Covenant but that can be understood in no other Sense Mark that bold Affirmation in no other Sense than that wherein the Priesthood of Aaron and his Sons under the Law which was called an Everlasting Pristhood Exod. 40. 15. which we know to be now abolished as likowise the Covenant with Phineus was called the Covenant of Everlasting Priesthood Numb 25. 13. which yet is now also done away I shall in the first place seeing Mr. Ainsworth hath given Annotations on the word Everlasting give the Reader his Exposition on Gen. 17. 7. Everlasting Covenant of Eternity Although the outward Signs and manner of dispensing this Covenant were Temporary and changeable as Circumcision into Water-Baptism Col. 2. 11 12. yet the Covenant it self remaineth one in Substance for ever being established by the Blood of Christ the great Pastor As it is written Now the God of Peace that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jesus the great Sheepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. In opposition to this Truth Mr. Cary saith Mr. Pool telleth us the word Olam rendered for ever doth not always signifie Eternity but a long continuance as is evident saith he from Gen. 17. 13. and Exod. 40. 16. Answ That the word Everlasting in Gen. 17. 7. the following words prove it that the word Everlasting there signifieth Eternity without End for as much as the word Everlasting Covenant was to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee which is the Sum of the Gospel and that this was not for a time as was the word Everlasting with reference to Priesthood that which pointed to Christ to Fulfil or Abolish but to be a God was the Covenant of Eternity without end namely the Everlasting Covenant sealed by the Blood of Christ first shed when he was Circumcised and after at his Death called the Blood of the Church-Covenant Zach. 9. 11. as it is written By the Blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners out of the Pit wherein is no water Thus the Covenant of Eternity was to be a God the first glad Tidings the Lord Christ after he had finished the work of our Redemption sent by Mary to Christs Disciples Go to my Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and unto your God John 20. 17. And again to all the Churches is this Message sent They shall be my People and God himself shall be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. So then to call this Everlasting Covenant to be a God to the Faithful and their Seed Temporary is to call Light Darkness and to deny the Faith of the Gospel by making it Temporary So they abuse the word Everlasting as they have done the Sense of the word Baptize proved in the first Query To which we may add Mr. Ainsworth's Notes on the word contained in this Everlasting Covenant the Covenant of Eternity Gen. 17. 7. namely To be a God or for a God unto thee that is thy God as the Greek translateth it Herein consisteth the Power and Life of the Everlasting Covenant whereby God himself his Power Wisdom Goodness Mercy c. is applied unto Man for Blessing and Salvation and we are by Adoption made the Children of God For ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People And I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. For Blessed is the People whose God Jehovah is Psalm 144. 15. And they shall be delivered out of Miseries Rev. 21. 3 4. And raised up from the Dead Matt. 22. 31. For I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob ver 32. Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a City Heb. 11. 16. Now for Mr. Cary to call that Covenant wherein God is by Christs Blood reconciled to be the God of his People a part of the Covenant of Works is no less Error than to destroy the Gospel and so make void the Comfort of Mankind By which it is evident that the Doctrine on which Anabaptistry is built is a Soul-destroying Doctrine until he can prove this is not Gospel I will be a God to thee and unto thy Seed Gen. 17. 7. And ye shall be my People and I will be your God Jer. 30. 22. But to help this Man and others deceived by him that they may see if it be the Will of God how they are deceived in that they consider not the end why Christ was Circumcised for it was not a Covenant of Works but a Covenant of Grace which Circumcision sealed to the Believers and their Children both Jews and Proselited Gentiles even as the Apostle teacheth it was to confirm the Promises in the Covenant of Grace in Christ to the Believing Jews and Gentiles and their Children as it is written Rom. 15. 8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the Truth of God namely the Gospel the Truth of the Gospel to confirm the Promises made to the Fathers And what greater Promise in the Gospel than to be a God to them and their Children as it is written Jer. 30. 22 24. And ye shall be my People and I will be your God In the latter days ye shall consider it And in Chap. 31. 1. At that time saith the Lord will I be the God of all the Families of Israel and they shall be my People This is the Mercy in the Everlasting Covenant which Circumcision Sealed both to the Believing Jews and Gentiles before and since Christ came in the Flesh And therefore by the Apostle both Believing Jews and Gentiles are called upon to Glorifie God for his Mercy to them in the Benefit of Christs being Circumcised Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the Truth of God to confirm the Promises made to the Fathers And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his Mercy as it is written For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy name And again Rejoyce ye Gentiles with his People Rom. 15. 9 10. So then as aforesaid saith Mr. Ainsworth Although the Signs of this Covenant Gen. 17. 7. were changeable namely Circumcision into Water-Baptism yet the Covenant is the same in the Life and Power and Blessing in it As the Apostle teacheth the Gospel Churches saying Col. 2. 11 12. In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ Mark that how great the Gospel Churches Mercy is in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh for them by the Circumcision of Christ This
34 15. By all which we see the same Doctrine of Faith Holiness and Love taught in Adam's Family is the same to us in Christ according to the same Covenant of Grace that was made with Adam and his Children whom he taught the way of the Lord but when grown up if as Cain they abide not in it as he so must they be cast out and this could not have been had he not been a Member of the Church in his Infancy born to the Lord in Covenant but when he not proving to be of the Election which the Apostle saith obtaineth it or continueth it in abiding Faithful to the end standing fast in the Faith which Cain did not but departed from the visible Profession thereof Luke 8. 13. so fell away Now then of Cain's Seed the World of ungodly began to take Root in the Earth again so that there was now on Earth the Kingdom of Christ in Adam's House or Family and the Kingdom of Satan in Cain's House or Family called the World of Ungodly who both Fathers and Children were destroyed by the Flood of Noah And then again there was only remaining the Church of God or his Kingdom in Noah's Family the Fathers with their Wives and Children a Holy Nation a chosen Generation to the Lord as Israel were by Families But in process of time Satan had his Seed in the Church in the Person of Cham or Ham Gen. 9. 25. who for his Sin was cast out of the Church and of his Seed sprang another World of Ungodly As likewise in process of time almost all the Posterity of Blessed Shem became Apostatized from the Faith So that then it pleased God to call Abraham from his Idolatry out from his Fathers House Joshua 24 2. Gen. 12. 1 and with him and his Seed as before with Adam and Abraham and their Seed God made an everlasting Covenant or preached to him the everlasting Covenant of the Gospel namely that in his Seed Christ the Womans Seed in the same Gospel afore preached to Adam All Nations of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. And when again the same Covenant was more particularly applied to belong to the Seed of his Body of whom Christ must be exspected as it is written I will make my Covenant between me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly besides the Promise before made to him of his being a Father of many Nations and I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee Gen. 7. 2 5 7. Now this Promise to be a God to the Believer and his Seed is the Substance of the Gospel-Promise as it is written And they shall be his People and God himself will be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. even the God of all the Families of Israel Jer. 31. 1. So then if the very Letter of the Gospel be so plain that in Christ the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed and this Family is the Seed or Infants or Children of Believers and this Blessing is the Remission or Pardon of their Sins as it is written God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from your Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Water-Baptism being the visible Sign thereof therefore saith Peter to Parents and Children be Baptized every one of you namely that have their Sin or Sins pardoned the Sin of the World for the Promise in the Gospel-Covenant is to you and unto your Children is also confirmed by John the Baptist that this is the Way of Salvation he prepared before the Lord saying Behold the Lamb of God preached to Adam is now come that beareth away the Sin of the World of whom is afore proved Children in Adam were a part thereof Now until the Anabaptists can prove that the Infants were no part of the World Sin entered into and so Children to be no Sinners it remaineth proved that Children are Sinners in Adam and the Sin of the Infants of Believing Parents is taken away by Christ the second Adam as well as the Sin of their Parents who had Actually committed As we have the Testimony of the Spirit of God for to prove it in these words but not as the Offence so also is the Free Gift Rom. 5. 18 19. for if through the Offence of one many be Dead much more the Grace of God and the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many and not as it was by one that sinned so is the Gift for the Judgment was by one to Condemnation but the Free Gift is of many Offences unto Justification So then all is of Free Grace both to the Actual Sinner and his Seed in Infancy who are Sinners by original Derivation Now although God doth require of such as have Actually sinned Actually to repent and to make Confession of their Faith before they may have the Sign of Remission of Sins if they were not before Baptized into the Name of Christ to be set on them So that great is the Difference between what it is that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and what God requireth of Actual Sinners before they be Baptized Therefore the very Letter of the Law a Schoolmaster leading to Christ might teach the Anabaptists that of whom did God require a Sacrifice of Confession brought to the Altar figuring Christ but from such only that had Actually sinned yet the Infants of such by vertue of Gods Free Grace in the Covenant of the Gospel were Blessed with their Believing Parents and the Males sealed with the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith therefore called with their Parents The Blessed of the Lord as shall be more spoken to anon But now to insert here the general Argument grounded on Carnal Reason the Anabaptists bring as their main Pillar to deny the Right Infants have to Water-Baptism published by B. Keach in his Book Gold Refined P. 141. That nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Answ If there were no Sinner pardoned or their Sin or Sins remissed there would not have been this Ordinance of Baptism ordained seeing it is ordained for a Sign of the Remission of Sins that such as have Right thereto may have Christ made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin or Sins in his Blood But because Christ the Lamb of God is come who taketh away not only the Sin of such Actual Sinners whom his Father giveth Faith to Believe in his Son but also the Sin of the World Infants stand charged with by natural Corruption derived from their Parents Now then who is it Man even Sinful Man that Meriteth a Right to have his Sins pardoned or is it not Christ that hath done
it for him Surely if Remission of Sins be the greater work for which the Sign Water-Baptism is to be set on than all that Christ hath washed away their Sin or Sins the Right in the Sesser the Sign is also merited for them by him that merited the greater for them namely the Remission of Sin or Sins so that for any to say nothing but Profession of Faith can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them is to rob Christ of his Honor and Sinful Man to take the Glory to himself That Man by his External Act meriteth a Right to partake of one of the insealing Gospel-Ordinances surely this Man's Faith is not built upon the Foundation or Doctrine of the Apostles or Prophets for since Mans Fall all Right Man forfeited from under a Blessing to any Mercy or Sign of Gods Mercy either Temporal or Spiritual for even the very plowing of the wicked is Sin So that in fine when Man hath done all with respect of Meriting by the best Act he can do to obtain any Mercy from God he is repulsed with this That he is but an unprofitable Servant Luke 17. 10. therefore by Grace is our Sins pardoned and by the same Free Grace in Christ have we a Right to the Sign of Remission of Sins for was it not of Free Grace that by the Sprinkling of the Blood on the Door posts of the Israelites in Egypt that by that outward Sign the Destroying Angel passed over them and was not this Right merited for them by Christ their Passover and not for any external Act they did or could do even so we to wit all Believers and their Infants as then they and their Infants by the Blood of Sprinkling of Jesus our Passover the Destroying Angel passeth over us for Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us and our Children as of old for the Israelites and their Children For so it is written as by the outward Sign in Baptism So shall he Sprinkle many Nations and I will Sprinkle clean Water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness Isa 52. 15. Ezek. 36. 25. As it is in the Sign Water-Baptism Be Baptized and wash away thy Sins or Filthiness By which it is clear that the Right to Water-Baptism is merited by Christ only for all such whose Sin or Sins Christ taketh away and by the Doctrine of the Gospel it is manifested that Christ taketh away the Sin of the World which Infants by original Corruption derived from their Parents were guilty of And unless the Anabaptists can prove that Infants were no part of the World that Sin entered into and so no part of the World from whom Christ hath taken away their Sin But the first the Apostle hath proved that Infants by the Fall Sin entered into them by original Corruption derived from their Parents Adam being the Root therefore his Off-spring his Branches could not be clean as saith the Scripture Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean no not one Job 14. 4. And likewise the latter the same Apostle teacheth as foresaid that is By one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners to wit Children so by the Obedience of one to wit Christ the second Adam many were made Righteous the Believers and their Infants But by the Anabaptists natural Faith they cannot see this Mystery of the Gospel and therefore leaning to their own Understanding which is forbidden Man so to do in the Mysteries of Faith in the Gospel they run aground saying according to the aforesaid Argument That Profession of Faith and Repentance giveth right to Water-Baptism from that Scripture He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved From this and the like Scriptures they plead against the Right the Infants of Believers have to be Baptized without regard to the Free Grace of God to Sinners by the Doctrine of the Gospel for that Scripture is not understood a right that an Absurdity can be brought on the Inference they make as for example if as they say None ought to be Baptized but such as actually Believe Then by that Scripture none can be Saved but only such as Actually Believe for that Scripture saith He that Believeth not shall be Damned which the Anabaptists affirm Now the true meaning of Mark 16. 16. He that hath Actually Sinned if he doth not Actually Believe in Christ to be his Saviour and repent and so forsake his Sins he according to the Revealed Will of God hath no Promise of Salvation but Infants who are Sinners not by their own Act but by original Corruption derived from their Father Adam and so by nature naturally from their Father that begot them they are Children of Wrath until their Father or Mother Believe and then until they like Cain Ishmael and Esau by their own Actual Sins prove Wicked If they abide Faithful with Abel and Isaac they are to be esteemed a Holy Seed Gods Children as aforesaid from the Birth so that the Promise of Remission of Sins in the Covenant of Grace belongeth to them and therefore have Right to the Sign of Remission of Sins Water-Baptism to be Administred on them by Free Grace So that if the Argument were rightly stated there is nothing less than the Pardon of Sins by the Merits of Christ can give any Soul Young or Old right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them But if as B. Keach saith Nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Then how near a kin is the Faith of the Anabaptists in this thing about Water-Baptism to the Romish Clergy for whereas the one say Profession of Faith giveth right The other The Fathers have Decreed in the Council of Trent That whosoever shall say Grace is not conferred by the work done Let him be Accursed Surely that which giveth any Soul Right to have the Sign of Remission of their Sin or Sins Administred on them is a Grace a special Grace But it hath been proved that Remission of Sins or washing away of Sins in the Blood of Christ is the only thing which giveth any Soul Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and therefore the Right is by Grace and not by Merit for the Act done by any Mortal Man Simon Magus made an external Profession of Faith and Repentance for it is said he Believed Acts 8. 13. If that had been that which only gave him Right to be Baptized he would not have been told he had no Right nor part in that matter and why because he was told he was in the Bond of Iniquity therefore Profession gave him no Right but was only required of him because he had been an Actual Sinner but it is the Remission of Sins giveth Right as aforesaid be Baptized not for Profession but for Remission of Sins So the Right is merited by Christ for all that the Scripture testifieth he hath bore away
God but keep his Commandments Psalm 78. 6 7. Now that Israel were with their Children in the Covenant of Grace is evident for if the Believing Gentiles and their Infants were grafted into the same Olive-Tree from which the Unbelieving Jews with their Infants were broken off and that when the Unbelieving Jews as the Apostle teacheth shall by Grace be Grafted in again to what but their own Olive-tree Rom. 11. 24. that is into Christ by the Covenant of Grace from whence they were broken off by not believing Christ in the Promise when come to be their Saviour as Christ said to the Jews If ye believe not that I am he to wit the Seed of the Woman promised ye shall die in your sins John 8. 24. but Peter in his first and second Sermons to these Jews broken off from the visible Covenant of Grace in Christ know if they were of the Election they should yet obtain Mercy so shall they with their Infants be received of God in Christ See Rom. 11. 7. for saith the Apostle to the Jews upon their being pricked in their Hearts and their imbracing of Christ for their Saviour The Promise is unto you and unto your Children Acts 2. 39. Ye are the Children of the Prophets and of the Covenant God made with our Fathers saying unto Abraham and in thy Seed shall all the Kindreds of the Earth be Blessed unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities Acts 3. 25 26. Here we see God hath not cast away the Infants of his People but as by Unbelief some of the Jews were broken off and their Infants with them so when such Actual Sinners believed they and their Infants were grafted into the True Olive Christ by the Covenant of Grace again and hereupon was that Gospel-Promise fulfilled as it is written I will multiply them and they shall not be few I will also glorifie them and they shall not be small Their Children also shall be as afore-time and their Congregation shall be established before me and I will punish all that oppress them Jer. 30. 19 20. Thus God ever had great esteem of the Lambs of his Fold as appeareth in a day of Sore Calamity when the Lord called for a Fast who but the Infants must be Assembled with their Parents as it is written Blow the Trumpets in Sion sanctifie a Fast call a Solemn Assembly gather the People Sanctifie the Congregation Assemble the Elders gather the Children and those that suck the Breast Then saith the Lord Let the Priest say Spare thy People O Lord and give not thy Heritage to reproach Here we see Gods People are Men Women and their Sucklings and Little ones the Heritage of the Lord their God Joel 2. 15 16 17. Will not these Anabaptists say what Sense had Sucking Infants in that work to seek the Lord As much Sense as God required of them but because they were his Redeemed ones with their Parents unto whom the Promises did belong therefore they were comprehended within the Benefit of the Promise in the Church of God being a part of the Lords People O Spare thy People O Lord and God was their God not by any other way but by the Covenant of Grace in Christ who taketh away their Sin from them the Sin of the World Rom. 5. 16. Again in a like day of Fast when the Heathens came to invade the Land King Jehosaphat proclaimed a Fast throughout all Judah as it is written all Judah gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord now all Judah were Men and Women and their Little ones as it is written And all Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones their Wives and their Children 2 Chron. 20. 4 13. Thus Children with their Parents the Lord calleth for them in his Service that as Christ is a Mediator for them so they are included in the Prayers of the Church as they are a part of the same Now let these Men shew when Infants of Believing Parents were shut out from the Covenant of Grace before they with Cain Ishmael and Esau by their own Actual Sins made a Separation between the Lord and them while their Parents were stedfast with the Lord in his Covenant which they were bound to keep with Their Children that the Generations to come might know them even the Children that should be born who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his Commandments Psalm 78. 6 7. Now with what Face can the Anabaptists say The State of all Infants is Secret what word have they for it no word of God but like Men relying on the word of Mortal Men as B. Keach doth on his Author Dr. Taylor who saith God may have many ways to magnifie his Grace through Jesus Christ to them which we know not of to which he addeth And what have you to do with the Secrets of God who made you one of his Privy-Council Gold Refined page 143. Answ Paul was one of Christ's Privy-Council and he telleth us the State of Infants is not Secret for by Nature they are all Children of Wrath all sinned in Adam and so are under Death and Condemnation Is this Secret the Apostle Peter telleth us the Promise of the Gospel belongeth to Believers and their Children Christ telleth us in answering a question his Disciples asked him who was greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven the Church Jesus calleth a little Child such as played in the Streets of Jerusalem Zech. 8. 4 5. and set him in the midst of them and declared that that Child of his Kingdom was in the State of the Converted and the Humble and Believing so that if they were not in like State they should not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Matt. 18. 1 2 3 4 5 6. In Derision of all this whatsoever the Prophet or Christ in Person or his Apostles have said concerning the Happy State of the Infants of his People B. Keach saith Page 144. What Faith is in Infants and therefore in Derision of them against the very Testimony of Christ saith Is it the Faith of the Church or is it an imputive Faith or is it a dogmatical Faith or is it a Physical or Metaphysical or Hyperphisical Faith c. Answ Cannot a Child have the beginning of the Seed of Faith in the Bud unless the Acts of Faith be made manifest I may answer him with Mr. Ainsworth's words against the Anabaptists never yet answered by any of them Ainsworth's Censure on a Dialogue of the Anabaptists Page 52. How do they reason against the Light of Gods Word and even against Nature it self for if some Brutish Person should plead thus a Man is a Living Creature that hath a reasonable Soul and the proper Affections of a Man as he is a Man are the Faculties of Understanding
Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the Week Now let the Reader judge whether the Charge given by these Men against such as by Scriptures grounded Reasons prove it lawful to Baptize the Infants of Believers without so many literal words in Christs Testament Baptize your Children Seeing they by the same way allow and endeavour by grounded Reasons from Scripture to prove the first day of the Week to be the only day to keep Holy for Gospel-worship when as in the Testament of Christ there wants so many literal words Remember to keep Holy the first day as of old Remember to keep Holy the Seventh day Who is it now I say they or we that reflect upon the Care and Honour and Faithfulness of our Lord and Blessed Saviour Because say they did Moses deal thus with the Children of Israel No no how careful was he to deliver every Law Statute and Ordinance exactly and particularly in or about the Ordinance of the Passover that now they are forced to try their Wits to supply that which is wanting in their Sense to prove the first day to be kept Holy in the Worship of God Therefore seeing that they allow it lawful in themselves to do that which in things of like nature they condemn in others Let these Men hear what the Lord Jesus saith to such like Spirits Mat. 5. 2 3 4 5. With what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure ye meet it shall be measured to you again And why beholdest thou the Mote in thy Brothers eye but considerest not the Beam that is in thine own eye thou Hypocrite first cast out the Beam out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the Mote out of thy Brothers eye And again as we do believe the next immediate time after the Work of the Creation of the World was the time God in the Fourth Commandement commanded to be kept Holy until a new Creation was made wherein God in Christ his word created new Heavens and a new Earth Isaiah 65. 17. Rev. 21. 1. Isaiah 51. 16. namely new Heavenly Ordinances the old as Figures of Christ to come now by Christ's Death abolished Heb. 9. 23. which were for a time commanded to be kept by the Second Commandement as now the Lord Jesus we hear by a Voice from the Throne of God saith Behold I create all things new to wit new Ordinances a new Ministry a new Maintenance and a new Time to be kept Holy and a new People called a new Earth the Gentiles called to the Faith Fellow-heirs and of the same Body with the Believing Jews Partakers of his Promise in Christ by the Gospel And therefore it is written also Eph. 3. 6. Rom. 15. 9 10. Rom. 11. 24. with Jer. 11. 16. Rejoyce ye Gentiles with his People who were wild by nature are now by a new Creation in Christ Jesus Grafted contrary to nature into the good Olive-Tree with the Believing Jews and their Children so that if the Root be Holy so are the Branches the Root being Gods Love in Christ in the Covenant of Grace to us and our Children as of old to Abraham and his Seed the Believing Jews and their Children so now to the Believing Gentiles and to our Children who are Holy by virtue of the Holy Covenant which God made with Abraham and his Seed in their Generations if so as they grew up they continued with Isaac in the Faith So that the next immediate time after Christ by his Death had confirmed the Holy Covenant with many Dan. 9. 27. to wit with Believers and their Seed in Infancy was the time to be kept Holy even the first day of the Week So that although the Figurative Ordinances be abolished together with the old time next after the first Creation by the Death and Resurrection of the Lord of the Sabbath Yet as by the Moral Equity of the Second Commandement the new Ordinances for Gospel-worship are to be kept without adding to or diminishing from by any Mortal Man even so by the Moral Equity of the Fourth Commandement the first day the next immediate time after the new Creation is to be kept Holy for Gospel-worship to be believed by all Christians by grounded Reasons from Scripture as by like equality by grounded Reasons from Scripture is to be believed the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism And therefore let them be ashamed ever hereafter to speak against or deny that Reasons from Scripture are not sufficient to prove the Right the Infants of Believers have to be Baptized And this leadeth to the Fourth Query Query 4. Who are they that the Lord Christ hath ordained in his Gospel to the Worlds end to be the Administrators of Water Baptism and the Lords Supper To this Query Ben. Keach saith in Page 20 21. of his Book That the Administration or Act of Water-Baptism was not tyed up to the Apostles or to the more ordinary Ministers but that any Faithful gifted Disciple might Administer it as well as they nor doth the Efficacy of Baptism depend in the least upon the Quality of the Person Administering of it whether it be Paul Apollo or Cephas or any other Disciple much inferior to them in Capacity or Office it is no matter for Ananias a private Disciple Baptized and Philip who was no other than a Deacon or Overseer of the Poor Baptized many in Samaria Acts 8. So that we find in the Primitive times the Simple Act of Baptism was a Work Inferior Servile and Subservient to that of Preaching the Gospel Answ The Lord Jesus in the Commission Go ye and teach all Nations Baptizing them was after Christs Resurrection given to Men in Office only Unless the Anabaptists think that the Apostles were no Officers but Common Disciples as anon it will be proved is their Judgment and that they look upon the Apostles in the work of Baptizing but only to be Gifted Disciples So that when these Men Err in any one of the Fundamentals in Christs Building with respect to the Ministry it being overthrown the whole work must needs be a Babel of Confusion as will appear for no Man can maintain an Erroneous Principle but he must violate either Faith or Order As first in this particular for Ben. Keach to affirm That the Simple Act of Baptism was a work Inferior Servile and Subservient to that of Preaching of the Gospel This Man seemeth not only to cross the very Order in Nature and much more in Grace For in earthly Covenants it matters not what hand writeth the Conditions if he be judged capable thereof Yet heed is to be taken in a special manner that the Sign or Seal to it be fixed by the Person that hath Authority to do it as the very Nature of Sealing to Covenants Civil or Spiritual the Holy Scripture sheweth John 3. 33. Eph. 1. 13. 4. 30. Jer. 32. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 9. therefore what care
repeated the Foreskin being once cut off could not be cut again Answ The Apostle Paul answereth this Objection in these words Is any Man called being circumcised let him not become uncircumcised Is any called in Uncircumcision let him not become circumcised 1 Cor. 7. 18. By which it appeareth that the Foreskin might be gathered again by the Art of Chirurgery as Historians shew Joseph Antiq. Lib. 12. ch 6. So then the way of God is clear by proportion from Circumcision to Water-Baptism both received in Apostacy That as Judah when in Babylon they Circumcised as in the Spiritual Babylon Water-Baptism was and still is practised that as God accepted of his People of old only renewing their Covenant with the Lord even so all whom God calleth out of the Spiritual Babylon God only requireth that the Lords Covenant be renewed he made with their Ancestors that were once in the Lords Covenant and so that People once Baptized into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is not to be done again And this Ben. Keach granteth from his Author's words Elten on Col. 2. 11. Page 291. who saith That Baptism is the Sacrament of Incision or ingrafting into Christ Sealing up our setting into Christ which is only once done never after to be done again Gold Refin'd Page 178. So then there is a difference to be made when an Ordinance of God is done and not done at all or done and not rightly done for if in Judah's Apostacy as aforesaid they Circumcised as the Christians in Apostacy Baptized the Error in the one being repented if so in the other Now because the Anabaptists have not in this matter taken Counsel of Gods Word but followed their own Spirits they have run themselves into Confusion some in Baptizing themselves others receiving their Baptism from them and others of them all crying out against Romes Baptism because so many Additions is joyned therewith and therefore they say it is no Baptism when as it may be easily proved that we English People received not our Baptism from Rome but from the Britains or Welsh the first Inhabitants of this Nation who as Historians say received the Gospel Ten years before the Gospel was preached at Rome as Mr. Jones in his Book Entituled Rome no Mother Church to England Sect. 4. Page 123. Besides the General Agreement of Histories for in the year of Tiberius the Emperor Gildas affirmeth That Britain received the Gospel Further he saith That Joseph of Arimathea was sent by Philip the Apostle from France to Britain about the Year of our Lord 63. and remained in Britain all his days who with his Fellows laid the first Foundation of the Christian Faith amongst the British People Acts and Monum Book 2. p. 95. Gildas Lib. de vict Aurelii Ambrosius 2. Tertullian testifieth How the Gospel was dispersed abroad by the Sound of the Apostles Tertull. con Judeus as was the Commission to all Nations as the Apostle Paul writeth to the Colossians The Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every Creature which is under Heaven Col. 2. 23. so that some of all Nations for so they Sung Praises to God and the Lamb saying Thou hast redeemed us by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Rev. 5. 9. and there reckoneth up Medes Parthians and Dwellers of Mesopotamia Jury Cappadocia Pontus Asia Phrygia Egypt Pamphilia with many more At length cometh to the Coasts of â—he Morians and to all the Borders of Spain and France and among the rest reciteth all the parts of Britain and reporteth them to be subject to Christ Again Origen saith that Britain did consent to the Christian Faith Nesiphorus saith that Simon Zelots did spread the Gospel of Christ to the West Ocean and brought the same into the Isle of Britain Origen Hom. 4. in Ezech. Nic. Lib. Cap. 40. Again the Scots did celebrate their Easter in the time of the Abbots of Clunick not after the Roman manner but after the Greeks which argueth they received the Faith but not from Rome Also it appeareth by a Letter of Elutherius Bishop of Rome written to Lucius King of Britain Anno 169. that Lucius had received the Faith in this Land before he sent to Elutherius for the Roman Laws for so the words of the Letter purport which are these Ye have received of late through Gods Mercy in the Realm of Britain both the parts of the Holy Scripture out of them by Gods Grace take ye a Law and by that Law through Gods Sufferance Rule your Kingdom of Great Britain Anno 169. By these and like Testimonies it appeareth that the Baptism received first in this Land was in a true Church and this Scripture was fulfilled The Isles shall wait for thy Law as Christ hath expounded it The Gentiles shall trust in thy Name Isa 42. 4. with Matt. 12. 21. And again one while the Anabaptists will not have Water-Baptism to succeed Circumcision as visible Seals to one and the same Covenant for then they suppose they shall grant that if Infants had Right of old to be Circumcised by vertue of the Covenant of Grace they must confess if they would speak truth that Infants have Right to be Baptized by vertue of the same Covenant But when it will serve their turn then they will grant Water-Baptism came in place of Circumcision in this thing for say they Circumcision initiated Members into the Jewish Church and now Water-Baptism initiateth Members into the Gospel-Church And thus they are Yea and Nay but to let them know that no Person had Right to be Circumcised until he was first in Covenant with the Lord as Abraham was a Believer in Covenant before Circumcised And further it is proved that all Israel the Males except Caleb and Joshua were uncircumcised Persons when they by the Covenant of Grace in Christ were established to be the Lords People Deut. 29. and after Circumcised by Joshua Josh 5. Chap. So now first Members are joyned to the Lord with their little ones and by vertue of Gods Free Grace in Christ their Sin or Sins are pardoned and then the Sign Seal of the Covenant or Token of Remission of Sins is to be set on the Believers and their Seed Acts 2. 38 39. largely proved in the third Query Moreover as no uncircumcised Person might eat of the Passover even so no unbaptized Person might or may eat of the Lords-Supper Now this the Anabaptists will grant that the Lords-Supper came in room of the Passover yea and so did Water Baptism come in room of Circumcision for if 1 Cor. 5. Chap. proveth the one then Coll. 2. 11 12. proveth the other And as no Man might eat of the Passover until all his Males were Circumcised even so no Man may eat of the Lords-Supper until all his Children in Nonage are Baptized but for want of the due informing of the Congregations in these and such-like things Note what
Benefit Spiritual could not be if Circumcision had been but a Seal or Sign to the Covenant of Works for then Redemption had not been by Free Grace but by Works but here we see Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith and Holiness both which are confirmed to all Believers and their Infants by Christ being Circumcised which sheweth that the Covenant sealed to the Faithful and their Seed of old was the Covenant of Grace in Christ for the Law John 1. 17. was given by Moses to make manifest Sin and Sinners but the Grace of Remission of Sin was by Christ in the Covenant that God will pass by for Christs sake the Sins of his People and be their God and they shall be his People is the Everlasting Covenant of the Gospel to Abraham and to his Seed in their Generations as now to the Believers and their Seed Gen. 17. 1. Gal. 4. 28. Again another Shift Mr. Cary useth to prove that Covenant to be no part of the gospel-Gospel-Covenant because Mr. Cary saith in Page 106. of his Solemn Call The Covenant of Grace hath no Conditions of Obedience required Answ Then there was never yet any Gospel-Covenant given to Mankind for is not the Work of Faith and Labour of Love Obedience commanded that all Christians shall do now as of old as these Scriptures shew 1 Thess 1. 4. James chap. 2. and doth not Christ say to his Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. And again If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our aboad with him John 14. 23. And again Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Rev. 22. 14. for saith Christ Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven Matt. 7. 21. This Obedience is not to merit but to manifest our Love by our Obedience if otherwise for any to obey the Commands of God either of old or now seeking thereby Justification in the sight of God by the Work done makes either the Law or Gospel to themselves a Covenant of Works And this is clear by the Lords driving Man out of the Garden after he was restored by Faith in Christ in the Promise from Death to Life The Lord placed at the East of the Garden of Eden Cherubins and a Flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life that Man should no more have Hope to live for ever by his own Act for our Life is hid with Christ in God for his Obedience by keeping the Law for us but our Obedience is only that by it we know we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. For if there be no Conditions of Obedience in the Gospel Covenant to this end then there must be no Ordinances kept and performed why then do the Anabaptists plead for the Act of Profession of Faith or why do they Baptize as they call Dipping or break Bread cast out Offenders or lay a part to the Maintenance of the Poor or Teachers or any other Duty each is a Work of Obedience they suppose to the Command of Christ as likewise to suffer for his Name sake relieve those that are Imprisoned for Christs sake for the Saints are to do all works of Mercy and all works of Love or else it is their Sin as James and John teacheth us what are the works of Faith and Love James 2. 14 to 26. 1 John 2. 17 18. as aforesaid And by This we know that we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. Yet in all this work of Faith there is nothing exspected of Merit by the Children of God by the work done as by Matt. 25. 34 to 40. appeareth Then shall the King say unto them on the right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World for I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in naked and ye cloathed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Then shall the Righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink or when saw we thee a stanger and took thee in or naked and cloathed thee or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee And the King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren ye have done it unto me Thus although the work of Faith to Brethren must not be neglected no more than any other Duty in Gods Service yet the Saints account that no work of Merit as by their answer to Christ is manifest yet saith the Apostle God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed towards his name in that ye have ministred to the Saints and do minister These things truly weighed we may see how grosly Mr. Cary hath sought by many Devises to prove the Everlasting Covenant which God made with the Faithful and their Seed Gen. 17. 7. to be no Covenant of the Gospel to the great dishonour of God and grief of all that fear God Next as concerning Exod. 19. 5 6. That it is no part of the Covenant of works as Mr. Cary would have it the contrary is proved by the verâ— words it self in the Covenant the Apostle Peter being the Interpreter for had that been a part of the Covenant of works the Apostle Peter could not as he hath applied the Grace of God contained therein to the Gospel-Church unless Mr. Cary can prove that by the Covenant of works the Children of Israel were made a Kingdom of Priests a holy Nation a peculiar Treasure to the Lord as Peter applieth it to the Gospel-Church but if he hath no other reason to prove it a part of the Covenant of works than because Obedience is required he is before answered But it will be a hard matter for him to prove that Mankind since the Fall was by the Covenant of works made unto God a Kingdom of Priests or as Peter hath it a Royal or Kingly Priesthood the contrary is evident that the People of God are made not by a Covenant of works a Kingdom of Priests but of Grace as the Song of the Redeemed confirmeth Rev. 5. 9 10. And they sung a new Song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every
skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness Yea I sware unto thee and entered into Covenant with thee saith the Lord and thou becamest mine Which Covenant of Free Grace is one and the same with Deut. 29. and Jer. 2. 2. and Exod. 19. Gen. 17. for all agree in one by which they were become the Lords People and God to be their God even a God to them and their Seed not only then born as it is written Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God your Captains of your Tribes your Elders and your Officers with all the men of Israel Your little ones your Wives and thy Stranger that is within thy Camp Profelites Exod. 12. 48. from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water That thou to wit as one Mystical Body of Christ the Church in the Wilderness Acts 7. shouldest enter or pass into Covenant with the Lord thy God and into his Oath of which Covenant by Oath Christ was Mediator Heb. 7. 2. which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day That he may establish thee to day for a People unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God namely unto thee and thy Seed thy Infants or little ones as he hath sworn unto thy Father to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob Neither with you only do I make this Covenant and this Oath but with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God but also with him that is not here with us this day that is the Children then unborn as appeareth by the same Covenant aforesaid Ezek. 16. 8. compared with ver 20 21. wherein God reproveth them among other things for offering their Infants to their Idols saying Moreover thou hast taken thy Sons and thy Daughters whom thou hast borne unto me Thou hast slain my Children By all which it appeareth that the Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. 7. to be a God to him and to his Seed or Children is the same with Exod. 19. 5 6. and Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. which is confirmed both by the Prophet Jeremiah chap. 2. 2 3. and by Ezekiel chap. 16. and the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2. 9. and the Apostle John Rev. 5. 9 10. to be no parts of the Covenant of Works or of the Law so that it is a gross Mistake in Mr. Cary to parallel the word Everlasting Covenant concerning Aarons Priesthood Exod. 40. 15. with the Everlasting Covenant to be a God unto the Believers and their Seed the most glorious Gospel-promise in the word of God for how dreadful is the contrary to the Apostate Israelites and now to all Apostate Christians For ye are not my People and I will not be your God see and read Hosea 1. 9. and then see the change Hosea 1. 10. by the Covenant of Grace in Christ compared with 1 Pet. 2. 10. 1 John 3. 1. Deut. 14. 1. for what was the happy Estate that moved the Patriarch Noah to say Blessed be the God of Shem Gen. 9. 26. this proveth that the Faithful in the Church by virtue of the Covenant of Grace in Christ had God to be their God which farther appeareth by the contrary to such that were not visibly under the Covenant of Grace they are said to be Strangers from the Covenants of Promise without hope and to be without God in the World but when accepted into Covenant with God in Christ they are no more Strangers and Foreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Ephe. 2. 11. 13. 19. This Grace and most special Blessing of the Church of God was not by a Covenant of Works as was given to Adam before his Fall for Man was never more to be credited upon his own word therefore God drove Man out of the Garden and placed at the East of the Garden of Eden Cherubims and a Flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life that Man should not attempt entrance by his own Works because such is the Spirituality and use of the Law and the Doctrine thereof which terrifieth the Conscience and by the Works thereof no Flesh can be justified Rom. 3. 20. and therefore the Law served to drive Men unto Christ that they might be made Righteous by Faith Gal. 3. 24. See Ainsworth on Gen. 3. 24. And therefore Christ was not a Surety to his Father for Man to keep a Covenant of Works or of the Law of which Aaron's Priesthood was but Christ was Surety to his Father of a better Covenant for his Redeemed ones as the Apostle teacheth Heb. 7. even of that Covenant that was confirmed by Oath such was the Gospel-Covenant God made with Abraham and after with his Seed in Deut. 29 10 11 12 13. whereby the Lord was a God to them and their little ones Now let me ask Mr. Cary and his Brethren that have set their hands to their Narrative aforesaid what Covenant that was the Church of Israel had that they say under this present Suffering they may say in the words of the Church of old though All this is come upon us yet we have not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy Covenant Psalm 44. 17 18. Will they say this was a Covenant of Works then the Anabaptists suffered not for Christs sake but for to Merit by the Work done but if we will believe the Apostle concerning the Covenant the Church of Israel suffered under it was the Covenant of Grace even the same Covenant the Primitive Christians suffered for as it is by the Apostle gathered from Psalm 44. to Comfort the Gospel Churches under their Sufferings As it is written For thy sake that is for Christs sake are we killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8. 36. Now let these Men shew what was the Covenant of Grace the Church of Israel had into which their Infants were accepted with their Parents but even the same Covenant of Salvation the Churches now are in under the Gospel the Promise therein was to them and their Infants as now to us and our Infants as these Scriptures shew Gen 12. 3. in which the Families are Blessed in Christ called in Gen. 17. 7. Generations in Exod. 19. 6. a Holy Nation and by Peter a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Peter 2. 9. So that the State of the Church of the Jews was laid on a sure Foundation Christ in the Gospel-Promise first to Adam then to Abraham and so to his Seed the Church of Israel and now on the same Foundation are all Gospel-Churches built So then how erroneously hath Ben. Keach affirmed as aforesaid in Page 113. of his Book Gold Refin'd That God hath quite pulled down that House of his I mean saith he the National Church-State the Jewish Church and broke up House-keeping and turned the Bond-woman and her Son the fleshly Seed Servants
to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as prefess so to be Answ As to the Persons whom God admitteth into this House Peter saith They are a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the same namely that the Church of Israel were Believers and their Seed in Infancy let the Reader compare word for word Exod. 19. 5 6. with 1 Pet. 2. 9. and then judge who we are bound to believe he that speaketh as Peter did by the Holy Ghost or B. Keach who without respect to Moses or Peter's words presumptiously saith None are admitted into the Church now but Actual Believers His words are contrary to Matt. 18. 6. 2. The other Scripture that is brought to prove that God hath pulled quite down the State of the Church of the Jews and turned the Infants out of doors is Heb. 7. 12. For the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change of the Law Which saith he must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it and therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disannulled with it they were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law shew us the like now and you do your business Answ Two things I observe in B. Keach's words aforesaid First he granteth by the coming of Christ there is a Change of the Priesthood so is there also of the Law contained in the Ceremonial Ordinances which were both Figures of Christ as it is written Having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Eph. 2. 15. And these were those things which were to be removed as it is written And this word yet once more signified the removing of those things that may be or are shaken that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12. 27. And what are those things which cannot be shaken namely the Church State of the Jews as aforesaid Mount Sion the State of the Covenant of Grace Christs Kingdom which cannot saith the Apostle be moved and therefore by him set in opposition to the Law Exod. 20. given on Mount Sinai to terrifie Sinners for the Church of Israel had not only the Law to shew them their Sins but also God gave them his good Spirit to instruct them Neh. 9. 20. with the Gospel to walk with God by Faith in Christ Heb. 11. chap. so that the difference between the Jewish Church and now they had Figurative Ordinances to teach them Christ to come we have Gospel-Ordinances to teach us he is come so that although God hath given more of his Spirit in these latter days yet it is but the same Spirit the Church of old had so that without ground it is for B. Keach to say God hath quite pulled down the Church-State of the Jews and built him a more Spiritual Surely a double measure of the Spirit did not make the Prophet Elisha not Elisha 2 Kings 2. 9. no more than a double measure of the Spirit make the State of the Gospel-Church not the same State the Church of Israel had so that the Kingdom or Spiritual State by the Covenant of Grace the Jewish Church had was never yet pulled down although many of them rejected Christ the chief Corner-stone And Therefore from such the Kingdom saith Christ shall be taken away not pulled down and given to a Nation to wit the Gentiles bringing forth the Fruits thereof Matt. 21. 43. And therefore the Lords Vineyard his Church was not destroyed or pulled down but let out to other Husband-men which should render to the Lord the Fruits in their Season Matt. 21. 41. And therefore saith the Author to the Hebrews Heb. 12. 28. concerning the Kingdom of Christ that cannot be shaken we having received a Kingdom that cannot be moved even Mount Sion on which Christ from the day the Covenant of the Gospel was preached to Adam and imbrac'd the Kingdom of Christ was established in Adam's Family then Christ first sat King on the Holy Hill Sion Psal 2. 6. for all were redeemed in Adam's Loynes as they fell in him and Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 22. after the Flood Christs Kingdom as afore shewed remained in Noah's Family although some Apostatized then God chose the Posterity of Blessed Shem of whom Abraham came and God was pleased that of the Seed of Abraham's Body Christ should be born yet a Promise was made that God would perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem as was fulfilled when the Gentiles were grafted into the Olive Tree the State of the Jewish Church the Covenant of Grace in Christ from which some Jews for their unbelief were broken off Rom. 11. ch So then here was no new Covenant no new Olive Tree no new Kingdom or new Church-State no nor were the Infants of Christs Kingdom ever yet shut out Luke 18. 16. as Mr. Keach dreameth to deceive his Reader 2ly he hath also dreamed that Infants Church-membership came in with the Law of Circumcision if People are not willing to be deceived by him they may see Gods word for the contrary for no Person was ever joyned to the Lord by Circumcision but by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. as it is written Let us joyn our selves it the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten And so Abraham was in Covenant with the Lord some years before Circumcision was instituted Gen. 12. 3. and when Children were born to Abraham as after to the Believing Jews they were born to the Lord because they were joyned to the Lord by Covenant and the Lord was their God and God called them his Children so that all Infants born in Covenant must be eight days old before they were Circumcised Gen. 17. 12. As in the Wilderness by Deut. 29. before their Infants were Circumcised both Parents and their Infants were joyned to the Lord and established by Covenant to be the Lords People so that as Infants Church-membership came not in with Circumcision so Infants Church-membership went not out when Circumcision was abolished but as the Covenant afore proved was the same Circumcision and now Water-Baptism Sealeth the Covenant remaineth together with the Subjects Believers and their little ones the Covenant never yet by any word of God abolished nor yet the Infants born in Covenant shut out of doors that is our of Gods Covenant so long as the Parents abode in the Faith and the Children continued therein Therefore at Random B. Keach falsly affirmeth through his gross mistake to say that Infants Church-membership came in not till Circumcision was instituted and that by the Act of Circumcision they were joyned Members this were to put the Seal to before the Covenant is entered into to the divertment of all order in sealing Covenants So then when he can prove Infants were joyned Members by Circumcision then he may have some colour to say that Infants were no longer
Baptism Anatomized Being Propounded in Five Queries VIZ. I. What Water-Baptism is II. What is the End for which it was Instituted III. What giveth Right to it IV. Who are the true Administrators of it V. Whether it be lawful for a Man to Baptize himself WHEREIN The Right that the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism is vindicated The Duty of Believing Parents in that Matter asserted And that by the contrary Tenet and Practise they ought themselves to be excluded from the Lords-Supper is plainly and fully proved And wherein also is proved That the Covenant which God made with Abraham Gen. 17. and with Israel Exod. ch 19. and Deut. 29. are the Covenant of Grace in Christ and not part of the Covenant of Works made with Adam before his Fall Rom. 3. 29. Is he the God of the Jews only Is he not also of the Gentiles Rom. 15. 8 9. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the Truth of God to confirm the Promises made unto the Fathers And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his Mercy c. Acts 2. 39. For the Promise is unto you and unto your Children c. By THOMAS WALL London Printed by G. Groom for William Miller at the Gilded Acorn in St. Paul's Church-yard where Gentlemen and others may be furnished with Acts of Parliament Speeches and other sorts of Discourses and State-Matters as also Books of Divinity Church-Government Humanity Sermons on most Occasions c. M DC XC I. Licensed and Entered according to Order THE PREFACE Christian Reader FOrasmuch as many worthy Servants of the Lord Jesus have so fully vindicated this Glorious Truth concerning the Right the Infants of Believers have by the Free Gift of God in the Covenant of Grace to the Remission or Pardon of the Sin charged on them by the Fall of Adam Rom. 5. 12. and so thereby a Right to have the Sign thereof Water-Baptism Administred on them Yet because there is so general a Challenge by the Solemn Call of Mr. Cary and others to any that will meet the Anabaptists in open Field in this Spiritual War I having some years ago appeared publickly in Print yet unanswered by any of them in the proving the Right the Infants of Believers have to this Blessed Ordinance Water-Baptism I have for the reason aforesaid thought it my duty to add this Mite to my former Testimony Forasmuch as the Opposers of the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism have devised more new matter than heretofore there is need of a further reply The way I have taken for the discovering the Root and Foundation of this Error of Anabaptistry is not the usual way that any heretofore have so generally proceeded in is by opening and explaining the Doctrine of Baptism in Five Queries 1. What it is with its manner of Administration 2. The end 3. What gives Right 4. Who is its true Administrator 5. As also when this new way of Dipping in Baptizing began among the English Anabaptists And because we are certainly fallen into the last and perilous times 2 Tim 3. 1 2 3 4 5. wherein Satan is so full of Wrath because saith the Scripture he knoweth he hath but a short time Rev. 12. 12. therefore his Ministers are transformed 2 Cor. 11. 15. as if they were Ministers of Righteousness with fair words to deceive The simple as Solomon saith Prov. 14. 15. Rom. 16. 18. who believe every word but the prudent Man looketh well to his going The way to look well to our going is to take Counsel of Gods word in such a day when as was foretold The time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching ears And they shall turn away their Ears from the truth and shall be turned into Fables 2 Tim. 4 3 4. Therefore we are not to believe every Spirit John 4. 1. or Doctrine but to try the Spirits whether they are of God or not because many False Prophets or Teachers are gone out into the World Now the way to try the Spirits or Doctrines of Men is written and laid before us in the Example of the Bereans who were commended not only for receiving what the Apostles taught for Gospel with all readiness of mind but also for searching the Scriptures Acts 17. 11. to wit of the Prophets out of whose labour the Apostles reaped the Gospel John 4. 38. daily whether those things taught them were so If this way were taken by all that profess themselves Christians they could not so easily be deceived nor as the Apostle teacheth like Children be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of Men and cunning Craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive Eph. 4. 14. Yea saith Christ If it were possible they should deceive the very elect Matt. 24. 24. for the Spiritual Harlot by the flattering of her Lips cast down many wounded many strong Men hath been slain by her Prov. 7. 10 21 26. Now then as aforesaid every true Christians Faith must be built when their Faith is sound upon the Foundation or Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Eph. 2. 19 20. Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone If the Anabaptists Doctrine be but tried by this Touch-stone then all that which Christ and his Apostles have taught if it be understood otherwise by them or any other than as it can be proved to be Gospel by the Scriptures of the Prophets it is not to be believed to be the Gospel of Christ but another Gospel Gal. 1. 8 9. for all that Christ taught he sent them that heard him to search the Scriptures John 5. 39. to wit the Prophets and for the prroof thereof For in them saith he ye think to have eternal life and they are they that testifie of me And to this agreeth the words of Paul Acts 26. 22. saying Having obtained help of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come So that it is evident as the Apostle saith in another place that the Gospel which they taught was made manifest by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all Nations for the Obedience of Faith Rom. 16. 26. By which it is clear that there is no other Doctrine to be believed for Gospel but what is proved to be Gospel by the Scriptures of the Prophets so that hence it is as Christ said to the Jews John 5. 43. I am come in my Fathers Name and ye receive me not if another come in his own Name him ye will receive Now his Fathers Name is the Gospel written in the Prophets as Christ hath expounded from Isa 42 The Isles shall wait for his Law Matt. 12. 21. That is In his name shall the Gentiles
whole and what do we plead for more but that Water may by the Administrator be cast on the upper part to wit the Nobler part of the Party to be Baptized which representeth the whole Man even the Forehead and Face But if it be so as Benjamin Keach saith Page 38. of his Book That it is no Baptism at all if the whole Body be not plung'd into the Water then neither he nor yet any of them are yet by his own grant Baptized when they Baptize but the part from the Waste upward because the Party to be Baptized puts the lower part into the Water himself who must be wholly Passive as a Man Dead to be put into the Grave as they plead for that manner of Baptism in the act of his being Baptized so that what an out-cry do they make against them that in Water-Baptism Baptize a part of the Person for the whole when they themselves do no other only a little lower on the Body now then for ever hereafter let them for shame open their Mouths no more about Water-Baptism till they Practice what they Teach and then to bring better Grounds than to say the word Baptism signifieth to Dip the whole Body in Water contrary to the use of the word Baptism as by the Holy Scripture hath been shewed to be a pouring out both of the Spirit and also of Water on the Person and that on that part of Man Water-Baptism is to be administred upon that is Naked and visibly bare that is the Face and Forehead that representeth the whole Person As for example When Hagar fled from her Mistress Sarah she is said to flee from the Face of her Mistress Gen. 16. 8. so the Face is taken for the Person So Jacob is said to flee from the Face of Esau Gen. 36. 6. that is from his Person So likewise Christ sent his Disciples before his Face Luke 9. 52. 10. 1. that is before his Person where he was to come Therefore to cast Water upon the Forehead or Face the whole Person being signified thereby the Person is said to be Baptized for when the Fore-skin was cut off the whole Man Ex. 12. 48. or Child was said to be Circumcized Again where should the Sign Seal or Token of Remission of Sins be administred but on that part where the Name of God his Law to wit of Faith by the open Profession thereof was hold forth as 't is written Rov 22. 4. And his name shall be in their Foreheads and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him a hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads Rev. 14. 1. as being not Romans 1. 16. ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for if by the Jer. 3. 3. Forehead is set forth the bold imperious Whoredoms of Judah in her Apostacy from her Husband the Lord how much more by the Forehead of Christs Chast Virgin is represented her open Profession of the Commands of her Lord and Husband Mark 8. 38. as not being ashamed of his Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 8. the Power of God to Salvation Moreover as all Gods Ordinances are to be performed under the Form and Manner of a good report Phil. 4. 8. with Shamefacedness and Sobriety because 't is most certain that part of Man Woman and Child that is to be Baptized must be naked and bare for the Flesh must be wash'd in Baptism and not the Covering As for example in those Figurative Washings under the Law as the Jews were not Strangers to Water-Baptism as Mr. Ainsworth on Gen. 17. hath shewed out of the Hebrew Writers that every Proselite that was joyned to the Lord by the Covenant of Grace in Christ was Circumcised Baptized and brought a Sacrifice Now as the Circumcised part must be bare when Circumcised even so the part that is to be Baptized must not be covered as in all Legal Washings which signified Sanctification and Cleansing from Sin by the Blood of Christ Therefore when Moses and Aaron and his Sons washed their Hands and Feet at the Laver they Exod. 40. 31 32. washed them not with their Stockins or Gloves on for that had been to wash the Covering and not the Flesh and do we believe that Mary Luke 7. 38. washed Christ's Feet with Tears with his Shoes on no sure for she is said to have wiped his Feet with the Hair of her Head and not his Shoes So when the Saints Feet were John 13. 5. washed by Christ as also the Deaconist washing the Saints Feet surely they washed the bare Feet so now as Baptism is called a Washing Acts 22. 16. so Paul when Baptized is said to be Washed part for the whole so that part Washed or Baptized must be naked and bare As is shewed by the Lord alluding to the Laver of Regeneration Titus 3. 5. he poured Water into a Bason and washed the Disciples Feet from and by the Blood of Christ As saith the Lord Ezek. 16. 9. Then washed I thee with water not the Covering but the Flesh with water yea I throughly washed away thy Blood in the Blood of the Covenant of Grace in Christ by the Water of the word Water-Baptism being a Sign thereof to us according to his words Eph. 5. 26. Heb. 8. 12. Now then if a part in Baptism with Water serveth not for the whole as the Anabaptists affirm and yet by their Practice deny then the whole Body as they plead for Washed or Baptized must be naked or else they Baptize the Covering and not the Flesh and what an unseemly thing it were for a Man to Baptize the Female Sex naked taking the Person up in the Arms of the Administrator and lay her in open view of others for Water-Baptism was no secret Ordinance into the Water as they teach must be buried as afore shewed when one is buried is not till the Earth is cast upon the Person so Water must be cast upon the Person Baptized according to the literal words in common Burials or else say they the Person is not Baptized at all Now let them shew any word of God that among all we read of were either so Baptized by or after the literal word Buried as common Burials are daily of the Bodies of Dead Persons when Dead Strip'd their Apparel taken off and others put on we read not any such Practice in Baptism for although Acts 16. 13. Lidia was converted at a Rivers side where the word was taught as John at Jordan and Philip the Eunuch near a Water yet no mention in the least of putting off or putting on any Apparel but Baptized Nor Israel in the Cloud and in the Sea the Face and Forehead together being open and bare whichn represented the whole Person Washed is a sufficient warrant for us in Water-Baptism and not to walk by Imagination by a natural Belief or Conceit that either Persons changed their Apparel or went into the Water to the middle and that the Administrator put the one
Sinners Christ the Lamb of God is come in Person who was the same Saviour for these two sorts of Sins Heb. 13. 8. yesterday from the day he was preached to Adam unto that day John said Behold the Lamb of God and unto the end of the World which beareth away from these two sorts of Sinners the Sin of the World The way and the manner how this is done is one and the same in all Ages for as there are two sorts of Sinners the one who willingly Transgressed These God called as he did Adam and Eve to the Bar of Justice Gen. 3. 10 11 12 13. to answer for their Evil they had done before the Judge of all the Earth as appeareth in Moses Narration but Adam when called had lost all Freedom of Will to Good his Power being gone he with his Seed were Satans Captives holden by the Cords of Sin Prov. 5. 22. so that instead of shewing any Remorse of Conscience for his Sin as the Law required as it is written He that covereth his Sins shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall find Mercy Prov. 28. 13. but instead of Confession he sought to cover his Sin Job 31. 33. by laying the fault on the Woman as likewise did the Woman on the Serpent Then God of his Free Grace laid no more upon them but a Fatherly Chastisement in this Life Heb. 12. 5 6 7 8. as he doth on all his Children and freely forgave them and their Posterity in them their Sin in the glad Tidings of that Redeemer he had prepared Eph. 1. 4. Titus 1. 2. before the World was for them by the word of his Grace preached to them that the Seed of the Woman Christ should bruise the Serpents Head Gen. 3. 15. that is expounded the Son of God saith John was made manifest that he might destroy the works of the Devil John 3. 8. Thus Christ in the promise took away the Sin of the World from these two sorts of Sinners which the Apostle proveth thus Therefore as by the Offence of one namely the first Adam judgment came upon all Men that is on all Mankind to wit on all Adam's Posterity in his Loynes to Condemnation for a Child is called a Man Gen. 4. 1. John 16. 21. even so by the Righteousness of one to wit Christ the second Adam in the Promise the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpents Head as aforesaid the Free Gift came upon all Men namely on the Actual Sinners and their Seed in them unto justification of Life Rom. 5. 18. Again saith the Apostle For if by one Man's Disobedience namely the Disobedience of the first Adam many were made Sinners even his Seed in him by original Corruption derived from him so by the Obedience of one namely the Obedience of Christ the second Adam shall many be made Righteous Rom. 5. 19. and who namely the Believers and their Infants for as the Infants of Unbelievers are charged by original Corruption derived from Father to Child with the Unbelief and Disobedience of the first Adam Rom. 5. 12. even so the Children of Believing Parents are discharged from the Condemnation due for that Sin by the Obedience and Righteousness of Christ the second Adam by the Free Grace of God imputed to them according to the Promise in the Everlasting Gospel-Covenant as the Apostle Peter applied to such as Actually believed and unto their Children Acts 2. 39. saying The Promise is unto you and to your Children And again I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness and their Sins and Iniquities will I saith the Lord remember no more Heb. 8. 12. And thus as was the glad Tidings of the Gospel first preached to Adam as after the same by John the Baptist was preached to Israel that Christ the Lamb of God was now come to take away the Sin of the World meaning the Seed of the Woman Christ now manifest in the Flesh was to destroy the works of the Devil and deliver all such both Father and Children who by Sin Satan had captivated into his Bondage Heb. 2. 15. And therefore as Water-Baptism was ordained for a Sign of Remission of Sins not only the Actual Sins of Parents but when the Parents Actually believed it also was a Sign of Remission of the Sin to their Infants as to them who by original Corruption Sin is derived in nature from Fathers to Children and therefore by the Doctrine of the Gospel Such are to be Baptized saith the Apostle every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus for the Remission of Sins Because the Lamb of God being come hath taken away the Sin of the World which the Fathers and their Children were guilty of and why be Baptized every one of you for this reason saith Peter For the Promise of the Pardon of Sins is to you and unto your Children and this is Gods way in all Ages of the Redemption of Fallen Mankind that as Sin entered into the World by Families so Christ came to Redeem Fallen Mankind by Families And hence it is that the Children born to Gods Covenanted People are said by God to be born to the Lord whom although they be Man and Womans Children by Nature called their Sons and Daughters yet by vertue of the Free Grace of God in Christ in the Covenant of Grace into which they are accepted in all Ages with their Believing Parents the Lord calleth such Children Ezek. 16. 8 20 21. his Children and of his Kingdom born unto him his Heritage the Fruit of the Womb his Reward for when Adam and Eve was Fallen they together with their Seed in them were the World Sin entered into Rom. 5. 12. of whom Satan was Prince as he is called John 14. 30. The Prince of this World Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now from the days of Adams Fall worketh in the Children of Disobedience and hence it is the Apostle saith Eph. 2. 2 3. by nature we are all Children of Wrath but when the Gospel was preached to Adam and so ever since to all who have Actually sinned as they did God of his Free Grace mixing Faith with the word of Grace preached to them by which power of his word Christ dispossesseth the strong Man armed Luke 11. 20 21 22. namely the Prince of the Fallen World first in Adam's House or Children in his Loynes taking from him all his Armour wherein he trusted and divided his Spoil for saith Christ when come in Person to perform that work he the promised Seed to Adam was to do in bruising the Serpents Head Gen. 3. 15. namely as it is written Luke 11. 20. But if I saith Christ with the Finger of God cast out Devils no doubt the Kingdom of God is come upon you And hereupon when by the Preaching of the same Everlasting Gospel afore preached to Adam and to Abraham to the Dead in Sin Rev. 14. 6. in the Spiritual Babylon which caused
such an Earth-quake Rev. 11. 13. that the Tenth part of that Romish City or Church fell from her Traditions or Idol-worship to imbrace Christ in his Government in his Church or Kingdom for their King Priest or Prophet they being Translated out of that Kingdom of Darkness as in the beginning of this work when Adam and Eve with his Seed in him were Translated out of Satans Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of the Dear Son of God then as but one Family became Christs Kingdom here many Families or little Kingdoms of this World were become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11. 15. that so he might Reign among them by his Laws as in Adam's Family appeared by the Offerings Gen. 4. 3 4. his Children brought and offered up to God in his Service Next in Noah's Family and so in Abraham's Family as was the everlasting Covenant-Promise Jer. 31. 1. Gal. 6. 16. I will be the God of all the Families of Israel for as the Fathers with the Children were together by the Fall Satans Subjects Children of Wrath even so the Children with the Parents when their Fathers and Mothers who had Actually sinned believed then their Children who were Sinners by original Corruption derived from them Psal 51. 5. were restored with them to be the Subjects of Christs Kingdom as it is written Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 2. 39. They are the Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or buds with them And thus Christ beareth away the Sin of the World in all Ages first Christ in the Promise to Adam and Abraham and when come in Person bore away their Sins on his Body once offered for many Heb. 9. 28 namely the Believing Fathers and Mothers and their Children in Infamy with them as the Apostle proves by Rom. 5. 19. For as by one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of one shall many be made Righteous Thus it is clearly proved that the Infants or Children together with their Believing Parents are redeemed Now if the Children were not Redeemed with their Believing Parents then Christ did not bare away the Sin of the World Contrary to John's Doctrine John 1. 29. If Infants were not a part of the World Sin entered into Then Children are not by Nature Children of Wrath contrary to Paul's Doctrine Eph. 2. 3. If Children are not of Christ's Kingdom then they are of Satans If Children are not to be brought up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord then the Promise in the Gospel belongeth not to Children in Infancy contrary to Deut. 29. 29. Acts 2. 39. How many like Absurdities may be brought upon the Doctrine of Anabaptistry if they well consider how they are led by a natural Fancy in denying Infants to be Redeemed by the Blood of Christ in the washing away of the Sin of the World which they by natural Corruption are guilty of but the Sin of the Infants Christ hath bore away with the Sins of their Believing Parents and Water-Baptism is ordained by the Lord to be Administred on all that have their Sin or Sins pardoned by the Lord Christ who by that Sign Water-Baptism Administred on them Christ is to be made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin in his Blood which is the only thing that gives any Soul Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on Young or Old Rev. 1. 5. And thus the Lord Jesus as his Kingdom was first in one Family so it still continueth in Families And therefore when Adam and his Wife and Seed in him was restored there was only the Kingdom of Christ on Earth in Adam's House and then for a time no Kingdom of Satan was on Earth he being cast out as aforesaid and Christ taking Possession But because as the Anabaptists grant in their Narrative there is Election of Persons pag. 3. therefore process of time proveth 1 John 2. 19. that all in the visible Covenant of Grace visible Members for a time in the Church of God are not all of it as appeared in the Person of Cain so in the Person of Cham or Ham the Son of Noah therefore Man is to have his Judgment rest with the Lord Isaiah 49. 4. concerning the Infants of the Lords Covenanted People commanded to be Trained up in the way Prov. 22. 6. Eph. 6. 4. they shall go in and if they continue in that Faith 1 Tim. 2. 15. of Gods Elect that was in their Parents as Timothy did in the same Faith his Grand-mother and Mother had 1 Tim. 1. 5. they so long are to be accounted a Holy Seed Ezra 9. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Children of the Promise born to the Lord and so of his Kingdom his Heritage the Fruit of the Womb his Reward Gal. 3. 28. Ezek. 16. 20 21. Psal 127. Now then as that Wise King saith That even a Child is known by his doings Prov. 20. 11. speaking of the Children in Covenant Acts 3. 25. whether his works be pure or whether it be right So when Cain by his evil work proved himself not to be of the Election wanting the Faith of Gods Elect which Abel had known by his Action when wanting the work of Faith in Christ his Offering was not accepted for which he was filled with Wrath but he being reproved repented not but adding Sin to Sin as it is written Prov. 29. 1. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy so was he destroyed as being cast out of the Communion of Saints As he confessed saying Gen. 4. 14. And from thy Face shall I be hid namely from the Favour and Light of the Countenance of the Lord in his Kingdom of Grace and Worship being deprived of the Blessing in Christ that all the Infants born in the Covenant of Grace have because by the Free Love of God Infants are accepted in Covenant with the Lord with their Parents if they as they grow up continue in Faith and Love and Holiness with Sobriety they shall be saved As the Apostle in his reproving the Church of God at Ephesus in suffering Women to usurp Authority over the Man by Teaching as Men did Quaker-women like in the Assembly against the very Order of Nature and Command of God his reason in reproving the Female Sex was for that Adam was first formed and secondly for Adam was not deceived but the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing that is if she her Husband and Children by the Word of Grace in the Promise believe in the promised Seed God Christ manifest in the Flesh the Seed of Adam and Abraham if they continue in that Faith and Love to God in keeping his Commandments and Holiness of Life as becometh such as are in Communion with the Lord and Sobriety the Women Adorning themselves in Modest Apparel as becometh Women professing Godliness they shall be saved 1 Tim. 2. 9 13
Seed but the Believer and his Child or Children are Children of the Promise for so is the Doctrine of the Prophets taught by the Apostles to the Believers and their Seed Acts 2. 39. For the promise is to you and unto your Children from that word written Ye are the Blessed of the Lord and your Off-spring or Buds with you Children of the Covenant God made with their Fathers Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25. Moreover the truth of this is confirmed by the Babes of Christs Kingdom who together with their Parents wellcomed the Lord Christ their Saviour into his Kingdom acknowledging Christ to be their Saviour so that the Children Crying in the Temple Hosanna to the Son of David Matt. 21. 15. that is O Lord Save or Give Salvation O Lord And this was a trouble to such Men then carnal Christians that expected they should be accepted for the external act done who knew not the way of the working of the Spirit of Christ in the Infants of his Kingdom But Christ defendeth their Fact by the Scriptures of the Prophets and said unto them that were sore displeased when they said to Christ Hearest thou what these to wit the Children say And Jesus said unto them Yea have ye never read Psalm 8. 2. Matt. 21. 15 16. out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected praise Forasmuch as the Lord hath said concerning these Infants of his Covenant And this is my Covenant with them Isa 59. 21. my Spirit that is upon thee my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith the Lord from hence forth and for ever Thus Gods Promise is I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thine Off-spring Isaiah 44. 3. Which was here made manifest to the Amazement of natural Professors Thus we see that the Fruit of Faith in Children appeareth in time in due season when God requireth Fruit of them as Plants in his Vineyard come forth saying But thou hast took me out of the Womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my Mothers Breast I was cast upon thee from the Womb Thou art my God from my Mothers Belly Psalm 22. 9 10. Thus the Lord Sanctifieth his from the Womb Jer. 1. 5. and as it is written The Babe leaped in the Womb for joy Luke 1. 41 42 44. when the Mother was affected with Spiritual Joy of such the Lord saith Hear O Jacob and all the Remnant of the House of Israel which are born by me from the Belly which are carried from the Womb even to your old Age Isaiah 46. 3. these by vertue of the Promise to the Father and Child say my Fathers God and I will exalt him Exod. 15. 2. So that the Subjects of his Kingdom are Young Men and Maids and Old Men and Babes Psalm 148. 12 13. are all called upon to Praise the Lord in due season as Christ aforesaid out of the mouth of Babes thou hast perfected thy praise Now then as Infants were a part of the Subjects of the Kingdom of David and that the Infants were a part of the Honour of his Kingdom as Solomon said In the multitude of People is the Kings Honour Prov. 14. 28. Then for the Honour of the Lord Jesus whom David figured in his Kingdom as it is written They shall hang on him to wit on Christ all the glory of his Fathers house the Off-spring and the Issue all Vessels of small quantity from the Vessels of Cups even to all the Vessels of Flagons Isaiah 22. 24. which Vessels great and small are Saints Young and Old Believers and their little ones A chosen Generation a Holy Nation Exod. 19. 5 6. 1 Pet. 2. 9. every Vessel great and small Sanctified and made meet for the Masters use 2 Tim. 2. 21. as we see by the Children in the Temple for out of their Mouth the Lord perfected his Praise crying Hosannah to Christ their Saviour These things throughly weighed what a wicked Principle are these Men of that deny Infants the Sign of the Remission of Sins Water-Baptism and utterly reject them from being visible Members of the Church of God or Subjects of Christs Kingdom and so deprive the Lord Jesus of at least a third part of the Subjects of his Kingdom robbing him of his Honor as aforesaid the multitude of People is the Kings Honor which Honor they will not allow Christ but exempting them out of the Covenant of Grace in Infancy to be ranked among the Infants of the vilest of Men Turks and Pagans For what saith the Scripture concerning such as are without that is without Gods Covenant Rev. 22. 14 15. they are reckoned among Dogs Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lye And this is the State the Anabaptists reckon their own Children in and if dying in Infancy they in their own judgment as aforesaid must perish to all Eternity O horrible Principle for there is no middle way of Purgatory either the Children of Believers are in the Covenant of the Gospel or out if within as hath been proved they are Blessed and Happy dying in Infancy For Blessed are the Dead that dye in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. that is in his Covenant If as the Anabaptists say without the Covenant then under the Curse Cursed Children without God in the World So that it is a Spiritual Cheat as aforesaid to say to blind the Eyes of the People that hear them that the State of Infants is secret the contrary hath been evidently proved by these and like Scriptures Rom. 5. 12. Eph. 2. 3. Deut. 29. 29. Again that which blindeth these People that they cannot see the Kingdom of God and so do not know the Subjects of the same is because they reason carnally against Infants thus that because many of the Children of Believers fall away and become Profane therefore say they they have no right in Infancy to Water-Baptism If these Men would look back in and among themselves and see how many of them whom they re-baptize by Dipping do fall away to deny that to be any Baptism at all as how many of them turn Quakers who deny Water-Baptism as well as the Lords-Supper not now to be externally Administred and so no Gospel Ordinances They might for shame be silent from such vain Objections against the Baptizing of Infants until they could enter into the Secret Council of God to know who among them should renounce their way and turn to another and who would not Again another Objection they make to deprive the Infants of Believers from their Right to Water-Baptism That Christ was Baptized at Thirty Years of Age therefore none but Men and Women of Years are to be Baptized Answ This is as Carnal a Plea as the former for herein they still bewray their Ignorance knowing not the reason why Christ was not Baptized until he was
Thirty years of Age for as God is a God of order so Christ as Man kept order in all things he did So that as he came to fulfil all Righteousness for Believers and their Infants waited for one foretold of by the Prophet Isaiah to begin that work which was to continue for a Gospel-Ordinance as it is written The Voice of him that crieth in the Wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the Desert a High-way for our God Isaiah 40. 3. Matt. 3. 12. Now although Christ was God yet was he also Man and so waited for a Ministerial Officer to begin so great an Ordinance a Gospel-Ordinance to remain as a Sign of Justification by Christs Righteousness in the Remission of the Sins of the Believers and their Infants whose Sin or Sins he had bore away in Promise and was now come in Act to bare away in Person their Sins as a Lamb slain in the determinated Council of God before the World was Therefore John being the Son of a Priest might not begin his Ministerial Office according to the Law not then abolished until he was Thirty years of Age Numb 4. 3. The Lord Jesus as Man being but Six Months younger was Baptized so soon as John began his Ministry and this was the reason why Christ was not Baptized until he was about Thirty years old So that this Plea from Christs being not Baptized until he was a Man grown is Insufficient to prove that Infants are not to be Baptized thus we see what Windings and Turnings by any Colour or vain Deceit these People lye in wait to deceive by who turn away their Ears from the Truth and be turned unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. 4. Another Pretence is they plead the order of words go Teach and Baptize so that from hence by carnal Reason without respect to the Analogy of Faith according to the Doctrine of Baptism they infer That no one is to be Baptized until he is capable to understand Doctrine If the order of words would satisfie these People we read John did baptize in the Wilderness and preached the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of sins Mark 1. 4. Here by this Scripture we see the order of words runneth John Baptized and Taught as elsewhere it is written Go Teach and Baptize To contend about words we are forbidden but commanded to contend for the Faith once given to the Saints Then for a ready way to understand the order of words in this matter we must begin at the Root the Figure or Forerunner of Water-Baptism namely Circumcision the one coming in room of the other as they both signified one and the same Benefit to Believers and their Seed in Christ who was Baptized and Circumcised for us in the one to fulfil all Righteousness imputing his Righteousness to Believers and their Infants as by that Sign Washing away their Sins in his Blood the other in disburdening them of their Sins as by Col. 2. 11 12. is proved Matt. 3. 15. Rom. 1. 5. Therefore as afore shewed of all Actual Sinners Actual Repentance and Confession of Faith God required before they might be Circumcised for Abraham and the Proselyte Gentiles first by the word were called to Repent God having given them also Faith to believe in Christ who was yesterday and to day and the same for ever no other name given under Heaven that ever any Soul can be saved by from Wrath to come Now when such had Actually sinned and repented and believed then were they Circumcised as a Seal set on them of the Righteousness of their Faith in Christ who by his Circumcision when come in the Flesh should disburden them of their Sins as afore proved by Col. 2. 11 12. with Rom. 4. 11. and because it was the pleasure of God that as Infants are Sinners not by their own Act but by the Actual Sin of Adam and so by original Corruption still derived from Father to Children therefore as the Free Grace of God was in the Gospel preached to Adam and Abraham That Christ came to take away the Sin of the World as afore proved Infants were guilty of and Rom. 5. 12. Christ having bore away the Sin from Infants when the Sin of their Parents was bore away is the reason that the Infants of old were Circumcised without Actual Confession of Faith and Repentance and after were commanded to be taught Then by the order of words some as Actual Sinners were first to be taught before either Circumcised or Baptized and others their Seed in Infancy as for the reasons afore given first Circumcised and after Taught as now Baptized and after Taught Deut. 3. 12 13. Eph. 6. 4. And thus we see the order of words are reconciled that John is said to Baptize in the Wilderness and preach the Baptisin of Repentance and the Apostles preached Repentance and after Baptized So that there is no warrant to keep Infants from Water-Baptism until they repent Thus the Anabaptists Doctrine is not of God but a Point of their natural Faith Seeing then it is clear that as Infants were first accepted into the Covenant of Grace in Christ with their Believing Parents and then Circumcised as by Deut. 29. is proved that first the Parents with their Little ones entered Covenant with the Lord even the same Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob v. 13. and afterwards were Circumcised at Gilgall Joshua 5. 3. by Joshua who was a Circumcised Person of them that came out of Egypt and then the Children were taught what God had done for them and what he did require of them as they grew up Gen. 18. 19. Deut. 6. 7. and 11. 19. Prov. 22. 6. So that the Infants then born when God accepted them with their Parents into the Covenant of Grace with himself as also the Infants after born their Parents were to bring with them in the Feast of Tabernacles as it is written Gather the People together Men and Women and Children and thy Strâ—â—gers that is within thy Gates joyned with Israel in Covenant with the Lord Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13. that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the Lord your God and that their Children which have not known any thing may hear and learn to serve the Lord your God Deut. 31. 11 12 13. Even so are Parents now to bring their Children with them to the Congregation to hear the Law of God opened and explained though as yet they may not have known any thing as it is written Ye Fathers bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Eph. 6. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our the whole Church of Gods Learning That they through Patience and Comforts of the Scriptures might have hope for them and their Children Rom. 15. 4. as saith the Prophet Who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of
is to be taken what Hand Administreth the Setting to of the Hand in the Signing and Sealing of our Everlasting Covenant of which Water-Baptism is one wherein is contained all the Promises of Gods Love in Christ to us and unto our Children to confirm the revealed things that the Scripture saith belongeth to us and unto our Children Deut. 29. 23. of the Remission of our Sins here and of our Eternal Inheritance in Heaven hereafter Now then to the Law and to the Testimony they that speak not according to it there is no light in them Isaiah 8. 20. Therefore though it was lawful for any Gifted Brother Acts 13. 15. 1 Cor. 14. 29 31. Heb. 5. 12. 1 Peter 4. 11. or Man in Israel as now it is in the Churches under the Gospel to expound the Scripture Yet as of old the Sealing Ordinances were commanded of God to be done by Men in Office which the Apostle Paul confirmeth in these words For no Man taketh on him the Office of Priesthood Heb. 5. 4. but he that is called of God as was Aaron So that for breach of order as well as in other matters whatsoever was written afore time is written for our Learning Rom. 15. 4. Psal 102. 13. to warn all that none presume without Office to do the work belonging peculiarly to an Officer least Gods Judgment in Soul and Blindness of Mind and Body fall on them as it did on Corah Dathan and Abiram Numb 16. 16. who sought to overthrow Gods Order appertaining to Offices as the Anabaptists do as aforesaid like they of old to Gods Ministers that they take too much upon them For so they of old charged Moses and Aaron as the Anabaptists now do the Apostles upon the same Grounds with like pretence seeing all the Congregation are Holy and so many gifted Brethren Famous in the Congregation Why may not they Administer the Sealing Ordinances as well as you the Ministers of the Lord. Surely if the right Eye of these Men were not blinded Zach. 11. 17. they might see that John for his Office was Surnamed the Baptist foretold of by the Prophet in Holy Scripture and not for his Preaching only but in special by name called John Baptist Matt. 3. 1. Luke 7. 20. John 1. 31. for Baptizing So that we see at the first Institution of Water-Baptism established for a Gospel Ordinance after Christ's Death and Resurrection Acts 2. 38 39. as a Sign and Seal of the Benefit of the New Testament for the Remission of Sins was commended by the Lord and given to his peculiar Messengers the Apostles called Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5. 20. and such as were endued with Gifts to work Miracles These Master-builders having given order for the Ordaining of Officers by the Churches for to Administer the infealing Ordinances namely Water-Baptism and the Lords-Supper by Pastors and Teachers Titus 1. 5. Acts 14. 23. Thus we see why the Anabaptists would be called Baptists because all would be Baptizers and John a Baptist Yea and do hereupon hold it lawful for an unbaptized Person to Baptize himself and herein they pretend to a higher Commission than John Baptist Therefore And now at random without due Consideration hath Ben. Keach said as aforesaid That the Efficacy of Baptism depends not in the least upon the Quality of the Person Administering of it Ben. Keach Gold Refined P. 20 21. As if John was an ordinary Person whom the Scripture saith Among those that were born of Women there was not a greater Prophet than John the Baptist Matt. 11. 11. Moreover the Jews well knew that Water-Baptism was a great Ordinance that was adjoyned to Circumcision as Mr. Henry Ainsworth in his Annotations on Gen. 17. sheweth out of the Jews Records How that every Proselyte that joyned himself to God and his Church by the Covenant of Grace in Christ for by no other Covenant was ever any Soul reconciled to God So that the Hebrews write That every Proselyte that joyned himself was Baptized Circumcised and brought a Sacrifice So that Circumcision and Baptism then was not done by any ordinary Person less than Gods Minister by Office Therefore the Jews made no question of the Ordinance of Water-Baptism in it self But the question they put to John was John 1. 25. Why Baptizest thou if thou be not the Christ nor Elias nor that Prophet By which it appeareth that they held it unlawful for any ordinary Teacher in Israel to Baptize but a Prophet of God or at least a Ministerial Officer And so we have reason to believe now in the Administration of Gods Sealing Ordinances Water-Baptism and the Lords-Supper that no Man but a Minister by Office as Pastor or Teacher can or may Administer it without Sin since extraordinary Officers are ceased as Apostles and Evangelists unless we hold the Baptism of Water after Christs Resurrection inferior to the Baptism of John For most clear it is that the Sacraments of the Old Testament were Administred by peculiar Men called of God thereunto As the Ark in the Water being a Figure of Baptism built by Noah 1 Peter 3. 20 21. a Priest and Preacher of Righteousness Circumcision Administred by Abraham a Prophet Gen. 17. 13. Patriarch and Priest the private Passover by the Elders and Fathers of Families the publick Passover at the place the Lord had chosen Administred by the Priests and Levites and to this day the Priests among the Jews Circumcise all their Male Children in Germany and other places So when Christ the Master Matt. 26. 26. did eat the Passover with his Disciples He it was that took the Bread Blessed and brake it and gave it to his Disciples These things the Apostle Paul urged to be minded in the Church of God at Corinth and so to all Churches that order be kept in the Performance of all Gods Ordinances for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all Churches of the Saints and therefore hath commanded that all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. Again For to what purpose are Officers chosen as in the Old and New Testament But that some special work belongeth to them which Men out of Office may not no not under never so good intent presume to do 2 Chron. 13. 11. as did Uzza which cost him his Life but he that is called of God So that whereas it is afore objected by Ben. Keach that Philip Baptized being but a Deacon which is a gross Mistake Acts 21. 8. for a Teacher to publish in Print wherein he hath shewn his gross Ignorance in so plain a case if not a willful Mistake supposing his word was a Law to the Anabaptists for we read when Philip Baptized he was more than a Deacon namely a Minister of the Word and named expresly an Evangelist Acts 21. 8. which was one of those extraordinary Offices given to the Churches for a time as were the Apostles Besides Philip was Acts 8. 26. Authorized expresly to
joying and beholding your Order and Stedfastness of your Faith in Christ Col. 2. 5. Therefore as the Ordinances are several every one having dependance on each other therefore Prayer being a Sanctifying Ordinance Numb 10. 35. Col. 14. 4. 1 Tim 4. 4. Acts 2. 42. 6. 4. Matt. 26. 26 27. Numb 6. 23 27. the Pastor or Teacher when the Church is gathered together in some one place 1 Cor. 11. 29. Sanctifieth the Congregation by Prayer and as Praises are next unto Prayer the whole Church Praising the Lord by Singing a Psalm of Holy Scripture even the words of the Prophets of old 1 Chron. 16. 7 8 9 29. Matt. 26. 26. Col. 3. 16. Eph. 5. 19. 2 Chron. 29. 29 30. Rev. 15. 2 3. This being ended the Pastor or Teacher giveth Attendance to Reading Exhortation and Doctrine having read some part of Holy Scripture giving the Sense and Meaning thereof as likewise taking some Scripture and teach or raise Doctrine from the same 1 Tim. 4. 13. Nehem. 8. 8. Phil. 4. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 13. Luke 4. 18 21 22. Cant. 4. 16. This being done then the Prophets or Gifted Brethren spake by Memberal Right as it is written Quench not the Spirit despise not Prophecying 1 Thess 5. 19 20. Keeping order by one two or three at most 1 Cor. 14. 24 29. as time will permit This being done the Church freely contributing to the Maintenance of the Officers and Poor the Deacons attending thereto by Office to gather the same and as need requireth to distribute the same Acts 6. 2 3 5. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. 2 Cor. 8. 12. Prov. 27. 23. 3. 18. This being ended the Ruling Elder in the time of Christs Regal Government in the Church Christ's Kingdom together with the other Elders Pastor and Teacher see that order be kept being the time when any Persons desire to be joyned to Christ by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. Acts 2. 47. to judge of the work of Grace in them by their Profession being approved by the whole Church and then are they to receive them into the Covenant with their Children in Nonage Deut. 29. 11 12. because the Promise is to them and unto their Children Deut. 29. 29. Acts 2. 39. in which time of Government likewise if there be any Complaint against any Members for their Disorderly walking or for Errors in Faith it is written If they will not hear to wit private Admonition and so if they will not be reclaimed at the first and second Admonition to tell it to the Church and if they despise the Churches Admonition to cast them out in the Name of the Lord Jesus from the Communion of Christ in the Church and so from all the Benefit of the Promises in the Covenant Rev. 4. 2. Isa 9. 7. Matt. 18. 15 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 5. Prov. 29. 1. This Ordinance being ended if any were received into Covenant in the time of Government and had never been Baptized into the Name of Jesus then the Seal must be set on the Persons received into Covenant as a Sign of the Pardon of their Sins being washed away in the Blood of Christ the Lamb the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant called the Church Covenant Zach. 9. 10. So that by Water-Baptism Christ may be made manifest both to Parents and their Infants that he hath bore away their Sin or Sins John 1. 29 31. Heb. 8. 12. This Ordinance being ended performed by the Pastor or Teacher then follows the Administration of the Lords-Supper as it is written The Cup of Blessing which we Bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we brake is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ For we being many are one Bread and one Body for we are all partakers of that one Bread 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. The finishing of this Ordinance is by singing a Psalm the whole Action of the day in Worship finished by Prayer Thus as all grant every Ordinance in the Church-Assembly is to be performed on the Lords day as the Anabaptists also grant in their Narrative Page 17. in these words We have no Example of the Churches then Assembling together to celebrate all the Ordinances of our Lord Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the week As afore shewed in their Reasons about keeping the first day for Gospel-worship Thus when Gods Holy Order is kept in the Practice all Gods Ordinances in his Church his Kingdom the Beholders thereof will say God is in them for a truth 1 Cor. 14. 25. and with this Admiration who is this Cant. 8. 5. that thus followeth the Captain of their Salvation Heb. 2. 10. in the Heavenly Warfare of his Gospel Rev. 19. 11. 2 Tim. 2. 3 4. whether soever he goeth before them in his Commands Rev. 17. 14. Rev. 14. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 1. then will the Spouse of Christ appear Crowned with Twelve Stars walking in the Apostles and Prophets Doctrine Christ being the chief Corner-stone whose Righteousness is put on by Faith Rom. 13. 14. looking forth as the Morning she is Fair as the Moon Clear as the Sun Terrible to all her Enemies as an Army with Banners Cant. 6. 10. Rev. 3. 7 8 9 10. And this is that Vertuous Woman her Price is above Rubies that looketh well to the ways of her Houshold and Eateth not the Bread of Idleness her Children arise and call her Blessed her Husband also and he praiseth her Prov. 31. 10 27 28. Now then where Gods Holy Order is not kept there is Confusion and every evil work and what doth Babel mean but Confusion so is every City or Church that transgresseth the Laws or changed the Ordinances or breaketh the Everlasting Covenant called the City of Confusion And this maketh way to take in consideration the Fifth Query which is Query 5. Whether it be Lawful for any Man to Baptize himself In speaking to this Query is shewed that from such an Administrator the English Anabaptists have successively received their way of Re-baptizing of Adult Persons only and excluding the Infants of Believers from the same or the Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Therefore it may be expedient to give some Description of this first Baptizer of himself by Name John Smith who by Profession was a Minister of the Church of England disliking thereof went over into Holland and joyned himself to an English Church at Amsterdam at which time Mr. Henry Ainsworth was Teacher to the said Church now as it appeareth by Calvin in his Institutions there were some in his time called Anabaptists in Judgment denying Infants Baptism from this Principle they then maintained in denying original Sin so that they affirmed Infants were not born Sinners and from hence they pleaded there need no Sign of Remission of Sins be Administred on them Now this Error is confuted in a word If Infants were not born Sinners then they could not dye until they had Actually sinned for the
by Profession The contrary by their own writing doth clearly appear That Infants are in Covenant and so visible Members of the Church so that 't is a bad cause when the Anabaptists are necessitated to bely such worthy Men to maintain their Errors And surely it is a bad cause when as the Scripture saith how some Men may confess that they make Lyes their Refuge Isaiah 28. 15. in making the World believe a false Report when the Men are not alive to speak for themselves yet that their Works like others spake for them how little they favoured the way of Anabaptistry when nothing less as farther appeareth in the last words of Mr. Ainsworth's Book called A Censure upon a Dialogue of the Anabaptists never yet by them answered saith That it was Christ's last Farewel to his Disciples when he Blessed them Luke 24. 50. being the Summ of the Gospel Gal. 3. 8. that in Abraham 's Seed that is Christ all Nations shall be Blessed this Grace Abraham 's Infants had this Grace Christ gave to little Children Luke 18. 16. and so the same he hath vouchsafed to continue unto us and to our Children throughout their Generations preserving us and them from the Curse of Anabaptistry whereby so many Errors are dispers'd Scriptures wrested and Souls perverted unto Destruction Moreover how apparently true it is that in the Anabaptists denying Infant-Baptism many Scriptures are perverted and Souls destroyed by such as press that Baptism in the World which they have received from their Administrator John Smith Baptizing of himself â—nâ— yet is condemned by Ben. Keach in his Book Page 147. in these words as aforesaid Water-Baptism saith he is a part of Instituted Worship and Service to God so that whatsoever is done in Worship and Service to God without an express word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles is Will-worship Now until he can prove it lawful for a Man to Baptize himself by some word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles it is Will-worship and so not from Heaven or from God therefore Ben. Keach's Baptism which he and the rest have received from their Administrator John Smith who Baptized himself is Will-worship and so not of God and to be Abhorred of all Christians because he granteth it is Will-worship forbidden of God Col. 1. 21 22 23. Isaiah 1. 12. Moreover seeing then the Anabaptists Baptism is not of God and the Baptism received in Infancy they deny then is there no true Water-Baptism remaining among them and thus at once all Gospel Ordinances by their Doctrine must cease and the whole Building of Christ must fall to the Ground Now whither must we go for Counsel in this Distress Surely but as the Prophet saith To the Law and to the Testimony so we should go for Counsel to none but to God his Gracious Spirit blowing upon the Sails of our Faith whereby we shall safely pass through all these Difficulties into an Orderly Practice of the Gospel in the Injoyment of all Christs Ordinances For after the deep Apostacy after the Apostles Decease we hear a Voice saying Arise measure the Temple the Altar and the Worshippers Rev. 11. 1. therefore He that hath ascended up on High hath not left his Church destitute of Counsel at any time for although the Lord for the Judgment of the World and Trial of his Servants and Manifestation of his Power did suffer his Church or People to wit Judah to be captivated by the Babylonians of old and now since his Churches or People captivated by the Spiritual Babylonians yet as of old a right way was found for the restoring the due and orderly Practice of all Gods Ordinances without the help of Mans Inventions so that the Lords Building was finished without a Stone of Babel for a Corner or for a Foundation so that although the Spiritual Babylonians said like their Ancestors Rase it even to the Foundation Yet we have a perfect Rule to the Practical Performance of all Gods Ordinances if we take Gods Counsel for direction as aforesaid To the Law and to the Testimony they that speak not according to it have no light in them Isaiah 8. 20. Now then as Water-Baptism came in place of Circumcision as hath been afore proved we then after a deep Apostacy must take our Directions from the one to the other let us then see whether we can find in Scripture any President for retaining Gods Ordinance done in Apostacy not to be repeated when as nothing but the Ordinance is retained only the Evil or Disorder purged away by Repentance as it was concerning Circumcision Therefore we read in the days of Hezekiah that the Church of God was fallen into deep Apostacy as the Divine History doth shew 2 Chron. 30. chap. the like we read in Josiah's time and after in Ezra and Nehemiah's time in which State of Apostacy they still Circumcised their Children so that when they returned to God to walk with him by Faith in keeping his Commands in his Worship they did not repeat their Circumcision but the Evil through Gods Mercy was Purged by Repentance and so they were admitted to the Passover for no uncircumcised Person might eat of the Passover Exod. 12. 48. so now no unbaptized Person must eat of the Lords Supper This being a President for all Christians when returning out of deep Apostacy the Baptism then received in Apostacy ought not to be repeated any more than Circumcision Seeing it hath been proved that both Circumcision and Water-Baptism are Signs and Seals to one and the same Covenant of Grace in Christ to wit Rom. 4. 11. of the Righteousness of Faith in the Remission of Sins by the Blood of Christ Col. 2. 11 12. For although Water-Baptism and Circumcision were no Seals of Gods Favour and Mercies but rather Judgments to them of old as now so long as they remained in Sinful Idolatry for it will be granted by all that Gods Covenant in the Blessings thereof continueth with any Church or People no longer than they remain in his true Faith and Obedience in walking with God according to his written word Rev. 2. 3. chap. 2 Chron. 15. 2 3. So then as of old upon a return of Gods Elected ones even they and their Children out of Apostacy they did enter into the Covenant of Grace in Christ as it is written They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Jer. 50. 5. This was fulfilled in Ezra and Nehemiah's days when they came out of Babylon by Families yet they were not again Circumcised but having separated themselves from the Filthiness of the Heathen of the Land Ezra 6. 21 22. and were joyned to the Lord by renewing their Covenant did keep the Feast of the Lord and so were admitted to the Passover which no uncircumcised Person might eat of Exod. 12. 48. Obj. If any say Circumcision once done could not be
18 19 10. as it is written Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ how that they told you there should be Mockers in the last time and these because they have not the Spirit speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves If this Man was not one of them he would not have dared to be so bold as to say Flocks and Heards Exod. 12. 38. that went through the Sea when our Fathers were saith the Apostle Baptized 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. were doubtless Baptized as well as Children under the Cloud and in the Sea and now to say again to carry Children out when it raineth is as true Baptism as Israel had under the Cloud Yet notwithstanding he hath so contemptuously spoken of the Baptism in the Cloud and in the Sea yet he saith that Baptism was a Type or Figure of Gospel-dipping but how will this Mans words hang together one while he saith Beasts and Unbelievers were Baptized as well as Children whatsoever was a Type or Figure hath its Substance If the Beasts were Baptized in the Sea what did it typifle such Beastly Men surely that withstood Paul's Doctrine at Ephesus as it is said He fought with Beasts at Ephesus after the manner of Men as such Beasts of Men as Jude speaks of That speak evil of the way of Faith which they know not of and would exclude Infants out of Christs Kingdom as they do Infants from being our Fathers then as the Apostles calleth them Rom. 9. 5. Again whereas he saith The Baptism in the Cloud and in the Sea was a Figure of Gospel-dipping if so then Men Women and Children must be Baptized standing on dry ground for so it is said They stood in the Sea or place where the Water had been on dry ground but the truth is it was a Figure of Gospel-Baptism by casting pouring or sprinkling Water on the Head and Face the noble part that representeth the whole Person and whereas Infants were Baptized in the Figure it tipisied the Right they have now as afore proved in the third Query Now having proved by the Testimony of Holy Scripture What Baptism is The end wherefore it was ordained What it is that giveth any Soul Right to it Who is a true Administrator of it And what a High Breach of Gods Order it is for any Person to Baptize himself The next thing is farther to prove by Holy Scripture that the Covenant the Church of Israel was established in to be the People of God and the Lord to be their God was the Covenant of Grace in Christ and that it was not as the Anabaptists say a Carnal Covenant And also in particular to prove that the Covenant which God made with Abraham and his Seed Gen. 17. 7. and with Israel when they came out of Egypt Exod. 19. 5 6. and again renewed with all Israel Men and Women and their little ones Deut. 29. 10 11. that they were no parts of the Covenant of works as Mr. Cary affirmeth but the everlasting Covenant of Grace in Christ now confirmed to all Believers and their Infants Rom. 4. 11. Col. 2. 11. as shall be further proved I shall first lay down the Doctrine of the Anabaptists being the Ground and Foundation their whole Fabrick is built upon To begin with the Father of the English Anabaptists Mr. Smith who saith in his Book called The Character of the Beast P. 16. That the Church of Israel was a Carnal People had a Carnal Covenant or promise of Carnal things 2. Mr. Danvers his apt Schollar affirmeth in his Treatise of Baptism Page 144. That Circumcision initiated a Carnal Seed into a Carnal Church and gave them Right to Carnul Ordinances and that Trees and Fruit were as capable of Circumcision as Children at eight days old P. 173 175. Mr. Cary saith That she Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. 7. and the Covenant God made with Israel Exod. 19. 5 6. and the same renewed in Deut. 29. are but three Additional parts of the Covenant of works made with Adam before his Fall Solemn Call Page 120. Mr. Keach saith That Children were admitted Members of the Jewish Church is granted and 't is also evident that God hath now quite pulled down that House of his I mean that National Church State and broke up House keeping and turned the Bond-woman and her Son the Fleshly Seed Servants and Infants all out of doors the natural Branches are broken off and God hath built a new a Glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his houshold Servants to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as profess so to be 1 Pet. 2. 5. and that the old House the Jewish Church-State with all the Appurtenances Rights and Priviledges of it is pulled down and a new one built into which Infants are not to be admitted as is very evident from what the Apostle speaks Heb. 7. 12. which must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it And therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disanull'd with it They were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law Shew us the like now and you do your business or else you say nothing Gold Refin'd Page 113. This being the Ground and Foundation of the Faith of these Men on which their whole Fabrick of Anabaptistry is erected I shall therefore speak to each of them particularly and first as touching Mr. Smith's words concerning the State of the Church of Israel where he affirmed That the Church of Israel was a Carnal People had a Carnal Covenant or promise of Carnal things I shall first set down Mr. Henry Ainsworth's Answer which he gave him not only to the aforesaid words but also to what Mr. Smith farther said namely The Israelites did worship to Repentance we worship from Repentance first Men declare their Repentance and then we receive them into Communion to worship with us with them to wit in the Jewish Church saith he first Men were received into typical Communion and then they were trained up to Repentance and Faith in Christ c. Parallel Page 30. Mr. Ainsworth answereth These and the like distinctions Mr. Smith fetcheth out of his own Heart not from the word of God for although there be differences many between them and us as touching the outward Rights and Services ended and abolished by Christ as the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth yet as touching the Substance of their Religion Worship Constitution c. as tonching Repentance Faith Reconciliation to God c. There was no such difference as Mr. Smith faineth for the Church of the Jews they had the Law to shew them their sin and to bring them to Christ so have we the Church under
the Gospel Matt. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil Rom. 3. 30 31. Seeing it is one God which shall justifie the Circumcision by Faith and the Uncircumcision through Faith do we then make void the Law through Faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Rom. 7. 7. What shall I say then is the Law Sin God forbid I had not known Sin but by the Law For I had not known Lust except the Law had said thou shalt not Covet James 2. 8 9 10 11. Thus the Law is of the same use to us now as it was to the Church of the Jews We have the Gospel to shew us our Righteousness by Christ without the works of the Law so had they Heb. 4. 2. for unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them see Levit. 26. 42 45. Luke 54. 55. 72. 73. Deut. 30. 1. 12 13 14. Rom. 10. 5 6 8. Gen. 15. 6. Psalm 32. 1 2. with Rom. 4. 6. c. 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. Heb. Chap. 11. only in the manner of Administration of the Law and Gospel there be Differences manifested Ainsworth's Defence of Scripture Page 119. In which Answer of Mr. Ainsworth's is proved these things 1. That the Church of Israel had the very same use of the Law we now have to shew them and us our Sins that we as well as they might be lead to Christ 2. They had the same Gospel to shew them as us our Righteousness in Christ without the works of the Law 3. They had Ordinances for Worship which figur'd Christ to come which they in believing and looking for his coming offered in Faith Heb. chap. 11. so worshipped they the Father in Spirit and in Truth as Christ said to the Woman of Samaria Ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship for Salvation is of the Jews but the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4. 22 23 24. and such Worshippers were the Church of the Jews though not all as in the Gospel-Church many were reproved for seeking to be justified by the works of the Law Gal. 3. Therefore as well they of the Circumcision as others the Apostle testifieth worshipped God in the Spirit though not all as it is written For we are of the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh Phil. 3. 3. And thus in the Church of Israel many were Righteous walking in all the Ordinances of the Lord blameless waiting by Faith for Christ in the Promise to come the Consolation of Israel as it is written of old Simeon when Christ was born and brought into the Temple He then took him up in his arms and blessed God and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all People a light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel So likewise Anna she coming into the Temple at the same Instant gave Thanks likewise to the Lord and spake of him to wit of Christ To all them who looked for Redemption in Israel Luke 2. 25 28 to 39. Rev. 3. 4. These things being duly observed let the impartial Reader judge whether the Church of Israel were a Carnal People or had a Carnal Covenant and Promise of Carnal things as Mr. Smith feigneth or whether the Church of Israel were not such that worshipped the Father in Spirit and in Truth under the Covenant of Grace by Faith serving God although under Figurative Ordinances for the hope of the Promise made of God to the Father Acts 26. 6 7. yea believing that it was not the Blood of Bulls and Goats that could take away Sin Psalm 40. 6. 51. 16. Heb. 10. 4. but it was the Blood of Christ the Lamb of God the true Sin-offering 2. Cor. 5. 21. that on him was laid the Iniquity of us al Isaiah 53. that shall be saved As John hath proclaimed Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world Therefore what an Erroneous Doctrine is it that John Smith and Mr. Danvers have laid to build the way of Anabaptistry upon to deprive the Infants of Believers from the Right they have now to the Sign of the Remission of their Sin Water-Baptism And not only so but by their Doctrine they Damn the Infants of all Gods People of old if the Covenant the Church of Israel were accepted into with their Children was no other than a Carnal Covenant for a Carnal State is opposite to a Spiritual State as the Apostle proveth Rom. 8. 6 7. for to be carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be so then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God Now if the Church of Israel was in no better State and had but a Carnal Covenant their State was Death and Damnation for as much as there is no Eternal Life but in the Covenant of Grace in Christ John 17. 3. so the Church is not the World which Christ pray'd for ver 9. But that the Church of God from the day the Gospel was Preached to Adam and he and his Wife believed in Christ to come they had the Covenant of Grace whereby God was the God of the Faithful and their Seed so that the Gospel first Preached to Adam that the Seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpents Head is the same Gospel the Apostles taught as it is written And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. And this glad Tidings is summed up in these words of the Everlasting Gospel-Covenant made with Abraham and his Seed as it is written Gen. 17. 7. And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee which Covenant together with that in Exod. 19. 5 6. that in Deut. 29. Mr. Cary affirmeth to be but three several Additions to the Covenant of Works made with Adam before the Fall so no part of the Covenant of Grace in Christ Now for as much as Mr. Cary and others when they seek to pervert the Scripture from its true Sense or Meaning as afore hath been shewed concerning the Sense of the word Baptize so here concerning the word Everlasting Covenant Mr. Cary saith in P. 126 127. of his Book Solemn Call It is true saith he the Covenant of Circumcision is called also an Everlasting
Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on Earth First over our Sins and Corruptions that they have no Dominion over us Rom. 6. 14. The Lord Christ having subdued our Iniquities Micah 7. 19. So having a part in the first Resurrection we shall Reign with Christ 2. By overcoming our selves which is greater than all Earthly Conquest according to the Scripture He that is slow to Anger is better than the mighty Man and he that ruleth his own Spirit is better than he that winneth a City Prov. 16. 32. 3. Our overcoming the World is in not loving it 1 John 2. 15. and to keep our selves unspotted from it James 1. 27. Patiently for Christ's sake bareing the Reproaches in it 1 Cor. 4. 9 13. so shall we be more than Conquerors Rom. 8. 37. And this is the Victory that we overcome the World even our Faith 1 John 5. 4. â—4 Over Satan by resisting him stedfast in the Faith 1 Peter 5. 9. So shall we by the Power of Christ overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb and word of his Testimony Rev. 12. 11. So shall we tread Satan under our Feet shortly and judge the World and Angels 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. As Noah condemned the World by Faith in preparing an Ark to the saving of his House the Church of God and Preaching Christ our Righteousness by Faith in the Promise and so became an Heir to reign with Christ in Glory in Heaven for evermore Heb. 11. 7. Rom. 8. 17. Thus as Christ is King and Priest on his Throne in the Kingdom of his Mediatorship in his Church Zach. 6. 13. Rev. 4. 3. 15. 3. from whom this Grace cometh to his Saints by applying unto us his Sufferings Death Burial Righteousness Resurrection and Glorious Victory over Sin Death and Hell to be ours Isaiah 53. 4 5. Rom. 4. 25. For so he hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father Rev. 1. 6. So that as the Covenant of Grace was one to the Church of Israel of old as now to us Gentiles as it is written I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the People for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. 6. So have we the same Faith the Church of Israel had 2 Cor. 4. 13. Psalm 116. 10. only their Redemption was under the Performance of Figurative Ordinances as the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth yet both the Churches now and of old all under the same Benefits of Grace as they were a Kingdom of Priests so are we a Royal or Kingly Priesthood as they were a Holy Nation so are we as they were a peculiar Treasure to the Lord above all People so are the Churches now a peculiar People Exod. 19. 5 6. 1 Peter 2. 9. As they were called out of Egypt the Figure of our Captivity by Sin so are we called out of the Spiritual Egypt Exod. 4. 22 23. Rev. 11. 8. As the very Names of the Five Books of Moses have their Titles to note the things contained in them as Mr. Ainsworth in his Epistle to the Five Books of Moses saith Genesis that is Generation which endeth with the going down of Israel into Egypt in which we have the Image of the Natural Man fallen from God into the Bondage of Sin 2ly In Exodus or Departure is the Type of our Regeneration and State revived by Christ so was the Covenant of Grace Gen. 17. revived Exod. 19. 5 6. 3ly As in Leviticus the Sacrifices in the Service of God the shadow of our Mortification sheweth whilst we are made Sacrifices unto God Rom. 12. 4ly Numbers the Sign of our Spiritual Warfare whereunto we are mustered and armed to Fight the Good Fight of Faith 5ly Deuteronomy or the Repetition of the Doctrine of Sanctification and Preparation to enter into our Heavenly Canaan after Moses Death by the Conduct of Jesus the Son of God By all which it appeareth although God lead his People under Tipes and Shadows pointing to Christ yet the proper end of the Law taught Israel the Worship of God in Spirit and in Truth Deut. 5. 7 8. 6. 4 5 6. as the truly Godly in Israel well knew and confessed see and read Psal 32. 1 2. Psalm 40. 6. 51. 6 16. compared with Rom. 10. 8 9. Again what the Nature of the Covenant Exod. 19. 5 6. was the Prophet Jeremiah sheweth speaking to Judah in reproving the Church for Breach thereof when as by that Covenant Exod. 19. 5 6. they were planted a noble Vine wholly a right Seed but by Apostacy they were turned into a strange Vine Jer. 2. the Vine is Christ unto whom they were espoused to him their Head and they were Branches by this Covenant John 15. made in the Wilderness Acts 7. 38. Members of his Body the Church as it is written Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness Israel was Holiness unto the Lord and the first fruits of his Increase all that devour him shall offend evil shall come upon them saith the Lord Jer. 2. 2 3. Now where do we read that by any other Covenant than that of Grace Israel were espoused or married to the Lord The Angel of Gods Presence who went before them in the Wilderness Isaiah 63. 9. and was also their Rearward for by no other Covenant but that of Grace are a People made the First-fruits unto the Lord as we read Israel by this Covenant of Grace in Christ was as James saith to the Christians that they were a kind of the First-fruits of his Creatures James 1. 18. We likewise read that Christs redeemed ones Rev. 14. 4. are called the First-fruits unto God and unto the Lamb. These Spiritual Mercies were never given to any People by a Covenant of Works but by the Covenant of Grace in Christ from whence only ariseth these Priviledges to be a Kingdom of Priests a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the First-fruits unto God and the Lamb. Moreover the Lord when treating with Judah in her Apostacy by Ezekiel putteth her in mind of his Mercy to their Forefathers when he brought them out of Egypt when they were polluted with the Idols of Egypt Ezek. 20. so that their Estate was like the State of the Heathen Canaanites the worst of People in which sinful State when no Eye pittied them then by the Free Grace of God in Christ the Lord had Compassion on them as it is written Ezek. 16. 6 8. When I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thine own blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live Yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live Now when I passed by thee and looked upon thee behold thy time was the time of Love and I spread my
and Infants all out of doors To which I answer with the words of Christ concerning the State of the Jewish Church For Salvation is of the Jews John 4. 22. Now if Salvation be of the Jews then the State of the Church of the Jews was founded on Christ for there was never but one Foundation laid on which the Church of God was and is builded in all Ages and this is Christ as it is written For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. If then Christ be the Foundation of Faith laid in the Gospel Promise preached to Adam and that the Jews had the same Covenant of the Gospel as we have as it is written Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them Then if this Foundation in which the Church-State in all Ages was built on is pulled down the Anabaptists Church-State have not Christ for its Foundation as in truth it hath not for if the Anabaptists Church-State had Christ for its Foundation then they must confess the State of the Jewish Church had Christ for the Foundation of their Faith as it had else they could not be Saved for so it is written to the Church of Israel as now to the Gospel-Churches Behold I lay in Sion for a Foundation a stone a tried stone a precious corner stone a sure Foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Isa 28. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 3. On this Foundation the Church of Israel was built else Salvation could not come out of Zion as it is written There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. with Isaiah 59. 20. but the Church of Israel was called Zion because her State was the Covenant of Grace as it is written Say unto Zion Thou art my People Isa 51. 16. And again Praise thy God O Zion Psalm 147. 11. O Zion that bringeth good Tidings Isa 40. 9. Now by no other Covenant than that of Grace did the Lord say For the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psalm 132. 13 14. Therefore it is said to the Church of the Jews Rejoyce greatly O Daughter of Zion shout O Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having Salvation lowly and riding upon an Ass and upon a Colt the Fole of an Ass Zach. 9. 9. Now because some of the Church of the Jews rejected Christ that he should not reign over them this doth not prove God hath destroyed the Church-State called Zion no sure the Church-State remained with the Faithful and their Seed for it were they that welcomed their Salvation into his Kingdom see the third Query and from the day the Gospel preached to Adam promised a Deliverer should come out of Zion was Christ the Foundation laid which Church-State from the day Christ in the Promise was laid in the Covenant of the Gospel in Zion can never be removed as it is written Look upon Zion the City of our Solemnities thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams wherein shall go no Gally with Oars neither shall gallant Ships pass thereby For the Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law giver the Lord is our King he will save us The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Isa 33. 20 21 22 24. Now are we commanded to look upon Sion the City of God the State of Grace the Church of God in all Ages was built on Yea let us look and see that unto no other Gospel-State of Salvation are the Gospel-Churches come unto than to this Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and unto the innumentable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and unto the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 22 23 24. And again those that have the eye of Faith may see as it is written And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their Foreheads Even all Gods Sealed number who by Faith in the Covenant of Grace in Christ Gods Israel both Jews and Gentiles who came out of great Tribulation washed their Robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 7. 4 9 14. Now if as is proved in this Treatise that we Gentiles have no other Foundation for our Salvation than Christ in the Gospel-Promise to Adam and Abraham and that the Church of Israel had the same to build their Faith upon and that the Gentiles Churches stand by Faith on the same State of Grace Mount Sion the Church of Israel did and that in the same House or Church of God Moses was Faithful as a Servant Christ is over the same House of his as a Son therefore how near to Blasphemy is it for any to say God hath quite pulled down that House of his that National Church-State of the Jews when as Peter saith from the Covenant of Grace Exod. 19. 5 6. the Church under the Gospel were a Holy Nation upon the same Grounds as Israel were a Holy Nation as was Gods way in his Free Grace in all Ages that in Christ all Families shall be Blessed as aforeshewed in the third Query The Believers the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or Buds with them Now they that shall deny Israel of old had not the same Covenant of Life and Salvation as we now have into which they and their Infants were accepted go about to destroy the Gospel preached to Abraham that in Christ all Families are Blessed in that B. Keach saith God hath quite pulled down that House of his by Families when as by Families written by Moses Gen. 12. 3. Peter expoundeth Kindreds Acts 3. 25. and who be the nearest Kindreds but Children and these the Apostle calleth Nations Gal. 3. 8. as afore proved in the third Query to whom the Blessing in the Gospel belongeth Zech. 2. 11. Matt. 28. 19. In the next place to examine the Scriptures Ben. Keach bringeth to prove God hath pulled down the Church-State of the Church of old and turned Infants out of doors his first is 1 Pet. 2. 5. from whence saith he God hath now built him a new a glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his Houshold Servants
Members than Circumcision remained but Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4. 11. the Covenant for which the Seal was ordained was the Covenant of Grace the word of Faith wherein is contained the Promises of the Pardon of Sins and eternal Life now confirmed by the Circumcision of Christ as afore proved and now Water-Baptism set in place thereof by the Authority of Christ the only Law-giver in Worship Isaiah 33. 22. James 4. 12. Neither will his third proof by similitude taken from Act of Parliament help him in his Assertion aforesaid For saith he shew us a positive Law for Infants Church-membership Now the word of God is plain that Infants were Church-members from the day Adam was restored so soon as Infants were born as afore proved in the third Query For if all Infants sinned in Adam's Loynes when Adam was restored they were restored in his Loynes and when born they were born in the gospel-Gospel-Covenant by which the Church of God was established in Adam's House so that the Children born in Covenant were born to the Lord whom the Lord called his Children for none out of the Covenant of Grace are visibly the Lords Children Therefore how carnally doth he reason against Children in these words For evident it is that what Priviledges soever are given to any Persons by an Act of Parliament which said Law was to continue in force for so long time and no longer when that time is expired and another Parliament makes a new Law wherein many things are contained that were in the first but those certain Priviledges given to those Persons in the former Law are left out in the latter Act it would not be a Folly for any of them to plead those Priviledges by virtue of a Law that is gone and not now in force This being a carnal Argument like his carnal Faith In answer hereunto his Comparison is Odious a Parliament is an Earthly Kings Great Council who maketh Laws and he signeth them But saith the Scripture who hath been the Lords Counsellor to direct him Rom. 11. 34. to give Laws to his Church or to order all things in that State So then as hath been proved as touching the State of the Infants of Believers since the day they were restored in Adam's Loynes and when born born to the Lord Ezek. 18. 20 21. Blessed with their Parents with Remission of Sin Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25 26. there hath been no word of God to dispriviledge them so long as they continue in the Covenant of Grace of whatsoever Priviledges they ever had no nor yet have these Men by any word of God shewed when or wherein they have been turned out from the Promises in the Covenant of the Gospel which they call out of doors for the things which only have been removed or abolished given from the beginning concerning what God had given to his Church to keep and observe were only those things which were shadows of good things to come by Christ but Infants in Gods Covenant were no Shadow or Figure to be abolished no nor the Baptizing of Infants any of Babylon's Rubbish as Mr. Keach with others affirm in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book No nor yet is Infants Baptism a Corner-stone that supports the An-Antichristian Fabrick by unsavory words as Mr. Cary affirmeth in his Epistle to his Solemn Call but it is one of the Glorious Tokens of Gods Love to his People and to their Seed that as Christ hath taken away the Sin of such Infants Christ's Name should be set on them in Water-Baptism that they are his bought or redeemed because Christ washed away their Sin with his precious Blood the small Vessels in his House who welcomed their Lord into his Kingdom that as they were included of old in the precious Stones in Aaron's Breast-plate with their Parents Exod. 28. 15. to 21. so are they now by Christ our High Priest presented before the Lord with their Parents a Holy Seed a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Pet. 2. 9. shining among the Precious Stones which the Foundations of the Walls of the City the Church of God is garnished withall Rev. 21. 18 19 20. as the Church of Israel was that as by Tribes Israel went up to Jerusalem even by Families to be presented before the Lord both Fathers and Mothers and Children Deut. 31. 10 11 12 13. Psalm 122. 1 2 3 4. to praise the Lord Psalm 148. 12 13. Exod. 12. 26 27. for now as Vessels great and small the Glory of Christs Kingdom Isaiah 22. 24. doth likewise shine among the lively Pretious Stones in Christs Spiritual Building crying Hosannah to Christ their Lord while the Anabaptists not only in Errors in their Faith are polluted but also garnished with the Shame to Nature as Ben. Keach for one when he beholdeth himself in a Glass how he weareth Womans covering the Shame to Man Nature which at this time I should not have mentioned but for this reason because he with other Teachers in their Narrative among other things proposed debated and resolved in the Affirmative That it is a shame for a Man to wear long Hair and Perriwigs and especially Ministers 1 Cor. 11. 14. Narrative Page 14. Now what kind of Teacher is this Man that shall condemn in words that he alloweth in himself by Practice Rom. 14. 15. he is one of those Teachers the Apostle reproveth as it is written Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self Rom. 2. 21. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law even the Law of Nature through breaking the Law dishonorest thou God ver 23. Hear what the Lord saith to such Teachers What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psalm 50. 16 17. of such the Lord complained concerning his People their Leaders have caused them to err and they that are led by them are destroyed Isaiah 9. 16. Now are not these like the Teachers the Lord complained of of old that would seem to reprove Sin but saith the Lord They healed the hurt of the Daughters of my People slightly Jer. 8. 11. So have these Men in their Narrative reproved this Sin the shame to Nature slightly And therefore for the help of all that desire to be informed in this Particular there is to be had where this Book is sold a Treatise on that Subject under these particular Heads God's Holy Order in Nature which Man and Woman were Created in truly Stated and Explained Proving First THat Man is Head of the Woman and how Woman is made in Subjection to Man her Husband Secondly That God gave unto Woman a Sign in Nature differing from Man to teach her she is the Glory of Man her Husband and this Sign is called Glory to Woman and Shame to Mans Nature Thirdly That Man is Commanded by the Law of Nature and Written Law of God not