hardened in their sinful courses. When they come to understand their
which calls men to "join themselves unto the Lord" through Christ by faith, and "to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live godly and soberly in this present world." And this it hath, in respect of the parents, of the children, and of others.
1. In respect of the parents. We find the most ignorant and profane wretches almost that are amongst us, cannot easily digest their children's want of baptism, though they understand not the nature of it, the ends and uses for which it is appointed; or if they do understand, yet take no care to perform their vows. Now, while their children are baptized, as they offer them to baptism, they are hardened in their impiety, and the church is mocked with their engagements; for what trust can be put in them, or what credit can be given to the promises and engagements of such? It is sad that many are trusted in this matter, to whom we could give no credit in far less matters. And this evil is not cured by requiring of sponsors, into whose power the child is not wholly given up, as to its education, as was said before. But were the children of such parents debarred from the sacrament, till such time as either their parents, one of them at least, should reform and amend their lives, as the same parents are debarred from the Lord's supper; or they themselves should evidence their faith by their carriage at years of discretion, it might rationally be expected, that we should see a reformation in the lives of many, if not of most, who now do never bend themselves that way: "the haters of the Lord should" at least "lye unto him," as it is Psal. 81:15. And it is a promise made unto the church, that "her enemies shall lye unto her," Deut. 33:29. but otherwise, it is rather a mocking than a lying to her: for, as Ursin says, "they deny in their deeds what they profess with their mouth, and it is plain they lye:" for faith and a Christian life cannot be separated. Whoso separate them, mock God and the church. But were they thus dealt with, they might at least be brought to the performance of the external duties of religion: and who knows but many, being thus laid in Christ's way, might be really delivered from the snare of the devil, who otherwise are led captive at his pleasure. Experience hath shown these hopes are not vain.
2. In respect of the children themselves. They seem the same way to be hardened in their sinful courses. When they come to understand their