Anti-Paedobaptism Part 3, Section 47
SECT. XLVII. Mr. Bls. Vindic. F…ed. Ch. 34. Concerning the stating the question of the Birth-priviledge of the issue of …elievers, is examined; and his Objections against my stating it removed.
MR. Bl. ch. 34. complains, that my confusion hath mudded the way, that my mixture brings a cloud upon all] he might as well say light is darkness. He saith, I undertake a full Comment upon these words of the Covenant, Gen. 17.7. Exercit. pag. 3. in which the Reader will not find this undertaking. He sets down my distinction of Abrahams seed Exercit pag. 3. and then saith, here by the way Mr. T. mistakes himself. 1. In casting Ishmael out of Covenant in that manner, that all the time of his Circumcision he had not title to it, to that end that he might make (were it possible) the Covenant and the Seal distinct of themselves, without any relation one to the other, conceiving some to be sealed that were never in Covenant, and some to be in Covenant that were never sealed. Ishmael was in Covenant, as was Esau at his Circumcision, and his Circumcision doth w…tness i…, Gen. 17.11.
Answ. I do assert, that …he Covenant Gen. 17▪ was not made with Ishmael, for none of the promi…es there did belong to him, and I have further prov…d it f…o… v. 19 …0, 21. Heb. 11.9, &c. though not to make the Covenant and Seal distinct of themselve…, without any relation one to another; yet conceiving some were to be circumcised that were never in Covenant, and viceversa. But Mr. Bl. thinks it proved that Ishmael was in Covenant, because he was circumcised, for it is said, Circumcision shall be a token of the Covenant between me and you, Gen. 17.11. To which … said, the Covenant was between God and Abraham and his seed in their generations, v. 7. and this seed is declared exc…sively of Ishmael to be …saac, v. 2…. and them that sh…uld be of him, Gen. 21.12. Rom. 9.7, 8. Though every persons Circumcision af…er Gods appointment was a token of the Covenant God made, yet not of the Covenant God made between himself and the circumcised: for the covenant of God with Abraham was not to ev…ry circumcis…d stranger, nor to every circumcised child, but between God, and …braham and …is seed in their generations which should be called in …saac, and accordingly the covenant to be kept, v. 1…. is said to be between God and Abraham and Sarah, and Abrahams seed. …areus com. on Gen. 17.7. Two heads there are of the Covenant, God and Abraham; on Abrahams part also his seed or posterity are comprehended. But the seed is understood according to the limitations of Scripture here, and in other places, Gen. 17.21. & …1.12. Rom. 9.7, 8. What therefore is here added in their generations▪ extends not the Covenant to Ishmaelites, Idumaeans, and Keturaeans. There is no truth in that which Mr. Bl. adds, men in Covenant were the …dequate subject of Circumcision, and are of Baptism. For the females and the males of the seventh day were in Coven…nt, yet not subjects of Circumcision; many Proselytes and others were the subjects of Circumcision, though not in Covenant. Nor is the reason why either this or that person was to be circumcised, and is now to be baptized his being in Covenant, but the command of God concerning them whether they be in Covenant with God or no▪ in that sense in which Paedobaptists mean when they say infants are in covenant, because of Gods covenant made to them without th…ir own covenant, as hath been often proved. The casting out which I observe Apol. 114. of Ishmael doth not sufficiently argue (as Mr. Bl. saith) that Ishmael was once in Covenant, but that he was once in Abrahams house, from whence he was cast out.
2ly. Saith Mr. Bl. Mr. T. does i…l in laying upon Ishmael the brand of Bastardy, as though he were a son of whoredomes to faithful Abraham; Co…cubines in Scripture have the name of Wives, and their seed was ever accounted legitimate▪ neither will this serve his p…rpose at all to argue Ishmael out of covenant.
Answ. I ter…ed Ishmael Abrahams base natural seed, but not to argue him out of covenant, nor b… terming him base did I term him the son of whoredomes, but of an unlawful bed. And though Concubines in Scripture have the name of Wives, and whores are usually called those that are common to more then one, and the sons of Concubines counted le…itimate in respect of inheritances, yet be that should say tha… Concubines were lawful Wives, and their children legitimate before God, must maintain the lawfulness of Concubinate and Polygamy in the P…triarchs, which our Lord Christs words g…insay, Matth. 19.4, 5, 6.
M. Bl. having recited my words Exercit. pag. 3. concerning the different seed of Abraham, and the different manner of Gods promise to be God …o them, he … after his calumniating manner infers: So that it evidently appears, that he casts out all the natural seed of Abraham (legitimate or base, as he cals them, inheriting or not inheriting) from any …itle to that Covenant▪ save in domestick and political benefits. Which if true, I should cast ou… Isaac, Jacob, David, Christ Jesus himself from any title to …hat Covenant Gen. 17.7. save in domestick and political benefits: which is so gross a thing, and so manifest a falshood, that I wonder Mr. Bl. hath the face to write such a thing of me, and to pervert my words so palpably; but that I perceive he cares little how he hazards his own credit, so he may impair mine. I say, that God promiseth he will be a God to Christ, impartin… in him blessing to all nations of the earth, to the spiritual seed of …braham in Evangelical benefits; to the natural seed inheriting in domestick and political benefits. How doth it sufficiently appear hence, that I cast out all the natural seed of Abraham from any title to th…t Covenant, save in domestick and political b…nefits? Doth it follow, that because I assigne Ev…ngelical benefits to Abrahams spiritua… seed, I deny any of his natural seed to be his spiritual?
To this loud calu…ny, he adjoyns his own gross p…sition in these words. Here I shall undertake a position in full opposition, I will establish my Covenant, &c. Gen. 17.7. in their fullest latitude as they are there spoken▪ in the largest comprehension (which according to Scripture they can be taken) are entred with all the natural seed of Abraham, by Isaac and Jacob. Which if true, then God breaks his word if he be not a God in spiritual, and all other bl…ssings comprehended under the phrase, will be a God to thee and thy seed; to Judas, Ahab, the Pharises that said Christ ca… out devils by the help of devils, and so blasphemed the Holy Ghost, the Jews that rejected Christ, in effectual calling, justifying, raising to eternal life, which the Scripture comprehends under that phrase of being a God to a person, Rom. 9.11. Gal. 3.16. Luk. 20.37, 38. He saith, the confirmation of this position, is a matter of ease if any. Which I acknowledge, if by [confirmation] be meant such as Mr. Bl. in his dictating and flirting fashion useth to …onfirm things; not distinctly opening terms, nor the meaning of the texts he brings, nor shewing by any Logical deduction the pertinency of them to prove his position. But I shall as soon expe… a new world in the Moon proved as that position, by any true Logical deduction out of Scripture. He talks of my trifling circumstances in my Examen, and foul miscarriage in my stating of the question, even in that whic… was most necessary according to the rule of all Logicians, that in ever consideration of things, distinction of ambiguous terms should be used … afore any definition, proposition, proof, or answer be made, as Keche…m. syst. Log. l. 1. sect post. c 1. out of Cicero, Boetius, Aristotle, Galen, &c shews; and for endeavouring to bring Mr. M. to state his …wn proposition without ambiguity, that I might know what to de…y or gra…t, which Mr. Bl. terms ineptly my soul miscarriage in my stating of the question, when I stated not a question at all, but onelyonly so…ght to finde out how Mr, M. meant his 2d. concl. in his Sermon. But Mr. Bl. will have his position limited. An… he speaks thus. 1. We take not in all the natural seed of Abraham, as the position plainly expresseth, but the seed by promise, which I understand not of the elect or regenerate seed: but of that seed which G…d by miracle according to promise) gave to Abraham by …arah, when she was past years of child bearing.
Answ. 1. If he take not in all the natural seed of Abraham, as comprehended in that promise Gen. 17.7. but the seed by promise, then the Covenant Gen. 17.7. was never made to Ishmael, which was signified by circumcision, and consequently though Ishmael was circumcised, yet he was never in covenant, and Mr. Bls position is false, men in Covenan… are the adequate subject of Circumcision. 2. If he understand not by [the children of the promise Rom. 9.8.] the elect or regenerate, then he doth not understand as the Apostle doth, who declares v. 11 that the seed v. 7. who are children of the promise v▪ 8. are such as are by Gods calling according to Gods purpose of election, v. 11. whom …e loveth, v. 13, hath mercy and compassion on, v. 15. and deserts the contra…monstrants, as I have often shewed in this and other writings. 3. If he understand the seed by promise onelyonly of that which God by miracle (according to promise) gave to Abraham by Sarah, when she was past years of child-…earing, then h… asserts the Covenant Gen. 17.7. in the fullest latitude to be made wholly to Isaac, no to Jacob, or any other, for no other but Isaac individually taken was that seed which God by miracle (according to promise) gave to Abraham by Sarah, when she was past years of child bearing.
Mr. Bl. adds, The natural posterity (which was the birth by promise) we onelyonly understand; and so the Apostle explains it ▪ Rom. 9.7, 8. neither, &c.
Answ. If Mr. Bl. understand onelyonly Gen. 17.7. by [the seed of Abraham] the natural posterity (which was the birth by promise) and that according to Mr. Bls. description in the words immediately precedent is no other then individual Isaac, then he takes in no other then …saac into the Covenant Gen. 17▪7. as meant by Abrahams seed. Now the A…ostle is so far from explaining it so, that the contrary is most true▪ Fo… 1. the Apostle expresly saith, that is they which are the children of the flesh, that is begotten by m…er natural generation of Abraham which is all one with the natural posterity of Ab…aham, thes… are not the children of God, that is those to whom the promise is made Gen. 17.7. as the contradistinction to the children of the promise in the latter part of v▪ 8. shews▪ And that by [children of the flesh] are me…nt meer natural posterity appears in that v. 7. which is explained v. 8. the term [the seed of Abraham] is put as equipolent to [children of the flesh,] which understood any otherwise then thus […he seed or children of Abraham by meer n…tural generation] should exclude Isaac also, who was the natural posterity of Abraham, and so the seed of Abraham, but not by meer natural generation. 2. If the Apostle had explained the seed, Gen. 17.7. of the natural posterity onelyonly, which was the birth by promise (which according to Mr. Bls. description can be no more then individual Isaac) then he had said Rom. 9.8. but the child of the promise is counted for the seed, not as he doth in the plural number, the children of the promise, (by whom are meant all elect persons, who are by su…ernatural calling counted by God for the seed of the Gentiles as well as the Jews, as he affirms v. 24.) are counted for the seed to whom the promise Gen. 17.7. is made. But Mr. Bl. …oes on thus.
Where children of God is taken in the same latitude as adoption, v. 4. comprizing all the visible body of the Jews, as it is also taken, Deut. 14.1.
Answ. …he right reading (as I have before proved) of Rom. 9 4. should be [whose was the adoption] and this is meant indeed of the visible body of Israelites in former generations, excluding the pres…nt; nor do I deny it to be so me…nt, Deut. 14.1. but not so as either then or at any time comprizing every particular Jew, but as Mr. Bl. himself rightly explaineth such passages in his answer to my letter pag. 51. (though … applied to Rom. 9.25, 26.) the denomination being a praestantiori parte, as we call it, a heap of corn, where yet there is a mixture of chaff, and a corn field, where there is a mixture of tares and other weeds; and as the Apostle (writing to the Church of the Thessalonians) saith, knowing brethren your election of God, and yet I suppose you do not believe that each particular man was a vessel of glory. But I go after Mr. Bl.
OnelyOnly, saith he, those that are born by promise are included, and so all the sons of Ishmael and Keturah, though the…r parents were once in Covenant, are by Gods special command shut ou….
Answ 1. There are no more born by promise according to Mr. Bls. description but Isaac, and so no more according to him included; not Jacob, mu…h less all the visible body of the Jews. 2. If those that are born by promise onelyonly are included, then Ishmael, and the sons of Keturah who were not born by pro…ise, are not in…luded in the Covenant Gen. 17.7. then they were never in Cov…nant, for none were never in that Covenant, who were not included in the promise. 3. The Scripture doth not mention any special command to shut out …shmael out of the Covenant he was once in, but to … out of Abrahams hous…. Nor do I see in what sense Abraham cou…d be said to cast him out of Covenant. Surely not by revoking … promise, that were little less then blasphemy, to ascribe to Abraham the evacuating of Gods word: not by uncircumcising him for … was any such thing done, though Abraham obeyed God, nor perhaps could be done. What other way he might shut him out of …ovenant I do not understand. 4. If Ishmael were once in the Coven…nt, as it comprehends the promise of Evangelical grace, then …od promised to be his God in respect of regeneration justification, adoption, sanctification and raising up to eternal li…e, and he was in that esta…e, and if h… were shut out again, …hen a man may be in the covenant of Evangelical grace and shut out again, which is contrary to the very end of the new C…venant, as it is expressed Heb. 8.6, 7, 8, 9, 10. and infers falling away from Gospel grace.
Mr. Bl. proceeds thus. Neither are all these included; for as God cast off Ishmael and his seed, so also Esau and his posterity; therefore the Apostle having brought the former distinction of seeds, rests not there but adds v. 10, 11, 12, 13. And ther…fore the denomination of the seed is in Jacob, sirnamed Israel; Therefore when the head, or if you will, root of the Covenant is mentioned; usually in Scripture it is not barely Abraham, but Abraham and Isaac, to exclude all Abrahams seed of any other line; not barely Abraham and Isaac, but Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The natural seed of Jacob then (not according to ours, but Gods own limits) is included in that Covenant in the full latitude and extent of it.
Answ. 1. The terms head or root of the Covenant, are not Scripture expressions. I finde Gal. 3.16. that to Abraham and his seed were the promises made, and Rom. 11.16. If the root be holy so are the branches, v. 18. thou bearest not the root, …ut the root thee; but this root is I conceive, no other then Abraham, who is …ot termed either head or root of the Covenant singly or jointly, but of the olive or branches in respect of their propagation from him partly as a natural father, and a spiritual father in respect of Is…aelite believers, an… partly as a spiritual father onelyonly in respect of Gentile believers. But if any be to be termed the head and root of the Covenant, I think it is most fit to give that title to Christ, the surety and mediatour, Heb. 7.22. & 8.6. to whom the promises were made, Gal. 3.16, 17. 2. When God is stiled the God of Abraham, I…saac, and Jacob, that it is to exclude all Abrahams seed of any other line, and to say that God cast off Esau and his posterity from the Covenant, is more then the Apostle saith, or is according to truth. For the Apostle doth onelyonly say, that therefore the Oracle was delivered concerning Esau and Jacob, and the words of the Prophet concerning Jacob and Esau are alledged, that he might shew that God confined not his Covenant to Abrahams natural posterity, nor included them all; not to shew that he cast off or excluded all Abrahams seed of any other line then …saac and Jacob from the Covenant. For then Jo…, Jethro, and all other Proselytes of Abrahams seed by Keturah, of Esau…s posterity had been excluded from the Covenant of grace in Christ, which is contrary to Scripture; and in like sort, all the Gentile from Ishmael, Keturah, Esau, …ad been excluded from being called Christian believers. For none are called by God who are excluded out of the Covenant of grace. 3. That the natural seed of Jacob is included in that Covenant. Gen. 17.7. in the full latitude and ex…ent of it, as it comprehends a promise of Evangelical grace, is so far from being the Apostles determination, tha… he resolves in the contrary in those words Rom. 9.6. All are not Israel, that are of Israel.
Secondly, saith Mr. Bl. We d… not say that this Covenant was entred with Abraham as a n…tural Father, nor his seed comprehended as natural children; but a… a p…ofessour of the Faith …ccepting the Conant, taking God for his God he accepts it for himself, and f…r his seed, his natural p…sterity. And all that profess the Faith hold in the like ten…re, are in Covenant, and have the Covenant; not vested in their own persons, but enlarged to their posterity.
Answ. I do not remember that I did any where say that Paedobaptists said, that covenant Gen. 17.7. w… entred with Abraham as a natural …ather, but the Authour of the little Treatise intituled Infants Baptism proved lawful by Scripture, asserted the Covenant was made with Abraham as a believer; to which I replied▪ that as it was Evangelical it was not made with Abraham simply as a believer, for then it had been made to every believer as to Abraham, but with Abraham as the Father of believers, and with his seed as believers as he was. But that ever any Paedo…aptist did afore Mr. Bl▪ assert that the Covenant Gen. 17.7. as it was a Covenant of Evangelical grace, was entred by God with him as a professour of the faith, accepting the Covenant taking God for his God, accepting it for himself and for his seed, his natural posterity, I do not reme…ber. If they should, yet I take it to be false, and without likelihood of truth. For if the Covenant of Evangelical grace were made with Abraham under that formal consideration, then God had promised Evangelical grace, justication, adoption, to him as a professour of faith onelyonly, so that if it were supposed he had been an hopocrite, yet he should have been justified, adopted in that he was a professour of faith, or else it is to be conceived justification and adoption were not to Abraham by this Covenant, contrary to Gal. 3.16, 17, 18. nor hath it any likelihood of truth, that God would single out so exemplary a believer as Abraham was, Rom. 4.18, 19. and enter so solemn a Covenant with him barely as a professour of faith, which was competent to an hypocrite. Nor do I well know in what sense God entred the Covenant with him as … professour of the faith accepting the Covenant for himself and his s…ed. For Gods entring the Covenant is no other then his making of it: But God did not make it on this condition that Abraham should accept it f…r him and his seed, but as knowing Abrahams integrity, b… way of testification of his love and grace to him being so eminent and tried a believer afore this C…venant was made with him. Nor is it true that all that profess the faith hold in the like tenure, are in Covenant, and have the Coven…nt; not vested in their own persons, but enlarged to their posterity, there being none in the Covenant Gen. 17.7. but Abraham and his seed, of whom no meer professour of faith, much le…s his seed, except elect or true believer is either. Nor was the Covenant ever made to Abrahams or Israels mere natural posterity as it is Evangelical; much less enlarged to the posterity natural of every professour of faith.
Thirdly, saith Mr. Bl. We entitle the seed o… Abraham, as before, to spiritual mercies (and so the seed of all that hold in the tenure of Abraham) to saving grace, and justification to life eternal; not by an absolute conveyance infallibly to inherit (we know though Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant onelyonly shall be saved, Rom. 9.27.) but upon Gods terms, and conditions in the Gospel of God, held out of God to his pe…ple; salvation is made over by vertue of Covenant, to all thus in Covenant in that sense as Christ speaks Joh. 4.22. salvation is of the Jews. In that sense as Christ us…th it of Zacheus family; this day is salvation come to this house, Luk. 19.9. In that sense as the Apostle to the Hebrews speaks of it, where he sets out the danger of neglecting so great salvation, Heb. 2.3. In that sense (as I conceive) the Apostle speaks of it, where he saith, that upon the call of the Jews all Israel shall be saved, Rom. 11.26.
Answ. That by [salvation Luk. 19.9. Heb. 2.3. Rom. 11.26.] is not meant outward priviledges, in which salvation upon Gods terms may be obtained, hath been shewed before Sect. 44. And though I grant that salvation is said to be of the Jews, in that from them was the doctrine of salvation, yet I see no necessity to expound the term [salvation] metonymically, as if by [salvation] were meant barely the doctrine of salvation, but the sense may be truely conceived thus, salvation, remission of sins, justification, adoption, eternal life, is of the Jews, as instruments by preaching the Gospel of converting, and so saving men. But that God when he promised Gen. 17.7. I will be thy God and the God of thy seed (as this promise is Evangelical) meant this, all the professors of faith and their seed shall enjoy those priviledges, in which salvation upon Gods terms may be obtained, is proved false. 1. In that the writers of the New Testament never so explain it, but where the promise is mentioned as Evangelical, they declare it imports a further thing proper to the elect and true believers. 2 That they never by Abrahams seed as Evangelically understood, mean any other then elect persons and true believers: both which are proved largely before Sect. 28. 3. That in this sense the promise were not made good, for God doth not make good to every professour of faith that he shall have …hose priviledges, as to be baptized, be in Church-communion, have the the Lords supper, have a Pastour to preach the Gospel, much less to every one of his natural seed, as frequent experience shews. 4. By this exposition nothing is assured to the infant of a believer, or to a professour of faith, which is not also to an unbelievers child, yea to an unbeliever, who as well as they have title to saving grace, and justification to eternal life, upon termes and conditions in the Gospel of God, held out of God to his people.
Mr. Bl. adds, And this [that professors of faith or believers upon their call shall enjoy those priviledges, in which salvation upon Gods terms may be obtained] is all that c…n by any means be squeezed out of their words, that say, the Covenant of grace was made of God, with Abraham and hi… natural seed, or with believers and their seed. It is even irksome to read the large business that Mr. T. makes of it, to finde out Mr. Ms. meaning, about the Covenant of God made with Abraham and his se…d; and both Mr. M. and my self must per force confess that we mean …t of a Covenant, infallibly absolutely to confer grace, and cons…quently salvation.
Answ. 1. That more may be squeezed out, is proved in my Exam. part 3. sect. 3. in this par… of the Review sect. 30.31, &c. And if no more be m…ant by them, these things w…ll follow. 1. That they mean by the Covenant of grace, a covenant of outward priviledges, of viable C…urch-membership. Baptism, the Lords Supper, to every beleever by prof…ssion, though a Gentile, and his natural seed, under the pretence of the Covenant, Gen. 17.7. which pretended outward Covenant of outward priviledges is a meer counterfeit, neither Gen, 17.7. nor any where else to be found in the holy Scripture. 2. They do most grosly abuse the text, Gen. 17.7. for proving such a Covenant, quite besides the expositions given of it throughout the New Testament, as is proved in this Part of the Revew, sect. 28. and quite besides the expositions even of the reformed Divines, though Paedobaptists, in their commentaries on the N. T. and writings against Arminians. 3. They do mock Readers most palpably▪ 1. in telling them the Covenant of grace cen…ains the promise of remission of sins, &c. is for substance the same in all ages, and say it belongs to all the infants of beleevers, that they are in it, that is that Covenant of grace, they are confederate with parents, as the words of the Directory, Mr, M. and others cited by me, Exam part. 3 sect. 3 shew; and yet deny this Covenant of saving grace is made to them all, but upon such conditions as upon which it is made to unbeleevers children, yea, to every man in the world. 2. In that they when they make the Sacraments to be seals of the Covenant of grace, and attempt to prove it from Rom. 4.11. which mentions onelyonly a seal of the righteousness of faith ▪ they make them seals of the righteousne…s of faith, and say infants are in the Covenant, and the seal must follow the Covenant, and yet nevertheless deny all the infants they baptize by vertue of being in the Covenant (of which Baptism is a seal) to be in that Covenant of which Baptism is a seal; but say they are in a meer imaginary Covenant, which they call an outward Covenant, of which Baptism is no seal, but rather according to their conceits, the thing it self covenanted or promised. 3. They mock parents, by telling them in wr…tings and sermons, that they are to be comforted concerning their children, that if they be beleevers their children are saved by vertue of the promise Gen. 17.7. that they are bound to beleeve it; and yet when they are pressed with the Apostles determination. Rom. 9.6 7, 8. and other arguments, they deny that they understand it of the …ovenant of saving grace, which alone can infer salvation) infallibly and absolutely to confer grace; but either they make it onelyonly conditional if they repent and beleeve, which no man is sure any infant doth; or they say in the judgement of charity (which is fallible, and is no object of faith) we are to take them to be in Covenant and to b… saved, or else they say (which is now the common shif…) they are in the outward Covenant, which is a figment, and of which they cannot say but that a person may be in it and not saved. 4. That sith it is commonly conceived by readers and hearers that they mean that which Mr. M. Mr G. Mr. Bl. &c. do disclaim, Paedobaptists are bound to …each the people at their baby sprinklings, and at other ti…es when they avouch the infants of beleevers and of meer visible professors of faith to be in the Covenant of grace, Gen… 17 7. and thereupon derive their title to Baptism that they mean but as Mr. M. Mr. Bl. say, that they may acquit themselves from deceiving the people, and being judged impostors.
2. It is no marvel that the 3d. Section of the 3d. Part of my Examen is irksome to Mr. Bl. to read, sith it doth so fully lay open the fallacy of Paedobap…ists in their speeches concerning the …nfants of beleevers being in Covenant. Not did I set down the position I conceived Mr. Ms. 2d.. concl. any otherwise then in fair candid way, giving my reasons thereof; and not as Mr. Bl. faith, per force imposing any thing on him. And for Mr. M. it is shewed above §. 30. that Mr. M. in his Defence hath rather hidd…n then explained the m…aning of his 2d Conclusion. As for M. Bl. [did acknowledge, Exam. p. 46. that he spake most warily, and therefore was far from obtruding upon him. But yet Mr. Bl. for want of other exceptions against me, chargeth me with wronging him in a passag… in my Apology, pag. 156. where I say, How doth this stand with tha… which he asserts, ch. 3. sect. 2. of his answer to my Letter, pag. 13. That infants of beleevers have salvation, if they die in their infancy, by ver…ue of the Covenant? These words, he saith, were none of his, and that I could not but know it, when I published them; and that the meaning was not his, I knew also, seeing he ex…ressed it in these words, That they are in the ordinary way of Gods dispensation saveable. …o w…ich I reply. The assertio… I co…ceived his, I gathered from those words in the place cited by me, That Scrirture therefore, 1 Cor. 7.14 in this controversie is still brought in by our Divines, as evidently holding out a Covenant holiness, and consequently salvation of infants. And truly I must confess▪ I thought his words so plain, that I never dream't he would have denied it to be his meaning, conceiving he alledged the Protestant Divines as con…onant to his own opinion; and that if salvation of Infants be inferred consequently from covenant holiness (which Mr. Bl. asserts from 1 Cor. 7.14.) then it is Mr. Bls. meaning, that infants of beleevers have salvation in their infancy, if they die in their infancy, by vertue of the Covenant, and that he asserts a certainty of salvation from the Covenant. That which he saith. I knew that the meaning I impute to him was not his because of the words he sets down, and therefore a calumny tending to make a brother odious, is I am sure false, and a calumny which I never expect to have fairly answered by him, nor almost any thing else he is charged with by me to have dealt fouly in his opposing …e about this point. The words he mentions were in the period before th…s. This Papists deny, as not knowing how to avoid the salvation of infants, but that they are in the ordinary way of Gods dispensation saveable, when they are thus admitted within the verge of Gods promise. Which being spoken of the Papists, I did not conceive so likely to explain the speech of the period following, as that other a little before, Protestants affirm that infants without actual admission to Baptism are saved The main argument wherewith Protestants assert it, is the Covenant▪ in which with the parents, infants are included: and I conceived [are saved] is as much as are actually saved. Nor am I yet so well indoctrinated by Mr. Bl. as not to think it had been non-sense (which I would not impute to Mr. Bl.) to expound salvation of infants, by saveab…eness in the ordinary way of Gods dispensation. Nor did I Imagine that by M…. Bl. muc… less by Protestant Divines, a saveableness onelyonly in Gods ordinary way of dispensation, should be made the consequent of Covenant holiness, but a certainty of salvation. For the Covenant or prumise do…h not assure onelyonly … possibility, but a certainty; yea, possibilities are not the things which men ever assure, they are antecedent to Covenants and promises, but certain events; an… to imagine Gods Covenant to assure onelyonly a possibility, a saveableness, and not a certainty of salvation, is to make God to promis… nothing, b…t what is without such a Covenant, which is to make it a blank. And if the Covenant holiness infer onelyonly a conditional salvation, it infers no more salvation then damnation: yea, if infants have no more by their Covenant holiness then a saveableness in Gods ordinary way of dispensation, then they have onelyonly a saveableness if they be baptized, hear th… Gospel preached, beleeve it, profess it (which is the ordinary way whereby God dispenseth salvation.) But if this were Mr. Bls. meaning, he ha… made Baptism &c. a necessary condition of their salvation, and so he had tied their salvation with the Papists to Baptism, or rather been more rigid then they, durior pater infantum Augustino, requiring the hearing the word, actual faith, and profession of them to salvation. So that I hope by this time Mr. Bl. will forgive me this wrong, in setting down his opinion better then he meant it, and that he will let fa…l hi… suit against me for this thing: And if so, I will forgive him for his next insinuation of my setting up a man of straw and then beating it down (though it be indeed the common saying of Paedobap…ists, who usually say, the Covenant of grace sealed by Baptism, (which is that of justification) is made to beleevers and their seed, the promise is to them and their children, A…s 2.39. which is meant by them of remission of sins) and for his frivolous charge of my using the arguments of Jesuits, and making use of Protestants names, when I do bring not onelyonly the names, but the very words and arguments of the most approved Protestant writers in great number, and produce one Papist, Estius alone, no Jesuite, but, though a Papist, of the better sort; and do, and may safely protest, that some of those Mr. Bl. chargeth me with I did not read; and for one, what I read in him came not into my mind when I wrote that Examen of Mr. Ms. sermon. So that what Mr. Bl. doth so often insinuate, as tending to make me suspected as if my arguments against Infant Baptism were borrowed from Papists even then when I avouch Protestants, is a most unworthy calumny, though I still say I am glad when I find truth, that I meet with i… in any Authors, whether Protestants or Papists, and think it not the worse for their owning it.
Mr. Bl a…ter his false accusations of me, and limitations of his own tenet, speaks thus. To draw all up towards a conclusion. All that is necessaril… included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people, engaging to be their God, and taking them for his people; is here by this grand Charter of Heaven made over to Abraham, and his natural issue by …saac and Jacob. All their posteri…y are branches of this root by nature simply considered, and they are holy branches by vertue of this Covenant, which necessarily implies priviledges of Ordinances, the fruition of Gods Oracles, which are his Covenant draughts▪ without which no people are in Covenant, but all are strangers: And this priviledge of Ordinances implies also all priviledges, leading to, and accompanying salvation, and salvation it se…f upon Gods terms in his word revealed. And so before the disputation, the Reader hath my supposition.
Answ. The Reader hath a supposition indeed, but such a one, as if he examine it, he will be more to seek concerning Mr. Bls. mind, then if he had omitted it. But I sh…ll as fairly as the ambiguity of his expr…ssions will permit, search out his meaning. There are no fewer then nine Propositions thrust together in these words of his, That all that is necessarily included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people, engaging to be their God, and taking them for his people; is here by this grand Charter of Heaven made over to Abraham, and his natural issue by Isaac and Jacob. In which, 1. he asserts the promise Gen 17.7. to be the grand Charter of Heaven: And I grant it to be so in the sense in which the Apostle means, it, Gal. 3.16, 17, 18 Rom. 4.16. and elsewhere, to wit▪ as it is a promise of regeneration, justification, eternal life, which I call Evangelical grace. 2. He speaks of Gods entrance of Covenant with a people, engaging to be their God, and taking them for his people, and of things necessarily encluded in this entrance of …ovenant. But there are many ambiguities in these expr…ssions The term entrance into Covenant is ambiguous: He may be said to enter into Covenant who offers it, or who makes and concludes it. The term people of God is ambiguous; it may be meant either of his people by special right, as the ten Tribes were when they fell off to idolatry; or his people by outward profession onelyonly, or his people by effectual saving calling. The terms engaging to be their God, and taking them for his people, may be understood in respect of temporary protection, advancement, rule, &c. or righteousness and eternal life. The word people may note either singular persons, or the collective body of a Nation which may not include every sing…lar person. He supposeth things necessarily included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people: But I am not yet convinced that any things are necessarily included in Gods entrance of Covenant with a people engaging to be the…r God, and taking them f…r his people; but that all things therein included are arbitrary, or of his free-will. And if there be any things necessarily included, sure they are not priviledges of Ordinances, I mean initial and after Seals, visible Church-membership of Infants; for God entred into Covenant wit… Abraham long b…fore, and never promised those things; so he did with Noah; and with Adam. And that which agreeably to the Scripture was promised Gen 17.7. was to the natural seed of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob, peculiar protection, provision, rule, 1 Sam. 12.12. by giving Laws to them, appointing them Judges, directing t…em by Oracles in war and peace, &c. To the spiritual seed of Abraham the promise was of Christ, righteousness, adoption, and the inheritance of eternal life; not those petty things which Mr Bl. doth frivolously imagine to have been contained in that grand Charter of Heaven, as he calls it, which is the thing that Mr. Bl. would fain squeeze out of that text, though there be not the least colour in all the holy Scripture for it. His second Proposition is, that All Isaac's and Jacobs posterity are branches of this root by nature simply considered; which if he understand of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, as a natural root, propagating them by natural generation, I grant it; if he mean it of a Covenant root, as he calls it, as deriving from them Evangelical grace by the Covenant Gen. 17.7. I deny it. His 3d. is, and they are holy branches by vertue of this Covenant; which if he mean they were holy in respect of Gods special rule, setting up his Tabernacle among them and such like prerogatives as are mentioned Rom. 9.4, 5. I grant it: But if he mean it of holiness according to election of grace, as Rom. 11.16. is meant, it is not true. His 4th. is, that this Covenant necessarily implies priviledge of Ordinances, the fruition of Gods Oracles: which if he mean in this sens…, that Gods worship should be among them, that the Laws of God, and his Word should be to the collective body of Israel, I grant it; but if he mean it of visible church-membership of infants, initial and after Seals, which is the thing he aims at,) I deny it. The 5th. that priviledge of Ordinances, and fruition of Gods Oracles, are Gods Covenant draughts, hath the same answer. The 6th. and 7th. that without this priviledges of Ordinances and fruition of Gods Oracles, no people are in Covenant, but all are strangers; if it be meant of the Covenant of Evangelical grace, and of particular persons, the Propositions are manifestly false; for then no infants dying afore they have an initial Seal, hear the Word, &c. should be in Covenant: if it be meant of the priviledges of Ordinances, and fruition of Gods Ordinances in any sort, I grant, that if there be no worship of God among them, no fruition of Gods Word written or unwritten, no people of ripe age, whether families, or nations, or single persons, can be said to be in Covenant, but are strangers from it; but if they be understood of such peculiar O…dinances and Oracles as the Jews had, Rom. 9. 4, 5. I deny it; for Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, &c. were in Covenant with God without them. His 8th. And this priviledge of Ordinances implies also all priviledges leading to, and accompanying salvation; if meant of in-being in Christ, having his spirit to dwell in them, which are the chief priviledges leading to, and accompanying salvation, and of all that have the priviledge of Ordinances. I deny it; unless he mean it as he doth the 9th. Proposition, that this priviledge of Ordinances implies salvation it self upon Gods terms in his word revealed, which are Repentance and Faith in Christ, and then both Propositions are granted, the 8th. and the 9th▪ that the priviledge of Ordinances doth imply both in-being in Christ, and his spirits in dwelling, and salvation it self to them that repent and believe in Christ. Which is true also of them that have not this priviledge of Ordinances, as Cornelius, and many more. And thus Mr. Bl. also hath my exposition and answer concerning his position and supposition: Let's now see what he proves.