More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second defence of our infant rights and mercies in three parts ... / by Richard Baxter.

SECT. II.

R. B. IN your second you say [I confess infants were by Gods fact of taking the whole people of the Jews for his people, in that estate of the Jewish Paedagogy, not by any promise or precept, then visible Church-members, that is, of the Congregation of Israel; I do not confess, that there was any Law or Ordinance determining it should be so, but only a fact of God, which is a transeunt thing, &c.] In your third you say, [For though I grant the promises to the natural posterity of Abraham, Gen. 17.4, 5, 6, 7, 8. and the Covenants made with Israel at mount Sinai, and Deut. 29. wherein Israel avouched God, and a precept of Circumcision, and precepts of God by Moses of calling the people, and requiring of them to enter into Covenant, Exod. 19. & Deut. 29. yet no such particular promise concerning in∣fants visible Church-membership, or precept for Parents or others concerning the solemn admission of Infants as visible Church-members besides Cir∣cumcision, as in your book of Baptism you assert.]

Before there was no [Law or Ordinance deter∣mining it should be so, but only a fact] now there are Laws or precepts and promises that it should be so, but [not such as I assert in my book.] And if I should shew you never so many, you may reply, they are not such as I assert in my book, and waste the time in that trial, when it is better for me to see first what you say to that book: For this is but to lead us about to trifling.

Mr. T's Answer. There is no shadow of a contradiction, &c.

Reply. Let the impartial Reader judge.