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

SECT. LI.

R. B. Before I proceed to any more Texts of Scripture, I will a little enquire into the light or Law of Nature it self, and see what that saith to the point in hand. And first we shall consider of the duty of dedicating Infants to God in Christ, and next of Gods acceptance of them, and entertaining them into that estate. And the first is most evidently contained in the Law of nature it self (at least upon supposition that there be any hopes of Gods entertaining them;) which I prove thus. 1. The law of Nature bindeth us to give to every one his own due: But Infants are Gods own due; Ergo, the law of Nature bindeth Parents to give them up to God. By [giving] here I mean not an alienation of propriety, to make that to be Gods that was not so before; but an acknowledgement of his right, with a free resignation and dedication of the Infant to God, as his own; for his use and service, when he is capable thereof. If you say, Infants being not capable of doing service, should not be devoted to it till they can do it; I answer, they are capable at present of a legal obligation to future duty, and also of the relation which followeth that obligation, together with the honour of a Church-member (as the child of a Noble ⟨p. 106⟩man is of his Honours and title to his Inheritance) and many other mercies of the Covenant. And though Christ according to his humanity was not capable of doing the works of a Mediator or head of the Church in his Infancy, yet for all that he must be head of the Church then, and not (according to this arguing) stay till he were capable of doing those works. And so is it with his members.

R. B. BEfore I proceed to any more Texts of Scripture, I will a little enquire into the light or Law of Nature it self, and see what that saith to the point in hand. And first we shall consider of the duty of dedicating Infants to God in Christ, and next of Gods acceptance of them, and entertaining them into that estate. And the first is most evidently contained in the Law of nature it self (at least upon supposition that there be any hopes of Gods entertaining them;) which I prove thus. 1. The law of Nature bindeth us to give to every one his own due: But Infants are Gods own due; Ergo, the law of Nature bindeth Parents to give them up to God. By [giving] here I mean not an alienation of propriety, to make that to be Gods that was not so before; but an acknowledgement of his right, with a free resignation and dedication of the Infant to God, as his own; for his use and service, when he is capable thereof. If you say, Infants being not capable of doing service, should not be devoted to it till they can do it; I answer, they are capable at present of a legal obligation to future duty, and also of the relation which followeth that obligation, together with the honour of a Church-member (as the child of a Noble