Repl. 1. Who made those Sureties Guardians of the Infants that are neither Parents, nor Pro-parents, nor Owners of them? We are not now speaking against Sponsors: But you know that the very original of those Sponsors, is a great Controversy: And whether they were not at first most properly Sponsors for the Parents that they should perform that part they undertook (because many Parents were Desertors, and many proved negligent) Sponsors then excluded not Parents from their proper undertaking, but joined with them; God-fathers are not the Infants Guardians with us and therefore have not power thus to Covenant and Vow in their name: We entreat you to take heed of leaving any Children indeed out of the mutual Covenant that are baptized; How are those in the Covenant that cannot consent themselves, and do it not by any that truly represent them, nor have any Authority to act as in their names? The Authority of Parents being most unquestionable (who by nature, and the word of God, have the power of disposing of their Children, and consequently of choosing and covenanting for them), Why should it not be preferred? at lest you may give leave to those Parents that desire it, to be the Dedicators of, and Covenanters for, their own Children, and not force others on them whether they will or no. 2. But the question is not of Covenanting, but professing present actual believing, forsaking, &c. In which, though we believe the Churches sense was sound, yet we desire that all things, that may render it liable to mis-understanding, may be avoided.
Repl. 1. Who made those Sureties Guardians of the Infants that are neither Parents, nor Pro-parents, nor Owners of them? We are not now speaking against Sponsors: But you know that the very original of those Sponsors, is a great Controversie: And whether they were not at first most properly Sponsors for the Parents that they should perform that part they undertook (because many Parents were Desertors, and many proved negligent) Sponsors then excluded not Parents from their proper undertaking, but joyned with them; God-fathers are not the Infants Guardians with us and therefore have not power thus to Covenant and Vow in their name: VVe intreat you to take heed of leaving any Children indeed out of the mutual Covenant that are baptized; How are those in the Covenant that cannot consent themselves, and do it not by any that truly represent them, nor have any Authority to act as in their names? The Authority of Parents being most unquestionable (who by nature, and the word of God, have the power of disposing of their Children, and consequently of choosing and covenanting for them), VVhy should it not be preferred? at lest you may give leave to those Parents that desire it, to be the Dedicators of, and Covenanters for, their own Children, and not force others on them whether they will or no. 2. But the question is not of Covenanting, but professing present actual believing, forsaking, &c. In which, though we believe the Churches sense was sound, yet we desire that all things, that may render it lyable to mis-understanding, may be avoyded.
