Baptism Anatomized Being Propounded in Five Queries VIZ. I. What Water-Baptism is II. What is the End for which it was Instituted III. What giveth Right to it IV. Who are the true Administrators of it V. Whether it be lawful for a Man to Baptize himself WHEREIN The Right that the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism is vindicated The Duty of Believing Parents in that Matter asserted And that by the contrary Tenet and Practise they ought themselves to be excluded from the Lords-Supper is plainly and fully proved And wherein also is proved That the Covenant which God made with Abraham Gen. 17. and with Israel Exod. ch 19. and Deut. 29. are the Covenant of Grace in Christ and not part of the Covenant of Works made with Adam before his Fall Rom. 3. 29. Is he the God of the Jews only Is he not also of the Gentiles Rom. 15. 8 9. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the Truth of God to confirm the Promises made unto the Fathers And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his Mercy c. Acts 2. 39. For the Promise is unto you and unto your Children c. By THOMAS WALL London Printed by G. Groom for William Miller at the Gilded Acorn in St. Paul's Church-yard where Gentlemen and others may be furnished with Acts of Parliament Speeches and other sorts of Discourses and State-Matters as also Books of Divinity Church-Government Humanity Sermons on most Occasions c. M DC XC I. Licensed and Entered according to Order THE PREFACE Christian Reader FOrasmuch as many worthy Servants of the Lord Jesus have so fully vindicated this Glorious Truth concerning the Right the Infants of Believers have by the Free Gift of God in the Covenant of Grace to the Remission or Pardon of the Sin charged on them by the Fall of Adam Rom. 5. 12. and so thereby a Right to have the Sign thereof Water-Baptism Administred on them Yet because there is so general a Challenge by the Solemn Call of Mr. Cary and others to any that will meet the Anabaptists in open Field in this Spiritual War I having some years ago appeared publickly in Print yet unanswered by any of them in the proving the Right the Infants of Believers have to this Blessed Ordinance Water-Baptism I have for the reason aforesaid thought it my duty to add this Mite to my former Testimony Forasmuch as the Opposers of the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism have devised more new matter than heretofore there is need of a further reply The way I have taken for the discovering the Root and Foundation of this Error of Anabaptistry is not the usual way that any heretofore have so generally proceeded in is by opening and explaining the Doctrine of Baptism in Five Queries 1. What it is with its manner of Administration 2. The end 3. What gives Right 4. Who is its true Administrator 5. As also when this new way of Dipping in Baptizing began among the English Anabaptists And because we are certainly fallen into the last and perilous times 2 Tim 3. 1 2 3 4 5. wherein Satan is so full of Wrath because saith the Scripture he knoweth he hath but a short time Rev. 12. 12. therefore his Ministers are transformed 2 Cor. 11. 15. as if they were Ministers of Righteousness with fair words to deceive The simple as Solomon saith Prov. 14. 15. Rom. 16. 18. who believe every word but the prudent Man looketh well to his going The way to look well to our going is to take Counsel of Gods word in such a day when as was foretold The time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching ears And they shall turn away their Ears from the truth and shall be turned into Fables 2 Tim. 4 3 4. Therefore we are not to believe every Spirit John 4. 1. or Doctrine but to try the Spirits whether they are of God or not because many False Prophets or Teachers are gone out into the World Now the way to try the Spirits or Doctrines of Men is written and laid before us in the Example of the Bereans who were commended not only for receiving what the Apostles taught for Gospel with all readiness of mind but also for searching the Scriptures Acts 17. 11. to wit of the Prophets out of whose labour the Apostles reaped the Gospel John 4. 38. daily whether those things taught them were so If this way were taken by all that profess themselves Christians they could not so easily be deceived nor as the Apostle teacheth like Children be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of Men and cunning Craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive Eph. 4. 14. Yea saith Christ If it were possible they should deceive the very elect Matt. 24. 24. for the Spiritual Harlot by the flattering of her Lips cast down many wounded many strong Men hath been slain by her Prov. 7. 10 21 26. Now then as aforesaid every true Christians Faith must be built when their Faith is sound upon the Foundation or Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Eph. 2. 19 20. Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone If the Anabaptists Doctrine be but tried by this Touch-stone then all that which Christ and his Apostles have taught if it be understood otherwise by them or any other than as it can be proved to be Gospel by the Scriptures of the Prophets it is not to be believed to be the Gospel of Christ but another Gospel Gal. 1. 8 9. for all that Christ taught he sent them that heard him to search the Scriptures John 5. 39. to wit the Prophets and for the prroof thereof For in them saith he ye think to have eternal life and they are they that testifie of me And to this agreeth the words of Paul Acts 26. 22. saying Having obtained help of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come So that it is evident as the Apostle saith in another place that the Gospel which they taught was 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. By which it is clear that there is no other Doctrine to be believed for Gospel but what is proved to be Gospel by the Scriptures of the Prophets so that hence it is as Christ said to the Jews John 5. 43. I am come in my Fathers Name and ye receive me not if another come in his own Name him ye will receive Now his Fathers Name is the Gospel written in the Prophets as Christ hath expounded from Isa 42 The Isles shall wait for his Law Matt. 12. 21. That is In his name shall the Gentiles
but a God unto his Seed in that Salvation was come to his House his Children with him therefore to whom the Gospel is by the command of Christ to be preached unto and the Promises applied to them go teach all Nations these are they by B. Keach's own grant that our Lord Jesus hath commanded to be Baptized as it is written in the great Commission Go teach all Nations Families or Kindreds of the Earth Baptizing them c. Again seeing Lydia and Stephanus were Baptized and their Housholds Acts 16. 15. 1 Cor. 1. 16. if the Scriptures of the Prophets do expound to us That a Man and Womans Houshold were their little ones their Sons and Daughters then we hope none can deny but that the Believers and their Children were Baptized for the proof whereof we read how David and his Men dwelt with Achish at Gath every Man and his Houshold 1 Sam. 27. 3. but in process of time while David and his Men were absent from their Families their Wives and Children were taken Prisoners so that as it is written Every Man lamented for their Sons and Daughters 1 Sam. 30. 6. Thus what before were called their Housholds in 1 Sam. 27. 3. are explained to be their Sons and Daughters Again it is written Jacob went down into Egypt Every Man and his Houshold Exod. 1. 1. the Father and Mother with their Children concerning whom Joseph said unto his Father and Brethren I will nourish you and your Housholds Gen. 45. 11. which is expounded I will nourish you and your little ones called their little ones in Gen. 46. 5. and 50. 21. Now if Men will not believe the Spirit of God his own expounding his own word to be sufficient ground of Faith to believe that the Houshold is the Children or little ones of his People there is no credit to be given to such Teachers or People in Matters of Faith but the Spirit of God hath expounded the Housholds to be Children therefore all that will take Gods word for their warrant may answer themselves That the Apostles Baptized Children or little ones of Believers when they Baptized Believers and their Households If the Anabaptists will not believe this let them shew better or more clear proof for any thing as an Article of their Faith which they believe making the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles agree in one harmony together But if any shall object that Servants are included in the word Houshold on purpose to cavil at the Right Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism The Answer is to them such need to be taught rather than to be accounted Teachers that can no better distinguish between a Son a Child and a Servant the very light of Nature might convince them that great is the difference between a Son and a Servant a Mans Son is his very next a Kin Gen. 12. 1. with Gen. 43. 7. Gen. 15. 4. and 21. 10. Gal. 4. 7. Heir to his Father beareth his Fathers name a Master to his Fathers Servants As for example when Abraham sent his Servant to take a Wife for his Son Isaac in their return Rebecca seeing a Man coming in the Field to meet them she asked the Servant who that Man was he said it was his Master to wit Isaac Gen. 24. 65. Again the Prodigal Son when returning to humble himself to his Father said Father not Master but Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee I am no more worthy to be called thy Son make me as one of thy hired Servants Luke 15. 18. Now by all this we see a Servant is inferior to a Son therefore when the Angel said to Cornelius Send for Peter he called two of his Hired or Houshold Servants Acts. 10. 7. these were not the House but Servants to the House but a Son abideth in the House because he beareth the Name of the House for ever or for Life So then if a Servant were equal with a Son an Heir or to bear up the Mans Name doubtless Absalom who had no Son to bear up his Name therefore he erected a Pillar 2 Sam. 18. 18. which he needed not to have done if a Servant had been equal with a Son to have borne up his Name as a Son doth his Fathers Name And who were they that were called the House of Israel the House of Aaron but their Children and not their Servants Thus we see none are properly a Mans House or Houshold but a Mans Children So Leah and Rachel as aforesaid are said to build the House of Jacob or Israel by bearing Children in the Covenant Heirs with Isaac in Infancy of the Promises in Christ until they with Ishmael for Sin be disherited and become Servants with the Bond-womans Son Obj. Another pretended Plea is say the Anabaptists Shew us a Child by name that was Baptized Answ It was the way of Christ to some to answer a Question by a Question we say to them shew us a Woman by name that received the Lords Supper They will answer it is evident that Disciples did break Bread at the Lords Supper and Women are called in Scripture Disciples therefore here is sufficient ground to believe that Women did partake of the Lords Supper It is granted a Scripture Consequence is good Proof that it is to be believed even in an Article of Faith Now then we read that Infants at eight days old with their Parents are called Disciples in Scripture as it is written Acts 15. 10. when circumcised Why therefore tempt ye God to put a Yoke upon the Disciples neck which neither our Fathers nor we were able to bear This answer was made by the Apostle when the Jews that Believed taught that unless the Gentiles and their Children were Circumcised they could not be saved here Infants with their Parents are called Disciples So then we read that Disciples were Baptized Infants being by the Spirit of God called Disciples We have grounded reason to believe that Infants were Baptized by the Anabaptists own grant proportionably to their own Plea aforesaid in the Objection And that Infants of Believers have right to Water-Baptism is most certain because Christ hath taken away their Sin as John saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sin of the World So is Salvation come to them as to their Parent when he the Father actually Believeth as Christ said to Zacheus Luke 19. 9. when he believed This day is Salvation come to this House for as much as he is a Son of Abraham having the Faith of Abraham believing as Abraham did that God was a God to him and unto his Family or Seed his Children and they that have not this Faith have not the Faith of Abraham so are not Abraham's Seed and if not Children of Abraham they are not of Christ for it is written Gal. 3. 29. If ye be Christs then are ye Abraham 's Seed and Heirs according to promise So the Children of the Promise are accounted for the
sorts of Learning the one to ttanslate the literal words of the original Scriptures into any Language or Speech or Tongue a special natural Gift of God and this may be attained unto by meer natural Men that want the Spirit of Grace The other is the Learning in the Mysteries of Faith And it was and still is the pleasure of God to make choice of some Men unskilled in School-learning to publish his Gospel as for example Peter and John Acts 4. 13. when the Jews saw their Boldness and perceived that they were unlearned and Ignorant Men in School-learning they marvelled and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus who had given them the Tongue of the Learned in the Spirit in that he opened their Understandings Luke 24. 45. that they might understand the Scriptures And therefore they that have not so learned of Christ by the Gift of God are Ignorant of true Learning saith Christ Matt. 13. 11. 2 Pet. 3. 17. For it is given to you to wit to his chosen to know the mysteries of the Kingdom and unto all others though never so learned in the Tongues they know not the true sense of Scripture according to the Analogy of Faith and such saith the Apostle Peter are unlearned although they have skill in all natural Learning and unstable wavering wandering minded Men wrest as they do also the other Scriptures as the Pharisees did Matt. 5. 17 to 48. 23. 13. to 24. unto their own Destruction such were the learned Rabines of the Jews for who were more learned Men than the Jews in the original Hebrew and Greek and other Languages yet when the Scriptures were read every Sabbath day Acts 13. 27. it is said they knew not the Voices of the Prophets spiritually concerning Christ in the Promise no more than did the Eunuch Acts 8. 30 31 34 35. So that if the Anabaptists have no better Schollarship to have their Faith rely on than humane Learning to teach them the Mysteries of Christ 's Kingdom whereof the Doctrin of Baptism is one they may see how they deceive themselves by a natural Faith and all others that are led by them about the signification of the word Baptism And therefore let all remember what is written concerning such as make it a Fundamental Article of their Faith to contend by Carnal Reason about words in Scripture as did the Jews in opposing the Doctrin which the Apostles taught them concerning the Kingdom of God Acts 18. 14 15 16. Insomuch that the Heathen Governour Galio was ashamed of them by the very light of Nature and that contention about words doth generally arise from pride of Heart as it is Written he is Proud knowing nothing but doting about Questions and strife of Words whereof cometh Envy Strife Raylings Evil Surmisings perverse Disputing of Men of corrupt minds destitute of Truth These consent not 1 Tim. 6. 4 3. saith the Apostle to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrin which is according to Godliness For these and the like things as appeareth in the fifth Query by John Smith who began first to quarrel with Translation of Scripture such Distraction and Division is among the Churches in this day as was among the Primitive Christians for which God threatned them with Judgments and they being not warned by the Apostles teaching and Writings sent unto them God brought his severe judgments on them as are threatned now on Chrrstians for their Apostacy in this day of like Sins Rev. 8 9 and 16. Chapters as by the opening of the Seales and sounding of the Trumpets and shedding of the Vials is declared Therefore we may see if we read what 's Written God will do nothing contrary to that he hath Revealed to his Prophets Amos 3. 7. and in the Prophets Writings out of which the Book of the Prophecy of the Revelations is taken concerning the State of the Church of God and of her Enemies in all Ages since Christs Ascension and as one well said to wit Ainsworth concerning the Church of Rome p. 54. to begin at Revelation 11 Chapter it is the Key to open that Book So that as God delivered his People of old Zach. 1. 8 16. and 2. 1. 2. out of Old Babylon and a second Temple was Built and God's holy Ordinances restored then for the Sins of them again after they Apostatized from their Faith and Holy Order in Worship The Lord raised up against them that terrible Enemy under that name Gog and Magog Ezek. 38. 39. to their sore Affliction and Misery Even so God who hath called his people out of the Spiritual Babylon and a second Spiritual Temple is Builded Rev. 11. 1. with Ezek. 40. 2. 3 5. compar'd with Zach. 6. 12. Christ the Branch should Build the Temple 1 Pet. 2. 5. as hath appeared by the many Famous Churches of Christ in this and in most parts of the neighbouring Nations and other some more remote since the first Apostacy after the Apostles days wherein the true Doctrin of Faith to wit of free Grace flourished and Gods holy Order in Worship in many Churches abounded which now for some years have been Apostatising both from the Doctrin of free Grace to maintain the Doctrin of Merit or Free-will by the work done which is proved in this Treatise to be the first Foundation of Anabaptistry Not here to speak of several other People called by other Names professing Christianity who are likewise guilty of the same Doctrin that Caine and the Unbelieving Jews were pleading a right to Gods Ordinance by their own Act. What then remaineth but the expectation of God's fearful Judgment on this as on other Nations for Sin of all sorts which is begun already even by that Enemy under the name of Gog and Magog Rev. 20. 8. Whose Number is as the Sand on the Sea-shoar Enemies of all sorts covered and uncovered open wicked and secret hipocritical Enemies to the Truth of the Gospel compassing about the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City ver 9. until Fire come down from Heaven for as in the days of Noah when the true Faith was almost lost none left a Preacher of Righteousness 2 Pet. 2. 5. that is of free Grace in Christ by Christs Merit only for the justification of all in the sight of God that shall be saved from wrath to come but Noah to his Family all others were possessed with the Doctrin of Caine who like Ishmael mocked at the Doctrin of Faith Gen. 21. 9. with 2 Pet. 3. 3. which brought the Flood upon the World expecting acceptance by the work done and how is this Doctrin spread in this our day almost over all so that the day of Christs coming is likened to the days of Noah which will be with respect to the State of things Luke 17. 26. to the End as also at unawares as in the days of Noah for as it is written when the Son of Man cometh shall he
half of the Body into the Water is to walk by a meer implicit Faith because some Learned in the Tongues say the word signifieth to Dip or Plunge or Overwhelm but presuppose the word for Baptism may have a large Signification and that 't is Lawful to use more or less Water in Washing and therefore the Translators durst not confine the word Baptism to one strict Sense what quantity was used on the Person or what was the manner in the Administration which John did use in the act of Water-Baptism it is not in words prescribed but that Water was used to the Person none will deny and seeing the word in Water-Baptism is said to be with Water and the Baptism with the Spirit is express'd by the same word meaning in both with which is by pouring or casting or putting Water on or to the Person and not the Person in it for it hath been proved by plain words that when they stood in Jordan is but to stand where the Water had been so to be in the Sea was but to be where the Sea had been so as all going to Ponds or Rivers is by descending so going down in or on any part where the Water had or usually did Swell or Flow is said to go in the Water as Israel went into Jordan or in the Red Sea when as they stood where the Waters had flowed on dry ground both in the Sea and in Jordan as at low Water with us how far may one go where the Water had flowed yet but to the brink of the Water so one may be said to be in the Thames as they in Jordan Another Scripture is urged by the Anabaptists to prove that John Baptized at Enon because there was much Water Answ The word Enon being the Name of a Town which took its name from Springs that did arise there as the word signifieth an Eye or Holes from which Water springeth up so that although there may be said to be much Water by its continual Springing up yet as Sandy's and the Travels of the Patriarchs Historians say There is not so much depth of Water standing as will dip half the Body in much less will it dip the whole Body in but as most commonly a Spring riseth on upper Ground so it runneth away as may be seen daily in this Land so there may be said to be much Water by its continual Springing yet no depth of standing Water Moreover another reason why there was said to be much Water at Enon with respect to the part of the Country being forty two Miles Northward from Jerusalem so differing from the South part where ariseth few Springs as it is written from the Scarcity of Waters Psalm 126. 4. Turn our Captivity as Streams in the South and hereupon when Calebs Daughter came to ask a Blessing of her Father she said unto him Thou hast given me a South-land give me also Springs of Water Joshua 15. 18 19. so he gave her the upper and the nether Springs And for another reason we may conceive John did not Baptize at Enon because he wanted much depth of Water to Baptize withall but because there was Spring water more desirous than other water to cast upon the Face as hath been proved is the proper place that water in Baptism or Washing is to be administred by casting upon because that part representeth the whole Body as afore shewed Moreover and why should the Anabaptists be so Despising of the word Sprinkling or casting of Water in Baptism on that part that representeth the whole Person we know not unless it be to maintain their new way of Dipping seeing Sprinkling is so frequently used in Scripture to signifie our Sanctification and Cleansing from Sin by the Blood of the Lord Jesus called the Blood of Sprinkling which so well agreeth with the like Sign express'd by water in Baptism by Pouring or Washing not by Dipping but by Sprinkling as 't is written Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your Filthiness Ezek. 36. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 12. 24. alluding to the Sign in Water-Baptism of Remission or Cleansing from the Filth of Sin by the Blood of Jesus by Sprinkling as it is written So shall he sprinkle many Nations by washing in Baptism as afore shewed when Paul was Baptized it is written not Dip'd but be Baptized and wash away thy Sins And herein the Baptism of the Spirit agreeth with Water-Baptism by Isaiah 32. 15. pouring out of the Spirit after the manner of Rain therefore ought the manner in Water-Baptism to be administred not by Dipping but by Pouring or Sprinkling water on the Face for the Reasons aforesaid But as the Lord who chargeth some to have set up an Idol in their Hearts Ezek. 14. 4. so Men may make an Idol of Gods own Ordinance as some did of the Brazen Serpent and as the Jews made little less than an Idol of Circumcision as now it is to be feared the Anabaptists do of Water-Baptism putting that Stress upon it as the Jews did upon Circumcision that they could not be Saved if not Circumcised Moreover that Ben. Keach granteth that the 3000 were not Baptized by Dipping is evident if his words in Page 21 of his Book be but observed his words are these The Multitude to be Baptized were so great that it required others besides the Apostles to do it Nor is it to be believed that Peter himself with the Eleven did Baptize all the Three thousand in one day without the help of the Hundred and twenty Answ All Christians are to know that as the Apostles taught the Churches not only to keep Faith Col. 2. 5. but Order also in the Administration of Gods Ordinances themselves being Examples to the Flock to follow them in due order in the Churches Then Note as that work to wit of Administring the Sealing Ordinances did in all Ages belong to Men in Office to do as shall be fully proved in the Fourth Query none being in Office then when the Three thousand were Baptized but the Apostles who only had received the Command from Christ to go Teach and Baptize Nations Matt. 28. 19 20. So that the Hundred and twenty the Apostles excepted were but common Disciples and some if not many of them Women Acts 1. 14 15. Some particularly named therefore it is not rationally to be believed that any common Disciple had any hand in Baptizing the Three thousand in part of that one day in which short time they were all Baptized and therefore how contrary to Sense and Reason and Scripture also is it for any to believe that the Three thousand were all Dip'd or Plunged all over in water every one of them to be taken up in their Arms by Twelve Apostles to be buried in water as the Anabaptists Plead but yet Practice not for the day was but Twelve hours long John 11. 9. and it was the third hour of the day Acts 2. 15. when
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.
39. For Christ in the Promise was the good Tidings of great Joy preached by the Angel Luke 2. 10 11 12 13 14. according to the Scriptures of the Prophets Isaiah 9. 6. Micah 5. â— Seeing it hath been proved what the Gospel is and from whence the Apostles reaped it namely out of the Scriptures of the Prophets and that the Angel upon the Birth of Christ preached glad Tidings of a Saviour out of the Scripture of the Prophets Luke 2. 10 11 12. also Christ himself and his Apostles taught us no other glad Tidings than is written in the Prophets aforesaid It is therefore desired and required of the Anabaptists to shew us out of any part of the Scriptures of the Prophets where they prove that Gospel to be written that preacheth glad Tidings to Actual Sinners and not a like glad Tidings to their Infants in Infancy who as we have proved are Sinners by original Corruption derived from Father to Children and if dying in Infancy cannot be saved if there be no Promise or glad Tidings of Salvation for them in the Gospel in Infancy commanded to be preached to all Nations that is to every Creature of Mankind unless they will at once affirm and prove that Infants are no part of Mankind that the Gospel is to be preached unto with their Parents under the name of every Creature Col. 1. 23. To the second thing to be considered in the Commission of our Lord Jesus who came to save Sinners yea Sinners of two sorts as afore proved the Fathers with their Infants and that these are the Persons every Nation consisteth of is thus proved If that the Scripture may be allowed to expound its own Sense in every Article of Faith as in lesser matters therefore we read that after the Flood were only left alive Noah and his Family among which Noah had three Sons Shem Ham and Japheth and unto these were born Sons after the Flood And by these were the Isles of the Gentiles divided in their Lands every one after his tongue after their Families in their Nations Gen. 10. 1 5. These are the Families of the Sons of Noah after their Generations in their Nations and by these were the Nations divided after the Flood ver 32. By which it appeareth that every Nation consisteth of Families after their Generations that is the Father and Mother with their Children the two sort of Sinners Sin entered into by the Fall of Adam as aforesaid And likewise as aforesaid Christ was proclaimed when come according to the Gospel preached to Adam and to Abraham that in Christ all the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. namely with the Pardon of Sins so Christ came to take away the Sins of the World by Families because he came to save that which was lost Luke 18. 11. but Mankind was lost by Families Rom. 5. 12. as afore shewed Now whereas Moses writeth concerning the Gospel preached to Abraham saying that in his Seed Christ all the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. The Apostle Peter preaching that Gospel-Promise to the Nation of the Jews in his first Sermon applied the Promise in the Blessing to the Father and Mother with their Children saying The Promise is to you and unto your Children Acts 2. 39. And in his second Sermon expoundeth the word all Families written by Moses to be Kindreds of the Earth shall be Blessed Acts 3 25. The Apostle Paul expoundeth the word Families by Moses Kindreds by Peter to mean Nations even Men Women and their Infants and these are the Persons which by Christs Commission are to be Taught and Baptized Gen. 12. 3. Gal. 3. 8. Now as to the manner the Actual Sinners must be taught and they must actually confess and forsake their Sins because they had actually sinned before they may be Baptized and when the Parent believed then Peter applied the Gospel-Promise to the Believers and their Infants or Children as aforesaid Acts 2. 39. So then a Man's Family under the Promise are his Children in Non-age other of their Children if they have any that have actually sinned as have their Parents must actually repent and believe before Baptized but the Infants in Non-age must be Baptized when their Parents are Baptized because their Sin charged on them is by original Corruption derived to them pardoned with them as Adam's Children and Abraham's and all Believing Jews and Gentiles Children in all Ages were else Children dying in Infancy could not be saved by the revealed Will of God because they are by Nature Children of Wrath Eph. 2. 3. Now this is Gods way in his word that as Families Kindreds Nations are one and the same and as a Mans Children are his Family under the Promise in the Gospel and a Mans nearest Kindred under the Promise are his Children and that every Family is a little Nation as we see before of Noah's three Sons the Isles of the Gentiles were divided every one after their Families in their Nations so when a Believer and his Children are joyned to the Lord called a Family or Kindred a little Nation is joyned to the Lord as Judah when they came up out of Babylon by Families were joyned to the Lord Jer. 50. 5. as before all Israel were joyned to the Lord by Families in the Wilderness Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13. The Father and Mother with their Infants a Holy Nation for saith the Prophet meaning many Families little Nations were joyned to the Lord in that day as it is written many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day and they shall be my People Zach. 2. 11. as Israel were Gods People by Families and so many Families in Covenant with the Lord make one Holy Nation both of old and now as by Exod. 19. 6. with 1 Peter 2. 9. is proved how God calleth his People by Families some out of every Nation as it is written Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every Kindred Tongue People and Nation Rev. 5. 9. But Nations as the whole People in England France Spain Holland or other Nations never was yet heard of to be all Converts in one day or such a Nation to be joyned to the Lord every individual Person in one day but Israel as many Families was joyned to the Lord in one day being actual Believers and their Seed so were they a Holy Nation in a Holy Covenant Dan. 11. 28 30. a Nation in the midst of a Nation or Nations about them to whom saith the Lord in respect of their Faith Worship and Marriages they shall not be reckoned among the Nations Numb 23. 9. So now as every Gospel Church consisting of Families as the Churches of God in all Ages did are as distinct Bodies Holy Nations yet considered as under one chief Sheepherd Christ they are but one Fold one Nation or Brotherhood 1 Pet. 2. 17. in all the World called The Family of Heaven and Earth Eph. 3. 15.
Baptize and furnished with Gifts and working Miracles Therefore no ordinary Person as B. Keach degradeth him in saying He was no other than a Deacon or an Overseer of the Poor when Philip Baptized This Error he had need to correct in his next Again as concerning Ananias he was no private Person as B. Keach saith for we read he was by the Lord immediately called and inabled to work Miracles Acts 22. 12 13. to wit on Paul before he Baptized him And as touching the Sects in Corinth it giveth light in this matter for some followed Paul some Cephas some Apollo taking occasion as it seemeth by the Persons that Baptized them unto whom they leaned more than unto others Now if it were so that some of these were private Men though as it hath been proved they were not yet the Action of a private Man in a work done by express command from God any more than Gideon Judges 16. 25 26. in offering Sacrifice which belonged only to the Tribe of Levi might be followed by any other of his Brethren of the Tribe of Manasseh Again that any Man of Cyprus or Cyren Administred Baptism or the Lords Supper cannot be nor yet is by the Anabaptists proved by any one Scripture and as for Apollo he was no private Man whom Paul joyned with himself nor Cephas who either was Peter or some eminent Officer a Planter and Minister whom the Corinthians accounted as one of their chief Teachers therefore more than common Disciples as B. Keach faineth out of his own Heart which deceiveth him and others that take his bare word for proof or rule to practise of what he hath written about Baptism either in the manner or in the Administrator of it And what is to this end published lately in a Narrative Page 18. of the Anabaptists but that they allow the high Breach of Gods order Namely That other than Pastors or Teachers may Administer the Lords Supper If so then what need is there of Men to be chosen into Office or what need any care be taken for Ministers Maintenance who are chosen to wait upon their Ministry and have charge given them by the Holy Ghost as Overseers of the Flock Acts 20. But we see how little care these Men take that all things among them be done decently and in order but have published as aforesaid rather that order is not to be regarded whereas they may remember when for breach of order for presuming to do that work which God had enjoyned to be done by Office as aforesaid how Corah and his Company were swallowed up in the Earth Numb 16. And for breach of order how King Uzziah was 2 Chron. 26. 16. struck with Leprosie to the day of his death presuming to do the Priest's work Likewise God destroyed Uzza a Levite as aforesaid who out of a good Intent touched the Ark 1 Chron. 13. 10. to keep it from falling which work only belonged to the Priest's Office Numb 4. to touch the Ark. These things being written for our Admonition upon whom the end of the World is come 1 Cor. 10. 11. How then dare the Anabaptists resolve in the Affirmative in their Narrative page 18. without any word drop'd from Christ or grounded Reason from Scripture that an Elder of one Church may Administer the Ordinance of the Lords Supper to another of the same Faith being called so to do by the said Church though no Pastor but as a Minister that is neither Pastor nor Teacher by Office Necessity being only considered in the case and produced no Scripture to prove it when as Necessity did not warrant Uzza in touching the Ark as aforesaid Narrative page 18. Now although B. Keach hath set his Hand to the aforesaid Narrative as Lawful without Command or Example or true grounded Reason from Scripture for it yet in his Answer to an Argument brought for Infants Baptism nothing he will allow but a literal Command in such Term of words he thinks fit The Argument for Infants Baptism is this There is nothing in all the New Testament against Infants Baptism saith Mr. Smythies If indeed our Saviour had declared that Infants should not be Baptized or if we had read of the Apostles refusal of them And there is no hint from any express word from Christ saith Mr. Sidenham or his Apostles nor any Phrase which doth forbid such an Act. B. Keach saith We will answer with Tertullian for there is a certain Rule saith he If it be said it is lawful because the Scripture doth not forbid it it may be equally retorted it is therefore not lawful because the Scripture doth not command it To which he farther addeth to back Tertullian saying That which is done in the Worship and Service of God without an express word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles or any Phrase which doth signifie it is his Will and Mind it should be done is unlawful and no better than Will worship Gold Resin'd Page 146 147. Now will not the Reader mark how this Man is Yea and Nay for what word is drop'd from Christ that other besides Pastor or Teacher shall Administer the Ordinance of Water-Baptism and the Lords-Supper since extraordinary Offices are ceased as Apostles Evangelists and the like as he with others affirmeth that a Teaching Disciple may Baptize and no word drop'd from Christ for it Yet he granteth Water-Baptism to be a part of Gospel-Worship and that whatsoever is done in Worship without an express Command from Christ or his Apostles he granteth is no better than Will-worship therefore seeing there is no word drop'd from Christ that any other besides Pastor or Teacher may Administer the Lords-Supper nor yet no other may Administer Water-Baptism It is therefore Will-worship by his own grant for any being but a Teaching Disciple to Baptize As likewise when any among them and not a Pastor or Teacher Administers the Lords-Supper is likewise Will-worship and so a high Breach of Gods Order So that Church which alloweth these things hath as the Lord complained transgressed the Laws and broken the Everlasting Covenant which Church or City is therefore called the City of Consusion Isa 24. 10. the very Name of Babylon out of which Assemblies all Gods Elect are called out from among them Rev. 18. 4. Although they Boast and say Lo here is Christ and Lo there is Christ Christ saith Go not after them Matt. 24. 23. for where Order is not regarded nor kept in either State Spiritual or Civil there is Consusion and every evil work Therefore let us take a view in Holy Scripture in Christs last Will namely of the orderly Performance of all Gods Holy Ordinances in Worship according to the Rules prescribed in the Testament of the Lord Jesus as it is written Let all things be done Decently and in Order 1 Cor. 14. 40. Now because Order is joyned to Faith therefore saith the Apostle For though I be absent in the Flesh yet am I with you in the Spirit
trust Therefore what is Gospel but the glad Tidings of Salvation to fallen Mankind by the Death of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ merited for them whether Actual Believers only or Believers and their Infants is a great part of this Controversie to be handled in this Treatise for Christ came to save that which by the Fall was lost Matt. 18. 11. Rom. 5. 12. Now then seeing Water-Baptism is ordained for a Sign of Remission of Sins Acts 2. 38. as is proved in the second Query all that can be proved by the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets agreeing in one whether adult Persons or Infants or both that have their Sin or Sins pardoned by Christ mark that are the Persons that have right to have Christ by the visible Sign Water Baptism John 1. 31. made manifest to them I shall therefore refer the Reader for a full proof hereof to read and consider the Answer to the third Query wherein is proved that the Actual Believers as likewise their Infants are equal in the Redemption by the Death of Christ Likewise as there must be a true Administrator of the Sealing Ordinances of the New Testament as well as of the Figurative Ordinances of the Old For this I refer the Reader to the Answer to the fourth Query for Satisfaction And withall to observe in the fifth Query the Description of that first Administrator of the English Anabaptists who Baptized himself because he could not find any in the way of Dipping When denying his Baptism in Infancy he presumptuously Baptized himself without any warrant from God Moreover as the first Sin that generally reigned in the old World was the opposing of the Doctrine of Free Grace which was first seen in Cain the main opposite Doctrine to the Gospel and now reigning by the pleading a Right of Acceptance with God to Gospel-Ordinances by the external Act of Man And that this is the Ground of Anabaptistry which they have laid to deprive the Infants of Believers from the Benefit of the Free Grace of God in the Covenant of the Gospel of the pardon of their Sin And so from the Right which they have to Water-Baptism And this is fully proved against them in the third Query Therefore I desire the Reader to observe their Arguments and the Answer to them for when the Apostle Jude saw the Doctrine of Cain spreading it self among the Christians he exhorteth them that were Faithful To contend earnestly for the Faith once given to the Saints Jude v. 3. Namely first to Adam by which Faith Abel offered a more excellent Sacrifice than Cain therefore saith he concerning them that opposed the Doctrine of Free Grace For they have gone in the way of Cain v. 11. turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ And again concerning such as opposed the Doctrine of Faith he saith v. 10. These speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves And from this Root meerly by the Argument arising from Nature do the Anabaptists continually urge namely that Profession of Faith only giveth Right to Water-Baptism to deprive the Infants of Believers because they cannot Actually profess Faith and repent of a right to the Remission of their Sin and so of a Right to the Sign thereof Water-Baptism as in this Treatise is fully discovered Moreover And to maintain this their Doctrine grounded on Nature they quarrel with our English Translation as though the original word for Baptize was not truly explained because it is Englished Wash and not Dip Therefore we have proved in speaking to the first Query that the greatest Schollar who spake with more Tongues 1 Cor. 14. 18. than the rest of the Apostles hath by the Holy Ghost which leadeth into all Truth John 16. 13. opened and expounded the true natural and proper meaning of the Sense of the word Baptize to be a pouring of Water on the Persons Baptized as he saith All our Fathers were Baptized in the Cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. Psalm 77. 15 to 20. being under the Cloud the Clouds pouring out Water on them when they passed through the Sea so called Sea where the Water had been for they went through the Sea on dry foot this could not be on dry foot had they been dip'd Now our Translators durst not presume to have more skill in the Sense of the original word for Baptize than the Apostle Paul had and therefore durst not confine the word to one strict Sense as the Anabaptists would have it to maintain their disorderly way of Rebaptising As is fully proved to be against Modesty in answer to the first Query But they have left the word Baptize in its general term to Wash as it is written Acts 22. 16. Be baptized and wash away thy sins So that in vain hath Ben. Keach in his Book Gold Refin'd brought a multitude of Authors to confirm the word Baptize to be Dip'd being all disproved by the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. and when they can overthrow his expounding the Sense of the word Baptize by pouring Water on the Persons Baptized then they may have somewhat to plead that Dipping is the way and till then they oppose and withstand the Apostles Doctrine like Alexander 2 Tim. 4. 14 15. for as we may observe in another word that the Translators durst not confine it to one strict sense namely the word in the original for Church or Congregation but left it in the general term Church or Congregation because the plural number more or less is in Scripture called a Church The first Church was in Adam's Family and after in Noah's Family and after that in Abraham's Family or House as the Apostle accordingly writeth to the Church in a Mans House Rom. 16. 5. 1 Cor. 16. 19 all but few in number Whereas in the Wilderness Acts 7. 38. the word for Church or Congregation were in number above six hundred thousand Souls and in the Acts above three thousand Now to limit the word for Church to a strict number is Sin so to limit the word to such a mult of Water is Sin because it is an abusing of the word contrary to the harmonious Agreement of the Scriptures and so contrary to the Analogy of Faith as is shewed at large in the first Query Therefore As in the Lords Supper it is not the quantity of Bread and Wine more or less but the right apprehension of and sincere Affection to the thing signified that Christ intendeth thereby and the same in Baptism being both Signs and Seals to one and the same Covenant of the Gospel So that when any shall plead skill in the. Tongues concerning the signification of words without regard had to the Mysteries of Faith which cannot be understood but by the help of the Spirit of God they abuse the use of Learning for there are two
125. That as no Person might eat of the Passover before Circumcised even so no unbaptized may eat of the Lords-Supper and that the Baptized and Vnbaptized ought not to joyn together in the Lords-Supper p. 126 12 d The Anabaptists Objection That Water-Baptism was lost answered p. 128. The Anabaptists Doctrine concerning the State of the Jewish Church answered p. 133. Gen. 17. 7. Exod. 19. 5 6. Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. proved to be no part of the Covenant of Works p. 133 to 161. B. Keach's Assertion That God hath quite pulled down the State of the Jewish Church and turned all Infants out of doore refuted p. 162 to 170. Baptism Anatomized OR A Seasonable Discourse concerning the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism Open'd and Explain'd in Five Queries Query 1. WHAT Water-Baptism is according to the true Sense and Meaning of the Word one Scripture opening another together with the Manner how it was Administred by the Apostles on the Primitive Christians Query 2. To what end Water-Baptism was ordained by the Lord Jesus in these last days of the Gospel Query 3. What is that by Scripture evidence that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Query 4. Who are they that the Lord Jesus hath ordained in his Gospel to the Worlds end to be the Administrators of Water-Baptism Query 5. Whether it be Lawful for any Man to Baptize himself Wherein is also shewed that from such an Administrator the Anabaptists successively received their new way of Rebaptizing of Adult Persons only and the Reasons disproved as they have exerted it Now Published as an answer to the several Pamphlets sent to several Persons by the Anabaptists in Penny Post Letters and other Books as Gold refined and also a Solemn Call or Challenge by Phillip Cary to any Person that will appear to vindicate the Right of Infants Baptism Therefore There is a time to keep Silence and a time to Speak saith Solomon The Summ of these Queries were delivered to one Benjamin Keach by one that the Anabaptists pressed with Arguments to be Rebaptized and not to have her Children Baptized In answer to these Queries a Book Intituled Gold Refin'd was offered by Benjamin Keach with this Message That it was an Answer to the aforesaid Queries But being examined and found too light in the Ballance of Gods Word to maintain that which it asserteth against Infant-Baptism Therefore what Benj. Keach says in the aforesaid Book relating to these Queries is here incerted and answered To the first Query What Baptism is according to the true Sense and Meaning of the Word one Scripture opening another together with the manner how it was administred by the Apostles on the Primitive Christians B. Keach saith in Page 33. of his Book Entituled Gold Refin'd That the Baptized were always Dip'd all over in Water and certain it is no Baptism at all if not so administred The only Proof he brings is the Learned in the Tongues say The word for Water-Baptism in the Original signifieth so So his Proof is not from Heaven but from Men Learned Men in the Tongues Answ Our last Translation Mr. Henry Ainsworth as well as others Learned in the Tongues saith is the well amended Translation in which written Word of God we find three several kinds of Baptism viz. the Baptism of Water Acts 10. 47. the Baptism of the Spirit Matt. 3. 11. and the Baptism of Suffering Mark 10. 39. Yet saith the Apostle There is one Faith and one Baptism Eph. 4. 5. by the word one Baptism expressed by one and the same word from the Original hath one and the same Sense in the Meaning or Signification of the word Baptism in the Administration thereof in all which the Persons Baptized with Water or with the Spirit or with Suffering are Passive So that when the word for Baptism is rightly understood in its true Sense and Meaning in the manner of Administration all three Baptisms they will agree in one and therefore we say with the Prophet Isaiah 49. 4 My judgment is with the Lord and they that speak not according to this word Isaiah 8. 20. there is no light in them Now according to this word the true Sense of the word Baptism is as followeth To begin with Water-Baptism the Apostle would not have the Primitive Christians Ignorant how that all our Fathers were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea together with the manner in the Administration of this Water-Baptism by the Lord himself that it was by pouring out Water on the Israelites whom the Apostle calleth our Fathers out of the Clouds as saith the Psalmist Psalm 77. 17 18 19 20. The Clouds poured out water or the Clouds were poured forth with Water Thy way is in the Sea and thy paths in the great waters Thou leddest thy People like a Flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron Now it is to be believed that the Apostle Paul who had the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2. 16. was not inferior for Learning in the Tongues to any Learned Man since his days who hath given his Sense concerning the signification of the word Baptism to be understood with its natural signification from or by the manner of Israels Baptism in the Sea or where they passed where the Sea or Water had been on dry foot Exod. 14. 22. 29. by the Clouds pouring forth Water on them So that the true signification of the word Baptism by the Apostle Paul's Determination is a pouring or casting Water on the Persons Wash'd or Baptized And to confirm this not by Humane Authority but by the Testimony of God in his Word that as John came Baptizing with Water even so by the same term of words in the Baptism of the Spirit it is written They shall be Baptized with the Spirit Acts 1. 5. Thus we see the manner or meaning of the word Baptize with Water or with the Spirit as it is written Isaiah 32. 15. Until the Spirit be poured on us from on high not the Person dip'd in the Spirit And again saith the Lord Joel 2. 28. I will pour out my Spirit on all Flesh for John truly Baptized with Water but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost by pouring out on Persons agreeing in one sense By all which it appeareth that at Israel were Baptized with Water when they stood in the Sea so called because it was the place where the Sea or Water had been on dry ground when the Water out of the Clouds was poured forth on them and the Water of the Sea was a Wall on each side Thus they were Baptized with Water as the Apostles were Baptized with the Holy Ghost or Spirit when poured out on them Therefore John when he Baptized Baptized with Water that was by casting or pouring Water on the Persons So then as we are commanded not to lean to our own understanding Prov. 3. 5. but to believe Gods Word in
it for him Surely if Remission of Sins be the greater work for which the Sign Water-Baptism is to be set on than all that Christ hath washed away their Sin or Sins the Right in the Sesser the Sign is also merited for them by him that merited the greater for them namely the Remission of Sin or Sins so that for any to say nothing but Profession of Faith can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them is to rob Christ of his Honor and Sinful Man to take the Glory to himself That Man by his External Act meriteth a Right to partake of one of the insealing Gospel-Ordinances surely this Man's Faith is not built upon the Foundation or Doctrine of the Apostles or Prophets for since Mans Fall all Right Man forfeited from under a Blessing to any Mercy or Sign of Gods Mercy either Temporal or Spiritual for even the very plowing of the wicked is Sin So that in fine when Man hath done all with respect of Meriting by the best Act he can do to obtain any Mercy from God he is repulsed with this That he is but an unprofitable Servant Luke 17. 10. therefore by Grace is our Sins pardoned and by the same Free Grace in Christ have we a Right to the Sign of Remission of Sins for was it not of Free Grace that by the Sprinkling of the Blood on the Door posts of the Israelites in Egypt that by that outward Sign the Destroying Angel passed over them and was not this Right merited for them by Christ their Passover and not for any external Act they did or could do even so we to wit all Believers and their Infants as then they and their Infants by the Blood of Sprinkling of Jesus our Passover the Destroying Angel passeth over us for Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us and our Children as of old for the Israelites and their Children For so it is written as by the outward Sign in Baptism So shall he Sprinkle many Nations and I will Sprinkle clean Water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness Isa 52. 15. Ezek. 36. 25. As it is in the Sign Water-Baptism Be Baptized and wash away thy Sins or Filthiness By which it is clear that the Right to Water-Baptism is merited by Christ only for all such whose Sin or Sins Christ taketh away and by the Doctrine of the Gospel it is manifested that Christ taketh away the Sin of the World which Infants by original Corruption derived from their Parents were guilty of And unless the Anabaptists can prove that Infants were no part of the World that Sin entered into and so no part of the World from whom Christ hath taken away their Sin But the first the Apostle hath proved that Infants by the Fall Sin entered into them by original Corruption derived from their Parents Adam being the Root therefore his Off-spring his Branches could not be clean as saith the Scripture Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean no not one Job 14. 4. And likewise the latter the same Apostle teacheth as foresaid that is By one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners to wit Children so by the Obedience of one to wit Christ the second Adam many were made Righteous the Believers and their Infants But by the Anabaptists natural Faith they cannot see this Mystery of the Gospel and therefore leaning to their own Understanding which is forbidden Man so to do in the Mysteries of Faith in the Gospel they run aground saying according to the aforesaid Argument That Profession of Faith and Repentance giveth right to Water-Baptism from that Scripture He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved From this and the like Scriptures they plead against the Right the Infants of Believers have to be Baptized without regard to the Free Grace of God to Sinners by the Doctrine of the Gospel for that Scripture is not understood a right that an Absurdity can be brought on the Inference they make as for example if as they say None ought to be Baptized but such as actually Believe Then by that Scripture none can be Saved but only such as Actually Believe for that Scripture saith He that Believeth not shall be Damned which the Anabaptists affirm Now the true meaning of Mark 16. 16. He that hath Actually Sinned if he doth not Actually Believe in Christ to be his Saviour and repent and so forsake his Sins he according to the Revealed Will of God hath no Promise of Salvation but Infants who are Sinners not by their own Act but by original Corruption derived from their Father Adam and so by nature naturally from their Father that begot them they are Children of Wrath until their Father or Mother Believe and then until they like Cain Ishmael and Esau by their own Actual Sins prove Wicked If they abide Faithful with Abel and Isaac they are to be esteemed a Holy Seed Gods Children as aforesaid from the Birth so that the Promise of Remission of Sins in the Covenant of Grace belongeth to them and therefore have Right to the Sign of Remission of Sins Water-Baptism to be Administred on them by Free Grace So that if the Argument were rightly stated there is nothing less than the Pardon of Sins by the Merits of Christ can give any Soul Young or Old right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them But if as B. Keach saith Nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Then how near a kin is the Faith of the Anabaptists in this thing about Water-Baptism to the Romish Clergy for whereas the one say Profession of Faith giveth right The other The Fathers have Decreed in the Council of Trent That whosoever shall say Grace is not conferred by the work done Let him be Accursed Surely that which giveth any Soul Right to have the Sign of Remission of their Sin or Sins Administred on them is a Grace a special Grace But it hath been proved that Remission of Sins or washing away of Sins in the Blood of Christ is the only thing which giveth any Soul Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and therefore the Right is by Grace and not by Merit for the Act done by any Mortal Man Simon Magus made an external Profession of Faith and Repentance for it is said he Believed Acts 8. 13. If that had been that which only gave him Right to be Baptized he would not have been told he had no Right nor part in that matter and why because he was told he was in the Bond of Iniquity therefore Profession gave him no Right but was only required of him because he had been an Actual Sinner but it is the Remission of Sins giveth Right as aforesaid be Baptized not for Profession but for Remission of Sins So the Right is merited by Christ for all that the Scripture testifieth he hath bore away
Thirty years of Age for as God is a God of order so Christ as Man kept order in all things he did So that as he came to fulfil all Righteousness for Believers and their Infants waited for one foretold of by the Prophet Isaiah to begin that work which was to continue for a Gospel-Ordinance as it is written The Voice of him that crieth in the Wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the Desert a High-way for our God Isaiah 40. 3. Matt. 3. 12. Now although Christ was God yet was he also Man and so waited for a Ministerial Officer to begin so great an Ordinance a Gospel-Ordinance to remain as a Sign of Justification by Christs Righteousness in the Remission of the Sins of the Believers and their Infants whose Sin or Sins he had bore away in Promise and was now come in Act to bare away in Person their Sins as a Lamb slain in the determinated Council of God before the World was Therefore John being the Son of a Priest might not begin his Ministerial Office according to the Law not then abolished until he was Thirty years of Age Numb 4. 3. The Lord Jesus as Man being but Six Months younger was Baptized so soon as John began his Ministry and this was the reason why Christ was not Baptized until he was about Thirty years old So that this Plea from Christs being not Baptized until he was a Man grown is Insufficient to prove that Infants are not to be Baptized thus we see what Windings and Turnings by any Colour or vain Deceit these People lye in wait to deceive by who turn away their Ears from the Truth and be turned unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. 4. Another Pretence is they plead the order of words go Teach and Baptize so that from hence by carnal Reason without respect to the Analogy of Faith according to the Doctrine of Baptism they infer That no one is to be Baptized until he is capable to understand Doctrine If the order of words would satisfie these People we read John did baptize in the Wilderness and preached the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of sins Mark 1. 4. Here by this Scripture we see the order of words runneth John Baptized and Taught as elsewhere it is written Go Teach and Baptize To contend about words we are forbidden but commanded to contend for the Faith once given to the Saints Then for a ready way to understand the order of words in this matter we must begin at the Root the Figure or Forerunner of Water-Baptism namely Circumcision the one coming in room of the other as they both signified one and the same Benefit to Believers and their Seed in Christ who was Baptized and Circumcised for us in the one to fulfil all Righteousness imputing his Righteousness to Believers and their Infants as by that Sign Washing away their Sins in his Blood the other in disburdening them of their Sins as by Col. 2. 11 12. is proved Matt. 3. 15. Rom. 1. 5. Therefore as afore shewed of all Actual Sinners Actual Repentance and Confession of Faith God required before they might be Circumcised for Abraham and the Proselyte Gentiles first by the word were called to Repent God having given them also Faith to believe in Christ who was yesterday and to day and the same for ever no other name given under Heaven that ever any Soul can be saved by from Wrath to come Now when such had Actually sinned and repented and believed then were they Circumcised as a Seal set on them of the Righteousness of their Faith in Christ who by his Circumcision when come in the Flesh should disburden them of their Sins as afore proved by Col. 2. 11 12. with Rom. 4. 11. and because it was the pleasure of God that as Infants are Sinners not by their own Act but by the Actual Sin of Adam and so by original Corruption still derived from Father to Children therefore as the Free Grace of God was in the Gospel preached to Adam and Abraham That Christ came to take away the Sin of the World as afore proved Infants were guilty of and Rom. 5. 12. Christ having bore away the Sin from Infants when the Sin of their Parents was bore away is the reason that the Infants of old were Circumcised without Actual Confession of Faith and Repentance and after were commanded to be taught Then by the order of words some as Actual Sinners were first to be taught before either Circumcised or Baptized and others their Seed in Infancy as for the reasons afore given first Circumcised and after Taught as now Baptized and after Taught Deut. 3. 12 13. Eph. 6. 4. And thus we see the order of words are reconciled that John is said to Baptize in the Wilderness and preach the Baptisin of Repentance and the Apostles preached Repentance and after Baptized So that there is no warrant to keep Infants from Water-Baptism until they repent Thus the Anabaptists Doctrine is not of God but a Point of their natural Faith Seeing then it is clear that as Infants were first accepted into the Covenant of Grace in Christ with their Believing Parents and then Circumcised as by Deut. 29. is proved that first the Parents with their Little ones entered Covenant with the Lord even the same Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob v. 13. and afterwards were Circumcised at Gilgall Joshua 5. 3. by Joshua who was a Circumcised Person of them that came out of Egypt and then the Children were taught what God had done for them and what he did require of them as they grew up Gen. 18. 19. Deut. 6. 7. and 11. 19. Prov. 22. 6. So that the Infants then born when God accepted them with their Parents into the Covenant of Grace with himself as also the Infants after born their Parents were to bring with them in the Feast of Tabernacles as it is written Gather the People together Men and Women and Children and thy Strâ—â—gers that is within thy Gates joyned with Israel in Covenant with the Lord Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13. that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the Lord your God and that their Children which have not known any thing may hear and learn to serve the Lord your God Deut. 31. 11 12 13. Even so are Parents now to bring their Children with them to the Congregation to hear the Law of God opened and explained though as yet they may not have known any thing as it is written Ye Fathers bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Eph. 6. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our the whole Church of Gods Learning That they through Patience and Comforts of the Scriptures might have hope for them and their Children Rom. 15. 4. as saith the Prophet Who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of
Wages of Sin is Death but some Infants dye so soon as born therefore sinful by Nature as in the third Query proved But since the Anabaptists have devised another Erroneous Doctrine as afore shewed to deprive Infants of Water-Baptism that is because they cannot profess Faith and Repent therefore they have say they no Right to be Baptized This likewise hath been disproved and also proved that Infants being born Sinners the only thing which giveth them Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them is Remission of their Sins in the third Query A third Devise these People have found to deprive Infants of their Right to Water-Baptism perswading People of years they were not Baptized at all if not Dip'd or Plung'd in Water This Error hath likewise been refuted in the first Query And lastly When the Anabaptists had framed so many Devices to deny all Infants Baptism they were confounded in themselves what to do to begin Baptizing in their way of Baptizing Adult Persons only as Men and Women there being no such Administrator to be found for an unbaptized Person without an immediate call from Heaven as John Baptist had to Baptize But one John Smith as aforesaid being more desperately wicked than others when being cast out for Error out of a True Church he Baptized himself and then he Baptized others and from this Man the English Anabaptists have successively received their new Administration of Baptism on Men and Women only And now let us take a small Description of this Man as aforesaid When he was joyned a Member to an English Church at Amsterdam whose Wolvish Nature was hid for a time as it is written For I know this saith Paul to the Church of God at Ephesus that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock also of your own selves Shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Acts 20. 29 30. Such a Wolf was John Smith for before he pleaded for Anabaptistry he was so great an Instrument of Satan that he sought to deprive the Church of God he had joyned himself unto of the use of the Bible not only as not to be used before the Eye as not to be looked into in time of Worship contrary to the Practice of Christ and the Apostles Luke 4. 16 17 1 Tim. 4. 13. Eph. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 1. 13. but also that it was not lawful to make use of the Bible in any other Tongue than that it was first written in Mr. Henry Ainsworth being Teacher in the aforesaid Church and so well acquainted not only with the Original Togues that first the Scriptures were given in but also with the mind of Christ in the same answered his Reasons against the use of Translations his main or principle Reason was this as Mr. Ainsworth saith That no Apocrypha Writing but only the Canonical Scriptures are to be used in the Church in time of Worship every written Translation is an Apocrypha Writing and is not Canonical Scripture therefore every written Translation is unlawful in the Church in time of Worship Ainsworth's Defence of Scripture Page 1 2. Now saith Mr. Ainsworth Some time after he had published this Error God struck him with Blindness that he could no longer find the door of the Church out of which he was gone by Schism and which he had assaulted with Errors namely our entering in by the Covenant made with Abraham and his Seed as now to the Faithful and their Seed which hath been as a Brazen Wall against which he hath run himself to his utter Ruine If God in Mercy raise him not up and now as a Man benum'd in mind he cryeth out against as contrary to his former Faith and Profession saying Lo we protest against them to be a False Church falsly Constituted in the Baptizing of Infants and their own unbaptized Estate Defence of Scripture Page 3. Thus Wine sheweth it self in Mr. Smith to be a Mocker and Strong Drink to be raging while he hath drunk the Wine of Violence Prov. 4. 17. proclaiming open War against Gods everlasting Covenant How contrary is this to his former Faith he once seemingly as it appears maintained with us saith Mr. Ainsworth as may be seen in his difference in the Preface for then he acknowledged the Ancient Brethren of the Separation as he calleth us are to be honoured for that they have reduced the Church to the true Primitive Apostolick Constitution Now as one Error goeth not alone while Mr. Smith was seeking to deprive the Church of God of the use of Translation one of his Arguments he thus framed Children saith he may read a Translation perfectly well but Children cannot perform any part of Spiritual Worship Therefore reading a Translation is no part of Spiritual Worship Mr. Ainsworth's Answer is Is not the praising of God a part of his Worship when the Children cried Matt. 21. 15 16. Psalm 8. Hosannah in the Temple to the Son of David Christ defendeth their Fact by Scripture That out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings God hath made perfect his Praise But I will turn his own Weapon upon him thus Mr. Smith Anabaptized himself with Water but a Child could have done Here Mr. Ainsworth saith Mr. Smith Baptized himself the like unto himself who cannot perform as he thinketh any part of Spiritual Worship and consequently it was Carnal Worship and Service of the Devil If one should answer though a Child could cast Water upon himself and utter such words as he heard Mr. Smith spake yet could he not preach or open Neh. 8. 8. the Covenant as did the Priests and Levites therefore Reading and Preaching being joyn'd together as Baptism with Water and Preaching he that condemneth the one because a Child can do it condemneth the other by like reason And Mr. Smith having thus written of Children and done to himself the Babes and Sucklings whose Souls he would Murther by depriving them of the Covenant and visible Seal of Salvation in the Church shall rise up in Judgment and condemn him at the last day who is like a Brute Beast as the Apostle Jude calleth some Men Who spake evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as Brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves Jude ver 10. Now how like a Beast did Mr. Smith say in his Writing against Infants Baptism That an Infant is no more capable of Baptism than any unreasonable Creature And what differeth Mr. Keach's words who saith in Page 164. of his Book Gold Refin'd That Flocks and Heards were Baptized in the Clouds and in the Sea as well as Children When as the Apostle saith all our Fathers were Baptized who were not Beasts but that part of Mankind of whom Christ came as it is written Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9. 5 6. Again Mr. Smith formed an
and Infants all out of doors To which I answer with the words of Christ concerning the State of the Jewish Church For Salvation is of the Jews John 4. 22. Now if Salvation be of the Jews then the State of the Church of the Jews was founded on Christ for there was never but one Foundation laid on which the Church of God was and is builded in all Ages and this is Christ as it is written For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. If then Christ be the Foundation of Faith laid in the Gospel Promise preached to Adam and that the Jews had the same Covenant of the Gospel as we have as it is written Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them Then if this Foundation in which the Church-State in all Ages was built on is pulled down the Anabaptists Church-State have not Christ for its Foundation as in truth it hath not for if the Anabaptists Church-State had Christ for its Foundation then they must confess the State of the Jewish Church had Christ for the Foundation of their Faith as it had else they could not be Saved for so it is written to the Church of Israel as now to the Gospel-Churches Behold I lay in Sion for a Foundation a stone a tried stone a precious corner stone a sure Foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Isa 28. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 3. On this Foundation the Church of Israel was built else Salvation could not come out of Zion as it is written There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. with Isaiah 59. 20. but the Church of Israel was called Zion because her State was the Covenant of Grace as it is written Say unto Zion Thou art my People Isa 51. 16. And again Praise thy God O Zion Psalm 147. 11. O Zion that bringeth good Tidings Isa 40. 9. Now by no other Covenant than that of Grace did the Lord say For the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psalm 132. 13 14. Therefore it is said to the Church of the Jews Rejoyce greatly O Daughter of Zion shout O Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having Salvation lowly and riding upon an Ass and upon a Colt the Fole of an Ass Zach. 9. 9. Now because some of the Church of the Jews rejected Christ that he should not reign over them this doth not prove God hath destroyed the Church-State called Zion no sure the Church-State remained with the Faithful and their Seed for it were they that welcomed their Salvation into his Kingdom see the third Query and from the day the Gospel preached to Adam promised a Deliverer should come out of Zion was Christ the Foundation laid which Church-State from the day Christ in the Promise was laid in the Covenant of the Gospel in Zion can never be removed as it is written Look upon Zion the City of our Solemnities thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams wherein shall go no Gally with Oars neither shall gallant Ships pass thereby For the Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law giver the Lord is our King he will save us The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Isa 33. 20 21 22 24. Now are we commanded to look upon Sion the City of God the State of Grace the Church of God in all Ages was built on Yea let us look and see that unto no other Gospel-State of Salvation are the Gospel-Churches come unto than to this Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and unto the innumentable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and unto the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 22 23 24. And again those that have the eye of Faith may see as it is written And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their Foreheads Even all Gods Sealed number who by Faith in the Covenant of Grace in Christ Gods Israel both Jews and Gentiles who came out of great Tribulation washed their Robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 7. 4 9 14. Now if as is proved in this Treatise that we Gentiles have no other Foundation for our Salvation than Christ in the Gospel-Promise to Adam and Abraham and that the Church of Israel had the same to build their Faith upon and that the Gentiles Churches stand by Faith on the same State of Grace Mount Sion the Church of Israel did and that in the same House or Church of God Moses was Faithful as a Servant Christ is over the same House of his as a Son therefore how near to Blasphemy is it for any to say God hath quite pulled down that House of his that National Church-State of the Jews when as Peter saith from the Covenant of Grace Exod. 19. 5 6. the Church under the Gospel were a Holy Nation upon the same Grounds as Israel were a Holy Nation as was Gods way in his Free Grace in all Ages that in Christ all Families shall be Blessed as aforeshewed in the third Query The Believers the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or Buds with them Now they that shall deny Israel of old had not the same Covenant of Life and Salvation as we now have into which they and their Infants were accepted go about to destroy the Gospel preached to Abraham that in Christ all Families are Blessed in that B. Keach saith God hath quite pulled down that House of his by Families when as by Families written by Moses Gen. 12. 3. Peter expoundeth Kindreds Acts 3. 25. and who be the nearest Kindreds but Children and these the Apostle calleth Nations Gal. 3. 8. as afore proved in the third Query to whom the Blessing in the Gospel belongeth Zech. 2. 11. Matt. 28. 19. In the next place to examine the Scriptures Ben. Keach bringeth to prove God hath pulled down the Church-State of the Church of old and turned Infants out of doors his first is 1 Pet. 2. 5. from whence saith he God hath now built him a new a glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his Houshold Servants