continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free And again cap. 15.7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you ask what you will and it shall be done unto you and the word is able to save our souls Jam. 1.21 and the Lord will have respect to them that are of contrite spirits and tremble at his word Isa 66.2 but whose despiseth the word shall be destroyed but he that regardeth the Commandment shall be rewarded Pro. 13.13 And thus its evident that if we run to the word for refuge we do wisely and are safe in so doing But as for Mr. Hall he hath never a word to run to for Infant-baptism as he himself confesses pag. 30. in his fifth Argument in these words In express terms so infants baptism is not commanded nor a thousand things more which get we are bound to observe I shall now conclude with shewing some undenyable Reasons why the word of God must beunderstood and obeyed as it is written without adding to or taking from 1 Because God did never without words make known his minde to the sons of men therefore we read that God at sundry times in divers manners spake to our fathers by the Prophets but now in these last days he hath spoken by his own son c. Heb. 1.12 2 By words the minde of God is compleatly made known so that to fear God and keep his Commandments is the whole duty of man Eccles 12.12 13. 3 Because Christ blames men for erring from the Scriptures saying You erre because you know not the Scriptures Mark 12.24 4 Because we are commanded to hear the words of Christ in all things what soever he shall say unto us Act. 3.22 5 Because they that consent not to wholsom words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to godliness are proud or fools knowing nothing 1 Tim. 6.3 4. 6 Because the Scriptures are able to make us wise to salvation through faith in Jesus and to make the man of God perfect and throughly to furnish us to all good works 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 7 Because when Paul left the Church in a dangerous condition because of deceivers he committed them to God and to the word of his grace affirming it is able to build them up and to give them an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified 8 Because if men or Angels shall preach any other Gospel then what is already preached they shall be accursed Gal. 1.8.9 9 Because those that preach are commanded to preach the word in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.12 and not their own words 10 Because Christ will judge all men by his words that he hath spoken in the last day and then they which do add to his word he will add to them all the plagues written and those that diminish from it he will take their names out of the book of life and their part out of the holy City and he will come in flaming fire to render vengeance on them that know not God and obey not his holy Gospel Joh. 12.48 Rev. 22.18 19. 2 Thef 2.7 8 9. Lastly I shall propound these following Queries with a desire to have them answered by any who will or can 1 Whether God doth require the sons of men to believe any thing in point of Justification that is not recorded in the holy Scriptures of truth 2 Whether God doth require or command us to obey any thing after believing which is not contained in the word of truth 3 Whether the Saints have any ground to believe the Resurrection from the dead and eternal life in glory but as it is recorded in Scripture 4 Whether if a man believe and obey all the known precepts and promises contained in the word of God as much as in him lyeth will God condemn and punish him at the great day because he hath believed and done no more 5 If the Scriptures be not a perfect rule of faith and obedience without the help of any mans inventions what is Or who may we trust or at whose mouth must we seek wisdom 6 If the Scriptures ought to be believed and obeyed as they are written then how dare some deny faith in and obedience to some part of them and impose things not written in the Scriptures to be obeyed in stead of the ordinances of Christ 7 Whether there be any sin or corruption incident to man that the Scriptures doth not reprove and make manifest in express terms 8 Whether there be any vertue or praise in any thing that the best of men ever did but what is expresly commanded or commended in the Scriptures of truth 9 I appeal to every mans Conscience in the sight of God whether their Consciences do not condemn them when they walk contrary to what is written in the Scripture 10 Whether every mans Conscience do not justifie him when he walks according to what is contained in the word of God Now if all these Queries be granted as they are stated to be true then it followeth that those that teach and perswade men to do any thing in matter of Justification or salvation more or less then is plainly written and expressed in the word of God are such as do add to or take from what God hath spoken to the sons of men for instruction and are guilty of those plagues pronounced Rev. 22.18 19. but infants baptism is nowhere written nor expressed in all the Scriptures as Mr. Hall Mr. Baxter and Mr. Cook do confess therefore they and all they that plead for it are guilty of the plagues aforesaid except they repent And thus have I answeâ—â—d to Mr. Baxters ten Positions which he saith pag. 3. must necessarily be well understood before we can understand the point in hand So that the Reader must take notice that if these Positions be not well understood to be true then all the rest of his book cannot be understood to be true by his own confession For saith he If people be mistaken in that which goeth before no wonder if they deny the consequents or that which followeth after c. So that if I have fully answered these Positions I need say but little to the rest of the book All which I leave to the Reader to consider of But howsoever I shall not fail by the assistance of God to speak so much to the two first parts of his book as may undermine his building and lay it in the dust As for the last part of his book from the 162 page to the end himself confesseth that they are but such vain contendings as he is like to be guilty of and Mr. Tombs also as you may see in his Epistle to the Church at Bewdley towards the latter end Likewise Mr. Cooks Arguments being the same with his the substance of both tending to prove that infants are in Covenant and that they are
this is a most subtile sophistry much like to that of Satan when he beguiled Evah saying In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt not dye but your eys shall be opened and you shall be at Gods knowing both good and evil all which was both true and a lye for they did learn to know evil by it to purpose and as for good they knew it before and now they learned to know it was good by the loss of it And after the same manner is your reasoning when you say If we have nothing but the bare words without the meaning and reason we have no proof To which I answer The truth is that if we have not the meaning of God and the reason reason why he speaks to us how can we understand as we ought but now Sir I shall make it appear that both Gods meaning and the reason of his meaning is plainly declared to the sons of men by his word of truth and so plainly that if you or an Angel from heaven shall add to it or take from it you shall be accursed and he will add to you all the plagues written and take your name out of the book of life All which if you do not knows I pray read Prov. 30.6 Gal. 1.8 9. Rev. 22.18 19. But you would make us believe that what is written is not able to inform us aright but you or such as you are must add to it or take from it at your pleasure and those your additions and substractions you call the meanings and reasons of the word of God But now I shall prove that the word of God alone is able to make us wise to salvation without your adding to or taking from and to that end see 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. in these words And from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for correction for instruction in rightcousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works Again the Apostle Jam. 1.21 exhorteth us to lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and to receive with meekness the ingraffed word which saith he is able to save your souls Again when Paul left the Saints in a dangerous condition because of deceivers he commits them to God and the word of his grace saying It is able to build them up and give them an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified Thus you see 1 That the Scripture is able to make us wise to salvation 1 Tins 3.15 2 That all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and therefore profitable for Doctrine reproof correction instruction in righteonsness ver 16. 3 To make the man of God perfect and throughly furnished to all good works ver 17. 4 It s able to save our souls Jam. 1.21 5 It s able to build us up and give us an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified Act. 20.32 And now seeing the holy writings are able to do all these things I will boldly and safely conclude that we have no need of your Reasons and Sences to help them but you have need to help your Reasons and Senses by the holy writings or else you will be but one of those insensible unreasonable men that Paul prays to be delivered from because they had not faith and how can you have faith as Christ saith How can you believe when you receive honor one of another John 5.44 and do not you receive honor one of another when you prefer one anothers words above the words of God which Christ and the holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 But whereas you say wickedly that if we have the words of God without the meaning and reason we have no proof Answer I am sure I may honestly and in the fear of God conclude that if we have your words and meanings and reasons without the word of God we have no proof that we may safely trust for Let God be true and every man a lyer and cursed be he that trusteth in man c. Rom. 3.4 Ier. 17.5 And thus your folly is manifest but because this is the very place in which and slight by which Satan doth deceive and murder so many souls the Reader must give me leave to inlarge my selfe in answering Now to your proof which is this you say The Divel used the words of God to tempt Christ I Answer doth it follow that because the Divel and wicked men do sometimes use the word of God to deceive with that therefore the Saints must not use it make them wise to salvation I trow not Againe Sir You much mistake the matter for the Divells deceit did not ly in bringing the Scriptures but in adding to and taking from as I shall make it appear by comparing the words the Divell brought Mat. 4.6 and Luke 4.10 11. with those words in Psa 91.11 12. which are these For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes they shall bear thee up in their hands left thou dash thy feet against a Stone These are the words of the Prophesie Psa 91.11 12. but the words of the tempter are these Cast thy self down which is nowhere written Just as you say Baytise your Children which is no where written but the Divell would prove he might thus for saith he it is written He shall give his Angells charge concerning thee to keep thee as in Luk. 14.10 and with their hands they shall bear thee up left at any time that is added thou dash thy feet against a Stone Thus it is clear the tempter added at any time and left cut in all thy wayes Againe Luke 4.9 10 11. We read Cast thy selfe downe for it is written He shall give his Angells charge over thee to keep thee and in their hands they shall bare thee up left at any time thou dash thy feet against a stone Thus we see in both Scriptures that the tempter added Cast thy selfe downe and at any time and left out in all thy wayes So that here is both adding and diminishing which is accursed of God and yet Mr. Baxter takes the Divells part and saith the Divell used the words of the Scriptures to Christ But this is but a small fault with you Sir for you have learned to take the same leave your selfe as I now shall make it appear thus If thou be the Son of God The Divell said to Christ cast thy self downe which is nowhere written as the Lord saith but the contrary viz. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God So do you say If you be the Children of God and in Covenant baptize your Children which is nowhere written but the contrary thus Teach all Nations batizing them c. Mat. 28.19 And Preach the Gospell to every
rather then to ages and instanceth in Evah who when Cain was born she said I have gotten a man from the Lord. But what is this to our purpose for she doth not say that this man believed the things concerning the kingdom of Jesus Christ but those men and women Act. 8.12 were such as believed all these things therefore your Argument is false and your self deceitful and wise to do evil as appeareth by this your cunning craftinesse wherewith you lye in wait to deceive Eph. 4.14 Now the last Text is in Act. 18.8 that Crispus the chief Ruler believed in the Lord with all his house and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized Thus we have seen the command of Christ and the practice of the Apostles agreeing together by which the foundation of the Saints is discovered upon which they ought to build which is the words and sayings of Chirst and the practice and example of his holy Apostles but not a word that I can finde in all the holy Scriptures or sayings of Christ the Prophets or Apostles about the Baptizing in a Font nor baptizing little infants that can neither speak nor understand my not so much as the name of that abominable Idol the Font is once mentioned in all the holy Scriptures much less that the people of God should sacrifice their children to it as the children of Israel once sacrificed their Babes to Molech See Jer. 32.35 Therefore we may most safely conclude that it is none of the Councel of God for Paul saith Act. 20.27 I declare unto you the whole Counsel of God but in all Pauls writings it is nowhere declared therefore it is none of Gods Counsels nor for us to follow And now seeing there is no foundation nor footing for the Font nor Infant-baptism in all the word of God we must if we will discover it seek for it somewhere else the which I confess is not worth the doing were it not to discover and make manifest the folly of them that uncover it and guard it for infants baptism and to that end I shall do it Look into a book intituled A view of the Civill and Ecclesiastical Law written by Sir Thomas Ridley Knight and Doctor of the Civill Law printed by William Turner Printer to the University of Oxford 1634. Cum privilegio In that book pag. 176. he although an enemy to us yet confesseth that the Rites of baptisme in the primitive times were performed in Rivers and Fountaines where the persons baptized received that Sacrament and this manner of baptizing saith he the ancient Church entertained from the example of Christ who was baptized of John in the river of Jordan and some say that this was very tolerable in the of Eastern parts but saith he most certaine it is that it was most convenient for that time because their Converts were many and men of years a reason also may be saith he for that those ages were otherwise unprovided of Fonts and such conveniences as are now in use Thus he confesseth that Fonts were not then in use Againe saith he And this hath been the cause why this manner of baptizing was resumed in after-times and other places for saith he our venerable Bede telleth us of some that were baptized here in England in the river Swale which runneth through part of York-shire in the North-riding and he giveth the same reason Nondum enim Oratoria vel Baptisteria in ipso exordio nascententes ibi Ecclesiae poterant aedificari Ecclesiast hist lib. 2. cap. 14. And then he saith The days we now live in have no other remainder of this rite of baptizing in rivers and fountaines then the very name and hence it is saith he that we call our vessels that containe the water of baptisme Fonts or Fountaines From all which let the Reader consider 1. That he confesseth that baptism in the ancient times was administred in Rivers and Fountaines 2. That nothing of that is remaining but only the name 3. That from thence it is that they call those vessels they baptize in Fonts And thus we have begun to discover the foundation of the Font. But he proceedeth further and confesseth saying This custome of baptizing in Rivers and Fountaines being discontinued or left off Fonts were erected in private houses Hence let the Reader observe 1. He saith the primitive practise was to baptize is in Rivers and Fountaines which the ancient Churches received from the example of our Saviour who was baptized of John in the River of Jordan Mat. 3.13 14 15 16. 2. He saith that was left off observe They left off the example of Christ 3. They erected Fonts in their own private houses observe here is the words of the Prophet Jeremiah fulfilled Jer. 2.12 13. Be astonished O ye Heavens at this and be ye horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord for my people have committed two evils they have forsaken 2. There is a being without the law that is all the true knowledge of the law as infants ignorants Atheists of which Paul himself said of himself that he was without the law and this is from the sence and understanding of it Rom. 7.9 3. There is a being under the law in the external government of it in a Commonweal and in the condition of the soul as it is in unbelief Gal. 3.23 before faith came we even Jews and Gentiles were shut up under the law 1. Those under the law internally are to be under the external form of the law to be guided and instructed thereby as by a Schoolmaster to bring them to Christ 2. Those without the law are not freed from the law though they are judged by another law Gal. 3.22 The Scripture hath shut up all men under sin that is the law even all those which are without law and those under law also 3. All which prove the law of God to be the rule to judge by that it is indeed the Magna Charta Suprema Lex and Salus Populi and now only is judgement the Lords The second General to clear that that followeth is Deut. 6.1 These are the Commandments the Statutes and the Judgements 1. By the Commandments I understand the 10 words given in two Tables by God to Moses on Sinai Exod. 20. which was the ground of Statutes 2. The Statutes are the several cases depending on each Command and arising out of them and set down to direct the Judges how to Judge according unto God in the matters of God laid down in the first Tables and in matter of men in the second they being the absolute decrees of God Judges and Judged must rest in from whence is no appeal and is the ground of Judgement 3. The Judgement contains the sentence added to the breach of every law for punishment or to obedience of the law for couragement therein the promises of good and mercy and is only proper to Gods law and curses added to his law not mans which is
an empty law Third General I. That though in the 4 last books of Moses is an oft repetition of the Statutes and Judgements yet usually there is inserted in each of them some weighty distinction and not without great reason repeated which because of my necessity and brevity of time of writing with my other imployments I have omitted to observe leaving it to your selves to do as being the sole object of your study and rule of life to live by II. That as in the beginning God divided government committing some to Moses in the judicials and other to Aaron in the ceremonials 1. Moses government in the law is not destroyed Mat. 5.17 and cap. 23.2 2. Aarons Priesthood and with that his government ceaseth and in the place thereof Jesus Christ by the Fathers appointment is set up Heb. 7.11 12 15 16. 3. So that now as first there was Moses and Aaron so now there is to be to the end of the World Moses and Christ to rule and govern the World by 1. Moses in the World or State under the covenant of works also the servant of Jesus Christ ruling for him because he is not of the World 2. Christ in the Church among the Saints or believers under the new covenant of grace among whom the Lord himself is being one of them III. Those words Exod. 20.2 I am the Lord thy God cannot be said of nor applyed to any in that way as the words are delivered but to those 1. That have covenanted with God in the way of the law as the Israelites did 2. That are under the rule and goverment of the commands the Statutes and Judgements contained in that law Object That was spoken only of those God brought out of Egypt and concerns not us Resp As the Jews were under the bondage of Egypt and were restrained from Gods service and were then not in covenant with him nor had not his law to judge by so we have been under Antichrist in Babel and have been restrained from Gods service and were then not in covenant with the Lord as they were not nor is his law set up as a rule to judge by among us so that when God shall have brought us out of Babel and set up his laws and brought us into covenant with himself according to Moses it shall then be as binding to us that God brought us out of Babel as to them that he brought them out of Egypt Jer. 16.14.15 They shall no more say The Lord Liveth that brought them out of Egypt but out of the north countryes Jer. 23.7 8 9. Note Under the first covenant God was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under the second 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hos 2.16 In the one God is as Abram to Hagar whose son she had by him was to be cast out under the Gospel-estate which was fulfilled in the casting out of unbelievers from the society of Saints they being not to inherit the promise that is Jesus Christ Gal. 4.30 which work was then done and shall be most certainly done againe in this age of ours In the other God is as Abraham to Sarah whose son Isaac being born of the free-woman signifieth the state of the Church under the Gospel under the name of Jerusalem from above which are a society of believers joyned to the Lord Jesus in the fellowship of the Gospel in whom the better promises are conferred and made over to the Saints born after the Spirit Gal. 4.30 Conclusion The covenant of works was after the covenant made with Abraham of grace but being renewed in Christ it is called new and the new old Gal. 3.17 The now first covenant though it hath not the best yet it hath many excellent promises necessary for the life annexed to it which we wanting bodily are reduced to great necessities and the breaking thereof brought ruine and desolation suddainly to the Jews And though at this time it be not in esteem among men yet the prophesie of Isaiah 42.19 21. incourageth me that after Gods servant comes who the blind world accounts blind though God saith he is his servant and perfect and which the Scripture before clearly shews was to come after the grand Apostacy of Antichrist I say after he comes the Lord will magnifie the law make it great though all the world have endeavoured to make nothing of it or of no use at all a long time when they shall againe judge by it and punish by it and rule by it c. yea and more the Lord will make it honourable also they shall never set up traditions in the place thereof again O Parliament This God will do but whether God will do this by you or not and honour you herein or not I do not know you see it is my desire if it be his will ye are witnesses and God also that the work may be yours who have dore much of the work of the Lord in the Nation that the Honour here and reward thereof hereafter may be yours and let me speak freely to you thus that if you will not do it God in few yeers will not want them that will do it upon whom and whose posterity the blessigs of God and the Nation will fall in great abundance who did that in their generation for them was never done it being then and never untill then fulfilled that of Paul Rom. 10.19 I will provoke you to jealousie by them that are not a people that is some heathens which none never yet did do should as the Jews nationally covenant with God in the covenant of Moses with which the Jews as awaked begin to thinke that people Jacob-like steal away or God gives away his birthright from him the not doing whereof delayes their call Now what Nation in all the world is like to do this as England O that it might be offered them who would not refuse it The fourth General That to the Elders Heads and Judges were other inferior subordinate officers to serve in the same rule who have their authority from the Scriptures and from God as the rest Josh 23.2 Deut. 16.18 Command the First Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me Statutes DEut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart c. Chap. 10.20 Fear the Lord thy God him shalt thou serve and to him shalt thou cleave Exod. 34.12 Take heed to thy self that thou make no covenant with the inhabitants Verse 15. Lest thou and they go awhoring after their gods and one call thee and thou eat of their sacrifice Deut. 11.6 Take beed to your selves that your hearts be not deceived to turn aside to serve other Gods and worship them Deut. 8.19 If thou forget the Lord thy God and walk after other Gods and serve and worship them c. Deut. Thou shalt not go after other gods the gods of the people round about you Exod. 23.24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods nor serve them nor do after their