make him tedious to the Reader as what he hath alleadged in Christ's being baptized by John chap. 19. pag. 162. with his conceited Question Whether Christ did preach before he did baptize All these Chapters being but strife of words and doubtful disputations I not striving for mastery but onely as engaged endeavouring to undeceive the deluded people in holding forth the Truth I seeing no edification for me to follow the flying shadows of needless conjectures altogether as unedifying as endless genealogies Therefore onely to the last Chapter wherein Mr. S. holdeth forth pag. 166. That Baptism doth not form a Church I answer That though Baptism doth no more form a Church then it formeth a believer no Church hath been found or acknowledged which hath not been baptized Therefore though through the falling away from the Faith Christians can experience that the work of grace in giving a seal to the Ministery and thereupon there hath been a yeelding up of one another to serve God with one consent whereby a Church hath been gathered before these members as in the Churches of all Independents they have been baptized yet if the said Independent Churches should in mercy have their eys opened as some can experience to see and submit to the minde of Christ in the Order of the Gospel whereby the first that is in baptism be last discovered then in this extraordinary work of grace the work of grace upon full trial being approved of that the said Church be found to be gathered Saints and the seal of the Ministery then the said Church as a houshold of faithful without breaking their relation of Pastor and Flock they may be baptized For we must not build upon another mans foundation Christ himself owning the man that cast out devils though he followed not the Apostles And though the Spouses sister want two brests yet was she owned for their sister Cant. 8.8 So that whatsoever work of God is wrought it is to be acknowledged provided that the Pastor of the said Church be baptized by such a Pastor of a Church that is under the practice of Baptism Thus much in answer to Mr. S's book as it relates unto Baptism To conclude I shall onely make answer to that which Mr. S. first objected against the doctrine of Baptism and concerning the denying of singing of Psalms in his Epistle Dedicatory Mr. S. Epist Dedic I have treated upon these two subjects viz. denying of Infant-baptism and singing of Psalms which eat mens affections and creep at the heart like a gangrene insensibly An Opinion that hath been always ominous and of a wonderful strange influence accompanied with the most dangerous retinue of Errours since the first Embryo of it was brought forth whether by the judgement of God or from its natural and secret connexion with other principles of darkness I will not determine onely God hath shewed some black characters upon it in every nation where it hath prevailed though we cannot but say Many Saints are innocently under the power of it To which I return this answer That Hypocrites drawn out of the element of the world receiving the new wine of the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven into the old bottles of their hearts Hymenius-like have made shipwrack of their profession makes not the Opinion always ominous nor doth the abuse of drink condemn the lawful enjoyment of the creature For if you had but tasted you might have experienced that the doctrine of baptizing of believers doth like all other Truths Joh. 17.17 so sanctifie and work through Christ such a spiritual union with Christ and all his Saints that indeed a blinde and profane soul cannot live in the element of it And therefore if any such appear that have owned it they either forsake the Church or they are cut off by the Church as withered branches however the evil complained of if ever it be visible though a Gangrene may be cured with the knife of Excommunication Yet on the contrary such inevitable evils attend Infant-Baptism that it is the very heart-blood and pulse of the soul of Antichrist and the onely partition-wall which hinders the communion of Saints and the greatest let to the gathering and uniting of all Saints into Truth and Church-fellowship that can be So that as long as it is in practice the smoak shall not fully vanish out of the Temple And therefore such black characters do point it out it being built upon the foundation of wrested consequences implicite faith blinde charity and pretended antiquity that Antichrist himself and all the profane sons of the world plead their own birthright-priviledge in it and rest under the cover or shelter of it Though I must with Mr. Sidenham conclude that many Saints do acknowledge it and as owned by the world do decry it And therefore it is to be hoped that as the Saints shall be more fully informed Saint-like they will renounce it and will submit Christ like unto the Ordinance of Baptism The second thing in controversie is the denying of singing of Psalms of which Mr. S. saith thus I hope when mens Hearts come in tune their Voices will likewise The former denies more fundamental principles as the Covenant in its extent and subjects the freeness of grace the riches of it working in the New Testament and contracts the Gospel leaving more grace visible in the Legal and Old Testament-dispensation then in the New Answ As concerning Singing of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs though I hope to make these to appear to be distinct which Mr. S. conceiveth to be individually united yet as to the point in controversie about Singing this I have to say That as Christ shall more and more raign he shall rouze up and gather his Saints to be baptized into one body 1 Cor. 12.14 and united into and acted with the Spirit of Christ and his Apostles that their hearts will be in tune That as Independent Churches cast off Infant-sprinkling so Churches of Christ under baptism will return as some of them for the present are unto singing And yet I finde that those that are not under the present practice dare not deny their title to the Ordinance of Singing But that denying infant-Infant-baptism is worse or that there is any evil at all but a submission to the Ordinance and Commission of Christ in denying of Infant baptism I must needs therefore further say That to pretend baptism of Infants to be helpful to exalt free grace is absolutely to deny the grace of God to be free which is conveyed without the Ordinance of baptism And that the childe of a reprobate may be as soon under the Covenant of Free-grace as the childe of a believer And that no man can judge who are under the Covenant of Free grace and who are not And therefore we do not baptize upon this account but as we see grace faith and consent visibly appearing And therefore their pretended light that will baptize the children of believers onely as
BAPTISM Without BASON OR Plain Scripture-proof AGAINST INFANT-BAPTISM I. By way of Answer to Mr. BAXTER's Arguments and to the Exercitations of Mr. SIDENHAM Teacher to a Church a Newcastle concerning Infants Baptism for which that their pretended Consequences are from Concessions not to be granted and from Scriptures as mistaken and absolutely wrested is clearly discovered With II. Several Questions and Answers positively holding out the minde of Christ in Baptizing of Believers onely and that the MAGISTRATES may be induced more and more to encourage the preaching thereof in publike III. A DECLARATION written to the Election of grace who for want of information are of contrary judgment Written by William Kaye Minister of the Gospel at Stokesley And Jesus being baptized and praying Luke 3.15 And the eunuch said See here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized And Philip said If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest And they went both down into the water both Philip and the eunuch and he baptized him Acts 8 36 37. Read and then judge withhold not the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1.18 London Printed by Ja. Courel for Rich. Moon at the seven stars in Paul's Church-yard neer the great North-door 1653. To all the brethren of the MINISTERY within the Election of Grace which unfeignedly desire to preach Christ and baptize in his Name in Truth and Sincerity Truth and Peace be multiplied IT 's very well known that though the stumbling-block which some have cast in the way of Gods people occasioned through the falling away of some stars from the heaven or fellowship of the Churches is now so gloriously removed that divers Saints are return'd to their first love and those that like Caleb and Joshua the faithful Churches which never backslided have kept their garments of Gospel-profession adorned with such meekness truth and moderation so that they cannot shut out Christ as though no Prophet could come out of Nazareth And now though they may look home and see some of their own plants so baptized into one body 1 Cor. 12.14 and kept in such union with Christ the Head and his Body his Churches as not to walk a step without a step of their forerunner going before them 1 Pet. 2.21 Heb. 9.20 And that their consequences also will not uphold Pedo-baptism though they should be granted them being like the Old Covenant on which they are grounded waxen old as ready to vanish away Yet for all this you know that all the Election of grace excepted must needs veâ—iâ—e the Proverb Can the leopard change his spots Jer. 1â— 23 And therefore they are so blinde and cannot see deaf and cannot hear and are so set on the lees of obstinate Resolution that they Hate to be Reformed until their fleshly confidence which they had in the Service-book the Treasure of some mens knowledge and to which they stick be crucified with an Order to the contrary Therefore it is to no more purpose to speak to such then to few a piece of New cloth upon an Old garment It 's to you therefore ye successors of the noble Bereans that will search the Scriptures and try the spirit whether it be of God or no 1 Joh. 4 1 ye that prefer Conscience before Custom and preach unto the people Come out of Babylon it 's you that God hath stirred me up to perswade and Oh that you may be perswaded to lay to heart and to consider That in the business of Infant-sprinkling you do not onely contradict your own pretended â—ight Sprinkling is not Baptizing for Sprinkling is not so much Baptism as the Picture is the man it representeth though we should pretend as we have been taught that the childe should by its G fathers and G mothers believe all the Articles of the Christian faith But for you to sprinkle as some of you pretend onely the children of believers and yet to sprinkle the children of all your Parishioners c. doth declare that you have not either preached the Gospel within your Parishes Christ truly preached makes Parishes to be divided c. or that it hath not been powerfully received for the true preaching of Christ will separate your people to be called out of the world to be gathered into the fellowship of the Church of Christ Therefore as there is any love to Christs name let us not I beseech you withhold though it were the tenure of all our estates the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1.18 For tell me I pray ought we to walk by the Glo-worm-light of Consequences or sparkles of our own kindling Isa 50 11 though the world be confederate and comply with you to uphold that darkness against the known light or command and example of the Word of God to the contrary Or shall we exclude Bishops Government and Service-Book and by consequences contend for Infant-Baptism the greatest obstacle to the reforming gathering and planting of Churches within your Parishes Churches to be gathered within Parishes that can be for if we would not content our seâ—veâ— rather with he fleece then the floâ—k if we wâ—re acquainted with the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven we might clearly see That as Bishops Government was useful to hold on a light of Profession to such as were altogether in â—he darkness of Romish Babylon and as the Presbâ—terial Waâ— is useful to reform Episcopacie Episcopacy Presbytery and Independency compared in respect of Goâ—ernment Traditions and Ceremonies as Independency reforms Presbytery in the point of gathering of Church-members and all of them as David â—iâ— for the Temple make preparations for the most glorious Apostolical Government so that out of all the materials of Truth therein discovered â—he golden Candleâ—â—ick of Christian profession may be moldeâ— to vanish out the smoke out of the Temple Let us but then abolish Infant-Baptism out of the Church and the work of Unity Truth The abolishing of Infant-sprinkling in the union of all Churches and Peace will be fully compleated For let Presbyterians gather what they can if they gather in Christs way to make none of their Church but such as they baptize upon the profession of faith as believers And if the Independents gather none into their Church but such as believe and are then baptized then they shall all be united and centred upon one the same foundation of Christianity in their observation of the Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism with baptized Churches commonly though unjustly called Anabaptists so that as Christ in his wisdom foresees but one way to baptize all nations so this is the only way to make all Churches out of all nations to be one in the profession of faith and obedience It 's no marvel then if Antichrist stand so violently for Pedo-baptism for as all darkness came in with it so all light shall shine as this darkness shall vanish away in the administration of baptiâ—ing and governing of the Church of believers And therefore though when darkness began
to appear after the times of the Apostles the brass and copper of Infant-baptism being double gilt over with glistering pretences passed like Bishops government and other traditions for currant Coyn yet this being the time when every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up whereby the Saints may be restored to the primitive profession of the Churches in the time of the Apostles Therefore the double-gilded consequences which are or shall be produced to make an Infant a baptized disciple can expect no better entertainment then Toittis the gray fryer found in Scotland Book of Martyrs p. 1451. Hen. 8. who endeavoured by consequences to prove that the Pater-noster might be said to the Saints which though he did gloss over pretending in that we called aged men father and that the Saints are in heaven that therefore we may say Our Father which art in heaven and because their names are holy we might say Hallowed be their names c. But for all his wit the time of light being come the Popish Church was upon this absolutely divided and the Fryer was much derided for his pains The Lord make us seers and followers of his Truth which as soon as the Lord was pleased fully to reveal unto me I was constrained to bear witness of it as I was formerly acted to bear witness to the Truth in the time of Innovations when too many were serving at the Altar by which said power I was stirred up to declare at the first I do not say the first that declared for Reformation And now I am also constrained to use this plainness of speaking think of me as you please wherein I beseech you to consider See a Book intituled the church Register that Mr. Spering and Mr. Barrow c. could not enjoy this liberty to gather Churches as we may do This is our day shall we not see it or shall we be dead-hearted sullen or not willing to go about our Fathers business except we were countenanced or backed out with common approbation by which we may be thought rather to be driven to our work then to be that people that shall be willing in the day of his power to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Seed of Martyrs Psal 110.4 Alas consider may not our hearts bleed to see that that seed which our Martyrs did sow with their blood which did but then peep out with the head is now white already unto harvest and much of it almost lost for gathering into Church-fellowship We must not now think to feed all the flock with the pap-milk of ordinary principles nor will Traditions or Consequences which shall contradict the command and example of Christ and his Apostles as a strange voice be possibly heard any longer As we are therefore heirs apparent to all the light which hath shined and have been spectators in the time of judgement of the Lords overturning both of Church and State because his fore-prophesied time is now fulfilled New heaven New Earth to have a New heaven or a reformed Church according to the very example of Christ and his Apostles and a New Earth or a people through opposing the old earth or world are reformed from Popery See Mr. Brightm Exposit on 21 chap. of Revel in part discovering it and affecting civil righteousness which I am able though I have not here time to make fully appear without Allegorizing of the Scripture Let then all that are Saints in that the Lord is risen start fair and see who can first run to the Sepulchre let us see who will approve themselves * Aurum igne probalum is est cujus fides rebus adversis splendet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tryed gold in the fire that patronize not a partial but a perfected inward and outward Reformation that as wax and seal so our faith obedience may be found indeed agreable to the doctrine and example of Christ and his Apostles The Lord ravish your hearts with the love of this Truth and remove all prejudice until you have read and so may judge whether I have fully and truely as far as I have undertaken answered these two men of parts whose faces I never saw and against whom I bless God I have not the least prejudice or acrimony nor do desire to put their light under a bushel as far as it appeareth to be light unto me but onely as I have been much provoked desired and partly chalenged I have used that liberty which Mr. S. hath done with Mr. T. c. And therefore I desire you my dear friends to commune with your own hearts and see upon examination on both sides what ground you have for Infant-baptism And until the Lord in mercy open your eyes despise not the counsel of Doctor Gamaliel to let this alone for if this be of God But I have my check for there is not an If in this business Christ-like to go about our Fathers business No difference with the Churches of Saints but in Infant-sprinkling in submitting to the Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism for I hope as soon as Truth shall be heard to speak prejudice being removed and the moderation of gathered Churches and their full compliance with all the Saints except in the unwarranted tradition of sprinkling being made to appear the Election of grace and further we cannot expect will receive satisfaction to submit to this so much despised Ordinance of the Lord Jesus To conclude therefore Jesus Christ could not in wisdome have excluded children by name more then in commanding to baptize believers onely concerning this great matter in controversie which fills the ears of the whole Country with the report and is so much scandalized belyed and opposed by the profane and ignorant this I have to hint unto you That if Jesus Christ himself should come again and were to reveal himself concerning the baptizing of believers onely he could not in wisdom exclude children by nome they being already excluded by Christ in commanding to baptize a taught disciple for without mentioning of the female in commanding the male to be circumcised the female was expresly prohibited For it is I say against the wisdom of Christ to command to baptize those that are caught and thereby are discipled and then to say But baptize not an Infant seeing in wisdom all men know that a childe cannot be taught or profess the faith of the Gospel And besides God hath made man judge of Baptism not to proceed as he pleaseth but according to the express Rule and Commission which God hath appointed him And therefore it is not in man in favour to the world and in opposition to the Saints of the most High to raise Consequences Allegations and Reasonings to interpret and wrest the express commission and command of Christ to the contrary but Man if he will be faithful to his Commission without gainsaying he must baptize none but those that are taught And
and baptism a seal of the new covenant in all which his errors and mistakes have been plainly discovered yet I would not have Mr. Sidenham or any of his judgement to think that I have denied him that which may be some have or he hath expected to have granted him as I should readily have done if it had been Gods truth in relation to the covenant whereof circumcision was the signe as though if Mr. Sidenhams and Mr. Baxters consequences were granted him he could thereby prove his infant-baptism for this I say that though he were certain that a Child were in the new covenant of the Gospel yet no visible fruit of holiness of profession of faith coversation and willing desire of baptism being made to appear secret things belonging unto God and we being commanded as any shall be discipled to baptize them it s not in Mr. Sidenham c. to gainsay Christs will and power to make the admission into the Church according as he fancieth by any pretended pretences consequences or precedents or to admit a Child or ignorant person not being by Christ tolerated seeing according to his own pretended light he did not regulate circumcision to a former administration neither is there any Scripture to prove that baptism succeedeth circumcision but both by command and example the Scripture doth prove the contrary therefore in the simplicity of the Gospel except Mr. S. will flee from Scripture and justifie the falling away from the faith so that in this point of Infant-baptism he should comply with the tradition of Popery he hath hitherto produced nothing to uphold his controversie in this great thing foundation and hinge which I have answered To proceed then Mr. S. p. 22. Infants if believers were never cast out of the visible Church of Christ of which they were once in Answ According to that maxime Omnis privatio implicat habitum you know that every dispossession implieth a possession Infants cannot therefore be cast out of the Church before he can prove them admitted and if Mr. S. or any man living can tell us by what visible administration Children were admitted visible Church-members before the time of Abraham or in the Gentiles Church or by what Scripture they are said to be admited members by cirumcision I shall admire him and them and acknowledge their discovery desiring him till then not to conclude that we do cast them out or deny them any thing that can be conscientiously granted them Mr. S. chap. 4. p. 30. In that Mr. Sidenham doth make a twofold distinction of being in covenant in relation to the election of grace and secondly to be in covenant in facie visibilis ecclesiae Answ To this I answer first that onely the elect are in covenant of saving faith which is called as he saith by Divines intentionally in covenant as God intending onely to save them I agree onely this may be observed 1. That the election of Grace is not by the Covenant whereof Circumcision is a signe 2. That if upon this account that is Predestination we should look on children then children of believers as well as believers Papists Turks and Infidels may be in the Election even before they be called and yet this will give no liberty to children until their secret election be made visibly appearing through a gracious call Act. 2.38 2. In that Mr. S. tells us that there is a being in Covenant in facie visibilis Ecclesiae in the face of a visible Church I confess that a visible Church should have a race so that they may see hear and speak with one another to yeeld up themselves to serve God with one consent Zeph. 3.9 but how he will make Infants in swadling-clouts such visible members I know not For want of such a face of the Church Mr. S. I suppose excludes Infants from the Lords Supper though he confesseth that thereby the Church is made one body pag. 169. and so doth the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.17 And I do absolutely deny that ever there was any such Covenant by vertue of which God said a childe should be counted a member of the visible Church Therefore Mr. S's Scriptures to prove that by Covenant children were brought into the Church are to be examined 1. As to that place Rom. 9.4 which Mr. S. produceth I answer that it onely holds forth the several priviledges belonging to the Jews but doth not hint so much as one word that by Circumcision children were brought in facie visibilis Ecclesiae or made members of the visible Church 2. To that place Deut. 29.10 12 13 14. I answer It is not at all proved that Circumcision did at all relate to Religion but that God said that he would make them a people as he promised Gen. 17.6 16. to make Abraham a father of many nations and so Sarah should be a mother of many nations as I have proved before of which Covenant Circumcision was the signe 3. To that place Joh. 15.2 and Job 1.11 I cannot see the least conjecture of a Covenant 4. To the last place Psal 50.5 Gather my saints together that is make a visible Church This I acknowledge but that any children were gathered the next words tell him who they be that God would have gathered even such as have made a covenant with sacrifice not such as are of the covenant whereof circumcision is but a signe but such as have made a covenant with me saith God in sacrifice so that we finde no shadow of proof in the places produced by M. S. that children are of the visible Church To another relation Mr. S. chap. 5. page 35. endeavours to open that place Acts 2.39 For the promise is made unto you and your children c. Answ In the pretended opening of which Scripture Mr. S. indeed hath so over-veyled the same and shut it up in Logical Distinctions Critical Questions and Wrested Applications that I may say of this Scripture as the parents said of their son It so clearly shineth that it is able to answer for it self These be the words Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the promise is made unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Now the promise here which Mr. S. omitted as the antecedent to be related was to receive the holy Ghost by such as did repent and were baptized and who are here said to repent to be baptized to receive the holy Ghost but such of them and of their children and them that are afar off and of their children with this restriction even to as many and no more then the Lord our God shall call So that here is a plain restriction and application to whom this promise is made even to as many as the Lord our God shall call And therefore no heart could desire a more full and plain expression of the minde of God And therefore Mr.
22.16 17 18. compared with Gal. 3.6 7 8 9. Rom. 4.12 16. Now that Abraham was a believer before Gen. 17. so that God did bless Abraham and that circumcision did seal his Faith he had though not as the Apostle saith by circumcision Rom. 4.11 I do grant but that God gave Abraham in circumcision more then Abraham begged of God Gen. 15.3 48. or that God did give Abraham more then an inheritance of which circumcision was a token Gen. 17.4 11. this I defend and that therefore circumcision was not an administration to make Church-members I desire this being so much mistaken to produce these reasons to the contrary 1. Because they did not circumcise in the Temple or by a Priest but a woman Exod. 4.25 and others did circumcise Josh 5.3 2. A stranger by circumcision was not said to be of the Church but as one of the Nation Exod. 12.48 and if any refused to be circumcised they were not to be excommunicated out of the Church but to be cut off out of the Nation Gen. 17.14 and that the Church is not the Nation Reason the seventh proves 3. The Female was not circumcised and yet Hanna and other Women were of the Church and if in the Man the Woman might be admitted into the Church why might not the Woman in the Man be baptized and receive the Lords Supper since they would have baptism to succeed circumcision 4. Because God said that the Covenant of which circumcision was a signe Gen. 17.11 was a covenant in the flesh Gen. 17.13 and God did never promise more then a temporall inheritance in that covenant Gen. 15.3.18 compared with Gen. 17.3 4 5 8. 5. In the case of Dinah marrying with Sichem all that was desired of him was this that they should be one people if Sichem c. would be circumcised which was done without any change of religion Gen. 34.22 24. and though it might be supposed as we do with our children they would endeavour to learn them and make them submit to their Religion yet all this endeavouring like the paines that we take in the nurture and admonition of our Children did not admit or make them visible Church-members but onely made preparation for their admission as the next reason will fully clear it 6. Because to the Jews God said Gather my Saints together unto me those that have made a covenant with me by sacifice Psal 50.5 and Zeph. 3.9 it s prophesied both of Jews and Christians that they should serve God with one consent Therefore Children not sacrificing whereby there might be a visible appearance of Faith and Repentance and they not being willing or knowing to serve God with one consent could not be of the visible gathered Church or they were not visible Church-members for to make a visible Church member there must be something appearing in the party that is to be admitted so as to give his consent but in a Child we have or see nothing that represents the face of a Church-member 7. Children by circumcision were not made Church-members because after they had been circumcised they were presented unto the Lord in the Temple and our Saviour did no more for them when they were brought unto him then bless them by praying for them Mat. 19. 8. God was said to have a Church in the Wilderness Act. 7.38 and yet for forty yeers together they were not circumcised and therefore circumcision made not a Church if baptism as Mr. Sidenham saith doth not make one for so he saith pag. 166. Baptisme doth not forme a Church 9. Because the Gentiles had a Church as Mr. Baxter hath notably proved by Job c. and Abraham was of the Church before and yet the Gentiles were never circumcised and Abraham had not been circumcised but that God made circumcision a signe of the covenant which was to give him a seed by Sarah and to make him a Father and Sarah a Mother of divers Nations Gen. 17.6 16. for as all Nations whether Jews or Gentiles are blessed in Abraham this was not by circumcision but by oath and promise made to Abraham Gen. 22. â—6 17 18. as the Apostle Gal. 3.9 compared with Heb. 6.13 14. fully declareth and therefore we do not look at circumcision that it did admit unto the Church or that baptism should succeed it circumcision relating to temporal promises 10. Because these words in the covenant whereof circumcision is a signe I will be thy God and o thy seed after thee were onely spoken of God that he might manifest himself to be a God in providence to make his temporal promise good to Abraham and such strangers that should sojourne with him God excepting against none in circumcision as he doth in point of salvation and therefore God expresly declared his meaning that in respect of the covenant whereof circumcision was a signe he was their God to make good his promise to give them the Land of Canaan Levit. 26.44 45. and in that he condemned and tooke away this circumcision making a new covenant not according to the old covenant declares that the old covenant had no spiritual promises Heb. 8.6 7 8 9. 11. That Mr. Sidenham and Mr. Baxter making circumcision to bring Children into the Church is but from their own wrested consequences for there is no such Scripture that saith Circumcision makes a Child a member of the Church neither is there any Scripture that can prove circumcision a covenant of pure grace or that baptism doth succeed it upon which they ground their conclusion or consequence 12. If baptism should succeed circumcision then it could not be said that baptism is the like figure of Noahs Ark 1 Pet. 1.21 in which there was no Children nor did any enter into it but such as believed the word preached unto them 13. They were debtors to the Law not by covenant or contract the Law being made four hundred and forty yeers after circumcision Gal. 3.17 and therefore they were debtors to the Law by consequence as a thing that followed and was after imposed upon the people so that they were not circumcised upon that account 14. They were twice circumcised The first time in token they should inherit the promised Land And the second time as being come to possess it Joshua 5.2 therefore circumcision did not make them Church-members The great thing then which Mr. Sidenham pag. 9. speaketh of in this controversie the nature of the covenant being fully and plainly discovered it s too apparent that he hath been too much discipled by the Jewish rabbies in making the Covenant by their traditions and doctrine greater then ever God intended it whereby the promise and oath God made to Abraham whereby he is the Father of the faithful hath been over-looked Therefore Mr. Sidenham failing to make good his hinge and maine weight in thinking to make all promises to Abraham as Father to the faithful to be held out in circumcision and that it was a seal of the covenant
from free grace pretended is most full of darkness And if free grace had been a ground of baptism man could not have been the judge And that God doth require man to do nothing ignorantly or doubting and therefore hath expresly commanded though hypocrites may falsly pretend to submit unto the Rule and in admitting them upon that account man is no offender who we shall baptize even every one that is discipled by teaching And therefore we leaving to act upon the pretence of the Covenant of Free-grace we do not deny children any outward warrantable priviledge that was granted them before Abraham's days in his days or ever was done by Christ or his Apostles in presenting them to God in praying for a blessing for them and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord that as soon as ever this secret will of God in his free grace shall be revealed They may according to the command and example of Christ and all his Churches pass the Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism QUESTIONS and ANSWERS concerning the baptizing of Believers onely the manner of the administration of the Ordinance with the reasons that may induce the Magistrate to encourage the preaching thereof in Publike Question 1. WHether is Baptism a Gospel-Ordinance Answer In that ‖ Mat. 28.19 Christ himself is the author of it and did after his †Mat. 28.7 16. resurrection from the dead immediately command it and that all the Saints upon their profession of saith were accordingly baptized Therefore Baptism doth appear to be a Gospel-Ordinance Quest 2. Whether may baptism be called a Seal Answ In that man is judge of baptism and that it is against the wisdom and truth of God to seal to a blank or * Rom. 7.4 5. uncertain condition therefore baptism is no Seal though commonly so called Quest 3. What do you call Baptism if it be not a Seal Answ Baptism is a ‖ Heb. 6.1 2. principle of the foundation of the doctrine of Christ a Gospel-Ordinance the †1 Pet. 3.21 answer of a good conscience towards God and man and a †1 Pet. 3.21 figure of salvation Quest 4. What is the end for which baptism was ordained Answ In that Christ commanded to * Mar. 16.15 preach the Gospel to every creature and yet onely to baptize such as are ‖ Mat. 28.19 discipled or are taught the word of God or believed it doth therefore clearly appear that God in Christ did ordain Baptism to this end that Christ might * 2 Cor. 6.16 separate the election of grace by ‖ Mat. 28.19 calling them out of the world into the †Acts 9.19 27. fellowship of the Church and to unite all so called in the profession of saith in their baptism and * Act 9.39 breaking of bread in which they communicate Quest 5. How can you prove that by these words of Christ Go and preach the Gospel to every creature Go and make disciples and baptize them He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved is so to be interpreted * Acts 2.41 compared with 46 47. that none but those that believe are to be baptized Answ Because the Apostles and Church of Christ did thus understand them as by their doctrine and practice doth appear Quest 6. Where have the Apostles taught that none but those that hear and believe should be baptized Answ In that the Apostles have taught that those that are baptized ought to * Acts 2.38 repent be ‖ Act. 2.39 Rev. 18.4 called out of the world have the †1 Pet. 3.21 answer of a good conscience towards God and man and have declared that * Act. 8.37 unfaithfulness hinders baptism therefore by their doctrine it doth appear that none but such as hear and believe should be baptized Quest 7. And did the Apostles onely baptize believers Answ Yes verily they onely baptized visible professors as when they ‖ Act. 8.12 believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus they were baptized both men and women and when †Act. 10 2 44 48. housholds were baptized the Scripture doth declare that they all †Act. 10 2 44 48. feared God received the †Act. 10 2 44 48. holy Ghost * 1 Cor. 1.16 with chap. 16.15 gave themselves to the ministery of the Word of God †Act. 26 32 34. heard the word of God †Act. 26 32 34. rejoyced in God and †Act. 26 32 34. believed Qu. 8. If this be so then neither children nor unbelievers ought be baptized Answ It 's true indeed for as in Circumcision when the male was onely named the female was excluded so when Christ onely ordained that those that hear and believe should be baptized unbelievers and children must needs be excluded Quest 9. How comes it then to pass that this doctrine of baptism hath not been before revealed Answ Though the doctrine of baptism hath been always professed yet it hath not been generally received for these reasons 1. Because there was ‖ 2 Thess 2.1 2 3. a falling away from the faith whereby all the Ordinances of Christ were perverted and corrupted by the †Rev. 15.8 smoak which was to continue till the Lamb's souldiers should procure the free course of the Gospel 2. The tayl of the beast is to strike down the * Rev. 12.4 third part of the stars even learned men c. not under the powerful means of information which shall walk under the sparkles of their own Consequences 3. Because that though Antichrist before these times hath been revealed as opposing the person and merits of Christ yet the Ordinances are but beginning to be cleared in discovery whereof the Church begins to be restored to the purity of the primitive time of Christ and his Apostles 4. In such a case as this where things are admitted as Infant-baptism being the religion men were brought up in though godly yet it is not questioned till men be put upon it or otherwise by God extraordinarily called for which cause Infant-baptism hath not been much questioned Quest 10. What will become of all the world the unbelievers and children if they be not baptized Answ Christ must be preached to all the ‖ Mark 16.15 Gal. 6.6 world to every Parish even to capable children and unbelievers c. And as they shall have an ear to hear and be †Rev. 18.4 called out of Babylon they ought to be baptized and receive the * Act. 2.42 Lords supper with the gathered Churches of believers Quest 11. How shall we be able to judge believers Answ By the ‖ Joh. 15.8 Mat. 5.16 fruits of their profession or holy conversation and in that they are willing to be united unto and †1 Joh. 3.14 love the Saints and submit unto the * Mat. 18.17 Act. 2.41 government of Christ under the Gospel Quest 12. But
sheep shall hear his voice but that strange voice of baptizing Infants never spoken of in the Scripture shall they not hear Come let us reason the case can Pedobaptism be a plant that our Heavenly Father hath planted that spreads forth its luxurious branches and makes a shadow for the world to rest themselves under in the Cradle of security Baptized disciples falsly slandered Close not your eyes nor shut your ears against the revelation of truth though common fame would afright you as some did the Israelites to obstruct their marching into Canaan telling them that there were great Zamzummims there and therefore if you will believe them they will tell you what monstrous people the Anabaptists are if you look that way you shall lose your selves in the midst of darkness and delusions they will draw you away from all Scriptures and Ordinances but try before you trust and search into their profession and you shall see the contrary that there was ever any way of God but it was ever evill spoken of Did they not say of John the baptist that he had a Devil The way of God ever evil spoken of Did not the world cast spots of reproaches in our Masters face who was without sinne or any spot or wrinkle If they do these things to the green Tree what will they do to the dry Were not the old professors shortly after the times of the Apostles in that they called one another Brother and Sister accused of incest and fornication and when they were forced to forsake the world and went into caves did not the Troubled Sea the Sons of Belial cast mire and dirt into their faces saying That they laid lurking there to rob and spoil those that passed by Just Mart. Apol. so that Justin Martyr was forced to make an Apology for their justification And thus Luther and Martin Bucer c. were slandered with them by reproaches and yet they were no more troubled Ex Guibert Genebrard then Luther was with the Popes Bull of which he said O Bulla vere Bullarum filia Be not then discouraged you know this is an evidence of their condemnation but of your salvation It s enough to give an account of faith and that in the name of God to assure you that there is nothing to be owned but Christ and his Commandments whereby he is our Saviour and hath made himself an example for us to imitate him in all things Miracles excepted But alas all the pretences and consequences that the most learned can produce cannot make the delusion of sprinkling children to be baptism God that never lyed did never require an action to be done against sence and reason nor can representations or intentions alter an express command to the contrary Were it enough think you if any of you bid should your servant give a cup of water to a thristy soul were it enough for that servant to put his hand into the cup and sprinkle the man in the face with two or three drops of water were this to obey his Masters command I trow not and yet no more is done in sprinkling of children in answering the Comand of Christ in Baptism And though this might be reformed and that you might say with the Eunuch Lo here is water what letteth that the Child may not be baptized To this the same answer must be returned that Philip made to the Eunuch If the Child can beleive with all its heart it may but let the Child alone though it may be pretended to be the Child of a believer We know or may know that believers themselves Rebaptization Acts 19.1 2 3 4 In the case of ignorance of the fundamental truth or of the commission for Baptism which were really and fully baptized because they were at that time ignorant of the holy Ghost were upon that account all the fundamentals being not revealed without which baptism cannot be warrantable rebaptized when we were sprinkled great darkness in comparison of the light of Gospel-reformation that now shineth was then as a cloud over-veiling the Word What hole can cavill find to seek evasion unless we say we are not believers Is it not then the duty of Disciples to imitate their Lord and Master who in submitting to this glorious Gospel-Ordinance made himself our example in which he was said to fulfill all righteousness This is the way to humble a soul to give satisfaction of the profession of Faith and the testimony of a good conscience to this the presence of Christ our peace light and life and protection is promised Tindal's wickâ—d Mommon fol. 25. That you intend no evill is easily to be believed But as Tindall the blessed Martyr said That though Peter of a good minde or intention would perswade Christ not to have suffered yet Christ for all that called him Satan It s one thing to have a good intention and another to do of knowledge God saith he hath made a testament between him and us wherein is contained both what he would have us to do and what he would have us to ask of him see therefore thou do nothing to please God withall but what he commandeth And that they might be good and Godly men and Martyrs that were never more then sprinkled Ten Martyrs in Eng. Hen. 8. anno 1553. it may be granted but then it was the time that the smoak was in the Temple Martyrs have suffered for the profession of the baptizing of believers only but never any Martyrs have suffered in the defence of Infant pretended baptism If we would look on humane example It not for us to say as those obstinate unbelievers that the Maryr Stephen reproved who said As our Fathers did so will we do Can there be any more precious in our eyes then to be led by the example of Christ and his Apostles If you be not of the election of grace if you would you ought not to be baptized And if God have elected us and we live under the means our hearts and judgements shall be changed we shall be the people that shall be made willing in the day of Christs power whether you will or no. Cease then poor souls be humble and patient and wait till you see that God will do with you shoot not your bolt to wound your Saviour through the sides of his despised Members Be ye the Disciples of Doctor Gamaliel untill Christ make you his It was the Pharisees and Lawyers that rejected the counsell of God against themselves and would not be baptized Luk. 7.30 but the election of grace must needs submit As they are under the means of information they have a promise to be effectually called they cannot close their eyes All the election of grace as they shall be under the means shall profess Baptism as the means of seeing is revealed unto them and if they have light already and yet see not in something that is newly discovered then they are like a man in a dark Dungeon that seeth as soon as the window or interpretation of the Scripture is opened unto them But no light no means can make a blind man see whom God will not call though the heavenly Lamp were never so resplendent And though a naturall man shine as a Star in the Church yet shall the taile of the Beast cast him down from the new Heaven or the Church into his proper place or earthly Element he cannot finish his course he cannot like his tempter abide in the truth he cannot receive the love of the truth that he might be saved But on the contrary Joh. 4.44 2 Thess 2.10 all the election of grace they cannot though with Paul they have commission to persecute the Saints nay though they have renounced the truth as divers * Archbish C. Io. Bayaham Lawyer Martyrs did rest till at length they return to their first love and to the profession of the Gospel from whence they are fallen Let us then content our selves if our Master be pleased to call but a few to serve him if we be in the number of that few that are called Let the election then wait on the means and see what God will do or dispose of them and not trouble themselves like Zobedee's Mother to desire that for her Children that cannot be granted her To conclude therefore either to stop the mouths of opposers or to open the heart as the Lord is pleased if at this time you will hear his voice that hath commanded to baptize believers if reason may be heard or true information may not be despised you may see in the confession or practices of contrary judgements as much as may raze down the foundation of Infant pretended baptism Artic. 27. Church of England in that it is acknowledged that there is no express tearms in the Scripture for Pedobaptism and that by experience it may be sufficiently evidenced in our hearts and consciences as is made visible that such inevitable evils follow Infants sprinkling as that it brings all the World into the Church which should be called out of the World and is the onely obstacle or cause of the division of all gathered Churches they differing nothing but in Infant sprinkling in which the Church of Rome or rather the World forced into order is in present practise and from which all the Churches of Christ ought to be totally separated or effectually called out of Babylon the very consequences by which Infants-sprinkling a meer delusion and prevarication to the command of Christ as mens inventions being altogether groundless and unwarrantable and though proved are of no force or validity to contradict the express command or example of Christ and his Apostles to the contrary Let then all real zealous sincere converted Christians hear Christs voice who hath commanded to teach and baptize all Nations and let them with all their old fellow-servants desire to imitate Christ their Master who was baptized to make himself an example to fulfill all righteousness And let us not think that his arm is shortened that he cannot help or that he is not faithfull who in this Gospel-Ordinance hath promised his presence in which all the Saints have found and ever unto the end of the World shall most surely find their onely protection comfort peace and glory FINIS
stand with the honour of the Magistrate to countenance the professors of this doctrine Answ In that for divers yeers we have experienced that the Lord is * Isai 1.26 fulfilling of his prophecie to send Magistrates to take away the dross and tin and to restore the * Dan. 7.25 dominion of the Saints in the enjoyment of their Laws and Languages which were taken from them by the fourth Beast or last Monarchy Rev. 17.1 14. and that they are the Lamb's souldiers that shall pour out the seventh Vial that as former Monarchs brought in smoak or darkness into the Temple so Gospel-Magistrates by their approbation of publike shining lights shall be glorious instruments to restore again the light into the Temple or publike Meeting-place for Gods Worship And in that the Magistrates have also according to their duty so far opposed visibly appearing * 1 Tim. 1.9 unsound doctrine having put their hand to Gods Plough in cutting down the Episcopal tree and in abolishing the Service book it must needs be then their honour crown and glory so to finish the good work begun so that Parochial sprinkling the root of the Episcopal tree having its life and moisture in the old Service-book which is abolished may not in this great light of the Gospel be replanted or so suffered to take root again so as to shoot out more wilde olive-branches or sons of opposition under which the most ignorant and Popish party are still nourished or so to favour it as not to suffer the Gospel-Ordinance to grow beside it Quest 23. But is it consisting with the peace of this Nation so many opposing and being disaffected to this doctrine for the Magistrate to tolerate it in publike Answ As no Ordinances the fruits of faith are to be forced so there is little appearance of God in them or they are not at all considerable that being not forced to this doctrine become the troubled sea to be offended with such Saints that receive this Gospel-Truth that is preached unto them and that the peace by any such shall be disturbed or broken the Lord which hath so promised his presence hath so blessed these and other Saints in procuring the peace of this Nation that the Saints of Gathered Churches are ready to sacrifice their lives to maintain the peace of the Nation under the present Government And therefore the Magistrate may expect in the promised presence of Christ to this Way really submitted unto the blessing of God unto themselves and the establishing of the Peace and Righteousness of the Nation A Declaration to the Election of Grace who for want of information are either ignorant of or enemies unto the Gospel-Ordinance of Baptizing of BELIEVERS onely Dearly beloved in the Lord WHen the falling away from the faith which was foretold by the * â— Thes 2. Apostle was fulfilled the man of sin as it is said or popish Antichrist did not onely sit in the temple of God opposing himself above all that is called God or is worshipped but as foretold he brought the smoak of ignorance strong delusions into the Temple and though he pretends infallibility yet Satan like that abode not in the truth he cannot receiv the love of the truth And therfore the Master-peice or great design of the man of sin was and yet is to endeavor by lying wonders all deceivableness to corrupt all the Ordinances or commands of Christ and his Apostles The Pope or Antichrist did corrupt all the Ordinances but especially Baptism And therefore though Antichrist had a great designe against fasting which he hath perverted and corrupted in respect of set daies and ordering a white meal or to eat and drink when they fast as prayer by him is also corrupted and perverted in the Popish use of ungodly forms pictures and invocation of Saints and Angels singing with an unknown voice as he hath also made the Lords day of no effect by sporting and playing and the observation of holy daies and though he hath blasphemed the doctrine and deprived the people of the cup of the Lord in the Ordinance of the Lords Supper and hath totally perverted the gathering and government of the Churches of Christ as far as his persecuting power extendeth yet in all these he hath no such malicious designe as in the perverting of the Gospel-Ordinance of baptizing of believers onely And yet behold the power of God how by weak and contemptible means the Son of God is manifest that he might destroy the works of the Devil in that though Infants sprinkling past the muster of a notable outward reformation and was almost endenized into the profession of some Saints and that great Champions threw down the Gantlet of Arguments to fight with the Weapons of consequences traditions to defend the same yet behold the Lord makes the flock or common people to see the truth when almost all publick teachers were overvailed and could not burst thorow the cloud of delusion until at last the Lord saw his time to trouble thereby make the discovery of his light unto the publick Ministry by calling some of them to trim up their lamps that they may shine in the discovery of the mind of Christ in baptizing of beleivers onely Do not then question why not before now you are called to witness your profession the Kingdom of Heaven is not got by observation What are we that we should withstand God or hate to be reformed Arise why sleep ye the light shineth the Bridegroom calleth search the Scriptures and try whether it be of God or no. Do not overlook Christ in the Manger the Star shines let us with the wise men worship and present our selves unto him unto whom it doth direct us What is the Egypt Reed of humane Tradition or obstinate resolution that you should rely upon or do you fear to be put out of the Synagogue Is not the Rigteous as bold as a Lion Great indeed is Diana of the Ephesians great is the power of the Prince of darkness but greater is the truth of God and his light which is able to dispel the darkness both of Pope and people Did not the truth alwaies when it was revealed and think you it shall not now as well as ever if God intend mercy to England c. marvailously prevail Did not the Doctrine of Baptism cause the Pharisees and people yea the whole election of grace to follow John into the Wilderness And did not those that were bewitched with Simons Sorceries when they beleived Philip concerning the Kingdom of Heaven and the Lord Jesus become baptized both men and women Shall not then if Christ be fully preached indeed overturn overturn your parochiall legal worldly union and gather the election of grace out of every parish to be members of the church of Christ your Saviour You know or may come to experience the truth thereof that his people shall be willing in the day of his power his