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
sorts of Learning the one to ttanslate the literal words of the original Scriptures into any Language or Speech or Tongue a special natural Gift of God and this may be attained unto by meer natural Men that want the Spirit of Grace The other is the Learning in the Mysteries of Faith And it was and still is the pleasure of God to make choice of some Men unskilled in School-learning to publish his Gospel as for example Peter and John Acts 4. 13. when the Jews saw their Boldness and perceived that they were unlearned and Ignorant Men in School-learning they marvelled and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus who had given them the Tongue of the Learned in the Spirit in that he opened their Understandings Luke 24. 45. that they might understand the Scriptures And therefore they that have not so learned of Christ by the Gift of God are Ignorant of true Learning saith Christ Matt. 13. 11. 2 Pet. 3. 17. For it is given to you to wit to his chosen to know the mysteries of the Kingdom and unto all others though never so learned in the Tongues they know not the true sense of Scripture according to the Analogy of Faith and such saith the Apostle Peter are unlearned although they have skill in all natural Learning and unstable wavering wandering minded Men wrest as they do also the other Scriptures as the Pharisees did Matt. 5. 17 to 48. 23. 13. to 24. unto their own Destruction such were the learned Rabines of the Jews for who were more learned Men than the Jews in the original Hebrew and Greek and other Languages yet when the Scriptures were read every Sabbath day Acts 13. 27. it is said they knew not the Voices of the Prophets spiritually concerning Christ in the Promise no more than did the Eunuch Acts 8. 30 31 34 35. So that if the Anabaptists have no better Schollarship to have their Faith rely on than humane Learning to teach them the Mysteries of Christ 's Kingdom whereof the Doctrin of Baptism is one they may see how they deceive themselves by a natural Faith and all others that are led by them about the signification of the word Baptism And therefore let all remember what is written concerning such as make it a Fundamental Article of their Faith to contend by Carnal Reason about words in Scripture as did the Jews in opposing the Doctrin which the Apostles taught them concerning the Kingdom of God Acts 18. 14 15 16. Insomuch that the Heathen Governour Galio was ashamed of them by the very light of Nature and that contention about words doth generally arise from pride of Heart as it is Written he is Proud knowing nothing but doting about Questions and strife of Words whereof cometh Envy Strife Raylings Evil Surmisings perverse Disputing of Men of corrupt minds destitute of Truth These consent not 1 Tim. 6. 4 3. saith the Apostle to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrin which is according to Godliness For these and the like things as appeareth in the fifth Query by John Smith who began first to quarrel with Translation of Scripture such Distraction and Division is among the Churches in this day as was among the Primitive Christians for which God threatned them with Judgments and they being not warned by the Apostles teaching and Writings sent unto them God brought his severe judgments on them as are threatned now on Chrrstians for their Apostacy in this day of like Sins Rev. 8 9 and 16. Chapters as by the opening of the Seales and sounding of the Trumpets and shedding of the Vials is declared Therefore we may see if we read what 's Written God will do nothing contrary to that he hath Revealed to his Prophets Amos 3. 7. and in the Prophets Writings out of which the Book of the Prophecy of the Revelations is taken concerning the State of the Church of God and of her Enemies in all Ages since Christs Ascension and as one well said to wit Ainsworth concerning the Church of Rome p. 54. to begin at Revelation 11 Chapter it is the Key to open that Book So that as God delivered his People of old Zach. 1. 8 16. and 2. 1. 2. out of Old Babylon and a second Temple was Built and God's holy Ordinances restored then for the Sins of them again after they Apostatized from their Faith and Holy Order in Worship The Lord raised up against them that terrible Enemy under that name Gog and Magog Ezek. 38. 39. to their sore Affliction and Misery Even so God who hath called his people out of the Spiritual Babylon and a second Spiritual Temple is Builded Rev. 11. 1. with Ezek. 40. 2. 3 5. compar'd with Zach. 6. 12. Christ the Branch should Build the Temple 1 Pet. 2. 5. as hath appeared by the many Famous Churches of Christ in this and in most parts of the neighbouring Nations and other some more remote since the first Apostacy after the Apostles days wherein the true Doctrin of Faith to wit of free Grace flourished and Gods holy Order in Worship in many Churches abounded which now for some years have been Apostatising both from the Doctrin of free Grace to maintain the Doctrin of Merit or Free-will by the work done which is proved in this Treatise to be the first Foundation of Anabaptistry Not here to speak of several other People called by other Names professing Christianity who are likewise guilty of the same Doctrin that Caine and the Unbelieving Jews were pleading a right to Gods Ordinance by their own Act. What then remaineth but the expectation of God's fearful Judgment on this as on other Nations for Sin of all sorts which is begun already even by that Enemy under the name of Gog and Magog Rev. 20. 8. Whose Number is as the Sand on the Sea-shoar Enemies of all sorts covered and uncovered open wicked and secret hipocritical Enemies to the Truth of the Gospel compassing about the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City ver 9. until Fire come down from Heaven for as in the days of Noah when the true Faith was almost lost none left a Preacher of Righteousness 2 Pet. 2. 5. that is of free Grace in Christ by Christs Merit only for the justification of all in the sight of God that shall be saved from wrath to come but Noah to his Family all others were possessed with the Doctrin of Caine who like Ishmael mocked at the Doctrin of Faith Gen. 21. 9. with 2 Pet. 3. 3. which brought the Flood upon the World expecting acceptance by the work done and how is this Doctrin spread in this our day almost over all so that the day of Christs coming is likened to the days of Noah which will be with respect to the State of things Luke 17. 26. to the End as also at unawares as in the days of Noah for as it is written when the Son of Man cometh shall he
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
Wages of Sin is Death but some Infants dye so soon as born therefore sinful by Nature as in the third Query proved But since the Anabaptists have devised another Erroneous Doctrine as afore shewed to deprive Infants of Water-Baptism that is because they cannot profess Faith and Repent therefore they have say they no Right to be Baptized This likewise hath been disproved and also proved that Infants being born Sinners the only thing which giveth them Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them is Remission of their Sins in the third Query A third Devise these People have found to deprive Infants of their Right to Water-Baptism perswading People of years they were not Baptized at all if not Dip'd or Plung'd in Water This Error hath likewise been refuted in the first Query And lastly When the Anabaptists had framed so many Devices to deny all Infants Baptism they were confounded in themselves what to do to begin Baptizing in their way of Baptizing Adult Persons only as Men and Women there being no such Administrator to be found for an unbaptized Person without an immediate call from Heaven as John Baptist had to Baptize But one John Smith as aforesaid being more desperately wicked than others when being cast out for Error out of a True Church he Baptized himself and then he Baptized others and from this Man the English Anabaptists have successively received their new Administration of Baptism on Men and Women only And now let us take a small Description of this Man as aforesaid When he was joyned a Member to an English Church at Amsterdam whose Wolvish Nature was hid for a time as it is written For I know this saith Paul to the Church of God at Ephesus that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock also of your own selves Shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Acts 20. 29 30. Such a Wolf was John Smith for before he pleaded for Anabaptistry he was so great an Instrument of Satan that he sought to deprive the Church of God he had joyned himself unto of the use of the Bible not only as not to be used before the Eye as not to be looked into in time of Worship contrary to the Practice of Christ and the Apostles Luke 4. 16 17 1 Tim. 4. 13. Eph. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 1. 13. but also that it was not lawful to make use of the Bible in any other Tongue than that it was first written in Mr. Henry Ainsworth being Teacher in the aforesaid Church and so well acquainted not only with the Original Togues that first the Scriptures were given in but also with the mind of Christ in the same answered his Reasons against the use of Translations his main or principle Reason was this as Mr. Ainsworth saith That no Apocrypha Writing but only the Canonical Scriptures are to be used in the Church in time of Worship every written Translation is an Apocrypha Writing and is not Canonical Scripture therefore every written Translation is unlawful in the Church in time of Worship Ainsworth's Defence of Scripture Page 1 2. Now saith Mr. Ainsworth Some time after he had published this Error God struck him with Blindness that he could no longer find the door of the Church out of which he was gone by Schism and which he had assaulted with Errors namely our entering in by the Covenant made with Abraham and his Seed as now to the Faithful and their Seed which hath been as a Brazen Wall against which he hath run himself to his utter Ruine If God in Mercy raise him not up and now as a Man benum'd in mind he cryeth out against as contrary to his former Faith and Profession saying Lo we protest against them to be a False Church falsly Constituted in the Baptizing of Infants and their own unbaptized Estate Defence of Scripture Page 3. Thus Wine sheweth it self in Mr. Smith to be a Mocker and Strong Drink to be raging while he hath drunk the Wine of Violence Prov. 4. 17. proclaiming open War against Gods everlasting Covenant How contrary is this to his former Faith he once seemingly as it appears maintained with us saith Mr. Ainsworth as may be seen in his difference in the Preface for then he acknowledged the Ancient Brethren of the Separation as he calleth us are to be honoured for that they have reduced the Church to the true Primitive Apostolick Constitution Now as one Error goeth not alone while Mr. Smith was seeking to deprive the Church of God of the use of Translation one of his Arguments he thus framed Children saith he may read a Translation perfectly well but Children cannot perform any part of Spiritual Worship Therefore reading a Translation is no part of Spiritual Worship Mr. Ainsworth's Answer is Is not the praising of God a part of his Worship when the Children cried Matt. 21. 15 16. Psalm 8. Hosannah in the Temple to the Son of David Christ defendeth their Fact by Scripture That out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings God hath made perfect his Praise But I will turn his own Weapon upon him thus Mr. Smith Anabaptized himself with Water but a Child could have done Here Mr. Ainsworth saith Mr. Smith Baptized himself the like unto himself who cannot perform as he thinketh any part of Spiritual Worship and consequently it was Carnal Worship and Service of the Devil If one should answer though a Child could cast Water upon himself and utter such words as he heard Mr. Smith spake yet could he not preach or open Neh. 8. 8. the Covenant as did the Priests and Levites therefore Reading and Preaching being joyn'd together as Baptism with Water and Preaching he that condemneth the one because a Child can do it condemneth the other by like reason And Mr. Smith having thus written of Children and done to himself the Babes and Sucklings whose Souls he would Murther by depriving them of the Covenant and visible Seal of Salvation in the Church shall rise up in Judgment and condemn him at the last day who is like a Brute Beast as the Apostle Jude calleth some Men Who spake evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as Brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves Jude ver 10. Now how like a Beast did Mr. Smith say in his Writing against Infants Baptism That an Infant is no more capable of Baptism than any unreasonable Creature And what differeth Mr. Keach's words who saith in Page 164. of his Book Gold Refin'd That Flocks and Heards were Baptized in the Clouds and in the Sea as well as Children When as the Apostle saith all our Fathers were Baptized who were not Beasts but that part of Mankind of whom Christ came as it is written Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9. 5 6. Again Mr. Smith formed an
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