Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

Where first note, that we must first denominate men Godly or Ungodly, as principally in their respect to God himself, so next from their respect to the Rule of Godliness then in force; which being not the same in many things then as now it is, Godliness was not in the exercise, the same materially then in all things as it is now. The sum of it was, to take the Lord that Redeemed them from bondage to be their God, and to give themselves in consent to be his people, and obey his Laws.

Now let us see where is their proof of the proposition. They say, all Israelites whatsoever were to be Circumcised, by right; I answer, that's no proof: Let us look to the Institution, Gen. 17.7, 8, 9, 10. and there we shall find, 1. That the Covenant goes before the Seal; and this Covenant is, that God will be a God to them, which they were on their parts to take him to be. 2. This Covenant is with Abraham and his seed after him. 3. Next follows an Injunction that he and his seed do keep Gods Covenant. 4. And then is Circumcision Instituted (though called the Covenant, yet but) the Token of the Covenant, as it is called ver. 11. By all which it appeareth that the seal Instituted supposeth the Covenant Instituted, and the seal applied supposeth the Covenant entered, and then by that it is signed between God and them: As if the Prince confer such Lands and honours on a Noble man and his seed in all generations, and require every Heir to come, and upon taking the Oath of Allegiance, to receive the great seal for the confirming of his Title: This supposeth that this Noble man and all his seed, that expect that benefit, do continue their Allegiance; that for all this Grant, If any of them turn Traitor, his Posterity can receive no right from him, but it is prevented.

Now let us see where is their proof of the proposition. They say, all Israelites whatsoever were to be Circumcised, by right; I answer, that's no proof: Let us look to the Institution, Gen. 17.7, 8, 9, 10. and there we shall find, 1. That the Covenant goes before the Seal; and this Covenant is, that God will be a God to them, which they were on their parts to take him to be. 2. This Covenant is with Abraham and his seed after him. 3. Next follows an Injunction that he and his seed do keep Gods Covenant. 4. And then is Circumcision Instituted (though called the Covenant, yet but) the Token of the Covenant, as it is called ver. 11. By all which it appeareth that the seal Instituted supposeth the Covenant Instituted, and the seal applied supposeth the Covenant entered, and then by that it is signed between God and them: As if the Prince confer such Lands and honors on a Noble man and his seed in all generations, and require every Heir to come, and upon taking the Oath of Allegiance, to receive the great seal for the confirming of his Title: This supposeth that this Noble man and all his seed, that expect that benefit, do continue their Allegiance; that for all this Grant, If any of them turn Traytor, his Posterity can receive no right from him, but it is prevented.