by these I will never believe it God is gracious God is faithful what ever we think of him in our dark hours I will rather believe they did not follow close their improvement of these for I meet but with very few even good Christians tho' they hate Anabaptism that do improve them as they ought No wonder then tho' Men cry out Abrahams Covenant is Null and Infant-Baptism Null when they never improved them so found no good by them and now turn Anabaptists I know Christians that lie under some Temptations may and do expect more from the Covenant Promise and Sacraments than God intended or the Scripture holds forth they would make one Scripture contradict another If God gives in but a little and will suffer us to lie under our Temptations but yet will supply us with so much from his Covenant that we are able to hold up our hands in the day of Battel that our Hearts are kept close to him and do not in the least depart from him If we cannot get the fatted Calf and Musick c. Luke 15.23 which some Christians have if we can but get a Kid and have a Father to own us at last 't is worth our Beleiving Praying and Writing What it was that Woman a noted Midwife I knew expected to find at the Lords Supper I know not but it seems she found it not whereupon she forsooke the Lords Table with this blasphemous Speech A Man may find as much good by a Loaf in the Bakers Shop as by the Bread in the Lords Supper for she had been often there and could find no good Hearing of this Speech I inquired after her by those who had been long acquainted with her I know not whether I saw her after I heard it they took her alwaies for a civil Woman but did not think she was acquainted with the work of Regeneration but that made me to wonder the more for such persons commonly take up their Priest in the work done in above partaking of the Ordinance If Christians be at this Point we expect so much from Promises so much from Ordinances or we have nothing then we may do as she did throw off all Ordinances and Promises too Tho' I am far from attaining what I have sought and desired yet I bless God so much I have attained from my understanding and improving of Abrahams Covenant and my Infant-Baptism that I have but a light esteem of all the Anabaptists Books against them they signifie nothing with me but of this more hereafter Disputing without experiencing signifies little in Divinity to a tempted Soul But this I doubt not to affirm Did Christians set in earnest to their work and labour to improve Abrahams Covenant and their Infant-Baptism they should find as much profit advantage and support to their Souls as any Anabaptists do by their Dipping when Adult But if Ordinances be not improved how can Men expect any good by them When God made that Covenant with Abraham to be the God of him and his Seed and appointed the seal of his Covenant to be Administred to the Infant on the eigth day Might not ought not all the Jews and did not many of them when they came to years of discretion and were taught the meaning of them improve them to their Souls advantage why then may not we as well improve the same Covenant and our Infant-Baptism when we are come to years of discretion to our Spititual advantage when we understand them by our Pastors and Parents teaching If there be such an advantage in Adult-Baptism over there is in Infant-Baptism what is the matter that some of them could say they found no such good by it and I do believe them by their Conversation but especially what is the reason that so many hundreds of them cast off both Infant and Adult-Baptism and deny Baptism altogether for which they were sometime so zealous if there had been such advantage in it they would not have done so wickedly to cast away such an Institution of Christ Secondly A second thing which might occasion this is That so many Children of Godly Parents who were Dedicated to God in Baptism in their Infancy and Parents have bestowed great pains in their Education yet prove wicked The deeper the wounds of such Parents and the sorer the damnation of such Children without Repentance But first We may observe the greatest number of visible yea true Christians in the visible Church consist of the Children of such Parents Since the Flood of Iniquity of late years brake in upon this Nation it hath risen so high that it hath flown into the Houses of Godly Parents more than ever it did since England knew the Gospel This is a Lamentation Secondly Was it not so in Isaac's Family where but two and one naught Thridly We never understood that when God made that Covenant with our Father Abraham and his Seed that he intended to make all his Seed Godly but we understand such a Priviledge in it that neither Parents nor Children who have their Eyes opened will part with it let the Anabaptists write what they please against it Fourthly But do this Disping None deny that Regenerate persons are the subjects of Baptism he must say only else he opposed not us Christins Scrip. pract of Int. c. p. 147 148. and Re-Baptising of Adult persons help it are they all Godly If the Elect and Regenerate be the only Subjects of Babtism as my Author tells me I am sure they are not of Anabaptism to my knowledge unless drunkenness and uncleanness be Notes of Regeneration we shall not need to go to Germany to inquire England will afford proof enough Mr. Baxter hath given us a sad account of some of them enough to make a serious Christian afraid of the Opinion By a serious Christian who came from New-England we are informed That a Sea-man as I remember one being Baptised how long the Baptist held him under Water I know not but so soon as his Head was above Water he wrapt out an Oath so I heard it what do you make account to drown me Thirdly Another is this The great Adversary of Christ and his Church seeing how earnestly the Spirits of good Christians were set for the Reformation of the Church in all Points according to the Holy Scriptures which we profess to hinder this work by dividing of Christians and raising Animosities one against another used this for one Engine Baptising of Infants of Beleiving Parents being the Opinion and Practise of such Christians they must now be thrown by because in the Scriptures we can no where read that Christ gave command to his Apostles to Baptise Infants While I was answering this Book word was sent me That there was one who would Dispute with me in the Congregation expecting his coming and knowing he had thrown away Water-Baptism for an Introduction to my work I laid down Ten Arguments to prove that Water-Baptism was still an Institution of
Baptism was never so strongly opposed nor better defended than it hath been within these forty yearts in this English Nation I think there is enough Written to satisfie the minds of sober Christians but the Enemy of the Church is not yet quiet nor will be till the Church Militant becomes Triumphant A difference we may observe between Christians now and those in former times in England since I can remember How wary were they then what Doctrines they received Tho' they would not pin their Faith upon any Mans Sleeve yet they would consider what Persons they were for soundest of Faith and Holiness in Conversation from whom they would receive any Doctrine which hath made me wonder many times how this Doctrine of Anti-Pado Baptism which was first hatch'd in the Brain of that Notorious Heretick for so upon search I find him Auxentius Chereshed by Pelagius and afterwards revived by Men of corrupt Minds and lewd Conversations as that Learned and Pious Martyr Mr. Philpot tells his Fellow Prisoner in Newgate That this wretched Doctrine as Mr. Thomas Hooker calls it should fiâ—â— entertainment in the Hearts of any truly Godly as it hath done in England of late At this as I said I have wondered For this was not the frame of the Right Old English Puritans they would have abhorred the Doctrine for the Authors sake Good Mr. Jessey I knew between 50 and 60 years since but then I heard of no Inclination this way and one I have met with truly Pious sound in all other Points humble made no noise of his Opinion whither Re-baptised I cannot tell with him we held Communion in the Holy Supper To me it seems strange and so strange that I will never believe it That Christ should Promise his Spirit to his Church and that good Spirit should suffer both his Martyrs and choice People to err in such a Point if it be an Error from the Apostles days to this day Since the Reformation I believe England Scotland and Ireland have through Gods Rich Grace afforded as many Holy Heavenly Gracious and Learned Men as any Nations under the Sun As smart Enemies to Mystical Babylon of which the Anabaptists tells us Infant-Baptism is a Relique as any Anabaptists can be and have done more against that Babylon than all the Anabaptists that ever were or shall be have done or can do and till of late years I never heard of one what others have done I know not that did approve but did detest this Doctrine till our unhappy Wars in which time and since that time this Doctrine is much spread May I have leave to inquire what should occasion the spreading of this Opinion in this Nation besides the Soveraign pleasure of God who for wise ends may suffer a Gracious Man to err in some particular I have thought of these Causes First The first and chief Reason was even good Men did not improve their Father-Abrahams-Covenant nor their Infant-Baptism Covenant as they ought Hence not improving these they did not experience the goodness of God in them and our advantage by them Then no wonder tho' Men in times of Dispute and Temptations be at a loss and come at last to deny that which others who have improved and experienced have found to be a greater priviledge advantage and support to their Souls under their fears and other temptations Experiences you say unless well grounded upon Scriptures are but deluding Fancies I know it very well therefore the grounds have been well weighed On the other side tho' the Scriptures be plain yet the Gospel and things apprehended only by Faith are such and Temptations about them especially in some Men so strong that if a Man hath not attained to some experience of what he doth believe if his Faith hath not brought in some Spiritual Sense in the Hurricanes of long and strong Temptations a Mans Faith will be terribly shaken in the very Gospel it self The wind having blown at that Door before I could not but take special notice of what the worthy Author of the Book Intituled The fulfilling of Scriptures hath told us concerning that Holy Man and Eminent Servant of Christ Mr. Bruce telling his People I think it to be a greater matter to believe there is a God than people judge p. 430. The same Author speaking about Experience from his own Experience I doubt not how it helps to Witness that great Truth of Godhead p. 111. in the next Page 112. speaks thus It is not the Contemplation of Nature in its highest flight can answer such an Assault of the Devil which may try the most Established Christian Adult in the being of a God c. but then he shews how Experience of God helps the Soul Whether these be not Truths I leave it to those who have been long exercised with these Temptations now if in that Point as to the being of a God than much more as to Gospel Truths that no wonder the Apostle Prays that Beleivers may abound in all Knowledge and Sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Phil. 9. we read Judgment but the Greek word and so the Margent tells you is Sense The Arabick word is very significant Grotius and Gomarus understand by Sense Experience Hemmingius and Zanchie opens the word excellently Some Men are exercised with Temptations exceedingly more than others and God is pleased to be more Dark or exceeding Dark to some over he is to others which hath made me often think and say It is only Divine Teaching and the experimental Sense of what is taught that can make a sound Christian bear up and hold to the Word in the time of long and sore Temptations I could here give a very sad but true Story the like scarce ever heard before pertinent to the Point in hand but I fear the Devil would make ill use of it among tempted Christians and therefore I will not commit it to Writing To return to the Head I am upon If the Anabaptists say How can a Man improve a Nullity and get Experience of it Abrahams Covenant with the Seed of Believers now is Null Infant-Baptism is Null True I do not know how a Man can improve a Nullity But I doubt not there are many Anabaptists in England who lived several years before they drank in this Opinion of Anabaptism and in that time did not think Abrahams Covenant nor their Infant-Baptism to be Null many of them also had Parents not only visible but real Christians I appeal to their Consciences did you in that time before you drank in this Opinion improve the Covenant and your Infant-Baptism did you mind these did you meditate well upon them did you believe them upon these Meditations and Faith did you follow God close and earnestly in Prayer for the benefits of them and tho' you met with Temptations yet did you hold on and what did God give you in nothing no support no relief no comfort from these did you find no advantage to your Souls
Observing how my Author and Mrs. Tombs insulted over Mr. Baxter and he that gave me the Challenge to Print telling me All my Party were silent and I living in a Country small Town and not hearing what Books came forth I could not tell what to think of it but when I wrote my Copy for the Press I left here a space till I wrote to Mr. Baxter to know whether he had met with any Arguments to change his thought I thank him he sent me down his Book in answer to them both Then one lent me Mr. Wills I heard also of Mr. Whitston but I saw none of these Authors till my Copy was written but I see they have answered Mr. Danvers to purpose discovered his gross falshood and forgery Another Divine I met with that knows Mr. Danvers though he hath not written against him yet he hath so traced him that he told me never did Jesuites abuse Authors in their Quotations more than he hath done That the Jesuites practice lies this way we may see in Bellarmine who quotes Ten of the Fathers to justifie his Doctrine of Christs preaching to the Spirits in prison 1 Pet. 3.19 when as Six of them I may say Eight of them give that Interpretation of the Text which Bellarmine himself condemns See saith that pious and learned Reignolds With what Conscience these Jesuites handle the Controversies of Religion which may well be applyed to Mr. Danvers abusing so many Authors as he hath done Reignold Praelec 86. de lib. Apochr p. 1044. See him again p. 1083. SECTION III. Leaving then the Historieal part by which Infant-baptism is much confirmed Let us come to the holy Scriptures out of which our Divines who have laboured in this Controversie have produced so many that I know not how more can be well added where therefore others have been large I will be brief One man I knew though I had no inward acquaintance with him about fifty years since a Mechanick and Head of a separate Company in those days he had none but his Mother-tongue but a very good head in Polemical Divinity This Doctrine of Anti-paedobaptism then being propounded to him he rejected though he had other Arguments against it yet I took notice of this I observe saith he ever since God had a people upon the earth he made a difference between the families of his servants and of wicked men even before the flood Gen. 6.2 There is not only truth but strength in it what-ever the Anabaptists scribble against it Two Texts especially my Author pitch upon because he thinks we build much upon them Gen. 17.7 1 Cor. 7.14 and so we do these he labours to take from us That the children of the Jews were Church-members with their Parents the Anabaptists acknowledge Then they were made so by this Covenant of God with Abraham and with his Seed and the Commandment to Circumcise them here then we must begin From the 17. Gen. 7. I lay the Argument thus A gracious Covenant made signed and sealed by God with a believing Person and his Seed and never repealed by God that Covenant remaineth in force and is to be signed and sealed unto his Seed But that Covenant of God with Abraham to be his God and the God of his Seed was such a Covenant and never repealed Therefore This we premise There is a great difference between the outward Administration of an Ordinance and the inward Efficacy This is clear in the Lords Supper preaching the Word and so in Baptism the Scripture is plain for this and the Anabaptists cannot deny it Or if you please to take Mr. Tho. Hooker's distinction There is an Inward and an Outward Covenant Cov. of Grace p. 2.3 Inward standing in a spiritual Institution of it between God and man When God calls a people and with his Call gives them Faith to answer his Call So that now he is indeed their God becomes theirs by Faith and they who are thus in Covenant with him shall never fall 2ly The outward Covenant is more large The Dispensation of this God gives on his part to Christians and their Engagements on their part is Faith in him subjection to him He doth engage himself to them and if they answer the outward Priviledge he will make them a choice people Exod. 19.5 Deut. 26.17 18 c. too long to transcribe By vertue of this Covenant God was said To know them above all the Nations in the world Amos 3.2 God set up his Tabernacle amongst them and dwelt amongst them Exod. 25.8 Psal 135.1 Chose Israel for his peculiar treasure Psal 135.4 Gave them his Ordinances Psal 147.19 20. God wrought for them wonderfully and though they provoked him exceedingly yet he bare with them and did not for Abraham 's sake cast them out of his presence as yet 2 King 13.23 Thus was he a God to them the whole visible Church of the Jews by it God gave them a great advantage to lay hold upon God to become their God in an outward Covenant in Efficacy as well as in outward Administration This I say by vertue of this Covenant with Abraham till they dealt most wickedly with God in Covenant rejecting Christ the promised Seed in Abraham's Covenant in whom they should be blessed then God brake Covenant with them and cast them off Zech. 11.10 14. As a people may besaid to be Gods people so God their God 1. When they acknowledge God to be the onely true God and their God 2. When they worship him with his own Worship onely 3. When they profess his Truths Doctrines and take his Word for their Rule 4. When they do Covenant and engage themselves to God Yet among these may be many Hypocrites and but formal Christians as Branches are said to be in Christ John 15.2 My Author moves six Questions here to raise a dust and trouble the Reader when things are plain he might have reduced them to Three what is considerable in the rest I shall touch First I call it a Gracious Covenant We read of several Promises God made to Abraham Gen. 12.2 3 7. and Chap. 13 14 15 16. and Chap. 15.1 4 5. But the word Covenant we read not of till this 17th Chapter here we have it several times and this Covenant between Abraham and his Seed being the last branch of the Covenant for Canaan in the next Verse was promised three times before God now adds a Sign verse 11. which the Apostle calls a Seal Rom. 4.11 So that now all the former Promises God binds them up and seals them up in a Covenant The great Promise of all Chap. 12.3 In thy Seed shall all the Nations be blessed is not mentioned in this Chapter since God began to speak of a Covenant but this was a part of the Covenant the Apostle Peter tells the Jews Acts 3.25 Ye are the Children of the Covenant which God made with our Fathers saying to Abrabam And in thy Seed shall all the Kindreds