unfit to partake in the Seal of the Covenant c. He replies in these words Though they be not fit to make such profession of visible faith as to admit them to the Lords Table yet they may make profession full enough to receive them to Baptisme or to the same estate Isâ—mael stood in after Circumcission And to one who complained of being in the dark about the truth asserted in Mr. Cottons printed Book concerning the Baptisme of Infants and that amongst other made this Objection when said that Scrupler a child comes to know that his Parents are no visible Saints but appear to be contrary both in Life and Doctrine and the children had only words and water poured on them how came these persons to have right to it the Parents having no visible faith to act in that Ordinance and their children likewise being uncapable to hold forth the acts of faith before men He thus Answereth Ieroboam and his wife were neither of them visible Saints in your Sense but appeared to be contrary both in Life and Doctrine yet the Circumcision of their Son was not in vain to him 1 Kings 14.13 In this Case when the faith of the Parents is wanting and yet they still live within the Pale of the Church though the Church be Corrupt and the Parents also yet here the Speech of the Apostle takes place what though some believed not shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect God forbid Rom. 3. 3 4. now the Faithfulness of God who keepeth Covenant and mercy to thousands supplies the defect of the Faith of the next Parents and maketh good his Covenant to the Children in respect of the Faith of their former Ancestors in Elder Ages But against this sâ—me may object a passage in Mr. Cottons Book of the way of the Chuâ—ches pag. 81. where it is said where neither of the Parents can claim right to the Lords Supper their Infants cannot claim right to Bâ—ptisme therefore it mâ—y seem that Mr. Cottons Iudgement was not as haâ—h been now declared Unto this let the judicious Reâ—der attentively hear the Answer which is 1. In that very Book of Mr. Cottons there are sundry passages which plead for an Enlargement of Baptisme further then to the Immediate Children of persons in full Communion even to the Children of such Parents who have such a faith as denominateth them Christian Believers in opposition to Pagan Infidels yea if there be a Christian Sponsor for the Child of a Stranger or wicked man it may be baptized see the way pag 87. 88. 106 115. 2dly That Book of the way was printed from an imperfect Copy in which respect it is not to be wondâ—ed at if there be therein some passages contradictory to Mr. Cottons known Iudgement 3. Mr. Coâ—ton himself was much troubled when he saw that Book come forth and was desirous that the Reader should understand that his Judgement in such things wherein the Book of the way is discrepant from that of the Keyes should be sought for not in the Book of the way but in that of the Keys And that no one may think that these things are Imaginary or conjectural only let us hear Mr. Cotton speaking in his own words in his printed defence against the Imputations of Mr. Cawdrey written not long before his death and Published by Doctor Owen In which Book pag. 36. 37 38 39. The truth is saith Mr. Cotton that many years ago I was seriously moved by some of our Brethren and Fellow Elders here to draw up an Historical narration of our Church way together with some familiar Grounds of the same briefly In short time as God helped I dispatched it which when our Brethren had perused it I saw they did not close with it yet a Brother going for England got some where a Copy of it and presented it to some of the Congregational way there and I afterwards heard neither did they close with it and in particular not with that passage which is here recited which since appeareth more openly by the Asterisk put upon that passage and upon sundry other in the Book but before I saw that and had only heard that they did not fully accord I hoped that it had met with a timely Suppression rather then an Impression for I heard no more of it for two or three years after mean while perceiving that one main point of dissatisfaction was the Authority given to the Fraternity I consiered more seâ—iously and distinctly of the whole power of the Keys and expressed my apprehensions in that treatise of the Keys which our Brethren here did well accept and so did the Brethren of like Judgement in England and some of them were pleased to arrest it with the Preface that is now Extant before it This was sundry years after the Treatise of the way had been finished and carryed to England and as I hoped suppressed but it seemeth some Brother there caused his Copy which was indeed abrupt in the Entrance and imperfect otherwise to be published in print which when I saw it troubled me not a little as knowing that the discrepant Expressions in the one and in the other might trouble Friends and give Advantages to Adversaries I suffered both to stand as they did especially seeing I could not help it the Book of the way being published without my Consent and both the way and the Keys past my revoking so that if the Replier find some discrepancy in one of these Books from the other Let him know that the Doctrine of the way in such few points wherein it differs from the Keys was not mine when the Keys was published much less when the way was published which was many years after though it had been penned many years before Thus much may suffice for the clearing of Mr. Cottons Judgement concerning the Subject of Baptisme In the same year and in the same Vessel with Mr. Cotton came into this Country that famous Mr. Thomas Hooker late Pastor of the Church in Hartford upon Connecticot Now that in Mr. Hookers Judgement the Children concerning whom the Question is have a continued standing and membership in the visible Church upon which hinge the Controversy about the Enlargement of the Subject of Baptisme turns is evident from a passage in his most Judicious and accurate Survey of Church Discipline in which Book pag. 4â— are these words in some Cases saith Mr. Hooker an Implicit Covenant may be fully Sufficient as Suppose a whole Congregation should consist of such who were Child on to the Parents now deceased who were Confederate their children were true members according to the Rules of the Gospel by professing of their Fathers Covenant though they should not make any personal and vocal Expression of their Engagement as the Fathers did Also he lays it down for a Maxim that faederati sunt baptizandi proving by several Arguments that Confederates are the proper Subject of Baptisme see in the same Book part
Circumstanced no little evil and danger in it For if you be mistaken then you oppose a Cause of Divine Grace which to do is sad since God looks upon his Grace as his Glory Eph. 1.14 As Gods holiness is dear to him and thence any way to oppose that is dangerous the same is to be said concerning his Grace And if you be mistaken you oâ—pose a Cause of Gods Covenant now Gods Covenant is marvellous dear unto him and no man can dash himself against an Interest of the Covenant without great hazâ—â—d And if you be mistaken you oppose an Interest yea and a great Interest of Christs Kingdome now that must needs displease the Lord It is very obâ—â—â—vâ—ble tâ—at Christ was never so angry as his own dear Diâ—ciples as theâ— when â—hâ—y did rigidly withhold somâ— that were Children oâ— thâ— Kingdomâ— from being brought to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 10 13 14 why so even because his own Interest was thâ—rein Concerned meâ— are soon movâ—d when their own Interest is struck at so was the holy heart of Christ much moved because when Children â—eâ—e kâ—â—t from him his own Interest was prejudiced Brethren if so it be that thâ— Doctrine of the Synod he Truth you that oppose it do what in you be opt juâ—â—ce an Interest of Christ and if so Christ is not well pleasâ—d â—ith you for this thing There is not a more awful Scripture in all the Book of God theâ— that where it is said concerning Christs Kingdom that whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken Mâ—â—â— 21.44 Brethren one word let me in the Bowâ—s of the Lord saâ—â—o you And I speak it not with a desire to grieve or â—ffend any of you but if my heart deceive me not Loyâ— to Christ and to you and to the succeeding Generation in New-England causeth me to speak it it is only this oh tremble lest this very Error of yours prove the breaking and the ruine of your poor Posterity They are Solemn and weighty words and I must Confess have alwayes had an aweful Impression upon my Conscience which the Elders have in the Preface to the late Synod Book pag. 12. should say they the Church education of your Children be by the want of your hearty Concurrence rendred either infeasable or ineffectual should they live as Lambs in a large Pasture for want of your Agreement to own them of the Flock we beseech you Consider how uncomfortable the Accompt hereof will be another day Truly when I think and I often think of it seriously and sadly with my self that in a Plantation of Religion for such New-England was the Generality of the Inhabitants should be in the Condition of Infidels that the Posterity of a People professing Godliness yea of the most eminent Professors in the whole World should in our Age be as Infidels even not so much as within the Compass of the visible Church or have the Livery and Character belonging to Christians upon them whereby such are distinguished from the Infidel and Pagan World what it ha's to others I know not but to me it ha's a most formiâ—able appearance Remember also that the light ha's been forth in which respect Now for you to oppose the Truth after that Convincing Testimonies have been given to it by the Lords Servants will be farr more dangerous and provoking to the Lord then in former Times amongst us when these things had not been so fully enquired into as of late through the good hand of Divine Providence it ha's been A third word which I would say is study well the point of Infant Baptisme Acquaint your selves with the Scripture proofs for that Ordinance I must acknowledge that that ha's been no small Confirmation to me This I find that there is haraly an Argument produced against such Inlargement as is by the Synod asserted but what the Antipaedo-Baptists wake use of to serve their tuâ—n Also that the Arguments which do demonstrate Paedo-Baptisme in general do for the most part prove that Baptisme ought to be Administred in the Latitude which the Synod pleads for The last word which I shall say is this use all means of Gods appâ—inting that you may come to understand the Truth in this matter There have been some to my knowledge and because I know there have been some I am apt to think there may be many more then I know of that have exclaimed much against the Synod Book as if it were an Apostacy and Impurity c. That yet upon Examination have Confessed that they never read the Book much less have they read other things written in defence thereof and how farr then have they been from reading these things with Prayers and Tears and Humiliations before the Lord oh if Brethren would prove all things and pray uncessantly over what they do and add deep Humiliations to their Prayers and depend upon Christ for light we might hope that God would either discover his Truth to them in the very things they are searching after or in some other matters better for them to know and in the mean Time help them to carry it with that Christian moderation that becometh Saints Prov. 2.3 4 5. Ezek. 43.11 Phil. 3.15 16. As for the Reasons which have induced me to this ensuing Collection besides those general motives mentioned in the Introduction the special Considerations which haue prevailed with me were First that I might please God in obeying the fifth Commandment by vindicating the honour of my Fathers 2 dly in that a special Advantage ha's been put into my hands for this undertaking by Reason of my Acquaintance with the Manuscripts of both my Fathers I mean my Father Cotton and my Father Mather from whence these Testimonies are for the most part produced 3 dly My Father when he was leaving the world did Commend it as his dying Counsel to me that I should endeavour the good of the Rising Generation in this Country and in special that they might be brought under the Government of Christ in his Church and when grown up and qualified as is in the late Synod Book expressed have Baptisme for their Children What Impression those words since they were the words of a Father and of such a Father and dying words also have had upon my heart is known to the Father of Spirits who only searcheth hearts and Converseth with the Souls of men nor am I able to utter it 4 ly It is known unto those few in the world that have any knowledge of so obscure and inconsiderable a person as my self that I have of late been near unto Death God having brought me back again as it were out of the Grave I must needs have had many thoughts with my self what I should do for God and for his people yea for his People whose Prayers have saved my Life Now I would fain hope what is here done will be a Service for Christ and for these his Churches and for that Generation whereof
I am when I shall sleep with my Fathers There is also published herewith the Substance of a Letter written by Mr. Mitchel late faithful and famous Pastor of the Church in Cambridg Although I cannot say but that I was albeit he knew not that when that Letter was sent to me inclining to the same Apprehension about the Subject of Baptisme which at present I am of yet the Arguments therein suggested were I must Confess weighty and powerful Considerations with me and I believe will be so to others that duely weigh matters in the Ballance of the Sanctuary for which Cause principally I have thus exposed it to publick view Also I have partly done it honoris gratia that I might testify my deep respect to that blessed man concerning whom I may say as sometimes Bâ—za concerning Calvin Now Mitchel is dead life is less sweet and death will be less bitter unto me Once for all let me desire the Reader to take notice that I do not by this Collection concern my self in the defence of every Notion or Argument or Principle that is by any of those Worthies insisted on but my only design therein is to shew that such Inlargment of Baptisme and that Consociation of Churches which is in the Synod Book asserted is no Apostacy from the first Principles of New-England nor yet any declension from the Congregational way Now the Lord Jesus who hath promised that the Spirit of Truth shall come and shall guide into all Truth fulfil his good word even the Lord send out of his Light and his Truth and let them lead us Let him grant that there may be Peace and Truth in our dayes and not only so but that the Generation to come may praise the Lord that it may appear that his Righteousness is for ever and his Salvation from Generation to Generation Amen and A men This is the hearts desire and Prayer of him From my Study in Boston N.E. 1. of 3 d Moneth 1671. Who is less then the least of all Gods mercies and Saints Increase Mather Errata p. 2. l. 11. for hands r. hand p. 4. l. 28. for then r. there p. 16. l. 24. Adde deus dicit p. 21. l. p. nult r. parente p. 32. l. 32. for so 24. r. Hebr. 10.24 THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF NEW ENGLAND Concerning the Subject of BAPTISM AND COMMUNION OF CHVRCHES THere having been some who have thought that the Doctrine of the late Synod Book Concerning Baptism and the Communion or Consociation of Churches is an Innovation and Apostacy from the first principles of New England And inasmuch as it may be a special Service for these Churches both in present and in after times that men should know what the first Principles touching these Controversies were Considering also that the Lords Servants and Messengers are much wronged when Apostacy is imputed to them upon account of the Doctrine aforesaid and that it will be a thing very acceptable unto God who is displeased and dishonoured when his faithful ones are traduced that his Servants should be vindicated from such injurious Aspersions upon these and the like Considerations we shall endeavour as in the Lords holy fear to erquire what were the first Principles of New-England concerning the Subject of Baptism and Communion of Churches and leave it to the Christian world and to Posterity to judge who are the Apostates Now this may be done by shewing what was the judgement of the first Fathers of this Country touching the questions in Controversy And in this ensuing Collâ—ction of Testimonies we shall not mention any of those Reverend Elders that are yet surviving nor all amongst our deceased worthies only some of the Chief of the Fathers of this Country And first concerning Baptism we shall begin with the Judgement of that man of God deservedly famous in both Englands viz. Mr. Iohn Cotton late Teacher of the first Church in Boston And what the Apprehension of that Seer was is manifest from a Letter which is to be seen written with his own hands in the name and with the unanimous Consent of the whole Church which then was in this Boston to the Church in Dorchester Because the Letter is of Ancient date and so giveth a great light towards the clearing of the matter which is before us we shall therefore here insert it word for word as it is written with Mr. Cottons own hand It is that which followeth To our Reverend and Beloved Brethren the Elders with the rest of the Church of Dorchester Grace and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ our Saviour The Case of Conscience which you propounded to our Consideration to wit whether a Grand Father being a member of a Christian Church might claim Baptism to his Grand-Child whose next Parents be not received into Church Covenant ha's been deliberately treated of in our Church Assembled together publickly in the name of Christ And upon due and serious discourse about the point it seemed good unto us all with one accord and agreeable as we believe to the word of the Lord that the Grand-Father may lawfully claim that priviledge to his Grand-child baptized by right of the Grand-fathers Covenant be Committed to the Grand fathers education for as God in the Covenant of Grace undertaketh to be a God unto the Believer and his seed so by the Rule of Relatives the Tenour of the Covenant requireth that the Believer do undertake that himself and his Seed do give up themselves to become the people of the Lord which he cannot undertake in behalf of his Seed unless they be committed to his education 2. This other Caution also we conceive to be requisite that the Parents of the Child do not thereby take occasion to neglect the due and seasonable preparation of themselves for entrance into Covenant with God and his Church these Cautions premised and observed the Baptisme of the Grand-child by right of his Grand-fathers Covenant we believe to be warranted from the nature and tenour of the Covenant of Grace by this Reason where there is a Stipulation of the Covenant on Gods part and restipulation of the Covenant on mans part there may be an obsignation of the Covenant on both parts or in plainer words where there is an offer of the Covenant on Gods part and a receiving and undertaking of the Covenant on mans part there may be a sealing of it on both parts But here is an offer of the Covenant on Gods part Gen. 17.7 where God says that he will be a God to Abraham that is to the Believer and his Seed and by Seed is not there meant the next Seed only but Seeds Seed also to many Generations Isai 59.21 And here is likewise a receiving and undertaking of the Covenant on mans part seeing the Grand-father receiveth the Covenant by his faith and by the profession of his faith and by his desire of the Seal of the Covenant to strengthen his faith and he undertaketh also the
positively reject the Gospel and that the membership of Children hath no tendency in it to pollute the Church any more now then under the Old Testament and that children are under Church discipline and that some persons Adult may be admitted to Baptisme and yet not to the Lords Supper c. The whole Letter being already published we shall not here insert it or any thing further concerning it only assure the Reader that the Letter it self even the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is still to be seen as it was written by Mr. Shepards own hand Also the same Author in his printed defence of the nine positions pag. 143. does maintain the Church membership of childâ—en and their Subjection to Discipline In the year after these mentioned viz. Anno 1636. here arrived two other of New-Englands Worthies Mr. Partriches and Mr. Rogers Concerning the Subject of Baptisme Namely Mr. Ralph Partrich and Mr. Nathaâ—â—el Rogers As for Mr. Partrich sometimes faithful Pastor of the Church in Duxberry in Plimouth Colony what his Judgement was touching the present controversy is to be seen from that Model of Church Discipline when was by him composed and presented to the Synod at Cambridg Anno 1648. and which is still extant under the hand writing of the Reverend Author in which Manuscript are these words The persons unto whom the Sacrament of Baptisme is dispensed and as we conceive ought to be are such as being of years and converted from their Sins to the Faith of Jesus Christ do joyn in Communion and Fellowship with a particular visible Church as also the children of such Parents or Parent as having laid hold of the Covenant of grace in the judgement of Charity are in a visible Covenant with his Church and all their Seed after them that cast not off the Covenant of God by some Scandalous and obstinate going on in Sin as may appear by Math. 28.19 and 1 Cor. 7.14 with Gen. 17 c. compared Thus for Mr. Partrich his Judgement Concerning Mr. Nathaniel Rogers late eminent Pastor of the Church of Ipswich in New-England that his Judgement did concur with the Doctrine of the late Synod touching Baptisme is certain from what himself did publickly teach some years before his Decease Also from a Letter of his written to the Reverend Mr. Richard Mather some years before Mr. Rogers went to his Rest which Letter still remains under the Authors own hand writing we shall therefore insert the substance of it which followeth Reverend and dear Sir I Received a Letter with a Book from you and do return you this Testimony of my most thankful acceptance of your kindness and good will both in your Letter and worthy Treatise of Justification which as yours are wont to be is nervous and this is compendious in a special manner and yet perspicuous I see my defect in Hen. Den's matters supplyed by your Diligence To the Question concerning the Children of Chuch members I have nothing to oppose and I wonder any should deny them to be members They are members in Censa Ecclesiastico God so calls them the Church is so to account thew and when they are Adulia aâ—atis though having done no personal act yet are to be judged members still until after due Calling upon they shall refuse or neglect to acknowledge and own the Covenant of their Parents and profess their belief of and Subjection to the Contents thereof which if they shall deny the Church may Cashier or disown them Now for practice I confess I account it a great default that we have made no more real distinction between these and others that they have been no more attended as the Lambs of the flock of Christ and whether it be not the cause of the corruption and woful defection of our youth disquiri permittimus We are this week to meet in the Church about it and I know nothing but we must speedily fall to practice If we in this shall be Leaders I pray beg wisdom from the Father of Lights and him who is our Wisdom as well as our Righ cousness I commit you to the blessed Communion of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus and rest Yours in him Cordially N. Rogers XI 18. 1652. These Testimonies are more then abundantly sufficient to evince that the first Fa hers of this Country were for that Enlargement of Baptisme which the late Synod Book pleads for And that therefore such a practice is no â—postacy from our Primitive Principles yet further Testimonies might be superadded unto these for Mr Hâ—nr Sm â—h sometimes Minister of the Word at Wethersfield on Connecticot In a Letter of his dated August 23. Anno 1647. which Letter was also written to Mr. Mather thus expresses himself we are at a Loss in our parts about members Children being received into Communion because it is undetermined in the extent of it at the Synod our thoughts here are that the promise made to the Seed of Confederates Gen. 17. takes in all Children of Confederating Parents whether baptized here or else where whether younger or Elder if they do either expressly or otherwayes may be Conceived in the Judgement of Charity to Consent thereunto Now because many have Children grown up which were born in England who would gladly express their Consent and desire to their Parents Covenant only we are loth to walk alone in the thing we could heartily wish we had the Concurrence of your Judgement c. Thus Mr. Smith Likewise Mr. Prudden late faithful Pastor of the Church in Milford in New-Haven Colon in New-England in a Letter to the same Reverend person which the last mentioned was sent unto does not only express his own thoughts but gives Reason for his belief concerning the Question under Agitation with whose Testimony we shall conclude And because his Letter is of Weighty and worthy Consideration Consideration albeit part of it as of that of Mr. Rogers is already published in the Preface to the Synod Book yet we shall here insert the substance of it which now follows Dear Brother I was glad at the receipt of your Letters but I am sorry to hear of such breaches in Churches and no way nor means found out and applyed for healing which I fear with you does strengthen the Presbyterian Objection against our Congregational way when the writings of some for our defence and our practice agree not in that particular I think with you that man to be much blessed whom God should make helpful in those things though as he ha's but little encouragement to attempt it so can he expect less thanks from man who possibly may have erred but loth to be judged so to have done Touching your own Exercises you are not alone in them the power of the Elders in preparing matters of offence and other things for the Church has been much questioned by some But me-thinks hat which Mr Hooker ha's written in the Case Survey pt 3d. pag. 33. should satisfy those who are not of a
Contentious Spirit I had Conference with him about this matter in his life time And the Summe of what he hath now written he then expressed and told me withal that if a Case should be presented to the Church in any other way by the Brethren he would refuse to act in it unless the Church would first dispute the point which he would offer but act against his Judgement he would not It 's true that the Rule requires to tell the Church in due order by the Officers as he that Commands one to goe into his house intends that he should go in by the door The Elders are Captains and Leaders and Rulers Heb. 13.17 1 Tim 5.18 And therefore the Brethren must not go before them A common Souldier must not begin or make an Attempt without the Captain And the Elders being Leaders and Rulers they are to order all the publick occasions and affairs of the Church in a comely manner which they cannot do if the Brethren have Liberty at their pleasure to publish what seems best to themselves Touching the desire of such members Children as desire to have their Children baptized it is a thing that I do not yet hear practiced but for my own part I am inclined to think that it cannot justly be denyed because their next Parents however not admitted to the Lords Supper stand as Compleat members of the Church within the Church Covenant and so acknowledged that they might have right to Baptisme Now they being in Covenant and standing members their Children also are members by virtue of their Parents Covenant and Membership as well as they themselves were by virtue of their Covenant and membership and they have not renounced that Covenant nor are justly Censured for the breach of that Covenant but do own and profess it and by virtue of it claim the Priviledge of it to their Children Those Children who are within the Covenant and so members of it Baptisme cannot be denyed unto But the Children in Question are within the Covenant of the Church and so members of it Ergo Baptisme cannot be denyed to them The assumption is proved thus the Children of such Parents as are within the Covenant of the Church are themselves within the Covenant of that Church and so members But the Children in Question are the Children of such Parents as are in Covenant and so members of the Church Ergo they are so themselves The Proposition is clear because the Parents Covenant for themselves and for their Children Deut. 29. from 10 to 16. Ezek. 16.8 13. And God accepts both Gen. 17.12 13. the whole Nation is faederally holy they are expressly said to be in Covenant with their Father Deut. 29. not partly or partially in Covenant Rom 9.3 4 Acts 2.39 and God stiles himself their God as well as their Father Gen. 17.7 8 9. and to have God to be our God is to be in Compleat Church Covenant with him The assumption is evident because else such their Parents had not had right to Baptisme the Seal of the Covenant but that they had right unto and so received it and the same right they had the Children have who are included in their Fathers did expressly engage and Covenant but these not I Answer that the Covenant is the same and of the same force to bind and of the same extent in the one as well as the other Explicite and Implicite are but adjuncts of the Covenant and therefore though they are not come into Covenant the same way that their Parents did viz. by explicite personal Covenanting but are taken in by the Father Covenanting for them and themselves yet it seems to me that they are not less truly or less Compleatly in Covenant The God of Peace and Truth guide us in those wayes I rest Milford June 12. 1651. Your loving Brother Peter Prudden Unto these might have been added the Testimony of that Reverend and faithful Servant of Christ Mr. Iohn Wilson the first Pastor of the first Church in Boston But his Judgement touching the question in hand is known to all that knew him And the Reader is referred to his dying Spee hes concerning this matter which are inserted in the Book called New Englands memorial pag. 183. 184. which because they were amongst the last words of so holy a man cannot without great sin be despised or disregarded Also we might have mentioned the Judgement of Reverend Mr. Norris which that it did Concur with what hath been expressed is to be seen from the Records of the Church in Salem viz. in their Records of the 24th of the first Moneth And of the 9th of the fifth Moneth and sixth Moneth Anno 1654. Likewise we might have produced the Judgement of Mr. Philips sometimes the faithful Pastor of the Church in Watertown but the Reader is for that referred to the Preface in the Synod Book Also that some godly and Judicious of the Congregational way in England are for a greater Latitude in the point of Baptisme then our dissenting Antisynodalian Brethren do acknowledge is manifest from what â—undry Learned men of that way have long sincâ— published For Doctor Owen in his review of Scâ—asmâ— pag 134 thus expresses himself I am so far from confining Baptisme subjective y to a particular Congregation that I do not believe that any m mber of a particular Church was ever regularly baptized baptisme pâ—â—cedes Admission into Church membership as to a particular Church the Subject of it is professing Believers and their Seed as such they have right unto it whether they be joyned to any particular Church or no suitable to this Judgement ha's been my Constant and uninterrupted practice Likewise Doctor Nathaniel Homes in his defence of Infant Baptisme against Mr. Tombs ha's these words pag 193. for baptizing of Believers Infants several Churches of us do hold that we may baptize them though neither of their Parents be of our particular Churches Baptisme as we conceive being an Admission into the universal v sinle Church c. And again pag 217. Mr. Tombs having made this Objection that the baptizing of Infants ha's occasioned on uâ—neâ—essary dispute about baptizing the Infants of believing Parents that are not members of gathered Churches I never saith Doctor Homes perceived the world troubled with this dispute divers Churches without dispute can practice the baptizing of such c. Thus he See also in the same Book 207 208 215. with his Epistle to the Reader And the Collector of these Testimonies hath lately received Letters from suâ—dry eminent Divines of the Congregational way in England declaring that the Judgement of the Elders with them is generally according to what hath been now expressed By these things therefore which have been thus far expressed it is very manifest that the doctrine of the late Synod concerning the Subject of Baptisme is no Apostacy from the first Principles of New-England nor yet any declension from the Congregational way It remaineth that we proceed