A39697:263
Vindiciæ legis & fœderis
Vindiciæ legis & fœderis: or, A reply to Mr. Philip Cary's Solemn call Wherein he pretends to answer all the arguments of Mr. Allen, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Sydenham, Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Roberts, and Dr. Burthogge, for the right of believers infants to baptism, by proving the law at Sinai, and the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, were the very same with Adam's covenant of works, and that because the gospel-covenant is absolute. By John Flavel minister of the gospel in Dartmouth
London: printed for M. Wolton, 1690
A REPLY TO Mr. Philip Cary's Solemn Call. › Section 3 › Argument 5: Argument V.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We thought, Sir, that our Children's Title to Baptism was derived to them from their believing Parents, as the Children of the Jews was to Circumcision, from their circumcised and professing Parents; and that the same Promise which conveyed their Children's Privilege to them, Gen. 17. had conveyed the right of Believers Children to Baptism unto them also, Acts 2. 38, 39. and that the root being holy, the branches are holy also, that is, federally holy, Rom. 11. 16. But to this you make such an Answer as astonishes me to read, pag. 26. where allowing Abraham to be the Root, you say, The Holiness here spoken of, is first in respect of Gods Election; Holiness personal, and inherent in God's intention, Ephes. ⟨p. 120⟩1. 4. He hath chosen us in him, that we should be holy. (2.) 'Tis also Holiness derivative, but not from any Ancestors, but from Abraham only; and that not as a natural, but a spiritual Father, wherein he is a lively Image or Figure of Christ; and is derived from the Covenant of Grace, which passed in his Name to him and his Seed. And lastly, It shall be inherent, being actually communicated by the Spirit of God, when they shall be actually called.
We thought, Sir, that our Childrens Title to Baptism was derived to them from their believing Parents, as the Children of the Jews was to Circumcision, from their circumcised and professing Parents; and that the same Promise which conveigh'd their Childrens Priviledge to them, Gen. 17. had conveig'd the right of Believers Children to Baptism unto them also, Acts 2. 38, 39. and that the root being holy, the branches are holy also, that is, federally holy, Rom. 11. 16. But to this you make such an Answer as astonishes me to read, pag. 26. where allowing Abraham to be the Root, you say, The Holiness here spoken of, is first in respect of Gods Election; Holiness personal, and inherent in God's intention,