The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

M. If he destroy Infants for Adam's sin, do you think that Justice is so much more extensive then Mercy, that he will show no mercy for Parents sake? But the case is this, Christ the Second Adam hath merited pardon and salvation to be given conditionally to all: Not absolutely, for then all would be saved: What the condition is to the adult, we are agreed, viz. Faith and Repentance and Dedication to Christ by covenant consent: And do you think that Infants pardon and salvation hath no condition? If none, than all Infants are saved; if any condition, what is it? 1. Is it barely that they be baptized without any right but what all have. This is an injurious fiction, God never said it: And its an unreasonable imputation on God, as if he would save thousands merely for water and words, and condemn thousands that had not the opportunity of these. And it is certain that Christians never dreamed of this absurd opinion, or else godly Emperors would have forced Baptism on the children of all their Heathen Subjects, and would where their conquering Armies came in Charity have catched up their children and baptized them. And Bishops and Doctors would have taught and entreated them so to do. To make mere baptising alone the condition of Infant salvation, is to lay Heaven on such a ceremony quite out of the Infants power, as would but tempt the rational Infidels to deride Christianity. No sober men lay a child's Estate or Life on such a thing. 2. If there must be some condition of Right to Baptism antecedent to it, what is it. 1. It is not actual faith in that Infant, that understands not? 2. It must then be some others act or nothing? If another's, whose should it be so likely as the parents from whom the Children have their essence? Whom nature hath taught to take them as almost parts of themselves; and so hath the custom of all Nations; and who are obliged above all other to provide for them, and whose will in their Infancy disposeth of them till they come to have a rational will of their own (in act:) And Scripture from end to end confirmeth this. But besides this you know not whither to look for a title-conditione, unless to some Pro-parent, whose the child is, ⟨p. 63⟩upon the Parents Death or Resignation. For 1. If you say it is the Faith of the Church (as some) that giveth the Child Title, what Church mean you? The Universal, or National or Diocesan or Parochial.

M. If he destroy Infants for Adam's sin, do you think that Justice is so much more extensive then Mercy, that he will shew no mercy for Parents sake? But the case is this, Christ the Second Adam hath merited pardon and salvation to be given conditionally to all: Not absolutely, for then all would be saved: What the condition is to the adult, we are agreed, viz. Faith and Repentance and Dedication to Christ by covenant consent: And do you think that Infants pardon and salvation hath no condition? If none, than all Infants are saved; if any condition, what is it? 1. Is it barely that they be baptized without any right but what all have. This is an injurious fiction, God never said it: And its an unreasonable imputation on God, as if he would save thousands meerly for water and words, and comdemn thousands that had not the opportunity of these. And it is certain that Christians never dream'd of this absurd opinion, or else godly Emperours would have forced Baptism on the children of all their Heathen Subjects, and would where their conquering Armies came in Charity have catcht up their children and baptized them. And Bishops and Doctors would have taught and intreated them so to do. To make meer baptising alone the condition of Infant salvation, is to lay Heaven on such a ceremony quite out of the Infants power, as would but tempt the rational Infidels to deride Christianity. No sober men lay a childs Estate or Life on such a thing. 2. If there must be some condition of Right to Baptism antecedent to it, what is it. 1. It is not actual faith in that Infant, that understands not? 2. It must then be some others act or nothing? If anothers, whose should it be so likely as the parents from whom the Children have their essence? Whom nature hath taught to take them as almost parts of themselves; and so hath the custom of all Nations; and who are obliged above all other to provide for them, and whose will in their Infancy disposeth of them till they come to have a rational will of their own (in act:) And Scripture from end to end confirmeth this. But besides this you know not whither to look for a title-conditione, unless to some Pro-parent, whose the child is,