A disputation concerning church-members and their children in answer to XXI questions wherein the state of such children when adult, together with their duty towards the church, and the churches duty towards them is discussed by an assembly of divines meeting at Boston in New England, June 4th, 1657 / now published by a lover of truth.
         Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.
      
       
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             A disputation concerning church-members and their children in answer to XXI questions wherein the state of such children when adult, together with their duty towards the church, and the churches duty towards them is discussed by an assembly of divines meeting at Boston in New England, June 4th, 1657 / now published by a lover of truth.
             Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.
          
           [8], 31 p.
           
             Printed by J. Hayes for Samuel Thomson ...,
             London :
             1659.
          
           
             "Though sometimes attributed to Increase Mather, was written by his father, Richard Mather; the manuscript in his hand is in the Amer. antiq. soc. library"--Holmes, T.J. Increase Mather, v. 1, p. 186; The minor Mathers, p. 60.
             Published by the agency of Nathaniel and Increase Mather, with a prefatory note "To the reader" by the former. Cf. Brinley catalogue, no. 970.
             Errata: p. 31.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Church membership -- Early works to 1800.
           Covenants (Church polity)
        
      
    
       A50249  R3585  (Wing M1271A).  civilwar no A disputation concerning church--members and their children, in ansvver to XXI. questions: wherein the state of such children when adult, to Mather, Richard 1659    13018 14 0 0 0 0 0 11 C  The  rate of 11 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           DISPUTATION
           CONCERNING
           Church-Members
           AND
           THEIR
           CHILDREN
           ,
           IN
           ANSWER
           TO
           XXI
           .
           QUESTIONS
           :
           Wherein
           the
           State
           of
           such
           
             Children
          
           when
           
             Adult
             ,
          
           Together
           with
           their
           Duty
           towards
           the
           Church
           ,
           And
           the
           Churches
           Duty
           towards
           them
           is
           DISCUSSED
           .
        
         
           BY
           AN
           ASSEMBLY
           of
           DIVINES
           meeting
           at
           BOSTON
           in
           
             NEW
             ENGLAND
             ,
             Iune
             4th
             .
          
           1657.
           
        
         
           Now
           Published
           by
           a
           Lover
           of
           Truth
           .
        
         
           
             London
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             I.
             Hayes
             ,
          
           for
           
             Samuel
             Thomson
          
           at
           the
           Bishops
           Head
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           .
           1659.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           To
           the
           READER
           .
        
         
           IT
           is
           justly
           accounted
           one
           of
           the
           glories
           of
           the
           
             English
             Nation
             ,
          
           that
           God
           hath
           honoured
           them
           with
           special
           light
           in
           some
           momentous
           Truths
           ,
           above
           what
           he
           hath
           other
           
             Protestant
             Churches
          
           round
           about
           them
           .
           The
           morality
           of
           the
           Christian
           Sabbath
           ,
           deep
           and
           spiritual
           insight
           into
           those
           secret
           transactions
           between
           the
           Lord
           and
           the
           soules
           of
           his
           elect
           at
           their
           first
           conversion
           ,
           &
           also
           in
           their
           after
           walking
           in
           communion
           with
           God
           ,
           are
           usually
           observed
           as
           instances
           hereof
           .
           And
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           ,
           though
           perhaps
           in
           a
           lower
           rank
           ,
           are
           those
           Truths
           about
           the
           
             instituted
             Worship
          
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           now
           for
           some
           years
           a
           considerable
           part
           of
           those
           disquisitions
           ,
           which
           do
           also
           at
           this
           day
           exercise
           the
           most
           searching
           thoughts
           and
           ablest
           pens
           that
           are
           amongst
           us
           .
           And
           truly
           the
           dealing
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Providence
           towards
           the
           people
           of
           
             this
             Land
             ,
          
           in
           bringing
           out
           the
           light
           and
           glory
           of
           these
           Truths
           ,
           hath
           been
           observable
           ,
           and
           different
           from
           the
           way
           that
           he
           hath
           walked
           in
           to
           
             other
             Churches
             .
          
           For
           ,
           whereas
           they
           rose
           up
           from
           
             Antichristian
             apostasie
          
           in
           Doctrine
           and
           Discipline
           both
           at
           once
           ,
           together
           with
           his
           abominations
           in
           Faith
           ,
           rejecting
           also
           his
           inventions
           in
           
             Church
             Order
             ,
          
           insomuch
           as
           neither
           the
           Head
           ,
           the
           
             Pope
             ,
          
           nor
           his
           Body
           in
           the
           principal
           Members
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           
             Arch-Bishops
          
           and
           
             Bishops
          
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           that
           
             Hierarchical
             frame
             ,
          
           have
           at
           all
           been
           to
           be
           found
           exercising
           the
           usurpations
           of
           the
           
             man
             of
             sin
             ,
          
           in
           most
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
             Protestant
             Churches
          
           since
           the
           first
           day
           of
           their
           rejecting
           
             Popery
             :
          
           In
           
             England
          
           it
           was
           far
           otherwise
           ,
           the
           head
           of
           
             Antichrist
          
           being
           indeed
           here
           cut
           off
           by
           
             Henry
          
           the
           
             eighth
             ,
          
           who
           justled
           him
           from
           his
           usurped
           supremacy
           within
           his
           Territories
           ,
           but
           yet
           (
           as
           is
           observed
           of
           him
           )
           he
           left
           his
           body
           ,
           the
           
             Hierarchy
             ,
          
           continuing
           ;
           which
           for
           many
           years
           not
           only
           stood
           ,
           but
           exercised
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           ,
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           
             Dragon
             ,
          
           and
           made
           an
           image
           of
           the
           
             Beast
             ,
          
           and
           caused
           as
           many
           as
           would
           not
           worship
           it
           to
           be
           killed
           .
           And
           in
           this
           the
           Lord
           had
           doubtlesse
           a
           design
           ,
           more
           fully
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           loathsomnesse
           of
           the
           abominations
           of
           the
           
             mystery
             
             of
             iniquity
          
           in
           this
           part
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           by
           his
           infinite
           wisdom
           he
           effectually
           carried
           on
           all
           along
           ,
           and
           hath
           in
           a
           good
           part
           accomplished
           in
           these
           daies
           wherein
           we
           live
           .
           For
           even
           from
           the
           first
           
             Reformation
          
           here
           begun
           ,
           the
           Lord
           shone
           in
           upon
           the
           understandings
           of
           some
           of
           his
           precious
           servants
           ,
           with
           such
           an
           evidence
           of
           light
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           as
           overpowred
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           constrained
           them
           to
           bear
           a
           publick
           testimony
           against
           the
           
             remainders
          
           of
           
             Antichrist
          
           in
           the
           Land
           .
           Insomuch
           as
           from
           that
           time
           ,
           till
           the
           day
           of
           the
           downfal
           of
           all
           the
           
             Hierarchical
             brood
             ,
          
           God
           never
           suffered
           himself
           to
           be
           without
           his
           witnesses
           in
           this
           cause
           of
           his
           ,
           whom
           he
           raised
           up
           ,
           and
           whose
           right
           hand
           he
           held
           ,
           to
           plead
           ,
           and
           preach
           ,
           and
           pray
           ,
           and
           weep
           ,
           and
           beleeve
           ,
           and
           print
           ,
           and
           contend
           ,
           and
           resist
           ,
           and
           suffer
           ,
           for
           the
           institutions
           of
           Christ
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           silencing
           and
           reproach
           ,
           but
           to
           banishment
           and
           blood
           it self
           some
           of
           them
           .
           And
           verily
           the
           number
           of
           the
           
             Martyrs
          
           of
           Iesus
           Christ
           ,
           who
           have
           had
           his
           testimony
           and
           kept
           the
           Word
           of
           the
           patience
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           this
           Land
           since
           the
           first
           Reformation
           ,
           will
           be
           found
           not
           to
           be
           few
           ,
           and
           their
           sufferings
           neither
           few
           nor
           light
           ,
           whenever
           that
           dying
           wish
           of
           judicious
           and
           blessed
           
             Ames
          
           shall
           be
           accomplished
           as
           it
           deserves
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           a
           
             Martyrologie
             ,
          
           in
           this
           cause
           of
           
             Church-Discipline
          
           under
           the
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           should
           be
           compiled
           and
           published
           to
           the
           world
           .
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           come
           to
           passe
           ,
           that
           amongst
           the
           
             English
          
           Divines
           and
           Christians
           there
           is
           ,
           as
           was
           said
           ,
           more
           light
           in
           these
           points
           ,
           and
           in
           sundry
           of
           their
           Church
           Assemblies
           and
           administrations
           more
           purity
           ,
           then
           is
           so
           ordinarily
           to
           be
           met
           withal
           in
           others
           .
           Amongst
           all
           that
           have
           suffered
           for
           and
           searched
           into
           these
           Truths
           ,
           they
           of
           
             New-England
          
           justly
           deserve
           ,
           and
           will
           have
           ,
           a
           name
           and
           a
           glory
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           the
           earth
           shall
           have
           any
           remembrance
           of
           an
           
             English
             Nation
             ;
          
           not
           only
           for
           their
           sufferings
           here
           under
           the
           iniquity
           of
           those
           bloody
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           (
           as
           they
           loved
           to
           be
           stiled
           )
           the
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           though
           they
           bore
           as
           great
           if
           not
           a
           greater
           share
           therein
           than
           most
           of
           their
           brethren
           that
           staied
           behind
           them
           .
           But
           more
           especially
           will
           after
           ages
           honour
           them
           ,
           for
           that
           great
           and
           high
           adventure
           of
           theirs
           ,
           in
           transporting
           themselves
           ,
           their
           wives
           ,
           and
           little
           ones
           ,
           upon
           the
           rude
           waves
           of
           the
           vast
           Ocean
           ,
           into
           a
           remote
           ,
           desolate
           and
           howling
           wildernesse
           ,
           and
           there
           encountring
           by
           Faith
           and
           patience
           ,
           with
           a
           world
           of
           temptations
           ,
           and
           streights
           ,
           and
           pressing
           wants
           ,
           and
           difficulties
           ;
           and
           this
           ,
           upon
           no
           other
           inducements
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           might
           meet
           with
           him
           whom
           their
           souls
           loved
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           Golden
           Candlesticks
           ,
           and
           
           see
           him
           as
           they
           have
           there
           seen-him
           in
           his
           Sanctuary
           :
           An
           undertaking
           hardly
           to
           be
           parallell'd
           ,
           unlesse
           perhaps
           by
           that
           of
           their
           Father
           
             Abraham
          
           from
           
             Ur
          
           of
           the
           
             Caldees
             ,
          
           or
           that
           of
           his
           seed
           from
           the
           Land
           of
           
             Egypt
             .
          
        
         
           And
           these
           are
           the
           men
           ,
           Christian
           Reader
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           Authors
           of
           this
           disputation
           now
           put
           into
           thy
           hands
           ;
           which
           deserves
           esteem
           and
           acceptance
           somwhat
           the
           rather
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           because
           it
           comes
           from
           such
           as
           it
           doth
           ,
           and
           is
           about
           such
           a
           Subject
           ;
           even
           from
           men
           holy
           and
           learned
           ,
           and
           is
           about
           that
           which
           they
           have
           searched
           into
           ,
           as
           seriously
           ,
           impartially
           and
           unprejudicedly
           ,
           as
           any
           men
           are
           ever
           like
           to
           do
           in
           this
           world
           .
           Besides
           ,
           that
           being
           themselves
           Officers
           to
           
             Instituted
             Churches
          
           of
           Saints
           ,
           and
           this
           work
           of
           theirs
           being
           nextly
           and
           especially
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           they
           did
           therein
           lie
           under
           as
           direct
           and
           full
           an
           influence
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           were
           on
           all
           accounts
           as
           compleatly
           wrapt
           within
           the
           promise
           for
           their
           guidance
           ,
           as
           men
           can
           on
           this
           side
           Heaven
           .
           Yea
           't
           is
           about
           those
           Truths
           which
           they
           have
           ,
           and
           at
           this
           day
           do
           suffer
           for
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           are
           as
           likely
           as
           most
           others
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           instruments
           in
           the
           hand
           of
           Christ
           ,
           by
           whom
           he
           will
           communicate
           further
           light
           in
           these
           points
           :
           God
           is
           never
           behind
           hand
           with
           men
           ,
           and
           as
           some
           special
           exercise
           of
           any
           particular
           Grace
           strengthens
           and
           encreaseth
           it
           ,
           and
           establisheth
           the
           heart
           in
           it
           and
           with
           it
           ;
           so
           ,
           the
           obedience
           and
           faithfulnesse
           of
           his
           servants
           to
           any
           truth
           of
           Christ
           ,
           especially
           if
           in
           an
           eminent
           degree
           and
           manner
           ,
           engageth
           God
           to
           make
           known
           more
           of
           his
           counsel
           and
           will
           in
           that
           truth
           to
           such
           persons
           ,
           and
           as
           under
           such
           an
           engagement
           the
           Lord
           looks
           upon
           himself
           .
           It
           is
           true
           indeed
           the
           
             Civil
             Magistrates
          
           of
           that
           
             Jurisdiction
          
           of
           the
           
             English
          
           in
           
             New-England
          
           that
           lies
           upon
           the
           River
           
             Connectiquot
             ,
          
           sent
           these
           Questions
           to
           the
           
             Magistrates
          
           of
           the
           
             Massachusets
             ,
          
           and
           they
           mutually
           called
           together
           sundry
           of
           the
           ablest
           
             Ministers
          
           of
           each
           
             Colony
             ,
          
           and
           recommended
           to
           their
           search
           and
           considerations
           these
           enquiries
           thus
           stated
           ,
           thus
           framed
           :
           And
           this
           was
           the
           happy
           rise
           of
           this
           
             Disputation
             ;
          
           what
           is
           here
           thus
           tendered
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           being
           the
           result
           and
           product
           of
           the
           consultations
           and
           debates
           on
           this
           occasion
           had
           ,
           which
           was
           by
           the
           Elders
           met
           together
           agreed
           to
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           presented
           ,
           to
           the
           
             Magistrates
          
           of
           the
           aforesaid
           
             Jurisdictions
          
           respectively
           .
           But
           neverthelesse
           ,
           it
           was
           especially
           and
           nextly
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           
             Churches
             ,
          
           the
           pious
           and
           careful
           
             Magistrates
          
           being
           herein
           indeed
           nursing
           Fathers
           to
           them
           ;
           for
           they
           finding
           doubts
           ▪
           and
           
           perhaps
           some
           differences
           about
           these
           points
           ,
           likely
           to
           arise
           and
           disquiet
           the
           
             Churches
             ,
          
           took
           this
           prudent
           and
           happy
           course
           ,
           timely
           to
           bring
           forth
           such
           light
           ,
           as
           might
           be
           to
           universal
           satisfaction
           ,
           before
           darknesse
           had
           brought
           forth
           difference
           in
           judgment
           and
           perhaps
           practise
           also
           ,
           and
           that
           contentions
           ,
           and
           they
           such
           animosities
           and
           paroxysmes
           as
           would
           afterwards
           more
           hardly
           be
           healed
           ,
           than
           prevented
           .
        
         
           These
           Papers
           came
           some
           moneths
           ago
           to
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           it
           was
           then
           in
           his
           thoughts
           that
           had
           them
           in
           his
           hands
           ,
           to
           have
           made
           them
           publick
           ;
           but
           for
           some
           reasons
           which
           then
           prevailed
           with
           him
           he
           forbore
           ,
           yet
           hath
           since
           given
           way
           thereto
           ,
           partly
           expecting
           ,
           according
           to
           some
           intimation
           which
           he
           had
           from
           
             New-England
             ,
          
           that
           the
           
             Magistrates
          
           there
           would
           have
           ordered
           the
           printing
           of
           them
           .
           But
           ,
           not
           hearing
           since
           that
           it
           is
           there
           done
           ,
           he
           hath
           given
           way
           to
           the
           desires
           of
           some
           Friends
           here
           ,
           who
           were
           acquainted
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           with
           his
           having
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           now
           thus
           be
           made
           publick
           ;
           hoping
           withall
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           done
           herein
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           unacceptable
           to
           those
           
             Reverend
             persons
             ,
          
           that
           were
           the
           
             authors
          
           of
           this
           
             Disputation
             .
          
           Especially
           considering
           ,
           that
           God
           who
           formes
           the
           Spirit
           of
           man
           within
           him
           ,
           and
           in
           an
           especial
           manner
           guides
           the
           hearts
           and
           studies
           of
           his
           servants
           ,
           hath
           of
           late
           set
           awork
           some
           of
           them
           in
           
             Old
             England
          
           also
           ,
           to
           search
           into
           these
           
             Questions
             ,
          
           and
           communicate
           the
           issue
           of
           their
           enquiries
           to
           the
           world
           in
           print
           ;
           whence
           likewise
           many
           more
           ,
           are
           awakened
           to
           desire
           and
           long
           ,
           for
           further
           light
           in
           these
           points
           about
           which
           the
           main
           part
           of
           this
           disputation
           is
           .
           Thus
           we
           see
           ,
           the
           same
           great
           and
           blessed
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           dwells
           and
           works
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           all
           the
           Saints
           all
           the
           world
           over
           ,
           hath
           ,
           in
           this
           also
           ,
           wrought
           the
           same
           work
           ,
           on
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           servants
           of
           Christ
           in
           
             Old
             England
          
           and
           in
           
             New
             :
          
           From
           whence
           there
           ariseth
           (
           though
           not
           such
           as
           quite
           to
           take
           away
           all
           difference
           in
           judgment
           ,
           yet
           )
           a
           further
           onenesse
           and
           agreement
           between
           them
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           blood
           and
           language
           ,
           as
           men
           of
           the
           same
           Nation
           ;
           or
           that
           of
           the
           common
           Faith
           ,
           as
           fellow-Saints
           and
           servants
           of
           the
           same
           Lord
           .
           Like
           as
           two
           needles
           of
           equall
           weight
           ,
           toucht
           at
           once
           with
           the
           loadstone
           ,
           will
           as
           they
           say
           ,
           by
           a
           secret
           Sympathy
           move
           alike
           and
           at
           once
           ,
           though
           at
           many
           miles
           distance
           one
           from
           another
           ;
           so
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           both
           
             Englands
             ,
          
           as
           being
           toucht
           with
           the
           same
           Spirit
           ,
           have
           moved
           together
           towards
           the
           same
           enquiries
           ;
           although
           perhaps
           ,
           as
           in
           other
           points
           ,
           they
           got
           the
           start
           of
           most
           of
           us
           here
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           being
           in
           the
           light
           ,
           and
           shaking
           of
           the
           dust
           of
           
             Babilon
             ,
          
           before
           most
           of
           our
           Churches
           
           did
           ;
           so
           they
           may
           in
           this
           also
           ,
           have
           had
           the
           same
           honour
           ;
           there
           appearing
           in
           them
           a
           study
           of
           the
           Questions
           resolved
           in
           this
           
             Disputation
             ,
          
           before
           there
           was
           any
           observeable
           discovery
           of
           such
           a
           search
           here
           amongst
           us
           ;
           the
           wise
           God
           keeping
           towards
           us
           both
           the
           like
           proportion
           still
           ,
           so
           carrying
           on
           them
           and
           us
           ,
           in
           an
           even
           pace
           ,
           towards
           the
           same
           end
           of
           light
           and
           glory
           ,
           which
           he
           will
           bring
           us
           both
           unto
           at
           last
           .
           And
           these
           Papers
           with
           the
           truths
           therein
           ,
           having
           in
           themselves
           a
           tendency
           to
           this
           happy
           end
           ,
           the
           midwifeing
           of
           them
           by
           the
           press
           into
           the
           publick
           and
           common
           light
           ,
           in
           compliance
           with
           the
           aforesaid
           providence
           (
           they
           being
           likely
           otherwise
           to
           have
           lien
           hid
           in
           a
           private
           hand
           or
           two
           )
           cannot
           be
           lookt
           upon
           as
           at
           all
           injurious
           to
           those
           
             honoured
          
           and
           
             reverend
             Elders
          
           that
           were
           the
           Authors
           of
           them
           ,
           much
           lesse
           to
           any
           others
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           here
           done
           ,
           (
           saving
           the
           Errata
           of
           the
           press
           )
           with
           such
           faithfulnesse
           as
           cannot
           be
           impeached
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           the
           rather
           said
           ,
           because
           perhaps
           the
           Reader
           may
           have
           been
           deceived
           in
           some
           other
           Treatises
           ,
           which
           have
           gone
           abroad
           ,
           and
           generally
           been
           look't
           upon
           ,
           as
           the
           compilement
           of
           the
           
             Elders
          
           in
           
             New-England
             ;
          
           whereas
           they
           had
           but
           one
           private
           person
           for
           their
           Author
           .
           So
           it
           is
           indeed
           in
           the
           32
           
             Questions
             ,
          
           the
           Answerer
           whereof
           was
           
             Mr.
             Richard
             Mather
             ,
          
           and
           not
           any
           other
           Elder
           or
           Elders
           in
           
             New-England
             ,
          
           who
           likewise
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             discourse
             concerning
             Church-Covenant
          
           printed
           therewith
           ,
           which
           latter
           he
           wrote
           for
           his
           private
           use
           in
           his
           own
           Study
           ,
           never
           intending
           ,
           nor
           indeed
           consenting
           to
           its
           publication
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           as
           knowing
           unto
           this
           day
           how
           the
           copy
           of
           it
           came
           abroad
           into
           those
           hands
           by
           whom
           it
           is
           made
           publick
           ,
           save
           that
           he
           conjectures
           some
           procured
           a
           copy
           of
           it
           from
           
             Mr.
             Cotton
             ,
          
           to
           whom
           (
           such
           was
           their
           intimacy
           in
           his
           life
           time
           )
           he
           communicated
           it
           ,
           as
           he
           writes
           in
           a
           late
           Letter
           to
           a
           Son
           of
           his
           now
           in
           
             England
          
           who
           it
           seems
           had
           enquired
           of
           him
           concerning
           those
           Treatises
           ;
           and
           much
           lesse
           is
           there
           any
           truth
           in
           that
           which
           is
           said
           in
           the
           Title
           page
           prefixed
           to
           the
           
             Discourse
          
           of
           
             Church-Covenant
             ,
          
           as
           if
           it
           were
           sent
           over
           to
           
             Mr.
             Barnard
             Anno
             1639
             ;
             Mr.
             Mather
          
           having
           neither
           acquaintance
           nor
           any
           intercourse
           by
           Letters
           with
           
             Mr.
             Barnard
             .
          
        
         
           Nor
           indeed
           ,
           are
           these
           Papers
           ,
           now
           in
           thy
           hands
           ,
           the
           declared
           judgment
           of
           all
           the
           Elders
           in
           
             New-England
             ,
          
           there
           being
           but
           about
           twenty
           called
           together
           by
           the
           
             Magistrates
          
           to
           consult
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           declare
           their
           judgments
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           of
           those
           twenty
           ,
           two
           or
           three
           met
           not
           with
           the
           rest
           .
           They
           are
           neverthelesse
           the
           genuine
           product
           of
           that
           
           
             Meeting
             of
             Elders
          
           which
           on
           the
           forementioned
           occasion
           was
           held
           in
           the
           4th
           
             Moneth
          
           1657
           at
           
             Boston
          
           in
           
             New-England
             .
          
        
         
           What
           entertainment
           they
           will
           meet
           with
           now
           they
           are
           abroad
           it
           is
           not
           for
           me
           to
           say
           .
           They
           must
           now
           run
           the
           same
           hazard
           with
           other
           writings
           of
           this
           kind
           .
           Some
           passages
           there
           are
           which
           I
           fear
           will
           be
           wrested
           by
           one
           kind
           of
           men
           or
           other
           to
           serve
           their
           own
           hypothesis
           .
           It
           was
           in
           my
           thoughts
           ,
           having
           some
           special
           advantages
           for
           it
           ,
           here
           to
           have
           inserted
           somthing
           as
           to
           those
           particulars
           for
           the
           prevention
           of
           such
           an
           abuse
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           this
           ▪
           let
           but
           such
           passages
           in
           this
           short
           tract
           as
           seem
           most
           to
           vary
           from
           what
           the
           
             Elders
          
           and
           
             Churches
          
           of
           
             New-England
          
           have
           been
           accounted
           to
           professe
           and
           practise
           ,
           receive
           an
           interpretation
           as
           they
           will
           bear
           ,
           from
           their
           own
           declared
           judgment
           ,
           either
           in
           their
           
             platform
             of
             Church
             Discipline
             ,
          
           or
           in
           other
           writings
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           it
           will
           be
           found
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           warped
           from
           their
           former
           Faith
           and
           Order
           :
           Whatever
           some
           may
           think
           from
           this
           Treatise
           ,
           or
           whatever
           
             Mr.
             Giles
             Firmin
          
           hath
           born
           the
           world
           in
           hand
           ,
           in
           any
           of
           his
           late
           misrepresentations
           of
           them
           ;
           whom
           I
           rather
           chuse
           to
           instance
           in
           ,
           for
           that
           his
           reports
           of
           
             New
             England
          
           have
           perhaps
           therefore
           found
           the
           more
           credit
           ,
           because
           he
           above
           others
           is
           not
           without
           advantages
           to
           know
           
             New-England
             ,
          
           and
           the
           waies
           of
           the
           Churches
           there
           ,
           better
           than
           it
           seems
           he
           doth
           .
        
         
           The
           design
           of
           these
           
             enquiries
          
           being
           to
           search
           out
           what
           course
           the
           
             Lord
             Christ
          
           in
           his
           wisdom
           and
           faithfulnesse
           hath
           appointed
           ,
           for
           prevention
           of
           the
           degenerating
           of
           Churches
           in
           successive
           generations
           ,
           from
           their
           primitive
           soundnesse
           and
           purity
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           polluting
           and
           prostituting
           of
           his
           holy
           things
           thereby
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           altogether
           improbable
           ,
           but
           some
           additional
           contribution
           of
           light
           ,
           may
           be
           brought
           forth
           by
           them
           to
           us
           here
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           in
           that
           great
           case
           of
           ours
           ,
           about
           the
           restoring
           of
           such
           of
           our
           
             Parishes
          
           as
           retain
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           essence
           of
           a
           Church
           in
           them
           (
           and
           thence
           are
           capable
           of
           a
           reformation
           )
           to
           such
           a
           measure
           of
           purity
           ,
           as
           may
           take
           off
           the
           just
           distasts
           and
           dissatisfactions
           of
           such
           ,
           as
           are
           conscientiously
           tender
           of
           their
           Church-Communion
           :
           The
           preservation
           of
           Churches
           pure
           ,
           &
           restauration
           of
           them
           when
           collapsed
           ,
           meeting
           in
           the
           end
           ,
           do
           also
           run
           along
           together
           in
           the
           way
           thereto
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           accomplished
           by
           the
           same
           rules
           .
           May
           this
           in
           any
           measure
           be
           the
           fruit
           of
           this
           
             Disputations
             coming
          
           under
           the
           presse
           ,
           it
           will
           never
           repent
           any
           of
           those
           persons
           that
           have
           had
           any
           hand
           therein
           ;
           yea
           it
           will
           be
           their
           rejoycing
           and
           their
           glory
           in
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           Iesus
           ;
           and
           ,
           that
           so
           it
           may
           ,
           the
           blessing
           of
           Heaven
           be
           upon
           it
           .
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           DISPUTATION
           CONCERNING
           Church-Members
           AND
           THEIR
           CHILDREN
           IN
           ANSWER
           to
           21
           QUESTIONS
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           1.
           
           WHether
           any
           Children
           of
           confederate
           Parents
           be
           under
           their
           Parents
           Covenant
           and
           members
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Some
           Children
           of
           confederate
           Parents
           are
           by
           meanes
           of
           their
           Parents
           Covenanting
           ,
           in
           Covenant
           also
           ,
           and
           so
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           divine
           Institution
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
         
           
             Arg.
          
           1.
           
           They
           that
           are
           in
           that
           Covenant
           for
           substance
           which
           was
           made
           with
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Gen.
          
           17.
           7.
           they
           are
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           by
           divine
           Institution
           ,
           because
           that
           Covenant
           doth
           inferre
           Church-Membership
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           formall
           cause
           thereof
           ;
           For
           1.
           
           A
           people
           that
           are
           in
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           are
           thereby
           the
           visible
           People
           or
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           17.
           7.
           compared
           with
           
             Deut.
          
           29.
           12
           ,
           13.
           by
           this
           Covenant
           the
           Family
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           and
           so
           afterwards
           the
           People
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           was
           made
           and
           established
           the
           visible
           Church
           of
           God
           .
           2.
           
           Many
           were
           in
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           which
           never
           were
           in
           saving
           state
           of
           grace
           ;
           Therefore
           that
           was
           the
           externall
           or
           Church
           Covenant
           ,
           which
           God
           makes
           with
           his
           visible
           Church
           or
           People
           .
           3.
           
           Circumcision
           sealed
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           distinguishing
           mark
           between
           those
           within
           and
           those
           without
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           But
           some
           children
           are
           in
           that
           Covenant
           for
           substance
           which
           was
           made
           with
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Gen.
          
           17.
           7.
           as
           appears
           by
           sundry
           Scriptures
           ,
           which
           being
           rightly
           considered
           ,
           and
           compared
           ,
           do
           inferre
           the
           continuance
           of
           the
           substance
           of
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           whereby
           God
           is
           a
           God
           to
           his
           People
           and
           their
           seed
           ,
           under
           the
           new
           Testament
           ,
           
             Acts
             2.
             39.
             
             Gal.
          
           3.
           14.
           with
           
             Gen.
             28.
             4.
             Rom.
          
           11.
           16
           ,
           17.
           the
           Churches
           of
           the
           
             Gentiles
          
           do
           partake
           of
           the
           root
           of
           covenanting
           
             Abraham
          
           and
           of
           Olive
           or
           Church
           estate
           thereby
           :
           So
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           7.
           14.
           
           The
           word
           [
           Holy
           ]
           as
           applied
           to
           any
           sort
           of
           persons
           ,
           and
           opposed
           to
           
             Gentile-uncleannesse
          
           is
           not
           in
           Scripture
           used
           for
           lesse
           then
           a
           Faederall
           ,
           or
           covenant-holinesse
           ,
           but
           is
           often
           used
           in
           that
           sense
           ,
           as
           
             Ezr.
             9.
             2.
             Deut.
          
           7.
           6.
           and
           14.
           2.
           21.
           and
           26.
           19.
           and
           28.
           9.
           
           
             Dan.
          
           8.
           24.
           and
           12.
           7.
           
           
             Rom.
          
           11.
           16.
           and
           where
           a
           covenant
           or
           faederal
           estate
           is
           asserted
           of
           children
           ,
           what
           doth
           it
           but
           refer
           us
           to
           that
           Ancient
           and
           never
           revoked
           covenant
           ,
           common
           
           to
           all
           Nations
           ,
           whereof
           
             Abraham
          
           was
           the
           Pattern-Father
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           17.
           5
           ,
           7.
           
           And
           if
           
             Gentile
          
           Proselytes
           of
           old
           ,
           they
           and
           their
           children
           shared
           in
           that
           covenant
           ,
           surely
           
             Gentile
          
           believers
           now
           are
           not
           behind
           them
           in
           the
           like
           priviledge
           ;
           For
           the
           
             Gentile
          
           confederate
           believer
           is
           also
           a
           child
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Gal.
             3.
             7
             ,
             29.
             
             Rom.
          
           4.
           11
           ,
           16.
           
        
         
           Therefore
           he
           hath
           that
           covenant
           of
           which
           
             Abraham
          
           was
           a
           pattern
           subject
           ,
           made
           with
           him
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           That
           God
           will
           be
           his
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           God
           of
           his
           seed
           ,
           
             Luk.
          
           19.
           9.
           
        
         
           
             Arg.
          
           2.
           
           Such
           children
           as
           are
           by
           Christ
           ,
           affirmed
           to
           have
           a
           place
           and
           portion
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           they
           have
           a
           place
           and
           portion
           in
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           are
           members
           thereof
           .
           But
           so
           it
           is
           with
           some
           children
           ,
           
             Math.
             19.
             14.
             
             Mark
             10.
             14.
             
             Luk
          
           18.
           16.
           
           The
           Proposition
           is
           evident
           ,
           for
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           heaven
           or
           of
           God
           is
           sundry
           times
           used
           to
           expresse
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           or
           Church
           estate
           ,
           
             Math.
          
           25.
           1.
           and
           21.
           43.
           and
           8.
           12.
           
           And
           if
           the
           Disciples
           might
           or
           should
           have
           known
           that
           those
           children
           were
           to
           be
           admitted
           to
           Christ
           upon
           that
           ground
           ,
           then
           the
           Kingdome-Interest
           of
           such
           children
           was
           a
           visible
           or
           knowable
           and
           apparent
           thing
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           should
           expound
           it
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Glory
           ▪
           yet
           that
           would
           inferre
           the
           same
           thing
           :
           For
           neither
           may
           the
           Church
           exclude
           those
           from
           her
           fellowship
           ,
           who
           by
           Christ
           his
           testimony
           are
           visible
           heirs
           of
           Glory
           ,
           nor
           are
           any
           in
           ordinary
           course
           heirs
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Glory
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           of
           Gods
           visible
           Church
           ,
           and
           Kingdome
           of
           Grace
           here
           .
           And
           what
           is
           there
           spoken
           by
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           as
           a
           standing
           truth
           ,
           and
           that
           under
           the
           term
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Heaven
           (
           a
           term
           in
           speciall
           manner
           applied
           
           unto
           Gospel-Administration
           )
           cannot
           be
           doubted
           to
           continue
           in
           force
           in
           the
           Christian
           Church
           of
           the
           new
           Testament
           .
        
         
           
             Arg.
          
           3.
           
           If
           no
           children
           be
           members
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           then
           was
           not
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           (
           when
           a
           child
           )
           a
           member
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           but
           none
           (
           we
           presume
           )
           will
           venture
           to
           say
           so
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           
             Arg.
          
           4.
           
           If
           it
           were
           not
           so
           ,
           no
           children
           might
           be
           Baptized
           :
           For
           Baptisme
           being
           a
           Church
           Ordinance
           ,
           and
           a
           seal
           of
           being
           incorporated
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           12.
           13.
           and
           succeeding
           circumcision
           ,
           which
           was
           proper
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           none
           can
           be
           subjects
           immediately
           capable
           thereof
           ,
           but
           Church-Members
           ;
           Nor
           doth
           the
           Power
           of
           Officers
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           extend
           further
           then
           to
           the
           Churches
           ;
           as
           they
           cannot
           judge
           ,
           so
           they
           may
           not
           Baptize
           them
           that
           are
           without
           ,
           or
           non-members
           .
        
         
           
             Arg.
          
           5.
           
           They
           that
           are
           some
           of
           the
           Disciples
           intended
           in
           
             Mat.
          
           28.
           19.
           are
           Church-members
           .
           For
           as
           the
           term
           [
           Disciples
           ]
           is
           ordinarily
           used
           for
           Church-Members
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           6.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           5.
           and
           9.
           26.
           and
           14.
           22
           ,
           23
           ,
           27
           ,
           28
           ,
           and
           18.
           27.
           and
           
             Vers.
          
           22.
           with
           
             Chap.
          
           21.
           16.
           and
           20.
           7.
           
           So
           this
           sense
           thereof
           best
           suits
           that
           place
           in
           
             Matthew
          
           28.
           19.
           because
           the
           Disciples
           there
           are
           the
           immediate
           subjects
           of
           Baptisme
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           being
           called
           by
           God
           his
           name
           ,
           the
           wonted
           Title
           of
           Church-Members
           ,
           and
           because
           they
           are
           such
           as
           are
           subjected
           to
           Christs
           School
           ,
           to
           Christs
           Doctrine
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           authoritative
           teaching
           of
           his
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           observation
           of
           all
           things
           that
           shall
           be
           taught
           by
           them
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           20.
           
        
         
           But
           some
           children
           are
           some
           of
           the
           Disciples
           intended
           in
           
             Mat.
          
           28.
           19.
           
           For
           1.
           some
           children
           were
           some
           of
           those
           whom
           the
           Apostles
           in
           accomplishing
           that
           commission
           ,
           
           did
           Disciple
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           15.
           20.
           
           Those
           whom
           the
           false
           Teachers
           would
           have
           reduced
           ,
           under
           the
           yoke
           of
           circumcision
           ,
           they
           were
           some
           of
           those
           whom
           the
           Apostles
           accounted
           Disciples
           ,
           or
           whom
           the
           Apostles
           had
           Discipled
           :
           But
           some
           children
           were
           some
           of
           those
           ,
           whom
           the
           false
           Teachers
           would
           have
           reduced
           under
           the
           yoke
           of
           circumcision
           ,
           for
           they
           would
           have
           had
           both
           
             Gentile
          
           Parents
           and
           children
           circumcised
           ,
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           
             Moses
             .
             v.
          
           1
           ,
           5.
           with
           
             Exod.
          
           12.
           48
           ,
           49.
           
           &
           
             Acts
          
           21.
           21.
           
           And
           that
           the
           Apostles
           took
           in
           children
           with
           Parents
           when
           they
           were
           conversant
           in
           the
           work
           of
           Discipling
           ,
           further
           appears
           from
           
             Acts
          
           2.
           39.
           
           &
           16.
           15
           ,
           31
           ,
           33.
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           7.
           14.
           2.
           
           Some
           children
           are
           under
           the
           promised
           teaching
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Isa.
          
           54.
           13.
           
           And
           the
           Word
           there
           used
           is
           rendred
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Isa
             ▪
          
           8.
           16.
           3.
           
           Some
           children
           do
           visibly
           belong
           to
           Christ
           ,
           
             Mark
             .
             10.
             14.
             
             Iosh.
          
           22.
           24
           ,
           25.
           
           Therefore
           are
           Disciples
           .
           Compare
           
             Mat.
          
           10.
           42.
           with
           
             Mark
          
           9.
           41.
           4.
           
           When
           Christ
           saith
           ,
           Disciple
           all
           Nations
           ,
           he
           bids
           gather
           the
           
             Gentiles
          
           into
           like
           covenant
           and
           Church-estate
           (
           for
           the
           substance
           thereof
           )
           which
           had
           been
           the
           portion
           of
           the
           
             Iews
             .
          
           Therefore
           he
           bids
           Disciple
           some
           children
           .
        
         
           
             Arg.
          
           6.
           
           They
           that
           are
           subjects
           of
           the
           Lords
           visible
           Spiritual
           Kingdom
           ,
           servants
           and
           children
           of
           the
           Lords
           Family
           ,
           they
           are
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           is
           called
           the
           Lords
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           House
           and
           Family
           in
           the
           Scripture
           :
           But
           so
           are
           some
           children
           ,
           
             Ezek.
          
           37.
           25
           ,
           26
           ,
           27.
           
           It
           is
           
             Davids
             ,
             i.
             e.
             
          
           Christs
           Spiritual-Gospel-Kingdom
           ,
           that
           he
           there
           speaks
           of
           ;
           and
           that
           in
           reference
           unto
           visible
           Sanctuary
           or
           Church-estate
           .
           That
           some
           children
           are
           the
           Lords
           Servants
           ,
           see
           ,
           
             Lev.
          
           25.
           39
           ,
           41
           ,
           42.
           
           And
           that
           ,
           not
           by
           common
           right
           of
           Creation
           onely
           ,
           or
           designment
           unto
           some
           particular
           service
           ;
           but
           of
           special
           Redemption
           
           and
           conservation
           ,
           there
           spoken
           of
           .
           And
           surely
           both
           childrens
           capacity
           so
           to
           be
           ,
           and
           the
           Lords
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           so
           to
           accept
           them
           ,
           was
           not
           greater
           then
           ,
           than
           now
           .
           That
           they
           are
           children
           ,
           sons
           and
           daughters
           of
           God
           ,
           see
           
             Rom.
             9.
             4
             ,
             26.
             
             Gen.
             6.
             2.
             Ezek.
          
           16.
           20
           ,
           21.
           
           &
           23.
           37.
           
           And
           how
           were
           these
           children
           the
           Lords
           children
           properly
           and
           meerly
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           internal
           and
           spiritual
           regeneration
           ?
           For
           that
           was
           not
           found
           in
           many
           of
           the
           children
           spoken
           of
           in
           the
           places
           mentioned
           ,
           nor
           yet
           only
           by
           Creation
           ,
           for
           so
           others
           were
           Gods
           children
           as
           well
           as
           the
           children
           of
           the
           
             Iews
             ,
          
           and
           so
           the
           daughters
           of
           men
           were
           his
           daughters
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           were
           his
           sons
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           6.
           2.
           
           Therefore
           they
           are
           said
           to
           be
           Gods
           children
           ,
           because
           of
           their
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           Church
           relation
           unto
           him
           ,
           which
           was
           common
           to
           all
           the
           children
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           none
           other
           ,
           and
           so
           ,
           
             Ezek.
          
           16
           ▪
           8.
           shews
           ,
           being
           compared
           with
           
             verse
          
           20
           ,
           21.
           
        
         
           
             Arg.
          
           7.
           
           If
           no
           children
           be
           members
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           then
           we
           have
           no
           well-grounded
           hope
           according
           to
           ordinary
           course
           of
           dispensation
           ,
           of
           the
           salvation
           of
           any
           dying
           Infants
           :
           And
           the
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           salvation
           pertains
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Isa.
             45.
             17.
             
             Eph.
          
           2.
           12.
           
           &
           5.
           23
           ,
           26.
           
           
             Ioh.
             4.
             22.
             
             Act.
             2.
             27.
             
             Luke
          
           19.
           9.
           
           Those
           that
           are
           without
           the
           visible
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           visibly
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Satan
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           the
           God
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           4.
           4.
           
           And
           to
           him
           are
           men
           delivered
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           cast
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             5.
             5.
             1
             Tim.
          
           1.
           20.
           
           So
           if
           children
           live
           and
           die
           out
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           they
           live
           and
           die
           out
           of
           Gods
           visible
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           visibly
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Satan
           :
           And
           then
           what
           visible
           ground
           of
           hope
           (
           according
           to
           ordinary
           course
           )
           of
           their
           salvation
           ?
           But
           to
           account
           the
           estate
           of
           all
           that
           die
           children
           ,
           so
           hopelesse
           and
           forlorn
           ,
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           tender
           and
           rich
           mercy
           
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           to
           Godly
           Parents
           most
           uncomfortable
           .
        
         
           
             Arg.
          
           8.
           
           If
           some
           children
           were
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           in
           the
           old
           Testament
           ,
           then
           some
           children
           are
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           in
           the
           daies
           of
           the
           new
           Testament
           :
           But
           some
           children
           were
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           old
           Testament
           ;
           which
           though
           a
           Truth
           ,
           that
           we
           know
           not
           how
           any
           can
           deny
           ,
           yet
           we
           may
           briefly
           evince
           and
           confirm
           thus
           ;
           That
           children
           then
           were
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           is
           expresly
           witnessed
           ,
           
             Gen.
             17.
             7.
             
             Deut.
          
           29.
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           15.
           
           And
           that
           they
           were
           in
           such
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           or
           so
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           that
           then
           was
           ,
           appears
           ,
           because
           1.
           
           They
           were
           in
           the
           same
           Covenant
           that
           their
           Parents
           or
           elder
           persons
           were
           in
           ,
           and
           whereby
           they
           were
           constituted
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Gen.
             17.
             7.
             
             Deut.
          
           29.
           10
           ,
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           14
           ,
           15.
           
           &
           27.
           9.
           
           &
           26.
           18.
           
           
             Ier.
             23.
             11.
             
             Acts
          
           7.
           38.
           2.
           
           They
           were
           subjects
           of
           a
           Church-Ordinance
           ,
           never
           regularly
           applied
           to
           any
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           Circumcision
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           3.
           1
           ,
           2.
           
           They
           were
           
             Israelites
             ,
             (
             i.
             e.
             
          
           In
           other
           words
           ,
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Israel
             )
          
           to
           whom
           pertained
           .
           Church
           priviledges
           ,
           
             Rom
          
           9.
           4.
           
           They
           were
           children
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           were
           capable
           of
           being
           cast
           out
           of
           Church
           estate
           ,
           therefore
           in
           it
           ,
           
             Mat.
             8.
             12.
             
             Rom.
             11.
             20.
             
             Ier.
             7.
             15.
             2
             
             King.
          
           17.
           20.
           5.
           
           They
           were
           visibly
           the
           Lords
           people
           by
           Covenant
           ,
           even
           as
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           people
           were
           the
           Lords
           people
           ,
           
             Ezek.
          
           16.
           8
           ,
           20
           ,
           21.
           6.
           
           They
           were
           children
           of
           the
           House
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           as
           opposed
           to
           dogs
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           Persons
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           15.
           24
           ,
           26.
           
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           as
           oft
           as
           they
           are
           said
           or
           implied
           to
           be
           a
           part
           of
           the
           holy
           seed
           ,
           of
           the
           holy
           people
           ,
           of
           the
           Lords
           people
           ,
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           of
           the
           Circumcision
           ,
           of
           those
           whom
           God
           redeemed
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           
             Egypt
             ,
          
           to
           make
           them
           
           his
           peculiar
           treasure
           ,
           of
           the
           inheritance
           and
           congregati
           -
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           So
           often
           are
           they
           shewed
           to
           be
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           But
           all
           the
           Question
           will
           be
           about
           the
           consequence
           of
           the
           Proposition
           ,
           and
           that
           may
           be
           cleared
           thus
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           old
           Testament
           and
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           under
           the
           new
           Testament
           ,
           be
           for
           kind
           essentially
           the
           same
           ,
           then
           if
           children
           were
           Members
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           they
           are
           also
           Members
           of
           these
           :
           For
           if
           they
           be
           the
           same
           essentially
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           for
           kind
           ,
           then
           they
           have
           the
           same
           Covenant
           or
           general
           From
           :
           Therefore
           that
           Covenant
           which
           takes
           in
           the
           seed
           or
           children
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           17.
           7.
           
           Therefore
           the
           seed
           or
           children
           are
           in
           and
           of
           the
           one
           Church
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           .
           But
           that
           the
           Church
           State
           then
           and
           now
           ,
           was
           and
           is
           essentially
           the
           same
           ,
           is
           evident
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           the
           same
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           another
           ;
           which
           is
           taken
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           given
           to
           us
           ,
           
             Mat.
             21.
             43.
             
             &
          
           8.
           11
           ,
           12.
           
           One
           and
           the
           same
           sheepfold
           for
           kind
           ,
           under
           one
           and
           the
           same
           shepheard
           ,
           in
           which
           were
           the
           
             Iews
          
           first
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Gentiles
          
           afterwards
           ,
           
             Iohn
          
           10.
           16.
           
           The
           
             Gentiles
          
           are
           fellow
           heirs
           with
           the
           
             Iews
          
           of
           the
           same
           body
           ,
           and
           partakers
           of
           the
           same
           promise
           ,
           
             Eph.
          
           3
           6.
           
           We
           are
           in
           the
           same
           root
           and
           Olive
           ,
           from
           which
           some
           of
           them
           were
           broken
           off
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Godly
           
             Iews
          
           not
           broken
           off
           ,
           did
           still
           continue
           ,
           and
           into
           which
           the
           rest
           shall
           be
           grafted
           in
           again
           in
           time
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           11.
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           24.
           
           The
           conversion
           of
           the
           
             Gentiles
          
           is
           expressed
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           by
           coming
           in
           to
           the
           
             Iews
             ,
          
           and
           joyning
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           
             Iaphet
          
           must
           dwell
           in
           the
           Tents
           of
           
             Shem
             ,
             Gen.
          
           9.
           27.
           
           And
           not
           that
           
             Shems
          
           Tents
           must
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           other
           kind
           of
           Tents
           built
           for
           
             Iaphet
          
           to
           inhabit
           :
           All
           which
           do
           shew
           that
           the
           Church
           then
           and
           now
           ,
           is
           not
           essentially
           
           (
           though
           sundry
           waies
           accidentally
           )
           differing
           ,
           but
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Again
           ,
           If
           the
           consequence
           be
           not
           good
           ,
           then
           it
           will
           follow
           that
           such
           
             Iews
          
           as
           were
           brought
           in
           by
           the
           Gospel
           into
           Church-estate
           ,
           were
           great
           losers
           by
           embracing
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           the
           children
           losers
           by
           their
           Parents
           Faith
           ,
           inasmuch
           as
           though
           in
           the
           former
           state
           ,
           the
           children
           were
           Members
           with
           the
           Parents
           ,
           yet
           now
           in
           the
           Gospel-estate
           ,
           the
           children
           by
           this
           assertion
           are
           all
           left
           out
           .
           Yea
           ,
           then
           the
           children
           of
           those
           
             Iews
             ,
             Acts
          
           2.
           
           Which
           before
           the
           Sermon
           ,
           when
           their
           Parents
           wanted
           Faith
           ,
           were
           in
           the
           covenant
           and
           Church-state
           with
           their
           Parents
           ,
           are
           now
           after
           the
           Sermon
           ,
           when
           their
           Parents
           are
           become
           believers
           ,
           cast
           out
           or
           fallen
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           A
           strange
           and
           harsh
           Doctrine
           ,
           that
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           Parents
           should
           set
           the
           children
           further
           off
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           from
           his
           Church
           and
           covenant
           ,
           than
           they
           were
           before
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Then
           also
           when
           the
           
             Iews
          
           shall
           be
           converted
           in
           the
           latter
           daies
           of
           the
           new
           Testament
           ,
           the
           Parents
           must
           be
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           children
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           shall
           be
           in
           a
           worse
           condition
           than
           formerly
           ,
           as
           not
           having
           their
           children
           in
           the
           Church
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           formerly
           it
           was
           .
           But
           besides
           the
           harshnesse
           of
           such
           a
           conclusion
           ,
           see
           the
           contrary
           ,
           in
           
             Ier.
             30.
             20.
             
             Isa.
          
           61.
           9.
           
           &
           59.
           21.
           
           &
           65.
           23.
           
           
             Ezek.
          
           37.
           25
           ,
           26.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           Although
           it
           be
           true
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           made
           difference
           between
           the
           Administration
           of
           his
           covenant
           and
           Grace
           to
           his
           people
           in
           these
           daies
           ,
           from
           that
           which
           was
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           yet
           as
           these
           differences
           are
           not
           in
           the
           essence
           of
           the
           Church-estate
           ,
           but
           in
           accidentals
           and
           in
           degree
           ,
           so
           where
           any
           alteration
           is
           made
           ,
           it
           is
           still
           for
           our
           advantage
           and
           greater
           benefit
           ;
           and
           therefore
           our
           covenant
           
           is
           called
           a
           better
           covenant
           ,
           and
           established
           upon
           better
           promises
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           7.
           22.
           
           &
           8.
           6.
           
           And
           from
           this
           it
           is
           that
           the
           burden
           of
           ceremonies
           which
           lay
           on
           them
           ,
           is
           now
           taken
           off
           ;
           the
           darknesse
           of
           Types
           and
           Shadows
           is
           now
           removed
           ,
           and
           liberty
           is
           now
           given
           to
           worship
           the
           Father
           every where
           ;
           whereas
           they
           were
           for
           many
           things
           tied
           only
           to
           
             Ierusalem
             ;
          
           and
           every
           congregation
           of
           Saints
           is
           now
           a
           Church
           entire
           within
           it self
           ,
           whereas
           then
           no
           single
           congregation
           had
           such
           Church-power
           and
           entirenesse
           of
           Jurisdiction
           ;
           but
           all
           their
           congregations
           had
           dependance
           on
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           and
           all
           made
           up
           but
           one
           National
           Church
           .
           In
           these
           things
           and
           some
           others
           that
           might
           be
           named
           ,
           there
           is
           alteration
           made
           ,
           but
           still
           it
           is
           an
           alteration
           for
           the
           better
           and
           for
           our
           advantage
           .
           But
           now
           for
           the
           Particular
           in
           Question
           ,
           If
           children
           were
           then
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           now
           be
           not
           ,
           here
           is
           an
           alteration
           made
           for
           the
           worser
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           the
           better
           ,
           not
           for
           our
           advantage
           but
           for
           our
           losse
           (
           for
           so
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           have
           all
           our
           children
           put
           out
           of
           covenant
           and
           Church
           ,
           and
           from
           all
           the
           priviledges
           thereof
           ,
           
             Iosh.
             22.
             24
             ,
             25.
             
             Eph.
             2.
             12.
             
             Psal.
             87.
             3.
             Mat.
          
           15.
           26.
           )
           And
           therefore
           such
           a
           change
           may
           not
           be
           admitted
           .
           For
           Christ
           by
           his
           coming
           did
           not
           worsen
           the
           condition
           (
           not
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           ,
           but
           not
           )
           of
           any
           one
           person
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           nor
           yet
           of
           any
           age
           or
           condition
           or
           sort
           of
           persons
           ,
           
             Luke
          
           2.
           10.
           
           And
           surely
           the
           child
           in
           minority
           (
           as
           the
           Church
           of
           old
           was
           ,
           
             Gal.
          
           4.
           1
           ,
           2.
           )
           hath
           not
           a
           greater
           or
           larger
           place
           in
           the
           house
           ,
           nor
           is
           in
           better
           condition
           in
           respect
           of
           priviledges
           ,
           than
           the
           heir
           that
           is
           full
           of
           age
           .
           And
           who
           can
           think
           that
           a
           place
           in
           Gods
           House
           which
           is
           promised
           as
           so
           great
           a
           Benefit
           ,
           in
           
             Isa.
          
           56.
           5
           ,
           7.
           
           And
           accounted
           such
           a
           Glory
           ,
           Advantage
           ,
           
             &c.
             
             Rom.
          
           3.
           1
           ,
           2.
           
           &
           9.
           4.
           
           Should
           be
           no
           more
           but
           a
           part
           of
           that
           bondage
           and
           tutorage
           
           which
           belongs
           to
           children
           under
           age
           ?
           Hence
           also
           add
           a
           fifth
           Argument
           to
           prove
           the
           consequence
           above
           mentioned
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           If
           children
           were
           once
           Church-members
           and
           do
           not
           continue
           to
           be
           Church-members
           still
           ,
           then
           their
           Membership
           must
           have
           been
           repealed
           by
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           alone
           could
           make
           such
           an
           alteration
           :
           And
           if
           any
           should
           affirm
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           done
           it
           ,
           it
           lieth
           upon
           them
           to
           prove
           it
           ;
           and
           to
           shew
           when
           or
           where
           such
           an
           alteration
           was
           made
           ,
           or
           such
           a
           repeal
           may
           be
           found
           .
           But
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           lesse
           needful
           to
           prove
           the
           negative
           ,
           when-as
           the
           affirmative
           (
           in
           such
           a
           case
           as
           this
           )
           cannot
           be
           shewed
           ,
           yet
           let
           these
           considerations
           amongst
           others
           that
           might
           be
           named
           for
           that
           purpose
           be
           duly
           weighed
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           the
           Lord
           had
           made
           such
           an
           alteration
           ,
           (
           that
           now
           under
           the
           new
           Testament
           no
           children
           should
           be
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           )
           then
           in
           all
           likelihood
           Christ
           or
           his
           Apostles
           would
           have
           made
           mention
           of
           it
           :
           Witnesse
           their
           Faithfulnesse
           :
           And
           how
           else
           should
           we
           know
           that
           the
           Lord
           had
           appointed
           any
           such
           alteration
           ?
           but
           now
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           in
           stead
           of
           mentioning
           any
           such
           thing
           ,
           do
           confirm
           the
           contrary
           ,
           
             Mark
             10.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             16.
             
             Acts
             2.
             39.
             1
             Cor.
          
           7.
           14.
           
           And
           hence
           the
           Apostles
           writing
           Epistles
           to
           Churches
           ,
           do
           sometimes
           expresly
           and
           directly
           apply
           their
           speeches
           unto
           children
           ,
           
             Eph.
             6.
             1.
             Col.
          
           3.
           20.
           
           Which
           seems
           to
           imply
           that
           they
           accounted
           children
           to
           be
           parts
           and
           members
           of
           the
           Churches
           unto
           whom
           they
           sent
           those
           Epistles
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           the
           Apostles
           had
           taught
           any
           such
           alteration
           ,
           surely
           the
           
             Iews
          
           who
           raised
           Objections
           and
           controversies
           about
           matters
           of
           far
           lesser
           moment
           ,
           and
           who
           did
           so
           stumble
           at
           taking
           away
           the
           particular
           Rite
           of
           circumcision
           (
           for
           though
           they
           had
           Member-ship
           and
           Baptism
           
           allowed
           to
           their
           children
           ,
           yet
           that
           would
           not
           satisfie
           them
           ,
           without
           the
           Rite
           of
           circumcision
           also
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           16.
           3.
           
           &
           15.
           1.
           
           &
           21.
           21.
           )
           And
           considering
           also
           how
           they
           had
           been
           from
           age
           to
           age
           wonted
           to
           this
           covenant
           and
           Church-estate
           of
           their
           children
           ;
           Sure'y
           we
           say
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           made
           a
           remarkable
           stand
           at
           this
           ,
           if
           the
           Apostles
           had
           taught
           or
           practised
           this
           discovenanting
           or
           unmembring
           of
           all
           their
           children
           ,
           and
           the
           Apostles
           would
           have
           needed
           both
           by
           preaching
           and
           writing
           to
           have
           bestowed
           much
           pains
           to
           have
           quieted
           them
           in
           this
           point
           :
           But
           of
           any
           such
           thing
           there
           is
           a
           deep
           and
           total
           silence
           in
           all
           the
           new
           Testament
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           2.
           
           Whether
           all
           children
           of
           whatever
           years
           or
           conditions
           be
           so
           ,
           as
           ,
           1.
           
           Absent
           children
           never
           brought
           to
           the
           Church
           .
           2.
           
           Born
           before
           their
           Parents
           Covenanting
           .
           3.
           
           Incorrigible
           of
           seven
           ,
           ten
           ,
           or
           twelve
           years
           old
           .
           4.
           
           Such
           as
           desire
           not
           to
           be
           admitted
           with
           their
           Parents
           ,
           of
           such
           an
           age
           .
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           Onely
           such
           children
           as
           are
           in
           their
           minority
           ,
           covenant
           with
           their
           Parents
           ;
           therefore
           not
           all
           children
           of
           whatsoever
           years
           and
           conditions
           .
           We
           do
           not
           hereby
           exclude
           such
           as
           being
           defective
           in
           their
           intellectuals
           ,
           are
           as
           children
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           incapacity
           .
           That
           adult
           children
           are
           to
           covenant
           in
           their
           own
           persons
           ,
           see
           
             Ans
             ▪
          
           to
           
             Quest
             .
          
           6th
           .
           2.
           
           Children
           in
           their
           minority
           ,
           though
           absent
           ,
           covenant
           in
           their
           Parents
           ,
           and
           are
           Members
           with
           them
           ,
           
             Dout
             .
          
           29.
           14
           ,
           15.
           3.
           
           Children
           born
           before
           their
           Parents
           covenanting
           ,
           yet
           if
           in
           their
           minority
           when
           their
           Parents
           enter
           into
           covenant
           ,
           do
           covenant
           with
           them
           and
           are
           Church-members
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           17.
           25.
           
           The
           whole
           houshold
           of
           
             Lydia
             ,
          
           the
           Jailor
           and
           others
           were
           baptized
           ,
           therefore
           some
           children
           in
           minority
           which
           were
           born
           before
           ,
           except
           we
           shall
           deny
           so
           much
           as
           one
           child
           in
           minority
           
           then
           alive
           in
           all
           those
           houses
           .
           4.
           
           There
           is
           no
           sufficient
           reason
           (
           at
           least
           ordinarily
           )
           to
           conclude
           a
           child
           of
           seven
           ,
           ten
           ,
           or
           twelve
           years
           old
           to
           be
           incorrigible
           ,
           because
           a
           child
           at
           the
           ages
           mentioned
           is
           
             infans
             in
             foro
             Ecclesie
             ,
             i.
             e.
             
          
           He
           hath
           no
           voice
           nor
           is
           capable
           of
           being
           heard
           in
           a
           Church
           way
           ,
           therefore
           not
           incorrigible
           as
           to
           the
           Church
           .
           Their
           obstinacy
           at
           the
           years
           mentioned
           is
           not
           capital
           :
           By
           Gods
           Law
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           21.
           18.
           
           There
           is
           still
           place
           for
           hope
           ,
           
             Prov.
          
           19.
           18.
           
           &
           22.
           15.
           5.
           
           Their
           desiring
           or
           not
           desiring
           in
           their
           own
           persons
           during
           the
           ages
           forementioned
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           be
           attended
           as
           the
           ground
           of
           proceeding
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           because
           the
           ground
           thereof
           is
           the
           covenant
           founded
           upon
           Divine
           Institution
           ,
           and
           in-depending
           upon
           such
           childrens
           desires
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           3.
           
           Till
           what
           age
           shall
           they
           enter
           into
           Covenant
           with
           their
           Parents
           ,
           whether
           sixteen
           ,
           twenty
           one
           ,
           or
           sixty
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           As
           long
           as
           in
           respect
           of
           age
           or
           capacity
           they
           cannot
           according
           to
           ordinary
           account
           ,
           be
           supposed
           able
           to
           act
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           this
           nature
           for
           themselves
           ,
           so
           long
           they
           shall
           enter
           in
           by
           means
           of
           their
           Parents
           covenant
           ,
           because
           whilst
           they
           are
           children
           and
           in
           their
           minority
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           otherwise
           capable
           of
           covenanting
           :
           When
           adult
           ,
           they
           are
           to
           covenant
           in
           their
           own
           persons
           .
           If
           a
           precise
           and
           certain
           age
           may
           here
           be
           prescribed
           ,
           surely
           it
           is
           safe
           to
           go
           ,
           at
           least
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           may
           answer
           the
           example
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           17.
           25.
           
           Where
           
             Ishmael
          
           is
           admitted
           to
           the
           Seal
           by
           his
           Fathers
           covenant
           at
           thirteen
           years
           of
           age
           .
           Howbeit
           ,
           the
           bounding
           of
           adult
           and
           in-adult
           age
           ,
           depending
           upon
           the
           judgment
           of
           prudence
           ,
           much
           is
           to
           be
           left
           unto
           the
           discretion
           of
           Officers
           and
           Churches
           in
           this
           case
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           4.
           
           What
           Discipline
           a
           child
           is
           subject
           to
           ▪
           from
           seven
           to
           sixteen
           years
           old
           ?
        
         
         
           
             Ans
          
           1.
           
           Church
           Discipline
           is
           taken
           either
           more
           largely
           for
           the
           act
           of
           a
           Church-member
           dispensed
           to
           a
           Church-member
           as
           such
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Spiritual
           watch
           ,
           rebuke
           ,
           
             &c.
             Luke
             17.
             3
             ,
             4.
             Mat.
          
           18.
           15.
           
           Or
           more
           strictly
           ,
           for
           the
           act
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           ,
           dispensed
           by
           a
           Member
           thereof
           ;
           as
           in
           case
           of
           publick
           rebuke
           ,
           admonition
           ,
           excommunication
           ,
           
             Mat.
             18.
             17.
             2
             Cor.
             2.
             3.
             1
             Tim.
          
           1.
           20.
           
           In
           the
           first
           sense
           ,
           children
           in
           their
           minority
           ,
           are
           subject
           to
           Church
           Discipline
           immediately
           ,
           but
           not
           in
           the
           second
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           the
           Duty
           of
           the
           Elders
           and
           Church
           to
           call
           upon
           Parents
           to
           bring
           up
           their
           children
           in
           the
           narture
           and
           admonition
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           to
           see
           as
           much
           as
           in
           them
           lieth
           ,
           that
           it
           be
           effectually
           done
           ,
           
             Eph.
          
           6.
           4.
           
           Officers
           and
           Churches
           respectively
           succeed
           Apostles
           in
           matters
           of
           ordinary
           practise
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Besides
           their
           subjection
           to
           Ecclesiastical
           Discipline
           ,
           they
           are
           also
           subject
           to
           civil
           Discipline
           respectively
           according
           to
           their
           capacity
           ,
           whether
           Domesticall
           ,
           Scholasticall
           ,
           or
           Magistraticall
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           5.
           
           Whether
           a
           Father
           may
           twice
           Covenant
           for
           his
           Children
           in
           Minority
           in
           several
           Churches
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           1.
           
           When
           a
           Parent
           is
           called
           to
           remove
           from
           one
           Church
           to
           another
           ,
           he
           is
           also
           called
           to
           enter
           into
           covenant
           in
           that
           Church
           to
           which
           he
           removes
           ,
           
             Paul
          
           was
           first
           baptized
           and
           in
           communion
           at
           
             Damascus
             ,
             Act.
          
           9.
           29.
           
           Afterwards
           removed
           unto
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           and
           joyned
           to
           the
           Church
           there
           ,
           
             v.
          
           26.
           
           This
           ,
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           order
           calleth
           for
           ,
           because
           otherwise
           he
           can
           neither
           do
           all
           the
           duties
           ,
           nor
           enjoy
           all
           the
           priviledges
           of
           a
           Member
           ,
           in
           the
           one
           Church
           or
           in
           the
           other
           ;
           not
           in
           the
           former
           ,
           because
           now
           he
           dwelleth
           not
           with
           them
           ;
           nor
           in
           the
           other
           ,
           because
           though
           dwelling
           amongst
           them
           ,
           he
           joyneth
           
           not
           with
           them
           in
           covenant
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           When
           the
           Parent
           thus
           removing
           ,
           entreth
           into
           covenant
           ,
           his
           children
           then
           in
           minority
           covenant
           in
           him
           :
           The
           child
           and
           the
           power
           of
           Government
           over
           the
           child
           ,
           must
           go
           together
           ,
           
             Prov.
          
           29.
           15.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           Hence
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           Churches
           when
           they
           give
           Letters
           dimissory
           unto
           Parents
           ,
           to
           insert
           the
           dismission
           of
           the
           children
           then
           in
           minority
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Adult
           children
           yet
           under
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Parents
           and
           removing
           with
           them
           ,
           are
           to
           give
           their
           personal
           consent
           unto
           this
           translation
           of
           their
           Membership
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           be
           orderly
           dismissed
           and
           received
           with
           their
           Parents
           ,
           otherwise
           they
           remain
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           which
           they
           were
           before
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           6.
           
           Whether
           the
           end
           of
           a
           Deputy
           Covenant
           ,
           be
           not
           to
           supply
           personall
           incapacity
           ,
           or
           whether
           Children
           ripe
           for
           personall
           Covenanting
           in
           regard
           of
           age
           ,
           should
           Covenant
           by
           a
           Deputy
           ,
           as
           others
           that
           are
           unable
           thereunto
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           1.
           
           Children
           in
           their
           minority
           ,
           whose
           immediate
           Parents
           are
           in
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           do
           covenant
           in
           their
           Parents
           ;
           see
           the
           proof
           hereof
           in
           answer
           to
           Question
           1.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Children
           adult
           ought
           to
           covenant
           in
           their
           own
           Persons
           .
           To
           covenant
           in
           our
           own
           persons
           according
           to
           the
           sense
           of
           this
           Question
           ,
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           an
           orderly
           and
           Church
           profession
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           or
           a
           personall
           publick
           and
           solemn
           avouching
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           an
           Ecclesiasticall
           way
           ,
           to
           be
           our
           God
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           covenant
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           the
           great
           duty
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           throughout
           all
           generations
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           :
           Pregnant
           and
           Illustrious
           examples
           whereof
           we
           have
           ,
           in
           the
           time
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
             Deut.
          
           26.
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19.
           
           &
           29.
           
           10
           ,
           11
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           And
           of
           
             Ioshua
             ,
             Iosh.
          
           24.
           18
           ,
           27.
           
           Of
           
             Asa
             ,
             2
             Chron.
          
           15.
           12.
           
           Of
           
             Iosiah
             ,
             2
             Chron.
          
           34.
           31
           ,
           32.
           
           So
           
             Ier.
          
           50
           5.
           
           A
           considerable
           part
           of
           which
           Prophesie
           (
           for
           it
           extends
           it self
           also
           to
           the
           ages
           after
           Christ
           )
           we
           have
           accomplished
           
             Nehem
             9.
             ult.
          
           &
           10.
           28
           ,
           29.
           
           The
           Priests
           and
           Levites
           and
           many
           others
           there
           named
           ,
           and
           their
           wives
           ,
           and
           their
           sons
           ,
           and
           their
           daughters
           ,
           every
           one
           that
           had
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           that
           had
           understanding
           ,
           did
           cleave
           unto
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           their
           Nobles
           ,
           and
           entred
           into
           a
           covenant
           and
           an
           Oath
           ,
           to
           walk
           in
           Gods
           Law
           ;
           so
           of
           the
           times
           under
           the
           Law
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           times
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           
             Isa.
          
           62.
           5.
           
           &
           41.
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           We
           read
           of
           the
           seed
           and
           off-spring
           of
           
             Iacob
          
           and
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           that
           when
           they
           should
           be
           sprung
           and
           grown
           up
           (
           
             h.
             e.
          
           become
           adults
           )
           they
           should
           both
           by
           word
           and
           writing
           ,
           by
           saying
           and
           subscribing
           with
           their
           hands
           ,
           engage
           themselves
           unto
           the
           Lord
           .
           It
           is
           a
           part
           of
           instituted
           Gospel
           Worship
           .
           The
           same
           reason
           which
           called
           the
           Fathers
           to
           confession
           before
           ,
           calleth
           the
           son
           also
           when
           adult
           .
           It
           went
           for
           good
           reason
           among
           the
           
             Iews
             ;
          
           He
           is
           of
           age
           ,
           he
           shall
           speak
           for
           himself
           ,
           
             Ioh.
          
           9.
           21.
           
           What
           more
           meet
           than
           that
           the
           confession
           of
           our
           Faith
           should
           be
           made
           with
           our
           own
           mouths
           when
           we
           are
           able
           ?
           God
           avoucheth
           them
           in
           the
           same
           day
           when
           they
           avouch
           him
           .
           It
           is
           a
           special
           engagement
           of
           the
           adult
           person
           ,
           to
           perform
           his
           covenant
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           119.
           106.
           
           I
           have
           sworn
           and
           will
           perform
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           It
           is
           a
           duty
           (
           compared
           with
           others
           )
           especially
           commended
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           from
           the
           subject
           thereof
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           A
           Believer
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           10.
           10.
           
           Every
           believer
           is
           a
           confessor
           .
           From
           the
           matter
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Truth
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           The
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           3.
           1.
           
           The
           Apostle
           of
           our
           confession
           .
           From
           the
           manner
           (
           others
           not
           being
           
           excluded
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           called
           thereunto
           ,
           1
           
             Pet.
          
           3.
           15.
           )
           In
           a
           Church
           way
           ,
           
             Mat.
             16.
             16
             ,
             19.
             
             Paul
             ,
             2
             Cor.
          
           9.
           13.
           in
           a
           special
           manner
           commends
           the
           subjection
           of
           the
           obedience
           of
           the
           Church
           astipulation
           of
           the
           
             Corinthians
             :
          
           From
           its
           excellency
           ,
           a
           good
           Profession
           ,
           1
           
             Tim.
          
           6.
           12.
           
           A
           good
           confession
           ,
           
             v.
          
           13.
           
           It
           s
           giving
           glory
           unto
           God
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           9.
           13.
           
           It
           s
           victorious
           exemplarinesse
           in
           respect
           of
           men
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           12.
           11.
           
           The
           blessing
           upon
           the
           sincere
           performance
           thereof
           ,
           
             Heb.
             11.
             13
             ,
             16.
             
             Mat.
          
           10.
           32.
           
           With
           the
           heart
           man
           believeth
           unto
           righteousnesse
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           mouth
           confession
           is
           made
           unto
           salvation
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           7.
           
           Whether
           as
           large
           Qualifications
           be
           not
           required
           of
           a
           Members
           child
           to
           the
           participation
           of
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           and
           the
           priviledges
           of
           votes
           and
           censures
           ,
           as
           were
           requirable
           of
           his
           Parents
           at
           their
           first
           entrance
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           The
           holding
           forth
           of
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           with
           an
           ability
           to
           examine
           themselves
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           confession
           ,
           to
           the
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           ,
           
           were
           all
           requirable
           in
           the
           Parent
           for
           admission
           into
           the
           Church
           to
           full
           communion
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           is
           requisite
           for
           the
           regular
           admission
           of
           the
           Parents
           child
           being
           grown
           adult
           ,
           unto
           his
           full
           communion
           with
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           clearing
           of
           this
           Proposition
           two
           things
           are
           to
           be
           proved
           .
           1.
           
           That
           they
           are
           to
           have
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           .
           2.
           
           That
           this
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           must
           appear
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           They
           are
           to
           have
           Faith
           &
           Repentance
           .
           1.
           
           Because
           Examination
           is
           the
           duty
           ,
           and
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           are
           the
           matter
           of
           their
           Examination
           ,
           without
           both
           the
           being
           and
           exercise
           of
           which
           ,
           they
           cannot
           come
           worthily
           to
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           end
           of
           their
           examination
           .
           2.
           
           From
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           which
           is
           instituted
           ,
           not
           for
           regeneration
           ,
           but
           for
           nourishment
           
           and
           confirmation
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           Supper
           and
           a
           Seal
           .
        
         
           That
           their
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           ought
           to
           appear
           to
           others
           ,
           is
           manifest
           thus
           ;
           The
           Officers
           ought
           to
           be
           wise
           and
           faithful
           stewards
           ,
           now
           to
           such
           it
           belongs
           not
           only
           to
           dispense
           a
           portion
           in
           reason
           ,
           but
           to
           see
           also
           that
           those
           to
           whom
           it
           is
           dispensed
           ,
           are
           meet
           to
           receive
           their
           portion
           ,
           
             Luke
             12.
             42.
             1
             Cor.
          
           4.
           2.
           
           The
           Lords
           Supper
           cannot
           regularly
           be
           administred
           to
           any
           receiver
           ,
           concerning
           whom
           personally
           ,
           according
           to
           Truth
           ,
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           charity
           ,
           the
           Minister
           cannot
           say
           ,
           Take
           and
           eat
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           body
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           which
           was
           given
           for
           you
           :
           But
           this
           the
           Minister
           cannot
           say
           with
           good
           Conscience
           to
           any
           one
           upon
           his
           meer
           having
           of
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           without
           a
           visible
           holding
           forth
           of
           the
           same
           to
           others
           in
           their
           own
           persons
           ,
           because
           both
           the
           exercise
           of
           reason
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           Grace
           are
           requisite
           to
           the
           taking
           and
           eating
           here
           required
           .
           As
           this
           proves
           the
           assertion
           concerning
           the
           Officers
           ,
           so
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           10.
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           proveth
           the
           same
           concerning
           the
           whole
           body
           ,
           because
           in
           a
           regular
           celebration
           of
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           the
           whole
           Church
           doth
           judge
           all
           the
           partakers
           thereof
           to
           have
           spiritual
           communion
           with
           Christ
           crucified
           ,
           and
           one
           with
           another
           as
           one
           body
           in
           him
           .
           It
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Officers
           respectively
           (
           as
           the
           keepers
           of
           the
           holy
           things
           )
           so
           to
           discern
           between
           the
           holy
           and
           prophane
           ,
           the
           clean
           and
           the
           unclean
           ,
           as
           that
           the
           Sacrament
           may
           onely
           be
           administred
           unto
           worthy
           receivers
           ,
           
             Ezek.
          
           44.
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           23.
           
           But
           this
           cannot
           be
           ,
           except
           the
           premised
           essentiall
           requisites
           be
           made
           appear
           to
           them
           in
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           .
           Concerning
           the
           power
           of
           voting
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           rational
           that
           they
           should
           exercise
           a
           Church-power
           as
           to
           the
           administration
           of
           Church-Ordinances
           ,
           which
           voting
           implies
           ,
           who
           themselves
           are
           unfit
           for
           all
           Ordinances
           .
           They
           who
           are
           
           thus
           unfit
           will
           abuse
           the
           Ordinances
           themselves
           ,
           and
           admit
           and
           retain
           unworthy
           Officers
           and
           Members
           ,
           and
           discourage
           the
           worthy
           ,
           and
           therefore
           power
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           such
           is
           not
           for
           edification
           ,
           but
           for
           destruction
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           Christ
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           10.
           8.
           
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           8.
           
           Whether
           by
           Covenant
           seed
           ,
           is
           meant
           the
           seed
           of
           immediate
           Parents
           onely
           ,
           or
           of
           remote
           also
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           The
           Gospel
           by
           Covenant
           seed
           ,
           intends
           only
           the
           seed
           of
           immediate
           Parents
           in
           Church
           Covenant
           ,
           as
           appears
           from
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           7.
           14.
           
           The
           Parents
           there
           spoken
           of
           are
           immediate
           Parents
           ,
           their
           Progenitors
           were
           Heathens
           .
           The
           Gospel
           extends
           not
           the
           external
           Covenant
           beyond
           the
           immediate
           Parents
           :
           If
           neither
           of
           the
           immediate
           Parents
           be
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           their
           children
           are
           unclean
           ;
           see
           the
           Text
           .
           The
           next
           Parent
           may
           bring
           in
           his
           seed
           ,
           though
           his
           Progenitors
           be
           unbelievers
           ;
           and
           the
           next
           Parents
           may
           cut
           off
           their
           seed
           ,
           though
           the
           progenitors
           be
           believers
           ;
           witnesse
           the
           instances
           of
           
             Ishmael
          
           and
           
             Esau
             ,
             Ier.
             9.
             25
             ,
             26.
             
             Ezek.
             32.
             29.
             
             Psal.
             83.
             6.
             
             Mal.
             1.
             4.
             Gen.
          
           21.
           10.
           
           Otherwise
           there
           can
           no
           generation
           be
           given
           ,
           where
           the
           Covenant
           Interest
           of
           posterity
           can
           expediently
           be
           bounded
           :
           
             Depinge
             ubi
             sistam
             ,
          
           Shew
           us
           where
           we
           shall
           make
           our
           stand
           .
           The
           contrary
           exposeth
           the
           Churches
           to
           inevitable
           and
           intollerable
           impurities
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           9.
           
           Whether
           adopted
           Children
           and
           bond
           servants
           be
           Covenant-seed
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           Adopted
           children
           and
           Infant-servants
           ,
           regularly
           and
           absolutely
           subjected
           to
           the
           Government
           and
           dispose
           of
           such
           heads
           of
           Families
           as
           are
           in
           Church-covenant
           ,
           though
           they
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           be
           their
           natural
           seed
           ,
           yet
           in
           regard
           the
           Scriptures
           (
           according
           to
           the
           judgment
           of
           many
           Godly
           Learned
           )
           extend
           to
           them
           the
           
           same
           Covenant
           priviledges
           with
           their
           natural
           seed
           ,
           we
           judge
           not
           any
           Churches
           who
           are
           like-minded
           with
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           practise
           herein
           :
           All
           which
           notwithstanding
           ,
           yet
           we
           desire
           at
           present
           to
           leave
           this
           Question
           without
           all
           prejudice
           on
           our
           parts
           to
           after
           free
           disquisition
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           10.
           
           Whether
           the
           child
           admitted
           by
           his
           Fathers
           Covenant
           ,
           be
           also
           a
           Deputy
           for
           his
           seed
           ,
           without
           or
           before
           personal
           Covenanting
           ,
           or
           without
           &
           before
           like
           personal
           qualifications
           in
           kind
           ,
           as
           his
           Father
           was
           to
           enjoy
           when
           he
           became
           a
           Deputy
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           The
           meaning
           of
           this
           Question
           in
           other
           terms
           we
           conceive
           to
           be
           this
           ;
           whether
           the
           child
           of
           a
           person
           joyned
           in
           Church-Covenant
           by
           means
           of
           his
           or
           her
           immediate
           Parents
           Covenant
           ,
           though
           such
           a
           Parent
           be
           not
           admitted
           to
           ,
           nor
           qualified
           for
           full
           communion
           ,
           nor
           have
           covenanted
           in
           their
           own
           person
           ,
           whether
           we
           say
           ,
           the
           child
           of
           such
           a
           person
           is
           to
           be
           baptized
           :
           Whereunto
           we
           answer
           ,
           in
           these
           following
           propositions
           .
        
         
           
             Propos.
          
           1.
           
           Infants
           either
           of
           whose
           immediate
           Parents
           are
           in
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           do
           confaederate
           with
           their
           Parents
           ,
           and
           are
           therefore
           Church-members
           with
           them
           .
           See
           Ans.
           to
           Quest
           .
           1.
           
        
         
           
             Propos.
          
           2.
           
           It
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           those
           Infants
           when
           grown
           up
           to
           years
           of
           discretion
           ,
           though
           not
           yet
           fit
           for
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           to
           own
           the
           Covenant
           they
           made
           with
           their
           Parents
           ,
           by
           entring
           thereinto
           in
           their
           own
           persons
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           call
           upon
           them
           for
           the
           performance
           thereof
           ;
           as
           appeareth
           by
           Scripture
           examples
           of
           persons
           both
           called
           to
           ,
           and
           entring
           into
           Covenant
           ,
           many
           of
           whom
           could
           not
           be
           looked
           upon
           as
           personally
           Gracious
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           fit
           for
           all
           Ordinances
           
           and
           full
           communion
           ,
           
             Deut.
             29.
             12
             ,
             14.
             2
             Chron.
             15.
             12.
             2
             Chron.
          
           34.
           31
           ,
           32.
           
           Where
           it
           is
           mentioned
           as
           the
           performance
           of
           a
           duty
           whereto
           they
           stand
           obliged
           by
           the
           Covenant
           made
           in
           their
           Infancy
           .
        
         
           
             Propos.
          
           3.
           
           Being
           accordingly
           called
           thereunto
           ,
           if
           after
           Church-admonition
           and
           other
           due
           means
           with
           patience
           used
           ,
           
           they
           shall
           refuse
           the
           performance
           of
           this
           great
           duty
           ,
           or
           in
           case
           they
           shall
           (
           notwithstanding
           like
           means
           applied
           )
           any
           otherwise
           continue
           scandalous
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           proceed
           with
           them
           to
           the
           censure
           of
           excommunication
           ,
           because
           the
           Facts
           mentioned
           deserve
           excommunication
           ,
           2
           
             Chron.
             15.
             13.
             
             Mat.
             18.
             17.
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             11.
             2
             Thes.
          
           3.
           6
           ,
           14.
           
           And
           the
           persons
           are
           Church-members
           ,
           being
           confederate
           with
           their
           Parents
           ;
           and
           the
           Church
           as
           the
           matter
           requireth
           ,
           administreth
           Discipline
           to
           the
           Members
           thereof
           ,
           without
           respect
           of
           persons
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           capacity
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             5.
             12.
             1
             Tim.
          
           5.
           21.
           
           Add
           hereunto
           the
           instance
           of
           those
           who
           are
           separated
           from
           the
           Congregation
           ,
           for
           their
           non-observance
           of
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           
             Ezr.
          
           10.
           3
           ,
           7
           ,
           8.
           
           Together
           with
           the
           examples
           of
           
             Cain
             ,
             Ishmael
             ,
          
           and
           
             Esau
             ,
          
           not
           a
           little
           contributing
           to
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           assertion
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           proportion
           .
        
         
           
             Propos.
          
           4.
           
           In
           case
           they
           understand
           the
           grounds
           of
           Religion
           ,
           are
           not
           scandalous
           ,
           and
           solemnly
           own
           the
           Covenant
           in
           their
           own
           persons
           ,
           wherein
           they
           give
           up
           both
           themselves
           and
           their
           children
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           desire
           Baptism
           for
           them
           ,
           we
           (
           with
           due
           reverence
           to
           any
           Godly
           Learned
           that
           may
           dissent
           )
           see
           not
           sufficient
           cause
           to
           deny
           Baptism
           unto
           their
           children
           ,
           these
           reasons
           for
           the
           affirmative
           being
           proposed
           to
           consideration
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Church-Members
           without
           offence
           and
           not
           baptized
           ,
           
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           The
           children
           in
           Question
           are
           Church-Members
           without
           offence
           and
           not
           baptized
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           the
           children
           in
           Question
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Children
           in
           the
           covenant
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           substance
           thereof
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
             
          
           To
           whom
           the
           promise
           made
           to
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           substance
           thereof
           doth
           belong
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           The
           children
           in
           Question
           are
           children
           in
           the
           covenant
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           substance
           thereof
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           the
           children
           in
           Question
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Children
           in
           the
           same
           estate
           with
           those
           children
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           unto
           whom
           the
           seal
           of
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           Faith
           ,
           because
           in
           that
           estate
           was
           by
           Institution
           Divine
           to
           be
           applied
           ,
           the
           Precept
           for
           so
           doing
           not
           repealed
           ,
           and
           the
           reason
           for
           so
           doing
           still
           remaining
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           children
           in
           Question
           are
           children
           in
           the
           same
           estate
           (
           
             viz.
          
           regularly
           in
           Church-covenant
           )
           with
           those
           children
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           unto
           whom
           the
           seal
           of
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           Faith
           ,
           because
           in
           that
           estate
           was
           by
           Institution
           Divine
           to
           be
           applied
           ,
           the
           Precept
           for
           so
           doing
           not
           repealed
           ,
           and
           the
           reason
           for
           so
           doing
           still
           remaining
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           the
           children
           in
           Question
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Either
           the
           children
           in
           question
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           ,
           or
           the
           Gospel
           dispensation
           forbids
           the
           application
           of
           the
           seal
           unto
           children
           regularly
           in
           Church-covenant
           ,
           unto
           whom
           the
           Mosaical
           dispensation
           commanded
           it
           to
           be
           applied
           .
        
         
         
           But
           the
           Gospel
           despensation
           forbids
           not
           the
           application
           of
           the
           seal
           unto
           children
           regularly
           in
           Church-covenant
           ,
           unto
           whom
           the
           Mosaical
           dispensation
           commanded
           it
           to
           be
           applied
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           the
           children
           in
           question
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           The
           contrary
           opinion
           infers
           that
           the
           Gospel
           bereaveth
           the
           children
           mentioned
           (
           at
           least
           in
           a
           considerable
           degree
           )
           of
           their
           glory
           ,
           advantage
           ,
           mercy
           ,
           blessing
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           this
           respect
           it
           casts
           reproach
           ,
           yea
           brings
           disadvantage
           ,
           a
           judgment
           ,
           a
           curse
           upon
           them
           ,
           
             Iosh.
             5.
             9.
             
             Rom.
          
           3.
           1
           ,
           2.
           
           &
           9.
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           This
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           lesse
           Evangelicall
           Tenent
           ,
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Gospel
           being
           to
           enlarge
           and
           better
           ,
           not
           to
           contract
           and
           diminish
           the
           external
           dispensation
           of
           Grace
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Children
           unto
           whom
           the
           Gospel
           testifieth
           both
           the
           promise
           and
           baptisme
           by
           vertue
           of
           that
           promise
           ,
           to
           belong
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           The
           children
           in
           question
           are
           children
           unto
           whom
           the
           Gospel
           testifieth
           both
           the
           promise
           and
           baptism
           by
           vertue
           of
           that
           to
           promise
           ,
           to
           belong
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           2.
           39.
           
        
         
           Therefore
           the
           children
           in
           Question
           ought
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           
             Obj.
          
           The
           Parent
           though
           a
           Church-member
           ,
           owning
           the
           Covenant
           in
           his
           own
           person
           ,
           and
           qualified
           according
           to
           the
           premises
           ,
           is
           not
           admitted
           to
           full
           communion
           ,
           therefore
           the
           child
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           baptized
           .
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           The
           Church-act
           onely
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           other
           act
           (
           much
           lesse
           defect
           )
           of
           the
           Parent
           is
           by
           Divine
           Institution
           ,
           accounted
           to
           the
           child
           .
           The
           membership
           of
           the
           child
           is
           a
           distinct
           membership
           ,
           from
           the
           membership
           
           of
           the
           Parent
           .
           In
           case
           the
           Parents
           membership
           ceaseth
           by
           death
           or
           censure
           ,
           the
           membership
           of
           the
           child
           remaineth
           still
           .
           The
           membership
           of
           the
           child
           is
           the
           same
           in
           kind
           with
           ,
           and
           not
           inferiour
           to
           the
           membership
           of
           the
           Parent
           .
           Membership
           is
           a
           Relation
           ,
           and
           therefore
           admits
           not
           of
           
             magìs
          
           and
           
             minùs
             ,
          
           more
           or
           lesse
           :
           Members
           are
           better
           or
           worse
           ,
           and
           communion
           is
           more
           or
           lesse
           ;
           but
           membership
           admits
           not
           of
           degrees
           .
           
             Benjamin
          
           an
           Infant
           ,
           but
           of
           an
           hour
           old
           ,
           is
           as
           truly
           a
           son
           as
           
             Reuben
             ,
          
           a
           man
           of
           twenty
           two
           years
           of
           age
           .
           The
           child
           is
           baptized
           by
           vertue
           of
           his
           own
           membership
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           vertue
           of
           his
           Parents
           membership
           .
           The
           Parents
           death
           is
           not
           with
           us
           an
           obstacle
           of
           the
           Childs
           Baptism
           .
        
         
           
             Propos.
          
           5.
           
           The
           same
           may
           be
           said
           concerning
           the
           children
           of
           such
           persons
           in
           question
           ,
           who
           being
           dead
           or
           necessarily
           absent
           ,
           either
           did
           or
           do
           give
           the
           Churches
           cause
           in
           judgment
           of
           charity
           ,
           to
           look
           at
           them
           as
           thus
           qualified
           ,
           and
           such
           ,
           as
           had
           they
           been
           called
           thereunto
           would
           so
           acted
           :
           For
           in
           Charity
           that
           is
           here
           done
           interpretatively
           ,
           which
           is
           mentioned
           in
           the
           fourth
           Proposition
           expresly
           .
        
         
           
             Propos.
          
           6.
           
           Though
           the
           persons
           forementioned
           own
           the
           Covenant
           according
           to
           the
           premises
           ,
           yet
           before
           they
           are
           admitted
           to
           full
           communion
           (
           
             i.
             e.
             
          
           To
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           and
           voting
           )
           they
           must
           so
           hold
           forth
           their
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           ,
           unto
           the
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           by
           way
           of
           confession
           in
           the
           congregation
           ,
           as
           it
           may
           appear
           unto
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           able
           to
           examine
           themselves
           and
           to
           discern
           the
           Lords
           body
           .
           See
           the
           proof
           hereof
           in
           
             Ans.
          
           to
           
             Quest
             .
          
           7th
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           11.
           
           Whether
           children
           begotten
           by
           an
           excommunicate
           person
           are
           to
           be
           baptized
           ,
           he
           so
           remaining
           ?
        
         
         
           
             Ans.
          
           We
           cannot
           for
           the
           present
           answer
           the
           following
           Arguments
           for
           the
           Negative
           .
           1.
           
           Persons
           excommunicate
           are
           not
           members
           ,
           and
           the
           promise
           made
           to
           the
           seed
           ,
           belongs
           (
           under
           the
           Gospel
           )
           onely
           to
           the
           seed
           of
           immediate
           Parents
           in
           Covenant
           .
           2.
           
           Excommunicate
           Parents
           are
           to
           be
           looked
           at
           in
           Church
           account
           as
           Heathens
           and
           Publicans
           ,
           now
           the
           Church
           ought
           not
           to
           baptize
           the
           children
           of
           those
           which
           she
           is
           to
           account
           as
           Heathens
           &
           Publicans
           ,
           because
           their
           children
           are
           unclean
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           7.
           14.
           3.
           
           To
           baptize
           the
           children
           of
           the
           excommunicate
           ,
           is
           to
           have
           Church-communion
           with
           the
           excommunicate
           :
           But
           those
           that
           we
           are
           forbidden
           to
           have
           civil
           communion
           with
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           5.
           11.
           
           We
           are
           much
           more
           forbidden
           to
           have
           Church
           Communion
           with
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           12.
           
           Whether
           a
           Child
           born
           of
           a
           justly
           censurable
           person
           ,
           yet
           not
           actually
           excommunicate
           ,
           be
           to
           be
           baptized
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           We
           answer
           affirmatively
           .
           1.
           
           Because
           the
           child
           is
           a
           Church-member
           by
           vertue
           of
           his
           covenanting
           with
           his
           Parents
           .
           2.
           
           Because
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           covenant
           membership
           of
           the
           child
           ,
           is
           Divine
           Institution
           ,
           which
           imputes
           the
           Covenant
           Act
           only
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           other
           Act
           of
           the
           Parents
           to
           the
           child
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           13.
           
           Whether
           a
           Members
           Childs
           unfitness
           for
           seals
           ,
           disableth
           not
           his
           seed
           for
           Membership
           or
           Baptism
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           This
           question
           agreeing
           in
           scope
           with
           
             Quest
             .
             10.
             
          
           We
           refer
           thither
           for
           Answer
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           14.
           
           Whether
           a
           Members
           Child
           be
           censurable
           for
           any
           thing
           but
           scandalous
           actions
           ,
           and
           not
           also
           for
           ignorance
           and
           inexperience
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           A
           Members
           child
           (
           like
           as
           it
           is
           with
           all
           other
           
           members
           )
           is
           censurable
           only
           for
           scandalous
           sins
           ,
           
             Mat.
             18.
             15
             ,
             18.
             1
             Cor.
          
           5.
           11.
           
           Consequently
           for
           ignorance
           and
           inexperience
           when
           scandalous
           ,
           for
           all
           ignorance
           and
           inexperience
           though
           blameable
           ,
           is
           not
           scandalous
           ,
           
             Rom.
             14.
             1.
             Heb
             5.
             12.
             
             Luke
          
           9.
           55.
           
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           15.
           
           Whether
           a
           Members
           Child
           must
           only
           examine
           himself
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           be
           examined
           by
           others
           ,
           of
           his
           fitnesse
           for
           seals
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           It
           is
           a
           duty
           of
           a
           Members
           child
           to
           examine
           himself
           ,
           and
           yet
           he
           is
           also
           subject
           to
           the
           examination
           of
           others
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           the
           Elders
           are
           to
           give
           an
           account
           ,
           which
           necessarily
           presupposeth
           that
           God
           hath
           given
           them
           power
           in
           some
           respects
           to
           take
           an
           account
           ,
           
             Heb.
             13.
             17.
             
             Acts
          
           8.
           37.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           pertaineth
           to
           them
           to
           see
           that
           the
           holy
           things
           be
           not
           defiled
           ,
           by
           the
           accesse
           of
           any
           unclean
           and
           unworthy
           person
           ,
           
             Ezek.
             44.
             23.
             
             Mal.
          
           1.
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           9.
           
           &
           2.
           1.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           To
           teach
           by
           question
           and
           answer
           in
           the
           most
           profitable
           way
           ,
           for
           the
           instruction
           and
           edification
           of
           the
           younger
           sort
           ,
           and
           is
           commended
           occasionally
           ,
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           
             Gal.
          
           6.
           6.
           
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           16.
           
           Whether
           only
           Officers
           must
           examine
           in
           private
           or
           else
           publike
           before
           the
           Church
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           Concerning
           their
           examination
           by
           the
           Elders
           in
           private
           ,
           the
           former
           reasons
           conclude
           affirmatively
           ,
           whereunto
           may
           be
           added
           occasionally
           that
           
             Iames
          
           and
           the
           Elders
           contrive
           and
           prepare
           in
           private
           ,
           for
           the
           more
           orderly
           and
           quiet
           transactions
           of
           things
           in
           publick
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           21.
           22
           ,
           23.
           
           'T
           is
           spiritual
           wisdom
           by
           preparing
           the
           stones
           beforehand
           ,
           to
           prevent
           after
           noise
           in
           the
           building
           ,
           1
           
             Kin.
          
           7.
           6.
           
        
         
         
           Publick
           examination
           we
           also
           conceive
           to
           be
           regular
           ,
           edification
           or
           due
           satisfaction
           of
           the
           Church
           calling
           thereunto
           ,
           yet
           alwaies
           orderly
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           approbation
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           the
           immediate
           proposal
           of
           the
           questions
           by
           them
           ,
           to
           the
           examinate
           ,
           
             Rev.
             2.
             2.
             1
             Cor.
          
           14.
           40.
           
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           17.
           
           Whether
           the
           same
           grown
           Members
           Child
           must
           not
           be
           examined
           of
           his
           Charitable
           experience
           ▪
           before
           Baptism
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           before
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           We
           think
           the
           Elders
           do
           well
           to
           take
           an
           account
           of
           children
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           according
           to
           their
           capacity
           ,
           before
           they
           be
           baptized
           .
           If
           the
           children
           spoken
           of
           in
           the
           question
           ,
           be
           yet
           in
           their
           minority
           ,
           their
           right
           unto
           Baptism
           being
           founded
           consequently
           upon
           the
           Covenant
           made
           in
           their
           Parents
           ;
           this
           Examination
           is
           to
           be
           looked
           at
           as
           conducing
           to
           the
           better
           application
           ,
           but
           not
           to
           the
           being
           of
           their
           Baptism
           .
           But
           if
           they
           be
           adult
           ,
           they
           are
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           their
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           ,
           in
           their
           own
           persons
           ,
           before
           they
           be
           baptized
           ,
           
             Acts
             8.
             36
             ,
             37.
             
             Mat
             ▪
          
           3.
           6.
           
           See
           
             Ans.
          
           to
           
             Quest
          
           6th
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           18.
           
           Whether
           baptized
           Children
           sent
           away
           from
           the
           Church
           for
           settlement
           ,
           and
           not
           intending
           return
           ,
           are
           continually
           to
           be
           accounted
           Members
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           Baptized
           children
           though
           locally
           removed
           from
           the
           Church
           unto
           which
           they
           belong
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           accounted
           Members
           ,
           until
           dismission
           ,
           death
           or
           ,
           censure
           dissolve
           that
           Relation
           ,
           because
           Christ
           the
           Institutor
           of
           this
           Relation
           ,
           onely
           by
           these
           waies
           dissolveth
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           19.
           
           Whether
           Historical
           Faith
           and
           a
           blamelesse
           life
           fit
           a
           Members
           Child
           for
           all
           Ordinances
           ▪
           and
           
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           he
           must
           be
           examined
           only
           about
           them
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           Not
           only
           historical
           Faith
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           The
           meer
           knowledge
           of
           the
           fundamental
           Doctrine
           of
           Faith
           and
           a
           blamelesse
           life
           ,
           but
           also
           such
           an
           holding
           forth
           of
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           ,
           as
           unto
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           sheweth
           an
           ability
           to
           examine
           themselves
           and
           to
           discern
           the
           Lords
           body
           ,
           is
           requisite
           to
           fit
           a
           Members
           child
           for
           all
           Ordinances
           and
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           his
           blamelesse
           life
           notwithstanding
           ,
           a
           Members
           child
           is
           to
           be
           examined
           concerning
           the
           other
           qualifications
           .
        
         
           That
           both
           the
           having
           and
           holding
           forth
           of
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           ,
           are
           requisite
           to
           fit
           for
           all
           Ordinances
           ,
           see
           
             Ans.
          
           to
           
             Quest
             .
          
           7th
           .
        
         
           That
           a
           meer
           Historical
           Faith
           and
           every
           blamelesse
           life
           is
           not
           sufficient
           to
           hold
           forth
           these
           qualifications
           ,
           appears
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           An
           Historical
           Faith
           as
           meerly
           such
           ,
           is
           insufficient
           ,
           
             Iam.
          
           2.
           19.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           A
           blamelesse
           life
           is
           either
           taken
           for
           such
           a
           conformity
           of
           the
           external
           man
           to
           the
           Letter
           ,
           as
           exempts
           from
           censure
           ,
           
             Mat.
             19.
             20.
             
             Phil.
          
           3.
           6.
           
           Or
           for
           such
           a
           conformity
           of
           the
           whole
           man
           as
           in
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           commends
           a
           person
           to
           the
           Conscience
           of
           the
           beholder
           ,
           as
           in
           measure
           spiritual
           ,
           
             Phil.
          
           1.
           10.
           
           &
           2.
           15.
           
        
         
           A
           blamelesse
           life
           in
           the
           first
           sense
           is
           not
           sufficient
           to
           qualifie
           for
           all
           Ordinances
           ,
           but
           for
           our
           fitnesse
           thereunto
           ,
           the
           Rule
           calleth
           for
           a
           blamelesse
           life
           in
           the
           second
           sense
           ,
           
             Matth.
             3.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             Iames
          
           2.
           21.
           
           Besides
           the
           holding
           forth
           of
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           according
           to
           the
           Premises
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           20.
           
           Whether
           if
           a
           Church-Member
           barely
           say
           ,
           it
           repents
           me
           ,
           though
           seventy
           times
           seven
           times
           following
           
           he
           relapse
           into
           the
           same
           gross
           evils
           ,
           as
           lying
           ,
           slander
           ,
           oppression
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           He
           be
           to
           be
           forgiven
           ,
           and
           not
           censured
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           Though
           we
           alwaies
           acknowledge
           that
           the
           Holy
           One
           of
           
             Israel
          
           is
           not
           to
           be
           limited
           by
           man
           or
           Angel
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           dispensation
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           yet
           so
           far
           as
           we
           remember
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           seventy
           times
           seven
           times
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           490
           ▪
           relapses
           into
           the
           same
           grosse
           sin
           ,
           and
           repentance
           is
           an
           instance
           not
           extant
           there
           .
           Without
           the
           fruits
           meet
           for
           repentance
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           called
           to
           forgive
           ,
           
             Mat.
             3.
             8.
             
             Luk.
          
           17.
           3.
           
        
         
           Notwithstanding
           a
           Brother
           offends
           seventy
           times
           seven
           times
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           many
           times
           ,
           a
           definite
           number
           being
           put
           for
           an
           indefinite
           ,
           yet
           whilst
           God
           enables
           him
           to
           repent
           ,
           it
           is
           our
           duty
           to
           forgive
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           the
           number
           of
           offences
           ,
           but
           the
           holding
           forth
           of
           repentance
           in
           the
           offender
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           measure
           of
           our
           forgivenesse
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           18.
           22.
           
           As
           God
           for
           Christs
           sake
           forgave
           us
           ▪
           so
           ought
           we
           to
           forgive
           one
           another
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           4.
           32.
           
        
         
           To
           say
           in
           words
           ,
           I
           repent
           ,
           and
           to
           gainsay
           it
           in
           deeds
           ,
           is
           according
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           not
           to
           repent
           ,
           yea
           ,
           rather
           to
           continue
           in
           impenitency
           ,
           
             Tit.
             1.
             16.
             
             Iam.
          
           2.
           18
           ,
           26.
           
        
         
           An
           ingenuous
           and
           solemn
           profession
           of
           repentance
           ,
           nothing
           appearing
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           accepted
           as
           true
           repentance
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           ,
           
             Luk.
             17.
             3.
             1
             Cor.
          
           13.
           7.
           
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           21.
           
           Whether
           a
           Member
           under
           offence
           and
           not
           censured
           ,
           or
           not
           with
           the
           highest
           Censure
           ,
           can
           authoritatively
           be
           denied
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           or
           other
           Church-priviledges
           ?
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           1.
           
           None
           but
           the
           Church
           can
           Authoritatively
           
           
           
           deny
           to
           the
           Member
           his
           accesse
           unto
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           because
           the
           power
           thereof
           is
           only
           delegated
           to
           that
           subject
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           18.
           17.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Church
           cannot
           deny
           unto
           a
           Member
           his
           accesse
           unto
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           untill
           she
           hath
           regularly
           judged
           him
           to
           be
           an
           offender
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           censure
           of
           admonition
           is
           the
           first
           act
           whereby
           a
           Church
           doth
           judicially
           declare
           a
           Member
           to
           be
           an
           offender
           ;
           therefore
           till
           the
           censure
           of
           admonition
           be
           past
           ,
           a
           Member
           cannot
           Authoritatively
           be
           denied
           communion
           in
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           or
           other
           Church-priviledges
           ,
           because
           of
           offence
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           After
           the
           sentence
           of
           Admonition
           is
           past
           ,
           the
           offender
           now
           admonished
           ,
           may
           be
           (
           yea
           thereby
           is
           )
           Authoritatively
           denied
           to
           come
           unto
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           and
           to
           vote
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           because
           he
           is
           judicially
           unclean
           ,
           
             Lev.
          
           22.
           3
           ,
           4.
           
           &
           7.
           20
           ,
           21.
           
           
             Mat.
          
           5.
           23
           ,
           24.
           
           Though
           he
           be
           not
           yet
           Censured
           with
           the
           Censure
           of
           Excommunication
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           All
           which
           notwithstanding
           ,
           there
           are
           cases
           wherein
           a
           Brother
           apparently
           discerned
           to
           be
           in
           a
           condition
           rendring
           him
           (
           should
           he
           so
           proceed
           to
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           )
           an
           unworthy
           Communicant
           ,
           may
           and
           ought
           regularly
           to
           be
           advised
           to
           forbear
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           his
           duty
           to
           hearken
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           Yet
           two
           things
           are
           here
           carefully
           to
           be
           attended
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           Brethren
           be
           not
           many
           Masters
           ,
           taking
           upon
           them
           to
           advise
           and
           to
           admonish
           others
           to
           abstain
           without
           cause
           ,
           or
           before
           the
           time
           ,
           
             Iam.
          
           3.
           1.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           none
           forbear
           to
           come
           worthily
           ,
           which
           is
           their
           duty
           ,
           because
           to
           their
           private
           apprehension
           ,
           another
           is
           
           supposed
           (
           at
           least
           )
           to
           come
           unworthily
           ,
           which
           is
           their
           sin
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           In
           case
           the
           Church
           shall
           see
           cause
           to
           advise
           a
           Member
           to
           forbear
           ,
           and
           he
           shall
           refuse
           to
           hearken
           thereunto
           ,
           his
           refusal
           being
           also
           a
           violation
           of
           Church
           Order
           ,
           addeth
           contumacy
           to
           his
           offence
           ,
           and
           thereby
           ripens
           the
           Offender
           for
           Censure
           .
        
         
           
             
               19
               4th
               .
               1657.
               
            
             Boston
             .
             
               N.
               E.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAg.
           5.
           l.
           1.
           read
           
             Act.
          
           15.
           10.
           p.
           6.
           l.
           23.
           r.
           
             Act.
          
           2.
           47.
           p.
           14.
           l.
           7.
           r.
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           2.
           6.
           l.
           26.
           r.
           
             Act.
          
           9.
           19.
           p.
           18.
           l.
           5.
           for
           
             reason
          
           r.
           
             season
             .
          
           p.
           23.
           l.
           30.
           for
           
             Church-act
          
           r.
           
             Covenant-act
             .
          
           p.
           24.
           l.
           19
           ,
           20.
           r.
           would
           
             have
          
           so
           ▪
           p.
           26.
           l.
           20.
           for
           
             in
          
           r.
           
             is
             .
          
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A50249e-1290
           
             See
             the
             platform
             of
             Church
             Discipline
             ,
             
               cap
               ▪
            
             12.
             
             §.
             7.
             
          
           
             See
             the
             platform
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             
               cap.
            
             12.
             
             §.
             7.