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

SECT. XXIII.

R. B. I Am next to prove the consequence, that [this right was conferred by some grant, promise, or Covenant of God.] And this is as easy as to prove that the world was made by Gods power and efficiency or will; or to prove that God is the owner of all things, and no man can receive them but by his gift. 1. If there be no other way possible for right to be conveyed from God to us, but only by his grant, promise, or Covenant, (which we call donation, and is a moral civil action,) then it is by this means that it is conveyed. But there is no other possible way of such conveyance: Ergo, we have no right till God give us right. His will signified createth our right. No man can have right to that which is wholly and absolutely another's, but by his consent or will. This will is no way known, but by some signs of it. These signs of such a will for conveyance of right to a benefit, are a civil moral action, called a donation or gift simply. If the sign be in writing, we commonly call it a deed of gift. If it be by word of mouth, conferring a present right, we call it a verbal grant or gift. If it confer only a future right, we call it a promise, and sometimes a Covenant; and sometimes the word Covenant signifieth both, that act which gives a present right, and promiseth a continuance of it. Right being a moral or civil thing, can be no way conveyed but by a moral or civil action. A ⟨p. 45⟩gift that was never given, is a contradiction. So that this part of our controversy is as easy as whether two and two be four.

R. B. I Am next to prove the consequence, that [this right was conferred by some grant, promise, or Covenant of God.] And this is as easie as to prove that the world was made by Gods power and efficiency or will; or to prove that God is the owner of all things, and no man can receive them but by his gift. 1. If there be no other way possible for right to be conveyed from God to us, but only by his grant, promise, or Covenant, (which we call donation, and is a moral civil action,) then it is by this means that it is conveyed. But there is no other possible way of such conveyance: Ergo, we have no right till God give us right. His will signified createth our right. No man can have right to that which is wholly and absolutely anothers, but by his consent or will. This will is no way known, but by some signs of it. These signs of such a will for conveyance of right to a benefit, are a civil moral action, called a donation or gift simply. If the sign be in writing, we commonly call it a deed of gift. If it be by word of mouth, conferring a present right, we call it a verbal grant or gift. If it confer only a future right, we call it a promise, and sometimes a Covenant; and sometimes the word Covenant signifieth both, that act which gives a present right, and promiseth a continuance of it. Right being a moral or civil thing, can be no way conveyed but by a moral or civil action. A