Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	apostle_n	church_n	word_n	1,489	5	3.9514	3	false

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

GOLD REFIN'D OR Baptism in its Primitive Purity Proving Baptism in Water an Holy Institution of Jesus Christ and to continue in the Church to the End of the World. WHEREIN It is clearly evinced That Baptizo or Baptism is not Aspersion or Sprinkling or pouring a little Water upon the Face or any other part of the Body But that it 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 and all other Objections fully answered By BENJ. KEACH Author of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Key to open Scripture-Metaphors Isa. 1. 22. Thy Silver is become Dross London Printed for the Author and are to be sold by Nathaniel Crouch at the sign of the Bell in the Poultry 1689. THE EPISTLE To all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity IT may possibly be a little wondred at that I should write at this time any thing upon this Subject which may seem to revive the Controversie of which little has been written of late Years it may therefore seem necessary I should speak something by way of Apology for my self First of all I must tell you that this Treatise was wrote the last Summer altho it had no Birth till now and many know what Provocations I had about that time to write in behalf of our Practice in respect of Baptism having heard how a worthy Minister whom I respect and honour who liveth not far off from me had publickly preach'd up the baptizing of little Babes bearing very hard upon those of our Perswasion and could I have had a friendly Conference with him 't is like this had not seen the Sun. Besides we were challeng'd to dispute the Point with some Ministers of the Church of England much about the same time not far from London But tho they had rendred us as odious as they well could and as if we had nothing to say for our Practice viz. for baptizing Men and Women yet when all came to all none of them would appear to defend what they had spoken which caused some to conclude it did behove me or some other to write something about it Moreover a godly Friend of some Eminency in London sent for me to his House who tho a Baptist yet walks with our Brethren called Independents and desired me that I would be pleased to write a Sheet or two upon Baptism chiefly to shew what it was sith he perceived many good People were mistaken therein and did as he conceived take that to be Baptism or Baptizing which was not the thing he having examined what the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baptizo did signify and found by Lexicons and by conferring with Scholars it did not signify Aspersion Sprinkling nor pouring nor any other Washing than Immersion or total dipping of the Body in Water and therefore did conclude it necessary this thing should be further opened and would have me to conser with one able Person who well understood the Greek Tongue about it which I was willing to do Nay and besides all this when we wrote our Key to open Scripture-Metaphors we promised the Reader we would write something concerning this very matter as you may see if you read Pag. 38. Part 2. which though it be above six Years ago we never performed till now All these things considered together with that great Impulse of Spirit I found to do it I thought I had a sufficient Call to undertake the Work altho I know it has been more effectually managed by far abler Pens some Years since yet I conclude with others a short Tract of a small Price might come into more Hands than bigger Volumes would do Moreover I must confess I have not a little wondred to see so many Eminent Fathers and famous Divines both Ancient and Modern speaking so clearly as to the literal proper and genuine Signification of the word Baptizo and yet finding so many wise and learned Men of late so strangely contradicting themselves by their own Practice I am sure if Prejudice and Partiality were laid aside and Men would deal faithfully with their own Consciences they must confess our Practice of Immersion or dipping Believers in Water in the Name of the Father c. must of necessity be congruous both with the literal and spiritual Signification of the word Baptism and Practice of the Apostles and Primitive Church and so it will be found one day and that they have no just cause given them to reproach or charge us as they do who laying the Foundation of their own House false or not according to the Patern and not contented so to do neither but vilifie and reproach them who build exactly according to the Direction of the Master-Builder We marvel how they can satisfy themselves to keep up that Practice of theirs of Rantism since there is nothing to be said in the Defence of it from God's Word and if once it was laid aside with the wrong Subject as an unwarrantable Rite and they would cleave to the Primitive Institution and Practice what a glorious Reformation in point of Church-Constitution and Discipline would there be and what a sweet Harmony and Vnion would follow amongst us for there has been no one thing that hath caused like Contention in the Church for many Years as this of Infants-sprinkling hath If our Brethren would but lay this seriously to Heart I can't but think it would put them to a stand or pause about it It had need lie clear in the Word of God since so great a stress as the Foundation of their Church in such an eminent manner in respect of its Constitution is laid upon it and it being that main thing that obstructs and hinders that blessed Vnion and Fellowship amongst so many good Christians as it doth who hardly in any other things differ at all in any Article of Faith or Practice And whereas our Brethren seem to fly for Refuge to that indirect and remote Signification of the word Baptizo of washing yet how apparent is it that it means no other Wa●●● but such as is by dipping swilling or total wet●●●● that thing Part Member or Person all over ●it Water that is said to be baptized for tho all dipping or baptizing may be called a washing yet all washing is not dipping c. In a proper sense the word Baptize Wilson in his Dictionary saith is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tingo to dip or plunge into the Water and signifieth primarily such a kind of washing as is used in Bucks where Linnen is plunged and dipt c. But how evident it is that sprinkling or pouring is no such washing viz. baptizing Ainsworth upon Lev. 15. 5. says to baptize or wash his Flesh as is expressed ver 13 16. meaneth his whole Body likewise saith a great Author the Hebrews affirm in every place

against those of your Perswasion Answ 1. The more cause of Grief But what though I must tell you God's Word is to be your Guide and not Men every Man must give an account to God for himself Moreover some Godly Men who have had great Light and were glorious Reformers too in their day yet lay short of some great Things and Duties as Jehosaphat c. who did not remove nor pull down the high Places 2. Light and Knowledg of Divine Truths have broken forth gradually When Reformation first begun those godly Men laboured to restore the doctrinal part of the Gospel and yet great Corruptions remained in point of Discipline which Errors God hath since by degrees discovered 3. Had the best and late Reformers for such you will find at last the Baptists to be in point of the Administrations of God's House and holy Temple been generally learned Men 't is very like this Truth would have been more readily received among such I mean learned Persons than we see now it is so hard a thing is Self-denial 4. Moreover the base Reproaches cast upon the true way of Baptizing hath doubtless laid a great many of good Men under Temptations there being hardly any one Truth that has been rendered more odious and contemptible than Baptizing i e. dipping of Men and Women in Water tho 't is generally acknowledged by all that no other Action then that was practised in the Gospel-days in the Administration of this Ordinance 5. Some say those Errors or unsound Principles as I look upon them to be maintained by divers Baptists who I doubt not are godly Christians have likewise hindred the Reception and Promulgation of this blessed Gospel-Institution among many worthy Persons and kept them may be from indeavouring their Satisfaction herein tho 't is strange that should be a stumbling Block to any sith there were many Christians in the Apostles Times who in many things did dissent and differ in as great matters one from another besides there are Men almost of all Perswasions that hold those very Principles 6. Others think the Remisness of some of the Baptized Churches about taking care of their Ministers hath contributed something to it also for nothing lies more clear in God's Word than that those who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel yea have a comfortable Maintenance i. e. that they may be wholly sequestred to the Work of the Ministry and be in a capacity to give to others and so shew themselves Examples in Hospitality and that their poor Wives and Children after their Decease may not be exposed to Want and Poverty But I am glad to see it our Churches are now daily enlightned into this indispensable Duty and do endeavour to reform accordingly and would they also labour to follow the Primitive Saints in singing of Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs I do not doubt but it would add to their Comfort and Glory and many more than now do would joyn with us 7. But to proceed Be sure the Examples of the best Men under Heaven will never be a Plea sufficient for any in the day of Judgment in doing any thing in God's Worship that he has not commanded or given grounds for the Observation of or in their neglecting doing of that which he hath expresly required Shall any be allowed at the last day to plead thus viz. such and such good Men and able Ministers did say this was a Truth and my Duty surely no. 8. When Reformation is required of Men in so great a case as this viz. that which tends to the razing the whole Constitution or standing of their Church which has been also of such a long continuation it calls for great Resolution Courage and Self-denial which is hard for some Men to arrive at considering also what great Persons and Reformers have been on their side and they not seriously minding the words of the wise Man where he says that the Path of the Just is as a shining Light that shineth more and more to the perfect day the Church as it was then look'd out of the Wilderness but as the Morning and but as fair comparatively as the Moon but since blessed be God greater Light hath broken forth yea to such a degree that now she seems to be come forth as clear as the Sun c. And sad it is to see Men content themselves to walk only in that Light those worthy Christians had in the Morning of the Reformation and refuse to follow and embrace a higher and more clear and Sun-sshining Glory They might be accepted then since their Day did not afford greater Manifestations of Truth in those respects but it may not excuse our Brethren nor may they be accepted in following them sith Truth is broke forth more perspicuously in these latter times Object The People called Anabaptists lie under great Reproaches as if you baptiz'd People naked Answ 'T is no more than our Saviour foretold should befal his own People and faithful Followers They shall speak all manner of Evil● against you falsty for my Name sake c. I am not ignorant what odious Lies and Reproaches have been cast upon us in respect of baptizing Men and Women naked whereas 't is notoriously known to be utterly false and abominable which thousands can testify to the contrary who are of different Perswasions to us who daily see Persons of both Sexes baptized by us always in very comely and decent Garments provided on purpose upon that account Object You have been formerly stigmatized and accused as if you were against Magistrates or refuse to obey Kings and such as are in Authority and refuse lawful Oaths What say you to the Munster-Story Answ These things our Enemies know to be false and vile Slanders our Confessions of Faith from time to time do witness the contrary What People plead for Subjection to Government and Magistrates which God has set over us more than we always do And as touching that old Munster-Story of John of Leyden c. they that read the best Histories of that business may find many things to be false which are charged against those Anabaptists besides the Story of them was either written as some have very well observed by the malicious Papists their old mortal Enemies or else by envious Protestants who are willing to take up any base Reports and improve tho●e S●●ries to blast the Reputation of the whole Party Alas I could here soon recite some Writings of inveterated Spirits who have in as base a manner vilisied and calumniated the Episcopals nay and the Presbyterians and Independents also giving Instances both in respect of their vile Principles and Practices Certainly 't is a shame for any good Men to take up a Charge against so great a Party of godly Christians from the venemous Pens of such shameless Persons But suppose the Munster-Story as to matter of Fact were true and that some of

commonly take into your Churches such Persons that are converted whose Parents were very wicked and ungodly Persons as any in the Parish and so lived and died as far as you know and yet do you not account their Baptism to ●e sufficient 10. Is it not an hurtful and evil thing to defile and p●lute the Church by bringing in the Fleshy Seed which Christ hath cast out 11. Is it not an evil and dangerous thing to lay a foundation of Ignorance and Prophaneness and to confound the World and Church together which ought to be separated and to make the Church National which ought to be Congregational 12. Is it not an harmful and evil thing to establish Human Traditions and make them of equal Authority with Christ's sacred Institutions and reproach them who will not against their Consciences do the same things 13. Is it not an evil and harmful thing to plead for In●ant Baptism or rather Rantism and make it a bone of Contention amongst Christians and so ●inder the Unity of Churches and godly Christians For was that Rubbish gone what a glorious Harmony would follow even such a Day as would make all our Souls rejoyce for he is blind who can't see that that Relick is the cause of our sad Divisions 14. Is it not an evil and false thing to say Persons may have Grace and Regeneration before they know God or are called by his Word and holy Spirit 15. Is it not a strange thing to say Persons may be visible and lawful Members of the Gospel-Church before Conversion and to deny them one Sacrament and yet give them another 16. Is it not a false thing to say Persons may believe and be saved by the Faith of others 17. Is it not an evil thing and a contradiction to say Baptism is a Symbol of present Regeneration and yet apply it to Ignorant and Unconverted Babes wholly uncapable of Regeneration in whom none of the things signified thereby do or can appear 18. Is it not a false thing and a contradiction to say that Baptism is a lively Figure of Christ's Death Burial and Resurrection and yet do nothing but sprinkle or pour a little Water upon the Face by which act all must confess nothing of such things can thereby be represented 19. Is it not a strange and foolish thing to say Baptism is an Ordinance of the Solemnization of the Souls Marriage with Christ and to say 't is a strange Marriage where nothing is professed of a Consent and yet administer it to Babes wholly uncapable so to do 20. Is it not a foolish thing to cry out against Traditions and all Inventions of Men and yet strive to uphold and maintain them And doth not these things hinder that glorious Reformation we all long for and encourage Papists 21. Is it not strange Men should say all the Children of Believersare in Covenant and that there is no falling from a State of Grace but that the New Covenant is so well ordered in all things and sure that it will secure all that are indeed in it unto Eternal Life and yet many of these Children who they say were in this Covenant perish in their Sins dying Unregenerate 22. We will conclude this Chapter as Mr. Danvers does with the words of Dr. Taylor And therefore saith he whoever will pertinaciously persist in his Opinion of Pedo-Baptism and practise it accordingly they pollute the Blood of the everlasting Covenant they dishonour and make a Pagentry of the Sacrament they ineffectually represent a Sepulchre into the Death of Christ and please themselves in a Sing without effect Making Baptism like the Fig-Tree in the Gospel full of Leaves but no Fruit. And they Invocate the Holy Ghost in vain doing as if one should call upon him to illuminate a Stone or a Tree CHAP. XIV Proving Baptism a great and glorious Ordinance and that 't is initiating or an In-let into the Church THE last thing I shall do is to prove Believers Baptism a very great and glorious Ordinance though much despised by Men nay by many Professors of this Age. First of all 'T is a Principle of Christ's Doctrine nay a Foundation-Principle viz. of a true Gospel-Church-State so that according to the Apostolical and Primitive-Institution a Church cannot be truly gathered without it Secondly It appears to be a great Ordinance if we consider the Commission of Christ 1. Consider with what Authority our Saviour gave it forth All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth Go ye therefore teach all Nations baptizing them c. 2. In that it was one of the last things he gave in charge to his Disciples before he went to Heaven And 3. In that he joyns it to Teaching expressing no other Gospel-Ordinances besides though he gave other Commandments to them Act. 1. 4. In that no Ordinance is to be administred in a more solemn manner than this is viz. in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit We are hereby obliged to believe in adore and worship the whole Trinity Thirdly No Ordinance in all the New-Testament was ever so grac'd nor honoured with such a Presence as this was at the Baptism of Christ the three Persons manifest their Presence at this Solemnity the Heavens were opened and a voice heard saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 1. The Father seals it and honours it 2. The Son is there and subjects to it shewing what an honourable respect he has to it nay and came many Miles upon no other Business but to be baptized as we read of 3. The Spirit also descended like a Dove and rested upon him the Holy Ghost puts his Seal upon it and in a glorious manner owns it And then our Saviour saith it became him to be obedient to it 't is it seems a becoming Ordinance it became the Master and doth it not become the Servant to submit to it It was not too low for him and is it too low for thee He said also it was a fulfilling of all Righteousness that is it became him to fulfil all the Commands of his Father or do his whole Will which it appears he could not have done unless he had been baptized And in that of being a Patern or Example to us those who neglect it neglect a most righteous thing and do not fill up after their Master Fourthly 'T is called a justi●ying of God and our Disobedience herein a rejecting the Counsel of God Luk. 7. 29 30. Fifthly It appears a great Ordinance in that the highest nay the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit can't exempt a Person from his Obedience hereto as appears in Cornelius's case Nay the greater Gifts and Graces a Person hath the more fit a Subject he is of this Ordinance as Peter's words do import Sixthly Consider the great things and Mysteries held forth hereby viz. the Death Burial and Resurrection of Christ and our dying to Sin and Duty