An account of the life and death of Mr. Philip Henry, minister of the…

It may not be amiss to transcribe also some Hints of preparation for the administering of the Ordinance of Baptism, which I find under his Hand at his first setting out in the Ministry, as follows.

It may not be amiss to transcribe also some Hints of preparation for the administring of the Ordinance of Baptism, which I find under his Hand at his first setting out in the Ministry, as follows.

It is a real Manifestation of the Goodness and Love of God to Believers, that he hath not only taken them into Covenant with himself, but their Seed also; saying, I will be thy God, and the God of thy Seed. Tho' to be born of such, doth not necessarily entitle Infants to the spiritual Mercies of the Covenant, for Grace doth not run in a Blood; we see the contrary many times, even godly Parents have wicked Children; Abraham had his Ishmael, and Isaac his Esau, yet questionless it doth entitle them to the external Privileges of the Covenant. The like Figure unto Noah's Ark, even Baptism doth also now save us: Noah, and all that were his, entered into the Ark, though we have cause to doubt whether they all entered into Heaven. While our Lord Jesus was here upon the Earth, they brought little Children to him, and he laid his Hands on them, and blessed them; and said moreover, Suffer little Children to come unto me, and forbid, them not, (there are many at this day that forbid little Children to come to Christ); he adds the reason, for of such ⟨p. 53⟩is the Kingdom of Heaven. Whether it be meant of the visible Church, often so called in the Gospel, or of the state of Glory in another World; either way it affords an Argument for Proof of Infant Baptism. When either Parent is in Covenant with God, their Children also are in Covenant with him; and being in Covenant, they have an undoubted Right and Title to this Ordinance of Baptism, which is the Seal of the Covenant. So that in the Administration of this Ordinance this Day, according to the Institution of Jesus Christ, we look upon you who are the Father of this Child, as a Person in Covenant with God: How far you have dealt unfaithfully in the Covenant, is known to God and your own Conscience; but this we know, the Vows of God are upon you; and let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from Iniquity. But before we Baptise your Child, I am to acquaint you in a few words what we expect from you. Q. (1.) Do you avouch God n Jesus Christ this Day to be your God?—See to it that this be done in Truth and with a perfect Heart: you may tell us you do so, and you may deceive us, but God is not mocked. Q (2.) And is, it your desire, that your Children also may be received into Covenant with the Lord, and that the Lord's Broad-seal of Baptism may be set to it? Q. (3.)