they come to yeers of discretion is sinful I further prove Because they by their tradition of Rantizing or Sprinkling babes before they understand and believe the Gospel do make the command of Christ which is To baptize men and women when they believe and understand of none effect and so in vain they worship God and they which take his name in vain he will not hold them guiltless See Mar. 7.7 8 9. Matth. 15.8 9. and thus they binde two sins together and in the one they shall not go unpunished Now to his Third Argument which is drawn from that which he hath spoken already as he himself confesses which he layeth down thus That practise which goeth upon meer uncertainty and hath no Scripture-Rule to guide it is not according to the will of Christ But the practise of baptizing of children of Christians at age goes upon meer uncertainties and hath no Scripture-rule to guide it Therfore it is not according to the will of Christ Answ Who would think Mr. Baxter could have chopped one Argument into so many pieces to multiply words for this Argument is the same in substance with the two former onely put downe in other words But I further answer thus 1. That to baptize men and women when they believe is not an uncertain rule but very certain both from the command of Christ and example of the Apostles as Mar. 16.16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved And Acts 2.41 They that gladly received the word were baptized and added c. chap. 8.12 When they believed Philips preaching they were baptized both men and women And vers 37. If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest be baptized Thus we see that it is guided by Scripture-rule and therefore it is most certain by Mr. Baxters grant But I must needs give Mr. Baxter his owne Argument againe thus That practice which goeth upon meer uncertainty and hath no Scripture-rule to guide it is not according to the will of Christ saith Mr. Baxter But say I the practice of Baptizing little Babes before they come to years of discretion goes upon meer uncertainties having no Scripture-rule to guide it Therefore it is not according to the will of Christ by Mr. Baxters owne confession His fourth Argument is this That practice which will necessarily fill the Church with perpetual contentions as being about a matter that cannt be determined by any known rule is not according to the minde of Christ But the practice of baptizing Christians children at age upon their profession is such as will necessarily fill the Church with perpetual contentions Therefore it is not according to the mind of Christ Answ But the baptizing of men and women when they believe is a matter that can be and is determined by a known rule in Scripture therefore no just cause of contentions because it is acccording to the will and minde of Christ as I have proved by those Scriptures quoted in the a foresaid Argument Again I shall retort his owne Argument upon himself thus That practice which will necessarily fill the Church with perpetual contentions as being about a matter that cannot be determined by any known Rule is not according to the minde of Christ But the practice of baptizing little Babes before they come to years of discretion is a thing which there is no known rule for in all the word of God Therefore it is not according to the minde of Christ and there is just cause to contend against it and that perpetually And thus Mr. Baxter I have thrown your owne Arguments upon your owne head and you are fallen into the same pit which you digged for others and thus is your folly manifested in the fourth Argument Your fifth Argument is thus That doctrine which would turn the Ordinance of Baptisme out of the Churches of the Saints or neer turn it out is contrary to the doctrine of Christ But this Doctrine of theirs that those onely should be baptized that are directly made Disciples by the preaching of men sent according to the text Mat. 28.19 20. would turn baptisme for the most part out of the Churches of the Saints Therefore it is contrary to the Doctrine of Christ To which I answer It seemes it is Mr. Baxters judgement that they which preach and baptise according to the Commandment Christ hath given to his Diseiples Mat. 28.19 20. are those which turn baptisme out of the Church and yet he will not shew us one Scripture to prove that any else ever were baptized but such as were made Disciples according to the will and minde of Christ viz. by the preaching of the Gospel But I confess such a Doctrine doth not almost but altogether turne Mr. Baxters baptisme out of the Church for we have no such custome nor the Churches of God as to baptize little Babes that can neither speak nor understand what the Gospel is 2. I shall give Mr. Baxter his owne Argument at first thus That Doctrine which would turn the Ordinance of Christs baptism out of the Church or neer out is contrary to the Doctrine of Christ But this Doctrine of Mr. Baxters and the rest of the Priests of England which is that all Children should be baptized in their non-age according to their practice doth turne the baptisme of Christ which is to baptize men and women when they believe quite out of the Churches of the Saints Therefore it is contrary to the doctrine of Christ and is to be abhorred as sinful And thus is Mr. Baxters sword turned with the edge against himself To Mr. Baxters sixth Argument which is against the manner of baptizing by dipping the which he makes a breach of the sixth Commandment Thou shalt not kill and therefore no Ordinance of God but an hainous sin and so exhorts the Magistrates pag. 134. and pag. 136. in the conclusion of his Argument to destroy the Anabaptists as well as highway-murderers To which I shall answer in order as followeth First Observe how Mr. Baxter proves it murther he useth not one Scripture therefore none can believe him that desires to make the word of God a ground of their Faith But he laboureth to prove it thus by affirming out of his owne mouth onely that its flat murder being ordinarily used And then insinuates thus It s undeniable to any understanding man for saith he again That which directly tendeth to the overthrow of mens lives being wilfully used is plain murther But dipping men over head in cold water ordinarily doth tend to the overthrow of their health and lives Therefore wilful murder Answ In all this the Reader shall do well to observe that Mr. Baxter hath used many vain words which prove nothing except we grant him that dipping people after this manner doth tend to the overthrow of mens lives which we cannot do because Scripture and experience hath taught us the contrary as I shall shew anon But he proceeds thus I dare say that in Cities like
stand reading other books seven yeers but hearing and believing were baptized Act. 18.8 You say further that men think they can understand plain Scripture if they hear it but they cannot and then you cry O that pride would let men know that they cannot understand the plainest Lecture of Geometry or Arithmetick that a man can read unto them and read the Grammer to a boy in the Primer and be understandeth not a word you say Answ Is it possible you would make men believe they cannot understand plain Scripture if they hear it but I pray try us with some first and see I confess we cannot understand this book of yours to be Plain Scripture-proof for Infants Church-membership and baptism because you have packt it so full of such whimsies as these Geometry Arithmetick Grammer c. But Sir we would have you to know that the word of God is of another nature for it giveth light to the blinde and understanding to the simple Psal 19.7 8. Yea it makes men wiser then their enemies and gives them more understanding then all their teachers yea more then the Antients Psal 119.98 99 100. All which I believe you will finde to be true before we have done You say Pos 4. When the cause is so difficult we must follow the most probable way So then it seems its very difficult for you to prove that Infants ought to be baptized by your own confession and indeed so I believe for that must needs be very difficult to prove that there is not one word of God in all the Bible for I cannot blame you for saying its difficult to prove But you say we must follow the most probable way come on then that we will Now whether is it most probable that that practice which is nowhere commanded nor written in Scripture should be of God or of Satan Judge ye Now that Infant-baptism is such a practise as is not written in Scripture both Mr. Hall and your self confess and therefore in your 10 Position you do abuse us and call us bruit-beasts for demanding a plain Scripture for it therefore it s not of God and it s most plain that if that which is written in the word of God be the way of God then that which is not written in it and yet practised as an ordinance of God must needs be of Satan In your 5 Position in short you tell people that if any have taken up this opinion and have not Read and studyed Mr. Cobbet and Mr. Church and other chief books and been able to confute them they have but discovered a seared Conscience which either dare venter on sin without fear or else do count error no sin To all which I answer How now Mr. Baxter Are you grown to this height what must not men obey what they finde written in the holy Scripture till they have asked Mr. Cobbet and Mr. Churches counsel I pray where learned you this divinity at Rome I thought all this time the holy Scriptures had been able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus but it seems they are not if you say true but we must be beholding to Mr. Cobbet and Mr. Church But I pray how did men before Mr Cobbet and Churches books were written and how do those now that cannot come by their books or never heard of them if it be as you say you may do well to send some men up and down the Country to sell them But I believe this is but one of your scare crows with which you use to affright silly souls that set their faith in your wisdom and not in the power of God but your folly is a making manifest and light and freedom is breaking forth to them which you have kept in darkness and bondage Now to your 6 Position wherein you say That you will discover a most frequent cause of mens falling into errors which you say is this All men in the beginning do receive many truths upon weak or false grounds and so hold them a while till they are beaten out of their old Arguments and then presently they suspect the cause it self and you are perswaded this is Mr. Tombs his own case Ans As for Mr. Tombs he is of age and able to answer for himself I question not and as for your saying that men receive Infant-baptism and other Truths upon weak grounds at first I answer I never knew any receive Infant-baptism upon any ground at all weak nor strong neither can they for they are not capable of what they do because they want understanding when they receive it therefore you may well say they are or may be quickly beaten off it again when they come to reason with themselves or others about it But you say Alas there is far better grounds which they are not aware of Answ That is it may be because you baptize them so soon if you would let them alone till they are men and women before you baptize them as you have example in Scripture they might receive baptism upon better grounds In your 7 Position you confess some Divines have reasoned very weakly for Infant-baptism and used unfit phrases and misapplyed Scriptures and to these some have wrote three or four books and easily answered and seem to triumph and yet the truth is not shaken but it may be all the best Arguments and Plain Scriptures have never been answered say you Answ I desire to answer the Plain Scriptures no way but by faith and obedience by believing and doing of them therefore if you know of any that speaks of Infants-baptism bring them forth and I will be silent The first I see but as for your best Arguments you talk of I look upon them but as so many cunning devised fables wherewith you lye in wait to deceive simple souls by speaking things you ought not for filthy lucre sake Tit. 1.14 You say Pos 8. one sound Argument is enough to prove any thing true Answ Then either the great number of yours in the book of plain Scripture are not sound or else you need not to have brought so many by your own grant But you say What if all the Texts were put by save one Were not that enough Answ Yes it s enough if you can shew us but one but I pray where is that one I cannot finde it in all your book but it seems you are afraid that all should be put by save one therefore you make this apologie but I suppose all will do you little good In your 9 Position you say The former and present customs of the holy Saints and Churches should be of great weight with humble Christians Answ If the present customs of Churches now be according to the Primitive pattern I grant it else not But I am sure the customs of the Churches in the Apostles days was to baptize men and women when they believed with all their hearts and gladly received the word Act. 2.41 c. 8.12 v.
generall in them but also such words as speak to every Saint in Christ and member in particular as the word all the Saints every Saint in Christ and every one of you and every branch in me c. But for example I shall give you one probable Argument from Mat. 18.15 16 17. in these words If thy Brother sin against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother if not then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established and if he shall neglect to hear them tell it to the Church and if he neglect to hear the Church let him be to thee an Heathen man and a Publican From all which I argue thus First If it be the duty of Church-members to watch over one another and proceed in order according to this rule then they must be such as understand this rule But little babes of 8 daies weeks or months old cannot understand this rule Therefore they cannot be visible Church-members Secondly If it be the duty of Church-members to tell one another of their fault then they must be such as can both speak and judge what a fault is or else how can they tell one another of their faults But little Babes can neither speak nor judge in such cases Therefore they cannot be Church-members Thirdly If the faults of particular members in such cases may and must be brought before the whole Church for them to hear and judge then the whole Church ought to be such as can judge and likewise declare their minds But little Infants are not such Therefore no visible Church-members But it may be the objection against all this will be That this rule doth not reach or concern all Church-members because the word all or every one or whole Church is not found in the text But I shall leave it to the judgement of the wise that fear God and are worshipers of him in spirit and truth Many more such Arguments as this might be brought of which the time would fail to relate therefore I shall omit them and proceed to prove in opposition to Mr. Baxters and Mr. Cooks other Arguments that little Children that cannot speak words nor understand the Gospell if they hear it are not nor cannot be Christs Disciples Arguments I. My first Argument is from Mat 28.19 in these words Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit The plain English of which Mr. Baxter himself confesseth to be Go make Disciciples baptizing them c. From whence I argue thus If those Disciples which Christ commanded the Apostles to baptize must be first made so then they were not so born if they had they should not have need to be made so Again the word saith Teach all Nations or make Disciples saith Mr Baxter Whence I argue thus If make Disciples all Nations and teach all Nations be all one as Mr. Baxter affirms then it s clear that Disciples are made by preaching the word But Infants that cannot speak words nor understand earthly things if we tell them can much less understand the things of the Kingdom of Heaven declared by the preaching of the Gospell Therefore Here Mr. Baxter and I must have some discourse before we part a for he telleth us of divers waies to make Disciples besides teaching of them which in plain terms is to say There is divers waies to make Scholars besides or without teaching of them which to me is a Paradox Again Mr. Baxter being very willing to prove Infants Disciples saith page 22. line 1 2 3. that its enough to make them Disciples that they are devoted to learning if they live and that they are consecrated to Christ as their Master who can teach them hereafter So that he would prove them Disciples or Scholars first and have them taught afterwards strange doctrine and unheard-of Divinity the which lest any should object against he stoutly backs with a learned Argument as he would have it thus Is it not a common thing to call the whole Nation of Turks Mahometans old and young why then may we not call our selves and our Children Disciples of Christ And then he tells us another story of a man that hired a Philosopher to teach him and all his Children and were they not all then Disciples of that Philosopher Answ But is this Mr. Baxters plain Scripture-proof that he telleth us of in the title of his book I do much admire that a man prosessing so much seriousness in his matters and soundness in his judgement tenderness of conscience and zeal for truth as Mr. Baxter doth in his first chap. page 2 should so turn aside his ears from the truth of the word of God unto such fables as these as if he were resolved to make the Apostles words true upon himself 2 Tim. 4.3.4 which are these The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turn aside their ears from the truth and be turned unto fables c. But let me a little speak to Mr. Baxter in his own language lest he be wise in his own conceit and think I cannot answer such learned Questions Suppose I should grant that little Children as soon as they go to Schoole and begin to learn their letters are Scholars doth it therefore follow that they are then fit to learn the things of God and be immediately nay long before that the Disciples of Christ I think not for the Lord Christ saith John 2.12 If I have told you earthly things and you beleive them not how shall you beleive if I tell you Heavenly But such Children that go newly to Schoole to learn their letters you may tell them of many earthly things that they cannot understand nor beleive at all Againe What if we grant Mr. Baxter that little Children are Scholars the first day they are sent to Schoole and having learned but the first letters This would make nothing for his purpose for do we ever know any man so idle and foolish and void of understanding as to send his Child to Schoole to learn its letters befor it could speak or understand would not Mr. Baxter himself say such a man were void of reason but Mr. Baxter doth affirn such to be Disciples of Christ and would have them sent to Chrits Schoole but if this be equity or godly wisdome let the godly wife consider and judge But Mr. Baxter would teach men by parallels and lay aside the word of God he might have made the comparison thus As little children the first day they go to Schoole to learn their letters are commonly called the Scholars and Disciples of Men even so those little Children or babes in Christ 1 John 5.21 the first
reign upon a multitude of persons in London or elsewhere that never were dipped in cold water let him or any man deny if they can Now if Mr. Baxter do know none of his own knowledg that have perished or are like to perish by dipping by any of his aforesaid strange diseases and is also convinced in conscience that thousands in the Nation do dye of them that were never dipped in cold water then let all impartial people judge whether Mr. Baxter be a good tree by the fruit he bringeth forth If his intentions seem in his owne eyes to be good and that he aymeth hereby to undelude some souls and keep others from being deluded yet he must needs be one of those Paul speaks of in Rom. 3.8 which do evil that good may come thereof whose damnation is just The next thing Mr. Baxter speaks of is Mr. Tombes his salving up all this with saying that they may be baptized in warm water I answer I am not of his Judgement in that for I believe it s his weakness But then Mr. Baxter saith we cannot agree among our selves and therefore people have no reason to believe us I answer We do not desire people to believe us if we did agree never so well but to search the Scripture to see whether the things we speak be so or no like the noble Bereans Acts 17.11 and therefore to believe we would not have them hanged out of the way because they believe not us as Mr Baxter would have us because we believe not him but we know the Wheat and Tares must grow together in the field which is the world until the harvest according to the commandment of Christ 2. What if we do not agree together in every thing doth it follow therefore that the truth must not be believed and practised I hope not for its easie to prove that the Disciples of Christ in the first Churches did differ in their judgements although it was not their wisdome nor yet to the glory of God when one was of Paul and another of Apollo and another of Cephas and another of Christ 1 Cor. 1.12 c. and I believe that Paul and Barnabas were not of one minde when the contention grew so sharp between them that they parted and walked no more together Acts 15.39 and likewise Paul and Peter when Paul withstood him to the face 3. It is no marvel he telleth us of this because Mr. Baxter and his brethren the Ministers of England agree so well doth not one hold for baptisme with the sign of the Cross and another against it for Baptism in a Font and another in a Bason one for baptizing children of believers onely and others for the baptizing of all one for Railes and bowing at the Altar and others against it one for the Common-prayer-book and others for the Scotch Directory nay do not they persecute one another to Prison Banishment even death it self sometimes If Mr. Baxters Argument be good then let all people take good heed how they believe him and his brethren and so I desire they may do however except they bring plainer Scripture-proofes then Mr. Baxter hath done in his book for Infants Church-member-ship and baptisme The next remarkable thing of Mr. Baxter is denying of dipping of believers to be the custome of the Church in the primitive times and he is not ashamed to give the Scripture the lye before all men saying It is not proved by any Answ And why is it not proved I pray it may be because our Translators have not put the word Baptize into English and called it Dipping therefore he will not grant it but yet I question not the proving of it by the Scripture notwithstanding his subtil evasions of the truth saying They might well be said to go downe into the water because the country was mountainous To which I answer If this be all that Mr. Baxter have to prove it was not dipping in those dayes I think I have more to prove it was dipping and first I shall take what Mr. Baxter and his Brethren have granted me for Mr. Baxter in his 135. page saith the word signifieth as well to wash as to Dip so that by his owne words it signifies Dipping as well as Washing And in the Catechisme made by the learned of the Land when they question what is the outward form in baptisme their owne answer is Water wherein the person baptized is dipped c. thus much as Paul saith to the Atheniens Acts 17.28 their owne Poets confess From whence I argue thus If the word do signifie Dipping as well as Washing then they can no more blame us for practising dipping then we may blame them for practising washing Secondly If the word signifie Dipping and Washing one as well as another as Mr. Baxter and others say it doth then how are they to be blamed that do neither but onely sprinkle a few drops of water upon the face of a child for if the word signifie both Dipping and Washing and sprinkling be neither Dipping nor washing then they have deluded the People all this while and at leaft there quarters of the People of this Nation are still unbaptized And what an horrible thing is this that a whole Nation almost should thus be deceived by a company of learned self-seeking Men who profess themselves to be eyes to the blind and feet to the lame and to teach others that they should not deceive and as yet have not taught themselves Thirdly If the word signifie both washing and dipping then it must needs be washing by dipping or wetting all over for who can wash a thing that is not wet As for Mr. Baxters objection that Christ saith Ye need not but wash the seet and ye are Clean every whit I answer If Christ had spoken that about baptisme as he did about washing the Disciples feet to teach them humility it had been a good proofe but he did not therefore it s none but for to shew their humility and make them clean every whit from pride the washing one anothers feet did shew it as well as if they had washed their whole Bodies but now Christ when he speaketh of baptizing believers Mar. 16.16 he doth not say He that believeth and is baptized on his Feet shall be saved every wit but He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and Philip and the Eunuch went both down into the water and he baptized him and not his feet only for then they should not have needed to have both gone down into the water Again If the word him or them includes the whole man or men as all that have understanding will confess it doth if they be not partial in this case then whole man or men and women were baptized of John in the River of Jordane confessing their sins and of Philip Acts 8.12 and the Scripture saith Mar. 1.10 that when Christ was baptized he came up out of the water which plainly sheweth that he
they were so when he had left them in the judgement of the learned Priests and Rulers as appeareth Act. 4.13 Thus all men may see how contrary the Priests of this Nation do walk to Christ and his Disciples Object But Christ was able to teach them all wisedome and did give them extraordinary gifts for the perfecting of his work but now there is none such therefore men must get abilities by humane learning Answ This is a gross mistake for we have nothing else to do but to beleive and obey that word which was by them preached when they were so indued with those gifts aforesaid And now if any man preach he must preach that word 2 Tim. 4.2 3 4. for that is able to do all the work of conversion and sanctification and to make us wise to salvation through faith in Jesus and to make the man of God perfect and throughly to furnish him unto all good works chap. 3.15 16 17. And if men or Angels preach any other Gospell then what they preached let them be accursed see Gal. 1.8 9. and therefore we are commanded to stand fast and hold the traditions which they have taught us whether by word or epistle see 2 Thess 2.15 and the Lord Christ prayeth for all those that shall believe in him through their word John 17.20 therefore they are the Preachers by whom I do believe and the word is already preached that I must believe and obey therefore no need of a little dirty humane learning to make a man a preacher of that which is so plainly preached already but every English man may declare it to his Native Country-Men and so may Men in all Nations 2. Whereas you say Christ taught them then himself I answer so he doth now teach those that desire to be taught of him and I question not but some are so well taught by him that they are able to stop any of your mouths by sound Doctrine that shall oppose them And thus have I given you another reason of our dissenting from the Church of England The third reason is their lying deceit even when they are exercised in the holy ordinances of Christ as I shall make appear by shewing the depth of their deceits concerning their baptizing of Infants which they have no word of God for but have successively brought it along with them from Rome as appeareth thus When Luther and others separated from Rome they were not baptized againe after they separated but brought Romes baptisme along with them notwithstanding they confess that it is a false antichristian Church a den of theeves a cage of unclean and hatefull birds from which all Gods people are commanded to separate and touch no unclean thing and then he will receive them 2 Cor. 6.17 yet they will and do still touch their baptism which is the ground and root from whence all other branches do spring for without baptism there is no visible Church all will grant that own ordinances but they being thus far charged they presently fly from the Church of Rome and plead their own innocency and purity in separating from them the which I deny so long as they retain the Popes or Divels baptism But they will tell that the Ministers of England have given us great satisfaction in shewing the reasons why Infants ought to be baptized which are as followeth in the Sacraments or things so called Quest What is required of persons that are to be baptized Answ Repentance whereby they forsake sin and Faith whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament Quest Why then are infants baptized when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform it namely this faith and repentance Their owne answer again is this Answ Yes They do perform it by their sureties which promise and vow both that is to say both faith and repentance in their names Well thus far we have drove the matter and now we will hear what the Scriptures say for themselves and the children they answer for thus When a poor Child is to be Christened as they call it or rather cozened as I call it then the Minister doth demand of the Godfathers and Godmothers as they call them these ensuing questions 1. Dost thou forsake the Devil and all his works the vain pomps and vanities of this wicked world and all the sinful lusts of the flesh so as thou wilt not follow or be led by them Answ I forsake them all I say It is well if they do Quest 2. Dost thou believe all the Articles of the Christian faith c. Answ All this I stedfastly believe I say it is well if they understand them first Quest Wilt thou be baptized into this Faith saith the Priest to the sureties Answ It is my desire say they when they never intended it because according to their owne judgement they were baptized in their infancie before they knew it Thus all rational men may see what abominable lyes they tell when they are about baptizing infants the God-Fathers and God-mothers saying it is their desire to be baptized into that faith when there is no such thing intended and then they take the poor child that knew nothing of what they said or did together and sprinkle a few drops of water upon its face putting to or taking the name of Christ in vain over it and then they say it is a Christian and fall a praying that it may lead theremaining part of its life according to this beginning And now let all that fear God judge whether there be not wickedness lying and deceit used in them baptizing or ingrafting members into the Church of England yea such lying and deceit as all men may see if they be not wilfully blinde Therefore now let all men take heed henceforward how they satisfie themselves with such frothy stuff with such lying and deceit instead of the truth of Jesus Christ which is able to save their souls that cleave to it and contend earnestly for it but all lyers whosoever doth either love or make lies shall have their part in that lake that burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death See Rev. 21.8 with chap. 22.15 But now the great Objection by which men think to save themselves from the guilt of all this evil is this O say they but we have laid aside the Common-prayer-Book and we will no longer owne the things therein contained Answ Then it seems you grant that it was not of God but of Satan and therefore you have laid it aside for if it were of God it is your grievous sin to lay it a side and not practice it for you and I and all Christians ought to lay down our lives for the truth of Christ rather then let it be laid aside 2. But have you laid aside your baptisme that you had by the Common-prayer-Book I speak to all you that are 16 or 20 years of age and upwards if you have not
THE Foundation OF THE Font DISCOVERED To the view of all that desire to behold it AND The baptizing of Men and Women when they believe in rivers and fountains proved to be a standing Ordinance in the Church of Christ to the end of the world By plain Scripture-proof In Answer To Mr. Cook 's Font uncovered for Infant-baptism And To Mr. Baxter's Plain Scripture-proof for Infants Church-membership and Baptism With a word sometimes upon occasion to Mr. Hall's Font-guarded which is more fully answered by Thomas Collyer BY HENRY HAGGAR A servant of Christ and the Congregations of his Saints And they were all baptized of John in the river of Jordan confessing their sins Mark 1.5 And whom they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ they were baptized both men and women Acts 8.12 And John also was baptizing in Enon neer to Salim because there was much water there and they came and were baptized Joh. 3.23 And the eunuch said See here is water what hinders me to be baptized And Philip said If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest c. Act. 8.36 37. London Printed for Giles Calvert at the black Spread-eagle at the west-end of Pauls 1653. To the Reader Courteous Reader BY this I give thee to understand that I should not have troubled thy patience with these ensuing lines knowing there are so many books extant but that many whose judgements are not rightly informed in the truth would still have thought as they have many times said that the things which I here write against are not nor cannot be answered although they were answered even before they came forth both by the holy Scriptures which they seem to lean upon and also by other mens writings gathered out of the Scriptures yet a great number of men remain very confident that these books viz Mr. Cooks Font uncovered for Infant-baptisme and Mr. Baxters Plain Scripture-proof for Infants Church-membership and baptism do still remain unanswered unanswerable For which cause I thought my self in conscience bound being also concerned in one book by name and challenged to answer to use the talent that God hath given me for his glory the vindication of his truth and people and also for the good of those which as yet are not the people of God that so I may remove the reproaches and slanders cast upon my self and others falsly for the truths sake and take away those stumbling-blocks which are laid before those which as yet walk in darkness and know not whereat they stumble because the God of this world hath blinded their eyes so by setting their Faith in the wisdome of men and not in the power of God that the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ doth not yet shine into their hearts neither do they believe what is written in the holy Scriptures for their instructions but do turn aside their eares from the truth and are turned unto Fâ—bles 2 Tim. 4.4 therefore I have resolved in the strength and wisdome of the Lord once more to present my self publickly in Print to the view of all men whether friends or enemies not questioning the courteous loving acceptance of the one nor fearing the subtilty and malice of the other but do earnestly desire the good and happiness of all being also fully assured that the Lord will not fail me of a blessing upon these my weak endeavours for he dispiseth not the day of small things Furthermore I give thee to understand that the persons I have to deal with in particular are two viz. Mr. Cook and Mr. Baxter as aforesaid their volumes together no less then sixty two sheets therefore let not the Reader think me too tedious in eighteen sheets neither let any think me too short for these following reasons 1. Because in their writings there is abundance of superfluous words by which they darken the counsel of God and labour to subvert them that read and hear them but we are commanded to lay aside all superfluity of naughtiness and to receive the ingrafted word of God which is able to save our souls James 1.21 2. Because in the multitude of words there wants no sin Prov. 10.19 therefore I shall take heed of using any more then need 3. Large Volumes are in danger never to be read over because some will not and others are poor and cannot spare time or money for them 4. Because I am commanded not to answer a fool according to his foolishness lest I be like him Prov. 26.4 Now if these men have spoken many words wherein there wants no sin and have not consented to wholsome words even the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the doctrine which is according to godliness then they are fools knowing nothing as they ought to know 1 Tim. 6.3 4. but doting about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envie strife railings evil surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes and destitute of the truth supposing that gain viz. an hundred or two a year is godliness from such we are commanded to turne away and withdraw our selves therefore none can justly take exception at these words for if it doth appear still when the Reader hath perused my lines that there is no folly in their words then my folly will returne upon my self and they and their cause will be exalted Thus have you the reasons why I will be as brief as may be And if any shall say that I have been so briefe that I have not answered the matter I took in hand I answer to all my Antagonists It s the better for them if I come short of a full answer and they will have the greater advantage against me and let them take it and spare not therefore I desire all whom it may concern to read and consider wisely and try it by the holy Scriptures of truth judge impartially asking the Lord for wisdome to discerne between things which differ and the Lord give you all understanding in all things that concern his glory and your comfort which is and shall be the prayer of me his unworthy servant who desires to remain to the utmost of my power Yours in the service of Christ Jesus my Lord till death Henry Haggar The Method and Order of this Book is a followeth 1. I Shall shew what foundation the Saints ought to build upon 2. I shall discover the foundation of the Font and shew whence and how it came to be in use and that by the confession of those which make use of it 3. Concerning Infant-baptism I shall shew whence it came and by whom it was brought into the Church 4. I shall answer to the beginning of Mr. Cooks Book and to Mr. Baxters 10 Positions upon which himself saith his whole Book standeth and without which he confesseth it caneot be understood in his 3 pag. 5. I shall answer in general to their Arguments about Infants Church-membership and
testimonies of the Lord. Mark 1.3.4.5 where we read first of the voice of one crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord and to make his paths straight Secondly that John baptized in that wilderness and whom he baptized is evident in the following words And he preacht the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of sins and there went out unto him all the Land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the River of Jordan confessing their sins c. Thus we see that all that were baptized of John of the Inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem were such as could and did confess their sins But little children that cannot speak cannot confess their sins therefore none such were baptized by John See also Matth. 3.5 6. Thus it being cleer by the Scriptures that John baptized men and women that could believe and confess their sins and not a word spoken of sucking children I shall now proceed to the works of the Apostles to whom Christ gave Commission as aforesaid and see what they practised Act. 2.40.41 we read that when they preached and exhorted the people with many words to save themselves from that untoward generation then they that gladly received his word were baptized and added to the Church c. But little babes of eight days weeks or months old cannot gladly receive the word of God because they understand it not therefore none such were baptized there Object But some will object from ver 39. that the Promise was to them and their children and therefore children may be baptized Answ I grant the Promise was to them vers 38 that if they did repent and be baptized in the name of Christ for the Remission of sins they should receive the gift of the Holy-Ghost and this is true also to their children if they did repent and obey the Gospel as aforesaid and so it is to us and to our children though never so far off upon the same condition of Faith Repentance and Baptism for it is to all that the Lord our God shall call but they must be called first observe that ver 39. And thus is the objection fully answered Again If ever the Apostle baptized children it must needs be now according to their Argument who say the Promise is to children and therefore But that they baptized no such children is evident because they that were baptized were such as could and did gladly receive the word and continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and Prayer all which little babes that cannot speak words nor understand Reason cannot possibly do therefore none such baptized The next place is Act. 8.12 where we read that when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ they were baptized both men and women in express terms but we never read a word of little children Again ver 36 37. we read that the Eunuch said to Philip See here is water what hinders me to be baptized and Philip said If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest But such little babes as these baptize cannot believe with all their hearts therefore they may not be baptized neither do we yet in the least see that any such were baptized by the Apostles The next is Act. 10.46 47 48. in these words Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized that have received the Holy Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Iesus By all which we see that no such babes were here baptized for all that were in this place baptized were such as had received the Holy Ghost as well as the Apostles and they heard them speak with tongues and magnifie God which children that cannot speak at all cannot possibly do all rational men will grant The next is Lydia and her houshould Act. 16.14 15. Now some say thus Who knows but she might have little children To which I answer if none know then all ought to be silent and not to believe and affirm things they know not for that is wickedness and folly but thus much we know 1 That Christ commanded them to baptize them which believed 2 Hitherto we have found them baptizing of none else 3 The Scripture speaks of no children she had nor yet of any husband and therefore silence gives no commands to obey nor no Promises to believe nor no examples to follow Again if she had an husband he was baptized for she and her houshoald were baptized Now if he had been baptized he would surely have born the name in the history rather then she being the head of the house Lastly we read ver 40. that when Paul and Silas came out of prison they entred into the house of Lydia and comforted the brethren and departed but little babes are not capable of such comfort therefore no such brethren in Lydia's house nor any ground at all to believe it from Scripture nor Reason The next is the Jaylor who was baptized with his houshould from whence some would draw the same Argument as from Lydia's and perswade us that there were children in his house but the Text is plain against it for it saith Act. 16.32 33 34. that they spake the word of the Lord to him and to all in his house and he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and all his straight ways and when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them and rejoyced believing in God with all his house Thus the Scripture in plain words as it saith the one that he and all his were baptized so also it saith he with all his house believed in God and therefore if Mr. Cook will evade the one by his learned Exposition in his 17 page he may as well evade the other and so conclude that none but he was baptized But consider the result of his labours when he hath laboured by all his wit and skill to pervert the Text yet he confesseth that the Syriack Translation reads it thus And he exulted and all the children of his house even all of them in the Faith of God I pray let all rational men consider what difference is between their all rejoycing and believing God and exulting even all of them in the Faith of God but that the man labours to darken the Counsel of God by these words words without knowledge As in Job 38.2 And thus the Lord taketh the wise in their own craftiness and the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they are vain 1 Cor. 3.19.20 But one thing more I had like to have forgotten viz. his seeming sophistical answer to Act. 8.12 where the Text saith plainly that when they believed they were baptized both men and women To this he answereth in his 16 page that these words men and women are applyable to sexes
an empty law Third General I. That though in the 4 last books of Moses is an oft repetition of the Statutes and Judgements yet usually there is inserted in each of them some weighty distinction and not without great reason repeated which because of my necessity and brevity of time of writing with my other imployments I have omitted to observe leaving it to your selves to do as being the sole object of your study and rule of life to live by II. That as in the beginning God divided government committing some to Moses in the judicials and other to Aaron in the ceremonials 1. Moses government in the law is not destroyed Mat. 5.17 and cap. 23.2 2. Aarons Priesthood and with that his government ceaseth and in the place thereof Jesus Christ by the Fathers appointment is set up Heb. 7.11 12 15 16. 3. So that now as first there was Moses and Aaron so now there is to be to the end of the World Moses and Christ to rule and govern the World by 1. Moses in the World or State under the covenant of works also the servant of Jesus Christ ruling for him because he is not of the World 2. Christ in the Church among the Saints or believers under the new covenant of grace among whom the Lord himself is being one of them III. Those words Exod. 20.2 I am the Lord thy God cannot be said of nor applyed to any in that way as the words are delivered but to those 1. That have covenanted with God in the way of the law as the Israelites did 2. That are under the rule and goverment of the commands the Statutes and Judgements contained in that law Object That was spoken only of those God brought out of Egypt and concerns not us Resp As the Jews were under the bondage of Egypt and were restrained from Gods service and were then not in covenant with him nor had not his law to judge by so we have been under Antichrist in Babel and have been restrained from Gods service and were then not in covenant with the Lord as they were not nor is his law set up as a rule to judge by among us so that when God shall have brought us out of Babel and set up his laws and brought us into covenant with himself according to Moses it shall then be as binding to us that God brought us out of Babel as to them that he brought them out of Egypt Jer. 16.14.15 They shall no more say The Lord Liveth that brought them out of Egypt but out of the north countryes Jer. 23.7 8 9. Note Under the first covenant God was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under the second 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hos 2.16 In the one God is as Abram to Hagar whose son she had by him was to be cast out under the Gospel-estate which was fulfilled in the casting out of unbelievers from the society of Saints they being not to inherit the promise that is Jesus Christ Gal. 4.30 which work was then done and shall be most certainly done againe in this age of ours In the other God is as Abraham to Sarah whose son Isaac being born of the free-woman signifieth the state of the Church under the Gospel under the name of Jerusalem from above which are a society of believers joyned to the Lord Jesus in the fellowship of the Gospel in whom the better promises are conferred and made over to the Saints born after the Spirit Gal. 4.30 Conclusion The covenant of works was after the covenant made with Abraham of grace but being renewed in Christ it is called new and the new old Gal. 3.17 The now first covenant though it hath not the best yet it hath many excellent promises necessary for the life annexed to it which we wanting bodily are reduced to great necessities and the breaking thereof brought ruine and desolation suddainly to the Jews And though at this time it be not in esteem among men yet the prophesie of Isaiah 42.19 21. incourageth me that after Gods servant comes who the blind world accounts blind though God saith he is his servant and perfect and which the Scripture before clearly shews was to come after the grand Apostacy of Antichrist I say after he comes the Lord will magnifie the law make it great though all the world have endeavoured to make nothing of it or of no use at all a long time when they shall againe judge by it and punish by it and rule by it c. yea and more the Lord will make it honourable also they shall never set up traditions in the place thereof again O Parliament This God will do but whether God will do this by you or not and honour you herein or not I do not know you see it is my desire if it be his will ye are witnesses and God also that the work may be yours who have dore much of the work of the Lord in the Nation that the Honour here and reward thereof hereafter may be yours and let me speak freely to you thus that if you will not do it God in few yeers will not want them that will do it upon whom and whose posterity the blessigs of God and the Nation will fall in great abundance who did that in their generation for them was never done it being then and never untill then fulfilled that of Paul Rom. 10.19 I will provoke you to jealousie by them that are not a people that is some heathens which none never yet did do should as the Jews nationally covenant with God in the covenant of Moses with which the Jews as awaked begin to thinke that people Jacob-like steal away or God gives away his birthright from him the not doing whereof delayes their call Now what Nation in all the world is like to do this as England O that it might be offered them who would not refuse it The fourth General That to the Elders Heads and Judges were other inferior subordinate officers to serve in the same rule who have their authority from the Scriptures and from God as the rest Josh 23.2 Deut. 16.18 Command the First Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me Statutes DEut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart c. Chap. 10.20 Fear the Lord thy God him shalt thou serve and to him shalt thou cleave Exod. 34.12 Take heed to thy self that thou make no covenant with the inhabitants Verse 15. Lest thou and they go awhoring after their gods and one call thee and thou eat of their sacrifice Deut. 11.6 Take beed to your selves that your hearts be not deceived to turn aside to serve other Gods and worship them Deut. 8.19 If thou forget the Lord thy God and walk after other Gods and serve and worship them c. Deut. Thou shalt not go after other gods the gods of the people round about you Exod. 23.24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods nor serve them nor do after their
Deut. 17.11 From Jeremiah 35.6 some there are contend to maintaine the law and customes we have in this Nation received from our fathers because the Rechabites stuck so close to theirs To which I answer 1. That the Rechabites were subject to the judicial law as the other Jews were 2. These traditions of theirs were not forbid nor commanded of God that the magistrate could not forbid the doing what they did 3. Nor cause c. saith In the Congregation of God confession of sins is always the first the which in times past went before before baptism for commonly children were baptized when they came to their understanding c. Idem super Mat. Christ hath nowhere commanded to Baptize infants 19 Calvinus in Institutionibus lib. 4. cap. 16. Confesseth that it is nowhere expresly mentioned by the Evangelists that any one childe was by the Apostles hands baptized 20 Dathenus in the Frankendalische Colloquium fol. 549. We believe that christian children ought to be baptized albeit it stand no where plainly with such words written That Christian children shall in the New-Testament be baptized And folio 605. Now we have plainly confessed that we have no such express commandment that you should baptize the Christians children And fol. 663. Also in Protocol Printed in Netherlandish 274. 1 He confesseth that there is no evident example that the Apostles did baptize children 21 Beza in Annotationibus super Matth. John taught those that were to be baptized and admitted none to baptism but those that gave testimony that they believed the forgiveness of their sins such Confession was also in the Primitive Church required of the Catechumens before baptism For in that the Sacraments are Seals it is requisite that Doctrine or Instruction should go before the use of those things by which the Doctrine it self is to be sealed 22 Luther in his book of the civil Magistrate The Sacraments neither can nor may be received without Faith but with great hurt Wherefore we hold our selves to the words of Christ He that believeth and is baptized so that either before or else even then present when Baptism is administred there must needs be Faith or else there is a contempt of the divine Majesty who offers his present grace when there is none to receive it Thus much out of those Teachers own writings which observe and use childrens baptism from whence the Reader may take notice of the unsoundness of their principles and what little ground 1 There is for it in the Word of God as they themselves confess 2 Therefore what great cause have we to search the Scriptures for better information let the sober-minded judge Moreover I shall further prove out of their own writings that the baptism of infants and sucklings is a Ceremony and Ordinance of man brought into the Church by Teachers after the Apostles times and Instituted and Commanded by Councels Popes and Emperours Proofs out of the Ancient and latter Teachers 1 ORigen calleth Baptism of children a ceremony and tradition of the Church In Levit. Hem. 8. In Epist ad Rom. lib. 5. 2 Augustine calleth it a common custom of the Church De baptismo contra Donat. lib. 4. cap. 23. Et de Genesi ad literam lib. 10. cap. 23. 3 Pope Gregory the 4. calleth it a Tradition of the Fathers In decretis distinct de consecrat 4 Erasmus lib. 4. de ration concio saith that they are not to be condemned that doubt whether Infant-baptism was or was denyed by the Apostles and think that the same is to be received as the placita Scholasticorum theologicorum which cannot be proved by sacred Scripture 5 Eckins calleth it a commandment and ordinance of man In Enchiridion 6 Luther in his book of Anabaptism acknowledgeth that it cannot be proved by sacred Scripture that childrens baptism was instituted by Christ or begun by the first Christians after the Apostles For many yeers since it came to be in use in the Church and was established by Pope Innoceneius 7 Cassander in his book de infantium Baptismo saith That it came to be used by the Fathers which lived three hundred yeers after the Apostles 8 Cyprianus lib. 3. Epistolarum 8. Epistle 9 Augustinus Epist 28. ad Hieroni. 10 Cassander de infantium baptismo 11 Bullinger in his House-book 12 Justus Menius of the Spirit of the Anab. 13 Melancthon in his Answer to the Anab. Articles About the yeer of our Lord 248 and after the departure of John the oldest Apostle 158 yeers lived a Priest called Fidus the same would that men should according to the manner of Circumcision baptize young children upon the eighth day Against whom Cyprianus with sixty six Bishops and Elders more gathered together opposed themselves ordaining that every one without delay should receive Baptism and that the young children should timely be brought thereto Thus have you the time when and the persons by whom it was brought in viz. The time when in the yeer of our Lord 248. the persons by which it was brought in namely Fidus by name who was a Priest who then lived Thirdly the opposition that he then had by Cyprianus and 66 other Bishops and Elders so that by their own Confessions it is an Ordinance and Tradition of man which will and must perish with the using And that it is Will-worship and Idolatry appeareth by their own Confessions as followeth 14 Bullingerus in ex Augustino contra Julianum lib. 1. cap. 2. saith The Carthaginian Councel concludeth thus to Innocentium Forasmuch as we believe that Christ the Son of God was holy born of the pure Virgin Mary to fulfil and ratifie the promise of God which excludeth not children from salvation but much rather comprehends the same within the Covenant We will therefore that they be baptized Thus we see it is We will therefore Will-worship 15 In Tomis Conciliorum Synodorum ex Concilio Carthag 5. cap. 6. saith Concerning Infants we will that they be baptized if there be no certain witness to testifie that they are baptized c. 16 Item Gregorius quartus Bonifacio Those young children whose parents are absent or unknown whether they be baptized or not let them according to the Tradition of the Fathers be baptized Here the Reader may take notice that it is a Tradition of the Fathers according to their own confession 17 Ex Concilio Miletano cui interfuit Augustinus Anselmus Romae Ecclesiae legatus It is also our will that all those that will not that children which are new born from their mothers womb should be baptized to the washing away of Original sin let them be excommunicated 18 Ex Tomis Conciliorum Franck. in Chronologia In the second Bracharense Councel holden 610. Baptism of children was adjudged and holden to be needful 19 Tuicensi Divinis officiis lib. 4. cap. 18. In times past the children in the Church were throughout the whole yeer instructed in the word And at the feast of Easter to rehearse the Faith which
they were to make confession of at their baptism But that Christendom might encrease and be filled with the word of God the Church hath thought good for mortalities sake that the children of Christians should be timely baptized 20 Johannes Bohemius lib. 2. De gentium moribus saith In times past it was the custom to administer baptism alone to those that were instructed in the Faith and seven times in the week before Easter and Pentecost Catechised or asked questions and then upon Confession of their Faith they were baptized But afterwards when it was thought and adjudged needfull to everlasting life to be baptized it was ordained that new-born children should be baptized and that Godfathers or sureties were appointed who should make confession of their Faith and renounce the Devil in their behalf 21 Bilander de Trinitate Justinianus the Empererour ordained Novella institutione 144. That children should be admitted to haptism and those that are come to their full growth should be taught before they were baptized Thus have you it out of the mouths of their own Poets and by them confessed that baptizing of babes is Wili-worship which the Scripture saith shall all perish with the using after the Commandments and Doctrines of men Col. 2.22 23. and thus having discovered the foundation of the Font and having shown whence and when and by whom Infant-baptism came in I shall leave it to the view of all and proceed to the next Now for better and more full satisfaction the book is suddainly to be reprinted and will be sold by Giles Calvert at the Black spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls and is Entituled as followeth A very plain and well-grounded Treatise concerning Baptism Wherein is very cleerly shown and out of good grounds demonstrated that Baptism was instituted and ordained by the Lord Christ for those that believe and Repent and was so taught and used by his Apostles and observed and followed by the Primitive Church As also how that in process of time the baptism of children in stead of true Baptism was brought in and received and by divers Councels Popes and Emperours commanded to be observed Now we come to answer something to the beginning of Mr. Cooks book and to Mr. Baxters 10 Positions upon which himself confesseth his whole book standeth and without which it cannot be understood See his third page before he lay down his first Position But first I shall desire the Reader to take notice that after the truth of the Gospel had a long time been preached and publickly at Stafford both by my self and others who constantly affirmed according to the Scriptures that men and women when they believed in Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins were to be baptized into his name as in Mark 1.5 with Act. 8.12 is evident with ver 37. these things being preached in the presence of many people and some Ministers to the number of seven or eight at a time who stirred up the people to oppose it as indeed they did very much we desired them lovingly to bring their Teachers that they and we might reason about it before them the which the people were very confident they should have obtained but never could insomuch as I was carryed forth to declare my earnest desires in publick before some Priests and many people divers times thinking that then they could not in Civility have denyed it but yet we could never attain ours nor the peoples desires but they rather sought to satisfie them in private using divers Reasons and Arguments to perswade them to the contrary as if they were afraid to come to the light lest their deeds should be manifest as indeed we told the people at last we judged they were because they so much incensed the people against us privately and yet would never come to speak to our faces in the open Congregation although the honourable Governour Danvers did freely offer to engage himself that not the least wrong nor abuse should be offered them yet these men were in great fear where no fear was as it s written Psal 53.5 as appeareth by Mr. Cooks Epistle in his Font uncovered to the inhabitants of Stafford Notwithstanding we divers times offered them to reason with them twenty miles from Stafford as we have done since but it would never yet be received but rather paper-conference which for my part I was always against and was then although I was perswaded by the Governour and Captain James Brown to set my hand to that paper which was then sent them which did not exceed a quarter of a sheet to which they have answered seven sheets but to what purpose I shall leave it to the Reader to consider when he hath perused my following lines in answer to Mr. Cook and Mr. Baxter and first to Mr. Cooks Font uncovered Pag. 1. our words which he hath there put down are these You having avoided publike dispute by your selves so much prest for at first and since have rather desired paper-conference we to gratifie your desires therein have written these few lines hoping thereby to beget some discussion of the truth wherein we affirm that the baptism or sprinkling of infants whereby the national Churches of Spain England France and Rome are Constituted and from thence called Christians and Christendom is not the baptism or dipping of believers which Christ Jesus ordained and his Disciples practised for the right constituting of Churches under the Gospel whereby they rightly became and were truly called Christians To all which you begin to answer thus saying Cooks In this our stating the question divers things must be animadverted that we deceive not our selves and others through darkning the truth by words without knowledge for say you we take it for granted that you hold that by the baptizing or sprinkling of infants Churches are constituted but this you deny and proceed to affirm that 1 As Faith or interest in Christ or the Covenant of Grace constitutes a Christian so the joynt and orderly profession of faith and interest in that Covenant or Gods owning a people to be in his Covenant is that which constitutes them a Church 2 You say baptism is not essential to the constituting of a Church being but adventitious or additional as a sign or pledge of peoples entring or admission into the Church the penitent Thief on the cross was a true believer though unbaptized and a multitude of such penitent ones joyntly professing Christ should be a true Church though they wanted opportunity to be baptized c. 3 You tell us that the Church of England received its constitution in or anon after the Primitive times when by the Ministry of the word some were converted from heathenism to Christianity at which time you grnnt persons of yeers were baptized upon their profession of Repentance c. H. To all which I answer 1 It is to be observed that Mr. Cook can say nothing nor give any Answer in the least to our
writings as we wrote them and therefore he cunningly saith that in the stating the question many things must be animadverted or changed in the minde and then he states the question according to his own minde and then falls on answering not ours but his own words and thus he darkneth the Counsel of God by words without knowledge and so deceives the hearts of the simple but he telleth us that we take it for granted that he holds that by baptizing or sprinkling of infants Churches are constituted but he denies it Answ 1 If you deny that you differ from the rest of your brethren and forefathers who all generally and with one consent till within these ten or twelve yeers at the most did conclude that children were made members of Christ children of God and heirs of heaven in their baptism witness your old Catechism which you all concluded was Orthodox till the beginning of the first Parliament 1640. and therefore out of your own mouths you are condemned for if in Baptism they were made members of Christ children of God c. then they were not so before and if not members nor children before then not constituted members and thus is your folly manifest And now if you shall for an advantage seem to disown the Common-Prayer book and that Catechism Then I answer You may as well disown your baptism which you had by it and be baptized again as we are 2 I suppose you will not be so absurd as to own any unbaptized person for a Church-member that hath an opportunity to be baptized neither do I think any of you that are zealous in your own way will have communion with any such persons in the Lords Supper or other Ordinances 3 No people in Scripture since the Resurrection of Christ and his Ascension the time that all power was given into his hands to give to his Church Laws and Commandments were ever called a Church of Christ without baptism prove it if you can by the Scriptures Therefore baptism doth constitute a true Church being done upon right subjects viz. such as can believe and gladly receive the word of God as in Act. 2 41 they that gladly received the word were baptized and the same day were added three thousand souls And ver 47. the Lord added to the Church dayly such as should be saved 4 Your self saith than faith and interest in Christ constitutes a Christian Very well then but why do you baptize such as cannot believe in Christ nor yet make out their Interest in the Covenant of Grace it is cleer to all that will understand that if faith in Christ and interest in the Covenant of Grace do constitute a Christian then they that do not believe in Christ and cannot make out their interest in the Covenant of Grace are no constituted Christians but all the infants baptized into the Church of England could do neither therefore no constituted Christians What they are to God is nothing to you nor me secret things belongs to God Deut. 29. Again you say that joynt and orderly profession of faith and interest in the Covenant doth constitute them a Church Very well and I pray then is not repentance and baptism an orderly profession of faith doth not the Apostle say Act. 2 38. 1 Repent and 2 be baptized c. and 3 So many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 and is not putting on Christ profession Consider it again doth not a man that puts on a garment profess to wear it to all that behold him whilst it is upon him so likewise they that put on Christ by baptism do profess to own him before all men and Mr. Baxter calleth it a listing engaging ordinance himself I hope you will not deny his Doctrine to be Orthodox although you cavil with the Scriptures And now seeing that baptism is an Ordinance by which believers do put on and profess Christ then its evident out of your own mouth that it constitutes a Church or else you must say they are constituted before they put on Christ 5 You say that baptism is a sign or pledge of peoples admission into the Church Well then if so then it followeth that they are not in before to any mans sight and if not in the Church much less constituted and established members of the Church But you proceed to prove by instancing the Thief upon the cross to be saved without baptism Answ We deny it not because he declared openly his faith in Christ and owned him when he was disowned almost of all which sheweth plainly that if he might have had liberty to come down he would have quickly been baptized into his name and therefore the Lord accepting the will for the deed as 1 Cor. 8.12 he said unto him This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise But what makes this for the baptizing of Infants to tell us of a man that was saved and was never baptized at all You might rather if you would have dealt honestly with the Text have proved that little babes may be saved though not baptized for alas they can profess no faith nor confess no sin neither hath Christ anywhere required them to obey any command before they can understand and believe the Gospel for what soever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14.23 But you are pleased to say that we do not apply that Scripture right And why I pray because it spoyles your practice but doth not the word what soever include all matters and duties we owe to God Consider it again cannot the Scriptures be in quiet for you But because this offends you we will give you another Heb. 11.6 without faith its impossible to please God Now consider whether you please God or no when you baptize babes that have no faith in them neither have you any word of God for it Again this your president of the Thief upon the Cross will not at all help you except you finds some men in the like condition or some men upon the Gallows that would gladly come down and become new creatures then I confess as you say 2 multitude of such penitent ones might be reckoned to be in a saying condition though not baptized But sir I suppose that neither you nor I are in that straight the poor Thief was in as yet therefore it wall be no plea for us but if either of us be unbaptized we have time and liberty enough to consider our ways and to turn our feet to the testimonies of the Lord therefore let us make haste and not delay the time see Psal 119.59 60. Lastly You tell us that the Church of England was constituted in or anon after the Apostles days and by the Ministry of the word were converted from heathenism to Christianity and then persons of yeers were baptized upon profession of Faith and Repentance Answ What then what is your Church now the better for that which was done 1600 yeers agone
if you walk not in the same footsteps which they did then I can prove as well the Church of Rome was then a constituted Church according to the order of the Gospel Rom. 1.7 but I pray doth that make the Pope and his crew now to be a true Church If they be why do you separate from them But they are not neither are you though a true Church might be in England 1600 yeers agone and possibly may be found now Again you say that they and their children were then admitted into the Covenant and Church as Abraham and his family were by Circumcision To which I Answer It still remains for you to prove that they and their children were admitted into Church-fellowship I deny it prove it if you can or else you have done nothing As for Abraham and his family being circumcised I grant it because the Scriptures say so but you have no Scripture for Infants baptism if you have shew it if you can and as for that Covenant that Circumcision was a token of it s far different from the Covenant now under the Gospel as I shall shew by and by The next thing you speak of is a National Church which you seem to prove thus in that the Lord said Gen. 22.18 to Abraham that in his seed all Nations should be blessed Answ But he doth not say that All of All Nations shall be blessed nor yet that All of any Nation shall be blessed and I am perswaded that you think in your own Conscience that some in this Nation are not blessed for by your writings you pronounce us accursed and I suppose there are many that live in known sins as drunkenness whoredom wichcraft murder theft c. of your own Church and yet you dare not judge them blessed in Christ if you do why do you hang them up every Assizes and Sessions If they be members of Christ their bodies are Temples of the Holy Ghost and he that destroyeth the Temple of God him shall God destroy therefore if your Argument be true take heed what you do in such cases 2. You bring this Scripture Psal 22 27 28. which saith All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord and all kindreds of the Nations shall worship before him for the kingdom is the Lords and he is the Governour among the Nations Answ When that day shall come and that Prophecie be fulfilled we will grant you it is fulfilled but for present I think you will be our witnesses that all Nations do not serve him for the Turks and Moors and Indians with many other do not serve nor worship God neither do all in this Nation worship him as aforesaid but Peters words are true if you please Act. 10.34 35 viz. that in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted for God is no respected of persons But there are many in this Nation which do not fear God and work righteousness therefore no National Church 3 You say Isa 49.23 that kings shall be nursing fathers and Queens shall be nursing mothers to the Church Answ That it shall be so I deny not but prove you that it is so if you can As for Englands King and Queen it is well known how they would have nursed the Church if they had but had their mindes or if you please to side with them and the Cavaliers party and own them for a Church yet are the other that oppose them contrary minded therefore you can have no National Church 4 You say Isa 52.15 that Christ shall sprinkle many Nations Answ It s granted but it doth not follow that he doth sprinkle whole Nations it is also true as the Apostle saith Heb. 10.22 that believers have their hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and their bodies washed with pure water but it doth not follow therefore that all men and such as are wicked and prophane have their hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience therefore no National Church And I much wonder that you Ministers of the Church of England who for the generality of you hold and preach that Christ did not dye for all men but onely for some few elect persons should yet preach up national Churches and impudently say all England are so far in Covenant as all their children ought to be baptized I confess you had all need to have seven yeers education at Cambridge or Oxford or else you could never make these things hang together but that the people would see your folly 5 You say from Matt. 28.19 Did not Christ command his Apostles to go into all Nations and preach and baptize Answ But do not you know that they never baptized whole Nations nor yet whole Cities but most men hated and abused them so as they were forced to shake the dust off their feet against them and we read but of seven Churches in all Asta which is one quarter of the world and they were so far from converting and baptizing whole Nations that we read but of four or five whole housholds in all the Scriptures that were baptized therefore not likely to baptize whole Nations but if they did any such thing we desire to see it Moreover we grant you if a whole Nation can be converted by the preaching of the word they ought to be baptized but you baptize little babes that know not what the word is contrary to the primitive practice Act. 8.12 6 You bring Rev. 11.15 which saith The kingdoms of this world are become our Lords and his Christs and he shall raign for ever Answ I told you already that I believe such times shall be but they are not yet if they were then we should no longer need to pray Thy kingdom come and in that day Satan shall not deceive the Nations See Rev. 20.3 but Sir I suppose these things are too hard for you to understand though you be a scholar for they are hid from the wise and prudent and revealed to babes See Luke 20.21 with 1 Cor. 2.8 9 10. 7 You say from Rev. 21.24 that the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of the New Jerusalem Answ That 's granted but that new Jerusalem is not yet here below for drunkards and wicked persons to walk by but Paul saith Gal. 4.26 that it s above and is free and is the mother of all the Saints 8 Lastly you say If a company of believers in one house have been called a Church domestical then a multitude of believers in a City or Nation may be called a National Church I answer That 's granted if they be all believers as you said at first but little babes are not believers therefore your Argument will not hold One thing more I have to answer to you in your sixth page which is this You say we affirm a negative namely that the baptism or sprinkling of Infants is not the baptism of Christ c. and here you follow us on to purpose and tell
continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free And again cap. 15.7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you ask what you will and it shall be done unto you and the word is able to save our souls Jam. 1.21 and the Lord will have respect to them that are of contrite spirits and tremble at his word Isa 66.2 but whose despiseth the word shall be destroyed but he that regardeth the Commandment shall be rewarded Pro. 13.13 And thus its evident that if we run to the word for refuge we do wisely and are safe in so doing But as for Mr. Hall he hath never a word to run to for Infant-baptism as he himself confesses pag. 30. in his fifth Argument in these words In express terms so infants baptism is not commanded nor a thousand things more which get we are bound to observe I shall now conclude with shewing some undenyable Reasons why the word of God must beunderstood and obeyed as it is written without adding to or taking from 1 Because God did never without words make known his minde to the sons of men therefore we read that God at sundry times in divers manners spake to our fathers by the Prophets but now in these last days he hath spoken by his own son c. Heb. 1.12 2 By words the minde of God is compleatly made known so that to fear God and keep his Commandments is the whole duty of man Eccles 12.12 13. 3 Because Christ blames men for erring from the Scriptures saying You erre because you know not the Scriptures Mark 12.24 4 Because we are commanded to hear the words of Christ in all things what soever he shall say unto us Act. 3.22 5 Because they that consent not to wholsom words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to godliness are proud or fools knowing nothing 1 Tim. 6.3 4. 6 Because the Scriptures are able to make us wise to salvation through faith in Jesus and to make the man of God perfect and throughly to furnish us to all good works 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 7 Because when Paul left the Church in a dangerous condition because of deceivers he committed them to God and to the word of his grace affirming it is able to build them up and to give them an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified 8 Because if men or Angels shall preach any other Gospel then what is already preached they shall be accursed Gal. 1.8.9 9 Because those that preach are commanded to preach the word in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.12 and not their own words 10 Because Christ will judge all men by his words that he hath spoken in the last day and then they which do add to his word he will add to them all the plagues written and those that diminish from it he will take their names out of the book of life and their part out of the holy City and he will come in flaming fire to render vengeance on them that know not God and obey not his holy Gospel Joh. 12.48 Rev. 22.18 19. 2 Thef 2.7 8 9. Lastly I shall propound these following Queries with a desire to have them answered by any who will or can 1 Whether God doth require the sons of men to believe any thing in point of Justification that is not recorded in the holy Scriptures of truth 2 Whether God doth require or command us to obey any thing after believing which is not contained in the word of truth 3 Whether the Saints have any ground to believe the Resurrection from the dead and eternal life in glory but as it is recorded in Scripture 4 Whether if a man believe and obey all the known precepts and promises contained in the word of God as much as in him lyeth will God condemn and punish him at the great day because he hath believed and done no more 5 If the Scriptures be not a perfect rule of faith and obedience without the help of any mans inventions what is Or who may we trust or at whose mouth must we seek wisdom 6 If the Scriptures ought to be believed and obeyed as they are written then how dare some deny faith in and obedience to some part of them and impose things not written in the Scriptures to be obeyed in stead of the ordinances of Christ 7 Whether there be any sin or corruption incident to man that the Scriptures doth not reprove and make manifest in express terms 8 Whether there be any vertue or praise in any thing that the best of men ever did but what is expresly commanded or commended in the Scriptures of truth 9 I appeal to every mans Conscience in the sight of God whether their Consciences do not condemn them when they walk contrary to what is written in the Scripture 10 Whether every mans Conscience do not justifie him when he walks according to what is contained in the word of God Now if all these Queries be granted as they are stated to be true then it followeth that those that teach and perswade men to do any thing in matter of Justification or salvation more or less then is plainly written and expressed in the word of God are such as do add to or take from what God hath spoken to the sons of men for instruction and are guilty of those plagues pronounced Rev. 22.18 19. but infants baptism is nowhere written nor expressed in all the Scriptures as Mr. Hall Mr. Baxter and Mr. Cook do confess therefore they and all they that plead for it are guilty of the plagues aforesaid except they repent And thus have I answeâ—â—d to Mr. Baxters ten Positions which he saith pag. 3. must necessarily be well understood before we can understand the point in hand So that the Reader must take notice that if these Positions be not well understood to be true then all the rest of his book cannot be understood to be true by his own confession For saith he If people be mistaken in that which goeth before no wonder if they deny the consequents or that which followeth after c. So that if I have fully answered these Positions I need say but little to the rest of the book All which I leave to the Reader to consider of But howsoever I shall not fail by the assistance of God to speak so much to the two first parts of his book as may undermine his building and lay it in the dust As for the last part of his book from the 162 page to the end himself confesseth that they are but such vain contendings as he is like to be guilty of and Mr. Tombs also as you may see in his Epistle to the Church at Bewdley towards the latter end Likewise Mr. Cooks Arguments being the same with his the substance of both tending to prove that infants are in Covenant and that they are
be judged for For Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the Law for sin is the transgression of the the Law Joh. 3.4 and where there is no Law there is no transgression saith Paul Rom. 4.15 but in such little babes there is no Law therefore there can be no transgression imputed And indeed I much wonder that men should be so wicked as to think that God who is so merciful as to forgive the worst of sinners their sins and transgressions should yet cast poor babes into hell and everlasting torments for Adams sin Obj. But hath God one way to save Men and Women and another way to save little Children Answ Yea or else Children must never be saved as I shall shew thus for the Scripture saith Rom. 5.18 that as by the offence of one Judgement came upon all to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all to justification of life And if none but men and women that can hear understand and beleive the Gospell may partake of the benefits of Christs death to life and salvation then no Infants that are capable of receiving faith which cometh by hearing the word preached could have any salvation by him But that some Infants as saved by him all will grant Therefore I conclude First concerning Infants that fell in Adam without any actuall sin or knowledge of Adams transgression even so they dying in their infancy before they know good or evill they are saved by vertue of Christs death without any actuall faith or knowledge of Christs obedience or else it is not even so as Rom. 5.18 saith Secondly concerning Men and Women that have lived to commit actuall sins against conscience and knowledge of such God requireth actuall faith in Christ and actuall obedience to Christ without which they have no promise of salvation by Christ And thus its plain according to Rom. 5.18 As by the offence of one viz. Adam Judgement came upon all to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one viz. Jesus Christ the free gift came upon all to justification of life Again that God hath one way to bring Men and Women to life and salvation and another way to bring little baces to it is evident thus We find the Lord speaking words to Men and Women that are to be understood and observed by them that have Ears to hear and Hearts to understand and therefore we find the holy Ghost crying out so oft in the Scriptures to them that have Ears to hear that they should hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches see Rev. 2.7 ver 11. ver 17. ver 29. chap. 3.6 ver 13. and 22. with many more places to that purpose but we never find him calling to little babes in the flesh to hear and obey Commandments and beleive pomises Again we find the Scripture pronouncing life and Salvation to all those that beleive in Christ and obey his voice Joh. 3.15 16. with Heb. 5.9 but we never read that litte Children are promised it upon these terms Again the Scripture threatneth death and damnation to those that know not God and obey not the Gospell of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of his power 2 Thes 1.7 8 6. But little babes of 8 daies weeks or months old cannot know God nor yet obey the Gospell of Christ for they know not their right hand from their left and yet we find them not threatned with this punishment and if it were but this it were enough to satisfy all rationall men fearing God that God hath one way to bring Men and Women to life and salvation and another way to bring little babes to it that is to say he requireth faith in Christ and obedience to Christ as necessary to salvation to those of ripe years but in Infants he requireth none let any man prove it by Scripture if he can Lastly Gods ordinary means by which he bringeth Men and Women to life and salvation is by the preaching of the Gospell which is the power of God to salvation to every one that beleiveth Rom. 1.16 and it pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save them which believe 1 Cor. 1.21 for with the heart man beleiveth unto righteousness but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation Rom. 10.10 But little babes that can neither speak nor understand cannot beleive with the heart unto righteousness nor confess with the mouth unto salvation for they cannot speak at all therefore they are not saved by that ordinary means that Men and Women are saved by And thus is their great and invincible objection or rather cavill answered clearly and plainly by the Scriptures of truth And the truth is they may as well debar little babes from food because the Scripture saith He that will not worke let him not eat as to debar them of salvation because they are not Church-members for it is as easie for babes to worke and get their own bread as to perform the work of a Church-member Therefore he that gives them food without labour in their non-age will also give them salvation without observing of Church-ordinances for the Scripture speaketh to Men and Women that have Ears to hear and not to babes in their nonage Thus having taken away the chief ground upon which Mr. Cook and Mr. Baxter build I shall now proceed to shew the rottenness of their building by the following Arguments by which I come to shew that such infants as they baptize cannot be Church-members neither can Church-membership do them any good but rather the contrary Argument I. My first Argument is from Joh. 15.2 in these words Christ faith I am the Vine and my father is the husbandman every branch in me that beareth not fruit be taketh away c. What the fruit is is expressed in the seventh and eighth verses If ye abide in me and my words or Commandments abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you herein is my Father glorified that you bring forth much fruit From whence I Argue If every branch in Christ must bring forth fruit and the fruit be to abide in his words that God may be glorified then infants that cannot speak nor understand cannot bring forth such fruit Therefore they are not branches in him nor members of him or if they be then they must be cut off and cast into the fire because they bear no fruit which is absurd Argument II. My second Argument is from Act. 8.1.4 where we read that the Church at Jerusalem were all scattered abroad except the Apostles and they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word Whence I argue thus If all the Church were scattered abroad except the Apostles and those that were scattered did go up and down preaching the Word then there were no infants that could not speak nor understand in the Church at Jerusalem for as for the
Apostles they were no infants and as for thos e scattered they were no infants for they went every where preaching the word which infants that cannot speak nor understand cannot possibly do Therefore no such infants in the Church at Jerusalem Obj. But questionless there were women scattered as well as men and then it must follow they preached also and then we have women preachers I answer Although the Ministers in out days would have neither women nor men a preach but themselves yet the Scripture telleth 1 Cor. 11.4 5. that in those days women did use to pray and prophesie and they did it with their heads covered and Philip had four daughters virgins and they did prophesie Act. 21.9 and the Lord saith he will pour out his spirit upon all flesh upon his servants and handmaids and they shall prophesie Act. 2.17 18. and they that do prophesie do speak to men to edification exhortation and comfort 1 Cor. 14.3 therefore women may preach or declare the mind of God to others to edification exhortation and comfort if they be indued with gifts and abilities provided they do not usurp authority over the men 1 Tim. 2.12 And thus is the objection answered Argument III. My third Argument is from 1 Cor. 1. where Paul saith in the second verse he wrote to them at Corinth which were Saints by calling with all that in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus c. and in ver 10. he exhorts and beseecheth them to speak all one thing ver 12. he saith that Every one of them did speak and one said I am of Paul and another I am of Apollo and I am of Cephas and I am of Christ But infants that cannot speak nor understand cannot call upon the name of the Lord Jesus as ver 2. nor speak all one thing as ver 10. for they cannot speak at all neither can they say for their parts who they are of whether of Paul Apollo or Cephas or Christ Therefore no infants that could not speak nor understand were members of the Church of Corinth its evident for every one that was a member there could speak and say they were of one of these Argument IV. My fourth Argument is from 1 Cor. 6.4 If then ye have judgements of things pertaining to this life set them to judge that are least esteemed in the Church That he meant them that are least esteemed for wisdom and judgement is plain in the 5. verse But infants of eight or ten days or weeks of age cannot either judge or speak in such cases Therefore I conclude there were none such members of the Church at Corinth Argument V. My fifth Argument is from 1 Cor. 10.16 17. compared with ch 11.28 29. which words are these The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ and the bread that we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ for we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread and Whosoever doth eat of this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body c. But infants that can neither speak nor understand cannot discern the Lords body from the world as it is sanctified and separated from it by faith and obedience neither can they discern his body broken nor his blood blood shed for them which is so lively represented and holden forth in this bread and cup to every discerning believer till he come ver 26. Therefore such infants are no visible Church-members or if Mr. Baxter or any will yet have it so then we must needs conclude with the Scripture 1 Cor. 11.29 that they eat and drink damnation to themselves not discerning the Lords body which would be absurd If any object and say that Infants must not nor do not eat of that bread and drink of that cup till they be of riper age Answ They discover abundance of ignorance like those 1 Tim. 7. which desired to be teachers of the Law and yet knew not what they said nor whereof they affirmed for if they be Church-members as Mr. Baxter and Mr. Cook say then they are to partake both of the bread and the cup for the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 10.16 17. that both the cup and the bread are the Communion of the body and also that the members of the body being many are all partakers of that one bread c. Therefore either little infants that can neither speak nor understand are no members or else if they be they eat and drink damnation to themselves not discerning the Lords body as aforesaid let Mr. Baxter Mr. Cook or any man alse avoid this absurdity if they can Argument VI. My fixth Argument is from 1 Cor. 10.17 compared with 1 Cor. 11.28 in these words for we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread but let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread c. whence I argue thus If all that are members of the body do partake of that bread and they that do partake of it must examine themselves and so eat then little infants that can neither speak nor understand are no members visible of Christs body the Church for they can neither examine themselves nor none else for them because they cannot speak nor make answer But all that are members of the body do partake of that one bread 1 Cor. 10.17 and all that do partake of it must examine themselves and so eat of that bread c. Therefore no such infants are visible members of Christs body which is the Church Object If any shall object that we may as well exclude women as children for the Text saith Let a man examine himself c. I Answer first it discovers but a wicked cavilling spirit for conscience telleth them that both men and women did partake of it because its the communion of the body as I have proved and that women are members of the body of Christ which is the Church Eph. 1.22 23. I think none fearing God dare deny but lest any should I shall prove it Gal. 3.27 for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ There is neither Jew nor Gentile bond nor free male nor female but ye are all one in Christ c. and we read when they believed Philips preaching they were baptized both men and women Act. 8.12 Again that women are members of the body is evident for Paul writing to the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 11.4 5. Saith Every man that prayeth or prophesieth with his head covered dishonoureth his head but every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head and ver 11. he saith the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the
man in the Lord. And Act. 9.36 There was at Joppa a certain Disciple whose name was Dorcas a woman full of good works By which we see women were Disciples And Rom. 16.1 Paul writes of Phebe our sister a servant of the Church likewise Priscilla the wife of Aquila and 2 Joh. 13. Now whether it be proved by all this that women are members of the Church which is the body of Christ I leave it to the godly wise to judge and if members of the body then all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10.17 Now as concerning the word man in the Text it is no more then that in Gen. 5.1 2. where it is said that God created man in his own image male and female created he them and called their name Adam c. by which it appeareth that the word man doth include both man and woman and so in this place Let a man examine himself c. as scholars do also confess it in the Greek to be Anthropos and in the Latin homo which is a common name for all men or both sexes Argument VII My seventh Argument is from 1 Cor. 12.25 26. where we read that there should be no schism in the body but that the members should have the same care one of another But infants that can neither speak nor understand can cannot have the same care that Church members ought to have over one another for they have no care at all Therefore no visible members of the Church which is the body of Christ If they be then they are to be dealt with and reproved for not having that Christian care as aforesaid Argument VIII My eighth Argument from Eph. 2.23 where Paul speaking to the Church of Ephesus saith that they All had their conversation in times past according to the course of the world in the lusts of the flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the minde c. But little infants that can neither speak nor understand being a month or a yeer old could not have their conversation in times past after such a manner for they know not what belongs to the lust of the flesh nor the desires of the minde till they come to speak and understand the practises of others all that can be laid to their charge before is but original sin But the Church Ephesus had all their conversation thus in times past Therefore no little infants were Church-members amongst them Argument IX My ninth Argument is from 1 Thess 5.2 4 5. where the Apostle saith ver 2. that they All knew perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night That he speaks of all is evident ver 4 5. in these words But ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief ye are all the children of the light and of the day c. But little children that cannot speak nor understand are no such children of the Light as to know perfectly or in part of the coming of the day of the Lord for they know nothing at all of it Therefore no such infants were members of the Church at Thessalonica Argument X. My tenth Argument is from 1 Thess 2.11 where we read thus you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a father doth his children that ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you to his kingdom and glory c. whence I argue thus If Paul did exhort and charge every one of the Church to do these things then indeed it must needs follow there was no infants that could neither speak nor understand amongst them for they are not capable of exhortation nor comfort nor any charge a man can give them But Paul did exhort comfort and Charge every one of the Church ver 11. Therefore no such Infant amongst them Argument XI My eleventh Argument is from Heb. 6.11 12. where we read thus And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end that you be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises But little Children of 8 or 10 days or weeks of age can shew no such diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end neither can they shew such diligence in following of them who through faith and patience did inherit promises for they have no undetstanding in earthly things how then can they understand heavenly John 3.12 Therefore no such babes were Church-members in the Church of the Hebrews Obj. If any one shall object and say The exhortation was not to all and therefore not to Children I answer The text Heb. 6.11 saith We desire that every one of you may shew the same diligence c. Argument XII My twelfth and last Argument is from Philip. 4.21 22. where we read thus Salute every Saint in Christ Jesus and the brethren that are with me salute you all the Saints salute you cheifly them of Caesars house From whence I argue thus If all the Saints at Rome whence this Epistle came did send salutations to the Saints at Philippi then there was no little Children amongst them that could neither speak nor understand for they that can send nothing can speak no salutations all rational men will grant But all the Saints with Paul did send salutations to the Saints at Philippi Therefore Secondly I argue thus If Paul himself with all the Saints at Rome did send salutations to every Saint in Christ Jesus that was at Pilippi then every Saint in Christ Jesus was capable of receiving salutations the which babes of 8 weeks or months old are not But Paul did send salutations to all the Saints at Philippi and so did all that were with him at Rome By all which it appeareth plainly that all the Saints at Rome were capable of sending salutations and every Saint at Philippi was capable of receiving salutations from them but little Children that can neither speak nor understand are capable of neither Therefore its evident that there were none such neither at Rome nor Philippi Church-members Obj. If any shall object and say that children are not concerned in these salutations I answer Then they are not visible Saints in Christ Jesus nor visible members of his body the Church as Mr. Baxter saith they are for the text saith plainly Phil. 4.21 Salute every Saint in Christ Jesus c. There yet remaineth many probable Arguments by which it might be made manifest to every impartiall Reader that Infants which can neither speak nor understand cannot be visible Church-members upon the earth but there would I know be many seeming answers made to them which would take much with those that have their faith set in other mens wisdoms and not in the power and wisedom of the word of God as we read 2 Cor. 2.4 5. Therefore I shall omit them because these are undeniable having not only the word Church in
not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance and even those that killed the Lord of life obtained mercy Mat. 9.13 with Acts 2.36 37 38 39. and so did Paul the worst of sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 16. therefore if any that are now Anabaptists have formerly been gross sinners it was while they were of your Church and it s no more then some of the best of Saints have been before conversion and repentance But I suppose Mr. Baxter would make the world believe that the Anabaptists are all so now after they become Anabaptists and would make that the cause of it and would perswade the world that its our principle and judgement Answ If Mr. Baxter had known any such in fellowship with us when he wrote his Book he should have done well to have named them but neither Mr. Saltmarsh Paul Hobson Mr. Williams are in fellowship with the Anabaptists and as for Mr. Erbery and others that have apostatized what have we to do with them we have cast them out from us long since and they are returned to you againe As for Mr. Denis amongst the Levellers he confessed his fault before God and man and obtained mercy and then what have you to do to play the Devils part to accuse him againe I believe his offence was not bigger then Peters who denyed and forswore his Master its like therefore if you had lived in those dayes you would have been so wicked as to have cryed downe Christ and his wayes as you do now and have said with the rest of your fore-Fathers the Scribes and Pharisees It s not likely that he and his way should be of God for in his prosperity none followed him but a company of poor people that knew not the Law and were accursed As for the Scribes and Pharisees and Wise-men and Rulers few or none of them were so simple as to be led aside with him and now see what an end he comes to and how God followeth him on with judgements one of his owne Disciples betrayed him and sold him for 30 pieces of silver and the other denyed and forswore him See what they are one a covetous wretch and a Traytor and the other a lyer for he said he knew not his Master and a perjured fellow for he forswore him and their followers the Church of Corinth such as denyed the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.12 and were incestuous persons And afterwards Peter and some of the Saints dissembled so as other were fain to withstand them to the face Gal. 2.11 12 13. Now is it possible that Mr. Baxter should be so blinded as to conclude that because of these things happening amongst them that therefore they were not the People of God and their way not the way of God Surely he speaketh evil of things he knows not for he cannot possible prove worse things among us that are in fellowship then there were some in those Churches but now since he and Mr. Hall in his nineteenth Argument have begun I am ingaged to answer them according to their foolishness lest they be wise in their own conceits Prov. 26.5 And first I much wonder that Mr. Baxter and Mr. Hall should reason thus against the Anbaptists when none are more deeply under the same condemnation then themselves It s strange they should complain of others for lying and are so notorious in it themselves for the very Title of Mr. Baxters book is a lye for he calls it Plain Scripture-proof for infants Churchmembership and Baptisme and brings not one Scripture to prove either Now for Treachery let them remember Mr. Love who was beheaded for a Traytor And for Perjury its easie to prove most of the Priests in England perjured for they have renounced the Bishops and their Orders which once they took an oath to he true unto And as for disobedience to the Magistrates and stlrring up of sedition in the Nation it s dayly manifest by their praying and preaching to all that hear them And as for idleness I would have them for shame to forbear speaking of that for they are all idle and know not how to work and were brought up idle and are such as Paul speaks of to Timothy which go up and downe not working at all nay they think it a great dishonour to their cloth to put their hands to labour and if you be not the men that live upon other mens labours when you would take away the tenth of all their increase and labours by a Law let the poor people judge Now as for your saying that the Anabaptist desert their wives it s a lye among the rest of your evil invented things for there is none amongst us that do or dare do such wickedness or if you know any such why do not you prosecute them according to Law you have a Law to hang up your owne Church-members for such things and then why do you spare us We may know by this your accusation is false for if we did as you report wickedly we were sure of no mercy at your hands and you are very simple if these things be true that you do not prosecute the Anabaptists and get them hanged out of the way and then they should not trouble you but your tongues are no slanders as it happens and that I hope all men will shortly see But I pray let us look a little further into your Church of England and see are not all the whores and rogues and theeves and murderers and witches that are hanged all the year through at every Assizes or Sessions are they not of your Church did you not baptize them into it in their Infancy and have they not continued in it some of them many yeers Nay is it not your practise in the Gayles after they are condemned to give them the Sacrament on the Sunday and one Church-member to hang up another on the Munday-morning And yet for all this are you so audacious as to say the Churches of the Anabaptists cannot be of God because they have corrupt members amongst them Who seeth not your wickedness and partiality And now may I not be bold to use the words of the Lord Christ Mat. 7.3 4 5. to you Mr. Baxter and to you Mr. Hall and others And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy Brothers eye but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye or how wilt thou say to thy Brother Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye and behold a beame is in thine own Thou Hypocrite first cast out the beame out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy Brothers eye Now lest you or any should think I deal too hardly with you in this case I answer you according to your folly lest you should be wise in your own conceits and that I am commanded to do by the word of the Lord Prov. 26.5 But to pass by the poor deluded people that are hanged up for
how have you laid aside the Common prayer-Book or why do you lay it aside and yet retain the baptisme that you had according to it and the rules prescribed in it is not this plain dissembling deceiving your selves and mocking of God consider it well in the fear of God before it be too late had you ever any baptisme but that you had in your infancie or were you baptized since you believed if you were not then you are still unbaptized persons and no visible Christians by profession because you have not put on Jesus Christ by being baptized into him since you believed See Gal. 3.26 27. you have but received Common-prayer-Book-baptism which is full of lyes and deceit as I have already proved at large shewing that the Godfathers and Godmothers stood by and said they desired to be baptized when they never meant it and then their taking the poor Babes that said nor knew nothing of their doings and baptizing them and making them Christians as they think before they know either Christ or their owne Parents or their right hand from their left Thus have you the third reason at large why we separate or dissent from the Church of England which is the Priests lying and deceiving the people by false baptism instead of a true Our fourth and last Reason is the Priests their teachers cruelty and blood-thirstiness for they are them that would build up Sion with blood Jerusalem with iniquity as Mic. 3.10 11. for they do not onely preach for hire and divine for mony but they would have the life and blood of all that will not be of their minde and judgement and the weapons of their warfare are not mighty through God by his Spirit and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God to cast downe high imaginations of men and to stop their mouths by sound doctrine as 2 Cor. 10.4 5. with Eph. 6.17 but the weapons of their warfare are carnal and mighty through the Magistrates to pull downe mens houses and hale them to Prison and convert them with Prisons and stocks and whips and Gallowes these are the weapons of their warfare men must believe as they believe or else be hanged or banished or at least be imprisoned and disabled to get an honest living by the labour of their hands And how doth this their doings agree with that saying in Rev. 13.16 17. which saith that none might buy or sell but they that worshipped the beast and his Image and received his Mark c. let all that fear God and understand themselves judge Object But they do not persecute now for now all opinions have liberty enough Answ We will never thank them for it for we know it is against their wills witness Mr. Baxters incensing the Magistrate against us to cut us off as soon as highway-murderers and their dayly preachings and printings extant therefore praised be the great God in whom we trust who hath changed the times and seasons at his pleasure for the good of them that fear him and hath given his Churches rest for a little season to the end we might renew our strength and walk in the comfort of the holy Ghost and be edified And thus have you four reasons at large of our dissenting or separating from the Church of England 1. Because of the Priests or Ministers covetousness as appeareth by their taking tythes and forced maintenance greedily looking every one for his gaine from his owne quarters as Isa 56.11 2. The Ministers pride in advancing themselves by reason of their humane learning above those that have the Spirit and truth of God in them more then they 3. Because of the Ministers deceit and falshood in administring Antichrists baptism piecing and patching of it together with lyes and deceits to make the poor people believe it is the baptism of Christ 4. Reason is their cruelty and bloodthistiness as aforesaid in that they would have all suffer that are not of their minds and believe as they believe being the same that is done at Rome to those that will not believe as the Church believe From all which I reason thus If these things be in the Teachers and Leaders of the people what may we expect from the poor deluded people thus blindly led but onely Christs words fulfilled viz. If the blind lead the blind they will both fall into the ditch Thus having laboured to manifest the truth of Christ to those that know it not and to vindicate the truth against those that do speak evil of it and the professors of the same I having also laboured to make the folly and wickedness of deceivers who transform themselves into Ministers of righteousness manifest to all I commit my lines to the view of all both friends and enemies not doubting the favourable acceptance of the one not at all fearing the subtilty nor malice of the other but desiring the blessing of God upon my weak and unworthy labours for the good of all men I remain Yours engaged in the service of Christ Henry Haggar FINIS