The church-membership of children, and their right to baptism according to that holy and…The church-membership of children, and their right to baptisme according to that holy and…

3. In respect of themselves, the good is very great. 1. It is a special means to prevent sin, Deut. 29. I make this Covenant, not only with him that is present, but with your seed also, who are not here, verse 15▪ Lest there should be among you man, or woman, family, or tribe, whose heart turns away from God, and lest there should be a root of gall and wormwood: and indeed it mightily works on the heart to think; shall I whom God hath chosen to be his, be my own; or be the Devils, or be my lusts &c? 2. 'Tis a strong motive & engagement ⟨p. 24⟩upon them to forsake sin, even the uncircumcision and sin of their hearts, as is evident, Deut. 10.15, 16. The Lord had a delight to choose the seed of your fathers, even you to be his people, as it is this day: what follow's? Therefore Circumcise the foreskin of your hearts, and be no more stiff-necked: 3. 'Tis a special help, as to avert their hearts from sin, so to convert & turn them to God, & to make them look toward God, that he would turn them, when perhaps they are without any hope (in other respects) of mercy, or of being able by any means they can use to turn themselves; this is evident, Acts 3.19. with verse 25. Repent and be converted, for you are the children of the Covenant, which God made with our fathers; this draws their hearts, when they see, how God call's them to return, Jer. 3.22. Come unto me ye back sliding children &c: we c•me unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. When backsliding Ephraim could not convert himself, he cries unto God, oh turn me▪ and I shall be turned, for thou art the Lord my God, Jer. 31.18. which places cannot be meant of being their God only by internal Covenant, in giving to them the special benefits of the Covenant, for then they should be in Covenant with God and have remission of all their sins, &c: before they were turned, or before faith? and therefore it's meant of being a God in outward, and external church-Covenant, which is no small motive, and loadst one to Believe. And although many do not believe, and will not be turned, yet this Covenant is an high privilege, and great favour, fit in it self, to draw to God, though many believe not: and hence the Apostle saith, that the privilege of the Jew is great, in having God's Oracles (which contain God's Covenant) committed to them, though some believe no, which unbelief make's not (he saith) the faith of God, i. e.