To be brought into the visible church, is a high privilege, of which infants are as capable now, as under the former dispensation. Consent is not necessary; for infants receive inheritances. _This is by force of municipal laws._ But are not the laws of God of equal force?—_Baptism implies obligations, which can be founded only on consent._ Then it will follow that infants are not bound by human laws, for they have not assented to the social compact; they are under no obligation to obey parents, guardians, or masters, because they either did not choose them, or were incompetent to make such choice; they are not bound by the laws of God himself, which is this very case, because they have not consented to his authority; and if they never consent, they will be always free equally from all obligations, and all sin. Such are the consequences of the above objection. Footnote 73: The dictates of nature, uncontrouled by revelation, are the will of Christ, and our rule of duty. The _will of Christ_, expressed in these dictates, requires us to benefit our children as they are capable. _Baptism_, as the initiatory seal of God’s covenant, is a _benefit_ of which infants are _capable_.—This evidence is not _eclipsed_, but _brightened_, by scripture authority, as we shall see in the sequel of this chapter. Let the reader carefully notice, that we do not suppose, by insisting on this argument, the insufficiency of _direct scripture_ evidence: for _this_ has been frequently urged with advantage, to satisfy persons of the best dispositions and abilities. That is, reader, “some of the most eminent Pœdobaptists that ever filled the Professor’s chair, or that ever yet adorned the Protestant pulpit.” But since our opponents insist, that what has been so often urged, is not conclusive; and _modestly_ affirm, it is only calculated to catch “the eye of a _superficial_ observer;” they are desired once more impartially to weigh this reasoning, and then, if they are able, to refute it. Let them know, however, that hackneyed phrases without meaning—principles taken upon trust—and empty declamation—must not be palmed on us instead of solid arguments. Were it necessary, it would be easy to shew, that the principles above urged are no _novelty_; but are perfectly agreeable to experience,—and to the practical judgment of the most serious Pœdobaptists, both illiterate and learned. But waving this, we proceed next to another corroborating proof of the main proposition.