Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
... The due genuine sense of which words according to Verse 25. is this: These to whom the Apostle speaks were children of the Covenant which God made with their Fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all kindreds of the Earth be blessed. According to Gen. 12.3. Gen. 17.7. Gen. 22.18. which Texts do write it as clearly as the sun beams.
- 1. That the administration of the first seal of outward confirmation of this Covenant was given to all the natural seed at least of believing Abraham’s family, and so downward, Act. 3.25. and Gen. 17.7, 9, &c. keeping within the Church, and not cast out for misdemeanours. Therefore the same administration of the 1 Seal in the New Testament to all the natural seed of believing Gentile parents, is held forth by virtue of this text, Act. 3.25. It comes down to all the kindred of the elect, which could not be in Circumcision which is abolished in the New Testament but in some thing analogical; ergo in Baptism.
- 2. That the efficacy of this Covenant with Abraham is to his seed in turning them away every one from their iniquities. Act. 3.26. According to Gen. 12.3. Gen. 17.22. Gen. 22.18. That in Abraham, that is in his seed, namely be blessed, even to them his Covenant should be established. And so by a just analogy, Baptism administered to the seed of believers should be effectual, where Christ should come in effectually to turn them from their sins, whether afore, or at, or after Baptism, as he shall think fit. ...