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
National Church was once of divine appointment but neither now 2 Cor. 5.17 Obj. 16. Three thousand persons could not be dipt in one day therefore they were sprinkled Answ No Three thousand may be almost if not altogether as soon Dipt as Sprinkled and there was about four-score Preaching Disciples to do the Work Obj. 17. There is as much command for Infants bapt as for Womens pâ—rtaking of the Lord's Supper Answ No there is not for it is said 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man c. The Greek word here is of the common Gender and includes both Sexes Consider Acts 1.13 Gen. 2.17 Obj. 18. The Promise is to the Seed of Believers Acts 2.39 Answ The promise here intended was that if the Holy Ghost in Joel 2.32 which they might expect and also their posâ—erity and the Gentiles upon their effectual Calling So that their believing is upon their Calling which may be their bâ—ptism Obj. 19. Children of Believers have habitual faith Answ The whole â—ible doth not afford one word of habitual Faith in Infants 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 10.14 17. Matth. 3.7 8 9. Obj. 20. If the Root be holy then are the branches Answ Saints do not beget saints John 3.6 John 1.13 Gen. 4.1 believers are created in Christ Jesus He is the Root Col. 2.7 Eph. 2.10 He is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 Obj. 21. Baptism is the Seal of the Covenant Answ You Seal without God's Seal or Directions and can no where find his Approbation or Covenant Priviledge thereby Isa 1.10 to 20. Obj. 22. Some Children are in the Covenant c. Answ What then Christ and his Apostles knew that as well as you but yet never sprinkled them 2dly You know not which are more than others 3dly Why may not you put the Lord's Supper upon them too Obj. 23 Necessary and unavoidable Consequences will prove Infant Baptism Answ We could never yet see these Necessary and unavoidable Consequences and it is impossible that any man that hath not before-hand heard of Infant Sprinkling should ever find it by reading the Scriptures but believers baptism is there apparent Whether is best to ground our Faith upon a positive command or a supposed consequence Lastly Let men say what they will by way of Objection yet unless they can take out of the New Testament the Texts about Baptism these Texts will continually as great Guns be battering down Infant Sprinkling as a Rampart of that great City Mâ—stery Babylon Precept and Practice in about forty Texts of Scripture for â—â—â—â—â—â—ers 〈◊〉 is a sufficient Answer to any Objection The differences between Believers Baptism and Infants Sprinkling 1. God hath promised that he that Believeth and is Baptised shall be saved Maâ—k 16.16 But there 's no promises annâ—xed to Infant Sprinkl 2. There is a lively similitude between believers being buried in the Water rising again and Christs Death Burial and resurrection Rom. 6 4. But Infant Sprinkling shews no likeness to either 3. Believers Bapâ—ised are entereâ— into a prescribed way of Saâ—vation profession Visible Sanctification or a holy Life and so are likely to be saved John 5.24 But Infants Spriâ—kled are not but remain as they were by nature Children of Wrath Eph. 2.3 4. Believers Baptised Love God and keep his Commandeme t s John 14 15. But Infants Sprinkled do not Love God nor keep his Commandments 5. Teaching Repenting Beliâ—ving before Baptising is Christs command Mat. â—8 18 19. But Sprinkling of Infants is mâ—ns command 6. â—aptizing believers is bâ—ptizing Christians But baptizi g Iâ—fants is not 7. Believers baptism hath no contradictions attending the Practiâ—e of 〈◊〉 But Infâ—â—t Sprink ing â—aâ—h many Contradiâ—tions 1. Mâ—ny â—iniâ—ters assert thâ—t sprinkling is a Tokâ—n 〈◊〉 preâ—ent Reg ne ation tho thâ—n nor in after time aâ—y sigâ—s of a Change in Nature appears in the Inâ—anâ— 2. A Sign of Death Burial Resurrection tho they do not dip bury raise again but sprinkle 3. Protestants Sâ—perate from Rome as the fâ—lse Church and yet some own Popih Priests Sprinkling effectual Baptism as into one the same Church 4. Some profess that there is no falling from Grace onâ—e received and that that Grace is in an Infant Sprinkled Yet they afterwards teach for their Conversion and in case of signs of final unbelief reject them 8. Believers baptised of right come to the Lord's Table Asts 2.41 42. But Infants sprinkled come neither right nor wrong 9. Believers Baptism hath a commission a command Mat. 28.18 19. Acts 10.46 47 48. But Infant Sprinkling hath neither 10. Believers Bapt hath Scripture Examples But Infant Sprinkling hath none 11. Believers Baptism was preached by Christ and his Apostles as part of the Counsel of God Luke 7.30 Heb. 3 6. Acts 20.27 But Infant Sprinkling never was 12 Believers baptism was owned by God his Son Jesus and the holy Spirit visibly descending from Heaven Mat. 3.16 But Infants Sprinkling never was so owned 13. Believ bapt is upon their Acting Faith But Infants act no Faith 14. Believers baptized have the Answer of a good Conscience But Infants have not 15. Believâ—rs Baptism may be sealeâ— with Martyrâ—om because warranted by Gods Word But Infants Sprink ing may not because not so 16. Believers Baptisâ— was the Publican's glorifying God Luke 7.29 But Infants Sprinkling never was so 17. Believers Baptism if rejected 't is the rejecting the Counsel of God and against themselves Luke 7.30 But not so of Infant Sprinkling 18. Believers baptism agrees with all Scripture But Iâ—fants Sprinkling agrees with none 19. Believ Bapt directs to much water Joh 3.23 But Infants Sprinkling hath but little 20. To baptize Believers is to keep the Ordinances as they were delivered 1 Cor. 11.2 But to sprinkle Infants is to take that which never was delivered 21. To baptize Believers is no change of God's Ordinance But to sprinkle Infants is 22. Believers baptized upon their own Faith are in the right way to salvation John 10.28 But Infants sprinkled upon the Faith of another are not in the right way 23. Believers baptism is its being an Act of the Judgment Choice Will and Affections to Worship God John 4.24 But Infant Sprinkling is not so 24. Believers Bapiâ—sm hath the best Antiquity to plead being as Old as John Baptist Christ and his Apostles But Infant Sprinkling hath started up since 25. All those who sprinkle Infants do confess that believers were baptiz'd by the Apostles But all those who baptize believers only do deny that any Infants were baptized by the Apostles 26. Believers dipt know they were baptiz'd But Infants don't know they were sprinkled 27 They that baptize believers are sure that there is a Faith professed by them But 't is otherways of Sprinkling Infants 28. Believers baptised act in Obedience But Infants sprinkled act not at all 29. Believers baptism hath no absurdities in 't But Infant Sprinkling hath several Viz. 1. That Regeneration may be apparent before calling 2. hat Church-membership before conversions a duty 3.
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