nt, as need shall require."[9]

[Footnote 9: Cambridge Platform, chap. iii. 7.]

_Mr. R._ Now, please, Br. B., what does all that prove?

_Mr. B._ Why, it proves that, in the judgment of the Cambridge Platform,
the children of church-members are members of the churches.

_Mr. R._ It shows that the Cambridge Platform calls them members; but it
gives us no proof that they are properly called members. A great deal in
that extract, I undertake to say, will command the cordial assent of all
who practise infant baptism, if we except the use of the term members.
It shows that, as to coming into the company of true believers, and
being one of them, the only way is through repentance and faith,--a way
common to the unbaptized. The only advantage, but one which is
exceedingly great and precious on the part of the believer's children,
being, that they "have many privileges," and "are in a more hopeful way
of attaining regenerating grace." But the term membership does not
express their relation to the church before they are converted.

_Mr. B._ (After a pause.) I do not know but you are right.

Mr. C., the remaining advocate of the sermon, said, "Let me refresh
your memories with the famous case quoted in Morton's New England
Memorial. He says:

"'The two ministers there (Salem, 1629), being seriously studious of
reformation, they considered the state of their children, together with
their parents, concerning which letters did pass between Mr. Higginson
(of Salem) and Mr. Brewster, the reverend elder of the church of
Plymouth; and they did agree in their judgments, namely, concerning the
church-membership of the children with their parents, and that baptism
was a seal of their membership; only, when they were adult, they being
not scandalous, they were to be examined by the church officers, and
upon their approbation of their fitness, and upon the children's public
and personally owning of the covenant, they were to be received unto the
Lord's Supper. Accordingly, Mr. Higginson's eldest son, being about
fifteen years of age, was owned to have been received a member together
with his parents, and being privately examined by the pastor, Mr.
Skelton (the other minister of Salem), about his knowledge in the
principles of religion, he did present him before the church when the
Lord's Supper was to be administered, and, the child then publicly and
personally owning the covenant of the God of his father, he was admitted
unto the Lo