the Apostles preached so that it is to be believed that as the Apostles taught so they practised If then the Apostle Paul hath taught that all our Fathers were Baptized when water out of the Clouds by the Lord himself was poured on Persons and many of them were Children called our Fathers until the days of David Acts 7. 45. and how highly the Apostle Peter esteemed of all the Writings of his beloved Brother Paul who among other things presseth Order to be kept in the Administration of all Gods Ordinances teaching from Gods Order of Old when as a peculiar work belonged to the Ministerial Offices as 't is written No Man taketh this Honour to himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Heb. 5. 4. So that the Example of Numb 16. 1 Chron. 13. 11. Corah Dathan and Abiram and Uzza sheweth by the Judgments that fell on them what a Sin it was for any private Man to take that work to do which God had bound to Office But more to this in the Fourth Query So then it is rationally to be believed and that by grounded Reason from Gods word that the Apostles themselves without the help of the hundred and twenty did Baptize the three thousand in one day which could not be done by Dipping the Anabaptists grant and therefore it was done by casting water on the Forehead and Face as before shewed for Baptized they all were and because that part of Mankind representeth the whole Person either in Old or Young therefore they were Baptized by water cast on that part to wit the Face as by grounded Reason from Scripture is to be believed Besides 't is evident to be believed that many of these three thousand which the Apostles Baptized were Children seeing the Promise of the Pardon of Sin was by the Apostle Peter Acts 2. 39. applied to the Children then present as well as to their Parents of the Pardon of their Sins Water-Baptism being ordained by Christ for a Sign of Remission of Sins Now to all to whom the Promise is applied the Sign of Remission to wit Water-Baptism belongeth to them but the promise of Remission of Sins was applied to them and their Children but more of that anon in the Third Query for as it was the usual manner of the Jews when by Thousands they followed Christ to hear him Teach and see the Miracles which he did to take their Children with them as doth appear in that Miracle which Christ did whom he Fed with Five Loaves and two Fishes Five Thousand Men besides Women and Children Matt. 14. 21. for so it was foretold by the Prophet speaking of the day of Christ as it is written Thus saith the Lord behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my Standard to the People to wit the Jews and they shall bring their Sons in their arms or Bosoms and thy Daughters shall be carried on their shoulders Isa 49. 22. Even so the Jews that resorted to hear Christ and afterwards his Apostles Teach and to see the Miracles which they did they carried their Children with them unto whom the Apostle Peter joyntly applying the Promises of Life and Salvation by Christ in the remission of their Sins in the Blood of Jesus saying The Promise is to you and unto your Children And this maketh way to the Second Query which is Query 2. To what end Water-Baptism by the Lord Jesus was Ordained in these last days for a Gospel-Ordinance Answ John Surnamed the Baptist Matt. 3. 1. with respect of his immediate Call to the work of Baptizing hath shewed the end in the Sign why Water Baptism was ordained namely but that Christ should be made manifest to Israel Therefore saith John am I come Baptizing with Water John 1. 31. The Apostle Peter likewise agreeth thereunto saying Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins Acts 2. 38. Again Ananias confirmeth the same saying Be Baptized and wash away thy sins Acts 22. 6. So then in fine the end why Water-Baptism was ordained to make manifest by that outward Sign that Christ the Lamb of God is now come according to the Gospel-Promise preached to Adam That the Seed of the Woman Gen. 3. 15. shall bruise the Serpents Head that is destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. and deliver them who by Sin he had captivated into his Bondage Heb. 2. 15. As also according to the same Gospel preached to Abraham That in his Seed Christ all the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. Acts 3. 25 26. with the Pardon of Sin And accordingly John the Fore-runner of Christ sent as an Herald before the Prince of Life Acts 3. 15. to prepare the way of the Salvation of Fallen Mankind saith Behold the Lamb of God that beareth away the sin of the World John 1. 29. And this maketh way to the Third Query to be considered which is Query 3. What is it by Scripture Evidence that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Answ We have shewed in the Second Query that Water-Baptism is the visible Sign of the Pardon of Sin called the Sin of the World Therefore the next thing is to be observed what this Sin of the World is And secondly who are the Persons that stand charged with this Sin And thirdly how Christ the Lamb of God beareth away this sin of the World from these Persons The Apostle Paul hath not only shewed what this Sin of the World is but also the World this Sin first entered into and stand charged with the same and also how Christ the Lamb of God taketh away this Sin from many who are guilty as being under Condemnation as it is written Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the World and Death by Sin and so death passed upon all men for that or in whom all have sinned Rom. 5. 12. Now because Adam was the Root of all Mankind when he broke Gods Law by eating the Forbidden Fruit all his Posterity in his Loynes sinned in him for as Levi is said to pay Tithes in Abraham's Loynes before he was born when Abraham did Heb. 7. 9. even so we all in Adam's Loynes before we were born brake Gods Law when Adam did and this was the Sin that first entered into the World and these are the Persons Sin entered into namely the actual Sinner and his Seed and for these the Lamb of God is come to bear away the Condemnation due to them even Eternal Death the Wages of this Sin Rom. 6. 23. Thus we see in the Fall of Mankind there were two sort of Sinners the one Actual as Adam and Eve the other their Seed or Children in his Loynes Sinners by Original Corruption derived from Fathers to Children who have not sinned after the Similitude of Adam 's Transgression Rom. 5. 14. as by their own act but are Sinners by Derivation or Original Corruption from them and from these two sorts of
of Reasoning of judging and discerning True and False Good and Evil of Approving or Improving of Willing or Nilling of Speaking Numbering c. Now let them that affirm Infants are born Men as Christ doth John 16. 21. prove that Infants do understand do think remember judge discern Good and Evil approve will speak c. or else they say nothing Were not such a Disputer to be hissed at who requireth the Actual Use and Manifestation of Humane Affections and Faculties in Infants which are in them but potentially and in the Seed and Beginning And because they cannot declare these things by their Works therefore he denieth them to be of the Generation of Mankind or born Men into the World or that they have the Faculties of Men at all in them any manner of way Even so they reason against the Grace of Christ in Infants his work of Regeneration in them as Christ saith of the Children of his Kingdom that they are converted humble and believe in him because they cannot actually manifest the Effects of Regeneration and Fruits of Faith as did Timothy when grown up as in Elder Persons who by reason of Age have the use of their Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil. And here I desire to know saith Mr. Ainsworth of the Anabaptists First When they think that Children who in their opinion are born without any Sin begin to be Sinners Whether at two three five or seven Years And when they can justly reprove a Child for Sin If it shew in Word Deed or Gesture any thing contrary to the Law of God as if it Swear Curse Lye Disobey Parents take another's Goods be Froward Angry or the like Yea let any of them tell if he can when he himself fell from his Innocency and became a Sinner being none before as they account by what Act of Transgression of what Commandment for it is Strange that an Innocent Man should fall from his Innocency and know not when nor how Secondly Whether any Child so soon as it beginneth to be a Sinner an Actual Sinner hath not a Remedy for the Sin by Christ and so whether it is not capable of Repentance Faith Regeneration c. and consequently of Baptism the Sign of Remission of Sin so soon as it is a Sinner and at what Age any of them have Baptized their Children unto Remission of Sins for Parents are commanded to bring up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Eph. 6. 4. This they cannot do aright unless they know when first they begin to Sin and consequently when they begin to Believe for if they blame a Child for Sin while it is an Innocent they commit Iniquity If they keep a Child from Christ and Christian Baptism when it is a Repentant and Believing Sinner which may be so soon as it is a Sinner they wrong most Sinfully to coudemn that which Christ justifieth These things ought to be considered by all that Fear God And therefore before we conclude this Query I cannot but observe the Folly of the Anabaptists and in particular B. Keach how he despiseth those that prove by Grounded Reasons from Gods Word the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism because they shew not a plain Text in the New Testament in so many literal words Baptize your Children as of old Circumcise your Children And therefore he chargeth them Gold Refined P. 69. to reflect upon the Honour Care and Faithfulness of the Lord Jesus as if they rendred him less Faithful than Moses For saith he Can any thing reflect more upon the Care Honour and Faithfulness of Christ c. than this If he should neglect to speak out his Mind and Will to us to be so Careless that Sorry Man is forced to try his Wits to supply that which is wanting or defective in his word and when he hath done all he leaves it as doubtful as he found it in the Judgment of Indifferent Men. Did Moses deal thus with the Children of Israel No no how careful was he to deliver every Law Statute and Ordinance exactly and in particular the Passover So B. Keach saith Answ Methinks this Man together with the rest of his Brethren in their late Narrative Page 16 17. may by their own Ground wherewith they charge others to reflect upon the Care Honour and Faithfulness of the Lord Jesus be moved to look on themselves in that they are forced to try their Wits for want of so many plain literal words in Christs Testament Remember to keep Holy the first day of the Week for the Performance of Religious Worship as there is in Moses Writings Remember to keep Holy the Seventh day I say they may see how while they in their own Sense charge others to reflect on the Care Honour and Faithfulness of Christ they themselves are forced to try their Wits by Reasons drawn from Christ's Testament to prove that which they grant is defective and wanting by a plain Law as aforesaid to keep Holy the first day for Religious Worship Therefore to turn that on themselves which they take to be the way of Faith to keep the first day Holy for Religious Worship shall be as sufficient a Rule of Faith by their own Grant for us to prove by grounded Reasons from Christs Testament the Command for Baptizing of Infants as there is for keeping the first day Holy for Religious Worship without so many literal words As for Example Their first Question or Reason is for the keeping the first day Whether it be not the Duty of all Christians and Churches of Christ to observe the Lords-day or the first Day of the Week in the Worship and Service of God both in Publick and Private They answer to their own question it is concluded in the Affirmative their reason is because we find that day was set apart for the Solemn Worship of God by our Lord Jesus and his Holy Apostles through the Infallible Inspiration of the Holy Spirit We likewise answer It is concluded in the Affirmative That that which was once commanded by God to be observed and never by the same Law-giver yet abrogated is still to be kept and observed Deut. 22. 32. But the Command to set the Sign and Seal Gen. 17. 12 13. or Token of Gods Mercy in Christ on the Believers and their Infants was never yet repealed but only the Sign and Seal or Token changed from Circumcision to Water-Baptism even as the Seventh day time is changed from the Seventh day to the First day of the Week by the Lord Jesus and his Holy Apostles through the Infallible Inspiration of the Holy Spirit Again they say another reason is for keeping the first day because the Son of God was made manifest in the Flesh had Authority to make a Change of the Solemn day of Worship being Lord of the Sabbath Matt. 12. 10. Mark 1. 28. Luke 6. 5. By like reason we say Christ was manifested in the Flesh
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
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
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
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