Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	eat_v	idol_n	weak_a	2,180	5	9.3570	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76800	The storming of Antichrist, in his two last and strongest garrisons; of compulsion of conscience, and infants babptisme [sic]. Wherein is set down a way and manner for cburch [sic] constitution; together with markes to know right constituted churches, from all other societies in the world. Also the cruelty inequality and injustice of compulsion for conscience, by 29. arguments is opened; with an answer to 26. objections brought for the same. Also 12. arguments against the baptizing of infants; with an answer to 26. objections brought for the same. Wherein is displayed to the view of all, from the testimonies of Scriptures, Fathers, councels; the mischiefs, uncertainties, novelties, and absudities [sic] that do attend the same. Wherein is answered the most valid arguments brought by St. Martiall, in his sermon preached in the Abbey Church at Westminister, for the defence hereof. With an answer to Mr. Blake his arguments, in his book cald Birth-priviledge; and to the arguments of divers others. As also a catechisme, wherein is cleerely opened the doctrine of baptisme, together with a resolution of divers questions and cases of conscience, about baptisme. Written by Ch. Blackwood, out of his earnest desire he hath to a thorow reformation, having formerly seen the mischiefs of half reformations.	Blackwood, Christopher.	1644 (1644)	Wing B3103; Thomason E22_15; ESTC R7842	101,204	126

Baptisme Answ It brings many mischiefes besides that it fils the Churches with rotten Members and confounds the world and the Church together it is a groundworke for more traditions and doth so darken the doctrine of Baptisme that we cannot know the true meaning of it when we read of Baptisme in the Scriptures yea hereby many are taken into communion in baptisme who are excluded from communion in the supper whereas the communion in both is one and the same Quest How do you prove that there is but one Communion in baptisme and in the Supper Answ Because there is the same thing signified in baptisme that there is in the supper that is to say our fellowship with Christ in his death and resurrection So that all that are baptized into one body are all made to drinke into one spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 and the same preparations of faith and repentance that are required for the one are also required for the other and he that is cast out of the one is cast out of the other seeing that by excommunication hee becomes like an Heathen or a Publicane Quest But what if an infant or any other in their childehood should die unbaptized are they not damned Answ We know nothing out of the Scriptures of their salvation or damnation and therefore we must not be too inquisitive yet may such infants so dying be saved through the presentment of the satisfaction of Christ Rom. 5.18 to the justice of God for originall sin which satisfaction though it be applied through beleeving in those that can beleeve yet may it be applied without in those that cannot beleeve for else how could any infants be saved Quest Do you thinke infants have no faith Answ Yes they have not faith for they have not reason to discerne betwixt good and evill Deut. 1.39 If they had faith they were presently to be admitted to the supper Faith is an act of understanding which comme●h by hearing as well as an act of the will Quest What grounds have you against infants baptisme Answ Many but chiefly Christs commission Mat. 28.19 Where the subjects of baptisme are those that are made Disciples and this commission is to last to the worlds end vers 20. and reaches to every creature that is to partake of baptisme Mark 16.15 16. Quest Is it not lawfull to baptize persons without they beleeve Answ No Acts 8.37 If thou beleevest it is lawfull Acts 10.47 and 16.34 and 8.12 and 18.8 Quest But may we not be baptized if we be ABRAMS seed Answ Yes but we gentiles are onely Abrams seed by beleeving Gal. 3.7 Know ye therefore that they which are of the faith are the children of Abraham so Rom. 4.16 Gal. 3.29 Quest But what think you of them that would make the children of beleevers to be the seed of Abraham Answ They are mistaken for the scripture speakes onely of three seedes of Abraham that is Christ Gal. 3.16 He saith not to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ 2. the carnall Jew 3. the bel●ever of Jew and Gentile Gal. 3.28 and they adde a fourth seed of Abraham viz. The seed or children of beleevers among the Gentiles about which the scripture is silent Quest But are not the children of Godly persons visibly in the covenant of grace Answ No the covenant of grace is an invisible thing and we cannot know who are in it nor have we grounds to judge persons are in it till we see some profession of holy life and profession of faith and repentance which infants cannot make Quest What is circumcision Answ It was an obligation to keep the whole Law Gal. 5.3 Rom. 2.24 and shewed unto them that it was their duties to circumcise their hearts Ier. 4.4 Quest. Whether was it not also a seale of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 Answ Yes to Abraham onely and if Abrahams beleeving children among the Gentiles should be baptized as he was circumcised then must it not be till they have the righteosnesse of faith as Abraham here had at least they must have it in profession Quest Whether doth Baptisme succeed Circumcision in the same Office Answ No Circumcision was to every Male though reprobate but baptisme onely to the beleever Mat. 28.19 There being a change of the visible Church and of the Ordinances this cannot succeed in room therof nor hath any dependance thereon Quest Whether may not infants of beleevers be baptized by vertue of a covenant holinesse Answ No for baptisme is not a signe or seal of any such outward holynes which may befall reprobates as well as Elect but it is a signe of death Buriall and Resurrection which the beleever hath with Christ 2. There is no command for baptizing such if the Gentiles were so holy which yet is not proved Quest Whether is infants baptisme forbid in Scripture Answ Yes where will-worship is forbid Levit. 10.1 As they that were not in the Circumcision of Circumcision were excluded because they were not exprest as the males and females of Heathen So is it in Christs Commission about Baptisme they that are not exprest in it are excluded from it But now to answer to questions or cases of conscience about this point Quest WHether is it lawfull for a person that is convicted of the unlawfulnesse of Infants baptisme or doubteth thereof to be present at it Answ No in no wise for these reasons 1 Because the inward man and outward man must not bee divided in worship 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God both with body and spirit which are his It s grosse hypocrisie when the outward man is at a worship which the heart doth not love 2 Because by our presence at such a worship we strengthen and embolden others at a false worship wiles they look on us as those that worship the same kinde of worship 1 Cor. 8.10 If any man see thee which hast knowledge fit at meat in the Idols temple shall not the conscience of him which is weak be imbouldened to eat those things which are offred to Idols 3 Because the person that is present at such a worship is not able to make any apologie to God why hee or she is present at such a worship in bodily presence though he or she reserve their hearts to God As a mans wife that is taken in an adulterous bed with another man can give no excuse for her presenting her body there though she say she keep her heart and affection to her husband 4 Because in false worship we are not so much as to touch the unclean thing 2 Cor. 6.17 Come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing Now this being an unclean thing in my conscience I cannot nor must not touch it any way neither with my affection nor with my bodily presence but that as soon at any preacher begins to pray for any such thing I must instantly depart though it be in his prayer after his Sermon 5 Because

they compelled one anothers consciences and as the prevailing party of Presbyters invested Emperours with this power we finde the Apostacie to have come in How oft by these meanes have the most glorious lights of the church been exiled from publike preaching as Athanasius Chrisostome others Purchas speaks of the Mahomitans in Cayro and Egypt that there are four severall religions different from each others in Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall Ceremonies and concerning also civill and cannon Law all founded on the Mahomitan scripture by four learned men diversly construing the generall rules to such particulars as seemed to them fitter for their followers who disagreeing in opinion agree in affection and converse together without hatred or upbraiding each other Purch Pilg. part 1. lib. 3. p. 275. Let Christans learn from these Many flourishing states at this day permit it as Poland the Sates of Holland c. With no small benefit to the publike peace 13 Compulsion is unlawfull because in case of Heresie Apostacie or corruption in manners we finde in Scriptures of the New Testament no further punishment then exceeding to rejection or excommunication Tit. 3.10 A man that is an Hereticke after the first or second admonition reject When Hymeneus and Alexander made Shipwrack of their faith Paul deliverd them to Satan 1 Tim 1.20 There was no Compulsion by any civill Magistrate So the incestuous person there was no further proceeding against him then the delivering of him to Satan 1 Cor. 5. Mat. 18. If he will not hear the church Let him be an Heathen or a Publicane There was no writ granted of Excommunication capiendi to carry him to prison without Bayle or Mainprize that hee should have no power to make a will or to deprive him of such buriall as other men had 14 Compulsion in religion doth inforce persons not only to do things with a doubting conscience and so is sinfull Rom. 14.23 but makes men sin against their consciences which is abominable or else to suffer a ruine of their states and persons which is uncharitable In compelling persons against conscience you compell them against that which they deem to be the eternall truth of God If you say the magistrate hath no intent to compell me to sin nor to extort a confession contrary to my conscience I answer But he hath this end that if I professe not what he thinks truth or lawes enacted require he intends to punish me with imprisonment banishment c. which is uncharitable in him And what if for fear of the Magistrates force rather then the fear of hell I professe a false principle though I shall be duly punisht for denying Christ yet shall not he be free who compelled me thereto 15 It brings no small hazard and trouble to the civill Magistrate hazard in exposing him to persecute the truths of God a burden that hath lyen heavy upon the consciences of Magistrates for many yeers past that when some few in a Convocation have concluded some points Supersticious or Erronious the Magistrates Judges Justices have been the to put these cruelties in execution and they with trembling consciences have helped forward the exilement and misery of many a Saint of God The Scripture requiring weak brethren so be so far borne with as wee see Rom. 14 3.4 5. That if their outward deportment be faire honest and humble it would trouble the acutest Magistrate to prove them obstinate must it not be very hazardous for the magistrate to meddle with such godly p●rsons though in an errour And for the trouble it will be endlesse there being such strong arguments against any uniforme practise whatsoever and the persons not members in a way commanded by the State will the Magistrate be ever free from trouble with such persons Besides it will be a great trouble to him to study in such intricate cases when it is fit for him to imploy his coercive or constraining power and when it is not fit and if the same point which he now persecutes shall after appear to him to be truth what a sting will this be to his conscience when as all this trouble and hazard shall be taken away if persons may be left to worship God together according to the light they have they behaving themselves soberly and peaceably in the Commonwealth 16 If that religion may be forced upon the consciences of others by the Major part of a Synod or Convocation Vote we may be liable to change our religion oft in our lives time as four times in a matter of 20. yeers in H. 8. Ed. 6. Q. M. Q. E. so in Q. E. K. I. K. C. and the present Synod which if we do then wee wound our consciences and declare plainely that we have no true fear of God in us in that his fear is taught by the commandements of men Esay 29.13 and if we do not we are every time liable to persecution to the enforcement of selling lands leaving Offices kindred and callings betaking our selves to wilde woods strange countreyes and this may be the condition of sundry persons who thinke themselves straitned in their Government unlesse they may rule in other mens consciences so various and unstable are all things under the sun 17 None are like to suffer by compulsion of conscience but conscientious men see a sad instance Dan. 3. as soone as the act of Compulsion was proclaimed by the Herald v. 4. 5. to you it is cammanded O people Nations and languages that as soon as you hear the sound of the Cornet Flute Sackbut c ye fall down worship the golden image and whoso falleth not down shall the same hour be cast into a burning fiery furnace Vers 7. Therfore all that time when all the people heard the sound of the Cornet Flute Harp all the people Nations and languages fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up now Shadrach Mesh●ch and Abednego being conscientious men they were onely catcht in this decree So will it be in these dayes whatsoever be established by those that conquer in these wars there 's not one of many will resist it whether it be Episcopacie Presbitery c. Onely conscientious men will stagger in it and suffer for what conscience can approve who suffered in Q Maries time against the Masse stablished by law but good men So when the ceremonies Episcopall Courts were in force the godly were insnared by them 18 Compu●sion of conscience overthrows Christian liberty contrary to Gal. 5.1 stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free yea it overthrowes it in the greatest measure in that our faith cannot fixe freely upon the object and a su●able confession from our mouthes but we must suffer pi●lories losse of liberty c. We taxe this as a brand of Rome that they take away all Christian liberty whiles they force us beleeve as the Church beleeve let us not be guilty herein To have our states inslaved is hard and that

are either Ministers or people if Ministers then there 's a wo unto them if they do not declare what they think tru●h 1 Cor 9 ●6 Wo unto me if I preach not the Gospell Acts 5 20 Go into the Temple and speak all the words of this life Else may there be guilt of the blood of souls Acts 20 26 27. If people they are bound to strengthen others themselves being converted Luk. 22 32. So did the woman of Samaria Joh. 4.29 come see a man that told me all that ever I did is not this the Christ Though the Samaritans generally were of another belief before as appears v. 39.41 Objection But is it not lawfull to reduce seduced persons to the truth Answer Yes but not by carnall weapons of clubs fines banishment 2 Cor. 10.4 the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mighty through God to the casting down of strong holds and imaginations and every thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of God among which is Heresie for one and bringing into captivitie every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Violence never made any man cordially to close with any Religion though it hath forced the outward man Obj●ction Though men be forced to embrace a religion against their wils yet after they come to approve it and will not come to another Answer The accidentall good that fell out cannot make lawfull the evill upon which they ventured 2 Such men as do thus comply against conscience they are usually made twofold more the children of hell then formerly though there may be a different issue in some Objection Many ignorant souls hereby will be in danger of being seduced by Popish Priests and other Sectary Teachers Ans 1. Better sometimes a mischief then alwayes an inconvenience 2 These ignorant persons thus wrought on by tampering would in such variety of judgements try all sides especially when there were freedome herein to reason and debate 3 Hereby many weak ones among the Papists were in likelihood to be gained from them yea far more then the Protestants would in likelihood lose 4 Gods wayes are alwaies the safest and that which most concernes his own glory Objection Esay 49.23 Kings shall be thy thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy nursing Mothers therefore Kings and Princes may imploy their compulsory power for the nourishing of the church Answer We deny the consequence For 1. The scope of the place is that Gods people being in Captivity thought God had forgotten and forsaken them Vers 14 God tels them he had not nor could not vers 15. He had graven them upon the palmes of his hands and their walls were alwaies before him vers 16. and told them that their builders make haste and their destroyers should depart far from them vers 17. and though vers 19. their desolations were great and their land desert yet shortly the inhabitants should be so many The Lord tels them of the two causes hereof ● efficient vers 22. that the land should be too straite for them verse 20. hence the people of Israel fall to wonder that their number should so multiplie vers 21. enquires how it should be to which the Lord answers vers 22. I will lift up my hand to the Nations q d it shall be my worke there shall sundry of the Gentiles shall come into them as proselites and not onely themselves but they shall also bring their children in their armes and upon their shoulders with them 2 The second or inferiour meanes of this inlargement shall be this 2 Instrumentall v 2● Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy nursing Mothers verse 23. as Cyrus Darius Queene Hester Artaxerxes c. for that he speakes of deliverance out of Babylon appeares in the two next verses shall the prey bee taken from the strong or the lawfull captive delivered c. 2 Suppose it were a prophesie of Kings and Queenes under the Gospell yet may Kings and Queenes be nursing Fathers and nursing Mothers by countenancing and contributing towards religion and the maintenance and professours thereof by improving all their credit and state towards the good of Gods people and so the prophesie is fulfilled in what it holds forth without Princes vsing any coercive power in the behalfe thereof 3 The very similitude of a nursing Father and nursing mother holds not forth to us violence or compulsion but kindnesse and love such as the loving nurse useth towards the tender babes little did the holy ghost using such a similitude of love and kindenesse think that men would pervert it to violence and constraint 4 Compulsorie power of princes and states is so far from nourishing of the churches that it hath destroyed many both in body and soule in body whiles much Christian blood ●ath been shed whiles each man hath with his blood defended his own tenents and in soule whiles many have complied for fear of the Magistrate to do things not onely with doubting consciences which is damnable Rom 14.23 Hee that doubteth is damned if he eate but even against conscience which is much more damnable This compulsorie power may worship a glorious uniformitie and make pompous and Populous assemblies but all this while many a one goes on with a griping unsatisfied conscience whose light is one waies and their practise forced to be another or else they must ruine themselves wives and children Princes by this compulsion may be nursing Fathers to the Parochiall ministers by increasing of their maintenance but whether they Will bee stepfathers hereby to tender consciences I leave it to inquirie Objection Let every soule be subj ct to the Highest powers Rom. 13.1 Answer The apostle meanes in civill things not spirituall For 1. Had the Apostle meant spirituall things or matters of conscience then Nero and the Magistrates that then lived might have compelled the Christians to have worshipped the Sun and in case of refusall might have punished them 2 Then had the Apostles sinned in refusing to be subject to the Magistrate herein When they said wee ought to obey God rather then men Frivoulous is that distinction which is made betwixt Magistrate Christian and not Christian For 1. What power any Magistrate receives from God as a Magistrate every Magistrate receives the same 2 The Scripture doth not make one rule for the Magistrates that lived in Pauls time who were Heathens and another rule for the Magistrates that lived in Constantines time most whereof were Christians but one and the same rule is set down towards all Magistrates qua tales and this distinction hath beene made politickly by Divines at first who had the same Magistrates on their side and seconded by others who either had the same codition or through a passive vnderstanding did embrace former tenent without Examination Objection Apoc. 17.16 It s said the ten Hornes which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shal make her desolate and naked and shall eate her flesh and burne her

with fire and these ten Hornes are ten King● Therefore Kings have power to compell in Religion Answer 1 From allegoricall places there can no firme argument be deduced 2 By Kings here is meant not the persons of Kings but the power of Kings for Chap. 18 9. the Kings of the earth who have committed fornication with this whose bewaile her and lament her when they see the smoak of her burning Saying verse 10. Alas alas That great city Babylon that mighty city now they would not have bewailed her had they themselves burnt her flesh with fire 3 Suppose it were granted that the Kings and States of the earth had power to punish Idolatry which is properly a worshipping of Similitudes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore they have power to compell the consciences of persons to an Vniformity to doe things with doubting consciences yea against their consciences how doth this follow 4 The adequate object of the power of the ten Horns whether Kings or States is onely the whore of Babylon whom they burne with fire not extending it self further then to her how then can it reach al Idolaters much lesse persons that are not Idolaters who at most are deemed onely Schismaticall to differ from their brethren 5 There are many crimes committed by this Whore of Babylon against the civill lawes of these ten Kings or States for which the temporall sword of these Kings or states might justly punish her as her persecution and murder of the Martyrs of Jesus and being drunken with her blood Apoc. 17.6 cap. 18.24 In her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slaine upon the earth Therefore Kings and States migh justly punish her for breaking their civill lawes yet doth it not follow that those that have not broken such civill lawes should bee her Example 6 There is no demonstration can be made that this compulsion of the whore by eating her flesh and burning her with fire was done by penall Lawes but onely by force of armes as apeares probably Chap. 18.6 7 8. The people of God in Rome vers 4 6. conjoyning with the Protestant armie without therfore no inference of compulsion for conscience by penall lawes can be drawne from hence Objection Freedome of conscience is contrary to Vniformity Answer We see the mischiefe of a forced uniformitie in the Episcopall case when it was indeavoured to bring three Kingdomes to an uniforme practice 2 God prefers the peace of his servants consciences before the specious shew of a glorious uniformity Objection But the things we impose upon you and compell you to are not things unlawfull but indifferent Answer 1 That which is indifferent in your conscience is unlawfull in mine and therefore you cannot impose it 2 If it be an indifferent thing you take away my Christian liberty in making it necessary against which your invasion the Apostle calls me to stand fast in my liberty Gal. 5.1 3 It is my own not another mans conscience must be judge what is indifferent to me From what hath been laid downe it● very considerable to inquire whether it be not lawfull for the Magistrates to grant liberty of conscience to all men And without all con●roversie Christian brethen who differ in judgement in smaller matters as the Presbyterian Independent and Annabaptist though falsely so called may each of them in point of conscience injoy his own way to worship God under one and the same State in one and the same Kingdome according that which each of them thinketh to be the truth Objection Ezra 7.26 Whosoever will not do the Law of thy God and the law of the King Let judgement be executed speedily upon him whether it bee unto death or to banishment or to confiscation of goods or to imprisonment therefore its lawfull for the civill Magistrate by all these wayes to compell men in Religion Answer 1 This was an edict of an heathen Emperour made out of fear of wrath vers 23. not by command from God 2 He gives Ezra power to set Magistrates to compell them to do the Law of God but he gives him not power to punish in case of misbeleef of which the question in hand is 3 I doe the Law of God in walking according to my light and therefore cannot come under any of these penalties either my conscience must be the judge that I doe the Law of God or the civill Magistrate if my conscience must be the judge that tells me that I do it If the civill Magistrate must be judge then doth this lay a snare for all protestants in popish countries those Magistrates hereby will have power to destroy all Protestants dissenting from them with death banishment imprisonment confisca●ion 4 There is no such power affixt upon Magistrates in the New Testament 5 There is no ground to prove that Artaxerxes was infallibly inspired from God to give this strict Decree to Ezra neither did Ezra nor any judge deputed by him put the same in execu ion and no lesse then a grounded inspiration from God will prove that it was obligatorie at any time in foro conscientia much lesse to us 6 Compulsion of persons different in judgement to any uniforme practise is not the law of God for the contrary appeares Rom. 14.3 4 5.6 13. 1 Cor. 8.11 12. Therefore no man for want of this uniforme practise can be punished by banishment death c. 7 This Decree of A●●axerx●s was not morral● but onely Iudiciall respecting that former opposition which was made against the Jewes by Tatna● Shether Bosnai and their companions Chap. 5.6 and least any others should attempt the like accusations its likely the king gave this severe decree 8 If we might reason from this king that all other princes or states might stablish the like it would invest them with the most absolute tyranny that ever was in the Christian world not over our estates onely but which is worse over our consciences Objection Luke 14.23 It s said go out into the high waies and hedges and compell them to come in that my house may be filled therefore it s lawfull to compell persons in religion Answer 1 This parable is the same with Mat. 22.1 Where the King of heaven inviting the Jewes to a Marriage with his son and they refusing the King sends his servants to necessitate the Gentiles to come in the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to necessitate which was not any violent compulsion but onely to shew them the need and necessity there was of the Gentiles parts to come in being they were blinde and lame that is void of true knowledge of God and not able to move towards grace or heaven which was manifested and declared Acts 13.46 47 48. Reasons why the Magistrates necessitating or Compulsion cannot here bee meant 1 BEcause the servants that were sent forth the invite to Jewes to the Marriage Supper or the precious benefit in Christ were not Magistrates but Patriarchs Prophets

down it makes my heart to bleed to see all Christendome the Cockpit of the world to the great scandall of Christ and Christianity among Mahumitans and Infidels It is a matter if possible to be bewailed with teares of bloud that no Nation or people in the world so persecute one another as these that are called Christians do What rule they have from Christ herein is to me unknown sure his gentle and sweet cariage ●aught us or otherwise who when the Disciples would have called for fire from heave● to consume the Samaritans he reproved them for their headinesse Luke 9 54 The root of all these fiery distempers in Chr●ste●dome as I conjecture is no other then the doctrine of compulsion of conscience which ha●h been gr●undlesly affixt upon the Magistrate by those that w●re su●e they should ●ave the Magistrate on their side And thoug● persons dec●●ed more Heterodoxe then either the Independent or ●at●paedobap●st or the nick-named Anabaptist may challenge the liberty of their consciences by divine right yet may these in a speciall manner challenge it as d ff●ring from the Presbyteriall judgement in smaller matters as the st●ong and the weak did in point of dayes and meates Rom 14. Many of all the three sorts being dear servants of God whose spirits a●●●o● to be grieve● by uncharitable walking see Rom. 14.15 10. 1 Cor. 8.12 13. much lesse the spirit of God in them FINIS The Storming of ANTICHRIST In his two last and strongest GARRISONS of Compulsion of CONSCIENCE And Infants BAPTISME The Second Part. Question WHether it be lawfull to Baptize infants Answer It s unlawfull for these arguments The Baptisme of Christ is dipping The Baptisme of infants is not dipping therefore the Baptisme of infants is not the Baptisme of Christ I prove the proposition that the Baptisme of Christ is dipping three waies 1. From the Greek Lexicon the Author hereof could not be suspected Scap. in Verbo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as being an utter enemie to the Tenent as calling the Anabaptists a diabolicall Sect and himselfe a Calvinist as appeares By his Dedication of his Book to the Magistrates of Berne He gives the prime signification to be to Drownd Dip or Plunge and Sometimes to Wash as he cites Mark. 7. Luke 11. which are all the authorities he brings for the word to signifie to wash he brings no authority out of any Greek Author for to prove it to signifie so much as to wash But he never gives it the least title of signification as if in any Auther Sacred or Prophane it did signifie to Sprinkle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though in one Heathen Au●hors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used for ad yet in Scripture it is used for into Mat 28.19 1. Cor. 8.13 Specially after the Word Baptise 1 Cor. 1.13 Mar. 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. From the difference twixt Baptizing and Sprinkling in Scripture We see what Sprinkling is Heb. 9.13 19. The ashes of an Heyfer sprinkling the vnclean So vers 19 he took the blood of Goates and Hysope and sprinkled both the Book all the people The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now Baptizing in Scripture is Dipping Luke 16 24 a Send Lazarus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he may not Sprinkle but dip the tip of his finger in water Iohn 3.23 Iohn was Baptizing in Aenon neer to Salem because there were many waters or much water ther● which would have been needlesse had Sprinkling been the manner of Baptizing Math. 3.6 They were Baptized of Iohn in Iordan Mar. 1.8 I Baptize you with water So it is in the Greek which he could not have said had he not applied the subject to the water But especially Mark 1.9 They were Baptized of Iohn into Jordan which signifies the word to mean to Dip not to Sprinkle and it shewes there was an application of the person to the water not of the water to the person as it is in Sprinkling So vers 10. Straitway coming out of the water Acts. 8.38.39 Philip and the Eunuch b they went both of them into the water and he Baptized him So much appeares in the phrase buried with him by Baptisme Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.12 For it shewes there must be a dipping in it or else there can be no buriall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Th● preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies not to but into as apeares by these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ascenderunt discenderunt and these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not from but out of the water ●●ct 8 ●8 ●i 3. That Baptisme signifies no other thing then Dipping appeares from the proportion and lively resemblance twixt dipping into the water and rising up again Dipping signifieth death and Buriall with Christ and rising up above the water Resurrection with Christ Rom. 6.3.4 Know ye not that so many of us as were Baptized into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his Death therefore we are buried with him by Baptisme unto death that like as Christ was raised from the dead so we also should walk in newnesse of life Col. 2.12 Buried with him in Baptisme wherein you are also risen with him So Pareus on the sixth verse of the sixe of the Romans saith the ancient right in the Apostolicall Church was this the persons baptized were dipped all over in a River with some tarriance under the water then they rose up againe dipping shewed Crucifying and Death because it was not without terrour Tarrying under the waters buriall and comming up out of the water resurrection with Christ Object Mar. 7.8 The pharisees held the Baptisme of pots and cups here Baptisme signifies washing Answer 1. It signifies such a washing as is by dipping for vsually when we wash pots and cups we do not sprinkle them but dip them 2. In washing pots and cups we wash them all over which is not only dipping but totall dipping 3. Whereas verse 4. the word beds is vsed they held the washing of brazen vessels and beds for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely signifies a bed and never a table I suppose they wash them by dipping them some way or other in water but sure they never sprinkled them they dipt them because they were legally polluted Object The word Baptize signifieth to sprinkle 1 Cor. 10.2 They were Baptized unto Moses in the cloud and Sea and yet there was no water for they went through the sea on dry land Therefore that Baptisme was the sprinkling of rain from From heaven as appeares by comparing Psal 76.17.18 The clouds powred out water the voice of thy Thunder was in the Heaven the lightnings lightned the World c. With Exod. 14.21 22. Answ 1. Then the Holy Ghost would not have used the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is never used in Scripture for the sprinkling but the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is alwaies used in Scripture for sprinkling So the Apostle

Supper no expresse command for rhe celebration of a weekly Sabboth Answ First that woemen received the Lords Supper appeares 1. From example Act. 1.14 where the Virgin Mary and other women were gathered together and these women together with the rest of the disciples were altogether in one place and so Peter preacheth cap. 2. 1. v. 42. they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and in prayers v. 44. It s expressely said that all that believed were together 2. It appears from command 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eat the Greek word signifies a man and a woman the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word of the commune ●ender as appeares 1 Tim. 2.4.5 there is one Mediatour betwixt God ●nd man and woman there is the same word used Gal 4.28 there is nei●her male nor female but ye are all one in Christ 3 It appeares from reason there is one and the same communion in baptisme and in the Supper now women were baptized Acts. 8 12. They were baptized both men and women therefore they also recived the Lords Supper Mr. M. Ib d. 2. There is no expresse command for the celebration of a weekely Sabbath Answ 1. If their be no command there is no observation due Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you if there be no command there is no observation due 2. But the Sabbath is commanded indeterminately in the fourth commandment which commands us to observe the day of Gods rest Now being the first day of the weeke is the day of Gods rest we observe it though not in such a way as the Jewes were wont to observe their sabbath because no command can be brought to affix the rest of the Jewish sabbath on the Christian Lords day yet in such a way we from the command observe it that in it we may have communion with God in prayer and hearing and receiving the Supper meditation workes of charity c. We should desire in the bowels of Christ and bond of love passing by what hard speeches we finde in your writings not to render us odious to our godly and wise Senators and other friends by calumneyes and false reports which we hope are no wayes of your inventing but yet through too much credulity of your receiving in as much as we finde the same in sundry of your printed bookes Mr. M. ●b d. For those other exceptions as first that there is no expresse receiving of the Lawes concerning the forbidding degrees of marriage Answ Yes there is not onely a prohibition of having ones fathers wife 1 Cor. 5.1 But also of having one brothers wife Mark 6.18 Iohn told Herod it was not lawfull to have his brother Philips wife Mat. 14.3 Now these incestuous relations having no other prohibition then those other mentioned Levit. 18. The same commandment that forbids the one doth also forbid the other Mr. M. ●b d. So when it s alledged there is no expresse command against Poligamy in the new Testament the contrary appeares Mat. 29.5 They twain shall be one flesh 1 Cor. 7.39 If her husband be dead she is at liberty to marry to whom she will onely in the Lord she is free to marry to another but not till her husband be dead Rom. 7.3.4 If while her husband liveth she be married to another man she shall be called an adultresse 1 Tim. 3.12 The deacon must be the husband of one wife by which is condemned the taking of more wives at once not second marriages Mr. M. Ib. So it s alledged that there is no command nor example that the children of those that are beleevers should be baptized when they are growne men Answ It s true if they be onely growne men there is no command nor nor example to baptize them but if they beleeve there is Mark 16.16 Whosoever beleeveth and is baptized c. also Mat. 28.19 all are to bee baptized that are made disciples if the children of unbeleevers are to be baptized when they are growne up and are beleevers then surely the beleeving children of beleevers cannot be excluded Object 23. The denying infants baptisme is contrary to the practise of all the Churches and casts an aspertion upon them Answ 1 I have heard otherwise that there are Churches in Transilvania and Holland that so practise 2 We finde the History of the Acts of the Apostles and the first 300. yeers well nigh if not altogether cleere for us as hath been shewed before 3 All the Churches erred for many 100. yeers since the times of the Antichristian apostacie not onely in smaller matters as about Church orderer but in point of the masse justification by works transubstantiation judge of the faith c. In receiving infants to the Lords Supper for 600. yeers together as was showen before Apoc. 13.3 and all the world wondred after the beast 4 They have I supposed erred I meane the Protestant consisting of Lutheran and Calvinian Churches in the particulars since the reformation which I should be loth to risse but that onely the matter comes in competition with Gods glory 1 In retaining the baptisme which they had from the hands of Popish priests in the time of the deep abomination which they could never retain without acknowledging the Romish Church to be a true Church and their priesthood to be true and their ministers to be the ministers of Jesus Christ 2 They erred in that the elders of the Churches received all sorts of persons to baptisme upon a supposed covenant holinesse derived from the parents which were Idolaters in the grossest Idolatry for many a hundred yeers 3. In that elders members and the whole Church as they are called did agree that the Church should be divided by parishes making cohabitation or dwelling together in such a parish a sufficient inrightment to Church priviledges till the other day almost the independent Churches though improperly so called began to espie out this abomination 4 They have all erred in a wrong matter in that they have taken the whole profane world that lyes in wickednesse into them and made wicked men that are strangers from God hereby to dreame of a communion with him and them till the other day this abomination began to be discovered 5 They have erred in the continuation of Episcopacy for so many 100 yeers though in some places the name is now changed into Superintendency 6 I will speake little of the mutuall invectives of the Lutherans against the Calvinists and of these against the Lutherans even in the publike assemblies yet could I never read of any of the ministers censured for this great violation of charity nor of the power of compulsion which hath been given to the civill magistrate over consciences whereby the weaker party have been compelled to see with the stronger parties eyes and to subscribe to their conclusions the promises whereof they never