Conclusion III.

The next Parent being causa adaequata of conveying or with∣holding Page  17 the right of Baptisme to their Children; hence it followes inevitably, That Children may either be deprived or possessed of priviledges, by means of the sinfulnesse or holi∣nesse of their Parents, and that in a way of God's most righ∣teous proceeding; I say most righteous, because the parity and proportion is most exact on both hands.

The faithfull covenant of the Parents doth as fully entitle them, and so advantage them in the priviledges thereof;* as the carelesse rejecting of the Covenant doth disadvantage and debar them from the enjoying of the fruit and benefit of such speciall means.*

And since it is confessed of all hands, and is most apparent in that Text, that temporall benefits are dispensed and conti∣nued unto undeserving children, for the faith and piety of their godly Parents; as unto Ismael for Abraham's, Esau for Jacob's sake, Gen. 16.11. & 21.13. and so frequently we have it recorded and repeated, Yet for my servant David's sake I will do so and so.

It need not seem strange, nor can it to any seriously consi∣derate, that temporall punishments are laid upon their Chil∣dren to correct the sin of their wicked Parents: A man's Children are his Goods, Job 1. and it is not ordinary, that a person should be punished in his estate, by reason of his trans∣gression, without the least appearance of any prejudice to justice?