Traditionally the children of the elected (first generation) became full members of the church after they underwent a spiritual awakening (conversion). Not all underwent the conversion. To assure the future of the church, the Half-way Covenant proposed that children who were not of the elected (second generation) have the privilege to be baptized, but without communion. They could not become full members of the church until they reach fourteen years of age and experience a conversion. These members would partake at the Lords Supper but this was an issue with Solomon Stoddard from Northampton. He argued that no man was to partake the Lords Supper without knowledge and assurance of salvation (without being a full member of the church.) He also said that no man could know for sure if he was saved, but all well behaved Christians should be invited with the hope of salvation or conversion. This statement is similer to predestination, a belief of Calvinism, influenced by Puritanism. Predestination is a doctrine that states that God has already chosen the people who will be saved. They just don't know who they are.
What I'm not clear on is if they don't know who is saved, how can they make up the elected?
Valerie
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