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Obj. HAve not Children faith?* 1.1
Ans. Children which are of the elect of God have the seed of faith, but how shall the Church be satisfied that they are so, untill they expresse it in the fruits thereof. And we may safely conclude, that seeing faith was required of the Jewes,
(which had those former priviledges above us, as also, of such whose lives might be partly known to the Apostles) that it ought* 1.2 much more to be required of us Gentiles (which are no waies in the Covenant unlesse by faith, which doth not at all appeare in Infants) and from hence I thus argue touching the further clea∣ring of the point in controversie, viz.
1. In the thing wherein we ought to be cautalous of them, whose actions are visible, in the same thing, we ought to be more carefull of them, whose actions doth not yet appeare.
But in matters of Baptisme, the Apostles themselves were cau∣talous how they admitted of men, whose deeds or actions might be partly knowne unto them.
Ergo in the same case ought we to become more carefull how we admit of Children, whose faith, and actions doth not yet appeare.
2. The example of Christ and his Apostles in gathering of that Church out of Judisme, and Heathenisme, ought to be our patterne now to imitate.
But we read not that they did admit of Infants, as Members of their Churches.
Ergo to Baptize Infants, is a way never to compose such a Church of Beleevers, as was in the Apostles time.
3. That thing that maketh us Heires, must first be obtained, before we can be said to be Heires.
But it is only faith, that maketh us Gentiles, Heires of the Promise, made unto Abraham, and his Seed, viz. Jesus Christ.
Ergo we must first have the faith, which Abraham had, before we can be said to be Heires of Abraham; and untill then, the Promise doth in no wise belong unto us; and if not the Pro∣mise, consequently not the seale or badge of the Promise, viz. Baptisme.
The Church cannot be as∣su••ed that this or tha•• Infant ••ath faith.
Three argu∣ments against Infants Bap∣tisms.