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

§. 9. What then is the thing made necessary (and sufficient) by the Covenant to their salvation, but that they be the seed of the faithful devoted by them to God, that is, that their ⟨p. 203⟩Parents natural, or at least civil, whose Own they are, and have the power of disposing of them for their good, do enter them by consent into the Covenant with Christ? which it is supposed that Faithful Parents virtually did before, and will actually do when God doth call them to it.

§. 10. As to them that say, [the thing further necessary as the condition of the Infants acceptance and salvation is [A promise to educate the Child as a Christian if he live] I answer, 1. That promise indeed is included in his dedication and consent; 2. But who but the Owners of the child are capable of making such a promise? (unless as seconds promising that the Owners shall do their duty): For only he that owneth him can educate him (by himself or others) or dispose of him for his education: who hath power to dispose of another mans child, and educate him? They that undertake as sureties to do it, in case the Parents apostatize or die, do plainly imply, 1. That till then it is the Parent that is entrusted to do it; and therefore that the Parent must consent to do it; and therefore that the Parent must enter his child in the Covenant of Christ: 2. And that if the Parents apostatize or die, they will take the child themselves as their Own; or else by what power can they educate him or dispose of him?

§. 10. As to them that say, [the thing further necessary as the condition of the Infants acceptance and salvation is [A promise to educate the Child as a Christian if he live] I answer, 1. That promise indeed is included in his dedication and consent; 2. But who but the Owners of the child are capable of making such a promise? (unless as seconds promising that the Owners shall do their duty): For only he that owneth him can educate him (by himself or others) or dispose of him for his education: who hath power to dispose of another mans child, and educate him? They that undertake as sureties to do it, in case the Parents apostatize or die, do plainly imply, 1. That till then it is the Parent that is intrusted to do it; and therefore that the Parent must consent to do it; and therefore that the Parent must enter his child in the Covenant of Christ: 2. And that if the Parents apostatize or die, they will take the child themselves as their Own; or else by what power can they educate him or dispose of him?