It is a notorious falsehood to say, That because we hold Infants ⟨p. 172⟩[…] ⟨p. 173⟩[…] ⟨p. 174⟩of believing Parents to be holy by the Covenant, that therefore we hold them to be so clean and holy in and from the womb, as to exempt them from Original sin, and to make them subjects of grace and glory. For though we did hold that all the Infants of believing Parents, were regenerate from the womb, (which we do not) yet that would not hinder the truth of the Text, that they were conceived in sin, and borne in iniquity: nor would it argue, that we hold them to be so clean and holy from the womb, as to be without sin. No, no, we do believe, that the most holy regenerate Saints on earth are unclean, and sinful from the womb, and are still such, defiled with original sin, and the fruits thereof, even after they be Regenerate; and though we say that some of the Infants of believing Parents have been regenerate from the womb (as Jeremiah, John Baptists and others) and accordingly that they were subjects of saving grace and glory: yet we never denied, but do constantly believe, that they also were conceived in sin and borne in iniquity, and were by nature the children of wrath, as well as others, else what need should they have of reconciliation and Atonement by Christ? But as for other children of believing Parents which are not regenerate by the Holy Ghost (as they were) from the womb, we do believe and hold, that though they be the subjects of the common grace of the Covenant, and so have right to the seal and sign thereof: yet we do not hold them to be subjects of saving grace, much less of glory, (as you do pretend) but to be still carnal till the Lord be pleased to apply the saving grace of his Covenant to them in their regeneration, which he doth to all that belong to his election of grace, and that according to his Covenant in due time. Now therefore when you put it to the upright in heart to judge, which to believe, whether your selves, or us, as you state the difference, we desire the Lord not to lay it to your charge at the day of his righteous judgement, that you put such a false and fraudulent question to the Judgement of the upright.
It is a notorious falshood to say, That because wee hold Infants ⟨p. 172⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 173⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 174⟩of beleeving Parents to bee holy by the Covenant, that therefore wee hold them to bee so clean and holy in and from the wombe, as to exempt them from Originall sinne, and to make them subjects of grace and glory. For though wee did hold that all the Infants of beleeving Parents, were regenerate from the wombe, (which wee doe not) yet that would not hinder the t•uth of the Text, that they were conceived in sinne, and borne in iniquity: nor would it argue, that wee hold them to bee so cleane and holy from the wombe, as to bee without sinne. No, no, wee doe beleeve, that the most holy regenerate Saints on earth are uncleane, and sinfull from the wombe, and are still such, defiled with originall sinne, and the fruits thereof, even after they bee Regenerate; and though wee say that some of the Infants of beleeving Parents have beene regenerate from the wombe (as Ieremy, John Baptists and others) and accordingly that they were subjects of saving grace and glory: yet wee never denyed, but doe constantly beleeve, that they also were conceived in sinne and borne in iniquity, and were by nature the children of wrath, as well as others, else what need should they have of reconciliation and Atonement by Christ? But as for other children of beleeving Parents which are not regenerate by the Holy Ghost (as they were) from the wombe, wee doe beleeve and hold, that though they be the subjects of the common grace of the Covenant, and so have right to the seale and signe thereof: yet we doe not hold them to bee subjects of saving grace, much lesse of glory, (as you doe pretend) but to bee still carnall till the Lord bee pleased to apply the saving grace of his Covenant to them in their regeneration, which hee doth to all that belong to his election of grace, and that according to his Covenant in due time. Now therefore when you put it to the upright in heart to judge, which to beleeve, whether your selves, or us, as you state the difference, wee desire the Lord not to lay it to your charge at the day of his righteous judgement, that you put such a false and fraudulent question to the Iudgement of the upright.
