Circumcision , that it might not be judged as proper to the circumcised . But 1. I deny , That the promise was Gen. 15.5 . as Mr. Cs. additional promise is , that Every believer should be a blessing to his family and posterity , so as that God should ordinarily cast elect children on elect parents ; but that Abraham , though then childless , should have innumerable children by natural generation , though he were and his wife aged , and more by believing as he did . 2. The Scripture doth not say , that Abrahams Circumcision was a seal of the promise Gen. 15.5 . but a seal of the rightiousness of faith he had , Gen. 15.6 . it was not a seal of a promise of a thing future , but of a benefit obtained many years before . 3 : I find not any ones Circumcision , but the Circumcision which Abraham had in his own person , stiled the seal of the righteousness of faith , nor to any but him that believes as he did . 4. That his receiving the seal is not made the reason of Abrahams relation of Father of all believers , but justification by faith afore he received Circumcision . Nor do I find that any of Mr. Cs. assertions is proved from Rom. 4.11 , 18. that Circumcision was a seal of the Covenant , Gen. 17. or of Mr. Cs. additional promise , or that the application to infants was part of the seal , or that by it Mr. Cs. imagined promise was confirmed , and therefore this Text is impertinently alledged also Mr. C. adds ▪ That it was not Abrahams faith onely , nor his degree of faith above others which gave him that title , appeareth 1. because others were as eminent believers as he before him . 2. There was something given which believers had not , at least in such a way had not before , in reference to which he was so called , therefore it was not for his faith onely , nor the eminency thereof . 3. There is nothing in faith or the eminency thereof , that could occasion that his name to be given to him ; but it was in reference to something which he was to have as a Father this additional promise and the seal thereof , he was the first Father that received this blessing which was a blessing upon parents and their children ; and because at least in a great part by vertue thereof the holy seed was to be propagated and encreased . And believers are said to be his seed , because that promise and Covenant made to Abraham concerning the Lords blessing and multiplying his seed , is so much a cause of their being brought forth unto Christ ; his ordering his election so as to bestow his blessing thus by families and nations , being that which makes the Kingdome of Heaven like leaven , one believer ordinarily being the means of the conversion of another . Answ. The title [ Father of believers ] is a relative , with which Abraham was denominated from his Fatherhood as the form denominating , and this form denominating was from his begetting justified believers as the foundation , this begetting justified believers I know not how otherwise it should be then by his exemplary faith , and Gods declaration of his justification by it ; which the Apostle doth plainly intimate , Rom. 4.11 . by expressing Abrahams children in this phrase , walking in the steps of his faith . The object indeed of this faith was the promise Gen. 15.5 . not Mr. Cs. imagined promise to other believers , and so the promise was the occasion , and in some sort the cause of the title , as the object may be said to be the cause of the act in somewhat an abusive expression . His personal Circumcision was a sign or seal of that whence the title came , the righteousness of faith ; and a token of that Covenant wherein God declared it , Gen. 17.4 , 5 ▪ But Circumcision did not make him such , he was such afore Circumcision was instituted , Gen. 17.4 , 5. Nor is it said Rom. 4.11 . that his receiving Circumcision was that he might be the Father of the faithfull , but his having righteousness by faith before Circumcision made him the Father of justified believers of all nations . Nor do Mr. Cs. reasons prove the contrary . For 1. though others faith might be as strong , yet no ones faith was so ●minently exemplary , the time and other circumstances considered ; and this is apparent from Rom. 4.18 , 19 , 20 , 21. 2. Abraham had that exemplary faith , and promise and declaration of God , which no Saint had before in the manner I have explained it . 3. This was fit to denominate him Father of believers , as Sara the Mother of obedient and well doing wives , 1 Pet. 3.6 . by her exemplary obedience to her husband , and we are termed children of God by following him , Ephes . 5.1 . wicked men children of the Devil by doing his lusts , Joh. 8.44 . It is true , we are to look to other examples , chiefly Christs , Heb , 12 , 1 , 2. yet none of meer men so eminently believed as Abraham , and therefore no meer sinfull man is propounded as a Copy or pattern equal to him . As for Mr. Cs. reason , it is not right . For 1. Mr. Cs. additional promise in his sense is but a figment . 2. There is not the least hint in Scripture of that as th● reason of the title . 3. If he were the first Father that received this blessing , then it was two thousand years and more afore God ordered his ele●tion as Mr. C. imagines , then believing parents had not this blessing before , whereas if there were such a blessing , it was rather before then after Abrahams time ; for we find not any setled Ministery by which the spiritual seed was multiplied afore Abrahams time , therefore it is more likely to have been by believing parents ; but after Abrahams time we read of Prophets and Apostles , Priests and Teachers appointed to that end . And if Abraham were the first who received this blessing , then this was not perpetual , and so the application of the seal to infants not moral , sith the foundation of it beg●n but in Abraham . Sure I am , this directly crosseth Mr. Richard Baxters conceit of infants visible Churchmembership by promise Gen. 3.15 . which I leave to them to contend about . What Mr. C. saith of the reason of the title of Abrahams seed given to believers , is quite besides the Scripture , Rom. 4.11 , 16. Gal. 3.7 Joh. 8.39 . And what he saith of one believers being ordinarily the means of conversion of another , is true rather of others , specially preachers of the Gospel , then parents , housholders , Princes : and I wish it were better considered by him , whether by his dictates all along in making the multiplying of the spiritual seed to be by every believers being a blessing to families and nations , by ascribing ordinarily conversion hereunto ; and that p. 38. not onely by common providence , or so much by good education and example , but by vertue of a special word of blessing , a creating word of promise to all believers , without which other means of conversion had not had such efficacy and power in turning sinners to God , do not cross the Apostles speech , Ephes. 2.20 . be not contrary to the experience both of the first and continued gathering of the Churches of Christ , and do not indeed undermine and blow up a select Ministery for conversion , as being useless , without assurance of Gods blessing , God having provided another way , and ordinarily working by it according to a special promise . And how much this tends to justifie that disorder of every gifted brothers pretended prophesying and teaching in the Churches , which is the occasion of the jangling and schisms by which Churches are torn asunder and perverted , is easily discernable . But of this onely by the way . What Mr. C. hath summed up , p. 70. hath been examined , and found to be a fardel of mistakes : Let 's view the rest . Those insinuations which are p. 71. as if Antipaedobaptists did easily part with ancient entailed priviledges , wherein the Saints have rejoyced for so many ages ; wanted so much compassion on their children , as not to blot their names out of Heaven , or thrust them out of the Kingdome of Christ into the Kingdome of Satan ; have been so often discovered to be false and gross abuses , as that were not men resolved to use any artifices to uphold an ill cause by creating prejudices against their adversaries , they would leave them . But Mr. C. thinks to prove infant Baptism from hence , and thus he argues . SECT . LXXX . Mr. Cs. conceit , as if Gen. 17.9 . were a command in force to Abrahams spiritual seed in the N. T. is shewed to be vain . IF this be granted , that the promise made to Abraham Gen. 17. especially that part of i● v. 8. concerning Canaan to bee an everlasting possession to his seed bee of such extent , and made also to his spiritual seed of the New Testament , it will follow that that command of God in those words next following v. 9. is to bee meant also of his spiritual seed even in our dayes , and as a command that now lieth upon the same spiritual seed in all generations , in as much as that command is brought in with a therefore , upon the promise made to the same seed in the words v. 8. Answ. Hitherto Paedobaptists have been wont to deduce infant Baptism , from the connexion between the promise Gen. 17.7 . to be a God to Abraham and his seed , and the command v. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13.14 . which it seems Mr. C. dares not rest on , but takes another way , and yet seems not very certain what to pitch upon . For whereas p. 70. to clear the duty of infant Baptism , he sums up his suppositions ; That God made to Abraham Gen. 22.17 , 18. & 12.2 , 3. an additional promise of believers being a blessing to families and nations , that for confirmation of this hee added a seal , to wit Circumcision , that the application of it to infants was part of the token of the Covenant , thereby that additional promise was sealed , in reference to them Abraham was called the Father of all them that believe ; who would not think that he would have inferred infant Baptism from these suppositions , and the conn●xion between his additional promise and seal ? But in stead thereof , as if all hee had before discoursed had been out of the way hee meant to take , whether because there is a great distance between the command Gen. 17.9 . and the promise Gen. 22.17 , 18. or whether he saw his exposition would not stand good , he now goes another way to work , and thinks to deduce infant Baptism from the connexion between the promise Gen. 17.8 and the precept v. 9. and his inference is thus made ; The promise is concerning Canaan to be an everlasting possession to Abrahams seed , ergo to his spiritual seed in the N. T if so , then the command lieth upon the spiritual seed still v. 9. and this the word [ therefore ] v. 9. implies . That precept ties onely to keep the Covenant by seal●ng with the seal of it , their children , v. ●0 . explains what seal should be for that time now another is come in the room of it , which is for substance the same , and equivalent to it ▪ parents are bound by the precept Gen. 17.9 . the former seal ceasing and another substituted to baptise their children . This is as near as I well can gather it , the force of Mr. Cs. discourse . Against which I except , 1. That the term [ everlasting possession , Gen. 17.8 . ] doth not prove it to bee meant of another Canaan then that part of the earth which the Israelites possessed . For besides places before alledged , wherein the terms everlasting and for ever are vsed for a time of some few ages , and shorter , Numb . 25.13 . God promiseth a Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood to Phinehas and his seed after him ; and yet we know that Priesthood was to cease Heb. 7.12 . It is promised Ier. 35.19 . that Ionadab the son of Rechab should not want a man to stand before God for ever , and yet this could be true onely of some ages : Therefore Mr. Cs. reason is of no force from the term [ everlasting ] to infer the extent of that promise to the N. T. Nor indeed can the reason be good . For if it were , then God should not promise at all the possession of the earthly Canaan in that place : But that is manifestly false ; for the Text saith , Gen. 17.8 . that God would give to Abraham and his seed , the land of Canaan , wherein Abraham was then a stranger : which can be understood of no other then that part of earth which is elsewhere called the land of the Canaanites , Per●zites , Jebusites , &c. I deny not that in the latent sense there may be a promise of eternal life to Abrahams spiritual seed , though I find no passage in the N. T. so expounding the promise Gen. 17.8 . yet sure it is but bold presumption to build any doctrine on an allegory not expounded so by the Holy Ghost ; and it is in mine apprehension , a great usurpation of the Divine prerogative , to impose duties on men consciences by arguments drawn from such devised senses . 2. That Mr. C. builds his inference upon the conjunction [ therefore , Gen. ●7 9. ] which though it be so in the English translation , yet is it in Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendred by the Tigur . And thou ; by Pareus , But thou ; by Piscator , Thou verily ; which is enough to shew there is no strength in Mr. Cs. inference , sith there is no firm ground on which it rests . 3. But were it granted that [ therefore , Gen. 17.9 . ] were the onely reading , and that the command is to be meant also of Abrahams spiritual seed even in our days , yet that the inference of the command , v. 9. should be onely from the promise v. 8. or v. 7. and not also from the promises v. 4 , 5 , 6 I know no go●d reason i● or can be given . 4. Were it that there could be good reason given thereof , yet sith the promise v. 8. is mixt , containing both spiritual promise ( if Mr. C. be in the right ) and promise pecu●iar to the natural seed of Abraham , me thinks the precept should be onely to that spiritual seed which is also natural , and not bind the Gentile believers , sith they have no part of the promise as it concerns the p●ssession of the earthly Canaan , from which the duty is inferred as well , if not onely , as from the promise of the heavenly Canaan , 5. But were all that Mr. C. would have here granted , that the term [ everlasting possession , v. 8. ] proves it meant of the times of the N. T. that [ therefore ] v. ● . proves the command extends to the spiritual seed now , that it is from the promise , v. 7. or 8. not from the rest v 4 , 5 , 6. that it is to Gentile believers now , and not peculiar to Israel after the flesh , yet sure if the promise b● the reason of the command , and the command● belongs to them to whom the promise belongs , it belongs to no other ▪ and therefore to none but elect persons to whom that promise is made ; no meere professours of faith are bound to keep Gods Covenant by vertue of the promise , sith no promise is made to them . 6. Were this also granted , that the command is to every professour of faith to keep the Covenant as is enjoyned v. 9. then it remains still as a duty for every professour of Christian faith to circumcise his males of eight days old ( which is contrary to Christianity ; ) For there is no other thing commanded there then Circumcision But to prevent this , Mr. C. saith . It is to be observed , that this command of God is primarily fixed upon the general duty , namely , the Covenant to be kept , and not upon this or that way of keeping ▪ either by circumci●●ng or baptizing : so as the circumcising of the child came under the command onely upon this , because it was declared then to be the token of the Covenant ; and by the words it is supposed , that when it should cease to be the token of the Covenant , it should no longer be a duty ; and what else , by the same authority , should be made the token of the same Covenant , would be the duty in stead thereof . Mark the words , he doth not say , Thou shalt therefore circumcise every man-child among you as a token of the Covenant between me and you ; for so had that been made the token for perpetuity , to have continued so long as the Covenant it self . But 1. in general he saith , v. 9. that is , they should observe and perform the token of the Covenant whatever that prove to be ; and he addeth in the 2 d. place , v. 10 , 14. therefore , as I said , as for Circumcision , that was a duty onely upon those words , declaring that to be then the token . Circumcision is now abolished ▪ yet the command of keeping the token of Abrahams Covenant is still in force , and binding to Abrahams spiritual seed in their Generations ; therefore what is now the token of that Covenant must be observed in stead thereof . Answ. No wise and just Law-giver would ever make such a command of a general duty concerning ceremonies or rites then undetermined , but to be determined two thousand years after , Thou shalt keep my Covenant , that is , what ceremony I shall now appoint thee , or what I shall hereafter appoint when I take that away : such indefinite dis-junctive commands so ambiguous , un-intelligible , to be understood at one time one way , at another time another way , are so like Delphick jugling answers , as that I dare not ascribe them to the Almighty . Many absurdities follow on this conceit of Mr. C. which I have before set down . For present these arguments from the Text are against it . 1. There is nothing enjoyned Gen. 17.9 . but what Abraham was enjoyned in his own person to do as well as his seed after him in their generations ; this is proved from the express words , And God said unto Abraham , thou shalt keep my covenant therefore , and again , thou and thy seed after thee in their generations , twice is this imposed on Abraham distinctly named , and the term [ therefore ] spectially applied to him , and after with difference , from yet with his seed , so that to deny this , is to deny it's light when the Sun shines at noon day . But to Abrahams person was not enjoyned to observe and perform the token of the Covenant whatever that prove to be , for then hee had been bound to baptise , which is absurd , Ergo. 2. This precept is as well to Abrahams natural seed in their generations , as to his spiritual seed , for the precept belonging to those to whom the promise belongs , and it cannot be denied the promise v. 8. to belong to Abrahams natural seed , at least such as Moses , David , afore Christ , it followes they were bound to observe and perform the token of the Covenant what ever that p●ove to be , and consequently to baptise , which is absurd . 3. If this precept be to the spiritual seed of the Gentiles , then Gentile believers are bound to observe and perform the token of the Covenant whatever that prove to be : But Circumcision the text it self makes the token of the Covenant , Ergo , Gentile believe●s by this exposition are bound to circumcise . 4. From v. 10. That Covenant was enjoyned v. 9. and no other , which is expressed v. 10. This is proved from the form of words which do plainly shew Gods meaning , this is the covenant Which yee shall keep , which are as express as words can bee that hee meant no other Covenant to bee kept then what is set down v. ●0 , &c. But that is onely Circumcision , therefore no other is there enjoyned v. 9. But what need I so fully refu●e that which hath no proof at all brought for it , but Mr. Cs. word ! It 's enough to tell him that it is his dream , and to let the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London know that they have been enamoured on a vain phantasme . And ●et were it grant●d him and them , it will never serve their turn to prove infant Baptism by . For 1. The command Gen. 17.9 . is not in these words [ thou shalt keep the token of my Covenant therefore ] but [ thou shalt keep my Covenant therefore ] and therefore if according to Mr. Cs. exposition it be a general duty not fixed upon this or that way of keeping , and there are other wayes of keeping the Covenant then by keeping the token of the Covenant , the words may be meant of other duties then seals , as he cals them of the Covenant , as particularly what is required Gen. 17.1 . to walk before God and be perfect , upon which God promiseth to make his Covenant v. 2. and so the precept Gen. 17.9 . may be observed without any seal at all . 2. But if it be limited to the keeping of the token of the Covenant , yet it follows not it must be either baptising or circumcising , there being other tokens of the Covenant besides these , as the Passeover , the Lords Supper , and therefore i● it command them to observe the token of the Covenant what ever it prove to be , it ties them to observe the Lords Supper , and if it must bee observed ●y this rule here , then it must be given to infants as well as Bap●ism . 3. Hence ariseth a further exception , that if it were yeelded , that a token of the Covenant indefinite ●s commanded , and Baptism meant after Circu●cision , yet sure the command ties not to observe Baptism after the rule of Circumcision , bu● after the institution of Baptism in the ●ew Testament . And the reason is plain , the command v. 9. being onely of a general duty comma●●s not the particular rite , neither Circumcision nor Baptism ▪ therefore there is no rule how to observe Baptism Gen. 17.9 . Then v 10.11 , 1● , ●3 , 14. is by Mr. Cs. ●wn exposition ● rule onely about Circumcisi●n , who , and whom , and when ●o circumcise , nor do I think Mr. C. dares sa● , that the rule about the manner of circumstances of circumcising , is a rule about the manner of circumstances of ●●ptising , for then the hous●older should bee bound to baptise all his males of eight dayes old , servants , and children , and among them himself if unbaptized , none afore eight days old , no female , none but his own house , he should wash not the face , but the privy member . If Mr. C. to serve his turn yet devise another general law about the manner of observing the ●ites of the New Testament , besides the particular institutions and examples of Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament — erit mihi magnus Apollo , and if Mr. C. or any o●her , find a●y institution or example of infant Baptim in the New Testament , I shall believe they can cut a whetstone with a rasour . 4. Saith Mr. C ▪ It is supposed by the words , that when circumcision should cease to be the token of the covenant , it should no longer be a duty , and that circumcision is now abolished . But 1. if v 9. be a command still in force , and bind to observe still the token of the Covenant what ever it proved to be , and that was Circumcision , then it binds still to observe Circumcision 2. It is said , v. 13. He that is born in thy house , and he that is bought with thy money must needs be circumcised , and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant . Now if Mr. Cs. reasoning be good , the promise is v. 8. of an everlasting possession , therefore it extends to the spiritual seed even in the New Testament ; by the same reason , sith v. 14. it is said Gods covenant shall be in their flesh ( which is by carnal Circumcision ) for an everlasting covenant , Gods command is in the New Testament to Abrahams spiritual seed , true believers of the Gentiles , that they be circumcised in their flesh , contrary to Gal. 5.2 . Act. 15 24. 5. It is supposed that Baptism in the New Testament is the token of Abra●ams covenant , which is not proved , but is m●nifestly false : For then by it every believer should be assured of the land of Canaan , that K●ngs shall come of him , &c. as is promised , Gen. 17. v. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. but that is false , and a meer Jewish conceit . 6. It is said withou● any shew of proof , that by the words it is supposed , that what else besides circumcision by the same authority should be made the token of the same covenant , would be the duty in stead thereof : But neither do the words say , or suppose , that when circumcision should cease to be a token of the covenant , it should no longer be a duty ; nor that what else by the same authority should be made the token of the same covenant , would bee the duty in stead thereof ; there 's not a word that tends to either supposal , nor can be either true . For the Jews Circumcision was not abolished by any words Gen. 7. but by the Apostles declaration , Act. 15. which doth not in the least hint any colection of its ceasing from Gen. 17. but from the calling of the Gentiles : Nor is the reason there or anywhere else of its ceasing , taken from its ceasing to be the token of Abrahams●ovenant ●ovenant , but from the calling the Gentiles , the comming of faith , &c. Yea , the Jewish ●ircumcision still used ceaseth not to be the token of Abrahams Covenant , and yet the command Gen 17.9 , ●0 , 1● , 12 , 13 4. bind●th not . Nor is the other speech true . For by the same authority , according to Mr. C. the Passeover , the Lords Supper , were made tokens of the same Coven●●t , and yet ●or duties in stead of Circumcision . 7. If when circumcision ceased there was 〈◊〉 be a duty in stead thereof by vertue of the command . Gen. 17.9 . and because of the promise of an everlasting possession , v. 8. it must extend to the New Testament to the spiritual seed , and be of a spiritual blessing ; by the same reason , Circumcision being made an everlasting covenant , v. 14. the command Gen. 17.9 . should be of a spiritual keeping of Gods Covenant , and the Circumcision that comes in the stead of Circumcision in the flesh should be Circumcision of the heart and obedience , which the New Testament seems to intimate , Rom. 2.26 , 28 , 29. 1 Cor. 7.19 . Phil. 3.3 . Col. 2.11 . 8. It is supposed , but not proved , that Baptism is in stead of Circumcision ▪ But Mr. C. thinks to prove it , onely by the way he takes in to illustrate his conceit about Gen. 17.9 . something about the Sabba●h , Exod. 20.8 , 11. of which he saith thus . The like manner of institution we have concerning the Sabbath ; therefore those who deny infant Baptism , oftentimes deny the Sabbath ; and not without cause , for there is the same reason of both , and we may illustrate the one by the other . The Lord intended in time to change the day from the 7th . day to the first of the week , as he intended in time to change the token of Abrahams Covenant : Therefore in the 4th . Commandment also , the command is not primarily fixed upon the 7th . or any day to be remembred and kept holy , but upon the general duty , that the rest day of the Lord be remembred and kept holy , what ever that day fall to be . Remember the Sabbath day , that is the rest day , to keep it holy ; and the Lord blessed the rest day , and sanctified it . And the remembrance and keeping of the 7th . day is in the Commandment made a duty for this reason , because that was declared to be then the day wherein God had entred into his rest after his making of the world . And upon the same account , when after the travel of his soul , in the new creation , he entred the second time into his rest , as is declared that he did , Heb. 4.9 , 10. because that was upon the first day of the week , when he rose from the dead ; therefore by vertue of that command , Remember the rest day to keep it holy ; the first day of the week is now to be remembred and kept holy , in as much as that is now the rest day of the Lord our God , as formerly the 7th . day . Answ. That those who deny infant Baptism do not , or need not deny the Sabbath , is shewed in my Examen , part 2. sect . 8. in my Praecursor , sect . 15. in the second part of my Review , sect . 3. and what Mr. C. ha●h said for his opinion of inferring the Lords day Sabbath from Heb. 3 , & 4. hath been examined before , and shewed insufficient for his purpose . That which now he brings from his conceit of the command , Exod 20.8 , 11. is to me very doubtfull , and yet were it certain , would not answer Mr. Cs. expectation . His conceit is doubtfull to me for these reasons , 1. because if his conceit were right , when it is said Remember the Sabbath day , and the Lord blessed the Sabath day , the term [ Sabbath day ] should be conceived as a genus or species comprehending under it the rest day of the Jews and the Christians , and such other rest days as God should appoint to be observed . B●t against this are these things : 1. That I find not where the term [ Sabbath day ] is meant or applied to any other then the 7th . day of the week . I grant that other days are termed [ Sabbaths , Sabbaths of rest , ] Levit. 23 , 24 , 32 , 29. but no where that I yet find , is any day besides the last of the week termed the Sabbath day . 2. The blessing of the Sabbath day , Exod. 20.11 . was the same with the blessing , Gen. 2.3 . For it is a narration of what God did in the beginning , and that day was the seventh in order after the six days in which he created his work . 2. Me thinks the Evangelist Luke 23.56 ▪ when he saith , they rested on the Sabbath day according to the commandment ( which commandment is that Exod. 20.8 , 11. ) and that Sabbath being by the confession of all the last day of the week , doth plainly expound the fourth Commandment of that particular Sabbath which was the seventh day in order from the creation , and the last day of the week . I confess there are difficulties from this exposition , concerning the evacuating of the fourth Commandment , which being besides my present business , I shall not now insist on , it being sufficient for my present purpose to shew why I conceive Mr. Cs. exposition doubtfull . 2. Yet were hi● interpretation granted , it would not serve his turn here . For 1. keeping Gods Covenant , Gen. 7.9 . is without any example or colour of reason re●trained to seals ( as they are termed ) of the Covenant , and made the genus to Circumcision and Baptism , as the term [ Sabbath ] may be to all Festivals 2. If it were , yet there is not the same reason of Circumcision and Baptism as of the Sabbath and the ●orns day , the one being a moral command , and the other meerly ceremonial 3 If the meaning were Gen. 17.9 . that a duty were commanded in general to keep the token sign , or seal of the Covenant , then it is a command concerning any token of the Covenant , the Passeover and Lords Supper , as well as Circumcision and Baptism ; and if so , then they are to be observed according to the rule there , v. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. and if so , they are to be applied to male infants of eight days old as well as Baptism , or according to the rules delivered in the institution of each rite ; and if so , the command Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. will make nothing for infant Baptism , unless it can be proved ou● of the institution and practise in the N. T. But to prevent this , Mr. C. saith . SECT . LXXXI . The succession of Baptism to Circumcision and their identity for substance to us is shewed to be unproved by Mr. Carter , Mr. Marshal , Mr. Church , Dr. Homes , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Fuller , Mr. Cobbet , from Col. 2.11 , 12. or elsewhere . 2ly . FOr answer further , it is to be considered , that Baptism is now in the room of Circumcision , and is the very same for substance to us , as Circumcision was to them before Christ , namely , the token and seal of that Covenant made with Abraham and his seed , as appeareth Gal 3.27 , 29. As many of you as have been baptixed into Christ , have put on Christ. And if ye be Christs , then are ye Abrahams seed , and heirs according to the promise . By which we see , that whatever we have as Abrahams seed , we have it all in Christ ; and what we have in Christ , we have it all as Abrahams seed ; and that we are baptized into Christ ▪ that is our initiation into Christ ; and what ever we have as Abrahams seed , is sealed unto us in Baptism . By which it is evident , that as Circumcision was to them , so Baptism now to us is the token and seal of that Covenant made with Abraham and his seed . Answ. If this were granted , yet Mr. Cs. purpose were not obtained , that the application of the seal to infants were justified by the command Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. for the reasons before given . But because I conceive these assertions contain errours , such as do mislead Pae●obaptists , I shall examine Mr. Cs. allegations , and together with them Mr. Marshals reply to my Examen about his third Conclusion , and what I find material in other of my Antagonists about the point of Baptisms succeeding Circumcision . Two assertions are laid down here by Mr. C. 1. That Baptism is now in the room of Circumcision . 2. That it is the very same for substance to us as circumcision was to Jews before Christ. Neither of which are true , or proved by any thing brought by Mr. C. or any other , though this be the chief thing they alledge for infant Baptism ; and Mr. Church , p. 50. out of Dr. Whitaker , tels us , all the Anabaptists will not be able to resist this argument from circumcision . Let 's try the strength of it . The latter position seems to be this , That as circumcision was to the Jews , so Baptism now to us is the token and seal of the covenant made with Abraham and his seed . But this is not all one as to be the very same for substance . To be the very same for substance , is an expression that is scarce capable of good sense ; neither Baptism nor Circumcision in proper acception being substances , or having substance , except as the subject of them , as all accidents have . As substance is put for essence , so it cannot be said they are the same for substance , sith cutting is one thing , washing another ; and other Paedobaptists usually term them different administrations , Circum●ision the old , Baptism the new . I grant Circumcision was the token of the Covenant made with Abraham and his seed , Gen. 17. but that it was a seal of that Covenant in the sense usually meant by Paedobaptists , or that any ones Circumcision was a seal but Abrahams , much less that every ones Circumcision was a seal of the Covenant of grace to him and his seed is more then I find in Scripture , and how often I have proved it false , may be seen in many of my writings , specially the 3d. part of this Review . But that Baptism is the seal of that Covenant made with Abraham and his seed , is not true . For 1. Baptism seals not at all the promise of the land of Canaan , Gen. 17.8 . nor any other of the promises made to the natural seed of Abraham . 2. Nor doth it seal the spiritual promises of the comming of Christ the calling of the Gentiles , as they were made to Abraham , and by Circumcision assured to be accomplished . For then Baptism , as Circumcision was , should be a shadow and type of Christ to come , and should cease as it did 3. The Evangelical Covenant , or the promise o● righ●eousness or eternal life by faith , granted to be in the latent sense comprized in that Covenant , I find no where in Scripture said to be sealed by Circumcision , but rather that circumcision did bind persons to the keeping of the Law for righteousness , Gal. 5.2 , 3. nor by baptism but by consequent . The Scripture rather makes it a seal ( if it must be so called ) of our promise to God , then of Gods promise to us . Nor is there any thing Gal. 3.27.29 . to prove either of Mr. Cs. conclusions , that Baptism now is the seal of the Covenant made to Abraham and his seed ; or that it is now in the room of Circumcision . For neither is it said that what wee have as Abrahams seed , is sealed to us in Baptism ; wee are said indeed to put on Christ by Baptism , but that , whether the putting on be meant of spiritual union , or outward profession it is ascribed to faith , v. ●6 . and our Baptism rather is made our seal to Christ , then Gods to us : nor is there any thing spoken v. 29. of any seed of Abraham but by faith , & so our Baptism cannot seal that Covenant which was made to Abrahams natural seed , which was the use of Circumcision , and therefore that Baptism is the seal of that Covenant , or in the room of Circumcision , is not proved thence . But let 's view what is further said for them or either of them . That our Baptism succeeds in the room , place , and use of Circumcicision , is the common speech of Paedobaptists ; against it , 1. I argued in my Examen , that Baptism was a concomitant to circumcision , it was among the Jew long afore Christ came , and it was by Divine appointment , from the Baptism of John till Christs death , now that which succeeds comes after , is not concurrent . To this Mr. M. replied , 1. by concession , and thence would gather an argument for infant Baptism , which is enervated in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 24. 2. Saith he , A Lord Major elect succeeds the old , though the old continue after his election for a time , Defence p. 171. But this is not true , a Lord Major elect doth not succed till hee bee sworn , in the interim he is no Lord Major in being , but onely in possibility and probability which may never bee . A successour hath no place while the predecessour is present , Jewel . Defence of the Apol. part . 2. c. 3. div . 5. 2. I argued that in no good sense can Baptism be said to bee in the room and place of circumcision ; For neither in proper acception have either room or place , nor taking room and place for the subjects circumcising and ci●cumcised , baptizing and baptized , is it true ; parents though private persons might circumcise , not so in baptism , women were to be baptized , not so in circumcision . These things are answered by Mr. M. either with censures of me , which are but vain , this arg●ing being necessary to clear truth , or by reference to what he had said before , which is also fully refuted in the third part of this Review , sect . 18. I further said , If by room and place be meant the society into which the circumcised and baptised were to be initiated , it is not true . For Baptism initiated into the Christian , circumcision into the Jewish church . To this Mr. M. If you mean onely the several administrations , the Church of the Jewes being Christs Church under one administration , the Christian Church the same Church of Christ under another administration ; you speak truth , but not to the purpose ; my conclusion never said Circumcision and Baptism do initiate into the same administration of the Covenant : but if you mean , that the Church of the Jews and wee are not one and the same Church , you speak pure Anabaptism indeed , and contradict the Scripture expresly , which every where makes the Church of the Jewes and the Gentiles one and the same Church , though under divers administrations . I count it needless to annex any proofs , because I think you dare not de●y it . Answ. I do not mean onely the several administrations , if I had so spoken I might have perhaps been judged to speak non-sence , from which I can hardly acquit Mr. Ms. speeches , that Circumcision and Baptism do initiate into different administrations of the Covenant , and yet they are termed the divers administrations , and the Church of Jews and Gentils by reason of them under divers administrations , which kind of expressions , though frequently used by Paedobaptists , yet I can discern little in them but non-sence , or tautologies , or self-contradictings . My meaning was very obvious . That the Christian Church , properly so called , contradistinct from the Jewish visible Church is one society , and that Baptism enters into the visible Church Christian , that the visible Church Jewish contradistinct to the Christian is another society , and Circumcision entred into it , not into the Christian. And these things are so manifest that I thought it needless to bring proofs . Who knowes not that circumcised Proselytes were in the Jewish Church visible , and not in the Christian , and baptised disciples of Christ cast out of the Jewish church , who remained among the disciples of Christ & in his Church ? that the Jewish Church visible persecuted the Christian Church visible ? Yea this is so apparent that Mr. M. both in his Sermon p. 27. speaks to the same purpose ; None might be received into the Communion of the Church of the Jews until they were circumcised ▪ nor in the communion of the Church of the Christians until they be baptised , our Lord himself was circumcised as a professed member of the Church of the Jews , and when he set up the new Christian Church , hee would be initiated into it by the Sacrament of Baptism ; And in his Des. p. 169. I reply that the Christian Church was not fully set up and compleated with all ordinances of worship , government , officers , till afterwards , is readily granted , but that it was not in fieri in erecting and framing , and that Baptism was administred in reference to the Christian Church , and that by Baptism men were initiated into this new administration or best edition of the Church , I think no sound Divine did ever question ▪ p. 171. I answer Johns Baptism and Ministry was a praeludium to Christ , and was wholly in reference to the Christian church , which then began to be moulded ; and though there was not a new distinct Church of Christianity set up , yet all this was preparing the materials of it , and John did not admit them by Baptism as members to the Jewish Paedagogy , which was then ready to be taken away , but into that new administration which was then in preparing . So that what Mr. M. terms in me the speaking of pure Anabaptism indeed , is no other then his own , and is so manifest as cannot be denied to be true , nor is at all contradicted by the Scripture , which never makes the Church christian visible and the Jewish to be one and the same , but the Church invisible by election and believing of Jews and Gentils to be one and the same mystical body of Christ , Ephes. 3.6 . Now this one thing demonstrates that Baptism succeeds not into the place or office of Circumcision , sith they had different institutions ; were for Churches , as Mr. M. speaks , under divers administrations , whereof the one was national gathered by natural descent , or Proselytism , the other onely by the preaching of the Gospel and faith . As S●lmatius in his apparatus to his book Of the primacy of the Pope p. 20 , 21. proves the modern Bishops neither to succeed into the place of the Apostles , nor the first Bishops because of their different institution , name , function and ordina●ion , so in like manner I prove that Baptism succeeds not in the place of Circumcision , because of its different institution , name , office , and state it hath from it . Which i● further proved thus . The command of Circumcision was different from the command of Baptism , the command of Circumcision not inferring Baptism ; to which Mr. M. replies , Now this follows that therefore Baptism doth not succeed in the room of Circumcis●on ● cannot guess ; the Lords day succeeds the 7th day in being Gods Sabbath , but certainly the institution of it was long after the other . Answ This proves that the one is not s●ated on the command of the other , Baptism on the command of Circumcision , they having d●fferent commands Gen. 17.10 , &c. Matth. 28.19 . and consequently no rule for baptizing in the command of Circumcision , nor the command of circircumcising infants a virtual command for baptising , the rules of administring each of these being to be taken from their several commands and approved examples of practise , and no other . Lastly , that Baptism succeeds Circumcision in the same use and end , is more untrue . For the uses of Circumcision were so far from being the same with the use of Baptism , that they are rather contrary . For the uses of Circumcision were to engage men to the use of the rest of the Jewish ceremonies , to signifie Christ to come out of Abrahams family , to be a partition wall between Jew and Gentile . To this Mr. M. answers . These all refer to the manner of administration peculiar to the Jews ; I have often granted there were some legal uses of Circumcision , it obliging to that manner of administration ; and so they were part of the Jewish Paedagogy , which is wholly vanished , and therein Circumcision hath no succession ; but Baptism succeeds it as a seal of the same Covenant under a better administration , as a set and constant initiating Ordinance : onely I wonder that you say Circumcision did initiate into the Church of the Jews , or rather the family of Abraham . Answ. Mr. Ms. grant , that the uses were part of the Jewish Padagogy , and that it is wholly vanished , and therein circumcision hath no succession , doth infer that Circumcision and all its uses are vanished , and have no succession : For it had no uses but what did belong to the Jewish Paedagogy , the initiating was into the Jewish Church , or rather the family of Abraham , ( which speech I used as conceiving that term more comprehensive and more proper , in as much as the family of Abraham was it into which Circumcision did initiate first afore the people of Abrahams house were termed the Church of the Jews , ) and that covenant which circumcision did signifie and confirm , was peculiar to the Jews , although Christ were typified by circumcision and righteousness by faith in the latent sense , promised in the Covenant , Gen. 17. which yet no more proves Baptism to succeed circumcision then to the cloud , sea , Manna , water out of the Rock , the Ark of Noah , the Passeover , the sacrifices of the Law , high Priest , washings , &c. And if then this be all the use that Baptism succeeds circumcision in , to confirm the Covenant so far as it was spiritual , it succeeds as well to all these , and so doth the Lords Supper to circumcision , & from the comands of those rites , a rule might be drawn to administer Baptism by , as well as from circumcision . Piscator in his observat . on Numb . 28 , 29. makes Baptism to succeed circision and the purifyings to be often iterated , but the truth is it succeeds to neither , Christ is instead of all these Col. 2.17 . and succeeds to them , and to say that Baptism succeeds to the use of circumcision , as it signified the Gospel promise to Abraham , must make it to signifie Christ yet to come in the flesh ; For which reason I say still boldly , though it were ( as I think it is not ) against all Divines and Churches since the Apostles time , that to say Baptism succeeds in the room and place of circision , is a proposition erroneous and very dangerous . Mr. M. saith to this p. 174. 1. That hee had confuted before what I say , that the covenant with Abraham is not the same with the New-covenant but in part , to which there is a full reply before , in all the sections of the third part of this Review , wherein the Covenant with Abraham is defended to be mixt , to wit , the 4th , 25th , 26th , 27th . 2. That the Cloud , Sea , Manna , water of the Rock &c. were extraordinary signes , not standing Sacraments to bee used in all generations , and yet so far as God hath made them parallel , what hurt is there in saying Baptism succeeds them ? To which I answer , 1. The sacrifices and purifyings were as much standing Sacraments , and that in more generations then circumcision and the Passeover . 2. That there is this hurt to Mr. Ms. cause , that if he grant that Baptism succeeds to them as well as circumcision , then a rule may be taken from the use of those in the administration of Baptism as well as from circumcision , which is onely proved from the succession of the one to the other , nor is it wildly said by mee , if the confirming or signifying the same covenant , prove Baptism to succeed circumcision , it proves the Lords Supper to succeed it , which according to Mr. M. hath the same general state , signification and use , from which alone Mr. M. and other Pae●obaptists gather the succession of Baptism to circumcision , from Col. 2.11 , 12. & not from the particular use of initiating , and if so a rule from circumcision to give the Lords Supper as succeeding it to infants , as well as Baptism may be drawn , which were absurd in Mr. Ms. conceit . I have hitherto shewed the falshood of Paedobaptists assertion about Baptisms succession to circumcision ; Let 's review their proofs of it . Mr. M. in his defence p. 174. saith , From that clear place Col. 2.8 . 10 13. I made it evident , not only that we have the same thing signified by circumcision , while we are buried with Christ in Baptism , but also that the Apostle plainly sees Baptism in the same state and makes it of the same use to us as Circumcision was to the Jews ; Christ onely to them and us also is the author of spiritual Circumcision . The Circumcision of the flesh was the Sacrament of it to them ; and now that is abolished , we have Baptism to seal the same thing . Answ , Though I deny not that we have the same thing which was signified by Circumcision , while we are buried with Christ by Baptism ; yet I deny that the Apostle plainly or obscurely sets Baptism in the same state , or makes it of the same use to us as Circumcision was to the Jews : Nor do I find any thing in the Apostles words from whence it may be gathered , that the Circumcision of the flesh was the Sacrament of it to them , except it be meant onely of Christs personal Circumcision . For it is plain , that what is said v. 11. that they were circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands , in the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh , in or through the circumcision of Christ , is expresly applied to Christs Circumcision , and not to the Circumcision of any other person but Christ : nor can be , sith of no mans Circumcision besides Christs is it true , that we are in or by it circumcised with the circumcision made without hands , in putting●off the body of the sins of the flesh : Nor are we thus circumcised by Christs Circumcision as the sacrament , token , or seal of spiritual Circumcision , as that onely which sacramentally represented it , or as a seal of the Covenant in which it was promised ; but as the effectual pattern , according to which by Divine predestination we are to be conformed , Rom. 8.29 . in whom we are said to be buried , raised , v. 12. quickned , set in heavenly places , Ephes. 2 5. concrucified ; Gal. 2.20 . fellow sufferers , Rom. 8.17 . Phil. 3.10 . Whence I argue , If our Baptism be hence gathered to succeed in the same state and use with Circumcision , then it succeeds to Christs Circumcision , for none other is here meant ; and if so , then each believers Baptism is the effectual pattern by vertue of which we have spiritual Circumcision . But this is so absurd , that it is not much short of blasphemy , therefore the inference of Baptisms succession to Circumcision from hence is without any ground , and I did truly say in my Examen , that it was an ignis fatuus that hath mis-led men in gathering it hence . Nor is it true , that there is a word in the Text that intimates , that either our Baptism seals any thing to us , except our union and conformity to Christ , to which though Circumcision of the heart be antecedent , concomitant , or consequent , yet it is not the same ; and therefore the sealing of the same thing by Baptism as by Circumcision , is not rightly hence inferred . As for what Mr. C. saith , p. 79 , 80. that there is the same spiritual fruit of Circumcision and Baptism , those onely who are in Christ have it , because they have it by the circumcision of Christ , and the like of Baptism ; that the benefit and fruit of circumcision , which is the circumcision made without hands , they had by being buried and risen with Christ in Baptism and therefore that they were compleat in Christ , is all granted , and confirms my argument against the imagined sucession of ordinary Circumcision to ordinary Baptism , and of their being the same in substance and use . For hereby it is plain , that what spiritual fruit is ascribed to Circumcision , it is not ascribed to ordinary Circumcision , no nor to Abrahams , ( notwithstanding what Mr. C. would deduce from Rom. 4.11 , 12. ) but to Christs : Nor is the spiritual fruit , Col. 2.11 , 12. ascribed to Baptism , but to the burial and resurrection of Christ represented in Baptism . As for what Mr. C. adds as the Apostles meaning , that they were compleat in Christ in the Ordinances of the Gospel , is his own fiction ; for the Apostle is so ●ar from saying we are compleat in Christ in the Ordinances of ●he Gospel , that as I prove , Exam. p. 91 , 92. out of the Text , the words of Beza , Aretius , ( whose sayings are by Mr. M. in his Defence , p 175. owned as true , ) and Mr. Ms. own words , that the Apostle asserts our compleatness in Christ without any outward Ordinance either of Law or Gospel . And this I think Mr. C. himself dare not deny . For sith ●he compleatness is in spiritual benefits , mortification , renovation , remission of sins , as Mr. C. acknowledgeth , if we have our compleatness in Christ by Baptism , we have these spiritual benefits by it , and we have them not without it . What Mr. M. saith , p. ●75 . of my abuse of Aretius , is answered in my Apology sect . 1● . p. 60. Aretius his testimonies out of the Fathers cited p. 176. prove nothing concerning the meaning of Col. 2.11 , 12. though they shew that some of the Ancients conceived of Baptisms succession to Circumcision as he did . To what I argued in my Examen , p. 92. that by this doctrine , that Baptism is in stead of Circumcision , the Apostles argument for the disanulling the Jewish ceremonies , both here and Heb. 9. & 10.1 . & 13. in the Epistle to the Galatians , ch . 3. & 4. and Ephes. 2. is quite evacuated , who still useth this argument to prove the abolition of the ceremonies of the law , because they have their complement in Christ , not in some new Ordinance added in stead of them ; for if there be need of other Ordinances ( besides Christ ) in stead of the old , then Christ hath not in himself fulness enough to supply the wa●t of them , and this abolition is not because of Christs fulness , but other Ordinances that come in stead of the abolished ; and though our Ordinances may be said to imitate theirs , yet Christs onely succeeds them . Mr. M thus saith . I answer , it is very true ▪ that whoever should plead ( as Mr. C. doth ) that we have any of our compleatness in any outward Ordinance would evacuate the Apostles argument , but yet they by his own appointment help us to apply this compleatness , they argue not that all our compleatness is not in Christ , Christ onely succeeds all the Jewish Ordinances as the body doth the shadow : We plead not , as the Papists do , that the Jewish Sacraments were types of ou●s , they were types onely of Christ ; but yet ours succeed them to be like signs of the covenant of grace , and so the Apostle doth in this place . To which I reply . 1. If it be contrary to the Apostle to plead that we have any of our compleatness in any ou●ward Ordinance , then it is contrary to ●he Apostle to make Baptism and the Lords Supper to succeed Circumcision and the Passeover , sith ●hat onely Col. 2.10 , &c. is made to succeed them wherein we are compleat without them . 2. What Mr. M. means by applying the compleatness of Christ , and how Baptism and the Lords Supper help us to apply this compleatness , I do not readily understand . I conceive it applied no otherwise then by faith , nor they to help any otherwise then by exciting it , which I am sure they do not to infants , and so Baptism of infants is no help to them to apply the compleatness of Christ. 3. Though Baptism and the Lords Supper argue not that all our compleatness is not in Christ , yet the doctrine of Mr. M. that Baptism is in the same state , and of the same use to us as circumcision was to the Jews , that it succeeds into its place , doth so a●gue as I have shewed . 4. If Christ onely succeeds all the Jewish Ordinances , as the body succeeds the shadow , then Christ onely is made Col. 2.11 , 12. the successour to Circumcision : for there is no other succession there spoken of , as appears by the phrases of compleatness in him as the head , v. 10. circumcised by the circumcision of Christ , v. 11. buried with him , risen with him , v. 12. quickned together with him , v. 13. dead with him from the rudiments of the world , v. 20. so as that by holding him as the head being knit together the whole body increaseth with the increase of God , v. 19. and chiefly that which is said v. 17. which are a shadow of things to come , but the body is of Christ. 5. If the Jewish Sacraments were not types of ours , then the reason of their ceasing from the succession of ours is taken away , for that rests onely on this , that they were types , and ours the truth . 6. If ours succeed onely in that they are like signs of the Covenant of grace , then they succeed all the sacrifices , washings , annointings of the law as well as these : we may conclude succession of Baptism to Noahs Ark , &c. But in the administration of an Ordinance we are not to be ruled by bare analogy framed by our selves or delivered by the spirit of God , but by the institution of God. To this Mr. M. saith , Defence , p. 177. I answer , but when those analogies framed by the spirit of God , are agreeable to the use and end of Gods institution , we are to be ruled by them ; and the Apostle shews that 's our case here . Answ. 1. If this were true , then to tie Baptism to the eighth day , to be of all in the family , &c. should according to Mr. Ms. s●ppositions be right . 2. There 's not a word in the Apostle Col 2. to shew that ours succeed the Jewish Sacraments to be like signs of the covenant of grace . Yea , I urged that the Apostle rather resembles burial to Circumcision then Baptism , and makes the analogy between Circumcision and Christs burial , and cited the words of Chrysostome and Theophilact on the place to that purpose , Exam p. 93. To this Mr. M. Where i● Circumcision compared to burial , and wherein I pray you lies the analogy between them ? I reply , 1. I said not Circumcision is compared to burial , but that Col. 2.11 , 12. burial rather resembles Circumcision then Bap●ism , and the analogy is between them . Which is true , sith buried with him , v. 12. answers to circumcised by his circumcision , v. 11. and the analogy is , that as the one so the other is the effectual pattern of our mortification ; and not between our burial and baptism , as Mr. M. And to this are the words cited by me apposite . Nor are the words of Chrysostome , that we put off sins in Baptism , for Mr. Ms. purpose , to prove analogy conceived by the Apostle between the Jewish common Circumcision , or our burial and our baptism . 2. I said Baptism is named with faith , Col. 2.12 . as the 2 means whereby we have communion with Christ , and are compleat in him . Exam. p. 94. To this Mr , M. But is not this the same sense with mine ? But your syllogism or mighty consequence I deny , Baptism is named because it is one of the means of Christians being exempted from the Schoolmaster , and come to be ingraffed into Christ , and to be compleat in him , therefore it doth not succeed in the room and place of Circumcision , nay rather therefore it doth . To this is replied in my Apology , sect . 5. p. 28. that Mr. M. perverts my words , my arguing being no other then this , Baptism is alledged as one of the means whereby we come to be compleat in Christ , ( which Mr. M. denies not , but avows as his sense , ) therefore there was another reason besides the succession of it into the place of circumcision , why the Apostle there mentions it , which Mr. M. denied . And this consequence ( however Mr. M. in his flout term it ) is good , except it were true , that every means whereby we are compleat in Christ succeeds circumcision , the contrary whereof is confessed by Mr. M. in acknowledging faith to be one of the means whereby we are compleat in Christ , Col. 2.12 . which yet succeeds not circumcision , according to him . Mr. Ms. censure of my speech , that the misunderstanding Col. 2.11 , 12. was an ignis fatuus , as arrogant , is shewed in my Apology , sect . 5. p. 29. to be injurious : And what he saith in his Defence , p. 179. of my position , that circumcision was not a token of the Covenant to the Jews children , is another injury , in that he leaves out the words [ in sone sense ] which was set down a little before in my Appendix , p. 174. which being added , there is nothing in them contrary to the Text , Gen. 17. but enough thence to prove my speech true . What Mr. C. urgeth p. 81 , from 1 Cor. 5.7 , 8. of the Lords Supper succeeding the Passeover , That the Apostle could not have expressed by such phrases taken from the Passeover the celebrating the Lords Supper , had not the Passeover and the Supper been the same for substance , is not right . For 1. that by keeping the feast is meant eating the Lords Supper , is not proved ; and Beza , Diodati , the new Annot. with others , paraphrase the words thus , Let us lead our life . 2. Our obedience , gifts , doing good , are termed sacrifices , yet these phrases prove not them to be the same in substance in Mr. Cs. sense . 3. Christ is expresly in the Text 1 Cor 5.7 . termed our Passeover , therefore the Text makes the sacrifice of Christ to suc●eed the Passeover ; not the Lords Supper . But Mr. Drew , p. 3● ▪ thinks to prove the succession of Baptism to Circumcision , because as he saith in my Exercit. p. 3. &c. I readily grant that Baptism is an Ordinance set up by the appointment of Christ to serve for the same spiritual ends that circumcision did . To which I say , that all I grant there , is , that Circumcision and Baptism signified and confirmed the promise of the Gospel , but I added , according to different forms and function , and I ascribed no more to Circumcision then to the Paschal lamb , the rain of Mannah , &c. But this is not the same with that which Mr. Drew injuriously imposeth on me . Yet if it were , it would not prove Baptisms succession to Circumcision , as is before shewed , and if it did it would as well prove its succession to the Passeover , Manna , the water out of the Rock , &c. which hee will not assert I think . The rest which hee saith , about Col. 2.11 , 12. is the same with what others say , and hath been answered in my Examen part . 3. sect . 9. in my Appendix , and in this section and in other parts of this Review . As for Mr. Cotton , who is one of those to whose writing Mr. Drew refers us for proof of Baptisms succession to Circumcision , from Col. 2.10 , 11 , 12. his conceit is grounded upon this mistake in hi● book of Baptism p. 128. That the Apostle pleadeth our compleatness in Christ , notwithstanding our want of circumcision , in that wee en●oy the like fulness of benefit in our Baptism as the Jews did in their circumcision , which hath been often shewed to bee false . For there is no mention of a benefit to the Jews , but to the Colossians , and this benefit was not bare outward Circumcision , or any outward Church priviledge , but the inward Circumcision in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh , and this not by the Jews Circumcision , but Christs circumcision in his own person , nor is it true that the fulness of benefit there is ascribed to ordinary Baptism , nor can bee rightly so conceived . And what Mr. Cotton saith in the same place against those who say that Baptism being granted to succeed Circumcision , yet it follows not infants must bee baptized , That succession is the substitution of later things for former things in the same sub●ect , if the subject be changed , so far as there is a change of the subject there is no succession , and therefore if infants be not baptized as they were circumcised , Baptism succeeds not circumcision , is false and against himself . 1. False , for we know though there were a law made that after infant Kings al should be adult , and after women Queens , all should be male Kings , yet they should be true successors , as King James to Queen Elizabeth , Henry the 7th to Edward the 5th or Henry the 6th . 2. Against himself , For thereby is proved Baptism doth not succeed circumcision , sith there is a change in the subject , women being baptized , who were not circumcised , and parents or masters of families being to circumcise , but preachers of the Gospel onely to baptize . As for what Dr. Homes ( to whom Mr. Drew also refers ) in his Annimadvers . on my Exercit. p. 28 , 29. brings to prove Baptisms succession to Circumcision , it 's upon alike mistakes . For 1. it is not true that the Apostles scope Col. 2.12 . in mentioning Baptism , is to answer the objection Dr. Homes imagins , and to shew that we are as compleat as the Jews , because Christ hath appointed another sign , to wit Baptism , in stead of the Jews Circumcision . 2. Nor doth the Apostle affirm or intimate , that if we have not Baptism in the room of Circumcision to us Believers and our infants , we are not so compleat as the Jews , by Christ. 3. Nor is it true that the Apostle doth call off the Colossians from circumcision by the consideration of their Baptism as in the room of circumcision . 4. Nor doth the Apostle make such analogy between Baptism and Circumcision as Dr. Homes saith he doth . 5. Nor if hee did , would this prove such a succession of Baptism to Circumcision as Paedobaptists would have , that the command of infant Circumcision must be a command for infant Baptism . Mr. Thomas Fullers argumentation for the succession of Baptism to Circumcision in all the essentials of it , as he speaks in his Infants advocate ▪ ch . 7. is alike vain . For there is no inconvenience that I know , to say no ordinance doth succeed Circumcision ; his talk of Sacraments being pillars of the Church , is but phrasifying instead of disputing , nor do I know how it can bee true . Nor do I know , that all or any graces Evangelical are conferred in baptism or were in circumcision of the Jewes , much less that the conferring of such grace , is essential to either of them ; nor is it true , that Col. 2.11 , 12. Christians are said by Baptism to bee spiritually circumcised ; and by the same proportion the believing Jews may bee said by Circumcision to bee spiritually baptized : For it is not by Baptism but before it , that regularly persons are spiritually circumcised , nor were the believing Jewes by Circumcision to be spiritually baptized but before it ; Nor is there any such affinity , much less essential sameness between them , as that a command about the one should bee a command to us about the other . Nor do I finde any thing in that Author which needs further answer , hee having added nothing to the cause , but some peculiar words and expressions without any strength . What Mr. Cobbet hath about this point Just. vindic part . 2. c. 2. sect . 9 , 10 , 11. I shall further examine . Sect. 9. he sets down eight propositions , which if they were all granted , yet they do not prove that point , which is in question , that an a●gument from analogy between meer positive ceremonies , ri●es or Sacraments is of validity , so as that it may be concluded thus ; So it was in a ceremony of the Old Testament , therefore it must be so in the New , without any other precept or example therein : Concerning the insufficiency thereof , I have disputed so largely in the 2d . part of this Review sect . 2 , 3. as that I need to say no more here . Nor doth any thing Mr. C. brings concerning the fulness of the Scripture , Christ or the Apostles arguing , prove such kind of arguing good in meer positive rites , however matters of faith and manners are determined and proved by them from the Old Testament . Nor should it bee granted ( as it is not ) that there is the same main ground of Circumcision and Baptism , yet would it follow the rule of the one is a rule about the other , without the like institution . Yet what Mr. C. hath set down as the main ground that God would once have his Covenant of grace ( which he means p 201. of the very Covenant of saving grace , not of any meer outward Covenant ) to be to the whole Church and Church seed ; and the rest of his hypotheses , pag. 195. are so fully shewed to bee mistakes in this Review , that I think it needless actum agere . And for the tenth section in which he makes a tedious paraphrase , and dictates many things without proof , concerning Col. 2.10 , 11 , 12. they proceed upon the mistakes above shewed , as if the Apostle answered this objection , If Gentile believers have not an initiatory seal for them and their children they should not bee so compleat as the Jewes in outward Ordinances , and that the Apostle answers that they have Baptism in stead of Circumcision . He● himself more truly saith , pag. 199. That Baptism is named Col. 2.12 . as an outward mean whereby bee inchurched Gentiles especially , come ordinarily to have communion with Christ , and to be compleat in him , and therefore not in outward Ordinances ; nor by Baptism can it bee said wee are compleat in outward ordinances , sith himself makes it onely the initiatory seal , but compleatness is not in the enjoyment of the initiatory onely , but of all ordinances . As for what hee saith Section eleven , for the succession of Baptism to Circumcision , that it is sufficient to prove it that they agree in their common Author , Sacramental nature , and end ( which yet is false ▪ ) the answer is good that these things prove it not , sith there are the same or more parities of Baptism and the Passeover , and more disparities between Baptism and Circumcision , which are sufficient to shew that the command concerning the one is not a command concerning the other . For i● the command bind to baptize infants , it binds onely to baptize males at eight dayes old , and not afore ; nor is it any answer to say , The command of Circumcision binds in the substantials of it though not in the circumstantials ; ●or first , if the command bind it binds in every point as well as in one . 2. The state of infancy is as much a circumstance as the eighth day . 3. In the command of Circumcision , I know not any thing which may bee termed substantial , unless hee mean the act of cutting off the fore-skin of the flesh , which hee will not have us tied ●o , for then wee must not baptize our infants but circumcise them . As for what hee speaks of the command to seal with an initiatory seal of the Covenant indefinite believers and their children , it is a meer figment , as hath been before shewed . There is nothing else that I conceive needfull to be added in this place , I go on to finish the rest . SECT . LXXXII . Notwithstanding Mr. Cs. allegations of Acts 2.38 , 39. 1 Cor. 7.14 . Rom. 11 16 , ●● Mark. 10.14 . Acts 15.10 . Matth. 28.19 . the N. T. appear● to be silent about Mr. Cs. additional promise , and infants Baptism . HAving more largely noted the unproved dictates and mistakes of Mr. Carter hitherto . I shall be briefer in the rest ●o what he saith pag. 81 , 82 , 83 , 84. there needs no more to bee said but this , that the blessing upon posterity which Mr. C imagines , m●ght have been signified , though adult persons onely had been circumcised , we have plain Scriptures which warrant us to alter circumcision wholly and abolish i● , besides which we know no other command Gen●7 ●7 ▪ 9 the texts Acts 8.12 . Gal. 3 27 28. do as plainly shew that Baptism is to be of none but believers , and that but adul● persons are to 〈◊〉 bap●ized , ●s that women are to be baptized , i● Circumcision were a priv●ledge Acts 7.8 . we have abundant warrant to take it away ; nor doth the text Rom 11 29. hinder it , which is not meant of outward priviledges , which are common to elect and reprobate ( as the priviledge of Circumcision was ) but of saving grace , to wit election and effectual calling , and therefore is palpably abused by Mr. C. to prove that God takes not away the outward priviledge from his people now , which was by circumcision , we justly require a precept or example in the N. T to warrant infant Baptism , no command of a meer positive right of the Old Testament , being a rule to us about a meer positive right of the new , as is fully proved by me in the 2d . part of this Review , Sect. 2 , 3. What Mr. C. saith pag. 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89. That the N. T. is not altogether silent in this matter , because of Peters words , Acts 2.38 , 39. is false . For neither is there a word Acts 2.38 , 39. of Mr. Cs. imagined additional promise of making every believer a blessing , so as to cast ordinarily elect children on elect parents , nor that the application of the initial seal is to signifie this promise , nor that the application of it to infants is of the substance of this Covenant nor that the command Gen. 17.9 . is yet a command that lieth upon Abrahams spiritual seed now in the New Testament , nor that Baptism is now in the room of Circumcision , and is the very same in substance for us , nor if Mr. Cs. exposi●ion were granted , would any of these follow , but the contrary . For first , if the promise bee the same wi●h that vers . 17. out of Joel , yet sure it is not the same with Mr. Cs. additional promise , the promise of receiving the holy Ghost being not all one with this , that the parent believing shall bee a blessing to his posterity as Mr. C. fancies , the promise of receiving the Holy Ghost being of a thing terminated on the receiver , but Mr. Cs. additional promise of a thing convayed to posterity , the promise of receiving the Holy Ghost beeing as well , if not chiefly to the children , Acts. 2.17 , 18. but the additional promise of Mr. C. is onely to the parent . 2. Were the promises the same , yet this would not serve Mr. Cs. turn , but bee against him . For if the promise Acts 2.39 . be the same with that vers . 17 , 18. then it is a promise to children of dreaming dreames , seeing visions , and prophesying , but this cannot be meant of infant children , it neither was so fulfilled in the Apostles days , nor in any after time , it would be a prodig● to hear an infant prophesie , much less is it true of the ordinary gifts of the spirit , v. 18. 3 The limitation also is against him , For if it be true which he saith p. 88. That Peter maketh the Gentiles case parallel with the Jews , and saith that the same promise did also belong to them yet with the same limitation , namely , to so many of them onely as the Lord our God shall call , implying that it is an effectual call to faith and repentance , that gave to any such a priviledge , either Jew or Gentile , and p. 87. the words of the Apostle cannot be meant , that the promise did belong to them and their children onely as Jews , Abrahams natural seed , but as believers , and upon their conversion ( which I conceive true ) then it is false that it belongs to infants as the natural seed of their parents , though believers , and therefore the promise Act. 2.39 . is not Mr. Cs. additional promise , which is of believing parents being a blessing to posterity , nor is the promise or imagined priviledge consequent thereupon , belonging to infants until they repent and believe . 4. That which hee saith p. 87. that Act. 2.38 . is an invitation to repenting and believing Jews to be baptized they and their children , is so far from being for his purpose , that it is manifestly against it . For if the invitation be of every one to repent first , and then every of them so repenting to be baptized , then it is not an invitation to infants to be baptized , nor of parents to baptize them . Yea , this is so apparent in the Text that the very words are directed expresly to those persons who were pricked in their hearts , and said Men and brethren what shall we do , that they should be every of them baptized , v. 38. without so much as mentioning their children in the invitation . Nor doth any thing after done by them , v. 41. &c. shew that they understood that they were directed by Peter to cause their children , whether infant or adult , to be baptized upon their repentance and believing onely . Yea , if as Mr. C. saith , John Baptist had cleared that point , Matth. 3.8 , 9. that to the Jews as Abrahams seed natural Baptism did not belong , it belongs not now to a believers seed . But the truth is , Mr. Cs. exposition is in many things false or uncertain . It is uncertain whether the promise Acts 2.39 . be the same with that which is mentioned v. 17 , 18. or that v. 30. of which I have spoken enough before . It is false that the promise Acts 2.17 , 18. can be meant of ordinary gifts . For the Apostle saith v. 16. that what was spoken by the Prophet was the thing they then saw performed , which was speaking with tongues v. 4 , 11. the great things of God , which was extraordinary ; and if the promise v. 17 , 18. had included ordinary gifts , it had been impertinently alledged to shew the fulfilling of it then in those miraculous gifts . Nor doth Mr. C. prove it to be so meant . For 1. though the last days in Scripture signifie all that space of time from the comming of Christ in the flesh to the end of the world , 1 Tim. 4.1 . 2 Tim. 3.1 . Heb. 1.2 . & 9.26 . yet it follows not the promise is yet in fulfilling , it is sufficient to verifie the prophecy that it hath been fulfilled in any part of the last days . 2. Nor is there any thing v. 18. to prove the prophesying there to be a distinct thing from the prophesying , v. 17. or prophesying in either to be an ordinary gift , or common to all Gods servants . Nor do Rev. 19.10 . compared Rev. 12.17 . or Rev. 1.9 . prove that every believer hath the spirit of prophecy . For Johns suffering for the testimony of Jesus may be understood , yea being distinct from the word of God Rev. 1.9 . seems to be meant of his giving testimony of Jesus as an Apostle or Prophet extraordinary ; and the having the testimony of Jesus , Rev. 12.17 . being distinct from keeping the commandments of God , imports the testimony there meant to be of that which was testified by extraordinary revelation , against which the Dragon warred , and a blessing is to the observers , Rev. 1.3 And that Rev. 19.10 . is meant of those who had extraordinary revelation , is manifest , in that Rev. 22.9 . where the same thing is expressed , and there what is Rev. 19.10 . thy brethren which have the testimony of Jesus , is , thy brethren the prophets , and the prophets are distinct from them that keep the words of that book . Besides , if every believer had the spirit of prophecy , then every believer should be a prophet , and should be set by God in the Church next after Apostles , afore Teachers ; which doth expresly gainsay the Apostle , 1 Cor. 12.28 , 29. and fully proves the prophesying mentioned 1 Cor. 14. to be no ordinary gift , which every believer hath . Nor doth it follow , the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesie , therefore every testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesying , the speech being indefinite , not universal ; and the words being the speech of the Angel , shewing wherein he was fellow-servant to John , plainly intimate he meant it of the special testimony of Jesus which he was fellow servant to John in , as the Title of the Book shews , Rev. 1.1 . The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to him to shew to his servants what things must shortly be , and sending signified them by his Angel to his servant John. I omit what Piscator conceives in his scholie on the place , that the words are to be read in an inverted order thus , the spirit of prophesie is the testimony of Jesus , that is , which is received from him . Nor is it true , that the promise Ioh. 16.13 . is to all believers , however Preachers do so often misapply it , but to the Apostles . And it may be doubted , whether the words 1 Ioh 2.20 , 27. be meant of all believers , or of those that were strong or we●l instructed by John as his li●tle children , v. 14. and if it be meant of all believers , yet it must be understood with limitation of all things necessary to salvation , or of all things needfull to withstand the seducers he mentions , not a word ●hat mentions their prophesying . Nor doth Joh. 7.39 . prove every believer a prophet ; nor may it be gathered from 1 Thes. 5.19 , 20. that such preaching , which we must suppose may bring us something that is not good , is called prophesying , but that something may be termed prophesying which is not ; and therefore the spirits are to be tried whether they be of God , for many false pro●hets are gone out into the world , as John speaks , 1 Epist. 4.1 . Nor is it true , that Peter exhorts the Jews , Act. 2.38 . to repent , that is , to go on as they had begun . For though they had some horrour of conscience , v. 37. yet not repentance , unto which Peter exhorts , v. 38. nor doth any word used by Peter intimate that they had begun to repent . And what Mr. C. adds to the clause to as many as the Lord our ●od shall call , not onely to them , but also to their children , is too bold dealing with the Scripture , there being not a word in the Text which implieth that addition , and therefore is not justified by his allegations of Psal. 1.6 . Prov. 10.24 . What other arguments for Mr. Cs. purpose have been urged from Act. 2.38 , 39. have been largely answered already . I go on . Mr. C. adds , p. 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99. a large discourse ▪ in whi●h 1. there is p. 97. a confession which doth invincibly prove infant Baptism to be will worship , and his speech false which he used p. 8● . that the New Testam●nt is not altogether silent in this matter ; and it is this . Whoever shall confine himself onely to the N. T. to find out the law of Gods worship and service , he shall never find it , not onely as to infant Baptism but also to all other Ordinances whatsoever For if infant Baptism be not to be found in the N. T. then the N. ● . is altogether silent about that matter : and if it be not there , then it is will worship , there being no law about a meer positive rite or ceremony in force to us Christian Gentiles now , which was giv●n to the Jews in the Old Testament , as I have proved , Exam. par . 3. sect . 12. pag. 116 , 117. Review , par . 2. sect . 2 , 3. 2. There is in the same p. 97. a false and dangerous speech , that Christ spake so little in his N. T. concerning the law which is the rule which he hath set for his service of his house ; namely , because he could look upon that , for the greatest part , to be done already , to wit , in the Old Testament ▪ Which if true , then the laws about the ceremonies of the Jews are our rule , we are still under the yoke of bondage , popish , prelatical ceremonies are still justifiable , a Bishop or Archbishop above Presbyters and Bishops , appeal to Synods , their power to decide controversies , to excommunicate , a national Church constitution , are still to be retained , for these , or that which was proportionable to these , was according to the Rule of Gods house then . Nor is there a word in any of the Scriptures which Mr. C. alledgeth , for this his purpose . Not Luke 16.16 . the meaning whereof is not , as Mr. C. fancies , That in the times before John was the season to instruct men in the law , since in the Gospel ; but as it is Mat. 11.13 . All the prophets and the law until John prophesied , that is , foretold of Christs comming as future ; but the Kingdome of God , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Luke 16.16 . from then is Evangelized , or told as good tidings already begu● to be , a● Diodati annot . on Mat. 11.13 . Johns prerogative above the precedent prophets is , that they have onely foretold and described things to come ▪ but he hath delivered the present salvation , and in him is begun the Evangelical Ministery , and the legal and figurative Ministery is ceased . Yet if Mr. Cs. exposition were allowed , it prov●s not that in the Law or Old Testament the rule about the service or meer positive worship of God in the N. T. is set , but rather the contrary ; for if that were the season then for it , and now is the season for another thing , it follows , that it is unseasonable to take a rule for Gods hou●e in meer positive worship from the Old Testament . The alledging Psal. 78.1 . by Mat. 13.3 , 9 , 35. proves not that a rule for rituals is to be fe●cht from the Old Testament , although it may be usefull for to prove doctrines about the Gospel , Gods providence , moral duties , &c. Though it be granted which Mr. C. concludes pag. 96. the general nature of the Law to bee one and the same to the people of God under both Testaments , ( which is easily yeilded sith the general nature is invariable , and the same to all for ever ) yet it followes not that the Laws about ●eremonies are the same to the people of God under both Testaments , if so , we are still under the yoke of Circumcision and the Legal rites , and under the Law. And indeed Mr. C. hath in this thing vented many false and dangerous speeches , that to us in Christ the Law hath been as it were incorporated with the Gospel , as thereby become part of the covenat of grace the Law given by 〈◊〉 is called the Testa●ent of Christ , by●hrist ●hrist himself ▪ that the Old Testament , this the New , and both confirmed by his bloud ; that in the type by the bloud of Bulls and Goat● th●● in the answer type by his own bloud . And yet he sa●th , the Apostle R●m . 1● 6 applieth Deut. 30 ●2 , 14 to the Gospel in opposition to the Law , as in it self considered without the Gospel , or as a covenant of works ; which words are contrary to his former . For if the Gospel be opposed to the Law by the Apostle , as it is in it self considered is without the Gospel , is a covenant of works , then the Law is not incorporated with the Gospel , or thereby become part of the covenant of grace , nor is the Law given by Moses called the Testament of Christ , nor confirmed by his bloud , but the bloud of Bulls and Goats , ill termed Christs bloud , being opposed Heb. 9.12 . In like manner it is a dangerous assertion which he hath pag. 95. In the covenant of workes the Law was , Do this and live ; but in the covenant of grace it is , Do this in the strength of Christ and live : which if right , we live , that is , are justified ( for so his words following explain it ) by the doing the works of the law in the strength of Christ ; which ( if I do understand it ) is the very doctrine of Bellarmine , Tom. 4. de justific . l. 1. c. 19. and other Papists , saying the Apostle excludes not works done after grace by faith from justification , but afore faith : Which Protestant Divines commonly refute , as ●areus in his Castigations , Ames in his Bellarm. enerv . Chamier , Tom. 3. paustr. lib. 22. c. 2. Abbots defence of Perkins , p. 502. Rivet . sum contr ▪ tract . 4. qu. 10. Pemble vind . Fidei , sect . 2. c. 3. sect . 4. c. 1 , 2. alledging the Apostles words concerning Abraham , who had not to glory before God , nor was justified by works , Rom. 4.1 , 2 , &c. And me thinks Mr. Carters next words contradict his former , when he saith , Our state and condition as subjects of his Kingdome , dependeth not upon our keeping the Law but upon free grace in Christ by faith . But of this by the way . That which he alledgeth about the term Gods house , 1 Tim. 3.15 . 2 Cor. 6.16 . and separate , Act. 13.2 . 2 Cor. 6.17 . that we cannot understand them without the Old Testament , though it were true , yet proves no more but this , that in explaining the meaning of words allusive to things there described , the Old Testament is necessary ; but not that which is to be proved , that in observing the rites of the N. T. we are to fetch rules and commands by way of Analogy from the ritual commands of the old . Mr. C. adds , p 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112. something more about the Texts 1 Cor. 7.14 . Rom. 11.24 . Mar. 10.14 . Acts 15.10 . Mat. 28.19 . which having been so largely handled in the former parts of this Review , I need onely to refer the Reader thither . Yet I add , it is but said without any proof , that 1 Cor. 7.14 . that children are termed holy , because they come under the word of blessing from God , in as much as that word was confirmed not onely unto Abraham , but also to all believers , Gen. 22.17 , 18. That which God blesseth he sanctifieth , and separateth from that which is common or unclean . For 1. there 's not a word brought to shew that ever any child is in Scripture termed holy by reason of such an indefinite promise to believing parents . 2. Nor that the scope , analysis , allusion in the Text ▪ leads to such an exposition . 3. Nor doth it follow , that because God blessed and sanctified the Sabbath day therefore what God blesseth he sanctifieth : God blessed Noah and his sons , Gen. 9.1 . yet all of them were not sanctified ; yea , many Texts of Scripture apply blessings to unsanctified persons , Psal. 107.38 . Ierem. 12.1 . much less is it true , that who is termed holy or sanctified is blessed , the unbeliever is in the text sanctified as the children holy , yet not blessed . 4. That this exposition is farre from the Apostles scope and arguing , is so largely demonstrated in the first part of this Review and elsewhere , that I judge it surperfluous to refute further these unprooved dictates heere . I deny not that the Jews Rom. 11.24 . are termed natural branches by birth according to the Covenant of God with Abraham , the Gentiles the wild Olive by nature as neglected by God , yet it is not true that ever the Gentiles ingraffed are made natural branches , sith they never descend from Abraham the root by natural generation , and though it bee true they enjoy saving graces which the believing Jews had , called v. 17. the fatness of the Olive tree , yet it is not true that the Gentile believers children enjoy the outward priviledges the Jews had by birth , or are any of them ingraffed and partakers of the Olive tree but the elect and believers , or that they are to be accounted holy by us , till God hath purified their hearts by faith , Acts. 15.9 . And as we cannot say certainly any infant of a believer is inherently holy , so neither can we say they are any of them holy as separated to God and to bee received into Church relation , till they profess the faith , such promise and purpose of election as Mr. C. imagins being no where to be found , and if it were it is not sufficient to make them relatively holy in Church relation , without profession of faith by each person so accounted , there being no rule whereby we are to baptize any but disciples , upon their own profession so judged , no not though God had made such a covenant to each believer as Mr. C. imagins : But we are to baptize persons who profess the faith , though wee know not them to be inherently holy , or in the Covenant of grace . Mr. Cs. other reason pag. 103. Why such children are by the Apostle called holy , because they are not onely within the Covenant of Abraham , but also are appointed of God to be a subject recipient of the seal of that Covenant ▪ is another unproved dictate and refuted by the same reasons by which the former is refelled . What Mr. C. urgeth against my sense of holy that is legitimate , 1 Cor. 7.14 . that it had been but affirming the thing , is shewed to be false in the first part of this Review sect . 16. And it is false which he imagins that the Apostle thus reasoned , that after my exposition except one of the married couple be believer their children are bastards , or that he ●scribed the sanctification to the faith of the believer , which and what else hee saith about the scruple from Ezra 10.11 . and 9.12 . is so fully answered in the first part of this Review sect . 11 , &c. to the end of the Book , that mee thinks Mr. C. should afore hee had printed his Sermons have viewed them , and not thus have printed these stale objections often answered , without shewing the insufficiency of the answers , if hee meant candidly , as one that endeavoured to cl●er the truth . But Mr. C. takes notice of this objection against the basis of his building , that upon this account not onely children of believers , but also nations must be reputed holy , because the promise is that believers shall bee blessings also unto nations ; To this he answers , The case is not the same , for children are immediately under this word of blessing in the family relation , as the people of God in the Church are immediately under that blessing , which the Lord commandeth out of Sion . But as for nations , they are under it in a remote capacity by means of what the Saints are in their families and in the Church . Therefore although such as are of the Church , and the children also of such families are holy , yet it followeth not that therefore the nation should be holy . Ref. I reply , the objection in form stands thus ; They which come under the word of blessing from God , in as much as that word was confirmed not onely unto Abraham , but also to all believers , Gen. 22.17 , 18. & 12.2 , 3. must be reputed holy . This is the effect of Mr. Cs. words p. ●04 . and the main ground of all his discourse for infant Baptism , I subsume . But nations , yea all nations come under the word of b●essing from God , in as much as that word was not onely confirmed unto Abraham , but also to all believers , Gen. 22.17 , 18. & 12.2 , 3. and if the word families bee taken ( as Mr. C. seems to take it ) for housholds , and all housholds , then the same objection is concerning , all in housholds , servants , wives as well as children , they come under the ble●●ing according to Mr. Cs. exposition ; Ergo , according to Mr. Cs. arguing and exposition , nations , yea all nations , families , housholds , all in them are holy and to be baptized , which being absurd his opinion is also absurd . The minor is in the texts , and Gal. 3.8 . as Mr. C. expounds them , Ergo , the conclusion followes from his own principles . His answer is neither true nor pertinent . Not true , for children are not immediately under this word of blessing in the family relation , nor the people of God in the Church ( meaning the visible ) are immediately under that blessing , but onely believers in the families or Church , as the Apostle determines , Gal. 3.8 , 9. Nor according to Mr ▪ Cs. exposition are the children more immediately under the word of blessing as confirmed to Abraham , then the wife , servants , sojourners , neighbours . For the children are not under the blessing but as the children of believers , and so according to his own exposition pag. 37. Gods choise shall be by Families and Nations , so that he will ordinarily cast the lot of the Saints in Neighbourhoods and places together , and if so the blessing or choise is as immediately promised to Nations , neighbourhoods , others in the same house as to children , nor are the nations in a more remote capacitie then the Saints in the families and in the Church . Nor is the answer pertinent if it were true : For the major proposition , which is his own , is not limited to them that come under the word of blessing immediately in his sense , for then hee should exclude nations , neighbourhood● , families , contrary to the text , which mentions the blessing of all kinreds and nations , and not onely the children , and to his own exposition which extends it to neighbourhoods and places together . Mr. C. not trusting to this , saith ; To this I add , that children are in the power of parents and at their disposing ; and so as when they , in their sanctification , or being made holy , give up themselves to God by faith , and obedience to his Ordinances , their children are therein vertually given up also , in as much as a believer in some respect giveth up to God together with himself all in his power . Now this cannot be said of any nation whatsoever . Answ. But 1. The parents giving up all to God is not that which makes Children to be holy neither according to truth , for they are made holy by Gods act whither of Covenant or other act of consecration or separation to himself , not by mans act of giving up by vow or otherwise to God , yea if the act of mans giving up all in his power to God , makes children holy , it makes servants , cattle holy to God , nor according to Mr. C. himself , who ascribes it to Gods election , and word of blessing 2. If this be the way of making holy , by giving up all at his disposing to God , then a believer at his first conversion makes holy to God himself , for he giveth himself to God , makes holy to God persons not yet bego●ten , and so visible Churchmembers according to Mr. B. subjects recipient of the seal of the Covenant , according to Mr. C. pag. 103. yea by this reason a believers horse may bee said to bee holy to to God , and baptizable . 3. This addition takes away his former answer . For if the giving up all to God in his power at his disposing by the believer make them holy , children are no more immediately holy then servants , wife , &c. all being together given up to God in one act whether vertually or formally . 4. If a believers giving up to God together with himself all in his power , and at his disposing make them holy , then a believing ●●ing and State do make the whole nation holy who are their subjects and so the objection stands good , that the whole nation is according to Mr. Cs. conceit to be reputed holy But Mr. C. saith , It will be objected yet further , that the Jews are said to be holy , even the whole people of the Jews , who now are unbelievers , Rom. 11.16 . yet have they no right to baptism ; and therefore that this holiness of the children , 1 Cor. 7.14 . be it from their interest in the covenant of God with Abraham , is no argument for infant baptism , because the unbelieving Jews also are supposed by us to be holy upon the same account , and holiness to be taken in the same sence in both places . Answ. This objection is mine in my Exercit. sect . 5. but otherwise then Mr. C. here sets it down . For 1 it is not there brought as an objection by it self , but as a reason of my denial of this proposition universally understood , They who are holy with Covenant holiness may be baptized . 2. I did not say the whole people of the Jews , who now are unbelievers , but the elect of the Israelites no● yet called are holy in respect of the Covenant , and are not yet therefore to be baptised . Yet neither to the objection as mine , nor as framed by himself , doth Mr. C. give a sufficien● answer . For he grants the two places 1 Cor. 7.14 . Rom. 11.16 . are parallel , and in that sense they have been both above alledged to prove that branch of Gods covenant with Abraham concerning a blessing upon posterity , in order to the multiplying of believers . And yet it is as true , that there is a great difference between them . Now this grant is enough to prove that persons or people may be federally holy , and yet not baptizable , which is the objection . Nor doth the difference which he imagines ( if there be such a difference ) in the two places , any thing at all infringe it . For whether federal holiness in one place bee ascribed to a whole people in respect of a part or to particular persons , the connexion between federal holiness and baptizability , is shewed to be null ; and the major denied not true universally understood , and so the objection is confirmed by this grant , not infringed . Yea whereas Mr. C. pretends the difference to bee great between the places , the very thing bee assignes makes no difference . He saith , The Apostle saith expresly 1 Cor. 7.14 . of such particular persons that they are holy , but of Rom. 11.16 . the scope of the Apostle is to set forth the kind or sort of people , namely Jewes , not the particular persons that should bee called . But herein hee opposeth himself in the words next before , where hee thus makes the Apostle to intend both ; Thus wee are to understand that of the Apostle Rom. 11. when hee saith , of the people of the Jewes that they are holy , namely , what properly and peculiarly belongeth to a part , even to those of them who either then were , or afterwards should bee converted , bee ascribeth to the whole , and in respect of that part hee calleth the whole body of that people holy . Now if hee call a part holy which should bee called , he sets forth the particular persons . And 1 Cor. 7.14 . sets out the kinde or sort of children as well as the particular persons , whether after Mr. Cs. opinion , the children of believers , or after mine , the children of married persons . And that which he argues makes against him for me . For if that which is ascribed to the whole people belongeth by a synecdoche to a part , even those who are or shall be converted , then what is said either Gen 12.2 , 3. or 22.17 , 18. or Rom. 11.16 , 17 , 24. of families , nations , branches , lump , may be understood synecdochically of a part of families , nations or people , and those believers as Paul Gal. 3.8 , 9. determines as converts as Mr. C. and so not children of believers , much less infants necessarily included in the families , nations , branches ingraffed , lump that is holy , and consequently all Mr. Cs. arguing , made void by his own concession , which hitherto he hath framed from Abrahams Covenant to prove infant Baptism . And what he argues , That the lump which is termed holy Rom. 11.16 . and the whole people termed beloved v. 28. is to bee understood of the better part , and of those that were then unborn , and of such a lump as should have a being successively , and part after part , and so cannot bee actually holy then when the Apostle spake , it doth all exactly agree with my explication of the ingraffing of the branches in my Apol. sect . 14. in the first part of this Review sect . 1 , 2 , &c. And doth well serve to answer the arguments for the ingraffing parent and child into the visible Church christian against the sense I give for the ingraffing into the invisible Church , by giving of faith according to election . Nor did I ever say , the Apostles meaning Rom. 11.16 . was that th●se particular persons of the Jews who pers●st ●n unbelief , or that the whole people of the Jews are now in the times of the New Testament holy in any sense whatever , but grant they are broken off from the holy root , vers . 20. are cast●away , vers . 15. are enemies , and so unclean and prophane , and therefore not holy , v. 28. yet this meant , but of some , v. 17. a part , v. 25. and all these things do well accord together , and with the perseverance of Saints asserted against Arminians , sith the people of the Jews are not by me asserted to be broken off from the invisible Church of elect and true believers in respect of what particular persons broken off were in their own persons , but in respect of what the particular persons were in a former age of the same nation or people . Mr. C. p 109. imagines that Christ saith , of little children is the Kingdome of God , because of his sained additional promise : but he brings not a word to prove it , nor doth the Text yeeld any proof that they were believers children ; and I have proved the Kingdome of God is meant of that of glory . Review , par . 2. sect . 18. And for his conceit , that Christ bid suffer them to come to him because of the additional promise of Mr. C. it is without proof , and not agreeable to Mr. Cs. own concei● . For if Christ would intimate , that this is part of the Gospel of the Kingdome , that believers should be blessings to their children , namely , so as they should be means of their conversion , he should rather have directed the Apostles to suffer them to be brought to their parents to be educ●ted , then to himself to lay hands on them . And Christs anger against his Disciples argues no such intimation , nor his saying that of them is the Kingdome of God , proves their right to Baptism as doth the receiving the Holy Ghost , Act. 10.47 . For that shewed Cornelius actually a believer , so did not Christs speech of the little children , which expressed not their present but future estate , as is proved , Review , par . 2. sect . 19. Nor is there a word brought by Mr. C. to prove that Christs command was given to his Disciples for a perpetual obligation to the Disciples of Christ , in all ages then to come , to bring infants to Christ in an external way , and therefore by Baptism . For though it were recorded after his ascension , yet it follows not it was recorded to learn this , to have a way of bringing infants to Christ by Baptism , there being something else to be learned by it , and it is rather a sure proof that Christ did not teach that by his command , sith neither then nor after do we find the Apostles did baptize an infant ; and the phrase of comming to him cannot import Baptism , sith he did not baptize , Joh. 4.1 , 2. and if any standing rule were intended by Christs command , it should be rather laying on hands and praying for infants , then baptizing them . Though it be granted , that to whom Christ is a King he is also a Prophet , yet it follows not , that infants being such as of whom is Christs Kingdome , they are his Disciples as meant Mat. 28.19 . much less that they are made Disciples , when their parents are converted , because they are then in the way of the Spirits teaching , Christ being a Prophet to other then Disciples meant Mat. 28.19 . Nor is there the least hint . Act. 15.10 . of infants being Disciples , and the notion of Disciples by the parents conversion , or by being in the way of the spirits teaching ( which yet is not shewed , but fancied by Mr. C. ) are meer devised whimzies refuted by me , Review , par . 2. sect . 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. Nor is any sufficient answer given hereby , or by Mr. C. elsewhere , or any other , or ever will be to the argument as brought by me against infant baptism , Review , par . 2. sect . 5. and elsewhere . What Mr. C. saith , That more might be said about those words in answer to it , namely , that in the words Baptizing them , Mat. 28.19 . we have by a synecdoche , a part for the whole ( an usual form of speech in the Scripture ) for we know the Apostles commission did extend as well to a setting up of other Ordinances as of Baptism . Therefore when he saith , Go teach all nations baptizing them , it is as if he had said , Go teach them , and enter them into the practise of the worship of the Gospel ; of which among other things the application of the token of Abrahams Covenant to infants may be a part , any thing in that place contained notwithstanding . Answ. 1. Such a synecdoche in any institution of a rite is no where to be found as this which Mr. C. dreams of , baptizing them into the name of the Father , Son , and Holy Spirit , that is , enter them into the practise of the worship of the Gospel , not onely Baptism , but also breaking of bread , &c. 2. We know the Apostles commission did extend as well to the setting up of other Ordinances , viz. breaking of Bread , 1 Cor. 11.23 . as of Baptism , but not in the word baptizing , Mat. 28 19. but in the word teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you , v. 20. 3. There is this very thing which Mr. C. himself saith against baptizing infants , it is as if he had said , Go teach them , and enter them into the practise of the worship of the Gospel : For sure Christ did not bid them teach infants , nor do I think Mr. C. would have them entred into the practise of the Gospel worship , but onely baptized . And so Mr. Cs. answer is a strengthening of the argument . Enough in answer to Mr. C. being unwilling to make more exceptions on passages which need correction : why I have said so much , the reason is given , sect . 77. SECT . LXXXIII . Interest in the Covenant gave not title to Circumcision , as Mr. M. in his 4th . conclusion would have it . IN the Defence of his 4th . and 5th . concl . against my Examen Mr. M. saith , he will contract ; and accordingly I shall be brief in my reply . He grants the order of circumcising infants is repealed , as I answered in examining his 4th . concl . but would have it added , that by Gods order Baptism succeeds in the room of it , which I have refuted . Then upon my saying that Circumcision was not a seal of the spiritual part of the Covenant , he censures this as pure Anabaptism , leaving out injuriously my limitation , to all that were circumcised , which if fairly added had cleared me ; and perhaps if the so called Anabaptists had been rightly understood , they had been found as innocent as my self in this thing ; I see enough in Paedobaptists dealing with me , to shew how great likelihood there is that the words of the Anabaptists in Germany were perverted . Mr. M. p. 180 , 181. excepts against me for saying that Ishmael and Esau had no part in the Covenant , denies that Ishmael had no part in it , when he himself grants that they did never partake of the spiritual graces of the Covenant , which is all one with that which I say , that the Covenant of grace was not made to them , they had no part in it ; For sure they to whom the Covenant of grace is made , and have part in it , are all partakers of the spiritual graces of the Covenant , or else God keeps not his promise ; and for this I bring Gen. 17.19 , 20 , 21. Rom. 9.6 , 7 , 8. Gal. 4.28 , 29. ( though I needed not , having Mr. Ms. own confession ) and therefore it is most false he saith , I bring not one shadow of a proof for what I say . But Mr. M. thinks to maintain his speech , that Ishmael had part in the Covenant , in that he was reckoned by circumcision to belong to the Covenant , and obliged to seek after the spiritual part of it ▪ to have his heart circumcised , and to believe in the Messiah that was to come of Abrahams seed . Answ. 1. It is contrary to Gen. 7.19 , 20 , 21. to say that Ishmael by Circumcision did belong to the Covenant , it runs upon this palpable mistake , that every one that was circumcised had thereby the Covenant sealed to him . 2. Those that were uncircumcised , all the people of the world were obliged to seek after the spiritual graces of the Covenant , to be holy , to believe ; yet this doth not prove they had a part in the Covenant , and therefore this answer of Mr. M. is frivolous . And so likewise is that which he saith in answer to my words ( not rightly set down , my words were not , right to Evangelical promises or any other benefit ) that no benefit of the Covenant was the proper reason ( I added , and adequate ) why these or those were circumcised , but onely Gods precept ; though Gods command was the cause of the existence of the duty of Circumcision , yet the Covenant of grace was the motive to it , and these two are well consistent together . In which 1. he shews not whose motive it was , Gods or mans . If he mean it was Gods to command it , it is nothing to the purpose to shew right to the Covenant of grace to have been the proper adequate reason of the persons to be circumcised : if mans motive , it is false , whether we understand it of ●he circumcised , who were infants , and therefore had no motive to it , but were passive onely , or the circumciser ; for in ●brahams circumcising Ishmael Mr. M. saith I have given a very good instance to prove , that some may receive the outward sign of the Covenant , and a v●sible ●●anding in the Church , though he who administers the seal might by revelation know the inward grace is wanting ▪ Were his answer gran●ed , yet it proves not the contrary to my speech , but confirms it , though this point be one of the hinges on which his first & main argument turns ▪ For i● it be true that the adequate reason o● pe●sons circumcising was not right to the Evangelical promises or other benefit in the Covenant , but Gods prec●pt onely , then the pillar of Mr. Ms argument f●lls to the ground , All that are in the covenant are to be sealed , it being onely true thus , All in the Covenant , whom God ha●h commanded 〈◊〉 sealed are to be sealed . What he saith after , that I grant what is in controversie , because I grant men may have a visible membership in the Church though they be not elected or sanctified , it is alike frivolous , it being never in controversie ; but whether any may be said to be in or under the Covenant of grace , or to have the Covenant of grace made to them who are non elect , and never sanctified . That which Mr. M. p. 182. calls a piece of odd Divinity , that Circumcision should seal righteousness to them who never are circumcised , nor reputed so , nor capable of being circumcised , nor might lawfully be circumcised , being understood as I express it of Abrahams personal Circumcision is the Apostles express Divinity , Rom. 4.11 , 12. whose scope , say New England Elders in answer to the 3d. and 4th . position , p. 65. rightly , in that place is not to define a Sacrament , nor to shew what is the proper adequate subject of the Sacrament ; but to prove by the example of Abraham , that a sinner is justified before God not by works , but by faith , &c. Nor is this any more odd Divinity then Mr. Ms. who asserts women virtually circumcised in the males . That which he saith , that visible professours have a visible right to the spiritual part of Circumcision , I conceive false : For though they had a right to Circumcision or Baptism , which they might receive of men , yet they had no right at all to forgiveness of sins , justification , adoption , salvation ▪ which are onely from God , and onely true believers had right to . That which he saith , p. 182. that Circumcision was given the Jews in reference to their Church state , not in reference to their civil state , is not true , but said upon a mistake , as if the Church state and Civil were different in the Jewish Commonwealth . That which he confesseth , that the formal reason of their being circumcised was the command of God , is enough to shew that interest in the Covenant did not give right to Circumcision , but the command of God ; and therefore without shewing a command for infant Baptism , this is no good argument , they are in the Covenant therefore to be baptized , which enervates all Mr. Ms. dispute . But he adds ▪ The Covenant of grace , or their Church state was the motive to it , and the thing it related to ; and this fully answers the objection ; for it was commanded and observed as that which was a priviledge and duty belonging to the Covenant , and they used it as being in Covenant , the objection is wholly taken off . To which I reply , 1. The Covenant of grace might be in some sense , and the Church state of Abrahams house in some respect , that is , to bee a sign of it , might be the end why God appointed Circumcision to Abrahams house ; but motive , that is , impulsive cause , I see not how the Covenant of grace and the Church state can be termed , there being nothing but his own will , according to the counsel of which he worketh all things , Ephes. 1.11 . that can be rightly termed a motive to him to command it . 2. But be it in the sense I allow it termed motive , or end , and a duty belonging to the Covenant as a sign of it , and the persons who used it , as Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob used it as being in Covenant ; yet neither is it true that all that used it were in the Covenant of grace , nor was it appointed as a duty to be used by them to all and they onely that were in the Covenant of grace ▪ nor did God by the use of it , seal , signifie , assure or confer an estate in the Covenant of grace to every person whom hee appointed to bee circumcised , and therefore no part of the objection is taken off , that Circumcision was not the seal of the Covenant of grace to all circumcised persons , but was appointed to persons not under the Covenant of grace , and denied to persons that were , and consequently Mr. Ms. proposition not true ; All that were in the Covenant were to bee sealed . When Mr. M. said , persons were bound to conform to the manner of administration , and this manner of administration he made to bee temporal blessings and punishmenst . I took it he meant they should conform to them . He tels me p. 183. That though I confidently asserted heretofore , that Ishmael , and Esau and others , were circumcised for some temporal respects , that Circumcision sealed the temporal or political promises , but yet in saying they received Circumcision neither in relation to outward things onely , nor at all either as temporal blessings or types , but because God commanded , I do as good as deny it ; sith if they were circumcised with respect to no●hing but the command , it sealed nothing , it was no seal at all . To which I reply , I find not that I asserted any where that Ishmael and Esau were circumcised for some temporal respects , and though I alledged Cameron , saying , that it sealed earthly promises , yet I never said it sealed them to Ishmael and Esau : Nor do I count it any absurdity , to say it sealed nothing to them , or it was no seal at all to them . And I conceive that Baptism which is no seal of such earthly promises , nor can be a seal of spiritual and saving grace to every natural child of a believer ( of which he will not assert p. 116. of his Defence there is a promise made to them ) when it is administred to reprobates is no seal of the Covenant of grace to them , nor any seal at all , and that he must as well as I do ( if he will speak congruously to his own doctrine ) say that such persons are to bee baptized by reason of Gods command and no other . Yet I do not say the command of Circumcision was not in reference to the Covenant of grace , as Mr. M. intimates : but this I say , though God commanded Circumcision , that he might signifie Christ to come , and Evangelical grace by him , yet neither the circumciser nor the circumcised did circumcise , or were to be circumcised because of the persons interest in the Covenant of grace , as the proper and adequate reason of the du●y of Circumcision , but because of Gods command , and yet I nothing doubt but that in the use of it , they and others that were neither circumcisers nor circumcised , as e gr . women were by faith to look on the Covenant of grace through these administrations , that is to expect Christ to come and blessing by him , which speeches are very easily consistent with my own words and Scripture doctrine , though Mr. M. did not understand it . When Mr. M. alledged that Circumcision could be no seal of Canaan to Proselites , and I answered that yet the Covenant to Abraham had promises of temporal blessings , and that some were to be circumcised who had no part in the Covenant of grace , he tels me , 1. That he was proving that Circumcision was no seal of the land of Canaan , which I grant , if he mean it to some that were circumcised , yet if he mean it , to none , it is false . 2. He grants temporal blessings belong to the Covenant of grace , according to that 1 Tim. 4.8 . But neither this nor any other Text proves , that the promises of a setled abode in a fruitful land with peace , prosperity , and outward greatness , and dominion therein , is promised to a Christian believer now , as it was to Abraham and Israel after the flesh , Gen. 17.4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. but the promise of this life is upon the loss of outward things of a recompense in this life by receiving more , yet with persecution , Mark. 10.30 . which can bee understood of no other then spiritual comforts , which may bee termed temporal blessings distinct from the everlasting life which in the world to come they shall have . 3. It was not his drift to prove that all that were circumcised had part in the spiritual graces of the Covenant , but that they had a visible membership and right to bee reputed as belonging to the Church . But this is not that whi●h hee was to prove that they were in the Covenant of grace . Lastly , when I excepted agai●st his speech [ that Ishmael was really taken into the Covenant of grace , and Esau , till by their Aposta●e they discovenanted themselves . ] 1. That hee opposed the Apostle Rom. 9.7 , 8. Gal 4.28 , 29. Gen. 17.19 , 20. Heb. 11.9 . To this he repl●es not . 2. That by this speech he asserts falling from grace , this he denies because hee meant by their taking into the Covenant of grace not being under the spiritual grace of the Covenant , but the outward administration . But 1. this is but non-sense and delusory . For the outward administration is not the Covenant of grace , Circumcision is not the Covenant of grace , nor visible profession , nor indeed could he mean it without trifling and mocking his reader when he argued , Infants of Believers are in the Covenant of grace , therefore are to bee sealed with Baptism or Circumcision . For infants of believers make no visible , profession and if his argument were , they were under the outward administration , that it , to be Circumcised or Baptized ; and therefore they were to be sealed , that is to be Circumcised or Baptized , is mere trifling and delusory of the reader , who expects from his words , a proof that Gods promise of righteousness and eternal life by Christ ( which is and nothing else the Covenant of grace ) is made to every infant child of a believer . 2. If this were Mr. Ms. meaning , Ishmael and Esau did not discovenant themselves , for they did uncircumcise themselves , but shewed that they regarded not the blessing of Isaac . But saith Mr. M. I have no doubt but that all indifferent Readers well enough understand what I meant , by being taken into the Covenant of grace , even such a taking in as when the Gentiles were taken in , instead of the Jews who were broken off , they were under the outward administration , visible professours , had an external calling , which is Gods act though a common one . To which I reply , 1. If they were taken into the Covenant of grace as the ingraffed Gentiles , they were elect and true believers , if Esau and Ishmael fell from that state of the Covenant of grace Arminian Apostasie is asserted . 2. Neither the outward administration of Circumcision to Ishmael and Esau , nor their visible profession ( whatever it were ) was Gods act ( which Mr. M. denies not taking into the Covenant of grace to be ) therefore by neither of these can they with good sense be said to be taken really into the Covenant of grace . 3. What external call which should be Gods act distinct from the outward administration and visible profession mentioned , from which Ishmael and Esau fell , I understand not . 4. What ever external calling it be which he means and terms Gods act , though a common one , sure I am Mr. M. hath not shewed nor can shew that it is a real taking into the Covenant of grace , which I said truly , nor hath Mr. M. disproved or gain-said it , is Gods act , either of election or promise , or some act executing either of these , and the objection still stands good , persons were to bee circumcised who were in the Covenant of grace , Ishmael was appointed to be circumcised , though it were declared Gods Covenant did not belong to him , and therefore the reason of Circumcising persons was not the Covenant of grace , but onely the will and command of God to have it so . SECT . LXXXIV . The enlargement of our priviledges , proves not Infant Baptism as Mr. M. in his 5th . conclusion , would have it . MR. Ms. 5th . Conclusion was , The priviledges of Believers under this last and best administration of the Covenant of grace are many wayes inlarged , made more honourable and comfortable then ever they were in the time of the Jews administration . For examining of which I set down something about priviledges , which Mr. M. grants , and saith , what 's all this to the purpose ? I reply , I told him it was to uncover the ambiguity of his speeches , in which all the strength of his conclusion lay . To what I said , that if he meant his conclusion of priviledges of the substance of the Covenant of grace , it is to be denied : Mr. M. confessed they were the sameboth to Jews and Gentiles ; but in respect of the administration I granted it , hee answers , 1. if this were granted it hurts not him , it 's sufficient if the administration be now more comfortable to Believers and their children . To which I reply , that this grant enervates the argument to which this conclusion tends . For if the priviledges of the Covenant of grace belonging to the substance of it be not enlarged , but the same in substance to Jews and Gentiles , then no priviledges of the Covenant of grace are enlarged ; for all the priviledges of the Covenant of grace belong to the substance of it , and to true believers or elect onely , the visible membership and initial seal contended for , were no priviledges of the Covenant of grace , nor such as all believers could claim for their children , they were personal priviledges to the Church of the Jews , and belonging to that administration ( as Mr. Ms. phrase is ) or as I would speak to that peculiar national Church state which God vouchsafed that people , out of special ends and respect to that people , of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came , and consequently by denying those priviledges we deny no priviledges of the Covenant of grace to believers for their children , nor ascribe less grace to them then the Jews had . And if the administration be now more comfortable to believers and their children , it being in that Circumcision and the yoke of the Law are taken away , it follows , it is more comfortable to us , that no such thing as Circumcision was is put on our children . Mr. M. and Paedobaptists do grosly mistake , as if Circumcision did belong to Jewes and their Children because of their interest in the Covenant of grace , which neither is nor ever will be proved . 2ly . Saith Mr. M. If there be no more honourableness in those priviledges , which belong to the substance of the Covenant , how comes it to pass , that in your answers to those several texts which I and others bring to prove the enlargement of priviledges under this last administration , you interpret them of those priviledges which belong to the substance of the Covenant , or the spiritual part of it ? Answ. In those answers I do not so interpret those texts of those priviledges which belong to the substance of the Covenant , or the spiritual part of it as more honourable then the priviledges belonging to the substance of the Covenant of grace , or spiritual part of it now then to believers afore Christ , but say that the promises of the new Covenant , which is the Covenant of grace , are better then the promises of the Covenant at Mount Sinai , which was the Covenant of works . Thirdly , saith Mr M. Seeing that under this last administration these priviledges are communicated not onely with more clearness , but in greater abundance , I wonder you should say they are no more honourable and comfortable now then they were then , is not abundance of grace more honourable and comfortable then a little grace ? Answ. It is , but yet not priviledges belonging to the substance of the Covenant of grace . For this clearness and abundance comes not from the substance of the Covenant of grace , but to use his phrase , from the administration , in respect of which I granted they are many wayes enlarged and made more honourable . But then saith Mr. M. This will serve our turn well enough ; for this was a priviledge belonging to their administration , that their infants were under it as well as themselves ; yeild that for ours and the controversie is ended . Answ. The yeilding that the priviledges of believers under the N. T. are enlarged , more honourable , and more comfortable , in respect of the administration , will not serve Mr. Ms. turn , except it be yeilded of this particular , that the infants of Christian believers are visible Christian Churchmembers , and to be entred by Baptism , as well as the Hebrew infants of and into the Church of Israel by Circumcision , which would indeed end the controversie if yeilded , but was not so by me , who granted priviledges of believers now more enlarged in respect of the administration , because the preaching of the Gospel , which is that whereby the Covenant of grace is administred , is enlarged to Gentiles as well as Jewes , and more honourable , because preached by Christ himself , and more comfortable because in plain words without shadows . Mr. M. adds . To have nothing in lieu of the administrations then as they were shadowes of the substance , which is Christ , is very right : But to say , it is our priviledge to have nothing in lieu of them as they were external Ordinances to apply Christ , is to say , it is our priviledge to have no Ordinances to apply Christ to us , and thereby to make us compleat in him , which were a most absurd thing to affirm . Answ. Those external Ordinances applied Christ to them no otherwise then as shadows of the substance , which is Christ , nor doth Mr. M. in his Sermon , p. 10 , 11. express their administrations of the Covenant of grace otherwise then as figures , signs , types , and sacraments of spiritual things : so that if we have nothing in lieu of them as they were shadows , but Christ , we have nothing in lieu of them as external Ordinances to apply Christ to us ; nor did they make us compleat in Christ , nor is it absurd to affirm that no external Ordinances now do . But saith Mr. M. Circumcision was indeed a part of that administration , and obliged them to the rest of that manner of administration , as Baptism doth now to ours ; but did it not also belong to the substance ? Answ. No. Was it not a seal of the righteousness of faith , of Circumcision of heart , &c. Answ. Abrahams was , not every ones Circumcision . Doth not the seal belong to the thing sealed ? the conveyance and seal annexed to it are no part of the purchased inheritance , but do they not belong to it ? Answ. They do , but not as of the substance of the thing sealed , or the inheritance purchased , or the Covenant whereby it is promised : but as the sign whereby the futurity of it is confirmed . Now surely he should use non sense , who should ●erm the sign or seal the substance of the Covenant or thing promised , being neither essential nor integral parts of them , but onely adjuncts , without which they may be or not be entirely . To my saying , That 't is so far from being a priviledge to our children to have them baptized , to have Baptism succeed in the stead of Circumcision , that it is a benefit to want it , God not appointing it ; I answer ( saith Mr. M. ) then belike our priviledges of the Covenant of grace are so far from being enlarged by enjoying the Sacrament of Baptism , that it had been a priviledge to have wanted Baptism if God had not appointed it ; and by as good a reason at least you might have said , that Circumcision was so far from being a privilegde to the Jews and their children , that it had been a benefit for them to have wanted it , if God had not commanded it : Sure that is a strange kind of priviledge , of which I may truly say , that it had been a greater be - to them who have it , to have wanted it , if the Donor had not commanded it . Answ. Mr. M. by clipping my words hath misrepresented my speech ; he hath left out , that Circumcision was a priviledge belonging not to the substance of the Covenant , but to the administration which then was ; a priviledge to the Jews in comparison of the heathens , but a burthen in comparison of us , which was in that it signified Christ to come , the obligation of the law , for which reasons I judged it a great priviledge to us and our children , that they have neither it , nor any other thing in the place and u●e of it , but Christ manifested in the flesh , because if we had any thing in the use of it , Christ must be expected to come in the flesh , and Jesus denied to be the Christ , and we debtors to keep the whole law . And then I determined absolutely , that the want of infant Baptism is no loss to us and our children ; not a loss in respect of duty , God having not appointed it ; nor of priviledge , God making no promise of grace to be confirmed by it to the infants of believers ; which last words being left out by Mr. M. the reason of my words is omitted , and my speech misrepresented ; but thus set down Mr. Ms. exceptions appear but cavils . For he supposeth our priviledges of the Covenant of grace are enlarged by enjoying the Sacrament of Baptism ; but I know not any priviledges of the Covenant of grace , but effectual calling , justification , adoption , sanctification , glorification ; and if there be any other termed saving graces , or which accompany salvation , and to say these are enlarged by enjoying the Sacrament of Baptism , especially when administred to infants , is as much as to say it confers grace ex opere operato . And I grant for us to have wanted Baptism had been a priviledge , God not appointing it , nor promising any thing upon the use of it , nor declaring his acceptance of it , which is the case of infant Baptism . Sure I know none but would think it a burthen to be baptized , or be covered with water , though but for a moment , were it not God commanded it , and accepted of it as a service to him . And the like is true of Circumcision , the want of which , being so painfull , was a benefit , but for the command and promise of God signified by it . Such actions as are no way priviledges , but sins , without Gods precept and promise , it is better to want them then have them , or act them ; such is infant Baptism ; and if it be in the place and use of Circumcision , it is a heavy burthen , no benefit now , but a yoke of bondage . I said Mr. M. was to prove either that Circumcision did belong to the substance of the Covenant of grace , and he answers , That Circumcision , though a part of their administration , did yet belong to the substance ; not as a part of it , but as a means of applying it : Which speech how frivolous it is , is shewed before , sect . 25. p. 165 , 166. and in this section . Or that the want of Circumcision , or some Ordinance in the place and use of it , is a loss of priviledge of the Covenant of grace to us and our children . To this he saith , And I have also proved , that though it be a priviledge to have nothing succeed Circumcision , as it bound to that manner of administration , yet it is a priviledge to have somewhat succeed it as a seal of the Covenant , in as much as a Covenant with a seal is a greater benefit then a Covenant without a seal . Answ. 1. If it be a priviledge to have nothing succeed Circumcision as it bound to that manner of administration , then it is a priviledge to have nothing succeed it in its use , which confirms my before speech carped at by M. M. 2. How vain the talk of Paedobaptists is about Sacraments being seals of the Covenant of grace , is shewed before sect . 31. 3. A Covenant with a seal is a greater benefit then a Covenant without a seal when there is more assurance and better estate thereby procured , but if as good assurance and estate be by a Covenant without a seal , it is no greater benefit to have a seal , then to have a Covenant without it . 4. There is a seal of the Covenant of grace , which succeeds Circumcision as the substance the shadow , and that is Christs Cirumcision , Col. 2.11 . and his bloudshedding , Mat. 26.28 . Heb. 9.15 . &c. besides the seal of Gods spirit . But saith Mr. M. the thing I was to prove was that our priviledges are enlarged , not extenuated ; which appears , partly , in that we have freedome in what was burdensome to them in their manner of administration : which he meant of Circumcision by his alledging Act. 15.10 . and thereby it is manifest that it is false which he said before , that Circumcision did belong to the substance of the Covenant as a means of applying it . For that speech doth imply , that the Covenant of grace could not be applied without Circumcision , for that which is of the substance of a thing , what way it is of the substance of it , is necessary to the being of that of which it is of the substance , otherwise it were a common accident , not of the substance of it : But without Circumcision the Covenant of grace might be applied , yea , according to Mr. M. it is and may be better applied , for otherwise our priviledges were not enlarged in being freed from it . Partly , saith Mr. M. because our Covenant is established upon better promises , Heb. 8.6 . To this I answered , the Covenant which had not so good promises was the Covenant at Mount Sinai , v. 9. which was not the Covenant of grace ( for then it should have the best promises , there being no better promises then are in the Covenant of grace , nor could it be broken as that was , nor occasion finding f●ult as that did ; ) but it must needs be the Covenant of works as the Scripture doth plainly deliver , Rom. 10.5 . Gal. 3.10 , 12 , & 4.24 . Heb. 12.18 . &c. and for this I alledged some of Mr. Ms. own words in his Sermon , p. 10. That the Law was added not as a part of Abrahams Covenant , that in that giving the Law there was something of the Covenant of works made with Adam in Paradise . To this Mr. M. returns an answer , bemoaning me as running into a needless and erroneous digression ; that he said indeed in his sermon , that the moral Law was added 430 years after the Covenant was made with Abraham , not as a part of that Covenant , but as a Schoolmaster to whip them to Christ ; that they finding the impossibility of keeping the Law , might more earnestly long after Christ , exhibited in those shadows of rites and sacrifices , &c. But to say that this Covenant mentioned Heb. 8. was the Covenant of works , is a most erroneous doctrine ; look into the Text , and you shall find that the Covenant which is there mentioned ( which God finds fault with , and calls the first Covenant , in opposition to this better Covenant ) had Ordinances of Divine worship , had a Sanctuary a Tabernacle , Priests and High Priests , Sacrifices , and other rites belonging to the administration of it . Sir , was this the Covenant of works ? I hope you will not own it in your next . Answ. It is , and I do still own it in the 43d . section of this part of my Review , and do requite Mr. Ms. pitty of me with the like bemoaning his ignorance , and , if I mistake not , the Assemblies errour about this in their Confession of faith , ch . 7. art . 5. I have looked into the Texts , and I find Mr. M. mistaken in the meaning of Gal. 3.24 . perhaps following the unnecessary supplement in our last English translation , where is added [ to bring us ] which the Text hath not , but onely the law was our boy-leader unto Christ , that is until Christ , as v. 23 , 25. shew , and the meaning is plain , that the Apostle compares the Law to a teacher , or guide , or overseeer of a child in his minority to which the Israelites were confined , not in respect of its severity as Mr. M. makes it , to whip them to Christ , but as a teacher directing them though imperfectly by figures and types untill Christ , and faith in him were revealed . In like manner he mistakes when he saith , God finds fault with the first Covenant , the words being For complaining of them , Heb. 8 8. nor complaining or finding fault with it : and when it is translated v. 7. if the first Covenant had been faultless , it is not intimated as if it were faulty , but they were faulty , as vers . 8. shews , and the Covenant is termed non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not from the fault of it , but of them , which occasioned complaints of them , and therefore it were better translated without complaint or plaintless , then faultless . As for what Mr. M. alledgeth from Heb. 9.1 . it no more proves that the Covenant at Mount Sinai was the Covenant of Gospel grace , and not of works , then because the tree of life was a symbole , type , or shadow of Christ , or our blessed estate in him , therefore the Covenant made with Adam in Paradise before his fall , was not a Covenant of works , but of Gospel grace ; or Noahs Ark typified Baptism , therefore the Covenant with Noah , Gen. 9. was a Covenant of Evangelical grace . The Covenant of grace and of works are denominated from the promise and condition , not from Gods intent in some things commanded . When our Lord Christ , Mar. 10.19 . told the young man of entring into life , he propounded the Covenant of works , yet he had another end therein , to wit , to try and discover him . Though the commands about the Sacrifices , High Priest , &c. were to typyfie Christ , yet the Law as it was propounded Covenant wise is manifestly declared to be the Covenant of works , Rom. 10.5 . Gal. 3.10 , 12. yea , Mr. Ms. own words prove it . For 1. where he cites the addition of the Law , Gal. 3.17 . the Law is not restrained to the moral Law , but contains all the commands of the Sacrifices , &c. as well as the moral Law , which were added because of transgressions , not onely to restrain them , but also for the expiating of some offences against the Law , so as to obtain a partial temporary forgiveness by them , as is manifest from Levit. 4. &c. Now the whole Law as delivered 430 years after the Covenant with Abraham , is contradistinct to the Covenant confirmed before in Christ , or the promises ; therefore as it was a Covenant , Exod. 19.5 , 8 it was a Covenant of works . 2. If it were not a part of the Covenant with Abraham , it was not the Covenant of grace , for such was Abrahams Covenant ; but according to Mr. M. the Law was no part of that Covenant , Ergo. 3. That which was a Schoolmaster to whip , was not the Covenant of grace , for the Covenant of grace doth not terrifie or whip , but such is the Law according to Mr. M. Ergo. 4. That which was impossible to bee kept , was not the Covenant of grace , for that is never broken , but such was the Law or Covenant at Mount Sinai according to Mr. M. Ergo. 5. If in the giving the Law there was something of the Covenant of works made with Adam in paradise , then it was a Covenant of works , this he must grant , unless he will have a mixt Covenant , partly of grace and partly of works , which he opposeth in his answer to me about Abrahams Covenant ; But in the giving that Law according to Mr. M there was something of the Covenant of workes made with Adam in Paradise , Ergo. 6. That which God finds fault with is not the Covenant of grace , but acc●rding to Mr. M. God finds fault with it , Ergo. 7. That which is termed the first Covenant in opposition to this Covenant is not the Covenant of grace ; But such according to Mr. M. is that at Mount Sinai , Ergo. 8. The Covenant of grace is the better Covenant , But such was not that at Mount Sinai , according to Mr. M. Ergo. And truely I finde so many Protestant Divines terming the Covenant at Mount Sinai the Covenant of works , Perkins on Gal. 4.24 . Pemble of Justification sect . 4. c. ● . Cotton in his way of Congregational Churches cleered p. 46 , 47. however in some respect hee will have it to have been a Covenant of grace , yet to the carnal seed ●aith , it was a Covenant of workes , and proves it out of Paul ; And adds , And so have the chiefest German Divines as well as Piscator and Polanus , t●ken the Covenant on mount Sinai to bee a Covenant of works . See Piscator Ezek. 16. observat . ult . in v. 60. and 62. and Polanus ibidem . and Synt. Th. l. 6 c. 33. Pisc. observ . e v. 6. Heb. 8. Dicson paraph. Gal 4.21 , 22 , 23 , 24. Hebr 8.6 , 9. Becman . Th Exercit. 5. p. 67 De saedere operum aut legis legimus , Exod 19.5 . Deut. 5.2 . 1 Reg. 8.21 . Jer. 31.32 . Heb 8.8 , 9 , 10. To whom I add my Antagonists Mr. Geree vindic . vindic . p. 9. Mr. Baill●e in his Anabaptism , pag. 141. and might do many more if it were necessary . This is enough to shew my doctrine to have been unjustly termed most erroneous by Mr. M. beeing Pauls , Mr. Ms. and others named , and therefore rightly owned by me . To my words Exam. p. 10 ; . The next Scripture you thus express , The glory of theirs had no glory in respect of ours , 2 Cor. 3.10 . But this passage is plainly meant of the Covenant at Mount Sinai , which is called the letter , v. 6 The ministration of death written and ingraven in stones so glorious , that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance , which glory was to be done away , v. 7. The ministration of condemnation , v 9. which I suppose you do not understand of the Covenant of grace , and therefore it is impertinently alledged , Mr. M answers thus Sir , I wonder at your confidence in it : the Reader will easily discern that the whole scope of that Chapter clearly holds forth the preheminence of the Ministery of the Gospel above the Ministery of Moses his vailed Ceremonies : belike then with you , Moses Ceremonies were the Covenant of works . Answ. I wonder that a man of such note should wonder at that of which the reason is given , and should take upon him to defend his own Sermon , and yet pass by my reason against his allegation without rehearsal or answer to it . In form it stands thus . That which was the letter which killeth , written in Tables of stone opposite to the New Testament , and the spirit which giveth life , the ministration of death , of condemnation by Moses , was the Law or Covenant of works , for it is onely the Covenant of works , not that of grace how darkly soever delivered , of which these things can be said . But such was the Law or Covenant at Mount Sinai , Ergo. 'T is true , it was the Apostles scope to hold forth the preheminence of the Ministry of the Gospel , but not barely above the Ministry of Moses vailed Ceremonies , for the Apostle prefers it before the Ministry of the Letter written and ingraven in stone , v. 3 , 7. which was the moral Law , but above the Ministry of the whole Law , which comprehending all the commands Mosaical promulged Covenant-wise , and not singly Moses ceremonies , are by me termed the Covenant of works , and of this I am still confident . Mr. M. skips over his impertinent allegation of Gal. 4.1 , &c. and grants 1 Pet. 2.9 . the spiritual part to belong onely to the invisible Church , of which he denies not the whole v. to be meant , but onely tels me , the whole nation of the Jews who had the honour to be termed holy , the children of God , Deut. 14.1 . to have the adoption , Rom. 9.4 . were not inwardly holy , or effectually called ; which I readily grant , nor need I prove that Rom. 9.4 . Deut. 14.1 . were not priviledges which the visible Church of the Jewes enjoyed , having not denied it , but do expresly grant of Rom. 9.4 . that it speaks of peculiar priviledges of the Jews , and prove thence the Jewes had some priviledges above us , and that the want of some priviledges they had may bee recompensed by some priviledges wee have , and thence gathered that is a feeble reason , from the Jewish priviledge of infant Circumcision , to prove infant Baptism ; yet nothing that Mr. M brings , shews 1 Pet. 2.9 . to bee meant of any other then the elect , nor that believers priviledges of the Covenant of grace are enlarged . What he saith , that the comfortable manner of administration , and baptism are enlarged beyond Circumcision , to females , and all nations , is granted ; but this groves not priviledges of the Covenant of grace to be enlarged to each believer now , although there are more believers now And for Gal 3.28 . the words [ there is neither male nor female ] are not added to shew Baptism to be administred to whom Circumcision was not , for then [ neither bond nor free ] should be added for the same reason , which had not been right , for bondmen were circumcised formerly , as well as then baptized ; But to shew a general equality of all believers in Christ , and therefore that passage is meant onely of true believers . Having shewed the impertinency of Mr. Ms. allegations for his 5th . conclusion , I answered the argument drawn thence for infant Baptism thus . 1. It is no good argument , God gave such a priviledge to the Jewes , Ergo we must have such a priviledge too , without Gods institution , but arrogant presumption to claim it . 2. That God gave many peculiar priviledges to the Jewes which we have not , as that Abraham was the father of the Faithfull , Mary the Mother of CHRIST ; no family out of which CHRIST came but Abrahams , no nation that God hath promised after many hundred years rejection to re-ingraff besides the Jewes . This Mr. M. endeavoured to prevent in his Sermon , by saying , These were personal priviledges belonging to some particular persons , not the whole Church of the Jewes , nor from the Covenant , but that to have infants belong to his Church , and to have the initial seal are , and if that we have it not for ours , the grace of God is straitned as to our posterity , which he counts absurd , Hereto many things are replied by me . 1. That this was never a priviledge to believers , that their children should be in the Covenant of grace , God never made such a promise to every true believer , that he would be God to every believer and his natural seed , nor commanded that wee should repute the infants of believers to bee in the Covenant of grace . This hath been largely handled in my review of Mr. Ms. second conclusion . 2. That the pretended priviledge of a Believers infant childrens visible Churchmembership and title to the initial seal was not from the Covenant of Gospel grace , but from the peculiar dealing of God towards the nation of the Hebrews , out of peculiar reasons concerning that Churchstate which that people were to have untill Christ came , which is largely discussed in answer to Mr. Baxters second main argument Section 50 , &c. of this part of the Review . 3. That even then when it was a priviledge to the Hebrew people , yet title to the initial seal was not common to all Believers children , not to those under eight dayes old , nor to females , nor to Proselites of the gate , as v. g. to Cornelius and his children . 4. That a priviledge there is to the Jewes , even to the Nation , and that arising from Gods Covenant of Gospel grace , that their posterity shall after some hundred years rejection bee re-ingraffed , and yet this not to any Gentile Believer , Prince , Preacher , or Martyr concerning their posterity , and therefore it is no absurdity to say , that in some respect the priviledges of the Covenant of grace , even of the substance of it , were more large to some of the Hebrew believers , then to the Gentiles in respect of posterity . 5. That the personal priviledges of Abraham , Mary , &c. were more truely pertinent to the Covenant of grace , though not common to all Jews , then infants visible Chvrchmembership and title to the initial seal . 6. That priviledges are meer arbitrary things , and that no reason why they are given to some and not to others , is needfull to be assigned besides the donors will. 7. That there is no more reason to say God grace is less now , because infants are not visible Churchmembers and baptized ; then it is to say it is less because Christ is not descended from them , they are not Fathers of the faithfull . 8 That there were many priviledges which the Jews had which we have not , as those Rom. 3.1 . & 9.4 . to have a Temple , High-Priest on earth , &c. 9. That the want of these is abundantly recompensed by Christs comming without any particular thing of the same kinde in the stead of them , and therefore the want of Churchmembership and initial seal , may in like manner bee said to bee recompensed by his comming . 10. That the priviledge the children of Levi had , that their posterity should inherit the Priesthood , be maintained by the offerings of the people , be exempt from many burthens , is not now to Ministers children , nor any thing instead of it , and yet there is as much reason from the Covenant of Levi why Ministers children should have this priviledge , or somewhat instead of it as from the Covenant of Abraham , that our children should have Baptism in stead of Circumcision . 11. That young children were to eat the Passeover , and yet children of three or four years old are not admitted to the Lords Supper ; and consequently after the rate of Mr. Ms. reasoning , the grace of God is straitned to us in respect of our posterity . 12. That the grace of God is not denied by not baptizing infants , for that would infer that it did give grace . 13. That by denying infants visible Churchmembership and Baptism , wee do not put them out of the Covenant of grace , or Church of God. 14. That Baptism is a duty rather then a priviviledge 15. That the use of it is rather for us to seal to God by it , that is , to testifie the repentance and faith of the baptized , then for God to us , as assuring by it the promise of Gospel grace . 16. That by baptizing an infant the parent is not assured that the child is in the Covonant of grace . 17. That through the want of infants visible Churchmembership , such as the Jews children had , wee have no loss of priviledge , but rather benefit , it being a state of imperfection . 18. That the want of the initial seal which the Jewes had is a benefit it having a burthen annexed to it . 19. That children have no less of the grace of God by their want of Christian visible Churmembership and Baptism then the Jewes infants had . 20. That parents have as much cause of comfort concerning their children without these as they have by them . Mr M. p. 191. speaks thus ; I think indeed it would take with no sober Christian thus to argue : The Jewes had it , therefore we must have it . But Sir to argue thus , God gave such a priviledge to the whole Church of the Jewes , that their infants should be reputed to belong to his Church , and have the initial seal . Therefore if hee have not granted to Christians that their infants shall also bee reputed to belong to his Church , and partake of the initial seal ; then his grace to Believers under the N. T. is straitned as to their posterity . This argument appears so clear to me , that I must confess my self one of those dull ones , who know not how to deny the consequence . Answ. Mr. M. hath ill recited my frame of the argument , which he rejects , by leaving out the chief words [ without an institution ] . Yet his new frame mends not the matter , but indeed is in effect all one with that which he saith would take with no sober Christian For [ the Jewes ] and [ the whole Church of the Jewes ] are the same , and [ had it ] and [ must have it ] expressed but the same which Mr. M. saith in more words : Nor doth he put in any thing of Gods will or institution to have it so , and therefore there is no more reason why his new frame should take with any sober Christian , then the former . Yet I shall view it as it is And 1. I deny the antecedent , God did not give the priviledge to the whole Church of the Jews , that their infants should have the initial seal , meaning it of all . 2. I deny the consequence , if by [ grace ] he mean Gospel grace ; though infants of Christians be not reputed to belong to the visible Church , nor are baptized , yet the grace of the Gospel , that is , remission of sin , sanctification , adoption , glorification ( which is that the Scripture makes Gospel grace ) is not straitned to Christians as to their posterity . And the reasons of this denial are so plain to me , that I see no clearness in it , but should take my self dull if I should not discern its weakness . For the infant visible churchmembership being by reason of the peculiar national churchstate of the Jews , and circumcision of infants by reason of that which was proper to the Hebrew people , or policy , into which proselytes were admitted , not from the Covenant of grace common to all believers in all ages , it is easie to perceive that notwithstanding the altering of these ( which God hath done , ) the grace of God is as much now to our children as to theirs . And here I think meet to answer Mr. Geree's argument as he frames it , vindic . Paedobapt . pag. 38. I do grant the sequel of the major , If children of Christian parents be excluded the Covenant , then are the priviledges of the N. T. more restrained : But that we exclude them from the Covenant of grace is false , we onely deny the fictitious Covenant of Paedobaptists , that God hath promised to be the God of believers and their seed : nor is it any harsh divinity , or derogatory from the incarnation of Christ , to say , the Jews converted , whose infants had the birth priviledge of membership in the Jewish Church by natural generation , have not the priviledge of membership in the Christian , which is by spiritual regeneration . Nor doth the term [ natural branches , Rom. 11.21 , 24. ] ever agree to Gentiles ingrafted , but that they are still branches of the wild Olive by nature , nor any of them in the true Olive without faith or election . Nor doth Mr. Geree shew how he that denies baptism to infants denies the grace and mercy of God to us , if the grace of God be not tied to the Sacraments . Nor doth he shew that the priviledges of believers young children of 4.5 , or 6 years old are not as much straitned if they who were admitted to the Passeover are not admitted to the Lords Supper . For though the reception into the Covenant and Church were sufficiently done in Baptism ; yet they should not have the priviledge of growth and nutrition , which the Jews young children had by the Passeover , if Paedobaptists doctrine of the Passeover , and Lords Supper be right . But I return to ●r M. Mr. M. tels me , That though I say my instances of Abrahams , the Virgin Mary's and Jews priviledges not being now to us , do press his conclusion ; yet that I speak no word to vindicate them from his answer , and therefore he gathers that by this time ● see that now some personal priviledges ▪ which a few of the Jews had , may be denied us , yet it makes nothing against his argument ; but if the common priviledges which every one of them had were denied us , our priviledges were straitned . Answ. Mr. M. doth not rightly say I spake not a word to vindicate my instances from his answer . For besides all or most of those twenty things either in my Exercit. sect . 3. or in my Examen , par . 3. sect . 3 , 4 , 10 , 11 , 12. and elsewhere , which do enervate his answer , I did directly reply , that neither was his priviledge of the initial seal to infants any other then personal , not a branch of the Covenant of grace common to all in Covenant , for which by vertue of the Covenant they might rely upon God ; and for this I alledged the faithfull before Abraham , Melchizedek and Lot in his time , Job and Cornelius after his time ; and therefore if the want of priviledges personal , as he terms them , doth not shew a straitning of Gods grace to us now , neither doth the want of infant visible Churchmembership and Baptism now shew it . That of Melchizedek , Lot , and Job , Mr. M. saith , hath been often answered ; but he hath no where shewed , that they were not in the Covenant of grace , or that by vertue of the Covenant they and their infants had right to the initial seal . And as for Cornelius , I never intended to prove , that he was a member of the Church of the Jews , nor that the priviledges and churchmembership of these proselytes of the gate were as honourable as those of the proselytes of the covenant , but that though he were in the Covenant of grace , yet he had not the priviledge of churchmembership in the Church of the Jews , nor circumcision ; and therefore these priviledges , whatever they were , were not branches of the Covenant of grace common to all in Covenant for which by vertue of the Covenant they might rely on God , as Mr. M. asserted . To what I said , to be Father of the faithfull , Mother of Christ , the priviledges Rom. 9.4 . & 3.2 . do as much belong to the Covenant of grace as Circumcision , Mr. M. answers nothing . Upon the words by me used , that the phrases Rom. 11 . 2● , 24. do seem to me to import , that the Jews had this priviledge to have their children reckoned in the outward administration , as branches of the Olive by their birth , which the Gentiles have not , ( which speech I have altered in the first part of this Review , p. 64 , 93. ) Mr. M. asks , But if we Gentiles have it not , then are not we , I pray you , straightned in that particular ? Answ. Yea. And I demand further , when we are graffed in and so naturalized with them , do we not partake of all the fatness or priviledges of the Olive with them ? what Scripture ever denied it ? Answ. That we by ingraffing are made natural branches , is denied ▪ it is granted , we are partakers of all the fatness and priviledges of the Olive , to wit , spiritual graces , but not of the priviledges which the natural branches had by birth . Mr. M. adds . I demand yet further , did the many ten thousands of Jews who were baptized in the Apostles days , by their comming under this best administration of the Covenant , and thereby kept their former growing in the Olive with advantage ; did they thereby deprive their children of that which you say was their natural priviledge ? if you think so , produce your evidence to prove it ; if they were not , then it seems the Jews who believed in Christ , and kept their station , had a greater priviledge for their children then the Gentiles , who grow to together with them , have for their children . Answ. The natural priviledge which I say the Jews had , was , that their children were in the visible Church Jewish , and their males to be circumcised ; this by their Baptism they were deprived of , it being then no priviledge , after Christ exhibited in the flesh and preached , to be in the visible Church Jewish opposite to the Christian , and to be circumcised . Nor is it true , that the converted baptized Jews were in the Olive afore they believed in Christ , or kept their station in the visible Church Jewish , but were cast out , or that they should have had greater priviledges of the Covenant for their children , if they had continued in the visible Church Jewish , and been to be circumcised , then the Gentiles , whose children were not visible Christian visible churchmembers , nor to be baptized , as is abundantly proved by me from Scripture and otherwise in the foreparts of this Review . To Mr. Ms. speech , as if we expunged infants out of the Covenant , it was answered , that it was a calumny , whereto he replies , But do not you avouch , that the infants of the Jews had this peculiar priviledge and birth-right to be under the administration of the Covenant , which ours have not ? Answ. I still avouch it in the sense the phrase seems to be taken for being Jewish visible churchmembers , and to be circumcised ; but what he adds , which you know is the onely thing controverted betwixt us , is manifestly false , it being never so much as questioned by me . He adds , May not I boldly say , that once the infants of all covenanters had this priviledge ? Answ. No. May I not also exact of you to shew when and where this was taken away ? Answ. It hath been often shewed , infant-male circumcision in the Synod , Act. 15.24 , 28. infants churchmembership Matth. 28.19 . were taken away , of which there is enough said before , sect . 50 , &c. where infant visible churchmembership is proved to be altered , and yet infants not expunged out of the Covenant of the Gospel , as Mr. M. suggests . On the contrary , Mr. Ms. conceit as if the denying them visible churchmembership and baptism were putting them out of the Covenant of grace , I intimated to come too near the Popish opinion , of the necessity of infants baptism to their salvation , which I thought worth answering , sith it is all one in my conceit to say , that by denying baptism to them we put them out of the Covenant , and to say we damn them , it being certain none are saved but those who are in the Covenant of grace . To that which he saith of our doctrine bringing discomfort to parents , in that we leave their infants in the state of infidels , account them actually to belong to the visible Kingdome of the Devil deny them the benefit of the promise I will be the God of thee and thy seed , acknowledge no more promise for them , then for the children of Turks I answer , these are meer calumnies sufficiently discovered to be so , Exam. par . 2. sect . 10. Apolog. sect . 14. SECT . LXXXV . Mr. Cobbers dictates , Just. Vindic. par . 2. ch . 1. touching childrens baptismal right , are examined and refelled . MR. Cobbet Just. vindic . par . 2. sect . 1. sets down this as his position , That the initiatory seal follows the covenant ; but he proves it not : And whereas to the objection against it , that from Adams time to Abrahams , there was no initiatory seal to those who were in Covenant ; nor in Abrahams time to Melchizedek , Lot , Job ; he answers , That such extraordinary cases and times are very impertinently urged by some to inf●ringe the force of ordinary rules and principles : I say , his answer is insuff●cient . For 1. this onely is an answer where it is proved that there is such an ordinary rule and principle from which these cases swerve : But no such rule or principle can be shewed of an initiatory seal belonging to persons in Covenant , from which this should be counted an exception ; therfore this is not an extraordinary case . 2. Besides , extraordinary cases make a just exception from an ordinary rule for some , by reason of some peculiar accident not happening to others : But to all in Covenant from Adam to Abraham , there is not , nor can be shewed any such peculiar accident which happened not to others , which was the reason of omitting an initiatory seal by those in Covenant : Ergo , it was not because of extraordinary cases that it was omitted , but because there was no such rule . 3. Extraordinary cases are few and rare , but the omission of an initiatory seal was constant , and universal by those in Covenant until Abrahams time , therefore it was not an extraordinary case . 4. Extraordinary cases and times are but for a little while : But this omission was for above 2000. years , which me thinks Mr. C. should not so dote as to count an extraordinary time ; sure the time wherein Circumcision was in force was shorter , and it was in that time often omitted , and therefore we may by Mr. Cs. dictates as well say , the initiatory seal was extraordinary , and the ordinary rule was , that those in Covenant were not to have an initiatory seal , specially considering that even in Abrahams time , and after , it was omitted by Melehizdek , Lot , Job . Nor is it of any weight to say that there was not a visible political Church then ; For. 1. no doubt in their families were visible political Churches as well as in Abrahams . 2. The initiatory seale , as they call it , might and was to be to persons without a visible political Church as to the Eunuch Acts. 8. to Moses children in Midian &c Nor is it of any weight to say these Churches were not to continue : For 1. that is not so certain as to be taken for granted . 2. Abrahams posterity were not to continue still the Church of God , though they were to continue longer then the posterity of J●b and Lot. 3. But if this were a sufficient reason , why they should not have an initiatory seal solemnly instituted for them , because they were not sucessively to continue , then should not the Churches which were not successively to continue ( of which doubtless there were many from whom the Candlestick was quickly removed ) have had baptism instituted for them . 4. By Mr. Cs. reasoning , his rule the initiatory seal followes the covenant must bee thus limited , in ordinary times and cases when and where there is a visible political Church which is successively to continue . Which if it were granted him , yet it will never serve his turn to prove this universal proposition , from which Paedobaptists infer infant Baptism , All that are in the covenant are to have the initiatory seal or to be baptized . But neither is it true in ordinary times , where there is a visible political Church successively to continue . For it is not true of those in Covenant in Abrahams house , neither the females , nor males of seven dayes old onely were to have the initiatory seal , though in Covenant . To that which is said , that the females had not a superfluous fore●skin , besides what hath been said before to the contrary , I say 1. this however infringeth Mr. Cs. rule , that in ordinary times in visible political Churches successively to continue , the seal initiatory follows the covenant , for it doth not so in the female Hebrews . 2. If Gods will had been as Mr. C. would have it , he could have appointed an initiatory seal common to females with males . But what saith M. C. to the instance of the males of 7. days only to infringe his rule ? I find nothing except this be an answer , in that case of the females as in some other , that law of circumcision had something peculiar in it , albeit it had other things in common with that of Baptism , which I take to be a sufficient proof against him , that the rule of Circumcision is not a rule to us about Baptism ; and that his proposition is not true , that in ordinary times and cases , respecting the political visible Church and its administrations , such little ones as are of parents in such visible church-state , they have external right unto the injoyned initiatory visible seal , of which they are outwardly capable , and ought not to be denied the use and benefit of it . There is also an objection against the principle fore-mentioned , All that are in covenant are to have the initial seal , or as Mr. C. speaks , the initiatory seal followes the Covenant , that if the connexion bee between seal and Covenant , it is as well besween the after seal as the initial , and so they may as well plead for infants comming to the Lords Supper , as in Cyprians time , and as the young ones of the Jews did partake of the Passeover . To this Mr. C. saith , Male infants were not to appear at the Passeover , if so , then they must appear at the Feast of Tabernacles & must carry boughes , from Deut. 16. ●● , 17. compared with Levit. 23.34 , 35 , 38 , 39 , 40. that though persons have a covenant right in general , yet their jus in re is to be suspended and not elicited in case of incapacity , or of extream coldness of the countrey , or sickness &c. Answ. 1. If infants were not to appear at the Passeover , yet young children not to be admitted to the Lords Supper were , nor doth the text tie them all to carry boughs who were to appear . 2. The objection holds as much concerning the yong ones at Jerusalem , who were to eat the Passeover , and by Mr. Cs. reasons such yong ones should be at the Lords Supper , as having Covenant interest and therefore jus ad rem , nor is there any such incapacity or danger to them in eating the Lords Supper to suspend their jus in re , as is to be baptized in Greenland , or in extreme weakness and sickness ; and therefore ●y Mr. Cs. reasons they ought not to be denied the Lords Supper . 3. If infants Covenant-right to the Lords Supper be su●pended because of their defect of understanding to examine themselves , their Covenant-right to Baptism is as justly susp●nded til they repent and believe , which are as much and more required to Baptism as self examination to the Lords Supper . And if it be true then Mr. Cs. position is not right , that infants ought not to be denied the use and benefit of Baptism . 4. If it were in Cyprians time a corruption to give infants the Lords supper , so it was to baptize them , being on the same reason of no greater an●iquity . But let 's view what hee saith for the clearer handling of his Thesis . Sect. 2. He saith , that mixt commands of God having some part circumstantial and vanishing , some part substantial and abiding , the later is binding to us since Christs time , albeit the former be not ; and he instanceth in a 7th . day Sabbath : But neither he nor any other have yet proved any such substantial part abiding in the command of Circumcision , and how little the instance given i● to his purpose , is shewed before , § . 77 , 80 , 81. That which Mr. C. saith sect . 3. is granted , that consequential commandements grounded on Scripture are Scripture commandements , but that any command o● a positive rite in the old Testament is a command to us about a positive right of the new , or that in mere positive worship that should not be excluded which is not expressed , is not granted ; to the contrary somewhat is said in the 2d part of this Review , § . 2 , 3 , 5. and elsewhere . I have often said prove infant Baptism by good consequence , and I shall yeild . That federal ordinances , such as are the seals , are as well priviledges as precepts , which Mr. C. sect . 4. asserts , when they are rightly admininistred , is granted ; but it is denied that the Passeover , Baptism , the Lords Supper , are federal ordinances or seals of the Covenant of grace in Mr. Cs. sense , who p. ●31 . makes Circumcision in the nature of it to bee a seal of the righteousness of faith ; and in like manner those ot●er , which he cals federal ordinances , seals of the promise of the Covenant of grace , of the righteousness of faith in their nature . There ●s not a word Acts 7.2 ▪ 8. by which it may appear that circumcision of the child was reckoned as the Fathers priviledge , nor their own circumcision as their priviledge , but only of Abr●ham that God g●ve him the Covenant of Circumcision , whereby he was assured of a son by Sarah , & so he b●gate Isaac and circumcised him the 8th . day , which priviledg was peculiar to Abraham , and to none other I know , excep● Zachary John Baptists father be said ●o have the same priviledge , nor is Rom 3.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. any whit to M Cs purpose , to prove that circumcision is reckoned as the Fathers priviledge . For 1. it is manifest that Rom. 3.1 . Circumcision is to be understood metonymically , as v. 30. for the circumcised , sith it is not sold there was much profit by Circumcision but of Circumcision , as before , what advantage of the Jew ? nor was the priviledge v● . the committing the oracles of God to them , the priviledge of Circumcision in the abstract or by circumcision as the means by which it was , but the priviledge of that people who were circumcised . 2. If it were granted that the priviledge were by Circumcision , yet that it was the Fathers pri●iledge by reason of the childs Circumcision rather then his own , is a vain fancy . Nor doth Acts 2.38 , 39. yeild any more to his purpose , but is most g●osly abused by Mr. C. as is shewed before § . 21 , 23 Nor are the passages which he alledgeth p. 132. out of my Examen , dissonant to any passages before or any after , except those words of my Examen p. 10● . which I alter in the first ; part of this Review , p. 64 , 93. And to his many questions from my words . I answer , that ●e hath not proved the Covenant of grace , wherein God promiseth to be a God to them and theirs , to b●long to every Jew , but onely to Abraham and his seed , that is , so far as it is Evangeliacl on●ly to his spiritual seed whether of Jewes or Gentile , and therefore I deny it was a priviledge which every Jew had , to be a God to them and theirs ; and yet grant that Deut. 29.14 . with ●0 6. was a priviledge , and so I yeeld to have been what God promised Ezek 36. from the 17 to the end , and Deut. 14.2 . and that sundry infants of the Jews b●se born w●re in the Covenant of saving grace and Church-priviledges , and that it was a priviledge to them , and that the promises of the Covenant of grace are priviledges , and the same now to believers and as large and honourable as then , and that the promises to their children mentioned Deut. 30.6 . were of the substance of the Covenant of grace , in respect of the thing promised , but not in respect of the persons to whom , for God doth not promise to all his elect or t●ue believers , that which he promised then in that case to the Israelites for their seed , and I yeild that even base born children may bee in the Covenant of saving grace , and yet these promises are not made to Church children , ( as Mr. C. speaks ) ●s such , but onely to the elect . Nevertheless I grant the same promises now to bee made to believers , which were then , to wit , rigtheousness and life eternal by faith yea that they are larger now , no intensively in respect of the thing promised , as if a greater degree of righteousness and eternal life , were promised now then was then , but extensively in respect of the people to whom the Gentiles now being cal●ed , and t●at mo●e amply th●n the Jews , nor do I or any thing I say exclu●e believers children out of the Covenant . But I still say , the Covenant of grace was no made then universally to a Believer and his natural seed nor now , but onely to the elect of them . Yet this is not an ex●lusion of any in particular from the Covenant of grace , nor an inclusion , but onely a suspension of any determination of either , who are elect , and who not being onely known to God. And therefore to Mr. Cs. question why are belie●ers children then excluded the Covenant ? which injuriously insinuates and I did exclude them , I say , let him answer it that doth so . And th●ugh I grant that our priviledges now are inlarged , in respect of the administration of the Covenant , in that the Gospel is preached to more nations and more clearly , and confirmed by the bloud of Christ &c then before ●hrists comming ( which ●s my meani●g in that speech ) yet it neith●r follows tha● I count that administration of the Covenant initiatory seal ( which is Mr Cs●erms ●erms not mine ) as s●ch to their children was no priviledge to there must be such a like priviledge and not stra●●ned , at least not wholly excluded as that of a like , though Mr. C● say not the same , but a like administration of the initiatory Covenant-seal , to in-churched believers children now , as Mr. C. in his gibberish speaks . And though I say we have nothing in lieu of Circumcision , but Christ come in the flesh ; yet I do not say , nor need I , that Baptism is no priviledge to believers now : but I deny it to be a priviledge in lieu of Circumcision , and say that as Mr. C. grants it a priviledge to believers , that now they have not that manner of initiation by circumcision , so it is a priviledge to them that they have no manner of initiation in lieu of it . What he saith he hath shew'd before from Ez. 37.25 , 26 , 27. is examin'd before . Sect. 5. Mr. C. saith , Baptism is a seal of the Covenant , no bare badge of Christianity as some have said , albeit the more judicious of our opposites yeild this , that the Covenant of grace is said properly to be sealed in Baptism , and that Baptism since Christs incarnation is the appointed seal of God to such as enter into covenant with him . Answ. It is true that I said Exam p. 149. the Covenant of grace is sealed properly in Baptism , but Mr. C. might have taken notice , that 1. I used not this phrase as mine , but as Mr. Ms. 2. That I did yeild this but three lines before with this caution , Baptism seals the love of God in some sense properly . 3. That not long after I say , that in exactness of speech it seals no grace properly , taking it for propriety of speech , but improperly , because metaphorically , as sealing is taken for assuring . 4. I say as properly , notes propriety of right , or title , or possession , in opposition to anothers , or that which is alien , it seals as much the second as the first grace . And indeed this is my meaning , that though in propriety of speech Baptism may not be said to be the seal of the Covenant of grace properly , sith it is but a metaphor or term translated from another thing , and so shews not what the thing is , but what in some respect it is like to : yet it may bee thus termed the seal of the Covenant of grace properly , that is , as the seal of a deed assutes the thing conveyed in it to him that hath propriety in it , so Baptism in that thereby we put on Christ , doth signifie to the true Believer that he hath union and communion with him , and that he hath thereby a propriety of right to righteousness and life by Christ , according to the Covenant of grace . But this doth no whit contradict what I have disputed before sect . 31. against Mr. Ms. and others doctrine , about Sacraments being seals of the Covenant of grace . Nor did I use the words , that Baptism since Christs incarnation is the appointed seal of God to such as enter into Covenant with him , Exam. p. 83. as mine own expression , but as Mr. Ms. though I granted the thing meant by it . Yet had I so said of my self , it had not been for Mr. Cs. turn , who will have it a seal of Gods Covenant to us , whereas those words as I yeild them , rather import it to be our seal whereby we enter into Covenant with God , and engage to him , which is the most genuine use of Baptism , and in that respect rightly termed a badge of Christianity . But Mr. C. would prove it a seal of the Covenant in another sense , thus . And it appears so , saith he , 1. in that it agrees in the essentials with circumcision as an initiatory seal , Col. 2 11 , 12. which speech is ambiguous , and yet in no sense , I conceive , true . It is doubtfull whether he mean that to be the initiatory seal is the essentials of Circumcision , and of Baptism , but this sense is false : For to be a seal is not essential either to the one or the other , the circumcision of the Sichemites was circumcision , though it were no seal to them of the Covenant of Abraham ; and Simon Magus his baptism was baptism , though it were no seal to him of the Covenant of grace , much less is it of the essence of either to bee initiatory , for if there were or might be another initiatory seal ( as doubtless there might be if God had so appointed it ) yet circumcision and baptism had not been circumcision and baptism , now what may be or not be without the ceasing of the thing to be is but an accident to it , not of the essence of it . Besides , to be the initiatory seal of the Covenant of grace , doth more truly agree to the spirit of God , then to either of them . Or whether he mean , that they agree in those things which are the essentials of each , but that is more palpably false , for it is essential to Circumcision that the fore-skin be cut off , but that is not essential to Baptism , there may bee Baptism without it . Nor is there a word Col. 2.12 . that either expresseth this thing or yeilds any ground for proof of it , as is shewed before by me here § . 81. As vain is that which follows , whence baptized Gentiles are said to be of the circumcision , Phil. 3. and Jews said to be baptized , 1 Cor. 12. For neither are Gentiles , Philip. 3.3 . termed the circumcision , because they were baptized , nor the Jews said to be baptized , 1 Cor. 12.13 . because they were circumcised , or because of the agreement of these in the essentials . But the converted Gentiles , not all that were baptized ; but onely those , who were true believers are termed the Circumcision in opposition to the Judaizing Teachers termed befor v. 2. the concision by a figure of speech , termed Eutelism , or slighting them in that in which they gloried ; and they are termed the Circumcision , because they were truly circumcised before God in heart , and were his people . And the Jews 1 Cor. 12.13 . are said to be baptized no otherwise then the Gentiles who believed , who were not circumcised in the flesh , and therefore could not be termed baptized because circumcised ; but Christian believers , whether Jews or Greeks , bond or free , are all said to be baptized , and to be made to drink , because they were baptized with water , and did partake of the Lords Supper , as 1 Cor. 10.17 . Mr. C. adds more of these toys . Hence first instituted for a seal to the circumcised Jews ; to shew it was in the essentials of sealing Abrahams covenant to them , but the same with circumcision in a manner ; onely as that sealed it to them visibly in Christ , as to come , this did it in like sort in reference to Christ as come ; that was the seal of the righteousness of Abrahams faith , or that whereon his faith acted to righteousness of justification , Rom. 4.11 . even the promise of grace in Christ , Rom. 10.6 , 7. with Deut. 30.14 . Wherein 1. he dictates , without any pretence of proof , that Baptism was first instituted to the Jews to shew that which he says ; nor is there the least intimation thereof in Scripture . 2. He seems to me to unsay by his limitation [ in a manner ] what he said before , it was the same in the essentials . For that which is the same in the essentials is altogether the same , and not in a manner . 3. It is false that baptism was the same in the essentials of sealing Abrahams covenant to the Jews with circumcision : For it was as much in the essentials of sealing Abrahams Covenant to the Jews ( if I may use Mr. Cs. gibberish ) that Circumcision sealed the promise of the land of Canaan , Gen. 17.8 , 9 , 10 , &c. as that it sealed Christ to come ; but surely Baptism never sealed the promise of the land of Canaan . 4 That which I find of the seal of the righteousness of faith , Rom. 4.11 . is meant of Abrahams personal Circumcision , and of no other , and therefore is inep●ly applied to prove sameness of sealing of others Circumcision and Baptism . 5. I conceive it somewhat inconsiderately said , that Circumcision was the seal of the righteousness of Abrahams faith , which would imp●y , that it assured that Abraham faith was righteous , wherea● the meaning is , that it assured that Abraham had righteousness by faith before he was circumcised , as v. 10. he had asserted . 6. The other explication is worse , for it i●timates as if the Apostle meant that the righ●eou●ness of faith ascribed to Abraham is to termed , as that whereon his faith a●ted to righteousness of justification , even the promise of g●ace in Christ , whereas the meaning is not that it sealed the righteousness he was to obtain by acting fa●th in a promise , but that it was a seal of the righteousness of faith which he had many years before he was circumcised . Mr. C. goes on in the same v●in of dictating thus . Hence when Christ is called the minister of circumcision , it is thus explained by the end of the sign administred , ●cil . to confirm the promises made unto the Fathers , Rom ▪ 15.8 . Act. 7.8 . Gen. 17. ●1 . Which speech seems to intimate , as if Christ were termed the minister of circumcision , as if he did minister Circumcision to that end , to confirm the promises : But that is too absurd for such a man to vent , sith he ministr●d ●ircumcision to none ; and the meaning is plain , that he was the minister of circumcision , that is of the circumcised jews among who●●he preached and lived , as Peter is said Gal. 2.8 . to have had the Apostlesh● of the circumcision , that is of the circum●ised Jews : And in this sense ●eza , Willet , Diodati the new Annot. Dicson , Piscator , &c. expound it . Now this being promised , it is ea●●e to perc●ive how i●per●inently this ●ext , w●ich mentions not at all Baptism , nor any use of Circumcision at all , but onely the end of Christs ministery among the circumcised is alledged , to prove that Baptism ag●ees in the essentials with circumcision as an initiatory seal The Texts , Act. 7.8 . Gen 17 . 1● . a●eas little t● the purpose , there b●ing no mention of Baptism , and they onely proving what is not denied , that Circumcision was the token of Abrahams●ovenant ●ovenant As little is that w●ich follows , Hence the promise premised and then Baptism annexed as the seal , Act. 2.38 . For neither is it proved , that the promise there is the same with Abrahams Covenant , and how pi●●ifully Mr. C. mistakes the meaning of it is shewed before , sect . 22 , 23. nor a word about Baptism as a seal annex●d to the p●omise but an exhortation to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins and ●ssurance of the gift of the Holy Ghost , which are annexed to repentance as much as to baptism What he adds , Hence that washing annexed to the word , Ephes. 5.25 , 26. But that the word there is the word of promise , much less of Abrahams Covenant Gen. 17 , or that it is mentioned as sealed by Baptism , or tha● therein it agrees with Circumcision , is not proved . The word is the Gospel preached by which men are made believers , and then baptized , and so purified , as Act. 15.9 . Tit. 3.5 . Act. 20.32 . & 26.18 . Job . 3.15 . & 17.17 . &c. Nor is it any more pertinent which follows . 2. Saith he , It●s a baptizing in the name or covenant-fellowship of God the Father , Son , and Spirit : he having exalted his word above all his name , Psal. 138.2 . Wherein 1. he seems to expound baptizing , Matth. 28.19 . into the name of the Father , Son , and Spirit , thus , into the Covenant-fellowship ; which is somewhat strange , there being neither there , nor elsewhere ( where the like phrase is used ) any mention of Covenant , or Covenant fellowship ; and his arguing , God hath exalted his word above all his name , Psal. 138.2 . Ergo , baptizing is in the name and Covenant-fellowship of God the Father , Son , and Spirit , is a baculo ad angulum . 2. But were his exposition allowed , yet what this is to prove that Baptism is a seal of the Covenant , Gen. 17. or any other Covenant , I am yet to divine . Is baptizing all one with sealing ? is Covenant-fellowship all one with the Covenant ? 3. Saith he , It 's a seal of the remission of sins , and therefore of the promise tendering the same , hence joyned , Act. 2.38 , 39. Act. 22. But neither is the promise there joyned as a thing sealed by Baptism , but as a motive to the duties of Repentance and Baptism ; nor is the remission of sins mentioned as sealed by Baptism , but as a consequent obtained by Repentance and Baptism as conditions pre-required thereto ; nor is a seal of remission of sins all one with a seal of the Covenant . 4. Saith he , The nature of it sheweth the same , it being a Gospel Sacrament , and that is a visible seal , and the seal is to the Covenant ; hence called by the name , Act. 7.8 . 1 Cor. ●1 25. Answ. 1. The term Sacrament , as it is applied to the rites of Baptism and the Lords Supper , is no Scripture term , nor any other answerable to it in that use ; it 's a term , as I said rightly in my Plea for Antipaedobaptists , sect . ● . invented by the Latine Fathers meaning for that use . Mr Craggs reply in his pamphlet , termed The arraignment and conviction of Anaba●tism , that it is used in the twelve tables , in Tully pro Milone , shews he had a mind to cavil rather then to answer fairly ; nor is the book throughout any other then a fardle of mistakings in Logick , and meaning of Scripture , and of cavils against my words , mixt with much Poetical lightness , and scoffing , to which there 's no need I should return any more then the Archangels words , The Lord rebuke thee . 2. Nor is there any common nature of ●acraments that I know of delivered or inti●ated in Scripture ; either that of the Schoolmen out of Austin that they are visible signs of invisible grace ; or of the Protestants who are terme Calvinists , that they are seals of the Covenant of grace : And therefore Mr. C should first prove that to be of the nature of a Gospel Sacrament , as the term is used , afore he inferred so much as he doth from it . 3 A seal it is true , is to a Covenant sometimes , and sometimes it is to a decree , writ , letter , record of a thing done , and so it is taken Rom. 4.11 . where Abraham , Circumcision is not said to be a seal of the Covenant wherein something further was promised , but of the righteousness of faith which he had before attained . 4. Act. 7.8 . the Covenant of grace is not called by the name of a Gospel Sacrament , but the Covenant made with Abraham , Gen. 17. is onely termed the covenant of circumcision , because it was signified by it , which was no Gospel , but a Law rite . The Cup in the Lords Supper , 1 Cor. 11.25 . is termed the New Testament in Christs bloud , wherein there seems to be an hypallage and inversion by the words as they are in Matth. ch . 26.28 . Mar. 14 24. and by considering that of the bread he spake thus , this is my body , and therefore the words of the cup seem to be most fitly thus placed and expounded , this cup , that is the wine in it , is my bloud , that is signifies my bloud , which is the bloud of the New Testament , that is by which the New Testament is dedicated as the old was by the bloud of calves and goats , Heb. 9.18 , 19 , 20. Now herein is the notion rather of a Testament then of a Covenant , and what is said is said of the cup onely in the Lords Supper , not of Baptism : Nor is it named the Covenant , but the bloud of the New Testament , or the New Testament in Christs bloud ; nor is the term seal there used , and therefore there is not a word to prove Baptism to be in its nature a seal of the Covenant of grace , in this or any other of the Texts Mr. C. alledgeth . I pass over that which he saith , secondly Baptism is an initiatory seal , as agreeing with him in the position , that Baptism is that which is to be first afore the Lords Supper , though his phrases be misliked . I agree with him also , that Baptism being once administred , needs never be renewed , if done according to Christs institution . Yet what I said , Exam. par . 2. sect . 4. seems to me to stand good , notwithstanding any thing here said by Mr. C. nor do I think it fit to question whether it be the onely initiatory seal . The 6th . Section contains nothing but dictates without proof , and what is said by way of proof is answered either sect . 38. &c. in the animadversions on the 3d. ch . of the first part of Mr. Cs. book , or in answer to Mr. Carter , sect . 80. In which it is shewed , that there is no reference made Gen. 17. to a Church Covenant distinct from the Covenant of grace , nor any command given Gen. 17.9 , 10. to a Gentile believer and his seed , nor any general law about an initiatory seal never repealed , as Mr. C. and others fain . And for his speech he useth , that the Hebrew Church albeit quà such a political Church and national , &c. differ from congregational Churches ; yet qua visibilis Ecclesia politica & ordinaria ▪ so it was essentially the same with ours ; it seems to intimate , that the Church of the Hebrews , though as such a political Church it was national , yet not as a visible Church political and ordinary , as if it were any otherwise a visible political ordinary Church then as such a Church : And when he saith , as a Church visible political ordinary it was essentially the same with ours , he can mean it no otherwise then of the same numerical essence ; for as visible and political the essence is determined to hic & nunc , an universal generical or specifical Church is not visible and political . But that is false , sith if the persons be not the same , they cannot have the same numerical essence : Nor can he mean it , that it is essentially the same with ours as visible in the same form of government , for then he must make ours Pontificial ; nor in the same title to Church-membership , for then he must make ours national : nor can he avoid it if he will maintain this plea , that the Jewish Church was essentially the same with ours , and as their infants were circumcised as children of Churchmembers , in a Church visible , political , ordinary , which was national , so ours upon the same reason are to bee baptized , but that hee must set up a national Church by natural generation , nor can they of N. E justifie their way of excluding such children from the Lords Supper for ignorance , if they may for scandal . The old objection , which Mr. C. falsly terms cavil touching covenant females , is not yet answered , nor ever will be , it will still infringe this universal proposition , All that are in Covenant with reference to Church covenant are to have the initiatory seal for a time , and so will also that of Jobs family , which why it should not be counted a visible political ordinary Church , as well as Abrahams house in his time I see not , and if none are to be baptized but such as are in an ordinary visible political Church to abide , how can they of N. E. baptize the infants of such Church-members , as whether in N. E. or old do not abide , but are quickly dissolved as we see by experience ? And if None but those who are in the covenant of grace in reference to Church covenant are to be baptized , but though believers because in Rome or India they are not a formed matter of a political visible Church but they are as materia informis , they are quoad homines actually without , and not within any political visible Church , how was the Eunuch baptized Acts 8 ? And if the covenant of grace nakedly considered giveth a person which is actually in it , a remote right to the initiatory seal , but it doth not give an immediate right thereto ▪ for so the covenant of grace as invested with Church covenant onely giveth this proximate right to that seal God being the God of order , will have that his Church seal to be attained in a way of order ; as of old strangers might not be circumcised , but with some submission to that Church order explicitely or implicitely , and so now , and the order be as Mr. C in the 5th . section determines , to be observed of communion in breaking bread after they were baptized , how do those of N. E. admit to brea●ing of bread , those who who onely as born in a Parish were baptized in infancy , without another baptism ? That either Matth. 28.19 , 20. or any where else the orderly and ordinary dispensation of the seal is committed to the visible Church . is more then I finde ; nor do I know it necessary to right order that believers must be of a particular visible Church afore they be baptized . If Catechumini in covenant and visible Church estate might bee hindered from Baptism for trial for a time , much more should infants of whom we have no knowledge concerning their future or present estate , be in prudence put off from Baptism till there be some trial of th●m , if their right were , as Mr. C. doth , though falsly imagine . Sect. 7. Mr. C. speaks thus , And because in this particular some stress of the main case is put , 1. I shall endeavour yet fu●ther to confi●m it , that covenan● interest carrieth a main stroak in point of application of that seal , to persons interested therein , and not uncapable thereof in any bodily respect . Answ. This proposition being that in which some stress , or as I conceive , the whole stress of the main case is put , should have been delivered more clearly , and confirmed more fully , but as now it is , it is delivered ambiguously , and so is fitter to delude a Reader then to instruct him . That seal which was last mentioned was Baptism , but the proofs following shew that he meant it of Circumcision , and as if there were the same reason of Circumcision and of Baptism ( which neither he nor any Paedobaptist ever proved ) what is said of Circumcision is by him meant of Baptism , and so the Reader merely mocked . The application of Baptism or Circumcision may either refer to Gods appl●ing it by way of command , or mans by way of administration , and in this I think Mr. Cs. speeches are delusory , sometimes meant of Gods application by way of command , and sometimes of the administrators act in circumcising or baptizing . The phrase of carrying the main stroak is likewise ambiguous , and so delusory , it being uncertain whether it carry the main stroke with God as his motive to appoint it , or with the administratour as his rule and warrant to do it . And when he terms it the main stroak , it had been requisite hee should tell whether there be not some other thing which carries a stroak if not the main , yet so great , as that without it the application of the seal is not warrantable , as profession of faith by the person to whom it is to bee applied . Hee might have understood by my Examen , which he had to answer , that I took it a great fault in Mr. M. that hee did not more distinctly tell what hee meant by the Covenant , being in covenant , which hee speaks of infants of believers . And sure if Mr. C. had meant to deal rightly , as one that sought truth , and to shew my errour , he should have cleared what Covenant hee meant inward or outward , the Covenant of Gospel grace purely delivered , or the mixt Covenant made with Abraham Gen. 17. what the Church covenant is , how the Covenant of grace is invested with it , when a Church is a political visible body , how a Church covenant is the form of it , who and what persons and how they are interested in it , whether by Gods promise , their own faith or profession or anothers , or by the Churches admission . All which , or at least many of them , are requisite to bee distinctly declared , that a reader may clearly understand his meaning , and so examine his proof . And whether the exception of incapacity in any bodily respect , be meant onely because of the females circumcision , or thereby infants are excepted from Baptism , who have not the use of their tongues to profess the faith of Christ , and are not well able to brook that dipping or plunging ( which for all Mr. Cs. scriblings , is and will be found the onely way of baptizing appointed by Christ ) is uncertain . This were a sufficient reason for me to answer no further to this proposition , but to wait till his Bill be mended Yet I shall examine his proofs of this , which should be his meaning , if he spake to his purpose ; That the interest which a person though an infant hath to the Covenant of grace , in that he is a believers child by vertue of the promise of God to a believer and his seed , when that believer is a member of a visible political Church by Church covenant explicit or implicit , is a sufficient warrant to that visible political Church to admit , and to the Elder to baptize that infant without any other revelation of God , or profession of the infant . Let 's now see what Mr. C. brings for proof of this . First , saith he , then it is the ground-work given to the general Law about an initiatory Covenant duty , scil . application of some injoyned initiatory seal , and therefore must be of like force in the particular branches and ways of such initiatory sealing , as circumcision and baptizing . Answ. Such a general Law is a mere fiction , and what is meant by the ground-work of it is uncertain . Gen. 17.9 , 10. is no other Law but about circumcision , the word rendred [ therefore ] may bee otherwise translated , if it were the onely reading yet the sense might be this , because I make this Covenant thou shalt therefore circumcise thy males to keep it in remembrance , or to assure thee and thy posterity that I will perform it . But that there is any such intimation as if the persons circumcised were circumcised as and for their interest in that Covenant is a mere dream often refuted by mee , much more is it a dotage to assert , that according to a persons interest in that Covenant or a part of it , as Mr. C. conceives , so they have right to Baptism in the Christian church . Secondly , saith Mr. C. the Covenant in such sort invested with Church covenant , now it is the form of a political visible Church body ; giving therefore , both a Church-being as I may say , as natural forms do a natural being , and withall the priviledge of a member of such a church-body , suitable to its memberly estate , as if this of the Church initiatory seal , even to the least member thereof , although they are not yet so perfect in all actual energy of compleat members , and so neither in all actual priviledges of such compleat members . I suppose what ever others deny this way , yet our opposites do not deny , that Church-covenant explicit or implicit is the form of a visible political Church as such , so that till that bee , they are not so incorporated as to bee fit for Church dispensations , or acts of peculiar Church power over each other , more then over others , over whom they can have no power , unless they had given explicit or implicit consent thereto : as reason will evince . Answ. This reason as I conceive goes upon these suppositions , which Mr. C. conceives will not be denied . 1. That there is a Church-covenant over and besides Gods covenant of Gospel grace , and mans believing and professing of faith in him through Jesus Christ , whereby the members of a visible political Church do engage themselves to walk together in Christian communion , and to submit to their rulers , and to each other in the Lord. Now such a Church covenant , though I confess it may be according to prudence at some times and in some cases usefull to keep persons , who otherwise would bee unsetled , in a fixed estate of communion , yet I find not any example of such a Church covenant in the old or new Testament , and in some cases it may insnare mens consciences more then should be . 2. That the Covenant of grace , whether Gods promise to us or ours to God invested with Church covenant , that is , as I conceive Mr. Cs. meaning to be , together with it , is the form of a visible political Church , which gives it the being of such a Church , as such , so that till that be they are not so incorporated as to be fit for Church dispensations , or Church power . In which I conceive are many mistakes . 1. That the Sacraments are seals , or church dispensations are committed to the Church , which are not committed to the Church , which consists of men and women , but to the guides and over-seers of it . 2. That Church power , or as Mr. Cotton in his treatise of the keyes of the Church , the power of the keyes is committed or given to the Church ; in which are mistakes that either censures Ecclesiastical , or as the Schoolmen and Canonists term it , the power of ordination and jurisdiction Ecclesiastical are meant by the keyes , Matth. ●6 . 19 . or that they were given to Peter as representing the Church : the Scripture doth no where commit Church dispensations or power to the Church , but to the guides , and overseers and rulers of the Church for the Church 3. That till a company of believers be a visible poli●ical Church , they are not fit for church dispensations or censures : which I conceive not true , there being examples in Scripture of their breaking bread together , Acts 2. who were not such a political visible Church of fixed members under fixed officers united by Church covenant , as Mr. C. describes . Nor were Christ and his Apostles such a Church when first they did break bread . Nor did Christ appoint Baptism Matth. 28.19 . to be onely in and with such a Church , nor do the exampls Acts 2. or 8. or 10 or 16 or 18. intimate any such condition , but rather the contrary . 4. That the covenant of grace with a church covenant fore mentioned , give the being of such a visible Church political . But the Covenant of grace of it self doth not give any actual being , it is a promise of something future , and therefore puts nothing in actual being extra causas , but assures it shall bee by some cause in act , which in this thi●g is the calling of God , from which the Church and each member have their being as from the efficient , from faith in the heart as the form of the invisible Church and each member , from profession of faith as the form of the visible Church and each member , as Ames . Med. Th. lib. 1. cap. 32. Sect. 7. that which makes it political is the union under officers and lawes , without a Church covenant it is a political visible Church , if there bee but at present an union or conjunction in the same profession of Christian faith under officers and lawes of a number of Christians they are a Church visible political , though they should be dissolved the next hour , and though they enter into no covenant of Church-fellowship or subjection for the future , and therefore church covenant is neither of the form of such a true Church , nor ( as Mr. Weld in answer to Mr. Rathbard ) of a pure Church , but it is a good means in prudence to conserve a Church so constituted , that they may not divide and scatter from each other , but may continue in communion . 5. That by this incorporating they have peculiar Church power over each other , and without tht Church covenant they can have no power . But neither do I conceive this true . For the power whi●h christians have is to reprove , admonish , censure , shun society , chuse officers , reject false teachers , &c. this power they have by the laws of Christ , without a church covenant . 6. That Church dispensations and acts of peculiar Church power are limited to those particular persons who joyn with us by Church covenant . But this I conceive not right nor agreeable to such Scriptures as these , 1 Cor. 3.22 . & 10.17 . & 12.13 . 3. It is supposed by Mr. C. that the Covenant with Church covenant gives the priviledge of a member of such a church body suitable to its memberly estate , as is this of the Church initiatory seal . But in this sure Mr. C. is quite out and besides their own practise , who do not give the initiatory seal after they are members by church covenant , but baptize them or suppose them baptized in infancy , and then joyn them us members by church covenant ; now if church covenant did give the priviledge of the initiatory seal , then they should first enter into church covenant , and then have the initiatory seal or be baptized . 4. It is supposed by Mr. C. that there are such little churchmembers by such a covenant as are to have the priviledge of the initiatory seal though they be not compleat members , so as to have the actual priviledge of the after seal , and other church power . But sure the Scripture acknowledgeth in the Christian church no members , but what partake of the Lords Supper as well as baptism ( as is manifest from 1 Cor. 10.17 . 1 Cor. 12.13 . ) and have church power as others of their sex and rank . Now all these suppositions though they were granted ( except the last ) would not prove the thing Mr. C. aims at , and that which he makes the main reason from whence he would infer the conclusion , namely , the Covenant with Church covenant gives being and priviledge of the initiatory seal makes against him , infants making no such Church covenant , nor according to their own discipline doth their parents Church covenant serve instead of the childs , sith afore the child can bee admitted to communion of breaking of bread , and other power of a member , and bee taken for a member , hee must himself enter into church covenant . Thirdly , saith Mr. C even in doubtfull cases , where the extent of the command is questionable , yet interest in the Covenant casts the scoals . As for instance , in strangers which proved religious , albeit not of their family servants , and so under the Law , Gen. 17.12 , 13. they might be circumcised if they desired other Church ordinances , &c. yet were they else free , unless in such a case of their own desire that way , Exod. 12. end . Hence Cornelius a godly Gentile , living near the Jews yet not circumcised , Acts. 10.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. compared with chap 11 3 , 14 , 15 , 18. yea but if the command bound them , why were they circumcised ? suppose Exod. 12. gave some liberty to the Church guides that way , for such strangers as more usually dwelt amongst them ; yet such as 1 Kings 8.41 , 42 , 43. which came from far , in a mere transient way , for some temporary religious worship at the Temple , as that proselyted Eunuch Acts 8.27 . those were surely circumcised , else how admitted to Temple worship , Since that was counted an abomination , for any other so much as to come there , Acts 21.28 . and if circumcised at any time by any of the godly Church guides consent , what gave them right to it ? not the commandment , Gen. 17.12 , 13 , 14. no nor that Exod. 12. What was that to an Eunuchs case and others which never sojourned with them for any space ? were they then unlawfully circumcised ? No verily , no whisper of that in Scripture ; God allowed of that passage in Solomons prayer , touching the strangers Temple service , 1 Kin. 8. & 9. explained . It was then their external interest in Gods Covenant , which gave rise to that application of the seal , and not the commandment ; contrary to what some say , that not the Covenant , but the commandment of God onely , was the ground of Circumcision . Answ. That which I said in my Exercit. p. 4. Hence I gather , first , that the right to Evangelical promises , was not the adequate reason of circumcising these or those , but Gods prceept as is expressed Gen. 17.23 . Gen. 21.4 . Secondly , that those terms are not convertible [ federate and to be signed ] and in my Examen , p. 38. that nothing but Gods will manifest in his institution can be a warrant about Circumcision , p. 97. that the Jews received Circumcision as appointed them from God , under this formal reason , and no other , I have shewed before to have been acknowledged by Mr. M. in his Defence ; p. 92. when he said , The command is the cause of the existence of the duty : and p. 182. The formal reason of their being circumcised was the command of God. Nor is it at all infringed by this reasoning of Mr. C. Those that were not bound without their desire to eat the Passeover , and so not to be circumcised , yet if they would eat the Passeover they were bound by an express command to be circumcised , Exod. 12.48 , 49. whether their sojourning was constant , or for a time onely , which likely was the case of the Eunuch , Act. 8 27. who it 's probable was circumcised , because there is no mention of the baptizing any uncircumcised till Cornelius , though there be no certainty whether the Eunuch were a Jew by birth , or a proselyte of the Gentiles , or whether he formerly had his constant abode among the Jews , either in Palaestina , or elsewhere , or whether then he did sojourn among the Jews then in Aethiopia . But if he were a meer proselyte of the gate , yet he might come to the Temple into the Court of the Gentiles to worship , as all acknowledge . Dr. Lightfoot of the Temple service , ch . 1. Mr. Mede Diatr . on Act. 17.4 . &c. And therefore there is no proof from hence , that a person was circumcised by reason of the Covenant , and not of the command : Yea , though Cornelius were in the Covenant of grace , and had external Covenant interest , in that he was known to worship the true God , yet was he not by reason thereof bound by God , or taken by the Jews as one that was bound to be circumcised , or ever blamed for want of it ; which shews that neither was the Covenant interest indeed , nor taken by the Jews for the warrant or rule , or reason of circumcising , but the command of God. Fourthly ( saith Mr. C. ) it appears from the nature of an initiatory seal of the Covenant , which must be as large as the Covenant , and so reach all the parties comprehended actually by vertue of Covenant , according as such children are , as before declared : especially , since it is the seal of Gods people and visible Church as before shewed , given first for the Church , in giving of Pastours and Teachers onely to the Church , which alone can administer the seals in ordinary dispensations , Matth. 28. end , and giving them withall to the Church , as from her to be dispensed by her Officers , to such as desire the same . Answ. In stead of proofs here is a heap of dictates , 1. That Baptism is the initiatory seal of the Covenant in its nature . 2. That it must be as large as the Covenant . 3. That Pastours and Teachers given onely to the Church can alone administer the seals in ordinary dispensations , Matth. 28.19 , 20. 4. That the seals are given to the Church , as from her to be dispensed by her Officers , to such as desire the same . None of which will be yeelded by me , without better proof then I yet meet with . Sure Matth. 28.19 , 10. yeelds no proof for any of them . It proves Baptism was to be administred by the Apostles , not every seal by Church Officers . He goes on , Now God people are known , either by actual profession and confession of their own , as adults are ; or by Gods promise and by parents avouching God as theirs in Covenant and their childrens , Gen. 17.9 , 10. thou shalt do thus , and thus , and thy seed also ; to which he submitteth afterwards , and so his also with him and after him . Answ. That Gods people are known by Gods promise , and by parents avouching God as theirs in Covenant , and their childrens , is another dictate , which Mr. C. brings not a shew of proof for out of the New Testament ; nor doth that which he brings from Gen. 17.9 , 10. prove it concerning the infants of the Jewish Church . For though there be a command to Abraham and his posterity to circumcise , and this is termed keeping Gods Covenant , yet there is not a word of parents profession , or Gods promise as making known who are Gods people , no not in the Jewish Church , in which there were many to whom God made no promise , nor parents avouched for them , who were known as Gods people by vertue of Gods taking the whole nation for his Church , even when the Kings and people were Idolaters . But if it were true that it were as Mr. C. would , this proves nothing concerning the people of God in the Christian Church , in which none are known to be Gods people , but by their own confession of saith . But Mr. C. adds , Besides the main in the initiatory seal to be firstly and properly attended , as it is a covenant and Church seal is covenant and Church interest . Hence called by the name of covenant , when yet it is but a sacramental sign and seal of it , Gen. 17.13 . Act. 7.8 . that is first h●ld out and sealed , as the convoy of all other desired good , 2 Pet. 1.4 . But especially in that initiatory seal the signation of the covenant , is of more considerable weight , then the external symbole , ceremony and circumstance : either of cutting or washing absolutely or relatively considered . If washing of a person in the name of the Trinity , be a clearer and easier symbole then that of cutting the flesh , yet not of such weight as is the covenant sealed both by the one and the other . And to shew that the covenant is the main thing considerable therein ; hence it is that the covenant is first propounded as the ground-work of the commandment it self , as of Circumcision , so of Baptism , and much more of the application of either , to any in covenant , Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11. Therefore , scil . because I have said I will be your God , I command you to do thus and thus ; not because I have commanded you , that I therefore promise to do this for you ; or do you thus and thus at my command , and then on , therefore I will do so and so for you . Answ , After the rest of his dictates , he here tels us , the main in the initiatory seal to be attended is the covenant , which I grant ; but deny that it follows therefore , that the rule which the administrator is to observe , according to which he is to administer it , is the persons interest in the Covenant , so as that he must administer it to all and onely those who are in Covenant , or to whom the prom●se is made by God. For , besides the many reasons to the contrary , even concerning Circumcision before given , Mr. Cs. own reason is against him . For if the main in the initiatory seal to be firstly and properly attended as it is a Covenant and Church seal , is Covenant and Church interest , and therefore infants in Covenant to be circumcised and baptized ; by the same reason infants in Covenant are to be admitted to the Passeover , and to have the Lords Supper , sith they are seals , they are Covenant and Church seals , infants have Covenant and Church interest , in the initiatory seal these things are to be attended as it is a Covenant and Church seal , and therefore in every Covenant and Church seal as well as the initiatory . As for what he saith about Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11. though I have sundry times observed that the reading [ v. 9. therefore ] is not necessary ; yet omitting that exception , I grant what he saith of that Text , but withal note , 1. that the command is inferred not onely from the promise to be their God , but also from the promise of the land of Canaan , v. 8. and therefore it might as well follow , They to whom God will give the land of Canaan are to have the initiatory seal , as that they to whom he promiseth to be God. 2. That which is said Gen. 17.9 , 10 , 11. is onely of circumcision . 3. If it were granted that the covenant is the groundwork of the command it self , as of circumcision so of baptism , yet it follows not , much more of the application of either to any in covenant . For though the covenant were Gods reason , why he would appoint circumcision , yet that 's no rule to us , but his command onely ; a reason of the will of the commander is not always a direction about the command , certainly not about each point in the command , as Mat. 28.18 . it follows not , All power is given to me , therefore preach and baptize all over whom power is given to me . Besides , in this very thing the covenant could be no direction whom to circumcise , ordinarily , sith ordinarily the circumciser could not know to whom in particular the promises , whether Evangelical , or domestical , did belong , when they were to circumcise them . Yea , though Abraham knew Ishmael had no covenant interest ▪ there being no promise made to him in it , but the contrary declared , Gen 17.19 , 20 , 21. yet he was to circumcise him and did so . The like may be said of Esau and others . Mr. C. adds . So the Gospel prophesie and promise is prefaced and put in the preamble to that injunction of their baptism , by John , Luk. 3.3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , &c. Answ. It is true that the prophesie of John Baptists comming and work , and of Christs comming , Isa. 40.3 , 4 , 5. ( which I acknowledge to be a Gospel promise ) are set down as the warrant of Johns preaching the Baptism of repentance unto remission of sins ; but this doth no● prove that this was his rule in baptizing , to baptize every one , even infants , and those onely who had this interest in the Covenant of grace , that to them and each of them God promised remission of sins . Yea , sith Johns Baptism is termed the Baptism of repentance , it is clear he required repentance of the baptized as the antecedent to his Baptism , and therefore not barely such Covenant interest as Mr. C. ascribes to all infants of believers onely in profession . He goes on thus . Hence the Gospel , and so the Covenant of grace , held out as grounding Baptism , Act. 2.38 , 39. And childrens Covenant right , was held out as one branch of that Gospel , as we proved ; and from the same principle , that they were also to be sealed by Baptism ; yea , albeit the Apostles urged repentance , yet the seal is propounded as to the promise ; Peter said , be baptized , for the promise is to you : And this was no meer moral motive , but a Scriptural groundword inforcing it , as it was a Scriptural groundwork virtually injoyning and requiring them to repent , for the promise is to you . Answ. [ Hence ] should , if there were any good sence in Mr. Cs. speech , refer to something precedent , from whence that which he speaks is derived , which I discern not , but a dark way of dictating , fitting such as love to puzzle , not to inform a reader . It is before largely shewed , that neither childrens Covenant right external from parents faith hath been held out by Mr. C. as one branch of the Gospel , sect . 44. of this part of my Review , nor that barely from this principle they were to be baptized ; but that repentance in each person to be baptized is made the antecedent to Baptism , sect . 22 , 23 , and elsewhere . That Peter said not as Mr. C. sets down his words , is apparent from the Text Act. 2.38 , 39. that the promise is urged as a motive to those to whom Peter spake to do their duty of repenting , and being baptized , is so plain , as that Dr. Thamas Goodwin upon the reading the first part of my Review , sect . 5. did acknowledge it , and it is proved so sect . 21. here and elsewhere : Nor doth Mr. C. here or elsewhere shew it to be any other Scripture groundwork then as a motive to the baptized each of them first to repent , and then to be baptized , no rule by which the baptizer is to administer it , or the baptized to claim it as his right without his personal repentance , and declaration of his faith in Christ into whose name he is to be baptized . He adds . So Act. 10. Peter saith , there is no let to their Baptism ; and thereof he maketh the visibility of that Covenant grace , although common to reprobates also in those first times , his groundwork ; gathering thereby , that they were not as formerly prophane , unclean , and outlaries from the Covenant , as Ephes. 2.11 , 12. but clean and nigh as they themselves were . Ans. It is true there was no let to Cornelius his Baptism , and those other who were with him , yet not meerly because of their extraordinary gifts , but because those gifts were manifested by their glorifying God , and as may be gathered from Act. 11.17 , 18. their glorifying God contained expressions of faith in Christ and repentance , which whosoever should do as they did , it is without doubt they should be baptized . But Mr. Cs. Covenant interest of infants , who make no shews of faith and repentance as they did Act. 10.46 . yeelds no warrant for their Baptism . He goes on , Washing of regeneration is not grounded on any thing in us or without us , so much as on Gods grace , and so Covenant favour , Tit. 3.5 . Answ. It is true , this is the inward impulsive cause why God regenerates ; but Gods grace , and Covenant favour is no rule to a Minister to baptize by , sith it is an unknown thing , which agrees not with the property of a rule . Hence also ( saith Mr. C. ) by Baptism persons are not sealed into any thing in them so much as into the name of the Father , Son , and Spirit , even into the Covenant name of grace , whereby he is known , and into Covenant fellowship with the blessed Trinity , to which every baptized person , prove he elect or reprobate , yet is thus externally sealed . Answ. The terming of baptizing sealing , and the name of the Father , Son , and Spirit , the Covenant name of grace , are Mr. Cs. new-minted phrases ; if this be his meaning , that every person rightly baptized , whether he be elect or reprobate , is sealed by God , that is in Baptism assured of fellowship with the Trinity according to the new Covenant of Gospel grace , I deny it ; if onely that he professeth his communion to be with them , I grant it ; but this proves not that Covenant interest of infants , who make no such profession , intitles them to Baptism . Again , saith he , That fellowship with Christ , as head of the visible Church by the Spirit in the judgement of verity or charity such ; it is all but Covenant grace and blessing . Answ. Be it so : yet what this is to prove such fellowship to be a rule to baptize infants , I see not . Of old ( saith Mr. C. ) the consequent cause of the seal was grace in them and theirs ; but the antecedent cause was Gods Covenant grace to them and on them , Gen. 17.7 , 8 , 9. & Deut. 30.6 . and so now , that part of Abrahams Covenant was not then appliable to infants , scil . walk before me , &c. but yet that was then appliable ; I will be their God , I will circumcise their hearts , and that sufficed them , as Deut. 30. the Analogy holds now . Answ. What may be said to be a consequent cause , I do not yet conceive , the rule of Logick I have learned is , that the cause is before the effect : Yet what ever it be Mr. C. means , though it might suffice for Circumcision , it doth not for Baptism ; nor is that to be regulated by Analogy of Circumcision , as is shewed in the second part of this Review , sect . 2 , 3. Yet again , In a word , the seal is a seal not of nor to the commandment , but covenant ; this therefore is the main and principal in the application of it . Answ. If Baptism be a seal , it seems to me not a seal of or to the commandment or covenant , but the profession of the baptized ; and therefore this is the main and principal in the application of it . Yet more , It is the covenant which hath the main instrumental force , in the fruit of the initiatory seal and the application of it , Ephes. 5.25.26 . and why shall not the external interest in the covenant , have chief influence into the external interest , as well of the application of the initiatory seal ? Answ. I understand not what fruit of the initiatory seal he means , nor what is the external interest in the Covenant ; the word , Ephes. 5.25 . 26. Is meant of the word preached , which is not instrumental to infants for any santification or cleansing their meant . The want of Gods appointment is the reason of not applying Baptism to infants . Once more , By external interest in the Covenant , persons so interested come to have external interest , at least to the final causes of Baptism , as Covenant mercy and blessing , the Spirit , Christ resurrection , &c. Tit. 3 , 8. and 1. Cor , 12.12 , 13. 1. Pet. 3.21 . And therefore as well so farre inrighted in the initiatory seal of it , whether they are adult or infants . Answ. 1. External interest in the covenant , external interest in the final causes of Baptism , are notions I understand not . 2. Covenant mercy and blessing , the spirit , Christs resurrection , are not final cause of Baptism , for then when the end of Baptism is attained , they should be effects of Baptism , for the end in intention , is the effect in execution ; But this is too absurd . 3. An inrighting so far in the initiatory seal , which intimates a man may have an inrighting so far to such a measure and no further , is another new notion I understand not . 4. If Mr. Cs. antecedent had sense or truth , yet the consequence is to be denied , no other interest external is inrighting to Baptism , but that which is according to the institution , Matth. 28.19 . discipleship , or profession of faith . To the 8th . Sect. I answer by denying that the Covenant priviledge of grace Evangelical , hath such distinction of principal and less principal counter parties , as Mr. means C. ( unless he understand by Christ the principal , and the elect and true believers the less principal , as Gal. 3.16 . ) and that the Covenant priviledges of grace Evangelical belong to any other then the elect : yet I grant the Covenant Gen. 17. and many priviledges of Divine grace which were not Evangelical , did belong to many of the Israelites , who made no good use thereof . The Covenant Evangelical was never sealed personally to Ishmael . That which Mr. C. dictates without proof about the everlasting covenant , and the initial seal in its generical nature , is answered here sect . 80. and the point about the ordinance of infants visible Churchmembership unrepealed sect . 50 , &c. and the non-inclusion of infants Matth. 28.19 . under the term nation is shewed there , and in the second part of this Review sect . 9. The position of Mr. Cs. sect . 9. may be granted , though Acts 2.38 , 39. make nothing for it . Sect. 10. Mr. C. proves nothing but that parents were to take care that their children were circumcised ; that which he saith of the children begotten on prohibited women , Ezra . 9. and Timothy begotten on a Jewish woman by a Grecian husband , that they were circumcised , Act. 16.1 , 2 , 3. proves this , that the children , who were not of the Congregation of Israel , and so no visible Churchmembers were to be circumcised , nor had Covenant interest . The case controverted 1 Cor. 7.14 . was onely concerning the persons unequally yoked , not concerning their children . Acts 2.33 , 39. Is not a word to prove parents are to take care of the infants baptism , nor Gen. 7.1 . with 1 Pet. 3.21 . there being not an infant in the Ark , nor typical Baptism being a rule concerning formal Baptism of Christians ; if it were , Masters must take care to baptize their house , yea their married children though as prophane as Cham , and their wives with them . How impertinently 1 Cor. 10.2 . is alledged , is shewed in the second part of this Review sect . 21. What Mr. C. observes out of Exod. 12.44 , 48 , 49. that a stranger was not to eate the Passeover , except all his males were circumcised ; if it be right , yet it makes nothing for proof of parents duty to see their infants baptized , there being no such institution about Baptism and the Lords Supper , as was about Circumcision and the Passeover . It is granted that the words [ Exod. 12.40 . ] Will keep the Passeover to the Lord ] are meant onely of an adult person , yet it is true also , which I say in my Examen part . 4. sect . 6. That males not come to years of discretion fit to receive the Lords Supper were to eat the Passeover , and consequently ( if Mr. Cs. dictates were of any of any validity ) parents should see they eate Lords Supper . I grant , That God made Abraham Gen. 17.7 . a common person as well in reference to us inchurched Gentiles , as to the inchurched Jewes and Proselytes in point of Evangelical covenant interest , but that hee should be so made in point of ingagement from covenant interest , unto the receiving of the initiatory seal by parents and children , Gen. 17.7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11. is but Mr. Cs. fancy sufficiently refuted by this , that if it were true , then we Gentiles are bound to circumcise our infants , ( which is the onely initiatory seal there meant ) contrary to Acts 15.24 . Gal. 5.1 , 2. That which is true of Abraham and his natural seed , must be applied to Abrahams spiritual seed , true Believers of the Gentiles and their natural seed ; is but Mr. Cs. vain dream dictated without proof . My grant in my Examen part . 3. sect . 1. pag. 37. ( as the words shew ) was not that children might be baptized vertually in their parents in exact speech , so as to receive it in their own persons , but onely in that sense in which Mr. M. said women were circumcised vertually in the males , yet so as they might not be circumcised in their own persons : which being considered , my words yeild Mr. C. no advantage . To the 11th . section I grant , that Matth. 28.19 . ties not the Baptizer to know the baptized to be internally and savingly interested in the covenant : But that it sufficeth , that that sort or species of infants , scil . such like infants are in deed and truth of Christs Kingdome , I utterly deny . For then any infant in the world might be baptized , because he is of that sort or species of infants , scil . such like infants are in deed and truth of Christs Kingdome . Dare any say of no unbelievers infants is Christs Kingdome ? However it is true of Belivers though not inchurched , and yet Mr. C. denies the right of the child , if the parent be not inchurched . Mr. Cs. reason are vain , neither is our Lord Christs saying , Luk. 18.16 . any rule to us about baptizing ; nor was the rule of circumcising infants that some of that sort had the internal saving interest and efficacy of this promise , I will be the God of thy seed , but the command of God , without which it is better to exclude all infants , then upon our own heads to bring on our selves the guilt of will-worship by taking them in . Which must of necessity fall on infant Baptizers after Mr. Cs. rule . For Christs appointment was to baptize infants no otherwise then persons of years . There is no difference in the words Matth , 28.19 . between the reason of baptizing one and the other . But persons of years were not to be baptized by Mr. Cs. rule , in that they are of that sort or species of persons , scil . such like persons are in deed and in truth of Christs Kingdome , but onely upon their own discipleship or profession of faith , as the practise thoroughout the Acts of the Apostles shews : Therefore neither are Believers children to bee baptized after any other rule . And yet infants are no more left in the wide wilderness , or any whit less folded up in the Church by their non-baptizing , then they are by their baptism . If they of N. E. do fold them up in the Church , why do they keep them from Church-communion till they bee made members by Church-covenant ? If it be better 99 who happily have not so peculiar a title thereto , be folded up in the Church , then that one of such lambs be left out in the wide wilderness , are not they guilty of too much strictness in leaving out of the Church in the wide wilderness , many weak lambs who are weak in faith , because they do not satisfie the Church in the declaration of their experiences ? But this is the guise of men who are strict in their own inventions , as in Church-covenant , declaration of experiences for admission to Church-communion , &c. to bee loose about Gods commands , as this of baptizing disciples of Christ is . Enough in answer to these cloudy dictates of Mr. C. SECT . LXXXVI . The 13th . and 14th . Chapters of Mr. Rutherfords first part of the Covenant , are examined ; and found to make nothing for Infant Baptism . AFter the finishing the most of this part of the Review , my learned and godly brother Mr. John Skynner of Weston in Herefordshire ( who hath written a solid Treatise against Infant Baptism , entituled , Corruption corrected , in answer to one Mr. Woodward ) acquainted me that Mr. Rutherford had written for infant Baptism in a Book of his of the Covenant of grace part . 1. chap. 13 , 14 which having read , I found ( as he foretold me no more strength then others had brought for it , and it is written rather like a Sermon then a Scholastique Dispute , and with so many unproved dictates , such a number of obscure expressions , ( many of which I cannot discern good sense in , so that they have need rather of construction then resur●tion ) so many incoherencies and inconsequences , as that I do not jhdge it worth while to answer him . Yet because of the name of the man , and my words sect . 1. of the 2d . part of this Review , I shall add some animadversions on those two chapters . Ch. 13. he tels us , that 〈◊〉 are in Covenant with God externally by visible profession , which I 〈◊〉 , if meant of their own personal profession ; but deny , 1. That th●● promise Gen. 17.7 . I will bee thy God and the God of thy seed , is a tacit and implicit profession , or makes ( of it self ) parties in Covenant externally . 2. That infants born of covenanted parents are in covenant with God , because they are born of such parents as are in covenant with God , Gen. 17.7 . What is said Deut. 4.37 . Deut. 10.15 . is meant onely of the people of Israel , as the very words [ brought out of Egypt as it is this day ] shew ; nor is there a word in those verses , of their being in covenant with God because born of such parents , but of Gods special choise of that people . It is false which he saith that the Apostle Acts 2.39 . speaks in the very terms and words of the Covenant , Gen. 17.7 . It is true rather , that hee speaks in never a term or word there used . It is as false that the Apostle commanded any other to be baptized Acts 2.38 . then whom he commanded to repent . Did he not presume that Anabaptists , as hee terms us , were very Blockheads , hee would not not presume , that wee should believe his vain dictates , when the very copulative term shews the same are spoken to in one and the other command , and the words being an answer to the question v. 37. shew they are directed to those who spake v. 37. And the word [ you ] used in the precept of Baptizing contains the same with those who were to receive remission of sins , and the gift of the holy Ghost , and are distinct from their children , v. 39. and therefore cannot be meant of their children , much less of their infant children , whom it had been ridiculous for Peter to have commanded to be baptized . How pertinent the answer had been as I expounded it , is often shewed before ; though their children crucified not the Lord Jesus , nor were concerned either in the evil of their parents , who crucified the Lord of glory , nor in the good of their repentance more then stones ; yet I know no Anabaptists whose grounds infer , that the Jews children who crucified Christ were not visibly in Covenant with their parents , not capable of actual hearing the word , mourning for and repenting of their sins , as Zach. 12.10 . Matth. 3.8 , 9 , 10. nor concerned either in the evil of their parents , nor in the good of their repentance more then stones ; nor do I conceive it true that the opposites of infant Baptism say , that Covenant promises are no more made to children , then to stones ; but that these are vile calumnies of Mr. Rutherford , unfit for such a man as he is taken to be . How Isa. 2.2 , 3. & 19.24 , 25. Psal. 22.27 . Revel . 11.15 . Isa. 60.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. Mal. 1.11 . Psal. 2.8 , 9. & 72.7 , 8 , 9 , 10. are to be understood of persons adult onely , and yet infants not cut off from the Covenant , is shewed Review part . 2. sect . 9. and elsewhere . It is not contrary to Acts 2.39 . to say , that Covenant promises are not to the children of Believers , and yet it hath been fulfilled , that the Gentiles and Heathen are become the Lords people . What he saith out of Exod. 20.6 . Psal. 37 , 26. & 112.2 . Deut. 28 ▪ is answered here sect . 64.70 , 71. It is not true that Paul , Rom. 11.16 . saith the same of the Jews root and branches , Fathers and children , which he saith 1 Cor. 7.14 . of the unbelieving yoke fellowes sanctification in the yoke fellow , and their childrens holiness . Nor is it true , that the same Covenant which was made with Abraham , Gen. 17.7 . was made with the Corinthians , 2 Cor. 6.16 . or any of the texts he cites , there being none of them that promise , that God would bee a God to them and their seed . His allegations from Heb. 7.22 . Heb. 8.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. are shewed to bee frivolous here , sect . 66. and elsewhere . What he talks of a Father having no warrant to offer the Covenant of grace to one Pagan more then another , if children be not in covenant , is vain , the offer of the Covenant of grace being nothing else but the preaching of the Gospel , which is to be to all , Mark 16.15 . whether in Covenant or no. The allegation that the promise Gen. 17.7 . is made onely to the elect , Rom. 9.8 . is a plain proof of this position , that the natural children of Abraham , and consequently Believers children now , except elected , have not that promise made to them , and therefore are not in covenant by Gods act of promise to them , which doctrine Mr. Rutherford himself taught in his Apologetical . exercit . 2. c. 2. p. 306. when he said ; The elect alone are said in Scriptures federate , sons and heirs of promise , Rom. 9.8 . And to Christ alone the Prince , and leading heir , are the promises made , Gal. 3.16 . Psal. 89.26 , 27. in him , to his seed and children given to him of the Father , Heb. 2.13 . Nor can he here deny , that the sons of the promise are the chosen of God , in whom the word takes effect . Which if true , then it is most false , that a Believers seed not chosen is in covenant with God , by vertue of that promise Gen. 17.7 . and his allegation of it , and Acts 2. ●9 . and other places for baptism of believers infants , whether elect or not , as having that promise made by God to them ; is manifestly impertinent . Nevertheless we need not say , that there are none covenanted with God but the chosen under the New Testament , or that there is no such thing as an external visible covenanting with God under the New Testament : but say , that no infant doth visibly externally covenant with God , so as thereby to be entitled to Baptism , sith no persons are to bee baptized by Christs appointment , but such as in their own persons do profess the saith . The priviledges mentioned Rom. 3.1 , 2. & 9.4 . Mr. Rutherford himself appropriates to the Jews , Due right of Presbyteries ch . 4. sect . 5. pag. 192. What he saith pag. 77 , 78 , 79 , 80. is all answered before , chiefly in answer to Mr. Blake , Review par . 2. sect . 9 , or here , sect . 46 , 47 , 48. or in answer to Mr. Baxter and Mr. Marshal . And if it were not , yet the Reader may discern its impertinency , sith the thing hee endeavours to prove , is an external visible covenanting in the New Testament ( which can be onely on mans part ) and being in covenant thereupon , and right to Baptism , and is not denied , whereas his position he should prove is , that the Covenant choise on Gods part is extended to the seed of Believers as such in the New Testament , p. 73. His words pag. 80. They cannot be baptized but as in covenant with God , are true , if meant of being in covenant by their profession externally : but so infants are excluded ; if of Gods covenanting or promise , are false , and so are those other words , We are the same way in covenant as the Jews were , and our visible Church now , and the visible Church then are of the same constitution ▪ I call not the Covenant Gen. 17. civil , but mixt , containing some promises civil , some spiritual , or rather the same promis●s , in one sense spiritual , in another civil . I doubt not to say the Covenant to Adam and the Jews at Mount Sinai were two Covenants of works , a third in the Gospel I know not . The Covenant with David , Psal. 89. 2 Sam. 7. so far as it was Evangelical , was the same with that to Abraham , Gen. 17. and Adam Gen. 3.15 . as they were Evangelical , but so far as it was Oeconomical , it was different from both , and another Covenant then those to Adam , Abraham , or the Jews at Mount Sinai : The promise of working miracles , was not the Evangelical Covenant of grace , but that of remission of sins and eternal life to the repenting believers , under which was John Baptist as well as the Apostles , was it : yet I know no absurdity to say , the Apostles were both under the Covenant of grace with John Baptist , and another Covenant Mark 16.17 , 18. different from that John Baptist and many Believers were under . I find no promise of the blessings of their land , as Gen. 17. is to Abrahams seed of Canaan , to all believers in any of those texts , Ezek. 36.25 , 26 , 30 , 31. Jer. 31.31 . compared with 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43. Matth. 6.31 . Luke 12.31 . 1 Tim. 4.8 . Heb. 13.5.6 . Infants elect are in the same Covenant Evangelical with Abraham , shall have a Covenant Resurrection and Salvation , by Christ , yet not in the visible Church , but are saved without it . It is no New Testament ordinance that Ministers preach the Gospel to every creature , without limitation , or explication restrictive to the intelligent of them , or baptize all nations simply , whether disciples , or believers , or not , but the disciples or believers in Christ of all nations . That faith doth not sanctifie in every subject , but in subjecto capaci , and so not an unbelieving whore , 1 Cor. 7.14 . proves , that the sanctifying or holiness there , is not ascribed to the faith of the one parent , as to the formal reason , but to the conjugal relation , contrary to Paedobaptists exposition of federal holiness , 1 Cor. 7.14 . which Mr. Baxter hath neither solidly nor learnedly vindicated , as might have been discerned by reading the first part of this Review sect . 22 , &c. which if Mr. Rutherford read with the rest , it 's likely ●e would no● say so unadvisedly as he do●h , that the dispute is at an end now . If God made the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . to Abraham not as a Father onely but as head of a family , and covenant holiness is of societie● and houses under the New Testament as in Abrahams house , then should infidels infants , yea infidels in a believers house be baptized by Paedobaptists rules ; then is it no priviledge to believers and their seed , then doth the Apostle after Paedobaptists exposition of 1 Cor. 7.14 . say false , that the children were unclean , that is , without federal holiness ▪ if neither parent were a believer . Most false is that which he saith without colour of proof pag. 83. Not any are baptized in the New Testament ( except the Eunuch and Saul Acts 8.39 . ) who were baptized firstly , but they were baptized as publike men representing a seed ; The contrary appears from Luk. 7.29 . Joh. 4.1 . Nor is it true , that societies as such , were baptized , nor any such thing intimated in the words , Matth. 3.3 . Mar. 1.5 . Lu. 3.21 . but onely that a great number of people came to him and were baptized . Yea in those places , as also Joh. 3.22 , 23 , 26. it is plain none were baptized , but such as came to hear John , and by confessing their sins shewed their repentance . No more needs be said to the stale frivolous allegations of baptizing housholds , then is said Examen part . 3. sect . 14. Review part . 2. sect . 20. nor to Rom. 11.16 , 17. then in the first part of the Review sect . 1 , &c. The Lord sends the Gospel arbi●rarily to a City , houshold , or single person , as to the Eunuch , Paul , Sergius Paulus , as he pleaseth , and wee are to enquire whether the faith of the person be real , afore he is to be bap●ized , though the Gospel be come to the nation , house , or society . Nor is there any truth in it , no not according to the Apostles doctrine , as 1 Cor. 7.14 . is expounded by Paedobaptists , and they dispute from Gen. 17.7 . if the friend , not a father , be in the house or society and profess the Gospel , hee and his servants and friends obtain right to Baptism . Mr. Rutherford pag. 85. enquires , What is the formal reason and ground that any hath right to Baptism ? The terme● of the question seem to me to intimate , as if he with other Paedobaptists , took Baptism onely for a priviledge d●rived from a grant or Covenant of God , which I take to be onely a duty both in the baptized and baptizer , by reason of a command of Christ ( though there be also a priviledge consequent upon it ) and so the formal reason of it is the command , and the qualification which the baptized is to have , when hee is baptized , is believing with all his heart ; which if he wants he sins , yet not so as that the person , if after a dogmatical faith he become a sincere believer , is to b●e baptized again , but to repent of his former sin , as Peter advised Simon Magus . The qualification , which the baptizer is to baptize upon , is a sober , intelligent , serious and free profession of faith in Christ , upon which persons are termed disciples of Christ and believers , and is the rule to the baptizer , Matth. 28.19 . compared with Mar. 16.15 , 16. which warrants his action , he being not able to look into the heart . Mr. Rutherfords objection from Mar. 16.16 . is answered Review part . 2 sect . 7. p. 115. It is false , that none are to be baptized , but covenanted ones ; as Acts 2.39 . meaning by Gods promise , his promise of remission of sins and salvation to them by Christ , nor doth Acts 2.39 . prove it . If all infant ▪ even of Pagans , and all aged are not to be baptized ▪ how is it true , that all nations are to be baptized without any other circumscription , as Mr. Rutherford cites the command Matth. 28.19 . here pag. 84 ? I like his words . All in Covenant are not to be baptized . For such as are onely really and invisibly in Covenant , and do make no profession of Christ at all , are not warrantably by the Church to be baptized . Onely these whether old or young that are tali modo visibili federati ▪ such as professedly and visibly in Covenant and called , Acts 2.39 . are warrantably baptized ▪ Hence they must be so in covenant , as they be called by the word of the Covenant ; for they cannot be baptized against their will , Luk. 7.29 , 30. Which if Mr. Rutherford will stand to , the controversie may be ended ; and I promise him , that if he can prove , or shew that infants make any profession of Christ , are professedly and visibly in covenant , are so in covenant , as that they be called by the word of the Covenant , and that they are willing to be baptized , I shall yeild to baptize them . But this is frequent with Paedobaptists ( as I have oft shewed in Mr. M. Mr. B. and Mr. Bl. ) to let fall such passages , especially in opening the institution , Matth. 28.19 . in opposing Papists , Prelatists , Antibaptists , as overthrow their disputes for infant baptism , and therefore they will not stand to them , when they are urged against them , but by some shift elude them . It is false which Mr. Rutherford saith , that this proposition , Those to whom the promise of the Covenant does belong , these should be baptized ( if universally understood ) is Peters Acts 2.38 , 39. or that this assumption , The promise of the Covenant is to you and your children , is the express words of Peter . The offer of Christ in the preached Gospel , is not the call , meant Acts 2 . 3● . nor are all such as to whom the offer is made exter●ally in covenant , and such to whom the Covenant is made and should be baptized ; though I grant , if they give a professed consent to the call of the Gospel , they are bap●izable . Calvins words are no proof , against those who yeild not what he saith of the Anabaptists of his time . Mr Rutherfords words are too vain for a man of his name , which say , that believing children are not children , but men of age . My exposition of Acts 2.39 . neither excludes sucking children , nor is the inclusion proved by him from Matth. 2. ●8 . 1 Cor. 7.14 . the sense Mr. Rutherford makes the onely sense of Acts 2.39 . the promise and word of the Covenant is preached to you and your children in you , is false , for then it had been true , that it was preached then to all afar off , which is manifestly false , and vain ; for it had been no comfort to them , sith it might bee preached without their benefit , nor is this to be externally in covenant ( except in Mr. Rutherfords gibberish ) both under the Old and New Testament . In the O●d persons were so by birth , without preaching ; in the New , they onely who profess faith . The other sense Mr. Rutherford sets down is none of mine , nor is it needful I should answer the objections against it and the terms , the Lord hath internally covenanted with you ; I take to be non-sense , no covenanting with us being an immanent , but a transeunt act . My sense is fully set down here Sect. 13 , &c. and proved . I grant no more Covenant favour holden forth to their children , Acts 2.39 . then to the Pagans children , except in priority of tender . I make not external covenant holiness , ceremonial holiness out of da●e , nor can he cleer it , or that by any thing I say , the words Acts 2.39 . must be in a contradictory way expounded , to wit , the promise is no more made to your children so long as they are infants , then to Devils ; which seeing hee mentions Mr. Ms. words but a little before , I have reason to conceive reflect on my self ; and if so , they have too great a shew of Diabolism . Right to hear the preached Gospel , and a Covenant or Gospel warrant peculiar to believers children , is such talk as I understand not . I think hearing is a Duty obliging all ; Pagans have not onely warrant , but also command to hear it , it is not onely lawfull but necessary . The children of the most holy Christian Gentile believers , are not Christians till they believe , and both they and their parents when they believe are still Heathens ; the term Heathens , being all one with Gentiles contradistinct to Jews , and so used here by Mr. Rutherford himself pag. 74. in words before cited , and I sometimes admire that some learned men should suggest this to Readers and hearers as a h●inous thing to term them Heathens , when they must be so , if they be not Jews , though most holy Christians . The term Pagans , if it bee all one with professed infidels positively , I grant it belongs not to our children ; yet they are infidels negatively , till they believe , and are so accounted of them that admit them not to the Lords Supper , as well as of those that admit them not to Baptism , unto which actual profession of faith is as well required as to the Lords Supper . To neither hath a man any right by Covenant , although by the Covenant he hath right to the benefits of the Gospel . Baptism and the Lords Supper are neither of them formally benefi●s , or seals of the Covenant of grace ; though by con●equent , in the right use of them , such benefit● accrue to men by them . They are hoth rites appointed by Christ , the one to be the baptized his signe , whereby he professeth repentance and faith in Christ , and engageth himself solemnly to adhere to Christ as his disciple , the other whereby he● signifies his remembrance of Christs death , both our duties , and a right to duty , sounds to mee like non-sense . I know no Anabaptist that ignorantly confounds the promise and the thing promised , the Covenant and benefits covenanted ; But this I aver , that when God promiseth and covenanteth they are connex , there is no man to whom Cod promiseth or covenanteth , but he hath or shall have the thing promised or covenanted . And this I learn from the Apostle Rom. 9.8 . who makes onely the chosen sons of promise , as Mr. Rutherford here pag. 77. expounds him ; and that is , as Gal. 3.16 . he expresseth himself , to Abraham and his seed were the promises made or said , that is Christ personal or mystical , or both , and to no other . And sure the Apostle Rom. 9.6 . did think it blasphemy to say , that God had promised , and those he promised to should not have the thing promised ; for then Gods word should fall , and he be a liar . If Gods conditional promise be a Covenant ▪ yet it is made onely to them that perform the condition . He that believeth and is baptized shall bee saved , is not an universal promise to all men , whether believers or not ; but onely to so many as shall believe . 'T is true we can exclude none , because we cannot exempt any from believing , and therefore we are to make an indifferent offer to any , but God in his intention excludes many , and his promise is not made to them whom he excludes , nor are they under his Covenant , or in covenant with him , in respect of his act of promising ; though they may be said to bee in Covenant , or under the Covenant in respect of their own act of promising ; I grant the command is to persons whether they believe or not , obey or not , for that is not an enunciative speech , that signifies any thing true or false , but is in the imperative mood , and extendeth to all men whatsoever , so as whosoever doth not as the command bids , sins : But when Mr. Rutherford saith , the promise is to you , and so are the commands and threatnings , whether ye believe or not ; whether ye transgress or transgress not : ( if an Anabaptist falsly so called may have the boldness to tell a Professour in Divinity in an University in Scotland of ignorance ) I should tell him , he is mistaken , in saying , the promise is to you whether you believe or no , the threatning is to you whether you transgress or no. For they being enunciations in the indicative mood , if meant so , should bee false ; which to impute to God , would asperse him with falshood and injustice , which is horrendum dictu . And in my apprehension it savours of ignorance which Mr. Rutherford saith pag. 91. Nor is it true , that the promise is made to the aged upon condition of believing . The promise is made to them absolutely , whether they believe or not . But the blessing of the promise and Covenant of grace is given and bestowed onely conditionally if they believe . The promise is absolutely made , it 's called conditional from the thing corditionally given . For either I have lost my wits , or else a conditional promise is a conditional p●oposition , expressing something that shall be , if some other thing bee put ; and sure a conditional proposition is so termed from the words , not from the event . A promise is a promise absolute or conditional , as soon as the words are spoken , long before the thing promised is given , yea though it be never given . The giving or not giving upon performing or not performing the condition , may make the promise true or false determinately , but not conditional or absolute . I forbear to uncover any further Mr. Rutherfurds nakedness in this speech , and reset him to Mr. Baxter to correct him for that speech ; nor is it true , that the promise is not made to the aged upon condition of believing . And as for his speeches , of the saving of infants of believing parents dying in infancy , and our giving evidence thereof , there is so much said before of it , especially against Mr. Baxter Sect. 73 , 74. and elsewhere , that I need say no more here . As for what he saith , of our want of warrant to pray for them without their being in Covenant ; though it hurt not me , who grant of so many as are elect that they are in Covenant ; yet I think I have a warrant to pray by a general command , 1 Tim. 2.1 , 2 , 3. and in faith by a general promise , Matth. 7.7 , 8. the knowledge of Gods goodness , and the goodness of the thing asked . In the rest of the Chapter , Mr. Rutherfurd endeavours to find a way , according to which infants of believers may be said to bee within Covenant , and the words Acts 2.39 . meant of them , and their title to Baptism thence inferred : for which end hee useth many words with distinctions , which are vain , without good sense , or good consistency , or any thing to his purpose . Four ways he conceives infants of believers may be said to be in Covenant . 1. In that God maketh the promise of a new heart to them ; but this he grants is true onely of the elect ; and not of all commanded to be baptized , Acts 2.38 , 39. And pag. 86. he granted persons invisibly in Covenant without profession , are not warrantably to be baptized . 2. In that God promiseth forgiveness of sins , and eternal life upon condition of repentance and faith . Thus infants may be in the Covenant of grace , but no otherwise then or rather not so much as professed unbelievers , to whom it is tendred , who yet are not to be baptized , and if the promise be meant so Acts 2.39 . it proves not a right to Baptism thence till the condition be performed , which when infants declare they do , I shall baptize them . 3. That they are in Covenant because they are under the command , for thus he speaks pag. 94. The Covenant must be considered in abstracto , and formally in the letter as a simple way of saving sinners , so they believe , so all within the visible Church are in the Covenant of grace , and so it contains onely the will of precept . In which he is mistaken , 1. in that he saith , the Covenant formerly in the letter is a simple way of saving sinners , so they believe ; for such a speech is not the Covenant in any sense , much less formally in the letter in abstracto : such a speech as this , men are saved if they believe , or the way of saving men is upon condition of believing , is not the Covenant sith it is not a promise , but a Covenant is formally a promise , or an aggregate of promises . 2. In that he saith , the Covenant formally contains only the will of precept ; whereas the Covenant formally contains not at all the will of precept , the will of precept containing onely the command of what should be done by another , but the Covenant is a promise of what the Covenanter will do ; the one is exprest in the imperative mood , the other in the indicative ; nor is the will of precept in the letter as a simple way of saving sinners , so they believe ; for such an expression is no command at all , but a declaration of event . 3. In that he saith , so all within the visible Church are in the Covenant of grace , which he seems to mean thus , they all and they onely . But sure either infants are not at all this way in the Covenant of grace , who never hear the command propounded to them , or if they be , they are no more in it then the Americans out of the visible Church ▪ who never heard of Christ , nor so much as professed unbelievers to whom the Gospel hath been preached ; and therfore this way infants have not right to baptism ▪ So that this speech of Mr. Rutherfurd hath , as many of his expressions , nothing but ignorance and impertinency . 4. A person may be said to be in Covenant , in that he is really covenanted and engaged by his consented profession , to fulfil the Covenant ; as Mr. Rutherfurd speaks pag. 92. This way I grant intitles to Baptism ; but sure infants are not so in Covenant , nor is the meaning so Acts 2.39 . where the promise is Gods promise to us , not our promise to God ; nor is this the Paedobaptists plea , when they argue infants are in Covenant , therefore to be baptized ; for they mean by being in Covenant , that God hath promised to be a God to them as the seed of believers , Gen. 17.7 . And therefore Mr. Rutherfurd hath not yet shewed any way , according to which infants of believers are intitled to Baptism , by vertue of the Covenant of grace ; or from Acts 2.38 , 39. notwithstanding all his blooding of it , to use his own term . Let 's view what is in Ch. 14. Neither is it true , that God saith persons should be circumcised because of Gods promise , Gen. 17.7 . Nor , that women were circumcised in the males ; nor was Peter sent to baptize all the circumcised ; nor are infants to bee Baptized by the ground of Circumcision ; nor is there any thing Acts 2.38 , 39. that saith , because the same promise is made to fathers and to children must infants bee baptised . Neither do I know what Mr. Rutherfurd understands by Theological essence , or formal effects ; nor do I conceive any truth or sense in Mr. Rutherfurds talk of Circumcision and Baptism being the same in the substance , nature , and Theological essence , and in the formal effects ; much less that the Lord hath any such argument , Gen. 17.7 . And though I should grant all are to bee exhorted to be baptised , who are under the same Covenant ; yet not without repentance and faith foregoing their Baptism , wit●out which the promise warrants not Baptism . There is no such command Gen. 17.7 , 8. that all these in Covenant should be marked with the initiatory seal ; nor is Baptism instituted in place of Circumci●●on ; and if it were , yet m●re is needful to warrant infant baptism . There is as plain precept Acts 2.38 . & 8.36 , 37. Mark. 16.16 . Matth. 28.19 . against in●ant Baptism , as is against infant Communion 1 Cor. 11.28 . Wee have good consequences out of the word against infant Baptism , without arguing from the Covenant of grace ; which Mr. Rutherfurd may see in the 2d . part of this Review sect . 5 and none against the Holy Ghost , but from him . That the promises of the Covenant of grace are expresly to infants of the New Testament is more then I find Acts 2.39 . or elsewhere . Dipping in rivers need not be onerous , and may be without danger , to women with child , Virgins , some sorts of diseased persons in winter , in cold countries , and it will require more strength in dispute , then either Mr. Baillee , or Mr. Baxter , have shewed , or I finde yet in Mr. Rutherfurd ; to prove dipping in rivers ( though Baptism be not necessary to be done in rivers ) to be against the word , the second , third , and fourth Commandements . And against sprinkling , or perfusion instead of Baptism , there is so much said in my Addition to the Apology against Mr. Baillee , Mr. Rutherfurds Colleague , and delivered to Mr. Rutherfurd himself , and since printed with a Letter to him , as is for ought I know , yet unanswered . All Mr. Rutherfurds talk pag. 98 , 99. that now infants of believers are casten out , for no fault , of the Covenant of grace , and his aggravations thereof , are to be taken for meer calumnies , and since the printing of my Ex●men , there is reason to judge them to be thus wilfully vented by Mr. Rutherfurd , and till he name the Anabaptists , and cite the place , I can take it for no other then a false accusation , which he saith of the Anabaptists that they teach infants to be born without sin . Mr. Rutherfurd dictates without proof pag. 100. that they were covenanting parents and believers , that brought the little children Mark 10.13 , 14 that they were not diseased or possessed , that he would have the whole spece of infants at all time ●o come to him , and those infants might bee blessed as elect ones , though no marks were given to parents or others , whereby to discern elect children ; these being no direction for them to bring children to Christ under that notion . It is false that Anabaptists rebuke persons that bring children to Christ as the disciples did , Mar. 10.13 . Or that Christ instates infants of believing parents as members of the visible Church . What Mr. ●obbet hath said of that act of Christ is refelled Review part . 2. sect . 19. and that the Kingdome of God is that of glory , is made good against Mr. Blake there , sect . 18 and not refused by me : I know no absurdity in it , to say , Christ might bless infants of Pagans . What designe Christ might have , or had , besides Mr. Rutherfurds conceived purpose to hold forth the common interest of the whole spece of infants within the visible Church , is shewed there sect . 17. against Mr. Baxter . I do gran● the blessing , Mark 10.16 . to be personal , and the chiefest blessing beyond visible Churchmembership ; and though we finde not proof that Christ blessed the whole race of infants of covenanting parents , yet it is false that we make them blessed onely as symboles of humility ; or that the blessing was some complemental salutation ; or that ( as Mr R. saith of Anab●ptists after hi● calumniating manner ) wee will have them without Christ and the Covenant , and under the curse of God ; but grant that they were blessed with the blessing of the Covenant of grace , and that many other infants are so . Whether they were parents , or believers in Christ as the Messiah , who brought the children , Matth. 19.13 . is uncertain ; nor do I say , or need I , they had a saith grounded upon a possibility of election separated from the Covenant ; nor do I deny , that infants have their share of salvation by the Covenant ; or that a covenanted seed is prophesied to be added to the Jews , under the New Testament ; nor doth any thing I say infer , that the children of believers under the New Testament must be a cursed seed ; yet there is none of the Texts Mr. Rutherfurd brings , which proves a prediction , that the natural seed of believers as such , shall be blessed and in the Covenant of grace , nor that their infant seed shall be visible Churchmembers in the Christian Church : But they are all impertinently alledged , some being meant of the Jews i●crease in Jud●● after their return from Babylon , some of the effectual calling of the Gentiles ; and most of them so far cleared before , that I count it needless to make answer to each of the Texts by themselves . And Mr. Rutherfurds discourse is so loose and full of impertinencies , and incoherencies , that I shall onely animadvert on some passages , till the whole bee brought to some distinct Scholastique form . He tels us pag , 168. That external covenanting goes before internal covenanting , as the means before the end , and the cause before the effect : for faith comes by hearing of a sent pre●cher , Rom. ●0 . 14 . and the preaching of the Gospel is a saving means of begetting a new heart , and of a new spirit . Hence 1. All must be first externally in covenant , before they can be internally and really in covenant . In which speech he seem● to conceive external covenanting , to bee either preaching or hearing a preacher , else his reason had been vain . But what non-sense scribling is this , to term preaching or hearing covenanting ? A person may , and we may conceive some do , preach and hear , who never externally covenant . Sure covenanting is promising , but so is not either preaching or hearing . And if Mr. Rutherfurds words be true , no infant can be internally and really in Covenant , who doth not preach or hear . His talk is as vain , Of the Lord being a God simply to some , and no more but a God to them in regard of outward Church-priviledges , but to others more then a God in truth and righteousness ; not to all , as if God might be a God to some not in truth and righteousness , or the being a God to his people , contained not the greatest blessings , contrary to Lu. 20.37 , 38. Heb. 11.16 . His further talk pag. 109. from Matth. 19.14 . is without proof , and all shewed to be vain , in the places before cited . Though the houshold sometimes comprehend infants , yet not so still , nor Acts 16. as is shewed Review part . 2. sect . 20. Anabaptists neither do nor must grant , if infants be in Covenant , they ought to receive the seal of the Covenant . If Rom. 11.16 . be meant of holiness onely intentionally , and not giving actual right to Baptism , then the holiness there proves not infants to be baptizable . That the Covenant Deut. 29.14 , 15. should ●e made virtually radically with us Gentiles , is a do●age with a witness : not onely the express words v. 1. but also the passages all along Ch. 29 , 30. shew it was the legal Covenant renewed with the people of Israel and their posterity , to engage them to observe all the Law of God given by Moses : not the Covenant made to Adam , Abraham , David , the New , or better Covenant . If the Covenant may stand in one , then it is not necessary that a people , nation ▪ seed , body , should be in covenant , and consequently it may stand without infants . The Apostle saith not Rom. 11.16 . the Fathers were the root . But Mr. Rutherfurd adds . Hence Anabaptists , without all reason , say that hee speaks not of federal and external holiness , but of real , internal , and true holiness , onely of the invisible body predestinated to life : for though invisible holiness cannot be excluded , except we exclude the holiness of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , who were without doubt a part of the roo● . Answ. Anabaptists , if we must be so named , do say that the holiness Rom. 11.16 . is meant of real , internal and true holiness ; and consequently the persons there said to be holy , are all of the invisible body predestinated to life , and no other but such there meant : yet they deny not , that the holiness of the Covenant and Church the●e meant were made visible by its working , the collective body of the Jewes predestinate to life ; and that it is not said without all reason , might have appeared to Mr. Rutherfurd , if he had read my Examen part . 3 sect . 7. my Apol. sect . 14. pag. 67. Review part . 1. sect . 1 , &c. part . 3. sect . 75. yea if there were nothing else said but what Mr. Rutherfurd here yeilds , that invisible holiness cannot be excluded , except we exclude the holiness of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , who were withoue doubt part of the root , that which Anabaptists say , is not said without reason , and that demonstrative . For if invisible holiness cannot be excluded , then it is included , and if included together with external visible holiness , then the holiness there meant is not external holiness alone ; nor they who have meerly external federal holiness are there said to be holy , and consequently no reprobate , but onely the predestinate to life . And if Abraham , Isaac and Jacob , be part of the root , and therefore invisible holiness cannot bee excluded , then the rest of the root and the branches which are made in the text alike holy , must have invisible holiness also . But Mr. Rutherfurd ads . Yet he must be taken to speak of that holiness of the Covenant and Church , as made visible , and of the visible collective body of the Jews , not of onely real and invisible holiness . 1. Because this was true in the days of Elias , If the root be holy the branches are holy ; And it is a New Testament-truth of perpetual verity , If the Fathers be holy so must the sons . The Fathers have Church-right to Circumcision , to Baptism , to the Passeover , and the Lords Supper , so have the children : but it is most false of the invisible mystical body and root onely , and of real and internal holiness ; For neither in Old or New Testament is it true , if the Fathers be predestinated to life , justified , and sanctified , and saved , so must the children be . Answ. The term [ holy , Rom. 11.16 . ] notes onely real and invisible holiness in that place , though the persons said to bee holy have it made visible , and it agree to the visible collective body of the Jewes . And the proposition of Mr. Rutherfurd to the contrary , If the Fathers be holy so must the sons , is most false , not onely being understood of invisible , but also of visible holiness , of Churchright to Circumcision , to Baptism , to the Passeover , and the Lords Supp●r . Though the father were holy visibly , by profession of the God of Israel , yet had not hee nor his child right thereby to Circumcision , and the Passeover , without being a Proselyte of righteousness , taking on him the precepts of Moses to observe , and joyning to the policy of Israel , and yet even then the child of age , who did not avouch the God of Israel , had no right thereto . Nor by Paedobaptists own principles hath the child of age right to Bap●ism , or the Lords Supper , without his own profession , though the parent● be Christians ; nor the infant of a believer baptized ( as they conceive ) right to the Lords Supper . Mr. Rutherfurd is grosly mistaken in making every believing parent the root me●n● Rom. 1.16 . and every natural child a branch : For then every believing parent should beare his child : v. 18. and every natural child shou●d derive holiness from his believing parent ; Abrahams natur●l children at this day are not in the Olive , nor shall be till re-ingraffed . Abraham is the root , not as a natural father , but as Father of believers , and ●one are branches or holy as the Apostle there means , but through ●aith according to election . Nor are hereby the distinctions of Jew inward and outward , child of the flesh and promise taken away ; nor whole Israel certainly saved . Nor by the branches be meant all the visible body of the Jews old and yong , which ●e mi●ht have imagined would be replied to hi● argument pag. 114. Nor is it new Divinity , but old , That none are to be baptized but such as are under actual exercise of their faith , which may be discerned , by their profession , in those that are come to age . It is neither my Divinit● , nor follows ( though Mr. Rutherfurd c●nceives it doth ) on it , that predestination to life and glory , must bee pro●ogated and derived from the lump to the first fruits ( he meant from the first fruits to the lu●p ) from the root and parents to the branches and children ; But this I say , that faith , and righteousness are propagated and derived from ●braham as an exemplary root to all his spiritual branches or seed by conformation to him . I do not say , that the Apostle Rom. 11. speaks of an invisible body , but this I say , the Apostle by branches means two sorts of people , the one Jews , who were then broken off from the Olive tree , which is the invisible Church of the elect ; the other Gentiles , then graffed in , yet not all the Gentiles , nor one nation wholly and entirely , but a great part of them in comparison of what were formerly in the Olive very numerous . How these branches were an elect seed and yet fell away , were preached to , had a national election and external calling , were in the room of the Jewes , ●id partake of the fatness of the Olive , is so fully opened in the places before cited , that I think it unnecessary to add here any more . Onely whereas he makes it an absurdity , that the infants of baptized actual believers should be all heathen as well as the casten off the Jewes ; it is to me and absurdity unfit for any learned man to vent , that knows that Heathen in English is all one with Gentiles and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to conceive otherwise , as if a Jew because cast off were become a Heathen , or any Gentile believer or his infant , were or could bee by believing and baptism any other then an heathen , or a Christian of the Gentiles did not still continue a heathen notwithstanding his Christianity . I do account Mr. Rutherfurd and my self Christians , and yet Heathens . There 's not a word in the Text , that warrants us to say of the children of the ingraffed and called Gentiles that they have right to baptism ; but what if the words be expounded as Mr. Rutherfurd does , of the whole visible body of the nations will allow the baptizing of infidels . Abrahams children were never taken into covenant-fellowship universally . Abraham was indeed a moral not a physical root , yet not as a believing Father , nor as a believing head of children , of servants and strangers under him , but as Father of believers after him . And in this respect , neither Adam , nor any other then Abraham is the root , and none of Abrahams natural seed are branches or holy intentionally , but such as are elect , and shall be conformed to him in believing and justification . Nor doth the Apostle when he saith , the Jews are beloved by reason of the Fathers , make Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob the root ; but intimate that God remembers them , because of his Covenant made to them , his taking the title of their God , their obedience to him , their prayers , and his constancy to them as his ancient friends , when all the world were revolted . The conceit of Mr. Rutherfurd concerning holiness external federal , as if it were any cause or reason of re-ingraffing them or their infants , is so frivolous , that I wonder any sober man should once fancy it . For what is it but a state of outward church priviledges , right to the seals , &c But to imagine so great a work as the re-ingraffing , which infers salvation , should come from Abrahams , Isaac , and Jacobs , or any other natural believing Fathers visible Churchmembership , Circumcision , Baptism , &c. is to derive title to heaven , from at best , an amissible priviledge , which may be interrupted by men . What more is to be seen in Mr. Cotton , Blake , Cobbet , Baxter , Mr. Rutherfurd may see examined in this Review ; by reading of which hee may discern , that they have neither closed the dispute ; nor managed it so , as that their learning is to be rested on . SECT . LXXXVII . The distractions in Germany and our present distractions , sprung not from Anabaptism as Mr. Cragge saith . THere having been a dispute a● Abergavenny between me and Mr. John Cragge , Sept. 5th . 1653. and a Sermon preached there ( wh●n I was gone thence ) the next Lords day , in opposition to what I taught , instead of letting mee have a copy manuscript , they were printed with much injury to the truth and my person . Where●ore having had experience in Mr. Bs. dealing , what advantage the errour of infant Baptism got by such writings , I being then in London and meeting with the Book , made a reply intituled , A Plea for Antipaedobaptists ; to which Mr. John Cragge hath returned an answer , and intituled it , The Arraignment and Conviction of Anabaptism . He hath prefixed an Epistle to eight ominent Members of the Parliament which ●ate anno 1654. He tels them that the Cause he defends is and ought to be dearer to them , then any private interests , as whereupon infallibly depends the peace of Church and State. He might more truly have said , that infallibly the peace of Church and State depends on the reforming of infant Baptism , which hath corrupted the Church and State by bringing into the Christian societies a world of ignorant , loose and prophane persons , who being the major part in all Churches , and Commonwealths , where Christianity hath been received , have persecuted the godly , domineered over the consciences and liberties of the Saints , and upheld a proud and sensual Clergy , to the infinite disturbance of the Eastern and Western Churches for many ages . And though I hope better of the men to whom Mr. Cr. ascribes such heroick excellencies , that they have or will have more wit or more grace , then to account Mr. Crs. cause of infant Baptism dearer to them then any private interests . Yet I must confess I cannot but mourn , that not onely Parliament men , but also Ministers should be so ignorant , as to be taken with such silly in●●pid clamours ( I may truly say ) rather then arguings , as Mr. Cr. Mr. B. and others , have mislead them by . That which he saith , the former sad disasters of Germany and our present distractions , both took their spring and growth , in a great measure , from Anabaptism , ●is most false . The disasters in Germany which were in the years 1524 , 1525. did spring from the great burthens and oppressions which were put on the Rusticks by their Princes , Bishops , Abbots . Spondanus expresly in his Auct . of his Epit. of Baron . Annals ad annum 1524. saith , That they began in Suevia , by rising of the Bores against their Lord Count Lupfius , and that the beginning thence being risen , after an infinite number of Rusticks being stirred up to seditions upon pretent of Gospel liberty ( which Spanheimius himself in his Diatribe Historica § . 4. refers to Luthers Book of Christian Liberty as the occasion taken by them ) committed great outrages . And ad annum 1502. tels us , That in the Diocess of Spi●e , a conspiracy of Husbandmen against the Bishops and Canons , which was called the Rustick League , began from two Rusticks : of which conspiracy the ch●ef article was that they should shake off every yo●e , and in imitation of the Helvetians should recover their liberty . And Lucas Osiander Epit. hist. Eccles. cent . 16. l. 1. c. 16. p. 34. saith , These particular seditions in Germany , were the praeludia or fo●e playes of that great sedition of Rusticks , which was in its vigour in the year 1525. And Gnodalius in his history of the rustick tumults in Germany in the year 1525. lib. 1. sai●h , That in Suevia , where they first began , they did openly signifie that they were not Gospellers , nor did flow together for the Gospel sake , but because of exactions . Bp. Jewel . Def. of the Apology of the Church of England part . 4. chap. 4. Divis. 1. to Harding , saying , Were the hundred thousand Bores of Germany consumed by the sword of the Nobility there for their obecience ? answers thus , The Bores of Germany , of whom ye speak , for the greatest part , were adversaries unto Doctour Luther , and understood no part of the Gospel : but conspired together , as they said , onely against the cruelty and tyranny of their Lords : as they had done two and twenty years before in the same Country , in the Conspiracy called Liga sotularia , fifteen years before Doctour Luther began to preach : the partners of which conspiracy had for their watchword the name of our Lady , and in the honour of her , were bound to say five Ave maries every day . Certainly touching those later Rebels , it is known that Luther sharply and vehemently wrote against them . And they themselves being demanded thereof , utterly denied both the partaking , and also the knowledge of the Gospel . It is true Muncer was a busie man in Thuringia , and stirred up the people disposed to tumults by reason of oppressions , and at Munster in Westphalia in the years 1532 , 1533. were stirs and out-rages ; but even Spanheimius himself sets down the beginning of them to have been upon the Protestant reformation , by the preaching of Rotmannus and others , afore the comming of John Matthias , and John Becold of Leyden the Bishop and Canons of Munster being Papists opposing it . How in like manner the Bishop of Geneva was expelled when the Protestants grew potent there , and the like was done in other places , is manifest by records extant , which acts have been repres●n●ed as alike odious with those of Muncer , and at Munster , and would h ave been so reputed if there had been the like success , I mean the adverse party had prevailed as they did in these . Our present distractions cannot with any shew of truth be said to take their spring from Anabap●ism , by any that know things from the relation of men im●loyed in publike negotiations , their being neither in the beginning nor now , either in the Councel of State , or Parliaments , or Armies , or City of London , or Universities , or Countries ; any such persons or parties , as could sw●y things any further then to put some stop to the violence of the Clergy against them , to which as the cause of them , though not the onely , the present distractions are to be referred : to whom how much in former ages , and at this present , the great troubles of the Churches of God are to be ascribed , may be seen in part , in Mr. Baxters Book intituled , The Reformed Pastour , ch . 4. sect . 1 , 2. and in many histories . Mr. Cr. adds ; which reason with experience dictates ; for by their principles whole nations are unchurched and none received into communion , but by re-baptizing , all former members esteemed as Publicans and Heathens ; hence Magistracy and Ministry that dissents , are by them wholly disgusted , if not discarded . Answ ... Experience hath not proved either the disasters in Germany or our present distractions , to have sprung from Anabap●ism , but from other causes ; chiefly , the oppression of Princes and Prelates . 2. Nor are Mr. Crs. reasons sufficient to evince Anabaptism ▪ a cause of such troubles . For the first principle , that whole nations are unchurched , is as well the Independent as Paedobaptists principle ( among whom is Mr. Cradock counted a light in their Goshen of Monmouthshire , by the relatour of the dispute in the Epistle dedicatory ) and if so , the present distractions are to be ascribed with as good reason to Indepency as to Anabaptism , and perhaps with greater ; it being considered that they have been and are the more potent party . As the Papists imputed all the troubles to Protestant principles of Christian ●iber●y , the Prelates to non conformists , whom it hi● gift long since compared with Anabaptists , because they alledged ag●inst Prelacy Matth. 20 25 , 26. so the Presbyterians charge the like on Independency , and perhaps Independents on Anabaptism ; yet none of their principles are indeed the spring of the troubles , but the violence of the leading men of each party , who by their mis-reports and clamors , stir up Magistrates and people against their opposites , and will by no means allow liberty to them , nor willingly life : of which spirit Mr. Cr. seems by his writing to bee , and I suppose the State will discern all such as will not tolerate others , who dissent in religion , intolerable . 2. It is false that Magistracy and Ministry that dissents , is by Anabaptists wholly disgusted , if not discarded . For though I cannot justifie all so called , there being violent spirits among them ( who are intolerable ) as well as o●hers : yet neither do all nor any great part that I know of , appear to be such . But if they did , yet sure it comes ●ot from those principles fore-named by Mr. Cr. there being no such consequ●nce included in those tenents , that they who are not Churchme●bers are not to be accounted Magistrates . As Bp. Andrews answered ▪ resp . ad Bellarm Apol. c. 1 p. 30. Bellarmine alledging the Puritans did not admit the Kings Supremacy ▪ because they brought a parity into the Church . To the Kings Supremacy what is parity among Elders in the Church ? Videt ergo lector ludere hîc pa● , impar , Cardinalem ; so may I say to Mr Cr. The Baptists do not count whole nations to be Churches of Christ , and with them agree Independents , as Dr. Owen of Schism , ch 7 , &c The Baptists receive none into communion but the baptized , esteemed all other as not in the Church visible ( though these two last are denied by many of them ) what is the non-admission into the Church , to the disgusting or discarding of Magistracy in the Common-wealth ? The Reader therefore sees Mr. Cr. to play here par impar , even and odd . What Mr. Cr. hath suffered for patronage of respect to tender Consciences , I know not ; nor who are for promiscuous toleration without distinction . What he adds out of the old Testam●●t of P●inces punishing idolatry and blasphemy , was done by special judicial laws of Moses , which do not binde Christian Magistrates ; if they did it makes nothing for the punishing of errours of Christians about the Christian doctrine , by civil punishment . It is granted that Ministers are bound to oppose errours by preaching , and Ecclesiastical censures , both singly and in Councils ; yet neither have Councils , nor the learnedst Doctours been very happy in determining of errours , and heresies . That which was heresi● in one Council was Orthodox in another ; under one Emperor that was adjudged ●ruth , which was blasphemy under another . What strange kinds of Heretiques were the Quartodecimani , Aerians , Helvidians , and many more ? Had Vigilantius or Jovinian ( saith Mr. Baxter in his Reformed Pastour p. ●47 . ) had Hieromes name , some of their Heresies might possibly have been articles of faith . Nor was it well done ( however Mr. Cr. conceives ) that well-minded Emperours did rely so much on the advise of Synods and Bishops , as to banish and destroy at the instance of them , such as they judged heretiques and schismatiques . The sad tragedies about the doctrines of the Trinity , Images , Easter , &c. are a sufficient document to all wise rulers to bee cautelou● how they use their power for suppressing persons deemed erroneous in point of doctrine . There may bee toleration of different opinions in a Commonwealth without mixture of religion , and that such toleration doth not dissolve the bond of obedience , or breed any of those evils Mr. Cr. reckons up ( except by accident ) the peaceable rule of the united Provinces of Belgia and elsewhere shews . It is the intemperate zeal of Preachers and others against dissenters , which is the chief cause of such evils as Mr. Cr. reckons up . I remember that I have read , that the Bores of Germany were not subdued till 100000. of them were slain , but Sleidan reports not in his Com. l. 7. or any other , that in Germany the Anabaptist grew so populous , that they could not be vanquished , till almost a hundred thousand of them were slain by the united forces of the Empire . But the Emperour objected to the Protestants that their Preachers were a great occasion of the Rustical war , wherein an hundred thousand were slain . But whether it were so or not so ( what ever Mr. Crs. protestations be ) the writing this Epistle , with some other passages at the time and to the persons to whom it was directed , shew what we are to expect from him and such as he is , if ever they have power over us . But of these things onely by the way . SECT . LXXXVIII . Austins saying about Apostolical traditions is not to be rested upon , nor his testimony about the antiquity of Infant Baptism . AFter his own Epistle , and the Epistle of I. T. P. and the reprinting of the conference between me and Mr. Vaughan , and the dispute between me and himself , Mr. Cr. leaving out the former Epistle of I. T. P. begins with a descant on the title of my reply , which he vainly makes to imply a suit against the universal Church , though it be onely an action against innovators , who have left the plain way of Christ and his Apostles , and ( as they have done in many other things ) brought in infant Baptism , to the great corruption of the Church of God : And for Mr. Halls inditement , it is such as is fit for boys onely to make sport with ; and were Mr. Hall or Mr. Cr. of such serious and grave spirits as they should be , they would have buried it in silence , or been humbled for handling things of God so lightly , such writings being fitter for light wits in the University , then for Preachers and Pastors over Churches of Christ. My calling Mr. Baxters book a cheat and mock titled book , is proved here to be right ; and that Mr. Ms. is no impregnable Defence , is here shewed . The rest of Mr. Crs. light Poetry in sect . 1. &c. par . 1. I let pass as the scum of his wit , and onely take notice , that he terms from Stow Sir John Oldcastle a traitor , who was hanged on a gibbet and burned in St. Gyles field , whom Mr. Fox in his book of Martyrs in the time of Henry the 5th . hath against Alan Cope vindicated , and by sundry arguments particularly by the manner of his death mentioned by Mr. Cr. made it probable , that he died a Martyr oppressed by popish Prelates . Whose case is a good document how little credence is to be given to the censures of men , when the relations of them are made by their prevailing adversaries . What I think of laying on hands , may be seen part 2 of this Review , sect . 23. Dr. Featly was a man with whom I had sundry times conference when he was in his greatest esteem , but never found him such as I durst not look in the face when living , and sure his book of Baptism is ( beside● what Denn hath done ) shewed here and elsewhere not to be unanswerable . With what spirit Mr. Cr. and other Paedobaptists , and my self , have written on this subject , must be left to the cognizance of our Judge . If Austins saying , l. 4. de Bapt. contra Donat. c. 23. That what the universal Church holds ▪ nor was instituted in Councels , but always retained , is most rightly believed to have been delivered by no other then Apostolical authority , were meant as Mr. Cr. sect . 5. p. 67. expounds it , including the Apostles , I should yeeld it . But 1. I do not conceive that to be Austins meaning ; for 1. then the speech would be an inept tautology to say , that what the whole Church including the Apostles holds , is most rightly believed to have been delivered by no other then Apostolical authority ; it were as if he had said , what the Apostles held the Apostles held : 2. The very speech shews that Austin meant it of the universal Church of his time , the word [ tenet ] being in the present tense , and the Councels meant being such as were since the Apostles , and that he counted that to be instituted in no Councels , but to have been always held , of which he could not shew any beginning or any interruption : 3. Elsewhere his speeches shew this was his mind , as Epist. 118. ad Joann . Illa quae non scripta sed tradita custodimus , quae quidem toto terrarum orbe observantur dantur intelligi vel ab i●sis Apostolis vel plenariis Conciliis quorum est in Ecclesi● saluberrima autoritas commendata atque statuta retineri , and he instanceth in the anniversary solemnities of Good Friday , Easter day , Holy Thursday , and Whitsunday , and adds ; and if any other thing hath occurred which is kept by the whole Church where ever it spreads it self . And accordingly he makes the necessity of the Communion to eternal life as of Baptism to the Kingdome to be from Apostolical tradition , tom . 7. de pecc . mer. & remis . l. 1. c. 24. Mr. Crs. conceit is not right , as if the words , And if any man seek for Divine authority in this thing , did intimate that his following rule was meant of what was held in the Apostles time : for in them he means that which he after fetcheth from Circumcision out of Scripture , besides that which the whole Church holds , not instituted in Councels , yet still held . In this sense it is urged by Canus , l. 3. loc . Theol. c. 4. as a rule to know genuine unwritten traditions Apostolical from spurious , and rejected by Chamier , paustr. cath . tom . 1. l. 8. c. 14. § . 13. as impossible , sith what hath been in all ages and Churches from the Apostles cannot be known ; and it is urged by Bellarm. de bonis oper . in part . l. 2. c. ●4 . for Lent fast , and refuted by Chamier , paustr. cath . tom . ● . l. 19 c. 7. § . 36. 2. This rule cannot stand the Epistler in any stead for proving infant Baptism without the Apostles writings , 1. because there is no way without them to know what was universally held , there being no man able to know what the Church holds in all places in his own time , much less what in former ages was held ; and many things have been taken even by Austin as universally observed which were not , and many Councels held which are unknown , and many corruptions crept very early into the Church whose original cannot be s●t down determinately , of which Ushers general answer to the Jesuites challenge ▪ gives reasons . 2. Infant Baptism cannot bee proved to have been universally observed , but as now it is taught and used hath been opposed by some of the Ancients , and is now rejected by Protestant Divines , as it was by the Ancients taught and used . Nor is Austins testi●ony Se●m 10. de verb. Apostoli ( not Serm. 15. ) that the Church always had and held Infant Baptism , valid for Mr. Crs. purpose ; 1. because the term [ hoc , this ] may bee rather referred to t●e doctrine of infants being born with original sin , rather then the practise of their baptism , and to this sen●e both t●e scope , words precedent , consequen● , and the terms , had , held , perceives from the faith of Elders , keep to the end ( which are most fitl● appli●d to doctrine ) make more prob●ble , as I noted in my Apology § . 16. pag. 83. 2. Were the meaning of Austin about infant baptism , yet there were no cause to rest on this testimony as credible , 1. because it is but a speech in a popular Sermon , in which men speak not exactly as in other writings . 2. The words [ hoc Ecclesia usque in finem perseveranter custodit ] could be known onely by guess and conjectural presage , it being of a contingent matter not by Divine revelation fore-told , and therefore the other speeches ( as likewise other speeches , as that tom . 7. de pecc . mer. & remiss . l. 1. c. 24. shew was his wont ) are to bee conceived as spoken not out of any good records , but from that which he found observed in his time , where he had been . 3 Because serm . 14. de verbis Apost . he saith , that Cyprian Epist. 59. ad Fidum quid semper Ecclesia sensit monstraverit ; though he onely set down what wa● determined in that Council of Carthage , which was in the third Century . 4. There are so many speeches of the ancients false , uncertain , contradicting each other concerning Apostolical traditions , universal observations , that many Protestants have discredited them , of which some testimonies are set down by me in my P●aecursor sect . 3. Salmasius appar . ad libr. de primatu p●pae , men●ions some other , as pag. 134. All the Fathers with one accord make Paul and Peter founders of the Roman Church , and yet were deceived ; Hierome saith , it was in all the world decreed , that one should be a Bishop over others : and yet the Preface of Selden before Twisdens Collection of ancient British Histories , shews it wa● otherwi●e in Scotland of old . And for Austin Epist. 118. ad Janu. c. 1 , 6. hee makes the anniversary solemnities of Easter , &c. of eating the Lords Supper fasting , as always universally observed , in which he was mistaken . Mr. Cr. doth abuse me in making my argument , as if I had said Easter was always held , my words were ; If Austins rule were true , then Easter should be from the Apostles ; not because I thought it true , but because Austin thought so , and so by his rule Easter must bee counted to come from the Apostles , and his testimony is as good for it , as for the universal observation of in●ant Baptism . 5. Not onely Protestants but Papists also do now reject things observed by the Ancients , as amply as infant Baptism . Jewel Sermon at Pauls Cross , p. 48. Usher answer to the Jesuits challenge , p. 23. It was the use of the ancient Church to minister the Communion to infants : which is yet also practised by the Christians in Egypt and Ethiopia . The Church of Rome , upon better consideration hath thought fit to do otherwise . The putting milk and honey into the mouth of th●●aptized , the standing at prayer on Lords days between Easter and Whitsontide , the baptizing at Easter persons catechised in Lent , with many more are now left ; though Bellarmin . l 2. de bonis operibus in particulari c. 17. tels us , Abolitam esse consuetudinem baptizandi catechumenos & absolvendi p●nitentes in pascha●e verum est apud Lutheranos : caeterùm apud Catholicos , ac praesertim in urbe Romana nullus est annus , quo non multi Catichumeni in paschate baptizentur ; which I mention to shew , that there ar● some foot-steps yet remaining of the old baptizing . ●p . Jewel De●ense of the Apology of the Church of England , part . 2. ch 16. div . 1. saith , there have been errours and great errours from the beginning : hee mentions there and in the Sermon at Pauls cross , baptizing for and of the dead , giving the Communion to the dead body , and therefore there and in his reply to Dr. Cole , he rejects customs of the ancient Church , and condemnes carrying home to the absent the Communion ; mixing water with the wine , and many more things ; and still requires the Lords Supper and Baptism to bee administred according to the institution of Christ ; which if Mr. Cr. or any other can ever shew to have been of infant Baptism , I will say as Bp. Jewel did concerning the 27. Articles propounded at Pauls Cross , I am content to yeild and ●o subscribe : otherwise Mr. Cr. and other Paedobaptist● by accusing mee as opposing the universal Church in Austins sense ( though I deny it to be true ) do but con●emn themselves , who with Papists d● reject things counted by the writers of the 〈◊〉 a●es Apostolical , and of universal observation near the Apostles tim●s . Nor is the 〈◊〉 pr●p●sition of Mr. Cr. p. 67. true , That the whole Church 〈◊〉 the ●postles in all ages , collectively considered , cannot err either in do●●rine or discipl●ne . For if the wh●le Church might err so in one age , it may also in all ●ges c●llectively considered , the promises being no more 〈◊〉 the Church in all ages colle●●ively considered , then in each age distri●utively considered , nor an● means given to them after the Apostles colle●●ively considered , to keep from errour , then to each , distributively ; yea the Churches nearer the Apostles , had more meanes to keep them from errour then other ages , yet they erred in doctrine and discip●ine , as many writers shew , about Easter , the Millenary opinion , an● many other . As for the promise Matth. 16 , 18. it is not true of the whole Church visible , the gates of hell have and do prevail against them , but of the invisible , and yet the promise is not to the invisible that they shall not err , but that they shall not erre finally to damnation , which if they did , then indeed the gates of hell or of death should prevail against them , that is ( as Cameron rightly in his pr●lection ) they should not rise to life eternal Nor is there a promise Joh 16.13 . to the wh●le Church , but to the Apostles , the promise being as well to shew them things to come , as to lead them into all truth : And yet the promise i● not so ma●e to the Apostles ▪ but that they might err as Peter did Gal. 2. though when they taught the Church by writing or preaching , they were so guided as that they should no● err . But of this point of the militant Churches erring , I need say no more , but refer Mr. Cr. to his own Author Dr. Rainold thesi 3. 6. Were it granted that antiquity did universally p●actise infant Baptism , yet nei●her were the present doctrine or practise justified by it , but condemned ; and Mr. Cr. as truly may be said to p●ea● against the universal Church as my self . For it is manifest from the places wh●re there i● mention of it in the Ancients , that they ●aught it and pra●●i●ed it , onely upon the opinion of the necessity of i● to save an infant from perishing , and because the very baptism did give grace , remission of original sin , made believers , heirs of the ●ingdome of heaven , and accordingly they practise● it onely in case of danger of death , very seldome , and this they did to unbelievers children , as well as believers , 〈◊〉 a work of charity , not of institution or right by their birth to either But these things Mr. Cr. pleads against them 〈…〉 well as my self , and both the doctrine and practise of Paedobaptists now is against the Ancients as well as mine : Yea more , in that they had a constant course of baptizing the catechized persons upon a solemn profession of faith , and did in all baptisms , except that of the Clinici , that is sick persons baptized in their beds , plunge the whole body , or dip it so as to be under water ▪ which are now clean otherwise and things unknown among Paedobaptists . So that as Bp. Usher in his answer to the ●esuites challenge , in the article about praying for the dead , p. 245. proves the Romanists to have rejected the ancient prayer for the dead , because they pray not for Martyrs and others in bliss for their resurrection , but for persons in Purgatory to be delivered thence ; so I may truly ●ay , the Paedobaptists now have rejected the ancient infant Baptism , sith they deny Baptism necessary to salvation , or that it gives grace , and they do it onely to believers infants , by sprinkling or perfusion , without mersion , scarce to any but infants , without any solemn course of catechising ordinarily in order to future Baptism , and to infants ordinarily out of the case of danger of death , upon pretence of a federal holiness by birth , and ordinance of visible Churchmembership unrepealed , unknown to the Ancients , and therefore their doctrine and practise hath no patronage from them . Mr. Cr. p. 98. saith , that I cunningly alter the subject of the question , when I say infant-sprinkling was not held of the whole Church ; and tels me , that he and others do not say so . Which intimates that hee and others desert the maintainance of sprinkling infants as ancient ; which diffidence is some argument that the late Assembly have forsaken the ancient way of Baptism by dipping , having in the Directory determined sprinkling as sufficient , and in the practise of many of them taken away the old Fonts , more agree●ble to antiquity , and brought in little stone Basons near the Pulpit or Readers Pew , like Popish holy water pots ▪ fit onely for the novelty of sprinkling after the Scottish mod● . N●r is Mr. Crs. way of powring water on the face , or dipping in part of the head , any more the baptizing Christ appointed , or antiquity used , exc●pt in the case of the Clinici . 'T is true Gods ordinances are not destructive to nature , who requires mercy and not sacrifice ; But this proves 〈…〉 Baptism should be omitted altogether , and not the ordinance 〈◊〉 , and people mocked as they are by the preacher , that saith falsly , he baptizeth the person , when he doth onely sprinkle or powr water on the face , or dip in part of the head . SECT . LXXXIX . The testimonies of the ancient Writers of the Greek Church concerning Infant Baptism are examined , and my exceptions made good against Mr Cragge , Dr. Hammond , Dr. Homes , Mr. Marshal . THe alledging of pseudo . Dionisius the Areopagite , and Clements Apostolical Constitutions , is but to abuse the world with counterfeit names , discovered by many learned Pa●ists and Pro●estants to be such , and the like is to be said of Justin Martyrs forged testimony qu. 36. ad orthodoxos : which are not rejected because questioned , as Mr. Cr. seems to intimate , but because they are by many strong evidences proved not to have been the Authors , whose names they bear . As for the evidence to matter of fa●t they give , that infants were baptized in that age ●n which they were written , I do readily grant i● ▪ a●d before too ; yet think it no advantage ●or the present pre●ended infant Baptism , which is clean otherwise , and upon other reasons : a● particularly , that the baptized infants obtained good things at the resurrection by Baptism , but the unbaptized obtain not good things . Nor is there a word in that to confirm the novel doctrine of the childrens right to Baptism , as being in Covenant with the parents . For neither are the parents there said to be believer● , but the bringers ; nor by the parents faith are they said to have right to Baptism , but by the faith of the bringers to obtain good things at the resurrection : and therefore in vain doth Mr. Cr. thus endeavour to hide the deformity of that Authors doctrine , which is no better then that which commonly Protestant Divines condem as Popish . More honestly in this then Mr. Cr. doth Bellarmin tom . 3. l. 2. de effectu Sacram ▪ c. 6. say , Ju●●in . in his Apology to Antoninus , saith , We obtain remiss●●● of afore committed ●●ns in water , &c. And before he had said , that no man was brought to Ba●tism , unless he before believed . Like things hee hath in his dialogue with Triphon . And ch . 8. alwayes in the Church the custome wa● , that those who would be Christians should first be made catechized persons ▪ and long enough instructed , and not baptized unless instru●ted , and firm , and stable in faith , citing to thi● end Justin in his Apology to Antoninus , as showing the manners of the Church . As for Irenaeus his testimony , lib. 2. adv . bar . c. 39. it proves not infant Baptism . For though it be true that Mr. Mede in his Diatribe on Tit. 3.5 . say , None , I trow will deny that when the Apostle speaks of saving us by washing of regeneration , and renewing of the holy Ghost , hee speaks of Baptism yet it follows not that that the Apostle meant by regeneration , Baptism ; nor is it likely , sith the word [ regeneration ] is no● to be read [ by the washing which is regeneration ] as if it were by apposition , but [ of regeneration ] as the Genitive possessive , and the meaning is by the washing which signifies regeneration , which is before the washing ; yet if it were so , it proves not Irenaeus meant by [ renascuntur are born again ] are baptized , sith he saith not are by washing born again , as the Apostles phrase is . Nor though it be granted that in Justin Martyr and others of the ancients [ to be regenerated ] is [ to bee baptized ] doth it appear that Irenaeus meant it so in that place , unless it were proved it is so onely meant by him and the ancients . Nor doth Irenaeus l. 1. c. 18. term Baptism regeneration as Dr. Homes p. 118. suggests , but saith thus to the denying of Baptism of that generation which is into God. But that indeed the word [ renascuntur are born again ] is not meant of Baptism , is proved from the words and the scope of them . For 1. the words are [ per eum renascun●ur , by him , that is Christ , are born again ] and it is clear from the scope of the speech about the fulness of his age as a perfect master , that [ by him ] notes his person according to his humane nature . Now if then [ by him are born again ] be as much as [ by him are baptized ] this should bee Irenoeus his assertion , that by Christ himself in his humane body infants and little ones , and boyes and young men , and elder men , are baptized unto God. But this speech is most manifestly false , for neither did Christ baptize any at all in his own person , the Evangelist John 4.1 , 2. expresly affirming , that though the Pharisees heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples then John , yet Jesus himself did not baptize , but his Disciples did baptize , nor did the Disciples baptize any infant at all as may bee gathered from the whole N. T. 2. The word which Irenaeus expresseth , whereby persons were born again to God by Christ , is applied to the example of his age , as the words and sc●pe show . Omnem ▪ tatem sanctificans ●or illam quae ad i●fum erat similitudinem . Ideo per omnem venit aetatem & infantibus infans factus , sanctificans infantes , in parvulis parvulus sanctificans hanc i●sam habentes aetatem , simul & exemplum illis pictatis effectus & justiti & subjectionis . Juvenibu● juvenis exemplum ju●enibus siens & sanctificans domino . Sic & senior in senioribus , ut sit perfe●tus Magist●● in omnibu● non solum secundum expositionem veritatis , sed secundum aet●tem sanctific●ns simul & seniores , exem●lum ●●sis quoque fiens . But hee was not in his age an example of every age by his ●aptism , as if hee did by it sanctifie every age , for then he should have been baptized in every age but in respect of the holiness o● his humane nature which did rem●in in each age , and so exemplarily san●●ifie each age to God , so as that no age but was capable of holiness by conformity to his example . 3 Irenaeus his words are omne● enim venit per semetipsum salvare , omnes inquam qui ●er eum renasc●ntu● in Deum , infantes & parvulo● , & pueras & ●uvenes & seniores , 〈◊〉 if the meaning were that Christ came ●o 〈◊〉 all that w●re baptized by him , or by his appointment , then he came to save Simon Magus , and whoever are or have been baptized righ●ly , even Judas Iscari●t , if he were bap●ized . But in that sense the proposi●ion of Irenaeus were most p●lp●bly false , and therefore that sense i● no● to be attri●u●ed to his words . 4. Christ is by Irenaeus said to san●●ifie as a perfect Master ▪ not onely according to the exposition of truth , but also as an example to them of piety , justice , and subjection ; but this is to be● understood not in respect of his Baptism onely , but his whole life , in which he was an example even an infant , for then he did willingly empty himself , took upon him the form of a servant ▪ was made in the likeness of men , and being in fashion a man humbled himself to death , Phillip . 2.7 , 8. By all which reasons I presume the Readers , who is willing to see truth , will perceive this passage of Irenaeus to be wrested by Paedobaptists against its meaning , to prove an use of Paedobaptism in his time . Which I have the more largely insisted on , because indeed it is the onely testimony of credit which Paedobaptists have any colour from for infant baptism in ●he 2d . ce●tury : In the 3d. century it is not denied , but that infant baptism and many more corruptions were ; yet even then it was very rare , in case onely of danger of death , ●ut of that case disswaded , in that case allowed upon the conceit of giving grace by it , and saving the infant from perishing . But I shall allow Mr. Cr. and other Paedobaptists , to say the most they can for this corruption . Origen is alledged next by Mr. Cr. in Rom. 6. l. 5. homil . 8th . on Levitic . and 18 . th . on Luke . The Exceptions against these are 3.1 . they are translations , Origens Greek in the Original is lost . The same may be said of St. Matthews Gospel , which he writ in the Hebrew or Syriack now lost , the Greek copy onely extant . And of the LXX● . translations of the Old T. which our Saviour followed more exactly then the Hebrew Original , translations agreeing with the Original copy b●ing equally authentick . Answ. 1. There is no certainty , nor probability that Matthew did write in Hebrew , sai●h the Annotator on Matth ▪ in his argument of that Gospel the new Annotations called by some the Assemblies at Westminster . Pareus in his Proeme to his Commentary on Matthew , with the leave of antiquity , Eras●●● and other learned interpreters doubt not a little of that opinion that he wrote in Hebrew , and the reasons of doubting seem not to be light , which may be seen there , with answer to the objections produced out of antiquity . 2. Whether there were such a translation by LXX . Jews , as Josephus relates of Aristeas , l. 12. antiq . Judaic . c. 2. I do not so much question , as the particularities of the relation , but the authority of it is much qu●stioned , of which much may be seen in Chamier . paustr. cath . tom . 1. l. 13. and it is much doubted whether that we have be it , of which I am told learned Usher hath written , which I have not seen . But sure our Saviour who spake in Hebrew or Syriack followed it not , nor do I think it safe or right to say that the Evang●lists or other holy writers followed it more exactly then the Hebrew Original . But sure the translation of Ruffinus of Origens Homiles is nothing like to either of these , in which he confesseth he did not exactly follow the Original ▪ and it is likely for this reason Voss. thes . Theol. de Paedobap . part 2. thesi . 8. said , But we shall the less care for Origen , because the things we cited are not extant in Greek . But Mr. Cr. adds . But 2 ly . it is said that the translation is censured by Erasmus and Perkins , as in something contracting ▪ adding , or altering . What is added is ingeniously confessed by Ruffinus the translator himself ; neither does acu●e Erasmus , nor judicious Perkins , nor any of the Ancients most critical , impeach him in the forequoted testimonies ; therefore thi● exception is blank . Answ. This exception is good notwithstanding this answer . For 1. Perkins doth not onely censure Ruffinus his translation , as in something contracting , adding , or altering ; but also puts Origens commentaries on the Epistle to the Romanes not faithfully translated by Ruffinus , among his counte●feit works . And Erasmus in his censure of the Homilies on Leviticus , saith , That a man cannot be certain whether he reads Ruffinus , or Origen . And because Dr. Homes saith I make no exception against the translation of the Homilie on Luke , he may take notice that Erasmus in his Luke● . 1 . speaks much against the Paraphrase of Origen on Luke and in ●is Annot. on Luke 1.3 . Sic enim visus est sentir● quisqui● i● suit cujus extant i● Lucam commentarii Adamantii titulo , which sh●ws that Erasmus took not those Commentaries for Origens , or at least d●ubted thereof . And I shall add the words of Scul●etus , in his medulla Patrum , l. 6. c 2. Jam Ruffinu● plurium librorum Origenis interpre ●a●t●m ●●surpavit lic●ntiam : ut ademerit , adjecerit , mut●rit , quae sibi viderentur adim●nda , adjicienda , mutanda : ut s●p● incertus sit lector , utrum Origenem legat an Ruffinum : cum Graeca Origenis opera non extent ho●●e , ● quibus Latina versio ●orrigi possit & emend●ri . And I find cited Erasmus his preface on Hillary , a● charging Ruffinus with this practise of adding and ch●nging be ●nd an interpreter in all his translations , as of Eusebius hi● History ▪ but chiefly of Origens writings . Grot. annot . in Matth. 25.46 . ●uid O●igenes senserit ex ipsius scriptis difficile est dictu , adeo omnia a Ruffi●o sun● interpolata . Hieronymus Apol. adv . Ruff. l. 2. speaks thus to Ruffi●●● concerning some of his translations of Origen , Novit conscientia ●ua 〈◊〉 addiderris , quae subtra●eris , qu● in utranque partem , ut ●ibi v●sum suerit immut●ris . Whereas therefore Mr. Ms. fr●en● , Defence part 1 p 15. tels me . You call the Author of them supposed O●igen : It had been your part before you had so branded them , fi●st to ha●● made it manifest by some undeniable ev●dence or other that they were not O●●gens : I tell him , that being but a respondent , it was enough that I sh●wed suc● evidences a●● did to prove the passages doubtfull , an uncertain witness being no g●od proof . And to Dr Homes his saying in his Animadv● on my Exerci● p 129. Truly a man can hardly with patience enoug● look upon Mr. 〈◊〉 ●is dealing in this : When we urge Origen , he is not Origen wi●h him ; but if he do it , then Origen must be received ▪ I answer , if the Dr. had had 〈…〉 e●ough to have considered my words , he might have observed , that I onely named Origen H●m on Rom. 6. but did neither assig● the 〈…〉 for the time in which thos● words were written , no● did 〈…〉 that they were to be received 〈◊〉 his , but added two reasons to 〈◊〉 this imagination , ●s i● by alledging thos● words under the 〈…〉 homil . on Rom. 6. ( by which onely it is known ) I did 〈…〉 his , whereof the one was th● cen●ur● of Erasmus , the 〈…〉 Austin , nor Hierom men●i●● Origen as ●vouching 〈…〉 which is enough to sh●w it to be likely , that the passag●● 〈…〉 by Ruffinus , though Hierom and others mention not these in particular , sith neither doth he mention all the particulars of his dealings in this kind , but chargeth them upon his conscience . Nor is it true , that what is added is ingeniously confessed by Ruffinus the translator himself : For though the words cited by Mr. Ms. friend , Defence , p. 16. shew that Ruffinus acknowledged of what sort his addi●ions were to his translation of his Homilies on Leviticus , yet they shew not what in particular they were ; nor is any thing produced to shew the words cited for infant Baptism were not one . Nor is there any good answer made to my allegation to prove that passage likely to be one , 1. from the bringing of them in ( as it seemed to me when I read them ) in a patcht manner , not as if they were woven at first with the whole cloth , that is the rest of the writing before and after , but as sewed to it by a botcher , without any handsome coherence ; which neither Mr. Ms. friend , p. 16. nor Dr. Homes p. 130. deny , and therefore I count worth the observing by the judicious Reader , when he shall examine the places , as being of some moment to discern whether they were Origens words at first , or Ruffinus his assument . 2. Because they are the very words which are frequently used by the refuters of Pelagians in the 5th . century , who denied Original sin , whereas Origen is taxed as the very Father of Pelagianism , by Hieron . praesat . ad lib. 4. in Hierem. and elsewhere , as teaching 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfection or freedome from sin , contrary to the express words of those cited passages ; and when August . tom . 7. l 1. adv . Julian . c. 1 , 2. alledgeth ancients avouching Original sin , he never mentions Origen ; and therefore these passages , being so express against Pelagians , and in the very words used by the refuters of them in Augustines time , are to be judged to be added either by Ruffinus , whose words to the same purpose on the 50th . Psalm are cited by Chamier , pa●str . cath . tom . 3. l. 1. c. 6. § . 9. and of whom the same Author , tom . 4. l. 7. c. 9. § . 30. saith , Sciunt omnes docti exiguam fuisse Ruffini in vertendis authoribus religionem , or by some other . Nor are these passages in Origen onely hints against some piece of Pelagianism , which might be conceived by some few in his time , as Dr. Homes minceth the matter , p. ● 30. but express arguing against the main point of Pelagianism , denying original corruption , and that in the chief arguments used by Augustine and others . Nor did Origen Pelagianize a little onely , but is supposed to have first brought in Pelagianism into the Church , Hieron . adv . Ruffin . saith Dr. Owen ▪ display of Arminianism , ch . 12. And though it 's not ●enied that Origen did deliver contraries , yet I think it 's hard to find him so often , and so directly arguing against his own tenet . Nor do I conceive , however Dr. Homes , Mr. Blake , Mr. M. and others imagine contradictions in my words which are not so , that ever Dr. Homes hath found in my writings such clashings against my self . Nor do I make such an argument as M. Ms friend Defence , ● . 17 . answers , ●hat the passages make against the Pelagians , and therefore necessarily they were written after the Pelagian heresie was broached ( which is a meer shifting fashion in that Author who ever he were , used before in answering my argument from Irenaeus words and scope , which he answers as if I made it from the scope and not the words ) but thus , these passages are plainly and directly against the Pelagians chief point of impeccability , which Origen is charged to bee the Author of ; therefore according to Rivets rule tractat . de patrum autoritate c. 14. it 's not likely they were Origens , to which he answers not . I will add only the words of Vossius Hist. Pelag. l. 2. part . 1. th . 6. p. 153. Idem Origines T. 2. p. 471. nisi is potius Rufinus interpres ( quis enim , quae vel Origenis , vel paraphrastae adeò liberi suerint , hodii discern●t ) in cap. IX . ( rectiùs VI. ) ad Rom. ubi ait , ab sorde p●ccati m●ndus non est quisquam , etiamsi unius diei fuêrit vita ejus super terram . Sed fuse clareque imprimis ●oc de peccato scribit lib. VIII . & XII . in Levit. nisi isti in Leviticum commentarii Cyrilli potiùs sint , quando etiam in hujus operibus inveniun●u● , ac , ut in Origenianis libri sexdecim , ita inter Cyrilliana sexdecim homiliae appellantur , which shews , that that learned writer for Paedobaptism , did distrust those very passages cited for infant Baptism to have been none of Origens . Mr. C. a●ds . The third thing objected is , that he calls it a tradition ; so does the Apostle things contained in Scripture , 2 Thes. 2.15 . Epiphanius calls Baptism and other divine truths 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 traditions , and yet quotes Scripture for them . Bellarmin calls infant Baptism a tradition , and yet brings ten places of Scripture to prove it . Austin affirms lib. 10. c. 23. de Genes . that the custome of our mother the Church in baptising of little ones i● in no wise to be despised , nor to be thought superfluous , nor at all to be believed , unless it were an Apostolick tradition , and yet proves the necessity of it from Joh. 3.5 . unless one be born again of water and the spirit , &c. Answ. It was granted in my Examen that the greatest points of faith though written , were by the Ancients called Apostolical traditions , but in this point that the words ascribed to Origen meant an unwritten tradition , I alledged 1. that the phraie● pro hoc & ecclesia ab Apostolis traditionem suscepit , and secundum Ecclesiae observantiam , are sufficient proof to them who are acquainted with the Ancients writings of those times . To this is nothing replied by Mr. Ms. friend ▪ Dr. Homes , or M. Cr. to shew that these phrases are applied to any other then unwritten traditions , when they are used of ri●es , for the use or institution of which they alledge no text of Scripture . 2. That there is no text of Scripture cited for the use or insti●●●ion of infant Baptism . To this it is replied , that Origen layes the ground on the Scriptures . But those Scriptures are brought for the proof of origi●al sin , and the necessit● of infant Baptism , which were reasons of the Churches observance , not proofs of the use and institution of it . And that the Scriptures do not give any proof of the use or ●nstitution of infant Baptism , but onely grounds of the reasonableness , and why the Church took it up , is shewed to have been the judgement of many learned Papist● and Protestants of later and elder time , in my Praecursor sect 20 which may bee easily observed , because they alledge nothing out of Scripture about ●nsti●u●ion or practise of it , but of nece●●●ty to save th● infant ; which being a mistake , it appears ●he tradition wa● not from the Apostles . Besides , as Augustin alledged Joh. 3.5 . for inf●nt Baptism , so he also alledged Joh 6 ▪ 53 for infant Communio● which hee and the Ancients observed a● an Apostolick tradition , 〈◊〉 many Churches observe even to this day ; yet we conclude it is but an unwritten tradition , and so judged by the Ancients : All the places of the Fathers which cite Scripture for infant Baptism , infant Communion , Easter , Lent●●ast , and many other things which the Ancients observed , shewing rather the reason of their observation , then the institution , as Mr. Cawdrey speaks in another case , Sabb. rediv. part . 4. chap. 1. § . 24. To the 20th . section of my Praecursor , Mr. Baxter in his Praefestinantis morator saith , The Ancients took infant Baptism , as you say , for an Apostolical tradition , but not unwritten . The warrant they supposed written : but not the history de facto . Answ. The ancients must needs take infant Baptism for an unwritten tradition when they supposed the History neither de facto no● of the institution to be written , though they ●ook the custome of the Church ( as Austin tom . 3. l. 10. de Genes . ad litteram c 23 terms i● , having su●h reason from the necessity of it to save them perishing upon the mistake of Joh. 3.5 . for their warrant . But how poor a mat●●r was taken by the Church for a reason to co●tinue a custome , may ●ppear even by those words of Austin in that place , which shew also it was taken onely for a custome of the Church taken up by them , and not app●inted by th● Apostles . For having spoken as doubtfull and uncertain what to say about the question before agitated by him , concerning the creation of the souls of the children from the parents bec●us● of th● objection fro● 〈◊〉 Baptism of little ones , he ●hen adds ; Yet the custome of ou● mother the Church in Baptising little one● , is not to be d●sp●sed nor by any mean● to be accounted superfluous , nor a● all to be believed unless it were an Apostolical tradition For that little age hath great weight of testimony , which first me●ited to shed bloud for Christ. Whereby it may appear , 1. That Austin●ook ●ook i● for a custome of the Church , without example or institution written . 2. That he took such a frivolou● p●●●ence as the death of the children of Bethlehem slain b● Herod , Matth. 2. to have great weight of testimony for the believing of infant bap●ism to have been an Apostolical tradition . It would be counted arrogance in me to censure the Fathers , yet when I find such silly reasons as Austin here and elsewhere , and Cyprian Epist. 59 ad Fid●m , g●ve a● warrant for infant Bap●ism , so slightly passed over by Mr. B. and ot●ers , a●d thei● testimonies still urged for the credit of infant Bap●ism ▪ which do wi●h any that is willing to see the we●kness of them discredit it , I cannot but for the truths sake say , that as in many other things so in this of infa●t Baptism the Fathers speeches are so vain , as th●t there is more need to bewail the errour they have led pe●ple into , then to the continuance of th● deceiving of people by them , to alledge them for proofs , or to magnifie , justifie or excuse them . Mr. B. adds . You might have spared all the 86. page , where you prove that Papists take it for an unwritten tradition . We know they are desirous of any pretence to set tradition above Scripture ▪ Yet you know Bellarmin and others commonly prove it by Scripture . The words of Becan●s ( not § . 24. as you say , but § . 12. ) yeeld , the 〈◊〉 rightly interpre●ed to prove infant Baptism , and that 's all that I desire . I had thought that Chamiers answer to this might have satisfied you . If you have forgot it , peruse it again tom . 7. lib. 9. c. 10. § . 40 , &c. and tom . 4. l. 5. c. 9. § . 32. Answ. I could not well have spared any part of that page . Not onely later Papists engaged in the modern controversies , but also elder and disingaged Papists and others , were alledged by me , of whom it is not meet to suspect that they did acknowledge that infant Baptism is an unwritten tradition , out of a de●re to set tradition above Scrip●u●e , but out of cleer evidence of the t●u●h of what they say . Nor do I think Mr. B. can shew one Author until Luthers day , who made infant Baptism any other then an unwritten tradition , although they produce many of them Scriptures for the necessity , reasonableness , and lawfulness of the Church to use it , to whose authority they ascribed too much in the appointing such rites , and interpreting ●criptures to that end . I do not finde that the engaged Papists cited by me , did set tradition above Scripture , b●t that they make it equall I grant . I know Bellarmin tom . 3. l. 1. de sacram . bapt . c. 8. brings three arguments from Scrip●ure for infant Baptism , and c. 9. saith , deducitur evidenter ex Scripturis , u● di●imus , but how he means it hee 〈◊〉 us thus in the same chapter ; that though the argument of the Anabaptists from defect of Command or example have g●eat force against Lutherans , for as much as they use that principle every where , that the ●ite which is not in Scripture having no command nor example there , is to be rejected , yet it is of no force against Catholicks . For alt●ough we find no command expresly , that we should baptize infants , yet that also is openly enough gathered out of Scriptures , as we have shewed above : and besides the tradition of the Apostles is of no less authority with us , then Scripture , for the Apostles spake with the same spirit with which they did write . But that this is an Apostolick tradition , wee thence know whence we know the Apostolick Scripture to be the Apostolick Scripture ; to wit , from the testimonies of the ancient Church . The words of Becanus were cited rightly by me out of his manual of Controversies l. 1. c. 2. § . 24. ( not § . 12. as Mr. B. corrects me without cause ) and they plainly shew the meaning of those men to be , that the Scripture onely proves infant Baptism by that sense of it , which is not manifest but by the tradition , and practise of the Church I have perused Chamier paustr. Cath. ( not tom . 7. as Mr. B. directs , I know none such ) but tom . 1. l. 9. c. 10. § . 40 , &c. and tom . 4. l 5. c. 9. § . 32. But I am not thereby satisfied , that either the Ancients took infant Baptism for any other then an unwritten tradition or that it ought to be taken . Mr. B. proceds . Mr. Rogers hath made you know he is of another judgement . Mr Bedford tels me he hath corrected his word● in a later edition . How could you allege Dr. Field without considering how you wrong'd your self ? Is nothing written in Scripture but expresly ? yea is not that Scripture proof , and plain proof , which shews plainly from Scripture the grounds reasons and causes of the necessity of the practise ? Dr Prideaux thought Episcopacy provable from Scripture : and therefore if hee thought that infant Baptism must bee proved the same way , he is sure against you . For Dr. Taylour , if you have read all his books , I hope you will no more reckon him amongst Protestants , having so much of the body of Popery in them . Mr. Youngs words ( if they be his ) are against you in the thing you cite them for . There are testimonia minùs aperta : and there are testimonia aperta pro fundamto & praemissis , quae sunt minùs aperta direct● pro conclusione . My audaciousness in asserting plain Scripture proof must bee b●tter repressed then thus , if you will satisfie men of reason and conscience . Answ. I have made known in my Apology sect . 13. how Mr. Rogers shifts but answers not the allegation I made of his words . And if M. Bedford have corrected his words , I wish it have not been f●r the cause sake , against his conscience . If he and Mr. Rogers can so easily say and unsay , who can give credit to men that can thus blow hot and cold wi●h the same breath ? I know no wrong to my self done , by alleging Dr. Field . Though things be written in Scripture which are not so expresly , yet is not that Scripture proof , nor plain proof for infant Baptism , any more then infant Communion , which shews plainly from Scripture , Pauls conclusion of original sin , Rom 5.12 . and Christs Joh. 3.5 . which Ancients took falsly for grou●ds , reasons and causes of the necessity o● infant Baptism , as they did Joh. 6.53 . of infant Communion , yet took the use to bee a custome ●f the Church , countenanced from Scripture without institution of Christ , or practise of the Apostles And that this was Dr. Fields meaning , is plain from his words ; and this seems to have been the common opinion of the Prelates of the Church of England , by th● words by way of Preface used at the solemnity of Ba●tism , and in sundry places of the Common Prayer book , Catechism , art . 27. of the Church of England . And after this manner thought Dr. Prideaux infant Baptism and Episcopacy proveable by Scripture . I have not read all Dr. Taylors works , nor do I know but that hee is to bee reckoned among Protestants . Dr. Youngs words are much for me , 1. In that he produceth no precept but that of Circumcision for infant Baptism . 2. Th●t hee confesseth the practise Apostolical to be somewhat obscurer , and therefore addes the cust me of the Church from the times of the first ages , which is in effect all one as to resolve the proof of infant Baptism finally into the custome of the whole Church , especially when he saith ; we cannot smite the Anabaptists with plain testimonies . Nor can Mr. Bs. distinction of more or less open testimonies help him , sith Dr. Young denies , that Paedobaptists can smite with open or plain ●estimonies , the Anabaptists barking against infant Baptism . If Mr. Bs. audaciousness in asserting plain Scripture proof for infant Baptism be not yet repressed , nor men of reason and conscience satisfied , I must leave them to the Lord. Enough I think is said about Origens words . I go on . Dr. Hammond in his Defence of infants Baptism , pag. 98. saith thus ; About the same time ( the 3d. Century ) or without question soon after wrote the Author ( under the name of Dionysius Areopagita ) de Eccl. Hierarch . For as by Photius it appears , Theodorus Presbyter about the year 420. debated the question , whether that writer were Dionysius mentioned in the acts or no. And of this no doubt hath been made ; but that he was a very ancient and learned Authour . He therefore in his 7th . ch . of Eccles. Hierarch . Edit . Morel . p. 233. proposeth the question , as that which may seem to prophane persons ( i. e. heathens ) ridiculous , why children which cannot yet understand divine things , are made partakers of the sacred birth from God , i. e. evidently of Baptism ( concerning the baptizing of infants saith Maximu● his scholiast ) adding to the same head also , that others in their stead p●onounce the abrenunciations and divine confessions . And his answer is , 1. That many things which are unknown by us why they are done , have yet causes worthy of God 2. That we affirm of this the same things which our divine Officers of the Church being instructed by divine tradition have brought down unto us , and again , our Divine guides ( i. e. the Apostles saith Maximus ) considering this , appointed that infants should thus be admitted according to the sacred manner , nothing can bee more clear then that the Apostolical tradition is by this ancient and elegant writer avouched for the baptizing of infants , as a sufficient account of that matter , against the reproaches and scoff● of prophane or heathen men , who deemed it unreasonable . And so there is a most convincing testimony for that time , wherein that Author wrote , which must needs be in the 4th . Century , before Theodorus Presbyters debating the question concerning him , but most probably more ancient , and so to be placed in this 3d. age . Answ. 1. It is to be noted by the Reader , that Dr. Hammond doth not so much as pretend the antiqui●y of that Author to be afore the 3d. century , and consequently not that Dionysius the Ar●opagite mentioned Act 17 34. as some Papists would have it , but are by learned men both Papists and Protestants refuted , whereof may be seen Magdeb. centur . 1. l. 2. c. 10. Scultet . med . Patrum , l. 11. c ▪ 9. Perkins prepar . to the demonstr of the probleme . 2. Though Dr. Hammond conceive , that that Author is to be placed in the 3 d age by reason of some words of Photius , ( which for want of books I cannot examine ) yet Salmasius ad Col●ium saith p ▪ 1●9 . quamvis subdititius ille ( Diony●●us Areopagita ) sit auctor nec antiquior quinto seculo . p. 441. quem certa fides est scripsisse circa finem quinti seculi . And that which Scultetus ubi supra observ●s , that in his book of Ecclesiastical Hierarchy he writes many things of Temples , of ●ltars , of Holy places , of a Qui●e , of consecration of Monks , of the tonsure and shaving of heads , i● me thinks a good argument , that the Author was som● idle dreaming Monk no elder then the 5th . century , and is so far from being acc●unted a W●iter of esteem among Divines , that he is rather censured as one who by his curiosities hath corrupted Divinity . 3. Whether those who deemed infan● baptism unreasonable were infidels who derided it , or Christians who scrupled it , is no● c●eared by the Dr. Nor is it a●pare●t that by Divine guides are meant the Apostles 4. B●t if it were , that Author makes it no other then an unwritten tradition , if he did he would ●ave alledged some Scripture for i● ; and the words [ our Divine Officers being instructed , not as Dr. Hammond translates it by Divine tradition , but unto or of the old tradition have brought down unto us ] do shew , that he counted it a tradition unwritten and delivered from one Officer to another until that time . Now it is granted that in the end of the 3d. and following ages , infant baptism , and in like manner infant communion were counted traditions Apostolical to save infants from perishing , and such seems to have been the opinion of that Author . Pamelius annot . 89. on Cyprian de lapsis . Tractat hunc locum D. Augustinus Ep. 23. ad Bonifac. Haud obscure autem hic quomodo & supr● indicatur vetus Ecclesiae consuetudo communionis parvulorum , qualem etiam indica●e videtur Dionysius Areopagita sub finem Eccles. Hierarch . & sua adhuc aetate D. Aug. Epist. 107. ad vitalem . All which being conside●ed , this testimony is so far from being a most convinci●g ●estimo●y of the derivation of infant baptism from the Apostle● , ●hat considering up●n what ground they observed it , and how much vanity was in the Ancients in their retaining many fond customes , and fathering them on the Apostles , and when common defending them by Scriptures perverted , it is a convincing testimony that infant baptism was no more fro●●he Apostles then infant communion , both meer corruptions taken upon mistakes and defended by abuse of Scripture . Mr. M. Mr. Cr. Dr. Homes , Dr. Hammond alledge Gregory Nazianzen his 40th . Oration about baptism ▪ in which he adviseth the baptizing of infants , which saith Dr. Hammond , is a plain testimony of the Churches doctrine at that time , the 4 th . century , about the year of Christ , 70. he flourished , and died in the year 389. Against this sundry things are objected , 1. that the same Author saith ( as I find his words in Chamier . paustr. cath . tom . 4 l. 5. c. 9. § . 66. ) where he gives instance in his 40th . Oration of baptism , of those who decease without baptism , Neither can they receive it , either perhaps by reason of infancy , or some altogether involuntary chance , by which it is that even they , who would , obtain not that gift . From whence it is manifest , that in Gregory Nazianzens time infants did decease without baptism , and that they could not receive it by reason of infancy . Nor is this objection salved by making the reason of these childrens not receiving baptism , because that sometimes it might fall out that Christians might not have the opportunity of bringing their children to baptism , because they dwelt among infidels or Paynims , where they could not enjoy the benefit of the word and sacraments for themselves or their children ; therefore they were necessitated to put off the baptising of their children , which seems to be Mr. Ms friends evasion in his Defence , p. 24. in that he applies this passage in Nazianzen as well to the hinderance of the baptism of children as of elder persons . For the words of Nazianzen shew , that as some deceased without baptism by reason of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , unvoluntary accident , whether by the hand of God or men ; so others he saith deceased 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 barely by reason of infancy , and that by reason of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were not in power or capacity to receive it . Which is a plain testimony , that however in c●se of apparent da●ger of death then infants mi●ht receive baptism according to his opinion , yet ordinarily they were not in the power or capacity to receive it , and so did sometimes die without it . 2. It is objected , and thereby this observation is confirmed , that when he comes in the same Oration to set down what he would have done about infants baptism he resolves 1. that they should be baptized if danger did urge it , that they might not miss of the common grace , intimating th●t otherwise they should . 2. He gives his judgement for others that they should wait longer . 3. The reason he giveth of this longer waiti●g is , that they may hear some mystical or spiritual thing , may be taught to answer somewhat , and if they understand not fully , perfectly , and exa●●ly , yet they are instructed and informed . 4. That ( not as Dr. Hammond to give colour to his conceit of sanctifying to be the same with baptizing , 1 Cor. 7.14 . by this means they may be baptised souls and bodies ; for if this were good reading , 1. they should baptize themselves , 1. they should bap●ize ●heir souls which were ridiculous ; ) but , so as that they sanctifie both souls and bodies by or with the great mystery of initiation . Which shews he conceived 1. that by baptism benefit did come to infants though they perceived it not ; 2 that it sanctifies their bodies ; 3. that it is be●ter done , when children are taught to answer ; 4. then they sanctifie soul● and bodies , 5. that danger of death was a forcible impulsive to move to the baptism of in●ants , 6. that without baptism infants should mis● o● the common 〈◊〉 . To 〈…〉 Dr Hammond thus , 1. It is clear that it no way prejudg●s ●he doctrine and practise of the Church formerly set down , 〈…〉 him , that infant children , indefinitely considered might be b●ptized ▪ and if dang●r appr●ac●ed , must , how young soever they were : which is as contrary to the An●ipaedobaptist , and so to Mr. T. as any thing . Answ. 1. The phrase [ the doctrine and practise of the Church ] is according to the Pr●latical language ▪ I think as much as the doctrine and practise of the Prelates , 〈…〉 to the Scripture language is non sense , the Church bei●g the number of persons taught , and on whom bap●izing 〈…〉 , not the person● teaching or practising , who are stil●d ●he Elders of the 〈◊〉 in S●●ip●ure . 2. That the Elders of any Church 〈…〉 N●●●ianzen taug●● that infant children , indefinitely considered , might be baptised , and if d●●ger ●pproached , must , how young soever they w●●e , 〈…〉 not pretended of any besides the Co●ncel mention●● in Cyp●ian , Epist. 5● 〈…〉 , whic● it is true determined , in opposition t● 〈◊〉 his scr●ple , the lawfulness of baptizing any day , but not of any infants who were likely ●o live without apparent shew of danger of death , but ●a●her ●he contrary is manifest from their reason , w●y they would h●ve them bapt●zed any day afore th● 8th . b●cause the son of man ●am to save m●ns souls , as much as in us lies , if it may be , no soul is to be lo●● , and therefore to be baptized any day afore the 8th . N●w this 〈◊〉 , that 〈…〉 onely of those infants who being in apparent danger of d●ath would be lost , if not baptized . N●w it is true 〈…〉 , and it is as contrary to the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 position of the Papists , tha● ba●tism confers 〈…〉 that infants dying unbaptised pe●●sh , and if 〈…〉 this doctrine and practise of the Church , yet it doth prejudice the doctrine and practise of Protestant Paedobaptists , who , contrary to Nazianzens mind , would not have infants baptized in that case onely , or for his reason , but would have infants baptized out of the case of imminent and apparent danger of death , and not deferred , upon a pretence of a Covenant right and visible Churchmembership as their priviledge , not as necessary to avoid the danger of perishing . 2dly . ( saith Dr. Hammond ) that it is but his private opinion pretending not so much as to any part of the Church of that , or former ages to authorize it . Answ. 1. That Tertullian did in like manner determine as Nazianzen did , that infants were not to be baptized but in case of imminent and apparent danger of death , will appear in the examining of his testimony among the Latine Doctors . 2. I know no reason why the counsel and opinion of these two should not as well be counted the doctrine and practise of the Church , and to be of equal authority as Cyprians , and his Councels , Augustines , and Hieroms . 3dly . ( Saith Dr. Hammond ) that the state of children being so weak and uncertain , that 't is hard to affirm of any that they are not ( for the first three years ) in any danger , his councel for deferring will hardly be ever practical to any . Answ. The counsel of Nazianzen to baptize in case of danger was not of infants that are in any danger ▪ but of urgent or pressing danger , as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , press , urge , or impel , shews . And thus it is practical , as the use of private baptism in those places where it is used doth sufficiently shew . Fourthly , saith he , that the deferring of which Nazianzen speaks is most probably to bee understood of those whose ●arents are newly converted , and themselves doubt whether they shall be yet baptised or no , for to such he speaks in that place from p. 654. A. Answ. The reasons being general , this restriction appears groundless , not is the Drs. conceit of any validity , that because four pages before ●e speaks to them , therefore that counsel of his concerns their children onely . Lastly , saith he , that the deferring till three years old , if it were allowed , would no way satiisfie the Antipaedobaptists pretensions ▪ and so still the former passages ought be of force with all , and no heed given to the whispers of Mr ● . and others , as if that holy Father disswaded Baptism in any age unless in case of danger , when he clearly saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Let him in the tenderest age be Baptised and consecrated to the spirit . Answ 1. Why hee should call my words or writings whispers any more then his own , sith they are audible enough were it not that I speak to deaf men who will not hear , I do not deprehend , I imagine they are louder then the Doctour would have them . 2. Tha● men should not give heed to my words as well as the Doctours , if they seek the truth impartially , I know not , sith where truth is sought both sides are to bee heard . 3. It is true the deferring Baptism till three years old , will not satisfie us as sufficient to rectifie the abuse of infant baptism is granted , no nor till thirty , except the person become a disciple and believer in Christ : But it satisfies us in this , that Nazianzens judgement was , that little ones should not be baptized till they come to some understanding of the thing signified by baptism , unless in case of imminent and apparent dan●er of death , though we conceive he allowed too short a time to instruct the● . 4. If the word consecrated be meant of baptism , and from the nayles signifie tender age , yet it is not likely he meant this tender age of infancy , sith hee made persons uncapable of baptisme by reason of infancy , judged it better to have them first instructed ; If he did , he would have it to onely in case of danger of death imminent . But saith Dr. Homes , p. 142. 1. If Greg. Nazianzen doth give reason why infants should bee baptised , in case they are not likely to live to be of ripe years , it is so much the better for us . ●nsw . I suppose the Doctour doth not think with Nazianzen , that the danger of dea●h is a sufficient reason for the bapti●zing an infant , for that ariseth from the Popish conceits of regenoration by Baptism , ex opere operato , and the necessity of it to save an infant from perishing . And therefore Nazianzens reason must bee the worse for him , sith it thwarteth his opi●ion of baptizing upon an imagined priviledge of Covenant holine●s , and his practise of doing i● ordinarily to infants of Churchmembers out of that case . And it would bee considered , that where the ground of a practise is disclaimed the alleging of the practise correspondent to that ground and no further , is impertinent for confirmation of the practise of the same thing , in a different manner , and upon a different ground ; as the Protestant Divines tell the Papists , that their alleging the ancients commemorati●n of the dead , proves not the Popish prayi●g for the dead to be ancient , as Dr ●sher at large in his answer to the Jesuits challenge , sith the Popish praying is upon the opinion of Purgatory , and for them that are there , the Ancients for the Apostles , Martyrs , c. who are past Purgatory , and for their resurrection ; in like manner concerning the allegations of the Ancients Monkery , which either was necessary onely by reason of the incessant persecutions of those times , or if voluntary , yet with labour of their hands , and so different from the Popish Mo●kery which is idle , besides Gods appointment , vol●n●●r● , superstitious , upon an imagined perfection in that w●ich is indeed sinful . And so for confirmation by laying on of hand , anointing wi●h oyl ▪ use of the signe of the cross , setting up lights and many more , it is fr●quent●y shewed that they countenance no the P●●ish confirmation , extream unction , use of the signe of the cross , lighting candles at noon day in their ●●mples , &c. because they were in different m●nner , and for different reasons and purposes then they are now used by them . And indeed the discovery of the different reasons , manner , and end of rites used b● the Ancients , from that they are now used , is of greatest moment to shew the novelty of the Popish , Prelatical , Paedobaptists usages , who have not onely quite departed from the Scripture but also from antiquity , even in those things which the Ancients practised indeed , but not as they do . Secondly , saith Dr. Homes , he doth give another reason , beside that of partaking of common grace , namely , 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , For it is better that they should be sanctified without a feeling of it , then to depart without the seal . So he thinks they are sanctified too in infancy as well as at riper years . 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , A reason also of this to us is Circumcision , that was wont to be done on the 8th . day , &c. Answ. 1 The first of these is no other then the partaking of common grace ( for to partake of the common grace is all one as to be sanctified ) onely with a little enlargement . 2. The 2d . is indeed rather a preventing of an objection [ that they could not be par●akers of the common grace without perceiving it ] rather then a further reason of baptizing them . And the answer is from two examples , one of curcumcision which was given to infants without the use of reason , the other of the anoining or sprinkling the door posts , whi●h were things insensitive , bringing salvation to the first born , which is such a woodden reason as Dr. Homes thought fit to let pass in this place . Thirdly , saith Dr. Homes , Wee answer that all three reasons stand in force , as well for all believers infants ( God putting them under the promise , Gen. ●7 . ) a for the infants that are in danger of death . Answ. Wh●tever force there is in the reasons ( which in my apprehension are frivolous ) to prove Dr Homes his opinion or practise , yet sure in Nazianzens intent they are onely for the colouring over of the practise of infant baptism , of any whether believers or unbelievers children ; onely in case of apparent danger of imminent death , and not at all for countenancing baptizing of believers infants onely at all times as federally holy . Fourthly , saith Dr. Homes , that Nazianzen urgeth divers divine reasons ( to him evincing ) for the baptism of infants in danger of death : but for the delaying of others not in danger of dea●h , he saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , I give my opinion ●he calls it his opinion . And what is it ? That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , such children should stay till three or four years old more , or less ? And what is to be expected from children of that age ? more then from infants toward baptism ? For Nazianzen himself confesseth , that though they may hear and answer some spiritual things , yet they understand imperfectly . But doth Nazianzen give us there any Scripture for this differing ? None . Doth he give any reason ? Even in effect the same as for baptizing of infants in danger of death , to wit , that they may be sanctified in mind and body . Answ. 1. T is true Nazianzen gives one reason for baptizing infants in case of danger of death , which is the sanctifying them by it , not divers reasons the examples of Circumcision and anointing the door p●sts , being answers to an objection , as I said before . Now that reason is so far from being Divine , that it is from a meer superstitious conceit , as if the meer outward Baptism did sanctifie : Nor is it the same reason in effect for differing baptism three or four years with that which hee gives for infant baptism in case of danger of death . For though he supposeth in both Baptism sanctifies , yet he takes infant Baptism to sanctifie onely the body , the other to sanctifie body and mind . He supposeth they may learn some spiritual thing , though imperfectly , and so the baptism may be a sign to them though obscure , and there may be some memory of what is done , though confused , which though it be not as it should be , yet it is better and more agreeable to Scripture then the infant Baptism , where there is no signification to the baptized , nor remembrance of it . 2. Be it granted that Nazianzen expresseth but his opinion , and that it betters not the thing much , and his reasons not so right as they should have been , there is in this passage this evident , that infant Baptism was no tthen common as now , nor upon such reasons as now , nor approved of as now it is , but out of the case of danger of death imminent , apparently disswaded , and consequently the present common infant baptism an innovation from what was in that age . Dr. Hammond adds , That Chrysostome in his Homily to the Neophyti , hath these words , For this cause ( i. e. because there be so many benefits of baptism there recited , ten in number ) we baptise children though they have not sins , and that he flourished in the beginning of the fift Age. Answ. Though finde in two Homilies , one in the fifth , the other in the sixth tome of Chrysostomes works of Eton print , some speeches unto the newly inlightned or planted , yet I finde not these words there , nor any where else in any of his homilies . Yet I deny not them to bee Chrysostomes finding them in Augustin tom . 7. l. 1. against Julian the Pelegian , ch . 2. But perhaps if the words before were viewed , it might be discerned whether the Baptism of little ones then used , were onely in case of danger of death apparently imminent , or without that case . It is likely hee meant that infants or little children were baptized onely in case of danger of death imminent , sith many of his Homilies express , even that where these words cited were , exhortations to the newly baptized , and the relation of his life testifies , that when hee was persecuted by the Empress , and was about to baptize on the solemn festival in which Baptism was used , the persons men and women that were to be baptized by him fled away naked , being ready to be baptized upon his apprehension , which shews they then baptized persons naked . And the occasion of the speech , as s●t down by Austin , shews it was done upon the conceit of giving them grace , which is manifest by the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for this cause And the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , also , in the Greek , shews there was mention of baptizing others then little children . And in the same place Austin saith , ●ohn Chrysostome held , believed , and taught this , not onely that little children were not onely to be baptized , but also to have the Eucharist or Lords Supper , for without his flesh and bloud they could not have life . As for the other place Dr. Hammond ci●es in Chrysostoms 40th . Homily on Genesis , that Baptism is lawfull in the first age , I yeeld that Chrysostome did in that age allow infant Baptism , but I think the Dr. cannot shew that he held it was to bee done out of the case of apparent danger of imminent death , or that the practise of baptizing them out of that case was ordinary It is most evident by many proofs , that both then and some ag●s after , the ordinary usual baptizing was of chatechized persons at the solemn feasts , when most in the Empire were by profession Christians . SECT . LXXXX . The arguments to prove Infant Baptism an innovation Exam. pag. 9. are made good against Mr. Marshal , and Dr. Homes . WHereas Mr. M. had said in his Sermon pag. 3 that it is manifest out of most of the Records that wee have of ●●iquity , both in the Greek and Latin Church , that the Christian Church hath been in possession of the priviledge of baptising the infants of believers for the space of 1500. years and upwards ; I said in my Examen p. 9. But it is wonder to mee that if it were so manifest as you speak , you should finde nothing in Eusebius for it , nor in Ignatius . nor in Clemens Alexandrinus , nor in Athanasius , nor in Epiphanius , that I mention not oth●rs To this Mr. M. or his f●iend replies , that I add three arguments to shew that Infant Baptism was not known in the Greek Church , but therein he abuseth me , for I add●d them not to that end , but to shew that it was not so manifest as Mr. M. said , that it was not universally known . To my mention of the silence of Eusebius , &c. he saith . 1. The question was not started then , as the Fathers spake not clearly of the traduction of original sin , before it was denied by the Pelagians . 2 That it is enough to him that none of the ●uthors named by me spake against it . Answ 1. The question of the Hieracites was raised in Epip●anius his time , which did lead to speak of infants Baptism , and ye● Epiphanius allegeth not in●ants Baptism against them , though it had been for his purpose . 2. Sure Eusebius that writes the Ec●lesiastical story , and such as wrote the history of the Church , had occasion to mention it is ●hey do the B●ptism of persons of age , he use of the Lo●ds Supper , the meetings of Christians , the orders of the Church , the ordinations o● Bishops and other things and would it i● were so man●f●st as Mr. M. said it was . ●3 . It may be they spake not against it ▪ because there was ●o question about it . Bu● it is l●kely there was no question about it , because there was in the first ages no practise of it , or very obscure . For as soon as it began , Tertullian put in some exc●ptions against it and after him Nazianzen . 4. If the Fathers afore Po●●gius arose , did not speak clearly of original sin , then it is likely the pa●●ages in Origen on Levit. Rom. Luk. were nor his , sith they speak clearly of the traduction of original sin and that speech of V●ssius Hist Pel. l ▪ 2 ●art● th 6. p. 153. is right ; For who can at this day discern what passages were the brats of Origen or his paraphrasts ? Hee adds . 1. If any thing were brought out of Ignatius , you would tell mee , that you did not know Ignatius when you see him . Answ. 1. Though Ignatius Epistles be very doubtfull , yet I incline to think some of them to be his which we have , and that genuine passages may be discerned from spurious . 2. If any p●ssage , though spurious , were to be found in him for infant Baptism , Paedobaptists would not stick to produce it , who make no conscience to allege the words falsly ascribed to Justin Martyr in the book of questions and answers to the Orthodox , and stick not to maintain the allegation of it , as his , th●ugh it mention Origen , whom Dr. Homes imagins Justin Martyr might hear of , though he died by his confession anno 169. and Origen wa● not born till about 156. as the passages in his Animado ▪ on my Exercit. p 111 , 112 , 127. compared do shew . Besides the allegation of the Book of Ecclesiastical Hierarchy , as Dionysius the Areopogites , the questions ad ●ntiochum , as Athana●●us his shew , that neither this Authour nor other Pae●obaptists are ashamed to allege bastard writings , which say any thing for infant Baptism . Concerning Clemens Alexandrinus he tels me Defence p. 19. You desire to know what Clemens Alexandrinus saith ( which is not true ) why sure he had none but gre●t infants to be his Schollers ( I conceive he means p●ofessed Pagan infidels , But I t●ink this not true , sith in his writings he directs Christians , and opposeth heretiques ) if you ( who pretend to bee acquainted familiarly ( which is very false ) with the secrets of antiquity ) be acquainted with him you 'l know what I mean : He desired ( as it is likely more Greek Fathers who were converted from Paganism did ) to set forth religion in such a way , as might move other Pagans to come and confess the Christian saith , that so they might bee added to the Church by Baptism , in such a way as was proper to the baptising of grown men . Which is true , and confirms my presumption that when he speaks of Baptism , as he doth lib. 1. paedag . c 6. and elsewhere , he would have mentioned infant Baptism and its benefit to the same end , if it had been in his time in use , as Mr. M. in his sermon said . Concerning Athanas●us he speaks thus , What say you to that passage in Athanasius ? Where he is shewing how wee are buried with Christ in ●aptism , and rise again ; he sayes the dipping of the infant quite under water thrice , and raising of it up again , doth signifie the death of Christ and his resurrection upon the third day , Athan. dicta & interpretatio script . q 94. is not that testimony plain ? Answ. It is : But wh●se is it ? Is not that Book one of those suppositi●ious writing in the 2d . tome of Athanasius works , of which Scultetus Medul patrum part . 2. l. 1 c. 42. saith , qu dam nullo judicio videntur con cripta quae se satis produn ? Among which also are the quaestions to Antiochus , out of which Mr. M. or ●is friend pag. 20 , 21. cite two testimonies , on● out of quaest 2 ▪ and another quaest ▪ 114 and saith , the wo●ds are safe and sound buil● on a ●os●el ground , owned by all the reformed Churches ▪ which make infants of believers baptised to enter into the Kingdome of heaven , excluding the unbaptized , which hitherto hath b●●n termed Popery . Nor is hee excused ●rom abusing Readers with these bastard writings , by saying , the words following may be erroneous , and yet written by Athanasiu● ▪ when the words following are part of the answer , which is erroneous , and they are so connex that they must bee the same Authors . As for the words , How do you prove what you allege out of Tertullian and Gregory Nazianzen , and tha● I make this a plea for my self ▪ that my allegations may gain a favourable construction , that my proofs taken out of antiquity do as strongly prove the point in hand , as proofs are usually taken in such matters , no whit excuseth him , sith my proofs are from writings not suspected , his are from treatises judged by many of each tide to he supposititious , mine from passages not excepted against , as his are , and therefore my wondering ceaseth not : and the silence of these , together with Epiphanius his not urging infant Baptism against Hieracites ; yeeld a strong presump●ion of the rarity of infant Baptism then , though from thence the non usage bee not syllogistically concluded . And for the words hee brings out of Epiphanius , hee might call Baptism the great Circumcision , yet reject infan● Baptism ( though I said not he did , but that it's like●● it was not so manifest as Mr. M. said ) as he might call Pre●byters Priests , and Deacons Levites , and yet not tye Presbytery or Deaconship to a tribe , and the age in which each sort ministred in the Temple of the Jews . I add , that the words cited out of the supposed Athanasius prove dipping under water then the usual way of Baptism . What Dr. Homes brings Animadv . on my Exercit. pag. 143. out of Clemens Alexandrinus Strom. l. 3. pag 461. serves not his turn , but is rather against him , for it mentions onely one Baptism of Believers . And the same may be s●id of what he brings out of Epiphanius his 2d . Book ●om . 2. contra haeres . 30. pag. 52. In which hee makes the perfect Circumcision not to be onely of men in the time of their imbecility , but of men and women , all the people of Christians indeed , which omits if not excludes infants . 2ly . saith Mr. M or his friend , def . pag. 21. you reason from the continuance of the questions put to persons when they were to be baptized , and answered by them : which I think because we must conceive children were not able to return an answer to them , thereby you would infer they were not baptized· But I answer , when the Gospel was fi●st declared into the world , such as being of age were first taught were then baptized , Acts 2.41 . & Acts 8.13 , 37. After that time such as were taught are said to be catechized : for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the Catechism leads men to faith , saith Clemens Alexandrinus Paedag. When such were prepared and made fit to bee baptized , certain questions were propounded to them concerning their faith in Christ , their resolution to forsake the Devil , &c. which are related by many of the Ancients : when those of age afterwards brought their children to baptism , these questions were likewise out to them ( though of themselves they were not able to make answer to them ) but how warrantably , I will not go about to prove ; yet that they were used at infants Bap●ism ▪ as well as at the Baptism of such as were at age , it appears by Balsamon in Can. 6. Conc. Neocaesar . Aug. Ep. ad Januarium , &c. To all which questions at childrens bap●ism , such as un●ertook their education made answer on their b●half . Therefore you cannot by these questions infer that children were not baptized , seeing these Authors certifie that questions were put to them , and also tell us who answered for them . Answ. 'T is true I cannot , nor did I ever intend to prove that children were not baptized in the third age , but the putting the questions to infants to answer , shews that at first none were baptized but such as could answer to them : and sith this was but a ridiculous thing , which this Author will not go about to prove to have been done warrantably , to put questions to infants to answer , doubtless it came not from the Apostles or Apostolical men , who would never have appointed so frivolous a thing ▪ but as this Author doth very honestly confess , they baptized such as were taught and catechized , and as he well notes out of Clemens Alexandrinus , Catechism leads men to faith , and that to Baptism . And this undeniably proves , as Ludovicus Vives truly gathered , tom . in August de civit . Dei c. 27. l 1. tom . 5. that at first none was baptized till he could ask for it and answer to the questions , which custome he saith he hath heard continued in some Cities of ●taly . It is likely those of the Greeks about Cal●bria● ▪ and so far as I can yet by search discern , this continued the first and second Age , to baptize onely persons of age . In the third Age , infant Baptism with many other corruptions began , and then to keep a mimical shew of the old manner of a●swering the qu●stions , some made answer in the infants name ; which being after objected to Augustin , he answers Epist. 23. that the answerer did not speak falsly , when he said the infant did believe , because he had the Sacrament of faith : which was indeed no answer , sith the answer was made afore the Sacrament , and the Sacrament could not make him a believer who was not . Now this answer was not to engage them to undertake their education , as this Autho● seems to imply , but to assert they did believe afore they were baptized , it being originally the right use of that rite , to baptize none but those who were first believers , till the supersti●ious conceit of an infants perishi●g without Baptism first brought it in , as necessary in case of apparent danger of imminent death , and no otherwise ; as those many reliques of Antiquity in the speeches of Tertullian , Nazianzen , and others shew ; besi●es the narrations of baptizing he catechized at solemn times , and the not baptizing of children of believers till they came to age , the inten● of b●ptizing Austin when in you●h he was sick , but putting it off when recovered . But after his time , the necessity of it being so vehemently pressed by him , and urged against Pelagians , infant Baptism in process of time quite swallowed up true baptism , and that which this Author here ingenuo●sly confesseth was the primitive use , is now cried down as i● it were an innovation and an heresie . So monstrously hath the ignorance and intemperate speeches of Fathers , School-men and others , and the violence and mistakes of Luther , Calvin , and others , perverted the doctrine of Baptism , and oppressed those that have sought to reform it , though if there were no more to be said for them then what here this Author , whether Mr. Marshal or Dr. Young confesseth , it were enough to sati●fi● men that were willing to be satisfied , that infant Baptism was not at fi●st when the Gospel went first abroad into the world , and yet th●n doubtless Believers had infants ; but that afterwards men brought their children to Baptism , when ●orrupt opinions of its necessity and the giving grace by i● were ●eceived , and to al●ay the extream bit●er and unreasonable heat of spirit , which is in the clamarous Paedobaptists of our days . But I go on . Mr. M. or his friend tels mee , Thirdly ▪ you conceive because many children born of Christian Parents were not baptised when they were young , therefore it was not their custome to Baptise infants . For the making good hereof , you bring forth instances of Constantin● the Great , Greg ▪ Nazianzen , and Chrysostom . Afore he speaks of these instances , hee sets down some known reasons , some imagined , why some deferred among the Ancients their own Baptism ; and he thinks they might upon the like reasons defer their childrens . Answ. 1. That they did defer their childrens Baptism confirms my opinion , that it was not ordinary in the Greek Church to baptize infants . 2. That if they did defer it upon the reasons imagined by him , then they thought it not necessary to be done in infancy , as Paedobaptists do now , chiefly Mr. Baxter , plain Script . proof part . 2. ch 8 who will have infants baptised immediately , as soon as ever they are disciples ; which by his grounds is at the first instant of their birth , or afore . 3. That very reason why some deferred Baptism to old age to wit the doing away sin , was indeed the very reason of their baptizing infants And Nazianzens confutation , telling some that all times were fit for Baptism , seeing no time was free from death , shews how ill Mr M. chose that passage to put in the Title page of his Book , unles● he would have Readers to baptize upon that opinion , as if thereby they could work out their salvation . 4. All this discourse about the various reason of mens deferring their own Baptism , is quite besides the point about parents deferring their infants Baptism , which not to have been upon any of those imagined reasons , but because they thought it not necessary , nor did practise it but in case of apparent danger of imminent death to the infant , will appear by weighing his answer to my instances . ●o that of Constantines being not baptized in infancy , though Helena his mother were a Christian it is said ; 1. That it appears not that Constantines parents were in his infancy become Christians . 2. Himself was also an unbeliever many years . To which I reply though it be not apparent that Constantius or Helena were Christians in the infancy of Christians , yet those Historians that do conceive they were , and yet it being agreed he was not then baptized , o●acitely yeeld ▪ that it was not unusual for the children of Believers to be unbaptized till they came to age . Dr. Homes tels me That I have ill urged Constantin a Latin , for an instance that Baptism of infants was not ordinary in the Greek church ▪ But I think otherwise since Constantin lived and died in the Greek Church , and therefore fitly mentione● among them . The next mentioned by me is Gregory Nazianzen , the son of a Christian Bishop , and brought up long by him , was not baptized till hee came to be a youth . To this saith Mr. M or his friend How do you prove he was the son of a Christian Bishop ▪ His father was once in the Hyp●istarian errour , whether he were converted before Gregory was bo●ni● is not exprest . When hee was young he was b●ed at A●●ens under heathens , to which it 's not likely his father would send him if a Christian , and why he was not baptised as soon as he was converted to Christianity I conjecture the reason was that he might the better prepare himself to receive baptism . Answ. I did little imagin that this Author would have so far gratified the Papists , as to joyn with Baronius and other Romanists , by shifts to avoid the evidence of this instance , which Protestants urge to prove Bishops to have then married and begot children after marriage . To his question , I prove him to have been a Bishop by the same words of Gregory Nazianzen himself in the verse of his life ; by which Chamier paustrat . Cath. tom . 3. l. 16. c. 13. § . 41. Dr. Hall honour of the married Clergy 2d . Book Sect. 8. and others , prove Gregory Nazianzen to have been begotten of his Father being a Bishop , where he brings in his Father speaking to perswade him to help him in his charge , in these words , as Dr. Hall turns them into English out of Greek , The years of thy age are not so many as of my Priesthood Which how to free from Baronius his devices of an byperbole , and the inconsistency with the other passages of his fathers Baptism , and his study at Athens , and seeing Julian there , the Reader may see in Chamier ubi suprà at large . Where and in Dr. Hall he may find , that his mother was also a pious Christian when hee was born , and that she begged him of God. And the Century Writers of Magd. say cent . 4 c. 10. She was born of pious and holy progenitours . And though he travailed abroad , suppose at 12. years of age , yet was he long brought up by his parents , especially in that time in which he was to have been baptized , if the Baptism of infants had been then ordinary : yet was hee not baptized ( as this Author confesseth ) till he was of age , after he returned to his Father , who it is not likely did send him to be trained up under infidels , however hee might light on their acquaintance and hear them . As for the reason of deferring his baptism , it is in vain to enquire into another cause , then that which Gregory Nazianzen himself in his 40th . Oration of holy Baptism gives , when hee adviseth to baptize infants in case of apparent danger of imminent death , but out of that case to defer it . And this appears to have been the genuine reason , and the practise accordingly in that ( as Gregorius Presbyter relates in his life ) when sailing to Athens a storm arose , so that his life was in apparent danger , he was afraid of dying unbaptised , and resolved to be baptised . The other reason assigned by Mr M or his friend , is frivolous ; for though the better to prepare himself to receive baptism , might be the reason of his deferring it so long as he did when he came to age , yet it could not be a reason of his parents deferring it , or of his in infancy . So that notwithstanding these vain shifts of this Author , wherein he joyns with the Papists , who use the like devices to avoin this testimony urged by Protestants to prove the marriage of Bishops then , and is refuted by them , yet this one instance is an evident proof , that in the Greek Church baptism of infants was not ordinary in the fourth Century , but used perhaps extraordinarily in case of apparent danger of imminent death . There is the less need of insisting on the instance of Chrysostome his birth of Christian parents ▪ and educated and baptised at age by Miletius , sith that of Nazianzen 〈◊〉 pregnant . 'T is true I did allege it as Grotius 〈◊〉 saying , whom I found counted for a learned man by Spanheimius and many others , and I might well make use of him , as Protestants sometimes do of Papists that are corrupt in point of antiquity . If Dr. Young were the Author of the first part of Mr. Ms. Defence , and of the Latin Book of the Lords day , published in the year 1639. under the name of Theophilus P●ylokyriaces Loncardiensis , hee himself cites Baronius for the Lords day in the very title page of his Book . What Grotius was in his life and studies , I leave for those who knew him to judge ; his books though in many things corrupt , I might be allowed to make use of , as of other learned men with judgement . In this thing I did think I might the more securely take his word , because in the same place Annot. in Matth. c. ●9 . 14 . hee declared hee was for infant Baptism ; nor do I think it was without some reason which he affirmed , though my time and Library yeeld mee not the advantage of making search into this thing . It is enough that it is supposed by learned men probable , which would not bee if it were not then ordinary , that the children of Christian parents were baptized after they had themselves been believers . Which i● plain by the resolution of the Synod of Neocaesar●a , elder then the first Nicene , which determined ; That a woman with child might be baptized , because the Baptism reached not to the fruit of her womb , because in the confession made in Baptism , each ones free choise is shewed . For if in the confession in Baptism each ones free choise is shewed , then infants were not ordinarily baptized , who could shew no free choise in confession . How this is vindicated from the shifts of Mr. M or his friend , may be seen in my Apology sect . 16. p. 87 , 88. which I think needless to repeat . And for Grotius his saying , tha● in every age many of the Greeks unto this day , keep the custome of deferring the Baptism of little ones , till they could themselves make a confession of their saith , may be true , if either those in Italy mentioned by Ludov. Vives Comment in Aug. l. 1. de civit . Dei , c. 27. were Greeks , as it is likely in Calabria , where are Greek Churches as I remember Brerewood shews in his Enquiries of Religion , or the Georgians children , or the Christians children of Cholcos we●e Greeks ; o● whom Heylin in his Geography in the description of Armenia , out of Brerewood , Alexand. Rosse in his Censure of Religio Medici , &c say ▪ they are not baptized till they be 8. years old . Nor need the Anabaptists yet to blush , for all Mr. Ms. or his friends , or Dr Homes , or Dr. Hammonds , or Mr. Craggs allegations , in saying that the An●ients , especially the Greek Church , rejected the baptism of infants for many hundred years . For there is no evidence produced for infant Baptism in the Greek Church till Nazianzens time , who flourished saith Dr. Hammond about the year of Christ 370. and died in the year 389. which is above 300. years , and hee disswades it except in case of apparent danger of imminent death , and saith some are kep● from Baptism by reason of infancy , and as Mr. M p. 24. of his Defence saith , all times were fit for Baptism , seeing no time was free from death , intimates Baptism not fit for some time , except in that case , which may be gathered to have been the onely reason of infant Baptism , from what is s●id before of the story of hi● own baptism ; and therefore I doubt not to conclude ▪ that infant Baptism was not so ancient in the Greek Church as i● by Mr. M. and others pretended , and as now it is taught by him and others , is a late innovation . SECT . LXXXXI . The testimonies of Tertullian for Infant Baptism , and Dr. Hammonds interpretation of chap. 39. de Anima , are examined with 1 Cor. 7.14 . I Proceed to review the proofs from the Latin Fathers for infant Baptism . Mr. Cr. brings up Tertullian in the fron● , whom he reckons at the end of the second Century , others at the beginning of the third , about 70. or less years after John the Apostle , in which short tract of time , the Apostolical practise of infant Baptism could neither bee clouded , nor forgotten . Neither would he have commended his private opinion as more profitable , that the Baptism of some infants for some respects should ●e deferred , but have called it down , as an innovation , if the practise of it had not been as transparent to every mans apprehension as if it had been writ with the Sun beams . That infant Baptism was in practise in Tertullians days , it appears by this question lib. de bapt . c. ●8 . Quid festinat innocens aetas ad remissionem peccatorum ? Why does innocent age ( meaning children in their infancy ) make hast for remission of sins ? meaning Baptism ; which is a clear case , whatsoever Semi-Socinian Grotius say to the contrary . That Tertullian was for infant Baptism himself appears , that in his Book de Animà cap. 39. he presses it , when the child is in danger of death , and gives his reason lib. de bapt . cap. 12. Praescribitur nemini fine Baptismo competere salutem , it is prescribed that salvation is to none without Baptism . Answ. 1. That Tertullian might not be mistaken , or that the practise of infant Baptism could not be clouded or forgotten , is said by Mr. Cragge inconsiderately ; 〈◊〉 afore Tertullians time the great differences about keeping Easter between Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus , where it 's said , John lived much and died ; and Victor of Rome , who pretended tradition from Peter , the mistake of ●renaus about Christs age , with sundry others . 2. That Tertullian would have called it down as an innovation , if the practise of it had not been as transparent to every mans apprehension as if it had been writ with the Sun beams , is a confident speech , but of no credit with those who know Tertullian hath not called down , the anointing the baptized , giving milk and honey , using the sign of the cross , &c. which yet are undoubted innovations . 3. It is granted that infant Baptism was used in his time , but it is withal true , that hee disswaded it or did call it down as an innovation , except in case of danger of death , and that by sundry reasons ; which if hee had taken ken infant Baptism to bee from the Apostles , hee would not have done . 4. The allowing of it in that case arose ( as Mr. Craggs quotations shew ) from the errour of the necessity of it to salvation . But Dr. Hammond saith further . Tertullian a man of great learning , and a diligent observer and recorder of the customs and practises of the most ancient Church , lib. de animâ c. 39. affirms it from the Apostle , ex sanctificato alterutro sexu sanctos procreari ; that when either parent is sanctified or believer , i. e. baptized , the children that are born from them are holy , and this , tam ex seminis praerogativâ , quàm ex institutionis disciplinâ , both by praerogative of their seed , and by the discipline of the institution , i. e. ( as hath been shewed ) by Baptism ; adding from the same Apostle that delivered those words 1 Cor. 7.14 . that his meaning was that the children of Believers should be understood to be designati sanctitatis ac per hoc salutis , and evidencing what he means thereby , by the following words , of Christs definition Joh 3. unless a man be born of water and of the spirit , he shall not enter into the Kingdom of God , i. e. non erit sanctus , shall not be holy ; where Bap●ism is manifestly the thing by which these children are said to attain that sanctity . And more hee adds in the beginning of the next Chapter to the same purpose . And so he is a comp●tent witness for the beginning of that third age . And a little before , In the middle of the first Century St. Paul delivered these words ; Now are your children holy , i. e. your children new born ( as appears by the context and Tertullian ) are sanctified as that signifies baptized , in the stile of the New Testament and the Ancient Church . And ch . 3 sect . 1. St. Paul 1 Cor. 7.14 . speaking of the Believers children , he saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but now are they holy , i. e. it is the present practise of the Church ( that Apostolical Church in St. Pauls time ) to admit to Baptism the infant children of parents , of whom one is Christian , though not of others . That this is the meaning of [ holy ] is there made evident , as by other arguments , so by this , that the ancient Fathers who knew the sacred Dialect call Baptism sanctification , Eum qui natus est baptizandum & sanctificandum , in Cyprian , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to bee sanctified when they have no feeling of it , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , let him be sanctified from the infancy , i. e. baptized then in Gregory Nazianzen . To which testimonies , and the rest which is there produced of the agreement of the Jewish stile ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sanctifications for baptisms , to which agrees Macarius saying of the Jewish Baptism , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it sanctifies the flesh , hom . 47. p. 509. ) because the main difficulty of the interpretation consists herein , I shall now add more , one very ancient before any of these ( within less then an 100. years after the death of St. John ) Tertullian de animâ c. 39. where speaking of infants and saying ex sanctifica●o alterutro sexu sanctos procreari ; that when either the father or mother is sanctified ( i. e. received as a believer by Baptism in the Church , the children are holy , &c ( clear evidences of the notion of the word ) this he there proves by these very words of this Apostle , caeterum , inquit , immundi nascuntur , else ( so caeterum in Tertullians stile is known to be put for alioqui , or the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) were your children unclean ; adding instead of these other words [ but now are they holy ] quasi designatos tamen sanctitatis & per hoc etiam salutis , intelligi volens fidelium filios , hereby willing that wee should understand that the children of Believers are the designed or the sealed of holiness ( in the sense , I conceive wherein they that are baptized , are by the ancients frequently said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to be sealed ) and thereby of salvation also : And all this , saith he , thus urged by the Apostle , ut hujus spei pignora matrimoniis quae retinenda censuerat , patrocinacerentur , that this hope might be a pledge to engage the believing wife or husband not to part from the unbeliever . And hee yet further adds ( still to the confirming of this interpretation ) Alioqui meminerat Dominicae definitionis , nisi qui nascatur ex aqua & spiritu , non intro●bit in regnum Dei , i. e. non erit sanctus . Otherwise ( or if this argument of the Apostle had not been sufficient ) he would have mentioned the definition of Christ , that unless one be born of water and the spirit ( i. e. baptized ) he shall not enter into the ●ingdome of God , i. e. shall not be holy ; shewing still of what holiness he understands the Apostles speech , that which the child of the believer is made partaker of by Baptism ; concludi●g , Ita omnis anima usque eo in Adam censetur donec in Christo recenseatur , tamdiu immunda , quamdiu recenseatur . Every soul is so long inrolled in Adam , till it bee anew in Christ , and is so long unclean till it be thus anew inrolled ; which as it supposeth every child of Adam to bee impure , till it bee thus by Baptism made a child of Gods , a memb●r of Christ , so it gives a full account of that uncleanness , and that holiness of which the Apostle speaks ; the former the state of a child of Adam unbaptized , the later of him that by Baptism is initiated into Christ. And p. 81. hee saith , he found this passage of Tertullian ch . 39. de animá perfectly to accord to his interpretation of 1 Cor. 7.14 . For which reason ( though I at first intended onely here to examine the passage of Tertullian c. 39. de animâ ) I conceive needfull to examine what Dr. Hammond hath said in his Defence against me , ch . 3 , 4. about both places , and I doubt not but that it will be made appear by me , that he hath not avoided by his Defence the exceptions I brought against his interpretation of 1 Cor. 7.14 . nor interpreted the Apostle right , nor Tertullian , nor that they do , as he speaks , perfectly accord , to which I now address my self . 1. He omits the making good of his paraphrase of the Apostles words 1 Cor. 7.12 , 13 , 14. except onely those words [ else were your children unclean , but now they are holy ] supposing it unnecessary if the interpretation of the last words appear to be this [ but now are infant children partakers of the priviledge of Baptism ] which I acknowledge were true , if he could make good this interpretation without making good the paraphrase of the rest . But there being a manifest coherence of all together , and a plain argumentative consequence implied v. 14. of the later part from the former , if the interpretation of the later part will not consist with the words going before , nor a good coherence and consequence in his sense making good the rest of his paraphrase , it is necessary he should make good , at least that which if it be not made good against my exceptions , the interpretation of the last clause will not stand . Now I conceive there are in my exceptions , most if not all those things , which I urged against his paraphrase and interpretation , which do overthrow it , sith there would be either want of sense , coherence , or consequence in the Apostles speech , if Dr. Hammonds exposition were received , which Dr. Hammond hath not acquitted it from in his Defence . One main thing on which the hinge of his paraphrase and interpretation turnes , is , that the sanctification and holiness there is derived from the faith of the one party , and not on the conjugal relation ; and therefore the term [ believer ] which is not in the text ) is put by him in his paraphrase , and the terms [ husband and wife ] omitted , which the Apostle puts down with emphasis . I presume the Reader that reads my exceptions from p. 316. to 325. will judge the Doctors excuse not sufficient , he gives for not answering them more fully , when he assures me it were easie fully to answer them p. ●5 . but does not , especially in this point on which the controversie between us depends , and therefore not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Dr. terms it . I think the Dr. hath made a more immoderate excursion in his heaping up testimonies out of the Fathers , in his standing so much on the denial of an enallage , and the force of the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . But I resolve to follow him , and hope to overtake him in long running , though his Pen and Press be quicker in dispatch then mine . The first thing the Dr. attempts is , to prove out of the Fathers , that the term [ holy 1 Cor. 7.14 . ] is as much as [ partakers of Baptism ] First saith he , the ancient Fathers who knew the sacred Dialect , call Baptism sanctification , and Cyprian and Nazianzen are cited . To which I answer , 1. The word of the Apostle is [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] the adjective [ holy ] which notes a state of discrimination from the unclean , not [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sanctified ] a participle connoting the action of the sanctifier , as well as the state of the sanctified , and therefore may import Baptism , and not the other ; now the two Fathers the Dr. cites with Gregory Nyssen after , use not the term [ holy ] but sanctified , and therefore were it granted that they used [ sanctified ] for baptized , yet this proves not they or the Apostle to have used [ holy ] for baptized . 2. I think the Fathers he cites , did not in those passages he cites call Baptisme sanctification , though they took the person baptized to be sanctified by it . My reasons are from their words . For when Cyprian saith [ him who is born to be baptized and sanctified ] he seems to mee to distinguish , not to confound baptism and sanctification ; and when Nazianzen in the place quoted useth this phrase , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , I think it is ineptly rendered by the Dr. p. 102. by this means they may be baptized souls and bodies : sure the Baptism of water doth not touch the soul : and therefore Nazianzen is to be so interpreted as though he included baptizing in the phrase of sanctifying as the means of it , ye● he doth not confound them , or call Baptism sanctification . The like I imagin might be said of Gregory Nyssen , if I had his book , whose words it 's likely if the Dr. had set down more fully , as hee doth in others , the impertinency of his allegation would have appeared . As for the Jewish stile of sanctifications for Baptisms ▪ it will be to be considered after . Macarius his saying , that the Jewish Baptism sanctifies the flesh , is not a calling Baptism sanctification . But the Dr. stands most on Tertullian , in which he takes i● , that [ holy ] is used as he conceives Paul to use it 1 Cor. 7.14 for [ partakers of Baptism ] so he expounds , designatos sanctitatis , the designed or sealed of holiness , in the sense he conceives , wherein they that are baptised are by the ancients frequently said to be sealed and p. 92. designati sanctitatis , sure must signifie that they are initiated into Christ by the Christian right , or sign , or ceremony of Baptism , as those which had the Heath●nish ceremonies used upon them , were candidati daemoniorum , candidates of the Devil in the former , thus early admitted and initiated into their sacra But neither do I conceive the Apostle to have used [ holy ] for holiness by baptism , nor that Tertullian doth mean that which the Dr. would have him , nor do the Apostle and Tertullian perfectly accord Twice in that Chapter doth Tertullian use the term [ holy ] once [ holiness ] once [ sanctified . ] The fi●st passage is thus . Hinc enim & Apostolus ex sanctificato alterutro sexu sanctos procreari ait , tàm ex seminis praerogativa , quàm ex institutionis disciplina . From hence the Apostle also saith , holy ones to be procreated from either sex , sanctified as well by prerogative of seed , as by discipline of institution . By either father or mother sanctified the Dr. co●ceives meant , when either the father or mother is received as a believer by baptism into the Church , by [ holy ] baptized , for he makes the notion of [ holy ] in those words of Tertullian to be the same with designatos sanctitatis , which he interprets by sealed , that is baptised in the ancients language . Pag. 61. [ holy ] appears to bee this [ but now are your infant children partakers of the priviledge of Baptism . ] But that Tertullian mean by [ sanctified , baptised ] is not proved by the Dr. and his paraphrase makes it in 1 Cor. 7.14 . to import being converted to the faith ; and so Tertullian ad uxorem l. 2. explains what he means by [ sanctified ] gained by the wise to the faith . I deny not that hee made Baptism a means of that sanctification , but he doth not call ( as the Dr. saith ) baptism sanctification , but the whole fact of Gods grace , as hee saith , Dei gratia illud sanctificat quod invenit , by teaching and inlightning the person sanctified . Yet herein Tertullian and the Dr. accord not with the Apostle , for the Apostle supposeth 1 Cor. 7.14 . the person said to be sanctified still an unbeliever , otherwise his reason had been nothing to confirm the resolution v. 12 , 13. which was the believing yoke fellow might live still with the unbeliever , for the unbelieving husband , that is the husband continuing an unbeliever is sanctified ; but this cannot bee meant either of conversion to the faith or baptism , for then he should be a believer when hee is said to bee sanctified , so that it is plain neither Tertullians expression concurs with the D●ctors notion , not do the Dr. and Tertullian agree with Paul. The other words sanctos procreari , sith he restrains to infants , the sanctity pag. 72. hath this sense ; the infants are procreated holy , that is baptized , for thus he speaks ; the Apostle in that place makes the sanctification or bap●ism of the children a benefit of the believing parents cohabiting with the unbeliever . But herein neither doth Tertullian or the Dr. accord with Paul , for hee makes not the holiness of the children to be the benefit of the parents faith , but of their conjugal relation , nor doth the Dr. accord with Tertullian . For the holiness there meant by Tertullian , is not meant onely of the time of infancy . 1. Because he saith it to be as well , ex institutionis disciplinâ , as ex seminis praerogativa . Where ex seminis prerogativa the Dr. agrees p. 92. to be in that he is not so polluted by their idolatrous ceremonies , and so is in some degree holy , not federal holiness , as Mr. M. pag. 35. would the whole scope shewing that to be the meaning , that they are not so polluted as heathens children . Now ex institutionis disciplina , the Dr. would have have p 9● . meant the doctrine of Baptism instituted by Christ in his Church ; for by this it is that baptism was allowed to those that were ex alterutro sexu sanctificato procreati , born of parents of which either of them was Christian. Thus in his book de bapt . c. 12. he uses a like phrase , tingi disciplina religionis , to be sprinkled with the discipline of religion , meaning evidently being baptised . Where the Dr. by the way doth ill render tingi by sprinkled , no Grammarian doth so render it , nor doth Tertullian so mean it , as in the place may be observed . But to the thing . This cannot be the meaning of Tertullian in that place . 1. The words are these , ut opinor autem aliud est asperg● vel interci●i violentià maris aliud tingi disciplina religionis . As I think it is one thing to be sprinkled or intercepted with the violence of the sea , as Peter was when against his will he was in the sea , ano●her thing to be baptised with the discipline of religion , that is , out of a willing yeilding to baptism by the learning of religion , that is , knowledge and profession of faith which religion prompts to , meaning plainly not the doctrine or command of Christ , but the learning or discipline of his own heart , in the sense that Tertullian useth after , disciplina verecundiae & modestiae . And that sense which I give the Scope leads to , which is to shew neither the Apostles being dashed with the waves when the ship was almost covered , nor Peters being almost drowned , was Christian baptism , because it was not out of a voluntary disposition from that discipline of religion which doth dispose to it , but the violence of the sea . 2. Tertullian could not mean as the Dr. would , sith there is no such institution of Christ either expressed by the Evangelists , or by Tertullian . The Evangelists express no title to baptism , but by the persons own faith or discipleship who is to be baptised , as is proved Review part . 2 sect . 5. And Tertullian in his Book of Baptism a little after the words cited by the Dr. c. 12. expresseth the institution of Baptism thus ; Lex enim tingendi imposita est & forma praescriptae , i●e ( inquit ) docete nationes , tingentos eas in nomen patri● & filii & spiritus sancti . Huic legi collata definitio illa : nisi quis renatus fuerit ex aqua & spiritu non intrabit in regnum coelorum : obstrinxi● fidem ad baptismi necessitatem . Itaqae omnes exinde credentes tingebantur . And after , Nam & prius est pr●dicare , posterius tingere , and in the 18th . chapter gives his reasons against the hastening the ba●tism of infants , as being not necessary , which if he had acknowle●ged such an institution , as the Dr. imagins , he could not have said , and directs according to the institution ▪ Let them come when they grow up , when they learn , when they are taught wherefore they come , let them hee made Christians when they can know Christ ; and af●er prescribes , How they should go to baptism , with prayer , fasting , kneeling , confessing of sins ; and in his Book of Repentance , cals Baptism the sealing of repentance , no where is any such institution of infants Baptism from the faith of one parent ; and therefore I conclude , ex institutionis disciplina , is not meant as Dr. Hammond conceives . On the other side I conceive that he means by [ sanctos procreari ] real holiness future , and by ex institutionis disciplina , learning of the doctrine or institution of Christ. That the holiness is real saving holiness , is gathered first from the joyning together , designati sanctitatis ac per hoc etiam salutis , which plainly shews , that the holiness meant is that by which is salvation . 2. This is confirmed , in that it is made the effect of being born by water and the spirit . 3. Shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven , is expounded by sanctus , holy . 4. It is opposed to that uncleanness which they had in Adam , and it is expressed to bee in Christ , which must needs bee a real saving holiness . 5. If it bee that which is by baptism , then it is not baptism it self , as the Dr. expounds it , but a consequent on it , which is no other then saving holiness . 6. This is proved from the expression of designatos sanctitatis ac per hoc salutis ; this is confessed by the Dr. to express the same with procreari sanctos ex institutionis disciplina , but designatos sanctitatis hath the sense of designed to be holy , that is , a believer by education , and so saved . I will set down the words of a Letter of my learned and much honoured friend and quondam scholler Dr. Wilkins , Warden of Wadham Colledge in Oxford , who at my request imployed a friend to enquire into the sense of this passage of Tertullian , and thus wrote to me : As for that phrase , Designatos sanctitatis & salutis , though this reading be approved by Pamelius , and de la Cerda in their editions , yet 't is corrected by Johannes a Wouwer , by that famous Manuscript Copy of Fulvius Ursinus , now in the Vatican , which hath it Designatos sanctitati . Which reading is now generally received as the most genuine , as may appear by Rigaltius and Georgius Ambianus in his last and best edition of Tertullian at Paris 1648. And the most proper sense of this phrase must be , such as are designed by their parents to a religious education , which is likewise signified by that other expression ex instituionis disciplina . So that designatos sanctitati ac per hec etiam saluti , plainly expresseth , that whereas the Pagan idolaters did dedicate and consecrate their children to Devils , and thereby made them unclean , the children of the believer were brought into the world holy , both in that they were free from such pollution , and also by prayer , vow , or resolution designed or intended to be made holy by the disciplin of Christian institution , and so to be saved , or to enter into the Kingdome of heaven , by faith in Christ. 7. This sense is confirmed by the words [ hujus spei pignora , the pledges of this hope ] which shew that the holiness and salvation meant in the words before , was a thing not then existent at the childrens birth , but intended and hoped for at age , upon endeavours used by the believing parent . 8. This interpretation of designatos sanctitatis , or sanctitati , is confirmed by the expressions of Hierome , Epist. 153. to Paulinus , where he saith , Of thy second Problem Tertullian hath discoursed in his books of Monogamy , affirming the children of believers to be called holy , because they were as it were candidati fidei , candidates of faith , and not polluted with any of the filth of Idolatry . Which phrase expresseth the same with designatos sanctitati , and alludes to those who in Rome stood for Offices in white , and notes that the infants were as it were in expectation of being believers , and baptized , quod veluti ambiunt & expectant baptismum , as Erasmus in his note on Hierom , Epist. 153. to Paulinus , or designed , that is intended to be holy by the parents , that is to be bred up to profess the faith , and so to be baptized . To this saith Dr. Hammond . 1. This of Tertullian is not the place that S. Hierom refers to , but some other in his Books de Monogamia , that one book which we now have under that title affording us no such discourse on that subject as S. Hierom mentions . Answ. 1. It is more probable that this is the place Hierom meant , the expressions so agreeing and the matter , and that Hierom writing in hast mistook the the Title of the Book , and the term candidatos used in the Chapter before for designatos . 2. However , whether it were so or otherwise , the words cited by Hierom being to the same purpose will fitly explain the other . 2dly . ( saith Dr. Hammond ) All that S. Hierom cites out of that ( not this ) place of Tertullian is very reconcilable with what Tertullian saith in this place , and with his opinion that the infants of Christians were baptized ; for , sai●h he , they were quasi candidati fidei , as it were candidates of faith . Candidates were they that stood for any Office , qui candidâ sumptâ veste consulatum , praturam , &c. postulabant , who putting on white garments sued for any Office ; and so candidates of faith , they that sue for this condition in the Church of God , that of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 believers , to which by baptism they are assumed , and accordingly were to be brought to the font , like such candidates , in white garments as they that were to be sanctified ; i. e. baptized , among the Jews Exod. 16.10 . were also to wash their cloathes or put on clean garments . Answ. 'T is true both places of Tertullian are very reconcilable , but not Dr. Hammonds interpretation of designatos sanctitatis or sanctitati with candidatos fidei . For Dr. Hammonds designatos is as much baptized , but candidatos notes onely a future thing in expectation , and candidatos fidei answering to designatos sanctitatis or sanctitati shews the holiness to be saith , and that tending to salvation , not the bare title of a believer by baptism , but such a faith as saves effectually ac per hoc etiam salutis , which puts it out of doubt , that a real holiness though in intention and expectation onely , and a real saving faith though future , is meant by Tertullian in both expressions , which is not avoided by the Doctors answer . Again ( saith the Dr. ) when he saith of them that they were holy as the vessels of the Temple were holy , though they had no sense , this is a clear laying of a ground , whereby children may be deemed capable of this relative holiness , which is to be had by baptism , though as yet they are not capable ( for want of understanding ) of inherent holiness . Answ. 'T is true Hierom expresseth another way of holiness which infants might have without understanding , but that this should be by baptism he doth not intimate . But if he did , yet he doth not make it the meaning of Tertullians candidatos fidei , and therefore serves not his turn to prove that by holiness Tertullian meant baptism . Yea , this very thing is against it , sith it is added as another way of sanctity then that he first mentioned , as the words simulque considera do seem to me to intimate ; and therefore candidatos fidei and designatos sanctitatis or sanctitati is not partakers of Baptism in Tertullian , as the Dr. would have it . Lastly ( saith the Dr. ) when he mentions it as an idiom of Scripture to call them holy , who are clensed , purified , expiated , speaking of those legal lustrations or purifications , this gives an account of St. Pauls using the word in the Christian Church for the Christian lustration , purification , expiation , i. e. for baptism . Answ. 1. It gives but a lame account till it be proved St. Paul useth holy for baptized . 2. Though Hierom do say the Scripture names holy for clean , purified , and expiated ; yet this doth not prove he conceived the Scripture puts holy for Christian baptism . Yet again saith the Dr. And by the way it appears by St. Hierom , that he useth promiscuously sancti and sanctificati , and so that gives us authority to interpret [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] in the end of the verse , in the same sense in which [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] is used in the beginning for those that are brought and received to Baptism . All which are far enough from serving any of Mr. T. his interests , and might have inclined him to have omitted that testimony of St. Hieroms , if he had more maturely considered of it . Answ. How this testimony serves my turn upon more mature consideration of it ▪ is shewed . It is true sancti and sanctificati are used of the same persons , yet they are not the same ; as calidum and calefactum may be said of the same wood , yet are not the same , sith fire may be said to be hot , but not heated ▪ and God may be said to be holy , but not sanctified . But the Dr. f●rge●s himself when he would have sanctified and holy , 1 Cor. 7.14 . to be interpreted in the same sense . For then when it is said the unbeliever hath been sanctified , that is , brought to the faith by the wives counsel and example , it should be said of the infant children that they are in the same sense holy , that is , converted to the faith . Yet further saith the Dr. Nay 3. I must add , that Mr. T. his rendring of candidati and designati sanctitatis and candidati fidei by being in designation of being believers and baptized , intended to be holy by the parents , to be bred up to the faith and so baptized ; is a most groundless inconvenient interpretation . For if by holiness and faith be meant inherent holiness and faith , then Baptism it self is the ceremony of consecrating and designing them to this , and so precedent to that holiness ( not subsequent to it as Mr. T. sets it ) and accordingly in the Church writings the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 believers , is never bestowed on any , though of mature age and knowledge ; till after they be baptized , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illuminate and believers being all one , promiscuously used for those that have received baptism , in opposition to catechumeni those that have not yet attained it : But if holiness and faith be the relative holiness then infants being as capable of that as vessels in the Temple , they might be presently designed and consecrated to that , and not first bred up in the faith , before they were partakers of it . Answ. That the interpretation I give is neither groundless nor inconvenient , is manifest by the phrase it self , designatos sanctitatis or sanctitati ; the Doctors interpretation is altogether groundless and inconvenient ; For he renders p. 59. designed by sealed , but he shews not that ever [ designatos ] signifies [ sealed , ] the term for that is obsignatos , Tertullian in his Book of Repentance saith , Lavacrum illud ( meaning baptism ) est obsignatio fidei , quae fides a paenitentiae fide incipitur & commendatur : The term [ designed ] notes plainly the intention of the parent , and this is also plain from the next words [ of this hope ] which shews it is not baptism in infancy they were designed to , for that they need not hope for , they might presently have ; but real holiness of saving faith , and therefore expressed by candidatos fidei , and that this holiness was such a real holiness , appears by the addition ac per hoc etiam salutis , there being no other holiness that could bring salvation , and the term candidatos imports a suing or seeking for it , as Erasmus expresseth it veluti ambiunt & expectant ; and Dr. Hammond p. 92. himself expresseth candidatos daemoniorum candidates of the Devils , ambitious to be admitted thus early into his service . So that all these reasons shew , that designatos sanctitatis notes the intention of the parents with endeavours to produce faith , and so to bring them to Baptism . Which is the more evident if it be read [ designatos sanctitati ] for that case plainly intimates a tendency to it . As for designatos sanctitatis , which the Dr. that he may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 serve his own purpose ( which he elsewhere causlesly imputes to me ) turns [ sealed of holiness ] I crave leave to tell the Dr. that in my appehension it makes Tertullian speak non-sense ; and that it cannot be the meaning that it should note the consecrating by baptism , it appears in that it should have been then sanctitate , or per sanctitatem . Besides , they are said to be designatos salutis as well as sanctitatis and I hope the Dr. will not render it sealed of salvation as if it noted the ceremony of consecrating , Salvation in no Writer being put for for Baptism : And however , here it 's a distinct thing from sanctity , which the Dr. makes Baptism . So that I think I may safely infer , that Tertullian means by [ designatos sanctitatis or sanctitati rather ] not Baptism , but the intention of the parents ( for of their act he speaks in opposition to the Gentile parents designing their children to Devils ; or as the terms are vowing , deputing to them , making them candidatos ) to breed them up in the faith , and so to bring them to Baptism and Salvation , which his words in his Book de Baptismo , c. 18. shew he approved as best , except necessity through danger of death imminent and apparent urged the hastening of it in little ones ; regularly he would have faith first , and baptism after , as the words in his Book of Baptism , and Repentance forecited shew . And whereas the Dr. saith ▪ in the Church writings the word believers is never bestowed on any though of mature age and knowledge till after they be baptized , and so faith must be subsequent not antecedent to baptism as I set it , the Dr. may perceive his mistake by the words of Tertullian before quoted , Itaque omnes credentes tingibantur , Lavacrum illud est obsignatio fidei ; and this is agreeable to Christs speech , Mar. 16.16 . He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved , to which perhaps Tertullian alluded when he said designatos sanctitati , which Grotius follows , Annot. ad 1 Cor. 7.14 . or condidatos fidei ac per hoc etiam saluti , or salutis . The relative holiness which vessels in the Temple were capable of , is far from Tertullians meaning : Certainly Tertullians phrase of designed to holiness is so far from proving infant baptism , that it proves the contrary , sith he is not said to be designatus or candidatus who hath an Office or thing in possession , but he who is chosen to it or seeks for it , and so hath it onely in intention or expectation . As designatus saluti is not actually saved , so neither designatus sanctitati actually baptized . He adds . The children of believers , I willingly grant , are presumed to be by them intended to be bred up to the faith ; but if that intention of theirs bring forth no present effect , if they do not bring them thus early and enter them into the Church by Baptism , why should that bare intention of the parents give them the stile of holy or sanctified , or how should these infant children , which may die before they come t● those years , receive any present priviledge or benefit by that which is thus far removed from them ? Answ. The Drs. words answer this , p. 92. when he saith , Whosoever is born from either parent Christian , hath one priviledge by nature , by his very seed , that he is not so polluted as the Idolatrous heathens children by their Idolatrous ceremonies , and so is in some degree holy in that respect , which is a present effect , opposite to the present evil effect which the heathen Idolatrous devotions brought on their children . He goes on . Now for the 2d . part of this suggestion , that what I say from Tertullian , that they were holy , i. e. baptized in seminis praerogativâ is a mistake , I must answer by viewing of the proofs of his assertion : First , saith he , the holiness was not onely by prerogative of birth , but ex institutionis disciplinâ . This is sure a strange proof , It is not so , because it is not onely so . 'T is certain that Tertullian saith they are holy ex institutionis disciplinâ , and as certain that they are as much so by prerogative of their birth ; the words are most clear , tam ex seminis praerogativâ quam ex institutionis disciplinâ , and that I never denied the second could not be mistaken in affirming the first . Answ. The words of the Dr. in his 4th . quaere gave occasion to think he conceived the children of believers to be termed holy by Tertullian , that is baptized either onely or chiefly by prerogative of birth as that which gave them title to baptism . But it seems he means that they had title to it , also by the discipline of institution . But p. 92. he expounds the prerogative of birth onely by their freedome from Idolarous pollution ; Now sure that gave not title to baptism : An Idolaters child if born without those pollutions had not title to baptism , he must be born according to his own exposition of the Apostles and Tertullians words of one believer : & therfore he must needs be mistaken in affirming the first , and he must needs miss Tertullians meaning if by holy be meant baptized , and says they are baptized tàm ex seminis praerogativâ if that give no title to it . The Dr. expounds ex institutionis disciplinâ thus , by the Doctrine of Baptism instituted by Christ , by which Baptism is allowed to children born of either parent Christian. I have shewed before how short his proof is of this sense . For present , Tertullians words , according to this exposition have an inept tautology ; For it is all one as to say , they are baptized as well by prerogative of birth as by prerogative of birth , the prerogative of birth by which they are baptized being all one with their priviledge of being born of a believer , which is acc●rding to the Dr. the discipline of insti●ution . If Tertullian had meant as the Dr. would have it , he had not used tàm and quàm , but said , holy by prerogati●e of birth according to the discipline of institution ; whence it may appear , that the discipline of institution and holiness is another thing then the Dr. interprets it , nor by his interpretation of the place will the place be clear . For not two priviledges ( as the Dr. makes it ) but one priviledge , to wit , holiness , which the Dr. makes to be baptism , is ascribed to them by a double means , freedome from heathenish pollutions , and the doctrine of Christ about infants Baptism : Whereas freedome from such pollutions gives no title to Baptism , and if prerogative of birth ●e meant of federal holiness ( of which is not a word there ) and the discipline of institution be the doctrine allowing baptism to the child born of a believer , it is either an inept tautology , both being the same , or incongruous speech , which should be thus mended , by prerogative of birth according to the doctrine of baptism by Christ in his Church , imagined by the Dr. but not extant in Scripture , nor Tertullian . Nor do Tertullians words following , de Anima , c 40. Every soul is so long enrolled in Adam till it be inrolled in Christ , and is so long unclean till it be thus anew enrolled , prove that by [ holy ] Tertullian meant baptized . For in the words before ( to which [ ita so ] refer ) he makes holy to be the same with entring into the Kingdome of Heaven , and the enrolrolling in Christ he makes the same with being born of water and the spirit . Of the words ascribed to Origen and Athanasius , enough hath been said already . Neither Cyprians nor Chrysostomes words prove , that [ holy ] is as much as [ partaker of baptism ] in the Ancients language , much less in the Apostles 1 Cor. 7.14 . to the further consideration of which I proceed after Dr. Hammond . I excepted against Dr. Hammonds paraphrase of 1 Cor. 7.14 . that the term [ young Children of Christians ] is more then is in the text , which hath onely [ your children ] which is not restrained to infancy . But the Dr. proves it is , 1. By the authority of Tertullian , who saith of infant children , that they are procreated holy ; and Nazianzen , who using this phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in all probability refers to this place of the Apostle , and so renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , their children , by their infant children . Answ. 1. Tertullian doth not say that the infant children are holy in infancy onely 2. No● is there any thing said to make it in any sort probable , that Nazianzen referred to that place of the Apostle , in which is neither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , nor that hee should render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when he useth not the same case nor number the Apostle doth , but onely useth a description of young age , which is not to my remembrance expressed by the other word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any where . 2. The other reasons are farther from the thing . For neither doth it appear to be the general doctrine of the Fathers , that the parents faith profits onely their infant children , some of them do reason from the faith of the woman of Canaan , the faith of the ruler of the Synagogue , that faith of parents profits children who were not infants . The other reason runs upon this mistake , which should be proved to be the Apostles meaning ( but is denied by me ) ●hat he makes 1 Cor. 7.14 . sanctification or baptism of the children , a benefit of the believing parents cohabiting with the unbeliever . I said [ holy ] for [ admitted to baptism ] is a sense of the word no where else found . But this the Dr. hopes he hath cleared , both from the usage of ●he word among the first Christian writers , which is answered , and the Jewish , of which in that which followes , and saith . I might further do it even by this Apostles dialect , who in his inscriptions of most of his Epistles to the Churches , calls all those to whom he writes , i. e. the baptized Christians of those Churches holy , Rom. 1.7 . and sanctified and holy , 1 Cor. 1.2 . 2 Cor. 1.1 . Eph. 1.1 . Phil. 1.1 . Col. 1.1 . among whom no doubt there were many , who were no otherwise holy or sanctified , then as all baptized Christians are capable of that stile . Answ. True : But do●h hee term any infant so in those places ? or give them those titles barely from Baptism ? doth he not expresly term them Saints by their calling not by their Baptism ? The Drs. allegations have not yet altered my minde , but I think as I did his interpretation new , strange and absurd . I alleged Aug. l. 2. de pecc . mer. & remiss . c. 26. ( and the like is said l. 3· c. 12. ) Saying the sanctification of what sort soever it be , which the Apostle said to be in the children o● believers , yet it belongs not to that question of Baptism , and the beginning or remission of sins To this the Dr. answers , T is true he saith it belongs not to that question , whether the sanctifying of the catechumeni after a sort by the sign of Christ , and prayer of imposition of hands without Baptism , profits him not to the entring the Kingdome of Heaven . And the meaning is such sanctification , except it be that of baptism , cannot avail to remission of sins . Answ. The Dr. mistakes in making the question to be of the Catechumeni , mentioned c. 26. it is of the children of believers , who being termed holy , 1 Cor. 7.14 . should seem not to need Baptism , which Augustin answers , 1. By mentioning divers sorts of sanctification , but not determining which is there meant . 2. By resolving that what ever the sanctification be which the Apostle said to be in the children of believers ( not as the Dr makes it of the Catechumeni ) it belongs not to that ●uestion of Baptism ( not as the Dr. doth palpably pervert the words p. 64. whatsoever sanctification it can be imagined to be that the Apostle speaks of , except it be that of Baptism , it cannot avail to the remission of sins , &c. ) to wit mentioned ch . 25. whether it exclude necessity of Baptism , original sin and the remission of it in the children of believers termed holy . Which is plainly against the Dr. who will have it meant onely of baptism of infants of believers , by vertue of the believing parents faith . As for my other objections against his paraphrase not answered , I am so far from assurance that the Dr. can easily answer them , that by this answer I judge he can answer none of them . SECT . LXXXXII . Dr. Hammonds imagined evidence from [ hath been sanctified ] for his sense of the fore part of 1 Cor. 7.14 . is nullified , and my opinion of enallage of tense vindicated . CH. 3. Sect. 2 the Dr. saith thus . First then to my first evidence taken from the word [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath been sanctified ] referring to some past known examples and experiences , of this kinde ( of a wives converting the husband , &c. ) he hath a double answer . 1. That as my paraphrase expresseth it , it should signifie not onely that an unbelieving husband hath been sanctified , but also that there is hope they will , and so it should note not onely some example past , but also some to come , of which there can be a less reasonable account given , then of putting it in the present tense in English. 2. That the enallage or change of tense is frequent ch . 11.24 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the present tense for the future , and here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and in the next v. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the preter for the present , and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here , not , hath been , but is sanctified , or if in the preter tense , yet that to be understood of a past thing , yet continued , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John 3.18 . notes an act still continued in force . To these two I reply briefly , and first to the former ( the same which hee had mentioned before , and excepted against as an excess in my paraphrase , but both there and here without the least cause ; ) For in my paraphrase I look upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a verb of the preter tense , and as such onely adapt the sense to it , referring it not to future hopes , but to past experiments or examples ; onely because examples are rhetorical syllogismes , and what hath been frequently experimented may also reasonably be hoped , I suppose that the Apostle so meant these examples , as grounds of hoping the like for the future , not making this of the future any part of the sense of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the preter , but explicating the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or rational importance ( which is somewhat more then the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Apostles speech ) and supposing this conclusion to lye hid under this premise , as it is ordinary in all discourse to set down the ●remises , distinctly leaving the conclusion by every ones reason to be drawn from thence , without setting it down explicitly . Answ. That the Dr. in his paraphrase qu. 4. § . 31. of his letter , put so much as I have noted Review part . 2. sect . 26. of which there is nothing in the text expressed , is not justified by this plea. For what ever addition a paraphrast be allowed , yet sure no paraphrast is allowed to express that which he conceives it deducible from the sense of the words in thirteen lines , and the sense it self onely in three and especially when he layes that in his paraphrase as the ground of his argument for his position , which hath not a word in the text to leade to that inference . Sure I had great cause to except against his paraphrase , which was so monstrous as to be defective in letting down what was the chief thing to be heeded in the Apostles speech , to wit , the relation of husband and wife , and so extremely exuberant , as to express that as done often , which is mentioned in the singular number onely , and ascribe the sanctifying to the conversation not at all expressed , and put in a long inference that hath no intimation in the text , and mention an act of the Church , of which there is no inkling there or near it , or any where else in Scripture , and so many wayes corrupting the sense , as I shew ubi suprà , especially in the main supposing a mention made of a husband converted by the wife , and yet the husband expressed by the Apostle as continuing an unbeliever , and a husbands being sanctified by the wife which is ever ascribed to Gods spirit , never to any Apostle , to make that which is used as a reason of lawfulness , as if it were a motive from an advantage , to make that as a Rhetorical motive , which is a Logical proof , to make that which was a rare contingent event , which might and it's likely did as often fail as a convincing argument to settle the conscience in the lawfulness of cohabitation , with other faults , as being so audacious an attempt , as I think no approved writer can bee shewed to have made , nor any considerate Reader will allow of . Nor would it ever have come into my thoughts , that so learned a man as Dr Hammond is , should have vented such a conceit as this is in his Letter and Annotations , did I not finde him set to maintain what the Church of England , that is the Prelates , held or appointed , as others what the Scottish or New-English Churches approve of . As for his excuse of his dealing in his paraphrase , it is too narrow a plaister for such a sore . For neither is any thing 1 Cor. 7.14 . set down as an example to move the will the judgement being before setled , nor any Rhetorical syllogism , used , but a Logical ; as the termes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , used Rom. 11.6 . 1 Cor. 15.14 , 18 , 29 , &c. shew , nor doth the Dr. prove , but suppose the Apostle so meant ; nor doth he answer the allegations I bring to the contrary , Review par . 2. § . 26. And his words here do imply as if this were the conclusion , that it is probable and a ground of hope , that the unbelieving yoke fellow will be converted by the believer cohabiting , and this the premise , for it hath often so come to pass , whereas there is not the least intimation of that conclusion in the text , and it is manifest by the term [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ] that v. 14. is a proof of the determination or conclusion v. 12 , 13. concerning the lawfulness of married persons living together in disparity of religion , not of Dr. Hammonds imagined as tacitely implied conclusion . But hee saith . Wherein that I was not mistaken , I had all assurance from v. 16. where the argument is prest , and the conclusion inferred more explicitely . For what knowest thou O wife , whether thou shalt save thy husband — and the like mentioned in the paraphrase from 1 Pet. 3.1 . Answ. Dr. Hammond had no assurance from v. 16. that the unbelieving husband is oft converted by the wife ; the thing being expressed so doubtfully as an uncertain contingent though possible , and so with some hope sperable , [ Hierom. com . in 1 Cor. 7.14 . In dubium quidem ●osuit sed semper ambiguam melius evenire credenda sunt . ] much less that there is a conclusion of the probability of the converting of the infidel yoke●fellow , v. 14. deducible from the example and experiment of what was done in time past , v. 16. being neither explication nor proof of what is said v. 14. but a motive to make the thing determined as lawfull , v. 12 , 13. more swasible , or a motive to what is said v. 15. that God hath called us in peace . In my apprehension if v. 14. were as the Dr. meanes , the unbelieving husband hath been sanctified , that is converted by the wife often , and therefore it is probable , or there is a ground of hope , or it is to be presumed , it will be so for the future , the Apostle had said the same v. 14. which is said v. 16. and so there would have been a meer tautology in the Apostles speeches , which is not to bee conceived . As for 1 Pet. 3 1. though it shew such an event possible , yet not frequent , nor is there in Peters words the least hint that Pauls words 1 Cor. 7.14 . are to be understood as the Dr. would have them . But the Dr. hath another string to his bow , which he thus urgeth . And herein I have the authority of St. Hierom ; as for my rendring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the woman ( so I find it per mulierem in his 7. Epist. ad Latam , and so Marianus Victorius in his scholia assures us , all the copies ancient and printed read it ) so also for this part of my paraphrase . He produceth an example , because ( saith he on the place ) it hath often happened that the husband hath been gained by the wife , according to that of St. Peter , that if any man believe not the word , he should without the word be gained by the conversation of the wife , that is , that when they shall see them changed to the better , all may know that the law of God might have been taken in exchange for so inveterate a custome . And so again Ep. 7. ad Laetam , speaking of the like example , we have well ( saith he ) and happily expected ( i. e. not mist of our expe●●ation ) an holy and faithfull house sanctifies an unbeliever , adding his conceipt , that Jupiter himself if he had had such a kin●ed , might have been brought to the faith of Christ. Answ. 'T is true that Hierom comment . in 1 Cor. 7.14 . reads per mulierem , but in Ep 7 ad Laetam he reads in uxore , and August . tom 7. l. 2. de peccat . merit . & remis . c. 26. and that in Hierom in both places the terms fidelem and fideli are , but not in August . though he render the later part thus , & sanctificatur mulier infidelis in fratre . And I find in the scholies of Erasmus 〈◊〉 Roterdam , on Hieroms Epistle to Laeta this the fir●● note . For he is san●●●fied ] The place is with S. Paul in the former Epistle to the Corinthians cap. 7. In the ancient copies we find written in the husband , not by the husband , and in the wife , not by the woman . For the Greek hath it , For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife , and the unbelieving wife in the husband . Moreover what the interpreter adds [ believer and believer ] he hath done for explication . By which it may appear , that Erasmus saith otherwise then the Dr. saith Marianus Victorius doth , and for my part I imagine Erasmus is the more credible scholiast of the two . 'T is true that Hierom com . in 1 Cor. 7.14 . hath the words the Dr. allegeth , but then he addeth , which the Dr. leaves out . Item ideo vir & uxor invicem sanctificantur : quia ex traditione Dei sanctae sunt nuptiae . That is , Likewise therefore the husband and wife are to each other or for each other , or in course sanctified , because by the tradition of God mariages are holy , which expresseth Hieromes second and better thoughts . By which it may appear that Hierom took of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if it were in the present tense . And for the other place of Hierom it is true , Hierom hath the words the Dr. cites , if the word [ Jovem ] be not put for [ proavum ] or some such word as Erasmus thinks . But then it is plain from the words left out by the Dr. Jam candidatus est fidei quem filiorum & nepotum credens turba circumdat . That is , He is as one that would be baptized , who hath a company of believing children & grandchildren about him . That the sanctifying is not made the priviledge of the husband in respect of his wife , or of the children by the parent , but also the grandfather is conceived likely to be sanctified by the children and grandchildren , and all is ascribed to example and instruction , with this express speech , Fiunt non nascuntur Christiani ; Christians are made , not born such . And though Hierome saith of Laeta's daughter Paula , that she was prius Christo consecrata quàm genita , and she had conceived her , antè votis quam utero , yet the words cui imperatori , cui exercitui nutriatur , cui promissa sit , regis amplexibus parat , de spiritualibus nuptiis sciscitantem , do seem to me to imitate that young Paula was not then baptized , which if right it is manifest , that children of believers were not baptized ordinarily then in infancy . And me thinks the words of Hierom in his commentary on 1 Cor. 7.14 . on the words , Else should your children be unclean , but now are they holy ; If it were not so as I say your children would yet remain infidels : for it would often happen that the children would follow those parents , who had believed . Upon which hope he would have it believed , that the other might bee saved as well by the example of the children as by the marriage ; shew that Hierom understood not the holiness of the children , of their baptism in infancy , but of their embracing the faith , by following the example of the believing parent , and in like manner the unbelieving parent was sanctified according to him , as well by the example of the children as the marriage . So that however Dr. Hammonds paraphrase in the forepart seems to have some countenance from these passages of Hierome , yet the latter part is expounded clean besides the Drs. minde , and the passages yeeld us such hints of the not baptizing of infants of believers , as do overthrow his conceit ; as if the infants of believers were then ordinarily baptized . Dr. Hammond adds . As for his 2d answer , I acknowledge such Enallages to be ordinary in the Hebrew , and sometimes , but more rarely , found in the Hebraizing Greeks or Hellenists , and consequently , that where the context will not bear the sense of the tense which is used , there may be place for this Grammatical figure , which yet is not to be made use of unnecessarily . Accordingly if there were any convincing reason offered , that [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the preter tense ] could not be born , ● should not then doubt to interpret it by this figure , either in the present or some other tense : But when ( as here it is evident ) there is no such necessity , then 1. I cannot think fit to do so , ( 't is dangerous to forsake the literal sense , when it may be commodiously retained , and fly to either a Rhetorical or Grammatical figure ; ) and having no motive to do so , I am next to consider , what is the properest importance of that phrase in that tense wherein it is used , and then I could not ( I believe ) have fallen upon any thing more natural , then that the preter form of speech referred to the past experiences , &c. This is a full satisfaction to his answer . Answ. 1. The Drs. acknowledging that such Enallages may be , and sometimes are , shews that his interpretation is not necessary , and therefore his inference thereupon not certain , which is enough to make good my answer . 2. It is to me a convincing reason , that there is an Enallage of the preter tense for the present , not onely because Camerarius and other learned men conceive so , and our Translator so render i● ; but also because by the making it to import an experience past●nely , a sense is brought in ( as I have shewed in my Examen , par ▪ 3. sect 8. in the first part of the Review , sect . 19 , &c. in the second part of the Review , sect . 26. ) which is neither agreeing with the words , nor pertinent or accommodate to the matter of the Apostle speech 3 However the Dr. believe , yet it is shewed here , and Review par . 2. sect . 6 that to refer the sanctifying 1 Cor. 7.14 to past experiences , is not natural . For the Apostles speech being a reason , not of the commodiousness of living together in disparity of Religion , ( for if it had been of i● , they could have better resolved themselves then the Apostle , yea , they could have refuted the Apostle , and re●●●ied his reason against him , we find it not so by experience , ) but of the lawfulness , the reason must be conceived to import right , not event ; and so the speech is not of what hath been , which onely mentions experience , but of what is de jure , or is lawfull ; and as Piscator rightly Schol. in 1 Cor. 7.14 . Sanctificatus est ] id est , usus illius ut sanctus , & conscientiam uxoris non ladens concessus est . And in this manner it is usual to express such sentences in the preter tense , yet to be expounded by an Enallage , as in the same Chapter the next v. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in the preter tense , yet rightly rendred [ is not under bondage , ] v. 34. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therei● difference , v. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is short , 1 Cor. 8.3 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is known , 1 Cor. 4.4 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 am justified , 1 Cor. 15.1 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye do stand , v. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are perished , 1 Cor. 16.9 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is opened , Tit. 1.15 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are defiled , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 usually is written , Matth. 13.11 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is given . Yet ( saith the Dr. ) I may in the 2 d. place ex abundanti add thus much more , that the utmost he can pretend to by the enallage ( whether of the preter for the present , or of the preter understood of a past thing yet continued ) is as commodious fo● my interpretation as the preter is : For if it be in the present , then the importance will be , that it is a matter of present daily experience ; if in the past continued , then that it is matter both of past and present experience , that the unbeliever is thus wrought upon by the believer , and brought into the Church by Baptism , and this a just ground of hope , that so it may be again in any particular instance , and so a competent motive that the believing wife should abide with the infidel husband , and not depart as long as he will live peaceably with her : And this sure was S. Hieroms understanding in the words newly cited , the Apostle makes instance , produceth example that this hath ( and doth ) ordinarily come to pass ; And to that also agrees the 16th . verse , For how knowest thou &c. Answ. 1. If it be in the present tense , the importance will not be , that it is a matter of present daily experience , unless it be proved the term [ sanctified ] notes an iterated event , which I conceive and think I have proved to import right or lawfulness , so as that the sense is , the unbelieving husband is sanctified to or in respect of his wife ( as Beza , Piscator , Grotius , &c. do conceive ) that is , lawfully used , which is the onely sense that fits the determination of the Apostle , which is not of the conveniency or commodiousness or advantage in living together , but of the lawfulness , v. 12 , 13. Nor if it be in the past continued , will it fit the Drs. sense . For the Drs. sense is as if sanctification were the same with conversion , but that is an act transeunt , past , and not continued ; and if it include baptism , as the Dr. would have it , the sense should be , The unbelieving husband hath been converted , and brought to baptism , and continues to be converted and brought to baptism by the conversation of the wi●e ; which cannot be said of the person said to be sanctified : Yea , there is no less then an implicite contradiction in the words so expounded ; for then it should be thus meant , The unbelieving husband ( remaining an unbeliever , as the Ap●stles speech supposeth , else it were not apposite to the case v. 12 , 13. ) is and continues to be wrought upon by the believer , and brought into the Church by baptism . Yet were this exposition allowed , it would no whit avail to the Drs. purpose , unless the futurity of the same act were implied in that imagined sense of the Dr. For it is not the event past that is the motive of cohabitation , but the hope of that which may be : And yet the Dr. tels us in his paraphrase , he looks upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a verb of the preter tense , and as such onely adapts the sense to it , referring it not to future hopes but to past experiences or examples . Ye● he saith , the Apostle produceth example , and to that also exactly agrees the 16 th . v. For how knowest thou , &c. which doth not at all mention an example or past experience , which could not be not done being once done , but onely an uncertain and doubtfull futurity . So that in this again the Drs. speeches do enterfere , and his speech is most false , that the words v. 16. do exactly agree with the meaning of the forepart of the 14th . v. as the Dr. expounds it . I omit that there is not a word that intimates the bringing into the Church by baptism ; and i● there were , it would import a strange experience of a wives bringing her husband into the Church by baptism , which cannot be avoided by saying through her perswasion it is done by another ; For the Text expresly assigns the sanctification , what or however it be , to the wives individual person , if then , to her as an agent it is done by her . But I have said so much here , and Review 2d . par . sect . 26. of this exposition , as me thinks should make this exposition of the Dr. to be exploded by the learned . Yet he writes further thus . As for Mr. T. his instances of Enallage , though now I may safely yeeld them all , and rather gain then lose by them , I shall yet in the last place add my sense , that no one of them is any way convincing ; that of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not , c. 11.24 . for his passion was now so near approaching , that it might very fitly be represented as present , and so that be the force of the present tense . Answ. This instance is convincing , that enallage of tense is sometimes used , it being used in this place , as Piscat . scholie in locum , Enallage temporis & metaphora . And the Drs. reason doth no whit weaken the allegation of it ; for that which notes Paulo post futurum , a future near approaching , is not without an enallage expressed by the present tense . And for the enallage in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , I conceive with the Drs. good leave , that usually the Greeks express by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what the Apostle doth by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and so there is an enallage of tense or mood ; and for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , v. 15. if an enallage be not conceived , then it must not import the present tense at all , whereas the Dr. grants it notes the preter tense yet continued , which is all one as to say it notes the present tense , which without an enallage it could not do . As for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Joh. 3.18 . I wonder the Dr. would intimate as if it were produced by me to the prejudice of the preter tense , when my very words say expresly it notes a past thing yet continued , and bring it to that purpose : But how this is far from being still perfectly agreeable to his notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the unbeliever oft hath been , and daily is converted ; and brought to baptism by the believer , is apparent , in that the continuation of the condemnation , Joh. 3.18 . is onely in respect of legal force and vertue ; but the sanctification 1 Cor. 7.14 . is as he expounds it , a meer transeunt act that imports no legal right , force , and vertue , and therefore cannot be said to be continued as the other can . And how vain the Drs. sense is , and how justifiable my interpretation is by an enallage , is shewed before . SECT . XCIII . Dr. Hammonds rendring [ by ] 1 Cor. 7.14 . is reselled , and my rendring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 [ to ] justified . SEct. 3. The Dr. omitting what I said , that if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be rendred [ in ] it serves my turn , not his unless it be proved it must be rendred [ by , ] and his supplement [ by the company and conversation of the believer ] proved , saith somewhat to my reasons of adhering to the reading of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 7 , 14. by [ to ] 1. because this seems to me the fairest , easiest , and most congruous sense . But 1. he tels me this is the begging of the question , that it is such must not be here supposed when it should be proved . To which I reply , 1. if it be the fairest , easiest , and most congruous sense , it is some proof . 2. That it is the onely sense which can stand with the words and scope of the Apostle , and is avouched so by learned men , ancient and later Protestants and Papists , is shewed at large in my Exercit. sect . 5. Examen , par . 3. sect . 8 Review , par . 1. sect . 11 , &c. here sect . 76 , &c. Refutat . of Dr. Savage his position in Latine , sect . 9. Antidote , sect . 7. besides what occurs in my Apology , Postscript , Plea , which is abundantly sufficient for acquitting me from begging the question , which he doth so importunely urge . 3. That the Dr. rather begs the question then proves his interpretation , hath and will appear in this and the former view taken of it . But the Dr. sullies the beauty of my sense of the Apostles words thus . The fairness of the sense ( simply taken ) is not attempted to bee proved , which yet doth stand in great need of it ; For beside the redundance , or unusual sense of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , some other parts of the rendering are none of the fairest . As 1. the believer may abide ] as if it were simply free to abide or not abide , whereas in the present case ( when the unbeliever is willing to abide with the believer ) the believer is by the Apostle counselled at least , if not commanded ( and that is more then a liberty that he may . ) To him the Apostle saith ( and his sayings have sure authority with them ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let him not put away . Nay the interdict of Christ belonging to all but that one case of fornication , Mat. 5. and Mat. 19. it is evident that by force thereof the believing man must not put away the unbeliever , that is , guilty of no more but unbelief . And accordingly the preface 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 — But for the rest ( or for the other questions v. 1 , 6 , 8 , 10. say I , not the Lord ) must be applied not to the immediate consequents of the believers not putting away the unbeliever , that will stay with him ( for that had been determined by Christ in the negative ) but to v. 15. If the unbelieving depart , i. e. if the unbeliever will not dwell with the believer , except the believer forsake his or her religion , what shall be done then ? And to that the Apostles counsel is , that marriage inslaves not the believer so far . All which is a competent prejudice to that part or Mr. T his sense , The believer may abide ; For if that bee it even when the unbeliever is willing to abide , then she may also depart , if shee rather chuse , which will be found contrary to Christs precept . Answ Nil tam recte dictum quod non possit malè interpretando depravarier , as the Dr. doth here . 'T is true I did in the second part of this Review Sect. 26 p. 319 , 320. say ( and gave reasons of it ) that the Apostle 1 Cor. 7.12 , 13. did dot forbid leaving each other , but resolve onely the lawfulness of living together , but this did not intimate as if the believer were simply free to abide or not abide with the unbelieving yoke-fellow willing to live with her , that when the unbeliever is willing to abide the believing wife may also depart if she rather chuse , but this , that notwithstanding the continuance of the unbelief of the husband , the wife might live with him , it was not unlawfull . So that I asserted not a liberty of le●ving him upon any cause , but a liberty of continuing with him , notwithstanding that reason ● and therefore the Dr. did ill to paraphrase v. 12. be ought not to put her away , v. 1● . let her by no meanes separate from him . And I gave some reason from v. 15. where the permitting to depart is a matter of liberty , as the word [ is not in bondage ) shews , and yet the word is as much imperative as v. 1● , 13. And I might have added , that v. 18. let him not be uncircumcised , let him not be circumcised , are there expressions of liberty , not of duty ( as the reason v. 19. shews ) and yet are as imperative as the forms used v. 12 , 13. [ See before of this , p. 624 , 625 , 626. ] 'T is true , to be circumcised might be forbidden elsewhere , as Gal. 5.2 , 3. and might be then unlawfull , and so it might be forbidden in other texts for the beliver to leave husband except in case of fornication , but in these texts liberty onely is expressed , in the one of living together notwithstanding the unbelief of the one party , in the other continuing in that state of circumcision or uncircumcision , as they were in when they were first called to the faith of Christ. And this I think the Dr. should prefer as the most suitable to his own exposition , sith the frequent conversion of the infidel by the believer , v. 14. is no fit reason to make it an unlawfull thing for her to depart , but onely it may be some motive of her will to continue , as the Dr. makes it . And I conceive v. 17 , 20 , 24. are to be so expounded , sith it is clear that to be a servant , or unmarried are some of the callings there mentioned , as v. 21 , 27 , 28. shew , but if it were a command of duty meant , v. 17 , 20 , 24. the servant must remain a servant contrary to v. 21. and the unmarried not marry , contrary to v 28. And v. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seek not a wife , being as prohibitive a form as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 12 , 13. an unmarried man should be forbidden to woe a woman , contrary to v. 28. which exempts marriage from sin . So that indeed all these imperative speeches v. 12 , 13 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 27. are to be expounded as resolutions of liberty , and so precepts of indulgence , not absolute prohibitions or injunctions of what may in no case be done , or must be done as precepts of empire . And it is as when a person scrupling whether shee may be married to a Priest woing her is resolved thus , let her not forsake him , she is not commanded to marry him , but resolved she may ; so it is in this case . Which being rightly understood , there is nothing opposite in my speech to Christs speeches Matth 5. or 19. about not putting away except in case of fornication , nor the Apostles 1 Cor. 7.10 . Nor need I trouble my self whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be the other questions , v. 1 , 6 , 8 , 10. though I think it should have been then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , nor whether it be to be applied to v. 15. as the Dr. would , though it bee in my apprehension very unlikely . Secondly , saith the Dr. In this rendring , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is englished ( not by is or hath been sanctified , but ● by [ is as if he were sanctified ] which indeed acknowledgeth that he is not , truely ( in any respect ) sanctified , and then sure this will be a strange construction , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the unbeliever ( is not sanctified but ) is as if he were sanctified , when yet litterally it must be rendered the unbeliever hath been , or ( to gratifie Mr. T. ) is or continues to be sanctified : For what is this but to interpret an affirmative by interposing a negation , he is sanctified , by he is not ? For so assuredly he is not , if he onely be as if he were . Answ. According to me , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rendered or englished [ is or hath been sanctified ] but is expounded [ is as if hee were sanctified ] as 1 Cor. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rendered or englished [ were baptized ] yet by Grotius expounded annot . 1 Cor. 10.2 . baptizali sunt , id est , quasi baptizati sunt . Which me thinks should be no strange construction to Dr. Hammond , who by his answer to Dr. Owen ch . 5. § . 1 , 2. seems to be acquainted with Grotius his annotations and other writings , and to account of him as a very pious , learned judicious man. In this exposition of Grotius there is as much an interpretation of an affirmative by interp●sing a negation as in mine ; the like I may say of other passages in the New Testament , as when it is said Heb. 11.12 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dead or killed of Abraham then alive , Matth. 12.49 . he that doth the will of his father in heaven is Christs mother , who never bare him in the womb , Matth. 12.5 . they prophane , who did holy service , Matth. 19.12 . they made themselves Eunuchs , who were not gelded . The Dr. adds . With this let any man compare the interpretation I have given , the unbeliever hath been sanctified by the believer , i. e. examples there are of such as have been thus converted from their unbelief , and this sense inforced by the interrogation , v. 16. For what knowest thou , O woman , whether thou shalt save the man , &c. And by S. Peters aphorism of daily observation 1 Pet. 3.1 . the husband that obeyes not the word , i. e. the unbeliever , may probably bee gained by the conversation of the wife , and then let him impartially pass judgement , which is the fairest and easiest rendering . Answ. Content : If he will but take notice of this one thing ( besides many more ) that the unbelieving husband , mentioned 1 Cor. 7.14 . is said to be sanctified even then when he was an unbeliever . Which is proved from the text . 1. The unbelieving huusband , and wife , v. 14. are the same with the unbelieving husband and wife mentioned v. 12 , 13. for the expression v. 14. is rela●ive to v. 12 , 13. otherwise it were impertinent to resolve the question , and the particle [ for v. 14. ] shewing it to be a reason of the determination v. 12 , 13. plainly proves it to bee meant of the same persons who continued unbelievers . 2. From v. 15. where the resolution of the doubt is continued , But if the unbeliever depart , let him depart ; which is not to bee expounded of him that was an unbeliever but is not , but of him who is when he departs , which is confirmed in that he is opposed to a brother or sister , who if he were converted should be a brother . 3. From v. 16. where still the unbeliever mentioned v. 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. is supposed to remain an unbeliever , else why should his saving be made doubtfull and contingent ? And if the Dr. stand to his own conceit , as if v. 16. exactly agreed with v. 14. it must be so construed by himself . 4. His own Tertullian who saith ex sanctificato alterutro sexu , not utraque , and Hierome , and all other that add fidelem , v. 14. and all the interpreters I know , that do make the sanctifying to be v. 14. in disparity of religion , do agree in this , that the unbeliever v. 14. is meant of one that continues an unbeliever , otherwise he should not be distinguished from the believer , who was also an unbeliever formerly . Which if but observed , I dare put it to any Reader of ordinary capacity to judge between us , whether the Doctors sense be not so far from being the fairest and easiest , that it is indeed a foul one , such as doth imply a contradiction to the Apostles words , the Dr. supposing the unbeliever v. 14. once such but not so then , the Apostle supposing him to continue so , the Dr. expounding it thus ; He that was once an unbeliever , another then the unbeliever meant v. 12 , 13. hath been sanctified by the believing wife , that is converted ; and the Apostle , He that is still an unbeliever , the same mentioned v. 12 , 13. is sanctified ; and whether mine [ The believer may abide with the unbelieving yoke-fellow : For though he be an unbeliever , yet in or to his wife , he is as if he were sanctified ; it 's all one in respect of lawfull [ omitted by the Dr. ) conjugal use as if he were sanctified ] be not the fairest , easiest , and most congruous sense , that is to be given of those words 1 Cor. 7.14 . The Dr. goes on thus ; His 2d . reason is , because , though the Dr. deny it , yet I aver that the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for to as a sign of the Dative case , is found more then once in the N. T. The truth of this I must now examine , by the proofs offered for the affirmation . And his first proof is , from Matth. 17.12 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , This , saith he , cannot be eluded , because the same speech is Mark. 9.13 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and rendred by Beza in the former place fecerunt ei , they did to him . 2. Whereas the Dr. saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , upon him or against him , it had been meet the Dr. should have given one instance at least , of such construction , which , saith he , I do not believe he can do . To this I answer , 1. By two ready instances in one verse , Luk. 23.31 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; if they do these things ( our ordinary English reads , in a green tree , but the sense and propriety directs us to ) on the green tree , what shall be done on the dry ? here is the very phrase that is used in that place of Matthew , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Answ. I did aver more then the Dr. sets down , that the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for [ to ] may with good congruity and Grammatical analogy be affixt to it , 1 Cor. 7.14 . and I used these words left out by the Dr. whereas he saith ( meaning the Dr ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on him or against him , and that this is an ordinary acception , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; I grant that it is an ordinary acception to use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but not in the sense hee here conceives , to wit , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes on or against a person . Now the Doctors instance is but in one verse , and therefore shewes not the ordinary acception , and then whereas I expected an instance of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as it notes on or against a person , hee brings an instance of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on a tree , and this is not of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against , which had been more for his purpose , but for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on , though in the sense of [ on him ] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rather answers to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Yet the Dr. brings no authority but his own for this his conceit of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for on , Luk. 23.31 . I add ; that though the Latin and English translators I have yet looked into , do render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 23.31 . by in not on , super or contrà ( which are the Drs. notions ) yet I find Diodati in his Italian translation reading , al legno verde al legno secco , which I take to be as much [ to ] as if it were expressed by ligno viridi , and ligno sicco or arido , without a preposition , and if so , the Dr. hath brought a text which further confirms my conceit against himself . In which I am the more confident , because when an object patient , or a subject suffering is expressed with the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it is either never or very rarely said , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as in Luk. 1.25 , 49 , 68. & 2.48 . & 6.11 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 31. & 8.39 . & 18.41 . & 20.15 . Acts 4.16 . & 9.13 . Luk. 1.38 . & 14.12 . & 19.9 . Acts 2.43 . & 7.40 . & 20.3 . & 22.6 , 17. omitting other writers . Which is an argument to me , that Luk. 23.31 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is redundant , and that it is best transiated , to the dry , to the green , and so the Dr. hath given an instance for my notion , not for his own . He saith further . And then for S. Marks using ( in the parallel place ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] that proves not that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was rendundant in S. Matthew , or that it was a bare signe of the Dative case , it being free to S. Mark to use any other expression , different from S. Matthew so he retained the sense , as it is clear in this place he doth , doing injuries to him , being all one in effect with upon or against him , though the phrases are not the same , which no way inferrs that when the change of the phrase changes the sense , it were lawfull so to vary it , as in the place we have in hand ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) 't is on both sides supposed to do . Answ. The Dr. omits these words of mine [ However if he could , yet me thinks it should satisfie , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes no more than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ and is a sign of the Dative case , because Mark who seems to have abbreviated Matthew , so expresseth it , and the common use of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whe● it notes dealings of man to man whether good or bad , is usually expressed by the Dative case , as Matth. 7.12 . & 18.12 & 20.32 . & 21.36 , 40. & 25.40 , 45. ] to which the Dr. makes no answer , and that which he saith here , doth confirm my notion . For if it were free to Mark to use any other expression different from Matthew , so he retained the sense , and yet he doth not use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but put onely the Dative case to express the same ; that Matthew did it appears that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are to the same sense and phrase , to express injuries done to John Baptist , and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Matthew is redundant , and nothing expressed by it but what is expressed in Mark in the Dative case without it . What the Dr. means when he saith [ 't is on both sides supposed ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) changes the sense , and so it is unlawful to vary it ] I do not understand , our present question is not whether it bee lawfull to change a phrase when the sense is not changed , and unlawful when it is : but whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 17.12 . bee redundant and a signe of the Dative case : this is yet unanswerably proved to bee by this , that Mark. 9.13 . the same phrase and matter is expressed without it , and there it notes onely the Dative case , and that is the usual manner of expression without 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be taken as redundant , and a sign of the Dative case onely , Matth. 17.12 . The Dr. goes on , A second instance which he conceivs cannot bee eluded , is Col. 1.23 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which was preached to every creature , and this he proves to be the onely rendering ; 1. Because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to preach , is commonly with a Dative case of the object , and though 1 Tim. 3.16 . it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , yet our translators and the Vulgar , and Beza read it , unto the Gentiles , as if there it noted onely a dative case ; and if it were among the Gentipes there , yet here Col. 1 . 2● . it cannot be so , because the object is in the singular number , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when it is for among , is joyned still with a noun of the plural . And 2. that which , saith he , puts this out of all doubt , is , that the phrase Col. 1. answers Mark 16.15 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . But to all this the answer is ready , by observing the exact notation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole creation ( as we render it Rom. 8.22 . ) as that signifies the whole , but especially the Gentile world , and accordingly is exprest by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Matth. 28. and farther explained by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole world , to which in S. Mark they are appointed to go , when they were thus to preach the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to this whole creation . Now of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this notion it is clear , that though it be in the singular number , yet that hath the power of the plural , as the word [ world ] and the like , which every body knowes is a noun of multitude , and so is creation , when it is thus taken for the whole created world , meaning the world of men , the nations or people of the world . And then there can be no doubt but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] is most exactly thus to be rendred , preached in , or among the whole creation , as Gal. 1.16 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preach in the nations , or among the Gentiles , and so 1 Tim. 3.16 . also , though the sense being no way altered by rendering it unto the whole creation , or every creature , and the Gentiles , it matters little though it be promiscuously thus rendred , which yet must not prescribe for other places where the sense is so much changed by the divers rendring as in this case , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] is observable , where therefore the litteral rendering being retained , we are not reasonably to conclude any more from it , then that litteral reading will afford us . As for the parallel phrase Mark. 16. that doutless can prove nothing ; 1. Because the places are not nor can be thought parallel . 2. Because if they were ( as of Matth. 28. and Mark 16. hath been granted ) yet the parallel lying onely in the sense , and that being all one whether they preacht to or among the Gentiles , this no way concludes that the phrases are the same , or the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in one redundant , which is the onely thing , for the proving of which this parallel is produced , but of that I have formerly spoken . Answ. Had the Dr. shewed any one interpreter that ever rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 1.23 . by inter omnem creaturam , among every creature , or that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it signifies inter or among or either of these prepositions , is put in Latin or English before a noun of multitude in the singular number , he had said more then I yet deem hee can , or I think any other Grammarian , nor do I take the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be a noun of multitude , there may bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though there were but one individual , though I grant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes many creatures , nor do I conceive it good sense to render it in every creature , sith the term [ creature ] doth note persons not place , and to be preached in every creature , would imply such a sense as will not suit with the matter , which is conceived by many interpreters , to note the accomplishment of what Christ appointed Mark 16.15 . which leaving out the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and the common use of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to preach being with a Dative case of the object , I did infer that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is redundant and a note of the Dative case , as Pasor before me in his Lexicon of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of which he saith , saepe ex Hebraismo redundat Col. 1.23 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , predicati omni creaturae . Sure if it were most exactly rendered , as the Dr. saith , preached in or among the whole creation , it is marvail none hit on this afore the Dr. as they have done Gal. 3.16 . 1 Tim. 3.16 . Whether Col. 1.23 . and Mar. 16.15 . be parallel in the manner I make them , is to be referred to the Readers judgement , when he shall compare them together . Sure I finde all these , Beza , Camerarius , Piscator , Zonchius , Grotius , Davenant , Trapp , the new Annotations , Elton , referring to and explaining one by the other , and the Dr. confessing the sense the same , every Grammarian that understands Greek may plainly see the phrase to be the same save that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is added Col. 1. ●3 . and therefore from all these I infer as most probable , and to me certain , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is redundant , that it 's onely the sign of the dative case of the object , that it is most truely rendered as our Translators and many more rendered , to every creature , that is , as Gorram expounds it , universis hominibus , to all , or all sorts of men . As for the Drs. cautions about prescribing and concluding , they are impertinent to the present thing concerning Col. 1.23 . whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be redundant the sign of the Dative case there . Whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 7.14 . he to be rendered [ to ] whether the sense will bear it , whether it make any other change in the sense then is fit , or any more be concluded , then is deducible is before and after to be discussed . Hitherto it appears not but that I said right , Matth. 17.12 . Col. 1.23 . cannot be eluded . The Dr. goes on , His third instance is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 4.12 . which he cannot yet conceive , but that it is better rendred , to men , then among men . And his reasons are ; First , because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath most regularly and consequently ( it should be constantly ) a dative case of the person after it . Secondly , because if it had been among men , it had been to be placed after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other , there is no other name among men , given , but being placed after given , it is to be expounded as referred to given not to other , and so must bee read , to men , not among men . Thirdly , It seems no good sense , nor true , that Christ was a name given among men , for though he were among men , yet he was given from above , To all which , he adds the judgement of Irenaeus l. 3. c. 1● . cited by Beza , and a parallel phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 7.44 . To this I answer . First , That 't is true when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath any case of the person following and governed by it , that is constantly the dative , but that is no way applicable to this phrase , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for there the persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are governed by the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . To the second , that the construction by among , is very good , placing it after given , there is no other name given among men , i. e. no means of salvation afforded by God , and continued among men . To the third , That Christs being given from above , no way prejudges his being given among men , both because the benefit of this gift is a common donative , distributed among men , and also because this gift is dispenc'd in form of humane flesh , Christ is become man , and to be found and seen among men . Answ. 1. That the persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men , are governed by the proposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and not by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is not rightly said by the Dr. First , Because the placing of it next after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shews it is governed of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 given . Secondly , Because if [ men ] were not governed of [ given ] the participle [ given ] were superfluous . For he sense would be the same , and the speech were as good language if it were left out , and the reading onely thus ; neither is there another name under heaven among men , whereby we must be saved . ● . That name whereby we must be saved ] should be put for [ meanes of salvation ] and not a person distinctly is both besides the usual acception of the term [ name ] and the drift of the words , which shew that by [ name ] is meant [ person ] and makes the speech false ; For the preaching of the Gospel by Prophets , and Apostles , were means of salvation afforded by God , and continued among men , besides Christ and his preaching . 3. That this gift was dispenc'd in form of humane flesh , that Christ was become man , and to bee f●und and seen among men , shews not that he was given among men , but to be among men , his giving was from above , as he often saith , that he came down from heaven , Joh. 6.38 , 41 , 50 , 51 , 58.33 . given from heaven , v. 32. Joh. 8.23 . ye are from beneath , I am from above . Joh. 3.31 . He that cometh from above is above all , he that cometh from heaven is above all ; which is contrary to what Peter ( as the Dr. expounds him ) speaks here , that he was a name under heaven given among men . And the other reason , because the benefit of this gift is a common donative , and distributed among men , though it perverts the sense , putting for [ the name ] which signifies the person [ the benefit ] and confounding the person whereby we must be saved with the benefit , which is no other then salvation , yet it makes for my sense . For what is it to be a common donative , distributed among men , but to be given to men . So that in the issue , the Dr. notwithstanding his strugling is not able to avoid it , but that it serves my purpose of proving 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 redundant , and a signe of the Dative case . What the Dr. saith to what I add out of Beza annot . on Acts 4.12 . the Dr. might have remembred ( if he ever read it ) that in my Examen . part . 1. § . 4. I did take notice that Irenaeus was a Greek and wrote in Greek , but now onely we have his works in Latin except some few fragments , and Beza so great a learned man , as had few equals , especially in the Greek language , it is likely knew so too ; and therefore the Dr. might have omitted that intimation , as if wee were forgetfull thereof . And it had been fair if the Dr. had taken notice , that Beza alledged first the old interpreter , as reading [ datum hominibus , given to men ] and Irenaeus ( meaning his translator , who is commonly cited as Irenaeus ] after him , and that I added Camerarius , which the Dr. saith nothing to , but hath a snatch at Beza's alleging Acts 7.44 . which I rest not on , sith it may be read [ with or among ] as well as [ to ] which is agreeable with our l●st translation , Our Fathers had the Tabernacle of witness . But I follow the Dr. in his debates , which it is indeed pitty the Reader or the Dr. should be exercised with , being fit for better undertakings then these , which he is detained with upon his own motion , as one that is cedere nescius to a plain truth , not in obedience to me who never injoyned him this exercise . He saith , For a 4th . instance , he again resumes that of Gal. 1.16 . 2 Pet. 1.5 . That Gal. 1. where of God the Apostle saith , that he was pleased to reveall his own son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and when I had rendred that by or through me to others , This exposition , saith he , makes the Apostle tautologize ineptly . This strange undecent expression , I wish had been spared , for certainly there was little temptation for it : why , I pray , might not the Apostle without incurring either part of that censure , say , God was pleased through me to reveal his son , and by way of explication ( and withall to denote the designation of that Apostle to his peculiar province , as the Apostle of the uncircumcision ) add , that I might preach the Gospel to the Gentiles . Certainly every explication of an obscurer or narrower , by a clearer or larger phrase , is not inept tautology , but that which all writers which have desired to speak intelligibly , have always been full of . And yet 2dly , the later part here , of his preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles ( he being peculiarly the Apostle of the Gentiles , as Peter and John were of the Jews wheresoever dispersed ) is more then was pretended to be said by my rendring and paraphrasing the former part of it ; for in that those others had not been defined , who they were , or limited to the Gentiles . This Mr. T. adverted not in his objection , I desire he will now take notice of it . Answ. I could not well have spared the expression , having temptation for it from Dr. Hammonds mis-interpreting the Apostles speech , so as to make it according to the Drs. sense , though not according to the Apostles , an inept tautology ; which however strange , yet was no undecent expression , there being nothing that reflects on the Apostle but on the Dr. tending to shew the absurdity of his interpretation , not of the Apostles words . From which the Dr. doth not relieve himself by his answer here . For the later phrase doth not express the same more clearly , there is neither a copulative conjunction nor dis●junctive , expressed or implied , nor any other particle which may shew the later phrase to be exegitical of the former , but the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth plainly shew that , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Evangelizing or preaching the Gospel , to be m●ntioned as the end or consequent of the revelation , and therefore not the same act . Besides the preaching the Gospel by a man is no where termed the revealing of Christ by him to others , being known to him before , but the making known to the person , and revelation is still made Gods , Christs , or his spirits act , and hath a Dative case of the person who is the object to whom the thing is revealed added to it , as Matth. 11.25 , 27. & 16.17 . Luk. 10.21 , 22. John 12.38 . 1 Cor. 2.10 . & 14 30. Eph. 3.5 . Phil. 3.15 . 1 Pet. 1.12 . and this must needs be the meaning , the words before being , whereas before he was zealous of the Law against the Christian profession , when it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb , and called me by his grace to reveal his son in him ; or as Beza annot . in locum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est mihi , to me , which plainly shews that this revelation was to him when he was called , which is called the revelation of Jesus Christ to him , v. 12. and made the proof of his calling to bee an Apostle , not of men , neither by man , but by Jesus Christ , v. 1. and the reason why he preached without conferring with the Apostles And thus doth Perkins com . on Gal. 1.16 . rightly explain it , to reveal his son in me or to me , and to express the manner or form of his calling or conversion , and expounds it thus , to teach me the doctrine of the redemption of mankinde by Jesus Christ , and the words to preach Christ among the Gentiles the end of his vocation . As for that which the Dr. desires me now to take notice of , I do , though I think it needless , sith the tautology I conceived to follow on the Drs. exposition , is not in the object but in the act , revealing his son by the Apostle , being no other then his preaching , which makes the speech nugatory , it pleased God to preach his son by me , that I might preach . As for the place of 2 Pet. 1.5 . sith the Dr. makes no more answer I need make no more reply , and I still aver that all the places which I brought out of the N. T. have the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for to , as a signe of the Da●ive case . To the places out of the Greek of the old Testament , he tels me , that three onely places in the whole Old T. would never infer that so it must bee in the New ( which I grant ) and there being no pretense of necessity that thus it wust be here ( which is also granted , except a necessity of a more fair , easie , and congruous sense then any other rendering ) these three will be of no avail to me . But this is not yeelded . For the two first , Deut. 28.60 . & 2 Kings 5.25 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vulg . adhaerebit tibi & semini tuo , being used constantly in the N. T. with a Dative Luk. 10.11 . and 15.15 . Acts 5.13 . & 8.29 . & 9.26 . & 10.28 . & 17.34 . Rom. 12.9 . 1 Cor. 6.16 , 17 , &c. it is a strong presumption that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is redundant , and onely the signe of the Dative case . And the other place Psal. 68.18 . compared with Eph. 4.8 . hath some force , it being probable that the Apostle expressed what the LXX meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . But it was not of this last onely , but of all together , I said I took them to be more then enough to refute the Drs. speech , that the notion , wherein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to , which is a signe of the Dative case , is never found once to belong to it in the N. T. nor can with any tollerable congruity or Grammatical analogy be affixt to it . SECT . XCIV . It is shewed that Dr. Hammond hath no proof from 1 Cor. 7.16 . for his sense of the fore-part of v. 14. Nor will his sense of Holy for Baptized , agree with the Apostles argument , though his sense of the forepart of the v. were granted . THe Dr. adds , My third proof produced for my interpretation of the first part of v. 14. which to me put it out of all doubt , by comparing it with the reason subjoyned ; For what knowest thou O wife , whether thou shalt save thy husband ; or how knowest thou , O man , whether thou shalt thy wife ? ] He comes next to examine , and hath many exceptions against it , all which ( without losing time in repeating and viewing them severally ) will be soon dispelled by a right understanding of the force of the Apostles argument , as there I conceive it to lie , Thus v. 14. It is matter of ordinary observation , that unbelieving husbands have been brought to the faith and Baptism by the believing wife , therefore I now exhort and counsel the believer not to depart from the unbeliever , in case the unbeliever be willing to stay , v. 13. for this reason , v. 16. Because whath hath been so oft , may very probably be hoped again , and consequently upon the premimises the believer hath ground to hope , that she may in time gain the husband to the faith , and that being so fair a reward in her view , ( the saving or rescuing him from infidelity to Christ ) may well inforce the counsel of the Apostle , not to depart from him , as long as , without sin , she is permitted to stay . By which it appears that this v. 16. is not a bare evplanation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 14. ( on which Mr. T. his exceptions principally depend ) but an application of the argument formerly proposed , but now more signally brought home to them , under the form of [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for what ] by this meanes to re-inforce his conclusion of their not departing for the cause of infidelity : If the Reader will but observe what is thus visible , he will want no more help , to get out of the intricacies and roils , which Mr. T. hath here spread for him in this matter , which is in it self so manifest , as nothing can be added to it , if either the text or my paraphrase may be permitted to speak for it self . Ans. The Dr. seems to be much crest-fa●n , who having said his exposition appeared most irrefragably by v. 16. wherin he said the fore-part of v. 14. was further explained . When four plain reasons were urged against this , he replies to none , but onely calls them intricacies , and toils , and saith , my exceptions depend on this , that v. 16. is not a bare explanation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 14. whereas my reasons prove it to be neither an explanation nor an application of the argument formerly proposed v. 14. but another argument , not to prove the lawfulness of the believers continuance with the believer , as v. 14. but either as a motive to bring them to what he had concluded lawfull , or to inforce what he had said v. 15. And for what the Dr. saith , that v. 16. the argument formerly proposed , v. 14. is more signally brought home to them , it is not true even according to the Drs. own paraphrase . For the Drs. paraphrase of v. 14. as if therein a frequ●ncy of the conversion of unbelievers yoke fellows by the believer , were well known as matter of ordinary observation , and so hopefull in the case of the present doubters , brings home the argument more signally then a mention o● it as possible , doubtfully expressed as a contingent that might be or not be . But I am willing the Reader should hear us both and then judge . I for my part do still conceive the Drs paraphrase of the fore-part of 1 Cor. 7.11 . to be far from the meaning of the text , the reason of the Apostle being by it made a Rhetorical argument to inforce the cohabitation as an advantage , which is used to make it lawfull , and urged from a contingent thing which no whit cleered the doubt , but the reason might be retorted against him , and all ascribed to the yoke fellow as a believer , when the term believer is quite omitted , and that ascribed to the believer which is stil elswhere ascribed to the spirit of God , and that expressed as done often and as of ordinary observation , which is expressed in the singular number , and made by the Apostle as doubtfull and uncertain . And if these be intricacies and toils the Dr. hath had little compassion on me and his reader , who when he might so easily , would not spend a little more time to help me out of them , though spread by himself . The Dr. proceeds Sect. 4. His exceptions to the former part of my paraphrase being now ended , I must attend what hee hath to say against the latter part of it , that which concernes our matter in hand more neerly ; The words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for else were your children unclean , but now are they holy , i. e. upon that score it is that Christians children are admitted to Bap●ism , viz. because by their living in the family with the Christian parent , they probably will ( and ought to ) be brought up in the faith — and the Church ( requiring and receiving promise from the parents ) reasonably presumes they will , and so admits them to Baptism . The argument of the Apostle thus explained in my paraphrase ( or if he yet will have it more plainly thus , The Church upon confidence that the believers children will be brought up in the faith , receives them to Baptism when they are infants ; And upon the same grounds of hope , that your abiding with the unbelieving husband may in time convert him ( as by experience it hath oft been found ) I advise you not to depart from him , if he will live with you , For what knowest thou whether thou shalt save thy husband ? &c. ) M. T. hath made a shift not to understand , and substituted another way of arguing in my name , in stead of it , p. 331. And having done so I must leave him to combate with the shadow of his own creating , no part of his impression lighting upon that which alone I profess to bee my meaning in it , which I leave him or the Reader to see , in the particulars proposed by him , but must not now bee so impertinent , as to lose time in the persuit of them . Answ. Sith the Dr. hath disclaimed my good words , and approbation of his ingenuity , ch . 1. sect . 1. of this his defence , I shall forbear to commend his ingenuity , but cannot choose but take notice of his shift he makes to avoid the force of my reasons , by bearing the Reader in hand that I made a shift not to understand him , that I substitute another way of arguing in his name in stead of it , that I combate with a shadow of my own creating , no part of my impression lighting upon that which alone he professeth to be his meaning in it , and therefore must not now be so impertinent as to lose time in the pursuit of the particulars proposed by me . This is a pretty art to pretend a reason why he need not answer what he cannot ; like his , who when he could not make a good account , devised how he might make none at all . The Dr. saith I have substituted another way of arguing in his name in stead of that he hath set down . Now sure this intimates that this he sets down was a way of arguing , and calls hi● explications he sets down the argument of the Apostle thus explained in his paraphrase in the later way more plainly . But in neither do I find any arguing ascribed to the Apostle in the later part of his word ▪ 1 Cor. 7.14 . but in the former a meer d●claration upon what reason Christians children are ( as the Dr. conceives the Apostle mean● ) admitted to baptism ; in the later , an addition of a paraphrase on the first part of 1 Cor. 7 14. with his advise according to v. 12 , 13. and his paraphrase confirmed by v. 16. Nor doth the Dr. at all explain those words , Else were your children unclean , though those were the words I chiefly insisted on to shew the absurdity his framing the Apostles reasoning brought his words to , as the Reader may plainly perceive by my words in the 2d part of my Review , sect . 26. p. 330 , 331. But to shew the Drs. collusion in this thing , the Reader may observe 1. that neith●r in his paraphrase in his 4th . qu § . 31. ( though he make it § . 32. the importance of the Apostles words , and force of his arguing ) nor here , doth the Dr. set down the true force of the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 else , which in his Letter , qu. 4. § . 33. ( to which my answer was made , p 330 , 331 , 332. with which the Dr. here cavils ) he terms an argumentative stile . For the expressions [ upon this score , on this one consideration , upon this ground ] are not exclusive terms , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 else is , which implies not onely that the thing is so upon that one consideration , but also that without it it should be otherwise ; nor doth the Dr. seem to put them as answering to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 else were , but to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but now . 2. That ( as I said before ) the Dr ▪ doth in neither of these paraphrases set down any thing as answering to [ else were your children unclean ] nor in his Letter , qu 4 § . 3● ▪ except these words are put to answer them [ yet the children of heathens are not admitted to baptism , ] which me thinks hee should not do , sith [ your children ] is in all his paraphrases [ Christians children , believers children ] and therefore I am loth to think him so much overseen ▪ as that he should put [ the children of heathens are not admitted to baptism ] for [ your children were unclean , ] 3. If he should , he should in that paraphrase much pervert the Apostles meaning , by putting that which answers to [ else were your children unclean ] contrary to the Apostles order , after that which answers to [ but now are they holy ; ] of which disorder , tending to pervert the Apostles meaning , his plainer later paraphrase here is guilty , putting first that which hee conceives answerable to [ but now are they holy , ] and then that which answers to [ the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife , ] and then that which answers to [ v. 13. let her not leave him , ] and then the 16th . v. which sure is such a disorder as is very faulty , so deforming the Apostles argument , as that its like the leaving out of an arm or eye , the placing of the hand where the eye should be in the painting of a man , whereby he is made a monster . 4. Whereas the Dr. Defence of Baptism , p. 66. denies that he made the future hopes any part of the sense of [ hath been sanctified , ] in all these paraphrases he sets down nothing but the future hopes , which are no part of the sense by his own confession , but as he imagines , the rational importance , the score , ground , or consideration of admitting children to Baptism . And not onely so , but adds more then he makes the rational importance of the term [ hath been sanctified ] in his paraphrase , as that by their living in the family with Christian parents , they probably will ( and ought ) to be brought up in the faith , and the Church requiring and receiving promise from the parents , reasonably presumes they will. None of which he doth so much as pretend to be the rational importance of [ hath been sanctified , ] but adds them of his own ; and with like fancying might have added , the Church doth reasonably presume they will be Teachers , Officers in the Church , Martyrs , and what else they could wish them to be I refer it to any sober ingenious Scholler to judge , whether such kind of paraphrasing , especially when an argument is drawn from it , as the chief , if not onely pi●lar of the cause , be tollerable . On the other side , that the Dr. did make the Apostles arguing otherwise , when he refuted the answer to his argument hence , in his Letter , qu. 4. § . 82. appears by his words there , p. 257. ( which I cited Review par . 2. pag. 322. and were those whence I gathered the Drs. framing the Apostles argument ) when he said , The invalidity of this answer will be discerned First by the method of the Apostles arguing in that place , for the co●habiting of the believing wife with the unbelieving husband , &c. because the unbelieving husband hath been sanctified by the believing wife , or else were your children unclean , but now are they holy : that must needs be this , unless there were some hope that the co-habiting of a believer , should be a means to bring an unbeliever to the faith , 't would certainly follow , that their children were unclean ; now putting to it that which he in his paraphrases § . 31. of his 4 th . qu. in his Letter , where he expresseth [ hath been sanctified ] thus , The unbelieving party hath been brought to the faith by the company and conversation of the believer , and [ unclean ] by [ not admitted to Baptism , ] and [ holy ] by [ admitted to Baptism , ] and [ your children by [ the young children of Christians whereof was an unbeliever ; ] and I appeale to any that shall compare my words in the 2d . part of this Review , sect . 26. p. 331. where I make this the Apostles arguing as the Dr. expounds it , [ If some other unbelieving yoke-fellow had not been converted by the faith , diligence , and conversation of the believing party that then was , then the children of you who are believers , but begotten or brought forth by one that yet is an unbeliever , had not been admitted to Christian Baptism in infancy : but now , that is , upon this score , that some former unbelieving yoke-fellows have been brought to the faith of Christ by the faith , conversation , and diligence of the believer , they have been admitted to Baptism , ] with the Drs. premised arguings and paraphrase in his Letter , qu. 4. § . 31 , 82. and here , whether I have not rightly set down the Apostles argument as the Dr. expounds him , and the Dr. hath not changed here his frame of the Apostles argument to hide the deformity of it , and whether there be any truth in it that I have not understood his paraphrase , that I have substituted another way of arguing in his name in stead of it , or have combated with the shadow of my own creating ; and whether these propositions [ the children of a believing yoke fellow who is joyned to an unbeliever had not been admitted to Christian Baptism , if some other unbelieving yoke-fellow had not been brought to the faith . The children of a believer by an unbelieving yoke fellow have been admitted to Christian Baptism , by reason that it hath been usual that other believers have brought the unbeliever to the faith ] are not included in the Apostles argument according to the tenour of his reasoning conceived by the Dr. and whether there be any shew of connexion in the consequence of the Apostle as the Dr. expounds it , and whether he hath not shifted in stead of answering , and imputed fiction to me that he might hide his own collusion . SECT . XCV . Dr. Hammonds reasons from the terms holy and unclean for his sense of baptized or not baptized are refelled . THe Dr. next pretends to vindicate his reasons for his interpretation from my exceptions . My first reason ( saith he ) is , Because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , holy , noting a relative holiness , a setting apart to God , and the lowest degree of that imaginable , being the initiating into the Church by Baptism , this must in reason be here noted by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holy , as all visible professors , Ezr. 9.2 . are the holy seed , and in the Epistles of the Apostles , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holy . To this he answers , that it being all granted , confirms not the Drs. exposition , because 't is no good argument a genere ad speciem affirmativè , and because infants are not visible professors . But sure when the species is such , that he that hath not that , hath not any part of the genus , the argument will thus hold very irrefragably : Suppose that of the Deacon to be the lowest order of Officers in the Church , and that without which there is no ascending to any higher degree in the Ministery , will not then the argument hold , He hath some degree Ecclesiastical upon him , therefore sure he is a Deacon ? Thus sure it is in this matter , the relative holiness belongs to no person , that is not baptized , Baptism is the lowest degree of it , and all superiour degrees of Apostle , Prophet , &c. in the Christian Church are founded in that , therefore if the infant children be holy , the infant children are baptized . So again , Baptism is the lowest degree of visible Profession , therefore if these that are said to be holy are visible Professors , then sure they are baptized ; And so there is no force in that whether answer or exception to my first reason . Answ. That there is no force to avoid my exception in this reply , may appear . 1. That he saith nothing to what I said p. 333. of the 2d . part of the Review , that the term [ holy seed ] Ezr. 9.2 . hath a far different notion , as I shew in this Review Antipaed . par . 1. sect . 13 , 25. from what the Dr. imagines . 2. Nor doth he here , or any where else prove infants to be visible professors . 3. Nor doth he prove Baptism to be the lowest degree of visible profession . 4. Nor doth the Dr. prove or can prove , that the holiness 1 Cor. 7.14 . must be meant of a relative holiness , of setting apart to God in the Christian visible Church , short of real saving holiness . The opinion of matrimonial holiness I assert , with many more , is not yet refuted . They who after Tertullian interpret it of real saving holiness intentional , as Rom. 11.26 . the Jews uncalled are holy , designati sanctitati ac per hoc etiam saluti , conceive they have as good proof for it as the Dr. for his . 5. Baptism is not proved to be the lowest degree imaginable of relative holiness in the Christian Church , nor the lowest degree of visible profession . For 1. there is a lower degree by freedome from Idol pollutions , such as Tertullian mentions c. 39. de animá . 2. There is a degree of holiness by vow or prayer , such as Hannah devoted Samuel by , 1 Sam. 1.11 . which Josephus Antiq . l. 5. c. 11. terms consecrating or sanctifying to God , as the Greek version terms Numb . 6.2 , 3. the separating of the Nazarite by vow a sanctifying , and the Apostle prayer in the use of food a sanctifying it , 1 Tim. 4.5 . 3. There is a lower degree of visible profession in the catechumeni not yet baptized then Baptism is . 4. There is a lower degree of sanctification of them , according to Augustine , l. 2. de pecc . mer. & remis . c. 26. cited before by the Dr. here , p. 63 , 64. when ●e said , Catechumenos secundum quendam modum suum per signum Christi & orationem impositionis manuum puto sanctificari , whence the Dr. himself saith there , that some kind of sanctification which the unbaptized might have by prayer and imposition of hands , of which we sometimes read in the Ancients , as hath elsewhere been shewed . 6. Nor is it proved that a person may not have the higher degree of holiness in the Cnurch without Baptism . Sure a person may be converted , regenerated afore Baptism , and so holy . And it is yet a question , whether all the Apostles and Prophets in the Church were baptized , though I doubt not they were , and that regularly they should be ; yet the very questioning it shews the argument not to hold irrefragably , that he that is not baptized hath no part of relative holiness in the Church of God , or that all superiour degrees of Apostle , Prophet , &c. in the Christian Church are founded in that . Lastly , it is apparent that the holiness 1 Cor. 7.14 . is not Baptism , in that it is from the birth , and so afore Baptism , and from the parent not from the Minister , may be though the child be never baptized , is derived from the lawfulness of marriage society , not from the belief of one or both parents , and therefore not Baptism , as the Dr. ( so far as I know ) without any example ancient or modern makes it . He adds , My second followes from the notation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 10.14 . for those that must not be received into the Church , as on the other side Gods cleansing is Gods reputing him fit to bee partaker of this priviledge , whereby it appears how fitly , receiving and not receiving to baptism ] are exprest by [ holy and unclean . ] To this he answers by acknowledging the conclusion , viz. the fitness of the expression , All his exception is against my premise , the notion of unclean , Act. 10. which , saith hee , signifies there not onely one out of the Church , but also one that a Jew might not go into or eat with . To this I reply that my conclusion being granted , I may safely part with that , which inferred it , as when I am arrived at my journeys end I have no further need or use of my horse or guide that brought me thither : Let it be remembred , that [ holy and unclean ] fitly express those that are received or not received to baptism , and then I am sure I have not offended against the propriety of the words , by concluding from this text , that in the Apostles time the believers children were received to Baptism ; And if I have as little offended against the rational importance of the words in that place ( as I hope hath formerly appeared that I have ) then I hope I am perfectly innocent in inducing my conclusion . As for the use of the phrase Act. 10. though now I need not contend yet I may add that the notion of not entring to and eating with ▪ containing under it this other of not baptizing ( for sure he might not baptize those to whom he might not enter ) and the baptizing Cornelius ( and not onely the entring to him ) being the end for which Peter received that vision ) I still adhere that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that place , signifies one peculiarly that must not be received into the Church by Baptism , and the holiness on the contrary reception to that priviledge . Answ. 1. I granted the fitness of the expression onely conditionally , if the holy Ghost had so thought good , but denied the holy Ghost did so , and therefore he may offend against the propriety of the words , notwithstanding my concession , and hath as much need of his horse to get to his journeys end , as if I had not yeelded so much . 2. How much he hath offended against the rational importance of the Apostles words 1 Cor. 7.14 . is shewed before . 3. Were the fitness of the expression absolutely granted , yet with the Drs. leave , I conceive he needs to contend about the use of the phrase in his sense , or else he will not be able to infer any thing for his purpose , sith it is not the fitness of an expression , but the use of words which must direct us in our expositions , as being vis & norma loquendi . 4. That the use of it Acts 10.14 . is not for the Drs. purpose is manifest . For 1. the Dr. thus expounds common or unclean by not received to Baptism , now if this were the notion of unclean Ac●s 10.14 . then when Peter saith [ I have never eaten any thing common or unclean ] hee meanes hee never eat any thing nor received into the Church by Baptism ; and when v. 15. it is said [ what God hath cleansed that call thou not common ] the meaning is , what God hath baptized reject thou not from Baptism , which is too ridiculous an exposition to be urged . 2. If it be said that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or covered sense doth import it , neither is that true . For 1. it is certain that in the latent meaning , the Apostle discerned by the vision that which is common or unclean to be meant v. 28. of one of another nation , and the eating , keeping company , or going to , which is also gathered from Acts 11.3 . where the thing objected was , that he went in to the uncircumcised , and did eat with them . So that from hence it is manifest , that the proper notion of unclean is ( in that place according to the subsense which the vision aimed at ) one that being uncircumcised might not be gone into to talk with familiarly , and and eat with , though he were one that feared God. Which cannot bee meant of want of baptism , for so the clean , to wit , the unbelieving Jews were unclean , they were not baptized with Christian baptism , but of exclusion from familiar society and converse . 2. On the other side , by Acts 10.15 . What God hath cleansed that call thou not common , Peter v. 28. shews he understood allowance to go to him , preach to him , eat with him , as one accepted of God , v. 35. So that the cleansing is the taking away of that restraint which was upon the Jewes , of converse with the Gentiles . Which being considered , if unclean Acts 10.14 . were to be expounded in the same notion which the Dr. imagines to be 1 Cor. 7.14 . not admitted to the Church by Baptism , then when God bid Peter count nothing common or unclean , he bid him count no Gentile unbaptized , and when he said what God hath cleansed , it should be whom God hath baptized , or admitted by Baptism into the Church . And when the Apostle according to the Dr. useth unclean 1 Cor. 7.14 . in the notion in which it is used Acts 10.14 . he should mean , your young children were such as a man might not go into , converse with , talke with familiarly , eat with , which certainly being meant of infants as the Dr. conceives , is so ridiculus an exposition , as a sober man would not put upon any profane Author , much less on the sacred writers . As for that which the Dr. saith , that the notion of not entring to , and eating with , contained under it this other of not baptizing , for sure hee might not baptize those to whom he might not enter ; it is so frivolous , as that it is unfit for a man that takes on him to make Annotations on the New Testament . For if this were good reasoning , it would follow on the contrary , every ones going in to , and eating with one , were baptizing ; and sith others then Apostles or preachers were to go into or not , they were to baptize or not to baptize , and all that men might not go into or eat with , as excommunicate persons they must bee unbaptized , and by the same reason , sith sure a Minister may not admit to the Lords Supper , nor a Bishop ordain him for a Priest , to whom he might not enter ; the notion of not entring to and eating with , contained under it this other of not communicating and not ordaining , and consequently holy contains under it communicating , and ordaining , and so your young children are not unclean but holy , should bee by this very reasoning expounded , they are admitted to the Lords Supper , and ordained Priests . And what he adds ; And the baptizing Cornelius ( and not onely entring to him ) being the end for which Peter received that vision , I still adhere that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that place , signifies one peculiarly that must not be received into the Church by Baptism , and the holiness on the contrary reception to that priviledge , may as well serve to prove unclean hath the notion of one excluded from the Lords Supper , or heaven , and holy on the contrary the reception to these , sith these were the ends of Peters going in , as well as baptizing , and so to say your young children are holy , shall be as much as your young children are admitted to the Lords Supper and to Heaven . These conceits of the Dr. go upon two gross mistakes . 1. As if unclean were used in a sense suitable to the Ecclesiastical practise in the Christian Church , whereas it is used according to the use and conceipt of the Jews peculiarly . 2. As if the notion of a word did ex●end to the Concomitants and ends of the act expressed by it ; which if true , then election , regeneration , should have the notion of justifying and glorifying , preaching the notion of adoption and sanctification . But enough of this raw conceit of the Doctor , he goe● on thus . My third reason , saith hee , being taken from the use of the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sanctifie , for washing any part of the body , and on occasion of that , mentioning a conjecture that the use of holiness for baptism , might perhaps intimate that the primitive bapti●ms were not always immersions , but that sprinkling of some part might be sufficicient ; he hath a reply to each of these : To the former , that if this reason were good , then the husbands being sanctified by the wife , must signifie his being baptized or washed by her ; to the latter , that I have in my writings so oft acknowledged the Baptism of the Jews and Christians to be immersion of the whole body , that I ought to be ashamed to say the contrary , and that I can hardly believe my self in it . To these I answer , first to the former . 1. That I that affirm sanctifications among the Jews to signifie washings , do also know that it hath other significations , and that that signification is in each text to bee chosen , which seems most agreeable in all those respects which are to be considerable in the pitching on any interpretation ; consequently that the wives baptizing the husband being a thing absurd and utterly unheard of in the Church of God , whether in the Apostles or succeeding ages , this sense may not reasonably be affixt to it ; whereas the baptizing of infants being by the ancients affirmed to be received from the Apostles , it is most reasonable to understand the words of this , though not of the other ( and so to apply the observation ( as it is visible I did ) to the latter , not former part of the verse . Answ. This is no answer , but a grant that the sanctifying 1 Cor. 7.14 . cannot be meant of Baptizing , sith it is absurd so to expound it ; and consequently , a yeelding the argument from the calling the Jews washings sanctifications , to have no force . Nor doth he at all help himself by saying , it is most reasonable to apply it to the latter part of the v. For there is no reason in it , that because the Jewes use the word sanctification for Baptism , therefore holy ( which is another word , and in another predicament then sanctified , which is in Passion , and the other in quality or relation ) and not sanctified 1 Cor. 7.14 . is as much as Baptism , and because the word sanctifications hath other significations then washings , and may not be understood of Baptism in the fore-part of 1 Cor. 7.14 . therefore holy , no where proved to be as much as baptized , is as much as admitted to the Church by Baptism ▪ and because the Ancients mention infant Baptism to be received from the Apostles , as they do other unwritten traditions of observing Easter , L●nt , giving infants the Communion , &c. therefore holy 1 Cor. 7.14 . must be without any example in Scripture or Father of that use of the word , bee expounded thus [ admitted in the Church by Baptism . ] But yet the Dr. is loth to confess his errour , but adds . And yet 2. if we shall distinguish of the notion of [ by ] and expound [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by the woman ] of the perswasion , that the woman hath used to bring her husband to baptism , and not of her ministry in b●ptizing ▪ wee may very conveniently so interpret the former part of the verse also that by the woman , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the unbelieving husband hath been brought to baptism , viz. by being brought to faith , to which this priviledge belongs . Answ. 1. The Dr. brings no example of such a notion of [ by ] or of such a use of the term [ san●tified ] any where else , and how ill it suits with the Apostles argument , is shewed fully before . 2. But were it yeelded him , 1. it would shew that th● alledging of the Jews calling their washings sanctifications , to expound 1 Cor. 7.14 , by was impertinent , the Jews sanctifications being not b● perswasion of another , but of themselves according to Gods appointment , nor do they note first bringing to the faith , and then admission by another to baptism but washing themselves ; and that is one reason why neither the use of sanctified nor holy , 1 Cor. 7.14 . can be conceived to be allusive ●o the Jewish sanctifications mentioned by the Dr. sith in 〈…〉 high Priest washed himself , and but his hands and his feet 〈…〉 , but Christian baptism was by the ministry of another , by imm●●●sion of the whole body , and therefore this third reason of the Dr. is altogether in ●●●bable . 2. If [ sanctified 1 Cor. 7.14 . ] be to be 〈◊〉 [ brought to the faith , and so to Baptism ] [ holy is in like sort so be expounded , and then we might allow the Drs. exposition of [ holy 1 Cor. 7 14. ] wit●out any detriment to our cause , it being granted the children of believers were brought to the faith , and so to baptism . Again saith the Dr. As for his second exceptions to my conje●ture , founded in the use of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 san●tifications for partial , not total ●ashing● . 1. I answer , that I mention it onely as a con●ecture , with a perhaps and lay no more weight u●on it . 2. That for Christian baptism I no whe●e affi●m that it was onely by immersion , nor on the other side that it was alway● by sp●●●kling but disjun●tively , either by one or the other ( as by the word● cited by him from prac . cat . l. 6 ●ect . 2 is clear ) supposing indeed that Christs appointment was not terminated to either , and so satisfied by either . Answ. 1. The Dr. by putting in his conjecture , shewed his willingness to have maintained by some colour , the abuse of sprinkling in stead of baptism , which his own words cited by me , made me f●ar hee did against his own light , and the contrary is not cleered by this slight excuse . 2. The Drs. own words alledged by me , plainly shewed that he knew the primitive baptisms were alwayes immersions of the whole body , nor was any other use of water for baptism , till the corrupt use of the circumfusion of the Clinici in the third Century began . Nor do his words practic cat . l. 6. sect . 2. cleer the contrary to be conceived by him ; For when he saith By Christs appointment whosoever should bee thus received into his family , should he received with this ceremony of water , therein to be dipt , i. e. according to the primitive ancient custome , to be put under water three times ; and then a●ds , or instead of that to bee sprinkled with it ; though he make Christs appointment disjunctively the one or the other , yet he makes the primitive ancient custome , onely to bee by putting under water ; as in like manner p. 35. and this was indeed the ancient primitive custome , a Rom. 6.3 , 4. Col 2.12 . shew , and the known sa●ing of Tertullian ●er me●gitamur . And of any one , Dr. Hammond should acknowledg● it , who distinguisheth the sanctifications of a part from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is Baptism , and saith , the Jewish solemnity of Baptism ▪ which he would have the original and pa●tern of our Baptism , to be the washing of the whole body . As for his propounding Christs appointmen● disjunctively , it discovers more of his audacious and corrupt dealing by ma●ing that appointment , which is but one way disjunctive , either that wa● w●ich is acknowledged to be Christs , or another way in stead of it , whic● cannot be shewn to have been practised by the Apostles , or any Apostolical men in the primitive times . And in this thing it is necessary that ●he ●●il dealing of Dr. Hammond , Mr. Baxter , and oth●rs , be shewed , who do most presumptuously add to the ordinance of Baptism● when Christ h●th appointed onel● dipping , they add sprinkling ; when Christ appoints onely Disciples made by preaching the Gospel to be baptized , they add infants who are not such , and by a fictitious title ma●e them Disciples by their parents faith , who learn and profes● nothing themselves ; ( which he that read● considerately Mr. Baxters arguments in his 2● . disputation of the right to Sacraments , may see sufficiently refuted , and may think he could not write that Book without regret of conscie●ce for what hee had written in his Book of Baptism ) and when the New Testament makes none members of the visible Church Christian , but professors of faith , they add infants of their own head ; ●nd when the Scripture and Fathers in setting down the institution and practise of Baptism , plainly express both so , as that they confess them to bee onely meant of the aged , yet would have them to include also infants , contrary to the pl●in words and their own confessions , and in their expositions so expound the texts , as expressing onely what agrees to the aged , and yet in their arguments urge the same for baptizing of infants , which they could not do if they did not plead for infant Baptism against heir own light , or were not extremely heedless at one time of what they say at another : How ever it be with them , sure I am , no conscientious Christian hath reason to be satisfied by sprinkling , when Christ hath appointed no other then dipping , nor with infant Baptism ▪ when as Mr. Baxter hath fully proved in his 2d . disput . that there is a necessi●y of profession of repentance and faith before ▪ and none are to bee baptized but those that are first professed Disciples of Christ ; and though he supposeth believers children Disciples , and the parents profession to be instead of their own , yet no where proves it , nor offers any proof , but what is meerly conjectural , nor can any Pastours or teachers of Churches , without most arrogant presumption baptize or take for visible Churchmembers infants , whom neither Christ , nor his Apostles did baptize or take for such . But I return to the Dr. My last reason , saith he , is taken from the effect of the legal uncleanness contrary to those their sanctifications , viz. removing men from the congregation ; agreeable to which it is that those should bee called holy , who in the account of God stood so , that they might be received into the Church . To this he answers , that it is said without proof that the uncleanness excluding from , and sanctification restoring to the tabernacle , are proportionable to the notion here given , of the childrens bei●g excluded or included in the Church , asking why Cornelius should be counted out of the Church being a devout man ? But to this I reply , that that which is so manifest needed no further proof , for what two things can be more proportionable , or answerable the one to the other , then the Jews calling those unclean and holy , who were excluded from and restored to the tabernacle , and the Christians calling them unclean , and holy that were excluded from and received into the Church , the exclusion and reception being the same on both sides , as also the uncleanness and holiness , and the proportion lying onely betwixt the Jewish tabernacle , and the Christian Church , which surely are very fit parallels as could have been thought on . Answ. Were it so , yet it had been necessary to have proved the holy Ghost made them parallels , that from the answerableness a reason might be taken to prove thence the sense of holy and unclean 1 Cor. 7.14 . after the Drs. minde : For it is not the fitness of an expression , that must prove the sense we would , but the use and the matter of the speech , in which the Drs. expositions are defective . But the holy Ghost no where that I know resembles the meer visible Church by the tabernacle , but the invisible , in which the spirit of God dwels , or rather every believing Saint , 1 Cor. 3.16 , 17. & 6.19 . Heb. 3.6 . 1 Tim. 3.15 . or the body of Christ , Joh. 2.19 . Heb. 8.2 . or heaven , Heb. 9.24 . and the uncleanness resembled by the legal uncleanness , is such as excludes , and the holiness such as admits into communion with God , union with Christ , entrance into heaven , 2 Cor. 6.16 , 17. Revel . 21.27 . and the sanctification resembled by the Jewish washings , is that which is invisible by the spirit , 1 Cor. 6.11 . not meer outward baptism , and therefore if proportion or agreeableness could prove a sense of those terms the sense would be fairer for the expounding of holiness rather of real then relative holiness . The Dr. adds , As for his question of Cornelius , it is most vain , the whole discourse being not of real but relative sanctification , and the difference most visible betwixt that sanctity which was truly in him in respect of his devotion , fearing , praying , &c. and that outward priviledge of admission into the congregation of the Jews , which alone was the thing which in the account of God or sober men was denied Cornelius . These be pitifull sophisms , and in no reason farther to be insisted on . Answ. All the discourse is not about meere relative sanctification , sure Dr. Hammond when he expounds sanctified 1 Cor. 7.14 . by being converted to the faith , and the same with saved v 16. means it of real sanctification . But were all the discourse about relative sanctification , yet the question was not vain , but attains the end for which propounded , sith Cornelius accounted unclean by Peter , Acts 10.14 . was not out of the Church of God , no not out of the Church visible , being of good report among all the nation of the Jews , Acts 10.22 . though he were not in the policy of Israel , and therefore uncleanness hath another notion then the non-admission into the visible Church Christian by Baptism , of which is enough said before . Nor are any of these things I alledge sophisms , but plain answers , nor any otherwise pittifull , then that they meet with such a such a superficial and slight reply from the Dr. Of the different interpretatio●s from the Drs. of 1 Cor. 7.14 . in Tertullian c. 39. de animâ , and Augustin l. 2. de pecc . mer. & remis . c. 26. and l. 3. c. 12. enough before . And Hieromes different interpretation , is that which is in the comment . on 1 Cor. 7.14 . in these words left out by the Dr. Item ide● vir & uxor invicem sanctificantur ; quia ex traditione Dei sanctae sunt nuptiae , mentioned here before sect . 92. And Ambrose or who ever was the Author of that Commentary under his name in locum operum tom . 4. sancti sunt ] quia de conjugiis legitimis natis , both which agree with my exposition . The two testimonies the Dr. brings out of Cyprian and Nazianzen are impertinent , the former makes a distinction between baptizandum and sanctificandum , the latter if it call Baptism sanctification , yet it doth nor call Baptism sanctity , the word ascribed to children 1 Cor. 7.14 . and therefore rather the first part of the v. is to be expounded if any thus , sanctified id est Baptized , which yeelds such a sense as the Dr. will not own , and is shewed before not at all to be satisfied by him . Neither the antiquity of Cyprian , nor Gregory Nazianzen's skill in Greek assures us they understood the sacred Dialect . How much Tertullian , whom Cyprian counted his master , and how much Origen of whom Gregory Nazianzen learned , mistook the meaning of Scripture , and generally the Fathers , may be discerned by their writings remaining , or if any list to take a short cut to satisfie himself , he may see much in Sixt. senens . Biblioth . l. 5. and 6. In the 4 th . ch . sect . 1. of Dr. Hammonds Defence there is little or nothing which at present I need reply to much of it being spoken to before . Onely I have thought it necessary to go back besides my first purpose to Review the two first Chapters of his Defence , because he doth so often tell me , that I do inartificially deny his conclusion without answering to his premises . SECT . XCVI . The Jewish custome of Baptism for initiation , was not the pattern of Christian Baptism ; as Dr. Hammond would have it . CH. 1. Sect. 1. of his Defence Dr. Hammond having excepted against my words about waving ( though it were his own term qu. 4 § . 21. ) the more imperfect ways of probation tels us ; though infant Circumcision prove not infant Baptism a duty , Yet it evidences the lawfulness and fitness of it among Christians by analogy with Gods institution of circumcision among the Jews , and so certainly invalidates all the arguments of the Antipaedobaptist ( i. e. of Mr. T. ) drawn from the incapacity of infants from the pretended necessity that preaching should go before baptizing from the qualifications required of those that are baptized , &c. For all these objections lying and being equally in force against circumcising of infants , &c. And this the rather , because the Apostle compares ●aptism of Christians with Circumcision , Col. ● . 11 , 12. and then adds some savings of Fathers , which are of no validity for his purpose of the other there● nothing true . For the arguments drawn from incapacity , fore going necessity of preaching , qualifications , have their force from the institution of Baptism by Car●t , which lye not at all against the circumcising infants , which hath another institution , and hath no analogy with Baptism to acqui● infant Baptism for unlawfulness or unfitness , except the Dr. can prove ( which I am sure he can never do ) that the Church ( as in the prelatical language he useth to speak ) hath power to make that lawfull and fit to be done in the Sacraments of Christ , which is otherwise th●n Christ hath appointed . The Apostle doth not at all compare baptism of Christians with Circumcision , Col. 2.11 , 12. But these things are so fully argued Review part . 2 sect 5 , &c. here sect . 8 ▪ that till these sections are better answered then Dr. Hammond doth here , the arguments will be valid against Infant Baptism . The force of the Drs. urging Christs actions to little ones , Mark 10.16 . Matth. 19.14 . is so little as that in his Letter qu. 4. § . 22. he confesseth they come not home distinctly to the baptizing of infants , nor do they prove any unreasonableness or uncharitableness in our objections against their baptizing of them , whom the Dr. affirms not either Christ or his Apostles to have baptized , who had reason and charity enough to have done it , if th●● had judged i● fit to have been done . That Matth. 8 6. is ridiculously applied to little children in age , is demonstrate Review part . 2. sect . 17. Augustins saving credit in altero qui peccavit in altero , and his reckoning infants baptized among believers , is besides the Book , I mean the Scripture , and to be judged as no better then a fond conceit . The lawfull b●ptizing of some professors of faith who prove hypocrites , is no colour ●o baptize non professors of faith . 'T is rightly done , that that which contains no relation of Christs or his Apostles baptising infants , is put by him among the more imperfect probations , and such his alleging 1 Cor. 7.14 . is already shewed to be . That which the Dr. saith Sect. 2. that the Fathers with one consent testifie the receiving our infants to Baptism , to bee received from the Apostles as the will of Christ himself , is so manifestly false , that , the very first of the Fathers who makes mention of it Tertullian in his book of Baptism ch . 18. disswades it and useth arguments against it , and those arguments as well are against the believers infants Baptism as the unbelievers , whereby it is evident he opposed the Baptism of any infants ; whereto might be a d●d the case of Nazianzen , together with his judgement forementioned , as evidences that infant Baptism was not the judgement and practice o● the universal Church for 1600. years . The Dr. himself confesseth that Peter de Bruis and Henry his Scholler , and the Petrobuciani and Henriciani that sprung from them were opposers of it : and therefore the Dr ▪ doth very much exc●ed truth in making it the judgment and practice of the universal Church for 1600 years The term [ son of the Church ] used by the Dr. 〈…〉 by ●anonists , and others , and it is usual to term the Church a Christians mother , and by the Church the prelates are usually meant , and much advantage made of it to keep Christians under the yoke of Bishops 〈◊〉 . But it is no Scripture term : in it the Elders , Apostle , 〈◊〉 ●ermed Fathers , 1 Cor 4● . 5 . all Christians Brethren and Sister 1 Cor 〈…〉 ●hurch being no other then a company of B●ethen and Sisters , it is very unfit to call the Church a Christians Mother , and therefore 〈◊〉 willing not to be accounted a son of the Church , nor do I acknowledge that the judgement and practise ( i● there were any such ) of the universal Church for 1600 years ( letting aside the Apostles of Christ ) ha●h any force or authority over me , nor do I fear the incurring of Gods displeasure by oppugning or contemning it , but rather considering how the Apostle 2 Thes. 2.7 . tels me , that in his time the mystery of iniquity did begin to work , and the vain altercations about Easter in the 2d . Century , and many other mistakes and blemishes even in the Apostles times and much more after , together with the prediction of the falling away 1 Tim. 4. ● . the exceptions against the seven Churches of Asia 〈◊〉 our Lord Christ himself , the imperfections that are in the writings of the first Fathers after the Ap●stles , the exceptions against the histories of the Church , the imposing on the Church suppositions Treatises , the co●rupting of authors , I think i● the safest way to avoid Gods displ●asure , not ●o rest on the practise or judgement of the universal Church ( i● there were any such ) after the Apostles , but onely on the writ●ngs of the New Testament , it being highly unreasonable , as the Dr. saith , that ●n institution of Christs such as each Sacrament is should bee judged of by any other rule ( whether the phan●es or reasons of men ) but either the word wherein the institution is set down , o● the records of the practise of Christ or his Apostles in Scripture , which comes home to the deciding 〈◊〉 c●ntroversie of faith and manners ▪ and 〈…〉 to be ob●erved , and needs not the Drs ▪ records besides scripture however conserved or made known to us , whether by unwritten tradition , or in the writings of Fathers , in which there is very much uncertainty , but do deter men from adhering to this way as the inlet to many Popish , and Prelatical abuses and errours ; yet deny not good use may be made of the ancient writers for clearing of many truths , if they be read with judgement , and do resolve to review what hath been brought for infant baptism by the Dr. out of other writers besides holy Scripture . Sect. 3. the Dr. complains of mee , as doing some injury to his Book in leaving out one considerable , if not principal part , viz. that which concerned the native Jewish children , who were baptized as solemnly , as the Proselytes and their chi●dren . Ans. But by the Drs. leave , in this no injury i● done him : For however he mentioned Letter of Resol . qu. 4 sect . 5 , 6. Baptism as a known rite solemnly used among the Jews in the initiating of Jews and Proselytes into the Covenant , yet both the words I allege Review part . 2. sect . 24. Out of his Letter q. 4. § . 24. and all other passages I yet finde in his writings , make the Christian baptism of believers and their infants , to bee from the Jewish custome of Baptising Proselytes , and children as the pattern , basis or foundation of it , no where the Baptism of native Jewes , is made the pattern of Christian baptism , though he say § . 24. the baptism of the native Jews was the pattern by which the baptism of the Proselytes was regulated , and wherein it was founded . Yea the Dr. in his practical Catechism l. 6. sect . 2. saith , that as among the Jews when any Proselyte was received in among them and entred , or initiated into their Church , they were wont to use washings to denote their forsaking or washing off from them all their former prophane heathen practises ( which did not agree to the native Jews ) so by Christs appointment , whosoever should be thus received into his family , should bee received with this ceremony of water , therein to be dipt , i. e. according to the primitive ancient custome , to be put under water three times ; And in his Letter qu. 4. § . 37. so it is directly the thing that the Jewish practise , in which Christ founded his institution , hath laid the foundation of in baptising Proselytes and their children , and to which the primitive Church conformed . To which I may add , that the proof which the Dr. brings for baptising of infants from Christs appointment , is thus expressed qu. 4. § . 22. receiving of Disciples was the receiving of Proselytes to the Covenant and faith of Christ , a Disciple and a Proselyte being perfectly all one , save onely that the latter denotes a comming from other nation , &c. which shews , that he made the baptising of Proselytes and their children onely , the pattern of Christian baptism . Next the Dr. sets down his proofs out of the Talmud , Gemara , and Maimonides , and then concludes ; And now I may , I hope assume , that not onely there is perfect truth in what I now affirm ; that Baptism among the Jews belonged to their natives as well as to Proselytes ( even to all that entred into Covenant , and those evidently were the Jewish children as well as men ) but also that this had before been evidenced in that resolution of the fourth Quaere , which here Mr. T. hath been pleased to examine , and consequently that it was no small injustice , and unkindness in him both to the Reader and to me , that hee would omit to take notice of it , but assume and build on it as a thing yeilded and granted him by my discourse , that the Proselytes only and not the native Jews were partakers of that Jewish baptism . This sure was a strange infirmity in an answer . Answ. It is a stranger infirmity in a Reply , that whereas I had expresly in the 2d . Part of my Review sect . 24. p. 307. said , after the baptism Exod. 19. ●0 . the Jews did not baptize Jews but onely Proselytes , the Dr. should not take notice , that I limited my denial of the baptizing the native Jews , to the time after the baptism Exod. 19.10 . Now I think there is not one of his allegations prove , that the Jews baptized native Jews after the giving of the Law. I confess I was unwilling to relye on mine own judgement in this , or Mr. Seldens , because the Dr. excepts against it ( though I thought and think still Mr. Selden was in the right in this , and of any man living I imagined his knowledge in things of this kind , to be most accurate and ample ) and therefore did write a Letter to my ancient acquaintance Mr. Edward Pocock Professor of the Oriental Languages in Oxford , to inform mee if I were mistaken : But whether by reason of his bodily infirmity , or miscariage of Letters , or other cause ▪ I have received as yet no answer . At present having not the 〈◊〉 cited by Dr. Hammond , I return this answer , that none of the words as he cites them , shew that Baptism was to the posterity of native Jewes 〈…〉 ●he giving of the Law f●r entring the Covenant , not the 〈…〉 . tr . de repud . Israel do not enter into Covenant but by these th●●e things , by Circumcision ▪ by baptizing , and by Peace offering . Nor these in Gemara ad tit . Cherithoth . c. 2. Your fathers did not enter into the Covenant but by circumcis●on and Baptism , and in Jabimoth c. 4. Rabbi Joshua said , we find of our mothers that they were baptized and not circumcised . Nor those of Maimonides tit Isu●bia . c. 13. By three things the Israelites entred into the Covenant , by Circumcision , Baptism and Sacrifice , and soon after , what was done to you , yee were initiated into the Covenant by Circumcision , and Baptism , and Sacrifice . For that out of Gemara , the very words ( as the Doctor himself observes ) speak of what the Jews did of old time , not what was a custome continued among the Jews in after times , and so I make no question but the words of the Talmud are to be understood , specially when the words of Maimonides counted the exactest of the Rabbins in the Jewish customes , set down thus out of Maimon . in mis. tom . 2. in Issurei biah ch . 13. § . 1 , — 6 , 11 , 14 , 15. do plainly shew this to have been the meaning of the Hebrew Drs. as I find them in Ainsworth Annot. on Gen. 17.12 . By three things ( say the Hebrew Drs. ) did Israel enter into the Covenant , by Circumcision , and Baptism , and Sacrifice . Circumcision was in Aegypt , as it is written , no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof , [ Exod . 12.48 . ] Baptism was in the Wilderness before the giving of the Law : as it is written , sanctifie them to day and to morrow , and let them wash their clothes [ Exod. 19.10 . ] And Sacrifice , as it is said , And hee sent young men of the sons of Israel , which offered burnt offerings , &c. [ Exod. 24.5 . ] And so in all ages when an Ethnick is willing to enter into the Covenant , and gather himself under the wings of the Majesty of God , and take upon him the yoke of the Law , he must be Circumcised , and Baptized , and bring a Sacrifice . And if it bee a woman , she must be baptized and bring a sacrifice ; as it is written [ Numb . 15.15 . ] as ye are , so shall the stranger be . How are ye ? By Circumcision , and Baptism , and bringing of a Sacrifice : So likewise the stranger throughout all generations , by Circumcision , and Baptism , and bringing a Sacrifice . Out of which words this may bee collected . 1. That the baptizing of Israel whereby they entred into Covenant , was that Exod. 19.10 . 2. That there is not in these passages any thing that shews , that the Jewish Baptism for entring into Covenant , was of native Jews after that time . 3. That the Baptism throughout all generations , according to the Jews , was of strangers . 4. That the Jewish baptism , which was the pattern of Proselytes baptism , according to Numb . 15.15 . was the baptism Exod. 19.10 . and not any baptism of native Jews after that time . Which if true , Dr. Hammonds reasons and allegations are plainly answered , that they prove not a custome of baptizing native Jews in successive generations , to the time of giving the Law at Mount Sinai . In which I am the more confirmed , because so learned a man as Mr. Selden l. 2. de Jure nat . c. 4. de Syn. ed. Eb● . l. 1. c. 3. doth so expresly say it , but also , 1. Because of the speech of the Rabbin mentioned here by the Dr. and in his Letter q 4 § . 11. who said , That they found that their fathers were circumcised , but not bapt●zed , that is ordinarily , which the Drs. parenthesis seems to limit to Abraham , Isaac , &c. but is to be understood of the Pa●riarchs generally , and other Jewish ancestors , who were circumcised and not baptized . 2. Because there is no other bap●ism in all the Old Testament , for entring into the Covenant of the Law , of originary or native jews mentioned . 'T is true there is mention of Ezek. 16.4 . of washing an infant in the day of its nativity i● supple it , and in the Law many baptisms were Heb. 9 10. for purifications , none for entring into Covenant , that I find but that . 3. In the relation of the Sichemites being admitted to be one people with the Jews , Gen. 34.24 . circumcision onely was then required without baptism . 4. Where in the N. T ▪ the Apostle ascribes to the Fathers baptism , he doth not mention baptism of water , but their passing through the Sea , and being under the cloud , 1 Cor. 10.1 , 2. for which baptism of water had been ●pter to shew correspondence to our Baptism , if such a custome of baptizing for entring into the Covenant native Jews had been then in use . 5. Dr. Hammond himself , pract . Catech. l. 6 se●● 2. saith , that among the Jews when any Proselyte was received in among them and entred , or initiated into their Church , they were wont to use washings , to denote their forsaking or washing off from them all their former prophane Heathen practises , but this could not be an end in the baptizing of native Jews ordinarily , for they were not born in uncleanness , but sancti●y , according to the Hebrew Doctors , having not been polluted with idols , and therefore the end or reason of baptizing Proselytes not agreeing to the native Jews that baptism was not requisite to them , and therfore used not ordinarily of them . It is true when they had gotten strange Gods among them , which defiled them , they were required to be clean and change their Garments , Gen. 35.2 . and perhaps some defilement of the Israelites by idol● in Egypt , might occasion that command , Exo. 19.10 . But there was no reason of this in the ordinary entring of the infants of Israel into the Covenant , who were not thus defiled . 6. The baptism of John Baptist for remission of sins was distastfull to the Pharisees and Lawyers who thought themselves pure , Luk. 7.29 , 30. therefore it is likely they us●d not such a baptism of native Jews , as imported an acknowledgement of such defilement as they took themselves and infants to be free from . 7. The Dr. saith Letter of Resol . qu. 4th . § . 18. They that were thus baptized were said to be born again , and that , as if born of a new mother , as it is oft said in the Talmud , to which our Saviour refers , when he talks of regeneration ( of which saith S. Paul , baptism is the laver ) of being born again from above of water , &c. Joh. 3.3 , 5. And this was so vulgar a notion among the Jews that v. 10. Christ wonders at Nicodemus , that he understood it not : Art thou a ruler in Israel and knowest not these things ? But if there were such a regeneration by water of native Israelites , which had been the pattern of the baptism of Proselytes , Nicodemus doubtless had known it and answered otherwise , therefore his wonderment was that Christ should require regeneration of him by water , who was a Jew by nature ( who need no such regeneration ) and not a sinner of the Gentiles , and consequently no such known custome ordinary of baptizing native Jews . 8. The Dr. ibid § . 17. saith , ●hey that were thus received as Proselytes by Baptism put off their former relations of kinred , &c. To which surely our Saviour refers , when he talks of leaving father and mother Mark 10.29 . And Tacitus the Historian , nec quicquam prius imbuuntur quàm exuere patriam , parentes , liberos , fratres vilia habere ; their Proselytes are first taught after renouncing the gods , to put off their countrey , parents , children , brethren , to despise them . And the later Jews have a saying , that he tha● hath maried his own sister , or entred any the most incestuous bands , by becoming a Proselyte cease●h to have that near relation of bloud to her , and may 〈…〉 with her as with a ●ife : which false su●erstructure in them is ye● a testimony of ●he truth , whereon it is falsly founded by them And this is a testimony also of this , that the Jews did not thus baptize native Jews , because they never allowed such incest , at they would have done , if they had by baptism regene●ated thus native Jews , and conceived of the effect of it , as they did of Proselytes baptism . 9. We read of the circumcision of Christ , John Baptist , Timothy , Paul , but wee read not of their baptism by water as the custome of the Jewes was to enter into the Covenant Proselytes ; therefore there was not a custome of baptizing native Jewes infants . 10. There 's no way mentioned of initiating Jewish females by any ceremony into Judaism , no description in the Talmud , Gemara , Maimonides , of observing any such thing as the Dr. sets down Letter of resol . q. 4. sect . 9. concerning Proselytes to have been used towards the Jews , sundry of the things done to the Proselytes at their baptism , were such as were proper to strangers ; as namely , the baptizing into the name of a freed man or a servant , the limitation of the priviledges of the baptized , which are evidences that this baptism was not used to native Jews , but onely to Gentile Proselytes . All which being considered , there was neither unkindness , nor injustice to Dr. Hammond or his Reader in my discourse , and it is necessary for him to consider better the considerations which I have offered in this matter ( unless hee will become non-suit ) which have certainly force in them , though this thing were omitted by me , which yet was not perfectly omitted ( as his language is ) by me , nor the contrary supposed without proof . But the Dr. however refuseth not to attend me in all my motions , and I hope I shall at long running overtake him . To what I said , Baptism , it seems was a custome of all nations as well as the Jews , ci●ing Grotius for it on Matth. 3.6 . and Matth. 28.19 . the Dr. answers , Of the truth of this Observation I shall raise no question , onely I wonder what he could fancy from thence to conclude for his advantage , and then he fals to ●onjecturing . But by my words he might have easily res●lved himself what I aimed at in this , to wit , to shew the Jews baptism of parents and children is not undeniably proved to be the pattern of Christian baptism , and Christs institution of baptism but a copy according to that pattern , i● i● bee true that it were derived from the ●ame common fountain , the ●ons of Noah in remembrance of the deluge , according to that famous verse among the Greeks , the Sea sweeps away all the evils of men , to which S. Pe●●● alludes in making Baptism the ant●type ●o Noahs floud , which the Dr ye●ds . To this I added , that I knew not that Dr. H. or any o●her h●th alleged one passage in Scripture or any of the Fathers , that might evince that the custome of baptizing , or baptizing infants , was derived from the Jews initiating Proselytes by baptism . To this , saith Dr. H I answer , 1. By asking Mr. T. whether he be ready to pay th●t reverence to the authority of the Fathers , as to bee concluded by their affirmations ? To which I say , I am ready to pay that reverence to the Fathers which is meet , but to be concluded by their affirmations is more then is fi● , t●e same liberty is to be allowed mee , which learned men take usually to diss●n● from them , when Scripture or reason lead another way . He ●aith , If he be wonder why the uniform consent of them that infants are to be baptized should not prevail with him ? Answ. And I wonder 1. that the Dr. should pretend an uniform consent of the Fathers , that infants are to be baptized , when for the two first ages , there 's not any just evidence of the consent of one Father for it ; in t●e third there is a dissent of Tertullian , and in the 4th . of Nazianzen , and the rarity of its use ; and tha● upon such erroneous grounds , as it was practi●ed with infant communion , which had alike consent , and in so ridiculous a manner , as to propound questions of its faith and devoti●n to an infant , who could not understand or speak , and put in others to undertake and answer for an infant , who could neither promise for them wi●h●ut arrogant presumption what was not in their power , no● profess their faith without apparent untruth argue it to have been a corruption . 2. That the uniform consent of the Apostles and Apostolical men , with Christ and John Bapti●● in Scripture , should not more prevail with a man who makes the Scripture his Canon , then Fathers of those ages , wherein ma●y errours and corruptions were received , and either hatched or fostered by them , but that hee should not onely dare to practise the corrupt innovation of infant Baptism ▪ of which there is no instance in Scripture , but also omit the baptism of believers , and oppose it , and harden men in their conceits , as if they were baptized in infancy sufficiently , and for that reason to b●e reckoned among Christians , though meer strangers from the knowledge or practise of Christianity . He adds , If he be not , why doth he mention this as usefull in this matter ? Answ. To shew how little credit is to be given to the Drs. dictates without proof . The Dr. adds . But then 2dly , it must be adverted that this one containing two questions in it , 1. Whether this of initiating into the Covenant by baptism were a Jewish custome ? 2. Whether from thence Christ derived this right of baptizing Christians ? The former of these was that which alone required proving , the latter being of it self evident , without fa●ther p●obation ; supposing onely that the Fathers testified that to b● Christs institutio● of Baptism , which we find to have been thus agreeable to the p●actise customary among the Jewes . And this ●e illustrates by the like examples of excommunication , and the post . c●nium , from whence he conc● vs Christ derived the Lords Supper and excommunication by the Apostles . Answ. For p●esent , omitting the instances of the Lords Supper , as d●ive fro● the Jewish post c●nium , and excommunication Apostolical r●sp●ct Jewi●● , it hath been yeeld●d by me , that Christian baptism was in 〈◊〉 of the rite like Jewish baptism of Proselytes , acknowledged to hav● been a custome among them for initiating them ( not of native Jews 〈◊〉 the giving of the Law ) into the Covenant , and it is probable that J●hn Baptist foll●wed in the external act that rite , though to another end , he b●ptizing with the baptism of repentance for remission of sins , they into he observance of the Law for righteousness , and other subjects ; John Baptist ●ews by nature , not so Pharises . And as John ●aptist practised , so Christ appointed , and his Apostles practised Baptism with express mention of the Trinity or the name of Christ somewhat differently f●om John : and if the one be said to be derived from the other by way of accommodation , I shall not contend about it , nor do I de●y tha● Christ alluded to this baptism of Proselytes , Joh. 3.3 , 5. in the manner I have expressed before , and the 2d . part of this Review sect . 16. Nor do I ●eny that the Jewish , Christian , and Gentile baptisms may have their first ri●e from Noahs deluge , but that which I insist on ●s , that the Jewish use was was not so conformable to the Christian , as that it can be true that the Jewish was th● pattern of the Christian. As for the Fathers ▪ Nazianzen , Ma●arius ▪ Athanasius , their words seem not to m● to make a comparison between the Bap●ism Jewi●h and Christian for initiation , but the Christian and Jewish which was occasionally renewed upon any legal defilement , or often ite●ated by the Priests for purification or sanctifying and so the words of Athanasius cited by the Dr. in●imate , which say , the 3d. is the Legal baptism which the Hebrews had , whereby every unclean person ( not ●very one who was so by natu●e , as the Dr. a●ds , but by accident ) was baptised in water ( as oft as he was defiled ) had his garment● washed , and so en●red into the Camp ; whic● was ano●her baptism then that t●e Dr. makes the pattern of Christian baptism , to wit , that which was once onely used for initiation , and of this I think the Dr. findes no mention in the Fathers , nor of the derivation of Christian baptism from it . That which the Dr. saith sect . 4. p. 18. from the Talmud , That when a Proselyte is received he must be circumcised , and then when hee is cured , they shall baptise him in the presence of two wise men , saying , Behold he is as an Israelite in all things ; addi●g , A plain testimony ( to the sense of those which we formerly produced ) of baptising both Jews and Proselyte , ( for else how could the Proselyte , upon receiving this , be said to be a Israelite in all things ? ) Answ. Two wayes ; 1. In respect of the rite , he was circumcised and baptised , as the Israelites at the giving of the Law Exod. 19.10 . ( not after that time ) were baptised ; an● the Proselytes p●sterity were then not after this time of the first initiation into the Jewish people . 2. In respect of priviledges and profession , as it is said Ester 8.17 . Many of the people of the Land became Jews . Neither this then nor the other , are plain or obscure testimonies of baptising native Jews , for ini●iating into the Covenant af●er the giving of the Law. That which I said that I alleged , that Mr. Selden de Syned . Ehra . l. 1. cap. 3. p. 40 , 41. mention● some , who have conceived that t●e Jewish baptism in initiating Proselytes , was in imitation of Christs example , though he do not believe it ; and that Schickardus conceives , they added a certain Baptism to C●rcumcision , to difference them from Samaritans , to shew that notwithstanding Dr. Hs. supposition , that the whole fabrick he frames of Baptism , is discernable to be built on that basis the customary baptism among the ●ews , yet many will conceive it needs more proof then the bare recital of passages out of Jewish writers , is a conclusion drawn out of the premises in the first figure , thus ; That is not so discernable but that many will conceive it needs m●re proof then the bare recital of passages out of Jewish writers , which was not so conceived by Schickard , and some others mentioned by Mr. S●lden . But the Drs. supposition was not so conceived by those , Ergo. The ma●or rests on two things ; 1. That experience shews , what some others who had understanding to conceive did not conceive to be so , many its likely will not discern ▪ 2. That the later Jewish writers are not such certain proof of the ancient Jews customes , but that more proof may bee justly required then the bare recital of passages in them . It is not unknown that some have excepted against Ainsworths allegation of Rabbins , and that in his apology for it he himself saith , Some things I note from them , not as approving them my self absolutely , but leaving them to the further consideration of the prudent . Preface to his annot . on Gen. Nor is it unusual for Rabbins to dissent one from another , and Christian writer from Jewish about their custome . Though I have no engine to draw many out of two , nor were two onely mentioned by me ( for though Mr. Selden cite onely Petrus Alfunsus for the first , yet he cites him a● ascribing the thing to more then one , nec defuere ex Judaeis Christiani aliquot , &c. ) yet from the instance of two such which have so conceived , I might ●rationally infer the likelihood , that many would not be satisfied with the passages of the writers cited by him , much less with the inference of the Dr. makes from thence . But hee tels me , to evidence to how little purpose I said thus much , I confess my conceit of such a custome of baptising Proselytes afore Christs incarnation among the latter Jewes . Yet I thinke it was to much purpose notwithstanding this my conceit , sith thereby the foundation of the Drs. fabrick is in●imated to be such , as though I pull it not down others may . I said , that either that custome should begin from Jacobs injunction to his houshold Gen. 35.2 . or from Gods command Exod. 19.10 . for the Israelites to wash their clothes afore the giving of the Law ( though the Jewish Doctors allege these for it ) I do not conceive ( not as the Dr. misre●ites me he cannot ) those places speaking of washing Jews by nature , not Proselytes , whereas the Jews baptized not Jews by nature , as Selden de jure nat . &c. l. 2. c. 4. saith , but by profession . Here , saith the Dr. are many weak parts in these few words . For 1. the original of the cu●tome among the Jews is but an accessary wholly extrinsecal ●o the matter in hand ▪ and in no respect necessary to be defined by us . If the custome be acknowledged we need ask no more , for on that and not on that particular original of it , it is that we superstruct our whole fabrick , as far as belongs to infant ba●tism . Answ. Be i● so , yet it was no weak part to examine the original of that custome ; nor impertinent , sith if the o●iginal come from unwritten tradition of Elders , it is somewhat the less likely Christ would make it the pattern of his baptism , who neglected the traditions of the Elders , and excepted against them . Mark 7.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. But then secondly , sai●h he , for the two originals here set down and both rejected by him , it is a little strange that he should think fit to do so , and not to substitute any third in the place of them . Answ. Neither was this any weak part , ●ith the originals of such customes ar● so obscure , that there are few of them , whose head is known . The Dr. I suppose cannot shew the original of the post coenium among the Jews , of giving milk and honey to the newly baptised among Christians , and yet I su●pose the Dr. counts not this a weak part Yet Mr. ●oseph Mede in his diatr. on Tit. 3.5 . find ●nother original , to wit , That custome of washing infants from the pollutions of the womb , when ●hey are first born , mention●d Ez●k . 16.4 5. and gathered from the answer o● an Oracle in a story related by Plutarch in his quaestiones Romana , not farre from the beginning . Hence ( saith he p. 272. ) the ●ews before Iohn the Baptist came amongst them , were wont by this rite to initiate such , as they made Proselytes , ( to wit ) as becomming infants again and entring in●o a new life , and being , which before they had not . W●ich derivation of its original suits better with the opinion of regeneration by it , in allusion to which as a vulgar notion among t●e Jews , the Dr. conceivs Christ spake Ioh 3.5 . and the Jews imagined old kindred to be lost , and this is a good evidence , that they baptized not native Jews , who were not by them conceived to be born again , nor to have any need as being born in sanctity , not in uncleaness Matth. 3.9 . Ioh. 8.33 . 3dly , saith he , For Iacobs injunction to his houshold , Gen. 35.2 . it is no where vouched by me as the original of this custome among the Jews , but onely an intimation given , that that other , the command of God before the giving the Law , was agreeable to what we read of Iacob to his houshold , and so certainly it is . Answ. Be it so , yet Jewish Writers and others derive it from Gen. 35.2 . and therefore there was no weak part shewed in my intimation of my dissent . 4thly , saith he , the command of God , Exod. 19.10 . in which Baptism is said to be founded by the Jews , is not ( as Mr. T. suggests ) the command to the Israelites to wash their clothes ( nothing but the custome of changing their garments can be founded i● that ) but the command to Moses to sanctifie them ( Go unto the people and sanctifie them to day and to morrow ) in the Hebrew notion of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sanctifications , for washing , either the whole or some parts of the body , as is shewed at large § . 35. If Mr. T. did this unwittingly , he may now reform his mistake ; if wittingly , &c. I sha●l not then hope even this length of words will be sufficient for his conviction . Answ. Neither in this do I think I shewed weakness or deceit , though I did it wittingly , following herein Mr. Selden , ● . 1 de Syned E● . c. 3. p. 25 , &c , where I think he hath proved by the washing of the cloathes is meant the washing of the whole body , and that thereby is exp●essed the Baptism whence the later Jews say they took the use of baptzing Proselytes , and not by the term [ sanctifie them : ] which was to be done by Moses not onely once , but two days together , and seems to be from v. 15. by his keeping them from their wives , and perh●ps some other ways whether offering sacrifice , or anointing ( by which way also sometimes persons are said to be sanctified as Exod. 40.13 . and here the Priests are bid sanctifie themselves , Exod 19.22 . ) or some other way . To me it is improbable that by sanctifying , Exod. 19.10 . is mean baptising , though I think it a general term comprehending that and some other acts . And thus I hope the Reader will perceive I neither intended to disguise any thing , nor misguide any man. Lastly , the Dr. conceives my reason very vain , for the Jews baptized Jews by nature ▪ and it is evidenced from it they took the baptized Proselytes , according to Numb . 15.15 . And so it is evident , that of Exod. ●9 . 10 . being the original of baptizing native Jews , may , and must be the original of baptizing the Proselytes . Answ. But neither doth it yet appear to me there is any weak part or v●nity in this reason , nor hath the Dr. proved the custome of baptising Iews by nature , nor do I find the evidences the Dr. brings to opp●●e Mr. Selden , or that I made any misadventure in my few words , sect 5. Dr. H. thinks reason not to be tied to Mr. Seldens authority , which I reject when ●tis not for my turn ; which I grant when the Dr. gives such reason of dissent as I did in my rejection of Mr. Selden's interpretation of 1 Cor. 10 ▪ 1. And for the Drs. interpretation , neither hath he cleared it by his shewing my mistake of his meaning . For neither were the native Iews wont to be initiated by Baptism , nor is my reason avoided against his interpretation . For if the sense of the Dr. bee , our Fathers were baptized into Moses as native Jews are wont to be initiated by baptism , yet the Dr. errs from the Apostles meaning , which is , that our Fathers the Israelites were baptized into Moses , as well ( not as the Jews in after time by their Baptism , but ) as wee Christians by Christian Baptism into Christ. Whether the Jews custome was to baptize native Jews after the giving the Law , hath been argued before ; I proceed to my main position , and the Drs. answer to it . I set down my position thus ; Nor do I think it true that the customary use of the Jews in baptizing Proselytes and their children , was the pattern of Christs institution of Baptism , and the Apostles and first Churches practise . For according to the custome of the Jews , John Baptist , and Christs Apostles should have baptized no native Jews , which was not so , but of all nations as Christ appointed , Matth. 28.19 . To this the Dr. answers 1. by asserting they did baptize native Jews . To this the Reply is by denial of this , and reserting to the proof before . 2. Saith the Dr. Nay so they might , though the Iews had baptized none but Proselytes , for to that it would bear just proportion , that they should baptize both Iews and Gentiles , in case both of them came in as Proselytes . Answ. But this answer is a fallacy a little too gross to deceive any man of common understanding . For if the Jews baptized no native Jews , but Proselytes ( not to Christ ) but to the Jewish people , and their baptism was the pattern ( which was the Drs. word ) of Christian baptism , then Christ should have appointed , and Iohn Baptist and the Apostles practised baptism to no Jew , though a Proselyte to Christ ; For each thing ought to be appointed and done according to the pattern , and no otherwise , that which is otherwise is not according to the pattern , though it bear a proportion with it . My argument was not as the Dr. makes it , The custome was to baptize Proselytes and not natives ; therefore Christ if be observed that custome was not to baptize native Iews , but thus ; therefore if Christ had made their custome his pattern , he would not have appointed them to be baptized . If Moses had varied from the pattern shewed him in the Mount , he had not made it his pattern , so it had been in this , if the Jewish baptism had been Christ and his Apostles pattern . 2. I said , Christ would not have avouched the baptism of Iohn to be from heaven and not from men , if it had been in imitation of , and conformity to the Jewish custome . To this the Dr. saith , But I wonder what appearance of concludency there is in that reason ? May not any thing be from heaven or by Gods appointment which is derived from a Jewish custome ? God may appoint a ceremony known among men to be used in his service . Answ. I grant it , but then the appointment of God is the pattern by which it is to be regulated , not mens custome ; I do not conceive that can be said to be from heaven or God but from men , which is derived from , founded in and regulated by as its pattern , a custome of men ; as the Dr. saith of the Christian baptism , that it is derived from ▪ founded in and regulated by the Jewish baptism ( not pretended to bee an institution of God but an humane invention ) a● the pattern whence it is copied out even by Christ , according to the Dr. Letter of resol . q● . 4. § . 24. 3. If it had been the pattern I said , it is likely some where or other some intimation would have been given , as the Directory for Christians in the use of Baptism . This , saith the Dr. is too frivolous to require reply ; for besides that , the negative argument were of no force , if it were 〈◊〉 is pretended ; It already appears that there are in the Jewish writers more then intimations of this custome , and some indications of it even in the Scripture it self ; as Joh. 3.5 , 10. And for any plainer affirmations , what need could there be of them , when both the matter it self speaketh plainly , that there was no need of words to those that knew the Jewish customes , as the first writers and readers of the New Testament did , and when Christs sole authority and practise of his Apostles were sufficient Directory for the Christians in the use of baptism ? Answ. The Dr. might more truly have said , this reason is too weigh●y to be removed by his reply . For 1. the thing it self is of very great moment to tender consciences , who know of what moment it is that the great solemn ordinance of Baptism should not be prophaned , but rightly used . 2. Without a certain Directory , no person can with peace seek Baptism , nor Minister give it . 3. The Apostle saith for want of right observing the Lords Supper ( and there is the like reason of Baptism ) Gods judgement overtook the Corinthians , 1 Cor. 11.30 . 4. That an abuse is to be rectified by Christs appointment , 1 Cor. 11.23 . Though the Dr. say , the Lords Supper was derived and lightly changed from the Jewish observance of the post . c●nium , yet did the Apostle not make their custome the Directory to regulate it by , but Christs appointment and example ; and therefore such a negative argument is of invincible force in this case , if it be as I pretend ; there is no intimation given in Scripture of that custome as the Directory for Christians in the use of Baptism , therefore that custome is not the pattern by which it is to be regulated , For otherwise it were very tyrannous , for Christ to impose a Law on mens consciences , to practise a rite after a pattern altogether unknown , and not so much as directed to . To say the first writers and readers of the New Testament knew the Jewish customes , is nothing to us , unless they had told us what they were , and that wee are to follow them . And if they did not tell us , they dealt unfaithfully in not doing that which was necessary to bee done for our information . 5. The declarations in the Jewish writers cannot be our Directory unless we were directed to them as our rule , or they were as the Canonical Scriptures to us . 6. The Jewish writers which mention this custome are later writers then the Apostles time , and therefore they could not bee the Directory , except we were referred to them by prognostication . 7. The Jewish writers could not be a Directory , except they could be had and read by those that need information from them . But how few of those millions of Christians and Preachers , who have need of direction in this thing , have heard much less have read , the Jewish writers , the Talmud , Gemara , Maimonides ? 8. How uncertain are their determinations , even to those that read them , how cross one to another , appears somewhat by what is said before . 9. Their intimations of this custome are but obscure , and their declarations in sundry of the points in difference with so little evidence , that such as Dr. H. and Mr. Selden d●ffer about them . 10. The indications in Scripture Joh. 3.5 , 10. are not such but that ( as hath been shewed ) it may well be doubted , whether they point at the custome of baptizing for initiating into Covenant , or another usage at the birth of infants . 11. The matter it self speaketh not at all to us who know not the usage . 12. The Dr. himsel● saith p. 8. here , It is highly unreasonable that an institution of Christs , such as each Sacrament is , should be judged of by any other rule , but either the words wherein the institution is set down , or by the records of the practise , whether of Christ or the Apostles , therefore it is highly unreasonable that the controversie of infant Baptism should be judged by Jewish writers . 13. If Christs sole authority , and practise of his Apostles , be sufficient Dire●●ory for Christians in the use of Batism , as the Dr. saith here , he doth very ill to make the Jewish custome not known but by Jewish writers of dubious credit the pattern of it , and to expound Christs institution by it , as if the Dial were to be set by the clock , and not the clock by the Dial ; and all the Drs. pains about the Jewish custome of baptising is superfluous , and so one●ous to the reader ; and his way of probation of infant Baptism , which he counts more perfect then other ways , is found to be most imperfect and of no validity , but meerly delusory . I added 4. The institution and practise would have been conformable to it . The Dr. tels me , And so I say and have made it cleur that it was , as far as to the controversie in hand we are or can bee concerned in it . To which I return ▪ 1. That if the Jewish custome were the pattern whence Christ copied out Baptism , it was so in all things , or else it was not the pattern , no man calls that the pattern , which having many particuiars in it , is followed but in one . 2. The Dr. hath not made it appear by any testimony of Scripture or Father , but onely by his own confident speeches , that ever Christ copied out his institution of Baptism from the Jewish custome , or if he did , it is most evident both from the Commission Matth. 28.19 . and from all the practise in the New Testament , if he altered it in any thing he altered it in this thing ; though the Dr. would face us down , He hath made clear ( by nothing but his own sayings ) that the institution and practise of Christ and his Apostles have been conformable to it , as far as to the controversie in hand he is or can bee concerned in it . Yet he hath so much ingenuity as to add , But saith Mr. T. the contrary appears , adding one main instance of the inconformity , and 14. lesser disparities ; The main disparity , saith he , is in their baptizing no infants of the Gentile at their first conversions , whereas the Jews baptized onely the Gentiles infants at their first proselyting , not the infants of those who were baptized in infancy . For the former of these he offers no manner of proof beyond his own affirmation , and therefore it is sufficient to deny it ▪ a● he knowes we do , and evidently begs the question in assuming and not offering any proof to the contrary . Answ. This is refuted so fully by all the fore going Sections of that Book of mine to which he answers , and the confessions of my Antagonists , and the story of the New Testament all along , besides what is said in this part of the Review , sect . 52.94 . that I think the Dr. hardly could say this without reluctancy of conscience . That he denied , that at their first conversions no infants of the Gentiles were baptized by the Apostles I did not know , yea I had reason from his own words Letter of resolut . qu. 4. § ▪ 21● to conceive he did not deny it , forasmuch as if any place did evince the baptizing of infants of Gentiles at their first conversion , they must be those places Acts 16.33 . 1 Cor. 1.16 . Yet the Dr. saith , the mention in Scripture of the Apostles baptizing a whole houshold at once , Acts 16.33 . is not of it self demonstrative or convincing : because that wider phrase may possibly be restrained to those that heard and believed in that family , and it is not certain of either of these , the Go●lers or Stephanus houshold , that they had any so young as infants in their family ; therefore it is confessed , that no concluding argument can be deduced thence . If he deny it now he affirms the contrary , and so is to prove it , which that he either hath done or ever will , I do not imagine . A negative argument from Divine testimony in this case is demonstrative , till the contrary be made good . The Dr. adds , For the second , that of the Jewish practise he pretends no more then what hee had before cited by reference ( but now sets down in words ) viz. the affirmation of Mr. Selden . But I have already shewed how groundless that affirmation of Mr. S. was , as to the native Jews children , who were still baptized after the giving of the Law. And the same I now add for the children of those Proselytes who had been baptized in infancy there appears not the least proof of this from the Jewish writers , who are the onely competent witnesses in it . Answ. If there were no more proof brought then what hath been , that the Jews baptizing the infants at first Proselytism , and the Apostles no infants at first conversion , it were proved ; that the Apostles practise of baptism was not conformable to the Jewish custome : And for the other point , Mr. Seldens affirmation is in the judgement of such as knew both , as good as Dr. Hammonds negation . I confess I have not those Jewish writers he refers to , nor some Books of Mr. Selden de successione in bona defuncti , c. 26. lib. 1. de successione in Pontificatu cap. 2. in which by his reference I guess he hath more ●ully handled this point , yet do I imagin , that knowing the accurateness of the writer , any Reader will conceive that he had clear evidence for what he wrote , or else he would not have so often and so plainly avouched it , that the children of Proselytes after the first baptizing were not baptized , but onely circumcised according to the Jewish custome . But the Dr. saith , But for the contrary , I propose these two testinies taken notice of by Mr. S. himself de Synedr . c. 3. out of Gemara Babylon . He wants the right of a Proselyte for ever , unless he be baptized and circumcised . Here Baptism and Circumcision are joyned together , as equally necessary to a Proselyte and that for ever . And Circumcision there is no doubt was to be received by every male , no● onely at their first comming to the Church of the ●ews , at their first Proselytism , but through all posterities , every child of a Proselyte that was not circumcised , became straightwayes no Proselyte . And then sure this conjunction of Baptism with Circumcision on these terms of equality , both of perpetual necessity to all Proselyte● , must needs extend the Baptism as well as the Circumcision , beyond the first Proselytes and their immediate children , to all their posterity that shall come from them afterwards , for to all those belonged Circumcision . So again in the same place , And if he be not baptized , hee remains a Pagan or Gentile ; Here I shall ask whether the childe of a Proselyte who had been baptized in his infancy , were to be a Fagan for ever ? I suppose it will be answered , no ; And then by the force of that testimony of Gemara I conclude , therefore it must bee supposed that he was baptized , for else he would be a Pagan for ever . Answ. It were very strange that Mr. Selden should in the same chapter in which he cites those words , lib. 1. de Syn●d . c. 3. p. 35. assert p. 28. before , and p. 41. after , that neither Jews children after the giving the Law , nor Proselytes children after their first Baptism , should be baptized , if the words there did import the contrary . And therefore though I want the book to consider it , yet I doubt not the sense of the words is plain thus , that the Gentile who is not baptized at first as well as circumcised , wants for ever , not onely a little while , the right of a Proselyte , and is the very same which both Selden there p. 39. cites out of Maimonides Issuri ●ia . c. 13 and Ainsw . annot . on Gen. 17.12 . A stranger that is circumcised and not baptized , or baptized and not circumcised , he is not a Proselyte till he be both circumcised and baptised . So that the sense is not as the Dr. would , that no Proselytes child shall have the right of a Proselyte , unless that child be as well baptised as circumcised , but this , that he that at his first Proselytism is onely circumcised and not baptised , shall still want the right of a Proselyte as if he were not circumcised at all , till he be baptised as well as circumcised . And that to be the meaning , is plain out of the words that Selden cites from the same Book p. 35. a little after , where R. Eliezers opinion being that a person may be a Proselyte if circumcised though not baptised , because so were their Fathers ; and Rabbi J●shuah's that he was a Proselyte who was baptised and not circumcised , because so were their mothers ; it is said , that the wise men nevertheless have pronounced , that if any have been baptised and not circumcised , or circumcised and not baptised , he is not a Proselyte till he is as well baptised as circumcised ; and the same is the sense of the other speech . So that those words do not speak of any other then the first Proselytes Baptism of that race , not of the posterity , nor of the conjunction of Baptism and Circumcision but at the first entrance into the Covenant ; and therefore to the Drs. question I say , the posterity of a Proselyte were Israelites not Pagans , though they were not baptised in their own persons by vertue of the parents baptism , if they were not born before it . The Dr. proceeds thus ; Besides this two things I farther add , to remove all possible force of this suggestion ; 1. that if it were granted in the full latitude wherein it is proposed , that the Jews baptized no other infants of Proselytes , but those whom they had at their first conversion ; yet this would nothing profit Mr. T. For it were then obvious to affirm , that Christ who imitated the Jews in that , and so baptised the children of Christian Proselytes , did make some light change in this , and farther then the pattern before him afforded , baptized all the posterity that should succeed them , and were born in the Church in their infancy also , the reason though not the patte●n belonging equally to them as to the children of the first Proselytes , and the Jewish custome of baptizing their natives infants beeing fully home to it . Answ. The Dr. having tried to prove the posterity of the Proseselytes born after their proselytism , to have been won● to bee baptized by the Jews , but distrusting it's likely it would not hold , yet thinks to use another engine , though it be as weak as the rest . For 1. he supposeth , the Jews baptised native Jews infants after the giving the Law , which is not true . 2. That Christ imitated the Jews in baptising Proselytes children at first proselytism , and so baptised the children of Christian Proselytes at their first conversion , which is manifestly false . 3. That the Iews baptism was the pattern before Christ , which is the thing in question . 4. That some children are born in the Church Christians , which is a mistake . 5. That he made some light change in that of not baptising Proselytes posterity , and farther then the pattern before him afforded , baptised all the posterity that should succeed them , and were born in the Church in their infancy also . Which is a palpable falshood , it being certain that Christ baptized none , nor appointed the baptizing of any Christians infants , and is against the Dr. For 1. if the custome were changed by Christ , then it was not the pattern . 2. The same proofs which shew a change in this , shew as much a change in the other . 3. This change is ill called a light change , which made so large a perpetual addition . 4. If the pattern did not belong equally to all the Christians posterity , as to the children of the first Proselytes , then the reason did not belong to them , sith the pattern according to the Dr. is all or the main reason , basis or foundation of infant Baptism with him . 6. It is also false , that the reason of baptising the after children of Proselytes , or the native Iews infants after the giving of the Law was as before , sith the reason of Baptism given by the Rabbins is the uncleanness of the baptized , which they deny of native Jews after the giving the Law , and of proselytes posterity born after their baptism . So that it may be easily perceived , that the Dr. hath not avoided the force of my objection against the Jews baptizing being Christs pattern , but heaped up many mistakes , and some against himself . 2dly , saith he , that it being by all granted , that the children which the Proselytes had , at their first proselytism were baptized among the Jews ; this is as evident a confutation of the Antipaedobaptist , and so of Mr. T. as it would if all their infants to all posterity were baptized ; For by that very baptising of the infants at their first Proselytism , it appears that infants may be baptized , for I hope those Proselytes infants are infants ; And if any infants may and ought to be baptized , then are all their pretensions destroyed , whose onely interest it is to evince , that no inf●nts most or may be baptised . And I hope this will be of some use to Mr. T. when he shall have considered it . Answ. It is so , for thereby I perceive the inconsiderateness and va●●ty of the Drs. writing . ● grant the one confutes me as well as the other , that is not at all . For what consequence is in this , I grant the Jews baptized Proselytes children at first proselytism , and this they did according to their custome ; therefore ● must grant that some infants of Christians may and ought to be baptized by Christian baptism ? Did I ever grant that the Jewish baptism of any infants is to be our pattern , or was Christs pattern ? Yea , do I not dispute against it ? What a frivolous reason is this of so famous a Dr. For by that very baptising of the infants at their first proselytism , it appears that infants may be baptized , for I hope those Proselytes infants are infants ? How doth it appear that what the Jews did we may do ? Were infants of Proselytes to be baptized because they were infants ? or are our infants to be baptized because infants , as the Drs. reason intimates ? To omit his non sense of hoping that infants are infants , I tell him that I have considered this , and that I finde it of no force to remove my suggestion , that my pretensions are not destroyed , but that he hath shewed more futility in this passage , so seriously presented to my consideration , then I should easily have imagined in such a man as he is . But yet the Dr. adds , The onely way Mr. T. hath to confirm this of the Jews not baptising any infants of Proselytes born after their fi●st conversion , and baptism is the resolution of the Jews , that if a woman great with child became a Proselyte and were baptized , her child needs not baptism when 't is born . And this I had cited § . 109. out of the Rabbins , and so indeed I find it in Maimonides ▪ tit . Isuribia . c. 13. But I cannot think that ( whether true or false ) a sufficient proof to infer the conclusion ; For the Jewish Drs. might probably thus resolve upon this other ground , because the mother and the child in her womb , being esteemed as one person , the woman great with child being baptized , they might deem the child baptized as well as the woman , and not account it needfull to repeat it after the birth , which yet ( by the way ) it seeems they would have done , if they had not deemed the child all one with the mother , and consequently they must bee supposed to baptise those children which were begotten to the Proselyte after the time of his or her first conversion and baptism . And accordingly the Christian Doctors in the Councel of Neocaesare● can . 6. having resolved the contrary to that Jewish hypothesis , viz. That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that the mother that bears the child differs from the child , or is not at all one with it ; and her confession in baptism is , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proper or particular to her self , and belongs not to the childe in her womb , give the ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) the woman that is with child , and is then converted to the Faith , leave to be baptised when she pleases , supposing that the child which then she carries , shall , notwithstanding her baptism , then be its self baptised after its birth . Which as it is a clear answer to the argument deduced from the resolution of the Jews in that point , so 't is moreover an evidence how little of proof Mr. T. had either from his own observation , or Mr. Seldens Testimonies , from all which he can produce no other but this , which in the sound is so far from affirming what he would have , and upon examination is found to conclude the contrary . Answ. The Dr. hath a strange fancy , to think he can conclude the contrary to what I infer from those words of the Jewish Drs. that when they resolve the child needs not be baptized , therefore they were wont to bap●ize the children of Proselytes born after their proselytism , As if the Jewish custome were contrary to their Drs. resolution , when they say it needs not , yet they should do it ; if so , how vainly doth the Dr. talk but a little before , that The Jewish writers are the onely competent witnesses in this thing ] and proves all along this Chapter their custome by these very writers ? But let 's heed his reason ; the Jewish Drs. might resolve it upon another ground , the childs being one with the mother , and so the b●ptism needless to that child , which yet by the way ( or rather out of the way ) it seems they would have done , if they had not deemed the childe all one with the mother , and consequently other children must be supposed to be baptized . ] So the Dr. upon an imaginary ground , of which he brings no proof or shew of proof , and a conjecture of his own , that seems to him but to none else , infers downright they must be supposed to baptise other children . It must be so , because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is a Rabbin , Dr. chair , of the irrefragabilis Magister noster ; if he say the right hand is the left we must say so too ▪ But yet I am Joannes ad appositum , and think I have better cards to shew for my inference then Dr. H. for his ▪ Mr. Selden who is also Joannes ad oppositum l. 2. de jure nat . &c. c. 4. p. 170. speaks not doubtfully like Dr. H. when he puts in hi● parenthesis ( whether true or false ) but cites Gema● . Babylon . ad Tit. Jabim . cap. 8. fol. 78. a and Maimonides halach Isuri bia . c. 13. Shulcan Aruch lib. Jore Dea cap. 268. b and having set down the Jewish Doctors resolution , that if a woman great with childe be made a Proselyte , and so received by baptism , her child needs not baptism ; ] he adds , nimirum ex co quod nata est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seu in sanctita●e matris aut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in ejus Judaismo ( nam hisce sic ut untur vocibus ) Proselyti seu matris conditionem induebat , that is , to wit because in as much as it was born in the holiness of the mother , or in her Judaism ( for so they use these words ) it put on the condition of the mother , ] that is , was holy , or a Jew as the mother , and so needed not baptism , which plainly shews they counted not their children who were holy , or Jews born after the parents bap●ism to need baptism , and consequently did not bap●ize them . Nor doth the resolution of the Council of Neocaesarea any whit help the Doctour . For what consequence is in this , there were some Christians in the 4th ▪ Century since Christ , who did imagine the mothers baptism might serve for the child , perhaps ( for that 's the Drs. conjecture onely ) because they thought the child and mother one , therefore the Jewish Drs. resolution is upon that ground , and to be limited to those onely ? And for the Drs. mention of the words of the Council , it is against himself , though imperfectly done ; For 1. it supposeth , the mother that bears the child differs from the child , and her confession in Baptism is , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , proper or particular to her self , and belongs not to the childe in her womb ; ] Therefore according to the resolution of that Council in Baptism , the parent and childe are not one , nor the parents confession of faith stands for the child . 2. It expresly affirmeth two things which quite destroy Paedobaptists principles . 1. That in baptism she that bringeth forth communicates nothing to the child brought forth , therefore the parents faith or baptism communicates no priviledge , or right of baptism to the child . 2. That every ones free choise in confession is shewn or to be shewn in baptism ; the●efore no child is to b● baptized according to that Councils determination , but upon its own confession out of free choise shewed or signified by it self . But of this Canon I have said something before . By this which is said i● appears how far the Dr. hath bin from giving a clear answer to the ●●gument , or examining any thing ( as it was fi● he should and that rather he hath so handled this point , as if his study were like Protagoras in Gellius , to make a bad cause to seem good , or Anaxagoras to prove snow black . ●ect . 6. The Dr. writes thus ; This grand disparity then being cleared to be Mr. T. his mistake , I shall not need to attend his other instances of disparity , this accord which hath been already mentioned and vindicated , bein● sufficient to my pretensions , and no concernment of mine obliging me to believe or affirm , that the parallel holds any farther then Christ was please● it should , and of that we are to judge by what the Scriptures or ancient Church tels us was the practice of him o● his Apostles ; For 1. the Jews I doubt not brought in many things of their own devising into this , as into other institutions of Gods , and the later Jews more , as of the Proselytes being so born again in baptism , that lying with his natural sister was no incest , and the like : And 2. Christ , I doubt not , changed the Jewish Oeconomy in many things , as in laying aside Circumcision , in commissionating his Disciples to baptize ( and they leaving it in the hands of the Bishop , and those to whom he should commit it . It is not lawful to baptize without the Bish●p , sai●h Ignatius , Ep ad Smyrn edit . Voss. p. 6. ) whereas it was not among the Jews any part of the Priests office , any more then circumcision was ; And so in many other particulars . But what is that to my pre●ensions , who affirm no more of the accordance betwixt the Jewish and Christian practice , then either by some indications in the Scrip●u●e it self , or by the Christian Fathers deductions from the Apostles times , appears to be meant by Christ , and practised by the Apostles ▪ and then by the Jewish writers is as evident to have to have been in use among them . And this is all the return I need make to hi● fourt●en l●sser disparities , and all that he hath at large ende●vo●red to infer from the● , supp●sing and granting them all to be such . Answ. Dr. H. had expresly asserted the ●ewish custome of Baptising Proselytes , to be the pattern , whence Christian Baptism was copied out , and what is set down in the N. T. i. e. in the words of Christs institution , or in his or the Apostles practise , he calls a copy of their custome as the pattern , Letter of resol . qu. 4. § . 24. And what was the Jewish custome , he proves onely from the Talmud , Gemara , Maimonides , or other Jewish writers ▪ and says p. 27. they are the onely competent witnesses in it , which if so , his pretensions are made void if there be one , much more if there be one main one , and 14. lesser disparities . For sure what is a pattern must be followed , and is in all , or else it ceaseth to be a pattern . Had Moses made that which was shewed him in the Mount his pattern , if he had onely done according to it in two , or three , or one thing and not in the rest ? Besides , how doth or can the Dr. prove the one to have been the pattern to the other , but by the universal conformity ▪ To say , it is a pattern when they agree in one or two things and differ in 14. is all one as to say , a womans coat is the pattern of a mans double● , because they agree in having sleeves , or a Temple is the pattern of a dwelling house , because they have both doors and windows . The Dr. therefore doth in my apprehension pull down what he hath all this while been erecting , by his acknowledging both the Jews bringing in many things of their own devising otherwise then Christ appointed , and Christs changing their Oecomy in many things , and making the accordance no further then Christ was pleased it should hold , and of that we are to judge by what the Scriptures or ancient Church tels us , was the practise of him or his Apostles . For 1. then it will follow , that infant Baptism c●n never be proved to be from Christ or the Apostles , sith it can never be proved that they practised it or appointed it to be practised according to the Jewish custome . 2. The Dr. hath meerly abused h●s Reader , endeavouring to possess him , as if infant Baptism might be better p●oved ●rom the Jewish ●ustome in their writ●rs , then from the Scripture ; and yet in the conclusion , the Jewish custome is disclaimed as a pattern , any farther then the Scriptures or ancient Church tell us was the practise of him or his Apostles , and by pretending that to be p●t●ern , which is not to be followed any farther then we may judge by another Directory Christ was pleased it should hold . I let pass what the Dr. saith , of Christs commissionating his Disciples to baptize , and they leaving it in the hands of the Bishop , and those to whom he should commit it , as not pertinent to the present business , though otherwise many things might ●hence be gathered , to shew that Bishops were not such in late dayes as they were anciently , or they were very negligent in committing this great business of Baptism to so many ignorant drunken Priests ( who often did it in their drink ) which should have been done by themselves , and consider what followes . But yet , saith the Dr. it is evident that some of them are not such ; As when he saith , the Baptism of males must be with Circumcision and an offering , it is clear that , though 1. Circumcision be laid aside by Christ , and 2. when it was used it had nothing to do with Baptism , yet as to the adjoyning of offering or sacrifice , the parallel still holds , the prayers of the Church being the Christian sacrifice , and those in the Christian Church solemnly attendant on the administration of Baptism . Answ. 1. If Circumcision when it was used had nothing to do with Baptism , how could the Dr. ( as he doth here ch . 1. sect . 1. ) take on him from Circumcision to prove ( no● the duety , yet ) the lawfulness of infan● Baptism . 2. The sacrifice which was required at the initiating a Proselyte , was a burnt offering of a beast , or two Turtle Doves , or two young Pigeons , both of them for a burnt offering ; so Maimonides tit . Isuri ●i● . c. 13. as Ainsworth annot . on Gen. 17.12 . Selden de syned . l. 1. c. 3. ●ite him , but that is not prayer , nor is it any more agreeable to the Jewish custome to use prayer without it , then to use circumcision of the heart , Col. 2.11 . without the outward , or the answer of a good conscience towards God without baptism with water ; and yet the rubrick of the Common Prayer Book in private Baptism allowed ( if time did not suffer ) it to be done without so much as saying the Lords Prayer . The Dr. adds . So parallel to the Court of three Israelites , by the confession or profession of whom ( saith Maimonides ) the infant was baptized , we have now not onely the whole Church , in the presence of whom ●tis publikely administred , and when more privately , yet in the presence of some Christians , who are afterwards , if there be any doubt , to testifie their knowledge to the Church ; but more particularly the Godfathers and Godmothers , being themsel●es formerly baptized , do represent the Church , and the Minister commissionated thereto by the Bishop , represents the Church also , meaning the Governors thereof . Answ. Though Baptism by women and others not commissionated by a Bishop have heretofore been tollerated , and been taken for currant Baptism , and the terming the Governours of the Church the Church , be language not like the Scripture , but the Canon law , and the use of Gossips be a vain device , and the Minister commissionated by the Bishop , with the Gossips sometimes so ignorant of the knowledge of Christ , that they are not fit to bee among Christians , nor to be taken to represent a Church of Christ , nor do they stand under that notion at the usual baby sprinkling , but as sureties or proxies to the child ; and in private Baptism there 's none of these sometimes , yet were all the Dr. saith yeilded , this is not according to the Jewish custome , which required a kinde of court of three Israelites skilfull in Law to approve it , or else it is vo●d , and so as Judges of the Baptism , of which sort the other are not . The Dr. adds ; But I shall not proceed to such superfluous considerations , and so I have no need of adding one word more of reply to his 24. Chapter ( as far as I am concerned in it ) unless it bee to tell him that the Bishop● Canons are not the rule by which I undertake to define , wherein the Jewish custome must be the pattern , wherein not ; ( but as he cannot but know , if he had read the resolution of the 4th . Quaere ) the practise of the Apostles of Christ , by the testifications of the Fathers of the Church made known unto us , to which as I have reason to yeild all authority , so I finde the Canons and rituals as of this , so of all other Churches in the world ( no one excepted ) to b●ar perfect accordanc● therewith , in this particular of infant Baptism ( though in other lesser particulars they differ , many among themselvs , and all from the Jewish pattern . ) And this I hope is a competent ground of my action , and such as may justifi● it to any Christian Artist to bee according to rules of right reason , of meekness , and sound doctrine , and no work of passion , or prejudice , or singularity , or ( as Mr. T. suggests ) of the Drs. own pleasure , as if that were the mutable principle of all these variations from the Jewish pattern . Answ. 1. To call Cyprian , Augustine , &c. Fathers of the Church , which is elsewhere stiled their mother , is scarce consistent . 2. To yeeld all authority to the practise of the Apostles of Christ , by the testifications of the Fathers of the Church made known to us there is no reason ; this is due onely to the holy Scripture : they testifie sundry things as the Apostle practise , which was not so , they speak sometimes in these things confidently upon false reports , this would be an inlet to many superstitions , the Canons of Councils , and Rituals of Churches are so full of weakness and blemishes , as that they would be counted most useless writings ●o direct in faith or worship , did not their age make some men dote on them ▪ T●at all Churches accord in infant Baptism cannot be true . The Common Prayer book is not justifiable in the allowing that which is termed privat baptism , in the use of sureties their mimical or fals answers , saying they desire to be baptized , when it is not so . The Drs. exposition Letter of resol . q 4 § . 116. I believe , i. e. this child stands bound by by th●se presents to believe , &c. is so ridiculous ( and Augustines tom . 2. Ep. 28 ad ●oni●acium is like it ) as that did not prejudice , o● preingagem●nt , or some other like reason prevail with Dr. H. he would never defend it . That which the Dr. makes a competent ground of his action , doth not justifie his tenet of infant Baptism to be according to rules of reason and sound doctrine , whether he vary or not in his determinations from that which hee makes the pa●tern as hee pleaseth , or the Bishops Canons order , let the Reader ju●ge by what is said , and that which followes . Of this score , saith he , 't is somewhat strange , which he thinks fit to add concerning the form of Baptism , in the name of the Father , and the ●on , and the Holy Ghost ; In ●his one thing , saith he , which Christ did no● prescribe , nor did the Apostles , that we finde so conceive it , yet saith the Dr. Christs prescription must be indispensably used . In reply to this I shall not s●end much time to evidence this form to bee Christs prescription , if the express words a● his parting from the world , Matth. 28. ●o ye the●●fore , and ●ach or receive ●o disciplesh●p , all na●●ons , baptizing them in the n●me of the Father , and the Son , and the Holy ●host , be not a prescription o● Christs , and if the universal doctrine and continual practise of the whole Church through all times , be not testim●ny sufficient of the Apostles conceiving it 〈◊〉 , and a competent ground of the indispensable continuing the use of it ; I shall not hope to perswade with him , onely I shall minde him of the words of S. Athanasius in his Epistle to S●rapion tom . p. 204. He that is no● baptized into the name of all three , receives nothing , remains empty and imperfect . For perfection is in the Trinity , no Baptism per●●● i● seems but that ▪ And if ●his will not yet suffice , I shall then onely demand whether he can prod●ce ●o express grounds from Christ or the Apostles , or the univ●rsal Church of God through all ag●● , or from any one ancient Father for his denying Baptism to infan●s . Answ What grounds we can produce ●rom Christ , and Apostles for denying infant Bapt●sm , may be se●n in 〈◊〉 Part of this Review sect . 5 , &c. what from Fathers in this , and some oth●r of my writings ▪ that which Christ prescribed is indispensably to be used , to baptize in●● the Name of the Father , Son and Holy , but all the question is about these words [ I baptize thee in the Name of the Father , Son and Holy Ghost ] whether Christ have prescribed them to be indispensably used ; so as tha● if any say , I baptize thee in the name of Christ , or the Lord Jesus , or be thou baptized , or a● the Greeks use it [ Let this servant of Christ bee baptized ] into the Name of Father , Son and Spirit , or , This p●rson is baptized by ●e into the profession and owning of the Father of Christ the onely true God , and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent , and the Comforter whom he sent as his Lord and Master , this be not agreeable to C●rists prescription . I conceive it is , and that neither did Christ prescribe those very words the Dr. se●s down , but the thing ( of which Grotius ●nn●t . in Matth. ●8 . 19 . may be seen , where the Dr. may see , that to be baptized into the Name , is not all one with bap●izing with the express naming of each o● these , but another thing , and how the ancients varied in their expressions , and how Iren●us lib. 3 c. 20. saith . In nomine Christi subauditur qui unxi● , & ipse qui unctus est , & ipsa unctio in q●a ●nctu● e●● . ) Nor the Apostles when they prescribed Baptism into the name of Christ , without mentioning the other persons , Acts 2.38 . & 10.8 . & 8.16 . Lu●●bard l. 4. sent . dist . 3. ●ui baptizat in nomine Christi baptiz●t in nomine ●rin●tatis , quae ibi intelligitur ; and this Ambrose before spake , i● lib. 1. de s●ir sanct . c. 3. ●iscat . schol . in Matth. 28.19 ▪ But it is not to be thought that in these words , Christ commands Misters o● Pastors of the Church , that in baptizing they should pronounce these words , baptize thee into the Name of the Father , &c. Father●c ●c . which may be done although those word● be not ●ronounced in baptizing And therefore tha● which I ●aid , needed not bee somewhat st●●nge in the Dr. And for the words of the Drs. Practic●l catech . l 6. § . 2. the words do shew what I said the Dr. confessed , to have been no mis●●eporting of his words ; who did not say , he affirmed the putting under water ( used by the primitive Church to be appointed by Christ , exclusi●ely to sprinkling , but t●at by Christs appointment the baptized was to be d●pt in wa●e● ▪ i.e. according to the primitive ancient custome to bee put under wa●er , and said expresly be allowed of sprinkling , and yet varied from the J●wish pattern which requir●d immersion ; and from Christs appointment ( which though he propounded d●s●junctively , yet I knew it could ●ot ●e so understood ) and from the primitive custome , and yet in another thing n●t so prescribed , will have it to be indispensably used , which shews his variableness . SECT . XCVII . Matth. 28.19 . Infants are excluded from being subjects of Baptism , notwithstanding Dr. Hammonds pretensions . TO what Dr. H. Defence of infants Baptism ch . 2. sect . 1. saith , I reply . 1. That his writing for the Common Prayer Book , is evidence of ascribing more then was meet to the Canons of Prelates , sith th● Common Prayer Book stood as well by the Prelates Canons , as the Act of Parliament , and those that are for the one are for the most part for the other . 2. It appears to me that he hath offended much against the Sacrament of Baptism , in his Defence of infant Baptism , the use of sureties , sprinkling in stead of Baptism according to the Common Prayer Book , all which are mentioned before . 3. This to me is a signe that the Dr. ascribes too much to the Canon which enjoyned subscription and conformity to the Common Prayer Book , in that he hath opposed , as much I think as any man of his rank , the reformation of these and such other faults as were in it . 4. If there were a Catechesis in the term allegation , then my use of it proves not my signification that the Dr. did produce Matth. 28.19 . as a proof of his pos●tion : yet when I consider how the Dr. Letter of resol . q. 4. sect . 14 , 25. doth make the Jewish baptism the pattern whence the Christian is copied out , and saith ; Christian baptism hath nothing in the Copy to exclude Christians children , which copy is set down in the N. T. i e. in the words of institution , and these words § . 25. are no other then those Matth. 28.19 . which he endeavours to prove not onely not to exclude , but also to include Christians children , as he speaks § . 121. Christs baptism being founded in the Jews custome of baptizing of Proselytes , and the custome among them being known to be this , to baptize the Proselytes and their children , the indefinite command of baptizing all nations , was all that was needfull to comprehend the children also of those that received the faith of Christ. I do still conceive he did allege Matth. 28.19 . as a proof of his position , though not by it self ▪ yet with his imagined pattern of the Jewish custome , and that though he would not openly , yet by his contending so much for the equivalency of Disciple and Proselyte , and the extent of the term Proselyte , and his acknowledgement of these words to be the copy in the N.T. he did tacitely yeeld , that if those words Matth. 28.19 . include not infants under the discipled ▪ then there is something in the N. T. which excludes infants from Baptism Nor is he at all relieved by what he saith that whatever were the notion of Discipling there , yet ●ee could not deem infants thereby excluded from Baptism , whom by another medium , viz. ▪ the Apostolical practice hee supposed to be admitted to it by Christs institution ; for that very medium is to prove it to have been Christs institution , and Matth. 28.19 . comprehends the words of institution , and is the copy of the original , and therefore it 's tacitely implied , that if infants be no● proved to bee included Matth. 28.19 . there is something against infant Baptism in the N. T. nor is it true that in that which is not included , is not presently excluded , for in all such institutions or appointments , what is not included i● presently exclu●ed . Our Lord argues Matth. 19.5 , 6. two shall bee one flesh , therefore more then two are excluded ; the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.23 . thus Ch●ist appointed the Lords Supper , therefore no otherwise , wine is appointed therefore water is excluded , eating is prescribed therefore reservation is excluded , let the self-examiner eat , therefore infants excluded ; the Dr. himself , baptizing in the name of the Father , Son and Holy Ghost , prescribed Mat. 2● . 19 . therefore that from indispensably to be used If the Dr. would look on such a despicable piece , he might see this further proved in that Book a part whereof hee answers , Review part . 2. sect . 5. ●f not he may finde enough in Jewels Sermon at Pauls Cross 1560. and in all sorts of Protestant writers , which by reducing things to the primitive institution , exclude other things added by men as abuses . But the Dr. tels me , he that saith man is a living creature , doth not thereby deny ●n Angel to be so also ; True , but this is impertinent , ●●th this is a proposition not a command ; and as impertinent is the other , when Christ gives his D●sciples po●er to heal diseases , Matth. 10.1 . he cannot be deemed to with hold from them power of raising the dead , for that we see comprehended in their Commi●sion v. 8. for th●s is not an instan●e of an institution of what they should do , but a relation of what CHRIST gave them . To my arguing from passages of the Doctors Letter of resol . q. 4. § . 55 , 92 , 94. pract . c●t l. 6. § . 2. that infants are not baptized according to Chri●ts institution , and Baptism no Sacrament to them , he tels me ; 1. That Christs institution of Baptism was not ( nor is ever affirmed by 〈◊〉 to be ) set down in those words of Matth. 28. that having been long before instituted and practised , as appears by plain words , Job . 4.1 , 2. Whereto I answer ; 1. The first is not true , for in his Letter of resol q. 4. § 24. he mentions , the copy of Baptism set down in the N. T. i. e. in the words of institution , which § . 25. shews are those Matth. 28.19 . and § . 29 having as he thinks avoided the exclusion of infants , from the command Matth. 28. ●9 . he saith ▪ Nothing is discernable in Christs institution of Baptism , which can exclude infant children of Christian● from it , and again he terms them , that institution of Baptism for all nations . 2. His reason i● as frivolous . For though it were instituted before , yet it was set down Matth. 28.19 . as the institution of the Lords Supper was before the Epistle to the Corinthians , yet is set down 1 Cor. 11.23 . Secondly , saith hee , that though Christs will and institution fo● baptizing infants be not so manifestly exprest in those words , Matth. ●8 . 19 . as shall be able by the bare force of the words to convince any gain-sayer , without any other way of evidence or proof added to it , yet by the Apostles practise of baptizing infants ( appearing to us by other means ) it is most evident that they who certainly did not mistake Christs meaning ; did thus understand and extend his institution and commission . The truth of this is there made more evident § . 30 , &c. I shall not here repeat it . Answ. 1. It is to be observed , that here the Dr. makes Christs will , institution , and commission , to be exprest in those words Matth. 28.19 . and yet in the next words before he said , Christs institution of Baptism was not ( nor is ever affirmed by him to be ) set down in those words Matth. 28.19 . Quo teneam nodo ? 2. That he acknowledgeth Christs will and institution for baptizing infants , is not so manifestly exprest in those words Matth. 28.19 . as shall be able by the bare force of the words to convince any gain-sayer . Now sure i● not there , no where . As for his other proof from other places , it is so fully proved here to be vain , that if the Dr. do not , others will see it to be so . Yet he adds ▪ Secondly that the infant when he is to bee ba●tized , doth though not by his own voice personally , yet by his lawfull proxies , which the Church accepteth in his stead , profess the believing in three , the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , deliver himself up to three , &c. Answ. How comes any man ●o bee a childs proxy , who doth not make hi● so ? By w●at law becomes he a lawful proxy ? Where did God allow him to become a proxy or su●ety for an infant ? How dares any take upon him to be a surety of the Covenant , which i● Christs office Heb. 7.22 ? With what face can any Christian say the child b●lievs , or desires ●o be baptized , when the child at that very instant , by its crying shews its unwillingness thereto ? How dares any undertake it shall believe , when it is not in his power to give fai●h , and so many do not believe , but oppose the faith , who are thus baptized ? What warrant hath any parent , or ( as Mr. Bax●er terms the Gossips ) proparent , to profess the faith of Christ in behalf of an infant , and to desire Christian baptism for it ? What is the Church the Doctour means , that accepts a proxies profession in st●ad of the childe ? Who gave them or that person the name of the Church ? What Commission , whence have the Church power to exchange and commute ones profession for anothers ? Who gave the Minister authority to alter Christs institution , and to accept of that which Christ never appointed in stead of that which Christ appointed ? It is undoubtedly a most high presumption , derogatory to Christs peculiar office ▪ forbidden Matth. ●3 . 8 . for any Minister , or Bishop , or Council , or Congregation , who are all to be subject to Christ , and to follow his prescriptions , to take on them in stead of the persons own profession before Baptism to accept of another● , as ● proxy , parent , or proparent his confession , instead of the baptized per●ons profession ? Th●ugh I marvail not that Dr. Hammond a man Prelatical , who too much favours corruptions in Fathers , Counci●s , and Prelates , disguising them under the name of the Church , which is a pre●ence for many supersti●ions , should thus determine : yet I wonder how Mr. Baxter and those who have opposed the use of the Cross in Baptism , and other abuses of Papists and Prelates , should having proved in his 2d . Disputation of right to Sacraments , that none but Professors of saving faith and repentance are to be baptized , yet without the least proof or shadow of proof , but a parents or proparents pro●ession instead of an infants , and without any institution or practise in the New Testament , dar● to teach and accordingly to pra●●ise 〈…〉 and to require parents or others to profess the faith to that ●nd , and in their stead . Just zeal to the glory of God and honour of Christ , and his truth , makes me thus earnest ; no man can justly blame me in inveighing against , if not the hypocrisie of such men , yet certainly the iniquity of them who oppose humane inventions in one thing and no● in another , and the wickedness of them who either by Consistorial sentences excommunica●e as Heretiques , or by exciting Magistrates against them persecu●e , or in preaching exclaim , or otherwise oppose those that will not yeeld to such corruptions , though obtruded under the name of the Church . I had said , yea if the positive will of Christ be the reason of Baptism , they usurp upon Christs prerogative , who baptize otherwise the●● Christ hath appointed , and then if the precept of Christ doth not nec●ssarily infer infant Baptism ( which the Dr. ingenuously acknowledgeth ) it doth by manifest consequence deny it , sith hee forbids that to be done otherwise then he hath appointed when he hath determined how it should be done . The Dr. when hee saith above , the words [ I baptize into the Name of the Father ▪ Son , and Ghost ] must be indispensably used ; me think by the same reason should conceive Christs institu●ion should bee ●nal●e●ably used in baptizing those onely whom he hath appointed to be baptized ; Hereupon the Dr. saith thus . To this the grounds of answer have been already laid also , viz. that they that baptize infants , baptize no otherwise then Christ appointed , and the Apostles appear to have understood his appointment . By Christs appointment not meaning particularly his words Matth. 28. but his will , otherwise made known to his Disciples , when and in what words soever it was that he instituted baptism , which must be long before this , even before his Apostles took on them to baptize any , which yet they did in great abundance , Joh. 4.1 . And of this appointment or institution of Baptism by Christ it is most true , that if that precept of Christ , whereby hee first instituted Baptism , did not indeed compre●end , and so necessarily infer infant Baptism , and was so understood to do by the Apostles , it shal consequently be deemed to deny it . But then herein lies a great fallacy , when from another appointment of Christ , viz. that Matth. 28. which I acknowledge not to infer infant Baptism necessarily , he assumes in universum , and reports it as my confession , that Christs Precept ( indefinitely taken , and so extending to all Christs Precepts at any time ) doth not necessarily infer infant Baptism . Which is that grand illogical fault in disc●urse of inferring an indefinite or universal conclusion from particular premises . As for the comparison which he makes betwixt the indispensable use of the words of Baptism Matth. 28. and the as unalterable observation of Christs institution in respect of the Persons to be baptized , I willingly grant it , on the condition premised , that he mistake not the text Matth 28. to be the words of that institution , whe●●in Christ defined who are to be baptized . Those words are a Commission to the Apostles to go Preach to or Disciple all Nations , and thus far extends to point out the persons ▪ viz. that they should ( as Disciple so ) baptize Gentiles as w●ll as Jews ; and again , they are express for the form of Baptism , that it should be in the name of the Father , the Son , and the Holy Ghost , but they are not any kinde of direction to that other matter of receiving and admitting infants or not infants . That I suppose sufficiently notified to them before , both by the common practise of their ancestors in the Jewish Religion by the vulgar notion of Baptism , whilest it was familiarly used among the Jewes , both to their own and their Proselytes children , and also by Christs special direction ( though the Gospels , which express not at all the words of the first institution of Baptism do no● set that down ) in the time of his Preaching among them , some while before that passage of story related , ●oh . 4.1 , &c. From both of these , I suppose the Apostles learnt i● ( and not from Matth. 28. ) and we learn it onely from the Apostles , as shall hereafter appear . Answ. That the Apostles learnt infant Baptism from Christ , or Dr. Hammond from the Apostles , hath not been made appear as yet . What he hath produced from Tertullian and the Greek Fathers , from 1 Cor. 7.14 . and from the Jewish custome , hath been already examined and shewed to b● insufficient to that end . His grants are , that if Christ did not institute at first infants Baptism , nor the Apostles so understood it , it should consequently be deemed to deny it ; and if he did otherwise appoint it , then infants are excluded ; and what is Matth. 28.19 . prescribed , is indispensably to be used ; but he supposeth a fore●going insti●ution comprehending infant Baptism , notified otherwise then by Mat. 28.19 . that Matth. 28.19 . determines neither pro nor con : for no● against infants Baptism , that I infer illogically , because not in Matth. 28.19 . instituted , therefore no where else . And I do acknowledge I d● so conceive , that the Dr. having made that the copy , and confessing infant Bap●ism not to be necessarily inferred thence , and that wee must do no otherwise then Christ appoints he must tacitely deny infant Baptism ▪ and this inference of mine is logical . What the Dr. saith to the contrary do●h not avoid it . For 1. it is not true that Matth. 28.19 . the words are not any kinde of direction to this matter of receiving and admitting infants or not infants . For 1. it expresseth who are to bee baptized , when it saith , baptising them , now [ them ] must refer either to [ all nations ] without any other circumscription , and then he must appoint them to baptize every man in the world , believer or not . But that is ab●urd , Ergo. Or [ them ] must refer to [ Disciples ] included in the Verb [ Disciple or make Disciples ] but if so , no● onely the Genti●es as well as Jewes are pointed out , but also the qualification of them , whom they should baptize , they are to be Disc●ples , now infants are disciples and not disciples , there 's no middle term between contradictory terms , therefore there must be some direction to baptize infants or not infants . 2. These words are the copy of the pattern as the Dr. saith ubi suprà , therefore if these words have no direction for infant Baptism , the pattern had not ; For the Copy and Pattern do agree with each other , as the Decree and the Copy of it out of the Court. 2. It is not true that this is not the first institution wee are to have directions from in our practise , who baptize Gentiles . For there is no institution concerning baptizing the Gentiles before that Matth ▪ 28.19 . and therefore hence must be direction for baptizing or not our infants , there being no institution precedent as concerning them . Nor did the Apostles follow any other , as is proved in the 2d . part of this Review sect . 5. 3. It is false , th●t the former institution did comprehend infant Baptism . The con●ra●y is proved , 1. From the place which sets down 〈◊〉 practise , Joh ▪ 4.1 . it is there said , they made Disciples and baptised ▪ Whence I argue . 1 Those onely whom the Apostles baptized , Christ appointed to be baptized ; But they baptiz●d not in 〈◊〉 , ergo Christ did not then appoint th●m to baptize them . The major is out of doubt their practise onely shewing Christs institution . ●he minor is proved , 1. They baptize● none but whom they made Disciples , but they made no infants Disciples , as will be proved in t●at which follows , and may bee further thus proved . Such persons were made disciples by Christ and his Disciple● , as were mad● disciples by John , But he made no infants d●sciples , as mi●ht be p●oved by the descriptions and acts of Johns disciples in the Gospels , Matth. 9.14 . & 11.2 . & 14.12 . Luk. 7. ●8 . Joh. 1.35 , 3● ▪ &c. 2 The Disciples baptized in the same manner and s●rt ●s Joh● did his disciples , bu● John baptized penitent persons who were not infants , Matth. 3.6 all the ●eople who were baptised by him , are said to hear him and to justifie God , ●uk . 7.29 . but these were not infants , Ergo. 3. Dr Ha●mond saith Le●●er of resol q. 4. § . ●5 . To make disciples , Joh. 4.1 . and baptise , is all one wi●h disciple baptising , Matth. 2● . 19 . But in this according to the Dr. there is not any kinde of direction to that matter of receiving and admitting infants or not infants , therefore Joh. 4.1 , is no mention of their baptizing infants , and so no infan●s baptized by them . 2. If Christ had instituted infant Baptism , doubtless hee would have ap●ointed it , and the Disciples practised it on those mentioned Matth. 19.13 , 14 , 15. Mark 10 . 1● , 14 15 , 16. Luk ▪ 1● . 15 , 16 , 17. But he did not appoint nor they practise baptism on t●em , for it is said Matth. 9.15 . that when he had put his hands on them he d●parted thence , which shews no more was done to ●hem then was before set down , whereof none was their baptizing , Ergo 4. It is false , that direction to baptise infants was sufficiently notified to the Apostles by Christ. For 1. the common practise of the Jews could not notifie it to them , C●rist ●o where appointing them to baptize according to the Jewish manner , nor did they , For they baptized r●ther a●ter Johns mann●● , Joh. 4.1 . but that was not as the 〈◊〉 as appeares by their excepting against and rejecting his Baptism Luk● 30. 2. The vulgar notion ●f Baptism did not no●ifie it . 〈…〉 notion of baptism did not express one sort or other , yea ●hey used to baptize other things Mark 7 ▪ 3 , 4. besides persons . 2. If the vul●ar notion of Baptism did notifie infant Baptism , then it did notifie i● Ma●th . 28 ▪ 19. where it is expressed . But the Dr. saith , those words are not any kinde of dire●●ion to that matter of receiving and admitting infants or no● infants , Ergo. 3. The special direction of Christ did not notifie i● , if i● di● ▪ let it be shewed ▪ To say , the Gospels express not at all the words of the first institution of ●aptism , nor do set that down , is against the Dr. For it is an high presumption in any man to assert such a special direction of Christ , as neither the Gospels nor other sacred writings set down , and if this may bee done , Apocriphal traditions may bee vented , as Papists and others have done , telling us all that CHRIST did and said is not written , John 20.30 . Besides , Christ gave no other special direction to the Apostles towards the Jewes about Baptism , afore that was done which wee read John 4.1 . then hee did to them towards the Gentiles , Matth. 28.19 . For that was a copy of the Pattern . But he did not there appoint infant Baptism as the Dr. acknowledgeth , Ergo. From all which I infer , that Christ gave no other direction about Baptism , then what is expressed Matth. 28.19 . and that there hee gave directions about in●ants bap●izing or not baptizing , and that the presrciption there is to bee indispensably used , not onely about the form of words in baptism , but also about the persons wh●m we may baptize ; and that infants are excluded shall bee proved in that which followes . Nor is this a pralusory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as the Dr. termes it , but such a just dissertation as toucheth the main of the cause , and shewes the Doctors usurpation on Christs prerogative , in defending such Baptism as is otherwise then Christ appointed , nor hath he brought one proof for what he saith , hee hath made evident that Matth. 28 . 1● . was not the institution of Baptism ▪ nor any intimation on either side whether infants should he baptized or not , but contradicted himself , and manifestly perverted the Scripture . Sect. 2. The Dr. saith to my exception [ that though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is well rendred make Disciples , yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not well paraph●ased by receive into Discipleship all Nations baptizing them , For by this the making Disciples is made the same with receiving into Discipleship or receiving Disciples , and Baptism the ceremony of receiving into Discipleship , which is as truly the act of the baptized , thereby professing or avouching his Discipleship ] thus . Here is another subtilty of a refined nature , making a difference betwixt making Disciples , and receiving into Discipleship or receiving Discip●es : As if these two were not perfectly synonymous , and by me evidently used , as such . I shall not dispute of words , when the matter is clear , and when it is equally to my purpose which phrase is used , whether making or receiving Disciples . Answ. Either phrase would not have been equally to the Doctors purpose , making Disciples not being applicable to infants , a● perhaps it may be thought receiving Disciples may , but whether either serve the Doctors turn or no , and however the Dr. use them , or censure my di●●inction of them , yet I take his confounding them to bee a gross mistake , and such as perverts the text , and should have been proved by him , afore he thus used it , And against it I thus argue . 1. Those termes are not perfe●●ly synonymous , whereof the one imports that which may bee without the other , this I think none will deny ▪ But making Disciples may bee without receiving them . This is manifest . For a person is not a Disciple afore he is made , but he is made a Disciple before he is received , therefore the one may bee without the other . 2. The agents may be divers in making and receiving Disciples , a woman may make a Disciple , but not receive him . 3. The meanes is different , the making Disciples is by teaching , as shall bee shewed in that which followes , and is an act of diligence ; the receiving i● admission by authority . 4. Making imports an action , receiving rather a passion . 5. Making Disciples doth presuppose a privation of it , y●a perhap● averseness from it ; receiving presupposeth a habit attained , and a willing offer . 6. The making Disciples may be to another , but receiving Disciples is to bee ascribed to the master to whom they a●e D●sciples , as to himself receiving them . 7. Dr. Hammond acknowledgeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to import the same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 J●hn 4.1 . Letter of resol . q. 4. § . 25. but John 4.1 . it cannot bee rendered receive Disciple● , therefore nei●her Matth 28 19. 8. Nei●her Matth. 28.19 nor any where else hath any transl●tor I knew , rendered [ receive Disciples ] but many , make Disciples , and make it as the Dr. the phrase parallel to John 4.1 . and therefore it is singular and absurd to render it here receive Disciples . Secondly , sait● he , When hee affirms of Baptism which I make the ceremony of the Apostles receiving them , that 't is as true●y the 〈◊〉 of the bap●ized , this is no sub●ilty , but gross and visible enough . For certainly Baptism in the active sense ( as it is plain I understand it in that place where I paraphrase Go and make Disciples and Baptize ) is not the act of the baptized but of the Baptist , The comming to Baptism indeed and the undertaking the vow , and making the profession , is the act of the baptized , either personally or by his proxy , which in reputation of Law and in acceptation of the Church , i● his also , but still baptism , or ( to remove all p●●sible mistake ) baptizing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 28.19 . is an act of the Baptizer onely , and so the Ceremony of receiving into Discipleship , whomsoever they thus duely baptize . I hope I need say no more of this . Answ. I said not baptizing , but Baptism the Ceremony ( not ●s the Dr. mis●recites my words , o● receivers into Discipleship , but ) of receiving into discipleship is as truely the a●● of the baptized , thereby p●ofessing or avouching h●s discipleship as of the Baptizer , and therefore the baptized is not meerly passive in it , nor an infant doth unde●go it . And I prove it thus . 1. Baptism is a duty of the baptiz●d as well as of the baptizer , as may bee proved from Acts 2.38 . where the Apostle exhorts them to repent and bee baptized every one of them , in the Name of Christ Jesus for the remission of sins ; Now that which a man is exhorted to as his duty , is his own act . Ergo. I● any say it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the passive voice , hee may understand that Luk. 11.38 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though it bee the same sense and voice , yet notes the action of the baptized . 2. It is manifest also from the command to Paul , Acts. 22.16 . that baptism is the act of the baptized For first , it is a thing commanded to bee done by him . 2. It is in the middle voice , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which though I deny not to have a passive signification , yet here , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cannot have any other then active signification because of the accusative cause following , so neither can the other , both being injoyned as duties , and the washing away sins being not meant of forgiveness of them but turning from them ; baptism being the signe of his repentance , and both being to be joyned together , Acts 2.38 . and therefore Baptism being called , Mark● . 4 . Acts 19.4 . 3. Bapti●ing into the Name of the Father , Son and Holy Ghost , notes the a●● of t●e baptized as well as the baptizer , and thi● is fully taught by Dr. Hammond himself practic . cat . lib. 6. sect . 2. where he saith ● ● baptize thee into the Name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost ● being pr●scribed by Christ to his Disciples must indispensably be used ▪ and the meaning of them is double . 1. On the Ministers part , that what he doth hee doth no● of himsel● , but in the Name or power of , or by Commission from the blessed Trinity ( which by the way , I am sure none can 〈…〉 ●pparent 〈…〉 when they baptize infants , much less when ●hey onely sprinkle them . ) 2. And more especially in respect of the pe●son baptized . 1. That he acknowledges these three , a●d by desiring baptism makes profession of that acknowledgment , which is in effect the sum of the whole ●reed . 2. That as he acknowledges these three , so he delivers himself to them , as to the three principles or authors of faith or Christian religion , and acknowledges no other as such ( as to be baptised in the name of Paul signifie● to say , I am of Paul , i. e. to●●●has ●●●has and all other ) to receive for infallible truth whatsoever is taught by any of these and no●hing else . 3. That he delivers himself up to be ruled as an obedient servant by the directions of this great master , a willing Disciple of this blessed Trinity , and so the Greek phrase ● into the name ] doth import ; and these th●ee acts of the baptised together , make up his part by way of condition required of him to make him ca●able of that grace , which the Minister from God thus conveys upon and ensures unto him . Besides which it notes the calling on the Name of the Father by the Son , through the h●ly Spirit , as Acts 22 . 1● . shews , where Paul is bid to be baptized or baptize himself , calling on the name of the Lord , when baptized ; and this I have proved to be meant 〈◊〉 Luk. 3.21 . and other 〈◊〉 Review part . 2. sect . 5. p. 8● ▪ ●0 , 9● . So that baptism 〈◊〉 as well ( or rather more ) the ce●emony of th● baptized , 〈◊〉 ●● the baptizer ▪ Which might be proved from tho●e texts which speak 〈◊〉 the use of it , as Rom. 6.3 , 4. Col. 2 . 1● . Gal. 3 26 ▪ 27. 1 Cor. 12. ●3 . in all which and sundry more the act of the ba●t●zed is noted , who d●th thereby signifie his baptism into ●hrists death , being 〈◊〉 by ba●tism into death , and his rising to newness of life , putting on Christ , ●oyning into one body , &c. which I have cleered more fully in the same p●ace pag 6 , 97 8 , ●9 . And this , the Dr saith 〈…〉 , i● more especially meant by ba●tising into the Name of the Father , Son and Holy spirit ▪ 〈…〉 their act as w●ll as the administrators ▪ 4. I● baptism were not as truely the act of the baptized as the baptizer t●en it should be t●u● baptism , if the baptizer did d●p with●ut an concu●●● 〈◊〉 of the bap●ized , yea ●hough he we●e forced to it , and against his will put unde● water , and this were warrantably done by the baptizer , For he should do what ●s prescribed , But this is absurd , neither School men nor any other allow such baptism , vide Th. Aquin. sum . part . 3. qu. 68. art . 7 , 10. The Spaniards driving the Indians into the water forcibly for baptism , and their going in thus under water is excepted against as neither rightly done , nor true baptism . Therefore certainly baptizing prescribed Mat. 28.19 . doth comprehend not onely the act of the administratour , but also the act of the baptized , in yeilding to it and concurring with it . When Peter Acts 10.48 . commanded Cornelius and those with him to be baptised in the name of the Lord , there were three acts concurrent . 1. The Apostles command , by way of authority appointing it to be done . 2. O● the administratour by way of Ministry . 3. Of the baptized by way of submission and putting himself under water . Yet hee is no● thereby a meer Sebaptist ▪ as i● is reported some heretofore have been , but is partly passive in consent , and s●bmission to what the baptizer doth , and partly a●tive in concurring with him . So that my speech is cleered from being gross , as ●● Dr. would . Dr. H. adds . His second branch of exception is to those words of mine , Wherein I say tha● the making or receiving Disciples , supposeth not any precedent instru●tion , but looks wholly on it as subsequent . Against this I gave reasons of dissent thus . 1. That which is exprest in Matthew by , Go ye therefore and make Disciples all Nations , is in Mark , Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel ●o every living creature ; which s●ews , how they should disciple all nations ; now they who are made Disciples by preaching the Gospel , are made disciples by precedent instruction , Ergo , the making or receiving disciples Matth. 28.19 . supposeth precedent instruction . But to this ( saith the Dr. ) I answer ; 1. That the words in Mark are no otherwise parallel to those in Matthew , then as an Epitome is parallel to a la●ger discourse , such we know S. Marks for the most part is , an abbreviation of S. Matthews Gospel , as in many others , so in this particular ; some passages indeed there are in S. Mark in this place , which are not i● S. Matthew , as shall anon be shewed , but in the particular now before us , S. Mark is according to wont more concise : there is no mention in him of baptizing in the Name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , nor consequently of discipling , of which that was the ceremony , as in S. Matthew there is . Answ This doth rather confirm my major then oppose it . For if Mark express the same more briefly and Matthew more largely in this particular , and there is no other expression in Mark besides , Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature , which answe●s to Matthews words , Go make Disciples all nations ▪ then what is exprest in Matthew is the same with that which is exprest in Mark. And indeed the time , occasion , and expressions 〈◊〉 so plainly evince this , that almost all editions and translations ( which use marginal references ) and commentators I have seen , expound the one by the other . Secondly , saith the Dr. That Christs appointment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to preach the Gospel , 〈◊〉 Mark , doth no way infer ●he precedent instruction of every single person that was received to baptism : the phrase signifies to proclaim or promulgate the happy tydings brought into the world by Christ , grace , and mercy , and eternal felicity to all that should come into him , and take his yoke upon them , and learn of him . And upon the publishing of this to all the world to every creature , i e. to the Gentiles universally , as well as the Jews , I suppose 't is very possible , that many of them should make all speed to come unto Christ , and come out at the Apostles preaching , they and their whole housholds together ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as the Oracle commanded in Homer ) and to bring their infant children , as they used to do , that became Proselytes to the Jews , and then the Apostles knowing their Masters minde for receiving of infants , and that ( as from the institution I suppose them fore instructed ) to baptism , receive them all , and ( as many as interposed no voluntary hinderance ) baptize them ; and having taken them into the School of Christ , make good provision for the future instruction of them , as soon as ever they should be capable of it . That thus it was , I pretend not ( still ) to deduce from these words Matth. 28. but to infer from ano●her medium , the practise of the Apostles otherwise notified to us : All that I am now to manifest is , that this passage hath nothing contrary to our hypothesis , but is perfectly reconcileable with i● , and this is done by the scheme thus laid : And so 't is most visible how no force there is in this first reason of exception . Answ. It is most visible that the Dr. was in a dream when he wrote this ; 1. Because he talks of an institution ( which is onely i●agined by him ) of receiving infants , and as many as interposed no voluntary hinderance to baptize them ( not excepting infidel● children , contrary to his own interpretation of 1 Cor. 7.14 . which declares them unclean , that is , not to be baptiz●d in the Drs. sense ) and to take infants into the School of Christ , as if the School of Christ were to nurse up infants , for that was all could be done to them , and to make good pro●ision for the future instruction of them , as soon as ever they should be capable of it . Which is so ridiculous a conceit , as no waking man me thinks should fancy it . For what provision could the Apost●es , who were to go and preach the Gospel to every creature , make for the future instruction of them , as soon as ever they should be capable of it , who were not to stay till they were able to speak , or receive any commands from them ? 2. The Dr. as if he forgot his matter in hand , saith ; All that he was then to manifest , was that this passage Matth. 28.19 . hath nothing contrary to his hypothesi , but is perf●●●ly reconcileable to it ; whereas his business was to answer my argument against his position , that the making or receiving Disciples Matth. 28 19. supposeth not any precedent instruction , but looks wholly on it a● subsequentpunc ; 3. The Drs. answer , that Christs appointment to ●reach the Gospel in S. Mark , doth no way infer the p●ecedent instruction of every single person that was received to Baptism , might be true , yet his position false , that the making Disciples Matth. 28.19 . supposeth not any precedent instruction , but loo●s wholly on it as subsequent . 4. His reason why to preach the Gospel in S. Mark , doth no way infer the precedent instruction of every single person that was received to baptism , shews his talk to have been incoherent , like the talk of a man in a dream ; For what consequence is in this , The phrase signifies , &c. Ergo , To preach the Gospel in S. Mark , doth no way infer the precedent instruction of every single person that was received to Baptism ? Might not all this be true , that the phrase so signifies , they so publish , the thing set down be possible , the Apostles know Christs minde , as the Dr. imagines , and ye● to preach the Gospel in S. Mark , infer the precedent instruction of every single person that was received to Baptism ? So that in all this whi●h the Dr saith , there i● no answer to my argument . But the truth is , by the Drs. own grants my argument is m●de good . For if preaching the Gospel be instruction , and this be the way of making Disciples , which are not deni●d ; then it must needs go before makin● or ●eceivi●g Disciples , sith the m●anes in order of actual b●ing , must be before the effect , and so the Drs. position fa●se : That the making or receiving Disciples supposeth not a●y precedent instruction , Matth. ●8 . 19 . but lo●ks wholly on it as subsequent Again , if afore baptiz●ng they were to publish the Gospel to all the World , to every creature , i. e. to the Gentiles univ●rsally as well the Jews , then afore any single person was r●ceived to Baptism , instruction wa● to be precedent , unless there were any single person which was not comprised under all the world , every creature , Gentiles universally as well as Jews : Yea the terms [ every creature and all nations ] comprehend every person that was to be baptized , and more ; but they were every one to be made Disciples , and that by preaching the Gospel to them , afore they were to be bapt●zed ; Matth. 28.19 . Mark 16.15 . therefore instruction of every single person was to be precedent to his reception to baptis● . Hereto agree the words of Athanasius , Hierom and others , cited by me , Review part . 2. sest . 5. p. 86 , 87. The 2d . saith the Dr. followes , that such as the making Disciples w●s , Joh. 4.1 . such is the making Disciples Matth. 28.19 . For by the Drs. confession they are all one . But that was by preaching , as is plain concerning John , Matth. 3.1 , 2 , 5 , 6. and concerning the Apostles , Mat. 10.5 , 6 , 7. Ergo ▪ Whence 3. I further a●gued , that way the Apostles were to Disciple all nations , by which they were to disciple the lost sheep of the house of Israel , but that was by preaching , Ergo , discipling supposeth precedent instruction . To this , saith the Dr. I answer , that the account last given is fully satisfactory to this exc●p●ion also ; For supposing the Apostles to publish wheresoever they came the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the good news that was come into the world by Christ , and the hearers not onely to come in themsel●es , but to bring ●heir whole families , and so their infant children with them , there is no difficulty to imagine , that they had thus made proclamation , received all , and made all disciples , young and old , that either came or were brought , and so it being the instru●ent to draw the parents themselves , and to move them to bring their children to discipleship , it is still very visible how children should be discipled , and conse●uently baptized by them , Baptism being the constant ceremony of discipling . And though I am not able to affirm how it was actually in Johns Baptism , yet this I may say , that as far as can be discerned or inferred from the phrase in either place ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) thus it very possibly might be both in Johns and the Apo●●les baptizing . Answ. It is so far from being satisfactory , that there is neither pertinency nor truth in this answer . For the Dr. answers , as if the thing I proved were not , that making disciples presupposeth instruction , because it is by preaching , but that i●fants might be made disciples , though making disciples b● by preaching ; which is indeed not to answer to the argument , but to a consectary deducible from the conclusion of it , which though it were not infer●ed nor consequent , yet the conclusion might be true that discipling presupposeth some precedent instruction , and is not wholly subsequent to it . Nor is it true . For 1. supposing the Apostles should do as he speaks , and the hearers come in as hee imagines , yet there is difficulty to imagine , tha● they that had thus made proclamation received all , and made all disciples , young and old , that either came or were bro●ght un●o them ; s●ecially considering how John received n●ne wee read of but such as confessed ●heir sins , and the whole people that were baptized of him justified God , Luk 7.9 . believed him , Matth. 21.32 . o●hers not , and the Apostles are said to make disciples afore they baptized , Jo● . 4.1 . and a●o●e they bap●ized required repentance , Act. 2.38 . those who were baptized gladly received the word , v. 41.2 . It beeing granted that they made disciples by preaching , preaching being the instrum●nt to draw the parents themselves , and to move them to bring their children to discipleship , yet it is not very visible how children should bee discipled ; For 〈◊〉 ●ffection or conceit , might m●ve them to do that upon preaching ▪ which yet might not take effect , nor be received by the Apostles . 4. Nor is Baptism consequent on such a discipleship , by offer or vow of p●rent● , wit●out profession of the party to be bap●ized , there being no institution for it , which is the onely rule about bap●izing . 5. Neither i● it ●rue , that Baptism is the constant ceremony o● discipling , though it be granted to be the ceremony of disciples , a person is first a disciple afore baptized , Joh. 4 1. they first made disciples then baptized them . 6. It is n●t ●rue , that as far as can be discerned or inferred from the phrase in either place ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) it might not very possibly be both in Johns and in the Apostles baptizing as the Dr. imagin● , sith ( if there be degrees of possibility ) it is not very possible they should make any oth●r disciples and baptize them , then such as the Evangelists story relates they did . But the Dr. tels us . 1. For John , 't is true indeed that his Baptism attended his preaching , yet doth it not thence necessarily follow that none were baptised by him , but those who particularly heard and obeyed his preaching ; For 1. why might not those that heard it , divulge it to others , and bring them before they heard him to desire to bee baptised , and upon their confessing their sins , and professing amendment , hee baptise them ? Answ. Not likely before he had preached somewhat to them , however if his preaching were brought to them by others , they were not baptized afore instruction . 2. Why might not those that heard it , or heard of it , give that heed to it , as to bring all that were dear to them of what age soever , by that means to secure them from the wrath to come ; when Noah preacht repentance to the old world , and upon the decree of sending the flood upon the world of the ungodly , called all to come into the Ark to him to escape the deluge , suppose others besides Noahs family h●d hearkened to his preaching , or suppose hee and his sons had had infant children , can we imagine they would have lef● their inf●n●s to that certain ruine , and not have taken them into the Ark with them ? And Johns baptism was answerable to that Ark , in respect of that approaching ruine on the Jews , stiled the kingdome of heaven v 1. and that evidenced to be a bloudy kingdome , explicated by casting into the fire v. 10. And can we imagine the Jews that believed John , and came to his Baptism , did not bring th●se childr●n with them to save them from the predicted evils and then I profess not to see any reason to render it incredible that John Baptist should thus receive and baptize those infants ( though the Scripture affirmi●g nothing of it , and tradition , as far as I know , as little , I shall neith●r affirm nor believe any thing . ) This only is certain , that among the jews of that time , infant children were known to be capable of entring into covenant with God after this manner , and of being partakers of the benefit of the Covenant by that means . And one thing more I may add , that Christ himself , who was by his sinlesness , as un●ualified for the repentance which John preacht , as the infants were by their incapacities , did yet come and was received to Johns Baptism , v. 13. and then in case infants were brought , why might not they be received also ? Answ. Because it was not appointed to them . And this is a reason ( which the Dr. may see if he will ) to render it incredible that John should receive and baptize infants , though infants of Proselytes born afore their Proselytism were by Jews baptized , who baptized upon a far different reason , to wit , the pollution through idols , which did adhere to the Gentiles nativity , to wash away that , and to engage them to the observance of Moses Law for righteousne●s ▪ whereas John Baptist baptized with the baptism of repentance for remission of sins , even native Jews , directing them to the Lamb of God who was to take away the sin of the world , and that he might be known was to be baptized of him . We can therefore easily imagine , that the Jews that believed ●ohn and came to his Baptism , did not bring infant children with them to save them from predicted evils , because wee reade that they t●at were baptized of him confessed their sins , Matth. 3.5.6 . justified God , Luk 7.29 . Nor was Baptism appointed to them as to Proselytes infants , nor do wee reade that John Baptist gave any inkling of his minde to have infants brought . And it i● a signe to me that the Dr. is confident that hee can leade men in a string , who adventures to ●uggest such things as he confesseth the Scripture affirms nothing of it , and tradition as little , as far as he knows , and neither affirms nor beleives any thing in it , and onely upon a supposition that infan● c●ildren would have been brought 〈◊〉 Noahs Ark if men had beleived Noah , and Johns Baptism was as Noahs Ark stiled the Kingdome of heaven , whereas Johns and Christs Baptism are not made answerable to Noahs Ark in respect of the bare outward baptism , nor is it stiled the Kingdome of heaven , but the answer or interrogation of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ , 1 Pet. 3.21 . and the preaching , beleiving of the Gospel throughout the world , Mar. 1.14 , 15. which they who were baptized were to entertain , and not infants , and therefore not to be baptized till they did . And wee may with better reason , then the Dr. gives of his fancy , conceive Gods providence rather ordered there should be no infants in Noahs Ark , that we might not fancy infants baptism thence , then that we should as this Dr. or doatard supposeth . Yet again , saith he , Then 2. for as much as concerned the Apostles , Ma● . 10. F●rst 't is there evident that they were sent to the lost sheep indefinitely , and sure that phrase comprehends the lambs also , the infant children being lost in Adam as well as the grown men , by the addition of their actual to original sin ? And then why should we doubt but the Apostles mission extended to them also ? Answ. Because we reade of no such thing done or appointed to be done , nor do we know that baptism was appointed to bee a remedy of original sin , though some of the Ancients talk so besides the Scripture . The Dr. adds . And 2. for their preaching , it is just as as Johns was , to warn them to beware of the imminent destruction , that vindicative act of God , kingdome , v. 7. that all that sh●uld give ear and heed them , might hasten to get out of that danger by reformation and new life ; and the ruine being impendent to the young as well as old , even the whole nation , why should not the infant children be rescued from that by their Parents care in bringing them to baptism , and timely ingaging them to flye from the wrath to come , as soon as they should come to understanding , injoying in the mean time the benefit of others charity ? Answ. It was fit they should enjoy the benefit of others charity in their Prayers , and supply of ●uch things as were meet for them , of which sort the Apost●es Baptism was not , nor did they understand it was Christs minde that they were sen● to baptize them , for then they had baptized them , and not rebuked those that brought them to Christ , Matth. 19.13 . Nor by bringing them to Baptism were children rescued from the wrath to come , but by reformation and new life . Thirdly , saith he , after their preaching though there be no mention of ba●tizing ( and so it was not fit to be produced to our present b●siness ) yet other things are appointed to be done , wherein infants were concerned as well as others , as healing of diseases , &c. and if being incapable of receiving benefit from preaching should be deemed an obstacle to their being baptized , why should it not to their receiving cures ? Answ. Because that they might be baptized , it was necessary they should be made disciples by preaching , not so that they might be cured of diseases . Nay I may add , saith the Dr. How should the dead in that place ( who sure were as uncapable of understanding as the tenderest infants ) be capable of being raised by those Apostles , which yet is there affirmed of them , v. 8. Answ. And I may add , that after this rate of reason , if mere capacity of outward Baptism , and the charge of Christ to the Apostles to do acts of power on any thing , without making it a disciple by preaching to it ( as the Dr. here fancieth of infants ) fit it for Baptism , then the dead are to be baptized , which was practised of old , and the giving them the Eucharist , as appears by the prohibition of it in the third Synod of Carthage Canon 6. and Balsamous note thereon . But the Dr. it seems thought it ●t in this reply to me , to write what came next to hand , whether it were fit to be produced to the present business o● not , of which sort also is that which he talks in answer to my third reason , of preaching to the nations , and receiving all that come in to the discipleship , whether on their own legs , or in others arms , whole families at once , the parents , and upon their undertaking their infant children also , which perhaps the Dr. might write early in the morning or late at night , between sleeping and waking , it is so like a dream . The Dr. goes on thus , His fourth proof is taken from the use and notation of the word , which is so to teach as that they learn , and so , saith he , is used Matth 13.52 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rendred [ instructed ] by our last translators , and can no otherwise be rendred then [ made a disciple by teaching ] so Acts 14.21 . it is said , Havi●g preached the Gospel to that City , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , having taught or made many disciples . For the notation of the word we have formerly said sufficient , that i● signifies to receive ad discipulatum , as into a School of spiritual in●truction , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to make a disciple , and such he is made , 〈◊〉 by any motive or means either comes or i● brought into the school , this indeed in order to teaching in the Master , and to learning in the Scholler , and the one so to teach , as that the other learn , but this sub●equ●nt to his being made a disciple , the youth wee know enters into the School , is admitted into the Colledge and University , before ●e learns a word there , the instruction or learning is still lookt upon as futur● , at his entring into discipleship . Answ. How vainly doth the Dr. talk of his former sufficient saying , when he neither formerly nor now , give● one instance in the New Testament or any other Author ▪ wherein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as much to receive ad discipulatum , nor any Translator or Lexicographer that so renders it Matth. 28.19 . or elsewhere ! 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to disciple , Matth. 28.19 . is confest by the Dr. to bee all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make disciples Joh. 4 ▪ 1. Now sure the D● ▪ might we ll take his Readers for dunses , if they could not distinguish between making disciples and receiving ad discipulatum , to be made disciples , entring into a school that they might learn , and being made a disciple , which alwayes notes learning of something an●eceden● . Nor is any termed a disciple , at least not in the New Testament ▪ till he ha●● learned some of his Teachers doctrine ; None were the disciples of the Pharisees , John Baptist , the Seducers , Acts 20.30 , till they learned some of their teachers lessons , nor do I think in the Jewish writers are any termed the disciples of their Rabbins , or said to be discipled till they learned . The terming youths schollers at their first entring is nothi●g to the purpose , sith neither is a disciple and a scholler all one , the one being from learning , the other from vacation from other imployment that he may learn. Nor is the use of words in our Universities and Schools , any rule whereby to expound the use of words in the N.T. but Scrip●ure is to be expounded by the use in Scripture , which the Dr. in vain attempts to evade thus . And this is all ●he importa●ce of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 13.52 . onely some accidental differences may bee observed , 't is in the passive and in the Aorist in the prete●●ense , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , every Scribe which is or hath been entred as a disciple unto the kingdome of heaven , who since his entrance hath been instructed , and ( as real passiv●s import ) received influence , been really affected and changed by discipleship , st●ll no way supposing that he was instructed in the learning or mysteries of the king ●ome of heaven , before he was thus admitted a disciple to it ; After his admission , there is no doubt but he doth ( or ought to ) learn , nay being here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a Scribe discipled , a grown man and learned among the Jews , before he came to Christ , I doubt not but some knowledge he had of it before he entred himself a disciple ( see bap●izing of in●ants p. 199. ) bu● this not by force of t●e word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for still a disciple he may be before he learns , and is therefore obliged to learn , because he hath assumed and undertaken to do so , either personally , or by others susception , by his comming , or being brought to be a disciple . Answ. Were not the Dr. a very bold paraphrast , he would never have dared to say , that this is all the im●ortance of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 13.52 . to be entred into a school for a subsequent instruction witho●t any precedent , which is or hath been entred as a disciple into the kingdome of heaven , who since his entrance hath been instructed , but this not by force of the word , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for still a disciple he may be before he learns . Hath the Dr. the face to say that the words might be so understood Every Scribe that is or hath been entred as a disciple unto the kingdome of heaven is like unto a man that is an housholder , which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old ? Doth not our Lord Christ infer this as a consequent of their hearing , and understanding of the parables wherein he had instructed them in the foregoing part of the Chapter ? Is there any Translator or Commentator afore him that hath thus expounded it ? The vulgar Hierome , ●igurine , reade doctus , learned Beza , edoctus , well learned . Hierome expounds it thus , Instru i erant Apostoli , scribae & not arii salvatoris , qui verba illius & praecepta signabant in tabuli● cordis carnalibus regnorum c●lestium s●cramentis . Grotius annot . in locum , Doctor . inquit , bene paratus atque eruditus ad tradenda praecepta regni c●lestis . Yea the Dr. himself here explains 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus , a scribe discipled , a grown man and learned among the Jews , before he came to Christ ; though he doth grosly abuse the text by making as if the scribe were taken for one so termed among the Jews afore he came to Christ , whereas the term is used of Christian teachers , ●●lusively to that orde● of men among the Jews termed Scribes , in which sense Christ saith , he would send them Wise men and Scribes , Matth. 11.34 . which is Luke 11.49 . Apostles , and that text Chrysostome in his Homily on Matth. 13.52 . makes like to it , and Grotius annot . in locum , propriè autem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 respo●dent ii qui in Ecclesia Christiana dicti sunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , quod nomen in Actis & Epistolis Pauli aliquoties legitur . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 58.6 . and Prov. 30.24 . It is no better then a whimzy which the Dr. here ven●s , as if the force of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noted not learning but admission to school , when the ve●y use of the word notes in this place one well learned ; and to assert a man may bee a disciple before he learns , being onely obliged to learn , by his own or other susception , by his comming or being brought to be a disciple , w●en the very derivation is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ hath learned . The Dr. saith f●r her . So in the ot●er place Acts 14.21 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] signifies no more then having received or initiated , i e. ( I suppose ) by thi● righ● of baptism , made and baptized many di●ciples , whic● though it be there set down as a consequ●nt of the Apostles preaching the Gospel in ●hat City ( for otherwise it were not imaginable that they shou●d receive any disciples there , they must first proclaim admission to all that come , before any c●n be expected ●ither to come or to be brought to them ) yet may it very reasonably be extended to more persons then those that understood their preaching , viz. to the infant children of their Proselytes brought to them by their parents , and dedicated to Christ. Answ. This text was produced to prove that the D●s . position was false when he said , That the making or receiving disciples supposeth not any precedent instruction , but looks wholly on it as subsequent , sith the word notes ●eaching as our Translators , the Vulgar , Erasmus , reade it , and the way of making disciples is expresly made in the text , the preaching of the Gospel . The Dr. saith , it signifies no more then having received or initiated i. e. ( he sup●oseth ) by Baptism , but this none else saith , and that it may be reasonably extended to infants , but he gives no reason , nor answers the objections to the contrary , but he keeps his wont of vain cracikng . Thus invailid ( saith he of me ) are his attempts from the notation of the word , and by consequence his inference from thence ( which is set down as his fifth proof ) that thereby it may appear how the Apostles understood the precept of Christ to preach the Gospel to persons and thereby make them disciples . For although the practise of the Apostles be indeed the meanes by which we may discern how they understood Christ● precept ( and those two places cited by Mr. T. from Matth. 13. and Acts 14. do no way belong to that , they tell us not whether they received infants to Baptism or not ) yet I may very well ward my self from any inconvenience , which this use of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in other places can threaten , it being already vindicated from all necessity that it should be confirmed to grown men , and not communicated to infants also . Answ. How well the Dr. hath vindicated the use of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from all necessity that it should be confined to grown men , may appear from that which goes before , in which it may be seen that he hath neither brought one place to shew that ever it was applied to an infant , nor answered one objection to the contrary . And me thinks he here overthrowes himself . He had said before ▪ that Acts 14 . ●1 ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] signifies no more then ha●ing received , or initiated , i. e. ( I suppose ) by this rite of Baptism made and baptized many disciples , yet he saith here , those two places cited ●y Mr. ● . from Matth. 13. and Acts 14. do no way belong to that , they tell us not whether they received infants to Baptism or not , how then can they be extended●o ●o them ? How is the word vindicated from all necessity that it should be confined to grown men ? Are not these cross caper● ? Again , if these texts tel● us not whether they received infants to Baptism , or not , it is because the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not meant of infants , or because it imports precedent instruction , or Christs precept Matth. 28.19 . was not meant of infants , or the Apostles practise was not to baptize infants , or the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies more then receiving or initiating by baptism or some other reason ▪ what ever it be it will overthrow the Drs. supposition , that the discipling Matth. 28.19 . did not exclude infants . I would further ask , whether the Dr. imagins that the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to disciple , be as much as to baptize ? If he say it is , then I would know how he can acquit the words Joh. 4.1 . where he confesseth , that making disciples is the same with discipling , Matth. 28.19 . and then the meaning must be , he baptized and baptized , and Matth. 28.19 . baptize baptizing , from inept ●autology ? If he say it is more , then it is false , that Acts 14.21 . it signifies no more , and if it signifie more , let him tell us what it is except teaching , that we may practise it according to the command Matth. 28.19 . If that be it , let him shew how that 's extended to infants , if he cannot , then the Apostles practise expressed Acts 14.21 . is to be so understood ; and the Apostles practise being indeed the meanes to discern how they understood C●rists precept , by that we may discern that the Apostles understood the discipling Matth. 28.19 . of no other then making disciples by preaching the Gospel to each , and thereby teaching them , and consequently infants are excluded , which I was to demonstrate . I added a sixth proof thus , A disciple and a believer appear to be the same , by comparing Matth. 28.19 . with Mark 16.15 , 16. For as the way of making disciples is more fully expressed by preaching the Gospel ; so the Disciple to be baptized is expressed by [ the believer ] which is put before bap●ism . To this , saith the Dr. I answer , ● . That that passage in St. Mark , He that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved , and he that beleiveth not shall be damned , and so on to the end of the Gospel is ( as even now I intimated ) added by that Evangelist , to the words , as they are set down in Matthew , and so being an addition , cannot bee looked on as exactly parallel to the words in Matthew , Go and disciple all nations baptizing them ▪ And this we also know is ordinary for one Evangelist to set down more fully what is omitted or more shortly set down in the other , and S. Mark that in other things was willing to abbreviate S● . Matthew , doth now visibly inlarge ; And so the comparison cannot regularly be made betwixt these ●wo Evangelists words ▪ something being abbreviated in Mark , which was more at large in Matthew , and something more conci●ely set down in Matthew , and more largely in Mark. And then what necessity is there , that Mark not mentioning discipling but believing , and Matthew men ioning discipling but not bel●eving , the discipled and believers should be deemed the same . 'T is true indeed of grown men , none can in reason be admitted disciples , which are not also believers ( the ground of which I have set down in the resol of the quaerep . 199. ) but of infant children this is not true , for those , though they cannot come , may yet be brought , and though not upon their own confession , yet by the susception of others , made capable of the Churches charity , and so may be disciples without actual or personal belief . Answ. Though the words are not exactly parallel , yet they being of the same matter at the same time , the one interpret the other , and then any man may easily perceive , discipling all nations , to be the same with preaching the Gospel to every creature , and thereby making disciples , and baptizing them , that is disciples , to answer to ●e that believes and is baptized , and accordingly all along the Acts of the Apostles , disciples and believers are the same , and before Baptism believing is required , and they that were baptized were first s●id to believe , and so generally Commentatours expound the words as synonymous , nor doth the Scripture make one qualification to Baptism for infants , and another for grown men , nor any where term infants disciples ; and if none of grown men can in reason be admitted disciples , which are not also believers , con●ent to be disciples of Christ , then infants by their susception and bringing , are not made nor to be admitted discipl●s of Christ , without act●al or personal belief ▪ there being no such distinction of disciples in Christs words , nor any such appointment of baptizing disciples by such bringing or susception ▪ but in such actions there is great sin o● rashness in those that undertake , of prophaneness in those that bri●g and admit nor is there any true charity , but errour , arrogance , and folly in the Church , which shall thus presume to put one kinde of disciples ●ancied by themselves in stead of another appoint●d by Christ , who is the onely institutor of Baptism , and so the onely r●gulator of it , and ●he term [ disciple ] in grown men , being the same with [ believer ] nor any other termed a disciple but a believer , it is clear none are discipled , and conseq●ently none are to be baptized according to Matth. 28 , 19. but actual and personal believers . But the Dr. hath not yet done , but adds . Nay 2dly , if Mr. T. his argument had power to infer it , 't were that which I might safely avouch , that infants may be comprehended under the stile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they that b●lieve and are bap●ized ; so even now we had it in the express words of Christ , the little ones ( and S. Luke specifies them to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 little infants ) that believe on him ; i. e. just as they are said elsewhere to come unto him , when they are as uncapable for want of bodily strength of personal comming , as for want of strength of mind or judgement of personal believing , and yet in respect of others bringing them to Christ ( and so to the Church in baptism ) they are by Christ himself said to do both of these , to come in one place , and to believe in the other . Answ. Comming imports onely a local motion to a place or person , and may be by either a persons or things motion from an inward or outward principle in elder or younger persons , he that is carried in a coach , or on horseback , or by barge , is said to come to London or home , as well as he that goes on foot ; but believing is an immanent act , which neither is , no● can be ano●hers a●t then the persons , nor by any others motion then his own , nor from any other principle without his own understanding . No where are infants in age termed believers , one of these little ones , Matth. 18.6 . cannot be meant of little ones in age , for it supposeth then more li●tle ones in age then present , whereas there was b●t one present v. 2. and then it would be a very great sin to offend a little one in age ; but the wo●ds following v. 10 , 14. shew the term little ones to be meant of those Christians who were apt to be despised , and liable to going astray . But if infants were meant Matth. 18.6 . yet it is false which the Dr. saith , That he might safely avouch that infants may be comprehended under the stile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they that believe and are baptized , for it followes in the Drs. own words ; But then 3dly , I willingly acknowledge that the word [ believe ] in Mark , belongs peculiarly to the grown men and women who are called by the preaching of the Gospel , of whom though it bee said , that believing and being baptized they shall be saved , and not believing they shall be damned , yet it no way followes , that none but such as thus personally believed , should be baptized , or that being baptized they should not be saved ; but lose all the benefit of their Baptism . ] So that the Dr. yeilding that Mark 16.16 . is meant of grown persons peculiarly , he could not safely avouch ( unless an untruth might be safely avouched ) that infants may be comprehended under the stile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they that believe and are baptized , which is onely Mark 16.16 . and then it follows hence that none are to be counted disciples but believers , nor any to be baptized but such . The benefit of Bap●ism to infants I think is none , sure not salvation without faith in act or seed , or something equivolent . It followes in the Dr. The latter part of the words is considerable , He that believeth not shall be damned , infidelity is pitcht on as the thing peculiarly that incurs the certain damnation , i. e. the voluntary resisting the faith when it is preached convincingly to them , and of that none are capable , but those that are arrived to years of understanding ; which as it is an indication that that v ▪ and those that follow in S. Mark of believers casting out devils , &c. v. 17 , 18. belong to adulti peculiarly , so it no way hinders , but S. Matthews words being different from them , and supposed to be precedent to them in Christs delivery , may comprehend infants also , as such who are capable of e●tring into discipleship , and of being brought and presented to the Apostles by believing pa●ents . This being the way whereby the faith of the parents may be signally beneficial to the child , in bringing him thus early into the School , and so to the benediction of Christ , the parents together with the infant children , as among the Jewes so among Christian● , entring together into Covenant with God. Answ. I did ever conceive and so do others , and me thinks the Dr. should conceive so too , that the commission Mark 16.15 , 16. is the same ▪ though with some variation of words , but not of matter , with that Matth. 28.19 . and if so , the Dr. hath granted and proved enough here to shew that believers Mark 16.16 . are onely adulti capable of understanding , and so none other disciples to be baptized Matth. 28.19 . which is that I was to prove ; and need therefore adde no more to refute his stale crambe of his Jewish p●ttern , but shall consider what he saith for his position of making disciples without precedent instruction . Dr. Hammond Defence of infants baptism ch . ● ▪ sect . 2. p. 41. writes thus ; I say that the making or receiving disciples , supposeth not any precedent instruction , but looks wholly on it as subsequent . This ● there concluded not from the bare negative , because there was no precedent mention of such instruction , where discipling and baptizing were both mentioned , but because in that place on which the Antipaedobaptist so much relies , Matth. 28 . 19.● the [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 teaching ] is expresly mentioned after discipling and baptizing , and so is in reason to be deemed , and lookt on , as subsequent to both , and so the receiving ad discipulatum , refer to that then future instruction , p. 49. In this matter Mr. T. is willing to finde a difference betwixt teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Christ hath commanded them , Matth. 28.20 . and the preaching of the Gospel in S. Mark : thinking by that means to avoid the importunity of that text in Matthew , which evidently sets baptism before instructing . But this can avail him nothing . For if by the Gospel in Mark we understand the whole Gospel , as in reason we must , for that is ●t which must be preacht to every creature ( the Gentile world ) then is that directly all one with teaching them to observe whatsoever he hath commanded ; But if by preaching the Gospel we mean no more then , as Mr. T. here saith , that Jesus is the Christ , i. e. the proposing him as a Master , and calling all to come to him as disciples , then this being supposed precedent to mens comming to discipleship , or bringing their infants to it ( for without this they cannot be expected to come themselves , or to bring their infants ) all the ●est is left to follow baptism , and so all particular Christian instruction is subsequent ▪ not precedent to baptism , an effect of their discipleship , attending it no way necessary to prepare for it , which is the u●most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which from that circumstance of that text I undertook to demonstrate . Answ. That the Dr. saith not true in this , is manifest from his words , which were , not 〈◊〉 here , that all particular Christian instruction besides the proposing Christ as a master , and calling all to come to him as disciples is subsequent , but this letter of resol . q. 4. § . 25. having said that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not duly exprest by our English , teach , but make disciples , or receive into discipleship all nations , baptizing them in the name , &c. making this form of Baptism their ceremony of receiving them ; He adds , where the baptizing being immediately annexed to the making or receiving disciples , and the receiving d●sciples not supposing any precedent instruction , but looking wholly on it as subsequent , all that are thus brought and received ad discipulatum , to be for the future instructed and instituted in the Christian faith , may surely bee received by baptism , the ceremo●y which is there prescribed by Christ , with which to receive disci●les . From which words it is evident he made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , without teaching to import the receiving of disciples , even infants brought by others , and not onely all particular Christian instruction subse●uent to baptism , but even instruction and institution in the Christian faith , and the receiving disciples supposing not any precedent instruction , but looking wholly on it as subsequent ; which if he now retract and acknowledge that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : imports more then bare admission of disciples , and includes preaching of the Gospel that Jesus is the Christ , i. e. proposing him as a master , and calling all to come to him as disciples , and this precedent to baptism , then is some instruction in the faith necessarily precedent , and teaching by thus preaching the Gospel included in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , make disciples , and none appointed to be baptized but they that are thus made disciples , and so no infants , and thus it will avail me something which I noted . As for what he saith , that in reason we must understand Mark 16.15 . the whole Gospel , and that then is that directly all one with teaching them to observe whatsoever he hath commanded . Neither is it true , that in reason we must understand the whole Gospel , but so much at least as th● Apostles were wont to preach to persons afore they baptized them ( for they best understood Christs Commission Mark 16.15 . ) which may be seen in these and such like places , Acts 2.36 , &c. & 8.12 , 35 , 37. & 10.36 , &c. & 16.31 , 32. & 17.18 , &c & 18.5 . 1 Cor. 15.3 , 4 , &c. Nor if it were true doth it follow , that then that is directly all one with teaching them to observe whatsoever hee hath commanded . For 1. I no where finde agenda things to be observed by us , termed the Gospel , but credenda things to be believed Rom. 1.16 , 17. & 2.16 . 1 Cor. 15.3 , 4. Gal , 3.8 . 2 Tim. 2.8 and accordingly no where is the Go●pel propounded in the imperative , as a thing to be done by us , but in the indicative mood , as a thing to be believed ; and accordingly wee are commanded Mark 1.15 . to believe the Gospel , and thus it is meant Mark 16.15 . For after it is appointed to the Apostles to preach the Gospel , it is presently adde● v. 16. Hee that believeth , to wit the Gospel preached , and is baptized , shall be saved . 2. If it were so that the ●ospel did contain agenda , commands to be observed by us , yet to preach the Gospel could not be directly all one with teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Christ hath commanded , for Baptism is a command of Christ , yet is not any part of the subsequent instruction after baptism , which is meant by Christ in those words , and yet if any , is to be accounted part of the Gospel . So that it is evident , that the distinction I made between teaching the Gospel and other commands was right , and that the Dr. by making all the ●eaching Matth. 28 , 19 ▪ subsequent to Baptism , hath perverted the order of Christ , and abused the text for the countenance of his errour of infant Baptism's consistency with Christs appointment , Matth. 28.19 . Mark 16.15 , 16. The Dr. adds , p. 41. And to this sense I there made it manifest , that the definition of Baptism , 1 Pet. 3.21 . did refer that Baptism is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeking to God , as to the Oracle to enquire for the whole future life no way pre requiring actual instruction , but comming to Christ and the Church , to receive it and obey it for the future ( and that done in some sort by those that ●re brought when they are not able to come , and by the charity of the ●hurch received there . ) Answ. There is neither a definit●on of Baptism 1 Pet. 3.21 . nor any thing like it , nor doth the drift of the speech lead to such a concei● . That it is not a definition of Baptism may appear by the properties of a definiti●n , for a definition sets down what a thing is , and is reciprocal with the thing defined , but the genus of Baptism cannot bee answer , or interrogation , or stipulation Baptism actively taken being an act of hands , passively of the whole body , answer , interrogation or stipulation , if by words of the tongue , if of the conscience of the minde , nor any difference f●om prayer , or vow , or such like act . Nor is there any thi●g like it , there being no expression of the nature o● baptism in the Church , but the use before God , nor is the intent to shew what Baptism is in it self , but when it sa●es , and the speech is a comparative expression , like that in the same Chapter v. 3 , 4. Matth. 12.7 . and other the like ; in which the meaning is , that baptism saves not when there is onely a putting away of the filthiness of the flesh , but wh●n there is with it also the answer , interrogation , or stipulation of a good conscience towards God , so that the predication is not formal but connex●ve , not shewing what i● is , but what it is accompanied with when it saves . Nor is the Drs. sense true . For such seeking to God as he speaks of by baptism , when a child is brought by others to learn , and by the Churches charity received , doth not save as the answer of a good conscience towards God is said to do , nor is the answer , interrogation , or stipulation of a good conscience towards God without actual instruction , there is no man that makes an answer , or promises or makes an interrogation without some pre●edent instruction ▪ whose act soever it bee there must bee some knowledge of God and Christ , afore there is seeking or enquiry and address to him ; nor is there any intimation of any ones bringing and the Church receiving , nor any propounding any q●estion to l●arn , but if the allusion be to the use of the old questions and answers , abrenuncias ? abrenuncio . Credis ? credo ▪ Spondes ? spondeo ; as Beza annot . in locum and others conceive : Or the term note an answer or stipulation as Beza , or interrogation as the Vulgar ●ati● , or confession as the Syriack , or examination and proving ( which as Heinsius Exercit. in locum conceives , is intimated as pre-requisite to baptism as well as the Lords Supper ) it is evidently another thing , then Dr. Hammonds tendring a child , or a mans own offer of himself to be entred into a school that he might learn. It is in my apprehension an act of plerophory of faith , through the resurrection of Christ from the dead , the same or near that demand of the Apostle . Rom. 8.33 , 34. Not such a low act which comes so many degrees ●h●r● of saving ●aith , as the Drs. enquiry or address as to an Oracle for future instruction ▪ by a mans own presenting himself or his child to the Church for Baptism is , which is so childish a conceit , as I should think should har●ly have comen into the head of such a man , did it not h●ppen to him , as to men that talk with chil●ren , to talk as a child . But he adds more of the 〈…〉 when he saith . And this farther illustrated as by the manner of children brought by parents to school , without either knowledge of letters , o● choise , or so much as w●sh ●f instruction , so by the manner of Christs disciples being received of him , particularly of Philip Joh. 1.44 . who was called and received into discipleship as soon as ever Christ met with him , i. e. before he was at all instructed by him ; and so also by the story of the Jews , Exod. 19.8 . who undertook to obey all the commandements of God , which hee should give , which yet were not then , but after given them , v. 20. which are clear evidenc●s , that those may be received into discipleship , which have not yet had precedent instruction . Against this all that he hath to pretend is set down by him in these words . Let putting to school be as early as the Dr. will imagine , yet none is put to school till he doth know his teacher , and so none is Christs disciple in Scripture language till he know Jesus to bee Ch●ist , and take him for his Lord , which infants being not capable of , they are not disciples , not to be baptized according to Christs appointment . To this I answer , 1. That the example which I had used of children being brought to school by the care of their parents , was designed to shew no more then this , that they may be delivered up to be schollers , who as yet know nothing of what they are to learn , nor have actual willingness to acquire knowledge , and consequently that entrance into discipleship refers onely to subsequent , supposes not any precedent instruction . And this is competently evidenced by that example , though it were supposed of the child that goes to school , that he knowes his teacher , this bare knowledge of the person of his teacher , being none of the documents which hee comes to learn , but the good letters that are profest and taught in the school , nor indeed is it imaginable why a blind child which is brought to school , or put to an instructer , and so cannot bee deemed to know the master before assuetude hath acquainted him with him , should not yet bee said , with as full propriety of speech , to come to school , as he that useth his own eyes as well as feet to direct him thither . Answ. No child is ever entred a scholler without some such document as this , you must hearken to your master , which is some precedent instruction , and though he be a blind or a lame child , or both , he that puts him to school gives him some item who is his master , and to what end he is brought to him ( whereof none is done to an infant ) and though these be not the documents which he comes to school to learn , yet they are documents which he is taught afore he comes to school . The Dr. adds . 2ly . It is as true , that children that are brought to school do not alwayes know their masters before their entrance , no not by the most superficial knowledge ; many are brought to publike schools , who never so much as saw their masters till they are by their parents delivered up into their power and discipline ; if this bee not plain enough , then change the similitude from the Schoolmaster to the parent or guardian , or the very nurse , every one of these are to feed , and nourish , and as he shall be capable , to instruct the child , and so doth Christ in a spiritual sense , whosoever is intrusted ( by being brought ) to him in baptism . And we know God and nature doth thus bring a child to the parent , to the nurse or guardian , when the child knowes none of these , nor understands any more of all these transaction , then the infant doth at the font conceive what is done to it there . And so still this evidenceth the vanity of this answer concerning the childs knowing his teacher . Answ. It doth indeed evidence the vanity of this Drs. answer , who being to shew how the words of Christ Matth. 28.19 . do not exclude infants from baptism , sith they are first to be made disciples , afore they are to be baptized whom he appoints to be baptized , having first turned the pr●cept of making disci●les , in●o receiving of persons to be discipled , and making them disciples by preaching the Gospel to them , into preaching it to others who may bring them to school , and being urged with this that none are brought to school till he know his teacher , hath no better shift then here he useth to avoid it . For hee it that some are brought to school that have not a superficial knowledge of their master , as having never seen him , yet they are not brough● till they be told they are to go to a mast●r , nor entred into the school ( which was the Drs. notion of making Disciples , Matth. 28.19 . ) till he have some knowledge who is to be his teacher . As for his other shift by changing the similitude , it is worse , for thereby he quits the cause , the precept being not Matth. 28.19 . set to nurse , but make disciples , and therefore though it be true , that a father , guardian or nurse , are to receive a child that knows none of them , and are to feed , nou●ish and instruct it as it is c●pable , and it is a good office to bring an infant to such persons to such ends , yet is it neither agreeable to use nor reason , but rather the part of a frantique man out of his wi●s , to bring an infant to be admitted into a school to be taught or matriculated in the University , nor doth Christ appoint such to be admitted as disciples to him ; nor is it true which this Dr. saith , that Christ doth in a spiritual sense feed , nourish and instruct whosoever is intrusted ( by being brought ) to him in baptism ; nor do I think but that the infant knowes more the nur●e , and the bringing of it to that end , then the infant doth at the font conceive what is done to it there . So that hitherto the Dr. hath not avoided this objection , that though i● were granted him ( which yet is not true ) that making disciples , Matth. 28. ●0 . is no more then receive to discipleship or to school , yet infants are excluded , who are by none received to d●scipleship , or entred into schools . But the Dr. hath one more li●t at this block which thus lies in his way . But then , saith he , 3dly . This so imperfect superficial knowledge of the teacher , is in no wise worth considering in this matter ; For I shall demand , doth such very imperfect knowledge of Christ , as a school boy hath of his teacher , the first hour ●e comes into the school , qu●lifie him for discipleship to ●hrist or no ? If it do , then his Country-men and Kinsmen , before he revealed himself ●o be the Messiah and the Pharisees , which believed not his mirac●es were sufficiently qualified , and then 't is evident that those might be admitted to discipleship , which were not believers , and so all Mr T. his hypotheses are destroyed , and then infants may be disciple● and baptized though they be not believers . Answ. This is very Doctor-like arguing , to put a question and then make the answer absurd if it be affirmative , but shew no absurdity in it , if it be made negatively , as indeed it is . Which I shoul● not have mentioned , but that he twits me ( though unjustly ) in the beginning of the next Section , with setting down a first reason without a second . I answer then to his question negatively , and yet such imperfect superficial knowledge of a teacher , is worth considering in this matter , to shew that no infant who hath not so much knowledge of Christ as such a school boy of his master , is to bee termed Chr●sts disciple or admitted to discipleship . And yet if I had answered affirmatively , I think none of my hypotheses had been destroyed ; For such imperfect knowledge of the ma●●er might be with faith in him , as able to teach him and willing to do him good , and so a Christian who hath b●t such imperfect knowledge of Christ as a school●boy of his master the first hour he comes to school , may be a believer , and know him to be the Messiah afore he bee baptized , and not , as his Kinsmen , Country men , or Pharisees , an unbeliever . Yet the Dr. tels us , As for that which he here interposes [ the knowing Jesus to be Christ , and taking him for his Lord ] this bears no ●roportion with the childs bare knowing of his master , but is far above it , equal to his making it his own choise to have this master , rather then any other , and promising exact obedience to him , which is much more then is to hee found in most young schollers ▪ or indeed in any that are brought by their parents or guardians , who alone are the persons who bear proportion with the infants brought by others to baptism . Answ. ●his might have been omitted , but that the Dr. was willing to write something though it be i●pertinent , sith it opposeth not me ; who said not that the knowing Jesus to be Christ and taking him for his Lord , bears any even proportion with the childs bare knowing his master , but onely said as none is put to school till he doth know his teacher , so none in Scripture language is Christs disciple till hee know Christ , not just so imperfectly as a school-boy . And yet I think there are some young schollers brought by parents or guardians , who make choise themselves of their master , and promise exact obedience to him . The Dr. concludes this Section thus . So that this reasoning of his , is soon salved by distinguishing of disciples , that they are either such as come , or such as are brought to School , Proselytes of their own choise , or children under the care of others ; of the former sort there are none but such as have some rude imperfect knowledge of Christ , upon which they make this choise , and without it would not probably be expected to make it ; But for children which as minors in their guardians hands , have no will of their own , there is no necessity they should have knowledge to move their will , they may very reasonably bee acted by the will of others , and by their charity bee made partakers of those priviledges which are communicated from Christ in his Church to all true members thereof , and to that end be discipled and baptized , entred by this ceremony into the Church of God , where instruction is to be had as soon as they are capable of it , and in the mean while partake of those other advantages , of which their condition is capable . Answ. When the Dr. hath proved out of Scripture , that there is any such sort of Disciples of Christ as he here describes , who come not but are brought to school by others , I shall acknowledge he hath sa●ved my reasoning ; till then I take this for vain babling , and conceive it little better then to speak of a disciple who hath no will of his own , nor knowledge to move it then to speak of a man that is irrational , and to say they may very reasonably be acted by the will of others , who are not so by their own , is in my apprehension all one as to say , they may very reasonably be acted , who are acted as bruits . The instance of Philip , Joh. 1.44 . servs not the Drs. turn , for though he were called and received into discipleship as soon as ever Christ met with him , yet not afore Christ spake to him , and ●id him follow him , which implies some instruction by him , and therefore it is false that the Dr. saith , he was received into discipleship before he was at all instructed by Christ , nor doth that of the Jews Exod. 19.8 . who did then answer as disciples , but as servants , or persons that covenanted . But the Dr. hath yet one more string to his bowe , though the rest be crackt . Lastly , saith he , I concluded that the making or receiving disciples , supposeth not any precedent instruction by the nature of Proselytism , which as it is all one with entring into Gods Covenant , and ( in the Christian sense ) with coming to Christ and being received into discipleship , so 't is that which children are known to be capable of , not onely by that text Deut. 29. ●0 . but by the custome of baptizing infant Proselytes among the Jews , and by Christs command to suffer them to come unto him , whensoever they were thus brought . Hereto I said , that it is not true , that a Disciple and a Proselyte are perfectly all one . For a Proselyte notes one that is by birth an alien from the Commonwealth of Israel , and comes to Israel to own their God , and bee part of their policy , not to bee taught , but to enjoy priviledges with other Jews , whether civil or ecclesiastical . But a disciple of Christ is one that owns Christ for his teacher and Lord , onely for spiritual benefits . But certainly , saith the Dr. this is no reason of difference , for besides that I in that § . 27. acknowledged this accidental difference , that a Proselyte denotes a comming from some other nation ( as a disciple doth not ) adding , that this diffe●ence had no place in this matter , where the disciples are specified to be received from all nations ; besides this , I say , it cannot be unknown to Mr. T. that I speak of Proselytes in such a notion as is equally competible to all of what nation soever they are , that enter into Covenant with God. Answ. Who but he that writes at randome , would assert that a Disciple and Proselyte are perfectly all one , and yet acknowledge this accidental difference , that this is no reason of difference , and yet say , that a Proselyte denotes a comming from some other nation ( as a disciple doth not ) that this is but an accidental difference , and yet in his own description make this very difference , and when he expresseth the Hebrew word for Proselyte , still terms him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a stranger , that this difference had no place in this matter , when his inference is from Proselytes who were strangers to the Jews , to prove Disciples and Proselytes the same , and to tell me I must know his use of a word , which hee neither shews that he or any else have so used . But the Dr. adds . Thus do we finde a Proselyte defined , Heb. 11.6 . by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that commeth to God , thus doth a Jew when he enters into Covenant of obedience to him , and thus did a Gentile when he undertook the whole Law of the Jewes , and was therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Proselyte of the Covenant , and a Proselyte of their righteousness , and such is every one whether Jew or Gentile that commeth to Christ , and as the two former of these were made partakers of priviledges by this means , particularly allowed freely to enter into the Congregation , and infants as well as grown men were thus among them admitted into Covenant ; so it is not imaginable why it should not hold of the Christian Proselytes also , nor why the Christian infants thus received into Covenant by Christ , after the same manner as Jewish and Gentile infants were among the ancient people of God. i. e. by Baptism , should not as properly bee called Proselytes of Christ ▪ though they neither c●me from any other nation , nor ever associate themselves with Israelites according to the flesh . Answ. If the notion of a Proselyte were according to Heb. 11.6 . I should agree that a disciple of Christ and a Proselyte were the same ; For such a Proselyte is one that is a believer , as the words shew ; But without faith it is impossible to please God ; For he that commeth to God must believe that he is , and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him . All such Proselytes of Christ I doubt not are admitted into Covenant , to be b●ptized , to partake of priviledges in the Christian Church whether they be Jewes or Gentiles , according to that 1 Cor. 12.13 . and when infants are proved to be such , there will be no question about their Baptism , though not by reason of the Jewish custome , yet by vertue of Christs institution to baptize disciples and believers on him . But that infants of Christians are thus received into Covenant by Christ after the same manner as Jewish and Gentile infants were among the ancient people of God , i. e. by Baptism , or that afore they believe they should be called Proselytes of Christ , or , that every one whether Jew or Gentile that commeth to Christ , is as a Gentile when hee undertook the whole Law of the Jewes , and was therefore a proselyte of their Covenant and a proselyte of their righteousness , or that a Christian believer is either termed in Scripture a Proselyte , or any Jew is to be so termed properly is not to be imagined , all these things being the meer dreams of the Dr. suitable to his fancy of infant Baptism instituted among Christians a●ter the Jewish pattern . The Dr. proceeds thus ; And whereas he saith of the Proselytes comming to the Israelites , that they came not to be taught but to enjoy priviledges , I cannot divine what motive he had to affirm it , for sure the infant child that was baptized , and so received into the Congregation of Israel did come to learn the Jewish religion , into which he was thus early initiated , and that was one special priviledge ( the rest of the Heathen having not knowledge of these Lawes ) the immediate end of his proselytism , yet not excluding those other ends of injoying all other priviledges both Civil and Ecclesiastical thereby . Answ. The infant had no end but such as the parent , who was indeed the Proselyte , had , and the parents end was not to be taught , for hee was taught the Jewish religion before , and at his Baptism , the precepts of Moses being recited to him while he stood in the water , by the Elders at whose command he was baptized , and admitted into the Jewish policy , afore which admission he was to undertake the observance of them , the proper and immediate end of his proselytism , was his injoying those priviledges which native Jewes had as one of that body , which shews that the admission of a Proselyte was not into a school to learn , and therefore the notion of Proselytism not like the notion of receiving to discipleship , which the Dr. fancies to be meant Matth. 28.19 . and to be the same with admission to Proselytism ; to shew the mistake of which was the motive why I set this difference between a Proselyte and a Disciple of Christ , as the Dr. might easily have di●ined , if hee had been minded to do so . The Dr. saith of me , And when he adds , but a Disciple of Christ is one that owns Christ for his teacher and Lord , onely for spiritual benefits , I might as well acknowledge it , and ask why then an infant who hath need of those spiritual benefits , as soon as he is born should not be hastened to a participation of them . Answ. I know no reason why hee should not , nor do I know any reason why he should be baptized , nor how by it an infant may be hastened to the participation of spiritual or other benefits , but know reason why an infant should not bee baptized , because Baptism is thereby profaned , and the infant afterwards usually hardened through pernicione presumption , as if he were thereby made a Christian. The Dr. saith also . But it is farther evident , that spiritual benefits beeing first and principally designed , other even secular advantages , may very lawfully bee respected , and reaped by them that are thus early brought in , whether as Disciples or Proselytes to Christ. Answ. That by Baptism infants are brought in as Disciples or Proselytes to Christ , or attain any advantages spiritual or secular I know not , sure I am none are lawfully respected in the use of infant Baptism , being wholly besides Christs minde , and if the end of Proselytism was ( as manifestly it was ) for far different purposes from that of a Disciple of Christ , the Proselyte and Disciple of Christ are not perfectly one , which I was to demonstrate . Yet again , saith the Dr. Two sage observations he here addeth ; 1 That there is no mention of the Disciples of the Priests , but of the Pharisees and Sadduces , and I can verily well grant it , who speak not of any lower kinde of Disciples , but either of God among the Jewes , or of Christ , among us Christians , those being the onely Discipleship , to which they were admitted by the Ceremony of Baptism , the Disciples of the Pharisees and Sadduces being but a subdivision and notification of several Sects among the Jewes , as there are different denominations of Christians ( the more the pity ) which divide unity , but use not new Baptism to discriminate them , I am sure contradict the Apostle if they do . Answ. How sage the Drs. observations of making Disciples as all one with receiving to discipleship , of baptizing after the Jewish pattern , &c. are is seen before . This observation is not denied by the Dr. nor any thing said by him to evacuate the use I intended to make of it , to shew that to be a disciple , doth not no●e the comming to God to enjoy benefits , as the Dr. made the notion of a Proselyte to import , for then persons should be termed disciples of the Priests , which is not so , but to learn , and so the disciples of Pharisees were those who learned their opinions . That which the Dr. saith is not true , that by Baptism persons were admitted to discipleship , nor that disciples of the Pharisees and Sadduces were but a subdivision under Disciples of God or Christ , for their disciples were no disciples of God or Christ , nor pertinent to the avoiding the use of my observation . 'T is true there are different denominations of Christians ( the more the pity ) which divide unity , and of them I know none so great as that of the Prelatists , who will neither hear the Preacher who preacheth the faith of Christ , nor joyn in prayer unless the Common Prayer Book be used , nor own them as Presbyters who were not ordained by a Bishop distinct from a Presbyter , nor joyn with that society as a Church lawfully constituted where there is not Episcopal government , which I take to be a manifestly unjust schism and recusancy . I know none that use new Baptism , but Paedobaptists , who therein contradict Christs institution and the Apostles practise . Pistobaptists or baptizers of Believers of age , upon their profession of faith , use the old Baptism which Christ appointed and the Apostles practised , not to discriminate them from others , but to do their duty , and to supply a defect in infant sprinkling . The Dr. saith , His second observation is , that the Holy Ghost doth not at any time call Christians Christs Proselytes , but his Disciples , that , saith he , we might not confound the notions of these termes . But I answer , 1. That those Texts that express the Christians entring into discipleship , by comming unto him ( of which there are good store ) do in effect call them Proselytes , for a Proselyte is a Greek noun , derived immediately from the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to come unto . Answ. 1. I think this not true , sith the texts which express the comming to Christ , do mean by it believing in him , as Joh. 6.35 . shews , but that is not in effect to call them Proselytes in the Drs. sense , nor is the notion of a commer unto and a disciple all one , sith a person may come to a person , yea to learn , and never yet be his disciple . And secondly , saith the Dr. that if this word whether in it self , or in the Verb from whence it ●omes , had never been used in the N. T. yet would it not thence follow , that we might not confound the notions of Proselytes and Disciples . Ans. Nor do I make it any demonstrative argument but probable , as it is probable , that the Holy Ghost calls not the Christian society the Synagogue , nor the preachers of the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Priests , that we may not confound them . I have often given a firm reason , why infants capable of coming to Christ , blessed by him , and affirmed to be qualified for the Kingdom of heaven , should be denied water to be baptized , even this , that neither Christ appointed it , nor the Apostles baptized them , though he did the other to them . The Christian Church or Minister might not deny baptism to infants , if they were qualified as Cornelius and the Gentiles that came with him were Acts 10.46 , 47. & 11.18 . What I said of infants being unqualified for Baptism , till by hearing they own Christ as their Master , is fully proved in the ●d . part of this Review , sect . 5 , &c. and it is therefore too too boldly said by the Dr. that it is a begging of the question without the least tender of proof . Whether or in what manner the little ones mentioned Deut. 29.10 . did enter into Covenant , is so fully discussed before Sect. 44 , 45 , 61 , 66 , 67. chiefly this last , that I need here add no more . Either in one of those Sections or some where before in this part of the Review , I have proved from the Text and Commentators , that those that were not with them that day , v. 15. were unborn , chiefly in that v. 2. Moses called unto all Israel , and they are said v. 10. all to stand there that day , and therefore I might more justly wonder ( though it be no wonder that the Dr. thus abuseth me ) that hee should have the face to say , I impose on the Reader . He tels me , there is no mention of any act of the Fathers engaging them under a curse or oath , but onely of Gods oath which he maketh to them , v. 12. But he might have seen v. 14. these words , Neither do I make with you onely this Covenant and this Oath , but with him also that is not here with us th●● day , which I know not how it should be meant of any other then the unborn , for none but they of Israel were then absent , and entering into an oath and curse as they did Nehem. 10.29 . And for what hee adds , If they had thus adjured or laid oath or curse upon their children , yet would this make no difference betwixt their and our entring into Covenant , we by the oath of Baptism which i● laid on the child ( by him to be performed when he comes to ability , unless he will forfeit all the benefits of his Baptism ) do in like manner adjure our infants , though while they remain such , they hear it as little as the Jewish infants did . But sure there is a great difference between the solemn adjuration of Moses and all Israel binding their posterity and recorded in the book of the Law , and the obscure charge of an ignorant officiating Priest to three Gossips , whereof some are so ignorant , that they know not what the Christian faith is at a Font , which hee terms the oath of Baptism , which is seldome either heeded or remembred by any present . And whereas he saith , my rejecting his inference , that by parity of reason infants may be entred into discipleship and baptized , to be a denying the conclusion when the premises cannot be denied ; It is not true , for the consequence is plainly denied , and the reason is given of that denial , and each branch proved in the Book before sect . 5 , &c. And therefore I shall say no more to this section , it being pity ( to use the Drs. words ) to lose time on such trifling conceits empty of all proof , as this Dr. hath dictated for infant Baptism . He said better Pract. cat . l. 5. § . 1. The Apostles powers were to preach and baptize those that received their doctrine . SECT . XCVIII . The testimonies of Cyprian , Augustin , and other Latin Fathers for Infant Baptism , are shewed to have come from their mistakes ; and the evidences why the antiquity of Infant Baptism should not be deemed such as is pretended , are vindicated . I Now return to the examination of the Testimonies brought out of the rest of the Latin Fathers besides Tertullian for infant Baptism , whereof Cyprian was the chief , and his testimony is thus urged by Dr. Hammond Defence of infant Baptism , chap. 4. sect . 2. p. 99. In the midst of this third Age , An. Chr. 248. was S. Cyprian made Bp. of Carthage , and ten years after he suffered martyrdome , i. e. 158 years after the Age of the Apostles . In the year 257 he sate in Councel with 66 Bishops ( see Justellus in his preface to the African Canons p. 21. ) and their Decrees by way of Synodical Epistle are to be seen in his Ep. 58. ad Fidum fratrem , which is now among his works , ●amel . edit . p. 80. The Councel was in answer to some questions about Baptism , and accordingly he there sets down his own opinion , together with the Decrees of that Councel of 66 Bishops which were assembled with him ; And so this , as it is an ancient , so it is more then a single testimony , that of a whole Councel added to it ; and yet farther to encrease the authority of it , 〈◊〉 cites this Epistle more then once , and sets it down almost entire 〈◊〉 a testimony of great weight against hereticks ; and so 't is ●●ed by S. Hierom also , l. 3. dial . cont . Pelag. In this Epistle the question being proposed by Fidus , whether infants might be baptized the second or third day , or whether as in Circumcision the eighth day were not to be expected , he answers in the name of the Councel , universi judicavimus , 't was the resolution or sentence of all , nulli hominum nato misericordiam Dei & gratiam denigandam , that the mercy and grace of God was not to be denied to any human birth , to any child , though never so young ( by that phrase [ mercy and grace of God ] evidently meaning Baptism , the right of conveying them to the baptized ) adding , that 't is not to be thought that this grace which is given to the baptized , is given to them in a greater or less degree in respect of the age of the receivers ; and that God as he accepts not the person , so nor the age of any , confirming this by the words of S. Peter Act. 10. that none was to be called common or unclean , and that if any were to be kep● from Baptism , it should rather be those of full age , who have committed the greater sins , and that seeing men when they come to the faith are not prohibited baptism , how much more ought not the infant to be forbidden , who being new born , hath no sin upon him , but that which by his birth from Adam he hath contracted as soon as he was born , who therefore should more easily bee admitted to pardon , because they are not his own but others sins which are then remitted to him , concluding that as none were by the decree of that Councel to be refused baptism , so this was the rather to be observed , and retained about infants and new-born children . Thus much and more was the sentence of that ancient Father , and that Councel , and as the occasion of that determination was not any Antipaedobaptist doctrine ( there had no such then so much as lookt into the Church , that we can hear of ) but a conceit of one , that it should be deferr'd to the eigth day , which was as much infancy as the first ( and so both parties were e●ually contrary to the Anti●aedobaptists interests , the condemned , as well as the Judges ) so that it is no new doctrine that was then decreed , or peculiar to S. Cyprian ( who had one singular opinion in the matter of baptism ) appears also by the concurrence of the whole Councel that convened with him , and by the express words of St. August . Ep. 28. ad Hieronym . Blessed Cyprian not making any new decree , but keeping the faith of the Church most firm , decreed with a set number of his fellow Bishops , that a child new born might fitly be baptized . Which shews it the resolution of that Father also , that baptizing of infants was the faith of the Church before Cyprians time , not onely the opinion , but the ●aith , which gives it the authority of Christ and his Apostles . Answ. I have been willing to set down these words at large sith none urgeth this authority more fully , though Mr. M. Dr. H. Mr. B , &c. do all alledge it , and it is the chiefest of all the testimonies Augustin produced for infant Baptism , and therefore was translated by me into English , and printed at the end of my praecursor . Concerning which act , Mr. B. praefest . mor. p. 401. saith thus , It seems to me God ordered Mr. T. to translate Cyprians Epistle to the disgrace of his cause with the vulgar themselves . For none can be so blinde as not to see in it the antiquity of infant Baptism , which is all that we urge it for . But if the cause I maintain be disgraced by translating that Epistle , I shall take it as a sign that a spirit of dotage is faln on men , so as to be enamouted on the blemishes of the ancient : Sure me thinks none of the vulgar , much less the learned , should be so blinde as not to discern , that infant Baptism was an errour , which was maintained by the prime assertors , upon such vain reasons as are in that Epistle , which are not excused by what Mr. B. saith , That the arguments are onely for confutation of the objection concerning infants uncleanness before the eighth day , and not to give the grounds that warranted infant Baptism ; For the truth is , both are done together , and the best grounds they had for it are set down by them , which will appear to be so frivolous by examination of them , that notwithstanding all the credit Dr. Hammond endeavours to gain to it , yet men of mean understandings , I doubt not , will by reading of it discern how ill that Councel did in that determination . Nor doth it any whit be●ter the matter to say , that it was not Cyprian alone , but also a whole Councel of 66 Bishops which did thus agree with him . For in like manner did the same Cyprian , with a more famous Councel [ See Epist. to Jubaia . ponep . Quir. Janu. Steph. ] at the same place , determine the rebaptizing of the baptized by Hereticks , with better shew of Scripture and reason then in his Epistle to Fidus , and alledged Apostolical authority as much as in this , and yet he is deserted therein not onely by the Bishops of Rome that were then , but also by Augustin , and the African , and other Churches . Besides his maintaining the perfusion of the Clinici , in his Epistle to Magnus l. 4. Epist. 7. his maintaining the necessity of water with the wine in the Lords Supper , as the Lords tradition , l. 2. Epist. 3. ad Caecilium , with other things , do sufficiently discover the weakness of Cyprian , and the Bishops of those times in their determinations , and the slightiness of their reasons , which no intelligent Divine should now urge , and therefore me thinks should not adhere to their practise or tenents , grounded on such frivolous reasons . Nor in this matter is Augustins or Hieroms authority such , as that we should relye upon their approbations and speeches , their corruptions in this point , and in other points shewing their mistakes both in matters of doctrine , and fact , some whereof are before noted section 88. and more will bee in that which followes . As for what Mr. B. saith , That the antiquity of infant Baptisme is all that he with others urge Cyprian for , I reply , he and others need not to have done that , sith I acknowledge it to have been as ancient as Cyprian , not as it is now ; but 1. in the practise , used onely in case of imagined necessity , to save an infant in apparent danger of imminent death from perishing , as the words of Tertullian de bapt . c. 18. and Greg. Nazianz. orat . 40. de sanct . bapt . and sundry relations shew to have been the practise . Now in this if Pro●estant divines have rejected antiquity , and deny such infant Baptism as they practised , determining that there is not such a necessity of baptizing infants for that reason , nor that they are to be baptized with private Baptism upon such a fear , and accordingly declining it as superstitious , they thereby justifie us from their crimination of innovation in deserting the Fathers , when they themselves do it in the same thing as well as we . And if Mr. Baxter ( as hee doth plain Script . proof . l. 2. c. 15. p. 153. ) except against Tertullians reasons as poor , and therefore reject his advice , why should not we reject Cyprians and his Collegues determination , which was built on as poor , if not poorer reasons then Tertullians . 2. In the Doctrines taught : For they taught , that by Baptism the grace and mercy of God was given , that without Baptism infants must perish , that every one that is born of mankind is to be baptized , in which Mr. Baxter and other Protestants do dissert them : Now if they disclaim their Doctrine in that which led them to their infant Baptism , we have no reason to be bound to their authority . Nor is the Doctrine the least matter to be considered , or the reasons of their determination impertinent to a right judgement of their practise . For as in other controversies between us and Papists , as about Menkish profession , Lent fast , Prayer for the dead , &c. the main thing considered , is , how far the Ancients practised these , and upon what grounds , as may be seen in ushers answer to the Jesuites challenge , and other learned Protestants writings , so it is in this : By whieh we may discern , that the Fathers practise of infant Baptism was upon the same grounds with those of the Papists , which we reject ; and therefore the Fathers testimonies do indeed disgrace the cause of infant Baptism , and plainly shew upon what erroneous opinions it came in ; and if prejudice did not dazle their eys , learned and godly Protestants would rather suspect and judge infant Baptism a corruption , then alledge their determination for their justification . And for what is alledged , that August . Ep. 28. ad Hierony . said , that Cyprian did not make any new decree , but kept the faith of the Church most firm , it is manifest , that the faith Augustine means was that infants had original sin , and without Baptism must perish , which in like manner he taught about the Lords Supper ( which was given to infants in Cyprians time , as his Sermon de lapsis shews ) l. 1. de pecc . merit . & remis . c. 24. l. 1. adv . Julian . c. 2. contra 2 Epist. Pelag. l. 4. c ▪ 4. Now as we and the Romanists have rejected infant Communion , though as ancient as infant Baptism , or very near as ancient , so should infant Baptism be rejected as upon the like mistake brought into the Church . The like might be said of the exorcising , or exuffiation , that is , blowing away or puffing out the Devil , of which Augustine speaks so much as used with Baptism to infants , the anointing with oyl , giving milk and honey , cloathing with white garments mentioned by Tertullian as common in his time before Cyprian , which yet are left by us notwithstanding he make them in his l. 1. against Marcion , lib. de Corona militis , Apostolical traditions . Out of which and many more instances this may bee collected , that the Fathers testimony of the use of their time , or of Apostolical traditions , is not to be received without examining their reasons , to which in this thing how little credit or heed is to be given , will appear by the exceptions I have made in my Examen , and shall now vindicate from what Mr. Ms. friend , and Dr. Homes say to them . The first was , that in Tertullians time infant Baptism was not defined , sith he disswades it , De Bapt. c. 18. Scult . med . patr . part 1. l. 7. c. 42. Tertullianus l ▪ de Bapt. ●os duntaxat baptizandos censet , qui Christum nosse potuerunt . The answers are , 1. that he was for infant Baptism , as appears by his book De anima , c. 39. But this is refelled before . 2. That he mentions it as then in use . Ref. It is true , but not allowed . 3. That he allowed it in case of necessity . Ref. This is against those that deny the use of it for that reason in that case . 4. That he disswaded onely the Baptism of infants of infidels , sith they onely were in need of sureties , and likely to sail in answering the engagement for them . Ref. This is not likely . 1. It●s not likely such were brought in the times of persecution , nor that there were any Christians who would become sureties for them . 2. It was usual then , as the custome hath been since , to have sureties at Baptism of infan●s of believers , and also at the Baptism of the aged , as is gathered out of Tertul. de corona militis , Inde suscepti , which is spoken of the ●ged . 3. The words of Tertullian shew he argued a●ainst the Baptism of any little ones in respect of their age . 4. His reasons ( be they what they will ) ●re agai●st the Baptism of any little ones , wi●h express direction for them to come not till they were of age to understand ▪ Venient ergo dum adol●scunt , veniant dum discunt , dum quo veniant docentur , fi●nt Christiani , cum Christum nosse pot●erint . That is , Let them come t●erefore when they be grown up , let them come when they learn , when they are taught wherefore they come , let them he made Christians when they shall be able to know Christ. Which makes it certain he meant this even of believers infants , whom he presumed would be taught to know Christ , and that An●i●adobaptist doctrine had then lookt into the Church , though Dr. Hammond say otherwise . ●he ●d . Exception was , ●ugustines and Hieroms relying on this Councel , shewed their darkness . Answ. Mr. M. p. 38. of his Defence ▪ Though Augustine approved Cyprians judgement , yet he relied not u●on his reasons to make good infant Baptism ; this to him is no new doctrine , he had another eye upon the constant and sure faith of the Church , which in that point be followed faithfully . Ref. It appears by the words of Augustine , ep . 28. ad Hieron●m . where he alledgeth this very thing for infant Baptism [ that Cyprian said not that the flesh ▪ but the soul unbaptized should be lost ] that he relied on his rea●ons ; and the like is apparent , where he and Hierome set down his words , and argue from them ▪ tom . 7. l. 3. de pecc . mer. & remis . c 6 contra Julian . l. 1. c. where Augustine hath these words , Sed Cyprianus dicit peri●e parvulum nisi fuerit baptiza●us , quam vis ei non propria demittantur , sed ●liena pec●ata . But Cyprian saith , a little one perisheth unless he be baptized , although not his own but anothers sins are forgiven him . My 3d. Excep●ion was , That Fidus started the question out of a Judaizing conceit , that the law of Circumcision which was not to be till the ●th day , was to be considered , and that the footstep of an infant being in the first days of his birth is not clean ; which shew a relique of Judaism in him . To this it is said , 1. That Cyprian did not concur with him , nor the Councel . Refut . 1. However it appears that the Baptism of infants was then practised upon the superstitious conceit as if we were to do in Baptism as the Jews did in Circumcision . 2. Nor doth Cyprian appear by hi● Ep. 7. l. 4. and elsewhere to be free from thinking the ceremonial Law to direct us about Baptism . 2. That other learned men , as Athanasius , Nazianz. August . Chrysostome , reasoned from Circumcision to Baptism . Refut . No doubt of it , for as in the controversie about Easter , so in other things they appeared too much to imitate the Jewish ceremonies , by which the simplicity of the Christian service was altered . My 4th . Exception was , That the resolution of this Counc●l was the spring-head of infant Baptism . Answ. Before that time Baptism of infants was in use . Refut . Yet it was not determined before , but disswaded , nor was any authority of any Councel which was as a spring head to it , whence it continued a stream afore that , nor doth Augustine in his allegati●ns for it , find any higher spring of it then Cyprian and his Councel ▪ My 5th ▪ and chief Exception was , T●at the Councel determined the baptizing of infants upon these errours , which are now rejected by Protestants as Popish ; 1. That they thought baptizing giving Gods grace , and the denying it denying Gods grace ; 2. They thought the souls to be lost , which were not baptized ; 3. That therefore not onely infants of believers , but all infants were to be baptized . Mr. M. acknowledgeth the two first to be rightly gathered from the words of the Epistle , but that he also urged that Baptism comes in stead of Circumcision , and if some arguments were used by the Ancients which were not good , the truth is not to be rejected , when some o●her are . Ref. 1. The Council determined infant Baptism on no other argument . 2. If infant Baptism could be proved by other arguments , I should yeeld to it ; however the credit and authority of this Councel is taken away by reason of the falshood of the grounds of their determination . 2 ly . For the 3 d. inference , though he lays it down in general terms , that none are to be hindered from comming to Christ : Yet what he saith ought to be understood of the Church , because he speaks of such as God hath cleansed or purified who were common . Ref. 1. The words are as express as may be , We all judged that the mercy and grace of God is to be denied , ( by not baptizing them ) nulli hominum nato , to none born of men , as much as in us lies , if it may be , nulla anima pe●denda est , no soul is to be lost for want of Baptism . 2. The very words Mr. M alledgeth for a restriction to the Church are against it , they are thus . Sed putamus omnem omnino hominem admittendum ad gratiam Christi , cum & Petrus in Actibus Apostolorum loquatur & dicat : Dominus mihi dixit neminem communem dicendum & immundum . But we think every man altogether should be admitted to the grace of Christ , when Peter also in the Acts of the Apostles speaks and saith , The Lord hath said to me that no man should be termed common and unclean : Which is meant of all men , not onely of the Church . And this enough to answer Dr. Homes , who in his animadversions , p. 138. finds not that passage in Cyprian , which I alledge , and p. 139. saith , Cyprian doth not say , infants perish if they be not baptized , though Augustine expresly saith the contrary , and p. 13● . takes on him to defend the sayings of that Councel , as having no errour or hurt to say that Baptism gives grace instrumentally , and that without warrant wittingly to deny Baptism is to deny Gods grace . But Protestant write●s generally ( as Austin before ) judge the words to have a further sense , and the words of the Epistle plainly shew that they held by the very Baptism infants had remission of sin and were saved , and without it were lost , and to deny them Baptism was to deny them Gods grace . That which he saith of me , ● , 139. That I would not have it , that Cyprian doth at all put in original sin among his arguments for baptizing of infants , is not true ; I onely denyed that he put it in , in the manner Mr. M. conceived . What I said of the absurdity and nakedness of that Epistle , hath no more immodesty then is common to Writers Protestant and Papists , who charge Fathers and ancient Councels with errours , blemishes , and of● times with harder censures ; if I had given that Epistle a ●arter censu●e I had done right , that I spake was soft enough , considering the great hurt which hath come to the Church of God by that Epistle , which determined childrens baptism by childish reasons . Next to Cyprian of the Latine Fathers , are recited Ambrose and Hierome ▪ and Paulinus by Dr. Hammond , whose words with Augustines , and such Councels as were in their times in the 4th . and 5th . Century , I shall forbear to reci●e , it being acknowledged that in those ages it was practised , and by reason of Augustines esteem Baptism of infants was practised in following Ages almost without controul ; and in process of time , that which was before Augustines dayes a rarity , became so frequent , as that it almost swallowed up the right Bap●ism , which appears from the words of Walafridus Strabo , placed by Usher at the year 840. in his Book de rebus Ecclesiasticis , c. 26. who is termed by Mr. George Gillespie in his Aarons rod blossoming , p. 567. a diligent searcher of the ancients which were before him , and of the old Ecclesiastical rites , which with other observations tending to reduce the testimony of Augustine to its just weight , are set down in my Examen , par . 1. sect . 8. and are now to be vindicated by me from what Mr. Marshal and others reply . Dr. Homes , p. ●58 . excepts against what I said , that it was Augustines authority that carried infants Baptism in the following Ages almost without control ; and 1. he asks , What carried it 300. or 400. years before ? For all that time it was frequent . ] But this is not true , n●r ever proved by Dr. Homes . Chamier , paustr. cath . tom . 4. l. 5. c. 15. § . 19. saith truly , Who seeth not that the custome of the scrutiny of the baptised was in that time , when scarce the thousandth person was baptised afore he came to age , and was diligently exercised in Catechism . Dr. Hammond in his pract . Catech. l. ● . § . 3. p. 23. All men were instructed in the fundamentals of faith anciently before they were permitted to be baptised . 2. ●hey that were carried by Augustine , were not carried by the authority of the man , but by the Scriptures and reasons he urged . Which I grant ; but those Scriptures and reasons had never carried infant Baptism , if the name of the man had not been more prevalent then his reasons . 3. It cannot be said that Augustines authority did in his time carry infant Baptism in a manner without control , seeing he had so much bickering with the Pelagians about it , who under some notion did con-against it , as we shewed before . ] But by his leave it might be so said , and that truly , ●ith in the bickerings against the Pelagians , Augustines authority grew ; yea , Hierome in the end of his 3 d. Dialogue against Pelagians , in the words cited by Dr. Home● . p. 149. doth himself refer the Reader to Augustines works about baptizing infants , as the chief prop of that custome . However , that which I said is manifestly true , that after his time , in the following Ages , Augustines authority carried the baptism of infants almost without control . Dr. Homes further excepts against my alledging Walafridus Strabo , and saith , 1. Strabo is against me , 1. in saying in the first times , Baptism was wont to be confirmed by imposition of hands . But the Dr. wrongs me i● saying I deny it Exercit. sect . 14. who onely say it was a part or appendix of Baptism , as Chamier said paustr. cath . tom . 4. l. 4. c. 11. sect 14 &c. not as among the Papists or Prelatists used many years after baptism . But of this enough is said Review part . 2. sect . 23. 2. About Athanasius , that in Athanasius his time , to his knowledge there was baptism of little children . But how is this against mee , who doubted not concerning Athanasius his fact of imitating baptizing when he was a Boy , and of Alexander his approb●tion of it , but said I marvailed I found nothing produced out o● Athanasius works for infant Baptism , if it were so manifest as Mr. M. said . Now this was not in Athanasius his works , and the story doth not at all prove infant Baptism either in use or approved then , but rather the contrary . For that fact was done by Athanasius at play , among boyes at play , and it was approved as baptism , because the baptizer and the baptized used the ordinary actions done at baptism of the aged : which shews that Baptism was then used to and by persons of age , though imitated by boyes at play . 3. About infant Baptism , for which Strabo quotes many ▪ authorities and antiquities , as of the Concilium Gerundense ; But this is not against me , who deny not , but acknowledge many Councils for it , after and in Augustins time , but know of none but that of Carthage in Cyprians Epistle to Fidus afore , and do judg those Councils weigh no more then one Augustin , whose authority they relied on , and some of them used his very words in their Canons . 2. That Strabo faulters , and is much faulty in the thing he is quoted for . For first , he calls the times of Augustine , who is but of late in comparison of many ancients we have quoted prima tempora , that is , the first times , for Walafridus quotes Augustines practise , that was not baptized till of ripe years , to prove , that in the first times ( as Walafridus calls them ) men were not baptized till able to know well , and make profession ; when as Augustin himself , as we have shewed , and Mr. T. hath confessed , did refer himself to ancienter times a great deal , as to Cyprian that was almost 200 yeares afore him , for the practise of baptizing infants . 2. Walafrid saith , illis solummodo , &c. that is , to them onely the grace of Baptism was wont to bee given , who were of integrity or ripeness of body and minde , &c. but gives not proofs or reasons , but onely one single instance of Augustine himself for an universal proposition . Answ. It appears not that Strabo faultered in either of these . He cals the times unto Augustine , not onely Augustines times , prima t●mpora , the first times ; and though he knew that Cyprian was alledged by Augustine for proof of infant Baptism , yet Strabo might rightly say ( not as Dr. Homes makes him , men were not baptized ( but ) the grace of Baptism was wont to be given to them onely who might know well and make profession . And for this having set down the ancient custome , he alledgeth the instance of Augustin , not because there were no more , but at that time the thing being well known , and Augustines authority being the chief meanes of making infant Baptism so frequent as it was after his time , it was enough for his purpose to instance in Augustines own example , as sufficient to shew how the state of things was before . Nor is it likely that Walafridus Strabo faultered in the third thing the Dr. objects , but that ( not he , but ) some of the writers of his Book mistook , and put XXV . for XXXV . And for the 4th . thing that hee confesseth , that religious wise men did baptize infants more frequently after Augustines time , upon the apprehension of danger if they neglected it , it confirms my observation , that infant Baptism grew to be so frequent as it was by Augustines authority , but doth not at all prejudice my allegation of Strabo , For though he being corrupted with the superstition of the age in which he lived , did judge well of the practise of infant Baptism , yet his relation of the ancient use is usefull for me to shew , that it was but an innovation Nor did my mention of his relation of the use of Gossips , and the imagined spiritual kinred contracted by it , either blemish Walafridus or break my shins , but served my turn to shew what superstition crept in by infant Baptism , as arising from the want of the primitive use of the baptized persons own engagement at Baptism , which being not done by infants , was supplied by this vain invention of men , and did ( as generally such inventions do ) occasion that evil opinion of the spiritual kinred contracted , which superstition turned to a conceit of inc●st between Gossips . This opinion , though it did not necessarily follow on that us● ( For there might be Gossips without such opinion , as there might be transubstantiation without adoration ) yet as the nature of superstition is to adde one humane invention to another , and the la●ter worse then the former , and the just judgement of God leaves men to err , when their fear of him is taught by the precepts of men , Isa. 20.13 , 14. ( as I have shewed in my Sermon intituled , The leven of Pharisaical will●worship ) so it happened both in Baptism and the Eucharist , infant Baptism brought in Gossips , they were taken for parents , thence conceived to be of such affinity , that their copulation would be incestuous , and so in the Eucharist the opinion of the Lords Supper , as if Christs body were in the bread , begat Transubstan●iation , that kneeling and adoration , which have more connexion then a rope of sand or pebles in a Wyth , notwithstanding Dr. Homes his conceit , and Stra●o's words need better answer then he gives . All that Dr. Homes p. 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165. saith against my allegation of Cluniacensis , doth not either prove , that Peter de Bruis did not deny infant Baptism , or that Cluniacensis did not alledge Augustine for it , and de Bruis rejected it , and appealed to the Scriptures ( though I have acknowledged in my Apology sect . 8. my mistake about the words of the ignorance of Greek , and the mention of the Greek Church and the Council of Arles . ) For why should Cluniacensis say , Ecce non de Augustino sed de Evangelio protuli cui cum maxime vos credere dicatis , &c. but that Augustine was wont to be urged against them , but they rejected him and appealed to the Gospel . As for Peter de Bruis and Henricus , their opinions I set them down as I found them reckoned in the argument of Cluniacensis Epistle , not thinking fit to set down all that Cluniacensis chargeth them wi●h , having by Mr. Gatakers Defence of Mr. Wotto● against Mr. Walker concerning Abailardus , learnt how uncertain Bernards charge was against him ; and the like perhaps against Peter de ●ruis and Henricus by Cluniacensis in some things : yet I have given reasons concerning their denying infant Baptism , in my praecursor sect . 9. to which Mr. Baxter hath no made reply in his praefestin . mor. to avoid them , though he had most unchristianly accused me of impudence and unconscionableness , for alledging them as adve●saries to infant Baptism . What I said of the Councils that condemned Palagiani●m , and the Drs. who refuted it , that they followed Augustin , I did in some mistake , as in putting Arles for Orange a City near , and perhaps in something else , being at that time without all my ptinted books , which I had read before the year 1642. in which I was plundered of them , and wrote my Examen in London anno 1644. and my Exorcitation anno 1643. But I had some remembrance of my reading to that purpose , which I imagin was by rea●ing the words of Dr. ●rideaux in his 3d. Lecture de Gratia universali , which are thus to the same effect . Augustinus ( qui praecipuè sudabit in hoc argumento , quomq●e Prosper , Fulgentius , & Scholastici saniores sequuntur , imò ex ejus scriptis decreta Concilii Aransicani 2 contra Pelagianos & Semipelagianos ( ut ipse agnoscit Binnius ) cont●xuntur ) sit vice omnium . And for Augustins being counted one of the four Doctors of the Church , esteemed like the four Evangelists , the speech ( as I remember of Gregory the Great ) is so rife , that I presume it unknown to few Students in Divinity Nevertheless I said , I for my part value Augustines judgement just at so much as his proofs and reasons weigh ; of which Dr. Homes saith , that 's well ; but Mr. Marshal saith , I slight him , which is an unjust crimination of me , neither Augustin nor any other writer , being not imediately inspired , requiring or deserving any higher regard ; and Protestant writers frequently in their determinations ascribe authentique authority onely to the holy Scripture , Ames Bellarm. enerv . tom . 2 l. 1. c. 3. asser●tur ● nobis Episcoporum in concilio sententiam tant●m inquisitionem quandam esse , & dictionem sententiae ministratoriam & limitatam ita ut tant●m valeat decretum concilii , quantùm valeat ejus ratio ; which if right , my speech is unblameable . Nor am I to be blamed for not canvassing every particular testimony alledged out of Augustine , it being not denied he held infant Baptism at that time , and in such a manner as Protestants reject , and how much credit is to bee given to his speeches of Apostolical tradition , is considered before section 88. Protestant writers do often charge Augustin with doting , in this point of infant baptisms necessity ( whereof some speeches may be seen in Mr. Gataker de bapt . infant . vi & eff●c . sect . 6. num . 27. sect . ● . num . 35. ) and for my part I must say , that I judge his reasons so light and his proofs so vain , that the testimonies out of Augustine do very much confirm me , that infant Baptism is an errour , and a very pernicious abuse needfull to be taken away out of the Church of God , the reason of which may in some measure appear by my vindication of my exceptions against Augustines judgement . 1. If infant Baptism had been such an universal and Apostolical tradition as Augustine would have it , then the Church would have thought it necessary , that all children of Christians by profession should bee baptized in their infancy , and the custome would have been so used ; But that it was not so , appears first from the baptism of Augustine , Adeodatus , Alipius ; second , from other observations set down in my Examen . p. 14. The testimonies Mr. M. brings for universal practise , have been considered before . Hee adds p. 45. of his Defence , That Epiphanius in the end of his work , relating what was generally observed in the Church , tels us , The baptism administred in the Church in his time , was performed according to the tradition of the Gospel , and the authority of the Apostles , as well as other mysteries then in use , and we know , that in his time Baptism was administred to infants ; therefore in his judgement , what the Church did therein , they had authority for it from the Gospel and the Apostles ; ] But there is more reason to conceive that either he knew no infant Baptism , or that he took it to be an aberration from the Gospel tradition and authority of the Apostles , not onely in that he mentions not infant Baptism , but also in Ancorato where he sets down the use of Baptism he saith , Yee ought not onely to suffer every one instructed in the faith , and willing to come to the holy laver , that he shew himself to your sons that he believes in the Lord , but also , that with uttered words , as the same mother of all your and our Church hath received , he teach and say , I believe in one God the Father Almighty , &c. ] Whence the Magdeburgenses cent . 4. c. 6. de ritibus circa Baptismum , say ; It is conjectured from these words , that in the Churches of Cyprus , the rite of Confession was usual afore Baptism ; where he also saith , that Basil. exhort . ad bapt . writes , that no other then catechized persons were baptized , who were called together at Easter ; Although I deny not that there was sometimes infant Baptism , yet by all the instances of the rite of Baptism gathered by those Historians in that place , it appears to have been very rare , and onely in the case of apparent peril of immanent death . And this is very probable to have been the reason why Socrates hist. l. 5.22 . relating diversities of several Churches about persons that had power to baptize , and the time in which Baptism was commonly administred , and Sozom. 7 ▪ 19. several customes of several Churches neither exclude nor mention infant ●aptism , because it was so rare a thing to baptize an infant , and done so obscurely that no instance is apparent of it in any history , in that or the fore●going ●ges . And Dr. Homes p. 171. wrongs me in saying , Mr. T. himself chargeth Augustin and Cyprian , that they thought too many infants were to be baptized , namely all that had Christian parents or undertakers , for these latter words are not mine , though I yeeld the former to be true . To my instance of Augustins lat● Baptism , it is said by Mr. M. defence p. 46. One swallow makes not a spring peradventure some ( though born of Christian parents ) were not in that age baptized in infancy ; yet that is no way prejudicial to the universal practise of the Church in which Paedobaptism was received . But by his leave it is a great evidence , and seemed so to Strabo nearer to those times then we are , that infant Baptism was not so univer●al as Mr. M. makes it , when so ●minent a person of so eminently go●ly a mother , did not take care to have him baptized in infancy . But besides , wee have the words of Optatus M●l●vitanus about the same ti●e , in his 4th . b●ok against ●armenian the Donatist , thu● ; No man is ignorant that every man , who is born though he be born of Christian parents , can be without the spirit of the world ; which it is necessary should be excluded and separated from the man before the saving Baptism . This Exorsim does , by which the unclean ●●irit is driven out , and made to flye into desert ●laces . The ●ouse is made empty in the breast of the believer ; the house is made clean : God enters and dwels as the ●postle saith , ye are the Temple of God , and God dwel● in you . Whence it is apparent , that even those who were born of Christian parents were believers afore they were baptized , though I deny not that it was not the common doctrine , that infants should be baptized ; nor do I make that inference which Mr M. intima●es I do , from that example of Augustin , that children of Christians by profession in that age were not baptized in their infancy , but that they were seldome so , nor except in case of appa●ent danger of imminent dea●h : Which is manifest by the instance of Augustin . Mr. M. and Dr. Homes impute the delay of Augustins Ba●●ism , either to his Fathers hindering , who was not then a Christian , or to friends permission of him to have his own will , or to persecution . But all these are but mere shifts , his own words con●es . l 1. c. 11. declaring the true state of the thing , whic● are thus : I had heard being a boy , of eternal life promised us by the humility of our Lord God descending to our p●ide , and I was already signed with the signe of his cross , and was s●asoned with his salt already , even from the womb of my mother , who much hoped in thee . Whence it is apparent that she was then a Christian when she bare him in her womb , and dedicated him to Christianity , but did not baptize him . After he goes on , and saith , Thou sawest Lord when I was yet a boy and on a certain day pressed with a pain of the stomack , I was suddenly sick almost about to dye , thou sawest my God , because thou wast my keeper already , with what motion of minde , and with what faith I asked from the piety of my mother , and thy Church the mo●her of us all , the Baptism of thy Christ my God and Lord. And the m●ther of my flesh was troubled , because also she did bring forth my everlasting salvation with a chast heart in thy faith , now being very hasty , did take care that I might be initiated and washed with saving Sacraments , confessing thee O Lord Jesus , unless I had been presently recreated . Therefore my cleansing was delayed , as if it should bee necessary that I should be defiled if I did live , because to wit , after that washing , greater and more dangerous guilt of sins in filthiness would be . So I did already believe , and she , and all the house except my Father alone , who yet did not overcome in me the right of my mothers piety , that I should not believe in Christ ; as he had not yet believed . Whence it may be easily perceived , 1. That the childe of a godly affectionate Christian , who devoted him to Christ , and educated him for Christ , yet was not baptized then in infancy , nor by the Church re●uired to be bap●ized . 2. That when he was sick and like to die when hee was but a boy , he earnestly required from his mother and the Church baptism . 3. That it was not to have been done without his confession of Christ. 4. That his recovery afore it could be done put it off , and no other reason was thereof , but that living he was likely to be more guilty of sin if baptized so young . 5. That baptism was counted cleansing , and a greater and more dangerous guilt apprehended if he did sin after baptism . 6. That even then he did believe ▪ and his mother and all the house excep● his Father , and yet it hindred not his Christianity , not is it l●kely could or would hinder his bap●ism in infancy , if his mother and the Church had thought it meet , or it had been the use out of the case of apparent danger of imminent death . As for Adeod●tus , it is apparent his Father believed before he begate him , and he was br●d up by him in Gods discipline , as he saith , l. 9. confes . c. 6. and though the Father was not baptized , yet the Grandmother was , and yet Adeodatus was not baptized till 15 years old ; and for Alipius it is somewhat p●obable hee was born of Christian parentage and bred up so , but not baptized till of age . However that were , the case of Augustin is full to prove what I conc●ived . For a further declaration of the practise of infant Baptism , I alledged Grotius his words , who conceived the baptism of infants more frequent in Africa then in Asia or other parts of the world , and he gave his reason of it , because of the mention of it in the African Council at Carthage , not in like manner in other Councils , to which Mr. M. saith , the Councils might not mention it , because none did scruple it ; But it is more likely none did scruple i● , because there was no occasion to do so , there being little or no practise of it ; which is made very probable from the 6th . Canon of the Council of Neocaesarea anno 315. and the words of Nazianzen before mentioned . As for the constitutions of Clement , in one whereof they are bid baptize their little ones , Mr. M. doth well to confess they are not Clements , and if the compiler of them did relate the ancient customes of the Greek Church , hee did relate later customes also , among which that of baptizing infants is to bee conceived one for the reasons given . Grotius annot . in Matth. 19.14 . saith , And many of the Greeks from every age unto this day , keep the use of deferring the baptism of little ones , till they could make confession of their own faith . But of this before , sect . 89.90 . I said that I did not find in Affrica infants baptized but in case of danger of death or for health of body . Dr. Homes saith he hath shewed the contrary out of several antiquities , and particularly out of Cyprian . But neither in Cyprian nor any where else do I find it but the the contrary in Tertullian . And as for Augustine it was not as he ●aith , that Augustines sickness whiles young was some occasion of deferring his baptism for that time , but his sickness occasioned the hastning and his recovery ere it was done put it off for that time . Nor doth m● saying that they baptized infants for health of body ( which is manifest from Augustines 23d . Epist. to Bonifacius ) clash with that which I said of Augustines asserting the necessity of infant baptism to take away original sin , and ascribing salvation to it , for he both might and did conceive it to be done for both ends . My mention of the continued use of catechizing in Augustines time ▪ and long after , and the mention of baptizing whole Countries upon the baptizing of their Kings was very pertinent , though not to shew no infants were baptized then , yet to shew how and by what means the ancient custome of baptizing ordinary believers upon profession of faith after catechizing was so strangely changed , that whereas the preface in the common prayer book before the administration of baptism saith , it appeareth by ancient writers that the sacrament of baptism in the old time was not commonly administered but at two times in the year , at Easter and Whitsontide : At which times it was openly ministered in the pre●ence of all the congregation , the persons to be baptized having been before catechized , now it is quite otherwise , so that in most Protestant and popish ▪ Countries baptism is ordinary even of inf●nts , at all times in obscure manner , and except of late in these nations , in which God hath begun to restore the right use of baptism , and what Bellarmin in his 2d . book de bonis operibus in particular● . C. 17. saith , that in the City of Rome there is no year in which there are not many baptized at Easter , who were catechised , the baptizing of believers is almost unheard of and counted a hainous thing , and punished in some parts as a crime deserving death or banishment . So great is the enormity of Paedobaptism , and so great the wickedness of Paedobaptists . The 2d . and main exception I took against Augustines judgement which might move us to examine his reasons , was the ground upon which Augustine , Ambrose , and generally the Popish paedobaptists held and urged infant baptism , to wit the damning of the infant if dying unbaptized , which made Augustine to be termed the hard Father of infants , and affrighted so people in after ages , and doth to this day , that they will have their children by all means , as they count it , baptized , it 's no matter by whom it be done nor how , so somewhat be done ; else they count them lost . To this which is of so great moment to shew the abuse of Paedobaptism it is said , that Augustine pressed it upon other grounds , but that doth not appear , he urged it , it is true , from circumcision , but upon the same ground that the uncircumcised male should be cut off from Gods people ; nor did ●e so retract his errour , but that he still held infants should be damned although with the mildest damnation of all . How the schoolmen and others do follow Augustine , Mr. Perkins shews in his probleme , and many elsewhere , and the Common Prayer , both in allowing at first Baptism by Midwives , and in their Preface in the administration of Publique Baptism do plainly shew it was the mind of the composers of that book at first ; no● is there any thing therein , or any of the Ancients , o● Baptism as belonging to infant● of believers as federally holy . Which is a strong evidence that Augustines judgement was very corrupt in this point , and that the Baptism of infants was introduced , and grew to such an excess upon that errour , and for that reason both Augustines judgement and it are to be suspected as evil , and to be rejected . A 3d. Exception against Augustines judgement , to shew that he and Cyprian were in these points of Sacraments not to be rest●d on , was ▪ That Augustine Epist. 23. relates the story in Cyprian de lapsis about the giving the Wine to a girl with credit to it , and some use of it without dislike of the custome ; yea , l. 1. de p●cc . mer ▪ & remis . c 20 he makes giving infants the Eucharist necessary to salvation , alledging Jo● . 6.53 . for it ; and ch . 2. he makes it an ancient and Apostolick tradition to give the Communion to infants , besides what he saith Epis. 106. ●07 . to the like p●rpose , and he ascribes to John Chrysostome , l. 1. adv . Ju● c. 2 , the like ; and E●is . 93. Innocentius Bishop of Rome held the like ; and this not onely Maldonat on Joh. 6. acknowledged to continue 600. years in the Church , from Cyprians time to Charls the Greats time ( as ● remember the account is ) but also Erasmus Resp ad Arch●ep Hisp. Chamier , paus . cath . tom . 4. l. 1. c. 13. § . 5. Gataker de Bapt. infant . vi . p. 269. say the use of infant Communion was ancient ; and to the objection , that this was not defined , Dr. John Rainold , Apolog , thes . § . 10. answers ; nor doth Mr. M. or Dr. Homes deny it , but Mr. M. asks What is your argument hence ? I answer , There is no reason to rely on Augu●tines judgement concerning the antiquity and necessity of infant Baptism , or to press it on others , who did so fouly mistake about the antiqui●y and necessity of giving the Communion to infants , nor to adhere to the Ancients determinations and use about infant Baptism , who did erre so much about infant Communion . For as Mr. Gataker de Bapt. in s vi . p. 200. saith about Augustins authority conce●ning infant Baptism , it will not seem equal to press the adverse party concerning the other authority of those whose judgement in the other thy self declinest : But how Augustine doted about infant Communion is manifest , therefore it is not reason to urge his testimony about infant Baptism as to be rested on , but we may say as Vorstius adv . Bellarm. tom . 3. contr . 2. thes . 2. rat . 3. The doting of Augustine and some other is ill brought for the consent of the whole Church ; and we may make that use of this instance of Augustines , Innocentius , and others errour about infant Communion , which Cameron doth c. ●7 . of his Examin . of Rom. prejudices , to take away the unjust fore-judging of the refusal of infant Baptism a● unreasonable , by shewing how little the Fathers , particularly Augustine , are to be trusted , and what just reason there is to forsake him in the one as they have done in the other . My 4th . Exception was , That Augustine 1. ascribes a certainty of regeneration to children baptiz●d , though they were not brought for spiritual grace , but temporal health . 2. That he justifies this fact , Epist. 23. ad Bonif. Mr. M confesseth He ascribed too much sometimes to Baptism , yet sometimes he saith of some , that they have the thing of Baptism without the sacrament , and so Ambrose of Valentinian , yet Ambrose as well a● Augustine at other times attributed too much to outward Baptism . To which I reply . It is true , and so did generally the Fathers , as may be seen abundantly in Mr. Gatakers strictures against Bishop Davenants Epist p 52 , &c. And this caused great abuses , 1. the allowing of infant Baptism , yea , and much advancing it ; 2. the allowing of the Baptism of men that kept their beds by reason of sickness on their beds ; 3. the Baptism by wom●n ; 4. the Baptism by Athanasius on his play●fellows , which he did in pl●y with them , when but a boy , as sufficicently done for Baptism ; 5. the bringing of infants to be baptized for cure of their bodies . But saith Dr. Homes , By all the words Epist. 23. ad Bonifac. I should think Augustine doth no way justifie or excuse their bad intention . ] To which I reply , yet he justifies their bad action , saying , by them the necessary service or ministery is celebrated . My 5th . Exception was , ●hat Augustin Ep. 23. ad Bonif. was so tenacious of customes then in use , that he doth defend or excuse from lying the answer of sureties , as if the child to be baptized did believe . In this Mr. M. saith , I scorn Augustines judgement ; And I reply , I do not so much as Chamier , paustr. cath . tom . 4. l 5. c. 15. § . 22. where he ter●s it mimical ▪ as if it were a play on a stage , rather then the celebrating a Sacrament in the Church , which Augustine defended . But saith D● . Homes , This is impertinent to the question . I reply , it is very pertinent , 1. to shew how vain Augustines judgement was in these things about Baptism and the Lords Supper : 2. To shew what was the primi●ive use of propounding the question of his faith to every baptized person , which Vives , com . in August . de Civit. Dei , l. 1. c●7 ●7 . thought a good evidence that of old none were baptized but persons grown up and able to answer the questions . ●o this saith Dr. Homes , 1. ●e wonder Mr. T. will assert confession of faith in all Ages before all Baptism from witnesses or sureties , when as we know that the first intimation of touching them was not till about 95 years after Christ. And how novel the invention of their confessions is who can justly tell . I reply , 1. I wonder Dr. Homes will so untruly say I do so assert ▪ 2. If sureties were so late an invention , surely infant Baptism was at new , it being never without such sureties . 2. Saith he , I propound it to grave consideration , whether sureties did not confess in relation to themselve● , that they might be reputed fit to stand as a kind of parents to a child of an unbelieving parent to be baptized ; even as Abrahams profession of his belief in God , Gen. 15. Gen. 17. made him stand as a parent to all his houshold . I reply . Upon my consideration it was not so , because Tertull. de 〈◊〉 . c. 18. mentions them as undertakers for the child , and Bonifacius and Augustine that they professed in the childs stead . My last Exception against Augustines judgement was , That they baptized any infants even of unbelievers , who ever brought them , and what ever were their intention , they counted it a work of charity , and the defect of the faith of the baptized they counted supplied by the faith of the whole Church . To this saith Mr. M. Neither I in that justifie him : You may take notice that here again you confess the question that infants were baptized . ] I reply , this was not the question . But saith Dr. Homes , 1. ●oo much doth not overthrow enough . ] I reply , it overthrows the imitableness of their practise . 2. This argues against me that infant Baptism hath been anciently more universally practised then adul● Bap●ism . ] I reply , if so , more infidels children should be baptized then Christian converts , which is a monstrous fiction refuted by all the remaining monuments of antiquity . Mr. M. They baptized upon Covenant holiness believers children , infidels children upon the engagement of undertakers to train them up . I reply , the former appears not , the later was of others as well as believers children , as is shewed before . This is enough to shew the invalidity of Augustine and the Latine Fathers testimonies ●or infant Baptism as Protestants assert it . To the recollection of the passages about the Ancients testimonies , Mr. M. answers . 1. To what I said , that that they practised infant Baptism on erroneous grounds , the necessity of it to salvation , the certainty of the remission of original sin by it , denying Gods grace to none , and therefore more likely to be an errour ; Mr. M. saith , p. 54. Do not Tertullian , Cyprian , &c. argue from Circumcision unto Baptism 〈◊〉 we now do , and others of them from Covenant holiness ? I answer , No not one that I know of . 2. To what I said , that it is not proved to have been practised but in case of supposed necessity , he saith , It is otherwise , and an Arminian book termed Censura censu●ae , of which I have made great use in this controversy ( which is not true ) saith , Augustine first grounded infant Baptism upon necessity . But I answer , this is not true , that which is said before out of Tertullian , Nazianzen , Cyprian , proves it otherwi●e ; Yea , long after Augustine , Concilium Ge●undense in the 6th . Century , appointed in the 4th . and 5th . Canon , That ordinarily persons catechized not infirm should be baptized at Easter and Whitsontide , the infirm at other times , and infants if infirm , and desire not the mothers milk if they be offered , the day of their birth ; which expresseth it to be a permission in that case , and shews it to be an exception from the ordinary course : Yea , Magdeb. cent . 1● . c. 6. of the rites of Baptism , shew infants then to have been baptised onely out of fear of death . 3. To what I said , that there was a constant course of baptizing believers children at age , he saith I have been been mistaken , and this practise was disavowed by their inveighing against deferring ●aptism . I answer , 1. That I have not been mistaken , appears by that which goes before . 2. They speak not against deferring infants Baptism , but for it , though they speak against the deferring it by the aged . 4. To what I said of their opinion of the necessity of , and practise of infant Communion , he saith , All did not so , though some of the Affricans did . I answer , The chiefest of them , and some of them Europaeans held it . Dr. Field , 3d. book of the Church , ch . 1. saith , According to the old custome used in the primitive Church , the Greeks minister the Sacrament of the Eucharist to children when they baptise them . And Ortelius in his Theat . where he describes the Abissins in Affrica , saith , To all the baptised the same moment they minister the holy Eucharist . 5. ●o what ● said of their baptizing : infidels children , he saith , It was not their constant and general practise : But it app●ars not but that it was practi●ed and al●owed of as well as the other . 6. To my words , that the ancientest testimony for pr●ctise according to any rule determined is Cyprian , near 300 years after Christ , he saith , he must needs take notice of my overlashing ; and I reply , ● must needs take notice of his overlashing in again mentioning Justin Mar●yr as a witness , though the book be but suppositio●s ; and Irenaeus , when ●e saith nothing of it ; and Origen ▪ who is d●ubtfull ; and Tertullian who is against it ; and excepting against my words as overlashing , w●en the first determination of it in any Councel was that of Cyprian with hi● 66. Bishops , which , as Dr. Hammond saith , was anno 257. near 3●0 . years after Christ. 7. To my words , that infant Baptism was not from the beginning , Austins semper habuit semper tenu●t is opposed , to which how little credit is to be given , is shewed Apol. § 16. he●e , sect . 8● . and in thi● before . 8. ●o my alledging the proposal of the questions of repentance and faith to infants as a sign that none but those who answered the ●u●stio●s were formerly baptized , it is said , This supposeth these questions to be of as ancient use in the Church of God as Baptism i●self , whi●h certainly you can never prove from Scripture ; I have produced testimonies for infant Baptism , afore any you can bring to witness , that those forms of questions and answers had any being in the Church . But I think the question of faith pl●inly proved Act ▪ 8. ●7 . to be an●ecedent to Baptism ; and the words of Beza , annot . on 1 Pet. 3 21. are thus ▪ Yet to me more nearly now considering the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it doth se●m better to agree that we interpret it stipulation , and that we say the Apostle had respect to the interrogations of Catechists , in which the ca●echised even then did testifie their more inward Baptism to be confirmed by the outward , as Act. 8.37 . to which the whole Apostolick Creed looks , and that from the Baptism of adult persons by a great errour , if we look to infants themselves , translated to the Baptism of infants , Doest thou believe ? I do believe . Doest thou renounce ? I do renounce . Whence that of Tertullian , which is as if it were in stead of a Commentary on this place in his Book of the Resurrection of the flesh , the soul is not confirmed or sanctified by washing , but by answering . Tertullian de corona militis , Aquam adituri ibidem , sed & aliquanto prius in Ecclesia sub antis●itis manu contestamur nos renunciare Dia●olo & pompae & angelis ejus ▪ Dehinc ter inergitamur , amplius aliquid respondentes , quam Dominus in Evangelio determinavit . Grot. in Mat. 28.19 . proves the profession of faith out of Justin Martyr , who saith expresly , Apol. 2. That the baptised did promise to ●●ve according to the Christian Doctrine ; and out of ●gnatius , Irenaeus , Tertullian , &c. what they answered who we●e baptise● . In the Councel of Basil in the Oration of the Cardinal of Rag sium it is said , In principio hujus sacramenti baptizabantur solum illi qui per se sciebant fidem interroganti respondere ▪ The testimonies of this kind are so ●any that I think it superfluous to alledge them . The very form of Common Prayer in propounding th●se questions as they were in Augustines time to infants , is evidence enough of the antiquity of that custome of propounding questions to the baptized . 9. To what I said of the examples of Greg Nazian Chrysos . Augus . Const ▪ the Great to whom I might have added Hierome , of whom Erasmus in his life testifies of his birth of Christian parents , yet not baptized till of age ; Mr. M. answers by referring to what is said before : And I intreat the Reader to look back to what I say before , sect . 89 , 90. and this . 10. In like manner the evidences against infant Baptism from Tertullians and Gregory Nazianzen , disswasion , the testimony of the Councel of Neocaesaria , the silence of Eusebius , Epiphanius , Athanasius , the constant terming it an Apostolical tradition , are referred to what is before said by Mr. M. and by me to my answers to him and others , in those Sections , and sect . 88. For Grotius , what reason I had to alledge him , may be easily discerned by those that know his a●ilities Censura censurae was unknown to me as yeelding me any advantage , 〈◊〉 Mr. M. here minded me of that book . What Vives speaks he had good evidence for , as in part may be seen in what is said before . Strabo's testimony is such as Vossius his exception doth not weaken , but is sundry ways confirmed here . That I could have brought more testimonies , it hath appea●ed in part by this writing , and in part by my Praecusor , sect . 20 and my answer to Dr. Savage in Latine , sect . 13. The more I search i● to the point of antiquity , the more I am confirmed in my position , that infant Baptism is not so ancient as is pretended , as now taught is a late innovation . Nor am I alte●ed from the opinion I had , that none before Zuinglius taught infant Baptism as a priviledge of believers children from federal holiness . Tertullians and Athanasius his words serve not turn to prove it , nor Epiphanius , Cyprian , Nazianzen , Augustine , or Chrysostome so taught it from Circumcision as due to them by vertue of the Covenant to a believer and his seed , but in other manner , as is before shewed . Nor do●h the Pelagians acknowledgement serve Mr. Ms. ●urn therein . The more testimonies Mr. M. might have added , had added no more weight to the cause then those he alledged have done . I did not charge the Ancients that they held that all who died unbaptised were damned ; but that in the case of infants born they taught , that if they died unbaptized they should not enter into the Kingdome of Heaven , but perish , or be damned , though with the mildest damnation : And this is manifest enough from Cyprians Epistle to Fidus , and very many places of Augustine , Tertullian l. de Bapt. c. 12. C●m verò prascribitur nemini sine Baptismo compe●ere salutem ex illa maximè pronuntiatione Domini qui ait : nisi natus ex aqua quis erit , non habet vitam , &c. However Ambrose and Augustine determine of the salvation of grown persons without Baptism , if they believe , desire to be baptized , be Martyrs , yet both they and many more held both Baptism and the Lords Supper to be necessary for infants unto salvation by an Apostolick tradition , as M. Perkins Demonst. of the probleme in the point of Baptism proves , though perhaps they could not reasonably grant the one and deny the other . That Calvin was a m●n well versed in Antiquity for his time it 's not denied , nor that he was a man well acquainted in the Scriptures ; yet that in neither he was in this point in the right , is so fully demonstrated before , that I may safely say Calvin was not therein Calvin as he is in his opposition of the Papists . And if Mr. M. or his friend think it not meet to be tied to Calvins judg●ment in the point of the Sabbath and Lords day and Usury notwithstanding his skill in Antiquity and Scripture , the same in equity is to be allowed to us about the point of Baptism . I like Mr. Ms. acknowledgement with Rive● , that tradition is in most points uncertain , and therefore he that will build sure must build on the Scripture , and therefore we must necessarily come to arguments from the Scriptures , which if they evince not the thing we shall in vain call to Tradition . If Mr. M. had not fi●st in his Sermon forestal●ed his hearers and readers with the pretence o● the Churches possession for 1500. years and upwards , and Dr. Hammond resolved all his proof of infant Baptism into his exposition of 1 ●or . 7.14 . which he had no way to make good but by Tertullian and some of the Ancien●s , I had spared this labour of shewing t●eir and and the Ancien●s mistakes . Tha● Doctrine and practise of Baptism of Infants ●hich Austin saith to be according to the sentence of the Gospel , is reject●d by Pro●estants ; who i● they would in this , as in other things they have done 〈◊〉 , according to Scripture and all their own principles , must baptize no infants till they be made believers ; till then they do but prevaricate , and profane the holy Ordinance of Baptism . SECT . XCIX . Mr. Crs. objections about my 9 untruths , his discourse about re-baptizing are refelled . I Return now to Mr. Cragg . Part 1. sect . 6. he chargeth me with 9 untruths , outvying the number of the lines ; in which he is a false accuser . In the first he mis●recites my words , which were not , that the Epistle affirms , that the baptising of believers had its spring and rise from Nicholas Stork ; but thus , As false it is th●t the baptizing of believers ( called by these Anabaptism ) had its spring and rise from Nicholas Stork and others there named , which were true . For though it was not in those words said by me , that the Epistle did so affirm , yet it is true , 1. That Paedobaptists call the baptizing believers which Nicholas Stork and others practised Anabaptism ; me thinks he should not be so impudent as to deny that those whom they baptized were believers , or that they baptized them , or that that Baptism is called Anabaptism by them . 2. The very words of the Epistle are , the spring and rise of Anabaptism had its beginning after truth , and saith the first Author thereof was Nicholas Stork , then Phipher , &c. there you have the spring and rise of it , and therefore in my words there is no untruth , but Mr. Cr. doth falsely insinuate as if there were folshood and inconsequence in my speech , and sl●nderously make me one of the great disturbers of the late reformation , and the first ●uthor of the disturbance or Anabaptism , and cunningly altering the subject of the Question from Anabaptists to baptizers of believers . The 2d . thing he chargeth on me as untruth , was not expressed as Mr. Cr. in●inuates , that Paedobaptists call the baptizers of belivers Anabaptists , but thus [ the baptizing of believers called by these Anabaptism ] which cannot be denied to be true , unless he deny that the baptizing used was not baptizing , or the baptized no believers , or that they call it not Anabaptism . It is also false that he saith of me , that my judgement and practise is , that all that will be saved must be baptized again , when they become actual believers ▪ and this I put in execution by making as many Proselytes by rebaptising as I can . The 3d. untruth ( as he calls it ) is , that baptising of believers without infants , or excluding infants , had not its spring and rise from Nicholas Stork ; and he notes , that the Epistle affirmed Anabaptism ( which is another thing ) had its spring thence . But he neither shews what other thing Anabaptism is , nor doth he prove it to be an untruth , but by rendring my own instances against it inv●lid . But therein he d●t● bu● abu●e me , who alledged not the instances he brings to prove that proposition he terms an untruth ; nor is there any thing said by him , but what he hath from Mr. Ms. Defence , and is a●swered before here , sect●● ●● 98. The 4th ▪ untruth he ch●rgeth me with , is , that infants Baptism was not commanded by Christ , and he th●●ks to ●vince the contrary from Mat. 28.19 . But he saith ●othing but wh●t is ●●●ully refuted before , Review , part 2. sect . 5 , &c. part 3. sect . 97. and elsewhere , so that I nee● say no more here to it . The 5th . untruth he imagines ▪ is ▪ that infant Baptism was not practised by the Apostles , which being denied by the An●ipaedobaptists , the proof lies upon them . But by his ●●ave the proof lies upon the Paedobaptists , to prove they did baptize infants , sith they claim a right to it , which mu●● be proved by precep● o● example of the doing it . validity●o ●o sh●w infant Baptism not to be according to Gods will , sith in meer positive instituted worship , wherein ●od hath set down what he will have done , he will have it so done , and no otherwise . It is pro●ed b●fore , Review , part 2. sect . 5. &c. part 3. sect . 52 that the Apostles baptized not infants . Mr. Crs. imagined reasons why they might baptize none but of ripe age , de facto , are vain , there being no intimation of any such reason● in the History of the Apostles Acts : Yea , the story is against his surmises , for the converted and baptized did not travel far to hear the Apostles , but the Apostles travelled far to preach to them in their own Cities , and in them they went from house to house , Acts 16.15 , 34. & 20.20 . Hierusalem and all Judea , and all the region round about Jordan are said to go out to John Baptist to be baptized of him in Jordan , confessing their sins , which cannot be meant of infants . Though infants be a par● of a Nation , yet Mat. ●8 . 19 . Is. 2.2 . by nations no infant is meant , nor Luk ▪ 19.19 . is in●ant Baptism intimated . The Baptism of infants is not proved from Act. 16.15 . v. 32 , 33. shew that by the house are meant persons of age : and by so expounding we diminish not Gods word , nor make exception that God hath not made , nor imply a contradiction , nor incur a curse , as Mr Cr. after his vein of pratling , writes . All that Mr. Cr. saith in opposition to what I said of baptizing believers in the first ages continued without any infant Baptism , proves not my words an untruth , nor a frontless assertion , and is answered before , sect . 88 , 89 , 9●●n which , and sect . 90 , 91. all that he brings to evince my 7th . and 8th . untruth ( as he terms my words ) is examined . I justly account infant Baptism a Popish abuse , it being derived from these principles , unwritten tradition , and necessi●y of it to save an infant dying , which are judged Popish errours . And for answer to what Mr. Cr. saith of my 9th . untruth , as he terms it , I refer the Reader to the 9th . Section of my Praecursor , not refelled by Mr. Baxter in his Praefestinantis morator . Sect. 7. Mr. Cr. excepts against me for saying , 1. That the Epistlers assignation of the causes of Anabaptism are vain . 2. That Anabaptism is true Baptism . 3. That the true cause is the light shining from Scriptures and other Authors . 4. That this light was not discovered formerly as now . What he saith against the first , is but a repeating of the reasons , without any confirmation , but some light Poetical peda●ti●ue expression● , which deserve onely neglect . Against the ●d . he gives his reasons against reiteration of Baptism , which are nothing ●o me , who asserted not th●● baptizing twice was true Baptism , but baptizing ●f persons of age professing ●aith though in infancy imagined to have been baptized is true Baptism . Yet do I see no force in the reasons he gives . For 1. in the institution of Baptism , Mat. 28.19 . the precept is to the baptizer , and I presume he doth not think the baptizer is not to reiterate his act of baptizing , yea doubtless he is to baptize as oft as there are Disciples made by him . And as for the act of the baptized , which is implied it is true , neither is it determined to be once or twice , and may therefore seem to be left to liberty . That he allegeth , Whatsoever is not of faith is sin , is clean mistaken by him , the meaning ●eing onely , what a man doth with a doub●ing conscience is sin to him , & so by this reason rebaptization is a sin only to him that doubts of it . And when ●e saith , Whatsoever is not grounded on the Scripture is will worship , I presume he means it of that which is used as worship , and determined to be but once . But then the question is only begg'd , not proved , that Christ hath determined Baptism to be but once . In that which he saith of Act. 19.3 . ( which is an instance of being twice baptized ) I find nothing brought by Mr. Cr. to avoid the force of it . For to be baptized into Johns Baptism can be no other then to be baptized with water according to the pro●ession of Johns Disciples , and this was true Baptism from Heaven , not differing in the nature of it from Christs , as say Protestant Divines ; and it is certain , that to be baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus , i● to be baptized with water into the profession of him , as Act 2. ●8 , 41. & 10.48 . the giving the Holy Ghost is distinctly expressed v. 6. to have been by laying on of hands , and this was on the same persons v. 6. who were ●aid to hear and to be baptised v. 5. and these were not all the people mentioned v 4. bu● twelve onely v. 7. and therefore it is far more probable , and in mine apprehension certain , as the Ancients did conceive , that those twelve were baptized with water twice , once according to the profe●●●on Johns Disciples made at Baptism , and the other according to the Christian. Nor am I moved by the observation of Marnixius , ●p●roved by Beza in hi● annot . in locum , and followed by many others , That the particles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must necessarily answer each other , and therefore ●he words v 4 , 5. be Pauls . For 1. the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put oft , and the matter requires it should be so conceived here , either as an expletive that is without force , to which in the vulgar transla●ion nothing answers , as it is Act 3.21 , 22 , &c. o● an adverb of affirmation , or if it be a conjunction di●cretive , that which answers to it is not that v. 5. there being no good sense , to say , John verily baptised with the Baptism of repent●nce , saying unto the people , that they should believe on him which should come after , that is , on Christ Jesus ; but they hearing this , &c. there being no apt discretion made in such speech , if the particles be discretive , the other part is concealed , and should be to thi● purpose , But the Baptism we use is into the name of the Father , Son , and Holy Spirit , or into the name of the Lord Jesus already come . And for this reas●n the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be expounded as our interpreters , when , or as a meer expletive as in the vulgar . 2. The words Act. 19.5 . do give an obvious plain sense on the other side as the words of Luke , thus , When the twelve , mentioned v. 7. heard this of Paul , that it was Christ ●esus to come after John , on whom John would have his Disciples to believe when he baptized them with the Baptism of repentance , then they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus with express profession of him . Nor is it true that there is express Scripture , Ephes. 4 5. One Lord , one Faith , one Baptism , against the iteration of the same Baptism . For as one Faith notes n●t one act of believing , but one kind of faith from the unity of the object b●lieved , which may be and is one faith though an hundred times iterated ; so one Baptism notes not one act of baptizing , but one kind of Baptism distinct from Pharisaical Baptism into the observance of the Law f●r righteousness , termed one by the profession of the same Doctrine or Lord , though it be an hundred times iterated . The same man baptized an hundred times , and an hundred men once onely baptized , each of them have one Baptism in the ●postles sense , if they be baptized with the same profession ; and the same person though but once baptized , yet if with another profession , hath not that one Baptism there meant : One Baptism is not as much as once baptized and no more , but Baptism into one profession and no other . The 2d . argument is of no force , Baptism is the Sacrament of regeneration , or new birth ; and as Austin hath it , we are ca●nally and naturally born but once , so we are spiritually and supernaturally new born but once ; Faith though it admit of gradations begins but once , Baptism that matriculates us into Christs School is to be performed but once . Answ. The Scripture no where terms Baptism the Sacrament of regeneration ; nor , if the expression be allowed , will it follow Baptism is to be but once . Fo● 1. it doth not follow , natural birth is but once , therefore supernatural new birth , which is onely so metaphorically , is but once ; as it follows not , we die naturally but once , therefore we die to sin , or through sin but once . Natural birth hath not degrees , therefore neither regeneration . 2. Baptism is not regeneration though it were yeelded to be the sacrament of regeneration , and therefore though regeneration could be but once , yet Baptism might be often . 3. ●hose that hold intercision of regeneration and faith ( which I do not ) will say that regeneration may be often , and faith begin of●en . 4. Baptism may be termed the sacrament of regeneration either as the cause or sign of it . If as the cause of it so it should rather follow it should be often administred , as the word is often p●eached to beget us again . If as the sign , so it may often be used to signifie it , though it be but once done ; as the breaking of bread is oft used to signifie Christs death , though he died but once . The 3d. argument , from once Circumcision , is of less force . For neither is it true , that our Baptism succeeds Jewish Circumcision , nor is it proved that in no case a person might be twice circumcised ▪ nor if both these were granted will it follow , that the rule of circumcising but once must be a rule to us of baptizing but once , any more then the Jews Circumcision was tied to the 8th . day , therefore so must our Baptism . Yet this reason of Mr. Cr. may be thus urged against infant Baptism : Circumcision was tied to the 8●h ▪ day , therefore to circumcise on another day were sacriledge ; Baptism is tied to Disciples , or believers , Mat. 28.19 . Mar. 16.15 , 16. therefore to baptize infants who are not Disciples or believers , cannot be justified without sacriledge , at the rate of Mr. Crs. reasoning . The rest of that Section and the next Section need no other answer then what is already made , there being no argument needfull to be answered , nor any thing almost but scosti●g Rhetorick , cavils , mis●representations of my words and the passages a● Disputes , which were rightly represented in the 2d . Section of my Plea. SECT . C. The arguments of Mr. Cragg for infant Baptism are re-examined . MR. Cr. in the dispute at Abergavenny began thus , Some infants may not be baptised , therefore some infants may be baptised ; and this the Relator ( who was likely to be himself , or one whose relation he viewed and approved ) terms an Enthymema . To which in my Plea● answered , 1. the consequence could not be made good according to Logick rules , but by adding this Proposition , All that may not be baptized may be baptized . 2. That it is like these arguings , Some infants may not have the Lords Supper , therefore some may ; some boys are not to be ordained Bishops , therefore some are . To this he replies , Part 2. sect . 1. 1. That the Relator and I were both mistaken : Which if true , it was ill done that he did not rectifie the thing ere i● was printed . 2. That my censure of this arguing as frivolous , arose from ignorance or inadvertency , that betrayed me to a double mistake , 1. That there was no way of arguing consecutive , by two Propisitions , bu● Enthy●ematically , so that they were immediately reducible , to a syllogism compleat in mood and figure . 2. If an Enthymema and reducible , that it must necessarily be resolved into his syllogism as he calls it , All that may not be baptized , may be baptized ; some infants may not be baptized , ergo , some infants may be be baptized . Truly this is so frivolous , and deserves so much contempt , that a fresh man would laugh at it . And then he goes on , I would gladly know to what mood of the first figure ( for it hath sub prae ) his monstrous syllogism belongs , consisting in the premises of two negatives , in the conclusion of an affirmative ; whereby ( as eve●y Puny knows ) two Maximes are violated , 1. That of pure negatives nothing is concluded . 2. That the conclusion should follow the unworthier part , whereas he extracts an affirmative conclusion from negative premises . Answ. I am content that an ingenious fresh man judge whether there were any ignorance , inadvertency or mistake in my answer to this arment , and whether there be not gross ignorance and Sophistry , in his argument , and in the reply impudent boldness to avow such a shamefull act ; and that any wise conscientious Christian judge , whether the argument at first , or this reply , could come out of any other then a wrangling spirit , bent to baffle a respondent , and make sport for a company of vain auditors and readers , without any care befitting a Christian teacher to clear truth . At first when I denied the consequence he proved it not , but brought a syllogism concluding another thing then the consequence ; and whereas then his syllogism appeared to have four terms , he brings another syllogism , in which he would infer , that because subcontraries may be both true , therefore that proposition , Some infants may be baptized , must be true ; as if because both may be true , it follows that proposition must be true : whereas every fresh man knows , that though both may be true , yet it is true also one may be false , and that may be the proposition he infers , notwithstanding the ●o●ce of that rule . Now in the reply he discovers the same spirit . Though his relator ( with whom he must concur , or else they juggle with Readers ) term his dispute an Enthymema , yet he would not have it so conceived , bu● tels us there is a kind of argumentation in Ke●kerm . syst . Log. l. 3. tr . 1. c. 1. defined , one sentence or proposition following another without disposition of the medium as in conversions . But doth he shew there is any such c●nversion , or any other way of consecution of sentences allowed by Keckerman or any Logician in his argumentation ? Then when I had reduced it to that syllogism to which the Enthymeme was to be reduced according to Logick rules , he hath the impudence to term this my syllogism , and ●o suggest as if I were not able to make a syllogism , or reduce that to a syllogism which was reducible , whereas the syllogism was his own virtual●y , as all Logicians know that understand the rule about Enthymemes , though it were formed by me rightly and the monstrosity of it must ●ie at his door , not mine , who value little his judgement of my abilities , better known to others of better esteem then to him . And for the way he new forms it , it is quite another argument then what he made at the dispute , and of which the minor is to be denied , which is thus , There are some infants besides them that are excluded Baptism , but this is contrary to the antecedent in the Enthymeme , Some infants may not be baptised , which should be the minor He adds ▪ that the force of the argument lies in the immediatoness of the propositions , that what belongs not to one of them must needs belong to the other , and a topick rule out of Cracanthorp , and some other instances about divisions , in all which there is nothing but vanity . For let Propositions be immediate , yet w●●n they are opposite as these are , some infants are to be baptised , some not , the one follows not from the other , but the contrary rather , except in those termed subaltern , which are rather subordinate then opposite . His instances of consequences upon a sufficient division , they are all impertinent here , where there is no division of term , but the same terms are in both Propositions . In his answer to my instances he would make a difference between the Propositions about infant Bap●ism and the Lords Supper , and ordination to be Bishops , that the one is in a capable subject , not the other ; but he shews not that an infant is capable of Baptism any m●re then of the Lords Supper , or a boy of ordination ; nor if they were doth the force of the argument ●old more in the one then in the other : and therefore it 's his ignorance to say , no●ut ●ut it is whether this ●llation be good , Some are not , therefore some are to be baptised ; which if right , it will follow in the other instances of Communion and o●dination as well as in it . That which he saith of my grant of the capacity of Ba●tism , because I grant they may be elected and believe and would if I knew it of infants baptize them , follows not ; for though my ignorance hinders not their capacity in themselves , yet it hinders their capacity from mee , I being not warranted to baptize any believer till his faith be manifested to me . Sect. 2. Mr. Cr. goes on to scribble after his usual manner . He had thus dispu●ed , To whom belongs the essence of Baptism they may be baptised , But to some infant , belongs the essence of Baptism , Ergo. To this I said , This Proposition , the essence of Baptism belongs to infants , may have two senses . He replies , as if I distinguished of a two f●ld essence of Baptism ▪ which he terms a Chymaera , the essence of a thing being but one and indivsible ; whi●h shews hee hath some smattering in Metaphisicks , but is impertinent to the thing in hand . For be it all granted , yet a Proposition which speaks of the essence may have a two-fold sense ; and the senses I conceived of his words were rightly set down , and more favourably to Mr. Cr. then his words did deserve . For this Proposition , To some infants belongs the essence of Baptism , must have one of those senses , or a worse , to wit , either that infants are in the definition of Baptism , so as that there is no Baptism but of infants ; or that Baptism is of the essence of infants , so as that they are no infants without Baptism , which are absurd . And to speak truly , the whole argument is ridiculous , take it what way he will , except he give the same sense which I did , and then the minor and the conclusion are all one , and the major meerly tautological , To whom the right administration of Baptism belongs they may be lawfully baptized , But to infants , &c. Ergo ▪ In the other sense it is more vain . For if the essence numerical of Baptism belong to infants then not a moral right is asserted , but either a present or a future event , and so the minor Proposition should be , Some infants are baptized , which is a thing discerned by sense ; or shall be baptized , which were a prediction , but nothing to the point about moral or legal right . To understand it of the specifical essence , makes no sense but what is worse . His proof from the definition is also as vain ▪ For it is a proof of the same by the same : But he tels me , It is not all one as to argue infant Baptism is Baptism , therfore it is right baptism , but it concludes infant Baptism is baptism , therefore infants may be baptized , which is the question by this inference put out of question . To which I reply , this talk 〈◊〉 to me like the words of a crazed man , there being no question between u● about the baptism of infants , whether they may be baptized , that is whether this may be done to them so as that they be passive subjects of it , I never denied that infants may be thus baptized , but the question is whether it may be lawfully done by him that doth it , and then to say they may be baptized is all one as to say infant Baptism is right baptism , and so his argument from the definition is that which he denies not to be vain , infant Baptism is baptism , therefore it is right Baptism . But he thinks to prove from the definition , that infant Baptism is right Baptism , and he sets down his conceits of Baptism , that it is a relation whose fundament is the Divine institution in●olding infants in all nations in severall families , which if he onc● p●ove , he needs prove no more , but here he doth not attempt it , but excepts against me for denying Baptism to be a relation , but an action or passion with a relation superadded , and he brings against me sayings of Divines who call it a signe , which I deny not in respect of the use , but that shews not the nature of it , no more then Circumcision is in its nature a relation , because it is a signe of the Covenant in its use , the carrying a scepter is in its nature a relation , because in its use it is a sign of royalty . What he saith , that I tell not whether it be action or passion , and not to be placed in one category is to be placed in none , is answered by his own confession , that in Baptism is included baptization which is both action and passion , which is enough to shew that Baptism is in its nature either an action or a passion , and may be put in either predicament , and that in different respects a word may be put in divers predicaments , and his talk false , that nothing formally can be placed in two categories , and the rest of his talk about the genus of Baptism being a signe , and other passages to be but mistakes . But he attempts to gain his ●urpose by this argument , Every Sacrament is a relation , But Baptism is a Sacrament , Ergo. To which I answered , both premises ●ight be d●nied , and as a reason of the denial alleged , ● That the term [ Sacrament ] being but a term invented by Latin Fathers , may be laid asi●e . He replies , that the 12. Tables and Tully mention it , therefore it was long before the Latin Christian Fathers ; True , but not in the sense in which Baptism is termed a Sacrament . But , if the word Sacrament be laid aside because a Heathen word , then should also the terms Bishop , Pre●byter , Deacon , be laid as●de also . Answ. No , f●r they are Scripture terms , not so the t●rm Sacrament in the Ecclesiastical sense : Yet again , then Trinity , Unity , Humanity , Antipaedobaptist must be laid aside . Answ. It followes not , yet what ● said of Sacrament I say of them , they may be laid aside , when an argument is drawn from them , as here from the word Sacra●ent . He adds , Besides is there not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mystery in the original ? Answ. It is , but never in the use in which the term Sacrament is used as now it is defined . 2. I alleged that there is no common nature of Sacraments ( not as Mr. Cr. of a Sacrament ) express'd in Scripture , This he saves is untrue in the sequel . For what consequence ? There is no common nature of a Sacrament expressed in Scripture , therefore Baptism is not a Sacrament , more then in this ? There is no common nature of infused grace expressed in Scripture , therefore faith is not an infused grace . Answ. It was not my sequel ; but this , therefore the term Sacrament may be laid aside , and no good argument is from the definition of a Sacrament to prove Baptism to be a relation . The term grace or grace of God , I do much question whether any where in Scripture it be applied to inherent qua●ities in us , or good acts proceeding from us , and I conceive that the use of it in that manner hath occasioned or strengthened the errour of justification by inherent righteousness , because we are said to be justified by grace , and do wish that when approvers of Preachers are directed to examine persons of the grace of God in them , the thing had been otherwise expressed , and that such an expression as the gift by grace , or the like were used ; yet I deny not there is in Scripture a common nature of those gifts by grace in us which accompany salvation , and that faith is a gift by grace infused , inspired , or wrought by the spirit of God. Mr. Cr. saith further , untrue in it self , for though not in one place there may be in many places of Scripture compared together a common nature of Sacraments compared together . And is there not the common nature of a Sacrament expressed in one Scripture Rom. 4.11 . a seal of the righteousness of faith ? This is the judgement of the Ancients , and the most of the Divines of the reformed Churches ▪ Answ. That neither the text Rom. 4.11 . nor the Ancients do so define a Sacrament , is shewed before ; and however the Divines of the Reformed Churches do define thence a Sacrament as the seal of the Covenant , yet not ( as there it is expressed ) a seal of the righteousness of faith ; But of this I have said enough before sect . 31. What I said of Austins definition of a Sacrament , that it is a visible signe of invisible grace , as imperfect ( which I proved by instances ) was without a miscellany of absurdities ; ●f the descent of the Holy Ghost as a Dove were a signe or seal of Christs office of Mediatorship and not of his righteousness of faith , yet it was a visible signe of his holy qualifications , Luk. 4.18 . Joh. 3.44 . and so of invisible grace , and consequently a Sacrament by Austins definition ; Christs washing his Disciples feet , shewed his love and humility , ergo , by Austins definition must be also a Sacrament ; and holding up the hands in prayer shews faith in God ; kissing the Bible in swearing shews appealing to God as Judge or hope in his word , which are invisible graces according to Austin , and according to his definition Sacraments . And though it be added in the Common Prayer book Catechism , ordained by Christ , yet it is not so in Austins definition used by Mr. Cr. in the dispute , and if it had , holding up the hands in prayer had been a Sacrament , being ap●ointed 1 Tim. 2.8 . And for the addition in the Catechism [ as a means to receive the same , and a pledge to assure us thereof ] I know no Scripture that ever made Ci●cumcision , the Passeover , the Lords Supper , or Baptism , meanes to receive invisible grace , and how fa● and in what manner it assures I have before sect . 31. and elsewhere shewed . Enough of Mr. Crs. vain pra●●le in this section . Sect. 3. Mr. Cr. quarrels with my reconciliation of my own words , denying all invisible Churchmembers were to be baptized , but affirming it of vi●ible . He tels me , 1. This distinction is not fitly applied , for the proposition was meant of visible Churchmembe●ship . But 1. however it were mea●t the expression was , God appointed infants Churchmembers under the Gospel , and this might be understood of invisible as well as visible Churchmembership ; and therefore it was fitly applied to take away the ambiguity of the expression . 2. It was fitly applied also to ●l●er my meani●g , and to free my words from contradiction . 2. He tels me my proposition is not true , for all visible Churchmembers are not to be baptized , then all ba●tized before ( they being visible members ) were to be baptized again . But what is this but wrangling , sith the proposition was his own , and I granted it with that limitation in his own sense , of them that were not yet baptized ? He tels me of the state of the question between us , which is impertinent to the present business of cleering my words . He adds , Invisible and visible members differs as Genus and species , all invisible members are visible , but not all visible members invisible , the invisible being extracted out of the visible ; now if all invisible members be also visible , it will inevitably follow they may be baptized , whether visible by profession , or by prerogative and promise of parents or sureties of infants . But what a dotage is this ? Doth visible Churchmember praedicari de pluribus specie differentibus in quid ? If it be asked what is an invisible Churchmember , will any that is in his wits say hee is a visible Churchmember ? Is not this a contradiction , to say all invisible members are visible ? How is it proved that any are visible members of the Christian Church , but by profession of faith ? The like dotage is in what he saith after , that there is an intrinsecal connexion of th●se termes [ actually to receive into Covenant under the Gospel , and to appoint Church-members under the Gospel ] that they are as essentially coincident as to bee a man and a reasonable creature ▪ which makes this proposition to be aeter●ae veritatis , those whom God did actually receive into Covenant under the Gospel , those God did appoint Churchmembers under the Gospel . For is the one to be defined by the other ? Do not these terms express existences restrained to hic and nunc ( for sure actual receiving and appointing are singular acts in ti●e ) not essences ? If these speeches of Mr. Cr. be according to Metaphysical and ●ogical principles , I am yet to seek in them , as having not heard or read of such principles before . And if God did promise before the Law , fore●ell under the Law , actually receive into Covenant under the Gospel , or appoint Churchmembers under the Gospel without faith or profession of ●aith , then infidels are actually in Covenant under the Gospel , and so justified ; then is Mr. Baxters dispute against Antinomians , about the condition of the Covenant and justification false , and if they be Churchmembers without faith or profession of faith and to be baptized , and the truth of Mr. Crs. proposition , those whom God did promise before the Law , foretell under the Law , actually receive in●o Covenant under the Gospel , those God did appoint Churchmembers under the Gospel , have no dependence upon ●aith or profession of faith ; then Mr. Baxters 20 arguments in his 2d . dispute of right to Sacraments against Mr. Blake are fal●e ; so that I need no more but to leave Mr. Cr. to be chastized by his magnified Doctor Mr. Baxter about this point ; and so enough of this section . Sect. 4. He terms this an untruth , that a person may bee in Covenant , who i● not yet born or conceived as my i●stance of Isaac implies , and saith ; It may bee confuted insito argumento , by an argument inbred in the terms , for he implies and that right , that a person must be the subject of being in Covenant , but none who is unborn , and unconceived as Isaac Gen. 17.22 . is a person . ] But this is false , he may be a person though not in present but future existence . Those Ephesians who were el●cted before the Foundation of the world , Eph. 1.4 . were persons when elected , for they were singular men , though not then in actual being but future . Mr. Crs. reasoning in this , is like the reasoning of Adam Medlicot my neighbour , in his book stiled Comfortable doctrine for Adams off-spring , p. 99 ▪ Who will not have any particularly elected before the foundation of the world , because then they were not any where men , and p. 96. that none is absolutely elected till he believe , because not in Christ , and if not in Christ not in election , and one is elected before another because in Christ before another . And in his Honey found in the Lions Carkass , p. 102. Although the purpose of election and reprobation was fully in God before time , yet there could be no absolute or real election or reprobation of men and women , until they had a real and absolute beeing . Surely infants are in Covenant no otherwi●e then by Gods promise or mans vow , or some such act in their behalf , and this may be afore they are in being , and consequently they may be in Covenant afore they are in actual being . If I do not mistake , Mr. Cr. both here Sect. 5. and in the 3d. Part Sect. 9. makes those with whom the Covenant was made Deut. 29.10 . to have been in Covenant , but doubtless the Covenant there was made with the posterity yet unbegotten v. 14 , 15. for no other can bee meant by him that was not with them that day , all that were born or begotten then of the Congregation of Israel , whether by nature or Proselytism being present , as the words v. 10 , 11. shew , and the end of the Covenant being to prevent the Apostasie of their posterity v. 18. therefore the unbego●ten were in Covenant . Nor is it a good argument , A man is in Covenant , ergo he is , any more then a man is elected therefore he is , these termes being termini diminuentes , as Logicians speak ; and the verb ( est is ) in these speeches not noting the present existence of the subject of these propositions , but of the act of the person who elects or covenants . A child unbegotten may be said to be in a copy or a deed , and so in covenant in respect of the assuring an estate to him wh●n hee shall be existent . But Mr. Cr. tels me , 2ly . It is a false suggestion that to have a Covenant made to one is to be in Covenant , if by having the covenant made to ( for the phrase is somewhat strange ) ●e meant ( as he can mean nothing else ) a promise from God to be and be in covenant , for a promise may be made to or of one , long before he hath any being , nor executed or performed till long after his being ; Then to be elected and ●o be in covenant would be both one , then Mary Magdalen and Paul while a persecutor were in covenant , nay from eternity to be in covenant would precede outward an● inward calling , conversion , profession and prerogative of birth , then which nothing can be more ridiculous . Answ. It is so far from being ridiculous , that to me it is very plain to be in covenant precedes calling , and to be in covenant is to have a covenant made to one , and that a person is said to be in covenant with God by Gods promise to be his God though the man be not existent . This is in my apprehension that which Paedobaptists mean by being in covenant , for they usually say infants are in covenant , which sure they mean of Gods promise to them , for they prove it from Gen. 17.7 . Acts 2.39 . Nor can they mean it of any other being in covenant , sith there is no act of any infant or any other for him , that can denominate him in covenant with God in the time of the Gospel , but Gods promise , which is long before the being of those to or for whom it is made , Tit. 1.2 . Gal. 3.16 , 17. And thus two Kingdomes are said to be in league and covenant , and they that are born many yeers after may be said to be in covenant by vertue thereof . This being in covenant may be , though the things covenanted be not executed or performed till long after the being in covenant , as persons first enter into covenant and then perform . And yet to be in covenant and to be elected would not be both one , though attributed to the same persons , si●h there is a different formal conceit of them , election being an immanent act , covenant a transient , that from eternity , this in time , as to be justified and sanctified are not both one , though to the same persons . Nor is it any absurdity to say Paul was in cove●ant while a persecutor , nor that to be in covenant precedes conversion , sith i● is by vertue of being in covenant that one is converted , Heb. 8.10 . Rom. 11.26 , 27. As for being in covenant with God by prerogative of birth , I know not of any such in the time of the Gospel . Thirtdly ( saith Mr. Cr. ) It is of the same leven of untruth , that Isaac was in Covenant when he was not yet born , which his own quotation , Gen. 17.21 . proves against him . For he saith he will establish a Covenant with Isaac in the future , not that he does establish a Covenant in the present . Answ. Surely Isaac was a child of the promise , Rom. 9.8 , 9. and Jacob , v. 11. afore they were born , and ●●nsequently in the Covenant ; and when God said he would establish his Covenant with Isaac , he meant no other then the Covenant made with Abraham , and therefore it was made to him then , and he in Covenant , though confirmed and performed after . Mr. Cr. saith of my speech , that a person is not actually received into Covenant till he is born , and by some acts of his own eng●geth himself to be Gods , That it is founded upon the basis of this mistake , that every Covenant must be expresly and actually mutual between both parties ; and talks after his foolish fashion , as if it were an argument sophistically ( though sillily ) drawn a negatione unius speciei ad totum genus : But this is his meer cavil . For my reason added , receiving importeth an offering , which is to be done by profession , shews I inferred it otherwise . Against which his exception is in these words , as if more were to be required for admission of visible members into Covenant , then was for admission , or actual receiving of Christ as God ▪ man and Mediator to be visible head of the Church . To which I reply , When and how Christ was visible head of the Church , is a point that requires much discussion . To be head of the Church imports direction , government , &c. To be visible head , is to do these things discernably by reason from something sensible . That he was visible head of the Church till he was manifest to Israel , and how he was visibly head of it but by his preaching , calling Disciples , or how he was actually received as such but by believing on his name , Joh. 1.11 . or how he was admitted visible head but by Johns Declaration , his Baptism of him , the Spirits descent on him , and his Fathers Proclamation of him , or how any according to the Evangelical order are admitted visible members into Covenant but by their own profession of faith , and thereupon being baptized , I understand not . But as for my speech , I see not how it imports that which Mr. Cr. would have it to do , but onely , That being actually received into Covenant doth import an offer or tender on his part who is to be received , which however it might be under the Law , yet sure in the Gospel is no other way but by the persons own profession ; and this neither smels rank of Heresie nor Blasphemy , but Mr. Crs. conceit as if under the Gospel some might be received into Covenant , and admitted as visible members representatively by others , who are their Proxies , and engage for them , they being but meer passives without any voluntary act of their own , is but an innovation from what Christ or his ●postles appointed o● practised ; and his acknwledgement that it is not necessary that a Covenant be mutual , that the Covenant Ezek. 36.26 . Gen. 15.8 . & 17.9 . are such as wherein one party maketh the Covenant without mentioning the other but as patient , serves me to prove what I assert before , sect . 45. against Mr. Bl. that a Covenant is not always a mutual agreement , and that a person is said to be in Covenant in that a Covenant is made to him , and this may be to persons not actually existent , against Mr. Cr. in this Section . Mr. Cr. to prove that God did promise to Abraham that infants should be in Covenant under the Gospel , alledgeth Gen. 17.7 . and thus a●gue . He that makes an everlasting Covenant to Abraham and his seed after hi● in their generations , pro●●●ed that infants should be in Covenant und●r the Gospel ; God made an everlasting Covenant with Abraham and his seed after him , Ergo. To this I said I had many exceptions ; for besides those to which Mr. Cr. here replies , I might and do deny his major for another reason then I did before . For now by his words p. 254. I perceive by being in Covenant under the Gospel , he means an outward and visible Covenant , like to which he hath p. 155. and p. 261. he calls this an impregnable rock which the Anabaptists will never overthrow , that to be circumcised or baptized is all one as to be in visible Covenant ; and p. 158. he saith , I clearly affirm with all the Reformed Churches , that all in visible Covenant a●e subjects of Baptism , and all subjects of Baptism are in visible Covenant . I must confess , Imagined that Paedobaptists if th●y would speak plainly could mean no other by the being of infants in Covenant under the Gospel but their being baptized ; and so their argument , infants are in Covenant , ergo to be baptized , is but a meer tautology , or worse , they are baptized therefore they are to be baptized . But I think I have sect . 25. before shewed , that the distinction of outward and inward Covenant as the Paedobaptists use it , is either non ens or non-sense , and I now deny this Proposition , He that makes an everlasting covenant to Abraham and his seed after him in their generations promised that infants should ●e in covenant under the Gospel , not onely for the reason given in the Dispute , but also because I now perceive he means ( unless he still juggle , as I fear he will in the use of the phrases being in covenant , the covenant is made , &c. ) that God promised that infants should be baptized under the Gospel , which is too ridiculous a sense to be put upon the promise of being a God to Abraham and his seed , Gen. 17.7 . much unlike Christs exposition of the phrase , Luke 20.38 , 39. and seems to be the attempt of men that have for their baby-sprinkling resolved to avow the grossest absurdities . But to keep to the Dispute as it hath been printed . I said the covenant Gen. 17.7 . to Abraham and his seed after him in their generations , if it be understood of the natural seed of Abraham , the everlastingness of it was but for a time , and that time afore the Gospel as in the next verse ; the possession o● Canaan is promised to be everlasting , and yet the Jews now dispossessed of it . Which Mr. Cr. grants , and therefore must needs grant , that the promise v. 7 though it be termed everlasting , yet it is to be understood onely of a limited time , as in other passages , Exod. ●1 . 6 . & 12.24 . &c. if meant of the natural seed of Abraham . To this he replies , How doth that follow ? If it had been with a particle of exclusion , onely to the natural seed , there might have b●en some colour of Dispu●e ; and yet without all controversie , the everlastingness of it is extended even to the na●ural seed of Abraham ; for there hath been , is ▪ and will be a succession of Jewish believers to the end of the world ; which proves that in his sense it 's false , that the everlastingness of it was but for a time , and that time afore the Gospel . Answ. My meaning was plain enough , that the Covenant as it was Evangelical , that is , as it contains a promise of the Spirit , justification , &c. ( which is the onely Gospel Covenant I know ) if meant of the natural seed of Abraham , that is , the generality , or body of them was but for a time afore the Gospel , which I learned from our Lord Christ , who foretold Mat. 21 43. that the Kingdome of God should be taken from them , and the Apostle saith was accomplished , Rom 11.20 . that the branches , meaning the Jewish people , were broken off by unbelief : and this is true , though it be true also that there have been a succession of Jewish believers still , they being a remnant onely according to the election of grace , Rom 1● . 5 . and thus they were not meerly Abarhams natural seed , but also his spiritual , to wit , elect and true believers , to whom I never denied the Covenant to be simply everlasting . Mr. Cr. adds . But the truth is , it is not onely meant of the natural seed , but of the spiritual seed of Abraham , both whereof successively and in part , if not altogether concomitantly ( for there were always Proselytes ) i● is everlasting , or to the end of the world . Answ. If Mr. Cr. me●n , that to the natural seed , who are also the spiritual seed , the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . is simply everlasting , I grant it ; but this doth no way advantage Mr. Cr. For then it will onely follow , that to such infants as are not onely the natural seed of Abraham or a believer , but also are themselves believers , God hath promised they shall be in Covenant under the Gospel ; which would not be true of all the infants of believers , or any but the elect : If he mean it as it is there meant ( as appears by the next words , v. 8. ) being understood of the natural seed of Abraham of the nation or people of Israel , and not of a remnant of them , it can be true onely of a limited everlastingness , and not at all of the Gentile believers infants , and so is not at all for Mr. Crs. purpose . But he tels me , It follows not , unless the same word in adjoyning verses must necessarily signifie the same thing ; which if so , an argument might be drawn against the Infiniteness and Eternity of the Deity from these words , God of Gods and Lord of Lords , Gods and Lords in the latter signifies creatures , therefore in the former ; but how inconsequently in both , a child may judge . Answ. My arguing needs not proceed thus , but is good against Mr. Cr. thus , The term [ everlasting ] signifies a limited everlastingness afore the Gospel , v. 8. therefore it may be so meant v. 7. and if meant of the body of the Israelitish people who were the natural seed of Abraham , it must be so meant , otherwise it were not true . And for his instance , I think the argu●ent not good as he makes it ; yet it follows , the term [ God ] doth not necessarily of it self infer infiniteness and eternity , but when it is appl●ed to the most High God the Creatour , who is the God of Gods , because it is sometimes spoken of Creatures . But Mr. Cr. tels me , That v. 8. can be true onely in one of these senses , that they had title to all the Land of Canaan , though not actual possession of it , or that it was a type of the everlasting spiritual Canaan , in which senses from Abraham they possessed it ; or that the plenary , and full possession of the whole begins at the conversion of the Jews , and shall last from thence to the end of the world without interruption , because neither Abraham nor his seed had actual possession of all the Land of Canaan ; none of these will support Mr. T. his declining cause . Answ. That the land of Canaan , Gen. 17.8 . must be meant of that part of the earth so called is manifest from the expression , wherein thou art a stranger , or the land of thy sojournings , and might be , if need were , proved by multitudes of other Scriptures And that the seed of Abraham is that which is natural and afore their later conversion , is apparent from v. 9 , 10. where the seed to whom the land of Canaan is promised are enjoyned to be circumcised , and the term possession v. 8. cannot be meant of a mere title , for that 's implied in the words will give , but the possessi●n is distinct from it and consequent upon it , therefore I choose rather to untie Mr. Crs. knot by expounding it thus , I will give to thee and to thy seed after thee all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession , but not altogether , thou shalt possess a part in thy time as a pledge of the whole , as his burying place was , and thy seed in Joshua's and Davids time shall possess the whole , and this shall be not onely a place to sojourn in , but a possession for them to dwell in , and that everlasting , that is , f●r many ag●s , as Phine●as his Priesthood is termed everlasting , Numb . 25.13 . so long as they shall keep my Covenant and observe my statutes . Now this will serve thus far to support my cause , which is still standing and not declining , to shew that the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . as it is made to the natural seed of Abraham is termed everlasting , that is , for a limited time afore the Gospel ; which sense also the terms for ever and everlasting have , Exod. 12.14 . & 21.6 . Numb . 25.13 . &c and so the major Proposition of Mr. Cr. justly denied , He that makes an everlasting covenant to Abraham and his seed after him in their generations , promised that infants should be in Covenant under the Gospel . Sect. 5. Mr. Cr. endeavours to draw Gal. 3.8 . to his purpose , to prove a continuance of the Gospel Covenant to the end of the world , to Abraham and his seed , by paraphrasing it thus ; That the Scripture foretold that God would justifie the Heathen through faith , that is , the partition Wal● should be pulled down , and the Heathen nations should profess faith as visible members , whereof some should be actually justified as members invisible . But besides his inept expression of [ heathen nations ] which is all one with nations nations , he abuseth the text by paraphrasing [ through faith ] thus ; that the nations should profess faith as visible members , when it should be , shall be true believers as Abraham was , and would justifie the nations , by whereof some should be actually justified , whereas the text mentions no other then should be justified ; and v. 9. terms them , they that are of the faith , who are blessed with Faithfull Abraham , and onely meant by the nations , v. 8. Mr. Cr. tels me , 1. That I injuriously mis-report his allegation , as that he urged this argument drawn from Gal. 3.8 . to prove that Abrahams natural seed were promised to be in Covenant under the Gospel , whereas he urged it to prove the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . to have been a Gospel Covenant made with Abraham and his seed , that is proprofessors and believers , whether carnally descended from him or no. But sure he that reads his first argument in his Sermon p. 88 , 89. and his Defence p. 256. where his words are , the minor I prove from Gen. 17.7 . where the infants of believing parents are implied , it being a Covenant not only established with Abraham , but with his seed after him in their generat●ons for an everlasting Covenant , by vertue of which Isaac and all succeeding male infants were circumcised ; now sure these were Abrahams natural seed , and here the Covenant is everlasting , and therefore according to Mr. Crs. reasoning to extend to the end of the world , and the infants of believing parents , who are their natural seed , are , he saith , implied ; which can be no otherwise then as Abraham is imagined to be taken for each believer , and the believers natural seed proportionably correspondent to Abrahams natural seed , by prerogative of birth , as he there speaks , and then adds . In Gal. 3.8 . there is implied Abrahams seed , in that it was a Gospel Covenant , and that in him all nations shall be blessed , and is directly for me , for it asserts the Covenant , and in that justification to the believing Gentiles , not onely from Abraham● promise , but also a promise to them and their seed ; which plainly shews that he imagines Gal. 3.8 . the Gospel Covenant , to be a promise to believers and their seed who are their natural seed , as in Abraham his seed is implied , which conformably must be his natural . And if Mr. Cr. did not in the dispute mean Abrahams natural seed he went from the point to be proved , and by me denied , that the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . was not simply everlasting to the natural seed of Abraham , sith they were dispossessed of Canaan . His suggestions therefore of my using officious untruths and pious frauds , are but the venome of his spirit which throughout his book he discovers , and most pestilently in that Section , for which the Lord rebuke him . What he next saith , that when I say the thing promised Gal. 3.8 . was justification , and that of the heathen and that through faith , therefore this text proves not Abrahams natural seed in Covenant under the Gospel , is , As if all this might not be , and yet some of the natural seed of Abraham be in covenant under the Gospel , who professed , were justified and had faith as well as the heathen ; which I grant ; but then they were not onely Abrahams natural seed but also his spiritual , to which I grant the Covenant is made Gen. 17.7 . and is everlasting , and if he can prove infants of believers to be such , there 's no question but they are in Covenant under the Gospel and to be baptized , till then he can never prove either from Gen. 17.7 . or Gal. 3.8 . that Abrahams natural seed , much less infants of believing parents to be in the Gospel covenant , which whether hee had reason to bee ashamed of attempting the Reader may judge . That the entring into Covenant , Deut. 29.10 , 11. was a tran●●unt fact and not a thing perpetually binding , I had thought none would deny ; nor argue as Mr. Crag doth , it was by command , Deut. 29.1 . they wer● v. 29. to do the words of the Law , and that was a command , and the revealed things belong to them and their children for ever , therefore the entring into Covenant v. 10 , 11. was a command perpetually binding under the Gospel , which is too frivolous to spend time in answering , and his argument , that if wives and servants were in Covenant under the Gospel much more infants , is alike frivolous , ●ith he himself makes no other then believing wives and servants in Covenant under the Gospel , which when he proves of infants their being in Covenant will not be denied . This is enough in answer to that Section and most of the 8th . and 9th . Sections of the third part . I said his allegation is vain of Heb. 8.6 . to prove that if infants were in covenant under the Law they are in covenant under the Gospel , whereas the meliority of the Covenant is not placed in the extent to the sort of persons ; He asks me , what then ? will it follow , if a Covenant was made to no more then before , therefore not to all that were before ? Answ. No , yet it will follow that the text is vainly alledged to prove the co-extension to persons , that speaks not at all of that thing , nor is it at all to the purpose , that it is extended to more , to wit to Gentiles . For 1. however that text speaks not of it . 2. It is extended to more nations of the world besides the Jews , but to none but believers of those nations , and consequently not to infants of believing parents as such . That the new Covenant contains promises of better things then the old Covenant , and differs more then in administrations , is shewed before Sect. 43. and yet the●e is no such thing implied as if there were salvation in any other then Jesus Christ , unless he could prove salvation were by the promises of the Law. My third Paradox ( as he cals it ) that the promises of the Gospel are not to any other then the elect and true believers , is proved before Sect. 33. That there are in the Gospel Covenant promises of external ordinances made to all visible members , is more then Mr. Cr. proves or any other , and therefore I count it a figment , I know none but spiritual promises in it , which Mr. Cr. grants are made absolutely and terminated or performed onely to the elect and invisible members , which is the same with my Paradox , but hath more assertors then his most gross speech , that the meliority of the Covenant consists principally in outward ordinances , manner of administration and dispensation , extent and amplitude of the proposal , not of grace and glory . He adds , of which there was alwayes the same reason ; Enoch , Abraham , Eliah , Moses , were as well justified by faith , which is true , but not according to the Covenant of the Law , but by the Covenant of the Gospel , which it seems Mr. Cr. understands not , though he assume the title of a Preacher of the Gospel . Mr. Cr. saith of me , His last assertion is , that because the promises of the Gospel are not to any other then the elect , and true believers , therefore they are not to infants as the natural seed of believers : The antecedent is proved to be false , for though the spiritual part of Gospel promises is absolutely performed and terminated to the elect , yet they are conditionally proposed to all Professors ; and the external part , which consists in administration of ordinances , is equally belonging to all visible members . But are the promises to all professors because they are conditionally proposed to them ? If so , we may say the promises are to the most obstinate infidels , to eve●y man in the world , for to them they are conditionally proposed . Sure this is not according to the doctrine of the Scripture which makes the promises to bee the believers inheritance , 2 Cor. 1.20 . 2 Pet. 1.4 . Gal. 3.16 . & 4.28 . Heb 6.12 , 17. according to the doctrine of Protestan●s , the Saints Legacy , yea Paedobaptists make them their priviledge , Rom. 9.4 . though the promises there were other promises . As for an external part of Gospel promises , which consists in administration of ordinances equally belonging to all visible members , it is a mere figment no where in Scripture ; And the sayings of Mr. Cr. Part. 3. Sect. 11. p. 261. [ Christ is said Heb. 8.6 . to be a Mediator of a better Covenant , which could no● be , if infants , that were in covenant , under the Law , were out of covenant under the Gospel , and is grounded upon this impregnable rock , which the Anabaptists will never overthrow , that to be circumcised or baptized is all one as to be in visible covenant : that the reason of baptizing or circumcising a person is their birth right , tuition , self-profession , whereby they are visibly admitted into covenant , that what he hath said Examen part . 3. sect . 1. Antipaed . part . 1. sect . 5. touches not the true state of the Controversie , but is a confused Maze intricated with his fallaciâ decumanâ , or master fallacy of Gods making , whereas he should say , completing his Covenant onely with the elect , Heb. 8.6 . the new Covenant is a better Covenant not onely positively , because it is established upon better promises in circumstantials , but also because it is extended to move all nations ; negatively would not be better , if any sexe , age , degree were excluded ] contain such a heap of mistakes and untruths as is not elsewhere usually found in the most heedless scribler . For ● . if the first speech were true , then unless we grant infants to be baptized , which is in his language , to be in Covenant , either the new Covenant shall not be better then the old , or Christ not mediatour of it , which is as much as to say , if infants who were circumcised under the Law be not baptized under the Gospel then the promises of the Spirit , justification , Gods writing his laws in the heart , teaching , forgiving sins cannot be better then the promises of the Law , which assure righteousness and life to the keepers of the Law , or Christ cannot be Mediatour of the new Covanant , which if it be not a more monstrous conceit and to be more abhorred by Christians then ever any Popish conceit of the necessity of baptism to infants to prevent exclusion out of heaven , for which Austin is by Mr. Cr. himself reckoned the hard Father of infants , I know nothing . Sure all that doubt of infant Baptism , must by this reason either doubt whether it were not as good to be under the Law as under the Gospel , or whether Christ be a better Mediatour then Moses . 2. It is a monstrous boldness in him to tell us of a visible Covenant of so great necessity , and never tell us distinctly what it contains , nor where it is to be found , especially when not onely my self , but his Oracle Mr. Baxter , hath written so much against it , as hee hath done in his Apology against Mr. Blake . 3. It is alike confidence in his own conceits , to tell us , that it is an impregnable rock which the Anabaptists will never overthrow , that to be circumcised or baptised is all one as to be in visible Covenant , and yet shew us none that useth such language but himself . How doth hee think I or any other should answer his arguments , which are vented in such gibberish as no Dictionary or Author , or use makes intelligible ? Is not his own first agument in his Sermon here pag. 254. Those ( meaning under the Gospel ) that are in Covenant with God ( meaning outward and visible , which according to him is all one as to be baptized ) ought to have the seal of the Covenant which is baptism , But infants of Believing parents are in the Covenant with God ( that is in his language in the outward Covenant which is all one as to bee baptized ) therefore they ought to have the seal of the Covenant , which is baptism . In which he plainly makes 1. baptism the Covenant , and yet the seal of it . 2. He argues in this manner , infants are baptized therefore they are baptized , which either merely an inept tautology , such as boyes in Schools would hiss at in a Freshman , or else it infers from baptism already done baptism to bee done , which Paedobaptists call Anabaptism , and so Mr. Cr. is turned an Anabaptist . 4. Hee tels us , this is an impr●gnable rock which the Anabaptists will never bee able to overthrow ( though it be a Castle in the Air built by his imagination and will of it self vanish ) that the reason of baptizing a person is his birth right , tuition , which proceeds onely on that conceit as if there were the same reason of Baptizing as of Circumcising , which is oft before shewed to bee false . 5. If his words [ whereby they are visibly admitted into Covenant ] bee referred to the outward Covenant and baptizing , then the sense is Anabaptistical , by baptizing they are admitted to baptism , i● to [ birthright , tuition ] and admission bee meant as Mr. Baxter in his Book of Baptism page 24. then the sense is , by birth right persons are baptized and so they baptize themselves and need no other baptism besides Birth right . 6. Hee corrects me for saying God makes , when I should say completes , as if the Translators of Heb. 8.8 . were mistaken , or Gods making his Covenant were not his completing it , or he did not complete the Covenant hee made . But this exception of Mr. Crag shews either his ossitancy or unskilfulness ; sith it is the same word in Jerem. 31.31 , 32 , 33. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to strike , rendered in the Greek LXX by the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and so Heb. 8.10 . & 10.16 . which is as much as to dispose or put , and Heb. 8.9 . by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I made although it be v. 8. rendred by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will complete , so that this exception is but nodus in scirpo , out of a cavelling vein . 7. He saith , I do not touch the true state of the controversie Exam. par . 3. sect . 1. Antipaed . part . 1. sect . 5. though it be the very hinge of it , unless they mean no otherwise by being in Covenant then baptism , and then I must confess there is no controversie about the consequence of Mr. Ms. argument Infants are in Covenant , that is to be baptized , therefore they are to be baptized , but the argument to be derided as nugatory , as indeed it is . 8. He terms my dispute there a confused Maze intricated , which either his ignorance or impudence prompted him to do , sure he shews no confusedness in it . 9. He calls my proposition of Gods making his covenant onely with the elect or spiritual seed , my Master fallacy , and yet it is proved from Scripture before , and acknowledged by Protestants , yea Mr. Cr. himself to be true . 10. He takes on him to foretell no satisfaction to be expected from the third part of my Review before hee sees it . 11. He saith Heb. 8.6 . the new Covenant is a better Covenant , because it is established on better promises in circumstantials and extended to move all nations , which are not in the text . 12. H● saith , it would not bee better if any sexe age or degree were excluded , which being meant of the outward Covenant , it were as if he said , the new Covenant were not better then the old if an infant of a day old were excluded baptism . Hee tels mee pag. 140. His consequent is also unsound , for the internal and spiritual part may be made intentionally to infants as the spiritual seed of believers , and yet the external part and that of Ordinances to infants as the natural seed of Believers , as well under the Gospel as under the Law ; In which passage the phrase spiritual seed of believers is a new notion , intimating that believing fathers beget them spiritual , contrary to John 3.6 . and that there is in the Gospel promises a part which is of ordinances , which is a figment , and that belongs to the natural seed of believers which is fal●e , and that my consequent is unsound for that reason , which if it were good the consequent is sound nevertheless . What hee adds , if the external part under the Gospel belong not to infants , the Gospel and that made with Abraham are two distinct Covenants and essentially different , and that made with Abraham and his seed carnal , as the carnal Anabaptists affirm , their portion no better , then Turks they made ( as Calvin observs ) as beasts , whereas the Covenant Gen. 17.7 . is everlasting ] is true thus far , that the Covenant Gen. 7.17 . so farre as it did assure righteousness to Abrahams spiritual seed by faith was the Gospel Covenant the same with ours , made in Christ and everlasting , but this is nothing to prove that there was such an external part of outward ordinances belonging to infants in that Covenant . But that Covenant is mixt , Mr. Cr. himself saith , there was a promise of Canaan and temporal blessings in it though in the main the Covenant were spiritual , and that part belonged to the Israelites by nature onely , not to our children at all . So that Mr. Crags terms of carnal and gross put upon us , and Calvins observation are but reproaches and calumnies by Mr. Cr. and other Paedobaptists , devised and used by them wickedly to make us odious : but in time their wickedness will return on their own head . Sect. 7. Mr. Crs. speeches of infants sad condition without baptism , are like the Popish talk of the necessity of baptizing infants that they may enter into Gods kingdome . By denying their baptism we deprive them not of Gods Covenant . The priviledges Rom. 3.2 . & 9.4 . were peculiar to the Jews ; Did he write with heed , he would not say they belong to infants of Gentiles under the Gospel . When I say Baptism is not an ordinary meanes of salvation without faith , I mean that no ones baptism but the baptism of true believers is an ordinary meanes of salvation , which is true , though there may be true baptism without true saving faith if it be professed . His talk of preaching to infants by presenting objectively the benefit of that which is preached without manifesting to the understanding , is another of his wild conceits . It 's no contradiction to say infants are not saved by ordinary meanes , to wit , preaching the word , &c. and yet to say they are saved by election , redemption , the work of Gods spirit , sith by ordinary means I understand and so do others , the Word and Sacraments and Christian discipline . It is false he saith of me p. 146. that I confess if I knew infants were elected I would baptize them , or that here I acknowledge of the species or sort of believers infants , that they are not onely elected of God but redeemed of Christ and have the work of his spirit . Sect. 8. the major of his Syllogism [ That which was proposed and entertained with success amongst the Jews , which were the natural seed of Abraham , was not onely made with the spiritual seed of Abraham ] p. 147. is denied , he is grossely mistaken in conceiving believing Jews were not Abrahams spiritual seed : and his arguing that many of the natural seed of Abraham were believers under the Gospel , Rom. 4.11 , 12. to prove it confirms the contrary . For all that are true believers ( not every professour of faith ) or elect are Abrahams spiritual seed , and this I often expressed plainly , and Mr. Cr. knew well enough ; but says I speak ambiguously , that he may have some colour for his random roving talk of persons in visible Covenant being children of the promise and Abrahams seed , which is much of it non-sense , unproved dictates , and quite beside the meaning of the texts Rom. 4.11 , 12 , 16. & 9.8 . which make none Abrahams seed , and children of the promise Gen. 17.7 as it was Evangelical , but true believers or elect persons , as is amply before proved Sect. 28 , 29. The rest of his scribling in that Section runs on these two mistakes , 1. That there is now under the Gospel a national Church as the Jews was , and that the expression Ephes. 3.6 . may be applied to this whole Nation . 2. That there is such an outward visible Covenant which God hath made with such a whole visible National Church , which is not proved from Deut. 29 , 10 , 12. Joh. 1.11 . Psal. 50.5 . Joh. 15.2 . two of which speak not at all of the Gospel Covenant , nor of Gods making a Covenant with them , but of theirs with God , the 2d . is expresly meant onely of true believers , the 4th . of being a branch in Christ ( which it's true may be meant of a visible professour ) but not of being in the Gospel Covenant of grace , in which none any where are said to be , nor is God said any where to make it to any but true believers or elect persons , as is proved Sect. 33. There is not any thing Sect. 9. that I need reply to , saving that he grants that the Gospel Covenant of grace Heb. 8.10 , 11 , 12. is made onely to the elect , if by the Covenant I mean the end , event and success thereof , which I confess I do , and acknowledge that I abhor any conceit to the contrary , as if God should make a Covenant to any , which should not have the end event and success answerable to his promise , and therefore this Covenant promising things , which none in the event have but the elect , can bee said to be made by God to none but them , unless we will charge God with falshood , mutability or impotency . Sect. 10. That Isa. 49.21.23 . is a prophesie of the reducing the Jews from Babylonish captivity is evinced from v. 19 , 20 , 21. in that the description of the places wast and desolate , the land of their destruction , the place which was too strait are meant of the land of Canaan , and Mr. Cr. himself thus v. 20. the place is too strait for me , that is the Land of Canaan is too narrow to contain the whole Church , and he himself expounds after , thou hast lost the other , v. 20. of the natural seed of Abraham , and the being desolate , a captive , and removing too and fro off Jerusalem : But he will have it meant of the time after the destruction by Titus , and the dispersion after it , for we never find it verified literally that the Land of Canaan was too strait during the time of captivity ( as the words point ) to contain the Jews . But where do the words point that the Land of Canaan was too strait during the time of captivity to contain the Jewes . The words point at the multitude of Jews after the return from the Babylonish captivity , at which time according to Zechariah his prophesie , ch . 8.3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. the Jews mightily encreased and prospered , and the place desolate confessedly being meant of Canaan and Jerusalem , and the Jewes the Captives , the sense of v. 22 , 23. is meant undoubtedly ( in the first sense of the words ) of the Jews reduction from captivity , which was not true of them after the destruction by Titus , therefore of their return from Babylon by Cyrus , and other Persian and Grecian Kings and Queens favour . The like may be inferred from v. 24 , 25. for therein i● foretold that they which were taken captive ( who were the Jews ) should be delivered . But Mr. Cr. saith , That one Democritus would not be enough to laugh at , nor three Anticyra's suffice to purge that head , that would attempt from hence to draw an argument to prove the fore-going conclusion : the words are these , even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away ; from whom ? From Cyrus , Arta●●rxes , Darius , Ab●su●rus ? That would imply a contradiction , for he confesses that these were nursing fathers that did bring back the Jews from captivity ; the prey of the terrible shall be delivered , children are not preys to their nurses , nor are their nurses terrible to their children . ) But we need not make the mighty and terrible the ●ame with the deliverers or nurses . The Chaldean Princes were the mighty and terrible to whom the Jews were captives and a prey , and Cyrus and others after deliverers and nurses . Yet did we make them the same persons there were nothing ridiculous in it , sith the Jews were at first their captives , and prey , and they terrible to them , and yet not long after deliverers and nurses . So that we may retort Mr. Crs. words thus ; One Democritus ( except such a scoffer as Mr. Cr. ) would not bee enough to laugh at , nor three Anticyra's suffice to purge that Craig that makes such a silly refutation . What he adds to disparage Mr. Gattakers notes may be dispelled by reading the notes , nor is he alone in the sense hee gives , Grotius in his annot . agrees in that thing with Mr. Gattaker . And for the contents of the Chapter though there is not sufficient reason to ascribe them to the Church of England , they being made by one Translator though allowed by others without any Canon , or Act of Parliament establishing them , yet I see not that they make against my sense , but the making the content of v. 24. to be the powerful deliverance out of captivity , did in the Dispute and doth still seem to make for my sense of delivery or returning of the ●ews out of the Babylonish captivity , which being derided by Mr. Crs. party shewed the levity of their spirits , to whom this book shews him to be too like . Which is seen in his alleging my words ( not p. 14. as he cites them but p. 16. ) against my reason ; which he makes my interpretation , though if hee had added my words [ and if so ] it would have appeared that I spake not those words as my interpretation . And for his allegation of Gods saying to Moses thy children which thou hast brought out of Egypt , I remember not where it is used ; but [ thy people Exod. 3● . 7 . ] And for Mr. Crs. reconciliation , I do not conceive it may be congruously to speech so paraphrased , the Gentiles shall bring thy sons , that is the Churches by spiritual succession , the Gentiles by natural generation , Gods that is mine by adoption . It may be accommodated mystically to the conversion of the Gentiles as shadowed out by the reducing of the Jews from captivity , and yet make nothing for infants Churchmembership or Baptism . For though I yeeld in the litteral sense infants to be comprehended , yet in the mystical sense humble persons , or mean contemptible persons , or new born babes , this is believers desiring the word , may be meant . If the words be mystically meant , yet the words are not a prophesie of a prophesie , but as many speeches are which have a double meaning , as Gen. 15.5 . & 17.4 , 5. Exod. 12.46 . one more open , the other covert . And Mr. Crags purpose from Isai. 49.22 . were not to prove it foretold that infants under the Gospel should be brought to baptism , but to prove the propositton in question , that God foretold that infants should be Churchmembers under the Gospel , whence infant Baptism will follow ; it seems Mr. Cr. understands not the bringing of children in arms and upon shoulders of bringing infants to baptism , and how else in a litteral sense they by bringing in armes and on shoulders become Churchmembers I yet understand not , and am out of hope ever to do . Sect. 11. Mr. Cr. speaks thus . He says ( meaning me ) if by standard be meant baptism , which the Scripture never cals Gods standard , and the bringing should be to Baptism , then the sense should be , that supream Magistrates , as Kings and Queens , should bring infants in their armes , and carry them on shoulders to Baptism , which no story mentions to have been done , and is too frivolous to be made the matter of that prophesie , in which words there is neither veri●y , nor consequence if sense . First hee says , if by standard bee meant Baptism , who makes a Thesis of his Hypothesis ? or affirms that by standard is meant Baptism ? To which I reply , Mr. Cr. of whom the relatour of the Dispute p. 35. saith , That to give me satisfaction ( which he needed not ) he told me , that by standard he understood some visible Gospel Ordinance , as Baptism , without an &c. to wit , Preaching , Praying , with many more ; nor had I any reason to conceive he understood any other sith he named no other , nor did he say Gospel Ordinances , as if he included the genus ( as now he would evade ) but some Gospel ordinance in the singular number . Now I said Baptism is no where called Gods standard , and he hath nothing to reply hereto , but that it is so in this place , the Genus being predicated on the species . But this i● but a begging of what he should prove , that by standard here is ●eant Baptism in pa●ticular or Gospel ordinances in general . Sure the phrase of setting up the standard is very unsutable to the use of baptizing , which was not by setting up , but putting down into the water . And if Mr. Crs. words or the text do not necessarily speak of Kings and Queens bringing in their arms and on their shoulders to baptism , my reasons are the same , and of a like force , if meant of the people . For no story doth mention carrying infants on shoulders to Baptism by the people , and such a thing is too frivolous to be made the matter of this prophesie , which expresseth some great and wonderfull thing to be done by Gods extraordinary incitement and power , of which kinde that is not . Though Mr. Cr. grant the phrase of nursing fathers and mothers Isa. 49.23 . to be metaphorical , yet he applies the words before ( which are alike m●taphorical ) [ they shall bring thy sons in their armes or bosome , and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders , v. 22. ] according to the proper sense of the words , when he saith , the people should bring sons in their arms and daughters upon their shoulders to Baptism , now if the words v. 23. be metaphorical so are those v. 22. which is also acknowledged by Mr. Cr. 1 In that he grants that in story it is not found that infants have been brought to Baptism on sho●lders . 2. In that they are said to be brought to the standard , which is according to Mr. Cr. Baptism , but that is not a standard properly but metaphorically , and therefore it follows upon Mr. Crs grant , that the application of that one phrase of bringing their sons in their arms and daughters on shoulders , according to the proper sense of the words is not right . Nor is his endeavour to fit the metaphor to infant Baptism any better , though in the Low Countries it were true that the eldest son of a Commission Captain being born there whilest his father is in the service of the State , is by the courtesie of the Camp enrolled in the souldiers List on his birth-day , and by the allowance of the State receives pay from the time of his nativity , as he scribbles out of Fullers frivolous Treatise termed Infants Advocate p. 99. For 1. if infants be listed , yet no standard is set up , or hand lifted up to the people to bring them , nor are they brought in their arms or bosoms in the Low Countries . 2. Nor was any such usage among the Jews or Gentiles in Isaiahs time , to whi●h he might bee conceived to allude , and it is too ridiculous to go about ( as Mr. Cr. doth ) to explain a metaphor alluding to an use in Isaiahs time by an use no where shewed to be but in the Low Countries in our time . That Mr. Gataker in the cause of infant Baptism interprets innumerable places against me , ●s an untruth ▪ Though Esther were a ●ew , yet a Queen of the Gentiles , and ●●ese things foretold Isa 49.22 , 23. were fulfilled in Cyrus time , and i● Ahasuerus , Artaxerxes and Darius time also , yea and a●ter t●em in Alexander the Great , and some of his successors , and their Queens as Grotius conceives , in his Annotations , who also and Mr. Gataker shew how the prediction of bowing down and licking the dust of the Jews feet was fulfilled , though not in Esthers time ( as I said the prophesie of Queens being a nursing mother to the Jews was ) yet in the times after afore Christs incarnation . And for Mr. Crs. argument from v. 1 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 20 , 21. let him form it as strong as he can , yet he will never prove that Isa. ●9 . 22 . is a prophesie of infants visible Churchmembership in the times of the Gospel or their bringing to Baptism , nor was I by any argument of Mr. Cr. forced to surrender up this hold , that Isa. 49.22 , 23. is a prophesie of the return of the Jewes from the Babylonish captivity , and their prosperity in Judea after their return a●ore Christs inearnation , and yet were it understood of the times of the Gospel , I shewed how it might be understood of grown men perswaded by the preaching of the Gospel , as Junius in his Annotations , which Mr. Cr. abusively puts into an argument as if it were alledged thus , Junius says so th●re●ore it is so , and denies the antecedent and conse●uent . But neither was the consequent mine , nor the antecedent as Mr. Cr. sets it down . But this Janius saith , that the standard Isa. 49.22 . is the Gospel , which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth , Rom. 1.16 . and therefore it is meant of perswading grown men by the preaching of the Gospel , and that all those things are allegorically spoken of the amplitude of Christs spiritual Kingdome , and therefore not of bringing infants to baptism And for Cornelius a Lapide , Hierome , Cyril ▪ Haymo , if they held it fulfilled in Gospel times , and extended the words to grown men , though they were for infants visible Churchmembership and Baptism , yet they overthrow Mr. Crs. argument from thence , which is of no force unless the words be understood onely of Gospel times , and of infants being brought to some visible Ordinance as Baptism , the contrary whereof his own Authors shew , and himself grants , and therefore I take all Mr. Crs. reasoning in the Dispute and this Reply from Isa. 49.22 . to be me●r cavilling , and still think it meet to refer the Reader for the discerning of my interpretation whether right or no , and my yeelding that the words may be accommodated to the calling of the Gentiles without any oppositeness to my interpretation , or appositeness to Mr. Crs. inference whether true or not to Mr. Gatakers Annotations , which for no other reason but because ( however otherwise he differ from me ) I take to be the exactest , and the most incomparable learned on that part of Scripture of any I know . To Mr. Crs. defence Sect. 12. of his alleging thus Isa. 65.20 There shall be no more an infant of dayes , that is infants shall no● be uncapable of the seal , against my answer impliedly deny●ng the consequence , and saying it hath no proof but his dictate , which is thus . To which it were sufficient reply to say it hath no disproof , but his dictate , which is without all shew of prohability , there being not a word of any such thing as o●tward peace , increase , possession , and long life to the Jews , unless in the type a●d that scarce probable , but of the glorious estate of the times of the Gospel held out in outward ordinances as shall appear . I oppose 1. that I needed bring no other disproof , but denial being a respondent , but it is necessary hee should make good his sense if hee will inferre his conclusion thence . 2. My disproof was right : for v. 18 ; ●9 . speaks of the outward peace of Jerusalem and her people , their long life , increase , building ▪ planting , possession ▪ opposite to their former troubles v. 16. are expressed v. 20.21 , 22 , 23. not a word of outward ordinances . Against this saith Mr. Cr. And in Isa. 65.20 . there is need of such an interpretation , for as v. 17. the new heaven● and new earth , and 18 , 19. creation , and Jerus●lem were analogical , and not proper , so the 20. v. is wholly trop●cal and mystical . There shall be no more thence an infant of days ; How can thi● be understood litterally ? did not infants after as well , as un●er the captivity make up their weeke of dayes , months of weeks ? &c. It must needs relate to some thing under the Jewish Paedagogy , and nothing so probably as that of theirs , that nothing was clean till a Sabbath had gone over it , and therefore according to Divine institution Circumcision was not ti●l the 8th ▪ day , Mr. T. might have done well to have imparted us either his own or Mr. Gatakers descant on these word● , but because they could devise nothing that like the ears under the Lions skin would not discover the who●e imposture , ne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quidem . Answ. That Jerusalem is analogical is not proved , nor doth it follow v. 17. is tropical , therefore also v. 20. any more then Isa. 11 6 , 7 , 8. is allegorical , therefore also v. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 9. Mr. Gatakers sense is plainly ●et down without any imposture in his Annotations , which is this , There shall be no more thence brought to burial by reason of untimely ends , as formerly a child that hath not fulfilled hi● dayes , but shall live and attain to his just growth and full 〈◊〉 o● years . ] This sense is no● infringed by any thing Mr. Cr. sa●th , yea his question , did not infants &c. ●onfirms it . That it must needs relate to 〈◊〉 under the Jewish Paedagogy , is not proved , nor that the conceit nothing was clean till a Sabbath was gone over it , was of the J●wish Paedagogy , nor that it was the reason of circumcising the 8th . day , nor do I see what hi● , if it were granted , makes for his sense , There shall be no more an infant of dayes , that is infants shall not be uncapable of the seal while their age is measured by dayes , as the Jews infants that might not be circumcised till a week had passed over them . For there is neither mention of seal nor in capacity of it , nor of circumcision , nor its limiting to the 8th . day , and Mr. Cr. leaves out [ thence ] that is from Jerusalem , which shews it 's meant of infants there being , and so not of Gentiles infants , and the prediction is of an event of great moment , not of a capacity of a thing which might never be in the event , and if it were is of small or no importance , nor is [ an infant of dayes ] well paraphrased by [ while their age is measured by dayes ] For an infant of dayes , is all one in regard of dayes an infant , or child as the opposite term on old man shews , and his expression is either non-sense , or else it is vain to suppose that a person is an infant while his age is measured by dayes , for a person of many years hath his age measured by dayes , and if the meaning be , an infant that hath his age measured by dayes , not by one day or some hours is capable of the seal , then it should imply that an infant of one day old is not . I am blamable for spending time in r●futing such fooleries , but the intolerable insolent brags of Mr. Crags dispute and scribling necessitates me . Mr. Cr. from Isa 65.20 . argued thus , The childe shall die an hundred years old , or as well a Churchmember as i● hee were an hundred years old , therefore children may bee bapt●zed under the Gospel , and here p. 174. of me he saith , He denied the consequent which I made good first ab impossibili , because to take it literally would imply a contradiction . For it is impossible being a childe to die a hundred years old , childe is the subject of the question , which is to be taken properly without enallage , shall die an hundred years old , the predicate that cannot otherwise be affirmed of it but analogically resembling in s●me capacity and qualification them that dies an hundred yeares old . Answ. This arguing is indeed childish like , as if it were argued Luk. 1.76 . Thou c●ilde shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest , for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes , to give knowledge of salvation ; Ergo , this must bee understood analogically , childe is the subject of the question , which is to be taken properly without enallage ; and so this must be true of John Baptist while hee was a childe . The like might bee said of Luk. ● . 34 . 1 King 13.2 . He is but a childe that knowes not that in such passages as these there 's no need of imagining an analogical predication , but that they are to be understood sensu diviso , as when our Lord Christ saith Luke 7.22 . the blinde see , the ●ame walk , the Lepers are cleansed , the deaf hear , the dead are raised , that is , such as were blinde , lame , lepers , deaf , dead , not in sensu composito , such as are when they see , walk , are cleansed , hear are raised , so in the other place , not he that is a childe while he is a childe , but he that is now , or shall be once a child shall afore he dies be an hundred years old , which agrees with the rest of the verse , and v. 22. hands●hey ●hey being expressions of long life . And M. Gataker 〈◊〉 rightly , the syntax is familiar , and as clear as the day light or Sunshine : the childe or 〈◊〉 that now is ) shall die the son of 100 years ; that is , shall be 100 years old when he dieth . So Gen. 11.10 . Gen. 21.25 , &c. To which Mr Cr. insolently ●eplies , I had thought syntax had been Gramatical construction according to rule , not literal interpretation , or univocal not analogical praedication . I say for Master Gataker that hee may think still that syntax is Grammatical construction according to rule , not literal interpretation , Mr. Gataker saith nothing to the contrary ; yet literal interpretation is to be according to the rule of Grammatical construction ; he may think Syntax is neither univocal nor annalogical praedication , there may be Syntax in imperfect speeches that are no enunciations , nor in them any predication of one thing on another , Mr. Cr. hath been a Paed●gogue long enough to know , that which his School-boyes might tell him , there 's Syntax between a Noun Adjective and Substantive , a Noun and a Preposition , or Interjection , where there is no predication . He adds of Mr. Gataker , And this Syntax he says , it as clear as the day light , or sun shine , perhaps to an Owle or Bat. Answ. Yea , and too to as seeing men as Mr. Cr. though his Eagle-eye be in this as dark as an Owle or Bat at noon . He goes on , And what is this Syntax that is so clear ? The child or youth t●at now is , shall die the son of an hundred years , that is , shall be an hundred years old when he dieth ; the child or youth , there is one addition , for the Text mentions not youth , which is a distinct age from childhood . Answ. It may be an addition to the English translation , but not to the Text , sith as Mr. Gataker shews the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is applied to Joseph at 17 years old , Gen. 37.2 . to Benjamin , Gen. 43.8 . when he is deemed to have been above thirty but that 's the ill luck of it , that then it will not serve Mr. Crs. turn for his infant Churchmembership visible in the time of the Gospel Mr. Cr. adds , That now is , there is another , the child was not yet , it was a prediction ▪ Answ. So it might be , and yet the child one that then was when Isaiah spake it ; nor is it any more addition to the Text then if he had said , the child that shall be ; nor any untruth in the speech as expounded by Mr. Gataker . Mr. Cr. goes on . There is a third [ son of ] by addition put in , old by substraction taken away ; excellent Arithmetick ! besides here is a new creation of a new generation [ son of years ] who ever heard such a Syntax ? did the son beget the years , or the years the son ? or whether is elder ? That is , shall be an hundred years when he dieth , here is an exposition of an exposition , and a fourth addition [ he and when ] being superadded . Answ. It grieves me not so much that Mr. Cr. hath so much vilified my self , as that though he pretend to be a Preacher of the Gospel , yet like a terrae filius , or Grammer reader , he should shew such contempt of a man then alive when he wrote it ( as I conceive by the date of his Epistle ) however whether alive or dead , a man very reverend , and ( however he conceived of me ) one of the most learned and accurate writers ( specially in such things as this ) of his age , and while he slights him discover so much folly and ignorance in Hebrew and Greek , as an ordinary ●rammarian or student in the Bible would hardly have shewed ; certainly it 's unsuitable to his undertaking of a Schoolmaster . The phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is word by word the son● 〈◊〉 hundred years , for without [ of ] it would be non-sense , it being the sig●● 〈◊〉 Genitive case , nor is [ old ] substracted , but included in that expression , it being the Hebrew expression of old or aged , as M. Gataker shews from Gen. 11.10 . & 21.5 . & 5.32 . & 7. ● & 12.4 . & 16.16 . & 17.1 . & 25.20 , 26. & 37.2 . & 41.46 . & 45.26 . and elswhere , and the same he might have learned from Ainsworth Annot. on Gen. 5 . ●2 , &c. Hebr. son of 500. years , that is , going in his 500. year . An usual speech in the Hebrew Scripture of mens age or of beasts ; Gen. 17.1 . Exod . 12.5 . And for [ he and when ] how can they be said to be superadded , when the very term [ shall die ] is all one with [ when he shall die , ] which shews it is not for Mr. Crs. purpose , for then it should have been , shall be born as an hundred years old , as well a churchmember as if he were ; but is agreeable to the Prophets meaning , to express long life : And therefore his jeer of excellent Arithmetick shews his folly in deriding that which was right . And for his prattle , it shews his excellent ignoran●e of the Hebrew and Greek of the ●ible , Bu●torf ▪ Thes ▪ Gram. Hebr. l. 2. c. 3. p. 360 , in that piece which is termed by Amama , &c. admirandum opus 〈◊〉 , nomen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 filius periphrases & Hebraismos facit ins●gnes : ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 filius areus Iob 41.19 . id est s●gitta & similes innumeri . Sic I●●an . 17.12 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. Apud Latinos Horat. 1. carm . od . 14. Terr● filius , should one scribble as Mr. Cr. doth here , Here 's a new creation of a new generation [ son of the bow , of perdition , of the earth ] who ev●r heard such a syntax ? did the son beget t●e bow , perdition , the earth , or the bow , perdition , the earth the son ? or whether is elder ? Would not a Scholler say he played the fool ? For this I leave him to Mr. Vaug●ans correction . But he seems to be more consid●rate in what follows . According to which interpretation , the words must carry this sense , There shall no more infants di● when they are young , nor an old man till he 〈◊〉 filled his days , for he that now is a child shall not die till he be an hundred years old , I wonder in what age this was performed , that no man died till he had compleated his century , no mortal disease , nor use of Physitians , but every man might certainl● know the day of his death . Answ. The words contain not such an absolute universal longaevity , as Mr. Cr. would make to be the consequent of our interpretation , but a length of days opposite to former troubles v. 16. in which so many died by war , famine , and pestilence , which therefore comparatively is reckoned as universal , as in like manner Ieremiah ch . 50.20 . speaking of the same times saith the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for & there shall be none ▪ that is , as formerly to provoke God to cut them off by g●ievous deaths , as before the captivity . And according to this i● that of Zech. 8.4 . and I said without any vaunting Nebuchadnezzar like language , as Mr. Cr. abusively chargeth me with Isa. 65.20 . was rightly made by me answerable to Zech 8 4. which doth not intimate , that the Text was made by me , and not by the Holy Ghost , but made answerable , or correspondent , which arrogates no more to me then if I had said , made clear , made manifest , &c. Nor is any experience or History contrary to this , that the Iews after their return from Babylon 〈◊〉 , prosperity , increase and long life in Canaan a great while together , and were honoured by divers Persian Kings , Alexander the Great , and some of the ●recian Kings , and the Nations near them iu●ject to them . The Contents of the Chapter were never by any Synod or Parliament interpretatively entitled to the Church of England , nor are to be accounted any more valid , then Mr. Gatakers notes , who though a single man , yet had his notes approved by other Annotators , and in some sort by the Assembly at Westminster . Yet the Contents of the Chapter being v. 17. The blessed estate of the new Ierusalem , and in the Margin at v. 19. Revel . 21.4 . being put , shew , that Mr. Crs. conceit is no more favoured by them then mine . And the speech being to be understood comparatively to the former times , was true of the Jews after their return from the captivity at Babel . V. 25. exp●essing the Jews peace notwithstanding the Samaritan neighbours , was true at the same time , although both were accommodated to the Gospel times , and the calling of the Jews yet to come . Nor is it any strange thing in that Prophet to make th● restitution of the Jews from Captivity as answering to making new Heavens and Earth , as Isa. 51.16 . & 44.24 , 25 , 26. & 45.12 , 13. Yet I deny not that 2 Pet 3.13 . Revel . 21.1 . the words are rightly applied to some other great work of God resembled by this and to be yet accomplished . That the Israelites 1 Cor. 10.2 . were actually baptized or washed under the cloud it raining upon them , and in the Red Sea , the water touching their feet at least , after the dividing of the waves in such a sudden passage , and blowing upon them with th● sprinkling thereof , is no where set down Exod 13. and 14. N●r will such wetting be ever found in any Greek Authour to be termed Baptism formally , and therefore it can be no other then similitudinary Baptism which is there meant , as the eating Manna and drinking Water was a similitudinary partaking of the Lords Supper , and Grotius did rightly expound [ 1 Cor. 10.2 . were baptised ] by [ were as if they were baptis●d ] and yet Isa. 65 20. is not rightly so expounded shall die as an hundred years old , there being no need of such an interpretation , nor any thing leading to it in the Text , but the expression is of long life ; nor if it were meant so , i● it proved that infants must be Churchmembers , and capable of some seal under the Gospel , unless there were no other w●y ▪ then that in respect of which he might be as one an hundred years old . Had Mr. Cr. sought the clearing of truth , he had been willing to read out the whole that his dealing might not be taken for deceitfull . By my refutation of Dr. Savage in Latin , some years since Printed , it may appear wh●t●er Text , Dr. Savage or the Dr. of the Chair did avoid my argument . The rest of M. Crs. argumen●s are the same with what others have urged , and have been answered in this and the former parts as this Review ; nor do I find that Mr. Cr. hath added any thing of moment to them , to which I need make further reply . As or his ●●●nts , quips , misrecitals or mistakes of my words , mis-reports of my actions , together with his own mistakes in Logick , Grammer , Divinity , th●y are otherwise discernable then by a particular answer in Print to each part of his Book . I presume the Christian and equal Reader will think it unnecessary to make any more reply to what i● written of infant● Baptism , till some thing be found written which better defends it then those have done who are here answered . If any other think it fi●● I should answer him also in particula● , he may conceive that if I did p●rceive any thing that might not have an answer in that which is already written , or had in it any difficulty , I should have done it : But being conscious to my fel● that I have not declined the answering of any out of contempt of the person , or sense of the difficulty of doing it , but because it is thought that I have been too large already , and that to answer every meer quirk of wit is unnecessary , as knowing that however light wit● that love to shew their skill in disputing be taken with them , yet solid conscientious men will be led onely with good proofs out of Scripture which may shew the institution of Christ , I do here supersede from this work and commend it to his blessing , of whom and through whom and for whom are all things , to whom be glory for ever . AMEN . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A62864-e12400 Mr. Gatakers Annot. on Jer. 31.30 . The former Covenant comprehended , together with those spiritual promises , which yet were the principal part of it , many temporal blessings , as the possession of the land of Canaan , and multiplicity of issue , and outward prosperity , Gen. 15.5 , 7 , 18. & 17.2 , 7 , 8. Psal. 105.8 . Deut. 28.1 , 19. Whereas this later runneth wholly upon the Spiritual and Celestial blessings , Rom. 3.24 , 25. & 5.1 , 2. Eph. 1.3 . Heb. 8.6 . Notes for div A62864-e24880 See Ainsworth Annotations on Gen. 21.12 . Notes for div A62864-e74820 Vide Gat●k . Discept . de vi ▪ & effic . inf . baptism . pag. 243.