to appear after the times of the Apostles the brass and copper of Infant-baptism being double gilt over with glistering pretences passed like Bishops government and other traditions for currant Coyn yet this being the time when every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up whereby the Saints may be restored to the primitive profession of the Churches in the time of the Apostles Therefore the double-gilded consequences which are or shall be produced to make an Infant a baptized disciple can expect no better entertainment then Toittis the gray fryer found in Scotland Book of Martyrs p. 1451. Hen. 8. who endeavoured by consequences to prove that the Pater-noster might be said to the Saints which though he did gloss over pretending in that we called aged men father and that the Saints are in heaven that therefore we may say Our Father which art in heaven and because their names are holy we might say Hallowed be their names c. But for all his wit the time of light being come the Popish Church was upon this absolutely divided and the Fryer was much derided for his pains The Lord make us seers and followers of his Truth which as soon as the Lord was pleased fully to reveal unto me I was constrained to bear witness of it as I was formerly acted to bear witness to the Truth in the time of Innovations when too many were serving at the Altar by which said power I was stirred up to declare at the first I do not say the first that declared for Reformation And now I am also constrained to use this plainness of speaking think of me as you please wherein I beseech you to consider See a Book intituled the church Register that Mr. Spering and Mr. Barrow c. could not enjoy this liberty to gather Churches as we may do This is our day shall we not see it or shall we be dead-hearted sullen or not willing to go about our Fathers business except we were countenanced or backed out with common approbation by which we may be thought rather to be driven to our work then to be that people that shall be willing in the day of his power to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Seed of Martyrs Psal 110.4 Alas consider may not our hearts bleed to see that that seed which our Martyrs did sow with their blood which did but then peep out with the head is now white already unto harvest and much of it almost lost for gathering into Church-fellowship We must not now think to feed all the flock with the pap-milk of ordinary principles nor will Traditions or Consequences which shall contradict the command and example of Christ and his Apostles as a strange voice be possibly heard any longer As we are therefore heirs apparent to all the light which hath shined and have been spectators in the time of judgement of the Lords overturning both of Church and State because his fore-prophesied time is now fulfilled New heaven New Earth to have a New heaven or a reformed Church according to the very example of Christ and his Apostles and a New Earth or a people through opposing the old earth or world are reformed from Popery See Mr. Brightm Exposit on 21 chap. of Revel in part discovering it and affecting civil righteousness which I am able though I have not here time to make fully appear without Allegorizing of the Scripture Let then all that are Saints in that the Lord is risen start fair and see who can first run to the Sepulchre let us see who will approve themselves * Aurum igne probalum is est cujus fides rebus adversis splendet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tryed gold in the fire that patronize not a partial but a perfected inward and outward Reformation that as wax and seal so our faith obedience may be found indeed agreable to the doctrine and example of Christ and his Apostles The Lord ravish your hearts with the love of this Truth and remove all prejudice until you have read and so may judge whether I have fully and truely as far as I have undertaken answered these two men of parts whose faces I never saw and against whom I bless God I have not the least prejudice or acrimony nor do desire to put their light under a bushel as far as it appeareth to be light unto me but onely as I have been much provoked desired and partly chalenged I have used that liberty which Mr. S. hath done with Mr. T. c. And therefore I desire you my dear friends to commune with your own hearts and see upon examination on both sides what ground you have for Infant-baptism And until the Lord in mercy open your eyes despise not the counsel of Doctor Gamaliel to let this alone for if this be of God But I have my check for there is not an If in this business Christ-like to go about our Fathers business No difference with the Churches of Saints but in Infant-sprinkling in submitting to the Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism for I hope as soon as Truth shall be heard to speak prejudice being removed and the moderation of gathered Churches and their full compliance with all the Saints except in the unwarranted tradition of sprinkling being made to appear the Election of grace and further we cannot expect will receive satisfaction to submit to this so much despised Ordinance of the Lord Jesus To conclude therefore Jesus Christ could not in wisdome have excluded children by name more then in commanding to baptize believers onely concerning this great matter in controversie which fills the ears of the whole Country with the report and is so much scandalized belyed and opposed by the profane and ignorant this I have to hint unto you That if Jesus Christ himself should come again and were to reveal himself concerning the baptizing of believers onely he could not in wisdom exclude children by nome they being already excluded by Christ in commanding to baptize a taught disciple for without mentioning of the female in commanding the male to be circumcised the female was expresly prohibited For it is I say against the wisdom of Christ to command to baptize those that are caught and thereby are discipled and then to say But baptize not an Infant seeing in wisdom all men know that a childe cannot be taught or profess the faith of the Gospel And besides God hath made man judge of Baptism not to proceed as he pleaseth but according to the express Rule and Commission which God hath appointed him And therefore it is not in man in favour to the world and in opposition to the Saints of the most High to raise Consequences Allegations and Reasonings to interpret and wrest the express commission and command of Christ to the contrary but Man if he will be faithful to his Commission without gainsaying he must baptize none but those that are taught And
stand with the honour of the Magistrate to countenance the professors of this doctrine Answ In that for divers yeers we have experienced that the Lord is * Isai 1.26 fulfilling of his prophecie to send Magistrates to take away the dross and tin and to restore the * Dan. 7.25 dominion of the Saints in the enjoyment of their Laws and Languages which were taken from them by the fourth Beast or last Monarchy Rev. 17.1 14. and that they are the Lamb's souldiers that shall pour out the seventh Vial that as former Monarchs brought in smoak or darkness into the Temple so Gospel-Magistrates by their approbation of publike shining lights shall be glorious instruments to restore again the light into the Temple or publike Meeting-place for Gods Worship And in that the Magistrates have also according to their duty so far opposed visibly appearing * 1 Tim. 1.9 unsound doctrine having put their hand to Gods Plough in cutting down the Episcopal tree and in abolishing the Service book it must needs be then their honour crown and glory so to finish the good work begun so that Parochial sprinkling the root of the Episcopal tree having its life and moisture in the old Service-book which is abolished may not in this great light of the Gospel be replanted or so suffered to take root again so as to shoot out more wilde olive-branches or sons of opposition under which the most ignorant and Popish party are still nourished or so to favour it as not to suffer the Gospel-Ordinance to grow beside it Quest 23. But is it consisting with the peace of this Nation so many opposing and being disaffected to this doctrine for the Magistrate to tolerate it in publike Answ As no Ordinances the fruits of faith are to be forced so there is little appearance of God in them or they are not at all considerable that being not forced to this doctrine become the troubled sea to be offended with such Saints that receive this Gospel-Truth that is preached unto them and that the peace by any such shall be disturbed or broken the Lord which hath so promised his presence hath so blessed these and other Saints in procuring the peace of this Nation that the Saints of Gathered Churches are ready to sacrifice their lives to maintain the peace of the Nation under the present Government And therefore the Magistrate may expect in the promised presence of Christ to this Way really submitted unto the blessing of God unto themselves and the establishing of the Peace and Righteousness of the Nation A Declaration to the Election of Grace who for want of information are either ignorant of or enemies unto the Gospel-Ordinance of Baptizing of BELIEVERS onely Dearly beloved in the Lord WHen the falling away from the faith which was foretold by the * â— Thes 2. Apostle was fulfilled the man of sin as it is said or popish Antichrist did not onely sit in the temple of God opposing himself above all that is called God or is worshipped but as foretold he brought the smoak of ignorance strong delusions into the Temple and though he pretends infallibility yet Satan like that abode not in the truth he cannot receiv the love of the truth And therfore the Master-peice or great design of the man of sin was and yet is to endeavor by lying wonders all deceivableness to corrupt all the Ordinances or commands of Christ and his Apostles The Pope or Antichrist did corrupt all the Ordinances but especially Baptism And therefore though Antichrist had a great designe against fasting which he hath perverted and corrupted in respect of set daies and ordering a white meal or to eat and drink when they fast as prayer by him is also corrupted and perverted in the Popish use of ungodly forms pictures and invocation of Saints and Angels singing with an unknown voice as he hath also made the Lords day of no effect by sporting and playing and the observation of holy daies and though he hath blasphemed the doctrine and deprived the people of the cup of the Lord in the Ordinance of the Lords Supper and hath totally perverted the gathering and government of the Churches of Christ as far as his persecuting power extendeth yet in all these he hath no such malicious designe as in the perverting of the Gospel-Ordinance of baptizing of believers onely And yet behold the power of God how by weak and contemptible means the Son of God is manifest that he might destroy the works of the Devil in that though Infants sprinkling past the muster of a notable outward reformation and was almost endenized into the profession of some Saints and that great Champions threw down the Gantlet of Arguments to fight with the Weapons of consequences traditions to defend the same yet behold the Lord makes the flock or common people to see the truth when almost all publick teachers were overvailed and could not burst thorow the cloud of delusion until at last the Lord saw his time to trouble thereby make the discovery of his light unto the publick Ministry by calling some of them to trim up their lamps that they may shine in the discovery of the mind of Christ in baptizing of beleivers onely Do not then question why not before now you are called to witness your profession the Kingdom of Heaven is not got by observation What are we that we should withstand God or hate to be reformed Arise why sleep ye the light shineth the Bridegroom calleth search the Scriptures and try whether it be of God or no. Do not overlook Christ in the Manger the Star shines let us with the wise men worship and present our selves unto him unto whom it doth direct us What is the Egypt Reed of humane Tradition or obstinate resolution that you should rely upon or do you fear to be put out of the Synagogue Is not the Rigteous as bold as a Lion Great indeed is Diana of the Ephesians great is the power of the Prince of darkness but greater is the truth of God and his light which is able to dispel the darkness both of Pope and people Did not the truth alwaies when it was revealed and think you it shall not now as well as ever if God intend mercy to England c. marvailously prevail Did not the Doctrine of Baptism cause the Pharisees and people yea the whole election of grace to follow John into the Wilderness And did not those that were bewitched with Simons Sorceries when they beleived Philip concerning the Kingdom of Heaven and the Lord Jesus become baptized both men and women Shall not then if Christ be fully preached indeed overturn overturn your parochiall legal worldly union and gather the election of grace out of every parish to be members of the church of Christ your Saviour You know or may come to experience the truth thereof that his people shall be willing in the day of his power his
therefore it being found that a childe cannot be taught unless man will presumptuously after due information break the commandment he cannot meddle with children until they be called to the profession of the faith of the Gospel And yet though the sun of Truth shine never so clearly though there be no Truth more fully discovered by express command and many thousand examples of baptized disciples None but a Saint will receive any truth but as it is commanded by man or received by custom yet in regard none but the election of Grace can faithfully receive any Truth but as it is commanded by Authority or received by Custom or common Approbation in regard the Election of Grace themselves are like a seeing man in a dark dungeon which cannot see till the light of seeing be revealed unto them in taking off their objection or scruples to the contrary I humbly therefore refer you to the ensuing Treatise to judge as the Lord shall teach you And as for the Shining Stars men of parts c. that shall abet against the light of Christ to uphold the tradition of Antichrist the Tayl of the Beast which they will not have discovered shall draw them The tayl of the beast strikes down the stars and cast them to the earth for the seventh Vial being in part poured out Rev. 17.1 the smoak must vanish out of the Temple Rev. 15. ult Kick not then against this prick lest ye fight against God in his discoveries but let us contend for the faith and submit to the Old truth this step of Christ and Christian profession that it may not seem strange in our days which Christ in imitation of himself hath said to all succeeding ages * Matth. 3. expounded with application to all Christians Thus that is according to the example that I your Lord and Master was baptized it becometh us that is as it was mine so it is all Christians duty to be baptized to fulfil all righteousness That grace therefore that calleth out of Babylon that takes away the envy of Judah and Jerusalem by which the Saints are baptized into one spirit be with your spirits now and evermore Amen Amen Written by your fellow labourer in the Gospel Will. Kaye A Word by the way to the presumptuous Scandalizers and Persecutors of the gathered Churches or of all that are called out of Babylon THough the * Prov. 29.27 Proverb be verified The upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked for which cause they hate scorn and persecute all that profess Holiness and though those * Acts 9.2 3 4 5. persecuting spirits are as nigh unto salvation as some that are civilly righteous Yet at This time God hath only stirred me up to hint thus much unto you as the Monument of your Remembrance That if a visible Reformation shall not follow the gentle Correction wherewith England hath been lately summoned so that all visible evils * Levit. 26.23 24. Isa 1.26 dross and tin shall not be removed to the punishment of those that do evil and for the praise of those that do well God shall so renew his Controversie against You for your prophaness scandaliZing and plowing furrows upon the backs of the Saints that you shall once more experience that the same God which punished your Prelatical forefathers that persecuted the most eminent Christians and hated to be reformed who led the blinde into the ditch whereby they with thousand of families their confederates smarted for it Dan. 2.34 35. Shall also cause a little Stone to he cut out without hands which shall smite the Image upon his feet even your great Diana which shall be broken all to pieces and the little stone shall become a great mountain If I should not have told you this I should have been guilty of the blood of some of you Ezek. 3.17 18 19. Ezek. 2.5 Whether you will hear or whether you will forbear yet shall you know that there hath been a Prophet amongst you And to as many of you as are of the Election of Grace Rev. 18.4 God will call Come out of her my people and be ye separate saith the Lord Almighty Until this work of saving grace be manifested in you Phil. 1.28 you are the objects of the Saints pity and * Tim. 2.26 27. evidences of their salvation and such instruments as Satan hath * Tim. 2.26 27. captivated by which you are acted to oppose no profession but that which upholdeth the power of Godliness and is the downfal of Antichrist In meekness also I desire to instruct you that you may not kick against this prick of Gospel-information but be forewarned to flee from the wrath to come which Chorazin-like in slighting the means of Gospel-information hath been and may be occasioned An ANSWER TO Mr. BAXTER 's ARGUMENTS in his Book intituled Plain Scripture-proof for Infants Chruch-membership and Baptism FOr the orderly proceeding in the discovery thereof I shall endeavour to shew 1. That Mr. Baxters title to his book is impertinent 2. His exposition of Christs commission is erroneous 3. His Arguments whereby he would prove infant-baptism are groundless 4. And that he hath contradicted himself in speaking evil of the Ordinance of Baptism 1. That the Title of his book Plain Scripture-proof for Infant-baptism c. is impertinent Mr. Baxter cannot but very well I suppose know that Mr. Rogers Art 27. confesseth that the Church of England doth not pretend any plain or express Scripture-proof for Infant-baptism and that he himself hath produced nothing but consequences which he hath hammered out upon the Anvil of Logical Arguments and that he hath left it so mysterious and difficult that it is not made so plain that he that runs may read or that he can tell us in all the Scripture in what chapter and verse we may finde any thing plainly or expresly spoken for Infant-baptism though on the contrary we have plain Scripture-proof or the command and example of Christ and his Apostles for the baptism of believers onely Neither hath Mr. B. for all his distinctions dispelled the darkness or opened the difficulty concerning infants sprinkling which hath brought in all the smoke into the Temple And therefore I cannot imagine why Mr. B. should three hundred fourty and six times print his Title Plain Scripture-proof c. except he had some designe to satisfie the gazing multitude to sacrifice to his net as the Athenians were moved upon the inscription upon the Altar to prostrate themselves to superstition And therefore this title Plain Scripture-proof c. proves like blue and yellow flowers making a greater flourish then they are any way advantageous to the reaper For the true discovery thereof let us see what Divinity may be found in Mr. Baxter's exposition of Christs commission for Baptism Mr. B. chap. 1. pag. 1. Matth. 28. Go ye therefore and disciple unto me all nations baptizing them in the name of
and judge of him as from full satisfaction proceed to baptize him when by teaching the party is discipled and therefore God in his wisedome that giveth every thing its name doth not approve of calling a Child a Disciple neither can baptisme make a Child or any man a Disciple how would Mr. B. then make a Child a Disciple but because by grace as any is taught to profess to follow Christ and is so discipled as a Disciple and as a believer we do baptize them Thus having answered Mr. B. first Argument and reasons whereby he would have proved a Child a Disciple his enterprize failing to prove a Child a Disciple to make work for Poedo-baptisme he produceth this his second Argument Mr. B. 2 Argu. chap. 4. p. 23. My second Argument and therefore the cheife I make use of is this All that ought to be admitted visible Church-members ordinarily ought to be baptized But some Infants ought to be admitted visible Church-members Therefore some Infants ordinarily ought to be baptized Answ Of this second Argument Mr. B. giveth this superlative encomium that this is his chief but believe me if he could have made his first Argument good whereby a Child might have been discipled he then had had commission for what he had said and therefore he failing to make his incompleat disciple to be baptized he would now see what he can do to make a consequence from his first Argument whereof this second is but a shadow for if Children be not Disciples they can be no members of the Church visible but they are not Disciples for indeed to be a disciple a member of a visible Church differeth no more then that a man that intendeth to list himself to be a Souldier and is approved of onely wanteth an opportunity to have his admission or approbation so a Disciple as soon as he declares himself and is willing to yeild himself up to serve God with his Saints is made a visible Church-member but that this work of wonder did ever appear in Infants that they were ever heard thus to declare their good affection to the government of Christs church I never yet heard and as soon as I hear them I will submit to Mr. B's Arguments and say that those Children thus declaring themselves for Christ and his Church must needs be admitted visible Church-members but till this appear visibly I desire Mr. B. would content to forbear to intrude them since Christs commission will not give leave for such to be baptized in his name that know not Christ or yet have not named him and yet Mr. B. to prove his second Argument forgetting his promise that he would not meddle with other mens Arguments hath scraped up all the thredbar'd impertinent consequences that any before had pretended to have blocked up the mouth of the Cannon or to make the worke more tedious to gain-say or oppose him while therefore I was intending to have lighted a Candle to have discovered or rather dispelled this great cloud of darkness Providence so ordered it that a book intituled A Christian sober and plaine Exercitation on two grand practical controversies of this time Baptisme and singing of Psalmes writen by C. Sidenham teacher to a Church of Christ in New-castle being brought unto me and I finding upon perusal thereof that it treated as sufficiently of all Mr. Baxters consequences and with no less advantage to his cause and in that Mr. Sidenham with his party hath as powerfull an influence to stop an ear Therefore I thought that I might bear better testimony to the truth to answer Mr. Baxter in Mr. Sidenhams booke in which way I take no more liberty then he hath done with the right worthy and Apostolical Mr. Tombes And yet before I proceed according to my promise I desire to hint something to Mr. Baxter upon the fourth particular which I first mentioned 4. That Mr. B. hath contradicted himself in speaking evill of the Ordinance of Baptisme as by his two Arguments will appear is to be discovered Mr. Baxter chap. 12. p. 134. his first Argument That which is a plain breach of the sixth commandment is no Ordinance of Jesus Christ but a most hainous sin But the ordinary practice of dipping the head in cold water is a breach of the sixth commandment Ergo it is a most hainous sin Answ It is impossible that an effectually called Child of God can raise this Argument without check of conscience or contradiction he approving of the way of baptisme in Brasill and yet in his Argument contradicts the same practise of Christ upon the pretence of the cold climate and custome of the Country Alas Alas this needs no answer for hereby the Scripture is experienced their oâ—n â—ongues shall make them fall or at least Mr. B. I hope is ashamed or may be ashamed of this cavilling scandalous Argument in making a Christians submission to the Ordinance of Christ a hainous sin and in telling us it is good for nothing but to dispatch men out of the world and to ripen Church-yards these be his words What if he had lived in the time of circumcision he that can dispence to prevaricate Christs command in baptisme by pouring a little water or sprinkling a Childs face with two or three drops of water certainly if acted with the same Spirit he would have thought the ripple of a pin or a drop or two of blood to be spilt to have been sufficient to have answered the command in circumcision Mr. Baxter 2 Argument If it be a breach of the seventh commandment Thou shalt not commit Adultery ordinarily to baptize naked then it is an intolerable wickedness and not Gods command But it is a breach of the seventh command to baptize naked Therefore it is an intolerable wickedness and not Gods command Answ I am ashamed to name Mr. Baxters lightness in mentioning upon supposition onely the Maids of Bewdley though we have no example for being baptized naked nor any thing against it and therefore as an indifferent thing a Saint may as well be baptized naked as Saints prophesied naked yet it is well known that Garments with decency are approved of And will Mr. Baxter argue against an Ordinance because some probable evill may ensue why then doth he administer the Lords Supper seeing probably so administred many eat and drink their own damnation not discerning the Lords Body or why doth he allow of marriage meat drink and apparell seeing abuse hath been found in them why doth he therefore upon uncertain conjectures speak evill of the way of God in the administration of baptisme may he not be ashamed thus to contradict himself what is Christs command to be observed in a hot Country and not in a cold when were any killed with any one of the diseases that he hath reckoned though to some thereof baptisme hath been a present remedy In regard therefore Mr. Baxter hath so presumptuously shamelesly scandalously and malignantly spoken evill against the express
from free grace pretended is most full of darkness And if free grace had been a ground of baptism man could not have been the judge And that God doth require man to do nothing ignorantly or doubting and therefore hath expresly commanded though hypocrites may falsly pretend to submit unto the Rule and in admitting them upon that account man is no offender who we shall baptize even every one that is discipled by teaching And therefore we leaving to act upon the pretence of the Covenant of Free-grace we do not deny children any outward warrantable priviledge that was granted them before Abraham's days in his days or ever was done by Christ or his Apostles in presenting them to God in praying for a blessing for them and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord that as soon as ever this secret will of God in his free grace shall be revealed They may according to the command and example of Christ and all his Churches pass the Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism QUESTIONS and ANSWERS concerning the baptizing of Believers onely the manner of the administration of the Ordinance with the reasons that may induce the Magistrate to encourage the preaching thereof in Publike Question 1. WHether is Baptism a Gospel-Ordinance Answer In that ‖ Mat. 28.19 Christ himself is the author of it and did after his †Mat. 28.7 16. resurrection from the dead immediately command it and that all the Saints upon their profession of saith were accordingly baptized Therefore Baptism doth appear to be a Gospel-Ordinance Quest 2. Whether may baptism be called a Seal Answ In that man is judge of baptism and that it is against the wisdom and truth of God to seal to a blank or * Rom. 7.4 5. uncertain condition therefore baptism is no Seal though commonly so called Quest 3. What do you call Baptism if it be not a Seal Answ Baptism is a ‖ Heb. 6.1 2. principle of the foundation of the doctrine of Christ a Gospel-Ordinance the †1 Pet. 3.21 answer of a good conscience towards God and man and a †1 Pet. 3.21 figure of salvation Quest 4. What is the end for which baptism was ordained Answ In that Christ commanded to * Mar. 16.15 preach the Gospel to every creature and yet onely to baptize such as are ‖ Mat. 28.19 discipled or are taught the word of God or believed it doth therefore clearly appear that God in Christ did ordain Baptism to this end that Christ might * 2 Cor. 6.16 separate the election of grace by ‖ Mat. 28.19 calling them out of the world into the †Acts 9.19 27. fellowship of the Church and to unite all so called in the profession of saith in their baptism and * Act 9.39 breaking of bread in which they communicate Quest 5. How can you prove that by these words of Christ Go and preach the Gospel to every creature Go and make disciples and baptize them He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved is so to be interpreted * Acts 2.41 compared with 46 47. that none but those that believe are to be baptized Answ Because the Apostles and Church of Christ did thus understand them as by their doctrine and practice doth appear Quest 6. Where have the Apostles taught that none but those that hear and believe should be baptized Answ In that the Apostles have taught that those that are baptized ought to * Acts 2.38 repent be ‖ Act. 2.39 Rev. 18.4 called out of the world have the †1 Pet. 3.21 answer of a good conscience towards God and man and have declared that * Act. 8.37 unfaithfulness hinders baptism therefore by their doctrine it doth appear that none but such as hear and believe should be baptized Quest 7. And did the Apostles onely baptize believers Answ Yes verily they onely baptized visible professors as when they ‖ Act. 8.12 believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus they were baptized both men and women and when †Act. 10 2 44 48. housholds were baptized the Scripture doth declare that they all †Act. 10 2 44 48. feared God received the †Act. 10 2 44 48. holy Ghost * 1 Cor. 1.16 with chap. 16.15 gave themselves to the ministery of the Word of God †Act. 26 32 34. heard the word of God †Act. 26 32 34. rejoyced in God and †Act. 26 32 34. believed Qu. 8. If this be so then neither children nor unbelievers ought be baptized Answ It 's true indeed for as in Circumcision when the male was onely named the female was excluded so when Christ onely ordained that those that hear and believe should be baptized unbelievers and children must needs be excluded Quest 9. How comes it then to pass that this doctrine of baptism hath not been before revealed Answ Though the doctrine of baptism hath been always professed yet it hath not been generally received for these reasons 1. Because there was ‖ 2 Thess 2.1 2 3. a falling away from the faith whereby all the Ordinances of Christ were perverted and corrupted by the †Rev. 15.8 smoak which was to continue till the Lamb's souldiers should procure the free course of the Gospel 2. The tayl of the beast is to strike down the * Rev. 12.4 third part of the stars even learned men c. not under the powerful means of information which shall walk under the sparkles of their own Consequences 3. Because that though Antichrist before these times hath been revealed as opposing the person and merits of Christ yet the Ordinances are but beginning to be cleared in discovery whereof the Church begins to be restored to the purity of the primitive time of Christ and his Apostles 4. In such a case as this where things are admitted as Infant-baptism being the religion men were brought up in though godly yet it is not questioned till men be put upon it or otherwise by God extraordinarily called for which cause Infant-baptism hath not been much questioned Quest 10. What will become of all the world the unbelievers and children if they be not baptized Answ Christ must be preached to all the ‖ Mark 16.15 Gal. 6.6 world to every Parish even to capable children and unbelievers c. And as they shall have an ear to hear and be †Rev. 18.4 called out of Babylon they ought to be baptized and receive the * Act. 2.42 Lords supper with the gathered Churches of believers Quest 11. How shall we be able to judge believers Answ By the ‖ Joh. 15.8 Mat. 5.16 fruits of their profession or holy conversation and in that they are willing to be united unto and †1 Joh. 3.14 love the Saints and submit unto the * Mat. 18.17 Act. 2.41 government of Christ under the Gospel Quest 12. But
sheep shall hear his voice but that strange voice of baptizing Infants never spoken of in the Scripture shall they not hear Come let us reason the case can Pedobaptism be a plant that our Heavenly Father hath planted that spreads forth its luxurious branches and makes a shadow for the world to rest themselves under in the Cradle of security Baptized disciples falsly slandered Close not your eyes nor shut your ears against the revelation of truth though common fame would afright you as some did the Israelites to obstruct their marching into Canaan telling them that there were great Zamzummims there and therefore if you will believe them they will tell you what monstrous people the Anabaptists are if you look that way you shall lose your selves in the midst of darkness and delusions they will draw you away from all Scriptures and Ordinances but try before you trust and search into their profession and you shall see the contrary that there was ever any way of God but it was ever evill spoken of Did they not say of John the baptist that he had a Devil The way of God ever evil spoken of Did not the world cast spots of reproaches in our Masters face who was without sinne or any spot or wrinkle If they do these things to the green Tree what will they do to the dry Were not the old professors shortly after the times of the Apostles in that they called one another Brother and Sister accused of incest and fornication and when they were forced to forsake the world and went into caves did not the Troubled Sea the Sons of Belial cast mire and dirt into their faces saying That they laid lurking there to rob and spoil those that passed by Just Mart. Apol. so that Justin Martyr was forced to make an Apology for their justification And thus Luther and Martin Bucer c. were slandered with them by reproaches and yet they were no more troubled Ex Guibert Genebrard then Luther was with the Popes Bull of which he said O Bulla vere Bullarum filia Be not then discouraged you know this is an evidence of their condemnation but of your salvation It s enough to give an account of faith and that in the name of God to assure you that there is nothing to be owned but Christ and his Commandments whereby he is our Saviour and hath made himself an example for us to imitate him in all things Miracles excepted But alas all the pretences and consequences that the most learned can produce cannot make the delusion of sprinkling children to be baptism God that never lyed did never require an action to be done against sence and reason nor can representations or intentions alter an express command to the contrary Were it enough think you if any of you bid should your servant give a cup of water to a thristy soul were it enough for that servant to put his hand into the cup and sprinkle the man in the face with two or three drops of water were this to obey his Masters command I trow not and yet no more is done in sprinkling of children in answering the Comand of Christ in Baptism And though this might be reformed and that you might say with the Eunuch Lo here is water what letteth that the Child may not be baptized To this the same answer must be returned that Philip made to the Eunuch If the Child can beleive with all its heart it may but let the Child alone though it may be pretended to be the Child of a believer We know or may know that believers themselves Rebaptization Acts 19.1 2 3 4 In the case of ignorance of the fundamental truth or of the commission for Baptism which were really and fully baptized because they were at that time ignorant of the holy Ghost were upon that account all the fundamentals being not revealed without which baptism cannot be warrantable rebaptized when we were sprinkled great darkness in comparison of the light of Gospel-reformation that now shineth was then as a cloud over-veiling the Word What hole can cavill find to seek evasion unless we say we are not believers Is it not then the duty of Disciples to imitate their Lord and Master who in submitting to this glorious Gospel-Ordinance made himself our example in which he was said to fulfill all righteousness This is the way to humble a soul to give satisfaction of the profession of Faith and the testimony of a good conscience to this the presence of Christ our peace light and life and protection is promised Tindal's wickâ—d Mommon fol. 25. That you intend no evill is easily to be believed But as Tindall the blessed Martyr said That though Peter of a good minde or intention would perswade Christ not to have suffered yet Christ for all that called him Satan It s one thing to have a good intention and another to do of knowledge God saith he hath made a testament between him and us wherein is contained both what he would have us to do and what he would have us to ask of him see therefore thou do nothing to please God withall but what he commandeth And that they might be good and Godly men and Martyrs that were never more then sprinkled Ten Martyrs in Eng. Hen. 8. anno 1553. it may be granted but then it was the time that the smoak was in the Temple Martyrs have suffered for the profession of the baptizing of believers only but never any Martyrs have suffered in the defence of Infant pretended baptism If we would look on humane example It not for us to say as those obstinate unbelievers that the Maryr Stephen reproved who said As our Fathers did so will we do Can there be any more precious in our eyes then to be led by the example of Christ and his Apostles If you be not of the election of grace if you would you ought not to be baptized And if God have elected us and we live under the means our hearts and judgements shall be changed we shall be the people that shall be made willing in the day of Christs power whether you will or no. Cease then poor souls be humble and patient and wait till you see that God will do with you shoot not your bolt to wound your Saviour through the sides of his despised Members Be ye the Disciples of Doctor Gamaliel untill Christ make you his It was the Pharisees and Lawyers that rejected the counsell of God against themselves and would not be baptized Luk. 7.30 but the election of grace must needs submit As they are under the means of information they have a promise to be effectually called they cannot close their eyes All the election of grace as they shall be under the means shall profess Baptism as the means of seeing is revealed unto them and if they have light already and yet see not in something that is newly discovered then they are like a man in a dark Dungeon that seeth as soon as the window or interpretation of the Scripture is opened unto them But no light no means can make a blind man see whom God will not call though the heavenly Lamp were never so resplendent And though a naturall man shine as a Star in the Church yet shall the taile of the Beast cast him down from the new Heaven or the Church into his proper place or earthly Element he cannot finish his course he cannot like his tempter abide in the truth he cannot receive the love of the truth that he might be saved But on the contrary Joh. 4.44 2 Thess 2.10 all the election of grace they cannot though with Paul they have commission to persecute the Saints nay though they have renounced the truth as divers * Archbish C. Io. Bayaham Lawyer Martyrs did rest till at length they return to their first love and to the profession of the Gospel from whence they are fallen Let us then content our selves if our Master be pleased to call but a few to serve him if we be in the number of that few that are called Let the election then wait on the means and see what God will do or dispose of them and not trouble themselves like Zobedee's Mother to desire that for her Children that cannot be granted her To conclude therefore either to stop the mouths of opposers or to open the heart as the Lord is pleased if at this time you will hear his voice that hath commanded to baptize believers if reason may be heard or true information may not be despised you may see in the confession or practices of contrary judgements as much as may raze down the foundation of Infant pretended baptism Artic. 27. Church of England in that it is acknowledged that there is no express tearms in the Scripture for Pedobaptism and that by experience it may be sufficiently evidenced in our hearts and consciences as is made visible that such inevitable evils follow Infants sprinkling as that it brings all the World into the Church which should be called out of the World and is the onely obstacle or cause of the division of all gathered Churches they differing nothing but in Infant sprinkling in which the Church of Rome or rather the World forced into order is in present practise and from which all the Churches of Christ ought to be totally separated or effectually called out of Babylon the very consequences by which Infants-sprinkling a meer delusion and prevarication to the command of Christ as mens inventions being altogether groundless and unwarrantable and though proved are of no force or validity to contradict the express command or example of Christ and his Apostles to the contrary Let then all real zealous sincere converted Christians hear Christs voice who hath commanded to teach and baptize all Nations and let them with all their old fellow-servants desire to imitate Christ their Master who was baptized to make himself an example to fulfill all righteousness And let us not think that his arm is shortened that he cannot help or that he is not faithfull who in this Gospel-Ordinance hath promised his presence in which all the Saints have found and ever unto the end of the World shall most surely find their onely protection comfort peace and glory FINIS