A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Secondly, By faith the believing parents must give themselves unto God, choosing him to be their portion, and resigning themselves in all things to be guided by his word, in all estates and conditions. He that would give his child unto God, must give himself first. Is it probable, that Father can truly desire, and long after the preferment of his child in the Kingdom of grace here, and of glory hereafter, who will not enter himself, nor submit his will to the commandment of grace? The promise is made to the faithful; and that faith only, which draws a man to yield up soul and body, as a living sacrifice unto God, pleasing and acceptable unto his Majesty, doth quicken a parent truly, sincerely, freely, and as he ought to make tender of his child unto God.

Secondly, By faith the belieuing parents must giue themselues vnto God, chusing him to bee their portion, and resigning themselues in all things to be guided by his word, in all estates and conditions. Hee that would giue his childe vnto God, must giue himselfe first. Is it probable, that Father can truly desire, and long after the preferment of his childe in the Kingdome of grace here, and of glory he•eafter, who will not enter himselfe, nor submit his will to the commandement of grace? The promise is made to the faithfull; and that faith only, which drawes a man to yeeld vp soule and body, as a liuing sacrifice vnto God, pleasing and acceptable vnto his Maiestie, doth quicken a parent truly, sincerely, freely, and as he ought to make tender of his childe vnto God.

Thirdly, It provoketh parents to offer their children unto God by hearty and unfeigned prayer, as soon as ever they have received them from him. Gods promise to accept our children, calleth for prayer and supplication on our part, that he would be pleased to make good his merciful and free promise. Thus David reasoneth, Thou, O Lord, ¹of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And so should every Father, O Lord, thou hast covenanted to be my God, and the God of my posterity, therefore am I bold to entreat thy fatherly acceptance of my poor Infant.