Zanchius Spanhemius Taylor and Hammond For which consult Legh's Critica Sacra Taylor 's Ductor Dubicantium and Hammonds Annotat. upon the New Testament Again To baptize before Reâ—entance is just contrary to John's Practice for he baptized no Infants and rejected persons that gave no signs of Repentance Mat. 3.7 8. CHAP. XIX John 1. 28.31 28. Jordan where John was baptizing 31. That he Jesus should be made manifest to Israel Therefore am I come baptizing with Water I Note That this fourth Evangelist John also beareth Record to the first Institution of believers baptism which John the Baptist administred in the River Jordan Again John's baptism was by Divine Authority he called people by his Ministery to Faith in Christ and expected good Works as the fruit of that Faith And here began to be laid the Foundation of the New Testament Church gathered out of the World by the Gospel call of Faith Repentance and baptism these People he divides he gathers the good and throws the bad away admits the Repenting the coming Sinner and Rejects the rest not an Infant baptized nor a grown person Sprinkled in this Heavenly baptism The Old Testament Church was National consisting of the Natural seed of Abraham Servants bought with Money and Proselyter who were circumcised to distinguish them from others by express command from God but the New Testament Church is congregational consisting of a separate People gathered by the call of the Gos el out of the World and are reputed the Spiritual Seed of Abrâ—ham by believing as he did Gâ—l 3.6 7. Even as Abraham believed God and it â—as aâ—coâ—â—ted to him for Righteousness Know ye thereâ—â—re that they which are of Faith the same are the children of Abraham CHAP. XX. John 3.22 23. 22. After these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judea and there he tarried with them and baptizâ—d 23. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim because there was much Water there I note That our Lord and Saviour ownâ— Johns Baptism by practising the same and as Iohn his Fore-runner had prepared the way by preaching Repentance and Baptism but not an Infant concerned therein So Christ admitted none to his baptism but such as made an â—ctual profession of faith Again Tho the reâ—son why Jesus and his Disciples and Iohn also baptized in Enon was because there was much Water there a fit place for baptizing yet some men nowadays by their practice reckon themselves wiser than Iohn or the Disciples and Iesus also and they choose a place where is a little Water a spoonful serves their turn and this is just contrary to the Text of being aâ— Enon because there was much water there The truth is Infant Sprinkling is contrary tâ— Baptism in all the parts of it Surely 't is clear that this Text proves there is something in much Water 't is material to Baptismal Obedience and that a little is no◠〈…〉 handful is not so proper as a River foâ—â—â—ptisâ— If by plausible pretences one Error be admitted into the Church then all Errors may follow CHAP. XXI John 4.1 2. 1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and Baptized morâ— Disciples than John 2. Tho Jesus himself baptised not but his Disciples I note That the baptised were Disciples Christ's Schollars before that he baptised them And tho he baptised more Disciples than John yet he baptised no Infants for the Text faith they were Disciples persons that had learn'd some of Christs Doctrines Again Baptised more Disciples proves that Infant Sprinkling is only a Humane Invention a Counterfeit devised to politically make all that are born in a Nation Church-members or visible Christians before they have Faith or Repentance of which sort the Antichristian Church is full Which secures their Priestly Grandeur c. Yet those whom Christ and his Disciples baptised were not Infants but Disciples besides Sprinkle they did none Moreover If Infant Sprinkling had been an appointment or Ordinance of Jesus Christ there would have been some Command or Example in Scripture to warrant the same But where the Scripture hath no Tongue to speak we should have no Ear to hear that we be not guilty of Will-worship And should any conclude that some of these baptised Disciples were Parents yet we find no mention of the Baptism of their little Children for the Lord Jesus knew that they had no right to Baptism tho their Parents were believers CHAP. XXII Acts 2.28 39 41. 28 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the rem ssion of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 39 For the Promise is unto you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even aâ— many as the Lord our God shall call 41 Then thâ—y that gladly received the Word were Baptised and the same day were added to them about Three Thousand Souls I Note That upon the Jews being by Peters Preaching convicted of sin and crying out What shall we do ver 27. Peter answers and commands Baptism even as he Commands Repentance Repent be baptised the Reason given why they should now repent and be baptised is because now they are according to promise called by the Gospel to believe Repent and be baptised but not called to be Sprinkled first and repent afterwards Again When People repent before they are baptised they are then in the way or order that the Wisdom of God hath assigned but Baptizing or Sprinkling before believing and repenting contradicts the order appointed by God Again This Duty Repent and be baptis d is not only injoyned them but after Generations Joel 2.32 the Remnant whom the Lord shall call Every ones Children that shall be called be called by the Gospel in all the World so full and free are the tenders of the Gospel for the promise is to many even as many as are called Rev. 7.9 I saw a great number which no Man could number of all Nations c. Again Of all these that the Promise was made to and to their Children None were baptized but those that gladly received the Word But it doth not appear that any Infants did or could be capable of receiving the Word and therefore they could not be the fit subjects for baptism Again Tho three thousand believers were added yet there was not one believing Parent that had an Infant either baptised or so much as sprinkled for they that were Baptised were only those that gladly received the Word For in the Text is not a word of little ones Baptism is only for those that gladly receive the Word Again The Primitive way of admitting Church Members was upon a profession of Faith a Believing Whereupon having that sign of a Change a Regeneration the Ministers then obedientially baptise them as directed by Christ in their Commission they being by baptism visibly added But they were not
That one may be baptized by anothers faith 4. That National Churches are more agreeable to the Gospel than Congregationâ—l 5. That a carnal Seed hath a spiritual Right 6. That aâ— Antichristian hath Authority to administer Christian Baptism 30. Of believers baptism God will not say Who hath required these things at your hands But of Infant Sprinklirg he may say so 31. Believers Baptism will stand as long as God's Word stands because supported thereby Matth. 5.18 But Infant Sprinkling must fall for want of it 32. Believers baptized do believe repent examine themselves make judgment of things love one another take up Christ's Cross Watch and Pray c. and therefore are fit Members of a Gospel Church â—ut Infants sprinkled do not do so and are not fit 33. Believers baptism hath God's word for it But Infant Sprinkl hath only human consequence 34. That bâ—lievers were baptised by the Apostles all Christians may affirm But that Infants were sprinkled by them none can 35. In Believers Baptism when the Minister dippeth and saith I baptize thee c. he speaketh Truth But in Infants sprinkling when the Minister sprinkleth and saith I baptize thee c. he speaketh an untruth at least 36. Believers baptized are taught of God and made his Disciples Mat. 28.18 Acts 15.10 But Infants sprinkled are neither 37. To Believers baptism submitted the L. Jesus But to Infants Sprinkling never any like him 38. Believers baptism introduceth no Error nor false Doctrine into the world But Infant sprinkliâ—g introduceth many Errors 1. That it taketh away Original sin 2. That it worketh grace and regeneration 3. That it effects salvation by the work done 4. That it is an Apostolical Tradition 5. That Infants have Faith 6. That Infants are Dâ—sciplâ—s of Christ 7. That only believers children are in Covenant 8. It polluteth the Church with Mingling the World and Church together 9. Many deceitful and crafty Inventions of Antichrist as Gossips Bishoping Crossings c. 10. It hath made contention in the Church 11. It hath caused the bloodshed of Saints Christian People's Self-Contradiction by Infant Sprinkling T Is strange that a people my Brethern in oâ—her Doctrines that have proved and contended for the Scriptures to be the only Rule of Faith and worship and in other cases wi l say where is it written should be fond of Infant Sprinkling for which they cannot find in Scripture any word Command nor Example for to give it the Reputation of a Church Ordinance I profess I must give away my Understanding if I consent to a Scriptureless Ordinance under the Name of a Scripture Ordinance Never lâ—t me nor other Christians pretend to bear a Testimony to the Truth by suffering Persecution if Scripture must not be my Rule of Understanding and Faith take away this and take all I have or all themselves have said in order to Christianity or relating to Regeneration and Salvation Can any Man speak against Popery or Superstition that will form a Principall Ordinance in the Church without Scripture Authority for it 't is self Contradiction so to do 'T is but pulling down one Babel and Building another Let him that would find the truth of Baptism search the Scriptures and there he may find that 't is believers Dipping A sight of a Believer at Baptizing When you see a believer at baptising you may know that Now he devides the time of his Life that whereas from his birth to this time of his Baptism he lived without giving this Gospelly appointed Sign of Believing in the Lord Jesus But now he will live so no longer He till now lived as the Ignorant Infant sâ—rinkled World that gives no signs of special believing by special obedience to this call of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel But now the Believer is baptized that of choice in obedience and according to his Lord Jesus's requirement he declares to every body that he is a believer a believer in the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus to save and that he will no longer live as the Unregenerate do without the further Sign of his Faith by his Gospel Obedience But will as you see by baptism divide the Time of his l fe that he may now say let the time pâ—st suâ—â—â—e for a vain Coâ—verâ—â—tion a careless fearful anâ— disobedient Conversation And may also from this time say the life that I â—â—w live is by Faith in the Son of God My baptism upon beliâ—ving is a doing that the Gospel requires for a beginning of a Visibility of this â—ife of Faith undergoing the Reproach of the world for the sake of my Lord the â—ying Jesus of Nazareth our exalted Saviour Of Reproaches and Sufferings HIstorâ— affords Relations of many people in all Ages since the first plantat on of the Gospel that have suffer'd Contempt Reproach Scandal Lyes disgrace cruâ—ll â—â—ocâ—ings misery Imprisonment Death and puâ—â—ick Maâ—tyrdom â—ot only for the saâ—e of profâ—ssing the Doctâ—iâ—es of the Gospel in general but in paâ—ticular for the Doctrinâ— of believ rs Baptism And that which seems more strange is that those Men who have been the most bitter Enemies to the purity of the Gospel have in all Ages been persons not slighting or dispising Religion but those that have made great pretentions to Religion all of the same Spirit as were the Scribes and Pharisees that under a show of Sanctity lamented the sufferings and Death of the Prophets and paid a kind of Devotion to the place where they were laid and built their Sepulchers and yet as their Fathers did so did they still go on with Persecution And ever since the severe minded People upon account of Religion have been the Priestly People Nay what is worse a Reformed People have been as Ridgid as the former Behold a Wonder a Bush burning and not consumed Exod. 3.3 and Moses said I will turn aside and set this great sight c. God's lively Emblem of the Aflicted Persecuted Church of Christ The Dignity of the Lord Jesus that Baptised Believers obey The Mighty Jesus is the God man saith God the Father The Man that is â—y Fellow Zach. 13. 7. His Name shall be called the wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace Isaiah 9.6 Who is the Iâ—age of the Invisible God the first born of every Creature Col. 1.15 16 17 18 19 20. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him He is before all things and by him all things consist And he is the head of the Body the Church who is the beginning the first born from she dead that in all things he might have the preheminence For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Beware lest
Texts together that mention that Truth there being many whereby one Text may expound another Query 10. Why should Infant Sprinklers by their Practice occasion pro and con about Baptism When one Text of forty about baptism will clearly prove that Gospel baptism is not Infant Sprinkling but believers Dipping Query 11. If Infants may be admitted Church Members because 't is believed some of them are in the covenant to be in future time effectually called by the Gospel to Salvation Then may not any ungodly persons be also admitted Church Members because some of them also are alike in the same Covenant to be in future time effectually called and saved Query 12. How can or doth Infants Sprinkling answer Christ's design of Believers Baptism for dividing between the Church and the World When experience and Scripture shews that the Infant Sprinkled Nations are grosly more World than Church even Strangers and Enemies to Regeneration tho all sprinkled Church-Members Query 13. Why should a Christian be blamed for obeying and defending forty New Testament Text of Scripture for Believers Baptism When all the Men that ever opposed it never shewed one Text that maketh any appearance for Infant Sprinkling Query 14. Who is most justinable he that shews his Obedience by many clear Texts of Scripture or he that sheweth his Practice by only sallacious Consequence and Presumptions Query 15. Will not a Christian do well to stand to the Doctrine of forty New Testament Texts tho' he be shot thro' and thro' with Ridiculous Speeches c. Query 16. Why should I be too much afraid of my weakness seeing my Case is true and Truth is strongest and like much Water hath always tendency to clear it self Query 17. Whether is it best to obey God as Revealed in his Word or obey Man as they Invent and Insult Query 18. If Parents Imagine that they may make their Infants Church Members by their Sprinkling them because it is no where expresly forbidden Then may they not do it by crouding any thing into the Worship of God that is not forbidden or by giving their Children some other odd thing That will be no abuse to Baptism Query 19. Tho' some groundlessly may be offended at this Treatise and catch at a word is it not the Offendeds Duty to act like a Christian by considering the Substance of what is said rather than Sophister like catch at a word to sophisticate the truth seeing every days experience shews that The greatest Clarks and Counsels have tript in a Word or Critricks have made them seem so to do Query 20. Why should a Christian take Infant Sprinkling for God's Ordinance when never any Man proved that God ordain'd it The Contents Christ and his Apost preach believers baptism p. 1. A new Creature hath aptness to Obedience p. 3. The four sorts of People that don't like it p. 4. Some Lovers of Christ dares be baptized p. 5. Christian Sprinklers left to their way = p. 5. Baptism is after Faith and Repentance p. 7.8 10 19 20 24 37 41 47. c. Baptizing is Dipping not Sprinkling p. 7.12 13 17 20 24 27 35 37. c. Baptizing in much water p. 28 36 37. Infants are not Church Members p. 8 47. Infants not baptised p. 29 31 33 47 48. Neither Believers Infants nor others sprinkled p. 9.18 21 22 29 30 31 32. c. An awakened soul sees no right by nature p 9 Repentance and baptism prepares for profession p. 10. Jesus was dipt and is our Example p. 11 17. Jesus chose and went miles to much water p. 11. Jesus had not Water brought to him p. 12. God approved obedience in much Water p. 12 24. Tho some reject yet others rece bapt p. 13 15 18.25 The Commission is to teach and baptise p. 14. Infant sprinkâ— makes all world no Church p. 14. Christ's presence promised to preaching bap p. 14. How dare some Ministers say In the Name p. 15. Election directeth not to Infant Sprink p. 16 22. God sanctifieth Man baptiseth p. 16. God accepts only what he hath appointed p. 18. Believing and baptism are joyned together p. 19. Sprinkling furthers not Infants Salvation p. 19. Never any believer hurt in baptising p 19. Believers baptm hath a Commsn but Insn none p. 19 Naaman advised to obey Gods Will p. 20 An Vnbelievers Child's baptism is null p. 22 Not Election but Believing give right to bapt p. 22 Duty excludes Infants from Baptism p. 23 The Learned own that baptize is dip p. 26 Baptised at Enou because of much water p. 28 None but Disciples were baptised p 29 Infant Sprinkling a Counterfeit to c. p. 29. Baptism is Commanded p. 30 37 They that gladly received â—he word baptised p. 31 As one so another is saved by grace p. 32 Not Covenant but Regen gives right to bap p. 32 Men and Women but â—o Infants baptisâ—d p. 33 Dr. H. Mr. B. sâ—id mâ—ch to little purpose p. 33 'T is foolery to dâ—ny that â—aptism was Dipping p. 35 'T is affronting to change Gods Ordinance p. 35 â—1 Baptism follows the sign of a change p. 36 Baptised with the Spirit fits for Water p. 37 Lydia had neither husband nor children p 38 39 The Jaylor had no Infants p. 40 Believers baptism is no Rebaptism p. 42 Baptism is â—a sign of washing from sin p. 43 Much water is an Emblem of Grace p. 43 Baptism a sign of death burial Resurrect p. 44 48 Paul did baptise several p. 45 Baptised in the Cloud and Sea p. 46 Baptised into one body p. 47 Baptised for the dead excludes Infants p. 48 Not Infants but believers put on Christ p. 49 There 's but one baptism that 's dipping believers p. 50 Believers baptism figureth 4 things p. 50 Sprinkling is a profanation of baptism p. 50 Dipping shews Christs Death and Refurrect p. 51 Several Metephors explain baptism = p. 51 Baptism is a foundation Doctrine p. 52 The Church robb'd of her Names c. p 52 Noahs Flood a Figure of baptism p. 53 Baptism is a sign of sanctification p. 53 The Persons and Mode of Baptising p. 54.55 How Infant sprinkling came in fashion p. 56 Nine Evil Tendencies of Infant Sprinkling p. 57 Objections Answered = p. 58 59 60.61 Difference between sprinkling baptising p. 62 c. Infant sprinklers makes self-contradiction p. 67 A sight of a believer at baptising p. 68 Of Reproaches and Sufferings p. 69 The dignity of the Lord Jesus p. 70 Likeness between grace and much wat. p. 71 to 74 Humaene Frailty hindereth not baptism p. 75 Believing is qualification for baptism p. 75 Gentility hindereth not baptism p. 76 A Persecutor called and baptised p. 76 A Proclamation for all to come p. 77 Believers admitted in a way of Faith p. 77 Twenty Quereis for Baptism = p. 78 79 80 Errata p. 5. l. 1. s the sinner r. this sinner p. 16. l. 33. f. sc p. 27. r. se p. 26. p. 27. l. 31. r. counted p. 33. l. 34 r. of hardness p. 36. l. 1. r. Acts 9.17.18 p. 36 l. 4. f. if it had r. it had p. 51 l. 29 f. up r. upon l. 30 f. they r. so they f. up r. upon p. 62 l. 29 f. which r. after which Advertsement At London are many larger Treatises of Believers Baptism which I shall willingly help the inquisitive to or to these
bâ— baptized and when baptized Went up strâ—â— got way oâ—t of the water Mark 1.5 All baptized in the River Jorâ—an and Jesus was baptized in Jordaâ— Mark 1.9 John 3.23 John was baptizing in Enon because there was much water there And they went down both into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him And when â—hey were come up out of the water c. Acts 8.38 39. And Acts 10.48 Peter commanded them to be Baptized said Ananias to Paul Arise and be baptized wâ—shing a way thy sins We are buried with Christ by baptism Rom. 6.4 5. If we have been planted together with him in the likeness of his death And were all baptized to Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10.2 One Lord one Faith one Baptism Eph 4.5 Buried with Christ in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him c. Col. 2.12 'T is strange and unaccountable that any man should pretend to draw a conclusion of Infant Sprinâ—ling from Scripture when there 's not a Text that looks like it And more strange that any should draw a conclusion that Infant Sprinkling is Baptism when all the Texts about Baptism tends to prove and clear the Dipping of Believers only How Infant Sprinkling came in fashion The Church of Rome coâ—fesseth she changed Dipping into Sprinkling Câ—prian is the first who pleads for baptisiâ—g the Siâ—k by Sprinkling and for Sprinkling now Converts in the Prison-house and by degrees they brought it in for sick Children then for all Children Romes first and great Argument by which Infants Baptism was brought in was their imagining it took away original Sin upon which they made this Canon in the Milevetan Couâ—cil It is our Will that all who affirm Young Children have everlasting life which are not baptized to the taking away of Original Sin shall be Anathemized So the fifth Council at Carthage 416. We will that â—hosoever denyeth that little Children by Baptism are not freed from Perdition and eternally saved that they be acâ—ursed This was first confiâ—meâ— by Pope Innocentius and Augustin with seventy Bishops I note Thus a Christian may see the Our Will the We Will that brought in nfant Sprinkling without God's Will therefore 't is not strange if some Infants in cold Countries Dye if Dipt Again The Fathers of the declined Church were but Children in comparison of the Apostâ—es and therefore the Apostles shall be my Fathers The Evil Tendencies and Consequences of Infant Sprinkling 1st It hath been a Snare to most people because they do thereby reckon themselves to be Christians and in a Salvable Condition tho' they indeed are without Faith and Repentance 2ly It hath been the Root and off spring of the National Churches and is essential to their standing 3ly The National Sprinklers of Infants have often made War upon the Congregational Christians for observing the word of God as the only rule of Faith and Practice 4ly It greatly indangers Congr gational Churches â—o â—egenerate and become National 5ly It is one of the great supports of the Anti Christian Whore of Babilon 6â—y There is more appâ—opriated to Infant Sprinkling then is due to Gospel Baptism Taking away Original si Qualifying for Salvation 7ly It sets aside Gods command and puts Men upon the quite contrary by which rule also any other Erronious thing may come in 8ly To guard Infants Sprinkling many Men bar the unsprinkled Infants out of Heaven so their way Damn Millions that are saved 9ly It puts some men upon aserting that all Infants of believers are in covenant And yet say that there is no falling from a State of Grace Tho on the contrary they will acknowledge that many of the believers Sprinkled Infants living to maturity die unregenerated perish eternally Evils always attend Error here are nine The Objections that the ignorant world and others usually make against Believers Baptism are Answered Obj. 1. I have been baptised in my Infancy therefore what need I be baptised again Answ You was but Rantised or Sprinkled not Dipt nor Baptised John 3.23 Obj. 2. Learned men are for Infant Sprinkling Answ Some Learned men are for Popery not for Purity But all are not however the Gospel ought not to submit to learned Men Acts 4.19 Obj. 3. Whole Fâ—miâ—es were baptized Answ All that were baptized did first believe Acts 16.34 Let it be so now Obj. 4. Circumcision availeth nothing but a nâ—w Creature then what need I be baptized Answ You may as well infer and say that because God will save by grace that therefore you will take the liberty of forbearing good Works Rom. 6.1.15 or because God works you will play Ob. 5. Many lays too much stress upon beleivers baptism and that makes us the more backward to it Answ And I fear you lay too little Christ layeth it thus He that Believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 Oâ—j 6. Were not little Children baptized by Christ Mark 10.13 14. Answ No he only blest them Mark â—0 16 Obj. 7. Infaâ—t baptism is not forbidden Answ At that door Popish Error comes in and all others may yet what 's not appointed iâ— forbidden Lev. 10.2 3. Isa 1.12 Obj. 8. Aâ— Nations are to be baptized and Infants are part of Nations Answ But they should be taught first anâ— believe accoâ—ding to the same Commission Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.16 Acts 8.12 Obj. 9. There hath been bad Men Anabaptists Answ Shew me a Profession that hath not such nay the many Malefactors that hath suffer Death in your memory have been of other Religions and it may be of your Church but what is that to Religion it self Judas being a Judas doth not overthrow the Gospel 't is not persons but things that are the Doctriâ—es of the Gospel we are upon even Believing and Dipping Obj. 10. Infant Priviledges are not less under the Gospel then â—unâ—er the Law Answ Their saving Priviledges are the same but that gives no riâ—ht to Baptism Obj. 11. Baptism came in the room of Circumcision Answ Circumcision of the heart came in the room of Circumcision of the flesh Rom. â— 28.29 the priviledges waâ— anâ—â—â—eâ— to Circumcision but now it is to Believing Obj. 12. There 's an Vniversal Consent of Churches and Anâ—iâ—anâ—â—y for Inf nt Sprinkling Answ Such cous nâ— makes nothing true nor fâ—lse 't is Scripture dâ—â—s both before Consent had a Being as it was in the beginning should be now and a Believer Baptized may say is now and ever shâ—ll be 13. There are some other Objections Answ One Rule will answer all Objections against Believers Baptism viz That God will acâ—ept â—â—â—thing in his Worship but what be hath appointed The Objections that some Christians make are here Answered Obj. 14. Believers Children are holy 1 Cor. 7.14 Answ A Believers unbelieving Husband or Wife hath the same holiness by the same text Obj. 15. Infants were once Church members Answ So were servants too Godly or Ungodly a
VII Mat. 21.25 26 27. 25. The Baptism of John whence was it from Heaven or of Men And they reasoned among themselves saying if we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did ye not then believe him 26. But if we shall say of Men We fear the People for all hold John a Prophet 27. And they answered Jesus and said we cannot tell I Note That some Men tho in the days of Christ disowned the Doctrine of baptism upon Repentance and John the first Preacher and Administrator of it Because there was as they thought a peculiar saving Priviledge unalterably annexed to the Children of Abraham tho when grown up were impenitent Joh. 8.33 but it was but a pharasaical thought Many that are not in love with Christ discover it by not being in love with his Ordinance for his sake And some again are willing their own Invention may serve for his Ordinance And it appears John 2.23 that this baptism of John was in much Water and therefore he abode and preached in a place near much Water but if a little Water would have done then he might have Travel'd and Preached and Sprinkled in the Hill Countrey all over the Land but to baptize or Dip he must be where is much Water and therefore abode at Enon a place by the River Iordan because there was much Water there Behold our Jesus indisputation sheweth that Diping after repentance is from heaven but Sprinkling before signs of Repentance is of Man's invention CHAP. VIII Matth. 28.19.20 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptiking them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the World Amen I Note That here is the Commission of Believers Baptism given by our Lord Iesus Christ King of Saints and Law-giver to his Church And that the Ministers of his Gospel are to preach first upon the success of their Ministâ—y baptize only those who believe the Gospel Therefore unless Infants hear the Word preached and become thereby convinc't of sin and the excellency of a Saviour they are not within the reach of the commission for baptism but that Infants do not do and therefore they that sprinkle or baptize before preaching set up their own folly against the wisdom of God by doing the last first just contrary to the Commission Moreover to baptize either Infants or Men or Women before they believe is to make all seem Church and no World or rather continue all World and make no visible Church but our Saviour will have a Church out of the World And therefore he saith to his Church Ioh. 15.19 I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hates you and accordingly believers are appointed to be baptized to distinguish them from the World See more pag. 15. Again This promise of Christ's presence with his people is upon condition of observing the method of baptizing after preaching for preserving his visible Church from mixing with Unbelievers CHAP. IX Mark 1.4 5. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins 5. And there went out to him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the River of Iordan confessing their sins I Note that this Evangelist also relates that baptism was administred not at a river but in a rivâ—â— by dipping of persons that went out not carried out and upon confession of sins which Infants cannot do Again Tho the Pharisees that thought they knew the Law did not receive Baptism yet God found a people that did upon confession of sins and therefore let not us that are sincere for Christ and his Gospel be afraid of the reproach of some Ecclesiastical Persons but value the love of God for the text saith Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulitrous and sinful Generation c. Mark 8.38 Matth. 10.32 Again I wonder how the Infant Sprinkling Ministers dare say In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost I baptize thee c. When they do but Rantize or Sprinkle and not Baptize or Dip. If they will sprinkle in some bodies name and not in their own it is then to my understanding more proper and safe for them to say In the Name of the Fathers Popes and religious Men I spriâ—kle thee according to the declared Will of the Milevetan Council in this case It is our Will that c. and of the 5th Council of Carthage An. 416. We will that c. but this is not God's Will and then they 'l put no fallacy upon God's Ordinance of baptism nor speak untruth in the name of the Trinity And let me here speak directly to some Christians that are for Infant Sprinkling what tho you believe personal Election is there therefore a necessity that you must sprinkle your Infants believing that that election runs only in your Line by natural Generation Tho it may be you can say as a great many can That truly I do not know whether there be another christian of my Generation or no for they all by their Lives discover Ignorance and Unbelief of the Lord Iesus or at most make but a Laodiccan profession and then my brethren what incouragement have you to reckon that Election will run to your Generation after you and that your Infants should be sprinkled Moreover personal election is a secret residing only in God then how can you personally apply Election before their personal believing Furthermore election gives no right to baptism until the elect person be taught or called according to the commission of preaching baptizing God's order of working about the salvation of a sinner is God elects and his Ministers calls and the spirit going with the Word regenerates and upon that comes a bending to obedience and profession Or thus God elects and Man preaches and then God regenerates and Man baptiseth God works first First Is the decree of salvation 2dly The publishing of it 3dly The change made in the soul 4thly The sign thereof and a profession which by the will of God ought to be done by dipping see p. 27. as a lively Emblem of cleansing in the merits of Christ the River of Water of Life As God in order of time hath placed Election before Sanctification so he hath placed teaching before baptizing CHAP. X. Mark 1.9 10 11. 9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 10. And straight way coming up out of the Water he saw the Heavens opened and the Spirit like a Dove descending upon him 11. And there came a Voice from Heaven saying thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased I Note That the Evangelist Mark as well as
arose to the water And thus tho God hath an Ocean of Grace and that this grace is free as a River Ps 78.20 Iude 3. Isa 33 21. yet saith Goâ— of his people They shall come weeping and mourning Isa 48.18 And so tho his Ordinance of water be free yet his people shall come to that and not a little of that brought to Sprinkle as if they were afâ—aid of too much and as if too much water Psal 36.8 would signify too much grace or us if could they but have grace or sanctity enough to carry them to Heaven they would not have a drop more Now Believer if it come to pass by thiâ— or any other means that thou art wrought to a solid desire publickly to profess thy self Religious Mar. 10.32 A believer on the Son of God for Salvation by an obediential submitting to this Gospelly settled Ordinance of believers baptism and yet thou findest in thy self frailty and inability to live a perfect holy Life as becometh such a professor and therefore thinkest with thy self to delay baptism till thou art stronger fortified against Corruption and better qualified for baptism If so then rest on thy Lord Jesus Eph. 5.26 and conclude to live thro the gâ—ace of God as well as thou caâ—st if not so well as thou wouldest so resolve to be baptized If thou believâ—st with all thy heart thou may'st be baptised Believing or Faith is an heart qualifying grace and doth and will bring forth the good fruits of an holy conversation tho much of corrupt Nature still remaineth Then what hinders thy obedience to thy Saviours appointed believers baptism Observe That the Jaylor Acts. 16. falling out of love with his sins speak like a man of sense and reason What shall I do to be saved And then the Apostle directs him higher than sense or reason even to act as a man of Faith too If thou wilt do then believe do that without staying for thy own Acts of Rigteousness believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Do that first and then thou art right to do more Faith is the Root of other Sanctified Obedience and also gives right to baptism If thou believest is the point that the Gospel stands upon art thou poor art thou vile nay art thou the vilest of sinners if thou believest art changed there 's no Objection against thee There 's no Qualification like believing in the Cruâ—ified Iesus of Nazareth that hath undertaken to Sanctifie Sinners Godly Parents and all the Forms of Worship are not to be compared to believing with all the heart Thus If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest be baptized Acts 8 37. Art thou a Gentile Person Then behold the Noble Ethopian Minister of State Acts 8. riding in his Chariot with his Courtly Attendence commanding all to stand still while he gâ—es down into the Water with Philip to be obedient to his Saviours dispised Rule of dipping whereby he sets himself against a Kingdom Ethiopia and then he went on his way rejoycing at the greatness of his Priviledge according to Phil. 1.29 Acts 5.41 Again But it may be thou hast been a Persecutor That indeed is a dreadful thing thou hast hereby made War upon God and his Son Jesus that should be thy Saviour and all the Saints and if thou mightest had thy Will thou wouldest have done strange things But yet see the kindness of the Lord Jesus to Saul And when Sauls Convictions made him cry out Lord what wilt thou have me to do He was then taught and sent to Ananias who said to him Why tarriest thou arise and be baptized Acts 22.16 And now to turn the stream of his Labours the Lord Jesus will have Saul become Paul the Preacher of the everlasting Gospel and a sufferer for it too Hear what the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah saith of the fullness and freeness of the grace of the Gospel to the poor and vile sinner Isa 55.1 2. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters the grace of the Gospel he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine Milk without Money without price Wherefore do you spend your Money your desires for that which is not Bread and your labour for that which satisfies not The Son of God confirmeth this John 7.37 38. In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood and cryed saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Water the Spirit and Grace of the Gospel And again This exalted Saviour winds up his New Testament discovery of his Grace by his Proclamation in Revelations 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is a thirst Come and whosoever will let him take the Water of life freely What wouldst have more O Sinner that seest thy pollutions and art under the sense of their deserts tho thou canst not by thy best Obedience answer the demands of a holy severe Law yet thou canst by believing with all thy heart answer the call of a holy reconciling Gospel that freely offers Christ for thy acceptance and injoyns Believers Baptism as a tryal of thy saith And so if thou believest in the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus with all thy heart thou mayst be baptised FINIS An Appendix If any be offended at this Treatise Then of them I Query Query 1. HOW comes it to pass that Liberty of Conscience is not a Christian's Priviledge now As much as it was when the Men of your perswasion hotly contended for it Query 2. Are you an Infallible Judge of a Christian's Reason Why he believes and obeys Gods Will in Scripture Tho never any Papist or Protestant could find a Iudge so safe for Salvation as the Scripture Query 3. Is it not safest for a Christian in the Conduct of his Life to Follow the Exemplary Practice of Christ and his Apostles Query 4. Wherein do Persons by sprinkling Infants follow the Practice of Christ his Apost Query 5. The Apostles by Dipping Believers only did faithfully discharge the Baptismal part of their Commission Then I Query by what or whose commission are Infants now Sprinkled for I never heard of another commission by Divine Authority Query 6. Infants being Sprinkled without Christ's commission for it How doth it appear that Infants Sprinkling will be accepted by Christ instead of believers baptism Query 7. Do not the Judgments on a Nation often come for want of Reformation from Popery and the Image of it in the Churches Query 8. Am not I in obeying and defending Forty New Testament Texts more excusable than some others that with Non-sequitors Crown the many more Learned that have pretended to defend Infant Sprinkling Query 9. Is it not safest for the finding of a New Testament Truth Baptism to compare all the New Testament