Where Peter upon Cornelius and his Companies believing and receiving the Holy Spirit said Can any man forbid Water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as We And he commanded them to be baptized Fourthly The Church of Philippi Philippi Acts 16.14 It is said That Lydia a Worshipper of God heard us whose Heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things that were spoken by Paul and was baptized and her houshold And Verse 32. They said unto the Ialour believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord and to all that were in his house 33. And he was baptized he and all his straightway 34. â—elieving in God with all his House Where you have two Families baptiâ—ed but no Child mentioned in either but only such who were capable to hear the Word of the Lord and to believe the same Fifthly The Church at Coloss Coloss Col. 2.10 11 12. Where the Apostle asserts that that Church at Coloss was buried with Christ in Baptisme wherein they were risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Which cannot be truly said of any but professed believers Sixthly Concerning the Church at Corinth Corinth it is said Acts 18.18 And Crispâ—â— the chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed on the Lord with all his House and that many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized and in 1 Cor. 1.13 Paul tells the Church at Corinth That they were not baptized in his name And in 1 Cor. 12.13 That by one Spirit they were all baptized into one Body viz. That they were joyned to the Church by baptisme of whom it is said 1 Cor. 14.2 That they kept the Ordinances as they were delivered to them Seventhly of the Church of Rome it is written Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him in Baptisme into Death Eighthly of the Church at Galatia Galatia Gal. 3.26 27. For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ And lastly of the Church at Ephesus Ephesus it is Recorded Acts 9.1 2 3. That Paul having past through the upper Coasts came to Ephesus and finding Disciples said unto them Have you received the Spirit since you believed and they said No c. And he said unto what were you baptized c. By which Scriptures it manifestly appeareth that the New Testament Churches were formed only of baptized believers wherein we neither find one Ignorant Babe nor one unbaptized person a Member And that Infants have as little right to be admitted into the Church and esteemed Members thereof or to partake of the spiritual Ordinances therein as they have to that initiating Ordinance Baptisme It may further appear if you do but consider how incongruous it is to Reason and sense to imagine that little Children are any way concerned as Church-Members either in the Dedications of the Epistles sent to the Churches or in the Epistles themselves Sect. 2 First In the Dedications and Directions of the Epistles as first that to the Church of Rome Rom. 1.7 Directed to the beloved of God called to be Saints and whose Faith was spoken of through the whole world But can that be said of any Infant And secondly those Epistles to the Corinthians are they not also directed to those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and theirs enriched with all utterance and Knowledge c. But what Ignorant Babe could be concerned therein And thirdly that Epistle written to the Church at Ephesus Is it not to the Faithful in Christ the chosen adopted abounding in Wisdome and Prudence But what poor silly Babe could be intended thereby And Fourthly In the Letter directed to the Church at Philippi Is it not to all the Saints in Christs Jesus who have had their fellowship in the Gospel from the first day till then Philip. 1.1 But how can that be said of any Child And fifthly those Epistles inscribed to the Church at Thessalonica were they not to such as did abound in Love Faith Hope Patience that received the word in much affliction and joy in the Holy Ghost c. 1 Thes 1. 2 Thes 1.3 But what Patience Love or Hope can be attributed to silly Children And lastly those seven Epistles written to the Asian Churches wherein several Graces are commended and s ns reproved and threatned and every one that had an Ear commanded to hear what the Spirit said to these Churches But how could there be one Child concerned therein The Church of England Church of England in their 19th Article do acknowledge that the Visible Church is a number of Christians by profession Dr. Owen gives a description of a Gospel-Church Dr. Owen in his Catechisme about New Testament Worship P. 89. tells us That a Gospel-Church is a society of Persons called our of the World or their Natural worldly state by the administration of the Word and Spirit unto the obedience of the Faith or the Knowledge and Worship of God in Christ joyned together in an Holy band or by special agreement for the exercise of the communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Ordinances of the Gospel Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Heb. 3.1 James 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17. And again in Page 106. As the Apostles in their Writings do ascribe unto all the Churches and the Members of them a Participation in this effectual Vocation affirming that they are Saints Called Sanctified Iustified and Accepted with God in Christ for which he again cites the foregoing Scriptures so many of the Duties which are required of them in that Relation and condition are such as none can perform to the Glory of God their own benefit and the edification of others the â—nds of all obedience unless they are partakers of this effectual Calling 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 1 Cor. 12.12 Ephes 4.16 Mr. Baxter in his 10th Argument to Mr. Blake Mr. â—ax hath these words very significant to our purpose viz. Paul calleth all the baptized Church of Corinth justified None that profess not a justified Faith are called justified therefore none such should be baptized The Major is proved out of 1 Cor. 6.11 Ye are Waâ—hed ye are Sanctified ye are Iustified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God To which he adds I confess it is sad that good men should be so unfaithfull to the Truth which is so pretious and is not their own and which they should do nothing against but all they can for iâ— Secondly
Institution and Commission viz. MATT. 28.18 19. ANd Iesus spake unto the Disciples saying All Power is given to me in Heaven Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy-Ghost Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world With Mark 16.16 And he said unto them Go Ye into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Where we have have this plain order of Christ laid down First That men should be taught the Doctrine of Faith And Secondly Being so taught they should be Baptized And thirdly That they should in his School or Church whereof they are then made Members be instructed in every thing else they ought to learn Baxter Which Method Mr. Bauter himself doth fully acknowledge in his Book called The Second Disputation of right to Sacraments P. 149 150. in his 16th Argument where he hath these Words viz. This saith he speaking of the Commission of Christ â—o his Disciples is not like some occasional mention of Baptism but it is the very Commission it self of Christ to his Disciples for Preaching and Baptizing and purposely expresseth their several Works in their several places and Orders Their First task is to make Diâ—ciples which are by Mark called Believers The Second work is to Baptize them whereto is annexed the Promise of their Salvation The Third work is â—o teach them all other things which are after to be learned in the School of Christ To contemn this Order saith he is to contemn all Rules of Order for where can we expect to find it if not here I profess my Conscience is fully satisfied from this Text that it is one sort of Faith even saying that must go before Baptisme the Profession whereof the Minister must expect But is it possible that an Ignorant Babe can observe this Order and answer this expectation of which saith he see what is to this purpose before cited by Calvin and Piscator which he also mentions P. 85. viz. Calvin Calvin upon Mat. 3.6 saith Therefore that men may rightly offer themselves to Baptism Confession of sins is required otherwise the whole Action would be nothing else but sport Piscator Piscator upon Mark 1.4 saith It is called the Baptism of Repentance for Remission of sins because John Preached the Remission of sins to the Penitent Believers Which Quotations of Mr. Baxters both here and hereafter fetcht from that his second disputation c. I desire the Reader to take notice I transcribe out of Mr. Tombe's Book called Felâ— de se thâ—t of Mr. Baxter being not not at hand nor easily to be come by in which Book Mr. Tombes very judiciously returns Mr. Baxters 20. Arguments he wrote against Mr. Blake upon himself as naturally opposing Infants Baptism And which I conclude were faithfully recited and would hope convincingly improved because Mr. Baxter hath never contradicted them that I have heard nor given the least reply thereto as his Bookseller informeth Mr. Perk. Mr. Perkins in concurrence herewith upon these words Teaching all Nations Baptizing them saith I explain the terms thus mark first of all it is said Teach them that is Make them my Disciples by calling them to believe and to repent Here we are to consider the Order which God observes in making with men a Covenant in Baptisme First of all he calls them by his Word and commands them to believe and to repent Then in the second place God makes his promise of Mercy and Forgiveness And Thirdly He Seals his promise by Baptisme They that know not nor consider this Order which God used in Covenanting with tâ—em in â—aptisme deal preposterously oversliping the Commandment of Repenting and Believing And this saith he is the cause of so much profaneness in the world Paraeus Paraeus also upon Mat. 3.5 shews That the Order was that Confession as a Testimony of true Repentance goe first and then Baptisme for Remission of sins afterwards But how possible it is for an Ignorant Babe or any but men of Knowledge to answer this Rule and Order in Christs Commission is left to common sence to determine And whether they that assert another Order viz. of Baptizing first and then teaching and expecting Repentance and Faith after which is the case of all Children do not contradict this and hold out thereby a necessity of some other Commission to justifie such a practice CHAP. II. Wherein the Baptizing of Believers is proved to be the only Baptism from the Apostles Doctrine teaching the same ACTS 2.37 II. From the Apostles Doctrine ANd when they heard this they were pricked at the Heart and said unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptizâ—d every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Acts 8.36 37. And the Eunuch said See here is Water what doth hinder me to be baptized And Philip said unto him If thou believest with all thy Heart thou mayst Acts 10.42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people to testifie That it is he which was ordained of God to be Judge of quick and dead To him gave all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive Remission of sins while Peter spake these words the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word c. Then said Peter Can any man forbid Water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy-Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized Acts 16.29 And the Keeper of the Prison fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be savd and the said Believe on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy House And he accordingly believing in God and his House as it is said v. 34. were baptized he and all his straight way To which may be added the Apostolical Order in laying down the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ viz. First Repentance from dead works Secondly Faith towards God Thirdly ly The Doctrine of Baptismes Heb. 6.12 Bede Bede saith That men were first to be instructed unto the Knowledge of the Truth then to be baptized as Christ hath taught because without Faith it was impossible to please God Magdeb Cent. 8. p. 220. Erasmus Erasmus in his Paraphrase upon 28. Math. observeth That the Apostles were commanded first to teach and then to Baptize The Jews were brought by Ceremonies to the Knowledge of the Truth but Christians must learn first So that doth it not from hence necessarily follow that if the Apostles only taught that persons should
be baptized after Repentance and Faith according to the Commission and that there is no instance to be found of any other teaching that then such should be baptized and no other And for any to introduce another practice it is not only contrary to Christs Commission but contradictious to the Apostles teachings CHAP. III. Wherein believers Baptisme is proved the only Baptisme from the example and practise of the primitive Saints ACTS 2.41 THen they that gladly received his Word were baptized III. From the example of primative Saints Acts 8.12 But 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 Verse 37.32 And Philip said if thou believest with all thy Heart thou mayst And he answered and said I believe that Iesus Christ is the Son of God And he commanded the Chariot to stand still and they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him Acts 18 8. And Crispus the chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed on the Lord with all his House and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized Acts 22.14 And Ananias said unto Paul the God of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest know his will and see the just fine shouldst hear the voice of his mouth And now why tarriest thou Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord Acts 9.18 And he arosâ— forthwith and was baptiqed Which is also confirmed by the following Testimonies Luther Luther de Sacrament Tom. 3. fol. 168. saith That in times past it was thus that the Sacrament of Baptisme was administred to none except it were to those that acknowledged and confessed their faith and know how to rehearse the same and that it was necessary to be done because the Sacrament was constituted externally to be used that the faith be confest and made known to the Church Bulling Bullinger in his House-book 48. Sermon Baptisme saith he hath no prescribed time by the Lord and therefore it is left to the free choice of the faithfull Those that believed at the Preaching of Peter upon the day of Pentecost as also the Eunuch whom Philip baptized Cornelius the Captain Paul the Apostle at Damascus Lydia the seller of Purple a Woman that feared God the Keeper of the Prison at Philippi and other more as well Women as Men so soon as they tasted the gifts of Christ and believed his Word presently desired to be baptized Mr. Baxter further in his 16. Mr. Bax. Argument against Mr. Blake in the aforesaid 2d Disputation P. 149. saith most significantly If there can be no example given in Scripture of any one that was baptized without the profession of a saving Faith nor any precept for so doing then must we not baptize any without it But the Antecedent is true therefore so is the Consequent In proof whereof he produces the several Scripture examples of Persons that were baptized which saith he might afford us so many several Arguments but I shall put them together viz. First John as I have shewed you required the profession of true Repentance and that his Baptisme was for the remission of sin Secondly when Christ layeth down the Apostolical Commission the Nature and Order of the Apostles work is first to make them Disciples and then to Baptize them into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost as before That it was saving Faith that was required of the Jews Jews and professed by them Acts 2.38 is plain in the Text. The Samaritans Samaritans believed and had great Joy and were baptized into the name of Jesus Christ Acts 8.12 whereby it appeareth that it was both the Vnderstanding and Will that were both changed and that they had the profession even of a saving Faith yea even Simon himself 37. v. The Condition upon which the Eunuch Eunuch must be baptized was if he believed with all his Heart which he professed to do and that was the Evidence Philip expected Paul Paul was baptized after true conversion Acts 9.18 The Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles before they were baptized Acts 10.44 Lydia Lydias Heart was opened before she was baptized and she was one the Apostles judged faithful to the Lord and offered to them the Evidence of her faith Acts 16.30 The example also of the Jaylor Jaylor is very full to the resolution of the Question in hand He first asketh Wrat he shall do to be saved The Apostle answereth him Believe in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved and thy House So that it was a saving saith that is here mentioned He rejoyced and believed with all his House and was baptized the same hour of the night or straight way Crispus Crispus the chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed on the Lord with all his House And many of the Chrinthians hearing Corinth believed and were baptized Acts 18.8 Philip Philip. in Acts 8.37 is determining a Question and giveth this in as the decision If thou believest with all thy Heart thou mayst And to say that this is but de Bone esse meaning that it includes not the Negative otherwise thou mayst not is to make Philip to have deluded and not decided or resolved In a word saith he I know of no one word in Scripture that giveth us the least intimation that ever man was baptized without the profession of a saving Faith Thus Faâ— Mr. Baxter who to save us the labour hath himself you see given such an exact Catalogue of the Examples of the baptized in the Scripture among whom as he so well observes there is not one to be found that answered not Christs Commission and the Apostles Precept in a professed Faith and Repentance But 't is said he mentions only such as were baptized aged That is very true and the reason is because the Scripture affords examples of none other as he confesseth But Secondly By his own grant in the words beforegoing If Philips answer was decisive and not delusive all others are excluded And that none but such as are capable to give some demonstration that they believe with all their Heart ought to be admitted to Baptism CHAP. IV. Wherein believers are proved to be the only subjects of Baptisme IV. From the Spiritual ends of the Ordinance from the Spiritual ends of the Ordinance THe first End or Use we shall ment on is 1. To be a Sign of the Mysteries the Gospeâ— that the Baptized might have that represented in a Sign or Figure and preacht to his Eye in the Ordinance which had been preacht to his Ear and Heart by the Word and Spirit of God respecting the whole Mystery of the Gospel and his Duty and Obligation therein A Sign being as Paraeus observeth some outward thing appearing to the Sense through which some inward thing is at the same time
of Pagans converted but Children of Christian Parents The truth is I do believe Pedobaptisme how or by whom I know not came into the world in the second Century and in the third and fourth began to be practiced though not generally and defended as lawfull from the Text grosly misunderstood Jo. 3.5 upon the like gross mistake of Jo. 6.53 they did for many Centuries both in the Greek and Latin Church Communicate Infants and give them the Lords Supper and I do confess they might do both as well as either But although they baptized some Infants and thought it lawfull so to do yet Austin was the first that ever said it was necessary and farther saith I have read what my learned and worthy friends Dr. Hamond Mr. Baxter and others say in defence of it and I confess I wonder not a little that men of such great parts should say so much to so little purpose for I have not yet seen any thing like an Argument for it Thus far Dr. B. CENTURY V. BElieve iâ— Baptisme was asserted in this Age and the grounds thereof by many of the learned writers whereof you have the following Instances Chrysostome Chrysost saith That the time of Gâ—â—ce on Conversion was the only fit 〈◊〉 for Baptisme which he saith was the season the 3000. in the second Acts and the 5000 afterwards were baptized Acts 4. And again In Baptisme the Principal thing to be lookt after is the Spirit by which the Water is made effectual for saith he in the Apostles time the Baptisme of Water and the Baptisme of the Spirit were different things and done at different times Magd. 5 Cent. 363. And again As Isaac was brought forth by the Word of Promise so must we be bâ—â—â— by the Word of God which only makes Baptisme powerfull and effectual 364. Austin Austin himself in his Book de fide bono aper Cap. 6 saith That none without due Examination both as to Doctrine and Conversation ought to be â—dmitted to Baptisme Cent. 5 p 654. And again That no ignorant or scandalous Person ought by any means without due Instruction and fruits of Râ—pâ—ntance to be admitted to Baptisme 654 655. Austins Creed and Chrysostomes Creed also were calculated for the Catachumeni for their better instruction before Baptisme p 655. The names and qualities of several Adult persons that were baptized in this Age are inserted p. 655. CENTURY VI. IN this Age the Adult upon profession of faith were baptized Gregory Gregory Lib. 4 Cap. 26. saith That a Sermon was used to be Preached to those that were to be baptized and that the pomps of the Devil were used to be renounced before Baptisme and that the hearts of believers are through Grace cleansed thereby Gregory in Baptisme the Elect receive the gift of the the Spirit whereby also their understandings are enlightned in the Scripture and that by faith in Baptisme all sins are relaxed Cent 6. 226 227. Cassiodarus Cassâ—odor calls Baptisme the Divine fountain wherein the faithfull have the new Creature brought forth Cent 6. p. 226. Olimpiâ—dorus Olimp. saith Our Spiritual life is one and the same effected with our spiritual death for they who are born are buried with Christ in Baptisme p. 226. CENTURY VII THe Bracarens Councel Brac. C. in Spain decreed That no Adult Person but such who had been well instructed and Chatechised and duly examined should be baptized Cent. 7. 146. The 6th Councel of Constance C. of Con. ordained That none should receive Baptisme without rehearsing the Creed or Lords Prayer 146. The Councel of Tolletanus C. of Tol. in the 5th Chapter saith That by being dipt into Water we do as it were descend into Hell and by rising up out of the Water we do witness a Resurrection Paulinus Baptized in the River Trent in England a great number both of men and women at noon day Bead. l. 2. c. 16. Cent. 7. 145. CENTURY VIII BEde saith That men were first to be instructed into the knowledge of the Truth then to be baptized as Christ hath taught because without faith it was impossible to please God Cent. 8. p 220. And again as the body is visibly cleansed by Water so the soul of the faithful is invisibly cleansed by Baptisme And again only that kind of Baptisme where the Spirit of the Lord regenerates is effectual 223. And again if the Word or Water be wanting it is no Baptisme 218. And again upon Jo. 3. All those that came to the Apostles to be baptized were instructed and taught concerning the Sacraments of Baptisme then they received the holy administration thereof Haimo Haimo in Postilla upon Mat. 28. Go and teach all Nations Baptizing them c Fol. 278. In this place saith he is set down a Rule how to baptize that is that teaching should go before Baptisme for he saith Teach all Nations and then he saith Baptise them for he that is to be Baptized must be first Instructed that he first learn to believe that which in Baptisme he shall receive for as faith without works is dead so works when they are not of faith are nothing worth CENTURY IX Rabonus RAbonus Cap. 4. saith That the Catechisme which is the Doctrine of faith must go before Baptisme to the intent that he that is to be Baptized may first learn the mysteries of faith And farther he saith the Lord Christ annointed the Eyes of him that was born blind with Clay made of Spittle before he sent him to the Water of Shiloah to signifie that he that is to be Baptized must first be instructed in the faith concerning the incarnation of Christ when he doth believe then he is to be admitted to Baptisme to the intent that he may know what the Grace is which he receiveth in Baptisme and whom he afterwards in duty ought and is bound to serve Albinus Albinus saith Three things are visible in Baptisme viz. the Body the Water and the Administrator and three things are invisilbe the Soul Faith and the Spirit of God which being all joyned by the word they are effectual in that Sacrament Cent. 8. 225. Damascenus Damas We are buried with the Lord in Baptisme as saith the Apostle p. 220. Rabonus Rabonus again saith That the Adult were first to be instructed in the faith and duly examined before they were baptized And that as Noah and his family were saved by Wood and Water so the faithful are saved by Baptisme and the Crosâ— Cent. 8. p. 144. Remigius saith in 22. Remig. That faith is the principal thing in Baptisme for without it it is impossible to please God p. 145. Walafrid Strabo Walafrid Strabo who lived about 840. in his Book de Reb. Eccles Cap. 26 saith That in the first times the Grace of Baptisme was wont to be given to them only who were come to that integrity of mind and body that they could know and understand