More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…

SECT. XXII.

R. B. THE next thing in the antecedent to be proved is, that there was a right conferred to this benefit, and some had a right in it. And 1. If any had the benefit, then had they right to or in that benefit: But some had the benefit, Ergo. The consequence of the major is certain. 1. Because the very nature of the benefit consisteth in a right to further benefits. 2. If any had the benefit of Church-membership, Covenant-interest, &c. without right; then they had it with Gods consent and approbation or without it. Not with it: For he is just, and consenteth not that any have that which he hath not some right to or in: Not without it: For no man can ⟨p. 36⟩have a benefit from God against his will, or without it. 2. If no Infants had duly and rightfully received this benefit, God would have somewhere reprehended the usurpation and abuse of his ordinances or benefits. But that he doth not as to this case, Ergo. 3. God hath expressed this right in many Texts of Scripture, of which more afterward.

Mr. T. The Infants of the Jews were visible Church-members, not by a Legal right to it, antecedent to their being such visible Church-members which they or any for them might claim as due: Nor was it capable of being duly and rightfully received or usurped: For it was nothing but a state of appearing to be part of that people, who were in appearance from things sensible, Gods people; and this they had by Gods fact of making them to be a part of that people visibly, viz. his forming them and bringing them into the world, and placing them, —