An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications…

I know the Distinction that is made by some, between the internal and external Covenant; but I hope, the Divines that make this Distinction, would not be understood, that there are really and properly two Covenants of Grace; but only that those who profess the one only Covenant of Grace, are of two Sorts; There are those who comply with it internally and really, and others who do so only externally, that is, in Profession and Visibility. But he that externally and visibly complies with the Covenant of Grace, appears & professes to do so really.—There is also this Distinction takes Place concerning the Covenant of Grace; the one only Covenant of Grace is exhibited two Ways, the one externally by the Preaching of the Word, the other internally and spiritually by enlightening the Mind rightly to understand the Word. But 'tis with the Covenant, as 'tis with the call of the Gospel: He that really complies with the external Call, has the internal Call; so he that truly complies with the external Proposal of God's Covenant, as visible Christians profess to do, do indeed perform the inward Condition of it. But the New-Testament affords no more Foundation for supposing two real and properly distinct Covenants of Grace, than it does to suppose two Sorts of real Christians; the Unscripturalness of which latter Hypothesis I observed before.

When those Persons who were baptized in Infancy do properly own their baptismal Covenant, the meaning of it is, that they now being become capable to act for themselves, do professedly and explicitly make their Parents Act, in giving them up to God, their own, by expressly giving themselves up to God. But this no Person can do, without either being deceived, or dissembling and professing what he himself supposes to be a Falsehood, unless he supposes that he in his Heart consents to be God's. A Child of Christian Parents never does that for himself which his Parents did for him in Infancy, 'till he gives himself wholly to God. But surely he don't do it, who not only keeps back a Part, but the chief Part, his Heart and Soul. He that keeps back his Heart, does in Effect keep back all; and therefore, if he be sensible of it, is guilty of solemn wilful Mockery, if he at the same Time solemnly and publicly professes that he gives himself up to God. If there are any Words used by such, which in their proper Signification imply that they give themselves up to God; and if these Words, as they intend them to be understood, and as they are understood by those that hear them, according to their established Use and Custom among that People, don't imply, that they do it really, but do truly reserve or keep back the chief Part; it ceases to be a Profession of giving themselves up to God, and so ceases to be a professed Covenanting with God, or owning God's Covenant; for the Thing which they profess, belongs to no Covenant of God,