agaâ—â— our Thesis external right in such a church seal propounded Let none confound this with inward 〈◊〉 saving right which is visible to God and not to 〈◊〉 man the initiating seal is propounded not all thesâ— or church priviledges as choice of officers and 〈◊〉 in other church occasions c. A male child of 〈◊〉 days old might be circumcised but was never intend to be injoyned personal appearance at the solemn â—bration of the passover Let none then object thaâ— may as well plead for Infants coming to the 〈◊〉 Supper as in Cyprian 's time In a word we speaâ— initiatory sealing of persons outwardly capable 〈◊〉 Thus you hear what this Authour saith 5. And lastly When they have said all that can be said concerning Melchizedec Lot Job and Elihu why they were not circumcised I cannot find that they were under any obligation to it and the reason is plain Because they had not Gods command for it for if they had Gods command for the doing of it and neglected it then they were guilty of a great sin for not complying with it 2. If there was no command for it then they had sinned if they had done it 3. God may make that an Ordinance at one time that may not be so at another time of which I shall give you an instance in the case of Israel's departure out of Egypt Exod. 12.7 13. And they shall take of the blood and strike it on the two side-posts c. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are and when I see the blood I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you This Ordinance was but for that night 4. It is a sin for any man to be circumcised now God doth not require it and it would have been a sin in Gods Israel under the Law if they had neglected it for he that was not circumcised at eight days old was to be cut off Gen. 17.14 5. If these holy men had done it namely Melchizedec Lot and Job c. they would have been as deeply guilty for the doing of it as Abraham and his seed would have been for the neglecting of it 6. And lastly It would be a great sin in a Gospel-Minister that was duly qualified for it with Gifts and Graces and a right call to the work of the Ministry if he should refuse and neglect it and it is as great a sin for any to intrude and undertake that great Work without being duely qualified with Gifts and Graces and not having a clear call unto it as too many Novices do iâ— this our day that do not understand Covenant-Mysteries for the Scripture saith in Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his covenant So that this case of these holy men is fully answered For if Circumcision had been a Duty incumbent on them as they were good men they would not have lived in the neglect of it Thus you see this quaint new-found Notion of a Covenant of Peculiarity made with Abraham and his natural Posterity fairly laid in the Dust for dust thou art and to dust thou art returned 2. I shall prove Infant-Baptism and Church-Membership to be of Divine Institution 1. From Acts 2. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that saâ—â— Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Chriâ—t Now when they heard this they were pricked iâ— their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest â— the apostles Men and brethren what shall we do Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift 〈◊〉 the holy Ghost For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Loâ—â— our God shall call First Here we may observe that whatsoeveâ— the Promise was unto the Jews and to all theâ— children in the former part of the verse the Promise is the same to the called Gentiles and 〈◊〉 all their children in the latter part of the saâ—â— verse But by the way before you go any furtheâ— What Promise is this that is here mentioned 〈◊〉 when was it made to the Jews and their childreâ— and to the Gentiles and their children also 〈◊〉 it is no other than the Covenant that God established with Abraham wherein he promised that he would be his God and the God of his children after him and that this Blessing or Promise should descend and devolve upon the Gentiles and their children also And for clear proof of this mind these Scriptures Gen. 12.3 here is the first broaching this Celestial Liquor of Life to Abraham Acts 3.25 Gen. 13.16 Gen. 15.5 Gen. 17.2 4 7. Gal. 3.8 14 16 17. Thus you see this Promise is the Covenant in which are comprehended all Gospel-believers and all their children so that if we went no further than this here is sufficient Authority to administer the Initiatory Seal of the Covenant to the Infant-seed of believers 2. But secondly when they heard what the Apostle charged them with which was with the blood of Christ they were convinced being pricked in their consciences and then they said What shall we do Even as the Jaylor that had been tormenting the Apostles when he was convinced said in Acts 16. Sirs what must I do to be saved so these here What shall we do Pray observe the Apostles Answer unto them was mandatory viz. Be baptized every one of you That was themselves and every one of their children that did belong unto them This must needs be so because the Apostle to reinforce his Mandamus with a clear inclusive Argument said For the promise is unto you and to your children Now what need Baptism have been commanded and the children presently mentioned if they had not been to be baptized as well as their Parents for they were as much in the Promise as their parents Pray where lies the difference For the promise is unto you and to your children and upon which Baptism is intailed for it mentions no conditions in the Promise with a respect to children And therefore it is as clear as the sun that the children of believing parents ought to be baptized let who as will or dare deny it 2. There is Christ's positive command for the baptizing of Infants as well as others in his general commission to all his faithful Labourers in his Vineyard in Mat. 28. Go and disciple all nations That was baptize them for the Learned do say that Baptism precedes Teaching Now children are included in this commission or else they are no part of a nation which is nonsence to assert or imagine for they are a very great part of a nation and therefore they come under the command of Christ to be baptized every one of those children where their parents did
was Gods Covenant with Abraham some years before Circumcision 5. In Gen. 13.16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth so that if a man can number the dust of the earth then shall thy seed also be numbred 6. In Gen. 15.5 And he brought him forth abroad and said look now toward heaven and tell the stars if thou be able to number them And he said unto him So shall thy seed be God did not make any such peculiar promise unto Melchizedec or Job c. 7. The blessing of Abraham was to come upon the Gentiles Gal. 3.14 God made Abraham a publick blessing both to Jew and Gentile 8. It was said of Abraham In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed Acts 3.25 In thy seed that is in Christ Gal. 3.16 9. My Ninth and last Reason why Abraham and his Seed were circumcised and not those holy men was because our Saviour Christ was to be born of the Seed of Abraham and therefore it is said In Abraham 's seed shall all the kindred of the earth be blessed for our Saviour Christ was not to come out of the Loyns or any one of these Worthies but from the Lineage of Abraham Mat. 1.1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David the son of Abraham Not the Son of Melchizedec nor the Son of Job c. but the Son of Abraham Therefore because he was to come from his Loyns both Abraham and his Seed must wear the Badge or Token of his Incarnation and Crucifiction which were both prefigurated in Circumcision which was then a Badge of Honour as Baptism now is and centered in the Covenant of Grace as Baptism now doth And for these Reasons aforesaid God was pleased to give unto Abraham and his Seed a Token of his Covenant-Love and Grace in that distinguishing way and manner above all other Saints contemporary with them who were also in the same Covenant with them for God had not Two Covenants of Grace one peculiar to Abraham and his Seed and another for the rest of his Saints but give me leave to tell ye that all those Worthies aforesaid though they were not circumcised in the flesh yet they were all circumcised in heart with the Circumcision made without hands for what though God was pleased to deny them the Token or thing signified at that time for Reasons best known to his holy Wisdom yet they had the thing signified which was infinitely better Ishmael had the Token of the Covenant which was but the shell and not the kernel but all those holy men which Mr. D. spoke of had the kernel though they had not the shell they were in the same Covenant with Abraham and his Seed though they had not that Token of the Covenant as they had Now let us hear what a Gentleman of New-England said in his History of Baptism in pag. 8. 1. A promise to Adam 's believing in this declaring A promise of the Messiahâ—s That he will be his God and the God of his seed in their Generations keeping Covenant or Command revealed to them for when this promise was made to Abraham it is 〈◊〉 to be supposed a new thing not in use before but it was renewed to him with a peculiar respect to his seed when the Gentiles were cast off for sinning against this promise as the Jews now are And there is no doubt but that the Family of Adam who was the first Believer and of Noah and his seed were the Church of God because God exercised Excommunication on the apostate Members and there is no Church-hood but to such as are under the promise Those who cannot say God is their God and the God of their seed in their generations keeping covenant have little to say for their Church-hood 2. Let us hear what that eminent Servant of the Lord Reverend Mr. Samuel Pomfret said to this which Mr. D. writ about Melchizedec Lot and Job c. when he saw it in his Book which is as followeth Touching Mr. D 's doubt about these holy men Melchizedec Job Elihu and Lot c. why they are not mentioned as well as Abraham concerning the Token of the Covenant viz. Circumcision his judicious Heart and Head might quickly have perceived if he please but to consider the lineal descent The God of all Grace was pleased to call out Abraham as the Father of the faithful through all ages to the end of the World both down the Gospel as well as the Old Testament Dispensation as he may know in the Epistle to the Galatians is clear especially the third chapter where it is said the blessing of Abraham is devolved upon the Gentiles 3. Let us hear what Mr. Cobbet of New-England saith also to this 1. Saith he Let us address our selves a while to consider of the external and Church right of little ones to the initiating Seal and Church right which follows thence for the initiating Seal follows the Covenant We speak not of an extraordinary time of the Church when either it hath no particular express initiating Seal distinct from another sealing Ordinance as before that solemn covenanting of God in reference to the Church in Isaac 's Race Gen. 17.7 8 9. with the 19. so there is some peculiar state of the time not applicable to the ordinary time and way of a visible politick Church and its Administrations as then also were Family Churches as that in Melchizedec's and Job 's Families which being not successively to continue were not so immediately eyed in point of solemn Institution and Church Laws as was this of Abraham Isaac and Jacob 's Race wherein the visible Church was to be continued Such extraordinary times and cases are very impertinently urged by some to infringe thâ— force of ordinary Rules and principles they know a extraordinary case of eating shew-bread by such as were not priests and of plucking ears of corn on the sabbath day of a private disciples baptizing Acts 9. and Zipporah 's circumcising of her son And these doâ—â— nullifie or invalidate ordinary rules and principles touching Circumcision or Baptism or the sanctifying the sabbath In ordinary times and cases respecting the political visible Church and its administratiâ—â— such little ones as are of parents in such visible Châ—â— estate they have external right unto the injoyned â—â—tiatory visible seal of which they are outwardly â—â—pable and ought not to be denyed the use and benâ—â— thereof Ordinary times then and not extraordinaâ—â— are here considered Let none object then Childâ— of Members of an ordinary political visible Church 〈◊〉 here considered Let none object an extraordinary 〈◊〉 of Job's or Melchizedec 's Families a visible 〈◊〉 enjoyned not a case wherein actually any such sedâ— not enjoyned is here also considered or at least â— view at the present making of the covenant with thâ— reference as in the case Gen. 17.7 8 9. And 〈◊〉 none object Adam and Noah 's time and cases
when the unbelieving Jews and their Children were â—â—st out the believing Jews which remained in the Church their Children remained in the Church with them and God did take the Adult Elect Gentiles and their Children into the Church together he did not take in their Parents and shut out and exclude their Children as is clear from Acts 2.39 Rom. 11.17 3. The Church state which is the Kingdom of Heaven is the same now as it was in the Beginning in Adam's Time after the Fall and ever will be to the End of the World and the Covenant of Grace is the same in whiâ—h all the Matter Form Laws and Ordinances of Worship and Subjects are contained though some of the unbelieving Jews and their Châ—ldren were cast out especially of those who were actually concerned in condemning our Saviour Christ by which they intailed a Curse upon their Posterity when they said His blood be on us and on our children Mat. 2â— 25 4. And lastly The state of the Church is and ever was indissolvable though it is locally mâ—table God may and he hath taken it from one place and fixed it in another and remove it from one People of Nation and bestow in upon another 2. I shall also prove the Church state is the same now as it was under the Old Testament and the Frame the same substantially but in a more glorious Dress as farther appears from the Apostles Doctrine in Eph. 2. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the houshold of God And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone In whom all the building fuly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord In whom you also are builded together for an haâ—itation for God through the Spirit Here are several Things to be observed 1. Those whom the Apostle Preached this Doctrine unto were the then called Gentiles who were come from the East and West and were sat down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Children of the Kingdom viz. The Reprobate Jewes and their Children were cast out 2. The believing Jews which kept their station in the Church were these Citizens and Saints 3. That the Gentiles before their Conversion were Strangers and Forreiners to this City but were then Fellow-citizens with the believing Jewes and their Children the Citizens aforesaid 4. They were taken into the Family Royal of Heaven the Houshold of God who before were Gentiles in the flesh with out Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel aâ—â— strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Eph. 2.12 5. These Gentiles as miserable and vile as they were 〈◊〉 that Time were not only made Fellow citizens with the Saints but also fellow heirs with them of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel Now thiâ— was spoken to the Gentiles by name as in Eph. 3.6 6. The foundation of the Church of Christ was to be 〈◊〉 in the Doctrine of the Prophets in the Old Testament which â— the same with the Apostles Doctrine in the New Testament and Christ himself is the chief Corner-stone in whom all the Building is joined exactly together and groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord an Habitation for God 7. And lastly All the believing Hebrews and all their children and all the believing Gentiles and theirs maketh but 〈◊〉 Mystical Body which is the Church Eph. 3.6 4. The Church under the Law was a Golden Candlestick Exod. 25. And thou shalt make a candlestick of puregold c. Zech. 4. What seest thou And I said I have looked and behold a candlestiâ—k all of gold c. This was the Gospel-church in the Old Testament-Times 1. Gold to signifie the Mattâ—â— and Subjects of it 2. Pure Gold to signifie the holiness and purity of it 3. A Candlestick to signifie the Form of it 4. And lastly A Candlestick to signifie the usefulness of the Church for as a Candlestick is to set up a Light in even so â—â— the Church It is a City built upon a Hill 2. Compare this with the Churches in the New Testament in Rev. 1. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me Aâ—â— being turned I saw seven golden candlesticks and the seven golden candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches Now I would fain know of our Author where lyes the difference for my part I can see none but this namely There was but one Candlestick of pure Gold in the Old Testament thâ—â— was but one Church or Congregation which was all the Nation and there are seven in the New Testament which is a certain number set for an uncertain but all of Gold under both Dispensations viz. all Gospel holy Churches 3. And lastly The Gospel Church in the Old Testament lived upon the same Food as the Gospel-Churches of Christ do now in the New Testament and as these Churches are baptized Churches so was that one Church in the Old Testament for all the Members of it men women and children were baptized Hear is a clear Scripture-proof for it let who as will or dare deny it 1 Cor. 10. Moreover brethren I would not that 〈◊〉 should be ignorant how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea And did all eat the same spiritual meat And did all drink the same spiritual drink For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock waâ— Christ On this Rock the Church was built immediately after Adam's Fall and on this Rock it hath stood ever since and ever will to the end of the World and the gates of Hell shall never be able to preva l against it for Christ doth watch over it and keep it Thus I have proved what the Prescription of the Church in the New Testament is though Mr. D. was not so kind as to do it and also of the Old Testament and demonstrated the Matter Form Laws and Ordinances of Worship and the subjects also and I find them joined together and so I leave them for I dare not part them asunder For though this Dispensation is more glorious than that of the Old Testament was yet it is the same for substance 1. It was made of the same Mettle viz. Gold 2. It was of the same quality fine Gold 3. The same Subjects viz. Parents and Children 4. The Church was of the same Form viz. a Candlestick 5. It was of the same use viz. it was for Light for the Laws and Ordinances of Worship are for Light Indeed Satans Kingdom is a Kingdom of Darkness but Christs Kingdom is a Kingdom of Light 6. And lastly They lived upon the very same Food as the Churches of God now do And thus I have proved the Title of this my Book For Infant-Baptism and Church-Membership is of Divine Institution and the Mode of Baptism I have also proved to be by Sprinkling for it is one of the Heavenly Things POSTSCRIPT HAving finished my Discourse at this time concerning the Infant-seed of Christian Believers I now come in the first place to address my self in particular unto my loving Friend Mr. B. D. who hath said in p. 8. as followeth For many Years I have attended to see what could be made of this Argument of the necessity of Baptism to Infants and could I have found it proved I would not have been an Hour out of your Tents Now Sir you have seen it proved to be of as much necessity as Circumcision was under the Law to the Eight-day Disciples for the Infant seed of Believers are fixed in the same station in the Church now as the Jews Children were then for they were never excluded 2. It is necessary it should be so for you see I have fully proved that God commands it 3. It is a Badge of Honour and Token of Gods Covenant-Love and Grace to the Seed of believing Parents who are stiled holy Children 1 Cor. 7.14 4. And lastly Circumcision was the Type of Baptism which is 〈◊〉 Heavenly Things Now my good Friend if you dare veâ—â—â— There was no necessity for those Things aforesaid then you â— that there is no necessity for Infant-Baptism for you see thâ—â— proved Infant-Baptism and Church-Membership 1. From â—ample of John the Baptist 2. From Christs Command 〈◊〉 the Apostles Argumentative Exhortation or Mandamus 〈◊〉 lastly From their Covenant-relation to God who hath proâ— be the Believers God and the God of his Seed and of hâ— Seed Psal 105.8 9 10. Whereever God layeth his Coâ— there is an absolute necessity of Obedience Now Sir I expect you should comply with your Prâ—mâ— make haste and delay not to come into our Tents or shew cause in Print why you will not for I humbly yet boldly longe you to do one or the other either to confute it or of it 2. I address my self to all you that are of this Opinion iâ— not read our Books about this Controversie but pass a deâ— Sentence upon them and condemn them without Book 〈◊〉 Popish Priests and Jesuits do for they judge and câ—â—deâ— Books and Doctrines to be heretical and charge the People hear them on pain of damnation But methinks noâ—â— that are called Protestants should be found guilty of imitaâ— Papists Pray for the future either forbear that ungâ— christian Practice of yours which some of you are guilty â— knowledge by their own confession of judging Books withouing them And if you cannot coâ—fute them then compâ— them It is a greater Honour to recant and renounce 〈◊〉 when detected than to cleave to it Lastly Do not meâ— Truths of God by the Passions and Infirmities of the Inâ—iâ— which God makes use of to declare them for Martin Lutâ— an Eminent Saint in his Day yet very passionate And that is perfectly clear of this Sin cast the first stone at â— thus condemn Thus I leave a Challenge with you all to Answer this my â— the Lord give you spiritual skill and understanding in these â— Covenant-Mysteries that we may all embrace the Truth aâ— Jesus and be of one Heart and one Mind fervent 〈◊〉 serving the Lord with one Consent And so dear Friends to you all FINIS