down from Heaven to the Infernal Seats whom though baptized in Infancy their life by its Holiness the World by its testimony and Divinity by Miracles have made famous they must be made the Collegues of Devils who were the Companions of Angels and they that through their pious Labours are arrived to Eternal life will suddenly be flung into everlasting death Our Holy dayes shall be turned to mourning our Sabbaths into shame and our Honour into nothing Who can bear these who can hear it who would not shut his ears and with all those they labour to damn would not rise against these Arch Hereticks But come unto me and repent of so great a Prodigie You scorn and deride that one should be Saved by the Faith of another denying it with great Mockery among the Rusticks and unlearned Multitude A brutish and impious Heresie Petrus Cluniacensis contra Paetro brusianos haeret p. 1124. Edit Paris 1614. As to those late Authors he sayes whose testimonies deserve no credit as to the first Ages viz. Willifrid Strabo Boemus Lud. Vives I conceive however they are to be believed as soon as Mr. Whiston And he that leans so much upon Origen and Cyprian though those Books Father'd upon them are judged spurious to prove matter of Fact in the First Age though they lived in the Third Century should clear himself before he falls foul upon others And Lastly Since he declines all Humane Authority as of no weight so do we and proceed to examine the Scripture grounds which we desire only to adhere to and own it to be our Principle to receive no Article of Faith however entertain'd or cry'd up by Nations Fathers c. that is not made Authentick by the Written Word of God And whether Mr. Danvers the Exceptions here made being so few and of so little weight deserves so severe a Castigation as this Author is pleased to give him let the World judge And therefore we go on to try the opposition he makes as to the Doctrinal part And first we affirm That Believers Baptism is only Christs Baptism which Mr. Danvers proved by the order laid down in the Commission Matth. 28.19 to which Mr. Whiston makes this demur That this Commission doth not exclude Infants from Baptism supposing their Baptism elsewhere in Scripture warranted That this is a very sorry Evasion will appear if you consider that this is the solemn Institution and Commission given to the Apostles impowring them to Preach the Gospel and Baptize and to charge it with darkness and imperfection as Mr. Whiston doth is to reflect upon the Law giver and for us to observe any Order but what is here laid down is to go beyond our Commission and be wise above what is written Which is not only our Opinion but the great Basil's own words upon the place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. i e. But we think it necessary to have recourse to the order prescribed by the Lord viz. first to Teach then Baptize page 636. de Baptismo 2. It has been else where sufficiently proved that Infants because Unbelievers till Converted Eph. 2.3 and so uncapable of the qualification pre-required here are excluded 3. If it should be urged that Infants have Faith as several Learned Paedo-baptists affirm though not so fortunate as to agree what kind of Faith some being for a Seminal some a Federal some an Imputative Faith c. verifying the Proverb Tot capita tot sensus then we may conclude that there 's no such thing as Regeneration for if we be Believers from the Womb where is there any room for the New Birth and if that be once admitted the whole scope and frame of the Gospel is subverted for it would be an absurd Errand to call such to Believe who are Believers by a Birth-priviledg and in a state of Regeneration as soon as Born But common Experience confutes this Childish fancy And for that distinction some of them make of Faith in actu primo or Potential Faith not yet grown up to actual were it admitted for which there is no Reason the Maxim being just and safe Vbi lex non distinguit non est distinguendum Where the Law distinguishes not we must not distinguish yet it would not serve the turn since Unbelievers Children may be as truly said to have Faith in Actu primo or potentially as Believers Children they proving frequently Converts and precious Saints whilst Believers Children often run the broad way of Wickedness Besides if Children had such a Faith and that the distinction were as it is not good it would not be enough because no Faith but an actual personal Faith qualifies for Baptism But he sayes Supposing their Baptism else-where warranted in Scripture But why is not that Scripture produced 't is much talk'd of but we can never see it which makes us conclude that men that are so nimble to press Scriptures into their service that not a whit be friend their Cause if they could hit upon any such plain Text would be brisk enough to bring it forth But alas if they had their Warrant from Scripture they would not take such pains to prove that the silence of the Scripture is such an Argument to evince the lawfulness of their practice a very mad and wild way of reasoning nor run to the beginning of the World to find some protection for it among the Jewish Rites Gospel Ordinances must be evidenced by Gospel Authority What institution of the New Testament but is plainly to be proved by New-Testament Scripture Must Baptism alone though so plainly yea in words at length both as to subject and form of Administration there instituted be beholden to Circumcision Gen. 17.7 for its Original though as different and remote from it as the Gospel is from the Law If so Why are not the Baptized Infants now admitted to the priviledges the Circumcised were of old viz. to be Members of the Church now as they were then of the Common-wealth to come to the Supper as they to the Passeover c. this Riddle we desire may be unfolded But he goes on in the same Tune and tells us that as here is no express mention of Infants that 's well granted so no word phrase or clause that can be rationally interpreted to exclude them No more is there any word phrase or clause excluding Vnbelievers Children nay which is more not so much as a word phrase or clause that litterally excludes Bells Church walls Standards c. from Baptism and if there be ground enough for this Author to Baptize them let him take the Honor of the Employment He sayes Christ may have given this Commission only with reference to the Adult that we believe and contend for and 't is now happily granted us and may have sufficiently declared his will concerning the Baptism of Infants in other parts of his Word that 's the thing he should prove and that other part of his Word if he knows it he
many have suffered for owning most if not all other points of faith and Christianity yea divers have suffered even unto death for denying yet none that ever I heard of suffered for owning Infants-Baptism Yet though your children are dear to you the word of the Lord and the purity of his worship is far more dear and hence you dare not adde to his words lest he reprove you and you be found lyars You dare not offer strange fire to the Lord which he hath not commanded nor prophane an Ordinance you know that Baptism being a part of instituted worship not found in natures garden has of it self no vertue but what it receives from the iustitutor For as one well observes moral laws are good and therefore commanded but positive worship is commanded and therefore good So that your adversaries clamour without ground and the Lord will judge between us And if it be questioned why I insist so much upon this subject I answer I was weary with forbearing when I saw your affliction and beheld the reproaches wherewith your opponents unmercifully persecute you But brethren as I have gone in and out among you these six and twenty years so I have had opportunity to know those pious souls among you whose Conversation is in Heaven who live above the Clouds who groan under the body of sin and remains of corruption I have known your manner of life your faith patience long-suffering charity I have also seen your dark side and observ'd your infirmities which your adversaries view through a multiplying glass But if there be any society or Community of people that differ from you that have not their dark side let them cast the first stone Yet you dare not allow the least sin in you your prayers and endeavours fâ—â—â— greater measures of mortification and that you may be sanctified throughout stand compleat in the whole will of God and be filled with all the fruits of righteousnesse through Jesus Christ are famous instances that you are pressing after perfection I know you do not desire these Encomium's but I have the example of the holy spirit whose steps I humbly conceive I may follow Rev. 2.2 where these Commendations are given of the Church I know thy works thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them that are evil and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted c. It 's true the Lord knows these things in another manner then we do viz. by searching the heart we by outward observation yet so far as we know we judge And now what remains but that you hold on your way and grow stronger and stronger being like that shining light that shines more and more to the perfect day dayly purging your selves from all filthynesse of flesh and spirit perfecting holyne 〈◊〉 the fear of God walking in the steps of your fâ—â—â—â— Abraham and in a little time you shall he received into his bosome where the weary are at rest and the wicked cease from troubling And so I commend you to God and the good word of his grace which is able to make you stand and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctifyed and remain Your Soul-friend E. H. To the READER Reader IT is a truth too plain to need Demonstration that the enemy of souls invaded the Church of Christ even in its very infancy privily bringing in Damnable Heresies 2 Pet. 2.1 That the Scarlet whore drew away the Kings of the Earth peoples and Multitudes and Nations and tongues after her Rev. 17. and made them drunk with the wine of her Fornications That the man of sin that son of perdition 2 Thes 2. erected himself a Monarchy and sate in the Temple of God maintaining that station with power and signes and lying wonders So spreading and epidemical were the Incantations of that Glittering strumpet that few escaped the temptations of her Golden cup. Now amongst those multitudes that wondred after the Beast what kind entertainment could the ordinances of the meek and self denying Jesus have whose kingdom is not of this world John 18.36 On the contrary we find the whole Fabrick and Oeconomy of Gospel worship shatter'd subverted and overthrown in most places where it was received and the kingdom of darkness raised upon its ruines What fundamental truth what practical duty of Christianity but was utterly exploded or so metamorphos'd that nothing of its original form and beauty was left But when this Mystery of Iniquity came to be gradually revealed when the voice from heaven said come out of her my people Rev. 18.4 when the woman was seen drunk with the bloud of the Saints Rev. 17.6 How was she bewailed by those that dealt in her wares How have those Locusts of the bottomless pit pester'd both sea and land to gain her proselites making Reformation a hard task pursuing it with bloud persecution and massacre Yet maugre all the powers of Hell truth gets ground and the Lord with the brightnesse of his coming enlightens us more and more every day Yet still it is very observable that when by quadrating them with the word of God the only rule of faith and practise any truths are recovered or when those carnal and trashy superficialls that deform and disguise others are flung away Then some malevolent Agent of the grand Deceiver improves his uttermost craft to obscure and represent it in the most hideous and averting forms and fasten the blackest calumnies upon such as the Lord makes his Instruments of reformation The son of God foretold this Math. 5.11 All ages since have confirmed it Our Martyrologies have recorded those worthies that resisted unto blood those blessed souls under the Altar that were slain for the word of God and the Testimony which they held to whom the white robes were given Rev. 6.9 11. whose blood will one day be avenged upon their Barbarous Assasinates The ordinance of Baptism that great and radical duty here contended for hath been as grosly perverted mangled and abused as any Gospel Institution whatever new matter new form nothing left but the bare name and that too wrested misinterpreted and forced to favour and bear symmetry with that Idle and frivolous Poedo-rantism set up in its room Nor need we wonder at the stiff opposition and harsh usage the assertors of Believers Baptism have met with from time to time the error they attaque being so necessary to the Antichristian Monarchy that it is indeed the Basis upon which that pompous proud superstructure moves from whose Pinacle the man of sin may cast an Imperious glance and say with Nebuchadnezar Vah Babylon Babylon proprio te robore servo For if a thorough reformation of this point be admitted if Ministers teach first then baptize such only as profess faith in the Lord Jesus and newness of life evidenced by a holy conversation that being the only practise warrantable by and exemplyfied in the word of God It will inevitably follow that the Papal
us they read no Example of Exempla annotata non leguntur and that the Adult of Jew and Gentile were Baptized as is exemplified Acts 2.8 10 16 19 c. and is not this Equivalent with what he alleges viz. that they Baptized only the Adult finding examples for the one and not for the other any man in his sences may see that there is no more difference between them than there is between two six pences and a shilling We confess the Mageburgs were for Infant-Baptism and that they cite Origen and Cyprian as Authors that it was an Apostolical Tradition in these words Sed Origines Cyprianus alii Patres Authores sunt Apostolorum etiam tempore baptizatos esse Constat enim hoc ex Apostolorum Scriptis quod Infantes a Baptismo non excludant nam dum Circumcisionis locum Baptismum supplere Paulus docet Col. 2. Aâ—que Infantes atque Adultos ad Baptismum admittendos judicat that is Origen and Cyprian and other Fathers tell us that in the Apostles time some were Baptized for this is evident from the Apostles Writings that they did not exclude Infants from Baptism and where Paul teaches Col. 2. that Baptism succeeds in the place of Circumcision he declares that Infants as well as the Adult are to be admitted to Baptism The Reader is desired to note how Craftily Mr. Whiston stops in his Quotation at the words Constat ex Apostolorum Scriptis i. e. it is evident from the Apostles Writings to make the Reader believe they mean it that Infants were Baptized whereas it relates to the following part of the sentence viz. Quod Infantes a baptismo non excludant that they did not exclude Infants from Baptism rendring himself guilty of what he unjustly accuses Mr. D. But to the Quotation Wherein we have Three Things urged by them as Arguments for their practice First the Testimony of Origen and Cyprian Secondly Arguments from Infants non-exclusion from Baptism Scriptures Thirdly an Inference to prove it lawful as succeeding Circumcision 1. The Testimony of Origen and Cyprian this I shall say little to being substantially enervated by Mr. Danvers already in his Rejoynder where it is made out 1. that Origen and Cyprian say no such thing 2. that if they had it s no great matter the Books being from just grounds judged spurious 3. that if the Books were genuine their Testimonies in the Third Century is not sufficient to prove matter of Fact the First Age. 2. The Arguments from Infants non Exclusion being Mr. Whiston's dear Argument so oft repeated and made such a flourish withall and filling a good part of his Book our Answer shall be refered to the place where he urges it 3. The Inference from Circumcision this Mr. Whiston in express terms tells us is not made any ground of Infant Baptism by them in these words We plead not for Infants Baptism meerly from the Analogy it bears to Circumcision and is angry they should be charged with it though his practice contradicts the expression very often as well as the Mageburgs thereby therefore I shall not spend time to disprove that which he owns not The Second Instance he gives of Mr. Ds. unfaithfulness is page 7. Mr. D. sayes thus As to Baptism in the Second Century they say Cent. 2. cap. 6. p. 109. that it doth not appear by any approved Author that there was any Variation or Mutation from the former Which Mr. Whiston is angry for and sayes Mr. D. would make people believe he spake this of the subject of baptism whereas it is of the Rites and Ceremonies I have Examined what Mr. Danvers sayes and that Century and I find that he mentions neither subject nor rite but only cites their words and applies it as fairly their words are Simplicem baptiâ—andi formam fuisse retentam ex eo apparet quod in probatis anteribus nulla insignis reporitur variatio aut mutatio annotata It is apparent that the simple or old form of baptizing was kept viz. in the Second Age because no remarkable Variation or Mutation is noted by any approved Author and that this comprehends both the subject and way of Administration of the first Age is evident to such as are not critically contumacious and blind and it is very probable yea certain that had the Magdeburg's found any Example for Infant-Baptism in this Age more than in the former they would not fail to mention it and though they say Nec usquam legiter Infantes hoc saeculo remotos esse that we read not of Infants being excluded in this Age we may as truly say Nec usqâ—amlegitur Infantes hoc saeculo baptizari We read of no Infants baptized in this Age So that it is a sure Argument the thing was not in being because no mention is made of it as practiced or not practiced I have read the Story of the Jew which he upbraids Collonel D for over-looking who like to dye was upon his earnest request baptized as they call it by his fellow Travellers by flinging Sand upon him there being no possibility of having Water there But what advantage this makes for Mr. Whiston we know not let him make the best of it if he had thought it so much for his purpose why did not he mention it but he choses rather to make the Reader believe there is something in it for his advantage when indeed it signifies nothing for him The Second thing he remarks is the impertinency of his proofs and of which he gives Five Instances how proper we are noâ— to enquire But first Is it not unjust for Mr. Whiston to charge his Adversary with that Crime whereof he himself is notoriously guilty as I could instance if I would be impertinent and for a taste will begg the Readers pardon to remark one Is it to Mr. Whiston's purpose or does the Argument he manages require it that he should publish in print first part of his Infant-Baptism that he is a Batchelor c. is the World concerned in the changes of his state or does he think that by the Charms of his Wit and Oratory some great Cometissa will fall in Love with him Is not that as impertinent a Proclamation as the Ecclesiastical Politician's publishing his dull and lazy distemper I would not have said this but to shew how he that 's so nimble to fall upon others in print should take care first to amend himself And as to his Exceptions under this head they are indeed so frivolous and insignificant that it is in vain to spend time to refute that which any Reader may do in the very perusing for what does he more than pick up some scripshere and there pickeering at a part as the preamble or that that makes way to the main thing wherein all the force is put and to which these passages he snatches up may be only Circumstantial So that Mr. Whiston beats the Ayre and fights manfully with a Figment of his own brain For
all consulted these Rules or Mr. Baxter before him and Mr. Whiston since or whether there has been any thing of tenderness to their Opponents names and persons any thing of compassion charity meekness whether any serious examination of the absolute certainty and verity of their own Opinion lest themselves should be mistaken as Mr. Baxter confesses it is easie for Wise and Good men to be mistaken in it the point is so dark and dubious or whether they have enquired into the sincerity of their ends whether their heat has been an holy heat purely for Gods Glory and the Salvation of their Brothers Soul all this is now left at the Bar of the Readers Judgement and will shortly be brought before a greater and more impartial Tribunal And truly Sir I must tell you that your dirty Language your extream slighting and contemning your Opponents loading them with Scandals and Reproaches sometimes charging them with ignorance and insufficiency proudly and vainly boasting and trampling over them in your own conceit has not a little spoil'd your cause and given the Anabaptists a great advantage against you in the Consciences of sober and pious Christians I have heard my self some persons of Quality and Piety to say alas what difference is there between Mr. Danvers and Mr. Will 's their Books the later is stuffed with ride rage and passion the first with meekness tenderness and humility And I suppose were the Books searcht that have been Written of late Years on the subject of Baptism as Mr. Baxter Sydenham Cragg Wills and Whiston c. on the one part and Mr. Tombes Blackwood Byfield Den Danvers Patient Norcot c. on the other part it would seem to be discovered by what Spirit they Wrote and men would see in the first party a proud magisterial scurrilous abusive and scornful Spirit in the other a more humble gracious meek and charitable temper If any Question it the Books are Extant and the matter may soon be brought to an issue but Sir you have out-done them all not only in shooting your invenomed Arrows against the whole party but especially against Mr. Danvers as appears by your Appeal to the Baptist Churches against him it seems you have arraigned condemned and executed him already and have said implicitely though audaciously as Paul to the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. for though I am absent in the Body yet have judged him already that that he be delivered to Satan But stay a while Sir and give Wiser men leave to search out the matter Will nothing serve your turn but present Repentance or Excommunication What Scripture-rule have you taken to convince him or must he Repent before any Conviction hath past upon him Surely Illumination is the first work and the same Organ that is for Weeping is for Seeing but a man must see first as Zach. 12. They shall look and then mourn But Sir there are as Wise men as your self and none of his party neither that judge that what Mr. Danver's has Writ was in the simplicity and sincerity of his heart according to his knowledg and as he apprehended the meaning of those Ancients he has quoted and that he had no intention to prevaricate as you charge him with or abuse the Fathers to patronize his Opinion If otherwise you may think him non compos mentis considering he could not be ignorant of the prejudice and sedulity of the Opponents who might have advantage enough against him from the Libraries in the Universities and else-where It 's true indeed some of his Friends wish he had not concerned himself with the Arguments from the Fathers they say they can spare it you very well are content with Father Paul Father Peter and the rest of those Scripture Fathers what can be drawn from the three First Centuries is rather for than against them And in regard the mystery of Iniquity began to work in the Apostles dayes and the Apostacy soon came on they do not value the following Centuries though others think the most part of his Collections justifiable were the matter brought before impartial and indifferent Judges And though you have so concerned your self and serued your Wits to maintain Infant-Baptism and some of you as Mr. B. and Mr. Whiston c. by such strange absurdities and ridiculous Mediums altogether unknown to the Fathers yet wise men judge you have been all this while bringing Brick and Mortar towards the repairing of Babel which else perhaps would have fallen long since for they do not think that the more immediate Ministers and Factors for Babylon would have been able to have brought a stone at this day had not you and others stept in and took the Anti-christian party by the hand and said Be strong and in this matter have say'd as the Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin Ezra 4.2 Let us build with you for we seek your God as ye do so we Baptize Infants as ye do and though we differ in some Circumstances touching the ground of their Baptism yet we all agree in the subject and so you have proved the greatest Enemies to Reformation though it is strange that men who have Covenanted to reform Religion according to the Word of God and have pretended to cast out all the dirt of Romish Superstitions and Traditions of men in the Worship of God should be the greatest upholders of that Babylonish Building But what shall we say The Carpenter encourageth the Goldsmith Isai 41.7 and it seems Gods time is not yet come when Babylon the Great shall be thrown as a Mill-stone into the Sea and rise no more But Sir in the mean time what way is there left but for Christians diligently to search the Scriptures to pray for the Holy Spirit the promise of the Father and wherein they differ modestly to examine the Opinions of one another and where God reveals more light to endeavour to convince their Brethren with a spirit of meekness concealing the Infirmities and covering the Imperfections of one another But those thunder-claps that came from you of late make your Enemies to rejoyce and your Friends mourn and standers by cannot hold their peace but like Craesus his dumb Son are compelled to speak when they see the point of Infant-Baptism so provoke and enrage your Spirits against a people who practice the contrary according to that light and knowledg they have received and profess they would be convinced did they see any solid Arguments from the Scriptures in the mean time it seems they must be exposed to all the calumnies and reproaches a numerous and prevailing party of their Opponents can cast upon them But Brethren is not the Devil our common Enemy and surely could we unite amongst our selves his Kingdom should soon be divided and then and not till then shall we see Satan fall like Lightning and what glorious times might we then expect I desire these Lines may be received in the same Spirit and for the same end for which they were Written which was not to increase our Divisions but to allay them for the effecting of which we shall still pray and till God removes from us every thing that offends and supplants every Plant that his own right hand hath not planted Sir I Rest Your Soul-Friend T. B. BOOKS Treating about the Subject of Baptism Printed for and Sold by Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Cornhill A Treatise of BAPTISM wherein that of Believers and that of Infants is examined by the Scriptures with the History of both out of Antiquity making it appear that Infant-baptism was not practised for near 300 Years after Christ nor enjoyned as necessary till 400 Years after Christ c. With the History of Christianity amongst the Ancient Brittains and Waldensians c. By H. D. Innocency and Truth vindicated or a Sober Reply to Mr. Ws. Answer wherein the Authorities and Antiquities for Believers and against Infant-Baptism are defended and the mis-representations and Forgeries he boasts of are returned upon himself With a brief Answer to Mr. Blinman's Essay by the same Author A Second Reply in Defence of the Treatise of Baptism wherein Mr. Baxter's More Proofs are found no Proof in two parts the First defending the Antiquities against his charge of Forgery The Second justifying the charge of Slander Contradiction and Popery against his Writings As also an Admonition to Mr. B. by the same Author and some Reflections by Mr. Tombs upon Mr. B's More Proofs With a Rejoynder to Mr. W. his Vindiciae and an Answer to his Appeal by the same Author Together with the Baptists Answer to the said Appeal The Book-seller further signifies to the Impartial Reader desiring information into that Principle of Baptizing Believers that he can furnish him with The Learned Treatises of Mr. John Tombs The Works of Mr. Samuel Fisher in Folio A Pious and Learned Piece by Henry Lawrence Esq A judicious Piece by Mr. Christopher Blackwood Intituled the Storming of Antichrist c. ERRATA Candid Reader Literal Escapes and Mis-pointings are left to thine Ingenuity to Correct or Pardon the most material Errors correct thus Last page of the Preface line 20. after endeavours read to remove the absurdities charged upon their practice and. p. 3. l. 9. r. never p. 8. l. 2. dele thereby l. 29. r. legitur p. 12. l. 29. r. lotus p. 13. l. 4. r. illusorium p. 18. l. 2. for there r. that p. 19. l. 1. r. included p. 22. l. 10. dele not There should be a spiritus asper over some Greek words which thou wilt note