Seed but the Believer and his Child or Children are Children of the Promise for so is the Doctrine of the Prophets taught by the Apostles to the Believers and their Seed Acts 2. 39. For the promise is to you and unto your Children from that word written Ye are the Blessed of the Lord and your Off-spring or Buds with you Children of the Covenant God made with their Fathers Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25. Moreover the truth of this is confirmed by the Babes of Christs Kingdom who together with their Parents wellcomed the Lord Christ their Saviour into his Kingdom acknowledging Christ to be their Saviour so that the Children Crying in the Temple Hosanna to the Son of David Matt. 21. 15. that is O Lord Save or Give Salvation O Lord And this was a trouble to such Men then carnal Christians that expected they should be accepted for the external act done who knew not the way of the working of the Spirit of Christ in the Infants of his Kingdom But Christ defendeth their Fact by the Scriptures of the Prophets and said unto them that were sore displeased when they said to Christ Hearest thou what these to wit the Children say And Jesus said unto them Yea have ye never read Psalm 8. 2. Matt. 21. 15 16. out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected praise Forasmuch as the Lord hath said concerning these Infants of his Covenant And this is my Covenant with them Isa 59. 21. my Spirit that is upon thee my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith the Lord from hence forth and for ever Thus Gods Promise is I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thine Off-spring Isaiah 44. 3. Which was here made manifest to the Amazement of natural Professors Thus we see that the Fruit of Faith in Children appeareth in time in due season when God requireth Fruit of them as Plants in his Vineyard come forth saying But thou hast took me out of the Womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my Mothers Breast I was cast upon thee from the Womb Thou art my God from my Mothers Belly Psalm 22. 9 10. Thus the Lord Sanctifieth his from the Womb Jer. 1. 5. and as it is written The Babe leaped in the Womb for joy Luke 1. 41 42 44. when the Mother was affected with Spiritual Joy of such the Lord saith Hear O Jacob and all the Remnant of the House of Israel which are born by me from the Belly which are carried from the Womb even to your old Age Isaiah 46. 3. these by vertue of the Promise to the Father and Child say my Fathers God and I will exalt him Exod. 15. 2. So that the Subjects of his Kingdom are Young Men and Maids and Old Men and Babes Psalm 148. 12 13. are all called upon to Praise the Lord in due season as Christ aforesaid out of the mouth of Babes thou hast perfected thy praise Now then as Infants were a part of the Subjects of the Kingdom of David and that the Infants were a part of the Honour of his Kingdom as Solomon said In the multitude of People is the Kings Honour Prov. 14. 28. Then for the Honour of the Lord Jesus whom David figured in his Kingdom as it is written They shall hang on him to wit on Christ all the glory of his Fathers house the Off-spring and the Issue all Vessels of small quantity from the Vessels of Cups even to all the Vessels of Flagons Isaiah 22. 24. which Vessels great and small are Saints Young and Old Believers and their little ones A chosen Generation a Holy Nation Exod. 19. 5 6. 1 Pet. 2. 9. every Vessel great and small Sanctified and made meet for the Masters use 2 Tim. 2. 21. as we see by the Children in the Temple for out of their Mouth the Lord perfected his Praise crying Hosannah to Christ their Saviour These things throughly weighed what a wicked Principle are these Men of that deny Infants the Sign of the Remission of Sins Water-Baptism and utterly reject them from being visible Members of the Church of God or Subjects of Christs Kingdom and so deprive the Lord Jesus of at least a third part of the Subjects of his Kingdom robbing him of his Honor as aforesaid the multitude of People is the Kings Honor which Honor they will not allow Christ but exempting them out of the Covenant of Grace in Infancy to be ranked among the Infants of the vilest of Men Turks and Pagans For what saith the Scripture concerning such as are without that is without Gods Covenant Rev. 22. 14 15. they are reckoned among Dogs Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lye And this is the State the Anabaptists reckon their own Children in and if dying in Infancy they in their own judgment as aforesaid must perish to all Eternity O horrible Principle for there is no middle way of Purgatory either the Children of Believers are in the Covenant of the Gospel or out if within as hath been proved they are Blessed and Happy dying in Infancy For Blessed are the Dead that dye in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. that is in his Covenant If as the Anabaptists say without the Covenant then under the Curse Cursed Children without God in the World So that it is a Spiritual Cheat as aforesaid to say to blind the Eyes of the People that hear them that the State of Infants is secret the contrary hath been evidently proved by these and like Scriptures Rom. 5. 12. Eph. 2. 3. Deut. 29. 29. Again that which blindeth these People that they cannot see the Kingdom of God and so do not know the Subjects of the same is because they reason carnally against Infants thus that because many of the Children of Believers fall away and become Profane therefore say they they have no right in Infancy to Water-Baptism If these Men would look back in and among themselves and see how many of them whom they re-baptize by Dipping do fall away to deny that to be any Baptism at all as how many of them turn Quakers who deny Water-Baptism as well as the Lords-Supper not now to be externally Administred and so no Gospel Ordinances They might for shame be silent from such vain Objections against the Baptizing of Infants until they could enter into the Secret Council of God to know who among them should renounce their way and turn to another and who would not Again another Objection they make to deprive the Infants of Believers from their Right to Water-Baptism That Christ was Baptized at Thirty Years of Age therefore none but Men and Women of Years are to be Baptized Answ This is as Carnal a Plea as the former for herein they still bewray their Ignorance knowing not the reason why Christ was not Baptized until he was
to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as prefess so to be Answ As to the Persons whom God admitteth into this House Peter saith They are a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the same namely that the Church of Israel were Believers and their Seed in Infancy let the Reader compare word for word Exod. 19. 5 6. with 1 Pet. 2. 9. and then judge who we are bound to believe he that speaketh as Peter did by the Holy Ghost or B. Keach who without respect to Moses or Peter's words presumptiously saith None are admitted into the Church now but Actual Believers His words are contrary to Matt. 18. 6. 2. The other Scripture that is brought to prove that God hath pulled quite down the State of the Church of the Jews and turned the Infants out of doors is Heb. 7. 12. For the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change of the Law Which saith he must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it and therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disannulled with it they were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law shew us the like now and you do your business Answ Two things I observe in B. Keach's words aforesaid First he granteth by the coming of Christ there is a Change of the Priesthood so is there also of the Law contained in the Ceremonial Ordinances which were both Figures of Christ as it is written Having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Eph. 2. 15. And these were those things which were to be removed as it is written And this word yet once more signified the removing of those things that may be or are shaken that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12. 27. And what are those things which cannot be shaken namely the Church State of the Jews as aforesaid Mount Sion the State of the Covenant of Grace Christs Kingdom which cannot saith the Apostle be moved and therefore by him set in opposition to the Law Exod. 20. given on Mount Sinai to terrifie Sinners for the Church of Israel had not only the Law to shew them their Sins but also God gave them his good Spirit to instruct them Neh. 9. 20. with the Gospel to walk with God by Faith in Christ Heb. 11. chap. so that the difference between the Jewish Church and now they had Figurative Ordinances to teach them Christ to come we have Gospel-Ordinances to teach us he is come so that although God hath given more of his Spirit in these latter days yet it is but the same Spirit the Church of old had so that without ground it is for B. Keach to say God hath quite pulled down the Church-State of the Jews and built him a more Spiritual Surely a double measure of the Spirit did not make the Prophet Elisha not Elisha 2 Kings 2. 9. no more than a double measure of the Spirit make the State of the Gospel-Church not the same State the Church of Israel had so that the Kingdom or Spiritual State by the Covenant of Grace the Jewish Church had was never yet pulled down although many of them rejected Christ the chief Corner-stone And Therefore from such the Kingdom saith Christ shall be taken away not pulled down and given to a Nation to wit the Gentiles bringing forth the Fruits thereof Matt. 21. 43. And therefore the Lords Vineyard his Church was not destroyed or pulled down but let out to other Husband-men which should render to the Lord the Fruits in their Season Matt. 21. 41. And therefore saith the Author to the Hebrews Heb. 12. 28. concerning the Kingdom of Christ that cannot be shaken we having received a Kingdom that cannot be moved even Mount Sion on which Christ from the day the Covenant of the Gospel was preached to Adam and imbrac'd the Kingdom of Christ was established in Adam's Family then Christ first sat King on the Holy Hill Sion Psal 2. 6. for all were redeemed in Adam's Loynes as they fell in him and Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 22. after the Flood Christs Kingdom as afore shewed remained in Noah's Family although some Apostatized then God chose the Posterity of Blessed Shem of whom Abraham came and God was pleased that of the Seed of Abraham's Body Christ should be born yet a Promise was made that God would perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem as was fulfilled when the Gentiles were grafted into the Olive Tree the State of the Jewish Church the Covenant of Grace in Christ from which some Jews for their unbelief were broken off Rom. 11. ch So then here was no new Covenant no new Olive Tree no new Kingdom or new Church-State no nor were the Infants of Christs Kingdom ever yet shut out Luke 18. 16. as Mr. Keach dreameth to deceive his Reader 2ly he hath also dreamed that Infants Church-membership came in with the Law of Circumcision if People are not willing to be deceived by him they may see Gods word for the contrary for no Person was ever joyned to the Lord by Circumcision but by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. as it is written Let us joyn our selves it the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten And so Abraham was in Covenant with the Lord some years before Circumcision was instituted Gen. 12. 3. and when Children were born to Abraham as after to the Believing Jews they were born to the Lord because they were joyned to the Lord by Covenant and the Lord was their God and God called them his Children so that all Infants born in Covenant must be eight days old before they were Circumcised Gen. 17. 12. As in the Wilderness by Deut. 29. before their Infants were Circumcised both Parents and their Infants were joyned to the Lord and established by Covenant to be the Lords People so that as Infants Church-membership came not in with Circumcision so Infants Church-membership went not out when Circumcision was abolished but as the Covenant afore proved was the same Circumcision and now Water-Baptism Sealeth the Covenant remaineth together with the Subjects Believers and their little ones the Covenant never yet by any word of God abolished nor yet the Infants born in Covenant shut out of doors that is our of Gods Covenant so long as the Parents abode in the Faith and the Children continued therein Therefore at Random B. Keach falsly affirmeth through his gross mistake to say that Infants Church-membership came in not till Circumcision was instituted and that by the Act of Circumcision they were joyned Members this were to put the Seal to before the Covenant is entered into to the divertment of all order in sealing Covenants So then when he can prove Infants were joyned Members by Circumcision then he may have some colour to say that Infants were no longer
Benefit Spiritual could not be if Circumcision had been but a Seal or Sign to the Covenant of Works for then Redemption had not been by Free Grace but by Works but here we see Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith and Holiness both which are confirmed to all Believers and their Infants by Christ being Circumcised which sheweth that the Covenant sealed to the Faithful and their Seed of old was the Covenant of Grace in Christ for the Law John 1. 17. was given by Moses to make manifest Sin and Sinners but the Grace of Remission of Sin was by Christ in the Covenant that God will pass by for Christs sake the Sins of his People and be their God and they shall be his People is the Everlasting Covenant of the Gospel to Abraham and to his Seed in their Generations as now to the Believers and their Seed Gen. 17. 1. Gal. 4. 28. Again another Shift Mr. Cary useth to prove that Covenant to be no part of the Gospel-Covenant because Mr. Cary saith in Page 106. of his Solemn Call The Covenant of Grace hath no Conditions of Obedience required Answ Then there was never yet any Gospel-Covenant given to Mankind for is not the Work of Faith and Labour of Love Obedience commanded that all Christians shall do now as of old as these Scriptures shew 1 Thess 1. 4. James chap. 2. and doth not Christ say to his Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. And again If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our aboad with him John 14. 23. And again Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Rev. 22. 14. for saith Christ Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven Matt. 7. 21. This Obedience is not to merit but to manifest our Love by our Obedience if otherwise for any to obey the Commands of God either of old or now seeking thereby Justification in the sight of God by the Work done makes either the Law or Gospel to themselves a Covenant of Works And this is clear by the Lords driving Man out of the Garden after he was restored by Faith in Christ in the Promise from Death to Life The Lord placed at the East of the Garden of Eden Cherubins and a Flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life that Man should no more have Hope to live for ever by his own Act for our Life is hid with Christ in God for his Obedience by keeping the Law for us but our Obedience is only that by it we know we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. For if there be no Conditions of Obedience in the Gospel Covenant to this end then there must be no Ordinances kept and performed why then do the Anabaptists plead for the Act of Profession of Faith or why do they Baptize as they call Dipping or break Bread cast out Offenders or lay a part to the Maintenance of the Poor or Teachers or any other Duty each is a Work of Obedience they suppose to the Command of Christ as likewise to suffer for his Name sake relieve those that are Imprisoned for Christs sake for the Saints are to do all works of Mercy and all works of Love or else it is their Sin as James and John teacheth us what are the works of Faith and Love James 2. 14 to 26. 1 John 2. 17 18. as aforesaid And by This we know that we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. Yet in all this work of Faith there is nothing exspected of Merit by the Children of God by the work done as by Matt. 25. 34 to 40. appeareth Then shall the King say unto them on the right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World for I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in naked and ye cloathed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Then shall the Righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink or when saw we thee a stanger and took thee in or naked and cloathed thee or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee And the King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren ye have done it unto me Thus although the work of Faith to Brethren must not be neglected no more than any other Duty in Gods Service yet the Saints account that no work of Merit as by their answer to Christ is manifest yet saith the Apostle God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed towards his name in that ye have ministred to the Saints and do minister These things truly weighed we may see how grosly Mr. Cary hath sought by many Devises to prove the Everlasting Covenant which God made with the Faithful and their Seed Gen. 17. 7. to be no Covenant of the Gospel to the great dishonour of God and grief of all that fear God Next as concerning Exod. 19. 5 6. That it is no part of the Covenant of works as Mr. Cary would have it the contrary is proved by the verâ— words it self in the Covenant the Apostle Peter being the Interpreter for had that been a part of the Covenant of works the Apostle Peter could not as he hath applied the Grace of God contained therein to the Gospel-Church unless Mr. Cary can prove that by the Covenant of works the Children of Israel were made a Kingdom of Priests a holy Nation a peculiar Treasure to the Lord as Peter applieth it to the Gospel-Church but if he hath no other reason to prove it a part of the Covenant of works than because Obedience is required he is before answered But it will be a hard matter for him to prove that Mankind since the Fall was by the Covenant of works made unto God a Kingdom of Priests or as Peter hath it a Royal or Kingly Priesthood the contrary is evident that the People of God are made not by a Covenant of works a Kingdom of Priests but of Grace as the Song of the Redeemed confirmeth Rev. 5. 9 10. And they sung a new Song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every
Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on Earth First over our Sins and Corruptions that they have no Dominion over us Rom. 6. 14. The Lord Christ having subdued our Iniquities Micah 7. 19. So having a part in the first Resurrection we shall Reign with Christ 2. By overcoming our selves which is greater than all Earthly Conquest according to the Scripture He that is slow to Anger is better than the mighty Man and he that ruleth his own Spirit is better than he that winneth a City Prov. 16. 32. 3. Our overcoming the World is in not loving it 1 John 2. 15. and to keep our selves unspotted from it James 1. 27. Patiently for Christ's sake bareing the Reproaches in it 1 Cor. 4. 9 13. so shall we be more than Conquerors Rom. 8. 37. And this is the Victory that we overcome the World even our Faith 1 John 5. 4. â—4 Over Satan by resisting him stedfast in the Faith 1 Peter 5. 9. So shall we by the Power of Christ overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb and word of his Testimony Rev. 12. 11. So shall we tread Satan under our Feet shortly and judge the World and Angels 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. As Noah condemned the World by Faith in preparing an Ark to the saving of his House the Church of God and Preaching Christ our Righteousness by Faith in the Promise and so became an Heir to reign with Christ in Glory in Heaven for evermore Heb. 11. 7. Rom. 8. 17. Thus as Christ is King and Priest on his Throne in the Kingdom of his Mediatorship in his Church Zach. 6. 13. Rev. 4. 3. 15. 3. from whom this Grace cometh to his Saints by applying unto us his Sufferings Death Burial Righteousness Resurrection and Glorious Victory over Sin Death and Hell to be ours Isaiah 53. 4 5. Rom. 4. 25. For so he hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father Rev. 1. 6. So that as the Covenant of Grace was one to the Church of Israel of old as now to us Gentiles as it is written I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the People for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. 6. So have we the same Faith the Church of Israel had 2 Cor. 4. 13. Psalm 116. 10. only their Redemption was under the Performance of Figurative Ordinances as the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth yet both the Churches now and of old all under the same Benefits of Grace as they were a Kingdom of Priests so are we a Royal or Kingly Priesthood as they were a Holy Nation so are we as they were a peculiar Treasure to the Lord above all People so are the Churches now a peculiar People Exod. 19. 5 6. 1 Peter 2. 9. As they were called out of Egypt the Figure of our Captivity by Sin so are we called out of the Spiritual Egypt Exod. 4. 22 23. Rev. 11. 8. As the very Names of the Five Books of Moses have their Titles to note the things contained in them as Mr. Ainsworth in his Epistle to the Five Books of Moses saith Genesis that is Generation which endeth with the going down of Israel into Egypt in which we have the Image of the Natural Man fallen from God into the Bondage of Sin 2ly In Exodus or Departure is the Type of our Regeneration and State revived by Christ so was the Covenant of Grace Gen. 17. revived Exod. 19. 5 6. 3ly As in Leviticus the Sacrifices in the Service of God the shadow of our Mortification sheweth whilst we are made Sacrifices unto God Rom. 12. 4ly Numbers the Sign of our Spiritual Warfare whereunto we are mustered and armed to Fight the Good Fight of Faith 5ly Deuteronomy or the Repetition of the Doctrine of Sanctification and Preparation to enter into our Heavenly Canaan after Moses Death by the Conduct of Jesus the Son of God By all which it appeareth although God lead his People under Tipes and Shadows pointing to Christ yet the proper end of the Law taught Israel the Worship of God in Spirit and in Truth Deut. 5. 7 8. 6. 4 5 6. as the truly Godly in Israel well knew and confessed see and read Psal 32. 1 2. Psalm 40. 6. 51. 6 16. compared with Rom. 10. 8 9. Again what the Nature of the Covenant Exod. 19. 5 6. was the Prophet Jeremiah sheweth speaking to Judah in reproving the Church for Breach thereof when as by that Covenant Exod. 19. 5 6. they were planted a noble Vine wholly a right Seed but by Apostacy they were turned into a strange Vine Jer. 2. the Vine is Christ unto whom they were espoused to him their Head and they were Branches by this Covenant John 15. made in the Wilderness Acts 7. 38. Members of his Body the Church as it is written Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness Israel was Holiness unto the Lord and the first fruits of his Increase all that devour him shall offend evil shall come upon them saith the Lord Jer. 2. 2 3. Now where do we read that by any other Covenant than that of Grace Israel were espoused or married to the Lord The Angel of Gods Presence who went before them in the Wilderness Isaiah 63. 9. and was also their Rearward for by no other Covenant but that of Grace are a People made the First-fruits unto the Lord as we read Israel by this Covenant of Grace in Christ was as James saith to the Christians that they were a kind of the First-fruits of his Creatures James 1. 18. We likewise read that Christs redeemed ones Rev. 14. 4. are called the First-fruits unto God and unto the Lamb. These Spiritual Mercies were never given to any People by a Covenant of Works but by the Covenant of Grace in Christ from whence only ariseth these Priviledges to be a Kingdom of Priests a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the First-fruits unto God and the Lamb. Moreover the Lord when treating with Judah in her Apostacy by Ezekiel putteth her in mind of his Mercy to their Forefathers when he brought them out of Egypt when they were polluted with the Idols of Egypt Ezek. 20. so that their Estate was like the State of the Heathen Canaanites the worst of People in which sinful State when no Eye pittied them then by the Free Grace of God in Christ the Lord had Compassion on them as it is written Ezek. 16. 6 8. When I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thine own blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live Yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live Now when I passed by thee and looked upon thee behold thy time was the time of Love and I spread my
Sinners Christ the Lamb of God is come in Person who was the same Saviour for these two sorts of Sins Heb. 13. 8. yesterday from the day he was preached to Adam unto that day John said Behold the Lamb of God and unto the end of the World which beareth away from these two sorts of Sinners the Sin of the World The way and the manner how this is done is one and the same in all Ages for as there are two sorts of Sinners the one who willingly Transgressed These God called as he did Adam and Eve to the Bar of Justice Gen. 3. 10 11 12 13. to answer for their Evil they had done before the Judge of all the Earth as appeareth in Moses Narration but Adam when called had lost all Freedom of Will to Good his Power being gone he with his Seed were Satans Captives holden by the Cords of Sin Prov. 5. 22. so that instead of shewing any Remorse of Conscience for his Sin as the Law required as it is written He that covereth his Sins shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall find Mercy Prov. 28. 13. but instead of Confession he sought to cover his Sin Job 31. 33. by laying the fault on the Woman as likewise did the Woman on the Serpent Then God of his Free Grace laid no more upon them but a Fatherly Chastisement in this Life Heb. 12. 5 6 7 8. as he doth on all his Children and freely forgave them and their Posterity in them their Sin in the glad Tidings of that Redeemer he had prepared Eph. 1. 4. Titus 1. 2. before the World was for them by the word of his Grace preached to them that the Seed of the Woman Christ should bruise the Serpents Head Gen. 3. 15. that is expounded the Son of God saith John was made manifest that he might destroy the works of the Devil John 3. 8. Thus Christ in the promise took away the Sin of the World from these two sorts of Sinners which the Apostle proveth thus Therefore as by the Offence of one namely the first Adam judgment came upon all Men that is on all Mankind to wit on all Adam's Posterity in his Loynes to Condemnation for a Child is called a Man Gen. 4. 1. John 16. 21. even so by the Righteousness of one to wit Christ the second Adam in the Promise the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpents Head as aforesaid the Free Gift came upon all Men namely on the Actual Sinners and their Seed in them unto justification of Life Rom. 5. 18. Again saith the Apostle For if by one Man's Disobedience namely the Disobedience of the first Adam many were made Sinners even his Seed in him by original Corruption derived from him so by the Obedience of one namely the Obedience of Christ the second Adam shall many be made Righteous Rom. 5. 19. and who namely the Believers and their Infants for as the Infants of Unbelievers are charged by original Corruption derived from Father to Child with the Unbelief and Disobedience of the first Adam Rom. 5. 12. even so the Children of Believing Parents are discharged from the Condemnation due for that Sin by the Obedience and Righteousness of Christ the second Adam by the Free Grace of God imputed to them according to the Promise in the Everlasting Gospel-Covenant as the Apostle Peter applied to such as Actually believed and unto their Children Acts 2. 39. saying The Promise is unto you and to your Children And again I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness and their Sins and Iniquities will I saith the Lord remember no more Heb. 8. 12. And thus as was the glad Tidings of the Gospel first preached to Adam as after the same by John the Baptist was preached to Israel that Christ the Lamb of God was now come to take away the Sin of the World meaning the Seed of the Woman Christ now manifest in the Flesh was to destroy the works of the Devil and deliver all such both Father and Children who by Sin Satan had captivated into his Bondage Heb. 2. 15. And therefore as Water-Baptism was ordained for a Sign of Remission of Sins not only the Actual Sins of Parents but when the Parents Actually believed it also was a Sign of Remission of the Sin to their Infants as to them who by original Corruption Sin is derived in nature from Fathers to Children and therefore by the Doctrine of the Gospel Such are to be Baptized saith the Apostle every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus for the Remission of Sins Because the Lamb of God being come hath taken away the Sin of the World which the Fathers and their Children were guilty of and why be Baptized every one of you for this reason saith Peter For the Promise of the Pardon of Sins is to you and unto your Children and this is Gods way in all Ages of the Redemption of Fallen Mankind that as Sin entered into the World by Families so Christ came to Redeem Fallen Mankind by Families And hence it is that the Children born to Gods Covenanted People are said by God to be born to the Lord whom although they be Man and Womans Children by Nature called their Sons and Daughters yet by vertue of the Free Grace of God in Christ in the Covenant of Grace into which they are accepted in all Ages with their Believing Parents the Lord calleth such Children Ezek. 16. 8 20 21. his Children and of his Kingdom born unto him his Heritage the Fruit of the Womb his Reward for when Adam and Eve was Fallen they together with their Seed in them were the World Sin entered into Rom. 5. 12. of whom Satan was Prince as he is called John 14. 30. The Prince of this World Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now from the days of Adams Fall worketh in the Children of Disobedience and hence it is the Apostle saith Eph. 2. 2 3. by nature we are all Children of Wrath but when the Gospel was preached to Adam and so ever since to all who have Actually sinned as they did God of his Free Grace mixing Faith with the word of Grace preached to them by which power of his word Christ dispossesseth the strong Man armed Luke 11. 20 21 22. namely the Prince of the Fallen World first in Adam's House or Children in his Loynes taking from him all his Armour wherein he trusted and divided his Spoil for saith Christ when come in Person to perform that work he the promised Seed to Adam was to do in bruising the Serpents Head Gen. 3. 15. namely as it is written Luke 11. 20. But if I saith Christ with the Finger of God cast out Devils no doubt the Kingdom of God is come upon you And hereupon when by the Preaching of the same Everlasting Gospel afore preached to Adam and to Abraham to the Dead in Sin Rev. 14. 6. in the Spiritual Babylon which caused
such an Earth-quake Rev. 11. 13. that the Tenth part of that Romish City or Church fell from her Traditions or Idol-worship to imbrace Christ in his Government in his Church or Kingdom for their King Priest or Prophet they being Translated out of that Kingdom of Darkness as in the beginning of this work when Adam and Eve with his Seed in him were Translated out of Satans Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of the Dear Son of God then as but one Family became Christs Kingdom here many Families or little Kingdoms of this World were become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11. 15. that so he might Reign among them by his Laws as in Adam's Family appeared by the Offerings Gen. 4. 3 4. his Children brought and offered up to God in his Service Next in Noah's Family and so in Abraham's Family as was the everlasting Covenant-Promise Jer. 31. 1. Gal. 6. 16. I will be the God of all the Families of Israel for as the Fathers with the Children were together by the Fall Satans Subjects Children of Wrath even so the Children with the Parents when their Fathers and Mothers who had Actually sinned believed then their Children who were Sinners by original Corruption derived from them Psal 51. 5. were restored with them to be the Subjects of Christs Kingdom as it is written Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 2. 39. They are the Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or buds with them And thus Christ beareth away the Sin of the World in all Ages first Christ in the Promise to Adam and Abraham and when come in Person bore away their Sins on his Body once offered for many Heb. 9. 28 namely the Believing Fathers and Mothers and their Children in Infamy with them as the Apostle proves by Rom. 5. 19. For as by one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of one shall many be made Righteous Thus it is clearly proved that the Infants or Children together with their Believing Parents are redeemed Now if the Children were not Redeemed with their Believing Parents then Christ did not bare away the Sin of the World Contrary to John's Doctrine John 1. 29. If Infants were not a part of the World Sin entered into Then Children are not by Nature Children of Wrath contrary to Paul's Doctrine Eph. 2. 3. If Children are not of Christ's Kingdom then they are of Satans If Children are not to be brought up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord then the Promise in the Gospel belongeth not to Children in Infancy contrary to Deut. 29. 29. Acts 2. 39. How many like Absurdities may be brought upon the Doctrine of Anabaptistry if they well consider how they are led by a natural Fancy in denying Infants to be Redeemed by the Blood of Christ in the washing away of the Sin of the World which they by natural Corruption are guilty of but the Sin of the Infants Christ hath bore away with the Sins of their Believing Parents and Water-Baptism is ordained by the Lord to be Administred on all that have their Sin or Sins pardoned by the Lord Christ who by that Sign Water-Baptism Administred on them Christ is to be made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin in his Blood which is the only thing that gives any Soul Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on Young or Old Rev. 1. 5. And thus the Lord Jesus as his Kingdom was first in one Family so it still continueth in Families And therefore when Adam and his Wife and Seed in him was restored there was only the Kingdom of Christ on Earth in Adam's House and then for a time no Kingdom of Satan was on Earth he being cast out as aforesaid and Christ taking Possession But because as the Anabaptists grant in their Narrative there is Election of Persons pag. 3. therefore process of time proveth 1 John 2. 19. that all in the visible Covenant of Grace visible Members for a time in the Church of God are not all of it as appeared in the Person of Cain so in the Person of Cham or Ham the Son of Noah therefore Man is to have his Judgment rest with the Lord Isaiah 49. 4. concerning the Infants of the Lords Covenanted People commanded to be Trained up in the way Prov. 22. 6. Eph. 6. 4. they shall go in and if they continue in that Faith 1 Tim. 2. 15. of Gods Elect that was in their Parents as Timothy did in the same Faith his Grand-mother and Mother had 1 Tim. 1. 5. they so long are to be accounted a Holy Seed Ezra 9. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Children of the Promise born to the Lord and so of his Kingdom his Heritage the Fruit of the Womb his Reward Gal. 3. 28. Ezek. 16. 20 21. Psal 127. Now then as that Wise King saith That even a Child is known by his doings Prov. 20. 11. speaking of the Children in Covenant Acts 3. 25. whether his works be pure or whether it be right So when Cain by his evil work proved himself not to be of the Election wanting the Faith of Gods Elect which Abel had known by his Action when wanting the work of Faith in Christ his Offering was not accepted for which he was filled with Wrath but he being reproved repented not but adding Sin to Sin as it is written Prov. 29. 1. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy so was he destroyed as being cast out of the Communion of Saints As he confessed saying Gen. 4. 14. And from thy Face shall I be hid namely from the Favour and Light of the Countenance of the Lord in his Kingdom of Grace and Worship being deprived of the Blessing in Christ that all the Infants born in the Covenant of Grace have because by the Free Love of God Infants are accepted in Covenant with the Lord with their Parents if they as they grow up continue in Faith and Love and Holiness with Sobriety they shall be saved As the Apostle in his reproving the Church of God at Ephesus in suffering Women to usurp Authority over the Man by Teaching as Men did Quaker-women like in the Assembly against the very Order of Nature and Command of God his reason in reproving the Female Sex was for that Adam was first formed and secondly for Adam was not deceived but the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing that is if she her Husband and Children by the Word of Grace in the Promise believe in the promised Seed God Christ manifest in the Flesh the Seed of Adam and Abraham if they continue in that Faith and Love to God in keeping his Commandments and Holiness of Life as becometh such as are in Communion with the Lord and Sobriety the Women Adorning themselves in Modest Apparel as becometh Women professing Godliness they shall be saved 1 Tim. 2. 9 13
34 15. By all which we see the same Doctrine of Faith Holiness and Love taught in Adam's Family is the same to us in Christ according to the same Covenant of Grace that was made with Adam and his Children whom he taught the way of the Lord but when grown up if as Cain they abide not in it as he so must they be cast out and this could not have been had he not been a Member of the Church in his Infancy born to the Lord in Covenant but when he not proving to be of the Election which the Apostle saith obtaineth it or continueth it in abiding Faithful to the end standing fast in the Faith which Cain did not but departed from the visible Profession thereof Luke 8. 13. so fell away Now then of Cain's Seed the World of ungodly began to take Root in the Earth again so that there was now on Earth the Kingdom of Christ in Adam's House or Family and the Kingdom of Satan in Cain's House or Family called the World of Ungodly who both Fathers and Children were destroyed by the Flood of Noah And then again there was only remaining the Church of God or his Kingdom in Noah's Family the Fathers with their Wives and Children a Holy Nation a chosen Generation to the Lord as Israel were by Families But in process of time Satan had his Seed in the Church in the Person of Cham or Ham Gen. 9. 25. who for his Sin was cast out of the Church and of his Seed sprang another World of Ungodly As likewise in process of time almost all the Posterity of Blessed Shem became Apostatized from the Faith So that then it pleased God to call Abraham from his Idolatry out from his Fathers House Joshua 24 2. Gen. 12. 1 and with him and his Seed as before with Adam and Abraham and their Seed God made an everlasting Covenant or preached to him the everlasting Covenant of the Gospel namely that in his Seed Christ the Womans Seed in the same Gospel afore preached to Adam All Nations of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. And when again the same Covenant was more particularly applied to belong to the Seed of his Body of whom Christ must be exspected as it is written I will make my Covenant between me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly besides the Promise before made to him of his being a Father of many Nations and I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee Gen. 7. 2 5 7. Now this Promise to be a God to the Believer and his Seed is the Substance of the Gospel-Promise as it is written And they shall be his People and God himself will be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. even the God of all the Families of Israel Jer. 31. 1. So then if the very Letter of the Gospel be so plain that in Christ the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed and this Family is the Seed or Infants or Children of Believers and this Blessing is the Remission or Pardon of their Sins as it is written God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from your Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Water-Baptism being the visible Sign thereof therefore saith Peter to Parents and Children be Baptized every one of you namely that have their Sin or Sins pardoned the Sin of the World for the Promise in the Gospel-Covenant is to you and unto your Children is also confirmed by John the Baptist that this is the Way of Salvation he prepared before the Lord saying Behold the Lamb of God preached to Adam is now come that beareth away the Sin of the World of whom is afore proved Children in Adam were a part thereof Now until the Anabaptists can prove that the Infants were no part of the World Sin entered into and so Children to be no Sinners it remaineth proved that Children are Sinners in Adam and the Sin of the Infants of Believing Parents is taken away by Christ the second Adam as well as the Sin of their Parents who had Actually committed As we have the Testimony of the Spirit of God for to prove it in these words but not as the Offence so also is the Free Gift Rom. 5. 18 19. for if through the Offence of one many be Dead much more the Grace of God and the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many and not as it was by one that sinned so is the Gift for the Judgment was by one to Condemnation but the Free Gift is of many Offences unto Justification So then all is of Free Grace both to the Actual Sinner and his Seed in Infancy who are Sinners by original Derivation Now although God doth require of such as have Actually sinned Actually to repent and to make Confession of their Faith before they may have the Sign of Remission of Sins if they were not before Baptized into the Name of Christ to be set on them So that great is the Difference between what it is that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and what God requireth of Actual Sinners before they be Baptized Therefore the very Letter of the Law a Schoolmaster leading to Christ might teach the Anabaptists that of whom did God require a Sacrifice of Confession brought to the Altar figuring Christ but from such only that had Actually sinned yet the Infants of such by vertue of Gods Free Grace in the Covenant of the Gospel were Blessed with their Believing Parents and the Males sealed with the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith therefore called with their Parents The Blessed of the Lord as shall be more spoken to anon But now to insert here the general Argument grounded on Carnal Reason the Anabaptists bring as their main Pillar to deny the Right Infants have to Water-Baptism published by B. Keach in his Book Gold Refined P. 141. That nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Answ If there were no Sinner pardoned or their Sin or Sins remissed there would not have been this Ordinance of Baptism ordained seeing it is ordained for a Sign of the Remission of Sins that such as have Right thereto may have Christ made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin or Sins in his Blood But because Christ the Lamb of God is come who taketh away not only the Sin of such Actual Sinners whom his Father giveth Faith to Believe in his Son but also the Sin of the World Infants stand charged with by natural Corruption derived from their Parents Now then who is it Man even Sinful Man that Meriteth a Right to have his Sins pardoned or is it not Christ that hath done
their Sin or Sins but Christ is come who beareth away the Sin of the World that Infants are guilty of and we have proved the Infants of Believers have their Sins pardoned And this is the only thing which giveth any young or Old right to Water-Baptism So that this Doctrine that sinful Mans external Act of Profession or the Godliest Mans external Act of Profession giveth Right to Water-Baptism is a new Doctrine no where found written in the Book of God Now if this be the Anabaptists Gospel That God gave his Son to save Actual Sinners only and these by their own Act Merit a Right to the Sign of Remission of Sins and that because Infants cannot Actually profess Faith and Repent that they have no Right to the Sign of Remission of their Sins or is it their Judgment because their Sin in Infancy is not pardoned therefore they have no Right to the Sign And whether doth this Doctrine lead these People but to conclude either Infants are saved without Christ or else have no Sin and so Christ died not for them If on the other hand they say that Infants are Sinners then they cannot be Saved without a Redeemer if Redeemed then they have Right to the Sign of the Remission of their Sins for no other Reason but because God for Christ's sake hath pardoned the Sin of the World charged on Infants As John saith in preparing the way of the Lord in the Salvation of Sinners Behold the Lamb of God which taketh or beareth away the Sin of the World Again B. Keach having asserted the aforesaid Argument to deprive the Infants of Believers from the Right they have to Water-Baptism merited by Christ for them hath formed another Argument least his former when tryed by the Golden Reed Gods Word Rev. 11. 1. with Rev. 21. 15. should as it hath been proved be insufficient to deprive the Infants of Believers of the Right to have Water-Baptism to be Administred on them His words are these in his aforesaid Book Page 64. There is no better way to know who or what manner of Persons our Lord Jesus hath commanded to be Baptized than to go to the great Commission of our Lord Jesus Go teach all Nations Baptizing them Answ That there is no better way is granted when the Commission of the Lord Jesus is rightly understood in his Will and Mind contained therein which when rightly understood will agree with the Doctrine contained in the Prophets and Apostles on which our Faith is to be builded on Christ Jesus being the chief Corner-stone Eph. 2. 20. Therefore I desire the Reader to observe these two things First In the Commission of the Lord Jesus it is said Matt. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them It is also said Go ye into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature Mark 16. 15. By every Creature is all Mankind that is called the World which by the Fall Sin entered into Actual Sinners and their Seed or Infants as afore proved To these the Apostle preached the Gospel as it is written The Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every Creature which is under Heaven whereof I Paul am made a Minister Col. 1. 23. Secondly What this Gospel is or from whence it was the Apostles were sent to gather or reap the same they were to teach seeing when they were sent no Gospel was to be found written but in Scriptures of the Prophets therefore to this we shall first speak namely what the Gospel was the Apostles were commanded to teach all Nations it was no other than they found in the Scriptures of the Prophets as it is written from the words of the Lord Jesus to his Apostles I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour other men laboured and ye are entered into their labour And herein is that saying true One soweth and another reapeth John 4. 37 38. Now concerning this Gospel the Apostles were commanded to teach the Apostle Peter writeth saying to the Primitive Christians The Prophets have enquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the Grace that should come unto you Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ that was in them did signifie when it testified beforehand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us mark that but unto us they did Minister or serve unto the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven which things the Angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1. 10 11 12. Likewise the Apostle Paul in his Defence before King Agrippa to clear himself of the Charge the Jews laid against him That he taught other Doctrine for Gospel than what he found written in the Prophets His answer was Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying no other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the Dead and should shew light unto the People and to the Gentiles Then Paul said to King Agrippa Believest thou the Prophets I know that thou believest Then Agrippa said unto Paul Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian Acts 26. 22 23 27 28. And again when many Jews at Rome had appointed a day to come to Paul's Lodging to be informed of his Doctrine or Gospel he taught concerning Jesus it is written To whom he expounded and testified the Kingdom of God perswading them concerning Jesus both out of the Law of Moses and out of the Prophets from morning till evening Acts 28. 23. The Lord Jesus himself likewise proved what he taught concerning himself in coming into the World according to the Promise to Adam proving himself to be the Womans Seed God manifested in the Flesh by the Prophets Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself Luke 24. 27. So that hence it is that the Gospel or glad Tidings of Christ our Saviour the Apostles were sent to reap their Doctrine they preached from the Scriptures of the Prophets as the Apostle Paul saith the Gospel they taught is made manifest by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the Commandment of the everlasting God made known to all Nations for the obedience of Faith Rom. 16. 26. As in the Commission saying Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them Matt. 28. 19. So then Christ sent his Disciples and Apostles and the Jews to search the Scriptures to wit of the Prophets to be informed of the glad Tidings promised them concerning the Messiah they looked for as it is written Search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me John 5.
of Reasoning of judging and discerning True and False Good and Evil of Approving or Improving of Willing or Nilling of Speaking Numbering c. Now let them that affirm Infants are born Men as Christ doth John 16. 21. prove that Infants do understand do think remember judge discern Good and Evil approve will speak c. or else they say nothing Were not such a Disputer to be hissed at who requireth the Actual Use and Manifestation of Humane Affections and Faculties in Infants which are in them but potentially and in the Seed and Beginning And because they cannot declare these things by their Works therefore he denieth them to be of the Generation of Mankind or born Men into the World or that they have the Faculties of Men at all in them any manner of way Even so they reason against the Grace of Christ in Infants his work of Regeneration in them as Christ saith of the Children of his Kingdom that they are converted humble and believe in him because they cannot actually manifest the Effects of Regeneration and Fruits of Faith as did Timothy when grown up as in Elder Persons who by reason of Age have the use of their Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil. And here I desire to know saith Mr. Ainsworth of the Anabaptists First When they think that Children who in their opinion are born without any Sin begin to be Sinners Whether at two three five or seven Years And when they can justly reprove a Child for Sin If it shew in Word Deed or Gesture any thing contrary to the Law of God as if it Swear Curse Lye Disobey Parents take another's Goods be Froward Angry or the like Yea let any of them tell if he can when he himself fell from his Innocency and became a Sinner being none before as they account by what Act of Transgression of what Commandment for it is Strange that an Innocent Man should fall from his Innocency and know not when nor how Secondly Whether any Child so soon as it beginneth to be a Sinner an Actual Sinner hath not a Remedy for the Sin by Christ and so whether it is not capable of Repentance Faith Regeneration c. and consequently of Baptism the Sign of Remission of Sin so soon as it is a Sinner and at what Age any of them have Baptized their Children unto Remission of Sins for Parents are commanded to bring up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Eph. 6. 4. This they cannot do aright unless they know when first they begin to Sin and consequently when they begin to Believe for if they blame a Child for Sin while it is an Innocent they commit Iniquity If they keep a Child from Christ and Christian Baptism when it is a Repentant and Believing Sinner which may be so soon as it is a Sinner they wrong most Sinfully to coudemn that which Christ justifieth These things ought to be considered by all that Fear God And therefore before we conclude this Query I cannot but observe the Folly of the Anabaptists and in particular B. Keach how he despiseth those that prove by Grounded Reasons from Gods Word the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism because they shew not a plain Text in the New Testament in so many literal words Baptize your Children as of old Circumcise your Children And therefore he chargeth them Gold Refined P. 69. to reflect upon the Honour Care and Faithfulness of the Lord Jesus as if they rendred him less Faithful than Moses For saith he Can any thing reflect more upon the Care Honour and Faithfulness of Christ c. than this If he should neglect to speak out his Mind and Will to us to be so Careless that Sorry Man is forced to try his Wits to supply that which is wanting or defective in his word and when he hath done all he leaves it as doubtful as he found it in the Judgment of Indifferent Men. Did Moses deal thus with the Children of Israel No no how careful was he to deliver every Law Statute and Ordinance exactly and in particular the Passover So B. Keach saith Answ Methinks this Man together with the rest of his Brethren in their late Narrative Page 16 17. may by their own Ground wherewith they charge others to reflect upon the Care Honour and Faithfulness of the Lord Jesus be moved to look on themselves in that they are forced to try their Wits for want of so many plain literal words in Christs Testament Remember to keep Holy the first day of the Week for the Performance of Religious Worship as there is in Moses Writings Remember to keep Holy the Seventh day I say they may see how while they in their own Sense charge others to reflect on the Care Honour and Faithfulness of Christ they themselves are forced to try their Wits by Reasons drawn from Christ's Testament to prove that which they grant is defective and wanting by a plain Law as aforesaid to keep Holy the first day for Religious Worship Therefore to turn that on themselves which they take to be the way of Faith to keep the first day Holy for Religious Worship shall be as sufficient a Rule of Faith by their own Grant for us to prove by grounded Reasons from Christs Testament the Command for Baptizing of Infants as there is for keeping the first day Holy for Religious Worship without so many literal words As for Example Their first Question or Reason is for the keeping the first day Whether it be not the Duty of all Christians and Churches of Christ to observe the Lords-day or the first Day of the Week in the Worship and Service of God both in Publick and Private They answer to their own question it is concluded in the Affirmative their reason is because we find that day was set apart for the Solemn Worship of God by our Lord Jesus and his Holy Apostles through the Infallible Inspiration of the Holy Spirit We likewise answer It is concluded in the Affirmative That that which was once commanded by God to be observed and never by the same Law-giver yet abrogated is still to be kept and observed Deut. 22. 32. But the Command to set the Sign and Seal Gen. 17. 12 13. or Token of Gods Mercy in Christ on the Believers and their Infants was never yet repealed but only the Sign and Seal or Token changed from Circumcision to Water-Baptism even as the Seventh day time is changed from the Seventh day to the First day of the Week by the Lord Jesus and his Holy Apostles through the Infallible Inspiration of the Holy Spirit Again they say another reason is for keeping the first day because the Son of God was made manifest in the Flesh had Authority to make a Change of the Solemn day of Worship being Lord of the Sabbath Matt. 12. 10. Mark 1. 28. Luke 6. 5. By like reason we say Christ was manifested in the Flesh
Heb. 3. 6. the Son of God and Phil. 2. 11. Lord of his own House had power to change the Seal of the Covenant who altered not but Rom. 15. 8. confirmed the Promises in the Covenant by his being Circumcised to the Believers and their Infants Now to be sealed with the Sign Water-Baptism by the same Authority which we believe Christ changed the Seventh day to the First day to be kept Holy for Religious Worship Again whereas they say it is manifest our Blessed Lord and Saviour rose on that day as having compleated and confirmed the Work of our Redemption Matt. 28. 1. Mark 16. 2. Luke 24. 1. John 20. 1. whereby is laid a Foundation of the Observation of that day By like reason we say that for all whom Christ by his Resurrection hath compleated and confirmed the work of their Redemption he hath laid a Foundation thereby for Sealing the same unto them by that visible Sign of Pardon or Remission of their Sins Water-Baptism but that Christ hath confirmed and compleated Redemption for the Believers and their Seed in Infancy before is largely proved in this third Query Therefore these are to be Baptized Baptism by Water being cast upon them as is at large proved to be Gods way in the first Query and by like grounded reason brought from Scripture as they now do to keep the first day of the Week Holy for Religious Worship to God Again they say our Lord on that day appeared to his Disciples teaching and instructing them and Blessing them giving them their Commission breathing on them the Holy Ghost Luke 24. John 20. Answ If the Blessing of Christ to his Disciples with his Spiritual Blessing of the Pardon of their Sins who died for them and on that day rose again for their Justification be a reason why we should keep the first day Holy it is a like reason why Infants of Believers are to be Baptized seeing the visible Sign of the Remission of their Sins in or by the Blessing of Christ bestowed on the Infants of his Kingdom Water-Baptism is to be Administred on them because Christ died for their Sin and rose on the first day for their Justification because they are of the Kingdom of God Luke 18. 16. in which time of the Forty days Christ spoke to them of all things pertaining to his Kingdom Acts 1. Again if it be a reason as they say why we should keep the first day Holy because our Lord Jesus remained with his Disciples Forty days after his Resurrection and spake to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and if they question not but he then gave them command about the Observation of the Lords day Acts 1. 3. Answ Seeing the Lord Jesus in the Forty days he was with his Disciples after his Resurrection spake to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and that the time for Worship is one thing pertaining to the Kingdom because there is a Time and Season for every work and that therefore there is no question but he gave command about keeping the first day Holy Even so there is likewise no question but he gave command concerning all things else pertaining to his Kingdom as aforesaid and the Infants of his People Christ himself hath said are of his Kingdom There is no doubt seeing he Blessed them with the Pardon of their Sin as well as he Blessed their Parents but that he gave a command they should be Baptized as well as their Parents seeing Water-Baptism was to be Administred on all that had their Sin by the Blessing of Christ pardoned Acts 3. 26. as it is written Be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins for the promise to wit of the Pardon of Sins in the Blessing of Christ is to you and unto your Children So that by the Anabaptists own grant seeing Christ was Faithful in his House as a Son he did not omit the commanding of the visible Sign of Remission of Sins Water-Baptism to all the Blessed in his Kingdom no more than he omitted a command for the keeping the first day Holy for Religious Gospel-worship because he was Faithful in his House as a Son as Moses was as a Servant Heb. 3. Moreover whereas they grant that the day of Pentecost was the first day of the Week Acts 2. 1. and seeing the Apostles Baptized 3000 on that day there is no question but that Christ gave command that they should Baptize on that day as in their Sixth Reason in their Narrative they say and grant the first day was solemnly observed by the Churches as appears in Acts 20. 7. with the Solemn Duties then performed and that we have no Example of the Churches then Assembling together to celebrate all the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the Week mark that therefore If the Practice of the Primitive Churches in the Purest of Times be the Rule for Gospel Churches ever since to follow their Examples 1 Thess 2. 14. as it is and that all the Ordinances are to be celebrated on the Lords day which Practice of the Churches is by the Anabaptists granted in their Narrative to be an evident plain Demonstration of its being a Day set apart for Religious Worship by the Will and Command of the Lord Jesus as if it had been express'd in the plainest words How is it then seeing Water-Baptism is a part of Spiritual Worship as they grant and an Ordinance when first performed after Christ's Resurrection on the Lords day in the Church-Assembly where was no River nor Pond that the Anabaptists Baptize after their way of Dipping on any Working-duy out of the Church Estate when Assembled when as by the Example of a Church-Practice at Jerusalem in the Purest of Times whose Example all Churches are to follow that then when the Church was Assembled to perform other parts of the Worship then Water-Baptism was performed in the Congregation Which is a plain Demonstration that they were not Baptized by Dipping but by casting Water on the noble part of Mankind which representeth the whole Person as before in the first Query is proved Therefore tho the Apostles and Evangelists by an extraordinary call Baptized in any place where any were Converted yet that any ordinary Officer as Pastor or Teacher chosen and ordained by a particular Congregation Baptized any other where but in the Congregation at the same time when all other Ordinances are to be performed in Worship as they grant therefore it is not lawful by the Anabaptists own grant for any to Baptize on any other day but the Lords day and then to be done in the Assembly with other parts of Worship forasmuch as they say the first day was solemnly observed by the Churches as appears by Acts 20. 7. with the Solemn Duties then performed and that we have say they no example of the Churches then Assembled together to celebrate all the Ordinances of our Lord
repeated the Foreskin being once cut off could not be cut again Answ The Apostle Paul answereth this Objection in these words Is any Man called being circumcised let him not become uncircumcised Is any called in Uncircumcision let him not become circumcised 1 Cor. 7. 18. By which it appeareth that the Foreskin might be gathered again by the Art of Chirurgery as Historians shew Joseph Antiq. Lib. 12. ch 6. So then the way of God is clear by proportion from Circumcision to Water-Baptism both received in Apostacy That as Judah when in Babylon they Circumcised as in the Spiritual Babylon Water-Baptism was and still is practised that as God accepted of his People of old only renewing their Covenant with the Lord even so all whom God calleth out of the Spiritual Babylon God only requireth that the Lords Covenant be renewed he made with their Ancestors that were once in the Lords Covenant and so that People once Baptized into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is not to be done again And this Ben. Keach granteth from his Author's words Elten on Col. 2. 11. Page 291. who saith That Baptism is the Sacrament of Incision or ingrafting into Christ Sealing up our setting into Christ which is only once done never after to be done again Gold Refin'd Page 178. So then there is a difference to be made when an Ordinance of God is done and not done at all or done and not rightly done for if in Judah's Apostacy as aforesaid they Circumcised as the Christians in Apostacy Baptized the Error in the one being repented if so in the other Now because the Anabaptists have not in this matter taken Counsel of Gods Word but followed their own Spirits they have run themselves into Confusion some in Baptizing themselves others receiving their Baptism from them and others of them all crying out against Romes Baptism because so many Additions is joyned therewith and therefore they say it is no Baptism when as it may be easily proved that we English People received not our Baptism from Rome but from the Britains or Welsh the first Inhabitants of this Nation who as Historians say received the Gospel Ten years before the Gospel was preached at Rome as Mr. Jones in his Book Entituled Rome no Mother Church to England Sect. 4. Page 123. Besides the General Agreement of Histories for in the year of Tiberius the Emperor Gildas affirmeth That Britain received the Gospel Further he saith That Joseph of Arimathea was sent by Philip the Apostle from France to Britain about the Year of our Lord 63. and remained in Britain all his days who with his Fellows laid the first Foundation of the Christian Faith amongst the British People Acts and Monum Book 2. p. 95. Gildas Lib. de vict Aurelii Ambrosius 2. Tertullian testifieth How the Gospel was dispersed abroad by the Sound of the Apostles Tertull. con Judeus as was the Commission to all Nations as the Apostle Paul writeth to the Colossians The Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every Creature which is under Heaven Col. 2. 23. so that some of all Nations for so they Sung Praises to God and the Lamb saying Thou hast redeemed us by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Rev. 5. 9. and there reckoneth up Medes Parthians and Dwellers of Mesopotamia Jury Cappadocia Pontus Asia Phrygia Egypt Pamphilia with many more At length cometh to the Coasts of â—he Morians and to all the Borders of Spain and France and among the rest reciteth all the parts of Britain and reporteth them to be subject to Christ Again Origen saith that Britain did consent to the Christian Faith Nesiphorus saith that Simon Zelots did spread the Gospel of Christ to the West Ocean and brought the same into the Isle of Britain Origen Hom. 4. in Ezech. Nic. Lib. Cap. 40. Again the Scots did celebrate their Easter in the time of the Abbots of Clunick not after the Roman manner but after the Greeks which argueth they received the Faith but not from Rome Also it appeareth by a Letter of Elutherius Bishop of Rome written to Lucius King of Britain Anno 169. that Lucius had received the Faith in this Land before he sent to Elutherius for the Roman Laws for so the words of the Letter purport which are these Ye have received of late through Gods Mercy in the Realm of Britain both the parts of the Holy Scripture out of them by Gods Grace take ye a Law and by that Law through Gods Sufferance Rule your Kingdom of Great Britain Anno 169. By these and like Testimonies it appeareth that the Baptism received first in this Land was in a true Church and this Scripture was fulfilled The Isles shall wait for thy Law as Christ hath expounded it The Gentiles shall trust in thy Name Isa 42. 4. with Matt. 12. 21. And again one while the Anabaptists will not have Water-Baptism to succeed Circumcision as visible Seals to one and the same Covenant for then they suppose they shall grant that if Infants had Right of old to be Circumcised by vertue of the Covenant of Grace they must confess if they would speak truth that Infants have Right to be Baptized by vertue of the same Covenant But when it will serve their turn then they will grant Water-Baptism came in place of Circumcision in this thing for say they Circumcision initiated Members into the Jewish Church and now Water-Baptism initiateth Members into the Gospel-Church And thus they are Yea and Nay but to let them know that no Person had Right to be Circumcised until he was first in Covenant with the Lord as Abraham was a Believer in Covenant before Circumcised And further it is proved that all Israel the Males except Caleb and Joshua were uncircumcised Persons when they by the Covenant of Grace in Christ were established to be the Lords People Deut. 29. and after Circumcised by Joshua Josh 5. Chap. So now first Members are joyned to the Lord with their little ones and by vertue of Gods Free Grace in Christ their Sin or Sins are pardoned and then the Sign Seal of the Covenant or Token of Remission of Sins is to be set on the Believers and their Seed Acts 2. 38 39. largely proved in the third Query Moreover as no uncircumcised Person might eat of the Passover even so no unbaptized Person might or may eat of the Lords-Supper Now this the Anabaptists will grant that the Lords-Supper came in room of the Passover yea and so did Water Baptism come in room of Circumcision for if 1 Cor. 5. Chap. proveth the one then Coll. 2. 11 12. proveth the other And as no Man might eat of the Passover until all his Males were Circumcised even so no Man may eat of the Lords-Supper until all his Children in Nonage are Baptized but for want of the due informing of the Congregations in these and such-like things Note what
Members than Circumcision remained but Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4. 11. the Covenant for which the Seal was ordained was the Covenant of Grace the word of Faith wherein is contained the Promises of the Pardon of Sins and eternal Life now confirmed by the Circumcision of Christ as afore proved and now Water-Baptism set in place thereof by the Authority of Christ the only Law-giver in Worship Isaiah 33. 22. James 4. 12. Neither will his third proof by similitude taken from Act of Parliament help him in his Assertion aforesaid For saith he shew us a positive Law for Infants Church-membership Now the word of God is plain that Infants were Church-members from the day Adam was restored so soon as Infants were born as afore proved in the third Query For if all Infants sinned in Adam's Loynes when Adam was restored they were restored in his Loynes and when born they were born in the Gospel-Covenant by which the Church of God was established in Adam's House so that the Children born in Covenant were born to the Lord whom the Lord called his Children for none out of the Covenant of Grace are visibly the Lords Children Therefore how carnally doth he reason against Children in these words For evident it is that what Priviledges soever are given to any Persons by an Act of Parliament which said Law was to continue in force for so long time and no longer when that time is expired and another Parliament makes a new Law wherein many things are contained that were in the first but those certain Priviledges given to those Persons in the former Law are left out in the latter Act it would not be a Folly for any of them to plead those Priviledges by virtue of a Law that is gone and not now in force This being a carnal Argument like his carnal Faith In answer hereunto his Comparison is Odious a Parliament is an Earthly Kings Great Council who maketh Laws and he signeth them But saith the Scripture who hath been the Lords Counsellor to direct him Rom. 11. 34. to give Laws to his Church or to order all things in that State So then as hath been proved as touching the State of the Infants of Believers since the day they were restored in Adam's Loynes and when born born to the Lord Ezek. 18. 20 21. Blessed with their Parents with Remission of Sin Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25 26. there hath been no word of God to dispriviledge them so long as they continue in the Covenant of Grace of whatsoever Priviledges they ever had no nor yet have these Men by any word of God shewed when or wherein they have been turned out from the Promises in the Covenant of the Gospel which they call out of doors for the things which only have been removed or abolished given from the beginning concerning what God had given to his Church to keep and observe were only those things which were shadows of good things to come by Christ but Infants in Gods Covenant were no Shadow or Figure to be abolished no nor the Baptizing of Infants any of Babylon's Rubbish as Mr. Keach with others affirm in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book No nor yet is Infants Baptism a Corner-stone that supports the An-Antichristian Fabrick by unsavory words as Mr. Cary affirmeth in his Epistle to his Solemn Call but it is one of the Glorious Tokens of Gods Love to his People and to their Seed that as Christ hath taken away the Sin of such Infants Christ's Name should be set on them in Water-Baptism that they are his bought or redeemed because Christ washed away their Sin with his precious Blood the small Vessels in his House who welcomed their Lord into his Kingdom that as they were included of old in the precious Stones in Aaron's Breast-plate with their Parents Exod. 28. 15. to 21. so are they now by Christ our High Priest presented before the Lord with their Parents a Holy Seed a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Pet. 2. 9. shining among the Precious Stones which the Foundations of the Walls of the City the Church of God is garnished withall Rev. 21. 18 19 20. as the Church of Israel was that as by Tribes Israel went up to Jerusalem even by Families to be presented before the Lord both Fathers and Mothers and Children Deut. 31. 10 11 12 13. Psalm 122. 1 2 3 4. to praise the Lord Psalm 148. 12 13. Exod. 12. 26 27. for now as Vessels great and small the Glory of Christs Kingdom Isaiah 22. 24. doth likewise shine among the lively Pretious Stones in Christs Spiritual Building crying Hosannah to Christ their Lord while the Anabaptists not only in Errors in their Faith are polluted but also garnished with the Shame to Nature as Ben. Keach for one when he beholdeth himself in a Glass how he weareth Womans covering the Shame to Man Nature which at this time I should not have mentioned but for this reason because he with other Teachers in their Narrative among other things proposed debated and resolved in the Affirmative That it is a shame for a Man to wear long Hair and Perriwigs and especially Ministers 1 Cor. 11. 14. Narrative Page 14. Now what kind of Teacher is this Man that shall condemn in words that he alloweth in himself by Practice Rom. 14. 15. he is one of those Teachers the Apostle reproveth as it is written Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self Rom. 2. 21. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law even the Law of Nature through breaking the Law dishonorest thou God ver 23. Hear what the Lord saith to such Teachers What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psalm 50. 16 17. of such the Lord complained concerning his People their Leaders have caused them to err and they that are led by them are destroyed Isaiah 9. 16. Now are not these like the Teachers the Lord complained of of old that would seem to reprove Sin but saith the Lord They healed the hurt of the Daughters of my People slightly Jer. 8. 11. So have these Men in their Narrative reproved this Sin the shame to Nature slightly And therefore for the help of all that desire to be informed in this Particular there is to be had where this Book is sold a Treatise on that Subject under these particular Heads God's Holy Order in Nature which Man and Woman were Created in truly Stated and Explained Proving First THat Man is Head of the Woman and how Woman is made in Subjection to Man her Husband Secondly That God gave unto Woman a Sign in Nature differing from Man to teach her she is the Glory of Man her Husband and this Sign is called Glory to Woman and Shame to Mans Nature Thirdly That Man is Commanded by the Law of Nature and Written Law of God not