So, when a child is baptized in error, he shall not suffer, nor even lose anything, if he will accept the covenant with its seal.

No one can justly reply to all this, that, therefore, every one even though not of the church, may offer his child for baptism.

No; for these are exceptional cases, in which it is true that a covenant, even if it be not fulfilled, has force, and things may enure under it which one who does not make the required profession cannot receive.

The covenant, if but the outward conditions be complied with, places all, who are in any way related to it, under various contingencies, which sometimes, to some of the parties, may be productive of good.

We see illustrations of this in the great tenderness and love which we feel toward a child whose parent has brought a stain upon himself and his family.