Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	believe_v	faith_n	justify_v	12,898	5	8.9851	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A47535	Gold refin'd, or, Baptism in its primitive purity proving baptism in water an holy institution of Jesus Christ ... : wherein it is clearly evinced that baptism ... is immersion, or dipping the whole body, &c : also that believers are only the true subjects (and not infants) of that holy sacrament : likewise Mr. Smythies arguments for infant-baptism in his late book entitled, The non-communicant ... fully answered / by Benj. Keach ...	Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704.	1689 (1689)	Wing K68; ESTC R17190	114,897	272

saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Now they affirm that Infants are Believers and therefore are to be baptized Mr. Smythies says Infants are Believers in a sense or else they could not be saved nor have right to the Promises of Christ in the Gospel and if they are in any sense such Believers as are intitled to Salvation they are such Believers as have a right to Baptism if the Estate belongs to a Child in the Cradle the Indentures and Seals of that Estate belong to him likewise the Child of a Believer may as well be called a Believer as the Child of a Proselyte was called a proselyte if God gives Children but the denomination of Believers it is sufficient to entitle them to Baptism Thus Mr. Smythies But how does it appear that Infants are Believers in any sense is there any Argument or Scripture brought by this Man to prove them so to be if he can prove they have Faith and do believe in Christ he will do more than all the Men that ever lived on Earth could do I mean Children as such in common and in an ordinary way to be Believers True nothing is too hard for God to do he that can make an Ass to speak can as well cause a Babe to believe But how does it appear God has given them either the Habit of Faith or the Act of Faith or Faith in any sense to render them to be Believers But 't is intimated they are Believers by their Parents Faith why may not their Parents Baptism serve as well as their Parents Faith and they receive the Lord's Supper for them in their Names also and that be imputed to the Children by virtue of their Parents Faith And what though the Estate belongs to the Child in the Cradle together with the Indenture and Seals of that Estate Is it required the Child in the Cradle should therefore set his Seal to the Indenture is that requisite or would it make the Estate the more firm or sure to him But when you can prove Grace and Salvation to be Hereditary and that the Father's being a Believer and a godly Person all his Children must needs be such too you do your business Secondly But why do you say Children must be Believers or else they can't be saved who told you so Because Faith in Adult Persons is required as necessary in them if they are saved Can't God save poor Infants without they also do believe has God told you he cannot or will not save them except they believe I must confess I wonder at your Ignorance and daring Boldness God as Dr. Taylor observes may have many ways to magnify his Grace through Jesus Christ to them which we know not of and what have you to do with the Secrets of God who made you one of his Privy-Council you may as well say unless they repent they cannot be saved from Christ's words Luk 13. 3 5. and that they must be obedient and take up the Cross for these things are required of Adult Persons that would be saved as well as believing Thirdly Prove that God has given Children the Denomination of Believers or if it was granted he hath would it therefore ●ollow they may be baptized certainly no for we read of many who were said to believe they had some kind of Faith and so in some sense had the denomination of 〈◊〉 and yet had no right to Baptism for such ought to have 〈◊〉 Faith or to believe with all their Hearts 〈◊〉 Philip said to the Eunuch Act. 8. who are fit Subjects of that Ordinance or have a sufficient Title to it and would not that believing in any sense you speak of that entitles them to Salvation give them as good a right to the Lord's-Supper as to Baptism Come Sir you can't infer a right to an Ordinance from what grounds you please Baptism depends wholly I say again upon the Authority of a positive Law and express words of Institution and none but such who are made Disciples by preaching or who do actually believe ought from thence to be baptized I wonder what Faith 't is you suppose to be in Infants is it the Faith of the Church as Tho. Aquinas asserts which is intailed upon all within the pale thereof Or is it an Imputitive Faith from the Parents in Covenant as Musculus and others maintain Or is it the Faith of the Gossip or Surety as many of your Church say i. e. others believe for them Have they a justifying Faith as Mr. Baxter intimates or a dogmatical Faith only as in Mr. Blake's Sense Some as Mr. Danvers observes say 't is a Physical some a Metaphysical and some a Hyperphysical Faith. Some say they are born Believers others say they are made Believers by Baptism Now when you tell us what Faith they have we shall the better understand you and give you an Answer A Personal and actual Faith saith Dr. Taylor they have not for they have no Acts of Understanding besides how can any Man know they have Faith since he never saw any sign 〈◊〉 neither was he told so by any that could tell Secondly saith he Some say they have Imputative Faith But then so let the Sacraments be too that is if they have the Parents Faith or the Churches then so let Baptism be imputed also by derivation from them And as in their Mothers Womb and while they hang upon their Mothers Breasts they live upon their Mothers Nourishment so they may upon the Baptism of their Parents or their Mother the Church for since Faith is necessary to the susception of Baptism and they themselves confess it by striving to find out new kinds of Faith to daub the matter such as the Faith such must be the Sacrament for there is no proportion between an actual Sacrament and an Imputative Faith this being in immediate and necessary order to that This saith the Bishop We know there are some argue stifly for Infants having habitual Faith but as the said Doctor saith Are there any Acts precedent concomitant or consequent to this pretended Habit this strange Invention saith he is absolutely without Art without Scripture Reason or Authority But the Men are to be excused unless they had any better Arguments to defend their Practice they are forc'd to confess the Truth in the main viz. That Faith is required of Persons to be baptized and therefore they do what they can to prove Infants do believe But I will conclude this with what the said Doctor further saith And if any Man runs for Succour to that exploded Cresphugeton that Infants have Faith or any other inspired Habit of I know not what or how we desire no more advantage than that they are constrained to answer without Revelation against Reason common Sense and all the Experience in the World. CHAP. XII Containing an Answer to several other Arguments brought for Infant-Baptism Object 1. THough there is

limited to the Apostolical Office or that it must be done by Men extraordinarily qualified and called forth and none else Moreover whereas 't is said by some that he who takes upon him to baptize ought to have Power to work Miracles as the Apostles did this seems very strange seeing the Text saith expresly that John the Baptist the first and most eminent Baptizer did no Miracle yet the People made no Objection against him or his Power to baptize notwithstanding Quest But had not John an express Commission to baptize Answ That his Baptism was from Heaven or that he did receive Command to baptize 't is evident yet we read not when or how he received such Commission but let his Commission be what it would and never so full it could not be fuller or more plain than the Commission we have lest us Jesus Christ Mat. 28. 19 20. Go teach all Nations baptizing them and lo I am with you always to the end of the Word Now as this Commission authorizes the Disciples of Jesus Christ to preach to the end of the World so it equally impowers them to baptize and the same Argument that is brought against baptizing viz. not having an extraordinary Mission holds as strong against Preaching and the practice of all Ordinances whatsoever as well as that therefore how dangerous a thing is it for any to plead for the non-continuance of Baptism in the Church or to say it ceased when the extraordinary Gifts ceased sith there is no other Commission that injoyns Christ's Disciples to preach c. but that which as well injoyns them to baptize those who are discipled by the Word Object But since the practice of Baptism in Water was lost in the Apostacy how could it be restored again without a new Mission Answ That makes against the Restoration of other Gospel-Ordinances which were lost as well as Baptism in respect of the Purity of them as practised in the Primitive Times But as the Children of Israel had lost for many Years the Ordinance of the Feast of Tabernacles yet by reading in the Book of the Law there was such a thing required they immediately revived it and did as they found it written without any new Mission or extraordinary Prophet to authorize them so to do even so ought we to act God's Word being a Warrant sufficient to justify us in so doing CHAP. II. Shewing what Baptism is from the literal and true genuine and proper Signification of the word Baptism IN shewing the signification of the word Baptism we will with all Impartiality give the Judgment of the Learned 't is a Greek word therefore let us see what the Learned in that Tongue generally have and do affirm to be the express signification thereof And such hath been our care and pains together with a Friend of mine some time since deceased who was several months in my House as to examine the Writings of divers eminent Men upon this Account amongst which are Scapula and Stephanus Pasor Minshew and Leighs Critica Sacra Grotius Vossius Casaubon Selden Mr. Daniel Rogers Mede Chamiers Dr. Taylor Dr. Hammond Dr. Cave Hefychius Budaeus Beza Erasmus Buchanan Luther Illyricus Zanchy Glassius c. who with many other Learned Men nay all indeed who are impartial agree with one Voice that the primary proper and literal signification of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baptiso is mergo immergo submergo obr●o item tingo quod fit immergendo that is in English to immerge plunge under overwhelm as also to dip which is done by plunging True in a less proper or remote sense because thing that are washed are commonly dipped or covered all over in Water it is put for washing Luke 11. 38. Heb. 9. 10. Mark 7. 4. And we dare modestly assert that no Greek Author of any credit whether Heathenish or Christian has ever put Baptizing for Sprinkling or used those words promiscuously the Greeks have a peculiar word to express Sprinkling viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rantizo which as a Learned Author observes is ever used in Scripture by the Holy Spirit when he speaks of such a thing as 〈…〉 yea 't is used three times in one Chapter viz. Heb. 9. 13 19 21. and is always translated Sprinkling Neither is there saith he any one place of Scripture wherein the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rendred to baptize or used to signify baptizing Neither is there one Scripture wherein the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baptizo is rendred Sprinkling or used to signify such a thing as Sprinkling This being so and certainly so it is How strangely hath the World and many Godly Christians been deceived thinking they have been Baptized when in truth they never were to this day but only Rantized We have had many long and tedious Disputes and perplex'd Controversies about the true Form or Manner of Baptizing whereas the thing in difference is properly not the Manner or Form of Baptizing but what Baptism is for as one observes A Man may ride many ways viz. East West c. backward forward apace or slowly c. yet all this is riding still whilst the Man moves to and fro on Horse-back because the very formality of that Action of riding consists is being carried by a Beast but while he moves upon his own Legs up and down you cannot at that time denominate him riding In like manner a Man may be Baptized Anglicè Dipped or put under the Water many ways viz. forward backward sideway towards the right Hand or Left with a quick or slow Motion and yet all the while be Baptized if he is put under the Water for in such respect the Form or manner of Baptizing i.e. Dipping doth consist the manner of Baptizing is one thing and the manner of Rantizing is another Sprinkling is Sprinkling let it be done how you please but it never was nor never will be Baptizing And that Baptism is any thing else than Dipping or Washing which is by plunging or dipping we do utterly deny for as the cutting off a little bit of the Foreskin of the Flesh and not the twentieth part round is not Circumcision so sprinkling a little Water on the Face is not Baptism As it would be ridiculous and very absurd to call that Circumcision so it is as false and ridiculous to call Sprinkling Baptizing If Accidentals or meer Accessaries be wanting unto Baptism saith one there may be right Baptism notwithstanding but abstract the absolutely Necessaries 't is not only none of the Baptism of Christ but truly not any Baptism at all Object But the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though it signifies not to Sprinkle yet not only to Dip and overwhelm in Water but also to Wash and so 't is rendred in the Lexicons as must be acknowledged by you Answ If the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do signify to wash yet it is a real total washing only such a washing as is by Dipping Plunging or swilling

know not nor consider this Order which God used in Covenanting with them in Baptism deal preposterously over-slipping the Commandment of Repenting and Believing It appears to me as if God will sometimes make Men speak the Truth whether they will or no and confirm his own blessed Order though they contradict their own Practice thereby Paraeus the same Person saith upon Mat. 3. 5. shews that the Order was that Confession as a Testimony of True Repentance go first and then Baptism for Remission of Sins afterwards What Commission our Brethren have got who sprinkle Children I know not let them fetch a thousand Consequences and unwarrantable Suppositions for their Practice it signifies nothing if Christ has given them no Authority or Rule to do what they do in his Name Natural Con●sequences from Scripture we allow but such which flow not naturally from any Scripture we deny Can any think Christ would leave one of the great Sacraments of the New Testament not to be proved without Consequences For I am sure there is no Baptism to be administred before the Profession of Faith in the Commission nor no where else in Christ's New Testament and that Faith is required in the second place as pre-requisite unto Baptism is very plain from Mark 16. 16. They must be Believers none are fit Subjects of Baptism but they that believe and are capable to believe He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved c. not he that is baptized and then believes Take heed you do not invert Christ's Order and if there is no Baptism to be found in the New Testament to be practised before Faith much less Sprinkling or Rantism is there required CHAP. VII Proving Believers to be the only true Subjects of Baptism from the Apostles Doctrine and the Practice of the Primitive Churches WE read that the Apostles according to the Commission Christ gave them preach'd the Gospel of the Kingdom having received the Spirit from on high and began at Jerusalem as he had commanded them and so endeavoured to make Men and Women Disciples i. e. bringing them to the sense and sight of their Sins and knowledg of their lost and miserable condition by Nat●●e as being unconverted and without Christ and in Acts 2. where Peter preached the first Sermon that was preached after the Ascension of the Lord Jesus And when they heard this the Text saith they were pricked in their Hearts and sai● unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do then said Peter REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of Sins and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost c. And then they that gladly received the Word were baptized and the same day there was added to them about three thousand Souls Pray observe the Footsteps of this Flock I mean the manner of the Constitution of this Church it being the first Church that was planted in the Gospel-days it was the Church at Jerusalem and indeed the Mother-Church for evident it is all other Gospel-Churches sprang at first from this and hence some conceive the Apostle calls this Church Jerusalem above being the Mother of us all said to be above not only because she was in her Constitution from Heaven or by Divine and Evangelical Institution but also might be said to be above in respect of Dignity or Priviledg being first constituted and having the first Fruits of the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit poured out upon them and besides having all the great Apostles at first as Members with her and hence 't is that all other Churches were to follow the Church of God that was in Judea and were commended in so doing and certainly 't is the Duty of all Churches so to walk unto the end of the World. But to proceed Acts 8. we find Philip being by the Providence of God cast into Samaria he preaches Jesus Christ to them and when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ they were baptized both Men and Women not till they were Disciples and did believe were any baptized Men and Women not Children not them and their little Babes if Philip had so done he had acted contrary to his Master's Commission In the same Chapter we find he preached Christ to the Eunuch also And they came to a certain Water and the Eunuch said See here is Water what doth hinder me to be baptized ver 37. And Philip said If thou believest with all thine Heart thou mayst And the Eunuch answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God And they both went down into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him There must be Faith or no Baptism thou mayst or thou oughtest 't is lawful or according to Christ's Law i. e. his Commission A Verbal Profession is not sufficient say our late Annotators on this place Philip in God's Name requires a Faith as with all the Heart and not such as Simon Magus had who is said to believe and be baptized vers 13. this was say they the only thing necessary either then or now if rightly understood How was it known saith Mr. Baxter but by their Profession that the Samaritans believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ before they were baptized both Men and Wome and saith ●he Philip caused the Eunuch to profess before he would baptize him that he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Moreover in the tenth of the Acts we find Cornelius and those with him were first made Disciples by Peter's preaching and the Spirit 's powerful Operation and then were baptized Who can forbid Water saith he that thest should not be baptized who have received the Holy Ghost as well as me And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus that is by the Authority of Christ according to the Commission So in Acts 16. when the poor trembling Jaylor was made a Disciple i. e. did believe with his whole House on the Lord Jesus Christ he was with his whole House baptized so Lydia believed and was baptized Acts 16. 14. the like in Acts 18. Crispus believing on the Lord and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized The Chief Ruler believed with all his House and were baptized he believed his House believed the Jaylor believed all runs in their believing all must by believing be made Disciples or not be baptized Luther saith that in Times past the Sacrament of Baptism was administred to none except it were to those that acknowledged and confessed their Faith and knew how to rehearse the same and why are they now See Mr. Baxter in his sixteenth Argument against Mr. Blake if there can be no Example given in Scripture of any one that was baptized