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fubjects of my moral kingdom, and as a part of that church, or chofen fociety, over whom I will "exercise a peculiar providence and care.

"And the child, which the pious parent has thus "devoted to me, I deliver back to him again : "with a folemn charge that he ever, henceforth, confider it as my property. Train it up as for my

fervice. Teach it early the principles of Chriftian "knowledge and virtue. Pray daily with, and for "it. Set before it a good example: and watch "over it as one who must shortly give account, to "the great fhepherd when he fhall appear. So only,

mayeft thou hope that it will be thy comfort and "delight in this world; and thy joy, and everlast"ing crown of rejoicing, in the other."

These are some of the pious fentiments, which the Baptifm of an Infant naturally fuggefts. Confidered in this light, it appears to be of great moral benefit: a most rational and proper fervice, or act of religion. It manifeftly tends to enlarge and to confirm a Chriftian's faith and hope in GOD, with regard to his helpless child-to give a clearer and more extensive view of the great scheme of redemption-to render parents more faithful, more diligent, and ferious in the education of their children; if their lives are continued: and if they are taken from them, it affords the nobleft fupport and confolation in their death.

I here beg leave to add that there is a vast difference in the genius and temper of children, even in their most early years, every one fees. What influence the DIVINE SPIRIT has in forming the human mind, even in its Infant State; and moulding it into a preparation for future usefulness and virtue -We cannot certainly fay. Probably very great: for John, it is faid, Luke i. 15. was filled with the HOLY GHOST from his mother's womb. The pro

phet

phet Ifaiah, was called and formed from the womb, to be a peculiar meffenger of heaven to inftruct and reclaim the people. 1a. xlix. 1, 2, 5. And of Jeremy it is faid, before I formed thee in the belly 1 knew thee and before thou cameft forth out of the womb, I fanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jer. i. 5.

It is then, a rational act of worship; for parents, from the very dawn and first beginnings of life, to devote their children to GOD, and to the peculiar influences of his fpirit. And it is a very merciful and wife appointment, furely, if God has inftituted any rite, or facrament of religion, in which believing parents are commanded thus to dedicate their Infants to him; and in which he gives them a folemn token that he will pour his fpirit and bleffing on them. This is done in Baptifm. The water poured on them, being an apt and proper emblem of his readiness to hear the prayers of the pious parent, and to give his fpirit to the child-to prefide over, and affift, it's intellectual and moral, powers-to form it to a love of virtue-and to fit and pre-dispose it for usefulness in future life (s).

Upon the whole then we conclude-that it being an undoubted PRIVILEGE of the Christian difpenfation, as it was of both the Abrahamic and Mofaic of old, that the Infants of believers (t) should

be

(s) Mr. Tombs, the learned Antipedobaptift, acknowledges that the grace of God may put Infants into Chrift, and unite them to him by his fpirit. Vid. Examen. §. 10. Suppose, fais one, there were a Mafier, who had the fecret of pre-difpofing the brain in order to future learning, or of giving a principle or power of future knowledge; would it not be a very reasonable and defireable thing to put Infants under his management; and might they not thenceforward be counted scholars, or difciples, to him, though not yet actually taught?

(t) By Infants of Believers, are not to be understood only their natural offspring; but any Infans which are their proper

ty,

be taken, together with themselves, into covenant with GOD: it becomes us, with great thankfulness, to accept of this favour; to dedicate our children, as well as ourselves, in this folemn manner to him: and thus publickly to declare-that WE, and OUR HOUSEHOLD, will ferve the LORD.

ty, or members of their houfehold, or for whofe religious education they will folemnly undertake. Thus, not only Abraham's own children, but all born in his houfe, or bought with his money, he was commanded to circumcife. Gen. xvii. 13. So when Lydia, the jaylor, and Stephanas were baptifed, it is particularly obferved, that their households were baptifed with them. Foundling Infants, therefore, are very rationally brought to Baptifm, by those who will engage folemnly for their Chriftian education.

FINI S.

APPENDIX.

Additional Notes to the Baptifm of In-
fants, &c.

NTRODUC. lin. 16. from the end-Add, The light It was

Nature itself feems plainly to have taught this.

the custom of the Romans, on the ninth day from the child's birth (which was called the luftrical, or the day of purification) for its friends and relations to bring it to the temple, and before the altars of the gods; to recommend it to the protection of fome tutelar deity. Middleton's Life of Cicero. Vol. I. pag. 6. A ceremony of the fame nature also was performed amongst the Greeks.

Under Argument IV. pag. 29. read the note (z) at the bottom, thus, This fentiment of an Infant's HOLINESS, and of the propriety and duty of its being brought into the Church of GOD, and there folemnly devoted to him, was quite fcriptural and rational; as well as perfectly agreeable to the appointed customs and forms, and language of thofe times. For, Luke ii. 22, 23. 'tis faid-They brought the Infant JESUS to the Temple, to PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD: As it is written in the law; Every firft-born male shall be HOLY to the Lord. Hence it plainly follows. 1. That Infants are capable of Holiness: and that fome were accounted holy (i. e. taken into a more peculiar relation to GOD) whilft others were not. And 2. That our LORD himself, when an Infant, paffed under a facred ceremony, of the fame nature with our Infants when we

bring

APPENDIX.

bring them to be baptifed. The Infant JESUS, like ours, was brought to the place of worship, there folemnly to be presented, or devoted, to the LORD.

Pag. 41. lin. 3. from the end. To-Denying the Sacrament of Baptifm to Infants, add, and promifing the kingdom of Heaven to any without the redemption of Chrift.

Pag. 42. lin. 1. Margin. For de Nat. & Gratia, Leg. de Pec. Merit.

Iræneus,

At the bottom of pag. 46. Subjoin this note. Epiphanius, Philaftrius, Auftin, and Theodoret, it has been justly obferved, each of them wrote Catalogues of the several Seats and Sorts of Christians they had ever heard of ;, but none of them mention any that denied Infant Baptifm, except thofe who denied all Baptifm.

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