Infant Baptism, Essay · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. The third Benefit accrewing to the Seed of Believers by the Application of the Token of the Covenant to them, propoſed. A threefold ſubſerviency thereof to their imbracement of the Covenant, as they grow up to years of Maturity, ſhewed. Firſt, Such Pre-ingagements as would obſtruct that their imbracement of the Covenant are obviated and prevented. What Pre-ingagements Children are ſubject to. The ſpring of them diſcovered. How obviated by the Application of the Token, declared. Secondly, Their imbracement of the Covenant by the Application of the Token ſubſerved by way of Obligation. The ſeveral Obligations that the Seed of Believers are under, as bearing the Token of the Covenant, to imbrace the Covenant, opened. Thirdly, The ſame end ſubſerved by the Application of the Token of the Covenant by way of Encouragement. What Encouragements the Seed of Believers have to imbrace the Covenant, ſhewed.
3. THe third and laſt Benefit or Advantage, that I ſhall take notice of, that the Seed of Believers have by the Application of the Token of the Covenant to them, as antecedently intereſted in the Covenant it ſelf, is the ſubſerviency thereof to their perſonal imbracement of the Covenant, and injoyment of all the Good of it, as they grow up to years of Maturity. And here I ſhall only take notice of a threefold ſubſerviency, that the Application of the Token of the Covenant to Infants (ſuppoſing them duely inſtructed in the end and uſes of it) hath to their taking hold of the Covenant, and giving up themſelves to God according to the tenour of it as they grow up to years of Maturity.
I. It hath a potent tendency to obviate and prevent all ſuch Pre-ingagements as would be obſtructive and prejudicial to their imbracement of the Covenant. And here we may obſerve, that they are liable to be pre-ingaged three ways.
Firſt, In ways of Idolatry. Secondly, In a purſuance of the good things of the World. Thirdly, In ways of moral Impieties and Debauchries. Now to be pre-ingaged, eſpecially fixed in any of theſe ways, muſt needs be greatly obſtructive and prejudicial to their imbracement of the Covenant that God hath eſtabliſhed between himſelf and his People. What ways and courſes Men ingage, at leaſt are fixed in from their Child-hood, they are not eaſily brought to relinquiſh: Hath a Nation changed their God? Jer. 2.11. That God in whoſe worſhip and ſervice Men have been ingaged from their youth, they will not eaſily change: So to be ingaged and accuſtomed to atheiſtical, irreligious and profane ways and courſes from their youth, is not a little obſtructive and prejudicial to their imbracement of the Covenant: Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his ſpots? then may you alſo do good who are accuſtomed to do evil. Jer. 13.23. And the like is true of Childrens being early ingaged in the purſuance of the World, and the things thereof. To ſhew the various ways, how to be pre-ingaged in any of theſe ways from a Man's Child-hood, obſtructs and oppoſeth his imbracement of the Covenant and giving up himſelf to God in Chriſt in a Covenant-way, is a matter of no great difficulty, but would be ſomewhat excentrical to my preſent purpoſe: But this I ſay, how obſtructive and prejudicial ſoever ſuch an ingagement, eſpecially fixing in any of theſe ways from Mens Child-hood, would be to their imbracement of the Covenant; (and ingage they will in one or the other of them, and that early too, unleſs the free Grace of God bleſſing the means ſubſerving their taking hold of the Covenant prevent) yet the Application of the Token of the Covenant to Infants hath a potent tendency to prevent any ſuch pre-ingagements they are liable to: For let us but take a brief veiw of the original ſprings or cauſes whence Mens ſo early ingaging in one or another of the ways and courſes mentioned doth proceed.
1. It proceeds from certain natural and imbred notions of a Deity ingraven upon the minds of all Men; at leaſt from a natural diſpoſedneſs of the faculties of the rational Soul to comply with that notion when ſuggeſted from without.
2. From a ſenſe and feeling of ſelf-emptineſs and inſufficiency as to that Happineſs and Bleſſedneſs they ſoon perceive themſelves capable of.
3. From the inapprehenſiveneſs and inſenſibleneſs of any cogent obligation to the contrary. Man from his very Childhood is prone to look upon and exalt himſelf as God, to ſay of his whole ſelf, as thoſe in the Pſalm of their tongues, I am mine own, who is Lord over me? And according to various circumſtances that Children fall under, ſo from this threefold ſpring they ingage in one or another of the ways mentioned. But now the bringing them under the bond of the Covenant, and ingaging them to the true God in Chriſt by the Application of the Token to them, hath a potent tendency to obviate and prevent their ingaging or fixing in any of theſe ways. Let us ſee it in ſome Inſtances.
1. The true God is firſt preſented to their minds. Now it's uſual for Man, as through the fall become not only dark, but darkneſs it ſelf, and conſequently as having loſt the knowledge of the true God, to comply and fall in with, and chuſe that God to himſelf, whether it be true, or any falſe God that is firſt preſented to his mind, or that is firſt propoſed to him under the notion of a Deity. Hence it is, that the ſame God is imbraced and worſhipped as their God by ſeveral Nations ſucceſſively from one Generation to another: Hath a Nation changed their God? It is not often found that they have. Children uſually fall in with and worſhip that God their Parents have done, and from hence it is, that the true God is owned and worſhipped ſucceſſively from one Generation to another in Nations and Places where the Scriptures are received, and the Chriſtian Doctrine imbraced. They own and worſhip him, not as being convinced that he is indeed the true God by rational demonſtrations, much leſs as being ſavingly taught and inlightned by himſelf; but he is that God that is firſt preſented to their minds, and that they firſt apprehend under the notion of a Deity: and this, though it is true, through the ſubtilty of Satan, and corruption in the hearts of Men, too often is utterly uſeleſs to them in order to their eternal Happineſs; yet in it ſelf hath a ſingular ſubſerviency thereunto, and would be of no ſmall advantage to Men, were it well improved. Yet further, the true God is not only firſt preſented to the minds of the Seed of Believers, but he is preſented to their minds as ſtanding in a Covenant-relation towards them, and conſequently they find themſelves in a Covenant-relation with him (for Covenant-relations are always mutual.) Hence as they find him obliged by Covenant to be theirs: ſo themſelves obliged to be his; which muſt needs have a potent tendency, as to check any Inquiries that they would otherwiſe be prone to make after, ſo to keep them from attending to any propoſals that might be made by others of any falſe god, and alſo from the choice of any falſe god by themſelves. To have the true God firſt preſented to the mind is of no ſmall advantage to prevent Mens inquiring after, and attending to the propoſal of any falſe god to them; eſpecially conſidering the ſuiteableneſs of thoſe diſcoveries God hath made of himſelf in his Word (and as revealed therein he is ſuppoſed to be preſented to their minds) to thoſe notions of a God in the general, that are either found ingraven upon the minds of Men as born into the World, or are taken up by the free uſe of the rational powers and faculties of the Soul. Now for Children ſo ſoon as capable of reflecting upon themſelves, and acting rationally with reference to their own future welfare and welbeing, to find an antecedent mutual relation between this God and themſelves, wherein he ſtands related to them as their God, and they ſtand related to him as his People, Subjects and Servants, will add greatly to the more effectual prevention of their ingaging in any ways of Idolatry they (as Youth is) are prone to comply and fall in with that God that is firſt preſented to the mind, or that the mind hath the firſt notice of: ſo the notion under which the true God is preſented to their minds ſuiting ſo well with thoſe antecedent notions they have of a God in the general, will greatly conduce to their compliance and falling in with him and his worſhip and ſervice: But when they find a mutual relation already eſtabliſhed between him and them, that will yet further their compliance; and conſequently their inquiries after, or attendance to what may be propoſed or offered to them concerning any other God, will be obviated and prevented. And though this may ſeem of ſmall importance to Children born in Places and Nations where the true God is only owned worſhipped and ſerved, there being no danger of their firſt ingaging in any ways of Idolatry in ſuch Places and Nations: yet we muſt remember, that God in the eſtabliſhment of his Covenant had reſpect to his People and their Seed, not only as inhabiting ſuch Places and Nations, but as inhabiting Places and Nations where falſe gods are owned, worſhipped and ſerved. 2. God's being under an obligation to communicate himſelf to, and act for their good according to the tenour of the Covenant, will give them aſſurance of a fulneſs of Bleſſedneſs and Happineſs in their alone cleaving to, worſhipping and ſerving him; whence they may be eaſily convinced of the unneceſſarineſs of either applying themſelves to the worſhip of any falſe god, or to the World, or any ways of ſenſuality for the gaining that Happineſs they find themſelves capable of, but inſufficient unto as of themſelves. Man, ſo ſoon as capable of reflecting upon himſelf, or taking any account of his own caſe and condition, finds himſelf utterly deſtitute of a ſelf-ſufficiency, ſees himſelf capable of more good than he is furniſhed with, and ſubject to variety of evils, which of himſelf without ſome extrinſecal aid he cannot ſecure himſelf from, nor deliver himſelf out of: hence he is forced to look without, and caſt about him to find out which way, or from whence he may be ſupplyed with that good he finds himſelf defective in, and delivered out of, or ſecured from that evil he finds himſelf under or ſubject to: and according to various circumſtances that Men are under, ſo they betake themſelves to, and ingage in various ways and courſes, yet with reference to the ſame general end, viz. the gaining of Happineſs and Bleſſedneſs. Now Children, if left to the mere conduct of nature as now corrupted, will certainly and unavoidably betake themſelves to one or other of the aforementioned ways, which muſt needs be greatly obſtructive and prejudicial to their imbracement of the Covenant of Grace. But now for the Seed of Believers to find God under ſuch a precedent obligation to communicate himſelf to, and act for their good, as he hath put himſelf under towards them muſt needs have a powerful tendency to obviate and prevent their ingaging in any ſuch way; becauſe they will find their Happineſs & Bleſſedneſs fully ſecured by that obligation, ſuppoſing them not to reject, but actually to own the Covenant eſtabliſhed with them.
3. The Covenant under the bond of which they already are, ſtrongly obligeth them againſt applying themſelves to, or ingaging in any of the ways mentioned; But of this more hereafter. So that we may ſee how great a tendency the Application of the Token of the Covenant to the Infant-ſeed of Believers, upon a precedent Intereſt they have in the Covenant it ſelf, hath to the obviating and preventing their ingaging or fixing in any ways obſtructive and prejudicial to their imbracing of the Covenant as they grow up to years of Maturity; thoſe ways they are naturally prone to ingage in (their ingagement in which would oppoſe their imbracing of the Covenant) are hedged up. When God hedgeth up the way of his People after their Lovers, then they reſolve upon returning to and ſeeking him, Hoſ. 2.6, 7. So for Children to have their ingaging in any deſtructive ways obviated and prevented, highly conduceth to their taking hold of the Covenant, and applying themſelves to the worſhip and ſervice of God.
II. The Covenant-relation, wherein the Seed of Believers ſtands Godwards, as ſolemnized, ratified and confirmed by the Application of the Token, ſubſerves their perſonal imbracement, and taking hold of the Covenant, and anſwerably giving up themſelves to God in Chriſt according to the tenour of it by way of obligation: they hereby become under the ſtrongeſt obligation to do it; and we may obſerve a fourfold obligation that they are under, beyond what the Children of others are.
1. Firſt, There is all that Love, Grace and Goodneſs of God expreſt in the extending the Covenant with the Sign and Token thereof unto them, and granting them all the Good aforementioned, as an obligation upon them. As this Grace, Love, and Goodneſs of God is a powerful ingagement to Parents to endeavour the converſion of their Children, and bring them to a perſonal imbracement of the Covenant; ſo it is alike powerful ingagement to Children themſelves to imbrace it, and give up themſelves to the worſhip and ſervice of God according to the tenour of it. How great Grace, Love and Goodneſs God hath expreſt to the Seed of Believers in his extending his Covenant unto them with the Token thereof, hath been already declared. Now when they become capable of underſtanding, and reflecting upon that Love, Grace and Goodneſs, the apprehenſion and conſideration of it hath a potent tendency to excite their love to, and ingage them to take this God for their God, and to worſhip and ſerve him. Love hath a conſtraining power, and Children are capable of receiving early impreſſions from their apprehenſions of what Grace and Love is expreſt towards them as well as grown perſons.
2. There is their Parents acceptation of the Covenant for them, and their entring them into it, and giving them up to God according to the tenour of it, as another obligation upon them. Parents acts on the behalf of, or with reference to their Children, are an obligation upon them to comply with, and ſtand to what is done by their Parents on their behalf, and with reference to them. Hence Samuel complyes with Hannah's vow, and gives himſelf freely to ſerve the Lord in his Tabernacle, according to the dedication ſhe had made of him. Yea Jepthah's daughter complies with her Father's vow, though (as moſt think) it was to be offered up in Sacrifice: My Father (ſaith ſhe) if thou haſt opened thy mouth to the Lord, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth, Judg. 11.36. As Parents have a power to diſpoſe of their Children in a ſubordination unto God: ſo Children are obliged to comply with that diſpoſal they make of them. And as the confidence Nature it ſelf reacheth them to have in their Parents as to their prudence, love, &c. ſo their duty towards them obligeth them ſo to do. Hence their Parents having accepted of the Covenant for them, and anſwerably entred them into it, they are under a powerful obligation to comply with what their Parents have done, and anſwerably perſonally imbrace the Covenant, and give up themſelves to God in Chriſt to worſhip and ſerve him.
3. There is the Token of the Covenant as applyed to, and born by them, as a further obligation upon them. One uſe and end of the Token of the Covenant, whether Circumciſion or Baptiſm, according to divine Inſtitution, was, and is to oblige and ingate the Perſons to whom it was and is applied to cleave and adhere to God in Chriſt, his worſhip and ſervice. The Token of the Covenant is equivalent to Preſsmony given to Souldiers: God by it obligeth his People to himſelf, and to ſerve under Chriſt the Captain of their Salvation: From this uſe or end of the Token or Seals of the Covenant, they ſeem to have received their denomination of Sacraments; which word is conceived to be borrowed from the ancient Romans, among whom it was uſed to ſignifie the oath by which, together with certain rights and a preſcript form of words, Souldiers did ingage themſelves, or were ingaged to do whatſoever the Emperour or General ſhould command, and not forſake their Colours till the Wars were ended. Tertullian is ſuppoſed to be the firſt that brought the word into the Church, and applied it to a ſpiritual uſe. But however the Word is not improper nor unfit, it fully expreſſing this end and uſe of the Tokens of the Covenant, they were, and are for the ingaging men to God in Chriſt. God by them ingageth and ties his People to himſelf. Now the Seed of Believers when they come to years of Maturity finding themſelves under this bond, and that as put upon them by Divine Inſtitution, muſt needs be more ſtrongly obliged to take God in Chriſt as their God, and give up themſelves to him, to be his, to worſhip and ſerve him according to the tenour of the Covenant. God's having preſſed them (as I may ſo ſpeak) into his own ſervice, and obliged them to himſelf by ſuch a ſolemn right, is a ſtrong obligation upon them to ſerve him; and give themſelves to him. Hence we read of the Martyr, who to all his temptations to deny Chriſt makes no reply but this, Baptizatus ſum.
4. There is the great aggravation that their ſin in rojecting the Covenant they had, as the Seed of ſuch Parents, admiſſion into, and forſaking God and his ways, above that the ſin of others in neglecting to take hold of the Covenant doth admit of; and conſequently the greatneſs of their condemnation above the condemnation of others in caſe they ſhould ſo do, as a further obligation upon them to imbrace the Covanant, and walk in the ways of God they are afore-obliged to. Their ſin in rejecting the Covenant into which they were taken admits of variety of aggravations, beyond what the ſin of others in not taking hold of the Covenant admits of, which they being made ſenſible the apprehonſive of, hath a potent tendency ſtrongly to oblige them to imbrace it. But of this I may touch more again hereafter. But
3. And laſtly, The intereſt that the Seed of Believers have in the Covenant as ratified, ſealed and confirmed to them by the Application of the Token, highly ſubſerves their perſonal imbracement of it by way of incouragement; they have peculiar incouragements thereunto beyond what others have. To inſtance in ſome few of them.
1. Firſt, They find themſelves already in a ſtate of peace with God. Their work is not ſo much to gain, or make peace with God, as to maintain it. Their peace is already made by being received into the Covenant of Grace, the Law hath nothing to charge upon them to their condemnation, they are not under the Law but under Grace; they are diſcharged from the condemning power of whatever guilt might hitherto be charged upon them. And how great an incouragement muſt that needs be to them to cloſe in with Chriſt? what ground of hope have they that God will accept of them and grant them his Spirit for their Renovation and Sanctification? 'Tis none of the leaſt diſcouragements to Adult ſinners to come unto Chriſt, that they ly under ſo much guilt as they are conſcious to themſelves of: were they aſſured their guilt were removed, that God were not obliged to deal with them as enemies, what incouragements and what hopes would they have, that God might give them his Spirit for their Regeneration and Sanctification. Now that diſcouragement is removed out of the way of the Seed of Believers, finding themſelves already in a ſtate of peace with God; how can they then rationally entertain any jealouſies about his readineſs to do them good, and continue them in that ſtate?
2. There is the mutual Love and Friendſhip that hath been between God and theri Parents as a further incouragement to them. The ſpecial Love and Favour that God bears to their Parents, is a choiſe incouragement to Children, that, accepting of the Covenant, and giving up themſelves to God in Chriſt according to the tenour of it, they ſhall not be rejected, but readily accepted by him. As God hath granted and actually vouchſafed many choice Mercies and Favours to Children for their Parents ſake: ſo Children have improved the conſideration of their relation to ſuch Parents as a help to their Faith and Hope in their ſeeking unto God for Mercy. Thus, though Iſhmael by his perſecuting of Iſaac had forfeited his intereſt in the Covenant, and was caſt out both of Abraham's Family and the Covenant; yet God promiſed to make him a Nation, becauſe he was Abraham's Seed, Gen. 21.13. So we find God for the ſake both of Abraham and David ſhewing Mercy to their reſpective Poſterity, though guilty of great provocations againſt him, Pſalm. 105.42. Iſa. 37.35. Hence are ſuch Petitions in Scritpture, Oh turn unto me, and have Mercy upon me, give thy ſtrength to they Servant, and ſave the Son of thy Hand-maid, Pſal. 86.16. As the conſideration of his own relation to God as his Servant, ſo the conſideration of his delcent from her that was his Hand-maid, was a great incouragement to him, and a great advantage to his Faith and Hope in petitioning for Mercy. For Children to conſider their relation to ſuch Parents, between God and whom there hath been or is a mutual ſpecial Love and Friendſhip, is a ſingular incouragement to them in taking hold of the Covenant, and applying themſelves to God for the Mercies and Bleſſings of it. The Love that God bears to believing Parents is a very great ingagement to him to a ready doing Good to their Children.
3. There is all that God hath already done for them as the Seed of ſuch Parents ſignally expreſſive and ſignificative of his ſpecial good will towards them, as a further incouragement to them God's extending his Covenant to them, and thereby freeing them from the condemning power of Original ſin, giving them an intereſt in himſelf, and a right to future Salvation, and thereby ſecuring their Salvation in caſe of their death in Infancy, are glorious ſignifications of his ſpecial good will unto them, and willingneſs that they in particular ſhould be ſaved, and conſequently may be improved as choice incouragements to them to take hold of the Covenant: They have not the leaſt ground to ſuſpect God's readineſs to receive them, and proceed on in his goodneſs and kindneſs to them, ſeeing he hath ſecured their Salvation by his Covenant and Promiſe, while they were uncapable of performing the conditions of it in their own Perſons, be ſure he will not reject them, or refuſe to continue hs Grace to them, in order to their future Salvation, when they are willing to accept of and perform the conditions of the Covenant themſelves. Paul ſtrengtheneth his Faith and Hope as to God's delivering him from every evil work, and preſerving him to his Heavenly Kingdom by the conſideration of what he had done for him in delivering him from that great Tyrant Nero, 2 Tim. 4.16, 17, 18. And ſurely much more may the Seed of Believers incourage themſelves and ſtrengthen their Faith and Hope as to God's acceptation of them, and giving them Grace and Glory, themſelves being now willing to accept of and perform the conditions of the Covenant by the conſideration of what he hath already done for them.
4. They may, if not poſitively aſſure themſelves, yet comfortably hope that they are yet actually under the Promiſes of God's being a God to them, and giving them future Salvation; And how great an incouragement muſt that needs be to them? They have the faithfulneſs of God ingaged to make good his Promiſes, unleſs they by their wilful rejection of Chriſt and the Terms of the Covenant forſeit their own Intereſt in them.
Obj. But it may be ſaid, Though hitherto they have been actually under the Promiſes, and conſequently might have incouraged themſelves by the conſideration of the faithfulneſs of God: but now they can no longer lay claim to the Promiſes, but upon ſuppoſition of their own performance of the conditions of the Covenant.
Anſw. It is true, but yet let this be conſidered, That God in the Promiſe ſpeaks more determinately, expreſsly and particularly to them, than he doth to others. The language of God to each one of them is this, I am thy God, only do not now reject my Covenant, and the relation between me and thee ſhall be continued. To others he ſpeaks more generally and indefinitely, He that believes ſhall be ſaved. Him that cometh unto me I will in no wiſe caſt out. Whoſoever will, let him come and take of the Water of Life. Now, though it is true, theſe general and indefinite Promiſes and Invitations are ſufficient incouragements to all to come unto and cloſe in with Chriſt, and caſt themſelves upon him for Pardon, Life and Salvation; yet we find by experience, poor awakened ſinners are hardly perſwaded that themſelves are in particular intended in thoſe more general and indefinite Promiſes and Calls. Were they aſſured themſelves were intended, it would be a mighty incouragement to them; but that they are hardly brought to believe. The more we can appropriate any Promiſes to our ſelves in particular, the greater efficacy they will have upon our hearts for our incouragement. It is a mighty incouragement to the Jaylor, when the Apoſtle ſhall ſpeak particularly to him, and aſſure him if he ſhould believe, he ſhould be ſaved and all his houſe. Now God ſpeaks particularly and determinately to the Seed of Believers, and not only offers to be a God to them, but aſſures them he is ſo already, only requires their perſonal performance of the conditions of the Covenant, in order to the continuance of that Relation between himſelf and them, and that they may have the actual injoyment of that Salvation, they are, as the Seed of ſuch Parents, the Heirs of. And if it ſhould be ſaid, that they may have forfeited their Covenant-ſtate and Relation already by their not ſooner actually and explicitly recognizing the Covenant, and giving up themſelvs to God in Chriſt according to the tenour of it; and fears of that will render this conſideration of little uſe to them. That Objection ſhall be anſwered by and by.
Obj. If it be yet ſaid, That what incouragements ſoever they have to believe and take hold of the Covenant, yet they will ſoon find by experience their own inability to do it, they will find they cannot do it without the ſpecial Teachings and Operations of the Spirit; and what incouragement have they to hope for theſe Teachings and Operations beyond what others have? To that I add in a fifth incouragement that they have above others, and that is this: They ſtand nearer than the reſt of Mankind to, and are the more eſpecial Objects of the Promiſes of ſaving Grace. This I have ſpoken ſo largely to already, that I need add no more. But beſides, all thoſe other incouragements they have to believe may be improved as a help to their hope for Grace to inable them thereunto. Surely then finding themſelves in a ſtate of Peace with God, remembring what a mutual Friendſhip and Love there hath been between God and their Parents, conſidering what he hath already done for them as a ſignal ſignification of his good will towards them, and having a particular Promiſe to aſſure them in particular, that as God at preſent is, ſo he will continue to be a God to them, unleſs by their voluntary rejecting the Covenant they diſanul that their Intereſt; may not only be choice incouragements to them to believe and take hold of the Covenant, but to hope that God will readily vouchſafe them the Teachings and effectual Operations of his Spirit to inable them ſo to do, they waiting upon him in his own way. But to put a cloſe to this ſecond Queſtion. We now ſee how great Good, what glorious Benefits and Advantages the Seed of Believers have by the Application of the Token of the Covenant to them; and from all we may conclude, that Infant-Baptiſm is a practice well worthy enquiring into, and contending for by all Parents that have any reſpect to the ſpiritual and eternal welfare of their Children.