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
to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as prefess so to be Answ As to the Persons whom God admitteth into this House Peter saith They are a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the same namely that the Church of Israel were Believers and their Seed in Infancy let the Reader compare word for word Exod. 19. 5 6. with 1 Pet. 2. 9. and then judge who we are bound to believe he that speaketh as Peter did by the Holy Ghost or B. Keach who without respect to Moses or Peter's words presumptiously saith None are admitted into the Church now but Actual Believers His words are contrary to Matt. 18. 6. 2. The other Scripture that is brought to prove that God hath pulled quite down the State of the Church of the Jews and turned the Infants out of doors is Heb. 7. 12. For the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change of the Law Which saith he must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it and therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disannulled with it they were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law shew us the like now and you do your business Answ Two things I observe in B. Keach's words aforesaid First he granteth by the coming of Christ there is a Change of the Priesthood so is there also of the Law contained in the Ceremonial Ordinances which were both Figures of Christ as it is written Having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Eph. 2. 15. And these were those things which were to be removed as it is written And this word yet once more signified the removing of those things that may be or are shaken that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12. 27. And what are those things which cannot be shaken namely the Church State of the Jews as aforesaid Mount Sion the State of the Covenant of Grace Christs Kingdom which cannot saith the Apostle be moved and therefore by him set in opposition to the Law Exod. 20. given on Mount Sinai to terrifie Sinners for the Church of Israel had not only the Law to shew them their Sins but also God gave them his good Spirit to instruct them Neh. 9. 20. with the Gospel to walk with God by Faith in Christ Heb. 11. chap. so that the difference between the Jewish Church and now they had Figurative Ordinances to teach them Christ to come we have Gospel-Ordinances to teach us he is come so that although God hath given more of his Spirit in these latter days yet it is but the same Spirit the Church of old had so that without ground it is for B. Keach to say God hath quite pulled down the Church-State of the Jews and built him a more Spiritual Surely a double measure of the Spirit did not make the Prophet Elisha not Elisha 2 Kings 2. 9. no more than a double measure of the Spirit make the State of the Gospel-Church not the same State the Church of Israel had so that the Kingdom or Spiritual State by the Covenant of Grace the Jewish Church had was never yet pulled down although many of them rejected Christ the chief Corner-stone And Therefore from such the Kingdom saith Christ shall be taken away not pulled down and given to a Nation to wit the Gentiles bringing forth the Fruits thereof Matt. 21. 43. And therefore the Lords Vineyard his Church was not destroyed or pulled down but let out to other Husband-men which should render to the Lord the Fruits in their Season Matt. 21. 41. And therefore saith the Author to the Hebrews Heb. 12. 28. concerning the Kingdom of Christ that cannot be shaken we having received a Kingdom that cannot be moved even Mount Sion on which Christ from the day the Covenant of the Gospel was preached to Adam and imbrac'd the Kingdom of Christ was established in Adam's Family then Christ first sat King on the Holy Hill Sion Psal 2. 6. for all were redeemed in Adam's Loynes as they fell in him and Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 22. after the Flood Christs Kingdom as afore shewed remained in Noah's Family although some Apostatized then God chose the Posterity of Blessed Shem of whom Abraham came and God was pleased that of the Seed of Abraham's Body Christ should be born yet a Promise was made that God would perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem as was fulfilled when the Gentiles were grafted into the Olive Tree the State of the Jewish Church the Covenant of Grace in Christ from which some Jews for their unbelief were broken off Rom. 11. ch So then here was no new Covenant no new Olive Tree no new Kingdom or new Church-State no nor were the Infants of Christs Kingdom ever yet shut out Luke 18. 16. as Mr. Keach dreameth to deceive his Reader 2ly he hath also dreamed that Infants Church-membership came in with the Law of Circumcision if People are not willing to be deceived by him they may see Gods word for the contrary for no Person was ever joyned to the Lord by Circumcision but by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. as it is written Let us joyn our selves it the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten And so Abraham was in Covenant with the Lord some years before Circumcision was instituted Gen. 12. 3. and when Children were born to Abraham as after to the Believing Jews they were born to the Lord because they were joyned to the Lord by Covenant and the Lord was their God and God called them his Children so that all Infants born in Covenant must be eight days old before they were Circumcised Gen. 17. 12. As in the Wilderness by Deut. 29. before their Infants were Circumcised both Parents and their Infants were joyned to the Lord and established by Covenant to be the Lords People so that as Infants Church-membership came not in with Circumcision so Infants Church-membership went not out when Circumcision was abolished but as the Covenant afore proved was the same Circumcision and now Water-Baptism Sealeth the Covenant remaineth together with the Subjects Believers and their little ones the Covenant never yet by any word of God abolished nor yet the Infants born in Covenant shut out of doors that is our of Gods Covenant so long as the Parents abode in the Faith and the Children continued therein Therefore at Random B. Keach falsly affirmeth through his gross mistake to say that Infants Church-membership came in not till Circumcision was instituted and that by the Act of Circumcision they were joyned Members this were to put the Seal to before the Covenant is entered into to the divertment of all order in sealing Covenants So then when he can prove Infants were joyned Members by Circumcision then he may have some colour to say that Infants were no longer
God but keep his Commandments Psalm 78. 6 7. Now that Israel were with their Children in the Covenant of Grace is evident for if the Believing Gentiles and their Infants were grafted into the same Olive-Tree from which the Unbelieving Jews with their Infants were broken off and that when the Unbelieving Jews as the Apostle teacheth shall by Grace be Grafted in again to what but their own Olive-tree Rom. 11. 24. that is into Christ by the Covenant of Grace from whence they were broken off by not believing Christ in the Promise when come to be their Saviour as Christ said to the Jews If ye believe not that I am he to wit the Seed of the Woman promised ye shall die in your sins John 8. 24. but Peter in his first and second Sermons to these Jews broken off from the visible Covenant of Grace in Christ know if they were of the Election they should yet obtain Mercy so shall they with their Infants be received of God in Christ See Rom. 11. 7. for saith the Apostle to the Jews upon their being pricked in their Hearts and their imbracing of Christ for their Saviour The Promise is unto you and unto your Children Acts 2. 39. Ye are the Children of the Prophets and of the Covenant God made with our Fathers saying unto Abraham and in thy Seed shall all the Kindreds of the Earth be Blessed unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities Acts 3. 25 26. Here we see God hath not cast away the Infants of his People but as by Unbelief some of the Jews were broken off and their Infants with them so when such Actual Sinners believed they and their Infants were grafted into the True Olive Christ by the Covenant of Grace again and hereupon was that Gospel-Promise fulfilled as it is written I will multiply them and they shall not be few I will also glorifie them and they shall not be small Their Children also shall be as afore-time and their Congregation shall be established before me and I will punish all that oppress them Jer. 30. 19 20. Thus God ever had great esteem of the Lambs of his Fold as appeareth in a day of Sore Calamity when the Lord called for a Fast who but the Infants must be Assembled with their Parents as it is written Blow the Trumpets in Sion sanctifie a Fast call a Solemn Assembly gather the People Sanctifie the Congregation Assemble the Elders gather the Children and those that suck the Breast Then saith the Lord Let the Priest say Spare thy People O Lord and give not thy Heritage to reproach Here we see Gods People are Men Women and their Sucklings and Little ones the Heritage of the Lord their God Joel 2. 15 16 17. Will not these Anabaptists say what Sense had Sucking Infants in that work to seek the Lord As much Sense as God required of them but because they were his Redeemed ones with their Parents unto whom the Promises did belong therefore they were comprehended within the Benefit of the Promise in the Church of God being a part of the Lords People O Spare thy People O Lord and God was their God not by any other way but by the Covenant of Grace in Christ who taketh away their Sin from them the Sin of the World Rom. 5. 16. Again in a like day of Fast when the Heathens came to invade the Land King Jehosaphat proclaimed a Fast throughout all Judah as it is written all Judah gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord now all Judah were Men and Women and their Little ones as it is written And all Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones their Wives and their Children 2 Chron. 20. 4 13. Thus Children with their Parents the Lord calleth for them in his Service that as Christ is a Mediator for them so they are included in the Prayers of the Church as they are a part of the same Now let these Men shew when Infants of Believing Parents were shut out from the Covenant of Grace before they with Cain Ishmael and Esau by their own Actual Sins made a Separation between the Lord and them while their Parents were stedfast with the Lord in his Covenant which they were bound to keep with Their Children that the Generations to come might know them even the Children that should be born who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his Commandments Psalm 78. 6 7. Now with what Face can the Anabaptists say The State of all Infants is Secret what word have they for it no word of God but like Men relying on the word of Mortal Men as B. Keach doth on his Author Dr. Taylor who saith God may have many ways to magnifie his Grace through Jesus Christ to them which we know not of to which he addeth And what have you to do with the Secrets of God who made you one of his Privy-Council Gold Refined page 143. Answ Paul was one of Christ's Privy-Council and he telleth us the State of Infants is not Secret for by Nature they are all Children of Wrath all sinned in Adam and so are under Death and Condemnation Is this Secret the Apostle Peter telleth us the Promise of the Gospel belongeth to Believers and their Children Christ telleth us in answering a question his Disciples asked him who was greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven the Church Jesus calleth a little Child such as played in the Streets of Jerusalem Zech. 8. 4 5. and set him in the midst of them and declared that that Child of his Kingdom was in the State of the Converted and the Humble and Believing so that if they were not in like State they should not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Matt. 18. 1 2 3 4 5 6. In Derision of all this whatsoever the Prophet or Christ in Person or his Apostles have said concerning the Happy State of the Infants of his People B. Keach saith Page 144. What Faith is in Infants and therefore in Derision of them against the very Testimony of Christ saith Is it the Faith of the Church or is it an imputive Faith or is it a dogmatical Faith or is it a Physical or Metaphysical or Hyperphisical Faith c. Answ Cannot a Child have the beginning of the Seed of Faith in the Bud unless the Acts of Faith be made manifest I may answer him with Mr. Ainsworth's words against the Anabaptists never yet answered by any of them Ainsworth's Censure on a Dialogue of the Anabaptists Page 52. How do they reason against the Light of Gods Word and even against Nature it self for if some Brutish Person should plead thus a Man is a Living Creature that hath a reasonable Soul and the proper Affections of a Man as he is a Man are the Faculties of Understanding
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
Argument for the warrant of Baptizing of himself Thus as Mr. Clifton hath published in his Christian Plea Page 181 182. in these words There is as good warrant for a Man Churching himself for two Men singly are no Church joyntly they are a Church so two Men may put Baptism upon themselves Again saith Mr. Smith A Man cannot Baptize others into a Church himself being out of the Church or being no Member But such was the State of Mr. Smith when he Baptized himself he was then cast out of the Church whereof Mr. Ainsworth was Teacher So we see out of his own Mouth Mr. Smith condemned himself and his Practice Moreover Mr. Jesop in his Discovery of the Errors of the Anabaptists who some time as he saith walked with them saith If I should demand of you your warrant for a Man to Baptize himself I much marvel where you would find such a Practice in all the New Testament of Christ it would be too hard a Task for you Although Mr. Smith first Baptized himself and then he Baptized Mr. Helvish and John Murton with others See Mr. Jesop's Discovery of the Errors of the English Anabaptists Page 65. Now as in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every Truth shall be established so then Mr. Henry Ainsworth and Mr. Clifton and Mr. Jesop have testified in their Books published that Mr. Smith Baptized himself and from such an Administrator the Anabaptists have successively received their way of Baptizing Adult Persons only and excluding the Infants of Believers from the Benefit thereof and because their Reasons for this Practice of theirs are but carnal as afore is proved therefore wanting Scripture Evidence for their Practice some of late have published in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book namely Mr. Kiffing John Harris Richard Adams Robert Steed Ben. Keach a False report against three worthy Servants of Jesus Christ wanting help as appeareth to maintain their way of Anabaptistry their words are these And since that God hath been pleased to raise up many Learned Men namely Dr Ames Mr. Ainsworth and Dr. Owen with others who have Learnedly and with much clearness and strength of Argument made it appear that a true visible Gospel-Church is to consist only of such as are Saints by profession and who give up themselves to the Lord and one to another by solemn Agreement to practice the Ordinances of Christ The cause surely must be very bad in these Mens own Eyes unless they are given over to blindness of Heart to make Falshood their Refuge as will clearly appear concerning these three Mens Judgment published to the World touching the State of the Children of Believers Dr. Ames hath written That a particular Church or Congregation is a Society of Faithful ones or Believers knit together mutually in a special Obligation or Bond in order to the constant exercise of the Communion of Saints among themselves And further saith Children of Believers who are in the Church-Fellowship are to be reckoned Members of the Church 1 Cor. 7. 14. your Children are Holy for they are partakers of the same Profession with their Parents yet Children are not so perfect Members of the Church so as that they can expect acts of Communion or may be admitted to partake of all the Priviledges of the Church unless a growing Faith appear in them but are not to be excluded from those Priviledges which appertain to the beginning of Faith and entrance into the Church Doctrines In Medul Theol. Lib. 1. ch 32. § 6. § 12. § 13. Mr. Henry Ainsworth saith Children of Believers when they are born of their Parents and all are born Infants are all in the Covenant with their Parents and were of old to be Circumcised are now to be Baptized if the Children be of years when their Parents enter into Covenant either they assent and enter into Covenant with them or they dissent and enter not so Ishmael Abraham 's Child being taught of his Father to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. and not disobeying he was with his Father Circumcised at thirteen years of Age Gen. 17. 25. likewise all Children now assenting unto and walking in the Faith with their Parents are to be Baptized at what Age soever but when Ishmael fell from his Obedience then was he cast out of Abraham 's House and was no longer counted for Abraham 's Seed but in Isaac was his Seed called Ishmael was still Abraham 's Seed and Child in Nature according to the Flesh but he continued not still a Child of the Covenant Gal. 4. 29 30. nor Abraham 's Seed according to the Promise even so if Children of Believers now being of understanding do refuse the Faith of Christ and fall from it they are to be kept out of the Church or cast out from it and so the Seal of Grace and Salvation belongeth not to them Ezek. 18. 24. 2 Chron. 15. 2. Matt. 3. 7 9 10. As it belongeth to all the Infants of the Faithful and to all their Children of what Age soever if they receive the Faith of Christ and abide in it with them And these Men meaning the Anabaptists if they think we hold Children are to be Baptized because they are our Children by Nature for so they are Children of Wrath Eph. 2. 3. but they are Holy and so have the Seal of Salvation because God hath graciously accepted them into his Covenant with our selves and keepeth them in it until they fall from Faith and Obedience of Christ even as we our selves continue in the Covenant while we continue in the Christian Faith and no longer 2 Tim. 2. 12. As we are the Children of the first Adam and so are Sinners Disobedient Unrighteous and under Condemnation but as we are the Children of the second Adam Christ we are all Holy made Obedient Righteous and Heirs of Salvation according to the Apostles Doctrine Rom. 5. 12 21. See Mr. Henry Ainsworth's Censure upon a Dialogue of Infants Baptism Page 67 68. Dr. Owen saith Children do belong unto and have an Interest in the Parents Covenant not only in the Promise of it which gives them Right unso Baptism but in the Profession of the Church-Covenant which gives them a Right unto all the Priviledges of the Church whereof they are capable until they voluntarily relinquish their claim unto them Dr. Owen The true Nature of a Gospel Church Chap. 1. 14 16. Now will not Mr. Kiffin Mr. Harris Mr. Adams Mr. Steed Mr. Keach call back their words which they have set their Hands to in the Preface to Philip Cary's Book of their evil here and imbrace the Truth these Men have testified In the mean time let the Prudent Reader judge whether the forenamed Persons have any Grounds to publish to the World that these Men Dr. Ames Mr. Ainsworth Dr. Owen should Learnedly and with much clearness and strength of Argument make it appear that a true visible Church is to consist only of such as are Saints
repeated the Foreskin being once cut off could not be cut again Answ The Apostle Paul answereth this Objection in these words Is any Man called being circumcised let him not become uncircumcised Is any called in Uncircumcision let him not become circumcised 1 Cor. 7. 18. By which it appeareth that the Foreskin might be gathered again by the Art of Chirurgery as Historians shew Joseph Antiq. Lib. 12. ch 6. So then the way of God is clear by proportion from Circumcision to Water-Baptism both received in Apostacy That as Judah when in Babylon they Circumcised as in the Spiritual Babylon Water-Baptism was and still is practised that as God accepted of his People of old only renewing their Covenant with the Lord even so all whom God calleth out of the Spiritual Babylon God only requireth that the Lords Covenant be renewed he made with their Ancestors that were once in the Lords Covenant and so that People once Baptized into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is not to be done again And this Ben. Keach granteth from his Author's words Elten on Col. 2. 11. Page 291. who saith That Baptism is the Sacrament of Incision or ingrafting into Christ Sealing up our setting into Christ which is only once done never after to be done again Gold Refin'd Page 178. So then there is a difference to be made when an Ordinance of God is done and not done at all or done and not rightly done for if in Judah's Apostacy as aforesaid they Circumcised as the Christians in Apostacy Baptized the Error in the one being repented if so in the other Now because the Anabaptists have not in this matter taken Counsel of Gods Word but followed their own Spirits they have run themselves into Confusion some in Baptizing themselves others receiving their Baptism from them and others of them all crying out against Romes Baptism because so many Additions is joyned therewith and therefore they say it is no Baptism when as it may be easily proved that we English People received not our Baptism from Rome but from the Britains or Welsh the first Inhabitants of this Nation who as Historians say received the Gospel Ten years before the Gospel was preached at Rome as Mr. Jones in his Book Entituled Rome no Mother Church to England Sect. 4. Page 123. Besides the General Agreement of Histories for in the year of Tiberius the Emperor Gildas affirmeth That Britain received the Gospel Further he saith That Joseph of Arimathea was sent by Philip the Apostle from France to Britain about the Year of our Lord 63. and remained in Britain all his days who with his Fellows laid the first Foundation of the Christian Faith amongst the British People Acts and Monum Book 2. p. 95. Gildas Lib. de vict Aurelii Ambrosius 2. Tertullian testifieth How the Gospel was dispersed abroad by the Sound of the Apostles Tertull. con Judeus as was the Commission to all Nations as the Apostle Paul writeth to the Colossians The Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every Creature which is under Heaven Col. 2. 23. so that some of all Nations for so they Sung Praises to God and the Lamb saying Thou hast redeemed us by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Rev. 5. 9. and there reckoneth up Medes Parthians and Dwellers of Mesopotamia Jury Cappadocia Pontus Asia Phrygia Egypt Pamphilia with many more At length cometh to the Coasts of â—he Morians and to all the Borders of Spain and France and among the rest reciteth all the parts of Britain and reporteth them to be subject to Christ Again Origen saith that Britain did consent to the Christian Faith Nesiphorus saith that Simon Zelots did spread the Gospel of Christ to the West Ocean and brought the same into the Isle of Britain Origen Hom. 4. in Ezech. Nic. Lib. Cap. 40. Again the Scots did celebrate their Easter in the time of the Abbots of Clunick not after the Roman manner but after the Greeks which argueth they received the Faith but not from Rome Also it appeareth by a Letter of Elutherius Bishop of Rome written to Lucius King of Britain Anno 169. that Lucius had received the Faith in this Land before he sent to Elutherius for the Roman Laws for so the words of the Letter purport which are these Ye have received of late through Gods Mercy in the Realm of Britain both the parts of the Holy Scripture out of them by Gods Grace take ye a Law and by that Law through Gods Sufferance Rule your Kingdom of Great Britain Anno 169. By these and like Testimonies it appeareth that the Baptism received first in this Land was in a true Church and this Scripture was fulfilled The Isles shall wait for thy Law as Christ hath expounded it The Gentiles shall trust in thy Name Isa 42. 4. with Matt. 12. 21. And again one while the Anabaptists will not have Water-Baptism to succeed Circumcision as visible Seals to one and the same Covenant for then they suppose they shall grant that if Infants had Right of old to be Circumcised by vertue of the Covenant of Grace they must confess if they would speak truth that Infants have Right to be Baptized by vertue of the same Covenant But when it will serve their turn then they will grant Water-Baptism came in place of Circumcision in this thing for say they Circumcision initiated Members into the Jewish Church and now Water-Baptism initiateth Members into the Gospel-Church And thus they are Yea and Nay but to let them know that no Person had Right to be Circumcised until he was first in Covenant with the Lord as Abraham was a Believer in Covenant before Circumcised And further it is proved that all Israel the Males except Caleb and Joshua were uncircumcised Persons when they by the Covenant of Grace in Christ were established to be the Lords People Deut. 29. and after Circumcised by Joshua Josh 5. Chap. So now first Members are joyned to the Lord with their little ones and by vertue of Gods Free Grace in Christ their Sin or Sins are pardoned and then the Sign Seal of the Covenant or Token of Remission of Sins is to be set on the Believers and their Seed Acts 2. 38 39. largely proved in the third Query Moreover as no uncircumcised Person might eat of the Passover even so no unbaptized Person might or may eat of the Lords-Supper Now this the Anabaptists will grant that the Lords-Supper came in room of the Passover yea and so did Water Baptism come in room of Circumcision for if 1 Cor. 5. Chap. proveth the one then Coll. 2. 11 12. proveth the other And as no Man might eat of the Passover until all his Males were Circumcised even so no Man may eat of the Lords-Supper until all his Children in Nonage are Baptized but for want of the due informing of the Congregations in these and such-like things Note what
skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness Yea I sware unto thee and entered into Covenant with thee saith the Lord and thou becamest mine Which Covenant of Free Grace is one and the same with Deut. 29. and Jer. 2. 2. and Exod. 19. Gen. 17. for all agree in one by which they were become the Lords People and God to be their God even a God to them and their Seed not only then born as it is written Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God your Captains of your Tribes your Elders and your Officers with all the men of Israel Your little ones your Wives and thy Stranger that is within thy Camp Profelites Exod. 12. 48. from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water That thou to wit as one Mystical Body of Christ the Church in the Wilderness Acts 7. shouldest enter or pass into Covenant with the Lord thy God and into his Oath of which Covenant by Oath Christ was Mediator Heb. 7. 2. which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day That he may establish thee to day for a People unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God namely unto thee and thy Seed thy Infants or little ones as he hath sworn unto thy Father to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob Neither with you only do I make this Covenant and this Oath but with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God but also with him that is not here with us this day that is the Children then unborn as appeareth by the same Covenant aforesaid Ezek. 16. 8. compared with ver 20 21. wherein God reproveth them among other things for offering their Infants to their Idols saying Moreover thou hast taken thy Sons and thy Daughters whom thou hast borne unto me Thou hast slain my Children By all which it appeareth that the Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. 7. to be a God to him and to his Seed or Children is the same with Exod. 19. 5 6. and Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. which is confirmed both by the Prophet Jeremiah chap. 2. 2 3. and by Ezekiel chap. 16. and the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2. 9. and the Apostle John Rev. 5. 9 10. to be no parts of the Covenant of Works or of the Law so that it is a gross Mistake in Mr. Cary to parallel the word Everlasting Covenant concerning Aarons Priesthood Exod. 40. 15. with the Everlasting Covenant to be a God unto the Believers and their Seed the most glorious Gospel-promise in the word of God for how dreadful is the contrary to the Apostate Israelites and now to all Apostate Christians For ye are not my People and I will not be your God see and read Hosea 1. 9. and then see the change Hosea 1. 10. by the Covenant of Grace in Christ compared with 1 Pet. 2. 10. 1 John 3. 1. Deut. 14. 1. for what was the happy Estate that moved the Patriarch Noah to say Blessed be the God of Shem Gen. 9. 26. this proveth that the Faithful in the Church by virtue of the Covenant of Grace in Christ had God to be their God which farther appeareth by the contrary to such that were not visibly under the Covenant of Grace they are said to be Strangers from the Covenants of Promise without hope and to be without God in the World but when accepted into Covenant with God in Christ they are no more Strangers and Foreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Ephe. 2. 11. 13. 19. This Grace and most special Blessing of the Church of God was not by a Covenant of Works as was given to Adam before his Fall for Man was never more to be credited upon his own word therefore God drove Man out of the Garden and placed at the East of the Garden of Eden Cherubims and a Flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life that Man should not attempt entrance by his own Works because such is the Spirituality and use of the Law and the Doctrine thereof which terrifieth the Conscience and by the Works thereof no Flesh can be justified Rom. 3. 20. and therefore the Law served to drive Men unto Christ that they might be made Righteous by Faith Gal. 3. 24. See Ainsworth on Gen. 3. 24. And therefore Christ was not a Surety to his Father for Man to keep a Covenant of Works or of the Law of which Aaron's Priesthood was but Christ was Surety to his Father of a better Covenant for his Redeemed ones as the Apostle teacheth Heb. 7. even of that Covenant that was confirmed by Oath such was the Gospel-Covenant God made with Abraham and after with his Seed in Deut. 29 10 11 12 13. whereby the Lord was a God to them and their little ones Now let me ask Mr. Cary and his Brethren that have set their hands to their Narrative aforesaid what Covenant that was the Church of Israel had that they say under this present Suffering they may say in the words of the Church of old though All this is come upon us yet we have not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy Covenant Psalm 44. 17 18. Will they say this was a Covenant of Works then the Anabaptists suffered not for Christs sake but for to Merit by the Work done but if we will believe the Apostle concerning the Covenant the Church of Israel suffered under it was the Covenant of Grace even the same Covenant the Primitive Christians suffered for as it is by the Apostle gathered from Psalm 44. to Comfort the Gospel Churches under their Sufferings As it is written For thy sake that is for Christs sake are we killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8. 36. Now let these Men shew what was the Covenant of Grace the Church of Israel had into which their Infants were accepted with their Parents but even the same Covenant of Salvation the Churches now are in under the Gospel the Promise therein was to them and their Infants as now to us and our Infants as these Scriptures shew Gen 12. 3. in which the Families are Blessed in Christ called in Gen. 17. 7. Generations in Exod. 19. 6. a Holy Nation and by Peter a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Peter 2. 9. So that the State of the Church of the Jews was laid on a sure Foundation Christ in the Gospel-Promise first to Adam then to Abraham and so to his Seed the Church of Israel and now on the same Foundation are all Gospel-Churches built So then how erroneously hath Ben. Keach affirmed as aforesaid in Page 113. of his Book Gold Refin'd That God hath quite pulled down that House of his I mean saith he the National Church-State the Jewish Church and broke up House-keeping and turned the Bond-woman and her Son the fleshly Seed Servants
and Infants all out of doors To which I answer with the words of Christ concerning the State of the Jewish Church For Salvation is of the Jews John 4. 22. Now if Salvation be of the Jews then the State of the Church of the Jews was founded on Christ for there was never but one Foundation laid on which the Church of God was and is builded in all Ages and this is Christ as it is written For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. If then Christ be the Foundation of Faith laid in the Gospel Promise preached to Adam and that the Jews had the same Covenant of the Gospel as we have as it is written Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them Then if this Foundation in which the Church-State in all Ages was built on is pulled down the Anabaptists Church-State have not Christ for its Foundation as in truth it hath not for if the Anabaptists Church-State had Christ for its Foundation then they must confess the State of the Jewish Church had Christ for the Foundation of their Faith as it had else they could not be Saved for so it is written to the Church of Israel as now to the Gospel-Churches Behold I lay in Sion for a Foundation a stone a tried stone a precious corner stone a sure Foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Isa 28. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 3. On this Foundation the Church of Israel was built else Salvation could not come out of Zion as it is written There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. with Isaiah 59. 20. but the Church of Israel was called Zion because her State was the Covenant of Grace as it is written Say unto Zion Thou art my People Isa 51. 16. And again Praise thy God O Zion Psalm 147. 11. O Zion that bringeth good Tidings Isa 40. 9. Now by no other Covenant than that of Grace did the Lord say For the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psalm 132. 13 14. Therefore it is said to the Church of the Jews Rejoyce greatly O Daughter of Zion shout O Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having Salvation lowly and riding upon an Ass and upon a Colt the Fole of an Ass Zach. 9. 9. Now because some of the Church of the Jews rejected Christ that he should not reign over them this doth not prove God hath destroyed the Church-State called Zion no sure the Church-State remained with the Faithful and their Seed for it were they that welcomed their Salvation into his Kingdom see the third Query and from the day the Gospel preached to Adam promised a Deliverer should come out of Zion was Christ the Foundation laid which Church-State from the day Christ in the Promise was laid in the Covenant of the Gospel in Zion can never be removed as it is written Look upon Zion the City of our Solemnities thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams wherein shall go no Gally with Oars neither shall gallant Ships pass thereby For the Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law giver the Lord is our King he will save us The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Isa 33. 20 21 22 24. Now are we commanded to look upon Sion the City of God the State of Grace the Church of God in all Ages was built on Yea let us look and see that unto no other Gospel-State of Salvation are the Gospel-Churches come unto than to this Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and unto the innumentable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and unto the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 22 23 24. And again those that have the eye of Faith may see as it is written And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their Foreheads Even all Gods Sealed number who by Faith in the Covenant of Grace in Christ Gods Israel both Jews and Gentiles who came out of great Tribulation washed their Robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 7. 4 9 14. Now if as is proved in this Treatise that we Gentiles have no other Foundation for our Salvation than Christ in the Gospel-Promise to Adam and Abraham and that the Church of Israel had the same to build their Faith upon and that the Gentiles Churches stand by Faith on the same State of Grace Mount Sion the Church of Israel did and that in the same House or Church of God Moses was Faithful as a Servant Christ is over the same House of his as a Son therefore how near to Blasphemy is it for any to say God hath quite pulled down that House of his that National Church-State of the Jews when as Peter saith from the Covenant of Grace Exod. 19. 5 6. the Church under the Gospel were a Holy Nation upon the same Grounds as Israel were a Holy Nation as was Gods way in his Free Grace in all Ages that in Christ all Families shall be Blessed as aforeshewed in the third Query The Believers the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or Buds with them Now they that shall deny Israel of old had not the same Covenant of Life and Salvation as we now have into which they and their Infants were accepted go about to destroy the Gospel preached to Abraham that in Christ all Families are Blessed in that B. Keach saith God hath quite pulled down that House of his by Families when as by Families written by Moses Gen. 12. 3. Peter expoundeth Kindreds Acts 3. 25. and who be the nearest Kindreds but Children and these the Apostle calleth Nations Gal. 3. 8. as afore proved in the third Query to whom the Blessing in the Gospel belongeth Zech. 2. 11. Matt. 28. 19. In the next place to examine the Scriptures Ben. Keach bringeth to prove God hath pulled down the Church-State of the Church of old and turned Infants out of doors his first is 1 Pet. 2. 5. from whence saith he God hath now built him a new a glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his Houshold Servants
34 15. By all which we see the same Doctrine of Faith Holiness and Love taught in Adam's Family is the same to us in Christ according to the same Covenant of Grace that was made with Adam and his Children whom he taught the way of the Lord but when grown up if as Cain they abide not in it as he so must they be cast out and this could not have been had he not been a Member of the Church in his Infancy born to the Lord in Covenant but when he not proving to be of the Election which the Apostle saith obtaineth it or continueth it in abiding Faithful to the end standing fast in the Faith which Cain did not but departed from the visible Profession thereof Luke 8. 13. so fell away Now then of Cain's Seed the World of ungodly began to take Root in the Earth again so that there was now on Earth the Kingdom of Christ in Adam's House or Family and the Kingdom of Satan in Cain's House or Family called the World of Ungodly who both Fathers and Children were destroyed by the Flood of Noah And then again there was only remaining the Church of God or his Kingdom in Noah's Family the Fathers with their Wives and Children a Holy Nation a chosen Generation to the Lord as Israel were by Families But in process of time Satan had his Seed in the Church in the Person of Cham or Ham Gen. 9. 25. who for his Sin was cast out of the Church and of his Seed sprang another World of Ungodly As likewise in process of time almost all the Posterity of Blessed Shem became Apostatized from the Faith So that then it pleased God to call Abraham from his Idolatry out from his Fathers House Joshua 24 2. Gen. 12. 1 and with him and his Seed as before with Adam and Abraham and their Seed God made an everlasting Covenant or preached to him the everlasting Covenant of the Gospel namely that in his Seed Christ the Womans Seed in the same Gospel afore preached to Adam All Nations of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. And when again the same Covenant was more particularly applied to belong to the Seed of his Body of whom Christ must be exspected as it is written I will make my Covenant between me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly besides the Promise before made to him of his being a Father of many Nations and I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee Gen. 7. 2 5 7. Now this Promise to be a God to the Believer and his Seed is the Substance of the Gospel-Promise as it is written And they shall be his People and God himself will be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. even the God of all the Families of Israel Jer. 31. 1. So then if the very Letter of the Gospel be so plain that in Christ the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed and this Family is the Seed or Infants or Children of Believers and this Blessing is the Remission or Pardon of their Sins as it is written God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from your Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Water-Baptism being the visible Sign thereof therefore saith Peter to Parents and Children be Baptized every one of you namely that have their Sin or Sins pardoned the Sin of the World for the Promise in the Gospel-Covenant is to you and unto your Children is also confirmed by John the Baptist that this is the Way of Salvation he prepared before the Lord saying Behold the Lamb of God preached to Adam is now come that beareth away the Sin of the World of whom is afore proved Children in Adam were a part thereof Now until the Anabaptists can prove that the Infants were no part of the World Sin entered into and so Children to be no Sinners it remaineth proved that Children are Sinners in Adam and the Sin of the Infants of Believing Parents is taken away by Christ the second Adam as well as the Sin of their Parents who had Actually committed As we have the Testimony of the Spirit of God for to prove it in these words but not as the Offence so also is the Free Gift Rom. 5. 18 19. for if through the Offence of one many be Dead much more the Grace of God and the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many and not as it was by one that sinned so is the Gift for the Judgment was by one to Condemnation but the Free Gift is of many Offences unto Justification So then all is of Free Grace both to the Actual Sinner and his Seed in Infancy who are Sinners by original Derivation Now although God doth require of such as have Actually sinned Actually to repent and to make Confession of their Faith before they may have the Sign of Remission of Sins if they were not before Baptized into the Name of Christ to be set on them So that great is the Difference between what it is that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and what God requireth of Actual Sinners before they be Baptized Therefore the very Letter of the Law a Schoolmaster leading to Christ might teach the Anabaptists that of whom did God require a Sacrifice of Confession brought to the Altar figuring Christ but from such only that had Actually sinned yet the Infants of such by vertue of Gods Free Grace in the Covenant of the Gospel were Blessed with their Believing Parents and the Males sealed with the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith therefore called with their Parents The Blessed of the Lord as shall be more spoken to anon But now to insert here the general Argument grounded on Carnal Reason the Anabaptists bring as their main Pillar to deny the Right Infants have to Water-Baptism published by B. Keach in his Book Gold Refined P. 141. That nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Answ If there were no Sinner pardoned or their Sin or Sins remissed there would not have been this Ordinance of Baptism ordained seeing it is ordained for a Sign of the Remission of Sins that such as have Right thereto may have Christ made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin or Sins in his Blood But because Christ the Lamb of God is come who taketh away not only the Sin of such Actual Sinners whom his Father giveth Faith to Believe in his Son but also the Sin of the World Infants stand charged with by natural Corruption derived from their Parents Now then who is it Man even Sinful Man that Meriteth a Right to have his Sins pardoned or is it not Christ that hath done