An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 2. The Conceits of a middle state of those unbaptized, as having poenam damni, and not p• nam sensus, we know not what to make of, unless they suppose them to be not actually, but only potentially intelligent: For one that is deprived of true felicity, must by knowing it, have the sense of his Privation. Nor do we find in Scripture any Proof ⟨p. 217⟩of their middle State, however Reason may think it congruous.

§. 3. They that think all Infants saved, go on these different grounds: 1. Some think that they have no sin: But if Pelagians could prove that, it would be no Proof that they shall have Heaven or Happiness. 2. Others think that Christ hath pardoned them all that sin which was derived from Adam: But either they mean, that his Sacrifice and Merit immediately pardoned it; or that he hath pardoned them all by the Covenant, or Law of Grace. But, 1. Christ's Sacrifice and Merits are given to God for Man, and pardon no man immediately, but only Merit a pardoning Covenant. 2. And that Covenant doth indeed in tantum, pardon all men as far as common Mercy amounteth to (for the remitting any part of the punishment, is so far to remit the sin.) But the saving-pardon in question, it giveth to no man actually before the Condition be performed; for it is but a conditional Pardon: Therefore as no one at age, so no Infant hath any Pardon given him by that Covenant, that I can find, but only conditionally.

§. 4. All grant, That the Covenant pardoneth the Adult only conditionally; and if it should pardon all Infants absolutely, their Condition would be so much more happy than that of the Adult, as is not consistent with what Scripture, Reason, and Experience speaketh. And there is no such thing said of them in the Word of God, and therefore not to be believed.