A41329:274
The plea of the children of believing-parents for their interest in Abraham's covenant, their…
The plea of the children of believing-parents for their interest in Abraham's covenant, their right to church-member-ship with their parents, and consequently their title to baptism. The cause of publishing this discourse after so many learned men have laboured in this province, is declared in the preface to the reader. By Giles Firmin.
London: printed for Tho. Simons, 1683
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.
To return to Infants, They must be regenerate, and have Faith some way, else they must all perish; what should make the thing so impossible they should have the Habit or Seed of Faith, and of all saving Graces in them? I hope it is not because Christ is known only by Revelation. I pray, what Act of Faith in God, what Act of Love to God, or Fear of God, &c. did Isaac or John put forth towards God, when, being Infants they were Circumcised? yet I am confident they had the Seeds of all these at that time they were sanctified then, and why not then a Seed of Faith in Christ? had not John it when he leaped? &c.
To return to Infants, They must be regenerate, and have Faith some way, else they must all perish; what should make the thing so impoisible they should have the Habit or Seed of Faith, and of all saving Graces in them? I hope it is not because Christ is known only by Revelation. I pray, what Act of Faith in God, what Act of Love to God, or Fear of God, &c. did Isaach or John put forth towards God, when, being Infants they were Circumcised? yet I am confident they had the Seeds of all these at that time they were sanctified then, and why not then a Seed of Faith in Christ? had not John it when he leaped? &c.
In the first Synod held in New-England, this was one question discussed; Whether we be justified by the Habit, or the Act of Faith? Arguments were brought pro and con, some were for the Habit of Faith, then why not Infants justified by a Habit of Faith? Dr. Ames in his proofs for Infant-baptism, makes this his first Argument; That in the very beginning of Regeneration, the Soul is a mere passive, the Infant is as capable of a passive reception of Christ and Grace, as another Man: ⟨p. 91⟩but Baptism Seals to our Regeneration. [modul. theal. c. 4. th. 12. Got. of grace, p. 27. &c. Socin. pro. flig. p. 781.]
In the first Synod held in New-England, this was one question discussed; Whether we be justified by the Habit, or the Act of Faith? Arguments were brought pro and con, some were for the Habit of Faith, then why not Infants justified by a Habit of Faith? Dr. Ames in his proofs for Infant-baptism, makes this his first Argument; That in the very beginning of Regeneration, the Soul is a meer passive, the Infant is as capable of a passive reception of Christ and Grace, as another Man: