act unless the inward thing be applied by Faith to wit the remission or doing away of sin Affirmatively and positively that it is the stipulation or promise of a good conscience toward God by the virtue of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ And I conceive this sense concerning Baptism to be most consonant and agreeable to the Judgment of the Fathers who if they notwithstanding did apply Baptism to that other notion of washing they did it accidently and by the by because of the Allegorical allusion of the element of water to the bloud of Christ which is said to cleanse us from our sins 1 Joh. c. 1. v. 7. But more surely there is in this word of Baptism according to Athanasius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a deeper mystery then that of washing a mystery known and common to the very Heathen as their frequent lustrations do sufficiently witness But as concerning the Resurrection of the body it was a thing to them unknown and incredible if not altogether imperceptible nay some of the Jews themselves did not believe it It was the speech of one of their great Philosophers Seneca by name Hora illa decretoria non est animo suprema sed corpori The determinate hour of death is not the last to the soul but to the body It was no small matter to reach the immortality of the Soul the top of their knowledge but of the Resurrection of the body Philosophers scarce ever dreamed of Mornaeus tells us of Zoroastres who is of some reported to have held this opinion Quod animae immortales sunt quod corporum Resurrectio universalis futura That Souls are immortal and that there shall be a universal Resurrection of bodies But this but à plerisque profertur many say so but no certainty thereof And Lactantius tells us of Chrysippus who had an imperfect notion of it the summ whereof was this That after death within some period of time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we should be restored into the same form wherein we now are But who knows whether he meant the same Numerical body or whether by this same form he mean not the Soul as the rest of the Philosophers did or whether he meant not rather the Pythagorean Metempsychosis But this I say was a greater mystery then that Allegorical washing of the Soul by which it s said to be cleansed by the bloud of Christ The notion of Resurrection was far higher the very life and mystery of Christian Religion as Zonaras calls it It is indeed the stupendious mystery of mysteries wherein to believe consists the foundation of eternal happiness That Christ the Mediatour should become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and man to be declared man in that he died and to be declared God in that he rose again from the dead Rom. c. 1. v. 4. This I say again was a mystery beyond all Philosophical Speculation and therefore there was need of some significant type or figure which might make so impenetrable a notion familiar and perceptable to the sense of man to which purpose nothing seemed more fit and easie in the wisdom of God then the burying of our bodies in water by Baptism from whence they receive an immediate Resurrection So that in conclusion we may positively affirm that Baptism is properly and solely a type of the Resurrection And to this truth do give their suffrage The Apostles Fathers Schoolmen allmost all Interpreters Ancient and Modern and even our English Church it self its Judgment being manifest in the Rubrick of the Common Prayer which injoyns the dipping of Infants in Baptism allowing only in some cases the liberty of sprinkling or perfusion The thing of it self is so manifest that there is no need of Testimonies to confirm it but because there be not few who teach otherwise led thereunto by example and vulgar errour it will not be amiss if but to free my self from the imputation of too much confidence out of innumerable Testimonies to cite some few And we first begin from the Apostle Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Know ye not that so many as were Baptised into Jesus Christ were Baptised into his death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father of Glory even so we also should walk in newness of life c. Rom. c. 6. v. 3 4. c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Being buried with him in Baptism wherein you are also risen with him through Faith of the working of God who hath raised him from the dead Col. c. 2. v. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Else what shall they do who are Baptised for dead bodies if the dead rise not 1 Cor. c. 15. v. 29. As much as if he had said In vain doth the Church use the sign of Baptism if there be no Resurrection You have it abundantly proved also in the Primitive and later Writers For example That believing on his death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By his Baptism ye may be made partakers of his Resurrection Ignat. Ep. ad Trall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baptism was given to set forth the death of the Lord Ep. ad Philadel in the name of Ignatius The death of Christ Const Apost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Baptism we perform the signs of his Passion and Resurrection Just Mar. We know one saving Baptism since there is but one death for the world and one Resurrection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof Baptism is the type c. Basil Mag. Hear what St Paul saith They were all Baptised in the cloud and in the sea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He calleth their passage through the sea Baptism for it was an escape from death c. Basil Seleuc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When we go about to Baptize we bid to say I believe in the Resurrection of the dead and in this Faith are we Baptized Chrysost Baptismus Resurrectionis pignus imago Baptism is a pledge and figure of the Resurrection Ambr. Baptismus arrhabo Resurrectionis Baptism is an earnest of the Resurrection Lactant. Aquarum elemento sepelimur We are buried in the element of water Anselm Mersio mortis sepulturae formam gerit Immersion bears the form of death and burial Bernard Laudabilius tutius communius c. Baptism is performed more laudably more safely and more commonly by dipping for by dipping the figure of Christ his burial is represented Tho. Aquin. Ipsum Baptizandi verbum mergere significat c. The word Baptism doth signifie dipping under the water and it is evident the Ancient Church used the Ceremony of dipping Calv. Baptismus Graeca vox est c. Baptism is a Greek word and signifies properly immersion into the water and this signification doth properly agree with our Baptism and hath Analogy to the thing signified for by Baptism we are buried together and as it were drowned with Christ being dead to sin
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spiritús causa est pulmo But the next cause of the voice is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritus the breath and from thence it is that Phavorinus saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spiritus elatio dictionis Breath is the bringing forth or the conveyance of the speech which differs not from the very voice For without breath the principal organ of the voice its impossible to utter any sound And that this is the Apostles meaning in this place appears by the whole series of his discourse in this present Chapter For it followeth v. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quapropter qui loquitur lingua peregrina precetur ita ut interpretur Wherefore let him that speaketh that is that prayeth in an unknown tongue pray so as he may interpret that is that himself or some body else may interpret so that others may understand as it is v. 27. And of this use of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you may see Budaeus which also must be necessarily taken in the same sense Joh. c. 10. v. 17. Because I lay down my life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so as I may take it up again He laid not his life down to the end he might take it up again but in such a manner so as he might take it up again for as it immediately follows He had power to lay it down and he had power to take it up again And thus it follows still in the same phrase and manner of speech 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Si enim precer lingua peregrina spiritus meus precatur mens vero mea est infructuosa For if I pray in an unknown tongue my breath that is my voice prayeth but my meaning is of no benefit to others because they understand not what I say What therefore is to be done v. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Precabor spiritu precabor etiam cum intellectu I will pray with my breath or voice and I will pray with understanding also that is so as I may be understood of others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Aristophanes and in the Glossary is sensus meaning as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis est horum verborum sensus What is the meaning of these words And with this key its easie to open the mysteries of this Chapter which otherwise are hard to be understood V. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sive quis loquatur lingua peregrina duabus vel ad maximum tribus scilicet linguis fiat idque singulatim unus interpretetur quod si non sit Interpres sileto Or if a man speak in an unknown tongue let it be in two or three tongues at the most and let one interpret But if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church It is very probable that there might be divers in the Church who could speak in many tongues but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for orders sake he permitted them to use but two or three tongues at most and that by turns and not confusedly nor without an Interpreter But whereas most interpret those words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the persons seems to me by no means to agree with the sense or Syntax For how one man should speak by another man according to the scope of this place is beyond my comprehension 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fiat is familiarly understood V. 30. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But if any thing be revealed unto another that sitteth by let the first hold his peace that is before that other speak to whom it is revealed as much as to say Let not him to whom any thing is revealed offer to speak till the other who was first speaking hath made an end For ye may all prophecy one after another that all may learn and all be comforted or exhorted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The meaning of which words is either the spirits of the Prophets are subordinate to the Prophets that is they are so mutually subordinate one to another that they ought not to confound one another or their hearers by unseasonable speaking two or more together but to keep order in the Churches For God as it follows is not the Author of confusion but of peace in all the Churches of the Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let all things be done in order Or thus The spirits of the Prophets whereby any thing is revealed to them are subject to those Prophets to be guided by them to be supprest and uttered when they please so that to prevent confusion in the Church he to whom any thing is revealed ought for a while to suppress his Spirit of revelation till he who was first speaking hath made an end Nor can I by any means think that out of these words there can be any argument raised for the trial of mens spirits or doctrines a sense so generally imposed C. 15. v. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alioquinquid facient qui Baptizantur pro mortuis si omnino mortui non resurgunt Quid etiam Baptizantur pro mortuis Else what shall they do who are Baptized for dead if the dead rise not at all Why are they then Baptized for dead Here is as it were a gemination of the question to make the matter of it the more observed As if he should say What do men do or mean when they are Baptized or why are men dipped under water as if dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Buried with Christ in Baptism Rom. c. 6. v. 4. Col. c. 2. v. 12. if by rising out of the water which is a type of the Resurrection after death they be not ascertained that Christ is risen from the dead and that they also if they rise from the death of sin to newness of life shall likewise rise again with Christ after death to glory In vain doth the Church use this sign of Baptism if there be not a Resurrection For Baptism is the lively type of the death and Resurrection of Christ and consequently of all the faithful And so hath it been received always by the Ancients whereof you may see in note 1 Pet. c. 3. v. 23. And this doctrine Zonaras calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vim mysterii Religionis Christianae The very life and virtue of Christian Religion plainly affirming that they do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loose their labour who are Baptized if they doubt of the Resurrection in that that they demonstrate or set forth by their Baptism that is by their immersion into the water and their emersion out of the same their death and Resurrection but doubt or not believe it in their hearts And who so do what they do they do in vain From whence you may conclude it was the opinion of those times that the act of immersion in the water in which the body is buried for dead or as if it were dead and the emersion again out of the same did lively represent the real death and Resurrection of the body both in Infants
of the Praeposition it being as good if not much better sense to Translate it as the Old Latin doth Per praeputium By his uncircumsion according to the common acception of the word The meaning of the place being this That Abraham received the sign of Circumcision the seal of the righteousness of Faith in uncircumcision that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by his uncircumcision he might be the Father of all believers righteousness also being imputed unto them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being to be Transposed thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not to be construed with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as commonly it is to the obscuring of the Emphasis of the sense Which is surely this His circumcision was the seal of his Faith when he was yet uncircumcised for a sign that by his uncircumcision that is by his Faith when he was yet not circumcised he might become the Father of all believers throughout the world that are not circumcised However this interpretation of Beza's is not only rare but likewise not much suitable to this place Let us therefore with leave inquire whether these very words without altering at all the common reading for neither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being all of the Masculine or Neuter gender do or can agree with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is of the Faeminine as in their sense who would so read they ought to do only varying the points and understanding 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is so frequent and taking away the latter Parenthesis may not yield a truer and better sense then they did before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In diebus Noae cum fabricaretur Arca in qua paucae id est Octo animae servatae sunt Per aquam etiam quod est antitypum nos nunc servat Baptisma non depositio sordium carnis sed bonae conscientiae stipulatio in Deum per Resurrectionem Jesu Christi In the days of Noah when the Ark was preparing wherein few that is Eight Souls were saved By water also Baptism which is the Antitype doth now save us Not the doing away the filth of the flesh but the covenant of a good conscience toward God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ And thus by this Translation the unwonted use of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the former sense is avoided and the Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth fitly answer to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neither is the trajection harsh at all as some perhaps may object 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By water also Baptism which is the Antitype to the Ark of Noah wherein Eight Souls were saved doth now save us Is there not the same trejection if you read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nay it is so far from being insolent as it rather seemeth elegant and pleasing for as Stephanus affirms Demosthenes the great Oratour was wont to use such trajections ad venustatem sermoni conciliandam to gain a grace unto his speech That others also of the Greeks and the Latins also for the same cause did the like as you may see Animad on Act. c. 13. v. 17. And perhaps the very Apostles themselves is not strange at all You have one in this very place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and another in the same Apostle 2 Ep. c. 1. v. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But if you would see more perplext and involv'd trajections you may consult as I said before Act. c. 13. v. 17. In summ the sense is this Baptism which doth now save us by water and is an Antitype to the Ark of Noah is not the doing away of the filth of the flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By water but the covenant or promise of a good conscience toward God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By the Resurrection of Jesus Christ so as there is a clear Analogy between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a due proportion between By water and By the Resurrection As if he should have said That the Ark of Noah not the floud was a type of Baptism and Baptism an antitype to the Ark but not because that Baptism was a cleansing of the filth of the flesh by water in which respect it had no resemblance with the Ark but in that it was the stipulation of a good conscience toward God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Faith whereof and a life proportionable toward God we are now saved as they of old time were in the Ark of Noah For the Ark of Noah and Baptism are both types and figures of the Resurrection So that the proper end of Baptism is not to be understood as if it were a washing away of our sins which is signified by the doing away the filth of the flesh although it necessarily follows and is so often Metonymically taken by the Fathers but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly it is the sign of Resurrection from death in sin to newness of life by a true and lively Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ whereof Baptism was a most Emphatick figure as was also the Ark of Noah out of which he returned as it were from the Sepulchre of death to a new life and therefore is of Philo not unfitly termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Captain or Leader of regeneration and so was the Whales belly out of which Jonas rose after a three days burial and the Cloud and the Red Sea in which the people of Israel were all Baptised 1 Cor c. 10. v. 2. All which were types and figures of the same thing with Baptism to wit of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ it being reputed an Apostolique constitution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Demersio in aquâ denotat mortem emersio ex aquâ Resurrectionem Christi simul nostram The demersion in the water signifies the death the emersion out of it the Resurrection of Christ and also of us So as by the leave of Interpreters who are of another Judgment I for my part think that in these words is more Emphatically and expresly set forth what Baptism meaneth both negatively and affirmatively then in any other place of Scripture as if our Apostle did it of purpose to rectifie our Judgments concerning the true notion of Baptism I say negatively and affirmatively Negatively that it is not doing away the filth of the flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the efficacy of water the outward sign of the inward thing to wit the mystical washing away of sin into which sense very obvious for the near affinity of the use of water we are so prone to run into For it is a cold exposition of them who say that the doing away the filth of the flesh doth signifie the outward act of washing only as if any man could be saved by the outward
c. Zanch. I could add to these an innumerable heap of Testimonies but these I think are enough to prove two irrefragable doctrines First that Baptism is properly and solely the type of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Faith wherein we are assured of the humanity and Godhead of our Saviour the very foundation of our Christian Faith And Secondly of the Resurrection of all true Christians who are Baptized in and live according to that Faith knowing that if they shall rise from the death of sin to newness of life they shall also after death with Christ arise to glory I shall only add the Judgment of an ingenuous and learned man whose Testimony in this matter is not to be suspected or refused His words are these Porro quamvis immersionis Caeremonia olim fuit communior c. Though the Ceremony of immersion was anciently more common as appears by the unanimous discourse of the Fathers when they speak of this matter and doth more lively represent the death burial and Resurrection of the Lord and us which are mystically done in Baptism The which signification of immersion the Fathers do often urge c. From whence St Thomas affirms that the Ceremony or rite of dipping is the most commendable Yet there have been many reasons for which sometimes it was convenient to change this custom of dipping into some other kind of Ceremony near unto it c. From hence therefore the Ceremony of perfusion or pouring on of water as middle between sprinkling and dipping was much in use which custom Bonaventure saith was in his time much observed in the French Churches and some others though he confess the Ceremony of dipping was the more common the more fit and the more secure as St Thomas teacheth However where the custom of perfusion or aspersion sprinkling of or pouring on of the water is now in use it ought not to be altered by private Authority Nay since now it is so generally in practise throughout the Church it ought by no means to be call'd in question Thus far Estius In whose words we have a manifest and ingenious concession that dipping was the Ancient Ceremony which constantly the Fathers taught as more lively representing the Death Burial and Resurrection of Christ and us that the Schoolmen held the same for the most secure and commendable custom that the custom of perfusion crept in unawares into the Church for what causes he mentions not But because the custom hath been long in use he doth not think it fit it should be called into question whether it be lawful or no. And to this Judgment I willingly subscribe so as the Ministers of Baptism would teach the true and genuine reason of its institution which by the change of the Ceremony is almost lost so that they for the most part teach now a days that Allegorical one of washing occasioned by the now constant custom of perfusion which I will not yet deny may be piously and profitably taught sometimes for the Fathers and the Apostles themselves did sometimes do it Though with leave be it spoken I am still of opinion that it would be more for the honour of the Church and for the peace and security of Religion if the old custom could conveniently be restored which surely it might safely enough in respect of indangering the health of the Infants if Baptism were only to be administred at set times in the year as it was Antiently in the Church Which custom what should hinder to be revived I do not see but the opinion of those who hold Baptism so necessary to Salvation as that without it there 's none to be hoped for and yet in danger of death there might be a liberty allowed for it at other times The case then being thus I beseech you what so visible affinity is there between burial and washing that Christian Baptism should be thought to draw its Original from the lotions or washings of the Jews If it were true that our Baptism did signifie washing or ablution or were it true that the Jews did Anciently admit into their Church either their Own or Proselytes by collation of Baptism which hath been so much urged by Learned men they might be probable arguments that the institution of our Baptism was fetch 't from the Baptismes or washings of the Jews But when the contrary is made so evident concerning the first and there appears no certainty for the second I conceive there is little reason to adhere to this new and uncertain doctrine which the Fathers never heard or dreamed of For that our Baptism is truly a type of burial and Resurrection litteral and mystical and not of washing hath been already sufficiently declared And as for the other argument as it is far off from any cogency in it to force the assent so is it liable to very much question it having so little help of the Authority of Scripture to defend it that I can scarce find any footsteps of it in the Old Testament They would derive its Original from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lavit or purgavit to wash or cleanse Exod. c. 19. v. 10. But as I take it the Rabbins use for Baptism the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies dipping or immersion thereby notably shewing that they owe the notion of the word to the Greeks or rather to the Christians For what affinity is there so near between purgation and immersion cleansing and dipping But the thing of it self was so uncertain that the Masters themselves did disagree about it For in the very Text they urge which is cited out of the Talmud Rabbi Eliezer doth expresly contradict Rabbi Joshua who was the first as far as I can learn that ever did assert this kind of Baptism among the Jews For Rabbi Eliezer who was at least coetaneous if not elder to Rabbi Joshua expresly saith Proselytum circumcisum non Baptizatum verum esse Proselytum nam fic legimus de patribus Abrahamo Isaaco Jacobo qui circumcisi erant non Baptizati That a Proselyte circumcised and not Baptized was a true Proselyte for so we read of our Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob who were Circumcised and not Baptized On the other side Rabbi Joshua affirms Eum qui Baptizatus est non circumcisus esse Proselytum That he was a Proselyte who was Baptized and not circumcised But to which of these shall I yield my belief To Eliezer who affirms that which the Scripture affirms or to Joshua who affirms that which the Scripture no where mentions T is true the Masters stood all for Rabbi Joshua it was their interest so to do it was for the honour of their Religion that the Christians might be said to borrow their Ceremonies from them But when I see learned and judicious persons in these times fetch the foundations of truth from the Rabbins and that to establish a new opinion I cannot but wonder at it Unde
nobis missus est Talmudus c. They are the words of Buxtorfius in his Synag Jud. From whence was the Talmud sent us that we should give it so much credit as to believe that the Law of Moses could or ought to be understood by it And if not the Law of Moses much less the Law of the Gospel to which they were professed enemies The Talmud is called by the same Author Errorum Labyrinthus fabularum Judaicarum fundamentum The Labyrinth of errours and the foundation of Jewish Fables and it was first perfected and acknowledged to be Authentick Five Hundred years after Christ and out of it Maimonides and all the rest did suck their learning Surely therefore there 's little reason to acquiesce in its Authority or Testimony But what was the matter that this old Rabbin should so constantly deny that which was like to advance the honour of his Religion but that his conscience was throughly convinc'd of his assertion I cannot but admire the ingenuity of the man who maintained the light of this truth so firmly against and amidst so many Impostours of his Nation who perhaps thought it a Glorious Triumph to obtrude a counterfit opinion upon the innocent world not yet solicitous of their machinations And that which moves me more Josephus himself not to speak of all the Fathers before the Talmud who was likewise a Jew and of the same age with Rabbi Eliezer who writ also purposely of the customs and Ceremonies of his Nation is totally silent in this matter so that it is an argument to me next to demonstration that two persons of such eminency both Jews and coeval the one should expresly deny the other in all his History make no mention of this Baptism Besides if Baptism in the sense of our days had been in use among the Jews in former times wherefore did the Pharisees say to John the Baptist Joh. c. 1. v. 25. Why then Baptizest thou if thou be not that Christ nor Elias nor that Prophet Do they not plainly intimate thereby that there was no use nor practise of Baptism before and that it was a received opinion among them that there was none to be used till Elias or that Prophet came Such a solemn and publick mersation was altogether unusual with the Jews till that time as Grotius saith upon the words aforementioned How then there can be any such affinity between our Baptism and the washings of the Jews that the one should therefore by any pretext or right be said to succeed the other I confess I understand not it is beyond my Faith But they say that Arrian calls the Jew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is one that 's dipt but I rather think with his Commentator Ipsum confuse loqui velle potius Christianum Judaeum That he being a Heathen spake confusedly or promiscuously and that he rather meant a Christian Jew as Lubin also upon that of Juvenal Nunc sacri fontis nemus delubra locantur Judaeis will have the Jews there to be meant the Christians Qui edicto Domitiani urbe pulsi sylvas illas habitare cogebantur Who being by Domitians Edict expell'd the City were forc'd to inhabit those woods which were sacred to the Heathenish devotions But to put an end to this discourse I do affirm with Alexander de Halys Tinctio est formalis causa Baptismi That dipping is the formal cause of Baptism There remaineth only to resolve what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Concerning which word I conceive with Beza Grotius Estius and others that in this place it properly signifies stipulatio a covenant or promise As it is interpreted by the Glossaries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stipulatio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Promitto spondeo stipulor In which sense I conceive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is also to be taken Sirac c. 33. v. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homo sensatus credet legi lex ei fidelis sicut sponsio vel stipulatio justorum A man of understanding will trust the Law and the Law will be Faithful unto him as the promise or covenant of the Just T is true It properly signifies rogatio but as rogatio legis among the Latins was used for legis latio and for the Law it self and rogare legem for legem ferre or statuere because it was the custom that the Magistrate when at any time a Law was to be enacted did ask the people Rogaret populum Velitis jubeatis ne Quirites hoc fieri Do you desire or will that this be a Law upon whose answer that they did the Law was publish't and this was called rogatio legis or the enacting of a Law so was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Greeks though properly it signifies rogatio for the same reasons taken for stipulatio or a covenant nay we have in our Holy-okes Etymological Dictionary rogare stipulari and surely the Law it self is nothing but a covenant I say for the same reasons for as Pomponius tells us Stipulatio was Verborum conceptio quibus is qui interrogatur dicturum facturumve se quod interrogatus est responderit A conception of words wherewith he that was asked did answer that he would say or do the thing which he was asked and that it took its name from the Interrogator as the worthier person was the opinion of Accursius and other Interpreters of the Law All which doth suit very well in our present case For in Ancient times when the Catechumeni who were to be Baptized were interrogated by the Priest whether they did believe in the Resurrection of the dead and the life to come upon their answer that they did the covenant was accepted and they were by him immediately Baptized in that Faith as you may see in Chrysostom and others the like custom whereunto is still retained in our Church when in time of Baptism to the question of the Minister Wilt thou be Baptized in this Faith the Sponsors or Sureties forthwith answer it is our desire And this I take to be the Apostles meaning of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this place I have insisted the longer on these words that I might more evidently shew that the proper end of Baptism is to represent the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and our Faith in it and not properly a sign of washing from the filth of sin which the Apostle seems expresly in these words to deny though many think or at least speak otherwise C. 4. v. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By a familiar trajection In quo hospitantur blaspemantes non concurrentibus vobis in eandem luxuriae confusionem Wherein they abide continue or rest or lodge themselves blaspheming you not running together with them into the same excess of riot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hospitatur Act. c. 10. v. 6. V. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I suppose in this place to make the construction and the sense