The loyal Baptist, or, An apology for the baptized believers ... occasioned by the great and long continued sufferings of the baptized believers in this nation / by Thomas Grantham ...

ANSWER.

1. The Consequence of the Major may well be denied: for tho it should be some ways true, that the Faith of the Parents en∣titles the Children to the Covenant, yet it follows not, that it entitles them to the performance of, or submission to the Things which they understand not, nor are able to perform. And whi∣ther would such a Consequence lead us, if we should follow it? What Duty should not Infants be entitled to, as well as to Baptism? But let us see whether the Minor be well proved; you quote Acts. 2. and think it a clear place to prove that the Faith of the Parents en∣titles the Children to the Covenant. But this Text says not a word to that purpose; for Peter derives the Title both of Parents and Children from the Promise of God: and builds the Title of all the Called of the Lord, and of them that were afar off also, upon the Promise of God, and not upon the Faith of Abraham himself. Besides, the Promise here is of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost, and therefore not pertinent to Infants, as I have shewed: Here is there∣fore no proof at all of your Minor. I think it were better to say, that by Faith a Christian knows his Child has an interest in the Co∣venant of Grace, than that his Faith entitles his Child to it. I fear this Minor is a very dangerous Assertion, and that partly because the Consequence of such an Opinion is to shut out all Infants from the Covenant of Grace, who have not faithful Parents to entitle them to it: And in truth it seems to swell with too much boldness, and carnal presumption; but I spare you.

2. The Faith of the Jews and Proselites did not entitle their Children to the Covenant of Grace; but they themselves being

incorporate into that Church-State, their Children, by express Command from God, had a Title to legal Priviledges: but the Covenant of Grace (for that's it we dispute, tho you leave out the Word Grace in your Argument) extended to Infants by God's free Redemption, which he purposed for them, in Christ, from the Foundation of the World; or else what shall become of the many thousands of Infants of Unbelievers?

3. You can never prove, that the Faith of the Jaylor, or Lydia either, did entitle their Infants to the Covenant, for you cannot prove they had any Children. And it is so exceeding plain, that all that were baptized in these two Families were Believers, that I wonder much that you should say, that on the believing of the Jaylor and Lydia, the whole Families were baptized. Pray read Acts 16. 32. to the end, and you will find that they that were bapti∣zed, were actual Believers, and capable of being consolated by the Apostles.